A Brief Tanzania Safari Trip Report

Greetings from Karatu, Tanzania! I am winding up two back-to-back safaris in Tanzania, and I am headed home tomorrow with a plethora of potentially great photographs for my portfolio. Here are some random thoughts from the past 3 weeks.

From a quality of wildlife standpoint, this is likely the best Tanzania safari I have ever been a part of, as we had wonderful leopard sightings on both of my safaris. My first safari ended in the Serengeti and my second safari started in the Serengeti, which means I had 8 nights of private bush camping in one location. These 9 days represent absolutely stunning and breathtaking photographic opportunities: leopards in trees, leopards near our vehicles, lions with 9 cubs playing about, a lion taking down a wildebeest, cheetahs out on the short grass plains, great behavior from zebras, a wildebeest giving birth to a new calf and excellent hippo interaction. These are only what comes to mind, and there are so so many other great scenes that we were able to watch and photograph. I also spent 4 nights at Ngorongoro Crater, as well as time at Lake Manyara. Lake Manyara had absolutely stunning giraffes, and we had a scene with 27 giraffes all sitting or standing out in an open clearing. Wonderful compositions!

I am more energized after this trip as a result, and cannot wait to get home to be with Leslie and the kids. I am sure that I won’t have time to process any images for a week, as being away from home for three weeks requires spending quality time with my family. I will try to quickly process some images when I have a chance, just for quick blog photos.

From an equipment standpoint, I primarily used my new Nikon D3x camera on a 200-400mm f/4 VR lens. I had the 1.7x teleconverter on it much of the time, and when I needed a little extra reach or when I wanted to fill my subject in the frame, I used my D300 with the MB-D10 portrait grip and the EN-EL4 battery. My D3 wasn’t used as much, and I am not sure why. I think I valued larger file sizes over the better higher ISO image quality of the D3. I do have some scenarios where I did use both at the same ISO and on the same lens, so I will be able to demonstrate which one looks better on different size prints. I don’t like to evaluate images on the screen, because this isn’t important to me. My only goal for my photography is the final printed image, and I primarily print in two sizes: 10x15” and 20x30”. Sometimes larger if I can get away with it.

All of my equipment was transported to Africa in a Gura Gear Kiboko camera bag. When I arrived I took out most of the dividers in the bag and then attached lenses to cameras and I was ready to shoot “out of the bag”. There were numerous other Gura Gear owners on each safari, and I heard nothing but praise about the bag’s design and use in the field. I will write up some real use stories on Gura Gear’s blog when I return home.

I also used my D700, primarily as a grab shot camera. What a great backup to a backup camera, eh? The D700 doesn’t fit my shooting style, but I would definitely keep it if I didn’t already have a D3. I would love to use the D700 as a dedicated infrared camera, but I am already carrying too many cameras as it is, and the D700 would be an expensive luxury item as a dedicated IR camera. I will be selling the D700 when I return home, because the other 3 cameras make the most sense for my style of photography. Please let me know if you are interested in picking up my D700.

I am sitting at Gibbs Farm in the Ngorongoro highlands, preparing a presentation for my safari travelers. The presentation will primarily consist of editing techniques: why images are chosen and why others are not, and then my own Adobe Photoshop Lightroom workflow on how I actually process my raw files. After the two hour session, we will finish up the day with cocktails out on the veranda with some Maasai portrait photography of two Maasai friends of mine, dressed in traditional clothing. I will have two strobes on light stands, an umbrella and some reflectors and diffusers. A great way to end our safari in a relaxed setting, for sure.
I am looking forward to returning to Tanzania in October, as well as for more safaris in 2010.

While I was away on safari, I had 2 cancellations on my July 2009 Botswana safari. Please send me an email at info@andybiggs.com if you would like these spots. I will also announce my February 2010 Tanzania safaris when I get home, but I will need to write up the travel dates and itinerary details first. If you are looking for the photographic trip of a lifetime, I highly recommend Africa!!

My Safari Begins in Tanzania

Greetings from Arusha, Tanzania! I arrived in Tanzania a few evenings ago, and will begin my first of two safaris in the morning. I am running a few errands today, getting ready for what will certainly be a great time out in the bush.

I am shooting with 100% Nikon equipment on this trip, and here is what I have packed into my Gura Gear Kiboko camera bag:
Nikon D3x
Nikon D3
Nikon D300
Nikon D700
200-400mm f/4 VR
70-200mm f/2.8 VR
24-70mm f/2.8
17-35mm f/2.8
1.4x and 1.7x teleconverters
SB800 x 2

Yes, all of this fits into the camera bag, and when I am on my first game drive a camera + 200-400mm will go into a Kinesis L521 long lens bag, and the other 3 lenses and cameras will all be in a ready-to-shoot configuration. I will remove many of the dividers in the Kiboko bag, and each camera will have a lens attached. So 4 cameras and 4 lenses will be at the ready.

I also brought a pair of SB800 flash units, 2 Manfrotto 001B light stands, a Wescott umbrella and some swivel mounts. I will be shooting some portraits on the trip, and this is a nice and light setup.I have the 1.4x and 1.7x teleconverters, and this is more of a test than anything else. I own the 1.7x, and borrowed the 1.4x. I am interested in finding out if there is a loss in optical quality and a loss in focusing speed between the two teleconverters. There is only one way of finding out, so I have brought both of them with me.I have four cameras for a reason, as well. I am interested in learning the ins and outs of these Nikon cameras, and how they fit the line of work that I am in. I don't plan on keeping all of these cameras after the safari, and I will be writing about my experiences with all 4 of these great cameras, both the positives and negatives. There is much to like about all four of them, for sure, and it will be interesting to see which ones stay and which ones go. All but the D3x were purchased used from friends of mine, and I doubt I will lose much in a sale.

Botswana trip report - Rob Martin

The Crazy Kiwi, Rob Martin

Rob Martin, aka 'The Crazy Kiwi', has posted a great trip report from our April 2008 Botswana safari. Our safari consisted of 6 travelers plus myself, and was a 100% camping trip. We camped in two different locations in and around the Okavango Delta, and also spent some time doing aerial photography from a helicopter.

Rob's Botswana trip report on his web site, 1Ds.com.

And Rob's images on his pbase account.

Rob on his 'perch', waiting to take a photograph of an elusive sitatunga.

Okavango Delta, Botswana. April 2008.

Safari Overview Video

Andy Biggs Photo Safaris

Guide profile: Matt Meyer

May I introduce one of the coolest guides I have come in contact with. Well, we will use the term guide for simplicity's sake, even though they are referred to as rangers at Mala Mala. I met Matt Meyer back in April when I spent four nights at Mala Mala Main Camp, and my friend Al and I had a private vehicle during our stay. Matt was always entertaining, professional and one heck of a good guide. He knew what we were after before we even had to utter the word l-e-o-p-a-r-d to him.

Al Vinjamur and Ranger Matt Meyer. Mala Mala, South Africa, April 2008

If you make it to Mala Mala, be sure to punch Matt in the shoulder and tell him hello from me. Between my visit in April and another friend's trip in September, we have been able to get Matt into photography with a Canon 20D and a 28-300mm L lens. He is in the heart of excellent photography territory, and he is capturing some amazing images. He was shooting jpg when I met him, and is now in the thick of processing raw files.

I look forward to being back in Mala Mala when I return in August 2010 for my African Wildlife Photography Boot Camp. We will be visiting Mashatu for 4 nights in Botswana and also 4 nights at Rattray's at Mala Mala for 4 nights. We have exclusive use of these camps, which means we have all of their vehicles just for our group. Add in some charter air flights between all camps and Joburg, and you have over 180 pounds of weight allowance per person. Yes, that is kind of nuts, but it is the way the numbers worked out. Want to bring your spouse? No problem, as we have 4 spots for a non-photographing spouse for a whopping 50% discount.

Matt, see you at the African Wildlife Photography Boot Camp!

Safari Testimonial: Mark Dubovoy

"Dear Andy-

I am not an amateur photographer. My images are in the permanent collections of more than half a dozen major museums, as well as in numerous private collections and galleries. I am a contributing writer to PHOTO Techniques magazine as well as to The Luminous Landscape web site. I am a consultant, an advisor and beta tester to several large manufacturers.

I have traveled all around the world, and I had been to Africa a few times before I decided to join a workshop to Botswana organized by you.

Why did I decide to do this? The reason is simple, I know enough about adventure travel to realize that it is always good to be with someone that knows the territory and will make all the proper arrangements. Making the proper arrangements, and making sure that everything is done correctly is a difficult task, not to be underestimated, particularly in underdeveloped countries far from civilization.

You do a superb job of making absolutely first class arrangements, and of making sure that everything runs smoothly and flawlessly. I can state without hesitation that you are probably the best trip/workshop leader I have ever experienced.

Andy, you are a great photographer and your people skills are superior. You know when to advise, when to intervene and when to leave people alone. Furthermore, your charming personality and humor are a delight.

I heartily recommend to anyone, photographer or not, to join you in one of your exciting adventures. I am certainly looking forward to my next trip with you."

Here are a few images from our September 2008 Botswana trip together:

Photo of the Day

Botswana safari group, Mombo Camp, September 2008

Canon G9, P (professional!?) mode

Traveler Profile: Steve and Mary Murdock

Steve and Mary Murdock were recently on my safari to Namibia, and also traveled with me back in September 2006 to Tanzania. They recently wrote the following note, and included some amazing photographs from Namibia:

"Dear Andy,

Mary and I had a great trip to Namibia with many unique and fun experiences. We thought our first trip to Africa with you was outstanding but this one was even better. Perhaps most memorable event among many was the confrontation between the white rhinos and pride of lions at the watering hole! You and your team of knowledgeable guides ensured that we were in the right places at the right times to observe the scenery and wildlife and take some wonderful photographs. You are a warm and gracious host who is genuinely interested in his guests and you consistently went above and beyond expectations to make sure that everyone was relaxed and enjoying themselves. Although your trips are designed for photographers, even the non-photographers in the group had a great time. Andy, you are a true professional and we are looking forward to our next trip with you!"