Posts Tagged ‘African Safari’

African wildlife safaris to East and southern Africa offer exceptional photographic opportunities. However safaris between these two regions are quite different when it comes to how you photograph wildlife from the vehicle.

Game drives in East Africa are in vehicles with pop-top viewing roofs and sliding glass windows as opposed to southern Africa’s open-sided vehicles. In East Africa it is easy to stabilize your long lens with the use of sandbags on the roof, but how do you stabilize your lens in open-sided vehicles if the roof option isn’t available? If your lens has image stabilization that will help. African wildlife safaris are in a vehicle, but the vehicle will be stopped when photos are being snapped. Another popular trick is to brace your elbows against your body, and if this isn’t possible, depending on how many people are in your safari vehicle, you can sit in the middle seat and use your camera bag on the empty seat with or without a beanbag to act as a perch.

Mono-pods are also another popular option, but if you find mono-pods to be too cumbersome, a working alternative is a skimmer pod. This is designed especially for ground-level bird and wildlife photography, and can be used in addition to a bean bag. Though both are great alternatives, which one is the most preferred is difficult to argue as it depends entirely on preference. Mono-pods may prove to be the better option for walking safaris, as the single staff is easy to set in the ground and quickly set your stance for that perfect shot, while a skimmer pod may prove to be better for the game drive. Again, it’s entirely preference.

Beanbags can also be placed on the open-side windows of African wildlife safaris vehicles, however this does give you a bit of a twist in your spine to get your eye to the viewfinder, but if you can manage, it works just fine. Two beanbags will save you time switching them from side to side. Try sitting next to the driver for a great low perspective. This seat also allows greater maneuverability and you can use the beanbag with relative ease. If this seat isn’t available, a number of vehicles will have rails in front of the seats where you can attach a Manfrotto super clamp, a ball head to that, and you’ll have an excellent tripod on your African wildlife safaris.

Combine your photographic experience with a WALKING safari. Get started planning your safari today!

Join Us on One of Our 2012 Photo Safaris

Ngoma Safari Lodge near Chobe National Park, Botswana is part of a new collection of luxury lodging.  Revered as more luxurious than the traveler favorite, Muchenje Safari Lodge, Ngoma is a five star establishment entirely founded on the principals of utilizing and giving back a percentage of its revenue to the lives of those living in the surrounding community.

In other words, the development of Ngoma Safari Lodge a community/private sector funded project in collaboration with the Chobe Enclave Conservation Trust (CECT).  The CECT is made up of 5 communities in an area known as the Chobe Enclave, the same area as the lodge.

Perched on an escarpment, directly within the Chobe Forest Reserve bordering the western edge of Chobe National Park, the lodge offers stunning panoramic views of the Chobe River and Caprivi floodplain of Namibia.

The focal guest lounge is sheltered by the brilliant Baobab, also overlooking the Chobe River.  The lounge includes:

• A sitting room
• Dining room
• Bar
• Library with internet
• A fire pit outside for evening drinks and stories
• Telescopes for wildlife viewing and astronomers.

All 8 river facing suites at Ngoma Safari Lodge will have:

• Spacious Luxury Rooms and Outside Viewing Decks
• Bath
• Indoor and Outdoor shower
• Overhead fans
• Air conditioning
• Mini-bar
• Coffee and Tea Amenities
• Private Plunge Pool on the Veranda

Each of the suites have superb views of the river, thus a magnificent opportunity to witness the great Botswana zebra migration, the hundreds of elephants and buffalo grazing on the floodplain below, all depending on the season.

Ngoma Safari Lodge activities will include:

• Chobe River Cruising Combined with a Full Day Game Activity
• Game Drives
• Day Drives into Chobe National Park and Night Drives and Bush Walks in the Private Concession
• Cultural Village School and Village Tour (Ngoma Safari Lodge’s relationship with its community)
• Birding (over 450 species) Ngoma’s very own hide and platform sits below the lodge

Combine your visit to Chobe with an exclusive lodge in the Okavango Delta.

You can expect big cats and fast prey on a Botswana wildlife safari. Game drives in Botswana are like no other found in Africa. The regions of northern Botswana support high densities of diverse game populations and with the ability of safari vehicles to drive unrestricted -off road, treading virgin paths, drives at night, with few (if any) other vehicles -make a visit to Botswana the absolute best destination for a top quality all around original Botswana wildlife safari.

The wildlife is exactly what you would expect to see on the savannah plains throughout southern Africa, however, what makes this country unique is the sheer number and frequency that you come across sightings this extraordinary. On a Botswana wildlife safari pride of lions patrol the land, the same land leopard lounge in trees patiently waiting for easy prey, hyenas scavenge with might, elephants maraud in large numbers (the largest herds on earth!) next to suspicious grazing antelope, whom have all congregated around the life pulse of the Okavango Delta.

What animals can be seen on a Botswana Wildlife Safari?

Because of the Okavango and Chobe Rivers, nearly all southern African species can be found in northern Botswana. Even the rare puku, red lechwe, mountain reedbuck and sitatunga antelopes thrive in Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park. Other wildlife rarities include the African wild dog (thriving in good numbers), pangolins, and aardvarks.

A Botswana wildlife safari is virtually like stepping into the old and wild Africa

An Africa where an incredible collection of animals dwell in natural environments. This is the chief reason why Botswana is cherished by animal lovers. The chance to see, within yards, the Big Five -lion, leopard, elephant, black rhino and buffalo, amongst giraffe, zebras, wildebeest, and hippo. Botswana has wildlife in abundance!

Combine your game drive safari and add some real excitement with a WALKING safari! Get started planning your safari today!

You may want to take a seat for what I’m about to tell you.  What I’m about to share is going to get you very excited.

Are you ready?

I’ve been spending my nights and early mornings fostering a relationship with a very special lady.  Her heart is so filled with love it makes me jump with joy.  Her passion so drowning it makes me cry.  I swear, since meeting this beautiful woman, the birds and bees are still buzzing in my lovely garden.

This is why I have to ask you this:

Have you ever wanted to travel abroad and spend a portion of your vacation participating in activities centered on furthering a charitable cause?

http://wildsafariafrica.com/budget-safari/owambo-volunteer-etosha-n-p-safari/

Voluntourism was born when one Volunteer spiced up their travels by intimately placing themselves into a unique culture and/or environment offering their services.

Gain more by giving more.

A Colorado veterinarian, and experienced traveler to Africa, recently contacted me about how she could donate her skills, vet supplies, along with her time to further help Namibia’s big cat populations.

She shared stories of treating lions in Zimbabwe; working with South African’s on the project and when I heard about the personal fulfillment she received from her work, it turned me into a believer.

Her enthusiasm and commitment for animals got me jazzed.

And this is exactly one, of many, forms of voluntourism.  She utilizes her time, talent, and treasure and in turn, she receives gratitude, recognition, and a transformative experience that ultimately continues to change her foundation.

That is why I’m so pumped about my new partnership with Oonte OVC Centre.  It allows you, the traveler, an easy path to give a little –to take home A LOT.

Do you have the skills to:

Be flexible?

Reach out to children spiritually, physically, or pshyco-social support?

Teach health, personal hygiene, goal setting, and leadership?

Help in the garden?

Aid with the preparation and cleanup of meals?

Do you have the desire to:

Connect intimately with a foreign community?

Learn a new culture?  A new Language?

To utilize your skills and talents?

To feel enriched?  May I dare say…Spiritually Elevated?

If you’ve answered yes to the majority of these questions, then my new, EXCLUSIVE, Lend a Helping Hand and Dip Your Toes Safari is just for YOU!

http://wildsafariafrica.com/budget-safari/owambo-volunteer-etosha-n-p-safari/

Get groovy and give back to gain much more,

Jeremy

P.S. I will donate US$100 to Oonte for every person who goes on this safari with me.

P.P.S.  My special lady is Meme Petrine who manages Oonte.

A traveler torn between choosing to self-drive OR take an escorted tour once said, “My only concern is we would be driving and passing by points of interest and not even know that we should stop and take a look.”

Yes, that is true.

The highly acclaimed travel writer Paul Theroux distinguished travelers and tourists by saying, “Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going.”

In today’s world, most people are forced to be “simple” tourists because of time constraints.  I say “simple” because without a brilliant guide and local connections YOU’RE a fish out of water that may, or may never, swim in the pool of great memories.

The New Age of escorted tours, GROUPS are much SMALLER than the traditional motorcoach filled with forty camera toting tourists.

Today, a great escorted tour averages in size (between 2-6 travelers) meaning a more INTIMATE and EXHILIRATING experience you desired!

Also, expect to be CHAUFFEURED around –and in places like Africa where animals (you wanna take memory cards worth of photos of) run wild, and destinations are of great distance between each other, trust me…

You WANT to be chauffeured!

On the other hand, self-drive tours require more time than most people are willing to give up AND that can mean YOU might miss things.

One way to counter the possibility of missing points of interest, purchase a COUNTRY SPECIFIC guidebook.

And of course a map.

Between the two, you’ll minimize your chances of missing key attractions –Assuming you spend hours in preparation.

DON’T be the one returning home only to realize you should have gone there! Or done that!

A finely polished “local” escort WILL provide a more enriching travel experience – the kind that only an INSIDER can offer.  You may be a tourist, but the “local” escort eliminates your ignorance.

If you are absolutely content on a self-drive tour, it is essential to work with an operator to aid in the planning your route, help you decide on lodges within your budget, “guide” you to must see places of interest, etc…

When all said in done,

You will receive a personally prepared set of documents bound together in a folder, including your itinerary, short biography of the creator, a customized travel guide, and examples of the activities/wildlife you may encounter, passport/visa information, suggested clothing and equipment, health issues, cultural considerations, and a list of suggested reading.

Join Jermibia’s escorted tours and receive -http://wildsafariafrica.com/budget-safari/

To creating a self-drive OR escorted safari EXCLUSIVELY to your desires,

Jeremy

P.S. Jermibia’s Wild Safari is currently working towards creating a partnership with Oonte Educational House for Owambo Orphans, where YOU will have an opportunity to volunteer with Namibia’s finest youth!  Stay tuned…

P.P.S. Group size between 2-6 people sounds perfect for the family.  Reserve an escorted tour exclusively for your family OR suggest your own escorted itinerary.  Tell me the dates, and we’ll make it happen!

Not too long ago, I received a phone call from a traveler on her way to Namibia.  She had spent months planning, booking, and figuring out the logistics – car hire, the ideal lodge, tours, activities, game drives, cultural experiences, restaurants, etc. – it takes to have the PERFECT Namibian Safari.

This was a family affair.

I asked her where her family planned to visit; what they planned to do.  I pumped her up about the Cheetah Conservation Fund (a place she booked an overnight) and shared the histories of the Bushmen people (also another planned activity).

Although there was one problem.  A kink needed to be worked out.

No one could help her.

That is until she called me and I offered her an alternative.

Through the telly I could hear her google the name of the township I mentioned.  When it came up on her computer, her excitement was radiant.

Only days prior to the family’s departure, at the finish of our conversation she said, “I wish I had found you earlier.  I have spent countless hours working with several different travel agents who didn’t really know what they were talking about.  I ended up planning most of it myself.  Talking with you, I know feel more secure with our little adventure!”

What a compliment!

This is how I made her life easier AND how I’ll make your life easy:

I’ll work with you directly, discussing YOUR thoughts and ideas.  Our casual discussion will look at the ‘big picture’ to be sure not to miss any important details.  Then, I’LL begin the initial preparation; create the safari schedule, and most importantly…

Keep in constant contact with YOU, during all of the planning before I receive the ‘go-ahead’ and book what you’ve decided.

This is how I’ll save you time:

You’ll deal with ONE expert.  Don’t waste your valuable time and energy with people who aren’t intimate with the country/region.  That was the MISTAKE the family in the story made.

Or for the ultimate time saver choose one of my ALREADY planned and prepared escorted portfolio safaris.    http://wildsafariafrica.com/budget-safari/

Why work with me?

This is solid proof AND my personal guarantees:

I lived in Namibia, learning the culture, wildlife, nuances of southern Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer.  I intentionally extended my time in Namibia to research and write my 300 page travel guide, covering the logistics and culture of Namibia.

A safari planned or lead by me is guaranteed to make the ENVIRONMENT and CULTURAL sensitivity a top priority, ensuring authentic safaris to continue on through the ages.

But don’t take my word for it, read what past clients have said: http://wildsafariafrica.com/testimonials/

Why throw your hard earned money at professionals who aren’t experts?

Let’s talk safari.  Call me and you’ll hear the highly experienced safari consultant you were looking for, to collaborate YOUR tailored made safari.

To being pampered with peace of mind,

Jeremy (Jermibia)

P.S. Call me, 720-272-0828, let’s talk.

P.P.S. Seriously.

Travelers react to poverty differently. For many (especially US travelers) it is their first time witnessing extreme poverty.

Snotty nosed kids, tattered clothes, shoeless children, toothless mothers begging and dangling malnourished babies off their hips, lepers crippled, the blind holding their hands out without direction are all common sights throughout the developing world.

A medieval vision to spook the mind.

Some find it easiest to ignore, others break down and cry, some take photo’s to raise awareness; others ignorantly hand out gifts without thought of the future.

A couple weeks ago a traveler planning to visit Namibia mentioned on tripadvisor she would “like to take with us some gifts for children…Also the best place to hand these gifts in so that they go to where they are most needed.”

I recommended to ‘barter’ and ‘trade’ for souvenir’s – as an ALTERNATIVE – suggesting it is a bad idea to just give hand-outs to children and adults.

Surprised, my comment sparked in uproar with other’s in the Namibia, tripadvisor community.

In response, one comment said, “All very well bartering until you find a remote school where the kids don’t have shoes…Apart from the warm glow I get from bringing a little happiness into someone’s life, I don’t really look for anything in return.”

This reminded me of something.

DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS! – National Parks are glittered with these signs. There is a reason for it; if you feed a wild animal today, will you feed it tomorrow? And the day after? Because if you don’t YOU will KILL them!

The same goes for when travelers react to extreme poverty by handing out free-bee’s to feel better about their emotions.

These uneasy emotions are the most NATURAL of feelings and I would be worried if you didn’t feel bad.

However, when travelers react this way it becomes a destructive, self-righteous mission, that is neither good for the people in the developing world OR yourself.

Developing countries are in a critical time in history; either they will grow into a productive, contributing member of our globalized world, or they won’t.

Children are cute –even when they’re wearing tatters. Not too many people think the same about a mangy grown man begging.

Do the people, of what ever country you visit, the kindest of favors – give BUT only if you receive something in return. Trade for souvenirs at the craft market, exchange photographs, sample a meal, or ask to tour a homestead – in exchange for your gift.

That way you can GIVE, feel positive about your deed, boost your karma, AND receive something in return, making them feel like they had to WORK for what they got. THIS single act will benefit both that person and the cultural mentality shared, working towards a productive, self-sufficient future. It’s a win –win situation and stories will be told on each side, guaranteed.

To creative giving,

Jeremy

P.S. A portion of your Safari payment is donated to the Uukwaluudhi people and children at Nambula Combined School – the school I had the pleasure of teaching English.

There was nothing more enjoyable than to sit back and listen to the San Bushmen speak in clicks and clacks.  Their physical features are undeniably different than most southern African clans of the Bantu descent, making them something of an anomaly.

Recently I read an article in the Denver Post stating a recent study of African genetics by an International team from the University of Pennsylvania.  The team claimed the San of southern Africa are the most genetically diverse peoples on earth.

They went a step further and boldly stated the San homeland, the Kalahari Desert, could have very well been the exact spot where modern humanity began.

The San Bushmen are the last remaining indigenous people of southern Africa.  They are nomadic, and sustain life entirely by what the land provides: Hunting and gathering.

Their wisdom of survival has been well known and shared with British and South African military special opts teams for centuries.  Their tracking skills are better than any other clan in all of Africa, and perhaps the world.  Their perseverance is legendary.

If it is true that the Kalahari Desert is the place where modern humans were born, is it then possible it may be the place where humans survive an apocalyptic collapse?

Their ancient wisdom is thought to have been around for 30,000 or more years.  Not a single generation has been denied this wise knowledge of the land, and perhaps is the only reason why the San Bushman continues to live in their traditional customs.

It is so good; there is no reason to change… unless the “taker” culture (you and me) coerce them into change.

In 2002 many San groups were forcibly removed from their ancestral land in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park (Botswana) to clear way for government endorsed diamond mining.

This directly threatened to forever extinguish their traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle.

However…

The Bushman won a historic ruling in 2006 against the government of Botswana, permitting them to return to their ancestral land.

With access to water minimal, along with the lure of modern life, many did not return.  They freely chose to stay in the areas surrounding settlements, and once these people are gone, so is the ancient wisdom that will be lost forever.

The uncertain future the Kalahari Bushmen face is as bleak as our own.  But without sharing our wisdom to younger generations, they have to start from scratch.

To sharing wisdom,

Jeremy

P.S. The two best countries to visit and interact with the most genetically diverse peoples on earth are in Namibia and Botswana.

P.P.S.  I guarantee you’ll come home a much wiser person.

Last week I was teaching a High School Geography class.  The topic: Africa.

I asked the students what were the first things that came to mind when you think of Africa?

“Poverty” one student shouts out.  “Blood diamonds” another says. Starvation, child soldiers, and disease were also mentioned as our discussion jig sawed around the room and it was no surprise to me.  We hear nothing but the tragedies and atrocities in Africa, and nothing about the good.

Is this perception really good for Africa?

Well I was happy to read an article titled “Africa’s Rising Stars” in the New York Times Upfront Magazine about The New Face of Africa.

Ghana (West Africa) and Botswana (southern Africa) stand out considerably from other African nations for two reasons 1) Political progress 2) Economic Progress.

Sure it’s natural for the media to want to talk about corrupt dictators like Liberia’s (West Africa) former President Charles Taylor, or ethnic conflicts in the Sudan or Rwanda (North & Central Africa), and even countries who are reluctant to seriously address the issue of HIV/AIDS, because it creates a “movie-like” story.

Tragedy melts our hearts and opens our eyes.

But what about the progress African nations have made?  Why do we so rarely hear about that?

Botswana and Ghana have successfully and more importantly consistently changed power peacefully, created a strong and flourishing free market, and developed an education system on a strong foundation for its citizens.

Possibly this is the reason Botswana makes for such a great Safari destination?

Shortly after Botswana achieved independence in 1967 from Britain, a HUGE diamond mine was discovered.  Unlike other countries that used their wealth in natural resources to fund civil wars, Botswana’s new government set aside the money for public projects (i.e. roads, clean drinking water, education, etc.).

Botswana’s philosophy was simple.  The people’s natural rights and future success were linked to the wealth of the country.

Botswana went from one of the poorest nations in all of Africa, to one of the richest.  Today, it is Africa’s longest continuous multi-party democracy, with an outstanding human rights record.

Safaris in Botswana are top-notch.  The government is the sole reason why.  The private concessions (vast wilderness areas set aside by the government) make for an experience unlike anywhere else in Africa, leaving you with zero noise pollution and nothing but the chirps, barks, and songs of nature.

Wild Safari Africa loves Botswana because of this.  The government encourages a healthy tourist industry and does an incredible job maintaining its ecosystems, which in turn makes us want to bring groups and families to their country to experience an incredible Safari.

Governments who strive to work in the best interest of their people and their lands and resources is what should really melt our heart and open our eyes, not tragedy.

Positivity spreads with a good aura.

Let’s get that train a rollin’ beginning in Botswana!

Jeremy

P.S.  2010 Calendars are NOW available!  Each month’s photo takes you straight to that southern African waterhole you have been dreaming about.  Cozy up your office for the next twelve months.

P.S.S. Learn more about all the exciting destinations & adventure activities to be had on Safari in Botswana with Wild Safari Africa.

He was both surprised that I was an American and that I was not interested in hunting any of Africa’s big game.

“You’re probably green or something” he said.

I was simply glad he had picked me up from the side of the road.  I had worked slowly all the way from Swakopmund, hundreds of kilometers hitchhiking, and had been in four vehicles before he had come to a skidding halt and made it my fifth.

“I’m an idealist” I told him.  I knew Outjo, the town we were moving towards, was the gateway to Etosha National Park and asked him, already knowing the answer, if there were any good places to hunt in the area.

He was speeding into the sunset like the car had been stolen.

I was shocked when he told me he had a game farm and “you know the real problem?” he asked me, answering his own question before I had time to respond, “cheetah.”

He was a white Namibian telling me his struggles to ranch and own a game farm while the cheetahs are preying upon his investments.  “And then that American lady at CCF (Cheetah Conservation Fund) is telling the world the cheetah are no more, while their populations are increasing because they are killing my animals” he said somberly.

I thought his story was interesting, seeing as the CCF works directly with farmers, and as the government encourages many farmers to move from cattle ranching to game farming as a means to both conserve Namibia’s natural wildlife and attract tourists.

I asked him if cheetah predation was a problem with his livestock as well.  He responded with ease, telling me that with livestock there are certain procedures one can take to ensure the safety of his animals; the use of Anatolian shepherds as guard dogs, hiring a shepherd to follow the animals, and fencing and corral at night.  “But the wild game, there is nothing.  You know, last year I put 200 impala on my farm and in less than a year I was left with only 20” he said.

“Is it only cheetah that are your problem?  What about other big cats? I mean you are near Etosha” I questioned him.

He had no problem with lions or other smaller cats.  He experienced occasional leopard kills, however, he didn’t mind leopards.

“ You see, the cheetahs, if they can, will kill every day.  Leopards, like lions, will feed on a single kill for several days, until it is finished.  Cheetahs they kill, eat what they can that day and move on.  They prefer the fresh meat” he explained.

“So what is the solution?  What can you do?” I asked.  He told me he had made several visits to CCF and they kept giving him the run around.  “The only solution is to kill them” he said without hesitation.

I knew that if farmers see their livestock being harmed or endangered by a predator they were in their legal rights to take the predator out.  I asked him about this, and he told me, that I was right and all the kills had to be reported with the government.

“I bet many kills go unreported” I said.  His eyes glowed above a small grin before he looked forward into the sun we were traveling.

At Wild Safari Africa we are dedicated to protecting animals such as the cheetah.  Instead of hunting wild game with rifles, we bring our high powered cameras to take amazing killer shots.  And when we get home we hang our trophies on our wall.  Did you notice I said trophies?  That’s right, plural.  It’s much cheaper to print multiple photos than mount an animal’s head or get an entire body stuffed.  And much more practical too!

Although, the cheetah population is flourishing in Namibia, Namibia remains one of the few countries in the world home to such healthy populations.  Let’s keep it that way.  Together, we can do our part saving the fastest land mammal.

Wild Safari Africa partners with foundations like the Cheetah Conservation Fund, making your dreams of up-close and personal interaction with some of Africa’s most majestic animals a reality.  You too, can help save the cheetah.  To learn more about the Cheetah Conservation Fund visit, www.cheetah.org.

Keep things young and wild!

Jermibia

P.S.  Only thinking about a safari?  Answer Wild Safari Africa’s 6 Most Important Questions to better decide on where, what, when, how, and why you want to Safari with Jermibia.

P.S.S. The story above was from this past July when Wild Safari Africa founder, Jeremy “Jermibia” Allen was in Namibia writing the first edition of his guidebook to Namibia.