Kenya Photo Safari - 2017 - Wildlife Photography Workshops

Kenya Photo Safari - 2017
Kenya Safari - 2017
Africa, what a place! I've been more than a dozen times, and she never disappoints. If you are like me; you grew up watching Tarzan, loved the
circus and the zoo, Marlin Perkins was a hero, Hatari was incredible, and you dreamt of being in Africa. I can assure you that the real thing is even
more amazing than you have imagined.
You Will be Amazed!
Your safari will coincide with one of the wonders of the world - The Great Migration, the annual spectacle of millions of animals crossing from
Tanzania into Kenya in search of food while attempting to elude the multitude of predators that also follow the herds. We will visit the stunning
Amboseli National Park and if the “shy mountain” Kilimanjaro allows we’ll see vast herds of elephants along with that iconic peak. From there we
continue our safari and explore the fabulous Masai Mara National Park. We’ll be looking for the Big Five (elephant, rhino, leopard, lion and buffalo)
and everything in between.
Experience
Locations
I’ve also traveled to all of these camps and
understand the way the operate, you’ll hit the
ground running with me!
You will be part of a private safari, we will
typically be a group of six, and we don’t have to
follow the lodges usual itinerary. This freedom
ensures we get the best available photography
and see the most unusual animals.
Our lodging is on private land known in Africa
as a conservancy. Staying on the conservancy
is important because this will give us abilities
that are not available in the national parks. For
example, we can drive off road or after night,
and we can go for walks in the bush.
I’ve been on safari more times than most, and I
know what to expect. I’ve also hired wonderful
guides that grew up in the areas that we will be
touring. Some are second or third generation
guides, and there is nobody that knows the
land, and it’s animals better than our guides
and trackers.
Photography
Most of you will be joining the safari with
photography on your mind. When I am not
on safari, I am teaching photography. I will be
there to ensure you are making the best possible images.
I’ll make sure your settings are correct for the
scene and I will be available back at camp to
have a look at your images so that we can fix
any problems that may have popped up.
I have hired private vehicles for our safari so
that each of you will have an entire row in our
open-top safari vehicle. You will have space for
your gear, and your view will be clear of obstructions.
Thousaands and Thousands of them and only 6 of you!
We are staying in a variety of ecosystems so
that we will have the chance to photograph
regional specialties as well as mximizing our
chances to photograph allof the Big Five species.
Kenya Safari - 2017
August 19, 2017
We will meet you at Nairobi International Airport and deliver you to our lodge in Nairobi. I’ve chosen a lovely nearby colonial-style lodge to ease
comfortably into the local time zone. You’ll for sure feel the “Out of Africa” vibe of Macushla House.
The Lodge style home offers peace and comfort with facilities for conferences,
seminars and workshops on a small scale. The overnight accommodation is spacious with ensuite bathrooms for a maximum of ten guests. Open beamed ceilings, natural woodwork, log fires in the lounges and views over one of the last
pockets of indigenous forest, complement the serenity and style of Macushla.
The bar and dining room take on an ambiance of intimacy yet have been host to
many a celebratory function and informal business dinner. The food at Macushla will leave you in no doubt that you are in a private home and not a hotel. The
terrace and swimming pool are regular venues for guests to relax, choose a tasty
dish from the daily menu offered throughout the day and evening, or simply a
traditional tea with a hint of indulgence – scones, strawberry jam and cream.
There are some great birds and Vervet Monkeys in the gardens, and you can get
some practice in for our safari. Oh, the managers are Carrie and Grant! How
cool is that?
August 20, 2017
Sleep in as you please today and have breakfast at your
leisure at Macushla House. We have a light schedule
today, and we will have time to do a little shopping for
forgotten items, curios, and some local sightseeing.
The highlight of the day will no doubt be our trip to the
David Sheldrick Foundation to choose your baby elephant for adoption! It is fun and I have to say emotional
experience. I love when I get an email filling me on how
my son, Ngilai, is faring.
Macushla House Exterior
The parade of the babies is soo much fun, you may forget
to click your camera. Be sure to note the names as they
come by, so you’ll know which baby you want to take
home with you...err, I mean adopt. That 33lb weight limit
isn’t enough to bring home a baby elephant, no matter
how cute!
I'm sure it'll be a battle to get you out of the baby elephant orphanage, so your reward
will be dinner at the world famous, Carnivore restaurant. The Carnivore is the ultimate
'Beast of a Feast' A variety of meat including ostrich, crocodile, and camel, is roasted
over charcoal and carved at your table. Delicious side dishes and an exceptional array of
sauces complement this fixed price feast that also includes soup, a selection of desserts
and Kenyan coffee. Set in attractive tropical gardens, the service, and the décor are outstanding. Those of you that are not carnivores, there is something for everyone on the
menu.
“Nothing but breathing the air of Africa, and actually walk-
Macushla House Bedroom
Macushla House Bar
ing through it, can communicate the indescribable sensations.”
William Burchell, 19th Century Explorer
Kenya Safari - 2017
Your suite awaits in Amboseli
Campsite glowing by lantern light
The main lodge tent
August 21, 2017
Our safari gets under way after breakfast. We'll head to Nairobi Wilson Airport for our 50-minute flight to the spectacular Amboseli National Park.
The park is home to the most amazing elephants in all of Africa. The elephants here have a very high percentage of big tuskers. Fingers crossed we
will photograph one of these great beasts.
Our home for the next two days will be Porrini Amboseli Camp (Trip Advisor - 5 Stars) in the private reserve, Selenkay Conservancy.
The camp includes nine spacious guest tents, comfortably furnished and with en
suite bathrooms including shower, wash basin and flush toilet. Tents have solar-powered electric lighting. The camp is small and is on the lines of the traditional luxury safari camp.
Once you settle into your tent, we will re-group for lunch and discuss the rest of
the days activities. After we eat, we’ll take a short walk to visit the local Masai village for some insight into their way of life and culture. Photography is welcome.
After we return to camp, we will head out on our first game drive. You never
know what to expect on a game drive, I’ve been on hundreds and none of them
have ever been the same. The one thing I will guarantee is that you’ll be very
excited! We’ll photograph until the sunsets and stop to enjoy a sundowner in the
bush before we enjoy a night drive back to the lodge and our evening meal.
Fingers crossed you’ll get this image - Elephant Herd at Amboseli
“...as wide as all the world, great, high and unbelievably white
in the sun”- he named it “The Snows of Kilimanjaro”
The glorious Lilac-breasted Roller
Ernest Hemingway, Author
Kenya Safari - 2017
August 23, 2017
After an early breakfast, we'll break camp and fly to Porini Rhino Camp (Trip
Advisor - 5 Stars) in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy and at the base of Mount
Kenya.
April 22, 2017
Awake to the noisy calls of the birds. After an early breakfast, we drive through the bush
on our private track into Amboseli National Park, for a full morning of game viewing.
Following a picnic lunch in the park, we return to Porini Camp later in the afternoon. In
the evening you will go for a game drive in Selenkay Conservancy, stopping for a sundowner drinks at a scenic viewpoint for sunset, followed by a night game drive to look
for nocturnal animals such as aardvarks, serval cats, caracals, bat-eared foxes, African
wild cats, and other species. After such a busy day of photography and adventure, our
gourmet meal will be welcome!
Once we are settled in and of course, fed, we will head out on a game drive.
Of course, we will be watching for all creatures great and small, but our target
this evening is the endangered and elusive, Black Rhinoceros.
August 24, 2017
Rinse and repeat yesterday's activities (no plane ride) with one very cool
addition, a trip to Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. There are no wild
chimps here, but rather these are abandoned pets and rescue animals that
cannot survive in the wild.
Bat-eared Fox and Kits
Wildlife Spotlight
The Bat-eared Fox is a small, African fox known for its
enormous ears, which are over 5 inches (13 centimeters)
tall. The ears are full of blood vessels that shed heat and
help keep the fox cool; they also give the animal a very
good sense of hearing.
Gin and tonics alwats taste best whilst watchig the sunset in Africa!
In the rather extreme climate of their native land, bateared foxes spend high-temperature days in the relative comfort of their den, venturing out mostly in late
afternoon to socialize. Around dusk, social grooming
and play increase, and as dusk falls, the foxes leave the
den area to look for food. Around midnight, they take a
break to rest and then forage again until dawn.
The highly endangered Black Rhinoceros
Kenya Safari - 2017
August 25 - 28, 2017
Today we depart on our Safarilink flight to the Masai Mara region of Kenya. We'll be staying
on the Olare Moroogi Conservancy at the wondrous Porini Lion Camp (Trip Advisor - 5
Stars).
Porini Lion Camp is in a unique and stunning setting on the banks of the seasonal Ntiakatiak River within the Olare Motorogi Conservancy. This vast area borders the Masai Mara
National Reserve and is home to an abundance of animals including the Mara’s famous Big
Cats. There is excellent game viewing within the conservancy due to its unspoiled natural
state and the Porini Lion Camp – with just ten tents – ensures guests have a genuine “away
from it all” experience deep in the African bush.
The tastefully furnished tents feature solar-powered lighting, ensuite facilities (with hot
shower and flush toilet) and a private verandah.
Our active safari life; sleep, eat, game drive, eat, rest, game drive, drink, eat and sleep continues at Lion Camp!
Masai Giraffe
Wildlife Spotlight
Spacious and comfortable tents
Evenings are special on safari
“
There is something about safari life that makes you forget all
your sorrows and feel as if you had drunk half a bottle of cham-
pagne — bubbling over with heartfelt gratitude for being alive.”
Karen Blixen, Author
The most unmistakable animal we will encounter is
the giraffe. One thing that you may not know there
are between 9 and 17 species of giraffes depending
on which author you believe. The most common and
the largest is the Masai Giraffe. The ragged spots are
the primary ID marker.
Don't fall for the inevitable guide joke about how
many vertebrae are in a giraffe's neck; it's seven just
like you!
Kenya Safari - 2017
August 29, 2017
Sadly it's our final game drive, and then we drive through Masai Mara Reserve (cameras out) on the way to the airstrip. We'll return to Nairobi
and enjoy the luxuries of a day room at the Eka Hotel. Think showers that never run out of hot water, TV, fast internet; wait don't reflect on that it
sounds like home!
We take you by private vehicle to Nairobi International Airport where you can connect with your onward flight. Please schedule your onward flight
to depart any time after 4:30 PM.
Optional Extension - August 29 and 30, 2017
If you just have not had enough safari and I know that you have not, you might like to add on a extra 2
night safari. You will be at one of the most beautiful camps in Kenya, Ngare Serion.
Ngare Serian consists of only 4 tents, and this intimacy makes it perfect for hosting a family holiday, or
gathering a group of friends. The tents are dotted along the riverbank, decked out in style with Zanzibar
four-poster beds and open bathrooms overlooking pods of hippo. Take a leaf out the hippos’ book: lounge
languidly, soaking up the sights and sounds of the bush from the bathtub built into your veranda decking.
Ngare is nestled in the private Mara North Conservancy, and is also perfectly positioned to take advantage
of our 1,500 acres of exclusive conservation area. Yes – 1,500 acres of wilderness that belongs just to us, and
is all yours to roam and explore… If you ever dreamed of your own slice of Africa – this is it. Tucked away
in this conservation area, and a mere gentle stroll from camp, is ‘The Nest’, our tree house – a gorgeous
sleep-out spot, or a perfect perch to have a picnic… In general a great extension of the peace and seclusion
of Serian. Because we are free to do as we please in our own little zone, night drives and fishing in the river
are also possible here. Walking is another great way to see the sights: tune into the whispering savannah
silence away from the hum of a vehicle.
August 31, 2017
After a last morning at the glorious bit of old Africa, you’ll be flown back to Nairobi and a day at the Eka
hotel to prepare for your homeward bound flight!
We should have some close encounters of the elephant kind!
Take a look at the map of your safari.
Come explore with the Safariguy!
I hope you’ve seen enough about my safari offerings to entice you to ask for more details or how to send me your deposit to book a safari. I love
talking all things safari, so feel to give me a call or send me a note and we’ll explore the possibilities.
www.safariguy.com
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safariguy@gmail.com
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217.801.8399