I'm finally to the point in my life where I can stop working so much and enjoy life more! This means I'll be able to start taking some of the photo trips I have been dreaming of for a long time. Africa has been at the top of my list for many years so I am starting to figure out where/when to go first. So far I am looking at the following locations:
Namibia
Botswana
Masai Mara, Kenya
Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Tanzania
I see photo safaris for each of these locations at various months of the year, but I know there must be a better month to go to each location based on migration patterns and weather (rainy season vs dry season). For example, I just read last night that Botswana has a zebra migration in November. That would be amazing to see!
I would appreciate it if any of you with knowledge of these locations (or any other locations you think I should add to my dream list) would let me know what time of year is the best time to visit these spots.
I have been to Kenya 8 times and I love this country so much that I consider it to be my second home. Maasai Mara is an incredible place to be, but I heard that you cannot go off road anymore which was possible when I visited last. The big 5 is almost guaranteed there and the wildebeest migration is epic. To see the migration you should stay in the National Park, but I mostly enjoyed the triangle north of Maasai Mara in which much more is allowed and even night safaris are possible, which aren't possible in the National Parks. Kenya has also many other great places to visit like Samburu‌ (great for elephants and gerenuk and you might be able to stay at the camp of which Saba Douglas Hamilton is the owner), Tsavo East and West and Meru and of course the lakes. Places like Sweetwaters, Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Lewa Downs are private game reserves worth visiting.
I hope this gives you some idea of this great country. If you need more information just ask.
Betty-Lou, thanks so much for your detailed response. I am pretty overwhelmed with all of the options for Africa photo safaris. If you could only go to Kenya once, what month of the year do you think would be the best as far as migration patterns and weather goes. Or is Kenya just amazing any time of the year?
Discussion
2 repliesNamibia
Botswana
Masai Mara, Kenya
Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Tanzania
I see photo safaris for each of these locations at various months of the year, but I know there must be a better month to go to each location based on migration patterns and weather (rainy season vs dry season). For example, I just read last night that Botswana has a zebra migration in November. That would be amazing to see!
I would appreciate it if any of you with knowledge of these locations (or any other locations you think I should add to my dream list) would let me know what time of year is the best time to visit these spots.
Thanks in advance!
I have been to Kenya 8 times and I love this country so much that I consider it to be my second home. Maasai Mara is an incredible place to be, but I heard that you cannot go off road anymore which was possible when I visited last. The big 5 is almost guaranteed there and the wildebeest migration is epic. To see the migration you should stay in the National Park, but I mostly enjoyed the triangle north of Maasai Mara in which much more is allowed and even night safaris are possible, which aren't possible in the National Parks. Kenya has also many other great places to visit like Samburu‌ (great for elephants and gerenuk and you might be able to stay at the camp of which Saba Douglas Hamilton is the owner), Tsavo East and West and Meru and of course the lakes. Places like Sweetwaters, Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Lewa Downs are private game reserves worth visiting.
I hope this gives you some idea of this great country. If you need more information just ask.