Cielo Pictures and Expeditions
Let's Go On Safari!
For many travellers going on a safari is a 'once in a lifetime' adventure. There is a lot involved in putting together a safe and successful safari. You need a knowledgable driver and the right vehicle - a travel route to get you to where you want to go - hotels and lodges to book - park fees and permits to acquire and you need to know if you are being treated fairly and will get what you pay for. Safaris are not cheap. ​
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Rick Castiglione acquired the skills to put together a safari expedition as a filmmaker, producing documentaries throughout Africa. In 2005, he added 'Safari Coordinator and Leader' to his resume and began taking adventure travellers on safari. He has taken dozens of small and large groups, families and individuals on their 'trips of a lifetime'. Most of his safaris are tailor made for clients - reflecting their budgets and preferences. Rick will work with you to show you what is available and how to get it at the best price and at the right time.
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Below, you will see some of the popular places to go and things to see. You'll also see a sampling of suggested itineraries. You might find one that fits you perfectly or you may find one that needs a little tweaking to meet your desires. The cost of going on a safari varies greatly - impacted by such things as: the number of people in your group, the particular sights that you want to see, do you want to drive or fly more and especially the time of year (high, mid and low season). Once we know the basics of your situation, we can quickly establish a cost after negotiating on your behalf with the various services partners we have in Africa. BTW - we do not work with the big, foreign owned 'box store' tour companies. Instead we work with local people who operate their own transport vehicles, luxury tented camps etc. - supporting their families.
Safari njema!
THE MAASAI MARA
Big Game Wildlife Safari
Made famous by the movie "Out Of Africa" the Maasai Mara is spectacular in its beauty and has one of the highest concentrations of big cats in the world along with every other safari creature you can imagine - lions, cheetah, leopard, zebra, giraffe, hippos, wildebeest, gazelle, mongoose, warthog, impala, hyena...and the list goes on. Stay in one of the luxury tented camps - in the middle of it all.
SERENGETI
AND
NGORONGORO
CRATER
Big Game Wildlife Safari
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Rwanda/Uganda
The Serengeti is one of the most well known and preferred wildlife safari destinations in the world. Covering 14, 750 sq km Serengeti National Park is teaming with wildlife and am extremely diverse topography. Going on safari is Ngorongoro Crater is a once in a life time experience. It is the worlds largest caldera and is like a 'wildlife fishbowl'! Tanzania has many spectacular National Parks to chose from - but Serengeti and Ngorongoro are two of our favourites.
GORILLA AND
CHIMPANZEE TRACKING
Rwanda/Uganda
The endangered and majestic Mountain Gorillas are only found in a small area where Rwanda, Uganda amd the DRC meet. Daily treks to visit the habituated gorilla troops are in high demand and a little pricey - but worth every penny!
Add that to a day with a wild troop of chimpanzees and many other species and it becomes a dream primate expedition in the heart of Africa,
DAVID SHELDRICK
ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE
Kenya
The David Sheldrick elephant orphanage is located in Nairobi National Park and is a must see for wildlife lovers as they pass through Kenya
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust provides a safe haven to orphaned baby elephants rescued in the wild of East Africa. The Nursery provides the first stage in the hand-rearing and development of milk dependent baby elephants.
ZANZIBAR AND THE
LUXURY TREEHOUSE
ISLAND LODGE
Tanzania
Zanzibar is actually an archipelago collection of islands off the coast of Tanzania. Ancient culture, beautiful beaches - it's a great 'rest stop" after a a wildlife safari.
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Or - you can stop on a tiny island off of the coast and stay in a luxury treehouse lodge! Snorkel, Scuba, sandbar beaches - even swimming with whale sharks is possible (seasonal).
PRIMATE EXPEDITION
UGANDA
7 days
This educational adventure tour takes you through the primate belt of Southern Uganda starting with Chimpanzee tracking in a rainforest then a close up encounter with the endangered Mountain Gorillas. There are many other species of monkey to be seen along the way!
OTHER SAFARI
PLACES AND ADVENTURES
East and Central Africa
There is so much to see and do in Africa it's almost beyond imagination. Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro - white water rafting on the Nile - go hiking at Hell's Gate - stand on the edge of Victoria Falls - the opportunities are endless.
Rick has travelled from Timbuktu in the north of Africa, through Egypt, Morocco, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Zambia, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi , Sudan, Yemen.
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In Southeast Asia he recently took 2 tour groups to Cambodia and has worked and travelled in Vietnam, Burma (Myanmar), Tibet, Nepal, China, Singapore, Thailand and India.
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In South and Central America, he has travelled through Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Belize - and most of the Caribbean.
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Of course - most of Europe, into Russia and Australia.
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If he can't get you there - he can certainly point you in the right direction!
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I am always happy to talk about safaris and the adventures that await. You can reach me by email - cielopictures@gmail.com or by phone. Just send me a message and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.
