sundowner

Tom, I don't have any plans in the works. I just wanted to see where you were going next. I'm open to suggestions . I've enjoyed the "open invitation" trips and wouldn't hesitate to do another if it's to the right place(s).

Do you have a reason you go in May?

My best photos are from Botswana. I also wish I could duplicate that trip again (even with the insufferable heat).

christabir

tom-

Just got a chance to look at pics. Beautiful. I'm getting more and more interested in a self drive in Kruger with everyone's great experiences.

We are going to try to go to Zim/Zam in 2011. I'll invite everyone to join us - I'd love to be able to go on a schedule that we want instead of the 4PM evening drive start. I'd much rather go out at 2 and drive back right after sundowners. I can have a drink or two while waiting for another group before dinner!

jczinn - I actually had a great experience this June with a full truck on 3 drives (at Arathusa that I would highly recommend). The group was really fun, we were able to take unobstructed photos (people moved out of the way when asked), and we had a blast with the interesting backgrounds of all the other guests. Being at a place that was not so high end was really more to my liking than others we've been to. Go to www.sabisand.co.za to check out the traversing areas of the camps. We did run into a couple of EP trucks and none of them were full.

cary999

sundowner - Going next? I wouldn't mind spending 15 days in three camps in Sabi Sand. (But again open to new). Question is when is best time/month. The past two years I've had too many days of iffy weather in that area in September. I put the question up to this safari guides and staff and they recommended SA in August or July. However, one said that August can be very windy. July has no winds but mornings can be cold. So ok, maybe SA next July, but, guess what - guess not because of World Cup.

What does all this have to do with May? In May 2007 I did 15 days of safari in SA and the weather was near perfect. Is great May weather typical? Hopefully some of our SA residents will answer back. Or perhaps I will start a separate thread on this. I also remember that the grass/bush in May was really not high or intrusive like I thought it might be. And May 2010 is almost too soon so maybe May 2011?? (Lord willing and the creek don't rise).

christbar - thanks. Kruger is fun, just don't expect the concentration of the big 5 like in private camps. We also have enjoyed being with other guests on drives. Their reactions and wonder being first time safari goers can be fun.

regards - tom
ps - I almost beginning to feel that May 2010 might be fine after all . See how I feel come maybe February . How strong/weak the $$$ is . Shoulder/off season for many camps . Could depend on other USA trip plans then.

scruffypuma

Tom: Thanks for asking safarichuck about the lenses. I appreciate the help (and can use every bit of it). I had better put on my glasses and look at those lion shots again!

SafariChuck: Thank you as well, for the detailed kit info. Don't have the 300 2.8, so I will just make due w/ the 80-400 4-5.6 and pray for good light! I do have a 70 -200 2.8 that I use on a second body as well. I always smile when getting into a vehicle that has 4-6 people because they usually scramble for the upper seats, so I just quietly get in the rumpled seat by the driver, nice and low.

Thanks again, guys, I really appreciate the help.

amycyma

Tom

I have been waiting and looking for your report and PHOTOS.

I must have missed it when you first posted, so I finally figured out to click on your screen name. to see if you had posted a report and photos.


I haven't gotten to the report, but the photos are wonderful. Especially the birds. I loved the composition of the 3 saddle-billed storks by the water. And the buffalo skull was gruesome, but awesome at the same time.

So now that I have it bookmarked, i can read leisurely.

amy

cary999

Thanks amy. So happy you found it, it should make your week!!!! Well, maybe your 1/4 hour .

Bird photos are so tough. I'm happy to get just a couple of good ones on a safari. That buffalo skull was rather amusing. In Kruger we were driving on a main, asphalt, road when there blocking one lane is the skull, rib cage and backbone!!! Of course I had to take photos, and I have a lot more . That afternoon on the way back it all was just off to the side of the road. I presume the Park Service had pushed it over out of the way. More photos. Though the leopard lying along the side of the road has to be my biggest surprise ever in Kruger.

Of course happy to answer any questions you may have - tom

amycyma

Tom

I wish you would post more of your photos, you take such good ones, I can't believe that you don't have more that are worth posting.

I enjoyed the report too, but its your photos that are the best.

Next time I go (note the word NEXT) I will follow your advice about not shooting below a shutter speed of 500. So many of my photos lacked the crispness of yours because of it.

Did you see any Rhino? I rarely see photos of Rhino, but I thought Kruger had a decent Rhino population.

amy

cary999

Thanks again amy. I have yet to start putting together my "Safari 2009" DVD so for it I'll have to come up with another 50 or so . But may not feel like worth showing off on smugmug. You're so kind, flattery will get you anything , if you want I'll send you a copy of that DVD when I get is finished, 2-3 months. Send me an email, my email address in my profile.

My basic daylight setting, with the 70-300mm lens, is 1/500 shutter, f8, and auto ISO (around 400). But of course this needs to change as sun goes down. Push the ISO up if you have to. Use a camera support, bean bag. Sharpness counts, has priority, a blurred photo to me is as good as useless.

Rhino. In our three years visits totaling 14 days in Kruger we have never seen rhino. (And a leopard only once). Like you say, Rhino are certainly in Kruger. We always see them (and have photos of) in the Timbavati and Sabi Sand reserves which border Kruger on the west. Next time .

regards - tom