From forest to savannah

The adventure will start in Tarangire National Park, a baobab forest known for one of the largest populations of elephants in Tanzania along with many species of game and birds. We will then move to Lake Manyara where we will have the opportunity to see a varied habitat — from lush forests to open grasslands to lake and shore environments that host many rarely seen species of birds, including flamingos.

I will also have a great chance to see a local village market at Mto Wa Mbu. Who knows what fabulous and interesting things I’ll see here that I will want to paint. After visiting the village, we will travel to an extinct volcano that cradles one of the wonders of the world, Ngorongoro crater. This crater is a veritable “Garden of Eden” and is reputed to contain the highest density of carnivores, including leopard, lion and cheetah. It also is one of the only places in Africa where you can see a natural population of black Rhino — wouldn’t that be something to see a black Rhino!

As if all this wasn’t enough, we will then move on to the Serengeti, home to the greatest concentration of large mammals on Earth. It is undoubtedly the most famous wildlife sanctuary in the world, unequalled for its natural beauty and the greatest concentration of plains game anywhere. The Serengeti boasts vast, open Savannah areas where large herds of wildebeest, buffalo, elephant and zebra can be seen, along with the predators that follow them. The landscape is dotted with huge rock outcroppings called kopjes. It is indeed a wildlife lovers paradise!

As you can see, this adventure is going to give me the opportunity to create a huge variety of paintings of many different species of animals and experience vast habitats. I will have reference material for years to come and you have the opportunity to own one of the first paintings created from this adventure hanging in your personal collection. 

Lions, Zebras, birds and more

As this marks my first trip to Africa and it’s such a milestone in my career as an artist, I will be documenting everything about the trip and publishing a book when I get return with a foreword written by award-winning wildlife artist Jan Martin McGuire. The book will include sketches, photos and notes from my trip as well as images of paintings and drawings that I create from this adventure.

You’ll have an opportunity to own a copy of the book. Below is a list of animals that I will more than likely encounter during my visit, though as with any wildlife, it’s not a guarantee that I will be fortunate enough to see all of these magnificent creatures. So, in addition to selecting the size of your painting — from 9x12 to 36x48 — I will ask you to make three choices of your preferred subject matter for your original piece.

 

A special opportunity just for you!

 After years of wanting to travel to Africa, I am finally going — and I want to share this wonderful opportunity with you! Now is your chance to be the first to pre-purchase a painting or drawingfrom this life- and career-changing adventure.

I am often asked, “Why don’t you paint or draw more large animals? And, why so many birds?” The answer is simple: To create truly amazing and realistic artwork, I need to see wildlife in its natural habitat. Observing animals in their native surroundings is essential to great wildlife art. Zoo animals work as backup reference but not as the animals depicted in the finished work.

Creating truly spectacular wildlife art requires numerous hours in the field observing, recording and absorbing what animals do in their natural habitat: finding food, nesting, socializing and surviving. This interaction cannot be observed in a manmade environment, such as a zoo.

You can share in the magic of this trip and help make it a reality by purchasing a painting or drawing in advance. Your piece will be delivered within one year after my return from Africa. And, as a special thanks, I am offering you a special discount (up to 35 percent) off your pre-purchased piece.

Advanced Purchase Agreement & Price Levels (PDF)

Robert’s Research & Reference trip to Tanzania, Africa (PDF)

If you have any questions regarding Robert’s trip to Africa please feel free to call at 804.302.4921 or by emailing Robert at robert@rlcaldwell.com

*All photos courstey of Jan Martin McGuire