Description:

A photo safari in East Africa is often considered an experience of a lifetime! However, most people that visit Africa seem to go back for more. This itinerary has been designed to cover the very best photographic locations that Kenya has to offer. It is also timed with the great migration of the wildebeest as it moves into Kenya. Sometimes referred to as the 'Greatest Show on Earth', the wildebeest migration is a movement of approximately 1.5 million wildebeest throughout the Serengeti and Masai Mara ecosystems in search of green pastures and water. While we will be hoping to see/photograph a river crossing there are going to be a plethora of photographic opportunities to phograph the amazing wildlife that Kenya has to offer. We will have our own private 4x4 land cruisers that we will tavel and photograph out of. We will have 3 photographers per vehicle for maximum flexibility allowed for photography in different directions. This will also maximise comfort when driving from one location to the next.

These locations include:

Samburu Game Reserve - The habitat consists of semi-arid bush and savannahsinterspersed with Flat-top Acacias and Doum palms, where animals roam free and wide over a huge territory which extends beyond the borders of the reserves. Commonly seen are huge herds of  Elephants, Leopards and Lions. This ecosystem hosts some dry-country adapted species or subspecies which can all be easily seen here and not in other parks, such as the Grevy’s Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, the Gerenuk, the Beisa Oryx and the Somali Ostrich. It is also a heaven for birdwatchers, with different species of Barbets, Weavers, Hornbills, Finches and Raptors providing ample variety.

Lake Nakuru  - is one of the main feeding and breeding sites of the East African population of Lesser Flamingos. It is an alkaline lake, whose shallow waters are rich in nutrients for the flamingos that gather here in their thousands, especially during the months of June to September. In Lake Nakuru NP, photo opportunities with these extraordinary birds are plentiful. The beach surrounding the lake is a favorite hunting ground for the resident Spotted Hyenas, who have developed a technique to catch the flamingos. They launch into the water towards the flock, running tirelessly until a weak example is singled out. Then the Steppe Eagles, Fish Eagles and Marabous share the scraps of the Hyenas’ meals, providing some interesting interactions. Pelicans and Storks can also be found at the lake.

Around the lake open savannah plains and Yellow-fever Acacia forests spread out. Here most species of herbivores thrive, among which the White and Black Rhinoceroses stand out. The park is home also to a good population of Lions and Leopardswhich can be seen in the Acacia forest or on rocky slopes.

Masai Mara  - The Masai Mara NR is traversed by the Mara River and its tributaries. A lush riverine forest grows along the banks, where Elephants, Bushbucks, Vervet Monkeys and Leopards find refuge. The Masai Mara is also crossed by many seasonal streams and gulleys, where the big cats find shade during the hottest hours of the day. These habitats support one of the highest concentrations of game in Africa. In particular, it is the number of predators and the high chances of seeing them that make the Mara so unique and attractive for wildlife photographers and enthusiasts.

During the dry season from July to October, the Mara keeps on receiving regular rains. This attracts the big herds of Wildebeests and Zebras, the famous Great Migration, which culminates in the dramatic crossing of the Mara River, right here in the park. Animals are forced to cross the raging waters of the river with all its dangers: rapids, steep banks, rocks, Crocodiles and other predators in ambush. It is a fantastic and unique natural spectacle. Besides the numbers of wildlife, the great advantage of the Mara for photography is the vast network of tracks and roads that cover almost every corner of the reserve. This makes it possible to follow the animals throughout the day and to position optimally for photography.

Other than these 3 amazing destinations we will also visit Aberdare National Park and Lake Naivasha where we will take advantage of less abundant but different type of photographic opportunities.

An extension to Amboselie National Park will also be offered. Please let us know if you are interested when registering for this safari. The park lies at the base of the mighty Mt Kilimanjaro and at the heart of a huge semi-arid ecosystem. Its main attraction is the great population of Elephants and amazing views of Mt Kilimanjaro.

Itinerary

Day 1 (Sat) -   USA/Kenya 

Depart USA for Kenya 

Day 2 (Sun) -   Nairobi - JAMBO - KARIBU!! - WELCOME TO KENYA

+ PM arrival in NBO
+ Proceed with Customs/Immigration/Baggage Claim procedures
+ Transfer from airport to hotel in NBO
+ Overnight in Nairobi

Day 3 (Mon) -   Aberdare National Park

This morning, meet your private dedicated guide - driver in the hotel lobby & depart on your private transfer to Aberdares
+ Arrive in time for a Nice Hot lunch at your unique Lodge
+ assisted with check into your std rooms
+ all day and night up close Game viewing /photography at the water hole from lodge deck and photography hide/bunker
+ Overnight in Aberdare National Park

                  
Day 4 (Tue) -   Samburu Game Reserve 

After breakfast, depart on your Private transfer to Samburu, stopping enroute for photo opps
+ Arrival in time for lunch + assisted with check into your std rooms
+ short siesta then head for an afternoon game viewing activity with your expert private driver/guide
+ Overnight at Samburu Game Reserve  

Day 5 (Wed) -   Samburu Game Reserve

Enjoy a FULL DAY GAME DRIVE of game viewing drives & photography in both Samburu and Buffalo Springs game reserves
+ Overnight at Samburu Game Reserve  

Day 6 (Thu) -   Lake Nakuru National Park

Morning private transfer to Lake Nakuru, famous as home to thousands of lesser and greater flamingo.
+ Enroute a brief stopover at Thompson's Falls named after Joseph Thompson
+ Arrival in time for lunch + assisted with check into your std rooms 
+ then head for an afternoon game viewing activity with your expert driver/guide to look for/photograph the BIG FIVE - leopard, both the black and white rhino, the endangered Rothschild Giraffe and birding
 + Overnight at Lake Nakuru     

  
Day 7 (Fri) -   Lake Naivasha

Morning game drive enroute as you private transfer to Lake Naivasha with its commanding setting at the foot of the Rift Valley Escarpment
+ Arrival in time for lunch, then proceed for a boat ride on the lake and disembark on Crescent Island private sanctuary, for a photo walk amongst Zebra, Wildebeests, Gazelle, Vervet Monkey, Genet and Giraffe.
+ Overnight at Lake Naivasha

      
Day 8 (Sat) -   Masai Mara

After a sumptuous breakfast, drive through the Rift Valley floor, adjacent to the world famous Masai Mara National Reserve, the flagship premier game park of Kenya offering wonderful scenery and plenty of game
+ Arrival in time for lunch 
+ assisted with check into your lodge
+ then proceed for your afternoon game
+ Overnight at lodge in Masai Mara             
        

Day 9 (Sun) -   Masai Mara 

Enjoy a FULL DAY GAME DRIVE of game viewing drives & photography. Be on the look-out for the BIG FIVE that Maasai Mara is famous for. These include the lion, savannah (African) elephant, the Cape buffalo, the leopardand the black rhino. We may even be so lucky to witness a leopard or a cheetah sprint and make a kill!
+ Overnight at lodge in Masai Mara

            
Day 10 (Mon) -  Masai Mara

Early morning game viewing drive/transfer in between the lodges
+ Arrival in time for lunch + assisted with check into your std rooms into your luxury lodge located in the heart of the Masai Mara
+ afternoon game viewing activity with your expert driver/guide
+ Overnight at lodge in Masai Mara

Day 11 (Tue) -  Masai Mara 

Enjoy a FULL DAY GAME DRIVE of game viewing drives & photography to different areas of this huge park
+ Overnight at lodge in Masai Mara

Day 12 (Wed) -  Masai Mara 

Enjoy a FULL DAY GAME DRIVE of game viewing drives & photography to different areas of this huge park
(OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Dawn Balloon Safari over the Mara Plains ending with a champagne breakfast.)
Masai village visits can be arranged in the mornings. Guided nature walks and/or enjoy a visit to a traditional Masai Manyatta. Experience the culture of this world famous community - the Maasai still lives as they did for centuries; interact with these nomadic people and experience their way of life as you learn about their customs and traditions)
+ Overnight at lodge in Masai Mara

Day 13 (Thu) -  Masai Mara 

Enjoy a FULL DAY GAME DRIVE of game viewing drives & photography to different areas of this huge park
+ Overnight at lodge in Masai Mara 

Day 14 (Fri) -  Nairobi 

Breakfast at lodge. Short early morning game drive  (time permitting)
+ Private transfer back to Nairobi
+ This evening, by special arrangement Farewell Bar B Q Dinner at a private home or Carnivore Restaurant
+ Private transfer to airport arriving in time to checkin at respective airline counter

Day 15 (Sat) -  arrive USA

*Single supplement may be required if we cannot pair you with a roommate; we will inform you of the rooming arrangements as the trip fills.

SOLD OUT!

Please contact Nikhil if you have any questions.

Back to Workshop page