Africa : Build SKILL - Rustic Pathways GAP

Are you ready for epic?
Our Southern Africa Photo Safari is just that. You will develop your photography skills amongst a variety of cultures and in the most famous wildlife areas in the world! There is a basic structure to this trip, but it intentionally lacks a definite itinerary. It is designed to get you into the most incredible places the region has to offer, and then provide the flexibility to follow amazing moments, beautiful light, and new experiences. You will travel largely by four-by-fours equipped to camp, allowing you to exist in a self-sufficient manner either amongst new communities or in the wildest corners of southern Africa.

Your journey will begin in Johannesburg, where you will dive into the history and race relations of the area with a trip to the Apartheid Museum and a tour of Soweto. You will also do a one-day intensive course in studio and commercial lighting in a private studio.
From J’berg,you will head to South Africa's Wild Coast, a rugged, dramatic region of coastal bluffs dropping down to sandy beaches. Considered some of the most welcoming people in South Africa, Xhosa communities will be where you will begin your work on the fundamentals of documentary photography. You’llthen head north along the coast, traveling through Zululand, Maputaland and along the Elephant Coast. You will visit legendary Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, known to be home to the Big 5: lions, elephants, leopards, cape buffaloes, and black rhinos. You may also have the opportunity to explore deserted coastlines and watch sea turtles come ashore by moonlight.

You will spend the next few days traveling through some of the most remote wilderness in Namibia – the Kaokoveld and Skeleton Coast. The Kaokoveld, home to the Himba people, has been described as “Namibia at its most primitive, one of the last true wildernesses of southern Africa." You will spend a couple of days at Etosha National Park, legendary for wildlife viewing. Herds, packs, prides and flocks of animals migrate across the white saline desert by the thousands. If time permits, you will also make it out to the remote Skeleton Coast, an eerie fog covered coastline where the desert meets the ocean.
From Namibia, you will fly east to Botswana. Botswana's Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve will be your destination for a true African wildlife safari! This is where you will spend your days searching out the Big 5, plus hippos, crocs, and more. You will travel by four-wheel drive, mokoro (wooden canoe), and possibly even bush plane through the watery mazes and island savannahs of this great wilderness!
To finish off this epic adventure, you’ll head to Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. No trip to the region would be complete without it!

Your instructor will be Sean McGann, a professional photographer who has traveled and photographed extensively in Eastern Europe, North and South America, and Southeast Asia, including stays in Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. Sean attended the Missouri School of Journalism. He has designed this course as one of a series of photo programs designed for the photo enthusiast. Come prepared to develop your skills through a series of assignments custom fit to your needs and areas of interest. Also come prepared to grow as a person. We expect that you will fill your portfolio with wonderful images. It is also our goal to make you more than just a hunter of beautiful images; you will learn how to imbue them with a deeper understanding of your subjects and the world around you.

For more information on this Gap Year module or any of our other extensive Gap Year offerings, please e-mail us at gap@rusticpathways.com.

Day 1 – Johannesburg

•        Arrive in the afternoon
•        Meet with guide at the airport
•        Transfer to hotel
•        Dinner
•        Initial look at student work/goals
•        Return to hotel
•        Sleep

Day 2 – Johannesburg –

            Study of Southern Africa’s history and race relations day.

•        Breakfast at hotel
•        Morning trip to the Apartheid Museum
•        Lunch
•   Afternoon tour of Soweto
•        Dinner
•        Sleep

Day 3 – Johannesburg

Today will be entirely devoted to an intensive workshop in studio lighting.

•        Breakfast at Hotel
•       Travel to studio / pro lighting workshop
•        Lunch break
•        Afternoon session
•        Dinner
•        Evening Session

Day 4 – Travel day, Johannesburg to Durban

•        Breakfast
•        all day travel to Durban
•        Lunch
•        Afternoon check in
•        Walking Tour of Durban if there is time
•        Dinner
•        Studio review/critique
•        Sleep

Days 5-8,Xhosa Villages of the Wild Coast:

From Durban we will head to South Africa's Wild Coast is a dramatic place with coastal bluffs dropping down to sandy beaches. It is also home to the Xhosa people, known also as the "red people" for their use of ochre dies in clothing. The Xohsa are considered some of the most welcoming people in South Africa. We will move into this community for a few days to work on the fundamentals of documentary photography.

There is no real set itinerary for this and other legs of the trip beyond knowing when we need to be moving on to our next great adventure. The ultimate photo adventure designed to highlight the best of every region while allowing for flexibility. We will follow great experiences and wonderful light.

The 4x4 vehicles we will be traveling in will be fully equipped to camp. They will be our living quarters for our time in the Wild Coast.

Day 6 – Xhosa Villages of the Wild Coast

Day 7 – Xhosa Villages of the Wild Coast

Day 8 – Xhosa Villages of the Wild Coast

Day 9 – Travel Day

Wild Coast to Zululand (we’ll take a break from camping, grab a hotel, bed and some showers)

•        Breakfast
•        travel
•        Lunch
•        Sunset Golden Hour assignment
•        Dinner
•        Evening “Painting with Light” assignment
•        Return to Hotel
•        Sleep

Days 10-13, Zululand to Maputaland

From the Wild Coast we will head north. Rich in Zulu history and culture, our adventure will take us for a few days through Zululand, Maputaland and the Elephant Coast. We will visit legendary Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park known to be home to the Big 5; lions, elephants, leopard, Cape buffalo, and Black Rhino. We may have the opportunity to explore deserted coastlines and watch sea turtles come ashore by moonlight.

Day 10 will be guest house accommodation. After that, we will return to the nomadic life of 4x4 exploration.

Day 11 – Zululand to Maputaland

Day 12 – Zululand to Maputaland,

Day 13 – Zululand to Maputaland,

Day 14 – Travel Day, Durban to Johannesburg

•        Breakfast
•        travel – bus to Jo’berg
•        Lunch on the road
•        Check into hotel
•        Dinner
•        Return to Hotel
•        Photo review session
•        Sleep

Day 15 – Travel Day Johannesburg – Ondangwa, Namibia

Today our adventures take us to Namibia for an unforgettable week. We will catch a morning flight to Ondangwa in Northwestern Namibia, pick up another 4x4, and Camp at Olukonda National Monument.

Days 16 -21, Damaraland, Kaokoveld, Skeleton Coast

We will spend the next few days traveling through some of the most remote wilderness in Namibia; the Kaokoveld and Skeleton Coast.

The Kaokoveld, home to the Himba people has been described as “Namibia at its most primitive, one of the last true wildernesses of Southern Africa". We will spend a couple of days at Etosha National Park where herds, packs, prides and flocks of animals migrate across the white saline desert by the thousands. Etosha is considered to be among the world-class sites for observing wildlife.

We will also make it out to the remote Skeleton Coast, an eerie fog covered coastline where desert meets the ocean. Again, we will be living out of 4x4 vehicles, following the animals and great experiences.

Day 16 – Etosha National Park

Day 17 – Etosha National Park

Day 18 – Skeleton Coast National Park

Day 19`– Skeleton Coast National Park

Day 20 – Kaokoveld

Day 21 – Windhoek

•        Arrive mid afternoon
•        Return 4x4
•        Check in to Hostel
•        Dinner
•        Evening Tour of Windhoek
•        Sleep

Day 22 – Travel Day, Windhoek to Maun, Botswana

•        Breakfast
•        Morning Flight to Maun,
•        Check in to guest house
•        Lunch
•        Afternoon preparations for Okavango
•        Dinner
•        Review session
•        Sleep

Day 23 – 27, Okavango Delta

Botswana's Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve will be our destination for a true African wildlife safari! This is where we will spend our days searching out the Big 5, plus hippos, crocs,…. We will travel by 4WD, mokoro (wooden canoe), and possibly even bush plane through the watery mazes and island savannahs of this great wilderness!

Day 23 – Moremi Game Reserve by 4x4

Day 24 – Moremi Game Reserve by 4x4

Day 25 – Moremi Game Reserve by 4x4

Day 26 – Okavango Delta by canoe

Day 27 – Okavango Delta by canoe

Day 28 – Travel day, Okavango to Victoria Falls

Before wrapping up our trip we will make a quick trip to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls.

•        Breakfast
•        Afternoon flight to Victoria Falls
•        Lunch
•        check in to hotel
•        Walking tour of Victoria Falls
•        Return to Hotel
•        Sleep

Day 29 – Victoria Falls

Breakfast
Any number of optional activities
Lunch
Final review and editing session
Dinner
Hotel

Day 30 – Johannesburg / Onwards

•        Breakfast at Hotel
•        Early morning transfer to airport
•        Flight to Johannesburg
•        Depart South Africa on connecting flights onward

An Important Note about Schedule Changes:
Rustic Pathways reserves the right to change, alter, or amend the daily itinerary for this trip at any time. Changes can be made for various reasons including changes in flight or program schedules, changes in the schedules of various external tours incorporated in our trips, the addition of new activities into a trip, or the substitution of an old activity for a new activity. The itinerary shown here provides a good outline of the anticipated daily schedule for this program. As with any travel program, some changes may occur.

A friendly reminder: To avoid delays and expensive fees on internal flights you will want to keep your checked luggage under 15 – 20 kilograms. Stick to the necessities and remember that the lighter your bags, the easier the trip.

Please remember that while the temperatures will be quite nice (70-80’s) in the day, it can get chilly in the evening. Please bring a warm layer.

Clothing

1 long pants or skirt
Underwear (5 to 7)
Socks (7 to 8) If you are bringing shoes, lightweight quick dry athletic socks work best.
T-Shirts (10) 3-5 cotton, 3-5 quick dry shirts made of capilene or polypropylene
1 light sweater/sweatshirt
Rainproof Jacket
Shorts (3-5 pairs)
Swim Suit (1 or 2) Girls please be considerate of our more conservative hosts, thanks!
Athletic Shoes. Shoes you can hike short distances in that protect your feet are best. Shoes should be quick drying as they will get muddy and dirty so don’t get too attached to your footwear.
Sandals and/or Flip-Flops. YOU WILL LIVE IN THESE SHOES IN SE ASIA. It is recommended to have a pair of strap on sandals that will not fall off in water Tevas or Chacos brand sandals work great!
Hat
Towel (NOT white) Large travel towels are great!
One nice casual outfit for Final Dinner (not too fancy or bulky)

Toiletries/Personal Items

Shampoo and Soap (preferably with little or no fragrance because of bugs) you can find non-fragrance and biodegradable soap at natural food stores and outdoor adventure stores. Dr. Brauner’s and Mountain Suds soaps are both good.
Non-Fragrant Deodorant
Toothpaste and Toothbrush
Medications (must tell staff about)
Sunscreen
Insect Repellant (2 bottles 35% DEET)
Anti-itch Cream (1 Benedryl Anti-itch Gel works great)
Hand Sanitizer (1 or 2 small bottles per week)
Contact lenses and accompanying paraphernalia
Tampons are harder to find than you may think.
Small Personal First Aid Kit (our guides will have comprehensive first aid kits on hand, but having a small personal kit is always helpful)

Band aids
Triple Antibiotic Ointment
Medical Tape
Moleskin or preferred blister care
Preferred Mild Pain Reliever
Antihistamine (Benedryl or preferred type)
2 Non-adherent, sterile dressing
2 Gauze dressing
5-8 After Cuts and Scrapes Wipes

Additional Items

Passport and Wallet. Travel Wallet that can be hidden under clothing is a good idea.
Photo Copy of Passport. 2 additional photocopies should be carried.
4-6 extra passport photos
Watch or Clock with an Alarm
Small headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries
Heavy Duty Garbage Bags (2) *for packing wet and dirty clothes/shoes

OPTIONAL ITEMS:

Deck of Cards
Small photo albums from home are a great way to make friends.
Frisbee, Aerobee, Hacky sack, Football, Soccer Ball or Volleyball

Photo Equipment, Thoughts & Ideas
                • any type of camera is fine, just plan on getting better!

                • For those of you who really don't know much about photography: WELCOME! You are in the majority and you won't feel out of place here.

                • For those of you who are more advanced in your study not to worry. Our staff our professional photographers and educators, you will improve!

                • Our staff carries computers and portable hard drives to edit and back up your photos.Film can also be purchased in larger cities such as Bangkok. However you may have to wait to get home to process it.

                • Southeast Asia is a wet environment so please have a good case that keeps your camera safe from elements like rain and dirt.

                • Film can also be purchased in larger cities. However you may have to wait to get home to process it. Please keep in mind that heat sensitive film may not make it, as there is no refrigeration as we travel.

                • We do a good deal of exploring on foot. So however much or equipment you choose to bring make sure you have a comfortable way of carrying it around

Insurance
                • If you are traveling with expensive equipment, I’d strongly suggest you have it insured.We do our best to stay in safe areas, but theft is always a possibility. Weather and accidental damage also pose a threat. Ask your parents for help! If equipment isn’t    already covered by an existing policy, Personal Articles Policies are a great inexpensive    way to protect your gear against just about anything.

                Remember, YOUR ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR EQUIPMENT

In your camera bag:
                • Extra batteries, memory cards and film.   If you are shooting with a digital camera,        consider the size of the file you shoot, ie. Jpeg or Raw, and plan accordingly, we’d suggest at least 4 gigabytes. Film shooters should estimate their daily usage.
                • Lenses – only those that your will use and want to carry!
                • A small cleaning kit.
                • Portable hard drive – if you will be shooting with a digital camera, I’d recommend a     100 gig drive. Rustic used to burn DVD’s as backup but have found that they are too                easily damaged and cumbersome.
                • Your camera’s manual.
                • A couple of small plastic bags and a small roll of duct tape - good for everything!
                • Skylight filters for each lens – every lens should have one of these as extra    protection against dirt.
                • A small notepad and pens.
                • Small, lightweight tripod – if you are interested in long exposure shots.
                • Power adapter.
                • A tripod and flash if you would like to work with them.

Do we need to get visas for this program?
Citizens of the United States do not need visas to travel to South Africa, Namibia or Botswana. If you are joining us as a national of another country, you may check with both embassies at; http://www.saembassy.org/ http://www.botswanaembassy.org and www.namibianembassyusa.org.

How do we get to the program?
Students for Skills Africa will be making their own flight arrangements.

Where will we stay?
We’ll stay at hotels guesthouses, camp-sites and game camps.

What are the accommodations like?
It depends on the day! We will be staying in guesthouses and camping. Accommodations will range from western style lodges to rural camping.

Will the students be drinking bottled water?
Yes! All water served on this trip will be bottled or filtered. Students will always be supplied with safe drinking water.

What kind of food will we be eating?
One word… delicious! We will be sampling both the local fare as well as some great colonial influenced western dishes.

Can Rustic Pathways cater to specific diets on this program?
To a certain extent, yes. If you have any serious dietary issues please contact our USA office prior to booking your trip to make sure that we can accommodate you. Vegetarians are easily accommodated.

Where will we be eating most of our meals?
Almost all of our meals will be eaten at local restaurants with some meals at friends of Rustic Pathways homes and in small villages along the way.

How often can I do laundry?
We’ll be able to wash our clothes every few days.

Are the mosquitoes a problem?
There are mosquitoes. They’re usually not too bad, but you will want to have a long sleeve shirt and long pants in the evenings. Also bring a small bottle of insect repellent containing DEET.

What will I need to spend my allowance money on?
Southern Africa is a great place to buy local handcrafts. We’ll be stopping at a couple of markets and visiting local artisans where you’ll have time to pick up souvenirs. Allowance can also be used to buy the occasional comfort food or to spend time on the internet.

What costs are not included on this trip?
This trip includes all of the student’s accommodations, in addition to three meals a day, drinking water, transportation, entrance fees and other related group entertainment costs. Optional activities, such as massages, internet use, phone calls home, snacks, souvenirs, etc… are extra costs. For this program, we typically recommend between US$100-200 per week for allowance depending on the student’s spending habits, and basic souvenirs. This can vary greatly, however, as some students may spend very little and others may spend much more if they plan on making a big purchase.

What is the weather like?
We will be traveling through this area during the winter, an ideal time to visit. Expect clear sunny days with temperatures hovering in the mid 70-80 degree range. Evenings can be chilly though, especially in the desert. Bring a warm set of clothes.

How often will I have access to email and phones?
We will make the occasional stop at an internet cafe. As we are fairly removed from civilization for significant parts of the trip, access may however be intermittent.

How many staff members will be on this trip?
We never have less than one staff member for every five students. Traveling programs generally have a ratio of 1 staff member for every 3-4 students

What immunizations do we need to get for this trip?
Rustic Pathways only requires an up-to-date Tetanus shot, however the Center for Disease Control often has recommendations that are kept updated regarding South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. Since we do not know your child’s medical history, we recommend you reference the CDC website at: www.cdc.gov or the World Health Organization website at: www.who.org for more information. We also suggest consulting with your local travel doctor prior to your travels for further information.

Are there any extremely physical or strenuous activities on this trip?
No. But be prepared to do quite a bit of walking while exploring the country.

What sort of electrical voltage adapters do I need to bring?
If you are just bringing chargers for cameras and mp3 players you will not need any adapters. If you need an adapter, look for a universal adapter that will accept almost any plug and plug into almost any style of outlet. They cost around twenty dollars and are available at office and travel supply stores.

Is there a language barrier, and will this be a problem for me?
A lot of people in the larger towns speak English to a certain degree and your local guides can help you translate. It can be a lot of fun trying to use your own made up sign language as well! People will be as interested in hearing about your culture as you are in theirs.