Iconic Kenya - Photo Safari - Feb 2019
11-19 February 2019
In February 2019 Grant and Helena Atkinson will lead a private group of photographers to two of Kenya’s most iconic wildlife areas. We start off at the world-famous Amboseli National Park with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background. Amboseli has large numbers of very relaxed, well-protected elephants as well as a wide variety of other wildlife. We then fly to the Naboisho Conservancy, which is adjacent to the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Both of our locations are within conservancies that join the adjacent Reserve, which means we are able to go off road in certain areas, making it much easier to get good positions for photography. All images in the gallery are from the 2018 safari to these destinations.
This safari represents a fantastic combination of superb wildlife photography experiences, comfortable accommodation and expert guiding. 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 classic tented safari camps. For big parts of the safari, we will have the ability to go off-road (not in environmentally sensitive areas) in order to get the best photographic angles of our subjects.
Safari Highlights
• Eight days on safari in the best areas of Kenya – Amboseli National Park and the adjacent Kitirua Conservancy and the Naboisho Conservancy.
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We welcome photographers with all levels of experience.
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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. 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, field guiding and the region’s natural history and wildlife.
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A maximum of 3 photographers per vehicle means that there will be plenty of space to have your gear at the ready, and the opportunity to access both sides of the vehicle.
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We use Toyota Land cruiser safari vehicles. The vehicles have 3 rows of seats within, and have canvas canopies above. The sides of the vehicles are open. Roll-up canvas blinds will provide protection from the elements if needed. The open design of the vehicles provides few obstructions to photography.
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The group size is limited to 6 participants and we will make use of 2 vehicles. The photographic leaders will switch between the vehicles. With 2 photo leaders and only 6 participants we focus on individual attention.
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Extra luggage allowances to accommodate the special needs of our photographic equipment on the charter flights
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Classic-style safari accommodation with bucket showers at tented camps (Naboisho only) for an authentic safari experience.
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Camp locations are specifically chosen to maximize photographic opportunities by being as close as possible to the prime wildlife areas.
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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
11-12 February 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 12 February, our group will be transferred to Wilson Airport, where we will board our scheduled air charter to the Tortilis Camp and Amboseli National Park. |
12-15 February 2019;
(3 Nights)
TORTILIS CAMP - Amboseli National Park, Kenya Jump
to Tortilis Camp |
 On arrival at the Tortilis airstrip, we will be met and transferred to the camp.
With Mount Kilimanjaro peering down over the entire camp, each of Tortilis Camp’s 16 tents has a glorious view of the mountain. Each makuti-covered tent consists of a main bedroom with twin or double beds, en-suite bathroom and a spacious veranda.
Tortilis Camp is on the southwestern edge of Amboseli National Park, facing the mountain and is accessed from within the National Park. It overlooks its own private 30,000-acre wildlife conservancy, Kitirua. Away from the busy eastern side of Amboseli, and with its own private conservancy, guests experience a wild and private Amboseli. During our stay at Tortilis we will be doing game drives in both Amboseli National Park as well as the private conservancy.
Amboseli National Park covers 392 sq km, only a small portion of the surrounding 3,000 sq km of the Amboseli ecosystem. The area is famous for the dramatic views of Kilimanjaro, the highest free standing mountain in the world, and the highest peak on the African continent. Mount Kilimanjaro (19,340 feet / 5,894 meters) rises dramatically out of the Amboseli plains. The glaciers on the mountain are slowly disappearing with global warming, but it remains snow capped as any precipitation on the mountain settles as snow. Despite being in Tanzania, the best views of the mountain are from Kenya at Amboseli. Tortilis Camp is on a southwest hillside facing the mountain, having the most dramatic views of all.
Amboseli is famous for its elephant herds, which have been followed and documented by world renowned researcher Cynthia Moss. Amboseli has some of the largest elephants in Africa, and the guides at Tortilis Camp know the individual elephants, their family history, and are able to get very close to the habituated herds.
On the morning on 15 February we will fly to the Masai Mara region. |
15-19 February 2019;
(4 Nights)
ENCOUNTER MARA CAMP – Naboisho Conservancy, Kenya Jump
to Encounter Mara
Camp |
 We fly to our next location, Mara Encounter Camp in the wildlife-rich Naboisho Conservancy, which borders the Masai Mara Reserve.
This award-winning safari camp is the stuff safari dreams are made of. We will enjoy game viewing while also enjoying the low-key, yet lavish comfort of this superb eco-camp. Shaded by a thick acacia forest, Encounter Mara is a tented camp that enjoys glorious views of the surrounding savanna. A nearby salt lick attracts a range of animals throughout the day, from plains game to big cats. The sheer comfort of the traditional-style safari camp combined with the opportunity for bush walks and night drives mean that there are few more rewarding places from which to experience this slice of wild Africa. |
19 February 2019
END OF SAFARI |
After our last morning in Naboisho (February 19), we will board our charter flight (cost included) back to Nairobi where the safari ends.
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 $9,800 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 $1,100.
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 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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All meals and drinks at both safari camps (excluding premium drinks).
• Daily laundry at both safari camps (except for underwear).
• All applicable conservancy and national park fees.
• Meet & Assist service on arrival in Nairobi.
• Round-trip scheduled air charters between Nairobi and the safari camps.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
• International airfare and / or other transportation between your home and Nairobi International Airport, Kenya.
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Dinner / drinks in Nairobi on Day 1, due to the late arrivals (except at breakfast)
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Discretionary gratuities for hotel staff in Nairobi and safari camps.
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Discretionary gratuities for driver guides (who will be with us throughout our trip).
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Laundry or extras in Nairobi (laundry is included in the safari camps).
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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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At some facilities charging of batteries can only be done in the main area, however we expect to be able to charge camera batteries and computers in the tents.
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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 adele@eyesonafrica.net or simply call us (800-457-9575) and ask to speak to Adele.
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