May/June 2015
Africa is a tapestry of ancient cultures, exotic wildlife and dramatic eco systems, which are mesmerizing for the eyes, mind, and soul. This photographic adventure is built around one of the most breathtaking tribal festivals in the world, while also visiting two of the top wildlife reserves in Kenya, and driving across the spectacular, legendary, Chalbi Desert.
The Turkana basin, including the Ethiopian portion, hosts a large diverse group of ethnic/tribal people who have been preserved over the decades, if not centuries. The Omo River feeds Lake Turkana and the beautiful tribes along its bank continue down into this entire region. The festival was started as a way to unite these unique ethnic/tribal groups as a community, and promote peace between them. Tribes and ethnic groups such as the, Randille, Samburu, Turkana, Dassanach Gabra, Borana, El Molo, Konso, Sakure, Garee, and Waata gather in a kaleidoscope of color, dressed in their most elaborate tradition clothing, beading, head ornaments, and paint made from the red ochre. Each group will build their traditional huts along the festival grounds, where most of them will reside during this event. It is fascinating to see the uniqueness of each individual hut when sitting side by side. Simultaneously, throughout the days of this spectacular festival, everyone will gather in their individual groups playing traditional interments, sing, and dancing for hours at a time.
Kenya is also home to some of the most exotic wildlife in the world; a wildlife photographer’s paradise. En route to and from the festival, we will visit two of Kenya’s most exciting photographic wildlife destinations; Samburu Game reserve and Amboseli National Park. Samburu’s arid golden savannahs, lined with acacia woodlands, reflect the ambiance of what people envision when they dream of Africa. It is home to the rare Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, oryx, common waterbuck, kudu, the unique mane-less lions, and the “red” elephants. The elephants exhibit a special red color from rolling in the reddish mud of river making for extraordinary images in golden light. Amboseli National Park is an amazing ecosystem containing marsh wetlands and dust tunnels that move along the expansive, open, dusty plains. Known from its iconic images of wildlife with Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop, it is also famous for vast herds of elephants and large groups of zebra.
It is a conscious decision to travel by vehicle, to the north, to drive across the majestic Chalbi desert. It is the largest permanent desert lake in the world; a salty pan, surrounded by lava, and such incredible mirages you think you are going to be driving into a lake. Throughout the landscape you will begin to see the herds of camels, which will increase dramatically as we get closer to the oasis, village of Kalacha, and home to the Gabbra people. The camels are a sign of wealth to the Gabbra people in the same way cattle are a sign of wealth to the Maasia and Samburu tribes. Dropping into the lower basin, your fist glance of Turkana Lake will take your breath away. After the festival we will fly out in a private chartered aircraft.
This photographic adventure is an extraordinary opportunity to photograph and experience Kenya’s most exotic tribes and wildlife.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Turkana Festival
- Village visits to the Samburu, Maasai, Turkana and El molo
- Samburu Game Reserve
- Amboseli National Reserve
- Driving across the spectacular and legendary Chalbi desert
- Charter flight, with extra weight limits for your photographic equipment, from the festival to Amboseli national park
- Small group size, limited to 8 participants
- We have private 9 passenger 4X4 Land Cruisers with only 3 participants in each vehicle. During our game drives, every person will have their own row with 2 window seats available for the best viewing and photographic opportunities.
Day 1 –
Arrive at the international airport in Nairobi, Kenya. You are met by a member of our ground team and transferred to your hotel by private vehicle.
Accommodations – Fairview Hotel
Day 2 –
Today you will awake in a magical new world with the aroma of Kenyan coffee brewing. We will meet at breakfast for a briefing before hoping in our private Land Cruisers and heading to the famous Samburu Game reserve. We will arrive at our luxury-tented camp, situated along the Ewaso Nyiro River, with plenty of time to settle in before our first afternoon game drive. The elephants in this area are known to stroll right through the camp; a true luxurious African bush experience!
Accommodations -Elephant Bedroom Camp
Day 3 –
We will visit one of my favorite Samburu villages at sunrise, creating a great opportunity to silhouette the warriors against the dramatic African landscape.
This will allow us to have a more intimate experience with the tribe, photograph their daily life in the village, and to have time to create some beautiful portraits.
The Samburu tribe was originally part of the Maasai tribe when the first came down the Nile River. The group split off when the Maasai continued their journey south to Tanzania. The name Samburu name means the butterfly people. As their name implies, they not only flew off from their original tribe, but they became more colorful in their traditional dress.
We will return to our luxury camp for a late breakfast and to relax along the riverfront of the Ewaso Nyiro River where we may see elephants, giraffe and many other animals as they come down to the driver to drink. In the afternoon we will go out on a game drive.
Accommodations, Elephant Bedroom Camp
Day 4 –
In the morning we will have one last game drive before continuing our journey up north towards Turkana. On the outskirts of Marsabit County we will begin to see the beautiful Randille Tribe. Their style is similar to the Samburu tribe, but they are even more colorful and ornate! Our accommodations in Marsabit are basic, but the best in town.
Accommodations, Catholic Guest house
Day 5 –
Today we will head through the spectacular and legendary Chalbi desert. Our goal will be to arrive at the shores of lake Turkana by mid afternoon to check into our quaint African style resort. We will then head out to visit the smallest tribe in Kenya, the El molo tribe. Their village is on a small-connected mountain island with stunning views of the lake, the surrounding landscape, and is an incredible backdrop for extraordinary images.
Accommodations at Malibu
Day 6 –
We will visit the exotic village of the Turkana Tribe at sunrise. They are the second largest pastoral group after the Maasai. The women adorn themselves with thick layers of colorful beaded necklaces that can stretch their neck by several inches. Long silver leaf earrings dangle from their ear lobes; red ochre with butter oil may partially cover their skin, and they shave the sides of their heads, leaving braided fringe on top, in a Mohawk type fashion.
We will return again in the late afternoon to photograph along the shores of the lake, when the fishermen are returning to the village. As the sun is setting into the lake, you will notice the moon beginning to rise.
Accommodations at Malibu
Day 7 & 8
We will spend the next two days at the Turkana festival. This is one of the most incredible tribal/cultural experiences I have experience in Africa; a kaleidoscope of color, song, dance, rhythm, community, interaction, and photographic opportunities.
Accommodations at Malibu
Day 9
After breakfast we will board our private charter to Amboseli.
Take a moment to catch your breath in this magical environment as we drive across the open plains to our beautiful Lodge. During lunch we will relax and share stories of our amazing adventure, as the wildlife roams freely in the background. After lunch, continue to relax around the pool with a cold drink, or browse through all the stunning images you have captured during the festival.
We will head out on our first game drive in early afternoon.
Accommodations –Amboseli Serena Lodge
Day 10
Rise early for a quick cup of coffee and biscuits before heading out for our morning game drive. In the morning the herds slowly begin to come down from the mountains and cross the plains of Amboseli on their way to the marshes centrally located in the national park.
In the afternoon we will visit a traditional Maasia village. The Maasia are the iconic tribe of Kenya, but are not part of the Turkana festival because they do not live in the Turkana region. The Maasia in the Amboseli area are unique because
the men mark their high cheeks with a circular tattoo scarring. They will also share insights in their struggles to live in harmony with and to protect wildlife.
Accommodations –Amboseli Serena Lodge
Day 11
Rise early for a quick cup of coffee and biscuits before heading out for our last morning game drive. We will return for a wonderful breakfast before checking out of our beautiful lodge. We will game drive out of the park and arrive back to Nairobi in the late afternoon. Dayrooms will be provided in Nairobi at the Ole Sereni, overlooking Nairobi national park. You will be able to relax, clean up, and have a nice meal before being transferred to the international airport for your flight home.
Is this trip for you?
This photographic adventure is for anyone who wants to experience and photographic Kenya’s most exotic tribes and wildlife. This photography tour/safari is focused on producing high quality images of extraordinary subjects so we will be rising very early in the morning for the best light; a few mornings we rise well before sunrise. There are a few days, in the beginning, where we will have some moderate to long drives. This is because the landscape is stunning and should not be missed by flying over it. We will be traveling a few dirt roads, outside the game reserves, but they are in good condition. This itinerary was created for photographers of ALL levels.
If you have not had much experience photographing tribes or indigenous cultures this is the perfect introductory trip for you. If you have had experience photographing tribes or indigenous cultures you should find this experience to be one of the best. Some experience working with basic fill flash is recommended.
During our wildlife safaris 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 a great deal of our time and effort in the field unless it is quiet and the light is just too harsh and we will return to our camp/lodge for the midday break. This means there may be several morning and some lunches that will be in box meals that we take with us, rather than eating at camp or the lodge. We will be back at camp/lodge 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 is there to assist you throughout the entire trip. She 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 and spend quality time with you in an amazing location.
The Price
The price of this unique cultural and wildlife photographic adventure is $7,850.00. This price is based on double occupancy.
Single supplement is $950.00 ” if available”. Single accommodations are very limited.
Due to the limited number of spaces available, if a solo guest is willing to share and we can match with another guest of the same gender, we will do so. If a solo guest is unwilling to share, then a single supplement will be charged. If we are unable to match a solo guest with another guest of the same gender, then the single supplement will be charged.
A USD $2,300.00 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 have to cancel your trip.
Included:
- Turkana Festival
- Village visits to the Samburu, Maasia, Turkana, El molo
- Entrance fees and game drives in Samburu Game Reserve and Amboseli National Park
- Guaranteed row and window seat in private 4X4 Land cruisers
- Private charter from Loiyangalani to Amboseli Nation Park
- Gratuities for all local guides, camp/lodge staff, porters, and security escorts.
- All airport transfers on arrival/departure
- Transportation and exclusive use of custom safari built 4-wheel drive Landcuriser vehicles, Only 3 clients per vehicle
- All meals, except on arrival and departure days.
- All accommodations as stated in the itinerary
What’s Not Included:
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Personal purchases (such as curious, spirit liquors, telephone calls, internet, laundry…)
- Gratuities for the main driver/guides
- Optional extra activities and photo excursions
- 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. I put my heart into each and every itinerary and will always try to run the tour as written in the initial itinerary. In the event of situations beyond my control, such as political unrest, natural disasters, overbookings by the lodge, where a change is required, I will do my best to keep us close to the original shooting location. It is my intention for you to have the best possible experience. I will try to notify you of any changes as soon as I am 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 8 participants, these unique trips fill up quickly! If you are excited to join us on this amazing safari, then now is the time to register. To secure your spot, both the registration form and the non-refundable deposit must be completed.
This trip is SOLD OUT –
click here, to place your name on the wait-list or to be placed on the first contact list for next years tour.
**all tribal/cultural imagery in this itinerary was created on the scouting trip in June 2014 and represents what you can capture on this amazing trip. The wildlife images were taken in both Samburu and Amboseli while on a Piper Mackay Photography Safaris in 2013.
