PHOTO SAFARI
Serengeti, Tanzania
Spend 3 days of our 10-Day wildlife adventure where Mohamed Hassan will be our safari guide with emphasis on wildlife photography. He will join the Walking Connection's Gene Taylor as they share information about how they take images and turn them into beautiful pictures worthy of your walls at home, office, classroom or gallery. This is a non-technical experience where we help you get the most out of whatever camera you bring with you on safari.
In the course of my guiding, I have been fortunate enough to witness non-stop, mind-blowing, and heart-stopping wildlife action. This is what keeps me in love with my job. The thrill of a new experience and the interaction with the wild world is my dream, come true.
I am a keen wildlife photographer driven by passion, curiosity, and the desire to share my safari experiences with guests from around the world. To me, a safari is more that a noun, it really is a feeling and an emotion that must be personally experienced to be understood.
The Serengeti is a place where I can nurture my professional aspirations to become the best I can be. Here, I am home and I look forward to sharing it with Gene and the Walking Connection guests this October. Let's make some awesome images together! ~Moodie~
Gene's Journey
Since the mid 1990's I have made as many adventures to the African Savannah as time and circumstances would allow. Why?
“It's not just the sheer number or drama created by the wildlife in their natural habitat, the dramatic landscapes, or wonderful people I meet. And, its not just the amazing safari camps, topnotch service, or truly unforgettable game drives. As remarkable as all of them are individually, they are all the best of the best, it is their collective appeal that continues to draw me back, time-after-time.
As the orchestra of the savannah comes together, they form a symphony of color, light and motion under the vast Southern sky, brilliantly blue by day, sizzling with the electricity of a billion stars of the glowing Milky Way as it cuts through the deep black of the night sky. It’s a feeling, and when you there, it is palpable.
Ever since sharing images from my first wildlife safari, they were on actual film, I've always wanted to share the experience with other amateur photography enthusiasts, to share, teach, and learn.
So camera in hand, this October I am heading to back to the Serengeti for a unique and spectacular safari where we will, for the first time, spend a special three days shooting images with one of my favorite wildlife photographers and safari guides, Moodie Hassan of Arusha, Tanzania.
~Gene~
This will be a fun experience that can help you to use your camera to collect the memories that will last you a lifetime!
On safari, Africa's animal kingdom is on full display - real life in real time. Most of us want to document our experience through either pictures or video using everything from our iphone to zillion dollar cameras.
For a few days we will focus on helping interested guests on ways they can maximize their images to capture it in ways that bring back fond memories rather than missed shots!
Trip Details
EXCLUSIVE! Gene & Jo Ann Taylor, co-founders of The Walking Connection are your hosts and walking companions for this small gathering adventure.
October 27 - November 5, 2021
10-Days, 9 Nights
A unique adventure to the Eastern Serengeti is what cinematographers make movies about, but you can see it for yourself.
Priced from:
Questions?
Call Us. +1 623.561.0846
$6998USD
per person, double occupancy
$500 USD Due With Registration
WALKING
Tanzania's rich diversity will come to life on this intimate journey of a lifetime. From the magic of the vast plains of the Serengeti, to the mystical Ngorongoro Crater and highlands; to the remote Tarangire wilderness you will be in the heart of one of Africa's richest wildlife reserves. This is where the magic happens!
Tarangire National Park is known for its abundance of wildlife and the regularity of sightings. Last fall, we were overwhelmed by the number of elephants and big cats prowl: Lion, leopard and cheetah are on the hunt.
A unique adventure to the Eastern Serengeti will be new for all of us, even if you have traveled to Tanzania with Walking Connection before. This area is what cinematographers make movies about, but you can see it for yourself. With a cup of freshly ground coffee in hand, stretch up out of your vehicle to spot the wildlife as far as the eye can see…
CONNECTION
This is a safari where high emotions and the excitement of seeing the teeming wildlife fills each new day. Evenings are set aside for magical sundowners as the sky turns golden orange. This is the place to truly unplug! Dinner is an elegant affair and followed by the warmth of the cozy fire where you can take comfort in just being. The sounds of the wild and the star light of the Southern sky will mesmerize you.
*Join Walking Connection co-founders, Gene and JoAnn Taylor on this small group tour -- they will not only bring the keys to this natural world, but also a global perspective, interesting stories, laughter and shared friendship.
Safari Highlights
CREATE CONNECTIONS
You, along with old and new-found friends will travel the northern section of the Serengeti Plains to view the wildlife, take in the the landscape and share an incredible experience with each other. Your guides are an intricate part of your experience as they share thier knowledge of the land, its human history and the culture of daily life in remote Africa.
WILDLIFE
Big Five, Little Five, Ugly Five!
Solitary Cats, Massive Herds, Silent Crocodiles.
A WALK WITH THE MAASAI
A cultural visit at a Maasai Village to learn their way of life, shop for one-of-a-kind art or handicrafts as well as have an opportunity to walk with the Maasai. Other walks are scheduled as a way to learn and experience more in this fragile wildlife environment. Due to the presence of large carnivores, our walks are under the watchful eye of armed rangers.
Your Experience
Level of Activity
Each day, we will evaluate the movement of the wildlife, observe the rules of the reserve, and where possible, arrange interesting walks and hikes to stay active. You should not expect long or challenging "walking workouts" while on Safari.
"THREE "P" WALKS"
Prints, Plants & Poop! The nature of our guided-game walks are based upon the region we are passing through. The terrain is what you see throughout this site, but with emphasis on the hoof/paw prints for the animals, the plants on which both the wildlife and the local Masai use as food and medicine and the skat, left behind by recent wildlife visitors. They are all available at your option.
TAKING PICTURES!
Some will want to take a casual approach to their holiday and taking images is a lower priority. Some will be gear-ready to take wildlife images suitable for national publication. Either way, your days are filled with the opportunity to both with other like-minded guests.
Unless otherwise noted, the images on this site are originals by Gene Taylor.* He will be hosting several game drives dedicated to more serious (pro-amateur level photographers) during this adventure. He will be providing (and requesting) a gear list prior to the trip. These game drives are suited to avid learners from beginners to advanced non-professional photographers.
Level of Comfort
YOUR COMFORT IS DEFINED BY CHOICE
The sleeping accommodations on this journey are "Safari Luxury", always en suite, and always with lots of personality. Although star ratings are not particularly helpful when it comes to remote tented camps on the Serengeti, expect 4/5 star accommodations and services along the way.
Our multi-night stays in each camp afford a relaxed pace to your journey. No reason to hurry unless there is an unexpected wildlife siting. Your curiosity drives the day, your comfort is king during the evenings and nights.
Even though you are travelling through a variety of landscapes, the weather will be similar day-to-day. We expect it to be mostly dry and a bit cooler around the Ngorongoro Highlands because of the crater. Expect temperatures in the evening of 13°- 18°c (58°f) and warm daytime highs at 25°- 30°c (85°f).
Just a few words about safety. It's a shared responsibility, yours and ours. We take it very seriously. Your safe return home is our top priority. We love talking about it. It you have a question or concern, please ask or tell us anything.
Photo Credit: Maasai Wanderings
Level of Culture
The Maasai Wandering Team is made up of resident guides, chef's, service staff and managers who all hail from this area. This is the land they call home. These are the people they call Brother and Sister. They are warm and hospitable and keen to share their lives with guests. We will learn from them and as opportunity allows, we will visit small cultural centers like villages, schools and markets.
As with all Walking Connection adventures, we will seek opportunities for both cultural exchange as well as places and people where we can invest resources that may help them in their day-to-day lives.
Day-By-Day
Please note that the details of this itinerary are subject to change. Many of the planned activities are organized according to availability, events or seasonal dates, appropriate weather conditions or the discretion of our guides. We make every effort to provide the experience described in the itinerary with the understanding that some things may change.
DAY 1
Arrive Kilimanjaro Airport - Arusha
This is the perfect place after a long flight to relax and recharge. Arusha Coffee Lodge sits right at the foot of Mount Meru. Amidst the lush greenery of the coffee farm, it is located in a safe and exclusive area on the outskirts of Arusha. The lodge will make you feel like you are right at home.
Accommodation: Arusha Coffee Lodge
Gene and Jo Ann Taylor, co-founders of the Walking Connection, first visited Arusha in the 90’s and have enjoyed their stays ever since. As a gateway to sub-Saharan Africa, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti, it’s a great place to start your safari adventure.
DAYS 2, 3, & 4
Tarangire National Park
After a leisurely breakfast we head by safari vehicles to Tanzania's off the beaten track, Tarangire National Park.
Welcome to the Great expanses of elephant country!
Tarangire is famed for its massive elephant herds, true sense of wilderness and a gentle backdrop of the sculptural silhouette of baobab trees.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Tarangire Ndovu Tented Lodge - 2 nights
Each morning and afternoon we will head out on a game drive into big country never knowing what nature will have instore. Perhaps waiting as a journey of giraffe cross our path, slowly weaving along riverbanks looking for lions, watching leopards asleep in giant baobabs, and scanning the great swathes of elephant grass for big herds of buffalo…
For 2 nights we will be treated to an intimate stay in the heart of the park at Tarangire Ndovu Tented Lodge. A small camp with only 12 permanent tents, your nights under canvas will feel like luxury. As you reach your private tent walking up specially crafted stairs you'll find a balcony with loveseat for relaxing. The front of the tent has double sliding doors, including a layer of mosquito netting for your comfort. Once you step into the tent your beautiful bedroom reflects soothing colors in natural tones to adhere to the intrinsic area we are located.
There is a magical path of lanterns between the tents and also to the main common area and swimming pool – a great place to unwind and share stories of the animal sightings from the day's adventure. In the evening there is always time to enjoy a sundowner while sitting around the camp fire under infinite African skies.
DAYS 5 & 6
Manyara Escarpment & Ngorongoro Crater
After an early breakfast we will transfer by road with a game drive along the way as we depart Tarangire.
Our next stop will be a cultural visit at a Maasai Village to learn their way of life as well as have an opportunity to walk with the Maasai.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Mandhari Lodge - 2 nights
We will then make our way high up on to the Manyara Escarpment which forms part of the Great Rift Valley to our lodge aligned with soaring flamingos, Mandhari Lodge. ‘Mandhari’ means ‘view, scenery, landscape’ in Swahili, and with a bird’s eye view of the great expanse from Lake Natron to Mondulli Mountains and across Lake Manyara, this lodge offers breathtaking views from sunrise to sunset.
Swaddled in the colors of the earth, the lodge offers unique accommodations with glass-fronted suites and an unobstructed view across the dreamy landscape below. With 100% locally sourced materials, the lodge has been built with a passion for it’s environment and a respect for its beloved history. The large, core gathering area of reception, dining, lounge, bar and swimming pool is largely an open, eucalypt platform filled with hand-crafted furnishings and woven delights.
Our stay here will be continued the next morning as the sun rises over the perfect bowl of the Ngorongoro Crater. We will descend for a morning game drive onto the caldera’s floor where over 25,000 wild creatures call home. Still a lambent lost world of wildlife, it gives flashes of how the first humans must have experienced it.
Day 7, 8 & 9
The Unexplored Eastern Serengeti
Today we head by vehicle to the far eastern plains of the Serengeti, a remote and wildlife-filled pocket of the savannah. This is where the magic begins, this is where your dream of wild Africa comes alive.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Ehlane Plains Camp - 2 nights
The area teems with prides of lions, cheetahs roaming, large packs of hyena and leopards confidently striding through their ranges. What brings them here? This exclusive expanse of the Serengeti is where the acacia woodlands borders the great savannah, attracting herbivore masses of elephant, giraffe, zebra, warthog and more. When carnivore meets herbivore on the open plain; it’s time to rumble.
It is here in the Soit le Motonyi region, far from the Serengeti transit areas, that you are able to find something wild and spectacular amongst this rough country. The area is unique; unspoilt, silent, remote and truly exciting.
We are home at the stunning Ehlane Plains Camp with only eight permanent tents designed to merge with the eco-system, all under canvas and all with clear vistas of the wilderness ahead. Ehlane is a Zulu word which translates to ‘wilderness’. It is a clear description of the extraordinary and newly accessible location which presents forth an unsurpassed display of predators and predator activity.
Each day we will set out on game drives with nature as our conductor.
Day 10
Transfer to Seronera & Kilimanjaro Airport
Transfer to Seronera airstrip for your flight to Kilimanjaro Airport for your international flight home or points beyond.
Meals included: Breakfast
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-OR- Extend your African Safari to Northern Serengeti, the Selous in Southern Tanzania or Zanzibar.
The dream that is Africa: after watching the romance of exploration and adventure of the safari expeditions of a bygone era on the big screen, it’s time to create memorable voyages of your own.
Where We Sleep
Casual safari luxury. The accommodations on this safari were carefully selected by Jo Ann Taylor and are in the style she has created and the Walking Connection has become known for. The lodges use 100% locally-sourced materials, and they are built with a passion for the environment and a respect for its local culture. With high quality canvas between your comfortable bed and the sounds of the African night, these camps provide the ideal accommodation for lovers of the great outdoors, while retaining the coziness of a warm bed, a hot shower, gratifying cuisine and a welcoming team.
Ndovu Tented Lodge
Tarangire Ndovu Tented Lodge is located in the heart of Tarangire, Tanzania’s wild land and landscapes. Tarangire is famed for its massive elephant herds, true sense of wilderness and a gentle backdrop of baobabs. There is a magical path of lanterns between the tents and also to our main common area that creates an enchanting setting to unwind after the day’s adventures. Enjoy a sundowner while sitting around the camp fire and taking in the infinite African night sky.
Photo Credit: Maasai Wanderings
Mandhari Lodge
Mandhari means 'view or landscape’ in Swahili and the view will exceed all expectations. If your eyes are indeed the windows to your soul, then your soul will be touched by the Spirit of Africa.
Ehlane Plains Camp
This is where the magic begins, this is where your dream of wild Africa comes alive. ‘Ehlane’ is a Zulu word which translates to ‘wilderness’. It is a clear description of the extraordinary and newly accessible location which presents forth an unsurpassed display of predators and predator activity. It is here in the Soit le Motonyi region, far from the Serengeti transit areas, that you are able to find something wild and spectacular in this rough country. The area is unique; unspoiled, silent, remote and truly exciting.
Photo Credit: Maasai Wanderings
Photo Credit: Maasai Wanderings
A Dream Come True...
"“Thank you for organizing such an amazing trip to Tanzania. Everything was first class and far exceeded my expectations. Each day I kept asking myself, how can this get any better? And each day it did!
- Cindy R., California
"The guides, the food, the service, and most of all our fellow travelers made this a trip of a lifetime."
- Colleen H., Alberta, Canada
"The accommodations were all excellent and unique, perfectly suited to the terrain we visited. For those who count, the numbers of animals, especially the big ones, were amazing."
- Tom M. and Elizabeth D., Arizona
Questions?
Great! We love talking about Safaris and Tanzania! Give our FAQs below a quick look. You might find answers there. Or email us: info@WalkingConnection.com or call us at +1 (623) 561.0846 to speak with a team member. Either way, we are at your service, so please don't hesitate to reach out!
WHAT DOES THE PRICE INCLUDE?
Gene & Jo Ann Taylor,, Walking Connection co-founders will be your hosts. •9-nights 4/5-star luxury accommodations, meals and transfers per the itinerary; •Meals per the itinerary: Breakfast-9; Lunch-8, Dinner-8. •Private tours with resident local guides eager to share their extensive wildlife knowledge, history and cultural. •Access and entrance fees to national parks. •Local beverages with meals. •Detailed “Know Before You Go” information including recommended website, reading lists, packing list, what to bring, weather and much, much more.
WHAT DOES THE PRICE NOT INCLUDE?
International roundtrip airfare or departure taxes. •Travel insurance. •Airport transfers/Transportation to the trip’s starting point. •All items of a personal nature, including beverages and shopping • Photographs or phone calls • Discounts/Refunds on any unused portion of the tour • Anything that is not expressly stated in the itinerary or on the inclusion list above.
WHO IS GOING ON THIS TRIP?
Our adventures typically have between 6 and 12 guests. Walking Connection travel experiences are inclusive for a variety of abilities of positive and like-minded guests, happy to enjoy nature, culture, history and fantastic food along the way including solo travelers, couples and friends traveling together. This trip will be hosted by co-founders Jo Ann and Gene Taylor -- Come Walk With Us!
WHAT IS THE CANCELATION POLICY?
Updated Covid Policy: Should you have to cancel your tour the following terms will apply: A full refund of your deposit will be given if we are notified 6 months prior to this trip. If your deposit was a credit from a previous trip postponement, the amount can only be used as a future credit. At the 6 month pre tour point we will evaluate the world situation as it pertains to Covid-19 and will inform you of any changes in our policy.
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