Kenya

October 15-27, 2017

This is the most incredible signature African photo safari experience offered! If you only do one safari in your life, if you are considering your first safari, or if you wish to experience the best safari in Africa, THIS IS THE SAFARI FOR YOU! Not only does this safari take you to some of the top wildlife reserves in Africa but you will also have intimate tribal experiences not offered with a regular village visit; an exclusive, up-close, on-foot elephant encounter; visits from several top researchers during mid-day breaks; luxury accommodations; charter flights; and off-road driving for the ultimate photographic freedom. Only Kenya can offer this life-enriching, over-the-top, authentic African safari experience that will go far beyond the photographs captured.

You will be personally hosted on this safari by professional African wildlife and tribal photographer Piper Mackay. She has spent hundreds of hours photographing in these reserves and building trusting relationships with the tribes. She has hand picked a special multi-team of experienced, professional guides who understand the needs of photographers and have vast knowledge of wildlife behavior and strong network ties to conservation and research projects. Filled with phenomenal wildlife and exotic tribes, Kenya offers the ultimate, authentic African safari experience.

Each of the four locations offers something dynamic!

SAMBURU: Filled with large, iconic umbrella acacia trees in a stunning, arid environment, the Samburu National Reserve evokes the traditional vision of, “I Dream of Africa.” As the wind blows through the stunning doom palms, one instantly knows they are in a magical place. Roaming through this primal land and unique to this reserve are the mane-less lions, rare and exotic Grevy’s zebras, soil-stained red elephants, reticulated giraffes, oryx, and Somali ostrich. In the stillness of what seems like an empty land, one might hear the rustle of brush as a cheetah or leopard makes themselves known. In stark contrast to this dry, neutral landscape wanders the vivid, semi-nomadic, and colorful Samburu tribe. We will spend a very special evening up in the hills with the warriors, an experience you will talk about for years to come. During our visit in Samburu, we will be honored with a visit from the Ewaso Lions Project.

MAASAI MARA: Known as the wildlife mecca of the world and immortalized by countless wildlife films, the renowned Maasai Mara needs little introduction because it is arguably the greatest wildlife reserve on the planet! The vast, open plains are home to large prides of lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, black rhinos, hippos, Maasai giraffes, common zebras, gnus, impalas, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles, topis, hartebeest, black-backed jackals, spotted hyenas, and more. It is the best reserve for the big cats, where BBC filmed Big Cat Diaries and where they continue to film regularly. Our safari takes place during the very end of the great migration, and depending on our luck, we may catch some of the last herds crossing the Mara River as they make their way back to Tanzania.

From the moment you touch down in the Mara, you will see the exotic Maasai warriors throughout the landscape; even serious wildlife photographers are instinctively tempted to quickly reach for their camera. You will have more than a glimpse into this ancient and fascinating world, but the opportunity to capture compelling images is equally as powerful as your wildlife images. The Maasai tribe is a huge part of the experience of Africa and one you don’t want to miss out on. During our stay in the Mara, we will have visit from the Mara-Meru Cheetah Project and the Cheetah Forever team.

ITUMBA EXCLUSIVE: Situated in the remote hills of West Tsavo lies Itumba, the very special place were the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) brings young orphaned elephants to be reintroduced to the wild. We will have exclusive access in Itumba, where you will have the rare opportunity to interact with these young elephants on multiple occasions, including during their feedings in the morning and afternoon and out it the wild where the young elephants begin to intermix with the wild elephants, mud bathe, and dust. You will be able to lay down right in front of them and capture incredible images from a perspective that few photographers have. Not only is this an exceptional experience filled with unique photographic opportunities but funds from our visit go back to the DSWT and Kenya Wildlife Service for their conservation efforts. At the end of our stay, you will be able to personally choose the elephant you wish to foster.

AMBOSELI PRIVATE RESERVE: Imagine photographing stunning images of the large herds of elephants, zebras, and giraffes as they roam through the dusty plains of Amboseli with Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop. You will have full access to the national park, but more importantly, you will have access to the private conservancy, where you will enjoy exclusivity and the freedom of off-road driving. You will be able to drive across the vast, dusty plains next to the herds of elephants for exceptional and rare photographic opportunities. Of course, you will also track down predators, visit the swamps with a wide variety of African birds, and take advantage of the spectacular fine art landscape known for the dust devils that dance across the Savanna. During your stay at Tortillas Camp, Cynthia Moss or one of her team members will give a private talk about the elephant research that has been conducted in Amboseli for the past three decades.

This signature safari is not only an extraordinary opportunity to photograph Africa’s most phenomenal wildlife with outstanding local drivers/guides who understand the needs of photographers. It also provides unique experiences not offered in other safaris. We are passionate and serious about high-quality images and will push hard to spend most of our time in the field, but we also believe in an amazing African experience. Piper Mackay has specialized in Africa for more than a decade, photographing both wildlife and tribes. She will give informal instruction throughout the safari, especially on dramatic lighting situations, to help you capture stunning images that go beyond the traditional wildlife photographs. You will have the experience of a lifetime and come home with an amazing, diverse portfolio of exceptional images from just one safari.

SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

4 dynamic locations to maximize every photographic opportunity in one of the world’s greatest wildlife destinations
Visiting two of Kenya’s most decadent and iconic tribes
Luxurious accommodations in small, private, tented camps
Off-road driving in a private concession for ultimate photographic freedom
Intimate, on-foot elephant encounter
Visits from some of the top wildlife research teams
Small group of only 8 participants, giving you more flexibility, freedom, and better group dynamics
9-passenger 4×4 Land Cruisers with only 3 people per vehicle. Every person will have their own row with 2 window seats available for the best viewing and photographic opportunities.
The opportunity to create an amazing, diverse portfolio of exceptional images from just one safari

Day 1, October 15

Upon your arrival at the international airport in Nairobi, Kenya, you are met by a member of our ground team and transferred via a private vehicle to the Ole Sereni Hotel. This is the perfect place to unwind after your long journey. You may enjoy a sundowner on the beautiful deck overlooking Nairobi National Park filled with wildlife, take a swim, or relax in the spa. After a good night’s sleep and a scrumptious breakfast, you will be ready to depart on an extraordinary safari.

Accommodations: Ole Sereni Hotel

Day 2, October 16

Today, you will awaken in a magical new world with the aroma of Kenyan coffee brewing. We will meet at breakfast for a briefing before hopping in our private Land Cruisers and heading to Samburu National Reserve. We will stop for coffee/tea at the famous Trout Tree Restaurant, an experience in and of itself, where troops of white colobus monkeys will probably swing right over our heads. We will arrive at our luxurious tented camp, a unique blend of rustic elegance, situated along the Ewaso Nyiro River and shaded by the exotic doum palms, in time for a late lunch.

The friendly, traditional Samburu tribe staff will greet us and give us a full briefing about the camp and area. As the name implies, the elephants stroll through the camp and in between the luxury tents. During midday, relax in the private plunge pool, which is on the deck of your tent, with a cold drink and let the wildlife come to you. In the early afternoon, we will head out to explore this spectacular reserve.

Days 3 & 4, October 17 & 18

We will spend the next two days on safari, driving through this stunning African landscape and seeking out the leopards, Grevy’s zebras, reticulated giraffes, gerenuk, oryx, common waterbucks, kudus, the unique mane-less lions, and the red elephants. The elephants exhibit a special red color from rolling in the mud of the river and dusting themselves with the rich, red soil, making for extraordinary images in golden light.

We will also spend an incredible evening on the top of the hills with the warriors of the Samburu tribe. Originally part of the Maasai tribe when they first came down the Nile River, the Samburu split off when the Maasai continued their journey south to Tanzania. The name Samburu means “the butterfly people.” They not only flew off from their original tribe but also became more colorful in their traditional dress. This will be a very special evening, and you will not only get the opportunity to create extraordinary images but also have a unique experience that few others will have.

During one of our noon breaks, when the day is warm and the light harsh, we will have a visit from the Ewaso Lions Project.

Accommodations: luxury tents, Elephant Bedroom Camp

Days 5-8, October 19-22

This morning, we will have one last early-morning game drive before we board our flight to the Mara. Excitement builds quickly as you fly over the Mara and begin seeing the wildlife below as well as the plethora of photographic opportunities. We will land on a private airstrip, which is in the heart of the crown jewel of Kenya and only five minutes from our camp. From the moment you touch down in the Mara, you will see its exotic warriors throughout the landscape; even serious wildlife photographers are instinctively tempted to quickly reach for their camera.

The Maasia warriors, an icon of Kenya, once dominated the plains of East Africa. This part of our safari takes place at their homeland; during our stay in this area, we will visit a Maasai Boma at sunrise. The soft hues of light gradually filter over the traditional huts as the village starts to come to life; it’s a surreal experience. You will have quality time in the village to join in with the morning activates, such as milking cattle and goats, fire-starting, herding, making coffee, and socializing amongst them in order to learn about their ancient ways. Slowing down, getting into the rhythm of a place, and experiencing what you are photographing are what create emotionally stunning images. Since my first African wildlife safari more than a decade ago, I found the diverse array of exotic cultures mesmerizing.

Our eco-friendly camp lies between multiple overlapping predator territories and is positioned to blend unobtrusively into the surrounding vegetation with an authentic safari feel of a time when Hemmingway would have been a guest. Over the next four days, we will focus on all the big cats, including the Marsh Pride, made famous by the BBC’s series Big Cat Diary, and the Rekero Pride, which is quickly becoming as powerful as the Marsh Pride. It is highly probable that we will also see elephants, hippos, Maasai giraffes, common zebra, gnus, impalas, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles, topis, hartebeest, black-backed jackals, spotted hyenas, and more, as the Mara is one of the best wildlife reserves in all of Africa. The action is non-stop!

During mid-day heat, when the light is hash and the animals are quiet, we will gather in a special photographers’ tent for presentations and to share information. Participants always comment on how much they love the camaraderie among other talented photographers. Learning from each other as well as the leader is a huge added value, as everyone brings different perspectives, knowledge, and skills. We will also have a special visit from Elaine, the head researcher from the Mara-Meru Cheetah Project.

In the evening, we will sit around the campfire under the starry African sky and look back on our amazing day in awe. After dinner, you will be safely escorted back to your tent with a Maasai warrior. There is no better way to experience Africa than by spending a few nights under canvas, camping in the heart of the wild, and listening to the sounds of lions roaring, zebras barking, and hyenas calling as you gently fall asleep.

Accommodation: Mara Bush Camp

Days 9-10, October 23-24

This morning, we will fly by private charter to Ithumba, located in East Tsavo. This is where David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust brings young orphaned elephants when it is time to start the process of reintroducing them to the wild. Over the next two days, you will have one of the most intimate elephant experiences in the world. You will be able to interact with the young orphans and stand next to the wild elephants. We will visit the stockade several times, where the young elephants are fed and kept safe through the night. We will also join the keepers in the field each day, where the young elephants begin to intermix with the wild elephants. Each day, a water truck fills the drinking pool and mud bath area. The wild elephants come in first, and soon, the young orphans join them. On foot, right amongst them, you will witness and photograph how they begin to interact, drinking, mud-bathing, dusting, and communicating with one another. More than the incredible photographic opportunities is an amazing and intimate experience with these gentle giants that is rarely offered on a safari.

We have rented out both the small luxury lodge camp and the small classic rustic luxury safari camp so that this experience is exclusive to our group. The new camp was built into the hill and design perfectly to blend into the environment. It is decorated in traditional, luxurious African décor, boasting grand views, multiple decks, and a swimming pool. The original, rustic, and charming safari camp has a two-story, open, hut-style lounge with a small roof terrace, where you can relax in one of the many daybeds or hammocks and enjoy the endless views across the African Savanna. You may spot dik-diks, lesser kudus, warthogs, and other little game and birds that come to the small waterhole! Each camp has four large canvas luxury tents with en-suite bathrooms. You will feel like you are the only one in Africa.

Accommodation: Ithumba tented camps

Days 11-12, October 25-26

After our early-morning visit with the elephants and a scrumptious breakfast, we will head to Amboseli National Park and the private Kitirua Conservancy on the western part of the Amboseli ecosystem. We will have almost exclusive use of the 300,000-acre area, where we can drive off-road for the ultimate photographic freedom yet also have complete access to the main park. Our aim over these two days is to photograph beautiful herds of elephants and giraffes with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background, but we will take advantage of the photographic opportunities of predators, antelopes, and exotic birds in this picturesque landscape.

Our luxury tented camp has the majestic backdrop of Africa’s highest mountain, and sipping your beverage of choice in the open lounge, you will enjoy the finest view of Mount Kilimanjaro. The luxurious, African-styled camp has an organic garden on the lodge grounds, and the cuisine is delicious, offering the finest traditional safari experience.

Day 13, October 27

We will have one last morning game drive, followed by a hardy breakfast, before boarding our flight back to Nairobi. Our ground team will transport you to the Ole Sereni Hotel, which sits along Nairobi National Park, and you can enjoy a leisurely afternoon around the pool and have lunch/dinner overlooking the park. Dayrooms have been made available, so you may take a rest and clean up before your flight back home later in the evening.

The Price

The price of this signature African photo safari experience is $11,995.00/$12,495** This price is based on double occupancy.

**In Itumba we have both camps reserved;

Itumba camp is the original rustic luxury camp, which is included in the cost of $11,995.00. There are 4 tents available at this price.

Itumba Hills camp is the new ultra luxury camp and design perfectly to blend into the environment. It is decorated in traditional, luxurious African décor, boasting grand views, multiple decks, and a swimming pool, which increase your cost to $12,495.00 There are only 2 tents still available at this camp.

Single supplement is $1,495.00 ” if available” Single accommodations are very limited.

Due to the limited number of spaces available, if a solo guest is willing to share and we can match with another guest of the same gender, we will do so. If a solo guest is unwilling to share, then a single supplement will be charged. If we are unable to match a solo guest with another guest of the same gender, then the single supplement will be charged, but generally at a reduced rate.

A USD $2,000.00 Non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration to secure your spot.

We highly encourage you to invest in a travel insurance policy to provide a refund of your deposit should you need to cancel.

Payment Terms

USD $2,000.00 non-refundable deposit to confirm your place on this safari
2^nd payment of USD $4,000.00 is due March 31, 2017 (plus any single supplement/Itumba fees)
Final payment/balance is due July 15, 2017
We highly recommend trip and cancellation insurance

Price Includes:

3 -In-country flights; Samburu to Maasai Mara, Maasai Mara to Ithumba, Amboseli to Nairobi
Airport transfers
Accommodations on shared basis
Guaranteed row and window seat in private 4×4 Land cruisers
All National Parks fees, Game Reserves entrance fees, and taxes
All meals, starting with breakfast on October 16 up to breakfast on October 27
All village and photographic fee’s
Evacuation insurance to a Nairobi hospital (transport only – Cost of hospitalization NOT included)
Experienced safari agent to help you with pre or post safari extended travel in Kenya

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 ($25 -$30 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

Registration and Deposit

CLICK THE LINK TO Fill out and e-sign the registration form (Ecosign) At the end of the form you will be asked to confirm you email. Once you have confirmed your email, a copy of your registration will be emailed to you and our agent.

2. Make your deposit of $2000.00.00 by using the pay button below (Paypal)