Big Cats Kenya - Photo Safari - March 2019
12-20 March 2019
In March 2019 join Helena and Grant Atkinson as part of a group of 6 photographers (maximum) on an exciting photographic trip to the incredible Olare Motorogi Conservancy in Kenya's Masai Mara ecosystem. With the wildebeest migration having moved south into Tanzania at this time of year, the Mara is relatively uncrowded with human visitors. Most importantly, the resident big cats, elephants and large amounts of plains game like topi, impala, gazelle and zebra remain in the Mara, allowing for high-quality viewing and much lower numbers of tourist vehicles than at other times of year.
The Olare Motorogi borders the Masai Mara Game Reserve and currently supports some of the highest lion densities in Africa, along with spotted hyena, cheetah and more. This safari represents a fantastic combination of incredibly good wildlife photography experiences, superb accommodation and expert guiding. This exciting journey will very likely provide some of the best opportunities to see lions, cheetahs and spotted hyenas in action. As always, we will spend lots of time out in the field and you will be with like-minded photographers who are happy to put in the time to get the images.
We will be staying in a classic safari camp and for the majority of the safari, we will be game driving in conservancy land, where we are permitted to drive off-road in order to get the best photographic angles of our subjects. There is also a 5-vehicle limit at sightings in the conservancy. Within the conservancy, no time restrictions apply. All images in the gallery are from the 2018 safari to these destinations.
Safari Highlights
• Seven days of game drives in the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy, bordering the Masai Mara to the north-east. We will also have access to the Masai Mara Game Reserve on 2 occasions.
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We welcome photographers with all levels of experience. This safari will be conducive to learning from one another and include instruction that will suit everyone’s photographic needs.
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We focus on photographing in the field. We spend most of our time and effort on photographic activities and getting images.
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Non-photographer or videographer spouses / travel companions will also have fun on this safari.
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The wildlife places we visit will appeal to anyone with a love for animals and nature.
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The photo leaders are experienced naturalists with rich backgrounds in conservation and field guiding and the region’s natural history and wildlife.
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We have specialist guides leading all safari activities and optional activities (walking, balloon safaris, etc.) are also available subject to camp restrictions.
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We have modified vehicles, specifically set up for photography, with only 3 participants per vehicle. The vehicles are Toyota Land cruiser 4×4 vehicles with permanent canopies, wide window openings, shooting platforms to support our cameras, openings on the roof top, and storage areas for unhindered movement inside the vehicles.
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We have private and exclusive use of our camp guides and game drive vehicles.
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Extra luggage allowances to accommodate the special needs of our photographic equipment. The Nairobi-Mara charter flights will allow for an average of 30-35kg (66 to 77lbs) per person.
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On this itinerary, we expect to spend significant amounts of time with our wild subjects and to get very close to some of them.
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Our group size is a minimum of 3 participants with a maximum of 6 participants.
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This itinerary focuses on up-close and real wildlife experiences from the surroundings of our very comfortable accommodations.
IS THIS SAFARI FOR YOU?
Here are some key points to help
you decide:
1. We welcome photographers
of ALL levels. This safari will be conducive to learning from one another and include instruction that will suit everyone’s photographic needs. No question is off limits, no inquiry too basic.
2. We are BIG on photographing in the field. We will spend most our time and effort on safari / photographic activities and making images.
3. Non-photographer or videographer spouses / travel
companions will love these safaris. The wildlife experiences on this trip will appeal to anyone with a love for animals and nature. We have specialist guides
leading all safari activities and optional activities (walking,
balloon safaris, etc.) are also available subject to camp restrictions. |
THE ITINERARY
12-13 March 2019; (1 night)
EKA HOTEL - Nairobi National Park,
Kenya  Jump
to Eka Hotel |
 On your arrival in Nairobi, you will be met by our local representative, who will assist you across the terminal and to your transfer vehicle. You will be taken to the Eka Hotel for the start of the trip. The Eka is a contemporary style hotel that provides all the comfort, convenience and efficiency you would like at the start of the trip. Ideally located along Mombasa road in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, the hotel is ideally suited should you wish to arrive earlier and explore some sights around the city.
On the morning of the 13 March, our group will be transferred to Wilson Airport, where we will board our scheduled air charter to the Masai Mara and Kicheche Bush Camp. |
13-20 March 2019;
(7 Nights)
KICHECHE BUSH CAMP - Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Kenya Jump
to Kicheche Bush Camp |
 Kicheche Bush Camp is located in the Masai Mara area within the Olare Motorogi Conservancy bordering the Reserve. The Conservancy, through it’s strict limit on bed numbers, offers an incomparable game viewing experience without crowds.
The camp is located in a prime wildlife area and game viewing here is unparalleled. This conservancy only hosts a few camps and we we are permitted to drive off-road to follow lions, leopards, cheetahs, and other African wildlife, which is a key to getting good photos.
Six spacious luxury tents, fully insect-proof, with en-suite bathrooms and a flushing toilet, running cold water and hot safari showers. Solar power is provided 24 hours to your tent and the comfortable veranda chairs are perfect to relax in and offer great views over the game-filled plains. One tent can be converted into a triple on request. There is a well furnished lounge and dining tent, although meal are generally alfresco if weather permits.
We focus on getting out before sunrise to increase our chances of finding the cats while they are still active. We normally have breakfast in the field and lunch is normally in camp. In the late afternoon, we are off again in search of wildlife. A hearty dinner awaits us back at camp whenever its time to return. We share stories of the day around the campfire and under the stars.
We will also have the opportunity to visit a local Maasai village (or “Enkang” in Maa) to learn more about the traditions and culture of the surrounding community and to photograph the people and their village.
Hot air balloon safaris are also available and can be arranged once at the camp. This is a very early morning activity, giving stunning views of the sunrise, the landscape and a sense of the sheer size of the Masai Mara region.
On our trips we are always available in the mid-day for editing sessions and image reviewing.
On the morning on 20 March we will fly back to Nairobi. |
20 March 2019
END OF SAFARI |
After our last morning at Kicheche (March 20), we will board our scheduled air charter flight back to Wilson Airport in Nairobi. On arrival, we will be met by our representatives and will have day rooms, depending on departure flight times, (at the Eka Hotel, Nairobi) to shower and get ready for our international flights back home.
International flights may be scheduled to depart that evening to home destinations. See note below regarding travel extensions. |
NOTE: Air travel and customized
extensions to this safari, including other camps in Kenya and/or Tanzania, gorilla trekking in Rwanda, or other destinations may be arranged through Eyes on Africa as
desired. Ask us for further information.
COSTS
The cost of the safari is $11,200 per person. This fee includes all in-country ground and air transportation as well as hotel accommodation (double occupancy) and all meals (except as noted above and in exclusions below).
A limited number of single rooms are available; the single supplement cost is $1,000.
Note: This trip will run with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum of 6 participants.
Please note: We will attempt to adhere to this itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, cultural, or wildlife migrations) may necessitate changes in the itinerary. We reserves the right to alter any itinerary at any time, if necessary. We will attempt to notify participants of changes as far in advance as possible. Costs incurred by such changes will be the responsibility of the participant.
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
WHAT IS INCLUDED
• Accommodation on a shared basis, however should you want single accommodation on the safari, please get in touch and inquire if this is possible.
• 2 x trip leader (Grant and Helena Atkinson).
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Private safari vehicles throughout the trip.
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Luggage allowance for Nairobi-Mara air charters (extra freight seats have been arranged): 70-75 pounds per person in total.
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All safari activities and transfers to/from the airports and the hotels.
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Breakfast on Day 2 (morning of 13 March) at the Nairobi hotel.
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All meals and drinks at Kicheche Bush Camp.
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Daily laundry at Kicheche Bush Camp (except for underwear).
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Olare Motorogi / Mara North Conservancy fees and Masai Mara Game Reserve fees.
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Meet & Assist service on arrival in Nairobi.
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Round-trip scheduled air charters between Nairobi and the Masai Mara camp.
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Day room at the Eka Hotel, Nairobi on the last day prior to onward flights.
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The current Tourism Levies and all relevant Value Added Tax or Government Sales Tax.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
• International airfare and / or other transportation between your home and Nairobi International Airport, Kenya.
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Dinner and drinks at Eka hotel (Nairobi) on Day 1; all meals and drinks at Eka hotel on the 20th of March.
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Discretionary gratuities for hotel staff in Nairobi.
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Discretionary gratuities for vehicle drivers in Nairobi.
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Discretionary gratuities for meet and assist staff in Nairobi.
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Discretionary gratuities for safari camp guides and staff.
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Laundry or extras in Nairobi (laundry is included at the safari camp).
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Visas, travel insurance, personal purchases (including curios, special spirit liquors, telephone calls, etc).
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Optional pre- / post-safari tours and meals or accommodation before or after the safari.
NOTES
• This trip will run with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum of 6 participants.
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Air travel and customized extensions to this safari, including other camps in Kenya and/or Tanzania, gorilla trekking in Rwanda, or other destinations may be arranged through Eyes on Africa as desired. Ask us for further information.
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During the safari we will share our work flow and processing techniques on the computer. To make the most of this opportunity you are advised to bring a laptop and card reader as well as enough external storage for these sessions as well as the editing software you are most comfortable with. Grant and Helena both use Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop CC.
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Discretionary gratuities for driver guides are recommended at USD $25 to $30 per person per day.
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Discretionary gratuities for camp and hotel staff are recommended at USD $15 to $25 per person per day.
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Any discretionary gratuities for guides, staff and trip leaders should be paid out in cash.
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Some safari camps will only accept cash for private purchases.
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Although most safari lodges offer complimentary internet access, connections are unreliable and extremely slow.
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Tropical rain showers can occur this time of year and you should bring rain gear both for yourself and your camera equipment.
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Laundry services are offered but no underwear will be done, although you can do this in your room with laundry soap provided.
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Devices can be charged in the rooms and the main area.
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Special dietary requirements can be accommodated if sent through beforehand.
Please read our Safari Code of Ethics and Conduct.
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
Our group size is a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum of 6 participants and we expect that this trip will fill up. If this exciting safari sounds good and you're excited by the thought of joining on this trip, then now is the time to register. Remember, there will be limited space available for this trip and when the spots are spoken for, that's it. If you have any questions before registering, send an e-mail with any inquiries to nicky@eyesonafrica.net or simply call us (800-457-9575) and ask to speak to Nicky.
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