Planning a Trip to Africa.... Could Use Some of Your Advice

kundalini

I just found out that I have an opportunity to accompany a friend on their business trip to Africa. There are still a lot of unknowns, like which country! Chances are it will be either Tanzania or Zambia. Their office headquarters will be in the capitals. It all depends on the company's need. It will be for a 2 week stay.

Although I have quite a few stamps in my passport (I’ve been to Senegal and The Gambia several years ago), this will be the first time traveling with more than a P&S. The gear that I will be taking are a gripped D700, 14-24mm (arrives tomorrow :clap ), 24-70mm & 70-200mm (all f/2.8), SB-800 (only one I think), monopod and the usual suspects like extra batteries, memory and such.

Because of all the potential hassle with all the gear as carry-on, the rip off of checked baggage charges and just the burden of lugging it around, I am considering to have it shipped to my destination via FedEx or whomever. Would this be a smart move? I mean, this way I’ll only have to concern myself with my clothing as carry-on…. and maybe the D300 and a couple of primes for inconspicuous shooting. :wink

Once I have more details and likely more questions, I will pass them on for more insightful advice.

Thanks for your help. Oh yeah……. I’M SO EXCITED!!!

rpcrowe

As long as you have a reliable address to receive the equipment in Africa (as opposed to a hotel) FedEx would definitely be a way to get your gear there. I shipped my fishing gear to a lodge in Alaska because it was less expensive than paying the extra charges for luggage on Alaska Air.

Depending on where you are going and what opportunities you will have to shoot, you might need a longer lens than your 70-200mm.

A second body would certainly be a help - especially if you were shooting with a longer lens along with your 70-200mm. Theodore Mattas has done some fine animal photography with 70-200mm cand 400mm Canon lenses.

http://photo.net/photodb/member-photos?user_id=2383016

Here are some other Africa photo related sites:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/Safari-Tips.shtml

http://www.chobesafari.com/

http://www.jakehegnauer.com/

A beanbag is often recommended as a photo support while on a photo safari. However, this would depend on the type of vehicle in which you are riding. The open Land Rover shown in this Botswana would not have a support on which you could rest the beanbag.

However, I would take a beanbag anyway. Especially useful would be a beanbag which is closed by Velcro. That way you could fly with the bag empty and wrapped around your longest lens. Then buy some beans or rice in Africa and fill the bag. Before leaving, give the beans or rice to one of the porters.

Finally, Lenses hold their value very well. You could easily purchase a used longer lens, charge it on Paypal and then sell it as soon as you arrive home. You would probably not lose much in the transaction and any loss could be considered a rental fee.

ThompsonTravel

Tanzania is a photographer's paradise! It's my favorite place on Earth for photography! I've been to South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania. I would worry about advance shipping camera gear. IF it arrives, and in good condition, you may have problems dealing with customs. I'd carry your gear with you when you fly. Last time I was in Tanzania, I used a 300mm f/2.8 about 95% of the time and a 28-70mm f/2.8 the rest of the time. I didn't feel the need for any other lenses. I took a tripod for sunsets but used a beanbag in the safari vehicle.
You can see my Africa photos on my website: www.JulieRoggowPhotography.com

rpcrowe wrote:

As long as you have a reliable address to receive the equipment in Africa (as opposed to a hotel) FedEx would definitely be a way to get your gear there. I shipped my fishing gear to a lodge in Alaska because it was less expensive than paying the extra charges for luggage on Alaska Air.

Depending on where you are going and what opportunities you will have to shoot, you might need a longer lens than your 70-200mm.

A second body would certainly be a help - especially if you were shooting with a longer lens along with your 70-200mm. Theodore Mattas has done some fine animal photography with 70-200mm cand 400mm Canon lenses.

http://photo.net/photodb/member-photos?user_id=2383016

Here are some other Africa photo related sites:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/Safari-Tips.shtml

http://www.chobesafari.com/

http://www.jakehegnauer.com/

A beanbag is often recommended as a photo support while on a photo safari. However, this would depend on the type of vehicle in which you are riding. The open Land Rover shown in this Botswana would not have a support on which you could rest the beanbag.

However, I would take a beanbag anyway. Especially useful would be a beanbag which is closed by Velcro. That way you could fly with the bag empty and wrapped around your longest lens. Then buy some beans or rice in Africa and fill the bag. Before leaving, give the beans or rice to one of the porters.

Finally, Lenses hold their value very well. You could easily purchase a used longer lens, charge it on Paypal and then sell it as soon as you arrive home. You would probably not lose much in the transaction and any loss could be considered a rental fee.

captnemo

I'll second carrying your gear, if you ship it you either declare the full value which means customs will charge a significant amount, or if you don't you run the risk of your package going missing and only being able to file a claim for the declared value. Not only that but delayed /missing packages are not uncommon in most of Africa. We would often receive things mailed from the states 3-6 months previously. One of the funniest was one my Grandmother sent to us. At the time we lived in Roma, Lesotho. You guessed it, it arrived several months later with postal stamps from Roma, Italy on it!

If you're going to shoot wildlife, you'll almost certainly be on dirt roads so be prepared for dust. I've found keeping my camera bag inside a drybag I bought at a local kayak shop works pretty well. Look for the lightweight nylon ones with the valves to allow you to add remove air to make things fit better. This has the added advantage of keeping things dry if you get caught in an unexpected shower. Speaking of which, taking a couple of dessicant packs in your camera bag in case of excess humidity isn't a bad idea either.

Hope you have a great trip.

GoofBckt

I'm sorry I don't have an answer for you, but I have pondered this same question and would very much like to travel to Africa sometime specifically for photographing the wildlife and people. I'm anxious to hear what others' recommendations are on this. Thanks for asking the question.

kundalini wrote:

I just found out that I have an opportunity to accompany a friend on their business trip to <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on">Africa</st1:place>. There are still a lot of unknowns, like which country! Chances are it will be either <st1:country-region w:st="on">Tanzania</st1:country-region> or <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Zambia</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Their office headquarters will be in the capitals. It all depends on the company's need. It will be for a 2 week stay.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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Although I have quite a few stamps in my passport (I’ve been to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Senegal</st1:place></st1:country-region> and The Gambia several years ago), this will be the first time traveling with more than a P&S. The gear that I will be taking are a gripped D700, 14-24mm (arrives tomorrow <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/clap.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" > ), 24-70mm & 70-200mm (all f/2.8), SB-800 (only one I think), monopod and the usual suspects like extra batteries, memory and such.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Because of all the potential hassle with all the gear as carry-on, the rip off of checked baggage charges and just the burden of lugging it around, I am considering to have it shipped to my destination via FedEx or whomever. Would this be a smart move? I mean, this way I’ll only have to concern myself with my clothing as carry-on…. and maybe the D300 and a couple of primes for inconspicuous shooting. <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/mwink.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" > <o:p></o:p>
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Once I have more details and likely more questions, I will pass them on for more insightful advice.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Thanks for your help. Oh yeah……. I’M SO EXCITED!!!<o:p></o:p>

squirl033

make sure before you leave to present your gear along with the customs form to prove you own it, otherwise you will probably have to pay duty on it when you return.