One of the benefits of being located within the conservancy is having the ability to go off-road for important subjects – like the abundance of big cats.  Among the big cats that you more than likely will have an up-close encounter with are Lion, Cheetah,  and possibly Leopard along the banks of the river. We will also be on the lookout for the smaller Servals and Caracals. There are of course many other wildlife to witness and enjoy … Giraffe, Zebra, Topi, Wildebeest, Thompson’s and Grant’s Gazelle, Impala, Spotted Hyena, Black-backed Jackal, Elephant, Hippopotamus, a great variety of bird life and much more!

Another benefit of being in the conservancy is the low number of game viewing vehicles. We also have the complete flexibility to stay out all day should we wish giving us the opportunity to enjoy breakfast and picnic lunches out under the shade of a beautiful tree on the plains without having to drive back to camp. Of course, the option to return for a delicious lunch is always there – totally up to the group to decide.

Being only a short drive from the border of the main Mara Reserve allows us to choose which day is potentially the best to witness one of the great crossings.  Our guides have a large network throughout the Mara and will be receiving information on any mass groupings of Wildebeest allowing them to make a judgement call on the best opportunities to head to the river. Patience will be required on this day as the Wildebeest can often group up ready to cross only to get spooked and disperse – but staying and having the patience to then be rewarded with witnessing such an emotional moment is worth every minute spent sitting by the river bank.

At the end of each of our days exploring and viewing the abundance of beautiful scenery and amazing wildlife in the Conservancy our excellent Silver rated guide will host a sun-downer out on the wide-open plains … there is nothing quite like enjoying that icy cold beer or glass of wine watching an incredible African sunset!

The camps provide excellent Land Cruiser vehicles specifically with photographers in mind. The sides are open with ledges to support bean bags (supplied) offering maximum viewing area and space. The roof is fitted with a roll back top which has no bars to obstruct your view and bean bags can also be placed on top offering support for your lenses.

This safari is designed with getting quality images in mind, versus quantity and photographers of all skill levels are welcome. Our aim will be to spend as much time as possible out in the field and we will endeavour to witness as much wildlife as possible, but at times it is important to sit and wait for those special moments to unfold and therefore patience is the key. This safari is not designed to simply run around and check off a list – but rather to capture the best images possible in the best light, and at times that will mean waiting and watching an animals behaviour. By doing this you will be rewarded with amazing story-telling images! Most of our time is spent out in the field so there are no formal lectures or slideshows, but I will be available both out in the field and back at camp offering tips, advice, critique and guidance throughout the Safari.

We begin with an overnight stay at Ole Sereni Hotel, Nairobi. Meeting in the lobby at 6:30pm to enjoy a welcome dinner, we will get to know each other and discuss the week ahead.  Our flight is early the next morning and therefore the overnight stay is a necessary and welcome relief after your long-haul journey. (Dinner included – alcoholic beverages at participants cost)

Our adventure begins as we head to Wilson Airport early this morning to board our Bush Plane for our short 1 hour flight to our home for the next four nights – Kicheche Bush Camp. We have purchased extra seats to allow for our camera equipment, but keep a camera handy as you never know what we will encounter enroute to camp!

After a short orientation and safety talk we settle into our tents before joining our hosts for the first of many gourmet meals.  After lunch we depart to enjoy our first game drive and see what the Mara has to offer us. We finish our magical Safari by relaxing with a sun-downer on the open Mara Plains before heading back to camp.  Once back in camp and after a refreshing hot ‘bucket’ shower, we will meet around the camp fire with pre-dinner cocktails before adjourning to the restaurant tent for a wonderful 3 course dinner.

We will enjoy a further 3 full days at this outstanding camp. A typical day will begin at around 6am. Our Guide/Driver will be constantly in touch with other drivers in the different reserves and will update us on possibilities of the best sightings available.  Together we will make our decisions and each day will offer endless enjoyment and create ever lasting memories. We will be out scouting for wildlife to capture them in the best possible light before breakfast, and after our early morning game drive will enjoy our breakfast out on the plains, complete with table and chairs.  Each day we will be able to decide whether to stay out for the entire day – with picnic lunch and refreshments – or we can return to camp for a cooked lunch, some down time or photo critique and Photoshop sessions.  After afternoon tea we will head back out to once again find the wildlife and capture them in the best possible light.  Our game drive would never be complete without the traditional sundowner out on the plains where we can reminisce on what we have seen during the day.

On one of these days we will head into the main Masai Mara Game Reserve to sit by the river to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration – also known as the World Cup of Wildlife!.  The Masai Mara And the Serengeti National Park together form what no other reserve or park in Africa can.  It is an exhilarating and quite often emotional experience and one that must be experienced at least once in a lifetime.  Our silver guide will be monitoring the movements of the Wildebeest and advise us to which would be the optimum day to head to the river in hopes of witnessing the migration.  It is a day of patience.  Quite often the Wildebeest will group and head to the Mara river only to become spooked and disperse.  A good book, hat, sunscreen and patience may be required on this day …. And then again, a crossing could occur within our first half hour on the river bank.

During the evenings, if the skies co-operate, we may even attempt some astro-photography.

After an early morning game drive and breakfast, we will leave the beautiful Bush Camp and make our way via a short road trip to our new home for the next 2 nights – Kicheche Valley Camp. Both camps are very similar and you will feel right at home immediately. There will be plenty of game viewing again today! The Valley camp is located on the Eastern side of the 50,000 hectare Mara Naboisho conservancy. The camp itself is in a beautifully secluded valley dotted with the symbolic Acacia tree.

Today is another full day of game view driving, dining and soaking up the atmosphere of being in a truly spectacular part of the world!

We will enjoy one last early morning game viewing drive this morning and savour our last ‘Mara plains’ breakfast Safari style before making our way back to camp.  Sadly, it is time to pack.  We will have time to relax over lunch before boarding our mid-afternoon flight back to Nairobi.  Tonight, we will share a farewell dinner together at the Ole Sereni hotel before saying our farewells.  I am sure that we will have many memories to talk about and share and we look forward to seeing all your amazing images upon returning to our respective homes.  Overnight at the Ole Sereni hotel.

Due to many different flights by participants it is up to you to make your own arrangements back to Nairobi aiport.  Either we or the hotel will be able to assist you with this.  If there are several of you flying at around the same time we can co-ordinate these arrangements as well.

Visas – Kenya

It is now possible for passport holders to obtain visas prior to travelling to Kenya.  These can be obtained online via the Visa application form at  http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html  The cost is approximately USD$50 per person

It is YOUR responsibility to ensure that passports are valid for a minimum of 6 months after travel.  Please ensure that several pages in your passport are clear pages for visas to be stamped into.  Your application should be approved within a few days but it is recommended that you check regularly on your status and print Visa when approved.

Health Requirements

Please note that this is simply a general guide and you should consult with your doctor or travel doctor for professional advice.

Yellow Fever is required in Kenya and a Vaccination certificate will be required to be presented upon entry into Kenya.

Diphtheria, Typhoid, Tetanus, Hepatitis A, and Polio are also generally recommended.  Other vaccinations to consider are Hepatitis B, Cholera and Meningococcal Meningitis.  It is at your discretion and your doctors advise as to which you chose to receive.

Malaria prophylaxes is also HIGHLY recommended.

Diarrhea / Giardia etc. can be avoided by good hygiene and control over the quality of the drinking water.  Bottle water is readily available at camp and in the vehicle.  Please remember to brush your teeth ONLY using bottle water.

 Departure Tax

If you are flying out from Kenya your departure tax is likely included in your airline ticket so please check for this.  If not it is usually between US$20-$50 per person and can be paid locally.  Please have small bills as change is generally not given.

Tipping Advice

Tipping is not compulsory but it is considered customary.  It is always greatly appreciated and very much the standard practice for excellent service both in camp and with your driver.

We generally leave one envelope to be shared amongst all the staff other than the driver.  On our last evening together in camp I will collect any gratuities that you feel appropriate for our driver and we will present this to him at the time of our departure.

A rough indication of what is recommended is below :-

Driver …. USD $15 per person per day

Camp …. USD $10-$15 per person per day

Road Conditions

While in Kenya you will experience many different road conditions.  Many of the roads within the conservancy and main national park can vary from dry and dusty to very wet and quite often bumpy with many potholes.

Luggage

There is a maximum weight allowance of 15kg (including your hand luggage) for internal flights.  Additional luggage has been purchased for the group totaling an extra 75kg for the group.  All bags must be soft duffel style bags.

Drivers/Guides

Our drivers/guides are all Silver rated guides and understand photography.  This is a HUGE plus as they not only are amazing trackers but also understand where to position the vehicles for the best light for us.

For this trip, it is compulsory for you to purchase emergency medical treatment and medical evacuation insurance, and provide us with a copy of the policy.  These policies are relative inexpensive and can help protect you and prevent major medical expenses in the unlikely event that you need help while on the trip.

Here is a recommended list of gear to bring.  You do not need everything on the list but please use this as a guide.

The dry season offers up the coldest months.  Temperatures can change significantly in a day, so layered clothing is advised.  For the early mornings, it will be quite cool and as you are in an open-air vehicle a beanie, warm fleece, long pants and even gloves can come in handy.  Usually by the time we stop for breakfast you are down to jeans and a t-shirt.  I tend to wear shorts with just a tracksuit pant over the top. Makes it easy to strip down.