Kenya - Elephants and big cats
Join Alex on a journey to Kenya, visiting two iconic wildlife habitats. Firstly; Amboseli which is famous for its large herds of elephants, stormy skies and Mt. Kilimanjaro as a backdrop. Then to the vast open plains of the infamous Maasai Mara to go in search of its myriad of predators; lions, leopards and cheetah.
Departs: 1st November 2022 - Maximum number of guests: 4
For eleven days our small group will explore some of Kenya’s most iconic safari areas; Amboseli and the private Northern conservancies of the Maasai Mara.
After arriving in Nairobi we spend a day visiting imperative conservation initiatives such as the Giraffe Conservation Centre and the renowned Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage where you will interact with orphaned elephants which are undergoing rehabilitation before being returned to the wild.
Then we head to one of the best places in the world to see and photograph elephants, the indomitable Amboseli National Park with its vast dust pans, reed filled marshes with Mount Kilimanjaro towering in the background. Imagine Africa, imagine elephants, and this is where your mind will perfectly picture.
From Amboseli, we travel north to the wondrous Maasai Mara and to the privacy of its Northern Conservancies. The ‘Mara’ is home to some of the densest populations of big cats in East Africa and here we will concentrate on finding the resident prides of lions, coalitions of cheetah, clans of hyena and ever illusive leopards. We’ll follow their lives for a few days, learning about the behaviour of these magnificent felines as they and we encounter the plethora of other wildlife inhabitants such as giraffe, buffalo, elephants and the myriad of antelope species that share the vast plains with.
Your safari is much more than travelling to places far and wild. It’s about immersing you in the environment, giving you the best, most intimate experience with every detail taken in to consideration. Reaching fantastic places, searching for beautiful and inspiring aspects of wildlife and the natural world. All are key to helping you capture more thought provoking images.
Itinerary
Conservation | Nairobi | Tamarind Tree
On day one, arriving in the Nairobi, Kenya you’ll be met by Alex at the international airport and transferred by road to Tamarind Tree hotel a short distance away.
Day two sees us rising early for breakfast and then heading out to experience two different conservation projects based in Nairobi. Firstly the giraffe centre where you can interact and learn about giraffes and the conservation efforts used to help protect this very much endangered species. Secondly, we head to Daphne Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage to learn about the trust’s imperative work of rescuing orphaned elephants, rehabilitating them before releasing back into their natural home. You’ll have opportunity to sponsor an elephant, meaning you directly contribute towards it’s future well-being. For lunch, we’ll stop at one of the many beautiful gardens in Nairobi’s Karen district, named after the famous author Karen Blixen.
The rest of the day is yours to relax before as a small group, we head to the wonderful Carnivore restaurant for dinner which is famed for perfectly barbecuing all manner of dishes - don’t worry, there is also a brilliant vegetarian menu for those not wishing to sample the plethora of meat dishes on offer. Just go careful on the Dawa cocktails as we have an early start the next day...
Elephants and Kilimanjaro | Amboseli National Park | Porini Selenkay
Day three and this morning, we’re up early for breakfast and get ready for our drive from Nairobi to astounding Amboseli National Park in the southwestern region of Kenya. The drive, in a private vehicle, will take roughly four hours but we’ll have plenty of opportunity to stop along the way, passing by giant baobab trees and through colourful communities.
Our home for the next four nights will be at the lovely and multi-award winning Porini Amboseli Camp, tucked away in its own private concession with the boundaries of the national park itself. This small, intimate camp has all the charm and feel of a traditional safari camp of days gone by. And, because of its secluded location we’ll be far away from the busier areas of the national park and grant us opportunity to get to the best areas in plenty of time to enjoy brilliant early morning light and sunsets - perfect for capturing really inspiring photography.
For three days we’ll explore by private 4x4 vehicle, remarkable Amboseli, which in my eyes, is one of the best places on the African continent to see and photograph elephants as well as other iconic species. But it’s here that we focus mainly on finding huge herds of elephants and monstrous bull elephants with their impressive tusks. The flat grassy plains, dust pans, reed filled marshes all with Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop offer some simply stunning photographic opportunities.
Big cats | Maasai Mara North | Alex Walker's Serian
On day seven, we say goodbye to Amboseli and catch our local flight north to the infamous Maasai Mara which is home to some of the densest populations of big cats in Africa. We land in the private Northern Conservancies of the Maasai Mara before lunch and settle into our home for the next four nights at Alex Walker’s Serian; one of the original safari operators in this remarkable corner of Kenya. Our charismatic, intimate safari camp is located in pristine wilderness on the banks of the Mara river where hippos lounge by day and by night you’ll no doubt hear a lion’s roar and feel it resonate in your chest.
For the next few days we’ll set our own itinerary, giving us the freedom to explore the vast grassy plains and riverines, concentrating our efforts on finding prides of lions, cheetah, the ever illusive leopard all of which call this phenomenal ecosystem ‘home’. We will be well away from the busier areas of the Maasai Mara National Park, meaning more intimate sightings of truly wild wildlife with the ability to drive off road to get you in the perfect spot to capture stunning wildlife images.
Although this is not prime season to witness the Great Migration as it passes through the region there is still ample wildlife to be found such as buffalo, elephants, giraffe and a myriad of different antelope and bird species.
Day eleven is the last of of our safari and we may have time to squeeze in one last game drive before we catch our morning internal flight from the Maasai Mara back to Nairobi. From here we say goodbye for now and no doubt you leave with a longing to return to Africa and experience her magnificence again!
Photography
Your safari is so much more than the images you create. It’s about immersing you in the nature of your safari, giving you the best, most intimate experience with every detail taken in to consideration and enabling you to reach fantastic places is search of beautifully inspiring aspects of wildlife and the natural world.
These trips are not just for seasoned photographers. Whatever your level of experience, from beginner to a dedicated creative looking to build upon your portfolio – everyone is welcome and all skill levels catered for and I’m aware that some people are more interested in photography than others.
And with that in mind, I will be on-hand to give you exactly the level of tuition you want, helping you get the most out of your camera, offering unobtrusive, in-field photography mentorship. I’ll be making sure you capture the best possible images, helping you tell the story of your safari through a dynamic collection of images.
Small groups means more personal attention. I’ll be there to assist you with camera settings, composition, inspiration to try new techniques and explanation in to species behaviour . Helping you to capture those fleeting, story-telling moments through your lens - all in aide of capturing more thought provoking images.
Following excursions and activities, I will host photo review sessions and post production editing discussions. Without becoming too technical, these sessions are designed to help you edit your images and give you a well rounded, evocative portfolio and amazing memories to inspire and take home with you.
I want you to leave with a newly found sense of appreciation for the natural world and already longing to return.
Pricing
The total price for this Eleven Day Elephants and Big Cats Safari in Kenya is USD $7849.00 per person sharing - single supplement options are available so please enquire if this fits your needs.
A deposit of 25% is required at time of booking to secure your place, accommodation and allow partners to book internal flights in Kenya.
Requesting to book or to get in touch for more info couldn't be easier - simply click the button below, submit the form and Alex will be in touch to talk through this outstanding journey to Kenya with you.
The maximum group size will be for FOUR guests. Meaning a small group, more personal attention but also very limited spaces so don't hesitate to get in touch and begin your own journey to this phenomenal part of Africa.
EXCLUSIONS
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International flights and appropriate visas.
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Items of a personal nature.
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Photography equipment.
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Appropriate medical, travel and other insurances - this is highly recommended.
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Tips and gratuities.
INCLUSIONS
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2x nights accommodation - Tamarind Tree hotel accommodation (bed & breakfast)
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4x nights accommodation - Porini Selenkay Camp, Amboseli (full board)
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4x nights accommodation - Alex Walker's Serian, Maasai Mara North (full board)
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Exclusive 4x4 safari vehicle and road transport in Kenya
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Internal flights: Amboseli - Maasai Mara North - Nairobi
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Full-board. All meals and house drinks whilst on safari
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Laundry service at Alex Walker's Serian
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AMRef - Flying Doctors Emergency Evacuation Membership
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Photography mentorship, tuition and editing sessions with your host, Alex