Other Off to Africa

[RedCobra]

Ok, leaving in 10 days for the Chobe, Dinaka, the Kalihari, and Madekwe. Worked out lens pooling with my traveling partner to distribute weight. I am taking my 2 R5s, the RF 100-500, the RF 70-200 f/2.8 and the two extenders (1.4x and 2x). He is carrying his R5, his RF 100-500, and my RF 24-105 f/4 and my 15-35 f/2.8 along with his M50 and one lens.
So, we are covered from 15mm to 1000mm. The photo guide at Pangolin suggested bringing the 70-200 for use in the water level hides at three of the locations.

Hope they don't mind that I will be wearing the same clothes for 3 weeks as I prioritized lenses over clothes.

. Biggest problem was integrating my Bi-Pap into the luggage with sufficient padding to withstand the baggage monkeys.

May be overthinking this, but we will alternate getting food in J'berg for the one night we are there, so we don't leave the photo gear alone in the room at any time. Between the two of us there will be about $30k of gear (including computers) in the room for the overnight before flying to Kasane.

 

[Dave Williams]

I think you are reading too much in to the bad reports you get on various websites to be honest. I think in your hotel room in J'Berg shouldn't be a problem at all but that depends where you are staying. We had a B&B close to the airport, the car was inside a locked compound which was the garden and the room was perfectly safe. Your gear is most at risk when you are travelling in the car in all probability but again depends if you are self driving or being guided. We were self drive and when we had to we parked where there was a security guard on duty and tipped him for his troubles or tried to keep watch all the time.
As for lenses, it depends what you want to shoot. The 100-500 will cover most options, especially with the 1.4TC for smaller subjects.
I presume your weight restrictions apply to internal flights? I have to say one of the beauties of the R5 is it will fit in a pocket without too much trouble, I have a photographers vest with loads of pockets to spread the weight when necessary.
Your trip looks like an amazing journey. I hope you have a great time!

 

[PhotoJim58]

Ok, leaving in 10 days for the Chobe, Dinaka, the Kalihari, and Madekwe. Worked out lens pooling with my traveling partner to distribute weight. I am taking my 2 R5s, the RF 100-500, the RF 70-200 f/2.8 and the two extenders (1.4x and 2x). He is carrying his R5, his RF 100-500, and my RF 24-105 f/4 and my 15-35 f/2.8 along with his M50 and one lens.
So, we are covered from 15mm to 1000mm. The photo guide at Pangolin suggested bringing the 70-200 for use in the water level hides at three of the locations.

Hope they don't mind that I will be wearing the same clothes for 3 weeks as I prioritized lenses over clothes.

. Biggest problem was integrating my Bi-Pap into the luggage with sufficient padding to withstand the baggage monkeys.

May be overthinking this, but we will alternate getting food in J'berg for the one night we are there, so we don't leave the photo gear alone in the room at any time. Between the two of us there will be about $30k of gear (including computers) in the room for the overnight before flying to Kasane.

have fun, be safe and take lots of images.

 

[Jukka]

Wishing you a marvellous safari, very nice itinerary you guys are having. #jealous What I have heard/seen those "underground" photo hides are really full stunning opportunities! Have lots of fun and enjoy !

 

[MaraLee]

My husband and I are in the discussing stage of a trip to Africa. We've decided we ARE going to go, just have to plan it out. Thanks for the inspiration, I can't wait to see photos!

 

[jpgroux]

Ok, leaving in 10 days for the Chobe, Dinaka, the Kalihari, and Madekwe. Worked out lens pooling with my traveling partner to distribute weight. I am taking my 2 R5s, the RF 100-500, the RF 70-200 f/2.8 and the two extenders (1.4x and 2x). He is carrying his R5, his RF 100-500, and my RF 24-105 f/4 and my 15-35 f/2.8 along with his M50 and one lens.
So, we are covered from 15mm to 1000mm. The photo guide at Pangolin suggested bringing the 70-200 for use in the water level hides at three of the locations.

Hope they don't mind that I will be wearing the same clothes for 3 weeks as I prioritized lenses over clothes.

. Biggest problem was integrating my Bi-Pap into the luggage with sufficient padding to withstand the baggage monkeys.

May be overthinking this, but we will alternate getting food in J'berg for the one night we are there, so we don't leave the photo gear alone in the room at any time. Between the two of us there will be about $30k of gear (including computers) in the room for the overnight before flying to Kasane.

Awesome! I have been searching for options to go to Chobe for at least 7 to 10 days tops, depending on budget, if you have any tips or tour company that you could recommend, maybe after your trip, Please share! Pangolin is one of the ones I have been checking out.

Good Luck with the Trip!

 

[dougsmit]

Somewhere I got the idea that Pangolin provided some services or equipment if you needed it. I would expect you to want your own cameras and lenses but I'm wondering if they might have battery charging stations for the available current (even on their vehicles?). Have you checked with them in detail on what is included? I'd probably take less equipment and more memory cards but I'm usually of the opinion that better photos come from keeping it simple enough that I can count on myself to react quickly to changes in the situation. Outfits like Pangolin have a lot to gain out of making you so happy with the experience that you come back and convince the rest of us that we have to go next year. We will be expecting both details and photos when you return.

 

[RedCobra]

Somewhere I got the idea that Pangolin provided some services or equipment if you needed it. I would expect you to want your own cameras and lenses but I'm wondering if they might have battery charging stations for the available current (even on their vehicles?). Have you checked with them in detail on what is included? I'd probably take less equipment and more memory cards but I'm usually of the opinion that better photos come from keeping it simple enough that I can count on myself to react quickly to changes in the situation. Outfits like Pangolin have a lot to gain out of making you so happy with the experience that you come back and convince the rest of us that we have to go next year. We will be expecting both details and photos when you return.

Pangolin provides Canon DSLRs with Sigma 150-600 lenses if you don't have your own higher end cam (some non-photographers come with P&S cams.) Also provides mem cards for you to keep. Games drives, morning and evening, edit sessions (bring your laptop) in the afternoons. Power everywhere including vehicles, and the tented camps in Dinaka, etc.

I'll have lots of photos to post, but it may take a while to process. When I went to Kenya/Tanzania I took about 5k pics, (some here flickr.com/apkef/albums) I expect to shoot 10k or so pics this go round. I'll spend the rest of the summer culling and processing.

 

[Jukka]

Awesome! I have been searching for options to go to Chobe for at least 7 to 10 days tops, depending on budget, if you have any tips or tour company that you could recommend, maybe after your trip, Please share! Pangolin is one of the ones I have been checking out.

Good Luck with the Trip!

Hi, I can highly recommend South African company called Wild Eye . We travelled with them to Kenya (Amboseli&Mara) last fall, and are now heading to Uganda with them next winter. They have different kind of tours, depending the schedule and budget you have. Very, very professional approach to going on safari in general, but also what comes to animals and people. Toss me a message if you'd like to hear more.

 

[Dave Williams]

I'm doing self drive to Kruger and KZN...it's a lot cheaper!!

 

[RedCobra]

I'm doing self drive to Kruger and KZN...it's a lot cheaper!!

Yeah, yah get what you pay for.

 

[Dave Williams]

We'll see!

 

[RedCobra]

We'll see!

When you are old and your joints creak, you tend to value the creature comforts. Also in my experience, when you have good guides/drivers you get better pics as they know where to go, and you can shoot while driving and not have to watch where you are going. The professional guides i have used, know where the best sightings can be and are skilled in putting the vehicle (or boat) in the right place for great shots. If I was 30 years younger, I would consider a self drive, but only after i went to a place with pro guides to learn the layout. I'm 75 and my partner is 77. Will have 34 game drives in 21 days, and access to several hides/bunkers at waterholes.

As an aside, this may be my last trip so going full bore luxury. Top camps with full board (drinks included), people to handle luggage and gear, boats with built in photo gimbals, and bunkers for low level shots, vehicles with battery chargers, and photo "experts" with drivers who will stay in a location as long as you want, and will maneuver the custom fit vehicle into cuts and ravines where i would not go. And importantly, top level insurance to handle any contingency, medical, to lost or damaged gear.

An example:

Notes: Includes:
Full board and accommodation in en-suite, air-conditioned rooms or Double safari tent
All meals (brunch, high tea and dinner) and drinks (wine, local beers, soft drinks and spirits)
Twice daily photo safari activities (photo boat or game drive)
Cameras, lenses, tuition by resident photo host and memory cards supplied
Afternoon image review and editing sessions.
Park fees and bed levies

YMMV.

Leaving Thursday, can't wait. It will probably take 2 months to fully edit and process photos. But, I will barrage this group with them asap.

 

[dougsmit]

And importantly, top level insurance to handle any contingency, medical, to lost or damaged gear.

Am I understanding you correctly that this is included in the package price or are these necessary options?

 

[RedCobra]

Am I understanding you correctly that this is included in the package price or are these necessary options?

No, the insurance is a separate package.

 

[Dave Williams]

@RedCobra I can assure you my answer above was tongue in cheek!
As previously also mentioned I hope you have a fantastic trip , I'm sure you will and it will indeed be interesting to compare how we get on.
Don't write yourself off at a mere 75 though... I'll be 71 by the time I get back and having had spinal surgery I am quite familiar with the pains of growing old. The light weight of my R5 and 100-500 have certainly extended my photography potential although I will be taking my 500mm f4 along too.
My other half is a mere 56 but she too would more than appreciate the level of creature comfort you mention although personally a clean bed and a private loo is all I need.
Our last self drive was purely in Kruger and even I got a bit bored towards the end as the game was becoming a bit thin on the ground in the far north but we had been on the road for 28 days. This time we are away for longer but also staying in some more luxurious accommodation between the game parks and ending up with 12 days in St Lucia where my wife can lie on a sunbed to her hearts content while I'm off in the car.
There are obvious differences between safaris in a private reserve and a national park. You are not allowed off road in a national park for starters and that limits access to game viewing, on the other hand Kruger is a vast park which is very well populated with game, particularly in the south but that means it can also get busy at times, but there again I have seen the scenes from the Masai Mara and that is most definitely not for me.
I too will post some shots when I get back but that isn't until September. My top three target species to see is 1)Pangolin 2) Porcupine 3) Honey Badger. I doubt I'll get the first , probably not the second but should get the third. Be interesting if you see them too.
all the best. Dave

 

[MikeZ]

Good luck to both of you, and I must say I'm quite jealous. An African safari is on my wife's bucket list, but the cost is a little difficult to swallow at this point (she too is "fond" of the more luxurious accommodations, which just increases the cost).

Have a safe trip and I can't wait to see your photos.

 

[RedCobra]

@RedCobra I can assure you my answer above was tongue in cheek!
I will be taking my 500mm f4 along too.
My top three target species to see is 1)Pangolin 2) Porcupine 3) Honey Badger. I doubt I'll get the first , probably not the second but should get the third. Be interesting if you see them too.
all the best. Dave

Best to you also.
I wish I could take a 500 or 600 prime with me, but the weight restrictions on the bush planes negate that (unless you pay for a "freight" seat, and the international flight is another issue.) Next time (I hope) I am going to look into shipping a big white to the primary bush hotel/site ahead of time.
My travel partner is a photographer also and has his own gear so I can't off load a big white on him.

Since I am going with Pangolin photo tours, I really hope I'll see a Pangolin. LOL

 

[Dave Williams]

Best to you also.
I wish I could take a 500 or 600 prime with me, but the weight restrictions on the bush planes negate that (unless you pay for a "freight" seat, and the international flight is another issue.) Next time (I hope) I am going to look into shipping a big white to the primary bush hotel/site ahead of time.
My travel partner is a photographer also and has his own gear so I can't off load a big white on him.

Since I am going with Pangolin photo tours, I really hope I'll see a Pangolin. LOL

Self drive from the international airport..it's the way to go!!

Amazingly flying to Africa we get 2 x 23kg hold luggage each passenger it's only 1x 23kg everywhere else with both Emirates and Qatar.

 

[Dave Williams]

Good luck to both of you, and I must say I'm quite jealous. An African safari is on my wife's bucket list, but the cost is a little difficult to swallow at this point (she too is "fond" of the more luxurious accommodations, which just increases the cost).

Have a safe trip and I can't wait to see your photos.

The Rand is weak and the US dollar strong, now has never been a better time to travel to South Africa. The type of Safari and accommodation is very varied. My own choice is self drive and staying within the Kruger national park but it is possible to stay outside the park where more luxurious accommodation can be found then you can travel in to the park on a daily basis. You can also book guided trips on a daily basis too.

 

[David Marquard]

Ok, leaving in 10 days for the Chobe, Dinaka, the Kalihari, and Madekwe. Worked out lens pooling with my traveling partner to distribute weight. I am taking my 2 R5s, the RF 100-500, the RF 70-200 f/2.8 and the two extenders (1.4x and 2x). He is carrying his R5, his RF 100-500, and my RF 24-105 f/4 and my 15-35 f/2.8 along with his M50 and one lens.
So, we are covered from 15mm to 1000mm. The photo guide at Pangolin suggested bringing the 70-200 for use in the water level hides at three of the locations.

Hope they don't mind that I will be wearing the same clothes for 3 weeks as I prioritized lenses over clothes.

. Biggest problem was integrating my Bi-Pap into the luggage with sufficient padding to withstand the baggage monkeys.

May be overthinking this, but we will alternate getting food in J'berg for the one night we are there, so we don't leave the photo gear alone in the room at any time. Between the two of us there will be about $30k of gear (including computers) in the room for the overnight before flying to Kasane.

The Okavango is one of my favourite places on the planet, although I haven't been there for about 10 yrs. Enjoy!

 

[dougsmit]

Ask the people at Pangolin:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

They might agree that a lens you can carry is better than one left home. I suspect the insured freight charge to Africa for a 'Big White' would be about the same as a 600 f/11 (and a $10 eBay hood). In Africa, you will find some sun some of the time but lose those lete evening shots.

 

[Hali]

I don't know about all of you but I'm excited to see his images when he gets back! We went to Africa 3 years ago with Wild Eye and it was wonderful. They were a great group. If I could afford to go again I would either go with Wild Eye again or go with Pangolin.

 

[PhotoJim58]

I don't know about all of you but I'm excited to see his images when he gets back! We went to Africa 3 years ago with Wild Eye and it was wonderful. They were a great group. If I could afford to go again I would either go with Wild Eye again or go with Pangolin.

me too, looking forward to those images.