This is probably the number one question I get asked. It seems that almost every conversation about what I do for a living eventually leads here.
The truth is, I am always excited about the next place I have never been. There is something incredibly rewarding about exploring a new destination for the first time, whether it is for breathtaking landscapes, fascinating cultures, or incredible wildlife. The sense of discovery never gets old.
If I had to choose a favorite landscape destination, it would be Iceland. Its dramatic scenery, powerful waterfalls, and ever changing light create a photographic experience unlike anywhere else on Earth.
That said, there are two places that have captured my heart in a way no others have. Tanzania and Mongolia.
Both offer extraordinary opportunities for photographers, from incredible wildlife and stunning landscapes to unique cultural experiences. Yet what continues to draw me back year after year is not just what I can photograph. It is the people.
Over the years, I have formed deep friendships in both countries. Those relationships, the warm welcomes, the shared experiences, and the feeling of returning to a place that feels like home are what make these destinations truly special. They are the reason I keep going back, and they are often the reason so many of our guests return with us again and again.
Pendo, Leonard, Ally and David preparing to fly into the Serengeti in 2023.
Tanzania – The Beginning
A few years ago, some clients began asking if we would ever consider running a photography tour to Africa.
To be honest, the idea caught me completely off guard. At the time, I had never been on a wildlife safari. I knew almost nothing about how to organize one, and I certainly had no idea if anyone would be willing to spend the kind of money a trip like that would require. But the more I thought about it, the more I felt drawn to the challenge. There was something about it that would not let go.
I began researching safari companies and quickly found myself overwhelmed. Nearly every itinerary looked the same. The accommodations seemed interchangeable. The experiences felt remarkably similar. Nothing truly inspired me.
I still remember that first phone call with Andrew whom we worked with for years heling set up safaris. Within minutes, I knew this was different. He understood that we were not looking for a standard safari. We wanted something thoughtfully crafted. We wanted attention to detail. We wanted an experience designed specifically for photographers. That conversation set everything in motion.
Looking back, if I had to identify the single greatest thing that has come from running photography tours, it would be our connection to Tanzania. When Ally and I first stepped off the plane in 2015, we were focused on one thing. We had three sold out safaris scheduled back to back, and our goal was simply to deliver an incredible experience for our guests. We could never have imagined how deeply this country would become woven into our lives.
We had no way of knowing that Tanzania would change us. We could not have known that it would change our clients. We could not have known that it would lead to friendships and opportunities that would forever connect our lives with the lives of so many Tanzanians.
What started as a photography tour became something much bigger. After our second safari, Ally and I found ourselves talking about how exhausted we were. We had just completed two incredible ten day adventures. We should have been ready for a break.
Instead, all we could think about was getting back out for the third tour.
By the time that third safari ended, we honestly felt like we could have turned around and done it all over again. We were , and still are, completely hooked.
The wildlife was extraordinary. The landscapes were breathtaking. But it was the people who captured our hearts. We were fortunate to work with wonderful guides from the very beginning, but during that third safari something special happened. Leonard Temba stepped in as our head guide.
From the moment we began working together, there was a connection that is difficult to explain. We trusted him completely. His passion, professionalism, kindness, and commitment to our guests stood out immediately. Before that tour was even over, Ally and I knew one thing with absolute certainty. Leonard was the person we wanted leading every safari we would ever run in Tanzania.
Over the years, through countless adventures across the Serengeti and beyond, Leonard and his family have become far more than colleagues. They have become family. The friendships we have built together have opened doors to opportunities and dreams that none of us could have imagined during those first days.
Some of the most meaningful chapters of our lives began with that friendship.
And as remarkable as this story has already been, it is only the beginning.
There are many more stories to tell and I will be sharing some of the best!
