Multiple locations in the Mara
Two Leaders
August 24 – September 3, 2016
The Maasai Mara, during the migration season, is arguably one of the greatest wildlife photography experiences on the planet. This safari takes the traditional migration photo safari to the next level by offering multiple locations in the Mara, including a location with its own private crossing point!
In constant motion, the migration moves throughout many regions of the Mara, including the dense predator areas. The advantage of staying in multiple locations is that you will not only have the best chance to witness a river crossing, but you will also maximize your photographic opportunities throughout the great plains of the Mara. From the wide-open game-filled vistas, to the remote corners of the reserve, and the big cat territories, we will seek out all the action!
For more than a decade, Piper Mackay has spent hundreds of hours on safari, leading safaris, and driving her own Land Rover to every corner of this reserve. The best way to maximize every opportunity in the best possible light is to stay a few nights in multiple locations. The reserve is 1,500 square kilometers (580 square miles) You may have a cheetah with six cubs in the Talek/Chumvi area, while you have a pride of lions with cubs near Look Out, and a leopard with a cub near Snake River. To avoid having to drive an hour to see something special and miss the best light, we will stay in three different locations covering the best territories in the Mara. This will also increase our chances to photograph thousands of wildebeest and zebra rushing across the Mara River. This is the Ultimate Maasai Mara Great Migration Safari.
The Maasai tribe is as famous as Kenya’s wildlife. From the moment you touch down in the Mara, you will see the exotic warriors throughout the landscape; even serious wildlife photographers are instinctively tempted to quickly reach for their camera. On your safari, you’ll have the option to have more than a glimpse into this ancient and fascinating world, with the opportunity to capture compelling images equally as powerful as your wildlife images.
You will have two passionate, professional photographers leading this safari, who will work side-by-side with you, giving informal instruction throughout the safari to help you capture dramatic and stunning images that go beyond the traditional wildlife photographs.
Piper Mackay, originally from the US, now living in Kenya, has been in the Mara during the migration for the past 10 seasons. She also spends quality time in the Mara during the off-season. She knows where the traditional crossing points are, as well as the less known crossing areas, and where the predators’ territories are! She is also known for her tribal photography throughout Africa. She uses Canon equipment.
Nathaniel Smalley is an award winning wildlife and nature photographer, who leads workshops and expeditions around the world. His eagerness to teach and outgoing personality ensures workshop participants a wonderful experience. More than just another nature photographer, Nathaniel is also a passionate conservationist. He has done extensive work with various conservation and rehabilitation organizations over the last two decades, filling every role from a volunteer assisting injured birds and mammals, to board member. He uses Nikon equipment.
SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
- 3 different locations to maximize every photographic opportunity in one of the greatest wildlife destinations in the world.
- This safari is timed to coincide with the greatest migration crossing the Mara River.
- Staying in an exclusive private reserve where off-road driving is permitted and we have no gate times. We can continue to track wildlife into the evening when the actions really begins. Experience the maximum photographic freedom.
- Luxurious accommodations in a small, private tented camp.
- We have private, 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.
- Silver rated driver-guides, all hand picked for their vast experience working with wildlife photographers.
- Extra luggage allowances to accommodate all your photographic equipment.
THE ITINERARY
Day 1. August 24, 2016
Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya Our ground operator will meet you and transfer you to your beautiful accommodations.
Accommodation: Serena Nairobi
Day 2 August 25, 2016
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 driving to the local airport for our flight to the Maasai Mara. Excitement builds quickly as you fly over the Mara and begin seeing the wildlife below. Take out your gear, as you never know what we may see driving to camp! We will have enough time to eat lunch and settle in before heading out on our first game drive.
The Mara bush camp is positioned to blend unobtrusively into the surrounding vegetation and has an authentic safari feel of bygone days.
There is no better way to experience Africa than by spending a few nights under canvas listening to zebras barking, hyenas crying, and possibly hearing the roar of a lion off in the distance. In the past few years, leopards have been regularly spotted wandering right though this camp.
The camp has a special photographers tent where we will all gather to download, back up, and work on post processing. 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 discuss all photograph topics, such as marketing, fine art prints, websites, and how to present your images to the market you are targeting. The goal is not only to capture a solid, diverse portfolio of images, but also to give you ideas and inspiration to market them.
Accommodation: Mara Bush Camp
Day 3-5 August 26-28, 2016
We have 4 days in the Talak area, one of the richest predator areas of the Mara. We will focus on the big cats, including the Marsh pride, made famous by the BBC’s series, “Big Cat Diary”, the double cross pride, and the Rekero pride, which is quickly becoming as powerful as the Marsh pride. These area’s are also know for cheetah and leopards, but we will probably see elephants, hippos, Massai giraffes, common zebras, gnu, impalas, Thompson’s and grant’s gazelles, topi, hartebeest, black-backed jackals, spotted hyenas and more, as the Mara is one of the most lush reserves in Africa. On past safaris we have photographed black rhino in this area.
Our ground operator has a large fleet of vehicles, which will be scattered throughout the area. Our drivers will be in private communication with each other, giving us many eyes and ears across the entire Mara. We are close to the river; if we get word that the wildebeest are gathering, we will race off in hopes of capturing a large crossing.
Accommodation: Mara Bush Camp
Day 6-7 August 29-30 , 2016
After our early morning game drive and breakfast, we will game drive across the savanna, crossing over the Mara River, on the way to our next accommodation. Location! Location! Location! Our lodge sits high up on the hill, overlooking the vast plains and Mara River, between two of the main crossing points. We will go out on our regular early morning game drive, but if it becomes quiet as the light becomes harsh, we can return to the lodge for lunch, while still keeping a close eye on what is happening around the banks of the Mara river. You can sit in a lounge chair in front of the pool with a cold drink and watch the great herds of wildebeest and zebra gathering as they approach the river. At a moment’s notice, we can hop in the Land Cruisers and race down to the river! If we are not already down at the river, waiting in anticipation of a crossing, we will go out on our regular afternoon game drive.
We stay at the only accommodations available on this side of the Mara River, which gives you the opportunity to photograph the herds crossing towards you. Since most safaris stay on the other side of the river, you will have photographs with a unique perspective. We spend two nights on this side of the river.
Accommodation: Mara Serena
Day 8-10 August 31-September 2, 2016
After our early morning game drive and breakfast, we will drive down to our last tented camp, in the heart of the Mara, that sits right along the Mara River overlooking one of the crossing points. This is our own private crossing point! We can sit in the lounge tent while watching the herds gather. With cameras in hand we can walk down to the edge of the river and photograph the crossing, at eye level! No other vehicles or tourist may enter this area; only the guest staying in this camp.
We are now in the heart of the Mara, is the area were the great herds first cross over from Tanzania. During this time these vast plains could be filled with the migration and all the superb predator action it brings. You will soon understand why the Maasai Mara is the wildlife mecca of the world.
Accommodation: Entim Camp
Accommodation:
Day 11 September 3, 2016
We will rise early for one last amazing game drive. We will fly out directly from the Naboisho Conservancy into Wilson private airport in Nairobi. You will be transported to the Ole Sereni, which sits along Nairobi National Park, where you will have dayrooms. You will be able to enjoy a leisurely afternoon around the pool, have lunch overlooking the park, and be able to clean up before you flight back home later in the evening.
Day room: Ole Sereni
Is this safari for you?
We welcome photographers of ALL levels who are serious about wildlife and nature photography. This safari is timed during the great migration and focused on producing quality images. During this safari we will see a vast variety of exotic wildlife, however some special subjects may require spending some time watching their behavior and waiting for those special moments. This is when patience pays off, rewarding you with extraordinary photographs. We will spend most of our time and effort in the field unless it is quiet and the light is too harsh; we return to our camp/lodge for the midday break. If the herds are lining up and it looks like there could be a large crossing, we may sit by the river for several hours and be in the field most of the day. This means there may be many mornings and some lunches that will be box meals in the field rather than at the Camp. We will be back at camp for a nice dinner and drinks around the fire every night.
Since this itinerary is built to spend most of our time in the field, this is not a formal workshop. There will not be any “planned” lectures, slide shows, or formal instruction, but Piper and Nathaniel will give photographic advice throughout the safari. They are there to assist you and are available for any questions on any and all photographic topics, including business questions on marketing, branding, and creating a niche. When there is an afternoon break, they will be happy to review your images, portfolios, or give an impromptu slide show or talk. This is largely why the group sizes are kept small, so that they can assist you when you need help and spend quality time with you in an amazing location.
If your objective is to have the most images you can shoot by rushing to every subject as fast as you can, then racing off to the next, and checking off a list, then this is probably not the right safari for you. If you have any concerns, please email Piper at any time.
The Cost
The cost of this photo safari is $9,950.00 per person. The price is based on double occupancy; single room supplement is $1,195.00, if available.
If a solo guest is unwilling to share, and requests single accommodations upon registration, then a single supplement will be charged. If you are a solo guest who is willing to share accommodations, we will do our best to match you with another guest of the same gender. If we are unable to match you with another solo guest of the same gender, then the single supplement will be charged, up to, but not exceeding the fee of the single supplement. In this case, whenever possible, we will try to discount the single supplement, up to 50%.
A USD $1,600 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration to secure your spot. You may purchase travel insurance that will refund your deposit if you have to cancel your trip.
Price Includes:
- In-country flights to and from the Maasai Mara
- 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 August 25th up to breakfast on September 3rd
- Evacuation insurance to a Nairobi hospital (transport only – Cost of hospitalization NOT included)
- Visit with the iconic Maasai Tribe (optional, but included)
- 2 trip leaders
- 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 ($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
Payment Terms
- USD $1,600.00 non-refundable deposit to confirm your place on this safari; travel insurance
- 2nd payment of USD $4,000.00 is due February 15, 2016
- Final payment/balance is due June 1, 2016
- We highly recommend trip and cancellation insurance
Please Understand
Traveling in remote locations can present challenges that may require slight changes to the itinerary. We will always try to run the tour according to the initial itinerary. In the event of circumstances beyond our control—such as political unrest, natural disasters, overbookings by the lodge where a change is required—we will do our best to keep you close to the original shooting location. It is our intention for you to have the best possible experience. We will try to notify you of any changes as soon as we are made aware of them. If, however these changes cause an increase to the price, the increase will be passed onto the participant.
How do I register for this safari?
If you are excited to join this unique Migration safari, then now is the time to register. To secure your spot, both the registration form and the non–refundable deposit must be completed. Use the link and button below to access the e-registration form and to make your deposit. Once the safari is full, you may add your name to the waitlist.
REGISTRATION
Click THIS LINK to access the e-registration form. 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.
DEPOSIT
Use the button below to make your deposit. You do not need to have a Paypal account to use this payment service.
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