Specialist guide Jody Cole throughout
Trip Overview
Sold Out! Kenya has long been Africa’s most storied safari destination. Known for its legendary wildlife and evocative landscapes, Kenya offers photographers countless opportunities to capture iconic images of Africa: Graceful giraffes browsing in acacia trees, elephants traversing the savanna, stealthy lions stalking gazelle, proud Maasai bedecked in ceremonial beadwork. This 10-day photo safari is designed for photographers of every level using equipment of all levels… including mobile phones. A professional photographer will be with us the entire trip giving personal attention and support and helping us enhance our photos.
Days 1 – 2
Arrivals – 2 nights Nairobi Eka Hotel
Upon arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), you will be met by our representative and transferred to Eka Hotel for a two-night stay. Check in and get settled before perhaps meeting up with the rest of the group for dinner (All meals on your own account this day). Wake up and enjoy breakfast and around 10:00am we will depart for David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. for the 11-12noon visit.
This will be followed by a visit to Karen Blixen’s former home (now a museum) with absolutely stunning views of the Ngong Hills made famous in her book Out Of Africa and includes lunch at Tamambo. After lunch we will visit the Giraffe Centre after which we will be dropped off at Eka Hotel in time to review your photos of the day, rest and have dinner.
(B, L)
Days 3 – 4
Off to Amboseli
National Park
Driving out of Nairobi and heading south east, we will have about a four and half hour drive arriving at Amboseli National Park. Crowned by Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, the park is one of Kenya’s most popular parks. The name “Amboseli” comes from a Maasai word meaning “salty dust” and it is one of the best places in Africa to view large herds of elephants up close.
Nature lovers can explore five different habitats here ranging from the dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli, wetlands with sulphur springs, the savannah and woodlands. We can also visit the local Maasai community who live around the park and experience their authentic culture.
We’ll stay at Ol Tukai Lodge With spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the golden plains, Ol Tukai Lodge is a charming, contemporary retreat situated within the pristine Amboseli National Park. Filled with a quintessential African atmosphere and set amidst beautifully manicured lawns, the lodge’s luxury chalets offer uninterrupted views of the tranquil wilderness of the park or the snow-capped mountain in the distance. Beautifully appointed and inviting, the chalets boast private terraces where we’ll make the most of our spectacular surroundings.
(B, L, D)
Days 5 – 6
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
After Breakfast on the morning of the 17th, we will drive back to Nairobi to Wilson Airport and fly north to central Kenya to Ol Pejeta Conservancy The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a mosaic of grass plains, wooded grassland, Acacia woodland and evergreen thicket extending over 86,000 square miles!
Ol Pejeta boasts an astounding variety of animals including non-indigenous chimpanzees and the Big Five (the endangered black and white rhino, leopard, elephant, buffalo & lion). The combination of amazing wildlife and stunning views across the open plains guarantees an unforgettable safari experience.
Our Porini Rhino Camp guide will collect us from the airstrip and transfer us to camp, our home for the next two nights were we will enjoy morning, evening and night time shared game drives and escorted walks with Maasai guides.
(B, L, D)
Days 7 – 9
To the Maasai Mara
On the morning of August 18th, we will fly to the famous Maasai Mara National Reserve located in southwest Kenya along the Tanzania border. Game viewing in the Masai Mara is excellent all year around thanks to the diverse population of resident game – including lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo – plus popular species like zebra, giraffe, hyena, eland and gazelle.
We will be there at a time when one of nature’s greatest spectacles, the Wildebeest Migration, should reach the Mara, however there are no guarantees as the migration is dependent on the rains. The migration is a dramatic mass movement of almost two million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle in a seasonal annual cycle driven by rainfall. To reach the Mara’s fresh grazing, wildebeest make dramatic river crossings from Tanzania to feast on the Mara plains and regain their strength.
Our home for the next three nights is the distinctly unique Mara Engai Lodge ,nestled amongst pristine Kenyan Ravine forest on the Oloololo (Siria) Escarpment. Overlooking the amazing Masai Mara National Reserve and Wildebeest Migration Route, with around 120km of unbroken views across the vast savannah of the Masai Mara – it is simply breath-taking. In Maasai belief, Mara means the spotted Land, whilst Engai is the Maasai God who created what we have labeled as the 7th wonder of the world.
Wonder at the most amazing views over the Masai Mara and Great Migration route from your own private veranda. Indulge in fine dining, with delicious treats made from fresh produce from the lodges organic gardens. Get back to nature on thrilling game drives and experience thousands of years of Maasai tradition. Then before you sink into your large comfortable bed, take a look up at the mass of twinkling stars in the clear African sky — it’s something everyone should should see at least once in their lifetime.
(B, L, D)
Day 10
Departures
After packing our things and saying our “Farewells” we’ll fly from Maasai Mara back to Nairobi & be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for our international flights home.
(B)
“Jody’s enthusiasm is contagious. Your patience is saintly. Everything was easy and perfect.”
Eileen B., San Francisco, CA
Additional Information
- This quote is valid for the dates of travel specified. Prices are subject to change and lodge availability is not guaranteed until a signed application and deposit are received, at which time accommodations are booked and a final itinerary prepared. Modifications to the itinerary may result in a change in price.
- Review the location and amenities of the suggested accommodations and ensure you are comfortable.
- Prices are subject to change without prior notification due to circumstances beyond our control, namely fuel surcharges, supplier increases, government taxes, exchange rate fluctuations, etc. The full booking value will be subject to rate of exchange fluctuations until full payment has been made.
- All costs are valid for the itinerary travel dates. Costs may vary with date changes.
- Should any details change, we reserve the right to recalculate the tour price accordingly
- Passports MUST be valid for at least six months from your return home date. We recommend a validity of nine months to prevent any problems in this regard. There must be at least FOUR blank VISA pages in the passport (not endorsement pages).
- WRAS is happy to help with Intra Africa flights to ensure the best arrival/departure times. There is a USD 35.00 service fee per flight booked by WRAS.
- Luggage limit is 15kgs (33lbs) per person and includes checked bags, hand carried bags and photography equipment and in soft sided bags.
If you would like to move ahead and confirm this itinerary, we will require a completed and signed Trip Application for each traveler and a 30% deposit on the full trip amount. 50% of this deposit amount is non-refundable.
We strongly recommend purchasing Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance immediately after your deposit is made. Insurance protects you and your investment should there be a reason at any point in the planning process that you would need to cancel your trip.
Affiliations
Connect
+1 (415) 407-3691