ITINERARY
12-Day Invitational
Photo Safari
Day 1: Journey to
your new adventure
Depart from your home and begin the
first leg of your adventure
Day 2:
Arrive in Nairobi
Arrive Nairobi - Jomo Kenyatta
International Airport, after Clearing Customs and
Immigration formalities, proceed to the International
arrival lounge where I will be waiting for you along with
our driver/guide from Maniago Safaris.
Then to the famous Stanley Hotel - Since 1902, The Sarova
Stanley Hotel-Nairobi, has hosted some of the world's most
recognizable names of acclaimed actors, authors, world
leaders on royal and state visits to Kenya .
With its enhanced old charm and historic features, The
Sarova Stanley remains a significant landmark in the center
of Nairobi including Thorn Tree Café - the famous message
tree. No other city center hotel has such a convenient
position amongst the busy shopping and restaurant area of
Nairobi. This my personal favorite hotel in
Nairobi, by the way.
Stanley Hotel, or comparable, overnight (Meals Aloft)
Days 3, 4: Samburu
We begin the day with breakfast and an orientation meeting
where your cultural guide will review the upcoming safari,
and I will present "Learning to See," a lecture and
slide show to help prepare you for the photographic
experience of your life. I will help you to understand that
good photographs are made in your head and in your heart --
the camera only records them. And I will arm you with tested
and proven fine art compositional concepts which you will
learn to apply over the course of the your safari. You
should return home with the very finest photographs you have
ever made in your entire life. A bold statement, eh? If you
are like the vast majority of my past explorers, you look
back on this safari experience and you will agree with that
bold statement 100%. I give you my African Guarantee
-- "I absolutely Guarantee that it might happen."
Then we "head 'um up, and move
'um out", as Rowdy Yates (Clint Eastwood) used to say on the
TV series, Raw Hide. We board our private Land Cruisers and
charge into the African bush, through scenic country
inhabited by the Kikuyu tribe, periodically stopping on
route to photograph lush foliage and undulating hills.
En-route, you will stop for lunch at
KenTrout Farm situated on the slopes of the third highest
mountain in the world Mt. Kenya, where we will have a
relaxing, lovely lunch on the banks of a lovely trout
stream.
We
cross the EQUATOR into less developed and more primitive
territory as we continue into the Northern Frontier
District. Samburu is a semi-desert habitat and hosts unique
species that are found nowhere else. As we begin our search
for wildlife, keep your eyes open for reticulated giraffes,
Grevy’s zebra, long necked gerenuk and Beisa Oryx. There are
many species of colorful birds this time of year - like
jewels in the trees and overhead. But, perhaps the most
exciting inhabitant of this area is the magnificent but
elusive leopard. We will be exploring in Samburu for two
days and you will want to study the giraffe and zebras with
care because these are a different species than you will see
later in the Mara. It seems that each region possess some
uniqueness to its flora and fauna.
Prepare yourself to be up before
dawn each day as we eagerly head out on our morning game
drives. We are, first and foremost, photographers in search
of that once-in-lifetime magic image. The early morning not
only allows us to view and photograph the rising sun, but
this is the time of day when almost all the animals are most
active. As the sun rises the terrain and the wildlife
becomes bathed in a marvelous golden hue, a hue that lasts
but fleeting moments, so we must be there and be ready. This
is a wonderful time to make silhouette photographs of the
big animals, like giraffes, and elephants and the
long-necked gerenuk. This is also a great time for action
photography because of the intensity of wildlife activity.
Every day is a living photography
workshop as we begin to apply some of the compositional
concepts I presented to you in the "Learning to See"
orientation. And remember, I am available continuously,
around the clock, to serve as your personal photographic
guide and tutor. In fact, in each game drive, I will ride
with a different group of explorers so I can give personal
attention to personal needs. Although I will make
photographs of my own, my first and foremost responsibility
is to assist you in learning how to see and how to make
better photographs than you ever have before.
We return to the lodge midday to
discuss this morning’s triumphs and challenges over lunch.
Then after lunch, we rest and recharge our human batteries
before we head back into the bush for more game viewing and
more spectacular photographic opportunities.
During our stay here in Samburu,
we will have the cultural opportunity to visit a village of
the Samburu tribe. The Samburu are herdsmen and
you will discover that the rhythms and activities of the
entire village is integrated with their cattle. Cow hides
are used in hundreds of ways, and the handmade huts are made
of cow dung, packed by hand. Our expert guides will insure
that we are welcomed by the village chief and that we will
have full access to every aspect of village life. Portrait
opportunities will be limitless - warriors, women, children,
and I will be available to assist you in refining your
portrait skills. More importantly, we hope that this
cross-cultural experience, up-close-and-personal, will be
beneficial to all of us.
Samburu Serena lodge or comparable (B, L, D)
Days 5: Lake Nakuru
After a delicious African
breakfast at Samburu Serena Lodge, we mount our trusty Land
Cruisers and head south-southwest into the Great Rift Valley,
stopping periodically along the way as we become inspired to
make more photographs.
About mid-day, we will stop for
lunch at the peaceful and relaxing Thompson Falls, where we
will find not only good food but also a very photogenic
waterfall. In addition, there are often
indigenous tribesmen in complete complete ceremonial attire
ready to model for you for only a few schillings.
These costumes can be quite bazaar and unusual and make
great photographic subjects. No requirement to do so.
Just an option.
Our destination is one of the more
beautiful Great Rift Valley lakes. We will arrive rejuvenated
and ready for our afternoon game drive. Lake
Nakuru National Park is unquestionably the “greatest
ornithological spectacle on earth” with, at times, more than
2 million pink flamingos and well over 400 other bird
species. In addition to the ornithological splendor, Lake
Nakuru offers a wide variety of natural wildlife which
includes the water buck, zebra, gazelle, wild dog, and
buffalo. This location is unique because of our ability to
view the Rothschild giraffe (considered to be an endangered
species) and White Rhinos, and if we are truly fortunate, we
may view both the White and the Black Rhino.
Lake Nakuru is a very shallow
strongly alkaline lake 62 sq km in extent. It is set in a
picturesque landscape of surrounding woodland and grassland
next to Nakuru town. The landscape includes areas of marsh
and grasslands alternating with rocky cliffs and outcrops,
stretches of acacia woodland and rocky hillsides covered
with a Euphorbia forest on the eastern perimeter.
The lake catchment is bounded by Menengai crater to the
north, the Bahati hills to the north east, the lion hill
ranges to the east, Eburu crater to the south and the mau
escarpment to the west. Three major rivers, the Njoro,
Makalia and Enderit drain into the lake, together with
treated water from the town's sewage works and the outflow
from several springs along the shore.
Lake Nakuru was first gazetted as a bird sanctuary in 1960
and upgraded to National Park status in 1968. A northern
extension was added to the park in 1974 and the lake was
designated as a Ramsar site in 1990. The foundation of the
parks food chains is the cyanophyte spirulina platensis
which can support huge numbers of lesser flamingo.
After sunset we will proceed to Flamingo Hill Tented Camp
for a delicious and relaxing dinner. Small and
exclusive, comprising 25 tents. The tents are furnished with
the understated luxury required by the modern traveler.
Decorated in calming safari tones, natural woods, wrought
iron and crisp cottons each tent has been meticulously
planned to maximize comfort. All tents have the following
facilities: four poster beds, mosquito nets, en-suite with
shower, WC and flush toilets, writing desk, a private
verandah overlooking the plains, hot and cold running water
& voltage at 240 volts
Flamingo Hill Lodge or comparable (B, L ,D)
Days 6, 7: Maasai
Mara
After our typical early morning
breakfast, we will load up all our gear and begin our
morning game drive so that we may be able to create
beautiful images of flamingos, giraffes, and rhinos in the
early morning light before we depart on our trek into the
Mara. Away we go south-southwesterly, into and through the
Great Rift Valley to the Maasai-Mara Game Reserve. This drive
will offer breathtakingly beautiful grand vistas of the
beauty that is Africa. What a wonderful opportunity to hone
and refine our landscape photography skills. Another
highlight of this day is our opportunity to "eat out" for
lunch. By eating out, I mean that we will actually rally our
Land Cruisers and spread a picnic lunch right in the big
middle of the Great Rift Valley, with big sky overhead, and
grand vistas of the mountains and escarpments all around us.
It is invigorating to connect so close the earth in
this manner, and it is something that one totally misses by
'puddle-hopping' from point to point in an airplane.
We will be entering the stunning
Maasai Mara National Reserve about mid-afternoon and
immediately find ourselves in the biggest game drive all.
When it comes to game-viewing, there is nowhere in Africa
richer in wildlife or more eventful in encounters than the
Mara. A pristine wilderness of haunting beauty, it promises
its visitors a profusion of wildlife, prolific bird life and
the unprecedented opportunity of catching up with all the
members of the 'Big Five' in one morning. As to scenery, the
1,800 sq kilometres of this veteran reserve offer the
classic mix of African imagery; miles of lion-gold
grasslands, shoals of lilac-misted hills, a meandering
river, acres of thorn-bush and mile upon mile of undulating
wilderness.
At dusk we will check into the stunningly located Mara
Serena Safari Lodge, the ultimate safari
destination. Set high on a bush-cloaked escarpment, embraced
by arcing vistas and washed by a sea of richly rolling
grasslands, it stands centre-stage to one of Africa’s most
dramatic wildlife arenas -- the Mara river. Drawing its inspiration from the
traditional Maasai cultural motif of a cluster of domed,
mud-coloured huts encircled by a “Boma” of brushwood, the
Mara Serena offers a rare blend of raw African splendour and
sumptuous sophistication. The essentially ethnic décor also
draws on a vibrant colour-palette of sun-burst colours,
embellished by a unique selection of Maasai art to create
the look and feel of a traditional bush encampment. The
lodge features individual rooms, each with their own balcony
and view of eternity, a sky-blue swimming pool and a
spectacular restaurant, overlooking a water hole where a
fantasia of creatures collect to drink.
We relax and absorb the incredibly
beautiful view over the Paradise Plains, which is often
filled with game animals. Directly below us is the famous,
or infamous, Mara River. One of my previous Maasai guides referred to the
Mara River at the 'river of blood' because of the presence
of so many crocodiles and other predators. This will be our
base camp for the next two days. This first evening we
socialize with our fellow explorers and organize ourselves
for our next morning game drive into the heart of the.
Full day game drives (yes, I said
full day) in our
second day. We will traverse the amazing
Mara River as we stalk the big animals. This savannah is
grassland, studded with acacia trees, interspersed with
dramatic escarpment and rivers inhabited by hippo and
crocodiles. The rich concentration of antelope, zebra and
elephant are endless, and as you might expect we will
observe many predators in action. We are likely to observe
various forms of stalking, hunting, killing and feeding. At
mid day we once again return to the lodge, where we can
compare notes, learn a few more photographic treats, and
anticipate our next great adventure – with possibly the best
photographic image yet to come!!
What makes the Mara area so
special?
The Mara is the northern
extension of the SERENGETI PLAIN. Perhaps it is the limitless big
skies, the open savannahs scattered with acacia trees, the
red robed tall Maasai warriors or just the variety and
density of game. But, if you ask those who have traveled
before, they will all agree that it is truly the spirit of
the place, a spirit that is hard to put in words…but just
maybe you can capture a bit of this spirit not only in your
heart but in your photographic images. We will be guided by our expert guides who
are masters at finding and tracking the cycle of life being
enacted here in the Mara -- the Predators & the Prey. The Maasai Mara is perhaps most
famous for its lions, as well as the other members of the
“Big Five” (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino, and Buffalo).
Hippo (some say the most deadly animal to man in all of
Africa) inhabit the Talek river and the Mara river. Cheetahs
are plentiful, and elephants are found in great numbers. In
one sweep of the binoculars one might see a 1000 animals.
The Mara is full of wildebeest, zebra, topi, giraffe, hyena,
and jackal. On my safari of November, 2006 we had the
incredible opportunity to observe and photograph the matting
of lions. In any event, one thing is certain. Every single
game drive will be unique and will yield amazing visions and
you will return home with hours, and hours of stories to
tell, and if I do my job well, you will have the very best
photographs you have ever made to document your stories.
Mara Serena Lodge or comparable (B, L, D)
Days 8, 9, 10:
Sekenani Mara/Siana
Concession
Day 8 is another very special
morning. As we leave the Mara Serena, we will have the
opportunity to enjoy an optional HOT AIR BALLOON SAFARI.
If you choose this option (there is an additional charge of
approximately US$400 per person), you will, at dawn, begin
floating silently over the Seventh Wonder of the World.
Flames from the hot air burners will light the darkness as
the crews inflate your craft. Suspended in a basket beneath
the rainbow-colored canopy, you're off for a game-viewing
adventure with an entirely different perspective. Apart from
the hiss of the burners, elephants crashing through the
bush, hippos splashing in the river, the flight above the
Maasai Mara plains is magically silent. At the end of the
flight, you will treated to a champagne breakfast in the
bush, hosted by the local Maasai.
For those who do not choose the
hot air balloon safari, a dawn game drive will be available,
for more early morning predator watching.
After your game drive or optional
hot air balloon safari, we will board our Land Cruisers and
wind our way across the Maasai Mara onto the Siana
Concession, near the Sekenani Mara Gate. This is very
special because the Siana is an integral part of the Mara,
but it is privately property. This is important because it
means we will have it almost to ourselves. No crowds from
other safaris. It means that we are free to drive and to
explore without restrictions, so if we need to follow a
lion, or lions, stalking a wildebeest, we can do it to our
heart's content.
We arrive just in time for a very
special lunch at
Leleshwa Camp,
which will be our base camp for
this final phase of our safari . Leleshwa is in the style of the old
traditional Hemingway safari, yet with all the comforts of
home (almost). Well-appointed tents of 20 x 14 ft with an
en-suite bathroom, flushing toilet and shower. Each tent is
situated to ensure privacy where you will be able to relax
on your private verandah, and enjoy the wild beauty of the
Mara. In the evenings, in the private seclusion of our camp,
you can relax around a campfire, sharing cocktails with your
new friends. Then in the safety and seclusion of your own
private tent, you may listen to the sounds of the African
night and savor the day's experiences, just as the first
hunters and explorers did over a century ago.
After lunch, we relax in the
splendor of this beautiful camp. Then something
very special --
Cultural Fusion.
You
will be provided with intense and intimate
cultural experiences with the Maasai people, and of course,
this means more wonderful photographic opportunities.
Late afternoon, before sunset, you will be escorted to a local
Maasai village where you will " settle-in" with the
whole tribe. You will build friendships. You will have total and
complete freedom to make photographs of these warriors of
the Mara and their families. You will go into their
handmade, cow dung packed huts, to see how they live, and
work, and sleep and prepare their meals and take care of
their children ... you will photograph them as they go about
the necessary duties of their daily lives. The intimacy of
this inter-cultural experience is another special feature of
this safari. The best way to explain richness of this very
personal experience is to read the testimonial words of a
former explorer:
"The most outstanding moment
among my many trips to Africa was the special party my group
threw for the Maasai people that live near Leleshwa. They
opened their hearts their home and shared their wonderful
sense of humor. We never felt uncomfortable taking many
pictures as they are such as proud people who enjoyed seeing
themselves on digital screens. But, the great fun was when
we showed them how to take our pictures and realized that
photography bridges so many cultures and brings us together
as one. We were so honored to be with the proud Maasai not
just taking from them but also sharing an experience we knew
they too enjoyed."
Sundowner - from the Maasai
village we go directly into the bush, where our Leleshwa
staff will set up tables and chairs, complete with drinks
and nibbles (or Bitings, as the Kenyans call it), where we
will relax and enjoy the incredible African sunset.
We can get closer to the wildlife. And even more
importantly, now we can go on a RARE NIGHT GAME DRIVE
which was forbidden in the National Parks. This night game
drive holds the potential for thrilling visions, and
photographs, of predators at work: stalking, hunting, and
the opportunity to photograph kills and feedings are not
uncommon. Night game drives are a special feature of my
safaris.
Leleshwa Camp or comparable (B, L, D)
DAY 9:
Magnificent Seven
BUSH WALK.
Yes, that is right, you ... on foot ... in the Bush ...
Right after a wonderful breakfast in our dining tent. Once again due to
the benefits of being on Private property, we will be able
to go on this very special guided bush walk. Our professional
Maasai safari guides and Maasai trackers will tell you about
medicinal properties of plants, point out insect and bird
species and teach you how to read different tracks and signs
left by animals - things that you might miss from a moving
vehicle. After about four hours of morning walking and
learning, we will discover that the Leleshwa staff will have
delicious brunch set up for our dining pleasure.
Tables, Chairs, serving tables ... a complete buffet brunch
right in the heart of this spectacular Kenyan savannah.
Now, back to work in camp.
This entire afternoon will be available to us for working
together with our cameras, and our computers. And I
will be there to help you, one-on-one, personal attention.
This is a great learning session. You will use this
afternoon to review the images you have
made during this safari and for you to select your
MAGNIFICENT SEVEN. Your 'Magnificent Seven" images are
the seven images that you like the most. These images are
the basis of your participation in DEJA VU, the
super-fun and educational slide show and critique which we
will all enjoy tomorrow night, after our final dinner. Your Magnificent Seven images are also
the images that I will use when I publish your work in our
Adventure Book. So I think it is fair to say that this is a big
deal, and you should take great pride in what your select.
And I think you will discover that you really will feel good
about the wonderful photographs you have made, and that your
photographic skills will have skyrocketed to a new level of
excellence. By then end of this afternoon, you will give to me
your Magnificent Seven images so that I may build the slide
show for Deja Vu.
Leleshwa Camp or comparable (B, L, D)
DAY 10: Deja Vu
This is the last day of your safari
before heading back to Nairobi, and it will be a full day,
with another exciting lunch-in-the-Mara. You
will hop aboard our Land Cruisers for one last, intensive,
game drive into the Maasai Mara. This time we
explore the northern central region of the Mara where you
have not been yet. It offers new and
different views and vistas, and animals. It is a
final opportunity to create those beautiful memories and to
create beautiful photographs. Just remember:
Memories last a lifetime. Photographs last for
generations.
DEJA VU: This is
the evening for DEJA VU. Just what we have been working
toward. Based upon the testimonials of many past
explorers, DEJA VU is an exciting highlight of the entire
safari, which everyone seems to love, Deja Vu is our
opportunity to "re-live" the whole experience together. It
is the slide show and critique in which we get to see
through the eyes of our fellow explorers as we view and
critique their Magnificent Seven Images. It is this Deja Vu
show that will serve as the basis for your Adventure Book,
which you will receive several weeks after you return to
your home.
Leleshwa Camp or comparable (B, L, D)
Day 11: Nairobi
After our final hearty breakfast, we
depart for Nairobi. The journey back is about
four hours long. You will arrive in time
for lunch at The Stanley Hotel again, where it all began.
You will be provided with a Day Room at the Stanley so that
you may refresh yourself, repack, or do whatever you wish.
Your safari officially ends at this point. Now you will
have the entire afternoon and evening to explore at leisure,
on your own, the very special beauty of this melting-pot
city called Nairobi. After your relaxing afternoon and
evening, you will once again join our professional guides as
they escort you to the Nairobi airport and assist you in
boarding your flights home. Bon Voyage.........
Day 12: Sweet
Journey Home
This is your day of travel as you
relax and re-experience in your memory, the unique and
special adventure you have just had. And my guess is
that you will be thinking of all your new friends and
wonderful photographs you have made.
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