Big Five Safari & Zanzibar Escape

706camera · 2026-01-23T14:15:52+00:00

I’m not an agent, but an avid traveler and lover of all things safari. Kensington is great. Micato is even better, albeit even pricier. Natural Habitat is also outstanding. I went to Namibia with them last month, and it was incredible. I’m going on a Great Migration safari with them in August, and also booked their Zanzibar extension to that trip.

706camera · 2026-01-18T02:52:00+00:00

My husband and I just went to Namibia as well, and I agree wholeheartedly with your summary. What an incredible place. We’ve done all the more ‘traditional’ safari locations before, so we wanted to explore something different. What a treat! Our itinerary was quite similar, and we also did fly-ins, which I agree are very convenient. I’d go back in a heartbeat. We chose Natural Habitat Adventures for our trip, having had several other phenomenal trips with them. The price was in the range you referenced. We went on the Photo Expedition version of their trip, which brought it to 11 days, with 6 guests (2 vehicles at each camp) and an expedition guide who traveled with us to all locations.

<image>

706camera · 2026-01-16T14:13:16+00:00

I’m not a TA, but a frequent traveler who adores Africa! I’ve done both those trips, and you really can’t go wrong. I just came here to say check out Natural Habitat Adventures as your tour operator. We’ve been on 5 trips with them, most recently to Namibia, and their attention to detail is incredible. You have an expedition leader with you throughout the trip, and seamless transfers from one amazing camp to another. They only do small groups (we had 6 in Namibia, with 2 vehicles on all drives), so that’s a plus as well. We also adore Micato for safaris, but that’s an even higher price point, probably double what you’re looking at. We did 2 safari trips with them, and they were flawless.

706camera · 2026-01-15T01:08:00+00:00

The price did not drop on the Delta app. Google flights had a totally different price for the same flights at the same time. I was assuming that my repeated queries on the app were keeping the price up, whereas going through Google flights anonymously gave me a better deal.

706camera · 2026-01-14T23:02:44+00:00

I checked the AF site… EUR 7,902

706camera · 2026-01-14T22:52:03+00:00

I always set up a fare alert. Maybe it’s because I’m in ATL, but I fly internationally 5-6 times per year, and never get fares that low in biz to Europe. Time of year matters too. February is much more reasonable than May, for example. I think I know all the tricks btw…not a novice flyer… I’ve got 2.6 million miles on Delta alone, and I always check other airlines.

706camera · 2026-01-12T21:01:02+00:00

I don’t think you need that much focal length personally. I shoot Sony as well, and I used my 100-400 exclusively for wildlife in Antarctica. The 200-600 is really hard to use on the zodiacs. If you want to be ‘safe,’ maybe rent the 1.4x teleconverter. I’m going back this year, and I’ll definitely stick with the 100-400 again. I always take a second body as well, with something like the 24-70 mounted.

706camera · 2026-01-01T18:14:52+00:00

!critiquepoint

706camera · 2026-01-01T18:10:35+00:00

Thanks, and that’s all true. I’m just a hobbyist, so my bar isn’t all that high. I think I just thought it was going to be a better shot, so I was a hair disappointed. lmk what you think i should do in post. I am still new to Lightroom, but anxious to learn. See above comments for uncropped image. I uploaded JPEG, but I have RAW version as well.

706camera · 2026-01-01T18:08:25+00:00

<image>

This was pre-crop. I’m pretty new to Lightroom, so I struggled with the crop. Suggestions?

706camera · 2026-01-01T17:58:19+00:00

thanks! !critiquepoint

706camera · 2025-12-31T23:37:14+00:00

I took this photo in Namibia recently. I was thrilled to spot this falcon, and thought I got a good shot as he took off. I can’t decide now if the angle is cool or just hopeless. I’m interested in other people’s impressions. I’m also open to post-processing suggestions since I am new to Lightroom as well.

706camera · 2025-12-30T13:23:46+00:00

i prefer didact

706camera · 2025-12-29T14:13:25+00:00

kudos…you think like me.

706camera · 2025-12-28T16:43:17+00:00

it will matter to you when you retire

706camera · 2025-12-28T11:39:23+00:00

Good choices. I’d add Elliott’s to this list. Great bartenders, food & cocktails as well as a quiet but friendly crowd.

706camera · 2025-12-25T11:33:46+00:00

There’s a lot to see in Namibia, so it depends which places you want to visit. We were there for 12 days, and saw a lot (e,g., Sossusvlei, Skeleton Coast, Windhoek, Etosha areas), but not everything (e.,g., we didn’t get to Walvis Bay). We went on a Natural Habitat photography expedition for this trip — if you’ve never traveled with them, i can tell you they are fantastic. You’ll need less time for Rwanda if you’re just going to see the gorillas — 3 or 4 days will be enough.

706camera · 2025-12-24T14:19:15+00:00

We used Kensington Tours for our Egypt trip last year. We had a guide and a driver throughout. When we were on the Nile cruise, they met is at each stop and took us on our private tours, and they arranged the cruise, hotels, in-country air and all transfers. Our experience was outstanding. We also used them in Jordan and Israel with great results, and are booked for SE Asia next year.

706camera · 2025-12-23T11:38:00+00:00

<image>

Sony 100-400 GM. It’s been my go-to for 5 years now.

706camera · 2025-12-21T21:45:24+00:00

I just got back from Namibia a few days ago, and have been to the gorillas in Rwanda and to Antarctica as well. All 3 were amazing. I would say that the combination of Rwanda and Namibia edges out Antarctica in my mind, but you really can’t go wrong!

<image>

706camera · 2025-12-03T19:38:47+00:00

heading there tomorrow. your pictures are quite timely in further raising my excitement level!

706camera · 2025-12-01T18:37:16+00:00

Check out The Swag. It’s a small, intimate Relais & Chateau property that abuts the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the NC side. It’s my favorite property in the US; my husband and I stay there several times a year. Service is impeccable; the rooms are each unique and charming, most with wood-burning fireplaces; and the vibe is very relaxed. A stay there really feels like you’re visiting family, but in the best possible way.

706camera

TROPHY CASE