Our Safari Guides know Photography

When on Safari, the most important element that can make or break your Safari is your guide. Our guides make your Safari! It is the reason our guests come back.

Our guides not only know about animal-life, flora and fauna, but they also know photography.

Photography on Safari is vital for our guides to know. We have a range of clients from hobbyists, amateur photographers to professional photographers.

Lighting is crucial. Early morning before the sunrise to capture the first light of daybreak. How to avoid shadows in the hot mid-day sun. Positioning the Safari vehicle in the right angle to capture the golden hour in the evening. Sunset shots are amazing and when you have a wildlife silhouette, dreamy. These little tricks of the trade are taught to our Safari guides. Some of our guides are great photographers themselves like Butati in lovely Greystoke Mahale, Western Tanzania or Daniel at MalaMala Game Reserve, South Africa.

If we know in advance what you need, our guides will equip our vehicle with supplies like bean bags for stability. We always carry a few in our vehicles anyway. Any specific need you have, we can work with you.

My Safari guide Reuben with my camera clicking the Wildebeest arriving into Northern Serengeti.

For a hobbyist like me, I let my guides help.  They would help me with lighting, shutter speed, angle, etc.  They got me some good shots while I got to enjoy the experience. The picture above is in Northern Serengeti on our early morning game drive and the Wildebeest and Zebra migration were grunting its way into this beautiful region.

I brought home some great pictures and some shots, I can not take credit for. You decide if you want to do that on your Safari.

Twende Safari – let’s go Safari somewhere in magical Africa. We can help you!

Lake Natron | Tanzania

Why go to Lake Natron Region?
That was what I was trying to discover when I went with my friend, expert guide Paul Oliver on my Safari in Feb-March 2015. Located within the Great East African Rift Valley, Natron is an off-the-grid [not for long though] Safari destination in Northern Tanzania.  I think I know why those who love being on Safari come here to explore.  

Stunning landscape.
This place is for those who want to photograph amazing varied terrain.

Ol Doinyo Lengai with ash on the side.

The most obvious is the glorious volcanic mountain Ol Doinyo Lengai, the mountain of God for the Maasai tribe members. The deep ridges carved from erosion, the spewed lava that comes out every 10 years or so or the depth of vegetation all reflected differently from different angles. This active mountain is very  mesmerizing to watch.

Glorious Lake Natron in the evening.

Alkaline rich Lake Natron and its reflective surface, the many rock outcrops that dot the mirror-like lake, the white soda ash on the shores, and the lovely reeds that create interest. The hills are alive with character. You have to see the many hills with mini peaks that are formed to release the gas from the belly of the Earth.

If you are into landscape photography with the occasional wildlife spotting, this is your place.

Walking Safari.
The area near our camp, Lake Natron Tented Lodge is about an hour walk to the caustic Lake Natron. You have to pass through surprisingly cool water springs, [it was around 90F in February], muddy patches with lots of footprints to inspect from the zebras to the little bird prints, and then the unique crunchy dry soda from the salty lake. 

Walking in Lake Natron.

There is also walking to the waterfall from the Engare Sero village. After your trek during the day, a cool dip sounds refreshing. 

Lake Natron is an alkaline lake with the right ph for the flamingoes to breed. I was expecting to see lots of flamingos but that was not the case as they had flown away further south to Lake Eyasi and east to Lake Magadi in Ngorongoro Region. You could hear them flying at night from my room. Non the less, getting so close to the flamingos by foot was quite special.

Then you have the large count of migratory birds coming all the way from Europe and even Alaska. Paul, who is a birder was clicking away. Wadders were skittish around us and Paul told me about bird netting and bird poaching. Birds are facing a huge problem in many European countries like Italy, Malta to countries like Jordan. Millions of these lovely birds are served as a delicacy to satisfy humans.

Of course, the local birds are every present. We had fun with the Spotted Morning-thrush hanging on the branches of the acacia tree. He and Paul had a good conversation about our lovely ‘Safari life’.

Cultural stop.
Historic footprints have been found here. They calculated the age of these footprints and they are around 120,000 years old, the first modern straight standing man. This area is very close to Oldupai Gorge, were one of the first homo sapiens skull was found by the Leakey family. 

That is homo sapien Paul Oliver leaving his footprints in the fresh spring water.

Who would like Lake Natron?

Anyone who likes to drive through open wide spaces, enjoys a bit of heat [especially from December to March], loves the freedom to take many walks, birds and migratory birds, can stare at stunning landscape and finish off with a cool dip in the fresh spring waters near Lake Natron Camp.

To enjoy Lake Natron, you need to spend a minimum of 2 nights. 
If going off-the-beaten-path it of interest and you have time, adding Lake Natron and the lovely Lake Natron Camp to your Tanzanian Safari will be an amazing experience. 

Food on Safari

One question that I often get from clients booking their Tanzanian Safari is, "What is the food going to be like on Safari"? Yummy! If you are staying in our preferred lodges and tented camps, I can confidently say ::

• Fresh and Tasty. Our chefs will cook you some amazing meals with basic equipment. Think hot and fresh breads + beef and veggie barbeque using a coal grill + organic salad plucked from the garden right around the corner as in Plantation Lodge. They really want you to enjoy their culinary experience.
• Well Prepared. Our well-trained camp chef and crew will come up with gourmet meals in the middle of the bush and they are prepared in high standards. The last thing anybody wants is a sick person on Safari. 

And... besides the food, think beautiful setting.  

Pre-Breakfast.
On Safari you normally start off your day with a wake-up call. You can start really early should you have chosen to go on a sunrise morning game drive or morning Walking Safari. You sit on your lovely patio and have your cookie [biscuits as we say in Tanzania] and sip your hot cuppa tea or coffee listening to the sounds of the wild and watching the sun rise. 

A perfect start to your day on Safari!

Breakfast. 
A good breakfast to start off the day full of adventures. You are going to have an array of options. Cereals, variety of juices, eggs with warm bread sometimes cooked in the bush for a bush breakfast, bacon and potatoes and more.  Nothing like having the most important meal of the day with a great view as you see here from Sayari Camp in Northern Serengeti.

Snack.
When on your game drive, you need a snacks.
Game driving is tough! Our vehicles carry water, soft drinks, juice and snacks which you can enjoy during your game drive. In some areas, like what we are experienced in Northern Serengeti, you can stop, set a table and enjoy your snack with the animals close by.

Don’t worry. Our guides will choose an open area away from the thick bushes. 

Dinner time.
Magicial.
Soft flicker of the candles or lanterns invite you to your table. Here you will chill with a glass of wine or the drink of choice while chatting with other Safari goers or share a meal with the camp manager and share stories that go beyond the parks you are visiting.  Bush dinners are available for those who want a private dinner or just want to sit under the stars. Bon appetite!

And the wonderful cycle begins again for the rest of your Safari.

Doesn't that make you want to be on Safari snacking or having a delicious meal right now?
We can Make It Happen. Life worth Exploring.