Photography by Randy Hanna » Thomson Safaris

45 Days and Counting until Safari time.

Randy Hanna — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:31:32 +0000

It has been a cold snowy past week (actually last week) in the Seattle area. On the heals of this, the 48 hour flu ht me right between the eyes, just as I was planning to travel to San Diego to do some nature photography.

On my mind these days is my next safari in March. I’m leading a private safari focusing on Wild Dogs and Rhinos in Kenya. Operating exclusively in private conversation areas, off-roading and foot tracking will be the order of the day as we strive for outstanding up close and personal photography of these wonderful subjects. We will also be spending time with a local Samburu Village for some wonderful travel shots. Below is a shot from my recent trip to the Mara Plains area. Place this in Google Earth to see where the image was taken at:

1 24.12921S, 35 8.3947E , elev 5182ft.

Drinking in the Mara

Nikon D3s, 200-400 VR @ 200mm, ISO 320, f/8 at 1/320 sec

Cheers and happy photoing.

Safari Update – What Worked Well On My Last Safari

Randy Hanna — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 04:00:28 +0000

After each safari I consult my travelers and make a list of what went well, as well as those things that need improvement. For this post, I will highlight what worked well for us or those things that made our lives on safari just a bit better (or a lot in some cases). Before we get to the list, I would like to share the photo below. I seldom have my photo taken, but Steve was able to capture my sheer joy of being in the bush. If I had my way, I often wonder if I could find a way to simply live there.

That Safari Grin

The top fifteen tips or observations of what worked well on the last safari:

Ramadan did not pose a problem while in Dubai. Before you go, spend time learning to work around cultural events in foreign countries.
While Fairview was nice and always my first choice for lodging in Kenya however, you need to stay in the main building (rooms 3 and 5).
Transfers with additional camera equipment between Kenya and Tanzania with Precision Air, was relatively painless.
All coordinated transfers were painless.
Packing and planning well in advance for differing conditions reduced shooting stress.
Mobile camp at Senera (unit) was really special – fast response by Thomson’s to alter location to better support photography clients (BIG PLUS – these guys are simply the best).
Mobile camp at Kekogona was perfect for northern work and river crossings.
Inverters in the trucks are great support.
Amod tracking device was flawless, and worked well on rechargeable batteries.
Hyperspace worked great, less the combat card issue and having one of the units dropped which fractured the hard drive connection point.
Jerimah Beach Hotel in Dubai is THE place to stay (not cheapest)
The maps that Thomson’s provided was used often buy all of the travelers – great resource.
Difficult but rewarding hike up the side of Mount Meru. This was an optional trip for some of my travelers. Great to do if you are in shape.
English-Swahili ‘Useful Phrases, TMP Book Department – TABORA’ – the best book I’ve seen thus far.
A visit to Shangaa, was rewarding as usual.

Cheers and happy photo’ing

Safari update 25 Aug

Randy Hanna — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 03:53:20 +0000

Kogakuria Camp Site to Arusha

Weather: Clear skies with a slight cool breeze from the west.

Today was all about travel. We said our good byes to the wonderful camp staff and broke camp at 0800 for the Kogatende Air Strip to meet our aircarft for our trip to Arusha Municipal Airport. With mostly clear skies below us, it was a wonderful flight allowing us to see from above, where we had been over the past safari days. After landing in Arusha, we proceeded to Shanga River House for a killer departure lunch. Shanga as become a very special place to me, one where my face is very well known. It is such a warm feeling to recognized by the crafts people of Shanga, words can’t describe it. The mission of the Shanga River House is to teach deaf and mute native Tanzanian people a skill that will allow them to be productive members of their family. From the Shanga Web site: Shanga Shangaa was founded as a for-profit company to create a community that would support and empower those Tanzanians who have been marginalized by their disabilities. By providing an open and safe environment, disabled Tanzanians are able to realize their potential, develop new skills, build relationships based on respect and improve their own lives. Using recycled materials and producing at a sustainable level allows Shanga Shangaa to continue to expand and offer these opportunities far into the future.

Two years ago, I spent a full day at the River House doing some volunteer photography for some of their promotional materials. I will never forget how the people of Shanga helped me construct a huge sun shade for the photo shoot. It was comical to them to watch this photo guy battle the bright African sun, and we still talk about it when I visit Shanga. Today, Shanga has grown in production size, both in their bead work and in the fabric work. During my visit they the manager announced that they would soon be opening a furniture store in downtown Arusha. Please take time to visit the Shanga web site for additional information.

As we started loading up the trucks, I always remember the smile that comes across my face when I look over my shoulder and see the greeting wall, as seen below.

From Shanga it is off to our day rooms and then to the airport where the safari group splits into two groups, one heading directly home and the others heading into Kenya for two more full days of adventures.

Cheers and ulala salama

Safari update 24 Aug

Randy Hanna — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 04:47:37 +0000

Kogakuria Camp Site

24 Aug 2011

Weather: Clear skies, cool with a light breeze.

Today was about wonderful landscapes and a drive deep into the plains of the northern Serengeti in search of cheetah and rhino. Crossing the Bolognja River, it was classic cheetah country. Green rolling hillsides dotted with trees and rock outcroppings. As we paralleled the Bolognja River, we were treated to a 5 meter long Black Momba on the top of an ant mount. This makes two mombas that we have seen on this trip (green and black). With the speed that this snake went into the deserted ant mound, it is very clear to me why ant mounts should be avoided at all costs. With the Nyamalumbwa Hills on the left and Barakupes Hills to the right, we continued our drive toward the turn-off to Klein’s Camp Gate for lunch. In the distance, Kick Rock Lodge (Kenya) to the left and the rolling Barakupes Hills to rear, we could see for miles and miles. In the the morning, wildebeests were everywhere dotting the hillsides. By our return, they had moved south to a point that there numbers were very few. Returning to camp about 4pm, it was time to repack and ready ourselves for our charter flight tomorrow from the northern Serengeti to Arusha and later on-ward to Kenya. What a great day for viewing this wonderful countryside. I hope to return to do some serious landscape work around these rolling hills and kopjes.

Off to the Rift Valley

Randy Hanna — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 06:16:59 +0000

This morning we begin our journey north into the bush. Skies are overcast with a slight hint of mist in the air so the temperature is pleasantly cool. We are looking forward to our visit to Gibbs Farm, the sustainable farm that features flavorful rich coffee from organically-grown coffee beans and the most scrumptious organic meals anywhere to be found! From Gibbs Farm we’ll head to the rim of Ngorongoro Crater where we’ll visit another Maasai village and spend the night in a tented camp nestled under the canopy of acacia trees.

Until the next posting, enjoy another photo from our Maasai visit yesterday, a Maasai Blacksmith hard at work.

Nikon D3s, 70-200mm f2.8 at 70, ISO 200 f/5.6 at 1/60 sec, SB900 controlled by SU800 with diffuser shooting thru lastolight trigrip, camera right.

Cheers and happy photo’ing

Mountian Village Lodge, Arusha, Tanzania

Randy Hanna — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 17:36:20 +0000

We arrived in Nairobi, Kenya, leaving the scorching temperatures of Dubai behind us only to be greeted with rain and 65 degrees F. What a nice change to reach for the rain jacket! After a much needed overnight at the Fairview Hotel, we were off to catch our mid-morning one-hour flight to Tanzania. We arrived at Kilimanjaro Airport to cool temperatures and a serious drought. It seems the rains that normally occur in Tanzania from March through May generated rainfall equivalent to only one month of rain. This has generated very severe conditions for the majority of the farmers throughout the region. I understand that the government is taking steps to ensure that food is available for those in drought-strickened areas. In short, I think it is going to be a very difficult and long summer for many people in Tanzania. While in Arusha, we will be staying at one of my favorite lodges, Mountain Village, for two days before heading into the bush.

Early reports from the guides at Thomson Safaris indicate that the wildlife is doing well and I am expecting another wonderful Tanzanian Photo Safari. Totally excited to get this safari kicked off and spending time with my senior guide, Kelio!

Tomorrow we are off to the base of Mount Meru, where the staff at Thomson Safaris has arranged a special outing for me to take some very personal images of Maasai men and women in a village that is well off the track for most travelers. My objective in this visit is to create some images that are powerful and convey a more personal touch while documenting the Maasai way of life.

For tonight, it is all about getting the camera gear unpacked and ready for an early morning departure tomorrow. As I told my clients on the way to the room today, check and re-check, then double-check your gear. Whether it’s making sure you’ve got a fully charged battery pack, enough empty cards, or clean, smudge-free lenses, you’re better off doing all the checking in your room rather in the field where dust can get on the sensors or you find your cards are full of images and you left your hyper drive back in the room. Plan your shoot and shoot your plan.

Cheers and happy photo’ing

New Safari Dates Just Announced for 2011

Randy Hanna — Mon, 24 May 2010 01:07:55 +0000

I will be leading two safaris into Tanzania during 2011. These will offer two distinct seasons of Africa and both will feature opportunities for viewing and photographing one of the great wonders of the world, the great wildebeest migration (as long as Mother Nature cooperates). We will also pursue photography of Cheetahs, Lions, and Leopards as well as huge elephants herds and the incredibility wildlife rich and scenic Serengeti Plains. February 2011 will offer that magic splash of green that comes after the fall rains, while August brings the classic African tans and browns in the landscape. As with all of my Tanzanian safaris, I will be using Thomson Safaris for my logistical and travel support. I have used Thomson’s since my very first adventure into Tanzania and the are simply the best of the best. The proof of this is in the numerous awards that they receive and their ever-constant commitment ecotourism as well as their commitment to the indigenous people of Tanzania. Their most recent awards include the National Geographic Best Adventure Outfitters on Earth for 2008 and 2009 and the Conde Nast World Savers Award for 2008.

Jan 27 – Feb 8, 2011

Aug 14-26, 2011