Lead by Grant Atkinson and Richard Coke
January 25th - 03rd February 2013
Passage to Africa offers the unique opportunity to explore the Serengeti through the lens of a camera. In the expert company of Grant Atkinson and Richard Coke, both of whom are experienced professional guides and published wildlife photographers, this adventure begins with a brief overnight at the Arusha Coffee Lodge in Northern Tanzania. Set at the foot of Mount Meru amidst endless emerald coffee bushes, this aromatic oasis provides the perfect idyll of stillness to prepare for the exciting adventure ahead.
The Serengeti is famed for the great migration, when annually six million hooves belonging to zebra, gazelle and wildebeest pound the wilderness terrain in search of fresh grazing, on a circular route covering nearly 2000 kilometres; which straddles the Kenyan and Tanzanian borders and traverses the Masai Mara and Serengeti ecosystems. Yet even when the migration is quiet, the lush rolling grasslands and tree-lined water courses of the Northern Serengeti provide incredible game viewing opportunities. Accommodated at the Lamai Lodge, which is nestled into the natural rock formations of Kogakuria Kopje, the panoramic views of the plains unfold below, revealing a wildlife spectacle of buffalo, elephant, giraffe and thousands of eland, topi, impala and gazelle. These intended photographic subjects are rarely alone as lions mastermind a siege to secure their next meal, solitary leopards haunt the acacia trees and cheetahs prowl the open landscapes.
From the exclusive luxury of Lamai, the journey treks south to a more rustic abode, where four further nights are spent at the mobile Serengeti Safari Camp. An authentic bush camp experience, the antique-style appearance is reminiscent of the colonial days of exploration. The camp is specifically placed on the seemingly unending short grass plains of the Southern Serengeti to ensure prime viewing of the migration calving spectacle, where the newly ripened grass provides sustenance for the new arrivals: 500,000 calves within a two to three week period along with the opportunistic predators looking for an easy meal.
The entire safari is dedicated to wildlife photography, with time spent at each chosen subject to ensure the capturing of the perfect moment. The number of guests is limited to ensure unobstructed photographic opportunities and space for equipment with a dedicated row per guest in the vehicles. Focusing on providing the opportunity to experiment with high quality image taking, the specialist hosts will advise and share their experiences of photographing the wildlife, birdlife and scenery, utilizing to best effect the available light and the background for that perfect shot.
Offering an exciting twist on the standard safari with the opportunity to learn, whether beginner or advanced amateur – Africa beckons. The liberating sense of space only found in the Serengeti frames an unsurpassable cycle-of-life experience for the fortunate few.
The exclusive nature of this safari limits places to a maximum of 9 guests. Travel dates are 25th of January to 03rd of February 2013. The Serengeti Digital Photographic Invitational Safari cost is USD9,980.00 per person sharing. Please contact us at theteam@passagetoafrica.com for further information or to guarantee a booking.
