TANZANIA INTO THE WILD Frontcover by Hans
Str and, Iceland 2014
TRAVEL WITH PASSION
BET TERMOMENTS.COM
TANZANIA
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INTO THE WILD Tanzania is sheer wilderness, stunning landscapes and the land of safaris where great colonies of animals migrate along the infinite savannah. It’s home for hundreds of hippos, massive elephant herds, lions, snoozing crocodiles and redshawled Maasai warriors not to forget the wonder of Tanzania’s sunrise sessions. Travel by 4x4 and stay at our Better Moments Wild Camp on the great Savannah. There is probably nowhere else in the world like the Serengeti or the historic Ngorongoro Crater for an intense wildlife experience on a vast scale.
TRAVEL WITH THE BEST STEVE BLOOM
Photo: Steve Bloom 3
HIGHLIGHTS • Explore Tarangire National Park with its lush paradise and impressive wildlife. • Safari in wildlife sanctuary Ngorongoro with many photo opportunities of flamingoes, buffaloes, zebras, klipspringers, gazelles and antelopes. • Good chance to photograph elephants, rhinoceros or even hyena, jackals, lions, warthogs and wildebeest. • Serengeti National Reserve with its giant herds of wildebeest, zebras, antelopes, hartebeest and topics. • Early morning wildlife photography before the sun rises.
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Photo: Steve Bloom 5
Photo: Steve Bloom
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN You will learn how to approach the unique challenges of wildlife photography. Steve Bloom will use his experience from his many journeys to East Africa to help you maximize your photographic opportunities.
ON LOCATION
IN THE CLASS ROOM
• Learning great photographic techniques.
• Technique and equipment, hardware and software settings for action wildlife photography.
• The art of minimizing risk when approaching wild animals. • How to incorporate animals into the landscape. • Composition and form, the challenges of aesthetics. • Working in different lighting conditions and controlling exposure. • How to handle equipment with care on location. • Private hands-on lessons that can help you take your wildlife photography skills to the next level.
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• Expert review and constructive criticism of the images taken during the day. • Digital workflow. • How to create a narrative for a book and exhibition. • Portfolio Review. • A Better Moments Certified Photo Instructor is available during the entire workshop to offer assistance with camera settings, the basics of composition, guide and help in general.
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Photo: Steve Bloom
Photo: Steve Bloom
ITINERARY
Africa. It also features dense forest, a lush paradise for all living things.
DAY 1: MOSHI
The wildlife is impressive year-round and the avifauna most spectacular from October to May. Ostriches leisurely strut around amongst the game and the forests contain various species of hornbills, the endemic yellow collared lovebird, and sunbirds. Along the river, quite distinct and equally enormous Hamerkop nests can be seen. After Tarangire we drive to the Highlands area of Karatu. After dinner we will enjoy an entertaining lecture by Steve Bloom, featuring his extensive portfolio across the African continent.
Upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro Airport you will be met by staff from Better Moments. We will take you to a cozy hotel in the town of Moshi, which offers views of Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. We will spend the day exploring the town, visiting the local market, which can be something of a cauldron. There will be plenty of great photo opportunities. After dinner we will have an introductory talk about the photographic opportunities that lie ahead. DAY 2: TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK We will drive towards the land of the Maasai and Tarangire National Park where we will have frequent stops on our way for photography. The area consists primarily of acacia with thorn bushes and baobab trees – the very epitome of East 8
DAY 3: NGORONGORO SAFARI We start the day with a game drive in one of the world’s most renowned wildlife sanctuaries, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and will travel into the Ngorongoro Crater. The 260 square kilometre base of the crater is a vast, flat circular area of grassy savanna, forest, and the beautiful lake Makat, which
is home to thousands of flamingos. Approximately 20,000 mammals live within the caldera. We expect to see buffalos, zebras, klipspringers, gazelles and various species of antelope. Furthermore, there’s a good chance we will see elephants, rhinoceros, the rare spotted hyena, jackals, lions, warthogs, and wildebeest. If we are lucky we may spot a leopard or two. During the morning Steve Bloom will guide us to the best locations for wild life photography. Our 4x4 vehicles are configured so we have superb conditions for picture shooting, enabling us to get as close to the animals as is reasonable. From here we continue on to one of the world’s best Safari areas. We drive up the steep western slope to the green, lush, and very beautiful Mbulu plateau. Early evening we reach the majestic savanna of the Serengeti where the Better Moments Wild Camp is situated. We will stay in a classic safari camp (tents of 14m2 with bed, bath and toilet) and enjoy the
ultimate safari experience in the heart of the savanna. After dinner, we focus on landscape photography with slow shutter speeds and animal photography, if we have time. DAY 4: SERENGETI SAFARI The Serengeti National Reserve is known among the Maasai as the endless plains – and is possibly the best place in the world to find big game. This enormous reserve consists of 14,763 square kilometers of savanna, and continues north into the equally famous Masai Mara in Kenya. It is the habitat of giant herds of wildebeest, zebras, antelopes, hartebeest and topis. Every year, over two million herbivores consisting mainly of wildebeest migrate in search of greener pastures – a hazardous journey of approximately 800 kilometers per year. For bird lovers, an extra bonus is the 535 bird species living here. Before dinner at our Better Moments Wild Camp, those with enough energy can make a hike into the wild and do evening photography.
DAY 5: SERENGETI SAFARI We have another full day on the savanna and the plains of Serengeti. The diversity and density of wildlife ensures that you constantly experience something new. No two game drives are the same in this, Africa’s most renowned safari area. During a day of shooting we will follow the wild animals, such as lions and elephants, in our vehicles, as well as hiking with local wildlife guides and Steve Bloom. After diner we will attend a workshop and enjoy the sunset from our Better Moments Wild Camp. DAY 6: SERENGETI, KARATU AND MAASAI VILLAGE We slowly leave Serengeti in the most spectacular way – with a game drive through the beautiful Serengeti the Ndutu areas. From here we drive up from the Ngorongoro crater to Karatu and Highview, where we have time to photograph.
Along the way we will visit a Maasai village where we will learn how these proud people preserve their culture and customs, whilst also adapting to the developing world around them an exciting look into a very different traditional way of life. Here you will be able to make authentic portrait photography in a genuine Maasai village. We will enjoy a great farewell dinner, celebrating the end of our tour in this part of East Africa. DAY 7: EARLY MORNING PHOTOGRAPHY After an early start from Karatu we move out in the bush with our cameras. Under cover of darkness we will try to get the best shots of wild animals and birds, that are getting ready for the day’s search for food and water. From Karatu we drive to Kilimanjaro Airport and begin our journey homeward.
Photo: Steve Bloom 9
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Photo: Steve Bloom 11
FACTS GETTING THERE
WEATHER
QUICK GUIDE
The Julius Nyerere International Airport is the principal airport serving the country, named after the country’s first President. There are frequent direct and indirect flights to Tanzania by numerous international airlines. From London to Dar es Salaam is 10 hours. There are no direct flights from the US and most travelers go via Europe.
The climate is tropical and coastal areas are hot and humid, while the northwestern highlands are cool and temperate. There are two rainy season, the short rains are generally from October to December, while the long rains last from March to June. The central plateau tends to be dry and arid throughout the year.
• Dar es Salaam (meaning ‘haven of peace’) is a city which blends African, Arabic and Asian influences. Within the city itself, Arabic and Indian districts thrive and Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus tolerantly coexist. Despite being a large commercial metropolis, Dar still has the air of a much smaller coastal town. A rectilinear grid of streets spread inland from the waterfront, where traditional dhows (long, flat sailboats) and modern hydrofoils compete for space.
VISA All visitors are required to have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay, and all visitors will need a visa. Single entry and transit visas can be obtained on arrival at the port of entry into Tanzania, but it is recommended to obtain the visa before departure to avoid frequent time delays.
Average daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam varies from 23.5°C in July, August and September to 28.0°C in January and February. LANGUAGE Swahili and English are the official languages. Swahili is the national language. CURRENCY The Tanzanian monetary unit is the Shilling (TZS).
• A s the highest peak on the African continent at 5,895m, Mt Kilimanjaro has taunted avid explorers with its snow-capped peak for decades. It’s a hard slog to the top, but anyone of reasonable fitness can do it. Watching the sunrise over this splendid summit is an indescribable spectacle. • Zanzibar has magnificent swathes of palm-backed white sands, and the marine life surrounding the coral islands makes it an ideal place to scuba-dive and snorkel. The warm Indian Ocean has clear visibility to see all kinds of coral.
CAMERA EQUIPMENT Computer Bring you own laptop computer and storage medium.
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Sturdy “lightweight” tripod
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Lens extenders
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Charger for batteries
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Camera bodies
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Spare batteries
Camera straps for ease of changing from one camera to another
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Lenses
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Graduated filter set
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Bag for all camera gear
European Standard power converters
Filter holder
Bag for light location travelling with camera bodies and accessories
Raw processing software (Lightroom and/or Photoshop)
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High quality polarizing filter
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Dust cleaning kits Lens cleaning cloths
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Cards and card wallets
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Lens belt
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Card reader
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Rain/dust covers for cameras and lenses
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USB key to exchange images
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PRICE & BOOKING MORE INSPIRATION 12
“It’s tempting to look at computer screens and review images during the evenings while on safari. It helps the photographer assess the quality of the day’s shoot, but people should also try to make extra time to appreciate the magical splendour of where they are, and enjoy the sounds and sights of wild Africa at night.”
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BETTER MOMENTS EXPERTS
STEVE BLOOM
THE POWERFUL WILDERNESS In the early nineties, during a safari holiday, Steve Bloom began photographing animals, and within a short time he had swapped his established city career for the precarious life of an international travelling photographer. GO WILD
Steve Bloom
Steve Bloom’s concern for the environment is strongly evident in his wildlife images. He strives to capture the animal’s spirit, and blur the lines separating different species. His photographs of people reveal a compassionate understanding of his subjects, evident in his books Living Africa and Trading Places: The Merchants of Nairobi. He has won international awards for his work, including The Power of Photography Award, The Golden Eye of Russia, and Lucie Awards. Numerous magazine publishers such as Life, Times, Terre Sauvage, National Geographic, Geo, Airone, and Geographic, as well as many photographic publications have featured his pictures. His own books have been published internationally in over seventy editions. THE ESSENCE OF WILDLIFE Today Steve Bloom is internationally renowned for his stunning wildlife images. He creates atmosphere and brings his subjects to life; revealing the essence of animals in the wild.
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The eyes of Steve Bloom are drawn to the visual drama of the natural world. A resolute believer in the power of aesthetics, he shows us raw emotion and the common threads that link all living beings. By deliberately aiming to acknowledge sentience in animals, he reveals how at a root level, they behave, think and feel in ways similar to us. He sometimes pre-visualises the images he wants and is delighted when he is able to approximate what he first saw in his mind’s eye. On other occasions there are surprises along the way and he has to adapt, which he likens to musicians improvising. In such situations he goes for the image that he instinctively feels will connect with the viewer. In these moments he has to think very quickly about his position and the best angle. A simple close-up with a long lens might not be appropriate, so he may incorporate the environment into the shot to show it in a wider context. Shooting wildlife is not just observing the animal, it is about understanding its place in the environ ment and determining what makes an exciting image. A STAR IS BORN Steve chose to shoot wildlife as an antidote to city life. For him it was like delving into another world, another culture, and he became hooked after making a ten day safari in 1993. His first big project was a book called In Praise of Primates. Nearly a quarter of a million copies were sold in 10 languages.
Photo: Steve Bloom 15
BETTER MOMENTS EXPERTS
Photo: Steve Bloom
This gave Steve the confidence to embark on the second of many books which were to follow, but with photo shoots proving expensive, he needed to generate income from his images. He responded by creating his own picture library, which he now runs with his wife Kathy.
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EVERY MORNING COUNTS When attempting to capture atmosphere, Steve goes out early each morning and late in the afternoon when the sun is low, for greater saturation of colours and longer shadows. He takes at least two camera bodies and a range of lenses from fisheye to 500mm. He backs images up each night, though he admits that he missÂes the old days when he could just label his films and then look up at the stars.
Photo: Steve Bloom
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Travel with passion BETTERMOMENTS.COM
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