Gelada Baboon Extension 2015

Oct 13 -17, 2015

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The Simien Mountains are, quite simply, spectacular, with ridge after ridge of sculpted cliffs, extending to the horizon; home to the exotic Gelada Baboon and a world heritage site. At night, the Gelada drop over the edges to sleep huddled together on ledges, a strategy to avoid predation by leopards. Shortly after dawn, in beautiful morning light,  large troops, sometime several hundred strong, climb over the top and begin to feed, an extraordinary experience. Geladas are visually sticking with long golden manes, like a lion, and a big red heart on its chest.  “They cry out to be photographed.”

You will have an incredible intimate experience with these exotic baboons, which rivals the experience of the Mountain gorillas. In a short amount of time you will find you can get so close, you can lie on your belly, using a wide-angle lens, to capture stunning portraits just a few feet from them. They let you sit quietly in the middle of their troop, which can number up to 400. With their falsetto cries, explosive barks and soft grunts, geladas have one of the most varied vocal repertoires of all the primates. There is continuous activity, creating constant photographic opportunities. Just watching their behavior is entertaining enough. Spending time with Geladas is nothing short of an incredible life experience.

Top photographers have traveled great distances just to come to experience and photograph these baboons, sometimes staying up to a month. This incredible experience is offered exclusively as an extension to either the Tribes of the Omo or the Best of the Omo.  This extension is open only to 6 Participants! Last year several of my images of the Gelada’s made the finals in the BBC wildlife photographer of the year awards.

 

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ITINERARY

Day 1 – Oct 13, 2015

Arrive at Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  You are met by our ground operator and transferred to the Radisson Blu by private vehicle. Enjoy a relaxing evening in a modern, luxury, hotel after your long flight.

Overnight at the Radisson. BLD 

Day 2 – Oct 14, 2015

After an early breakfast, we will be transferred to the airport for our flight to Gondar.

You will enjoy a scenic drive up to the Simens Mountains

There will be time to settle in before we go out for our fist incredible encounter with the Gelada Baboons. Afternoon photographing the Gelada Baboons.

Overnight Siemens Mountain Lodge. BLD

Day 3 &4 – Oct 15 &16, 2015

We will have two full days with the Gelada Baboons in different locations, environments, backgrounds, and lighting.  You will also have the option to photograph some of the local people in the picturesque simians mountains.

During the midday, we will have time for image review.

Overnight Siemens Mountain Lodge. BLD

Day 5- Oct 17, 2015

Rise early for breakfast and drive to the airport for our flights back to Addis Abba. If this is the end of your trip, dayrooms will be provided. This will allow you to freshen up, relax and have a meal before being transferred to Bole International Airport for your late evening flight home. If you are joining the Best of the Omo Photo Tour, you will overnight at the Radison Blu -BL

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The Price

The price of this incredible extension is  $1,895.00. This price is based on double occupancy.

Single supplement is $485.00 ” if available”. Single accommodations are limited. If you wish to have single accommodation, sign up immediately.

Due to the limited number of spaces available, if a solo guest is willing to share and we can match with another guest of the same gender, we will do so. If a solo guest is unwilling to share, then a single supplement will be charged. If we are unable to match a solo guest with another guest of the same gender, then the single supplement will be charged

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What’s Included

  • Accommodations as listed on the itinerary
  • Meals as stated on the itinerary B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
  • Bottled water in transport vehicles and during meals
  • Private ground transportation
  • Park and Ranger fees
  • National English speaking escort guide and local tribal guides
  • Local guide fees

What’s NOT Included

  • International airfare and/or between your home and Addis Abba
  • Domestic flights**
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal purchases (including shopping, spirits, laundry, telephone calls, etc )
  • Gratuities for guides and drivers
  • Optional extra activities not included on the itinerary
  • Pre- and Post- expeditions tours
  • Meals or accommodations before or after the tour (except as noted in the detailed itinerary)
  • Meals and beverages on the day of arrival, this is considered a travel day
  • Dinner on the last day, this is considered a travel day

**Note: the domestic round trip flight from Addis to Gondar to Addis is not included in the price of this trip. Depending on which international airline you chose, you might save up to $200.00 on the ticket. We will be happy to assist you with this.

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Please Understand

Traveling in remote locations can present challenges that may require slight changes to the itinerary. I put my heart into each and every itinerary and will always try to run the tour as written in the initial itinerary. In the event of situations beyond my control, such as political unrest, natural disasters, overbookings by the lodge, where a change is required, I will do my best to keep us close to the original shooting location. It is my intention for you to have the best possible experience. I will try to notify you of any changes as soon as I am made aware of them. If, however these changes cause an increase to the price, the increase will be passed onto the participant.

Interested in joining us?

The group size for this extraordinary photo tour is limited to just 6 participants. Due to the small size of this group, this extension could fill quickly. To secure your spot, please complete the on-line registration form and make the $600.00 non-refundable deposit. Both a completed reservation form and deposit must be done to confirm a spot. Once the tour is full, I will accept request for the wait list by email.

Deposit and Sign-up

CLICK THE LINK TO – Fill out and e-sign the registration form (Ecosign
Make your deposit of $600.00 by using the pay button below (Paypal)

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Registration & Deposit

    Dates & Prices

  • Date(s): Oct 13th - 17th, 2015