Kenya Great Migration Tour

KENYA GREAT MIGRATION TOUR

August 17-August 29, 2012

Secure your spot now

 

The Kenya Great Migration Safari is an African photographic safari that is especially timed for the annual wildebeest migration that some have called 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 three different locations in the Mara to capitalize on the greatest concentration of wildlife on earth! I have spent the past 7 years going to the Mara during the migration and know 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.

Lion Kenya

SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

  • 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.
  • Luxury accommodations in a small private tented camps and Beautiful African lodges.
  • Experiencing the greatest migration on earth.
  • Safari is limited to 8 participants, plus Piper
  • This safari focuses on getting incredible images, we will push hard spending most of our time in the field and not back at camp having a nice meal, this is all about wildlife photography.
  • Three different location in the Mara for the best chance at a massive crossing
  • This safari focuses on up-close and real wildlife experiences from an Africa of days gone by.

Wildebeest Herd

THE ITINERARY

Day 1. August 17, 2012
Depart on your wildlife adventure of a lifetime

Day 2 August 18, 2012
Arrive Nairobi, Kenya and transfer to your comfortable hotel

Day 3 August 19, 2012
This morning you will wake up  in a very magical place with the aroma of Kenyan coffee brewing. We will meet at breakfast for a safari briefing before hoping into our Safari vehicles departing for the Masai Mara driving along the floor of the Rift Valley. I have chosen to drive to the Mara to allow us to slow down, relax and take the time to decompress from modern life and sink into the ambience and rhythm of Africa.  We  will be able to do a small game drive on the way to our exclusive private tented camp arriving in time for a late lunch with time to settle in before we head out on our first official 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  camping in the heart of the migration! Sitting close to the camp fire at night,  you will enjoy the starry African sky and once safely escorted to your tent by your Masai watchman, you will be lulled asleep to the sound of grazing hippo, zebra’s barking  and the occasional roar of a lion.

Cheetah Cub Leaps on Mother

Day 4-6 August, 20-22, 2012
We rise early today in one of the greatest wildlife locations in all of Africa. Put down the camera and take a few minutes to enjoy the breath taking views in every direction, watch the sunrise,  dream about  the possibilities,  and get ready for a great day on safari!

We will spend the next 3 full days in and around the Talak area of the Mara. This is one of the best area’s for all the  big cats   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 7 August 23
We will have a morning game drive and breakfast and then game drive our way to our next camp located along the Mara River.

This exclusive luxury tented camp with only 6 tents is also positioned to blend unobtrusively into the surrounding vegetation with a view of the Mara river. The tents all have a fusion of modern African décor with all the amenities such as hot running water, flush toilets, bathtub and an outside shower with a view!

We will settle in and have some time to relax before our afternoon game drive. We will stay on constant alert for a possible river crossing and be prepared to go at a moments notice!

Wildebeests Crossing River

Day 8 & 9 August 24 & 25
Our location here is positioned to be close to the main crossing points and our main focus with a lot of luck, will be to witness a dramatic crossing of thousands of wildebeest and zebra.  To see a crossing takes time and patients, many times waiting along the edge of the river for hours or a full day.  I actually enjoy sitting along the river with many others in anticipation of witnessing one of the greatest events on this planet! It is a great time to discuss photography and view images. 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.

Day 10 August 26
Today we will move to the other side of the Mara River for yet another chance at the migration crossing from a new vantage point.

Our accommodations will be at the One of the most beautiful lodges in the Mara, sitting up high on a hill overlooking the Mara River and the great plains! The view is breath taking and you can watch the build up of the migration while lounging around the pool with a cool refreshing drink.

This is also the morning that a balloon ride can be arranged. ( US$485.00 for balloon rides-this is NOT included in the price of the safari)

Leaping Gazelle

Day 11 August 27
We arise early and head out in hopes for a dramatic crossing and to explore the Mara triangle with an abundance of wildlife in a new setting and dramatic landscapes.

Day 12 August 28
We arise early and enjoy our last game drive in the Masai Mara, the crown jewel of Kenya and the Serrengeti eco system. We come back to the lodge for a final delicious breakfast before game driving to the airstrip for our chartered flight back to Nairobi.

We will be met by our host in Nairobi and will visit the famous Carnivore restaurant for lunch. We will then be transferred to day rooms to relax until it is time for our international departures. You will be transferred to the airport for you departure home, or stay overnight and continue your safari by coming on the extension to Amboselli

Day 13, August 29
Arrive home or continue your safari by coming on the extension to Amboselli

Is this trip for you?

This safari is for anyone who is serious about wildlife and nature photography. This safari is focused on producing quality images and is timed during the migration with an emphasis on photographing the migration crossing the Mara River. Capturing high quality images requires patience, which means we may have to stay with a subject some times for an hour or more. If your objective is to have the highest quantity of  images rushing to every subject as though you are on a race to be the first one to fill up your memory cards and check off a list,  then this is not the right safari for you. 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. But, 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 and we return our camp/lodge for the mid day break.  This also  means there will be many mornings and some lunches that will be box meals in the field rather than at the lodge.

This is a safari for serious photographers of all levels. This safari is about shooting and shooting and shooting. This is not a formal workshop so there will not be any formal lectures, slide shows, or formal instruction, but I will be available to help you  on a personal level throughout the safari. I am very passionate about Africa and photography and love to share my knowledge  and experiences. I am available to you for any questions while on safari on topics such as composition, camera settings, pan blurs, or any photography related questions including marketing, branding, and creating a niche.  When we have an afternoon break I will be happy to review your images or portfolios. If we have time I also like to share some of my artistic post processing that I do using NIK software. This is largely why I like to keep my group sizes small, so that I can assist you when you need help and spend quality time with you in an amazing location.

Baby Elephant with Mother Lion Cub with Mother

NON-PHOTOGRAPHER SPOUSE/PARTNER

An African safari is magical and a trip of a lifetime which anyone one would enjoy with or without a camera. This offer is to allow a couple an opportunity to travel together and to enjoy Kenya, but it is a photography tour first.

There are two spots available at a “small” discount for a spouse to accompany the photographer. HOWEVER, the non photographer will be seated in the front seat, next to the driver for all game-drives. This is a comfortable riding position, and will afford great game-watching views and opportunities for all but those times when game is on the right hand side behind the driver. The non-photographer is a non-photography position and the driver/guides will not be positioning a vehicle to accommodate the non-photographer. The non-photographer will need to sit still during shooting times and will not be allowed to climb into the back with photographers. The non-photographer is a non-voter in terms of whether a vehicle stays or goes, should it occur that some photographers wish to remain with a subject and others do not. Non-photographers will be required to sign an agreement stating their knowledge of these facts, because a few spouses have, in the past, signed up a spouse without informing them of these details and they were upset with the arrangement.

With this in mind, it is suggest that the non-photographer fill a regular full price photography spot even if they do no plan on shooting. Doing so allows that person more freedom of movement, they can stand or sit, and they will have a better view of game.

The price of this safari;

The price of this safari is $7,850 per person . The price is based on double occupancy, single Room supplement is $1,500 if available. 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 (up to, but not exceeding the full sharing cost). If we are unable to match a solo guest with another guest of the same gender, then the single supplement will be charged.

PRICE INCLUDES:

  • Flight from the Masai Mara to Nairobi
  • First class accommodations
  • Guaranteed row and window seat in private 4X4 Land cruisers
  • All National Parks and Game Reserves entrance fees
  • All meals and non alcoholic beverages
  • Membership to the Flying Doctors Service while on Safari

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

  • Visas
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal purchases (including personal shopping, alcoholic beverages (except when stated on the itinerary, laundry , telephone calls, etc.
  • Gratuities
  • Optional activities at lodges/camps/hotels  (balloon rides, walking safaris, etc)
  •  Pre- and post –safari private tours
  • Meals or accommodation before or after the safari (except as noted in the detailed itinerary)
  • 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 the initial itinerary. In the event, 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?

Since I like to keep the group size of my tours small, generally only 7-8 participants, they can fill up quickly.  A $2,000 non-refundable deposit and completed reservation form is required to secure your spot. When this limited tour is full, I will take request for the wait list by email.

Registration Form (PDF ~430 KB)

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