28 February to 7 March 2011
Join Photo-Africa, in conjunction with Photograph Kenya, on a photographic safari to one of the world’s premiere wildlife destinations – the Masai Mara. From 28 February to 7 March 2011 Photo-Africa will be traveling to various areas in in Masai Mara, including Lake Nakuru and the Mara River, all the time looking for the best possible wildlife photographic opportunities.
The combination of a gentle climate, scenic splendor and untold numbers of wildlife makes the Masai Mara Kenya’s most popular inland destination park. The wildlife is truly abundant and the gentle rolling grasslands ensure amazing photographic opportunities as animals are never out of sight.
The safari will be led by Gerry van der Walt and Paul McDougall. Gerry is a wildlife photographer, lodge manager and field guide who combines a passion for photography with an in depth knowledge of African wildlife. Paul is a photographer who has been running safaris throughout Kenya for the last 6 years.
As we will be using four vehicles for our safari you will never be without a photographic leader on your vehicle as Gerry and Paul will be assisted by two other photographers, making sure you have technical and creative input when necessary.
In order to ensure your personal attention and comfort, this photographic safari will be limited to 16 participants.
Photographic Goals
During the trip we will focus on a number of photographic subjects and scenes which include:
• Predators including lions, leopard and hyena.
• White and black rhino.
• Zebra, giraffe and other general game species.
• Hippo and crocodiles.
• Flamingoes, fish eagles and other bird species.
• Animal behavior and interaction.
• Wide open landscapes of the Masai Mara.
• African sunrises and sunsets.
Apart from the above you will also have the opportunity to photograph a Masai village, and the Masai people, and we will also do our utmost to help photographers attain their own personal photographic goals during the trip.
In between drives and in the evenings we will have ample opportunity to discuss photographic techniques, the technical aspects of wildlife photography and do informal photo crit sessions with the various photo leaders on the safari.
Safari Itinerary
Day 1:
Arrival in Nairobi – The Photograph Kenya team collects you from the airport and transfers you to a budget hotel for dinner. After dinner a briefing will provide more details on the trip and you will also have the opportunity to ask specific photographic elated questions to prepare you for your photo safari as we discuss our photographic goals for the week. Spend the night at the hotel.
Day 2:
We depart Nairobi at 08h00 from where we drive to the Masai Mara. On route we will stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint for a couple of photos. This is a prime location for great panoramic shots of the beautiful Great Rift Valley when on a clear day Mount Longonott can be seen. From here we continue on to Masai Mara. After lunch we will take our first drive into the reserve. We will approach the first afternoon as a photograph test-drive during which you can test your equipment, ask questions and get used to the environment. There is a good chance of seeing many different species on this first drive including lions. Near the campsite there are two large prides that are habituated to the vehicles so close encounters are possible. Travel to our camp for an early dinner and overnight.
Day 3:
After an early morning cup of tea or coffee and biscuits we will head out into the reserve. Our main focus this morning will be predators and photographing them while using the early morning light to our advantage. Depending on how things go out in the field, we will return to the camp at around 10h00 for breakfast. There will be a few hours to relax at the camp or use the time to photograph the multitude of bird species that are found around the campsite. After lunch at 13h00 we leave for another drive in to the reserve. After following up on any sightings from the morning we will explore the beautiful landscapes and photograph the many birds and animals that are found in Maasai Mara. At the end of the day we will return to the camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 4:
After breakfast at 06h30 we will leave for a full day in Masai Mara. Today we will drive to the Mara River, which takes us through several territories of leopard, cheetah, black rhino and lions so chances of sightings on route are pretty good. Upon reaching the river we will enjoy a packed lunch after which we will walk with the rangers along the river as we aim to photograph crocodiles and hippos on foot. At the end of the day we will return to camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 5:
After a breakfast at 06h30, we have the option of another full day drive or a morning and afternoon drive. Our decision will be largely based on what we want to focus on for the day. As our goal is creating amazing wildlife photographs, our focus will be to photograph any species we have not seen yet or, or we will focus on particular animals to see if we can capture specific behaviour shots. Time is no issue and we will have ample time to sit and wait for the shots we want. After the day, dinner and overnight at the camp.
Day 6:
After breakfast at 07h00, we will take a trip to a Masai Village. This will offer great opportunities for unrestricted and no hassle people shots. Apart from being able to visually document and photography the Masai people you will also learn about their way of life. After leaving the Masai village, we will drive to Lake Nakuru. After lunch, we will set off on an afternoon game drive with our main aim being to find and photograph white and black rhinos. We will also take a shot at finding leopard and photograph the abundant bird species including flamingo. Dinner and overnight at a guesthouse at Lake Nakuru.
Day 7:
After a 06h00 game drive, we return to the guesthouse for breakfast. After breakfast we will leave Lake Nakuru and drive to Lake Bogoria for an afternoon / early evening game drive. The goal here is to photograph the tens of thousands of flamingos on and around the lake. In the evening we return to Nakuru where we will have dinner and spend the night at a hotel.
Day 8:
After breakfast we will leave Nakuru and drive to Lake Naivasha. Here we will take a boat trip to view and photograph hippos, fish eagles and a multitude of other bird species. After lunch we will return to Nairobi where we will be transferred to the airport for flights back home.
What’s Included :
• Accommodation in large tents with en-suite bathroom facilities.
• Three meals per day.
• All airport transfers.
• All transport during safari.
• Accommodation in Nairobi before (and after) safari.
• All park and government fees.
• Drivers & professional guides.
• Photographic guides.
What’s Not Included :
• Drinks (Alcoholic and soft drink).
• Items of a personal nature.
• Gratuities.
• Travel Insurance.
• Visas.
• Equipment hire (if applicable).
• International flights to and from Kenya.
Photo-Africa will be booking flights from Johannesburg, South Africa to Nairobi which are priced at around ZAR 5,000 so please contact us if you would like us to include you in our travel arrangements.
Cost
• Photographic Safari Cost: US $ 3,000 per person sharing.
• Deposit: A 25% deposit is payable to confirm your booking.
• Balance is payable 30 days before safari.
• Please contact us for details on single supplements.
If you would like to request a booking form or if you have any questions, please contact us at info@moyawatenga.co.za
We believe that this photographic safari to the Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru is one of the best value for money options available and we look forward to hosting you in Kenya!
About the Organisers
Photo-Africa
Photo-Africa was born out of a passion for photography and wildlife.
Originally created in 2005 in order to share images with friends and family, Photo-Africa took off and quickly established itself as one of the most regularly updated and most followed African wildlife and photography blogs on the internet.
One thing led to the next and now, 5 years later, Photo-Africa has evolved into a company that offers workshops and photographic safaris aimed at everybody from rank beginners to seasoned pros. By combining passion, professionalism and knowledge, Photo-Africa aims to be one of the top workshop and photo safari operators in the country.
The Photo-Africa team now consists of the following people who, between them, makes for a very unique combination of photographic expertise, services and experience.
Gerry van der Walt
After completing a degree in Sport Psychology Gerry traveled the world while working on board the Queen Mary 2, managing the onboard Health and Wellness programs and presenting enrichment lectures. It was during this time that photography changed from a visual way in which to remember places and people into an obsession and ultimately, many years later, a career.
Upon returning from his travels Gerry moved into the lodge and hospitality industry and currently manages a game lodge in the Madikwe Game Reserve. Apart from having completed a number of photography courses Gerry is also a fully qualified Field Guide, registered with FGASA, and combines this with an infectious passion for people and sharing information when lecturing or presenting workshops.
With more than 9 years photographic experience and having lectured to many diverse groups of people from around the word, Gerry has the ability to take advanced photographic terms and principles and make them easy to understand and fun at the same time.
Gerry currently owns and manages Photo-Africa and apart from presenting workshops and photographic safaris also offers various photographic services, which includes one on one tuition, lodge & hospitality photography and lifestyle portrait photography.
Kerry de Bruyn
Kerry started taking pictures when she was about 16 and since then she hasn’t really put the camera down. Friends labeled her as tourist, taking her camera with her wherever she went, but that didn’t distract her and her passion just grew with time. Her career started out as just loving travel, wildlife, and photography but as time went on she knew it was more than just love.
Photography became a passion and mixing wildlife, people and travel into that passion became the next natural step.
Capturing natural moments in a world full of beauty made her leave her job as a journalist to pursue photography full time. She now runs Kerry de Bruyn Photography and only wishes to carry on doing what she loves and that is, borrow the moments from nature to share with the world, and in some way contribute to keeping them here for everyone to see, a long time from now.
Andrew Beck
Andrew Beck has spent much of his life in the bush and is passionate about sharing his experiences and knowledge with others.
Armed formal qualifications from the University of the Witwatersrand (MSc. & BSc. Hons in Environment, Ecology and Conservation), Tshwane University of Technology (N.Dip & B.Tech Game Ranch Management) and The Field Guides Association of South Africa (FGASA), Andrew will provide you with an experience, which is not only memorable, but also educational.
As the owner and manager of Moya Wa Tenga Safaris, Andrew is involved with all Photo-Africa transfers and travel logistics
