Great Migration Safari – Kenya 2015

Multiple locations in the Mara

August 27 – September 6 , 2015
Special Price for 2015 Only!

The Maasia Mara, during the migration, is arguably one of the greatest wildlife photography experiences on the planet. This safari takes the traditional migration photo safari to the next level by offering multiple locations in the Mara; staying on both sides of the Mara River and three nights in a private conservancy.
In constant motion, the migration moves throughout many regions of the Mara, including the dense predator areas. The advantage of staying in multiple locations is that you will not only have incredible opportunities to witness a river crossing, but you will maximize all your photographic opportunities throughout the great plains of the Mara.  From the wide-open vistas filled with game to the remote corners of the reserve, and the big cat territories, we will seek out all the action!

This safari includes three nights in an exclusive private reserve that shares its boarder with the Mara. Not only will we get away from other vehicle traffic, but also we will have the ultimate, photographic freedom to drive off the roads and have no gate time to adhere to. We can continue to track wildlife into the evening when the big cat action really starts.

Piper Mackay, who recently relocated to Kenya, has spent over a decade in the Mara, during the migration season, as well as time there in the off-season. She will give informal instruction throughout the safari and help you capture dramatic and stunning images, beyond the traditional wildlife photographs.

She knows the traditional crossing points as well as where the predator’s territories are! She also photographs the tribes of Africa. The Maasai tribe is as famous as Kenya’s wildlife and a huge part of the experience of Kenya; one you don’t want to miss out on.  As an option, but included in your safari, is the chance to have more than a glimpse into this ancient and fascinating world, but have the opportunity to capture compelling images equally as powerful as your wildlife images.

This safari is limited to only 6 guests. This allows for greater freedom, flexibility, group dynamics, and the feeling of a more personal, private safari.  In the private vehicles, each guest has their own row of seats, which allows you to spread out and work from either side of the vehicle.

Extend your migration safari to include Samburu National Reserve, which evokes the traditional vision of, ’I Dream of Africa”.  Adding this extension will give you an authentic African experience along with an incredibly divers portfolio of images from just one safari.

SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

• 3 different  locations to maximize every photographic opportunity in one of the greatest wildlife destinations in the world
  Experiencing the greatest migration on earth.
• Staying in an exclusive private reserve where off road driving is permitted and we have nog ate times, we can continue to track wildlife into the evening when the actions really begins.  Experience the maximum photographic freedom.
• Luxurious accommodations in a small private tented camp
• Small group of only 6 participants giving you more flexibility, freedom and better group dynamics.
• We have 2 private 9 passenger 4X4 Land Cruisers with only 3 people per vehicle. Every person will have their own row with 2 window seats available for the best viewing and photographic opportunities.
• Staying in an exclusive private reserve where off road driving is permitted and we have not gate times, we can continue to track wildlife into the evening when the actions really begins.  Experience the maximum photographic freedom.
• Luxury accommodations in a small private tented camp

This safari focuses on getting incredible images, we will push hard spending most of our time in the field. This is all about wildlife photography.

THE ITINERARY

Day 1.  August 27, 2015

Arrive Nairobi, Kenya Our ground operator will meet you and transfer you to your beautiful accommodations.

Accommodation- Serena Nairobi

Day 2  August 28, 2015

Today you will awake in a magical new world with the aroma of Kenyan coffee brewing. We will meet at breakfast for a safari briefing before driving to the local airport for our flight to the Maasai Mara. Excitement builds quickly as you fly over the Mara and begin seeing the wildlife below. Take out your gear, as you never know what we may see driving to camp! We will have enough time to eat lunch and settle in before heading out on our first game drive.

The Mara bush camp is positioned to blend unobtrusively into the surrounding vegetation and has an authentic safari feel of days gone by. There is no better way to experience Africa than by spending a few nights under canvas listening to the zebra’s barking, hyena’s crying and possibly hearing the roar of a lion, off in the distance. In the past few years, leopards have been regularly spotted wondering right though this camp.

Accommodation –Mara Bush Camp

Day 3-5 August 29-31, 2015

We have 4 days in the Talak area; one of the richest predator areas of the Mara.  We will focus on the big cats, including the Marsh pride, made famous by the BBC’s series, “Big Cat Diary”.  However, we will probably see elephants, hippos, Massai giraffe, common zebra, gnu, impala, Thompson’s and grant’s gazelles, topi, hartebeest, black-backed jackal, spotted hyena and more, as the Mara is one of the most lush reserves in Africa. The action is non-stop! On past safaris we have photographed black rhino in this area. Our ground operator has a large fleet of vehicles, which will be scattered throughout the Mara. Our drivers will be in private communication with them, giving us many eyes and ears across the entire Mara. We are close to the river; if we get word that the wildebeest are gathering, we will race off in hopes of capturing a large crossing.

Since my first African wildlife safari, more than a decade ago, I found the diverse array of exotic cultures mesmerizing. The Maasia warriors, an icon of Kenya, once dominated the plains of East Africa. Our safari takes place on their homeland; during our stay in this area, you will have the option to visit a Maasai Bomo at sunrise. The soft hues of light gradually filter over the traditional huts, as the village starts to come to life; a surreal experience.

Accommodation-Mara Bush Camp

Day 6-7 Sept 1-2, 2015

After our early morning game drive and breakfast, we will game drive across the savanna, crossing over the Mara River, on the way to our next accommodation. Location! Location! Location!  Our lodge sits high up on the hill, overlooking the vast plains and Mara River, between two of the main crossing points. We will go out on our regular early morning game drive, but if it becomes quiet as the light becomes harsh, we can return to the lodge for lunch, while still keep a close eye on what is happening around the banks of the Mara river. You can sit in a lounge chair, in front of the pool, with a cold drink and watch the great herds of wildebeest and zebra gathering as they approach the river. At a moments notice, we can hop in the Land cruisers and race down to the river!! If we are not already down at the river, we will go out on our regular afternoon game drive.

We stay at the only accommodations available on this side of the Mara River, which gives you the opportunity to photograph the herds crossing towards you. Since most safaris stay on the other side of the river, you will have photographs with a unique perspective. We spend two nights on this side of the river.

Accommodation-Mara Serena

Day 8-10  Sept 3-5, 2015

After our early morning game drive and breakfast, we will get way from the tourist vehicle traffic, known as the “Madness of the Mara”, and cross into a private concession, the Naboisho Conservancy.  Set on a spectacular escarpment in a remote and undeveloped part of the Mara, our small luxurious tented camp overlooks the Koiyaki River and a waterhole that draws the wildlife, predators, and the unexpected, right to camp; a first class way to go primitive.

The Naboisho Conservancy consists of 50,000 hectares (200,000 acres) of pristine wildlife territory. The density of lions within the conservancy is one of the highest in the world, with a population of more than 70 identified lions who use Naboisho as their home territory.  Since we do not have to adhere to any gate restriction we will be able to stay out when the predator action really starts to happen.

In a low vehicle density area, such as this private conservancy, where you are respectfully allowed to drive off the roads, having only two vehicles is a huge advantage! Most photography safaris run with up to 14 people with 5 vehicles. This can make it extremely difficult to maneuver all the vehicles to ensure everyone one has a pristine shooting angle; especially in tight places, when you have cubs playing, or while tracking a predator hunting.

Eagle View is one of the Basecamp Group properties. Basecamp group worked closely with the Maasai for over fifteen years to empower the community and create opportunities for them; to prevent landowners from selling their land-their lifeblood-to outsiders. In 2010 they successfully established the community owned nature conservancy. Naboisho Conservancy, named after the Maa expression of “coming together”, was chosen by the Maasai to epitomize how the Maasai community came together to face the alarming issue of decreasing land. Community projects like this are vital in protecting wildlife territory and helping cultures maintain their traditions. The Maasia benefit from our stay in the Naboisho Conservancy, as well as the wildlife. Our visit here will be unique and special.

National Geographic Traveler Magazine selected Eagle View as one of the top Eco lodges in the world in the June/July 2013 issue!

Day 11 September 6, 2015

We will have one last morning game drive before we board our chartered flight back to Nairobi. Once in Nairobi, we will stop in at the famous Carnivore Restaurant for lunch before taken to our day rooms. We will have a chance to relax and clean up for flights back home later in the evening.

Day room – Ole Sereni

Is this trip for you?

I welcome photographers of ALL levels who are serious about wildlife and nature photography. This safari is timed during the great migration and focused on producing quality images. During this safari we will see a vast variety of exotic wildlife, however some special subjects may require spending some time watching their behavior and waiting for those special moments. This is when patience pays off and rewards you with extraordinary photographs. We will spend most of our time and effort in the field unless it is quiet and the light is just too harsh; we return to our camp/lodge for the mid day break. If the herds are lining up and it looks like there could be a large crossing, we may sit by the river for several hours and be in the field most of the day. This means there may be many mornings and some lunches that will be box meals in the field rather than at the Camp. We will be back at camp for a nice dinner and drinks around the fire, every night.

Since this itinerary is built to spend most of our time in the field, this is not a formal workshop. There will not be any “planned” lectures, slide shows, or formal instruction, but Piper will give photographic advice throughout the safari. She is there to assist you and is available for any questions on any and all photographic topics including business questions on marketing, branding, and creating a niche. When there is an afternoon break she will be happy to review your images, portfolios, or give an impromptu slide show or talk. This is largely why the group sizes are kept small, so that she can assist you when you need help and spend quality time with you in an amazing location.

If your objective is to have the most images you can shoot by rushing to every subject as fast as you can, then racing off to the next, and checking off a list, then this is probably not the right safari for you. If you have any concerns, please email Piper at any time.

The Cost

The cost of this photo safari is $8,495.00 per person.

The price is based on double occupancy; single room supplement is $995.00, if available. If a solo guest is unwilling to share, and request single accommodations upon registration, then a single supplement will be charged. If you are a solo guest who is willing to share accommodations, we will do our best to match you with another guest of the same gender. If we are unable to match you with another solo guest of the same gender, then the single supplement will be charged, up to, but not exceeding the fee of the single supplement. In this case, whenever possible, we will try to discount the single supplement.

A USD $ 2,300 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration to secure your spot. You may purchase travel insurance that will refund your deposit if you have to cancel your trip.

Price Includes:

• In-country flights to and from the Maasai Mara
• Airport transfers
• First class accommodations
• Guaranteed row and window seat in private 4X4 Land cruisers
• All National Parks fees, Game Reserves entrance fees, and taxes
• Maasai Village visit
• All meals (except on Aug 27 –this is a travel day and most flights arrive late evening, and Dinner on September 6 due to early departures)
• Evacuation insurance to a Nairobi hospital (transport only – Cost of hospitalization NOT included)

What’s Not Included:

• Visas
• Travel Insurance
• Personal purchases (such as curious, spirit liquors, telephone calls, internet, laundry…)
• Gratuities for the guides, staff at accommodations, and airport transfers
• Optional extra activities (balloon rides, walking safaris, etc.)
• Pre- and post-safari tours
• Meals or accommodation before or after the safari
• International flights to and from the African Continent

Please Understand

Traveling in remote locations can present challenges that may require slight changes to the itinerary. We will always try to run the tour as the initial itinerary. In the event, beyond our control, such as political unrest, natural disasters, overbookings by the lodge, where a change is required, we will do our best to keep you close to the original shooting location. It is our intention for you to have the best possible experience. We will try to notify you of any changes as soon as we are made aware of them. If, however these changes cause an increase to the price, the increase will be passed onto the participant.

Interested in joining us?

Due to the small group size of only 6 participants, these unique trips fill up quickly! If you are excited to join this unique Migration and Maasia safari then now is the time to register. To secure your spot, both the registration form and the non –refundable deposit must be completed. Once the safari is full, you may add your name to the waitlist.

Deposit and Sign-up

PLEASE NOTE – There is only one spot left open on this workshop, for either a man willing to share accommodations, or single accommodations. There is no shared accommodations available for a female.

CLICK THE LINK TO – Fill out and e-sign the registration form (Ecosign
Make your deposit of $2500.00 (non-refundable) by using the pay button below (Paypal)