Photo Tours in 2012
Nick's Tour Diary
- Yellowstone: Wild West Winter Wonderland Jan - Feb 2012
- Tanzania: Serengeti Migration 22nd March - 5th April 2012
- Borneo: The Lost World of Maliau Basin May 2012 - see Wildlife Tours
- Scotland: Mull & Treshnish Isles 9th - 16th June 2012
- Congo & CAR: Lowland Gorillas and Forest Elephants June 2012 - see Wildlife Tours
- Brazil: The Pantanal 19th August-2nd September & 1st - 17th September 2012
- Madagascar: November 2012 - see Wildlife Tours
USA: Yellowstone: Wild West Winter Wonderland
Jan - Feb 2012
Price £TBA
Maximum Group 8
Current Availability - Yes
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Yellowstone in Wyoming was the world's first national park (established in 1872) and it remains as breathtaking as ever to this day. Its grandeur is unquestionable at any time, but in the depths of winter the landscape takes on an ethereal yet harsh beauty. The juxtaposition of fairytale frosts, ice and snow with swirling mists and rising steam from countless hot springs and geysers (the park contains half of the world's geothermal features) creates a landscape laden with photographic inspiration and opportunity.
The Yellowstone ecosystem is also widely considered to be the finest wildlife habitat in the lower 48 States, and is home to many large mammals. In the grip of winter large numbers of Bison can be seen around hot springs and in the sheltered valleys it is possible to encounter Coyotes, Moose, Elk, Pronghorn Antelope and Bighorn Sheep. The Lamar Valley is also one of the best places to see Grey Wolves and even occasionally Bobcats.
This tour initially concentrates in the north western corner of Yellowstone and the Lamar Valley (this is the only road that remains open) and then moves onto the centre of the park where we stay in the only permanent winter accommodation within vicinity. Using over-snow vehicles we will visit the areas most dramatic locations like Yellowstone Canyon, Norris Geyser Basin and Gibbon Meadows. The tour finishes by taking in the spectacular Firehole Valley, where herds of frost-covered Bison stand by steaming springs and numerous geysers, like “Old Faithful” erupt with predictable regularity.
Tanzania: Serengeti Migration & Ngorongoro Crater
22nd March - 5th April 2012
Price £TBA
Maximum Group 8
Current Availability - Yes
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The annual migration of wildebeest, zebra and other game around the Serengeti-Masai Mara ecosystem is one of the world’s greatest wildlife wonders. Between January and April the cycle of rains brings the massing herds, in their hundreds of thousands, to the fertile short grass plains of the southern Serengeti Here females give birth to their calves and males spar with one another to establish dominance. Witnessing this spectacle is one of the “must see” events of the natural world.
I have visited the Serengeti at this time more than a dozen times. Sightings and photographic opportunities on each trip have been different – with considerable year-by-year variation – but it is always exciting, enthralling and special.
For photographers the areas around Lakes Ndutu and Masek at the boundary of the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area consistently provide a stream of unrivalled opportunities. Here the vast open plains are broken by areas of woodland with lakes and marshes that form focal points for the gathering herds and attendant carnivores.
This trip has been designed to make the most of this special place with an extended stay in the Ndutu area. Through a combination of morning, afternoon and full-day game drives, there will be ample time to explore the vicinity and go further a field to follow the shifting herds, look for cats (it can be exceptional for Cheetahs) and other predators.
To complement the open spaces of the Serengeti, I have also chosen to include several excursions into the Ngorongoro Crater. The Crater is an exceptional place, where tolerant game can be viewed in close proximity, and all set against an awe-inspiring backdrop. Our efforts will be concentrated early in the morning and later in the afternoon when the temperatures are cooler, the light for photography is often exquisite and the majority of other people are still in their lodges.
In combination these destinations will make for an unforgettable, varied safari, offering spectacular photographic potential at an unhurried pace. Places are limited to just 8 clients, plus myself, so early booking is strongly advised.
The Importance of Safari Guides
Safari guiding involves anything from "spotting" wildlife, to in-depth knowledge and appreciation of animal behaviour and local cultures and languages. The difference a good driver-guide can make in the overall safari experience can be phenomenal. This is especially true for dedicated photographers where a guides’ skill is crucial, and their ability to read a situation, predict an outcome and place a vehicle sympathetically with the best light it vital.
I have been leading trips to East Africa for over 15 years and have experienced a wide variety of competence in the driver-guides who have taken these trips. Some have been extremely good, others mediocre or even poor.
I am now confident the driver-guides I now use are not only amongst the most dependable and professional guides in Tanzania, but also the very best when it comes to appreciating the particular demands and requirements of photographers. Indeed they are extremely talented photographers in their own right.
Such skills naturally come at a price, which makes these tours perhaps more expensive than those with rival companies. Unlike other companies there are also no restrictions on the distances that may be covered in a day, so you can be assured that if there is something worth seeing, we will travel the extra mile or more to see it.
Scotland: Mull & Treshnish Isles
9th - 16th June 2012
Maximum Group 10
Current Availability - Yes
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The north-west coast of Scotland has long provided inspiration for anyone interested in photographing the natural world. The rugged but beautiful landscape provides a spectacular backdrop for subjects as varied as the capricious conditions for which the region is renowned.
The Isle of Mull typifies inspirational qualities of the Scottish Highlands and is perhaps one of the best single locations to indulge in all aspects of wildlife and landscape photography. Throughout the week of this holiday/photo workshop we will introduce you to varied approaches including portraits, close-ups and abstract work with telephoto, macro and wide-angle lenses. Our favoured locations on Mull include meadows flushed with orchids and other flowers, ancient oak woodlands with gnarled trunks encrusted with lichens and moss, spectacular seashores and impressive waterfalls.
Perhaps the tour highlight will be a trip to offshore islands where spectacular breeding colonies Puffins, Razorbills, Guillemots and other seabirds can be photographed at very close quarters and without restrictions (unlike many other islands around the UK). We exclusively charter a boat to take us to the best seabird colonies for the maximum amount of time and make the most of the photographic situations that exist.
Mull is one of the best places in the UK to see impressive White-tailed Sea Eagles. During a session on a specially chartered boat we will hopefully see and potentially photograph these majestic birds as they take fish from the water’s surface (baited). And further you may add to this the possibility of seeing other shy and elusive creatures like Otters, Peregrine Falcons and Golden Eagles during the course of the trip. Our base for the week is the beautiful Glengorm Estate on the north-west coast. Here, in the grounds of majestic Glengorm Castle we have the use of delightful estate cottages set amidst woodlands and adjacent to the hills and coast. Deer and other wildlife are regular users of the woods and meadows around the estate.
Photographic Highlights
· Close-ups of Puffins and other sea birds
· Potential for White-tailed Sea Eagles fishing
· Rare flowers and other plants
· Varied macro and abstract possibilities
· Atmospheric landscapes
Brazil: The Pantanal: Jaguars, Macaws & More
19th August-2nd September 2012
1st - 17th September 2012
Price from £5515 (Ground Only)
Maximum Group 10
Current Availability
19th August - 2nd September: FULL
1st - 17th September: Places Available
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The Pantanal, an immense landlocked river delta, is one of the world’s most spectacular wildlife wetlands. Towards the end of the dry season as open water areas shrink, wildlife becomes more concentrated and visible. Areas in the western and northern Pantanal are the best places to see Jaguars in the wild and the chances of success on this tour are very high. These locations are also fabulous for birds, including groups of dramatic Hyacinth Macaws, impressive Jabiru Storks and raucous Toucans and Aracaris.
The tour begins in the Chapada, a scenically spectacular upland area to the north east of the Pantanal, where savannah tablelands (‘Cerrado’) sit atop imposing cliffs. Here the bird watching is excellent and there is even the possibility of seeing a Maned Wolf.
In the northern Pantanal we visit two areas that combine grasslands, small lakes, drying marshes and rivers. Here concentrations of Cabybara, Yacare Caiman and wetland birds are incredible. The adjacent areas of deciduous forest also offer good opportunities to see Black Howler and Tufted Capuchin Monkeys.
We also visit two prime Jaguar viewing locations (8 nights in total) each set on a major river. One of these is remote and infrequently visited, so offers a fabulous 'wild' experience. Morning and afternoon boat trips along the main rivers and their tributaries produce regular sightings. There is also a wealth of other wildlife, including Giant Otters, Brazilian Tapir and occasionally even Ocelot.
