Big cat photo experiences in the South East?

[Kermit power]

Hi All,

Does anyone have any experience of big cat photo days in the South East?

I've got a few reasonably nice shots of the lions & tigers at Chessington, but it's always been somewhat frustrating, as the hordes of kids getting sticky fingerprints all over the perspex viewing windows make for a less than ideal picture quality!

I've found this one which looks pretty good, although I'd want to find out what their policy is if it absolutely pisses it down on the day before booking! Slightly wary as they don't name the venue, and also only have a mobile contact number rather than a fixed one, so if anyone has done it and rates it, or knows any others worth a look, that would be helpful.

[jon-]

Have you tried wobern? Lots of big cats in the safari drive and only you and your car window between them. I was there last year and there was about 4 females and 3-4 cubs all of 50 metres from the car. I was kicking myself my camera was back at home!

[Kermit power]

jon- said:

Have you tried wobern? Lots of big cats in the safari drive and only you and your car window between them. I was there last year and there was about 4 females and 3-4 cubs all of 50 metres from the car. I was kicking myself my camera was back at home!

Assuming the day above lives up to billing, you're talking 5-10 feet away from them with no glass to worry about. The main problem with the likes of Woburn in my experience though is trying to actually get the shots, what with the car fouling the lens and all.

[GazR33]

Have you looked at this one?

http://www.wildarena.com/gift-vouchers.asp?q=&...

It's got all sorts of experiences by the looks of it

[Kermit power]

GazR33 said:

Have you looked at this one?

http://www.wildarena.com/gift-vouchers.asp?q=&...

It's got all sorts of experiences by the looks of it

Looking at that, I'd say it's at the same venue as the one I put up originally.

ETA - It's actually the same organisers, as it has the same mobile contact number. Am I being overly suspicious, I wonder?

Edited by Kermit power on Sunday 16th August 19:54

[JulesV]

The two John Aspinall zoos, Port Lympne and Howletts allow good opportunites for photos. See here:

http://www.totallywild.net/

[grumpy bear]

Try here

WHF

or
Paradise Wildlife Park

Some examples from PWP on my website

Clickmotorsport

[Kermit power]

grumpy bear said:

Try here

WHF

Good stuff! I'd say that has to be the place that the other courses are run at, but £99 without the middle man instead of £130+

[grumpy bear]

Spot on!

[GazR33]

That looks cool.

I might have to look into this myself lol

[furtive]

I've taken some at Paradise in Hoddessdon:


And at London Zoo

[CVP]

Kermit power said:

GazR33 said:

Have you looked at this one?

http://www.wildarena.com/gift-vouchers.asp?q=&...

It's got all sorts of experiences by the looks of it

Looking at that, I'd say it's at the same venue as the one I put up originally.

ETA - It's actually the same organisers, as it has the same mobile contact number. Am I being overly suspicious, I wonder?

Edited by Kermit power on Sunday 16th August 19:54

I've used Wild Arena in the past. Both the guys who run it are very genuine and the days very well organised. They can be a bit more expensive for the locations but hey do seem to get longer with the animals. The thign I found was that you never feel pressured with them, the animals are spread out throughout the day and there is time to go back if you want to. Also Peter is a very good photo tutor.

No connection apart from being a happy customer.

Chris

[Kermit power]

Thanks!

[CVP]

No worries. Mrs CVP & I considering going on Safari with them when we return to the UK and also peter was working up a trip to the Galapagos. Knowing him it'll be a good balance between comfort and time in the field - actually probably weighted to time in the field

Chris