On January 16-28, 2022, Jody will be guiding a 12 day workshop in Tanzania. She will be partnering with The Image of Africa, a Tanzanian tour company that has a strong passion for exploring the undiscovered and remote routes of Tanzania with the philosophy of transcending cultural barriers. They are focused on taking guests to a world where old traditions still exist and having genuine experiences with sustainable practices and the highest quality standards. This photo tour is for all photography enthusiasts who want to travel and experience nature at its best. We will embark on a 12 day adventure to some of most beautiful places in Tanzania. On the journey you will learn everything related to photographing unique landscapes, cultures and wildlife migrations.
The region of Northern Tanzania is famously considered to be one of the most diverse regions in the African continent with its various cultures and the land itself. Northern Tanzania comprises many lakes, stunning National Parks, and Africa’s highest point, Mount Kilimanjaro. On this tour we would like to invite you on a very special journey, where you will have the opportunity of experiencing most of the beautiful gems of Northern Tanzania. The route will take you through the diversity of landscapes, wildlife and cultures. We will explore Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, some of the most well preserved natural areas in Africa where wildlife is abundant and flourishing. We will enjoy spectacular lakes and the unique area surrounding them – Lake Natron, Lake Eyasi and Empakai Crater Lake are among the highlights of this tour. We will also have a chance to meet and learn the traditions of a few quite unique ethnic groups, such as hunter-geather Hadzabe tribe and the Iraqw people.
This is a photography focused trip, which means that we will place you in the locations where you will be able to take advantage of the photographic potential of the surrounding area. The tour will be accompanied by an extensive workshop with Jody MacDonald. To make the experience diverse and complete we will combine the accommodation with mobile tented lodges, local guesthouses and camping inside the tribe villages. This will give you the possibility to explore the area from different perspectives. Even though the days are all set in this itinerary, this trip is meant to be flexible and we will use every chance of participating in the cultural ceremonies (if they are happening in the area) or seeking the best light in order to maintain a sense of adventure and in order to enjoy the sites in the best possible way.
photography from the theory of image taking, planning to post-processing. We start with the theoretical and technical basics and apply them in the wonderful and breathtaking Tanzania. We will also be covering workshop modules such as image editing, composition, social media, onsite critiques, and much more! The goal of the trip is to have a great adventure and return home with beautiful memories and excellent shots.
ITINERARY
JANUARY 16, 2022
Our driver will be waiting for you at the airport to transfer you to your lodge before your safari begins the following day. Upon arrival at your lodge, a member of our team will meet you for a short briefing on all the necessary information regarding your tour and be on hand to answer any questions you might have.
Set in lush gardens amid forest and crystal clear waters on the slopes ofMount Meru, Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge is a wonderful place to relax and simmer in the immense beauty of East Africa. The Lodge has been adapted from an early colonial farmhouse built in the early 20th century and it is one of the oldest family lodges in Arusha. Here you can spend the days amid nature, watching the changing colors of the Kilimanjaro glaciers while sipping drinks on the verandah or hiking in the forest inhabited by colobus and Sykes monkeys as well as hundreds of small animal and bird species.
Click here to view lodge – https://www.ngare-sero-lodge.co.tz
JANUARY 17, 2022
Arusha National Park & Crater Lakes:
In the morning take your packed lunch, jump into the car and drive to Arusha National Park. Drive up the mountain and take a walk through the forest, experiencing a different landscape than the one that is usually seen on a regular African game drive. Expect to see a variety of forest birdlife. Later on, drive down the mountain and have lunch at the waterfall. Embark on a walking safari accompanied by an armed ranger and enjoy the natural wonders of Arusha National Park. In the afternoon return to Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge lodge for dinner and rest.
JANUARY 18, 2022
Mbulu Town & Iraqw Tribe:
Early in the morning, be prepared to depart to Mbulu town, which is located to the west of the picturesque lake Manyara. Visit local Iraqw people. Mbulu is the center of Iraqw tribe culture. At present, Mbulu town is undergoing a process of modernization. The town has a diversified population representing a mixture of lifestyles that influence the traditional Iraqw life world. In spite of the apparent acceptance of modern urban life and Christianity, traditional beliefs are strongly adhered to and influential to Iraqw social and economic behavior. On arrival in Mbulu we will drive to a remote Iraqw village and will camp near their huts for the night. We will respectfully become a part of their everyday life for the day.
JANUARY 19, 2022
Lake Eyasi & Hadzabe Tribe:
We will start our day early, waking up hand-in-hand with the iraqw people observing their morning routine. After meeting the sunrise and having a delicious local breakfast, we will head to the spectacular lake Eyasi, the most culturally diverse region of Tanzania with the high concentration of Indeginous tribes living close to each other, but still keeping their own unique way of life. We will pay a visit to the Hadzabe people – the ancient hunter-gatherers and one of the last tribes to stay true to their tribal history, existing far from the crowds and globalization. The bushmen will take you on a hunt, a great opportunity to see how these people have survived in the wilderness and have not given in to pressure from the modernizing world. You may stop on the way to rest and have a bite of the Hadza daily meal – their hunting trophies. Upon arrival to the Hadzabe village, if time allows, you will go to fetch water and dig the root plants.
Ngorongoro Crater:
In the morning, boat down lake Eyasi in the sunrise hour or meet the sunrise in Hadzabe village – the choice is yours. Then prepare to drive to Ngorongoro Crater for the game drive with the picnic lunch at midday atthe base of the crater. Ngorongoro crater is one of the 8th Wonders of the World, the crater is a very important refuge for a variety of wildlife. Most commonly seen are big bulls of elephants and the vulnerable species of black rhinos. The crater is also home to big herds of wildebeest and zebras, Thomson and grant gazelles, hippopotamus, African cape buffaloes, pride of lions, hyenas, several cats, golden andblack-backed jackals, and close to 400 species of bird. In the afternoon, get up the crater rim to check into your lodge – The Rhino Lodge.
Situated only a few hundred meters from the crater’s rim, Rhino Lodge offers easy access to the main gate and road descending into the crater. To freshen up after a long day in the crater, each room has a compact en-suite bathroom with a hot water shower. As it can get quite cold in the area as the lodge is situated at an altitude of 2,200 meters above sealevel, each room has its own wood-burning stove, which staff will light for you on cold evenings. The well-kept grounds are regularly visited by local wildlife. Elephants, buffalo, waterbuck, zebra, hyena and Marabou storks sometimes wander across the lawns by day. The restaurant’s deck looks across the grassland towards the forest, also making it a superb spot for morning coffee.
Click here to view lodge: https://rhino.co.tz
JANUARY 21, 2022
Empakaai Crater:
After a leisurely breakfast, we will drive to Empakai Crater for a hiking experience. The stunning but relatively unknown Empakaai Crater lies some 40km northeast of the Ngorongoro Crater. The drive is through open grassland dotted with Maasai villages. You will see lots of cattle, and a few wild animals such as zebras. After about an hour and a half, we will reach the eastern rim of the Empakaai Crater. This is a little-visited area and the only means of access to the crater floor is on foot. The walls are steep and thickly forested. The walk down will take us about 30 minutes involving a drop of about 300 meters and goes through patches of forest. Most of the crater floor is occupied by a soda lake, 85 metersdeep. Depending on the season there are numbers of flamingos, which congregate to feed along the edge of the lake. You may not see many animals, but the tracks of leopards, hyenas, baboons, and buffalo betray their presence. We will be free to enjoy a walk along the edge of the lake around the entire floor of the crater. This takes 2-3 hours and is a chance to soak up the quiet beauty of this magical place. The hardest part is the climb back up to the rim. A picnic lunch can be eaten either in the crater or on the rim from where you get a beautiful view northwards to Oldoinyo Lengai, a still-active volcano of great religious importance to the Maasai. In the afternoon, if time allows, we will take our time to rest and do some walking safari in the Ngorongoro crater rim to catch the golden hour and make beautiful images.
Accommodation: Rhino Lodge
JANUARY 22 & 23, 2021
Serengeti National Park South:
Today we will head towards one of the most unique places in Africa – Serengeti National Park. We will start our drive going through Ngorongoro Conservation Area and towards lake Ndutu and southern Serengeti. By mid-January, calving season here is in full swing and more than 8,000 calves are born daily. Aside from the sheer volume of grazers in the area which is phenomenal to see in itself, the young calves also attract an immense number of predators. In fact, from January to February, the Ndutu plains have the biggest concentration of predators anywhere on the planet, which only means one thing; seriously explosive predator action. We will have our game drives in Ndutu, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and south Serengeti. Each day we will start at 6:30 with a break for lunch and will be back at the camp by 6:30 in the evening.
Nyikani migration camps located in the Serengeti ecosystem; moves twice a year to ensure its guests are very well placed to witness the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra. From December through March, the migration moves in and out of the Ndutu area. Ndutu is located in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, just south of Serengeti National Park. Nyikani migration camp location provides easy access to prime game viewing areas around Lakes Ndutu. In addition to the almost two million wildebeest and zebra that move through the area each year, Ndutu is home to cheetah, lion, giraffe and hundreds of bird species. Nyikani Camp tents and accommodations are very comfortable and as luxurious as one could want in the Serengeti. The camp is equipped with an ensuite bathroom, flush toilet, double washbasins with running water, safari-style bucket shower and other essential amenities, PowerPoint with universal adapter, writing desk and digital safe.
Click here to view lodge –Nyikani Mobile Migration Camp
JANUARY 24, 2022
Serengeti National Park Central: Today we will drive to Central Serengeti, which is a network of river valleys whose rich grazing lands attract the largest concentration of wildlife in the region.
Nyikani Camp Central is located in Central Serengeti, taking advantage of the year-round wildlife, Serengeti is Tanzania’s most renowned national park and home to the greatest concentrations of large mammals on the planet. The migratory herds of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles roam widely in search of green grass and water. The name Serengeti is derived from the Maasai name ‘Siringet’ meaning ‘endless plains, and these rolling distances of short grass plains provide an exceptional landscape for wildlife viewing. The tents are equipped with a private, shaded verandah overlooking the Serengeti ecosystem, ensuite bathroom, flush toilet, double washbasins with running water, safari-style bucket shower and other essential amenities, power extension with universal adapter, writing desk & digital safe.
Click here to view lodge –https://nyikani.com/nyikani-migration-camp-ndutu/
JANUARY 25, 2022
Lake Natron:
Today, prepare for a long drive to Lake Natron. Although the road is unpaved all the way, it’s generally in good condition and passable in most vehicles, except after rain. Upon arrival at Lake Natron, we will check into the Lake Natron Camp for dinner and a well-deserved rest.
Lake Natron Camp holds ten spacious guest tents, cleverly disguised under camouflage shade netting. Each tent consists of a porch area, main bedroom and en-suite bathroom with a shower and eco-toilet. A private path leads from each tent to our natural swimming pool in the spring-fed stream. Guests can enjoy 360°views of the striking landscape that surrounds Lake Natron Camp. Look north to the lake where hundreds of thousands of flamingos come to breed; or to the south where Ol Doinyo Lengai dominates the landscape in every way. To the west, watch the sunset with a gin and tonic over the Masonic Mountain above the famous escarpment of the Great Rift Valley or just relax on our Bedouin-style furniture and watch the world go by in one of the most peaceful environments you can imagine. The mess is equipped with a bar, fridge, wifi and charging point for your cameras and phones. Outside, guests can sit around the campfire in the evening and gaze at the millions of stars overhead from both the northern and southern hemispheres.
Click here to view lodge – https://www.lake-natron-camp.com/the-camp
JANUARY 26, 2022
Lake Natron, Ngare Sero Waterfalls:
After a leisurely breakfast, start your hike to the waterfalls that make a part of Ngare Sero river. This is a magnificent hidden gem overlooked by many who visit Lake Natron. The source of the waterfalls is a gigantic rock formation with numerous water streams coming down from it. The hike to this natural wonder takes about 2 hours at a slow pace including stops for photos. To get to this fantastic site, you have to climb the stones up and down, cross the river streams, pass through numerous waterfalls before the magnificent view of the rift wall opens up to you with thousands of bats flying in the sky, along with the spectacular valley surrounded by the streams where you can enjoy the majesty of nature. In the afternoon, visit the local Maasai village and the lakeshore for sunset. Return to Lake Natron Camp.
JANUARY 27, 2022
Overland transfer back to Arusha:
Meet the sunrise at the lake before preparing to drive a long way back to Arusha.
Accommodation : Ngaresero Mountain Lodge
JANUARY 28, 2022
Transfer to Kilimanjaro International airport for your international flight back home.
PARTICIPATION
In order to offer the best care, the maximum number of participants is limited to 5. Note: As of Nov. 4th, 2021 only 2 spots left.
The trip is organized by The Image of Africa.
Participation with English skills.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Two persons per room (i.e. shared double occupancy), unless single supplement option is exercised and secured at the time of payment of deposit.
- Ground Transport for the entire duration of the tour.
- All tourism taxes and park entry fees.
- All meals commencing with dinner on January 12, 2022 and finishing with breakfast on January 28, 2022.
- All beverages excluding premium wines and liquors.
- All accommodation/lodging costs.
- Continuous assistance with your photography and image processing by Jody.
- The services of a highly experienced local guide and driver.
NOT INCLUDED
•Airfare to and from Tanzania
•Non-mealtime snacks and drinks
•Credit Card surcharges
•Any purchases of a personal nature.
•Tips and optional activity extras
•All premium wines and liquors.
•Travel Insurance
EQUIPMENT
Camera Equipment
With the focus being on landscape, cultural and wildlife, you will ideally need to cover a focal length of 16-400mm.
Landscape The landscapes on this trip mostly require mid- and telephoto focal lengths as a lot of it is vast, rolling dune landscapes, which look best when compressed with a longer lens. Expect to use your mid-range lens and a polariser a lot.
Wildlife For at least one day of this trip and possibly a second, we will be camping at a birdlife paradise – expect flamingoes as far as the eye can see, surrounded by pelicans, dune lark and countless other species of birds. There are also Jackal, Oryx, Springbok and we hope to see the resident Brown Hyenas that predate on the flamingoes. To capitalize on this, it is critical that you have a 400mm lens – if you have anything longer, we highly recommend that you bring it along.
Panoramas This section of the desert is panorama paradise with its sweeping views. Make sure you have a solid tripod with a spirit level or leveling base.
Laptop to review and edit images
Note: If you need to purchase a good tripod, we can offer you an extra discount for a Gitzo tripod. Please contact Jody at mail@jody-macdonald.com for details.
Keeping Your Gear Clean Expect a lot of sand and wind – keeping your gear clean in this environment can be challenging. We advise that you keep your bodies and lenses in individual dust bags within your camera bag to protect it from sand blowing into the camera bag. Be ready for a daily gear clean session.
MEET YOUR LOCAL GUIDE
Abubakar Chotara
Chotara is a native Tanzanian who grew up in Uganda. During his 15 year career as an industry professional specializing in the African continent, he has traveled across 37 countries in Africa and lived in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. Tanzania put her spell on Chotara, and he returned year after year to work as a freelance expert guide for some of the top safari companies in the country. His expertise is not just limited to guiding safaris – he has climbed Kilimanjaro 67 times with professional hikers and has held various positions from porter to expedition leader. Seven times, Chotara has climbed the Western Bridge route of Kilimanjaro – the most dangerous and challenging route of the mountain. In addition to guiding in the Northern Circuit Parks and remote areas of Tanzania, Chotara is an expert guide of Volcano Safaris in Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda National Parks. Chotara enjoys guiding all guests; from those who are photographic, to those who come to explore the beauties of Africa. Adventurous expeditions, discoveries, and wildlife tracking are his favorite parts of his work. Currently, Chotara works full-time with The Image of Africa as the lead guide and trainer of the company’s operation team. When he is not in the bush, Chotara spends time with his wife, four daughters, and two sons.
R E F U N D A N D CA N C E L L A T I O N P O L I C Y
If a participant decides to cancel his reservation, he/she can do so at any time by communicating it as soon as possible to Jody. However, you should keep in mind that the cancellation by a participant would create management difficulties in bookings as well a s the risk of not reaching the minimum number of participants for the trip (and consequently the need to search for a new person). For this reason: – If the cancellation request is submitted MORE than 90 days (before departure), you may receive a full refund of the booking fee. – If the cancellation request is presented LESS than 70 days before departure, you will receive a refund 25% less of what you paid. This is to cover the lodge and transport costs that need to be paid in full before the tour. – If the cancellation request is presented LESS than 60 days before departure, it will NOT be possible to receive a refund of the booking fee. – Unless the customer that desires to cancel his/her booking brings in another person who is willing to take his/her place by paying the total amount of the trip itself. – If you are not able to make the tour due to your country or region being in lock down or travel restrictions, you will be given a voucher to participate in a following photographic safari. This voucher would be valid for 9months from the first safari that was booked and paid in full. – Should the tour be canceled due to unforeseen reasons or restrictions by the Tanzanian Government. The full amount paid ( deposit or full fee) will be refunded in full to you.
Hello , my name is Daría .
I am in interested in workshop ,but I would like some more information.
What lever of photography is excepted for such trip ? ( I am not professional photographer ) . How the commute works during latest changes/ restrictions ? How to fly there ?( I live in the Bahamas and traveling from the usa would be best for me ) . What is the cost of the workshop? How many people in the group ?
Thank you .
Daria