Bookings open for 2012

We look forward to another exciting year for Creative Escapes in 2012.

MaraWEEKEND WORKSHOPS

Our weekend workshops in the Eastern Free State are planned as always for the seasonal changes in the area.
16 – 19 March: Cosmos
20 – 22 April: Golden Poplars
22 – 24 June: Ice and Snow in Lesotho

Always popular as these are ‘hands-on’ weekends where photographers have the opportunity to ‘shoot’ in the field as well as participate in motivating lectures on photography and creativity.

Cost: R3,000 per person sharing.

TOURS IN AFRICA:

Namibia: 26 May – 5 June 2012
Kenya Masai Mara: 8 – 15 September 2012

MaraNEW FOCUS: Namibia in 26 May – 5 June 2012

We look forward to our new tour to Namibia in 26 May – 5 June 2012. We visited this area again in 2011 and were so impressed by the superb service, remarkable photographic opportunities and friendly inhabitants that Creative Escapes has personalized a tour for photographers and guests who are interested in all aspects of nature. The excursion includes Etosha National Park, Damaraland and Kaokoland with opportunities to photograph the Damara and Himba people as well as the desert elephants.

Namibia is a vast country even by African standards and offers blue skies, wide horizons and great photographic opportunities, It covers an area approximately four times the size of the United Kingdom and is situated on the south-west coast of Southern Africa. Named after the Namib desert it is renowned for breathtaking landscapes and unique wildlife experiences. The diverse areas consist of the Central Plateau, the Namib Desert, the Bushveld and Kalahari Desert.

The untamed mountain scenery and uniquely adapted wildlife offer photographers remarkable opportunities. The accommodation in the camps is often tented with superb views of the surrounding countryside, which provide more opportunities for excellent photography.

Cost: R36,000.00 per person sharing. This includes airfare, all ground transport, accommodation, most meals and excursions.

MASAI MARA:Mara

Of course a visit to our ‘second home’ in Kenya is essential and if you haven’t yet experienced the wonder of the migration perhaps this is the year to join us. The annual wildebeest migration is a marvel to experience and in the comfort of our own game vehicle and personal guide, this is an ideal game photographing and viewing experience.

2012 dates: 8 – 15 September.

Cost: US$ 4,620.00 per person sharing. Airfare extra. Includes accommodation, meals, travel arrangements in Kenya.

Bookings are open for all workshops and tours. Creative Escapes has a policy of small, exclusive groups so we suggest you book early to avoid disappointment.

Please contact Anne-Marie for further details and bookings.

We send warm greetings to you and your family and thank you for your continued support.

David and Anne-Marie Moore

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12/12/2011

Travel Destination Log

 

‘The Mara works its Magic yet again’. Mara

 

The Mara works its Magic yet again While flying home from another wonderful Masai Mara tour, I glanced out of the window to view the clouds which surrounded the aircraft in puffs of soft white candyfloss and reminded myself how fortunate we are to visit the Mara every year.

Each year gives us another aspect of the vast savannah. The wildebeest were as prolific as ever. They played their usual ‘should we – shouldn’t we cross’ jostle until they suddenly decided to begin their perilous crossing. The rivers flowed strongly and we had some spectacular waves of wildebeest merging into the wild water. As always there were very few casualties, mostly all reached the further river bank.

We chose to visit some historical sites. These included ruined castles, stone obelisks and stories of magical myths and legends. St George and the dragon, the Ark of the Covenant and the source of the Nile are some facets of this enchanted land.

We shared in mystical early morning ceremonies, rock climbs to churches and a day near volcanic springs too hot to dip our fingers.

Ethiopia’s people are the gems of this ancient land. Friendly and helpful as the pride of their heritage shines through all they do.

Together with spectacular scenery, rock-hewn churches and colourful ceremonies our exploration could not have been more remarkable.

David took nearly 8000 images, I a mere 1200, however we will remember the call to prayer in Axum, the steep, deep climb to the churches in Lalibela and the green landscapes which cloak this magnificent country.

Sidebar Menu

Wise Words

"Twelve significant photographs in one year is a good crop." Ansel Adams 

Photographic Tips

  • The Indispensable Tripod
    In macro photography a tripod can be particularly useful, even if you’re just shooting with a compact camera. Keeping your camera still not only improves your shots (getting rid of camera shake) but it allows you to play around with different settings without losing your composition.
  • DJ Tripod
  • The rule of thirds is an essential photography technique. It can be used in any subject to improve composition and balance.
  • Negative space is the area between and around objects in the view finder. Use it to see shapes and size more effectively.
  • Try sitting on the ground to take a photograph and view the world from a different angle.

Links

Wise Words

"You don't take a photograph, you create it." Ansel Adams 

Kenya 2010

Kenya

Without doubt every time we return from Kenya we say 'this was the best time ever'! Again we had a remarkable time during our two weeks of travel from the Mara to Samburu and back.

The Masai Mara was its spectacular best. We witnessed an attempted cheetah kill. With the cheetah loosing to a small gazelle who out-maneuvered the agile cat with deft jumps and dives. We watched in amazement as the score ended 2 to Gazelles and 0 to Cheetahs. Of course the photographers captured some exciting action images. In fact at one stage it sounded like a war zone with the motor drives stuttering at high speed.

As always our stay was too short.

We plan to visit these remarkable new reserves and sanctuaries in June 2011. Why not have a look at the itinerary and think of joining us?

02/07/2010

Wise Words

"There are always two people in the photograph, the photographer and the viewer." Ansel Adams 

News Scatterlings

Gift Vouchers

Updated on 06/11/2010

Coupon

Why not give the gift of photography to your camera-crazed friend or loved one? Gift vouchers now available! Contact Anne-Marie for more information. Please check our website for dates, details and costs.

Lesotho 2011

Updated on 12/12/2011

‘Winter is the time where the skeleton of the Earth can be viewed in stark reality’. Lesotho

 

The saying ‘cold to my bones’ I thought only referred to people who lived in the northern climbs, I’m sure like us, you have felt the very cold winter we have experienced in South Africa this year.

When we were packing for the Frigid Winter Wonderland weekend in the Eastern Free State we shook our Antarctic gear and were most delighted to don our ice-proof jackets, ruffs and polar fleeces.

The Eastern Free State is stark and grey. The poplars poke their iced fingers into clear sapphire skies and early morning air bites your cheeks. Ideal weather to cross the border into Lesotho and capture the frozen waterfalls and snow piled in mountain drifts.

The Eastern Free State is stark and grey. The poplars poke their iced fingers into clear sapphire skies and early morning air bites your cheeks. Ideal weather to cross the border into Lesotho and capture the frozen waterfalls and snow piled in mountain drifts.

Photographers braved the chill to spend a full day taking image after image of crystal waterfalls and blue reflected streams. All iced perfectly for photography.

Hot food and warm welcomes awaited the group as they returned on Saturday evening.

Sunday was equally successful for the photographers as they took iced dams and skeletal poplars.

We all enjoyed a convivial weekend enhanced by renewed friendships and great photography.

Rose Cottage

14/07/2011