Tanzania & Zanzibar

[Terry Hull]

Will be going these two places to support a family member climbing Mt. Kili as a fund raiser in mid January. My questions mostly relate to Zanzibar where I would like to take an Ebony SW 45, but not sure if it would generate too much interest. I like to photograph natural and commercial landscapes, buildings, and people. I know it will be hot, but any other thoughts on how camera friendly the citizens are, security, etc.

While I enjoy seeing the animals, and have done so in other parts of the African continent, wildlife photography is not my main emphasis.

Thanks.

[Steven Tribe]

I would suggest you do a good general search about current stability (Africa To-day - magazine?). There has always been a underlying problem about the inclusion within the mainland countries and the Islam heritage. I don't think it is currently as unstable as Madagascar, though.

[Ron Marshall]

When are you leaving?

Our daughter will be there in four weeks; I'll pass along her reports.

[mdm]

A super, fantastic place for a LF camera. I have never been there myself, but I suggest that you check your travel insurance covers your camera gear adequately if it were stolen. I believe I would be more wary on the mainland than the island. The light is stunning in the evening and morning in the tropics but it moves very quickly so you have to be organised. There seems to be a large expatriate community in Tanzania, and you will find some blogs written by people living there if you search, that can give you some idea of what you will find.

http://elizadeaconphotography.blogspot.com/
http://ngorobobhillhouse.blogspot.com/
http://www.getaway.co.za/destination/zanzibar

[Terry Hull]

Ron-Leaving mid January for two weeks. Thanks

[Steven Tribe]

Discussion on "lonelyplanet" suggests it is just like all the other Developing countries.

-Safety in numbers.
-Money belts and decoy wallets with a little cash.
-Careful in very busy places and very quiet places.
-Hold on to valuable items.
-Keep away from touts and "night life".

[jeroldharter]

Long time since I was there. Got robbed/shaken down for money at the border. It was my tax for being an idiot though. Beware of crowds of men (I guess that is true anywhere). Around Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, things are touristy and easy. The rest of it was a poor, Muslim, socialist country. So lots of miserable, unhappy people to take pictures of. Parts had tsetse flies which are impressive beasts. I got my first botfly bite in Selous. The roads were awful and dusty. So Tanzania would not be on my top 10 list for large format.

Zanzibar is different. I have never been so hot in my life trying to sleep in some concrete block hell hole on the east coast. They shut down the power while you are sleeping so the ceiling fan stops and you wake up in a sweat. The east coast had some of the most beautiful beaches in the world though, especially at dawn. We ate lobster every night and ate a lot of coconut doughnuts - the weather was boiling hot though.

I admit I am out of date. From what I have read, it might be better.