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Our week was particularly hot, as temperatures in the high 30’s swept over France. This probably made the hills a bit more of a challenge, but they are achievable since the bikes are very good and have plenty of gears.
We would recommend this holiday, the cycling distances are all less than 50k, taking us through stunning scenery and pretty villages.
We were well briefed by the Headwater / Exodus staff and when we had a problem with the bike that needed assistance, they came to us within 10 minutes.
The first hotel is without doubt disappointing, cramped and poor facilities. However the restaurant next door at La Veille Auberge is excellent.
Les Glycines and Le Moulin de Mitou were fantastic with great pools, nice rooms and outstanding food.
On our free day at Eyzies de Tayac we hired a canoe from just outside the hotel and paddled for 18k although other longer and shorter distances can be arranged.
Le Moulin de Mitou has a wonderful atmosphere. The owners are charming and speak very little English. We cycled both days and spent the afternoon by the lovely pool.
Clare and Keith were great. The briefing was spot on.
Expect the hills. On one day you start with 3k of gradual uphill. Cycle early if it is hot.
Staying at Kicheche Mara Camp in Mara North Conservancy with stunning views, delicious food and formidable staff, this safari didn’t disappoint with wide range of photographic opportunities from unbelievable skies to amazing wildlife. Size of group was larger than Bush Camp but very well managed, and being with like-minded people, I had a great laugh on game drives and in the camp.
Difficult to say as we were lucky to have no fallow time, each day was different but equally astounding. My favourite moment was when our vehicle were the first to find a cheetah and her 4 juvenile cubs all bundled up in the morning sunlight, their eyes were glinting and they all looked stunning. Seeing the Milky-Way early morning was also a magical moment. Amazing leopard sighting in the open and failed warthog chase, lioness up a tree, 1 day old lion cub hiding in the bushes, hunting cheetah and ensuing steal from the hyenas, thunderstorm on one side and fiery sunset on the other, playful tiny elephant calf, I could go on and on...
Like him or not, you can't deny that Paul works hard to give you loads of photographic opportunities. Along with all the experienced guides positioning the vehicles to perfection, he will make sure that you are at the right place at the right time and he always delivers. Don't be afraid to ask questions or show him your photos, you will get a strong opinion but you will learn. I also appreciated the extra effort to wake up even earlier to photograph the stars and to accommodate the large group.
Travel light (free laundry and excellent beauty products) but bring as many lenses as you can, for Nikon 80-400mm gives you great flexibility and a wide angle. Take a fleece and a light wind/waterproof jacket. Swap tips and advices with other people. Also find out what they like to see/photograph so you can pair up in the vehicles accordingly. Take a laptop and an external hard drive to save your photos and process them at the same time on Lightroom. Know basic photography and your camera, make sure you have the correct settings and the correct lens when you approach a sighting. If you're not ready, you can easily miss the moment. Take your eye off the viewfinder and take it all in, enjoy the surroundings. Engage with your guide, they are all very friendly and know the Mara inside out.
When we started serious travel over 20 years ago the USA was never near the top of our agenda, to be honest it was never on our original list of must see places at all. However with the developing world reasonably well covered our time had come to visit our cousins across the pond. We started our holiday with a couple of added days in San Francisco. Highly recommended. It is a city easily negotiated with local transport and there are sights not to be missed. You can reach the Golden Gate Bridge from the city centre using local buses, ask for a transfer and, if a senior, accept a substantial discount and proffered seat. A return walk across the 1.7 mile span of the bridge is invigorating and gives magnificent views of the harbour. Have care for the trendy cyclists who, head down, pedal the pathway looking only to knock seconds off a previous best. Cable Cars are a nostalgic way of getting to and around downtown, the boardwalks and Chinatown. The Californian line, which is the least crowded, ends close to the Holiday Inn where day passes can be purchased. With stops every couple of blocks you can hop on and hold on as the locals always did but expect to queue in the most popular spots. The National Parks visited on the tour are magnificent and each very different with a range of walks and activities to be savoured individually depending upon fitness and ability. We cannot, as others, tell of the elation of reaching Angels Landing, wallowing waist deep in the Zion Narrows or descending perilous tracks into deep canyons. However we can recount we had some wonderful peaceful hikes in breath-taking locations at our own pace and distance. Free shuttle buses are operated by park authorities which make it possible to link easy-going and moderate hiking routes to viewpoints and to otherwise enjoy full days in the park. Monument Valley, Death Valley, Lakes, Dams and the sheer magnificence of scenery just kept rolling out ahead of us as we journeyed on through what is really just a small part of the west of this immense country. We are not hedonistic travellers, preferring natural wonders and historic edifices of an ancient world than modernity, so Las Vegas held little lure for us but we were to be dumfounded by its temples devoted to Lady Luck. Based in a prestigious central hotel we were well placed to explore every other luxurious resort on The Strip. We went to Paris, Venice, Rome and Egypt all in the course of one day and two evenings. Each vista faithfully reconstructed with no expense spared, such are the profits of the relentless gaming which epitomises this city. Unbelievable! We just loved it! The final day was a drive across desert to Los Angeles where this particular trip ended at Custom Hotel LAX with an immediate evening flight for UK participants. Again we added to the schedule, pre-booked two nights there and once more made use of local transport. We joined the old hippies and young things at Santa Monica Pier, the end of Route 66, and also chilled out on Venice Beach and Boardwalk. 'They playing our song Gal?' 'Yea Man!'
Monument Valley is truly inspirational but the Grand Canyon however must be our highlight, it is after all, well, much grander than the others. Awesome! You will hear this said a lot on your travels but this is really what the word is all about. You may feel the helicopter trip is a very expensive option but we took it, really enjoyed it and have no doubts whatsoever as to money well spent.
On these trips driver and courier are one, not an easy role with many long day's driving followed by checking in and admin procedures. Ron Prince was a safe and patient driver and organised the days well. He periodically stopped at (super)markets so that we could buy breakfast foods, drinks etc. whilst he shopped with the luncheon kitty. This made a great difference to the economies of the trip and the daily picnics he planned became a feature of each journey.
If there are two things we UK travellers cannot get our heads round its bargaining and tipping. The good news is you don't bargain in the West except perhaps at a local Trading Post, but then why just hit on the indigenous people? However tipping is a part of a culture you must quickly embrace especially in the leisure industry, where staff who provide services essential to your trip are poorly paid. Simply put, it is the anticipation of a generous tip which elicits the high standard of service which exists and conversely it is deserved. Not to adequately tip your waiter, maid, driver etc. on the basis of personal economy is both unfair and insulting. Unless of course you have had poor service in which case it is customary to say why you think this is so.
A fantastic trek through magnificent mountains. Good campsites and great organisation from the support leader made the accommodation arrangements very comfortable for a camping trek.
Crossing the two major cols into and out of Italy, whilst enjoying splendid views of Mont Blanc and the Grandes Jorasses.. Reaching le Brevent in searing heat to complete the tour. The bottle of fizz carried up the mountain by the guide was an unexpected bonus!
Charming and enthusiastic - kept us to timetable and on course, despite a few obstacles to progress. Very impressive mountain skills.
Get fit - it's a demanding trek and we enjoyed it all the more because we'd worked hard to prepare ourselves. Age is no barrier as long as you can climb the equivalent of Scafell on several days in succession.
An excellent holiday. The team worked tirelessly to give us the maximum opportunities to see the animals and their understanding of what photographers want was amazing. The food was first class and the tented accommodation was a revelation to me. Very comfortable and the staff made every effort to ensure our comfort. I am delighted with some of the photographs I have taken.
Seeing the animals in their natural habitat , being positioned in the best positions to photograph them. The camp and the food were much better that I had expected.
Paul, though unconventional, has taught me a lot about wildlife photography. He worked really hard to ensure that we got inspirational photographs. His photographic work and encouragement was excellent.
Try to get a kit list for what photographic gear you need to take ,i.e. which lenses. Be prepared to take the minimum of clothes and use the laundry service. Take shoes which are easily removed for use in the vehicles.
A really enjoyable holiday
This is a beautiful part of Spain
Alexis is a wonderful group leader
Enjoy!
A special photographic trip to the Masai Mara led by Paul Goldstein.
Really difficult to pick out one moment as there were so many. Every day brought new and different experiences from following a pride of lions with many cubs, the plight of a cheetah with four juvenile cubs trying to compete with hyenas for food, and spending time with a wonderful leopard climbing up a tree and a clumsy lioness trying to get down from one.
Paul Goldstein is a recognised wildlife photographer and is a passionate and driven leader. There is no time to hang about when he is leading. He simply gets you to where the photographic opportunities are most likely to be and this is no mean achievement given the nature of wildlife. He expects a lot of himself and those that go on his trips. He is not everyones cup of tea but if you want to see and learn then you will be in for a treat.
You must understand the basics of photography and be able to adapt and quickly alter camera settings in order to get the most out of this trip. The days are long, five am till seven pm, and by the end of the trip you will be tired but very happy. This is not a trip for beginners in wildlife photography as events change so quickly and you have to be ready and prepared to change settings in order to get the best out of this trip. This is an expensive holiday and to get the most out of it you will need good gear. Any doubts hire a couple of big lenses
Excellent introduction to Cuba. Great variety of activities in 8 Days covering Western and Central Cuba. In spite of this the tour felt relaxed.
Cuban Music eating outside at local houses in Trinidad
There’s so many positives to say about this safari. We stayed at Kicheche Mara camp, and it was a stunning well maintained camp with spectacular views. The food was phenomenal, and the atmosphere around the camp was great – partly down to our group, but also down to the way the camp was set up.
The wildlife was spectacular. I’ve done 4 safaris, and whilst the Classic Tanzania safari was very good, this one is completely next level. The aim of identifying one target for the day, then staying with them all day is the future. We sat with Cheetahs on hunts 3 times, we saw a Leopard on a hunt once, we saw Lions with cubs playing almost every day, we saw Cheetah cubs playing 2 days and we had amazing sunsets and thunderstorms that contributed amazing sights and photography opportunities. In Summary, I will be booking to go on this trip again next year I suspect.
Seeing a Cheetah run at full pace. Been an aim for me on all previous safaris and this one delivered it - 3 times. As well as that, we were in the prime position for each of the bursts. What an amazing sight - I’m still lost for words.
Quality. You’re time in the vehicle with Paul is hard work, I’m not going to lie. A constant stream of instructions with the sloe desire of getting you a phenomenal photo mean that you’re often under pressure. At times you do need a strength in personality to believe in what you’re doing, and marry it with some of the instructions. However, if you want to be in position to get the very best photos in Africa, then Paul delivers every time. There’s plenty of laughs, plenty of chance to have discussions, and plenty of chance to get a view on your photos - a strong view on whats good and what can be improved is sure to follow. Everything you’ll read in the other reviews is correct - if you take comments to heart, if you hold grudges, if you don’t want to have times when you’re under pressure to get the best photos - then take the advice on board.
Don’t worry too much about weight limits within reason. My hand luggage was weighed at Heathrow (Too heavy had to repack) but after that it wasn’t weighed at all. Take the equipment you feel you need to take the best photos. Take a small tripod for shooting the Milky Way - just don’t take it in the vehicle. Using big lenses requires flexibility - you often have to cram into small areas to get good shots (I’m 6ft 3 and a big build - this was at times tough to do) so consider taking a smaller lens - maybe the 100-400 Mk II. Take a good wide angle lens - it’s vital, and a good polariser too. The laundry in camp is brilliant - it was easy to survive on 1 change of clothes - be warned though - it’s very cold at 5am in the morning - a wind proof jacket was very useful. Take a small laptop to edit your photos on - this allows you to get the best out of Paul’s Clinic - and ask questions - they’re only opinions at the end of the day, some will help you get better, others you’ll disagree with and discard.
WOW. Magnificent stunning scenery. Mountain peaks to die for and very pretty traditional towns and villages along the way. An area certainly worth spending time in. It was a wonderful experience to be with a lovely group of equally appreciative and friendly fellow walkers and to enjoy it all in their company.
To realise that I could still climb and walk a ridge and also do a small grade (not dangerous enough to be clipped on but thrilling nevertheless) via ferrata. I may be aging but I am no dinosaur just yet !!
Eric had confidence in me...............so I had confidence in me. I thank him for the help and tips he gave me along the way.