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KENYA EXPLORER

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

KENYA EXPLORER Photographic Safari
10 Days

The “ Kenya Explorer “ Photographic Safari takes you to the best photography in Kenya . . . Amboseli and Maasai Mara. Amboseli National Park is in southern Kenya and is famous for its large elephant herds with some impressive tuskers and iconic views of the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, across the border in Tanzania. The name "Amboseli" comes from a Maasai word meaning "salty dust", and it is one of the best places in Africa to photograph the gentle giants. The park is 39,206 hectares in size at the core of an 8,000 square kilometres ecosystem that spreads across the Kenya-Tanzania border. Maasai Mara 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 safari camp we will be using in Maasai Mara has been chosen very carefully in the heart of the Mara North Conservancy ( MNC ) giving you access to all the important Mara River crossing points while also giving you access to areas of the Conservancy away from the crowds. The Mara North Conservancy is a not-for-profit company. The Conservancy is a partnership between twelve member camps and 788 Maasai landowners. The aim is to create a best practice, world-class Conservancy with long-term commitments to the environment, wildlife, and local communities. MNC is one of the most populated wildlife areas within the Masai Mara ecosystem. It is home to the Leopard Gorge, a vital birthing and maternity ground for the big cats made world famous by the BBC's Big Cat Diary. Elephant Pepper Camp is nestled in a grove of elephant pepper trees after which the camp was named. The Mara Conservancy is a prime wildlife area all year round 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.

In Amboseli, Tortilis Camp will be our base from where we will not explore Amboseli National ark but also it's own private conservancy with a 30’000 acre wildlife conservancy, Kitirua. Away from the busy eastern side of Amboseli, and with its own private conservancy, you will experience a wild and private Amboseli.The first of its kind, Tortilis Camp was the first “boutique eco-lodge” in Kenya. Guided by a deep passion and respect for the wilderness, everything about Tortilis Camp is designed for minimal footprint. Built from local materials, and adhering to strict self-imposed environmental policies, Tortilis Camp is a prime example of responsibility meeting highest levels of comfort and luxury. Tortilis Camp continued its tradition of firsts by being the first camp of it’s size to be 100% solar powered.

During this Photographic Safari we will be in two 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 Amboseli and has to be considered as a definite plus of this safari.

Safari Facts
  • Led by Mario Moreno

  • Max number of participants : 6

  • Use of private vehicle

  • Off-road driving

  • Non photographers welcome

Photographic Highlights
  • Close up predator encounters

  • Lion sightings are guaranteed

  • Mara River Crossings ( In Season )

  • Quintessential East African scenery

  • Amboseli Elephants

  • Iconic Sunsets and Sunrises

Detailed Itinerary
Itinerary Anchor
Day 1

Arrival at Nairobi International Airport where you will be met and transferred to Wilson Airport. Mario Moreno, your safari leader, will be expecting you and will join you on the 25 minute light aircraft flight to Amboseli airstrip. From there a  40 minute game drive to camp. This transfer is unpredictable and could take longer depending on wildlife sightings on route. At the camp you will be briefed about the camp and shown to your tent. After settling in at the Camp you will have time to take in the stunning views of Kilimanjaro or prepare your photographic gear before lunch at 13:00 before going out on your 15:30 game drive.

Day 2-3

Every day will start with an early morning wake up call at 05:30. Meet at 06:00 for a quick coffee or tea before leaving at around 06:15 for the morning game drive. In Amboseli we will focus on amazing photography of elephant herds walking across the dry Amboseli Lake. Close ups, panoramic shots and much more. We will also pay attention to using Mount Kilimanjaro as the iconic backdrop it is. Other species that you can expect to photograph are lions, cheetahs, Hyenas and all the general plains game. Leopards and Rhinos are not present in Amboseli. The game drives will usually take 3 - 4 hours around the national Park and in our own private conservancy. we will be back at camp for breakfast around 09:30 - 10:00. Lunch will be served at 13:00 and our evening game drive begins at 15:30. There will be plenty of time to relax and work on image processing during the quiet hours of the day. Every evening we will be back just after sunset. Time to freshen up before joining everyone for dinner at 20:00

Day 4 - 9

In Mara North each day will start with an early morning wake up call at 05:30. Meet around the campfire for a quick coffee or tea before leaving at around 06:15 for the morning game drive. Elephant Pepper Camp will our base for your 6 night stay. From here we will explore the 30,000 acres of a private concession in search of  photographic opportunities like the obvious Lion, Cheetah and Leopard among other general game like Buffalo, Elephant, Topi and gazelle which will be plentiful. We will return to camp for lunch at 13:00. Our evening game drive will start, as usual, around 15:30. After the sun has set we will make our way back to camp keeping a watchful eye on the night creatures. Night photography will also be possible on demand. At Elephant Pepper Camp, 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 for tea, coffee or hot chocolate prior to leaving on your daily sunrise game drive in search of the “ Perfect Moments “. During your stay 2 full day game drives are included. These will be used to explore the main Masai Mara Reserve. A picnic lunch will be served in the bush on these full day game drives. These are also ideal to maximize our photo opportunities during the famous Mara River crossings. 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. Nothing is mandatory during this safari and you dictate the pace of it.

Day 10

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.

Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices Anchor
June 2024
USD 11,775.00 per person sharing
USD 750.00 single supplement
FULLY BOOKED
October 2024
USD 11,775.00 per person sharing
USD 750.00 single supplement
AVAILABLE
June 2025
USD 11,775.00 per person sharing
USD 750.00 single supplement
AVAILABLE
October 2025
USD 11,775.00 per person sharing
USD 750.00 single supplement
AVAILABLE
Included
Not Included
Included Anchor
  • Return Nairobi airport transfers 

  • All air transfers between camps/lodges in Kenya

  • 3 nights at Tortilis Camp

  • 6 nights at Elephant Pepper Camp

  • All meals and selected beverages in camps

  • All park and conservation fees

  • 2 Game Drives daily ( morning and evening )

  • Use of Private 4x4 safari vehicles with guides

  • Mineral water during game drives

  • Side platforms provided for long lenses and beanbags

  • Photographic guidance and workshops

  • Emergency air evacuation by Flying Doctors

  • International flights to Nairobi International

  • Travel Insurance

  • Medical Insurance

  • Visa fees if applicable

  • Tips for lodge staff and guide

  • Extra hotel nights before or after safari

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