SERENGETI CALVING & PREDATORS PHOTO SAFARI - MARCH 2016
Overview
The Magnificent Serengeti
Over the past five years C4 Photo Safaris (C4) have run photographic safaris to this magnificent destination. This itinerary has been refined to deliver the ultimate experience of the Serengeti calving season. Spend four glorious nights deep in the heart of this ecosystem, in a small camp, with its own airstrip, far away from other lodges. From here you will have exclusive access to the reserve as well as to the game management areas – perfect for locating and photographing the calving herds of wildebeest.
For the 2016 photo safari C4 has arranged exclusive use of a private, luxury mobile camp, operated by Sanctuary Retreats – ensuring the highest level of comfort in a private concession close to the migration herds. From this base you will experience the incredible spectacle of the calving wildebeest and specifically search for hunting predators in search of easy prey.
The results of the last three seasons augers well for breathtaking action and outstanding photography:
- 2105: Five kills in five days.
- 2014: Six kills in five days.
- 2013: Three kills in four days.
If it is predatory action by big cats you wish to photograph you will find it difficult to surpass this photo safari.
Expect to photograph lion, cheetah, black backed jackals and hyena on a daily basis.
But it is not only the mammals that come to feast – birds of prey are everywhere during the calving season and unquestionably the Serengeti is one of the best places in Africa to photograph raptors.
You will be in the company of some of the top drivers and guides in the Serengeti. These have been selected by and received personal tutoring from C4’s professional photographers over the last five years,’ they understand the more demanding requirements of wildlife photographers. You will be in awe at their outstanding ability to find predators, their knowledge of animal behaviour, their uncanny prediction of how prey and predators will interact and their ability to position your vehicle in the optimum place for you to capture images that others dream about.
Highlights
The highlights are many; here is my selection:
- Endless plains scattered with the odd umbrella thorn tree, creating quintessential African landscapes.
- Photograph a million animals crossing endless plains – a feast for the senses.
- Experience and photograph the birthing of the wildebeest calves- a moving experience.
- Unparalleled sightings of lion and cheetah.
- Very good leopard sightings assured.
- Top drawer interaction between predators and prey – the calves attract predators large and small.
- Excellent birding – from small sparrows to larger raptors.
- Stunning African sunsets over the Serengeti plains.
- Elephants, giraffe and other large mammals.
- Water holes filled with snorting and fighting hippos.
- Photograph the best and most stunning wildlife under the guidance of two competent wildlife photographers
- Stay in a top-end safari camp.
- Receive extensive help in the field to optimize your camera settings.
- All of the drivers/guides have experience in working with photographers; they have patience and are accustomed to waiting, in order to capture that ‘decisive moment’
- Transfers by plane to allow more time for photography.
Tour Leaders
You have two of South Africa’s best professional wildlife photographers as your guides and instructors.
Both are committed to ensuring you come home with the best possible images and they are two of the best in-field instructors on camera settings, composition and post processing.
Shem Compion is an adventurer, nature photographer, author and photography hide builder. He is the co-owner of C4 Photo Safaris, along with Andre Cloete. His full time profession is wildlife and nature photography, one of the few remaining professionals in the field today.
Shem has been leading and hosting private and scheduled photo safaris since 2005 and C4 Photo Safaris has now grown into the largest specialist photo safari company in Africa.
He has always grounded his tour leading skills on being a naturalist and a photographer. These have been used by the the BBC Natural history Unit on the multi award winning BBC Planet Earth series. He was involved on the Great Plains series documenting lions hunting elephants in the Savuti, Botswana, of which you can see a short part of the video here.
In 2009 he was commissioned to publish his first book “A Landscape of Insects” together with Dr Duncan MacFadyen. Since then he has published five new books, each of which is a celebration of imagery and text that share immense insights, knowledge and experience of the natural world and his beloved Africa. You might like to see details of his books HERE.
His work has featured in international publications, including BBC Wildlife, Africa Geographic, Naturfot Naturfoto Passie, Outdoor Photographer and Terre Sauvage. His images have won acclaim in a variety of competitions around the world. You may wish to see some of his awards HERE.
Andre Cloete is co-owner of C4 Photo Safaris. His knowledge of and passion for wildlife and ‘birding’ has inspired and shaped his interest in photography. Years of honing his craft with film allowed him to master digital photography and its complexities with ease to capture a mood or moment in the African bush, his second home.
His photographic style emulates motion and speed, revealing glimpses of action, movement and behaviour not often noticed by the human eye. A number of his images have been published in magazines including BBC Wildlife Magazine, Weg and Getaway and in 2003 he won the Mammals Behaviour Category in the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
His greatest delight comes from taking enthusiastic photographers, novice and experienced, to wildlife destinations with the best game viewing potential at ideal times of the year. He and Shem continue to push the boundaries of creativity as they search for additional exceptional destinations.
THE PHOTO SAFARI IS CONFINED TO A MAXIMUM OF SIX PARTICIPANTS, EXCLUSIVE OF THE TWO LEADERS.
Summary Itinerary
This six day photo safari commences at Kilimanjaro International Airport on 6 March 2016 and finishes at Kilimanjaro International Airport on 11 March 2016.
The Summary Itinerary is:
| DATE | TRANSFER | ACCOMMODATION |
| 6 March | Arrive Kilimanjaro – road transfer to Arusha. | Legendary Lodge, Arusha – 1 night |
| 7 March | Air transfer to Serengeti | Sanctuary Kusini Mobile Camp – 4 nights |
| 11 March | Air transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport | N/A |
A more comprehensive itinerary can downloaded by clicking the DOWNLOAD ITINERARY button in the sidebar.
Costs, Terms of Payment & How To Register
The cost is: US$7,950.00 per person, twin share.
A single supplement of US$700.00 applies, if specifically requested, 30% to be paid at the time of registration and the balance with the final payment.
Terms of Payment
Terms of Payment are as follows:
1. A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 14 days of submitting a completed Registration Form.
3. A final payment of the remaining 70%, on or before Fri 22nd January 2016.
What’s Included & What’s Not Included
Included
- Pickup and drop off at Kilimanjaro Airport and transport for the entire safari.
- Entrance to all reserves.
- All accommodation and meals as specified.
- Game activities, drives and walks
- The services of drivers and guides
Not Included
- Gratuities to staff and guides
- Alcoholic and soft drink beverages
- Extra activities not included
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Travel visas
- International flights
How to Register
To register is easy:
- Click on the REGISTRATION FORMS button in the sidebar.
- Download both the C4 REGISTRATION FORM and the C4 TERMS & CONDITIONS PDFs.
- Read the contents of the C4 TERMS & CONDITIONS PDF carefully.
- When read, complete the C4 REGISTRATION FORM, and return it directly to C4 Photo Safaris.
Full details on how to do this are provided in the PDFs.
To discuss any aspect of the photo safari please contact: Shem Compion, Managing Director, C4 Photo Safaris.
Mobile: +27 82 063 9146 or
Tel: +27 12 344 6681 or
Email: shem@c4photosafaris.com
Ensure you download the more comprehensive itinerary PDF which contains most of the information you will initially require. To read or download the PDF click the “DOWNLOAD ITINERARY’ button in the side bar.
If this photography tour is not for you, perhaps you might consider forwarding the details to a friend who may like to know about it. Thank you sincerely.
QUERIES & CONTACTS
If you would like to discuss any aspect of international flights or required travel insurance for the photo safari, please contact Shem Compion, Managing Director, C4 Photo Safaris. Mobile: +27 82 063 9146 or Tel: +27 12 993 1946 or Email: shem@c4photosafaris.com
If this photography tour is not for you, perhaps you might consider forwarding the details to a friend who may like to know about it. Thank you sincerely.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Download the PDF containing full details on payment terms and registration, the itinerary, what is/is not included, cancellation policy and fees, compulsory travel insurance, health considerations, responsibility, liability, and packing camera gear for travel.
Download: Premier Serengeti Calving & Predators Itinerary - March 2016 (Printable PDF)
REGISTRATION FORMS
To reserve a place, download, print a copy of each form, read carefully the C4 TERMS & CONDITIONS, then complete and return the C4 Registration Form directly to C4 Photo Safaris
Download: C4 REGISTRATION FORM (PDF)
Download: C4 TERMS & CONDITIONS (PDF)
AFFILIATIONS
Iconic Images is the exclusive representative/agent for C4 Photo Safaris, South Africa, in Australia & New Zealand.
C4 Photo Safaris provides the on-ground logistics for Iconic Images' photo safaris/tours in Africa and is a SATSA member. The SATSA logo signifies that C4 Photo Safaris offers services that are of the highest quality and the company is deemed to be a credible and reliable provider of services to the tourism industry in South Africa. These services are independently audited on an annual basis. SATSA members are bonded, providing a financial guarantee of deposits held against the involuntary liquidation of a SATSA member.
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