August 23 – 27, 2015
Filled with large iconic acacia trees in a beautiful arid environment, Samburu Reserve evokes the traditional vision of, ’I Dream of Africa”. Lined with the dramatic Doom Palms, the Ewaso Nyiro River runs trough this stunning landscape and is the main water source for the wildlife.
Unique to this reserve is the rare Gravy’s Zebra’s, Reticulated Giraffe, mane-less lions, Oryx, and soil-stained red elephants. The elephants exhibit a special red color from rolling in the rich red muddy soil of river, and then dusting themselves, making for extraordinary images in golden light. The leopard population is rising in this area and the sightings in 2014 were spectacular!! All the big cats roam through this area giving you the chance to capture them in this dynamic traditional setting. Samburu is also known for its exotic bird life.
The Samburu tribe, originally part of the Maasai Tribe when they came down the Nile, split off in this area and became known as the Samburu; the butterfly people. Since my first African wildlife safari, more than a decade ago, I found the diverse array of exotic cultures mesmerizing. During our stay in Samburu, we will visit one of my favorite Samburu villages at sunrise, creating a great opportunity to silhouette the warriors against the dramatic African landscape. The soft hues of light gradually filter over the traditional huts, as the village starts to come to life; a surreal experience. You will have quality time in the village to join in with the morning activates, such as milking cattle and goats, fire-starting, herding, making coffee, socializing amongst them, and learning about their ancient ways.
Africa is a tapestry of exotic wildlife, dramatic eco systems, and ancient cultures. Adding this extension to your main safari will give you a complete African experience along with an incredibly diverse portfolio of images from just one safari.
This safari is limited to only 6 guests, allowing for greater flexibility, group dynamics and the feeling of a private safari. Each Guest will have their own row of seats to spread out and work from either side of the vehicle.
ITINERARY
Day 1, Aug 23
Arrive Nairobi, Kenya. Our ground operator will meet you and transfer you to your accommodations that sit overlooking Nairobi National Park.
Accommodations – Ole Sereni
Day 2, Aug 24
We will meet for breakfast; have a safari briefing, hop into our Land Cruisers, and head to the Samburu Game Reserve. We will stop en-route at the famous Trout Tree Restaurant, where the Columbus monkeys come so close you could reach out and touch them.
We will arrive at our luxury-tented camp, situated along the Ewaso Nyiro River, with time to have lunch and settle in, before heading out on our first game drive. The elephants in this area stroll right through the camp!
Accommodations – Elephant Bedroom Camp
Day 3 & 4, Aug 25 & 26
We will spend the next two days on safari, driving through this stunning African landscape seeking out the leopard, Gravy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Oryx, common waterbuck, kudu, the unique mane-less lions, the “red” elephants, and visiting with the Samburu Tribe. If you have seen beautiful tribal photographs, but have never photographed people, this is a great opportunity to have help and instruction. Instead of bringing home snap shots of extraordinary people, you will have the opportunity to create extraordinary images of extraordinary subjects.
Day 5, Aug 27
We will have one last morning game drive before heading back to Nairobi.
Departing guest will have day rooms at Ole Sereni, which overlooks Nairobi National Park. For the remainder of that afternoon and evening you can just relax in your room, by the pool, in the restaurant, or at the bar before being transferred to the airport for your flight home. Guest continuing to the Great Migration safari will overnight at the Fairview hotel.
The Cost
The cost of this photo safari is $2,695.00 per person. The price is based on double occupancy; single room supplement is $395.00, 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 $695.00 Non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration to secure your spot.
Included
- 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
- Samburu Village visit
- All meals Starting Aug 24 – Breakfast on Aug 2
- Evacuation insurance to a Nairobi hospital (transport only – Cost of hospitalization NOT included)
- Bottled water on game drives and table water during meals
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
Interested in joining us?
This safari is limited to only 6 participants and is being offered as an extension between two main safaris, which have a total of 12 participants. Due to the limit on participants, this extension may fill quickly! Priority for registration is giving to participants on the main safaris. To secure your spot, both the registration form and the non –refundable deposit must be completed. Once the safari extension is full, you may add your name to the waitlist.
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, over-bookings 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.