by PTR Team Member Bill Lockhart

Photographs courtesy of Andy Biggs, copyright © all rights reserved.

This is the first in a series of recommended photographic seminars by the editors of Photo Travel Review Magazine.

Our purpose is to provide you with opportunities for photography and travel, ones which the editors of PTR believe are among the best offered.

We begin with Africa.  Africa, the ultimate dream of all photographers, whether it is opportunities for incredible wildlife photographs, or landscapes that fill the imagination.

So, what seminar is the best of the best?

The PTR editors have chosen Andy Biggs. When it comes to Africa, there is no other seminar provider who is better.

A photographic holiday in Africa is the ultimate dream of many photographers.  It is a once-in-a-lifetime holiday.  When one spends lots of money to experience the dream of a lifetime, one should only consider the best.

Andy Biggs is an avid adventurer, conservationist, teacher, and outdoor photographer whose photography celebrates the African landscape and its rich wildlife, people, and culture. With a deep respect and understanding for African wildlife, Andy unfolds the world of the Serengeti onto our doorstep with striking emotional depth. His photographic safaris allow the traveler to not only enhance their understanding of photography, lighting, and wildlife, but to develop a life-long admiration for Africa ‘s beauty and culture.

In 2008, Banana Republic used thirteen of Andy’s photographs as the cornerstone of their Urban Safari campaign, and his images were seen in all 750 stores around the globe, as well as in their billboards, catalogs and annual report. Andy was also the winner of the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year in the ‘Wild Places’ category in 2008.

Andy offers you lots of different locations and opportunities for photography, all the while staying in camp sites that are among the best in Africa.

A photographic safari should be about freedom for one to shoot without worrying about how many other photographers are crammed in the same vehicle.  One of the single largest mistakes that many photographers make when going to Africa is booking travel with inexperienced operators who pack many photographers into an ill-equipped vehicle, go to the same spots that all others have photographed repeatedly, and then take one to an inferior campsite.  Not so with Andy Biggs.

Andy knows what a photographer wants and needs.  Each participant has a full seat row with the ability to move from one side of a vehicle to another.  Moreover, he brings along equipment that allows photographers to recharge batteries, view their shots of the day, and clean equipment for the next day’s shoot.  As an avid photographer himself, Andy knows what to expect in harsh field conditions.  He does all he can possible to make certain that your adventure is fulfilled.

It goes well beyond the basics of what a photographic holiday is about.  The big difference with Andy’s seminars is that he seeks locations off the beaten path.  There is nothing more frustrating on a photographic safari in Africa than to find yourself surrounded with other vehicles and an assembly of dozens of tour operators all vying for space while trying to photograph a single animal.

Andy offers seminars in Tanzania, Namibia, and Botswana.  Each destination planned superbly, with outstanding tour guides and accommodations that excel beyond what one might expect on such a sojourn.

One only needs to read the testimonials from his participants to understand just how well appreciated his offerings are.

My own experiences with Andy have been extremely positive.  Through the years as associates at Nature Scapes Net, and through numerous e-mails and telephone conversations, I have found Andy to be the consummate professional.  Friendly, helpful, positive, encouraging — all describe Andy.

Bottom line.  If you have always desired to go to Africa on a wildlife safari, there is only one person you should consider going with.  Andy Biggs is that person.

What will it cost?

It depends on where you go and when.

Currently, a 12-day safari to Tanzania will cost you $8,990 per person.

What does it include?

- All Game Park fees
- All accommodations, based on double occupancy
- All meals inclusive of restaurant staff tips
- Services of guides and drivers
- Land transportation in safari Land Rovers. Each of the three rear seat passengers has a complete seat to themselves, including access to windows on both sides of the vehicle and empty seats for photographic equipment.
- Airport transfers to and from hotels
- Internal airfare from Serengeti to Arusha
- Bottled water at all times
- $30 Tanzanian Airport departure tax, if KLM / NW ticket purchased through Andy Biggs.

What is not included?

- Additional tips for staff such as guides and camp staff
- Fees for passport, visas, immunizations, and insurance
- Hot air balloon flight of $475
- Alcoholic beverages while on safari
- Laundry, phone and other items of a personal nature
- Cost of hospitalization and evacuation if necessary

If you are concerned about the costs, consider that it cost me $9,000 per person to go to Tanzania in 2005!  And I did not go with Andy.

I met many others at camps who asked about my private vehicle.  Seems they were paying $7,500 per person and found themselves in cramped vehicles with guides who only wanted to rush from one spot to another.  I considered myself fortunate.  My entire trip was privately planned and executed.

I should have gone with Andy.

Next time I will.

Photo Travel Review Magazine Five Star Rating:  Andy Biggs

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