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Come To Africa With Me.
April 22nd, 2009
Several months ago a safari guide named Ryan Snider contacted me about being a guest instructor on a safari in Kenya. Ryan runs socially responsible safaris and grew up in Africa. At the time I had just returned for a too-short week among the Maasai and was eager to go back. And now I am, and you can come with me.
This is not a workshop, it’s a safari. Everyone that comes will be at a different place photographically so my role will be a more informal, organic one as a teacher and guide. Sure y’all have to share me, but it’s like coming on safari with your own photography coach. And if you’re not worn out, we’ll spend evenings talking about your images and how to make them better. If that appeals to you, take a look at the website. We’ll be staying in some fantastic places, and being a socially responsible safari there will be photographic opportunities on offer that you won’t find on other trips.
I’m not running this trip, but the information page is on my website. The trip is run through Able Travel and they’ve got years of experience doing this kind of thing. If the idea of spending 10 days with me sounds like fun, check it out. Americans, note that all prices listed are in CAD, so you’re getting a heck of a deal for an African safari.
Would love to see you there. If interested please contact the travel agency directly but I’d love to hear if you’re coming, so drop me a line too.
See you in Nairobi!
[...] due to previous commitments but I wanted to help spread the word. For more on the safari, go here. and for more on David, go [...]
Wow! That sounds amazing.
I was very interested in this trip, until I saw the price, and thats without airfare? why such lavish/fancy places to sleep? The focus is on Africa, not on staying in fancy hotels/eco tourist fabrications. Why pay for a hotel when you are there to see the country. More than one of these places are $200-300 a night, in a Africa… there are budget hotels for 10 times less this cost. This would be equivalent to staying in 900 dollar diamond hotels in North America. I want to pay to see the country, not to stay in a plastic paradise.
You’re kidding, right? Have you priced guided safaris? $3800usd for a trip of this nature is a great deal. Not for everyone, and no, it’s not a cheap budget-traveler trip, but if that’s what you’re looking for I’m sure you can find one to suit your budget. This one offers quality and security in it’s accompdation – not everyone wants to sleep in budget accoms. Look into GAP tours if you want cheap travel with college-age backpackers.
I can’t afford it either unfortunately as it’s something I would love to do and one day fully intend to but, you’re right, it is a bargain price. I’ve looked at photographic tours & stuff a fair bit recently and in the UK just to spend the day out in the countryside with a decent photographer is upwards of £250-300 a day. To get the Safari & quality accommodation on top it’s dirt cheap. Any more chances like this when i’m a bit more solvent and i’ll be right up for joining you!
In the venacular of Facebook “Sabrina likes this” with a thumbs up sign.
Micheal, I have been researching photographic safaris to East Africa for a while now (I was born there). I can tell you that this photographic safari is VERY well priced for everything that it offers.
Airfare to Kenya about C$1400
A night’s lodging along the way about $200
Coaching time with David duChemin…priceless.
I agree, this sounds very reasonably priced. Still checking airfares from Boston…
Michael, check out Andy Biggs’ Photo Safari to Namibia next month. Tuition is US$11,990 for 10 days. Plus airfare.
Nice accommodations don’t prevent a traveler from experiencing the culture of a country. It’s about the places you visit, and the way you interact with people that matter. A nice place to stay at is just an added bonus. I can’t afford this trip, but if I could I’d sign up. I’m pretty sure they’ll find 14 people willing to pay the price.
I’ve seen photography excursions like this that were shorter trips to less exotic destinations and cost more. The price is a steal. Not in my young family’s budget, but a great price all the same.
Maybe it’s cause im from a different generation, but I don’t find this a value – im 30 years old. You are probably right on this being a deal for the average consumer in our consumer driven society, I don’t look into these package deals much, I alwyas find them over price, but I guess many of you find value in the fact that it’s all put together for you, it’s packaged nicely and seems “safe” and in this case, David Duchemin is goign along for the ride. Ya I guess that is kinda cool, and thats what you are really paying for. I guess I should stick to doing trips like this myself, going out to Africa and finding a guide, as for safety, ya it is a big concern for most north American’s – so much fear in our society. I have been to 3rd world countries and spent alot of time there, I have never had an incident with any locals. Obviously wearing a backpack or jewelry is something you don’t want to do in a place like this, make sure no one is following you and generally not make yourself a target. living in a society like ours alot of these skills are not necessary as we believe we are safe.
Im sure you will get alot of well off bored baby boomers signing up for a trip like this, a nice and safe little trip to Africa…
David, be honest with me for a moment, If you were on assignment for 20 days in Kenya Africa, what would your budget be – not including the plane ticket. If you say $3,800 USD I will glady shut my mouth and say I am clueless. I highly doubt you could make a living with a budget like that.
I wanted to say thank you for that link to GAP tours, their prices seem alot more reasonable, have you ever considered doing a a trip with their organization?
Thanks!
Michael – You raise some important issues and questions. I think you have to be careful not to be condescending however about the “bored baby boomers”. We all travel for different reasons and while some may not be as enlightened as you, perhaps it’s this first encounter with Africa that will open their eyes, give them the courage to go on self-directed adventures.
If I was on assignment in Kenya – as I was last December – my budget would be less. But it’s apples to oranges. My logistics are cared for by my partner organization, my hotel is covered by my client, and as my work is commercial in nature the client is paying me well to come home with the images. Sometimes I stay in shoddy accomodations that don’t cost much, other times I’m in places – like Congo – that are still shoddy but cost a mint. So in that sense it’s an unfair comparison. You’re making the assumption that a guided safari is the same as a solo trip but with more people. Not so. There is a great deal of planning and marketing, there are insurance costs, vehicle rentals, and the fees to pay guides and instructors. I can travel in India for $20/day if I like, doesn’t make a photo tour in Rajasthan that costs $6000 a rip-off.
You used the word value, and I think that’s key. Value is a very personal and subjective thing. It’s about what you get for what you pay, not about how little you pay. Some might look at this $4000 safari and wonder why the price is so low and not come based on that. Some might assume the opposite – like you – that it’s more money than they want to pay. But ultimately it’s a personal thing. Please don’t take this in anything but the spirit in which it’s given, but really, if it’s not for you it’s not for you, but it not being a good value for you doesn’t make it not a great value for others. If you want a tour that caters to photographers concerned about social and ecological impact, and you want your first introduction to Africa to be a great one, this might be the perfect opportunity. If you want to stay in a hostel, it isn’t. So let’s just agree to differ, shall we?
As for GAP, no I haven’t. They seem great, but they simply cater to a different demographic. The world’s a big place and we all have different tastes. I’d consider doing a GAP tour as a participant perhaps, but likely not as an instructor. Glad the referal helped – I know GAP tours do a bang-up job.
Thanks David. You make a good point. I was a condescending and arrogant. I apologize. I’m sure it will be an excellent trip and memorable experience for anyone that goes. Thanks for being so rational. I wish we had people like you running the country.
Ciao
Hey man, I wish we had more people like you posting comments. It’s rare to end these exchanges on good terms. Thanks for your input and the graceful way you let this resolve. Makes my look forward to seeing on here again instead of living in fear. I hate conflict
Have a great weekend, Michael. For what it’s worth, the kind of trips I lead and participate in, are often not the kind of trips I myself would chose to go on as a solo traveler. But they sure are fun all the same.
Hey, David. I, for one, will be there! I’m going to make my deposit tomorrow and iron on some details about traveling from the US, but I’m ready! I’m sure that I’ll bombard you with questions about how to transport gear, etc. I’m looking forward to it!