Mikephotosafari.com
Photo safaris with Mike
Taking people amazing places!
I love taking pictures in Africa and would love to take you on my next trip.
Come with me to discover new places, and let me help you take better pictures.
Safaris with photography coaching
I organise 2 or 3 trips a year to take groups of up to six people to an amazing location.
While we're there, I'll help you take better photos by:
- working with the camp to get us in front of some amazing sightings,
- helping you understand and set up your camera better, and
- being patient! We're all photographers, so will be happy to wait!
Planned trips for you to join me on!
Adventure Awaits
Tanzania - From Arusha to Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti
$5,000
When you visit a new destination do you enjoy touring around with a professional guide? Do you like hearing the local perspective on the wonders of our world? If so, then this tour a great choice for you. mike.cambridge holidays is ready to serve your every need. From planning the detailed itinerary, to providing transportation arrangements, all you need to do is sit back, relax, and let your mind explore.
All About Me
I'm a farmer's son from Cambridge (UK). I live with Kirsty, two awesome teenagers and Jasper the gorgeous spaniel.
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I've been taking photos since I was 12. When I was 15, I persuaded school to let me built a darkroom and teach people how to use it, then did music and nightclub photography and a *lot* of wedding and portrait photography but then went on my first safari in my early 40s and instantly fell in love with the experience.
Being out there in the bush, in the heat and the dust and bouncing along the rough tracks while you look for that elusive wildlife and then, suddenly, you find something and have the privilege of seeing it, sometimes only a fleeting glance but occasionally you get to be with it for an hour or more - it's absolutely amazing and I would love to share it with you.
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I get a huge buzz out of helping people get better at something *they* love; I've been coaching rowing for 10 years and love seeing crews improve and winning races - nearly as much as I love safaris!
"A multitude of small delights constitute happiness"
Charles Baudelaire
Planned trips
2020 / 21
March 2020 - solo trip
Am planning a self-drive to either Kruger or Etosha to spend time sitting still and birding. Will be green post-rains so not great for mammals, but let me know if you want to join! Likely cost excluding flights around 2k USD.
Sept / Oct 2020
Group tour to Zambia
8 days in 2 camps in Zambia, with internal flights between them. Likely cost around 5k USD each, plus flights.
What to expect
Getting there
The international airport can be chaos make sure your visas are all up to date and be prepared to queue!
Our driver will be there to pick you up. Keep a lookout for them, sometimes they can pick you up between plane and security and speed you through immigration.
They'll take you to your city hotel or wherever we've agreed to meet. It (almost!) always works perfectly.
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Getting to the camp
Normally this is an internal flight on a small plane, sometimes it's a drive. Either way, we'll organise it and all the pickups / taxis etc, and it'll be included in the cost of your holiday.Â
The small planes often have a luggage weight limit, we'll try and flag this on the holiday itinerary before you book.
At the camp
Your room will probably be a semi-permanent canvas tent (but they're huge - calling it a 'tent' probably isnt right!) with an en-suite flushing toilet and a shower. You might have to pre-book your shower time so the camp can bring you hot water - all part of the fun! Â
You'll normally have a solar lantern and torch, plus mosquito nets, bug spray and an emergency whistle.Â
There normally are no charging points in the room, they're all be in the central dining tent and bar area. There is unlikely to be wifi in the room.
Typical day at camp
Up early - around 6am, coffee and a snack then straight out on a dawn drive. This seems painful for a holiday but the animals are most active at dawn and dusk so it's the best time to see things.
Game drive until 9ish, then a picnic breakfast next to the truck, parked somewhere scenic.
The drive carries on till 11ish when you get back to camp. Lunch soon after getting back.
The afternoons are normally for you to spend as you wish, but most animals are normally asleep through the heat of the day....
At around 4 or 5pm we meet up again for another game drive, to see the animals active at dusk.
We normally park up somewhere to watch the sunset with a drink then drive home in the dark, getting back to camp at about 7.
Dinner is normally served soon after we get back, then it's to bed listening to the animals, trying to work out just what that noise is... (it's normally either a beetle on the roof of the tent or a baboon or hyena several miles away!)
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Game drives
Our group will be on a custom - built safari truck slowly driving around the bush looking for wildlife. Â
We'll have an experienced guide driving the truck, sometimes also a spotter who helps finding things. When we find something, we park and watch it, taking photos.Â
Everyone gets a window seat and we'll take it in turns for who sits where.. (front seats are less bouncy but you can see more from the back!)Â
Some camps offer 'game drives' from boats, others do walking trips - both of these are awesome and will be included in the cost.
A few of my favourites
Families
Safaris are awesome family holidays and a great way of spending time together without too many distractions, but because you're surrounded by wild animals there are sometimes some pretty strict rules about what you can and can't do, so 11 or 12 is probably a realistic youngest age. It helps if they're nuts about animals too!
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If it's just you and the teenagers that's fine too - the camps we'll go to can organise someone to keep an eye on them if you want to go on an early drive and they want to stay in bed.
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And most camps I go to have wifi too... :D
Family!
The full spectrum.. Will (15), using his phone and some binoculars to zoom in, me using my dslr, prime lens and teleconverter and Ame (12) using her new birthday presents.
FAQ
What camera gear should I bring?
It really doesn't matter, we'll try and improve your pics whatever you bring - even an iphone can get some great shots, but if you have something with a long zoom (at least 300mm) then you'll be able to get some of the smaller stuff that won't come up to the truck - remember you can't get out!
How close will the animals be?
Sometimes, really, really close! Elephants can walk past close enough to touch, cheetah can sit on the truck and hyenas can shelter from the sun under it. Animals completely ignore the trucks because they're used to them. Just don't get out because they'll suddenly see you could be lunch..
Is it safe?
Yes, if you're sensible. Like everywhere, there are risks but if you follow the instructions then you should be fine. The traffic in the cities is far higher risk than the animals.
Is the country safe?
Again, yes, if you're sensible. We only visit relatively safe countries and will stay in touristy areas where you should take the same precautions as if you were in any city. The roads will be worse and there will be more obvious poverty but you should be fine.
I use https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to check. Your country probably has a similar page.
What about malaria and other health issues?
Check your national government health recommendations re. malaria and other inoculations you should have for that particular region and time of year as it does vary widely.
What's included?
Normally *everything* is while you're actually at the safari camp, including transfers there and back, all your safari drives walks and boat trips, all food, domestic drinks and a very basic laundry service. Things normally not included are your flight from home to the main airport in Africa, hotel and food near the airport if needed.Â
Each trip itinerary should make it clear, just ask if you're in any doubt.
What's the food like?
It's all prepared at the camp so there is usually a pretty limited choice but what there is, is great! Lots of meat, locally grown vegetables and salads. The beer is cold, and there's normally wine and basic sprits & mixers too.  Let us know if your group have any dietary restrictions and I'll confirm that the camp can cope!
What about the weather?
It varies! The mornings can be really cold at some times of year, the afternoons can be baking hot at others. The sun can be really strong all year round (I always take a hat!). Â
Each trip itinerary should make it clear what to expect, just ask if you're in any doubt.
What should I wear?
Whatever you want! Plain colours are meant to be less noticeable to the animals but really, it's up to you.. Just keep in mind it can be hot and dusty and the camp laundry services are pretty tough on clothes so don't bring anything too special!Â
I'm normally in shorts, a long sleeved cotton shirt, a floppy hat and trainers or "Keen" sandals.
What are the camps like?
See the 'what to expect' page for more, but the camps we'll visit on these trips are my favourites because they're pretty damn lovely, both because of where they are and for the team who run them and the way they look after you.
