WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
Targeted Photographic Safari – Elephants & Great Migration 2024
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After 6 trips to Kenya I have sourced the best guides and drivers to maximise the photographic opportunities. Along with local guides who keep us up to date with all the target species we wish to photograph. Whether a keen photographer or wildlife lover this safari will give you the best opportunities to create memories to last a lifetime. The BIG 5 will be no problem. All done at the best price you’ll find anywhere in Kenya. Transfers between locations are by road until the final day where we fly from Mara to Wilson airport before the transfer to Jomo Kenyatta Airport and our flight home.
There are only 6 places available for this safari so book early to avoid disappointment.
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Photographic Vehicles
We use open sided land cruisers; each guest will have a full row of seats so plenty area for camera gear. Open roof so we have all around access to photograph from. (like the land cruiser on the image above)
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Itinerary (14 nights - 26 Game Drives yehaw)
Nairobi (1 night)
Transfer from airport we spend the night at the Tamarind Tree hotel before getting an early start heading to Amboseli.
Amboseli (3 nights)
(6 Game drives) Once we arrive and freshen up, we’ll head out in search Craig our first target and one of the last super tuskers, whether inside the park or outside we will find him. Craig is a gentle elephant with a beautiful nature and will give an unforgettable experience to photograph such an elephant in the wild up close and personal (images from this trip on this page). We will then search for elephants crossing the dry lake, this gives great composition photographing large numbers of elephant together. There’s an abundance of other animals and birdlife also to photograph here before we head to our next destination.
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Lake Naivasha (1 night)
(2 boats trips) here to hone your skills to photograph the African fish eagles while they are fishing on the lake. Keep an eye out for pied kingfishers and even giant kingfisher here.
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Lake Nakuru (1 night)
(2 game drives) here, one evening and one morning drive. Here we target the white rhino and flamingo, the Rothchild’s giraffe also are found in the park as well as leopards, lions, buffalo so keep your eyes peeled.
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Maasai Mara (8 nights)
We arrive for an evening drive to start our Maasai mara experience, at this time of year it’s probably the best place in the world for wildlife photography. There's between 1-1.5 million wildebeest, followed by 400,000 zebra and 200,000 gazelles in the mara at this time. With a chance to see the big 5 in one location. Our primary focus is to photograph the famous great migration, wildebeest crossings, crocodiles, lions, leopard are all there for the feast, there is great communication in the mara so while we wait for the call that a crossing is about to happen, we can fill our memory cards with images of the many lions from the numerous prides in the mara. Leopard and cheetah are here in good numbers to. Amazing landscapes, large herds, zebra, elephant, topi, giraffe, hyena, jackal, sometimes even black rhino. Along with amazing birdlife the mara always delivers great photography and even greater drama. (16 game drives) here to create some images you’ve only dreamt about.
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Image reviews and Tuition
Throughout the trip I’ll make myself available for photography questions and settings you may require. Between drives we can discuss images and review. Share your creativity.
Camera Equipment
Ideally bring 2 camera bodies, 1 with a long lens and the other with a 70-200 lens, this will help cover almost every opportunity. I also bring a wide angle for landscapes and close wildlife. It can be very dusty on safari so changing lenses should be kept to a minimum. Also it's a good idea to back up your memory cards on an external drive ideally between game drives as you'll be surprised how many images can be taken when we come across some action. I created over 50 thousand images during this trip in 2023 and 100's of video clips.
Connectivity
Also all accommodation has wi-fi you'll be glad to know, most of it works really well. It's UK 3 pin plugs in Kenya and everywhere we stay has plenty sockets for charging batteries etc.
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Lenses
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Long – 400-600mm
Mid 70-200 or 300mm
Wide – around 24mm
Accommodation - Itinerary
Nairobi – Tamarind Hotel (1 night)
https://www.tamarindtree-hotels.com/
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Amboseli – Kibo lodge (1 night), Serena Lodge (2 nights)
https://www.serenahotels.com/amboseli
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Lake Naivasha
Crescent Camp (1 night)
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Lake Nakuru (1 night)
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Maasai Mara – BellacampMara (8 nights)
https://www.bellacampmara.com/
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What does it cost?
The price based on 2 sharing is $8600 which includes all transfers, accommodation, game drives and food. This is extremely competitive and some photographic safari cost this much for 7 nights.
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What’s not included is international flights, drinks (soft & alcohol), any tips & travel insurance.
Any vaccinations for Kenya are travellers responsibility.
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Single supplement is $1000.
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Non-refundable deposit of $2000 is required to secure your place so be sure before booking.
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Dates
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20th August - 3rd September 2024
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To reserve a place and place deposit - Contact me at normanwatsonphotography@gmail.com
