August 12-23, 2015
This unique safari was designed to offer an unforgettable, close up encounter with elephants, witness the great migration – one of the greatest wildlife photography experiences in the world, and interact with the iconic Maasai Tribe. Within 30 minutes of your arrival, you will find yourself in the wildlife environment you have traveled so far to enjoy, driving through Nairobi National park, filled with wildlife, on the way to your beautiful African style lodge.
Our first destination is Amboseli National Park; one of the most amazing ecosystems, containing vast herds of elephants and zebras, marsh wetlands, dust tunnels that move along the landscape, and the iconic back drop of Mount Kilimanjaro. Next we head to Ithumba, the place where the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust brings the older elephant orphans to start the process of reintroducing them to the wild. We will have full exclusivity of the camp and you will have the rare opportunity to interact with these young elephants on multiple occasions. You will be able to lay down right in front of them and capture incredible images from a perspective that few photographers will ever have the chance. At the end of the stay, you will be able to personally choose the elephant you wish to foster. Not only is this an exceptional experience, creating incredible photographic opportunities, but funds from our visit go back to the DSWT and KWS for their conservation efforts.
Next we fly off to the Maasai Mara, which is arguably one of the greatest photographic wildlife experiences in the world. This safari coincides with the great migration; the time when the large herds of zebras and wildebeest cross the Mara river. Your adrenaline will be rushing as you try to capture the dramatic chaos and panic of these animals, as they fear the danger of the lurking crocks, while rushing to get across. The Maasai Mara is also known for its big cats and predator action, especial during migration time!
The Maasai tribe is as famous as Kenya’s wildlife. We will visit two separate villages, where you will have more than a glimpse into this ancient and fascinating world, but the opportunity to capture compelling images equally as powerful as your wildlife images. The Maasai tribe is a huge part of the experience of Africa and one you don’t want to miss out on.
This Photo Safari is an not only an extraordinary opportunity to photograph East Africa’s most phenomenal wildlife locations, with outstanding local guides who fully understand the needs of photographers, but offers a unique intimate experience with the wildlife. You not only come home with an amazing diverse portfolio of images, but you will have truly experienced Africa. You may add the Samburu extension and make this safari the best of Kenya.
This unique safari experience will be limited to only 5-6 participants.
Itinerary
DAY 1 ( August 12, 2015): Arrive Nariobi
You will be met by private transfer and be driven directly through Nairobi, National park, to your beautiful lodge built into the side of a valley on the Mbagathi River. Within 15 minutes of your pick up, you may be photographing Lions, rhino, gazelles, giraffe or hundreds of other wildlife species that make Nariboi National Park their home. Staying at the Emakoko allows you to immediately start off your safari in the wildlife environment you have traveled so far to enjoy.
Each private African style cottage over looks this lush wilderness, where you can fall asleep to the call of the wild; sounds of lions roaring or the cry of the lone hyena. The guides at Emakoko are KPSGA qualified and have a huge amount of knowledge on the flora and fauna in the area
DAY 2 ( August 13, 2015):
You will rise early and go out on a game drive your first morning in Africa!! Nairobi National park is known for its healthy black Rhino population and is known for close encounters with lions. After an exhilarating morning, we will return to the open air dining area of the Emakoko for an incredible breakfast. You may see a variety of wildlife coming down to the river for a drink. After breakfast we will check out, drive through the park one last time, and head to Amboseli; one of the most amazing ecosystems, containing vast herds of elephants, marsh wetlands, and dust tunnels that move along the landscape.
While we are checking in at the main gate of Amboseli National Park, set up your gear and be ready. We will game drive across the open plain to our beautiful style African lodge, centrally located in the reserve; we could see extraordinary wildlife only minutes of entering the Park. We will arrive in time to check in and have a short time to relax before heading out to capture stunning images of he large herds of Elephants and Zebra’s as they roam through the dusty plains.
DAY 3&4 ( August 14 & 15, 2015):
You will have two full days in this unique location, rising early each morning for a quick cup of
of coffee and biscuits before heading out for our morning game drive. Although Amboseli is famous for it amazing herds of elephants, zebra’s and giraffe against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, it is also home to lions, cheetahs, serval cats, hyena, wildebeest and more. You will not only capture iconic images but you will also be reminded of an Authentic Africa of days gone by.
When the light becomes too bright and harsh, we will return to our beautiful lodge, for lunch, time to relax, and download images, before heading back out on our afternoon game drive. However, Amboseli is renowned for big large dramatic clouds, which will allow us to shoot most of the day, and make stunning artistic black and white imagery. This is a small group, which will allow us the flexibility to take advantage of these type situations.
During your stay at Amboseli, you will have the opportunity to visit a traditional Maasai Village. The Maasia in the Amboseli area unique because they mark their high cheeks with a circular tattoo scarring. We will have time to photograph them in the village, dancing, and in their huts, which are a great place to create stunning portraits.
We return to lodge in the evening and meet for famous sundowners, overlooking the plains of Amboseli and exchanging exciting stories of what we experienced that day.
DAY 5 ( August 16, 2015):
We will have one last early morning game drive, followed by breakfast, and then driving on to Ithumba. This is where DSWT brings the young orphan elephants, when it is time to start the process of reintroducing them to the wild. Ithumba Camp belongs to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The camp has only four large safari tents, which are covered from makuti roofs. This is a private camp reserved only for our group. A rustic, charming, two story, open hut style building with a small roof terrace and few into the bush is the heart of this camp. Relax in one of the many daybeds or hammocks and enjoy the endless views across the African Savanna. You may spot Dik Dik, Lesser Kudus, warthogs, and other little game and birds which come to the small waterhole! You will feel like you are the only one in Africa.
In the afternoon we will go down to the stockade for our first elephant encounter and evening feeding. You will have a change to walk among these young elephants and interact with them! This was most intimate and incredible experience I have had in my years of traveling through Africa.
Accommodation – Ithumba Camp
DAY 6 ( August 17, 2015):
We will rise early and go to the Stockage for the 6:00 A.M. elephant feeding and watch them head off into the wild with their keepers. At 11:00 we will go join them again for their noon feeding. The DWST team brings down their bottles to the waterhole where they will begin to interact with the wild elephants. You will be on foot, right beside them, and witness how the DWST team begins to reintroduce these orphans to the wild. After their feeding and watering, they will go for a mud bath and a dusting. You can lay down right in front of them and capture incredible images from a perspective that few photographers will ever have the chance. You will have an opportunity to interact with them on a one to one basis. After spending a few magical hours with these young elephants, there will be time to have lunch, relax, download and review images, before returning to the stockade to watch and photograph the young elephants returning from the wild for their evening feeding.
Accommodation – Ithumba Camp
DAY 7 (August 18, 2015):
This morning you will have another opportunity to join the DSWT for their morning and noon feeding, out in the wild. This is such an incredible experience that you need time to absorb the excitement of the first day and have another opportunity to take advantage of this unique photographic opportunity!! We will then drive directly to the airstrip where our private charter awaits to whisk us off to the greatest wildlife destination in the world; the Maasai Mara.
The excitement builds as we fly over the Mara, viewing the wildlife and seeing the Maasai along the airstrip as we land. There will be enough time for a relaxing lunch and settling 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 8-11 (August 19-22, 2015)
This African Photographic safari is specially timed during the annual wildebeest migration with the possibility of witnessing a crossing at the Mara River. 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, Maasai 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. On past safaris we have photographed black rhino in this area.. We are close to the river; if we get word that the wildebeest are gathering, we will race off in hope 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, we will visit a Maasai Boma at sunrise. 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, and socializing amongst them, to learn about their ancient ways. Slowing down, getting into the rhythm of a place, and experiencing what you photographing, are what create emotionally stunning images.
Accommodation-Mara Bush Camp
Day 12 (August 23, 2015)
We have one last morning game drive before heading to the airstrip for our flight back into Nairobi. You will be transferred to the Ole Sereni Hotel, 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.
The Cost
The cost of this photo safari is $9,295.00 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 $2,500 Non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration to secure your spot.
Price Includes:
- Charter flight from Ithumba to the Maasai Mara
- Flight from the Maasai Mara
- Airport transfers
- First class accommodations
- Adoption of an orphan elephant at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
- Two Maasai village visits
- Select Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks while at Ithumba Camp
- Guaranteed row and window seat in private 4X4 Land cruisers
- Complimentary mineral water in your safari Vehicles
- All National Parks fees, Game Reserves entrance fees, and taxes
- All meals (except on Aug 12, 2015 –this is a travel day and most flights arrive late evening, and Dinner on Aug 22, 2015, 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
- Meals and Beverages on Aug 12, 2015 This is a travel day with many late arrivals
- Dinner on August 22, 2015 due to departures.
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.
More information:
This safari is for of ALL levels of photographers 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 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 lodge. We will be back at camp for a nice dinner and drinks around the fire, every night.
During this migration safari, you will have an opportunity to visit two separate Maasai villages with an experienced African cultural photographer. If you have seen beautiful tribal photographs, but have never photographed people, or tribes, 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.
Due to the small group size and unique experiences offered on this safari, non-photographers spouses would also really enjoy this photographic safari. The cost for non-photographers is the same as for active photographers.
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.
Deposit and Sign-up
THIS SAFARI IS SOLD OUT
Images 3 & 4 are used with permission and curtesy of The Emakoko