ETHIOPIA PHOTO SAFARI

ETHIOPIA PHOTO SAFARI

WWW.C4PHOTOSAFARIS.COM

2016

http://www.c4images-safaris.co.za

INDEXSAFARI DETAILS & PRICING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4ITINERARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9BREAKDOWN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10YOUR SAFARI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11YOUR GUIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15ACCOMMODATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16TRAVEL CHECKLIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

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SAFARI DETAILS & PRICING

Cost (US Dollar)Per person (sharing) $ 13 950Per person (single) $ 17 900

30% deposit confirms your bookingMAXIMUM OF TWELVE (12) PARTICIPANTS AND A MINIMUM OF EIGHT (8) PARTICIPANTS IS RE-QUIRED FOR THE TOUR TO PROCEED. THERE IS A MAXIMUM OF THREE UNSHARED ROOMS/TENTS AVAILABLE.

All-inclusive tour: Includes all accommodation, local road and flight transfer, all meals and drinks (ex-cluding premium brands) and accommodation, daily park entrance fees and private safari drives.

Not included: International flights, visas, purchases of a personal nature, items not included in the itiner-ary.

The above costs include

• Accommodations as listed on the itinerary• Meals as stated on the itinerary B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner• Bottled water in transport vehicles and during meals• Private ground transportation• Park and Ranger fees• National English speaking escort guide and local tribal guides• Local guide fees

Costs not included

• International airfare and/or between your home and Addis Abba• Domestic flights**• Travel Insurance• Personal purchases (including shopping, spirits, laundry, telephone calls, etc.)• Gratuities for guides and drivers• Optional extra activities not included on the itinerary• Pre- and Post- expeditions tours• Meals or accommodations before or after the tour (except as noted in the detailed itinerary)• Meals and beverages on the day of arrival, this is considered a travel day• Dinner on the last day, this is considered a travel day

INTRODUCTION

Credit: All images in the accompanying PDF are reproduced with the kind permission of Gavriel Je-can and Art Wolfe. Robel Petros was the local Ethiopian guide used by Art Wolfe and Gavriel when the images were captured by Gavriel. Robel will be the local guide on this photo tour in Ethiopia.

This exclusive, small group tour provides a rare opportunity to photograph the “best of the best” in Ethiopia.

Split by the Great Rift Valley and rippling with seemingly endless mountains, the country’s geography is as dramatic as its history and culture. Ethiopia is the cradle of our earliest known ancestors; a hub for some of the first Christians, Muslims, Jews and a last frontier for some of Africa’s most intriguing wildlife and photogenic tribal traditions.

Ethiopia is a wonderland of exotic tribes and cultural mix. In many of the areas we are travelling to, there are few roads and very little protocol with regards a ‘formal’ itinerary. If some of the tribes are not in the area when we are there, then we wont see them. To make sure we have the best opportunity to witness the Omo valley at its best, we are working very closely with Robel Petros, a local guide who specialises in the Omo Valley and has gained a reputation for running the best photo based groups in the valley. Art Wolfe uses Robel exclusively when he visits the Omo valley and Robel is a well known figure in the Omo. His reputation amongst the tribes in the valley is excellent and he is able to get us into places that many visitors cannot.

Why These Particular Destinations & Subjects?

A person can visit Africa many times to photograph its spectacular wildlife, scenery and cultures, but it requires a discerning eye to discover and appreciate photographic opportunities in uniquely iconic destina-tions. I continually seek ‘less-travelled-by-others’ destinations for each photo safari and tour and this one introduces you to destinations that reveal an Africa, you possibly may not have known existed.

It is not about seeking lions, leopards or other ‘big cats’ as I anticipate those interested in joining me on this tour will already have undertaken a number of such ‘photo safaris’ with me, or with others.

I wish to introduce you to subjects of Ethiopia, each unquestionably unique in its own right but when brought together into the one journey offers a kaleidoscopic selection of natural history, nature, travel and cultural photography. The photography you will experience on this trip is some of the richest you will find in Africa, if not the world. The itinerary is a carefully selected set of unforgettable experiences for those who dare to find them.

It has been created for photographers who have a passion for travelling “towards the edge” in search of compelling images.

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INTRODUCTION (CONTINUED)

Highlights

• Combining the northern and southern parts of Ethiopia in the one photo tour is unique and not offered by many.

• Photographing the endemic wildlife and endangered species of the Simien Mountains National Park – Ethiopian wolf, walia ibex, gelada monkey, bearded vulture, etc.

• Witnessing and photographing Timkat, – the largest and most colourful festival of Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia and one of the most photogenic festivals in Africa.

• Photograph the amazing churches of Lalibela – churches not constructed in the traditional way but hewn from the living rock of monolithic blocks and in continued use since their construction in 12th century.

• This is a true photographic journey into the “best of the best” of Ethiopia’s Omo Valley, one of the most culturally rich tribal destinations on the African continent.

• You will visit the villages of the Dorze, Kara, Mursi, Ari, Erbore, Hamar, Dassanech, Suri and Surma tribes to photograph their daily activities, stunning portraits, and timeless ceremonies.

• In one trip you will have the opportunity to photograph the UNESCO cultural site of Konso, people planting crops, herding livestock, tribal dancing, hairdressing like you have never seen, body painting, wearing lip plates, wearing beaded skins and ornate necklaces, and with a little luck being involved in a bull jumping contest.

• The tribes live in a remote locations where there are no upmarket hotels or lodges; living in a mobile tented camp is an experience not to be missed in this part of Africa. Memories of it will remain with you forever

• You will be accompanied by two experienced and committed photographers who will provide every assistance to you – Shem Compion (South Africa) and Denis Glennon AO (Australia).

• Robel Petros is one of the most experienced local guides in Ethiopia and has been the personal guide for numerous photo tours led by my good friend, Art Wolfe, the legendary US photographer. Robel has also worked with some of the leading photographers in the world. He will be our local guide for the en-tire time we are in Ethiopia. You will gain access to photographic opportunities that most others will not.

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ITINERARY

Dates Transfer AccommodationDay 1 (15 January) Arrive Addis Ababa Airport, Ethiopia & road

transfer to hotel.Radisson Blu Hotel

Day 2 (16 January) Flight transfer to Simien Mountain Park. Simien LodgeDay 4 (18 January) Road transfer to Goha Hotel, Gondar. Goha HotelDay 6 (20 January) Flight transfer to Lalibela. Maribela HotelDay 8 (22 January) Flight transfer to Arba Minch Paradise HotelDay 9 (23 January) Road transfer to Dus on banks of Omo

riverMobile tent camp

Day 12 (26 January) Road transfer to Turmi Buska LodgeDay 15 (29 January) Road transfer to Jinka Omo Eco LodgeDay 16 (30 January) Flight transfer to Mizan and road transfer

to Kibish.Mobile tent camp

Day 20 (3 February) Flight transfer to Bole international Airport Radisson Blu HotelDay 21 (4 February) Road transfer to Bole international Airport -

BREAKDOWN

Day 1: (15 January)

Arrive Addis Ababa Airport, Ethiopia. You will be met by a c4 representative and transferred to your hotel for 1 nights stay.

Day 2: (16 January)

Next morning you will be transfer via flight to Simien Mountain Park. You will be staying at the Simien Lodge for 2 nights.

Day 4: (18 January)

You will be transferred via road to Goha Hotel, Gondar for 2 nights accommodation there.

Day 6: (20 January)

A flight transfer will take you to Lalibela for 2 nights stay at Maribla Hotel.

Day 8: (22 January)

A flight transfer through Addis Ababa to Arba Minch, for 1 nights stay at Paradise Hotel.

Day 9: (23 January)

Road transfer to Dus on banks of Omo River. You will be staying in Luxury mobile camps for 3 nights.

Day 12: (26 January)

Road transfer to Turmi, Omo Valley. You will be staying at Buska Lodge for 2 nights.


Road transfer to Jinka, Omo Valley. You will be staying at Omo Eco Lodge for 1 night.


Flight transfer to Mizan & road transfer to Ki-bish, Omo Valley. You will be staying in Luxury mobile camps for 4 nights.

Day 20: (3 February)

A Charter flight to Bole International Airport, Ad-dis Ababa, where you will then be transferred to the Radison Blu Hotel for 1 night.

Day 21: (4 February)

Your last morning you will be transferred back to Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa for your International flights back home. This is the en of the safari.

YOUR SAFARI

Day 1 (15 January 2015)

Radisson Blu Hotel, Ethiopia.

Arrive at Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Met by your ground handler and transferred to the Radisson Blu Hotel for 1 nights stay, by private vehicle.

Day 2 - 4 (16 - 18 January 2015)

Semien Lodge, Ethiopia.

Fly to Gondar for our Semien Mountains Park visit. Simien Mountains National Park, listed as a World Heritage Site in 1918, is one of the more dramatic national parks of Ethiopia We will visit the Semien Mountains National Park on each of the two days while staying at the Semien Lodge for 2 nights.

Simien Mountains & Gelada Monkeys

Simien Mountains National Park, listed as a World Heritage Site in 1918, is one of the more dramatic national parks of Ethiopia. Located in the Simien Gondar Zone of the Amhara Region in northern Ethiopia, the park covers the Simien Mountains including Ras Dejen, the highest mountain in Ethiopia at 4,533m (14,850 feet). It is an exotic setting with unique and endemic wildlife and breath-taking views on a land-scape shaped by nature and traditional agriculture. The natural beauty of this region has always filled photographers with awe. With its undulating plateau and deep valleys it is frequently dubbed the Grand Canyon of Africa.

It is home to a number of endangered species, including the Ethiopian wolf (the rarest canid in the world, and Africa’s most threatened carnivore) and the walia ibex – a wild goat found nowhere else in the world. The gelada monkey and the caracal, also occur within the Simien Mountains. More than 50 species of birds inhabit the park, including the impressive bearded vulture, or lammergeier, with its 3m (10 feet) wingspan. Massive erosion over millions of years on the plateau has created one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, with jagged mountain peaks, deep valleys and sharp precipices dropping some 1,500m (5000 feet).

YOUR SAFARI (CONTINUED)

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The gelada is an “Old World” monkey, not a baboon de-spite previous naming conventions. It is the only living member of the once widespread genus Theropithecus and is only found in the highlands of Ethiopia. The present day population of the gelada is limited to the steep escarp-ments and gorges that border the eastern side of the cen-tral highlands and the north western highlands. The ge-lada feeds predominantly on fresh shoots of grass, roots and seeds. It is frequently called the “bleeding heart” mon-key as a result of the distinctive, bright red, heart-shaped patch on its chest. The gelada social system consists of a hierarchy of social groups generally made up of 1-4 breeding males, 2-10 females and their dependent young. The females tend to be closely related, have strong so-cial ties and stay in their own band all their lives. A band of gelada shares a common foraging and sleeping area and may contain 2-10 reproductive units, as well as 1-3 all male groups (non-breeding males of a young age, who remain in these groups for 2-4 years before trying to enter a reproductive unit). The ranging areas of different bands overlap, and can mix easily for a short period, without any aggression, to form very large gelada ‘communities’ or herds. These communities can be up to 1,000 strong – geladas can associate in one of the largest groups of any primate on earth. Approximately 2,500 geladas live in the park with a further 2,000 on the surrounding Simien mas-sif. The average band size is 200 geladas, providing ex-cellent photography opportunities of these rare and mag-nificent creatures.

Day 4 - 6 (18 - 20 January 2015)

Goha Hotel, Ethiopia.

We will be in the Semien Mountains National Park up until noon on day 6 and then drive to Gondar to be part of Timket festivity. The first morning there we will enjoy Epiphany and visit the famous Debre Birhan Sillasie church and the Royal enclosure in the afternoon. We will be staying at the Goha Hotel for 2 nights.

Day 6 - 8 (20 - 22 January 2015)

Maribela Hotel, Ethiopia.

Fly to Lalibela, an afternoon visit at the first cluster of the churches. Celebrating the Baptism of Christ, every January 19th (January 20 during leap year), Timkat is the greatest colourful festival of Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia and one of the most photogenic festivals in Africa. The following day has been dedi-cated to visit the rock churches. We will be staying in the Maribela Hotel for 2 nights.


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Timkat – Ethiopian Epiphany Ceremony: A Travel Photographer’s Paradise

Celebrating the Baptism of Christ, every January 19th (January 20 during leap year), Timkat is the great-est colourful festival of Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia and one of the most photogenic festivals in Africa. It celebrates the Baptism of Christ in the River Jordan. Timkat is a three-day affair and all ceremonies are conducted with great pomp. On the eve of Timkat, Tabots (models of the Ark of the Covenant) are carried out in procession to a river or pool of water where the next day’s celebration takes place. A special tent is set up where each Tabot rests as members of the church choirs chant hymns. This is accompanied by a special dance by the priests with their prayer sticks and sistera, the beating of drums, ringing of bells, and blowing of trumpets. During the ceremonies the Tabot, which is present on every Ethiopian alter (some-what like the Western alter stone), is reverently wrapped in rich cloth and borne in procession on the head of the priest. The priests pray through out the night and Mass is performed about 2:00 am the next day. Near dawn the people go to the water and attend the prayers. After prayers, a senior priest uses a golden processional cross to bless the water and extinguishes a burning consecrated candle in the water. Then he sprinkles the water on the assembled congregation in commemoration of Christ’s baptism. Many of the more fervent leap fully dressed into the water to renew their vows.

But the festival does not end there; Donald Levine describes a typical celebration of the early 1960s:By noon on Timqat Day a large crowd has assembled at the ritual site, those who went home for a little sleep having returned, and the holy ark is escorted back to its church in colourful procession. The clergy, bearing robes and umbrellas of many hues, perform rollicking dances and songs; the elders march sol-emnly with their weapons, attended by middle-ages men singing a long-drawn, low-pitched haaa hooo; and the children run about with sticks and games. Dressed up in their finest, the women chatter excitedly on their one real day of freedom in the year. The young braves leap up and down in spirited dances, tirelessly repeating rhythmic songs. When the holy ark has been safely restored to its dwelling-place, everyone goes home for feasting.

Day 8 - 9 (22 - 23 January 2015)

Paradise Lodge, Ethiopia.

After breakfast we will drive back to Addis for our connection flight to Arba Minch for one nights stay at Paradise Lodge on our way to Omo Valley.


The Tribes of the Omo Valley

For millennia, the Omo Valley has been inhabited by a kaleidoscopic variety of ethnic groups having rich and distinctive cultural identities. Tribes living in the more remote lower Omo Valley are among the most fascinating on the African continent. The Arbore, Ari, Bena, Bodi, Bumi, Dassanech, Dorze, Hamer, Kara, Kwegu, Mursi, Tsemay, and Turkana tribes are hidden beyond the cities and towns of modern life and their way of life is still largely untouched by modernity. This is a true photographic adventure into the re-mote region of southern Ethiopia’s Omo Valley; one of the most culturally rich tribal regions on the African continent. Inspired by their habitat of lush vegetation, colourful trees and exotic flowers the people use the bright yellows, startling whites and red clay soils to paint each other’s bodies to create stunningly pho-togenic body costumes which at festival times are a walking body of art. For millennia, these tribes have been sheltered from much of the modern world in a place that is still primeval, natural, and apparently ageless.

This photo tour will visit tribes on both sides of the Omo river, including spending several days visiting the Suri tribe, also know as the Surma. The Suri are the most ornate tribe, and being the most remote tribe in the Omo they are one of the least visited, but the most desired tribe for us to photograph. This is one of a very few photo tours that go to both sides of the Omo River to photograph the Suri tribe.

We will spend sufficient time in each location to ensure a deeper experience, which always produces more intimate and compelling images. As we are fellow travellers/photographers in an amazing part of the world I have retained flexibility in the itinerary to ensure we can immerse ourselves in spontaneous photographic opportunities that arise. The time spent in each village will depend on what activities are taking place and the richness of the photography. It is likely we will also meet several other tribes en route. I wish to give you the opportunity to photographically document their daily lives, capture stunning portraits, and experience some of their timeless ceremonies – truly be an experience of a lifetime!

When larger groups visit remote tribal villages, the higher the probability your subject will be distracted, another photographer will shoot over or too close to you, other photographers take too long to shoot par-ticularly special subjects and frequently another photographer will show up in your background. This tour is limited to only twelve (12) participants to ensure you come home with more intimate experiences, many memories, and much higher quality images.

The incredible photography available in Ethiopia captures a moment in time in the ancient world of people who live peacefully and close to nature in one of the most far flung, yet beautiful parts of the world. It is a special opportunity to photographically document their daily lives, capture enthralling portraits, photograph timeless ceremonies whilst feeling you are an integral part of a very special personal experience.Why These Particular Destinations & Subjects?

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Day 9 - 12 (23 - 26 January 2015)

mobile camps, Ethiopia.

Drive to the Omo Valley through several village & towns to where the Kara Tribe resides along the Omo River. On the way we will stop by the UNESCO Cultural site of Konso. Konso Cultural Landscape is a 55km arid properties of stone walled terraces and fortified settlements in the Konso highlands of Ethiopia.

Over the next three days, spend the best hours of the day photographing people in the villages as they go about their daily activates, along the river planting crops, herding livestock, and traditional tribal dancing in the evening, whilst allowing plenty of time to set up individual & group portraits. We will also visit the village of Labuke. Our mobile camp will be set up in the heart of the Omo valley which will allow us unprecedented access to village life and some of the more remote tribes. It will also allow us the unique possibility of min-gling with some of these tribes in hours when tourists are not present. Our accommodation for 3 nights are in an upmarket mobile camp in the Dus on banks of Omo River.

Day 12 - 15 (26 - 29 January 2015)

Buska Lodge, Ethiopia.

After one final morning photographing the Kara people we will drive to Turmi and the Hammer tribe. We will use Turmi as the base for the next three days of photography, allowing us to be flexible and capitalize on all the photographic opportunities in the area. During the stay in Turmi, we wilI also visit and photo-graph the Erbore and Dassenech tribes.

Turmi is notably the home of the Hamar tribe. The Hamar women wear beautiful, colourful, beaded skins, ornate necklaces and metal bangles around their wrist and ankles. They are famous for their unique hair-style, which is made up of a crown of long dread-lock braids covered in ocher.

Another tribe are the Dassenech which are a semi-nomadic tribe and they stretch across Sudan, Kenya and southern Ethiopia. They are known for their unique and ornate hair buns. In the afternoon the guides will check if a bull jumping ceremony will be taking place – which if it is a spectacular affair that stuns the senses with its energy, smells and photographic appeal. You will be staying at the Buska Lodge for 3 nights. 13


Day 15 - 16 (29 - 30 January 2015)

Mobile camps, Ethiopia.

Drive to Jinka town. Overnight Omo Eco lodge.With an elevation of 1490 meters above sea level, the town has a moderate temperature and serves as a capital of the South Omo region. The Ari people dominantly live in and around Jinka and they are the most populated in the whole Omo region. They have adapted the western clothing and their traditional huts are now replacing by the iron roof housing. Out of Jinka is where you find the world’s most fascinating tribes.

Day 16 - 20 (30 January - 3 February 2015)

Kibish mobile tented camp, Ethiopia.

An early morning drive to the Mursi village and afternoon fly to Mizan. We pass through Mago National park with a possibility to come across wildlife. The Mursi tribes are one of the most popular in Omo valley. The Mursi women paint their bodies and face in white. They and their counter cousins the Surma wear the lip plates. The larger the clay plate, the more the woman is worth before she gets married. Men of the Mursi also use white paint for their bodies and faces.

After our visit of the Mursi, we will drive back on the same road to catch our flight from the Kara land Mu-rulle to Mizan. Then a drive about 4 hours will get us at Surma/Kibish, an upmarket mobile tented camp.

We have allowed three days with the Suri people and as the Suri are pastoralists they provide an opportu-nity to visit one of these traditional cattle camps for late afternoon light photography, shooting in a variety of locations in the area - villages, streams, town, cattle camps, and where ever we find a photographic opportunity.

Day 20 - 21 (3 - 4 February 2015)

Radisson Blu Hotel, Ethiopia.

If time allows, we will have one last early morning shoot before driving to Mizan to catch a private charter (there are no commercial flights to this area) back to Addis. This will save two very long days of driving over rough dirt roads. We will return to the same hotel as when we started, the Radisson Blu hotel for our final night in Ethiopia before heading home the following morning.

Day 21 (4 February 2015)

Bole International Airport, Ethiopia.

Following a leisurely breakfast transfer to Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa.

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As well as the Mursi, with whom they are closely related in both language and culture, the Surma are well known for the large clay

plates their women wear in their lower lips, decora-tive scarification, and also because the men paint their bodies with white clay.

Each young Surma girl will cut her lip and insert a wooden ’plug’ in it. Each plug is gradually changed for a bigger one until the lip is stretched enough and a clay (or occasionally wooden) plate can be used. To make the plate fit in well, 2-3 lower front teeth have to be pulled out. Some women can wear lip plates up to 30 cm in diameter!

Today, nobody is exactly sure when and why this tradition started, although there are various theo-ries. Nevertheless, today it is an important sign of beauty and prestige, which is why most girls choose to wear a lip plate even though they are not forced to do so. Surma men have to pay their bride’s family for their wives (traditionally with cows and Kalash-nikovs) and the bigger the lip plate the better the wife, and so more expensive.

Surma tribe

YOUR GUIDE

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Denis Glennon is the creator and owner of Iconic Images Inter-national. Western Australia is now his home. Prior to establish-ing Iconic Images International he spent over 35 years in the corporate world, in various parts of the globe.

He holds graduate degrees in engineering and psychology and post-graduate degrees in science and education. In 2000 he was awarded his AO (Officer of the Order of Australia) for his significant contribution, over two decades, to environmental conservation and pollution prevention in Australia.

PHOTOGRAPHER/DENIS GLENNON

DENIS GLENNON

Shem Compion is the founder and owner of C4 Photo Safaris. He uses his intricate knowledge of travel in Africa, its wildlife and the best photographic locations to give you the best photo-graphic tour experience you will ever have.

A self-taught wildlife photographer, Shem quickly established himself as one of the best wildlife photographers in South Af-rica. His work is regularly published worldwide in magazines, calendars and books. In 2010, he supplied all 72 images to the extremely popular Africa Geographic calendar.

PHOTOGRAPHER/SHEM COMPION

SHEM COMPION

ACCOMMODATION

Radisson Blu Hotel

The Radisson Blu Hotel, Addis Ababa is located in the city center within walking distance of the United Na-tions Conference Center (UNCC). Our Addis Ababa hotel offers easy access to the city’s major businesses and organizations and is just a 15-minute drive from Bole International Airport. Tour popular nearby attrac-tions like the National Museum and Holy Trinity Cathedral. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Addis Ababa includes 204 rooms and suites with premium amenities like a separate shower and bathtub and a mini-bar. Guests can order daily specials from an a la carte menu at our on site restaurant Verres en Vers, or drink refresh-ing cocktails at the hotel’s Signature Bar. Enjoy international specialities at our Super Breakfast Buffet. Pamper yourself at the Rainforest Day Spa after a full day of work or sight-seeing.

Simien Lodge

The lodge is located at the beginning of the escarpment, about 22km from Debarak, which is the ‘frontier town’ of the Simien Mountain National Park. There are 26 main rooms. They are semi-circular, essentially half a tukel. Each room has a bathroom. The rooms all have tiled floors, which are heated a few degrees by a solar system. In between the rows of tukels is a bank of forty square meters of solar panels. When there is sun, then hot water is automatically pumped through pipes under floor, heating the room by a few degrees. However this is not intended to be a full central heating system. The lodge is at 3300 metres altitude and of course it is cold at this height, especially at night. But the system is enough to take off the chill, making the lodge a comfortable way to visit the Simiens.

ACCOMMODATION (CONTINUED)

Goha Hotel

From stunning views to historical wonders of Ethiopia, Gondar with its mysterious castles, was the 17th century capital of king Fasiledes. Goha hotel in Gondar is ideally situated on the hills of the city and a short distance away from these royal enclosures. The hotel has over 82 rooms and suites that feature excellent amenities including free high-speed wireless Internet access and flat-screen televisions. Additional ameni-ties such as swimming pool, free airport shuttle service, souvenir shop, restaurant, bar with campfire are also there to make your stay a comfortable one. Contact us anytime as we are always delighted to wel-come you to the beautiful Goha Hotel.

Maribela Hotel

Hotel Maribela is located in the heart of Lalibela Mountains. Spacious and modern rooms, all with breath-taking views of the Ethiopian Highlands. Maribela Hotel was built in a very appealing design, inspired by the famous rock churches of Lalibela. The tasteful interior decoration gives every guest the very best in La-libela hospitality. Maribela is a special name. It means Lalibela in Amharic. The term literally mean ‘honey eater’ . This name was given to King Lalibela, a saint and the builder of the city and the famous churches. Legend has it that on the day of his birth many bees indicated his future greatness by surrounding him. Whether you are enjoying the stunning sunset, having a serenade in the delightful garden or enjoying the uninterrupted views of the valleys and mountains from your room’s balcony on your daybed, you will find that Maribela Hotel offers you a genuinely restive and regenerating experience.

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Paradise Hotel

Each suite at Paradise Lodge offers guests the opportunity, experience and privacy of their own bamboo thatched hut built in the traditional Gamo style with the standard of comfort and amenities one can expect at a luxury hotel. All huts are built with a serene outdoor veranda with either a breath-taking view of the lakes or that are set in the lush gardens of the lodge grounds. Each hut is also equipped with a bathroom with shower, mosquito net, reading table and a mini bar with a complimentary bottle of mineral water. Each hut is also richly furnished with handmade furniture and decorations that embody the cultures of the locals who built them.

Mobile tent camps

Both the Luxury mobile tented camps on the Dus river bank and Kibish in the Omo Valley are spacious and have all the amendities that you would need on your photographic safari.

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Buska Lodge

Situated in the heart of Southern Ethiopia in the Omo Valley, Buska is a simple, traditional yet very com-fortable lodge. The area is home to the Hamer, Karo, Dassanech and many other local tribes making it a lovely low-key lodge from which you can explore the cultural side of Ethiopia and a rapidly disappearing way of life.

Omo Eco Lodge

Each suite at Paradise Lodge offers guests the opportunity, experience and privacy of their own bamboo thatched hut built in the traditional Gamo style with the standard of comfort and amenities one can expect at a luxury hotel. All huts are built with a serene outdoor veranda with either a breath-taking view of the lakes or that are set in the lush gardens of the lodge grounds. Each hut is also equipped with a bathroom with shower, mosquito net, reading table and a minibar with a complimentary bottle of mineral water. Each hut is also richly furnished with handmade furniture and decorations that embody the cultures of the locals who built them.

Travel documents

• Passport• ID Documents• Flight ticket/s• Itinerary

Accommodation and travel

• Foreign exchange• Credit card/s• Cash

Personal items and clothing

• Hat • Sunscreen (one low factor and one

higher factor SPF)• Sunglasses• Cotton shirts• Warm top/s• Wind breaker/rain jacket• “Inners” thin light gloves to wear on • cool early mornings• Travel sandals• Closed shoes

Personal medical items

• Malaria prophylactics if you are travelling in a malaria area

• Contact lens cleaning fluid• Copy of any medical prescriptions• Copy of prescription glasses• Note of any allergies to any medication• Mosquito repellent

TRAVEL CHECKLIST

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Camera Equipment

• Camera bodies• Lenses• Tele-converters• Body and lens caps• Plastic zip lock bags• Filters (UV, Polariser and graduated)• Batteries • Battery chargers• Camera bag• Binoculars• Digital card wallet• Cable ties• Flash-gun• Batteries for flash gun• Big Blower brush• Sensor cleaning fluid• Laptop/External hard drive • Power for external hard drive• Power adaptors • Camera manuals• Tripod• Tripod head and quick release plate• Lens cleaning cloth/s• Camera vest• Digital memory cards

1. What should I know about vehicle etiquette?

Vehicle etiquette and consideration for fellow photographers:

On all our tours we may ask participants to rotate seats in the vehicles, taking it in turn to sit in the more popular seats in the front and the less popular ones in the rear. This requirementapplies to everyone. If there is some reason why you can’t take your turn in the back of a vehicle (e.g. a bad back or travel sickness) please inform our office at the time of booking to see if we can accommodate you. We regret that anyone failing to inform us of such limitations before the tour will be expected to rotate seats in the same way as everyone else.

There is also other vehicle etiquette that we would like to ask you to adhere to. We give these guidelines to ensure a positive experience for all when on safari.

• Please keep noise levels low at an animal sighting. This allows people to enjoy the set-ting and listen to sounds that the animals may be making. Often these alert us to somebehaviour and allows us to anticipate any action that may occur.

• If you are seated in the front of the vehicle, please have consideration for the peoplebehind you. A prearranged chat at the start of the safari is an excellent way to work out how you will be photographing and working around each other. It provides a positive workingenvironment and allows everyone to photograph happily in the vehicle.

• When photographing, keep movement to a minimum. If you are going to shift places, then alert the others and do so as swiftly and directly as possible.

• Please do not do anything to effect the behaviour of the animals.

• Your driver/ranger has to adhere to certain rules and etiquette at sightings that you may not be aware of. This may mean you cannot stop exactly where you would like. Please bear this in mind at sightings, especially when there are other vehicles from other camps around.

2. What technical equipment or requirements do I need for the workshops?

For workshops a Digital SLR camera is recommended, with at least a 200mm lens to capture wildlife im-ages. A laptop for downloading is also helpful, although we can download image if necessary. On a Photo tour, two DSLR camera bodies and lenses are advised. The type of lenses you take depend entirely on the destination. We will advise according to each tour should you need advise.

3. Are there any extras I need to bring on a trip?

Most of our tours are all inclusive and we offer advice as to what to bring along. This is due to the differ-ent seasons and conditions of each safari. C4 Photo Safaris will always advise if you will be travelling in a Malaria area. If the tour is not all-inclusive, it will be clearly stated.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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4. Why do you choose such specific destinations for the Tours and Work-shops?

Each destination is hand picked by us for the beauty and photographic potential it holds. C4 Photo Safaris only travel to destinations that offer the best of what we are looking to photograph. If we know an area holds excellent wildlife, we will take tours there. There are many factors to consider- Seasonal variation can have a large impact on wildlife movements, animal and bird migrations, localised animal movements etc. We of course take all this into consideration, ensuring that our tours are going to the best locations at the best times.

5. Is there any cell phone reception in the areas?

In most game reserves and wild areas there is no cell/mobile phone reception.

6. How safe am I in the game reserves in Africa?

C4 Photo Safaris only operate with lodges and reserves that use the best rangers. They ensure your safety whilst on safari and use very strict procedures when dealing with dangerous animals. Each lodge has a safety briefing on arrival which, if adhered to, makes your stay very safe.

7. What insurance/coverage do I need?

Your normal travel insurance covers you for safaris in Africa. C4 Photo Safaris are comprehensively in-sured for medical emergencies on safaris.

8. For Malaria, which tablets should I take, if any?

C4 Photo Safaris are not allowed to prescribe medical advice to clients. We will advise if the area visited is in a malaria area. You will need to consult with your local GP for medical advise on Malaria and prevention.

9. What about allergies?

Most safari camps are able to handle food allergies but not with the degree of skill that five star hotels do. The best way to handle an intolerance, is to simply avoid eating that particular food as the menus in camp are quite diverse. If you have a more uncommon allergy, like being allergic to eggs, and you know of a so-lution (like a powder substitute), then bring it along on safari. If you have a deadly allergy, then be sure to travel with your own medication and request in camp that the ingredient be removed from the kitchen and the store. As a side note, it is helpful to remember that many safari camps have to fly produce in or truck it in, over hundreds of miles. Furthermore, the camps, although impressive looking, actually have minimalInfrastructure behind the scenes. If you assist the camp in managing your allergy, it will be a great help.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (CONTINUED)

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10. What about medicine, diseases and vaccinations?

Please check in with your local travel clinic or doctor for advice. From my experience, a yellow fever and hepatitis vaccination is a must, while the plethora of others are optional. Our safaris are conducted in low risk malarial areas but for your own peace of mind, we recommend that you take a prophylactic. In areas where you get tsetse flies in East Africa, humans are not the primary disease carries, and contracting Tr-yps is very rare. There is nothing you can do about these flies except to dress appropriately (keep reading) and to apply mosie-guard. None of our current safari destinations carry significant amounts of tsetsi flies. The camps do have medicine kits and there is always an evacuation plan. We do howev-er find it practical to always travel through Africa with the following items: Immodium (keep this handy when travelling) - Buscopan (for tummy cramps) - Pain killers (that contain par-acetamol and a muscle relaxant) - Antihistamine cream and tablets for any allergic reactions - Melatonin to help speedy recovery from jetlag - Any medicine or ointments that you would normally take at home - Mosquito repellant - A product called Mosie-guard for areas where Tsetsi Flies occur (manu-factured in the UK and Deet does not work) - Tweezers for any thorns or splinters - Re-hydrants sachets (very important) - Disinfectant or antibiotic cream (just for nicks, cuts or grazes) - Plasters (to cover nicks, cuts or grazes)

11. Can I drink water and eat fresh produce on safari?

We advise that you only drink bottled water, which is always available in camps. Avoid ice as this is often made from local water which although is generally safe to drink, your foreign tummies might disagree! It is safe to eat fresh produce.

12. What about food on safari?

Both East and much of Southern Africa was a British colony and as such, you can expect that type of cuisine. The breakfasts usually consist of cereals and a hot English breakfast. Lunch-es are usually light with a variety of salads and always a meat option. Dinners are traditionalEnglish affairs usually with a soup starter and freshly baked camp bread. The main course will usually be a roast of sorts, with vegetables. Dessert is usually a simple affair consisting of fruit or a baked pudding. You will not go hungry! (A side note to mention is that between meals there are often not snacks readily available and breakfast is often only later in the morning. You might want to bring a few snacks or energy bars if you have a problem keeping your sugar levels up.)

13. Any luggage restrictions?

The reality is that on any scheduled charters in Africa, there will be luggage restrictions. Short of charter-ing your own flight (which we can do), our advice is to bring only the essential camera equipment. Having too much equipment can actually hinder your photography. Also, you can get washing done in camp and with a fairly moderate to hot climate, you can afford to pack light. In short, bring fewer clothes so that you can bring more camera gear! Depending on the safari you book, we will be able to advise you on exact weight restrictions.


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14. What amount of spending money should I bring along?

Our tours cover all travel, food and accommodation costs (unless otherwise stated). This means that spending money can be kept to souvenirs, curios and books. This normally amounts to Euro 10.00 per person per day.

15. Commercial representation and wildlife photography consulting

C4 Photo Safaris has the full capacity to plan and run commercial photo shoots for professional cli-ents. We are able to supply you with the best guides in the wildlife photography industry as well as organize and run all your ground handling logistics for the shoot. Our knowledge of African travel lo-gistics combined with our specialized knowledge of wildlife and the best places to photograph them, places us in the perfect position to plan and run your commercial shoot. Please contact Shem with your request. Additionally we can supply photographers for the shoot where they would work un-der the production name. On all tours with c4 images and safaris, our guides have the right to take photographs. Their goal is to get you into the right position and tutor you into getting the best pho-tograph. Once they have done so, they have full rights to take their own photographs. The rights of the guides and all of their images remains with the individual guide who took the photographs. No other person has any rights over the photographs taken by a guide representing C4 Photo Safaris.


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SHEM COMPION (SOUTH AFRICA)

Cell Phone: +27 82 063 9146International: +27 (0) 12 344 6681Email: [email protected] www.c4photosafaris.com