Tanzania Photography Workshop

TAMRON AMERICAS
  • Email address verified
10 reviews
Feb 16 - 26, 2024
Group size: 1 - 4
Tanzania Photography Workshop
Tanzania

TAMRON AMERICAS
  • Email address verified
10 reviews

Feb 16 - 26, 2024
Group size: 1 - 4

About this trip

Join Tamron professional photographers, Erica Robinson and Ken Hubbard, led by the experienced guides of Sababu Safaris, on a once-in-a-lifetime photographic journey to Tanzania. Here, you will be surrounded by incredible scenery, wonderful people, and an abundance of wildlife. Our travels will begin in the city of Arusha, then take us through Tarangire National Park, the Southern Serengeti Ndutu Plains for the great wildebeest migration, the Ngorongoro Crater, and end in West Kilimanjaro. Along the way we will stop to visit with local tribes, participate in a sunrise hunt with the Hadzabe bushmen, distribute solar lights with the Datoga, and spend a full day with the Maasai. This is an experience not to be missed, photographically and educationally. See full itinerary for details.


Your Tamron Representatives: 


Erica Robinson

ERICA ROBINSON (Technical Representative) has 13 years of photography experience and a degree in the Arts. Erica has worked as a wedding photographer in Boston, a cruise-line photographer, and provided technical knowledge through a local camera store. Becoming a proficient world traveler, she focuses on travel photography and storytelling, providing education through workshops and inspiring others to accomplish their photography goals. You can see her work here:  Erica Robinson Photo



Ken Hubbard

KEN HUBBARD (Field Services Manager) has had nationwide gallery showings of his portrait and landscape photography and teaches enthusiasts how to take better photos at workshops across the country. He has traveled extensively throughout the United States and the result is a consistent output of breathtaking photographs that continually challenge the boundaries of the genre. Ken is the Field Services Manager for Tamron, responsible for Tamron’s popular consumer workshop series. His work can be found here: Ken Hubbard Photo


Your Tanzania Professional Guides:

SABABU SAFARIS is established with the goal of promoting Tanzania as the land of infinite beauty, life and adventure. We aspire to attract people from different places, cultures, age groups and backgrounds, and offer them one common objective: to discover Tanzania in the most breathtaking, exciting and authentic (!) way possible. We invite you to immerse yourself in the Tanzanian culture and gain experiences that will change your heart and mind, and have a long lasting impact on you. We want to ensure that you will go home with overwhelming appreciation of all that this country has to offer – from its amazing wildlife to its beautiful people. From tailoring the small details of your trip, to the seamless operations on the ground, SABABU SAFARIS will deliver a personalized and exceptional travel experience. Let us lead you away from your world to a place that is so different from anything you have ever experienced - Tanzania will touch your soul and make you feel truly connected and alive!

Climate & Weather

Just south of the equator, Tanzania is huge and its sheer size means that the climate varies considerably within it. However, generally the main rainy season, or the 'long rains', lasts during March, April and May. Afternoon tropical downpours are the norm – which are heavier and more predictable beside the coast and on the islands. The humidity is high and daily temperatures reach the low-mid 30°s. 


The long dry season lasts throughout June, July, August, September and October is when rainfall is unusual, even on the islands. Temperatures vary hugely with altitude and location, but it's usually a fine, clear sky and sunny weather – it's a great time to visit Tanzania. During November and December there's another rainy season: the 'short rains'. These are much lighter than the main rains and less reliable. 


If it has rained during the short rains, then it normally dries up for a few months, January and February, which is Tanzania's 'short dry season', before starting to rain again in earnest in March.


 

With close to two million wildebeest on the move, along with thousands of zebras, the annual migration is spectacular. Most visitors are familiar with the “Great Migration” which takes place in both Tanzania and Kenya at the Mara River. However, for the rest of the year, as the migrating herds move from the Mara River back to Central Serengeti and down to the Southern plains, each season marks a unique pattern, a different landscape and all kinds of thrilling action. While wildlife movement is hard to predict, every year the migration will typically follow a very similar pattern, and SABABU SAFARIS offers unique, customized itineraries based on the 4 Seasons of migration: 


1. CALVING SEASON
Late January to March | Southern Serengeti & Ndutu plains 

2.GREEN SEASON & GRUMETI RIVER CROSSING 

Mid-April to early July | Western & Central-West Serengeti 

3. DRY SEASON & THE MARA CROSSING 

Mid-July to early October | Northern Serengeti 

4. SHORT RAIN SEASON
Mid-October to December | Central & East Serengeti 

Clothing & Dress Recommendations

It never gets really cold in Tanzania so lightweight clothing, preferably cotton or linen, is recommended. While on a game viewing safari, avoid brightly colored clothing, stick to whites, beiges, khakis and browns. There may be long days sitting in safari vehicles, so it is advisable to wear light comfortable clothing such as short sleeved shirts and cotton/linen trousers or shorts. Denim will become too hot and extremely uncomfortable. Walking shoes and socks will be required for some activities.


The evenings will be chilly, so long sleeved shirts and trousers should be worn. A sweater may be needed. These will also prevent you being bitten by insects. A hat should be worn at all times outside. The sun may sometimes not feel hot, but it can still easily burn, especially if it is cloudy and overcast.


If visiting Zanzibar or any coastal town don't forget to take a swimsuit, as it is invariably warm. Ladies are recommended to take cotton skirts, blouses and dresses. Sandals are a must for this environment! On the beaches and within the confines of hotels, normal swimwear is acceptable but nudity is not. 

Packing List Extra Recommendations

REQUIRED:

Camera and Lenses - Tamron loaner lenses will be available. Remember that we are sharing lenses amongst a group so, if there is a particular lens you would prefer to use throughout the entirety of the trip, we recommend you bring that with you. This will be discussed futher, closer to travel.

Tripod - A sturdy tripod is required for certain types of photography. While a tripod may not be used daily, there may be opportunities for night sky photography which requires use of a tripod.

Closed toe boots - You will be walking daily on dirt, unpaved, sometimes rocky uneven terrain for many hours of each day. 

Flashlight and Headlamp -  Headlamp preferably with both white and green or red light

Laptop - To download and backup images as well as for use during possible classroom time.

Extra memory cards & batteries - Yes battery life is long these days, and yes memory cards hold massive amounts of data. However, should your battery become too cold and not operate for as long as you'd like, and should your memory card run into issues, you will be disappointed to no longer be able to photograph.


ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS:

Filters - Circular polarizer / Neutral Density

Remote shutter release - If you do not use a remote shutter release, it is also an option to use the built in timer if your camera has this function.

Clothing layers: As mentioned in the "weather" tab, the weather may vary. This is a reminder to please pack accordingly. 

Reusable water bottle - Water will be available but being at this higher elevation we recommend you stay as hydrated as possible by having a refillable water bottle to refill between outings. Tap water in Tanzania is generally not safe to drink, and most travelers try to stick to mineral water. Most camps, lodges and hotels have bottled water readily available, and you will have unlimited access to bottled water throughout the day provided by Sababu Safaris. Bringing a reusable water bottle may come in handy to pour a few bottled waters into.


Electricity and Plug Standards:

The electricity supply in Tanzania is 220/240 volts at 50Hz. Plugs are 3 point square (UK Type). Adapters are available at major airports. 


Gifts:

We encourage you to take a look at this list of items you can bring to support children in the local communities, if you have a few pounds to spare: https://www.packforapurpose.org/destinations/africa/tanzania/sababu-safaris/ 

Food, Drink & Cuisine Advice

Most camps, lodges or hotels cater specifically to tourists and serve Western-style food, ranging in standard, but generally are excellent. Game lodges tend to offer a daily set menu with a limited selection, so it is advisable to notify us in advance if you are a vegetarian or have other specific dietary requirements. First-time visitors to Africa might take note that most game lodges in and around the national parks have isolated locations, and driving within the parks is neither permitted nor advisable after dark, so that there is no realistic alternative to eating at your lodge. 


Tap water in Tanzania is generally not safe to drink, and most travelers try to stick to mineral water. Most camps, lodges and hotels have bottled water readily available, and you will have unlimited access to bottled water throughout the day provided by Sababu Safaris.

Banking & Currency

In Tanzania, the unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling, which is divided into 100 Cents. Notes are issued in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10000 Shillings. Coins are issued in denominations of 50, 100 and 200 Shillings. 



Banks are open from 9:00am to 3:00pm Monday to Friday. Many banks are equipped with 24 hour ATM machines. Credit cards and travellers checks are not widely accepted in Tanzania. Where they are accepted can high service fees and poor exchange rates be expected. Major foreign currencies - particularly US $ - are accepted in Tanzania and are convertible at banks and bureau de changes in the main towns and tourist areas. If bringing cash in US $, please make sure bank notes are in good condition, with no cuts or damage and are not older than 2006. Most banks offer higher exchange rates for US $100 / US $50 bank notes compared to US $20 / US $10 or US $5 bank notes. 

Driving & Getting Around

If you are visiting a number of parks and reserves in Tanzania, you can either drive or fly between them. Roads in most of the wilderness areas are in poor condition and unmarked, and self-driving is not recommended. SABABU SAFARIS will supply you with a driver who doubles as an informal guide. Elsewhere in Tanzania, towns and cities are linked by a steady stream of buses and dala-dalas (minibuses), and in the cities, there is public transport in the way of buses, dala-dalas, taxis, and, in some places, bicycles or tuk-tuks. Driving is on the left hand side of the road. 

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations are subject to a $100 change fee, to be applied to a future workshop.


If cancelled 90+ days or more prior to start date - Full refund


If cancelled between 45 and 90 days prior to start date - 50% refund


If cancelled 45 days or less prior to start date - No refund


Trip Insurance:  Tamron Americas and Sababu Safari's carries the necessary permits and liability insurance for legal operation. We highly recommend that all trip participants purchase their own health, disability, life, and travel insurance. It is the participant’s responsibility to have adequate health and injury insurance for the areas we will visit. Tamron Americas and Sababu Safaris are not responsible for any health or injury liability. Covid-19 Policy: Prevention procedures involve you as an active communicator. We are relying on you to share this information with us to keep all participants safe and healthy. Your honesty and communication will enable us to offer the high-quality, engaging workshops we are known for. Under our latest screening protocols, we may at our discretion decline service to a workshop participant and/or remove a staff member from a workshop under the following circumstances:

  • If a participant or workshop leader has been in close contact with someone known to have COVID-19 within the 14 days prior to a scheduled workshop.
  • If a participant or staff member develops flu-like symptoms (a fever, cough, abnormal temperature and shortness of breath) during and/or 14 days prior to a scheduled workshop.

Masking at workshops: Due to the differing regulations per city/state/region/country, and the close participant proximity to one another, we will follow the federal and local guidelines of the visiting location implemented at the time.  Facilities that we may be required to wear masks include but are not limited to: hotels, restaurants, transportation vehicles, meeting rooms, visitors centers, etc. This is subject to change based on federal and local regulations and recommendations. Please be respectful of others in keeping distance while both in the field and inside meeting spaces.


Notice of film and photography: Photographs and/or videos of participants may be used to promote similar, Tamron Americas events in the future. Your participating constitutes your consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded, and to the release and use of these articles without payment to Tamron Americas. 

Hotel Details

KIBO PALACE HOTEL | ARUSHA - February 16-18th, 2024 (2-nights)


TARANGIRE SAFARI LODGE | TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK - February 18-19th, 2024 (1-night)


NYIKANI MIGRATION CAMP - NDUTU | SOUTHERN SERENGETI - February 19-22nd, 2024 (3-nights)


NGORONGORO FARM HOUSE | NGORONGORO CRATER - February 22nd-23rd, 2024 (1-night)


LAKE EYASI SAFARI LODGE | LAKE EYASI - February 23rd-24th, 2024 (1-night)


ORIGINAL MAASAI LODGE | WEST KILIMANJARO - February 24th-26th, 2024 (2-nights)




What’s included

  • Meals
    All meals during workshop dates will be provided. *Please see "Food,Drink, Cuisine Advice" tab.
  • Airport/Ground transfers
    JRO airport and ground transfers
  • Professional Guides
    Proessionally certified English speaking guides
  • Park Fees and Concession
    National Park fees, conservation fees, and consessions
  • Exclusive Transportation
    4X4 Land Cruiser private transportation
  • Beverages
    Unlimted water, soda, and coffee will be provided in all transportation vehicles.
  • Photo Accessories
    High powered binoculars and photo bean bags
  • Tamron Loaner Lenses
    Will be discussed prior to travel.

What’s not included

  • International Flights
    Flights to/from JRO Kilimanjaro airport are not included.
  • Visas
    A Visa is Required. Please visit - https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/
  • Gratuities
    While this is not required, it is highly encouraged to tip accordingly.
  • Alcoholic beverages
    Alcoholic beverages are not included.
  • Laundry Services
    Laundry services are not included.

Available Packages

Single Occupancy

This package is for individuals registering as one participant, rooming alone.

$9,745
Double Occupancy

This Double Occupancy package is for two persons registering as a pair, sharing accommodations and payments. 


PLEASE NOTE: When choosing this booking, you MUST select "2" in the booking amount field in order for this booking to be processed correctly. If only "1" is selected the second person will not be accounted for.


If person one and person two are making payments separately, the second payment must be made through the "contributions" tab. 

$8,895
Deposit:$4,475


Itinerary

Day 1 - February 16th
Arusha

    

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport. After finishing passport control and customs procedures via our VIP Visa Express Service, you will be met by your safari guide outside the arrival lounge and taken to your accommodation for check in and overnight (approx. 45 minutes). Spend a relaxing evening before you start your Tanzania safari the following day. 


    

Resting at the foot of Mount Meru, the sprawling city of Arusha is known as the safari capital of northern Tanzania. It serves as an excellent base from which to explore the remarkably scenic surrounding area which includes majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as Manyara, Tarangire and Ngorongoro National Parks. Arusha is a good spot to take a day or two off from the safari circuit as it features a temperate climate and lush surrounds. 


    

Accommodations: Kibo Palace Hotel 

Tucked away in Arusha, Kibo Palace Hotel is straddled between the gateway to some of the most enchanting safari destinations and Mount Kilimanjaro, whose highest point it is named after. This little paradise comes with all the amenities and access you would expect in a modern city right in the wild. 

Your Organizer


TA
TAMRON AMERICAS
10 reviews
Joined in January 2023
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Reviews

I’ve struggled with how to write this review. I’m a newer photographer, and I’ve always wanted to visit Bisti Badlands / Valley of Dreams. I found this workshop, including a sunrise shoot, golden hour, blue hour, and astrophotography - the itinerary sounded great, a pre-workshop webinar, hotel accommodations, a couple of meals., transportation to our photography sites, two photography instructors, multiple different lenses for us to borrow and post photography instruction. Sounds like a dream, right? I gladly signed up about 6 months in advance. About a week before our trip, we received an email asking for lunch orders and the same email asked if anyone would be willing to drive their own vehicles out to the sites (thankfully, no one did, more on that later). Came to find out that one of the instructors was sick and did not make it to the workshop. She instead met up via zoom during a post processing afternoon, and though she provided some great tips for us, we did only have one instructor for our time out. Now for the good part. The weather did not hold up for us. At all. Our first night, when we were to visit Bisti Badlands, we met up with our guide and drove out. We basically got out of the cars, and it started to rain. So, we went over to Shiprock instead. Ok, it’s gorgeous. We got some decent shots. Later as sun was setting, we were still hopeful we might get some Milky Way shots (kinda iffy due to the clouds), nevertheless our guide took us to the opposite side of Shiprock. Well, the spot that he took us to, the Milky Way core would have been completely hidden behind the massive rock in front of us. We definitely couldn’t see the Milky Way and called it around eleven pm and went back to the hotel. Our instructor even remarked at some point during the weekend, that he wished Kialo was our guide, (he was listed in the itinerary as our guide) since he is more aware of what we were looking for in a photography workshop, yet we had a different guide for the weekend. Next evening, we head out to Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah. After a long drive down a few dirt roads, we met up with another guide, and started our walk in. We barely started seeing these gorgeous rock formations, when the rain started, which quickly turned everything to flowing streams, and a lot of mud. So, we had to leave. Rain soaked, mud caked, we walked back and started our drive out. The rain, unfortunately, turned the roads into a muddy slippery mess, as we fishtailed our way back. So, we come to one part of the road, and start sliding. End up with the back of the SUV stuck in a ditch. Most of the workshop participants and the guides had to push the vehicle out, getting mud-spattered the entire time. Definitely an adventure, and definitely no Milky Way shots that night either. Back to the hotel to order pizza., and the entire night I was just thinking “Thank goodness, I didn’t drive my car out there”. The following day was our last. Itinerary called for a sunrise shoot in Bisti Badlands. That night, our guide basically told us the roads would be too muddy for us to go. So, we had another post processing meet up instead. Now, I kinda get it. Kinda. I completely understand that the weather sometimes does not cooperate, and the locations being down dirt roads does not make it easy. I guess I was just surprised that no other alternative locations were ever suggested. Can’t shoot at Bisti during sunrise? Cool, let’s try somewhere else. Aztec ruins? (1/2 hr away) I mean, we could’ve gone somewhere by the Animas River? Maybe let’s visit Shiprock again for sunrise? I’m definitely not familiar with the area, but I can’t imagine there was absolutely nowhere to go shoot sunrise. Or can’t shoot Milky Way from this spot? Maybe let’s try a different spot further back, or somewhere else, even off the main road somewhere. But that didn’t happen. Our guide, completely separate from the workshop, did offer to take us out the following evening, however cost for the guide would have been about $200, on top of paying for another night at the hotel, so I declined, and headed home. This is the very first photography workshop I have ever attended., and I was so looking forward to it. I will say that the event was organized well, the instructor and local guide were friendly, the hotel was great, the meals were decent. Taco bar day 1, and sandwiches on day 2. (I had read a review that the sandwiches were pretty bad, I didn’t think it was that bad. My turkey and swiss, had no swiss, and the deli completely missed one participants order, so it was delivered about an hour late, but not anything to make a huge fuss about), I did meet some great people, and got some great photography tips. If the weather had held up, the weekend might have been amazing, although we were still down an instructor. However, we didn’t see one single part of Bisti Badlands and nothing of Valley of Dreams that we were looking forward to. Of course, no refunds. No offers to re-book in the future with a discount. Again, I know these workshops are dependent on the weather, but I basically feel like I spent a lot of money to stay at a hotel in Farmington for a weekend, with no alternative photography locations and I can’t help but feel disappointed. We were shown some of the shots taken in June, and they were amazing! It just kinda felt like one thing on top of another for our group: sick instructor but no replacement, different guide, requests to drive our own vehicle, etc, that it just was not meant to be a great weekend. I was fortunate enough to live close enough to drive into NM for this, but I truly can’t help but feel for those that live much farther away, that not only paid for the workshop, but also had to buy airline tickets, rental car, extra hotel night, etc.. Definitely not Tamron’s fault for the weather, however I do feel there were a few issues, that maybe could have been handled better.
By Kendis S for Bisti/De-Na-Zin Photography Workshop - August 2024 on Aug 15, 2024
Not much to review as it was pouring rain the times we ventured out for photography. Neither the organizers nor the workshop participants could do much if the rain gods were enjoying at our expense. I can only say tht for the cost of the workshop we had the most expensive Tacos and sandwiches :). Barely had 2-3 hours of total photography time and came back home with some ordinary photos. Its best not to go to this place for photography during this period of the year as I am told this is rainy season and the incessant and heavy downpours can cause flash floods and risky situations.
By Nagesh R for Bisti/De-Na-Zin Photography Workshop - August 2024 on Aug 15, 2024
This was an amazing trip and was well planned out. It was also very affordable. The Bisti area is special, and it seems almost unknown!
By Andy B for Bisti/De-Na-Zin Photography Workshop - June 2024 on Jun 20, 2024
This trip was a mixed bag for us. And that is unfortunate. First, the workshop leaders. Erica and Armando were wonderful. They were responsive to questions when we were out for the shoots and were a wealth of information, especially regarding lenses And they are both very nice people, so nice, in fact, that it created a problem during the shoots. As with any group, there were a couple of people who thought they were the only ones on the trip. So, when it came time to share photo time with the others, they refused. As one example, we were taken to a spot to get a shot of the sun setting. The picture was to be taken through one of the rock formations and the result, hopefully, would be a starburst. Erica said that we should all take no more than one or two minutes so that everyone could get the shot. After all, the sun wasn't waiting. One of the group decided that five or six or seven minutes was more his style and refused to move. Neither Erica nor Armando did anything about it. It took another member of the group to physically push this person away. This type of incident happened a few times, with another time when one participant was in other people's pictures and refused to move. The leaders should have been more forceful, especially given the time sensitivity which was, after all, the reason for our being at the workshop in the first place. Another disappointment had to do with the Tamron lenses. Erica and Armando brought four cases of lenses with them. Fabulous, right? Unfortunately, though, the two lenses I borrowed did not work on the Z mount even though they were supposed to be made for the Z mount. Clearly, I would not buy them. But the problem, of course, was that I wasted time using those lenses (or trying to) and missed many shots because of it. While these issues may have had to do with our group, the next two don't. And they were unacceptable. First, the hotel. Tamron advertised this workshop and gave a choice of single occupancy or double occupancy for the room. This type of trip, however, is not honeymoon couples. In fact, only grown men were on this trip. And yet, there was no room in this hotel that had two queen or double beds. Yes, you read that right. The Hampton Inn a few blocks away had two queens. The Fairfield In a few blocks away had two queens. And I would guess that every other hotel in town had rooms with two queens. Yet, at this hotel, every room had a single bed plus a pull out sofa. That is unacceptable. And unnecessary. It's not like the hotel ever had rooms with two queens. Every room has the same bedding. So, if that's the case, either don't say there are rooms for two adults or change hotels. But this does not work. Second was the food. Again, we didn't go on this trip for the food. BUT . . . . Before the excursion on the second night, Erica ordered food for all of us. The group I was with ordered a BLT, a turkey sandwich and a grilled cheese with tomato I mean, how bad could these classic sandwiches be? Well, the BLT was inedible, the turkey sandwich didn't have turkey and the grilled cheese with tomato had everything except -- wait for it -- cheese or tomato. In fact, when we opened the sandwich, there was nothing inside. Just two pieces of bread slapped together. And this was supposed to be our dinner! So we went to Fireside Subs in town and got food so we wouldn't pass out during the 8 hours we were on the reservation. Finally, there were the excursions themselves. The first night, we were out from about 5pm to 1:30am. The second night, we were out from about 5:30pm to 1:15am. Then we met at 4:30am, three hours later, for the morning excursion. This was absolutely exhausting. And it would have been exhausting even if we had not been carrying our camera bags and tripods. We hiked between 2 1/2 and 5 miles each night, much of it in the dark. So by the time the morning session came around, most of the group was simply wiped out. Whoever planned this did not think it through. The timing was very poor and should be changed if Tamron expects to continue this type of workshop. In all, I doubt I would go on another workshop with Tamron. Their focus on detail was unimpressive and the negatives were very, very important and upsetting, overshadowing whatever positives I may have taken away from the workshop itself.
By Steven K for Bisti/De-Na-Zin Photography Workshop - June 2024 on Jun 14, 2024
The logistics of the trip were executed exactly as expected. We were fortunate to have great weather, and when combined with the coaching from the Tamron staff we were able capture some great images. The location guides selected by Team Tamron were also very very good. Tamron was generous with loaner lenses for experimentation - my favorite was their 35-150 f2/2.8, which is in a class to itself and is going on my "must buy" list. Zero complaints and lots of praise for this adventure!
By Russ R for Bisti/De-Na-Zin Photography Workshop - June 2024 on Jun 13, 2024
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