Dates: July 24 - August 5, 2009
Cost: $4,835.00 USD
Booking Deadline: April 24, 2009
Sojourns in Nature and JK Safaris, will take you on what will be the most intimate experience of Kenya you could ever imagine. This photo safari is designed for an extremely small group of ambitious wildlife photographers (Maximum number of people in a Land Rover is four so that two people can shoot comfortably in all directions out of one roof hatch.) willing to spend long days in the field to make the most of what, for many photographers, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Go to the search engine of this site and type “Kenya” into the search window to see the portfolio of images I brought back from a single safari in 2006.
Your African photo safari actually begins well before you board your plane to Africa. I will outline a course of instruction that starts with photo projects you will be asked to complete before your departure. This will enable me to gauge your expertise and to focus my instruction on your personal strengths and abilities as well as add other vital field techniques to your repertoire to enable you to shoot like a pro during the safari. I will also provide you with a complete packing list for the trip, including vaccination requirements, equipment, clothing, visa information, advise on tipping…etc.
Other outfitters often pack nine or even ten people into one Land Rover. Some fill the open back of a cattle truck with dozens of sweaty participants who stand for hours holding onto the railing with one hand while desperately trying to focus their cameras on the wildlife with the other as their vehicle lurches over the rugged terrain in the hot, equatorial sun. They waste precious field time returning to camp for each meal. Meanwhile, we enjoy a light breakfast, leave camp before dawn, are shooting by sunrise, enjoy box lunches in the field, and do not return until after the light is gone.
Moreover, we are fortunate that our safaris are led by some of the finest guides in all of Africa. With literally dozens of safari vehicles searching for the coveted leopard in the Masai Mara one year, photographer Peter Malshuk, myself, and our superb guide, Isaac Gateru, were in the only vehicle parked under a leopard dozing in an acacia tree. Isaac also facilitated our photographing the famed Mara River crossing, not once, but three times from opposite banks!
Quite frankly, if you get to Africa only once in this life, there’s no better way than to join us on this safari. \
Itinerary
Day 1
On arrival at the airport, transfer to the Stanley Hotel. Overnight at the Stanley Hotel. Meet Gustav, your instructor and the other participants before enjoying cocktails (depending on time of arrival) and overnight in Nairobi.
Day 2
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning drive to the Mt. Kenya region, arriving in time for lunch. Lunch at Mountain Lodge. Afternoon game viewing from the lodge then dinner.
Some of the best elephant images I captured in 2006 were taken from the balcony of my room at the Mountain Lodge. Seated comfortably on a cushioned chair with the camera on my tripod, only a few feet from my bed, a cold drink by my side, I photographed elephant, cape buffalo, and various antelope species that are drawn to a watering hole a mere 75 yards behind the lodge. This is the ideal way to begin a safari while recovering from jet lag! Imagine photographing nursing elephants in between cat naps.
B, L, D
Day 3
A full day and second night enjoying the close proximity of the wildlife in this rustic yet comfortable lodge. All meals and overnight at the Mountain Lodge.
B, L, D
Day 4
Breakfast at the Lodge. Morning drive via the equator to El Karama Cottages, Laikipia National Reserve, arriving by lunchtime. Lunch at the Cottages. Afternoon and evening safari. Overnight at El Karama Cottages.
The perfect place for an introduction to the harsh, yet stunningly beautiful landscapes of northern Kenya, Laikipia is a wildlife preserve offering a diverse and dense concentration of wildlife including zebra, eland, gazelle, impala, baboon, warthog, ostrich, giraffe, elephants, lion, leopard, and cheetah. A true wilderness, this area of Kenya is very sparsely populated, and game patterns have been little affected by humans.
B, L, D
Day 5
Morning, afternoon, and evening safaris in Laikipia Reseve. Overnight at El Karama Cottages.
Day 6
Breakfast at the lodge. Then drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, arriving by lunchtime. Afternoon game drive around the lake. Overnight at Lake Nakuru Lodge .
The Rift Valley, the “cradle of mankind”, is one of the wonders of the world, stretching from the Middle East, down through Africa, reaching as far as Mozambique. The ground suddenly disappears from under you to reveal the huge expanse of the great rift, stretching for thousands of miles in either direction.
Lake Nakuru, in the heart of the Rift Valley, is the world famous park created to protect its stunning flocks of lesser flamingo, which literally turn the lakeshore pink in color. Notable game within the park include hippo, black and white rhino, giraffe, buffalo, monkeys and baboons, lion and leopard.
B, L, D
Day 7
Morning, afternoon, and evening safaris in Lake Nakuru NP. Overnight at the Lake Nakuru Lodge.
B, L, D
Day 8
Breakfast at Lake Nakuru Lodge then drive through the Great Rift Valley to the famed Masai Mara National Reserve. Lunch at JK Mara Camp. Afternoon game drive. Overnight at JK Mara Camp.
Located to the south of Nairobi, and bordering Tanzania, the Masai Mara forms part of the huge Serengeti eco-system. The Mara spreads over 1,510 square kilometers of rolling plains, sudden rocky outcrops, and green winding rivers.
Not only is the Mara blessed with this stunning landscape, but also its animal diversity is one of the greatest in Africa. Surrounded by the grazing lands of the Masai people, the Mara is a sanctuary for all of the “Big Five” animals: lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard. The sweet grasses and abundant water ensure a full compliment of plains game such as the Impala and Thompsons gazelle. The deep river pools provide homes for hippo and crocodiles.
Each year, generally in July/August, the Mara is host to the spectacular Great Migration, one of the natural wonders of the world! Literally millions of these wildebeest and zebra move across the open plains in an endless stream stretching from horizon to horizon. The procession of this vast herd is fascinating in itself, but it is seldom that a day goes by without the added bonus of watching the predators that follow the herd. Lion, leopard, cheetah and, wild dogs rely on the herd for food. Spotting one of these magnificent predators is more or less guaranteed at this time.
In 2006, we were fortunate to witness no less than three crossings on the Mara River. This famous river crossing is noted for its brutality as Nile crocodiles, upwards of 15 feet long, wait to ambush the migrating herd as the defenseless animals swim across the muddy torrent. Our guide, Isaac Gateru’s uncanny skill at consistently putting us in the right place at the right time is unrivaled!
B, L, D
Day 9 - 11
Full day safari in the Masai Mara. Overnight at JK Mara Camp.
B, L, D
Day 12
Return to Nairobi for farewell dinner and overnight at the Stanley Hotel. Lunch and dinner on our own.
B
Day 13
Transfer to airport for flight home.
Quotation includes: bed and breakfast accommodation in Nairobi, full board accommodation on safari, additional meals as specified in the itinerary, all national park entrance fees, airport transfers, transportation in 4x4 vehicles driven by our experienced driver/guides, all excursions as indicated in the itinerary.
Quotation excludes: lunch and dinner in Nairobi, international air transportation, visa fees, incidental tips to hotel/lodge staff, gratuity to tour driver/guide, all items of a personal nature such as laundry and drinks.
Interested? Please contact me for more information.
