KENYA

07 Oct - 14 Oct

WHAT IS INCLUDED

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

The “ Masai Mara “ Photographic Safari takes you to the National Reserve of the same name. It was named for the Maasai people who inhabit the area, and for the Mara River, which flows through this great reserve. It shares a border with Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and is essentially a continuation of this park, forming the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. It is home to an excellent year-round concentration of game and is renowned for its annual visit by the two million animals between July and October that make up the Great Migration. Covering an impressive 1 115 km² (430 square miles), the Masai Mara is a land of breathtaking vistas, abundant wildlife and endless plains. This wildlife haven is host to great variety of animals like Elephant, Hippo, Buffalo, Gazelle, Giraffe, Lion , Cheetah and Leopard which will present endless photo opportunities. The Mara River itself is also famed for its enormous crocodiles.

The two safari camps we will be using in Masai Mara have been chosen very carefully in the heart of the reserve giving you access to all the important Mara River crossing points while also giving you access to areas of the reserve away from the crowds.

Kicheche Bush Camp is situated in light acacia woodland within Olare Motorogie Conservancy which is the first private Conservancy in the Masai Mara eco-system. The Conservancy not only offers outstanding wildlife viewing, it also offers an uncrowded wilderness. There are 30,000 acres of rolling grassland, hills, escarpment and the Motorogie plains located immediately to the north of the Ol Kiombo area of the Reserve. The Conservancy is a ground breaking venture between the local Maasai landowners and only 3 small eco-camps including Kicheche’s Bush Camp. Perfectly located to access all the major wildebeest crossing points and close enough to get there with good quality light.

Kicheche Mara Camp is located in the Acacia Valley of Mara North Conservancy. The camp is hidden in this picturesque valley, on the Olare Orok stream. The Mara Conservancy is a prime wildlife area and offers a high quality game viewing experience, in fact game viewing starts right from the camp itself. This is great predator territory so Lion and Cheetah sightings are guaranteed. We will also be on the lookout for the elusive Leopard.

During this Photographic Safari we will be in private concessions which means NO gate times to adhere to and the possibility of going Off-Road if the photo opportunity requires it. This is something that cannot be done in the public areas of Masai Mara and has to be considered as a definite plus of this safari.

Image courtesy of Kicheche Camps

Mara River Crossing of the Migration

Close up Cheetah encounters

Black-maned Lions

Quintessential East African scenery

Led by Mario Moreno or Marina Cano

Max number of participants : 6

Use of private vehicles

Off-road driving

Non photographers welcome

8 DAYS

1. • 1 night at the Ole-Sereni Hotel on arrival in Nairobi
   

2. • All air transfers between camps/lodges in Kenya
   

3. • 3 nights in Kicheche Bush Camp
   

4. • 3 nights in Kicheche Mara Camp
   

5. • All meals and selected beverages in camps
   

6. • All park and conservation fees
   

7. • 2 Game Drives daily ( early morning and evening )
   

8. • Use of 4x4 safari vehicles with guides
   

9. • Bottled water and snacks during game drives
   

10. • Side platforms for Long lenses and/or Beanbags
    

11. • Photographic guidance and workshops
    

1. • International flights to Nairobi International Airport
   

2. • Travel Insurance
   

3. • Visa fees if applicable
   

4. • Tips for lodge staff and guide
   

5. • Extra nights of accommodation before or after safari

Copyright 2011 South Cape Images

SAFARI SCHEDULE

Day 1

Day 2-4

Day 5-7

Arrival at Nairobi International Airport where you will be met and transferred to the Ole-Sereni Hotel, located between the airport and the city overlooking the famous Nairobi National Park. Mario Moreno, your safari leader, will be expecting you and will join you for dinner after which he will give you a pre-trip briefing.

After breakfast you will be transferred to Wilson Airport a mere 5 km away where you will board a 1 hour light aircraft charter flight that will take you to Mara Ol-Kiombo airstrip. A 40 minute game drive will transfer you to Kicheche Bush Camp for your 3 night stay. After settling in at the Camp you will have time to take in the stunning views of the lush surroundings or prepare your photographic gear before lunch that will be served al-fresco in the shade of an acacia tree. From here we will explore the 30,000 acres of a private concession in search of the first photographic opportunities of the famous Mara Crossing and the obvious Lion, Cheetah and Leopard among other general game like Buffalo, Elephant and gazelle which will be plentiful. After the sun has set we will make our way back to camp keeping a watchful eye on the night creatures. Night landscapes will also be possible. At Kicheche, because we will be using a private vehicle, there are no strict rules so the duration of game drives will be determined by the photographic encounters that are presented before us. Dinner is served by candlelight al-fresco or in the dining tent depending on weather.During the next few days you will be woken up with tea, coffee or hot chocolate brought to your tent to be followed by a sunrise game drive in search of the “ Perfect Moments “ There will be plenty of time for casual photo talks, 1 on 1 tuition and workshops during the relaxed hours of the day for those interested.

After breakfast and a 1 and a half hour game drive we will arrive at the Kicheche Mara Camp in the Mara North Conservancy where the next 3 nights will be spent. The camp is hidden in a picturesque valley, on the Olare Orok stream. The highlight here is the incredible predatory action that we will make sure to capture in this idyllic setting. All the activities in this camp are the same as in the previous one. The main difference will be the scenery. In this part of the Masai Mara we will be surrounded by open acacia plains instead of the denser vegetation further South. Again, during the calm hours between photographic game drives you will have time for 1 on 1 photo guidance with Mario and casual workshops for those wanting to attend. Nothing is mandatory on our safaris and all activities are adapted as much as possible to your needs and level of photography.

Day 8

After your last early morning drive for those last encounters we will return to camp for a hearty breakfast before being transferred to the airstrip for our chartered flight back to Wilson Airport in Nairobi where you will be transferred to Nairobi International Airport to connect with your flights back home.

2013

2014

18 Aug - 25 Aug

08 Sep - 15 Sep

Dates

2013

2014

Prices

US$ 6,235

pp sharing

US$ 6,850

pp sharing

US$ 850 Single Supplement