September 10 – 20, 2008

Sorry – Sold Out

Overview

In September 2008,Michael ReichmannandAndy Biggswill be co-leading a small and very exclusive group to Botswana, Africa. The goal of this safari is to photograph the breathtaking wildlife and landscapes of Botswana in a remote and luxurious setting. This will be a 10-day flying safari. We will maximize our time out on safari by flying from location to location. This will enable us to eliminate unnecessary long and dusty drives, allowing the maximum amount of time to be spent photographing wildlife.

This trip will provide the finest possible, most comfortable accommodations, along with the best guides in the industry. We are arranging for the use of a helicopter for us to photograph from.Each participant will have time to photograph the wildlife and landscapes from the helicopter. We are planning for 2 people at a time to use this helicopter for up to an hour per person, allowing ample space and time for each person to capture stunning photographs from above.These helicopter flights will make this safari one of the most unique safaris in all of Africa.

Before reading further, please be aware that because of the exotic and remote locations that will be visited, along our use of the highest quality accommodations in all of Africa, this is of necessity an expensive workshop – possibly one of the most expensive ever offered. But, there probably has never been an opportunity like this for the passionate nature photographer.

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Highlights

Program highlights:

1. This safari offers superb game viewing and photographic opportunities in some of the best areas in Southern Africa.
2. Your itinerary focuses on a real wildlife experience from the surroundings of your luxury premier accommodations.
3. The reserves you will visit offer an insight to the fantastic wildlife in Botswana. 
    
4. You will take private charter flight transfers between the camps.

5. A highlight is the opportunity to photograph the wildlife and landscape of the Okavango Delta from a helicopter.

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 The Leaders

This expedition / workshop is being lead byMichael Reichmann andAndy Biggs.

Michael is the publisher and primary author of this site. He has been a photographer and photographic educator for more than 30 years, and has taught workshops and seminars as well as conducted photographic expeditions in recent years to Antarctica, Iceland, Bangladesh, Namibia, Tanzania, China, Costa Rica and many locations throughout North America. Michael is a Contributing Editor toPhoto TechniquesandAmerican Photomagazines, and his work is found in both private and public collections worldwide, and may be viewedat his photography gallery and print studioin Toronto, Canada.

Andy Biggs is a professional African nature and wildlife photographer, who spends up to 3 months each year in Africa. Andy leads photographic safaris in Tanzania, Namibia and Botswana each year, sharing his love of Africa with his travelers.

Michael and Andy have worked together in Africa twice before, in Tanzania and again in Namibia, offering photographers highly productive photographic safari adventures.

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MOBILE TENTING IN BOTSWANA

Mobile tenting is where unspoiled Africa exists, where the special privilege of absorbing the awesome, majestic grandeur of the African landscapes and its wildlife is still possible.  

From the moment we are met, we will be pampered by our PRIVATE, professional guides. They will meet us in our four-wheel drive vehicles and will make us feel that we are on a realwildlifeexperience. The standard of guiding is extremely high.  Their philosophy is to help us experience the bush in addition to viewing wildlife in some of Africa’s top wildlife reserves.

We will have full camp service with the comforts of home. The tents are large, with insect proof windows, comfortable single beds with fresh linens and duvets, private verandas, AND private en-suite hot water shower and toilet tents for each sleeping tent.  Our tents measure approximately 12ft x16 ft. We will be brought our morning coffee before our morning game drives. We will have generators at camp, making recharging our camera and computer equipment quite easy. Washbasins are placed outside the tents and filled with hot water to freshen up before you begin another day of adventure.

On our return to the camp after a morning game drive we may have an excellent late breakfast or gourmet picnic lunch and we then may relax for a while during mid-day on the verandas of our luxurious tents. Afternoon tea and a further game drive is followed by iced cold drinks and a delicious dinner. All of our meals are excellent and are taken in a separate dining tent.

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The Itinerary

Please note that much of the text below is taken from information provided by the guide company that we will be using. Needless to say, Michael and Andy will be ensuring that our primary focus will be on wildlife and landscape photography, with alternate activities when possible for non-photographer spouses.

Teya Flaster, a highly experienced Yoga instructor (and Michael’s wife) will be along, and will provide private as well as group Yoga practice and instruction for anyone who wishes it thought the trip.

SEP 10 (WED)                                    JOHANNESBURG

On arrival in Johannesburg you will be met and assisted to your hotel which is located right across from Arrivals and Departures at the airport.  It features a restaurant, bar, fitness center and indoor pool.

Accommodation:Airport Sun Inter-Continental Johannesburg (B)

(Your hotel in Johannesburg, and flight to and from Maun, Botswana is included, as is almost every other aspect of this safari / expedition. This includes all meals, travel, transfers and accommodations, Other than souvenirs, there are no additional costs, including all gratuities).

SEP 11 (THU)                                    JOHANNESBURG/MAUN/OKAVANGO DELTA

You will return to the airport today for your scheduled flight to Maun, Botswana.  On arrival you will transfer to your private charter flight to your camp which is located in a private concession area south of Moremi within the Okavango Delta.

The camp is situated on an island and is surrounded by water and lying close to rivers, so water based activities with mokoros traversing the flood plains are offered. Walks on the island give you an opportunity to explore Africa from a different perspective.  The game viewing is consistently good all year round and the open vehicles allow day and night drives, viewing animals in the savannah areas.

Vumbura Plains Camp is a premier tented camp situated to the north of Mombo, in a private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve in the extreme north of the Okavango Delta.  The Vumbura area is possibly the only area in the Okavango where one can see Red Lechwe (an animal that inhabits the fringes of the waterways) and a Sable antelope (an animal that enjoys the dry countryside) on the same game drive.  Add in Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Cheetah and Buffalo along with all the plains animals and one has an excellent all round wildlife experience in a remote and private part of the Okavango. Birding too is great with large varieties and quantities.

Vumbura Plains has 14 tents, split into two separate camps linked by raised boardwalks and each will have its own dining, lounge and bar area. The entire camp overlooks a vast and attractive floodplain and the rooms are built under the shade of cool and shady trees.  All of the 14 luxury tented rooms are raised off the ground on wooden platforms with walkways connecting them to the main living areas. Each tented room has a large, very comfortable bedroom, a lounge, a "sala" and en-suite facilities with a shower, bath, a flush toilet, an outdoor shower under the stars, and a plunge pool.

Accommodation: Vumbura Plains Camp

SEP 12+13 (FRI+SAT)                        OKAVANGO DELTA

Enjoy two full days of game viewing activities.

Accommodation: Vumbura Plains Camp

SEP 14 (SUN)                                    OKAVANGO DELTA/MOREMI GAME RESERVE

After a morning activity you will transfer by private charter flight to your mobile camp.  On arrival at the airstrip you will be met by your private guide and vehicle.

Moremi rates as one the leading wildlife areas in southern Africa, comprising an area of 3,900 square kilometers where Mopane parkland meets grasslands, lagoons and floodplain.  This offers much scope for game viewing!  From Bodamatau you further have access to the Santawani area outside the reserve, one of your guide’s favorite haunts and a region rich in game and bird life; Saddle billed storks, Wattled cranes and a host of other water birds are found in the plentiful permanent water sources, whilst Arnot’s chats, barbets, Whitehelmet shrikes and the striking wood-hoopoes favor mopane.

At your private tented camp, tea, coffee, snacks and a well-stocked bar await you.  Having settled into you spacious, insect-proof tent, enjoy a hot shower.  Relax around the campfire and listen to the sounds of the African night.

Accommodation: Private Mobile Tented Camp

SEP 15+16 (MON+TUE)            MOREMI RESERVE

Two days of game viewing activities.

Accommodation: Private Mobile Tented Camp

SEP 17 (WED)                                    MOREMI/MOREMI – MOMBO ISLAND

You will take your private charter flight from your mobile camp to your next camp.

The Moremi Reserve offers exciting big game viewing. Herds of buffalo and elephant, the shy lechwe, wild dog and cheetah make their home in this tranquil and unspoiled area. This reserve rates as one of the best and most beautiful in southern Africa and both game and birds are diverse and plentiful. The camp offers true exclusivity and privacy in the central Okavango, coupled with abundant big game, arguably the best in Botswana.  The highlight here is the concentrations of plains game and all the predators – including the big cats! Leopard sightings are particularly good. Recently, white rhino have been introduced to this concession, making it the only place in Botswana where these magnificent animals can be seen in their natural habitat.

Mombo, a premier camp with a sterling reputation, is situated on Mombo Island, adjoining the northern tip of Chief’s Island, and is within the Moremi Game Reserve. Mombo is built under the shade of large shady trees and overlooks a wonderful floodplain that teems with game. The camp accommodates 18 guests in nine wonderful and very spacious tented rooms. The whole camp is raised off the ground. The guest’s rooms and the walkways that connect the rooms to the living areas are up to 2m off the ground, allowing game to wander freely through the camp – but at the same time allowing for guest safety.  The rooms are superbly furnished. All rooms have en suite facilities under canvas and an additional outdoor shower for those who enjoy a shower under the stars. The dining room, pub and living area overlook the open plain in front of the camp which is usually filled with game. There is a plunge pool for relaxing in the heat of the day. We will have exclusive use of Mombo Main camp during our stay.

Accommodation: Mombo Main (Exclusive use of entire camp)

SEP 18+19 (THU+FRI)            MOREMI OR LINYANTI OR SELINDA

Enjoy two full days of game viewing activities.

Accommodation: Mombo Main (Exclusive of entire camp)

SEP 20 (SAT)                                    MOREMI/MAUN/ JOHANNESBURG

After a morning game drive you will take a private charter flight to Maun where you will connect with your scheduled flight to Johannesburg. Connect with your international flight home.

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Video Filming

Chris Sandersonwho will be filming this workshop / expedition forThe Luminous Landscape Video Journal.

Naturally, we will need your consent to be filmed. Once you have registered for the Workshop we will be sending you a Release Form. This will signify your permission to be included in the filming that will be done during the workshop. We will, of course, be providing you with complimentary copies of whatever video or print material comes out of this. Of course this will provide you with a professional quality video record of this trip, something that no other workshop can provide.

Finally, I want to assure you that the filming of the workshop will in no way interfere with the workshop and the time that we spend together. Chris is an experienced filmmaker and will be shooting in an unobtrusive documentary style. Of course, as an experienced cinematographer and director Chris will be available as another resource person to all Workshop members. If you have problem with being filmed during the workshop please ask me for more information, or consider taking an alternative workshop.

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Liability Limitation

The Luminous Landscape Inc., Michael Reichmann, Andy Biggs, our instructors, guides, and cooperating agents aim to provide every participant a safe, educational, and enjoyable experience. We act solely as agents for you regarding accommodations, special activities, and travel, by any means, and assume no liability for any act, error, omission, injury, loss, delay, mishap, or damage to persons or property arising from any cause during the course of the workshop or in transit thereto. We can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in the services to be provided. We reserve the right to change our arrangements should conditions necessitate, or to cancel any aspect of the workshop due to exceptional circumstances. In the event that we deem it necessary to cancel the workshop we will provide a full refund which the participant acknowledges as full and final settlement.

As there is always an element of risk in any adventure associated with the outdoors, participants must read this form carefully. This liability release will certify that the participant is physically fit and capable of participating in outdoor photography exercises in field locations, and is fully and completely aware of any associated risks created by field locations and weather.

By joining this workshop I acknowledge that I have read the above information concerning responsibility and release The Luminous Landscape Inc., Michael Reichmann, Andy Biggs, their guides, instructors and any cooperating agent from any liability. The Luminous Landscape Inc., Michael Reichmann and Andy Biggs will assume no liability for injury, illness, or loss of personal property or expenses thereof associated with workshop participation.

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The Cost

The cost of thisall-inclusivetrip is U.S. $18,950 per person (but not including airfare to and from your home and Johannesburg). The same rate applies for each participant regardless of whether they are doing photography or not. This fee includes all in-country ground, river and air transportation, as well as hotel accommodations (double occupancy), and all meals and alcoholic beverages. Accommodations are two persons to a room. Simply fly into Johannesburg, and we’ll take care of the rest.

A deposit of U.S. $5,000 (per person) will be required when you register. A further payment of $5,000 will be due on Sept 1, 2007 and the balance of $8,950 will be due no later than March 1, 2008. If you need to cancel before Sept 1, 2007, you’ll get a full refund (less $750). After Sept 1, 2007 if you need to cancel you’ll receive back all of your money paid to that date, except $1,250, but the refund will be possible only if a replacement for you can be found.

If we have to cancel the trip for any reason you will receive a full refund of all monies paid to that date.

Please note:This trip is designed for photographers. Though non-photographer spouses are of course welcome, and alternate activities will be scheduled if possible, our primary emphasis will be traveling to the best locations for the best light, and this will often mean long days of both travel and shooting.

You should therefore only consider joining this expedition if you are a passionate photographer willing to put yourself out a bit. This is not a vacation sightseeing trip, but rather is an expedition designed for those who’ll go the extra mile (or kilometer) to get the images they’ve been dreaming about.

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What’s Next?

If you’d like to join this exclusive workshop pleasewrite immediately, with the wordBotswana Workshopin the title.

Include your name, your city and country of residence, a telephone number, and a few words about yourself and your photography. I will get back to you as soon as possible to answer any questions that you might have and to provide registration and payment information.

This workshop / expedition is open to photographers of all abilities, from working pros to newcomers, as well as non-photographer spouses. It is also very expensive – of necessity because it offers the highest quality accommodations, travel, and in-country guiding that can be found anywhere in Africa. This may truly bethe ultimate photographic safari.

We expect this expedition to sell out quickly, so if this opportunity has your name on it – don’t delay.

Sorry – Sold Out

If you would like to have your name added to the waitlist in case of a cancellation, please write.
Your name will also be added to the list for preannounce of future workshops.