Advice for journey through Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda

<p>I work for a charity and will be visiting these three countries in late March. On the whole I will be visiting relief projects in slums or very rural areas. Although most of the time I will accompanied, some of the travel (between countries) will be on my own on a bus and I will have to lug around my kit. I would like the opportunity to take some photographs, but it is neither a holiday nor photographic trek/safari. In terms of Kit I have a Nikon D700, F80, canon p/s, 35mm f2, 50mm 1.8, 85mm 1.8, 135mm 2.8, 24-85mm, 70-300mm VR. For the sake of flexibility I was thinking of taking the D700 plus 24-85 and 35mm with f80 and 50mm for backup. On the whole I will be shooting the projects and people. The equipment is insured. Is the D700 discreet enough? Should I bring the p/s as backup or for more discreet needs? Will I need the reach of the bigger zoom. Any thoughts are welcome.<br>

Thanks<br>

Keith</p>

<p>security should be a major issue when in rwanda. so i would advise you to take a small body and perhaps one flexible lens. a very good quality point and shoot or an old film camera would not get you as well noticed as the dslr. bus journeys are perilous and do always stay close to people. i wouldn't advise on bigger zooms unless you go to safari.</p>

<p>My friend Karen Ande has been traveling to Kenya for many years to document (photograph) the work of a number of AIDS/HIV projects in Kenya -- http://andephotos.com/ I would suggest you contact her for some advice for your time in Kenya</p>

<p>I have a co-worker who spends a lot of time in Uganda. He travels a lot in the country and spends a fair amount of time in the parks as well. By his account it is a very safe country, much safer than South Africa (so he says)</p>

<p>Eight weeks ago I returned from working in Kenya and Somalia and can advise that phtography in both is quite fraught. Even in Kenya, where I expected some freedom, photography was almost impossible except on the weekend I took off for a safari. In cities like Nairobi photography in public is both illegal and socially unacceptable. Safety also is a major problem.<br>

I suggest you photograph only with the consent of the subjects and then only when not in sight of anyone else. If you're not photographing people, then take photos only when no-one can see you. Good luck and safe travelling.<br>

Robert, UNWFP</p>

<p>Thanks everyone, I shall proceed with caution. I presume Rwanda will be much the same?<br>

Thanks</p>

<p>I spent 2 months in Uganda and Rwanda in 2008 (with pro gear) and never experienced any security issues at all. I would, however, agree with Robert that it is often unacceptable to take photos of people without their consent or unless it is in a specific PJ sense (if you are taken specifically into a school or charity project for example). Away from specific tourist sights, most people are naturally quite suspicious of foreigners with cameras (and especially the police or local officials) but I found by making friendly contact, speaking with people and then asking if it was possible to take a photo, then often they would say yes. I personally would think about taking the D700 with the 24-85 (i also use this lens) and a 50mm, together with a small P/S.UNless you are going to look for animals then this is enough.<br>

As a matter of interest I found Uganda to be a stunning country with friendly and amusing people, whereas I found Rwanda to be not quite as attractive (more intensively farmed) and with less friendly (but not unfriendly) people. Both places are still totally fascinating and I would go back in an instant to either.</p>

 

<p>I was in Kenya for a combination humanitarian/photographic trip in September 2009, and I agree with the earlier comments about being careful about where and who you photograph. We had a local driver who repeatedly warned me to be careful with my camera while in the van (I took most of my Nairobi shots through the window). There are those who would walk up to a car or van and reach in to grab whatever they could, and there would be no way to catch them. Be especially careful in any of the slums, particularly Kibera. With the exception of a side trip/safari, I got by with a 28-105 zoom for my D300. I would recommend a 70-200 for any wildlife shots</p>