The Great Migration is one of nature’s true spectacles.
Join Photo-Africa and Photograph Kenya from 28 August to 5 September 2011, as we set out to photograph the drama, beauty and immensity that is the great migration.
For this photographic safari we will be based at a camp on the Mara River, right between two major crossing points. This will afford us the opportunity to not only be in the best position to photograph wildebeest crossing the river but we will also be able to explore and photograph the Mara Triangle. The Masai Mara has many different and varied landscapes and we will be traversing wilderness areas with low vehicle traffic and breathtaking panoramic vistas. During the week we will also head up to the northern areas of Mussierra and the Swamps where the Marsh Pride of Big Cat Diary fame are resident. The safari will be led by Gerry van der Walt , Andrew Beck 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, whilst Andrew is a self taught photographer who has a scientific background in conservation and ecology, and a passion for wildlife photography. Paul is a photographer who has been running safaris throughout Kenya for the last 6 years.
In order to ensure your personal attention and comfort, this photographic safari will be limited to 12 participants who will be sharing four game viewing vehicles.
Photographic Goals
The main goal of this photographic safari is without a doubt to photograph the various stages of and parts of the great wildebeest migration. Above and beyond that we will also focus on a number of photographic subjects and scenes which include:
• Predators including lions, leopard and hyena.
• Crocodiles.
• Animal behavior and interaction.
• Wide open landscapes of the Masai Mara.
• African sunrises and sunsets.
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. Our goal is to do our utmost to help photographers attain their own personal photographic goals during the trip.
Safari Itinerary
Day 1 (28th August)
Pick up from airport. Should there be time we will go straight to the Nairobi National Park. Dinner and overnight at the Seasons Hotel in Narok.
Day 2 (29th August )
In the morning we will be collected from the Seasons hotel and transferred to the Masai Mara. A transfer, which includes a game drive through the reserve, will take us to the River Camp. After check in we will have lunch after which all four our vehicle will head into the reserve. Our camp is situated in the Mara Triangle area, right in the heart of lion, leopard and cheetah territories and in between two of the major crossing points. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Days 3 to 7 (30th August to 3rd September)
The main goal of our photo safari is to photograph wildlife. Every day we will have one or two vehicles that will head to the crossing points so photographers can choose to go there and wait for the crossings. Our other vehicles will explore the surrounding Mara Triangle area. Based on radio information from our spotters we can decide what our movements will be in order to get the best photography opportunities. Every day we will have the choice of either doing a full day trip, which includes a packed lunch, or we will do a morning and evening drive and enjoy our meals at the camp. Everything on this safari is customizable around our photographic activities. All evening meals and overnights will be at the camp.
Day 8 (4th September)
After breakfast and an early morning game drive we will return to the camp for lunch and check out. We will drive through the Masai Mara and will exit the park mid-afternoon from where we will drive to Narok. Dinner and overnight at the Seasons Hotel.
Day 9 (5th September)
An early morning pick up will transfer us back to the airport for flights home.
Included
• Accommodation 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.
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
• Safari Cost: US $ 4,500 per person.
• Deposit: A 25% deposit is payable to confirm your booking.
• Balance is payable 30 days before safari.
• Rates are based on double occupancy so please contact us for details on single supplements.
We look forward to hosting you in Kenya!
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