Tanzania 2008
Photo Safari Workshop lead by Stefano Levi
(14 Feb - 22 FEB 2009)
This safari has been designed for the need of photographers, meaning that itinerary, lodging, transportation and activities have been customized in order to fulfill the very special needs of who is passionate about photography and wants to get the best out of it. Accomodations are a mix between comfortable Mobile Tented Camps in the style of "Karen Blixen´s out of Africa times" and romantic Lodges. Stefano Levi will be shooting along with you all times and the pace of the workshop will suit all range of expertise, from amateur to professional. Expecially amateur Photographers will benefit from the interaction and input both of Stefano and the other participants. We will work hard on refining our photography techniques and have a lot of fun together.
There will be informal evenings with no lectures or slides, instead we wll review some of the images of the day, and share with each other "the catch of the day", see what we can do better on the next day. This workshop is all about TEAMWORK and PHOTOGRAPHY. Everyone will profit from each other´s knowledge. I will be indeed available for any kind of question.
We will have the chance of learning about the activities of the Frankfurt Zoological Society in Serengeti and learn about their programs that ensure the survival of endangered species such as cheetas, lions and Rhinos in the Serengeti National Park.
We cooperate with the very reliable and experienced local operators and offer the best service possible in this part of the continent for a competitive price. All jeeps are regularly serviced and never overcrowded because I allow a maximum of 3 participants per Land Rover (1 photographer per each raw of seats, with 2 windows and extensible hatch in order to assure full 360 degrees view) on each Land Rover to assure enough space for mobility and equipment.
Workshop itinerary
| Day 1 | INTL FLIGHT TO TANZANIA - There are flight connections to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) from several European Airports (e.g. KLM from Amsterdam and other european cities). We can assist you with the booking of the flight through our agency. Upon arrival Arrival at JRO/Arusha our driver will pick you up from the airport and you will be transferred to Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge in the Mt. Meru region. Dinner and overnight. Meet Stefano at the Lodge. |
| Day 2 | MT MERU - In case you arrive on Day two: our driver will pick you up from the airport and you will be transferred to Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge in the Mt. Meru region. Today will be used for acclimatization and regaining strenghts as the next day´s activities will be demanding. We will use the first day for acclimatization. Several activities are possible. We will go for a Nature Walk and explore the fifty acres of forest, lake and beautiful gardens which are home to a wide array of indigenous and exotic flora and fauna. We will have the chanche of spotting monkeys and birst in the forest and "warm up" our photographic equipment for the next day. |
| Day 3 | MT MERU TO TARANGIRE - early in the morning we will transfer to the to Tarangire National Park, and spend the rest of the day on game drives to explore the Park. This is one of Tanzania's least-visited Parks famour for its herds of elephants. It is not uncommon to spot leopard and lions. Tarangire also offers stunning landscapes and expecially at dusk and dawn. In the evening we will transfer to Oliver's Camp, where we will have dinner and overnight. We will be lodging in Luxury Tented Camps, which is a very romantic way of being close to nature all in the style of the expeditions in the 18th Century. |
Hadzabe tribe near lake Eyase, Tanzania
| Day 4 | ALL DAY TARANGIRE - A whole day to explore Tarangire, starting very early in the morning in order to catch the best light for photography. We will photograph the large herds of elephant for which the Park is renowned. Oliver´s Camp is located in the South-East section of the Park, a long way from the 'beaten track'. We will have the chance of doing a walking safari with an armed ranger as well as off road driving which is permitted here enabling us to get really up-close and personal with the animals! |
| Day 5 | TARANGIRE TO NGORONGORO - Early in the morning we will depart and head to the Ngorongoro Crater. Transfer to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), and continue through the rainforest to the crater rim. We will descend the crater for a 6 hours game drive in this wonderful environment chasing lions, wildebeest, and rhinos. We will be also look for flamingoes who populate the inner lakes. In the afternoon transfer to the wonderful Gibb's Farm, on the outskirts of the NCA, for dinner and overnight at this old coffee plantation. |
| Day 6 | NGORONGORO TO SERENGETI - We will start very early and transfer to the Serengeti National Park. A full day of game viewing, starting with the amazing drive through the NCA with a short stop at Olduvai Gorge for a visit to the early hominid museum. Antropologically this is the most relevant site of all times, and and extremely interesting to visit. This area is also the Maasai homeland and you will pass a number of villages en route. Explore around Lake Ndutu with a picnic lunch, time-permitting, then enter the Serengeti. Continue on a game drive through the Seronera Plains, ending at Simiyu Mobile Camp in the late afternoon, where you will have dinner and overnight in the heart of the Park. Here wie will have the possibility of learning about the activities of the Frankfurt Zoological Society in Serengeti and understand nore about their programs which are meant ensure the survival of endangered species such as cheetas, lions and Rhinos in the Serengeti National Park. At the end of the evening we will go to sleep surrounded by the sounds of the African night! |
Four zebras walking in the Serengeti National Park Plains
| Day 7 | SERENGETI ALL DAY - We will have the option of beginning the day with an exclusive sunrise balloon safari over the plains of serengeti, complete with Champagne breakfast in the bush when you land (ca. €350 pp extra). A full day of game drives to explore the Serengeti in the region near Lake Ndutu. We will have a good chance of seeing this unforgettable spectacle at this time of year, of the Wildebeest migration. From a photographer´s perspective this is a great opportunity! We will also search for the big predators and herbivores as well as the myriad smaller creatures which make each safari unique. In the evening transfer to a luxury tented camp, for dinner and overnight in the Tented Chalets of the Simiyu Mobile Camp. In the evening there will be the option of venturing out on an exciting night game drive to try and find some of the more elusive creatures. |
Lioness stilling two babies in Serengeti
| Day 8 | SERENGETI TO KILIMANJARO (JRO) - A final morning game drive. On the way we will stop at the Kopjes, and look for big cats resting on the rocks. Transfer to the Ndutu airstrip and catch the flight to Arusha. We will lunch at the Arusha Coffee Lodge . You will then be transferred to the airport for your international flight home or to your next activity if you are planning to stay in Tanzania and continue your journey in Africa. In this case we will also be happy to help you suggesting an itinerary through our local operator. |
The cost of this Photographic Workshop will be 3190 € (based on double room occupancy) all-inclusive of described workshop activities, lunches, Naturalistic Guides and Drivers other than international flight from Home to JRO, drinks, tips, laundry and personal items. Supplement for Single Room occupancy: 580€. First Air Responder cover is included in the price. In order to reserve this trip the agency will need a prepayment of 800 € which will be refundable only until 90 days prior to departure. After the 90 days, the prepayment can be refunded only after we could find a replacement for the cancellation. This policy is necessary due to the overbooking of the lodges and camps in tanzania expecially in 2008, and because a prepayment 90 days prior to departure is necessary in order to hold the reservations.We recommend that you take care of our own travel insurance in order to be covered for the entired trip. Also medical insurance is highly recommended in order to ensure cost-free hospitalization and/or tranfer home in the unfortunate case of. These insurances are usually not expensive, but prevent you a lot of trouble in unfortunate situations. What is included in the price?
What is not included in the price?
How to bookYou would like to take part to this tour. What to do next? Contact us by email and reserve a place for this trip. Because we like to give very personal attention to our customer, we would appreciate if you could write something about yourself. In order to reserve a place on this safari, you will need to pay a deposit of 25% of the costs. Important informationA minimum of 5 participants (2 Jeeps) is needed in order to guarantee the workshop. As I cannot hold the rooms without a name, availability of the lodges describes might change. In this case I will look for alternatives in the same class range. Flexibility is key for a successful Safari. The described itinerary may be affected by changes due to unpredictable circumstances (cultural, political, environmental or related to migration of animals). Remember that Tanzania is not Europe or USA and although changes of itinerary are normally not the case, this is a possibility to take in account and we reserve the right of doing so. If any of these changes should imply additional costs, I will make sure to inform everyone as soon as possible. Our workshop groups are very small. This means space is limited. If you would like to participate please book as soon as possible because free spots fill up very quickly. If you have any questions before registering, send us an e-mail with any inquiries to ste@stefanolevi.com Book Now |