May 15-25, 2016
Africa is a tapestry of ancient cultures, exotic wildlife, and dramatic ecosystems, which are mesmerizing for the eyes, mind, and soul. This first-class photographic safari is built around one of the most breathtaking tribal festivals in the world, while also visiting two incredible wildlife reserves in Kenya; a perfect mix of exotic tribes and wildlife in Africa. You will have the experience of a lifetime and come home with an amazing, diverse portfolio of exceptional images from just one safari.
The Turkana basin, including the Ethiopian portion, hosts a diverse group of ethnic/tribal people whose cultures have been preserved over the decades, if not centuries. The Omo River feeds Lake Turkana and the beautiful tribes along its bank continue down through 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 traditional clothing, beading, head ornaments, and paint made from the red ochre. Each group will build their traditional huts along the festival grounds. It is fascinating to see the uniqueness of each individual hut when sitting side by side. Simultaneously, during the festival, everyone will gather in their individual groups playing traditional instruments, singing, 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 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. Amboseli National Park, is an incredible reserve where you can capture vast herds of elephants storming across dry, open plains. Imagine photographing expansive views filled with giraffes, zebras, and other exotic African wildlife, with Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop.
We are passionate and serious about high quality images and will push hard to spend most of our time in the field, but we also believe in an amazing African experience. Piper Mackay, who recently relocated to Kenya, has spent over a decade photographing both wildlife and tribes throughout Kenya and Africa. She will give informal instruction throughout the safari, especially on dramatic lighting situations, to help you capture stunning images that go beyond traditional photographs.
This safari is limited to only 8 guests. This allows for greater freedom, more flexibility, better group dynamics, and the feeling of a more personal, private safari. 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, Randille, Turkana and El Molo
- Samburu Game Reserve, Amboseli National
- Two private charter flights, with extra weight limits for your photographic equipment
- Luxury accommodations
- 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, each person will have their own row with 2 window seats available for the best viewing and photographic opportunities.
May 15, 2016
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. The Fairview, built in the traditional Karen Blixen African architecture, sits within 5 acres of beautiful gardens. The perfect atmospheres to relax after your long journey, decompress from modern life, and get into the rhythm of Africa.
Accommodations: upper class rooms, Fairview Hotel
May 16, 2016
Today you will awaken in a magical new world with the aroma of Kenyan coffee brewing. We will meet at breakfast for a briefing before hopping in our private Land Cruisers and heading to the famous Samburu Game Reserve. We will stop for lunch at the famous Trout Tree Restaurant, an experience in and of itself, where troops of White Colobus Monkeys will probably swing right over our heads. 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 friendly, traditional Samburu tribe staff will greet us and give us a full briefing about the camp and area. As the name implies, the elephants stroll through the camp and in between the luxury tents. During midday, relax in the private plunge pool, on the deck of your tent, with a cold drink, and let the wildlife come to you. In the early afternoon we will head out on our first game drive to explore this spectacular reserve.
Accommodations: luxury tents, Elephant Bedroom Camp
May 17 & 18, 2016
We will spend the next two days on safari, driving through this stunning African landscape seeking out the leopards, Gravy’s zebras, reticulated giraffes, 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 mud of the river and dusting themselves with the rich, red soil, making for extraordinary images in golden light.
We will also spend an incredible evening, on the top of the hills, with the warriors of the Samburu Tribe. Originally part of the Maasai tribe when they first came down the Nile River, the Samburu split off when the Maasai continued their journey south to Tanzania. The name Samburu name means the butterfly people, they not only flew off from their original tribe, but they became more colorful in their traditional dress. This will be a very special evening were you will not only have the opportunity to create extraordinary images, but have a unique experience that few others will have.
Accommodations: luxury tents, Elephant Bedroom Camp
May 19, 2016
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 a more intimate experience with the tribe, to photograph their daily life in the village, and to have time to create some beautiful portraits.
We will return to our luxury camp for a late breakfast before we are driven to the private airstrip to board our private charter aircraft to Lake Turkana. We will land in a whole new world, and one of the richest tribal regions in Africa. You will feel as though you have been transported back to an authentic Africa of bygone days. In the remote lakeside town of Loiyangalani, four tribes live side-by-side: Randille, Turkana, Samburu, and El Molo. During this time, up to eight other tribes will have gathered for the festival.
We will have time to check into our lodge, have lunch, and relax by the pool before heading out to the shores of Lake Turkana to visit the El Molo. Members of the El Molo Tribe, the smallest tribe in Africa, are keen fisherman and crocodile hunters. The women are decorated in beautiful beadwork and are masters of weaving.
Accommodations: Oasis Lodge
May 20 &21, 2016
Over the next two days, we will immerse ourselves in the various cultures at the festival, along the shores of Lake Turkana, and in their villages. The festival will be a kaleidoscope of color, song, dance, rhythm, community, interaction, and photographic opportunities. Besides the unbelievable photograph opportunities, it will also be an unbelievable, authentic tribal experience.
Accommodations: Oasis Lodge
May 22, 2016
We will have one last sunrise shoot with the tribes. After breakfast, we will drive to the private airstrip to board our private charter aircraft to Amboseli National Park.
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
May 23, 2016
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 give us their insights to their struggles in living in harmony with and protecting the wildlife.
Accommodations –Amboseli Serena Lodge
May 24, 2016
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 send one last magical day on safari, returning to our beautiful lodge, to have lunch, relax, lie by the pool, or download images before heading out on our afternoon game drive.
Accommodations –Amboseli Serena Lodge
May 25, 2016
We will rise early for one last visit with the Maasai tribe at sunrise. We will return to the lodge for breakfast, check out, and game drive out of the park. Once back in Nairobi you will be taken to the Ole Sereni, which sits along Nairobi National Park, where you will have dayrooms. You will be able to enjoy a leisurely afternoon reflecting back on the amazing experience you had on safari; lie by the pool overlooking the park, take a nap, enjoy a delicious meal, and have time to clean up before your flight back home later in the evening.
Day rooms: four star, Ole Sereni
Is this trip for you?
This photographic safari is for passionate photographers who want to experience and photograph Kenya’s most exotic tribes and wildlife. The focus is on producing high quality images of extraordinary subjects so we will be rising very early in the morning for the best light. This safari mixes luxury camps and lodges in pristine wildlife reserves with a remote tribal area where the accommodations are basic. To avoid long drives over rough roads, we fly by private charter to and from Lake Turkana. 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 variety of exotic wildlife, however some special subjects may require spending time watching their behavior and waiting for those special moments. This is when patience pays off, rewarding you with extraordinary photographs. We will spend a great deal of time and effort in the field—unless it is quiet and the light is too harsh—and we will return to our camp/lodge for the midday break. This means there may be several mornings and some lunches that will involve box meals that we take with us, rather than eating at camp or the lodge. We will be back at our 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 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 needed and spend quality time with you in an amazing location.
The Price
The price of this unique cultural and wildlife photographic adventure is $8,995.00. This price is based on double occupancy.
Single supplement is $1,195.00 ” 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, but generally at a reduced rate.
A USD $1,800.00 Non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration to secure your spot.
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
- Private charters to and from Lake Turkana
- 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
Payment Terms
- USD $1,800.00 non-refundable deposit to confirm your place on this safari
- 2nd payment of USD $3,000.00 is due December 1, 2015
- Final payment/Balance is due Feb 15, 2016
- We highly recommend trip and cancellation insurance
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 according to the initial itinerary. In the event of circumstances 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.
How do I register for this safari?
If you are excited to join this unique Migration safari, then now is the time to register. To secure your spot, both the registration form and the non–refundable deposit must be completed. Use the link and button below to access the e-registration form and to make your deposit. Once the safari is full, you may add your name to the waitlist.
REGISTRATION
THIS TRIP IS SOLD OUT. If you wish to join this amazing trip in 2017, please add your name to the interest list. You will be notified of the details in advance so you may pre-register for this trip. As this trip is limited to only 8 guest, it usually fills from the interest list. Details for the 2017 trip should be available by the end of July 2016.