Helicopter, night, low angle, and hide photography
ONLY 6 GUESTS
To celebrate ten wonderful years of Piper Mackay Photo Safaris, I created a unique wildlife photography experience including helicopter photography, night photography, low angle photography, hide photography, the most renowned wildlife reserve in the world, having all camps exclusively for our small group and at an unbelievable price. It was one of my best safaris ever so I had to offer it again, but also adding the chance to search for the famous black Leopard Giza!
This is an Africa wildlife photo safari that promises to deliver on all fronts! You will return home not just having furthered your photographic skills, but with an extreme variety of images not offered in any other safari. This safari takes place in my home country Kenya.
Helicopter Photography
We begin 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 be flying over the wildlife conservancy on the way to the lakes. You will have two separate 1 hour helicopter flights.
Hide photography – day and night
We will be staying at two different locations in neighboring conservancies that both have a magnificent ground-level, eye to eye with wildlife, hides that are perfectly lit at night allowing for an intimate perspective and dramatic images. Staring into the darkness in anticipation of what wildlife is about to arrive is thrilling. One is a bush hide and the other a savanna hide giving you completely different experiences and photographic opportunities. We will have exclusive use of these hide and lodge/camp.
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.
Maasai Mara Extension
Since we are right next to the renowned Maasai Mara that needs very little introduction, we are offing a 4-night extension in the main Mara!
Luxury camps and lodge
Most of our accommodations are exclusive to our group. We staying one exclusive lodge which is like a spa retreat. Each large villa has gorgeous vistas with its private plunge pool! You will not want to leave! Our three luxury tent camps have traditional African style reminiscence of the days of Earnest Hemmingway and incorporate a high eco-standard.
Extra weight allowance extreme
We have arranged a higher weight allowance than ever before: 35 kg/77lbs of weight. So, bring your best glass, bodies, and gear without having to compromise!
A small group of keen photographers
This safari is for only a maximum of only 6 guests in private accommodations. This means that Piper will be able to offer each guestmore personalized photographic support.
Itinerary
ITINERARY
We will be in 4+ star locations throughout our safari. At most places we will have the camp exclusively. The names of the camps have deliberately not been listed as we would like to keep them exclusive for our photo safaris.
Day 1. February 21, 2024
Upon your arrival at the international airport in Nairobi, Kenya, you are met by a Meikan Safaris guide and transferred by private vehicle to the historical and tranquil area of Karen. Built in the architecture of the “Out of Africa” era, your accommodations will make you feel as though 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.
Day 2. February 22, 2024
Today you will awake in a magical new world with the aroma of Kenyan coffee brewing. We will meet at breakfast for a safari briefing before hoping into our Landcruisers 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.
Day 3. February 23, 2024
Morning and afternoon game drives and hide photography.
Day 4. February 24, 2024
Morning game drive or hide photography. We then transfer to the adjacent conservancy with another special hide. Night hide photography
Day 5. February 25, 2024
Today is helicopter day over the beautiful colors of the soda lakes with flamingos. You will have one flight in the morning and one in the afternoon. Night hide photography
Day 6. February 26, 2024
Rise slowly for a scrumptious breakfast before we charter to the special conservancy in the North with the famous black leopard. Afternoon and night game drive searching for the black leopard
Day 7 & 8. February 27 & 28, 2024
Morning game drive starting before sunrise with packed breakfast and afternoon/night game drive.
Day 9. February 29, 2024
We will rise early for one last amazing game drive and come back to camp for a scrumptious breakfast and then fly by private charter to one of the best Mara conservancies. Afternoon and evening game drive using the low angle door.
Day 10. March 1, 2024
Morning and afternoon game drive using the low angle door.
Day 11
Morning and afternoon game drive using the low angle door. Breakfast at camp. Scheduled flight back to Nairobi. Dayrooms. Transfer to terminal for outbound international flight or continue your safari with a 4-night extension in the main Mara.
Important Details
The Price
The price of this African wildlife extreme safari based on double occupancy (two people sharing a room) is $14,995.00
We would be happy to arrange a private room for you if there is availability. The supplement for a private room is $ 1,595.00 ****Single accommodations are limited on this safari!
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 with another guest of the same gender, then the single supplement of USD$1,595.00 will be charged.
***The cost of this safari is based on a minimum of 6 participants. If there are less than 6 participants a small supplement fee of $895.00 will apply.
A USD $4,500 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration to secure your spot. We understand that life is unpredictable, and one never know what surprises life may have in store 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 $4,500.00 non-refundable deposit to confirm your place on this safari
- 2nd payment of USD $5,500.00 is due August 1, 2023
- Final payment/balance is due Nov 1, 2023
- We highly recommend trip and cancellation insurance.
Price Includes:
- 2 Charter flights with extra weight allowance of 35Kg/77Lbs
- 1 Scheduled flight with extra weight allowance of 35Kg/77Lbs
- 2 helicopter flights
- 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 Reserves entrance fees, and taxes
- All meals, starting with breakfast on February 22 up to breakfast on March 2, 2024
- All accommodation starting on February 21, 2024 – dayrooms on March 2, 2024
- Evacuation insurance to a Nairobi hospital (transport only – Cost of hospitalization NOT included)
- Complimentary drinking water on game drives
- Beverages at all camps – nonalcoholic, beer, wine, and select cocktails with meals
- Experienced safari agent to help you with pre- or post-safari extended travel in Kenya, Tanzania, or Rwanda
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, and airport transfers ($35 -$45 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
- Covid test
-
REGISTRATION AND DEPOSIT
If you are excited to join this safari now is the time to secure your spot. Use the buttons below to fill out your online e-registration form and to make your deposit. We must receive both your completed registration form and your deposit/s to confirm your spot.
Registration form –
Please complete all the required fields. At the end of the form you will be asked to confirm your email address, which will complete the registration. A copy of your registration will be emailed to you and to Piper Mackay Photo Safaris.Deposit–
Click the deposit button, under the registration button, to make your deposit. You do not need to have a Paypal account to use this payment service. You may make more than one deposit at a time by changing the quantity on the purchase details that will come up once you click the deposit button.
