Helicopter, night, low angle, hide photography, and black leopard
Embark on the most thrilling photographic experience of a lifetime. This African wildlife photo safari promises to deliver on all fronts! Over-the-top unique wildlife photography experiences include night hide photography, helicopter photography, night photography, low-angle photography, and searching for Giza, the black leopard. You will return home not just having furthered your personal photographic skills but with an extreme variety of images and experiences not offered in ANY other safari.
Hide photography – day and night
Gazing into the darkness, filled with anticipation for the wildlife that will grace our presence, is nothing short of exhilarating. Our exclusive camp features two stunning ground-level hides, offering a unique and intimate view of the animals, perfectly illuminated at night for dramatic shots. One hide is set in the bush, while the other overlooks the vast savanna, each providing its own distinctive experience and photographic potential. With exclusive access to these hides and the entire lodge, you’ll have an unforgettable, private safari adventure.
Helicopter Photography
Deep in the heart of the Great Southern Rift Valley, surrounded by the staggering beauty of the Olkeramatian conservancy, beyond the volcanic lunar landscape is the soda lakes of Madadi and Lake Natron, full of flamingos. The perfect setting for aerial photography! You will fly over the wildlife conservancy on the way to the lakes. You will have two separate 1-hour helicopter flights.
Night wildlife photography
Night photography is becoming very popular! Predators begin to become active in the late afternoon/evening. We try our best to locate the big cats before sunset to follow them into the evening when they become most active. We then try to set up for side/back light for the opportunity of unique and dramatic images.
Searching for the black leopard
We will be taking a private charter to a special reserve that is host to Giza the most famous cat and black leopard. We continue to hope she will flourish, but this is nature, and anything can happen to her between now and then. However, the regular spotty leopard sightings are excellent and there are new cubs one month old at the time of writing this. This conservancy is also ultra-exclusive with only one small main camp and even smaller sister camp. It is also located in the North, so it has all the exotic species of the north such as the grevy zebra, reticulated giraffe, oryx, gerenuk, vulturine guine fowl, and wild dogs.
Low angle photography
We fly by private charter to our last location which puts us perfectly positioned in one of the best Mara conservancies with a high density of lions. In this location we will have custom photographic vehicles with special low-level doors to be eye to eye with the predators. We will have off-road access for the best position and the vehicle density is low in this private conservancy so you can use a wide angle and not have any other vehicles in the background of your images.
Luxury camps and Exclusive
Most of our accommodations are reserved exclusively for our group. Our luxury tent camps have a traditional African style reminiscent of the days of Ernest Hemingway and incorporate a high eco-standard.
Itinerary
ITINERARY
Day 1: January 19, 2028
Upon your arrival at the international airport in Nairobi, Kenya, you are met by a Mackay Africa safari guide and transferred by private vehicle to Karen’s historical and tranquil area. Built in the architecture of the “Out of Africa” era, your accommodations will make you feel like you are more than a guest, but at home in Africa. It is the perfect place to unwind after your long journey. As this is a travel day and most flights arrive in the evening, we have not included any meals, but meals are available and payable directly.
Official check-in time is 1400hrs
****If you arrive early, please do not hesitate to contact us about pre-tour arrangements.
Air travel delays can happen, so we recommend arriving a day early if possible. This helps ensure you don’t miss any part of the experience and allows time to rest before the adventure begins. Our team at Mackay Africa in Kenya would be happy to assist with any pre-tour extensions to ensure a seamless trip.
Day 2: January 20, 2028
Today, you will wake up in a magical new world to the aroma of Kenyan coffee brewing. We will meet at breakfast for a safari briefing before hopping into our Land Cruisers and heading to the Great Southern Rift Valley (3-hour drive), arriving in time to settle in before lunch. Afternoon game drive and/or hide session.
This exclusive, family-owned and managed luxury tented camp is set on the banks of the Ewaso Ngiro River and blends into nature.
B, L & D (includes all beverages except champagne)
Day 3,4,5: January 21, 22, 23 2028
Hide and helicopter photography, and optional game drives.
This camp and the hides are exclusive to our group
B, L & D (includes all beverages except champagne)
Day 6: January 24, 2028
Rise slowly for a delicious breakfast before we charter to the unique conservancy in the North with the famous black leopard. Afternoon and night game drive searching for the black leopard
Our authentic African-tented camp will remind you of the days of Ernest Hemingway.
B, L & D (includes local drinks and laundry)
Day 7 & 8 : January 25 & 26, 2028
The morning game drive starts before sunrise with a packed breakfast. Return to camp for lunch, rest, and then go out on our afternoon/night game drive.
B, L & D (includes local drinks and laundry)
Day 9 : January 27, 2028
We will rise early for one last fantastic game drive, return to camp for a tasty breakfast, and then fly by private charter to one of the best Mara conservancies. Afternoon and evening game drive using the low-angle door.
B, L & D (includes house drinks and laundry)
Day 10: January 28, 2028
Morning and afternoon game drive using the low-angle door.
B, L & D (includes house drinks and laundry)
Day 11 : January 29, 2028
Morning game drive. Return to camp for breakfast and check out. Scheduled flight back to Nairobi. You will be transported to the Four Points hotel at the airport, where you will have dayrooms. You can enjoy a leisurely afternoon reflecting on the amazing experience you had on the expedition, take a nap, enjoy a delicious meal, relax at the rooftop pool and bar, and have time to clean up before your flight back home later in the evening. In the evening, you will be transported to the international airport to catch your flight home.
***International flights can be booked after 6:00 PM
**** Our team at Mackay Africa in Kenya is happy to assist with any post-trip extensions for a seamless trip.
Accommodations: Dayrooms at Four Points. B
Important Details
The Price
The price of this African wildlife extreme safari, based on double occupancy (two people sharing a room and the cost of the room) is $17,895.00
The price of this African wildlife extreme safari, in a private room, is $21,390.00
Private rooms are limited to 4.
If a solo guest wishes to share a room, we will do our best to match them with another guest of the same gender. If we cannot match a solo guest, they will default into a private room, and the private room rate will be charged.
***The cost of this safari is based on a minimum of 8 participants. Due to the charter flights, helicopter, and exclusive use of the hides, a small supplemental fee of $ 1,295.00 will apply if there are fewer than 8 participants.
***Minimum of 6 guests required.
A USD 5,000 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration to secure your spot. We understand that life is unpredictable, and one never knows what surprises life may have that might alter your plans. As unplanned conflicts can arise, we highly recommend protecting your investment with proper travel insurance that would cover/refund your non-refundable deposit and payments.
Payment Terms
- USD $5,000.00 non-refundable deposit to confirm your place on this safari
- 2nd payment of USD $7,000.00 (single supplement) is due January 30, 2027
- Final payment/balance is due September 15, 2027
- We highly recommend trip and cancellation insurance.
Price Includes:
- VIP ARRIVAL – we will meet you when you exit the aircraft
- 3 Charter flights with an extra weight allowance of 30Kg/66Lbs
- 4 afternoon, night, and morning hide sessions
- 2 1-hour helicopter flights
- Special VIP Black Leopard vehicles
- Beverages at all camps – nonalcoholic, beer, wine, and select cocktails with meals
- Laundry in all camps
- Airport transfers on the date of arrival and departure
- Guaranteed row and window seat in private extended 4×4 Land Cruisers
- Unlimited game drives
- All National Parks fees, Game Reserve entrance fees, and taxes
- All meals, starting with breakfast on Jan 20, 2028 through breakfast on Jan 29, 2028
- All accommodation starting on January 19, 2028 – dayrooms on Jan 29, 2028
- Evacuation insurance to a Nairobi hospital (transport only – Cost of hospitalization NOT included)
- Complimentary drinking water at meals, in your room, and on game drives.
- Experienced safari agent at Mackay Africa to help you with pre- or post-safari extended travel in Kenya, Rwanda, or Uganda.
What’s Not Included:
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Personal purchases (such as curios, spirit liquors, telephone calls, internet, laundry…)
- Gratuities for the guides, staff at accommodations, ($40 -$55 per day)
- Optional extra activities (balloon rides, walking safaris, etc.)
- Pre- and post-safari tours
- Meals and accommodations before or after the safari
- International flights to and from the African continent
