Best of Africa 2024
The Great Migration & More
Workshop Information Packet
Contents:
I. General Information
II. To Do Checklist
III. Daily Itinerary
IV. FAQ’s
Best of Africa 2024
General Information
Welcome!
Thanks again for joining our Best of Africa: The Great Migration & More Photo Safari & Workshop. I’m sure you are as excited for our adventure as we are! This document contains important information to help you prepare for your travels. Please take some time to read it carefully.
Workshop Overview
Workshop Dates: February 8–21, 2024
Begins: Nairobi, Kenya
Ends: Arusha, Tanzania
Instructors/Leaders: Ken Lee & Leighton Lum
The workshop begins when our representative meets you at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Airport code: NBO) in Nairobi, Kenya on Feb 8, 2024 (or before) and ends upon our arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (Airport code: JRO) on February 21, 2024.
In between, we will travel in 4-wheel drive safari vehicles through southern Kenya and northern Tanzania, visiting 5 of the most wildlife rich conservation areas in Africa and photographing their abundant wildlife on multiple game drives in each park. There are two internal fights on our itinerary, both of which are included in the workshop fees and will be booked on your behalf.
Formal and informal instruction/coaching on wildlife photography techniques, developing your Photographer’s Eye, image management and post processing are also part of our agenda. On the final day of the workshop (Feb 21) we will catch a morning flight from Serengeti National Park to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in Arusha, Tanzania, arriving in time to check in for your homeward flight.
Please take a look at the Daily Itinerary in this packet or on the workshop page of our website for more details about the locations we will visit and the things we can expect to see and photograph throughout our journey.
Balance of Fees
Your initial deposit payment of $1500 secured your reservation for this workshop. You will receive invoices by email approximately 30 days before the due dates for the following additional payments:
Second payment of $2500 is due by Sep 8, 2023 ( you will receive an invoice by email in August)
Final Payment – the balance of all fees is due by Dec 8, 2023. The amount of this payment will vary for each participant based on the options chosen such as the Single Lodging, Hot Air Balloon Flight, and any additional hotel nights.
All payments can be made online using any major credit/debit card. Please contact us if you wish to make a payment by another method. Your prompt payments are greatly appreciated.
Travel Logistics & Documents
Passport – make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond our return date and that you have at least 4 blank pages for visa stamps. Please send us a copy/photo of the picture page of your passport.
International Flights –
Arrival – book your flights to arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Airport code: NBO) in Nairobi, Kenya no later than ~1pm on February 8 (our first group activity is at 4pm).
Departure – Book your homeward flight to depart from Kilimanjaro International Airport (Airport code: JRO) in Arusha, Tanzania after 6pm on Feb 25 (most flights to the US depart in the evening).
Note: Arusha has another airport (code:ARK ) Do NOT book your outbound flight from there
Extra hotel nights - if you plan to arrive early or stay after the workshop ends, send us your itinerary details and we will book extra hotel nights for you as needed (additional cost ~$180/night, includes breakfast)
Let us know if you need any assistance with your travel arrangements.
Visas –US passport holders must obtain visas to enter both Kenya & Tanzania. If your passport was issued by another country, please check online or with the Kenyan consulate in your country regarding visa requirements.
Kenya – visa must be obtained in advance (no visa-on-arrival option). The easiest way to apply is online at: https://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html
The application process is routine and relatively straightforward but be advised:
Do NOT apply too early – visas are valid 90 days from the issue date (not arrival date)
There is a non-refundable application fee of $51
You will need the following to complete the application:
a photo or scan of the cover and picture page of your passport
your passport photo
your return flight ticket/itinerary
Note: all uploads (documents & photos) must be in .jpg format only
For Visa Type, select “Single Entry”
For Host, select “Hotel” and enter the following details:
Tamarind Tree Hotel
Langata Link Rd
Nairobi, Kenya
Phone: +254 709 240 000
Email: reservations@tth.tamarind.co.keFor Hotel Reservation: we will provide a copy of the hotel reservations to upload in a future email.
Processing of your completed application usually takes between 5–10 days. You should receive your visa approval notification by email but you may need to log in and check the status of your application – keep your login credentials handy. Print your visa and keep it with your travel documents. You will need to show your visa when you check in for your USA-Kenya flight and upon arrival in Kenya.
Note: Kenya does NOT offer a Visa on Arrival option
Tanzania - The easiest way to apply is online at: https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/
There is a non-refundable application fee of $100
You will need the following to complete the application:
a photo/scan of the picture page of your passport (.jpg or .png format – 300Kb max file size)
your passport photo (.jpg or .png format – 300Kb max file size)
your return flight ticket/itinerary (.pdf format – 1MB max)
or Are you traveling as part of a group?, select “No” (we are not all flying in/out on same flight)
For Host, select “Self”
For Port of entry, select Namanga
For Accomodation, select Hotel and enter “Arusha Coffee Lodge, Old Dodoma Rd, Burka Coffee Estate”
Processing of your completed application usually takes between 24 hrs and 1 week. You will receive your visa by email – typically a multiple entry visa valid for one year. Print your visa and keep it with your travel documents. You will need to show your visa when we cross Kenya-Tanzania border and when leaving Tanzania
Tanzania does offer a Visa on Arrival option, but this will delay your processing through Immigration at the Arusha airport by several hours and the only form of payment accepted is exact CASH in US Dollars with bills printed after 2009. We strongly recommend obtaining your visa online in advance.
COVID-19 related requirements – vaccination is recommended but Kenya, Tanzania and the USA no longer require pre-travel Covid testing or proof of vaccination for arriving travelers.
Other Vaccinations – no specific vaccinations are required to enter Kenya or Tanzania but please consult your physician or travel clinic for their recommendations. While we cannot provide medical advice, malaria prophylaxis and vaccinations for yellow fever are typical recommendations. If your medical group doesn’t have a travel clinic, pharmacy chains like CVS, Walgreens and Bartell’s offer this service at a reasonable cost.
Travel Insurance – that covers medical evacuation is a requirement for participation on this workshop. Most policies also cover many other things like trip cancellation, lost luggage, theft/loss, etc. are widely available and reasonably priced.
Notify Banks & Credit Cards – notify your financial institutions about your travel plans to prevent problems using credit cards or ATM’s while traveling.
Mobile Phone Carrier – look into your phone carrier’s international roaming policies and rates BEFORE leaving home or you may return to an extremely expensive bill. You may want to pre-purchase a data plan from your carrier or limit your mobile phone usage to Wi-Fi only.
Health/Medical
Prescription Medications – make sure to pack an adequate supply of any prescription medications (also supplements, sleep aids, non-prescription pain relievers, etc.) you take, as they may not be available in the areas we will be traveling.
Allergies – please let us know about any allergies you have AND the severity of your reactions. It is your responsibility to carry appropriate medications (e.g. Epi Pen) in case of accidental exposure.
What to Pack
Weather Note – below are historical averages for temperatures in the areas we will be in February. In general, the weather will be mostly sunny and dry. Rain is a possibility but not likely - showers tend to be heavy and brief.
Location Avg High/Low
Nairobi 81˚ F /57˚F
Masai Mara 82˚F /54˚F
Amboseli 86°F/60°F
Clothing – thin, cool and light are the order of the day for this trip. Long sleeves and pants are recommended for protection from the sun and insects. In addition, you should also bring:
Sneakers - there is no hiking on this trip, but you want comfortable shoes with good traction.
Light jacket or sweater
Sports Bra – the roads can be quite bumpy (a top suggestion from past female participants).
Brimmed hat
Sunglasses & retainer “leash”
Flip flops/sandals for around the lodge
Bandanna, buff or face mask – for dust protection
Note: there are no ‘dress up’ dinners on this trip. Choose your clothing based on functionality and versatility.
Photo Gear – it’s tempting to bring everything you own, but that usually works against you. The following are what we consider to be the essentials. We’re happy to give more specific brand/model recommendations for specific items. Just ask.
Camera Body(s) – dSLR or mirrorless (full frame or crop sensor). ‘Bridge’ cameras with a long zoom (400mm+) are also an option.
Lenses – I favor zoom lenses for their flexibility in composing images, but prime lenses tend to be ‘faster’ (larger maximum aperture) which is an advantage in low light, but primes are also usually bigger, heavier, and more expensive.
Your longest lens should reach at least 400mm, preferably 500mm+ before adding teleconverters. Even with large animals you simply cannot have too much ‘reach’.
You will also want 1 or 2 shorter focal length lenses such as 24–105mm and/or 80–200mm.
A wide angle and/or your phone camera
Filters
A polarizing filter is handy for cutting glare off water, foliage and animals’ skin/fur.
Clear/UV filters are helpful to protect expensive lenses but may also increase the likelihood of lens flare – it’s your call.
Batteries and Memory cards – you will be shooting a lot, maybe more than you ever have, easily in the thousands of images and hundreds of gigabytes total. Bring PLENTY of extra cards and batteries. You should NOT erase/overwrite any memory cards until you get home, even if you have downloaded the images to your laptop or hard drive.
Camera Battery Charger – do not forget! As a backup, you might consider purchasing USB powered battery charger. They are cheap and let you charge your camera batteries without a wall outlet. Google “(your camera model) USB charger”.
Card reader – if not built-in to your laptop.
Small towel and/or shower cap – to project your gear from dust while driving
Cleaning kit – nothing fancy, a small microfiber towel, lens cloth, lens cleaner and maybe a blower. A travel toothbrush is also very handy for cleaning around the buttons & dials of your camera.
Headlamp – MUCH better than a flashlight because it leaves both hands free.
Beanbag (optional) - bring unfilled, we will purchase rice or beans to fill bags locally.
Monopod & remote release (optional) – for very low angle shots. Note: this is an advanced technique, not recommended for beginners
Other Things to Pack
Laptop or tablet – highly recommended. Your photography will improve if you review your images daily. Doing preliminary selects and ratings also makes the mountain of images more manageable when you get home. We will also have several sessions on post processing and image management
Portable hard drive - for image storage and/or backup. If you are considering purchasing one, the newer SSD (solid state drive) models are faster and more reliable than traditional spinning disk types. Most SSD’s are also “bus powered” – meaning it gets its power from the USB cable and does not require a separate power cord.
Chargers and cables for your mobile phone and other electronics
Power bank – extremely handy for charging phones and other electronics while traveling.
Travel Plug Converter(s)–
Kenya uses 240 volt electricity and Type G electrical outlets. A simple travel plug adapter like this one is all you need for most electronics. Some models also include one or more USB ports which is handy. You may also want to pack a small power strip to charge multiple devices simultaneously.
You may also want to pack a small power strip to charge multiple devices simultaneously. Make sure your power strip is rated for up to 240 volts.
Phone Leash - to prevent dropping your phone into a literal lion’s den.
Sunscreen & Insect Repellent
How to Pack
Luggage – The luggage allowance is restricted to a maximum of 15 kg/33lbs in ONE SOFT BAG on all safari vehicles and internal flights. Do Not Overpack. Laundry service is available at our lodges for a small fee.
Photo Gear – A soft-sided photo backpack/bag in the 20–40 liter capacity range is ideal for most of your photo gear. If you are bringing the monster 600mm f/4, you may need an additional bag/case.
We purchase an extra cargo seat on our internal flights to account for excess weight, but we still need everyone to be reasonable. Don’t stress but do your best to minimize your overall baggage weight.
A Word About Gratuities - Like many service businesses, our local guides rely on gratuities for a substantial portion of their total income. I think you will find them to be outstanding at what they do. If you feel you received good service, a token of your appreciation is greatly appreciated. The amount you choose to give is entirely up to you but we are always asked for guidance so ‘typical’ ranges (in USD) are listed below:
Driver-Guides - $15–$25/day per guest for entire driver-guide crew
Misc (hotel/lodge staff, etc ): $1–$2/day or occasion
Note: US Dollars are widely accepted in both countries. It’s handy to bring a supply of dollar bills for small purchases & tips. If you wish, you can also convert a small amount of currency to Kenyan shillings at the airport or at our hotel in Nairobi. Do not count on ATM’s being available. Credit/debit cards are only accepted at hotels and larger tourist gift shops.
If we’ve missed anything or you have questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch by phone, text or email. Thanks again, we look forward to seeing you in Nairobi!
Ken Lee
+1 949-282-9660
ken@artofseeing.com
Kenya & Tanzania 2023
To Do Checklist
___ Book international flights and send a copy of your flight itinerary to Ken.:
Arriving in Jomo Kenyatta International airport (NBO) in Nairobi, Kenya.
Departing from Kilimanjaro International airport (JRO) in Arusha, Tanzania.
___ Apply for Kenya & Tanzania Tourist Visas
___ Send Ken a photo/copy of the picture page of your passport
___ Let us know if you need extra hotel nights before or after the workshop
___ Purchase Travel Insurance
___ Notify Banks & Credit Cards of your travel plans
___ Check mobile phone carrier’s international roaming policies and plans
___ Make a personal packing checklist. Click here for a downloadable Photo Trip Packing List template you can customize to your own needs
Kenya & Tanzania 2023
Daily Itinerary
Day Date Itinerary Summary Overnight Included Meals
1 - 08-Feb Nairobi - Welcome to Kenya! Upon your arrival, our representative will greet you and transport you to our hotel. Relax until 4pm when we gather for introductions, workshop overview, and a crash course in wildlife photography fundamentals. Nairobi Hotel D
2 - 09-Feb Nairobi – Half Day Game Drive in Nairobi National Park starting at pre-dawn. A great opportunity to dial in your settings, ask questions and work out any kinks in this excellent wildlife park on the outskirts of Kenya's busy capital. Lightroom Importing & Organization discussion in the evening. Nairobi Hotel B
3- 10-Feb Nairobi–Masai Mara National Reserve – Depart Nairobi after breakfast & drive to Masai Mara National Park, Kenya's richest game reserve. Lions, leopards, cheetah, elephants, giraffe, and countless other species call this home but the Mara is particularly famous for its big cats. Afternoon/sunset game drive followed by dinner. Masai Mara Safari Lodge B,L,D
4 - 11-Feb Masai Mara – Early (pre-dawn) game drive. Return to camp for breakfast and relax or review images. "Seeing 101" presentation after lunch. Depart for afternoon/sunset game drive afterward. Return to camp for dinner. Masai Mara Safari Lodge B,L,D
5 - 12-Feb Masai Mara - similar schedule as Day 4. Early/late game drives with a midday break. Lightroom image processing discussion/demo after lunch followed by afternoon/sunset game drive and dinner at lodge. Masai Mara Safari Lodge B,L,D
6 - 13-Feb - Masai Mara NR - Amboseli National Park – one last early morning game drive in the Mara followed by breakfast at our lodge. Then we board our small plane flight to Amboseli National Park. Near Kenya's southern border, Amboseli boasts stunning views of Mt. Kilimanjaro in neighboring Tanzania but is most renowned for its large elephant population including some of the biggest tuskers in all of Africa. Amboseli Lodge B,L,D
7 - 14-Feb - Amboseli NP – Early (pre-dawn departure) game drive. Return to camp for breakfast. Relax, work on images by yourself or get Leighton or Ken's input. Lunch at lodge followed by afternoon/sunset game drive. Overnight at Amboseli Lodge. Amboseli Lodge B,L,D
8 - 15-Feb - Amboseli NP – Same schedule as Day 7. Early (pre-dawn departure) game drive. Return to camp for breakfast. Relax, work on images by yourself or get Leighton or Ken's input. Lunch at lodge followed by afternoon/sunset game drive. Overnight at Ngorongoro Lodge. Amboseli Lodge B,L,D
9 - 16-Feb - Amboseli NP – Ngorongoro Crater National Park today is a travel day. After breakfast we travel by car to the border where we will cross into Tanzania and meet our Tanzanian guides. Afterward, we continue on to our lodge on the rim of Ngoronoro Crater. Remainder of the day at your leisure. Ngorongoro Lodge B,L,D
10 - 17-Feb - Ngorongoro Crater NP – we descend into the crater after an early breakfast for an all-day game drive. Naturally isolated by its steep walls, the crater is inhabited by the descendants of creatures who wandered in and never left because this unique ecosystem contains everything necessary for wildlife to flourish. An awe-inspiring real-life lost world, Ngorongoro at one time boasted the highest density of lions in all of Africa. Ngorongoro Lodge B,L,D
11 - 18-Feb - Ngorongoro NP–Serengeti National Park – after breakfast depart for Serengeti National Park with a stop at a Masai village to experience a bit of the culture of the local inhabitants. The Serengeti, Africa's most famous game reserve, is the location (in Feb) of the Great Migration. Over 1 million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle flood the vast plains to graze the green grass and birth their offspring. Predators follow. Afternoon/sunset game drive followed by dinner at camp. Serengeti Game Camp B,L,D
12 - 19-Feb - Serengeti National Park – begin this special day with a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Serengeti plains. Seeing and hearing the animals below as we glide over the land is a magical experience. This excursion is optional (extra cost) but very highly recommended. Breakfast in the field following balloon flight. Return to camp for lunch and a bit of downtime followed by our afternoon/sunset game drive. Return to camp for dinner. Serengeti Game Camp B,L,D
13 - 20-Feb - Serengeti NP – early morning game drive followed by breakfast at camp. Use the middle of the day to get some rest or work on images. Ken & Leighton will be available for individual coaching. After lunch, head out for an afternoon/sunset game drive followed by dinner back at camp. Serengeti Game Camp B,L,D
14 - 21-Feb - Serengeti NP-Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) – one final early morning game drive followed by breakfast at camp. Then we drive to Ndutu airstrip where a scheduled flight will transport us to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in Arusha, TZ where you can check in for your homeward flight. End of Service. B, L
Notes:
1) This itinerary is our general plan but is subject to change without notice due to weather, logistical considerations, or other reasons.
2) All beverages at our hotels/lodges including bottled water and soda are at your own expense.
FAQ’S:
Q: What makes this trip different or better than other African safaris?
1. Locations & timing – we’ve chosen the very best parks at the best time of year including The Great Migration in the Serengeti at the height of wildebeest calving season.
2. 100% Photography focused - everything from our itinerary, choice of lodging and daily schedule is designed around maximizing opportunities to produce portfolio-worthy images of African wildlife.
3. Every guest gets their own row* in our safari vehicles -shoot out both sides and plenty of room for all your gear.
4. Individualized instruction – a maximum 5:1 instructor-to-student ratio ensures plenty of personal attention to help you raise your wildlife photography skills to the next level.
5. Top notch logistics & support – we partner with top notch lodges and safari outfitters to ensure the safest and glitch-free experience for our guests.
Q: How should I make my travel arrangements?
A: Book your international flights to arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (airport code: NBO) in Nairobi, Kenya and depart from Kilimanjaro International Airport (airport code: JRO). Additional information to help you plan your travels will be provided to registered participants
Q: Do I need a tourist visa to enter Kenya or Tanzania?
A: If you are an American citizen, a tourist visa is required to enter both Kenya and Tanzania. You can obtain both visas easily online. Detailed instructions will be provided to registered participants
Q: What if I want to arrive early or stay after the workshop dates?
A: No problem, let us know your arrival/departure details and we will book the additional hotel nights on your behalf (additional cost).
Q: Which parks/reserves will we visit?
A: The parks we will visit include Nairobi NP, Masa Mara NP, Amboseli NP in Kenya & Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti national parks in Tanzania. See the Daily Itinerary for more details.
Q: What species of wildlife will we see?
A: Typical species in the locations and times we will be visiting include: lions, cheetah, leopards, hyena, elephants, rhinos, water buffalo, hippos, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra and many more.
Q: What’s a Game Drive?
A: Game drive is the term we use for a photography excursion in our safari vehicles (modified 4X$4 Landcruisers with pop-up roofs).
Q: What’s the difference between a Lodge and a Camp?
A: Lodges have permanent hard-sided accommodations while camps use temporary tents for lodging. Glamping is an understatement for these tents however, which include electricity, hot showers, flush toilets and actual beds.
Q: What’s the food like?
A: Most meals are served buffet style. The cuisine is mostly western and the selections are comparable to what you would expect at a nice resort hotel.
Q: Can my non-photographer friend/partner attend?
A: Absolutely, travel partners who may not share your passion for photography are very welcome. Just make sure they can handle being part of a group that wants to do nothing but eat, sleep and talk about photography. Unfortunately, due to limited space, we cannot offer a discount for non-photographer partners.
Q: What is the fitness level required for this trip?
A: This trip is classified as Easy from a physical fitness perspective. No hiking or long walks are planned but lots of riding around in safari vehicles on ‘roads’ that can be quite bumpy. If you are pregnant or have back issues, please contact us for more details.