Planning an African Safari

Transcription

1 Planning an African Safari Presented to the Nashoba Valley Photo Club Norm Beaudette, May 2018 Elephants and Baobab Trees in Tarangire Natl Park, Tanzania Image 2017, Norm Beaudette. All rights reserved.

2 Planning an African Safari Some Perspective on the Continent of Africa Security in Africa Health Considerations for Africa Travel Required Visas and Immunizations Best African Countries for Safaris Where the Wildlife Is East Africa and Southern Africa Intro to Northern Tanzania Photography in Tanzania Things to Keep in Mind When on Safari in Tanzania Better Known Safari Operators and Range of Costs Weather and Temperatures The Great Migration

3 Size of Africa vs the USA

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5 Natural Environments of Africa

6 Security in Africa Many areas in Africa are unsafe for Westerners, especially when travelling alone or in small groups. Unsafe areas are primarily cities, but highway crimes are not uncommon. Traveling with a reputable tour group is the safest way to go. The US State Department provides an excellent website for US travelers: Provides information on passport page requirements, visa requirements, required vaccinations and currency limitations TripSavvy website provides travel warnings:

7 Travel Advisories in Africa (2013)

8 Most Peaceful Countries in Africa based on 2017 Global Peace Index (GPI) Rank Name World Rank 1 Mauritius 22 2 Botswana 27 3 Sierra Leone 39 4 Zambia 41 5 Ghana 43 6 Madagascar 44 7 Malawi 48 8 Namibia 50 9 Tanzania Senegal 60 For Reference: Canada 8 Japan 10 UK (tie) 41 France 51 Take Note Peru 71 USA 114 China 116 South Africa 123 The GPI gauges global peace using three broad themes: the level of societal safety and security, the extent of ongoing domestic and international conflict and the degree of militarization.

9 Health Considerations for Africa Travel Significant Diseases Cholera bacterial, causes diarrhea and dehydration. Spread human to human thru contaminated food, drinking water. Oral vaccine available, but not completely protective. Typhoid bacterial, causes high fever, headache, weakness Oral vaccine recommended, provides up to 5 years protection. Spread human to human thru contaminated food, drinking water. Can be treated with antibiotics. Can be fatal (20%) if not treated. Malaria mosquito-borne, controllable by prophylaxis Yellow Fever viral, mosquito-borne, causes fever, nausea, vomiting high mortality rate. Most prevalent in West and Central Africa Vaccination is required in some countries, especially if entering from a country where it is endemic (e.g., Kenya to Tanzania) Prevention: Use insect repellant and mosquito nets, especially during evening hours. Hepatitis A & B vaccines available Dengue Fever best defense is insect repellant Chikungunya, Measles, Meningitis, Polio Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Rabies, Tuberculosis, Encephalitis

10 Yellow Fever Zones

11 Visas and Immunizations Tanzania (as an example) Tourist Visa required, good for 1 year. Cost = $100. Should be obtained prior to travel. Passport must have 6 continuous free pages for certifications. Passport must be valid beyond 6 months after end of travel. Required immunizations Yellow Fever only if arriving from a country where YF is endemic (like Kenya) Recommended immunizations (but not required, except yellow fever in certain cases) Hepatitis A Hepatitis B DPT diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus Typhoid Cholera Yellow Fever Influenza Malaria (prophylaxis pills) Recommended: Visit to Passport Health (see Provides all immunizations, pills, immunization card, bug sprays, lots of very useful information.

12 Best African Countries for Safaris According to Safari Bookings website: 1. Tanzania Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater and Highlands, Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara NP, Mt Kilimanjaro, Selous GR, Gombe NP (chimps Jane Goodall), Katavi NP 2. Botswana Okavango Delta, Chobe NP, Moremi GR, Central Kalahari GR, Kgalagadi Park, Makgadikgadi Pans NP 3. Zambia Kafue NP, South Luangwa NP, Lower Zambezi NP, others 4. Kenya Maasai Mara NR, Amboseli NP, Lake Nakuru NP, Tsavo East NP 5. South Africa Kruger NP, Mala Mala GR, Sabi Sand GR, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park 6. Namibia Etosha NP, Namib-Naukluft NP, Skeleton Coast NP 7. Uganda Bwindi NP (gorillas), Kibale NP (chimps), Katonga Wildlife Reserve 8. Zimbabwe Victoria Falls, Hwange NP, Mana Pools NP, Chizarira NP

13 Where the Wildlife Is East Africa Almost always to frequently seen. Compiled from various sources and some personal observation. Tanzania Serengeti NP Ngorongoro Crater & Highlands Tarangire NP Gombe NP Lake Manyara NP Kenya Maasai Mara Amboseli NP Lake Nakuru Wildebeest & zebra (great migration), buffalo, hippo, impala, elephant, lion, giraffe, leopard, cheetah Wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, hippo, impala, elephant, lion, giraffe, leopard, cheetah, rhino Elephant, lion, buffalo, eland Chimps are the big attraction (Jane Goodall) Birds are the big attraction Wildebeest & zebra (Nov, Dec), buffalo, hippo, impala, elephant, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah Known for its abundant Elephants and location in the shadow of Mt Kilimanjaro White rhino, giraffe, hippo, zebra, buffalo. Elephants are rare.

14 Where the Wildlife Is Southern Africa Almost always to frequently seen. Compiled from various sources and some personal observation. Botswana Okavango Delta Chobe NP (Northern) Zambia Kafue NP Zimbabwe Hwange NP South Africa Kruger NP Elephant, hippo, buffalo, impala, kudu, lion, leopard, wild dog (occasional), rhino (occasional), large variety of birds (see Chobe NP) Elephant, hippo, buffalo, impala, kudu, giraffe, lion, leopard, birds (rollers, bee-eaters, hornbills, storks, cranes, many more) Elephant, impala, giraffe, birds Elephant (all parks in Zimbabwe), impala, giraffe, lion Elephant, lion, buffalo, kudu

15 More Where the Wildlife Is Almost always to frequently seen, according to the Africa Planning Map of the Africa Adventure Company Rwanda East Africa Volcanoes NP Uganda East Africa Bwindi Queen Elizabeth Park Gorillas are the big attraction. Gorillas are the big attraction. Birds are the big attraction. Namibia Southern Africa, Kalahari Desert Etosha NP Black rhino, white rhino, lion, elephant, kudu, gemsbok

16 Tanzania is in East Africa

17 Tanzania Brief History: German East Africa from 1880s to Designated as a British mandate after WWI by League of Nations. Took on the formal name Tanganyika in Gained independence in Julius Nyerere first prime minister. United with Zanzibar island in 1964 to become Tanganyika + zanzibar + ia = Tanzania. Size = 2.2 x California. Religion: 1/3 Christianity, 1/3 Islam, 1/3 indigenous tribal beliefs and other (including Hinduism & Buddhism). Zanzibar is 99% Muslim. Official national language: Swahili (Kiswahili), but English widely spoken Home to Lake Victoria largest lake in Africa, 2 nd in the world after Lake Superior Home to Mt Kilimanjaro tallest peak in Africa (19,341 ft), tallest in world not associated with a mountain range. Borders Lake Tanganyika world s longest (410 mi) and 2 nd deepest fresh water lake

18 East Africa

19 Tanzania s National Parks

20 Northern Tanzania Attractions Route of OAT trip in yellow

21 Photography In Tanzania What I brought and USED Nikon D750 (FX) & Tamron mm F/ G2 Nikon D7100 (DX) & Nikkor mm F/ Gorilla-pod 4x 64GB SDHC cards (Raw images are ~30MB each in both cameras.) 4x 32GB SD cards 4x Batteries (OEMs are best) 2x Nikon chargers Think Tank Street Walker Hard Drive backpack (19 x 23 x 9 ). Might have been a problem for internal flights, had there been any! What I brought and DID NOT USE Windows 10 tablet (8 ), keyboard, Seagate 4T USB drive Polarizing filters, sensor cleaners, 100mm macro lens, microphone for video Other Minimize changing of lenses. The Serengeti is very dusty, mostly from traveling on dirt roads. Keep a dust cloth handy and use it to cover your lens when not shooting. Do not photograph people without permission, unless guide gives the OK.

22 Things to Keep in Mind When on Safari in Tanzania Northern Tanzania is about 200 mi south of the Equator. Days are short. Daylight is roughly 6:30 am to 6:30 pm. Very little time to lounge around, so lodge accommodations do not need to offer great wildlife views, can be located away from attractions. But there are exceptions. Sometimes you may get the afternoon off. In the evenings, you ll be escorted to your camp by a guide. Once in the camp, you are usually not allowed to leave until morning light! So night photography will be difficult unless special arrangements can be made. Weight limitations will apply, so camera gear may be limited. Getting out of vehicles will likely not be allowed except at rest areas. The safari guide must adhere to national park rules or risk losing license. Tripods may be of little value since most photography will be taken from inside the vehicles. Photo-specific tours may be different. Some tents do not provide enough power to charge batteries, so charging may have to be done in the lodges.

23 Some Safari Travel Operators and Costs Overseas Adventure Travel OAT (Boston, MA) Reasonably priced, good value, price includes airfare, decent lodging, no single supplement on a small percentage of its trips. Safari Serengeti Lodge and Tented Safari (12 days): Arusha, Tarangire NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti NP, approx. $6800 ppdo, includes airfare. Thomson Safaris (Watertown, MA) Focuses exclusively on Tanzania, more expensive, better lodging. Wide range of safaris, including photography safaris. Classic Safari (11 days): Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater, approx. $9500 ppdo, airfare not included. Photography Safari (11 days): Southern and Central Serengeti and Ngorongoro, approx. $10,500 ppdo, airfare extra. Micato Tours (New York, NY) Luxury, top notch, very expensive, best lodges. 10-day: Serengeti/Ngorongoro/Tarangire, approx. $12,000 ppdo, airfare extra.

24 Safari Travel Operators - continued National Geographic Adventures Appear to use upscale lodges. 9-day Tanzania Photo Safari (w/ Michael Melford or other well known photog.): Lake Manyara NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti NP, approx. $10,500 ppdo, airfare not included. Very high single supplements ($2700). Tauck Pricey but worth checking. Others See Many local safari tour operators throughout East and Southern Africa With USA Operations: op_usa Based in Africa: Communications may be difficult

25 True Safari Costs (My OAT Tanzania Trip) Trip Cost - Overseas Adventure Travel Safari Serengeti : $7844 Total Land Tour Cost: $4395 pp (all park fees, accommodations and meals included) Airfare from Boston: $2500 (probably overpriced) Travel Protection Plan: $799 (cancel for any reason) (No Medicare coverage outside US) Guide Tips: $150 recommended Passport Renewal ($110) and Tanzania Visa ($100): $210 Additional Passport and Visa Expediting Fees, Shipping: $235 (optional) Vaccinations and Disease Prevention: $411 Passport Health Visit: $75 (not covered by Medicare) Hep A adult (Havrix): $110 Hep A follow-up (after trip): $114 Typhoid oral (Vivotif): $110 Malarone (for Malaria prevention): $2 covered by Medicare Rx NOTE: Medicare will not cover these costs since they are for personal travel. Total for Trip, Passport, Visa, Vaccinations: $8700

26 Weather and Temperatures in Tanzania June, July, August are winter months in Tanzania Average temps range from around 50F early AM to around 75F mid PM in Arusha. These months also make up the dry season, into October, when wildlife viewing is best, because the wildlife is drawn to scattered watering holes. Dec, Jan, Feb are summer months in Tanzania Average temps range from around 55F early AM to around 85F mid PM in Arusha. Humidity is higher during these months. A brief dry season occurs around mid-jan to mid-march. The Long Rains occur from mid-march into May These are the wettest months. Tends to rain heavily almost every day, although not often for the whole day. Often cloudy, especially in the northern parks. Humidity tends to be high. Wildlife viewing is more of a challenge because water is plentiful everywhere and wildlife is not congregating at predictable water sources. The Short Rains occur around Nov-Dec These usually last an hour or so and usually occur in the late afternoon. Will not interfere much with safari.

27 Extra Stuff not in the NVPC Presentation

28 The Great Migration An annual movement of wildlife through the Serengeti and Ngorongoro conservation area in search of grazing and water. Mainly wildebeest (about 1.5+ million) and zebra (about 200,000), with smaller numbers of Grant s gazelles, Thomson s gazelles, eland and impala. Predators (mainly lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas and wild dogs) are territorial and don t follow the migration. Fairly predictable, but timing and locations depend on the rains. Calving occurs in Jan, Feb, Mar in the southern plains of the Serengeti while the herds are not moving much. About 250,000 wildebeest calves are dropped one per female in a 2-3 wk period. Each must be ready to move along within minutes or perish. Losing sight of mom can be disastrous since other wildebeest will not adopt a lost calf. Mating occurs in June-July. Wildebeest gestation period is 8.5 months. The magnificent (and deadly) Mara river crossing occurs around August, but is hard to predict exactly. It s a nature photographer s dream to photograph. The Mara is teaming with Nile crocodiles.

29 The Great Migration Jan Mar: Calving season About 200,000 wildebeest calves born in a 2 to 3 week period Grazing short grasses of the south Serengeti Mar May: Long rains occur from the North Herd moves towards the source of the rains and longer grasses Jun Jul: Mating season Gestation period is 8.5 months Continued movement towards the long rains and the longer grasses Jul Aug: River crossings Grumeti (~ July) Mara (~ August) Sep Nov: Grazing in Maasai Mara Nov Dec: Short rains occur to the South Back to the SE Serengeti s short grasses

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43 The Serengeti Plains Caused by volcanic activity in the Ngorongoro region. Volcanic ash rich in minerals, which over millions of years seeped into the soils and formed a concrete-like layer about a meter below the surface, resulting in pans. Short grasses in the south Longer grasses central and north Many prey animals, especially antelope, can easily outrun their predators, so they prefer to roam in the open grassy areas, where they can spot predators in time to run from them.

44 Flag Changes Before/After Unification Tanganyika Zanzibar Tanzania

45 Mount Kilimanjaro Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is the highest mountain in Africa, rising 19,341 feet above sea level. That s roughly 3.6 miles high!

46 Baobab Trees The baobab tree is common in many parts of Africa. Known as the tree of life, some baobabs are estimated to be over 1,000 years old. One baobab in South Africa has grown so large, it has a circumference of 155 feet!

47 Have a Great Safari!