August 17-August 27, 2014
Secure your spot now
This is an African photographic safari that is especially timed for the annual wildebeest migration, known as the greatest wildlife show on earth. This safari is all about the photography with a focus on the migration crossing the Mara River. We will be staying at two different locations in the Mara as well as at a private reserve with fewer vehicles, where we can drive off road, and at go out on night game drives. Having multiple locations in the Maasai Mara will allow you to achieve a solid portfolio of images. Piper has spent the past 9 years going to the Mara during the migration and she knows the traditional crossing points as well as where the predator’s territories are! You will feel like you have stepped into a wildlife documentary film and you will be overwhelmed by the plethora of exotic wildlife and photographic opportunities!
SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
- Experiencing the greatest migration on earth.
- We have 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.
- 3 different locations in the Mara to increase the chance at witnessing a massive crossing
- Staying in a private reserve where we can go off road and do night game drives. Here we are not under the rules of the National Park/Conservancy. There will be less vehicles, we can go off the roads and stay out after dark.
- Luxury accommodations in a small private tented camps
- Safari is limited to 8 participants! This is a smaller more private group than most photographic safaris
- 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 17, 2014
Arrive Nairobi, Kenya and transfer to your comfortable hotel
Day 2 August 18, 2014
Today you will awake to the exotic birdcalls in a magical new world with the aroma of Kenyan coffee brewing. We will meet at breakfast for a safari briefing driving to the local airport for our flight to the Maasai Mara. We will arrive at camp with enough time to settle in before lunch with a little time to relax before we head out on our first game drive.
The 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 and there is no better way to photograph than by camping in the heart of the migration! Sitting close to the campfire at night, you will enjoy the starry African night and once safely escorted to your tent by your Masai watchman, you will be lulled asleep to the sound of grazing Hippo and roaring lion.
Day 3-5 August 19-21, 2014
Rise early today. As the cool, fresh air fills your lungs you’ll feel invigorated and rejuvenated, ready for a great day on safari. Roll down the windows or stand up through the customized roof hatch and enjoy this unhindered 360 views, and the possibilities for what lies ahead.
We will spend the next 3 full days in and around the Talak area of the Mara. This is one of the richest predator areas of the Mara and will be our focus for these three days. However, this is one of the most lush reserves in Africa and we will probably see Elephants, Hippos, Masai giraffe, common zebra, gnu, impala, Thompson’s and Grant’s gazelles, Topi, Hartebeest, Black-backed jackal, spotted hyena and more during these three days. We will also be in radio connection with colleagues and guides to keep a watch out for a build up of the migration and a possible crossing. We are close enough to the river that if we get word, we will race off for a large crossing.
Day 6 August 22, 2014
We will have a morning game drive and cross to the other side the Mara River to our new location. We spend two nights on this side of the river in hopes for a large crossing coming right at us!! We will stay at the Serena Lodge, the only accommodations on this side of the river, which is situated up high on a hill with a look out over the crossing points. We will be able to see the herds building for miles!!!
Day 7 August 23, 2014
We will go out on our planned morning and afternoon game drives or maybe sits along the Mara River waiting for the big crossing, depending on how the herds are lining up. Getting a crossing takes time and patients, many times waiting along the edge of the river for hours or a full day, but we have a big advantage here by being able to see the build up for a great distance. Our guides are experts and if there is not a large build up we will not wait, but game drive near the crossing locations and keep in contact with any action near the crossing points. Our main goal at this location is a big crossing!!
Day 8 August 24, 2014
This morning we will go out on our morning game drive for one last chance at a large crossing before heading back across the river to our new location in a private reserve on the boarder of the Maasai Mara. This will allow us to get away from all the other vehicles for a more intimate experience. We are no longer under the regulations of the National park/Conservancy; therefore we are able to drive off the roads. We will do this with caution and when necessary to track a predator from a distance. We are also able to venture out on night game drives!!
Day 9 & 10 August 25 &26, 2013
We have two full days in this private reserve
Day 11 August 27, 2013
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.
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 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 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.
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 available to assist you throughout the entire safari. 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 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.
Included:
- 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
- All meals (except on Aug 17th –this is a travel day and most flights arrive late evening, and Dinner on Aug 27th 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?
The group size for this safari is limited to 8 participants. Due to the small size of the group, this safari could fill quickly. If you are excited to join us on this amazing safari, then now is the time to register. To secure your spot, please complete the On-line registration form and make the $2,400 non-refundable deposit, Once the tour is full, I will except request for the wait list by email.Once the tour is full, I will except request for the wait list by email
TRIP REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED