The Masai Mara NR supports one of the highest concentrations of game in Africa. In particular, it is the number of predators and the high chances of seeing them that make the Mara so unique and attractive for wildlife photographers and enthusiasts.
Here we will photograph the famous big cats, Leopards, Cheetahs and Lions, but we shall also seek opportunities to photograph the equally fascinating small cats, Caracals and Servals. In this period migrating Wildebeests have gone, but the predators remain. It is a great time to be in the Mara as it is much quieter than migration time but game and activity are still abundant. We will follow the lives of the big cats, spending entire days sometimes with them, watching their lives unfold before our eyes.
Amboseli NP in southern Kenya is one of world’s best places to see and photograph African Elephants. We will follow the Elephants crossing majestic sceneries on their walk from the woodlands to the marshes. We will have many opportunities to photograph the Elephants’ behavior, calves playing alongside their mothers, bulls fighting, families feeding and spraying dust. All in the amazing habitat of flat and dusty plains with scattered acacias and the backdrop of Mt Kilimanjaro. Amboseli is also home to some of the last big tuskers in Africa, and we’ll try hard to find them in this vast landscape. Our camp has access to a private conservancy adjacent to the park which will offer intimate encounters with the Elephants in a beautiful scenery, with very few other vehicles besides us.
Lake Magadi is one of the most beautiful of the Rift Valley’s soda lakes. Its ever-changing colours are absolutely magnificent when seen from the air. Flamingos are present in the lake, at times in huge numbers, and we will photograph them from the helicopter as they fly over incredible colours. We will be based in and have exclusive access to the Olkeramatian Conservancy off the Nguruman Escarpment, on the border with the Shompole Group Ranch. Here wildlife abounds, including Lions, Cheetahs, Elephants, Leopards and plains game. Since it is a private conservancy, it is very rare to come across other vehicles on a game drive. We will also have permission to drive off-road, with no time limits, and do night game drives if desired.
The lodge where we will stay has a magnificent ground-level hide with a tunnel leading into it, right on a flood-lit waterhole, where wildlife comes to drink both in daytime and nighttime. It’s the best of its kind of East Africa. Animals come to drink really close to the hide, offering an intimate perspective. Spending a night there is a real thrill, staring into the darkness hoping to see movement in the vegetation. Wildlife using the waterhole range from Elephants, Giraffes, Leopards, Lions to more unusual creature such as African Civet, Caracal, Striped Hyenas.
This safari is for only 6 guests in two vehicles (maximum of 8 guests if 2 couples/ travelling companions request to share the same row of seats). Federico will share his time equally with everyone and communicate via hand-held radio between the vehicles.
We believe it is crucial that every photographer has a full row of seats in the vehicle at disposal. This provides ample space for the equipment, but most of all, allows everyone to photograph on both sides without overlapping with other guests. Couples or travelling companions can request to share one row of seats in the vehicle if one of the two is not a keen photographer, for a maximum of one shared row per vehicle.
Our vehicles are customised to satisfy the needs of photographers. They have fully open sides for an interrupted field of view and supports at the right height to lean the big lenses on. We provide bean bags in plenty and upon request we also supply supports to mount your tripod head on. Vehicles also have pop-up roof for photography from a higher angle when required.
On this trip guests will enjoy one full hour per person soaring above Lake Magadi and the southern Rift Valley on a four-seater helicopter. Each one will have a full window seat with removed doors for optimal photography. Federico will be on board to provide assistance during each flight. We will photograph the Flamingos from the air, the amazing prehistoric landscape of the Rift Valley, Elephants and plains game.
In Masai Mara NR we will stay at Mara Bush Camp, a small luxury tented camp on the banks of the Olare Orok river in the heart of the Mara. From here we will easily reach all the wildlife-richest areas of the reserve. The camp is in the heart of leopard country and different prides of lions live around it.
In Amboseli NP we will be based in one of two lodges located inside the park, in a perfect central position to reach the swamps, the plains and the dry lake at the golden hours of sunrise and sunset. All rooms are en-suite and equipped with sockets for charging equipment.
At Lake Magadi we will be based at Lentorre Lodge, a wonderful and very intimate lodge perched on the Nguruman escarpment. The lodge has six rooms with private plunge pool and gorgeous vistas on the Rift Valley landscape including Mt Shompole and the active volcano Ol Donyo Lengai. All rooms are en-suite and all inclusive.
Accommodation in the parks is on full-board basis, including breakfast, lunch and dinner. We will always have packed breakfast during our game drive, and depending on the situation, also lunch.
Federico Veronesi will be your guide and accompanying professional photographer for this trip. Federico Veronesi has photographed extensively in most locations in Kenya, including the Rift Valley lakes, Amboseli and the Mara. He lived in the Mara for approximately six months per-year for many years. He intimately knows the animals of the Mara and Amboseli and their behavior. He will share his experience photographing them to ensure that you live an unforgettable experience and take extraordinary images. During game drives, Federico will be sharing tips and suggestions on photography. Being a small group, his coaching will be tailored to the specific needs and skill level of the participants. Back in camp, he will be available to review guests’images on request as well as hold informal sessions on editing and post-production of the images taken during the safari, using Adobe Lightroom.
Price for this safari is USD 13,560. Single supplement is USD 1,890
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