CULTURAL AND WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP IN KENYA LED BY PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER BRANSON REYNOLDS

Transcription

1 CULTURAL AND WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP IN KENYA LED BY PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER BRANSON REYNOLDS

2 DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP This workshop is open for amateur through professional photographers as well as those who just want to experience Kenya, its wildlife and culture. The workshop is led by professional photographer and writer Branson Reynolds. Branson has been teaching photographic workshops for over 25 years. His work has appeared in numerous galleries, books, and publications including Outside, Backpacker, the New York and LA Times, Time/Life books and on the Outdoor Channel. In addition, Branson has an extensive experience in biology and archaeology. Branson s background and personal attention along with our Kenyan guides will ensure an understanding of the native cultures and wildlife, and that you will be at the right places at the right time to get the images you have envisioned. Branson will provide personal attention and ongoing instruction in the use of tools and techniques for photographing the wildlife, people and scenics that will guarantee quality images on this trip and insights you will use in all of your future photography. There will be on-going critiquing of your images, and when time allows, more in-depth sessions where we will all learn from each other. The goal of this tour is for everyone to have fun, return home with new friends and outstanding images, and a sense of connection to this amazing country. WORSHOP DAILY ITINERARY Nov. 2 Arrive NBO : The Stanley. Nov. 3 Nairobi: Morning visit to National Museum. Lunch at Norfolk. Afternoon visit to Hindu temple and talks. Late afternoon visit to Bomas of Kenya Cultural Center. B/L/D Nov. 4 To Meru Nat. Park: Elsas Kopje Camp. PM game drive. B/L/D Nov. 5 Meru Nat. Park: AM and PM game drives. B/L/D Nov. 6 To Shaba Nat. Res: Sarova Shaba Lodge. PM game drive. B/L/D Nov. 7 Shaba Nat. Res: Full day game drive in Samburu Nat. Reserve a& visit to Archers Post. B/L/D Nov. 8 To El Karama Ranch: PM game drive and / or walk. B/L/D Nov. 9 El Karama: AM and PM game drives and / or walks. B/L/D Nov. 10 To Lake Nakuru: Flamingo Hill Camp. PM game drive. B/L/D Nov. 11 To Maasai Mara Nat. Res: Sarova Mara Camp. PM game drive. B/L/D Nov. 12 Maasai Mara: Full day activities with Maasai. B/L/D Nov. 13 Maasai Mara: Full day game drive. B/L/D Nov. 14 Maasai Mara: Game and Maasai activities. B/L/D Nov. 15 To Nairobi: Transfer to Stanley Hotel. PM at leisure. B/D Nov. 16 To JKIA: Day rooms at The Stanley. B OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO LAMU ISLAND Nov. 15 Flight to Lamu. Lamu Palace Hotel. PM at leisure. B/D Nov. 16 Lamu: Walking activities with guide. B/D Nov. 17 Lamu: Outer islands tour. B/D Nov. 18 Lamu: Day at leisure. B/D Nov. 19 To Nairobi: Flight to NBO. Connect with flights home. B Day 1 Nov. 2 Sat: Arrive Nairobi: Arrive late evening at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. After clearing customs proceed outside where you will be met by your WildTrek Safaris Concierge and guide. Proceed to the Stanley Hotel in the heart of downtown Nairobi. Check-in and overnight. The Stanley Hotel: Built in 1902, The Stanley is a historic landmark hotel, and has hosted some of the world s most recognizable names of acclaimed actors, authors, world leaders on royal and state visits to Kenya. In the reception area are photos of Hemmingway, Teddy Roosevelt and others. The hotel includes the famous Thorn Tree Café, meeting place for travelers and locals. The hotel was recently completely renovated. Day 2 Nov. 3 Sun: Nairobi After breakfast, a visit to the National Museum. The Museum is a great introduction to the culture, history, arts and prehistory of Kenya. After your museum visit, lunch at the famous Norfolk Hotel. After lunch visit the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple. Time for photos of this amazing temple and talks with the Temple Guide on the Hindu religion and the significance of the Temple design in the religion. Leave the Temple and drive to the Bomas of Kenya Cultural Center. Here you will be treated to traditional dancing as put on by members from various tribes from throughout Kenya. There is a small charge for photographing or video of the dancing, but very well worth it. Return to The Stanley late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the Stanley. B/L/D Day 3 Nov. 4: To Meru National Park: Early morning wake up and breakfast. After breakfast depart with your WildTrek guide for the northern desert region of Kenya and Meru National Park. There will be opportunities along the way to stop for photos as the group may wish. The drive will take you around the western side of Mount Kenya, 17,084. Arrive around noon at Elsa s Kopje Camp. Elsa s Camp has been acclaimed as one the finest camps in the world. At 4:00p back out for a game drive with camp staff. Meru is known for lion and rhino, but many other species can be seen, Grevy s Zebra, Elephants, Eland, Bush Pig, Waterbuck, Cheetah, Leopard, Reticulated Giraffe, Hippopotamus, Bohor Reedbuck, Hartebeest, Python, Puff Udder, Cobra, Buffalo, more than 427 recorded species of birds B/L/D

3 Day 4 Nov 5: Meru National Park: Activities today as set by Elsa s. Activities can include a visit to George Adamson s Camp in Kora National Park. Visit the Elsa web site to learn more about your activities. Overnight at Elsa s B/L/D Day 5 Nov. 6: To Shaba National Reserve: After breakfast depart with your WildTrek guide for nearby Shaba National Reserve. At your discretion you can stop anywhere along the way for photo opportunities as you might want. Arrive in Shaba around noon at Sarova Shaba Lodge. The Lodge is situated on the banks of the Ewaso N giro River. After checkin and lunch you can watch wildlife that visit the river. After lunch some time to relax. At 4:00p go on a game viewing drive in this desert environment. Here it is possible to see elephant, giraffe, oryx, Grevey s zebra, gerenuk, gazelle, baboon, vervet monkey, cheetah, leopard, lion and large variety of birds. Return at sunset for bitings (snacks) and cocktails around the campfire. Dinner and overnight. B/L/D < Day 6 Nov. 7: Shaba National Reserve: Early morning wake up and breakfast then drive with your WildTrek guide to adjacent Samburu National Reserve for a full day game viewing drive and visit to the small town of Archer s Post. Early morning is the best time to see predators still hunting. With luck you may be able to see leopard and cheetah. Samburu is also known for it s many bird species, over 400 different species of birds can be seen in the reserve. Samburu is dominated by the Mount Ol Lolokwe massive. Ol Lolokwe mountain is one of the most striking landmarks in Northern Kenya, standing 6,600 feet above the flat plains. A sheer rock face makes this flat topped mountain both incredibly unique and apparent from great distances. Return for lunch and some time to relax. The camp is fenced and it safe to walk about the camp, but stay away from the river bank. At 4:00p back out to view more wildlife, returning at sunset for dinner and overnight. B/L/D Day 7 Nov. 8: Laikipia Plateau and El Karama Ranch After breakfast depart with your WildTrek guide/drive for El Karama Ranch. This is a private working ranch, located approximately 50km to the west of the town of Nanyuki on the Liakipia plateau. Arrive at the ranch around noon. After check-in and lunch, some time to relax. The accommodations here are a bit rustic in tents and small cottages. Each tent is a walk in type, complete with bathroom facilities. There is no electricity here, just oil lamps, giving guests an Africa of old experience. At 4:00p guests have the option of going on a game viewing drive or a game walk. If walking, you will be escorted by a guide from El Karma ranch. Whether walking or driving, you will have opportunities to see giraffe, elephant, buffalo, zebra, hyena, lion and a variety of gazelle. Return to camp at sunset for dinner and overnight. B/L/D Day 8 Nov. 9: El Karama Ranch After breakfast, today will mostly focus on cultural activities. You will visit the Twala Cultural Center where ladies from local tribal groups are manufacturing cactus fruit teas to sell to lodges. You will have ample opportunities for photographing these local ladies. A contribution to the Cultural Center would go a long way in helping these ladies sustain their culture and way of life. Return to El Karama for lunch. After lunch the camp manager Sophie will be happy to take you on a tour of the ranch where you can photograph ranch life and the people who work on the ranch. You may also meet with and talk with Lavina Grant (she and her late husband Guy) established the ranch. Lavinia is an accomplished artist and published author. If you wish, you can purchase her books and get an autographed copy. At 4:00p you again have the option of going on a game viewing drive or walk. We suggest driving to another part of the ranch where you can view wildlife from the vehicle or go on a walk. Return at sunset for dinner and overnight at the El Karama Ranch. B/L/D

4 Day 9 Nov. 10: To Lake Nakuru National Park: Leisurely breakfast, say goodbye to the Grant family then depart with your WildTrek Guide Lake Nakuru National Park. En route will be a rest/shopping stop at Thompson Falls and the top of the Great Rift Valley for photo opportunities. En route you will travel through the Town a Nakuru, Nakuru is a fair sized city with Jacaranda lined boulvards. If you would like to stop in town for photos, this is quite possible. Continue on, arriving at Lake Nakuru early afternoon at Flamingo Hill Camp. After lunch and some time to relax go on a game viewing drive in the Park. This is the only Park in Africa created as sanctuary for birds, over 400 species can be seen in this park. The most numerous are the greater and lesser (pink) flamingos, which can number in the millions. This is also the only park where you will be able to see white rhino and the rare Rothschild giraffe. You can also see buffalo, zebra, lion and leopard in this park. Return to Flamingo Hill at sunset for dinner and overnight. B/L/D Day 10 Nov 11: To Maasai Mara National Reserve: Early morning breakfast. After breakfast depart with your WildTrek guide for the well known Maasai Mara National Res. Today s drive will take you though the towns of Mia Miahu and Narok, main trading centers. From here on you will pass through Maasai towns and have opportunities to see wildlife all along the way. A brief stop in the Town of Narok, the main town where Maasai come to trade cattle and the ladies to sell their beadwork. A word of caution, do NOT take photos of the Maasai without first asking permission. The Maasai consider the taking of their photograph without permission to be the ultimate in rude behavior, and if caught doing so, you could find a spear being thrown at you!!! However when asking, you may be asked for a few Shillings for the privilege. Here we will pick up Mr. Jerry Ole Kina a Maasai government official who will be your guide, educator, lecturer and interpreter during your visits with the Maasai people. At 4:00p out onto the savanna with your WildTrek guide and Maasai guide to view wildlife. Here it is possible to see all the wildlife for which East Africa is so well known - large herds of elephant, buffalo, zebra and wildebeest. Also present are large numbers of lion, topi, heartebeest, Thompson s and Grant s gazelle. If fortunate you may also see cheetah, leopard and cerval. Birds are also present here in large numbers. Return to Sarova Mara at sunset for dinner. After dinner, drinks around the campfire while Jerry talks more about Maasai culture and lifestyle in preparation for your visit to a traditional Maasai homestead tomorrow. B/L/D Day 11 Nov. 12: Maasai Mara National Reserve: After breakfast a full day of activities with Maasai people at a traditional Maasai homestead, known as a Manyatta. Drive to the Talek River. From here the group will hike to the Manyatta of Johnson Ole Pesi. A Manyatta is a family homestead, all the residents are related. Here you will find the senior elder and his wives, two or three junior elders. Most junior elders have only one wife. There will be lots of children, goats and cattle at the Manyatta. At the Talek River you must ford the river on foot, yes you will get wet. There will be park rangers on hand to guard against any hippo or crocodile that may be in the river. NOTE: We have never lost a client crossing the river. At the river you may be met by Maasai warriors who will walk with you on to the Manyatta, about a mile. Arriving at the Manyatta you will be met by the senior elder who will perform a traditional Maasai greeting. Once in the Manyatta you will spend the day with the family learning about Maasai culture and life style. You will many opportunities to photograph family members. Jerry and Johnson will be with you throughout your visit. Box lunch today with your Maasai hosts. At around 3:30p you will say farewell to your Maasai family and make your way back to the Talek River. Cross the river and meet with your WildTrek guide and do a game viewing drive on the way back to Sarova Mara Camp. Dinner followed by casual talks with Jerry and Johnson around the camp fire. Over night at Sarova Mara Camp. B/L/D Day 12 Nov. 13: Maasai Mara National Reserve: Breakfast then out onto the savanna for a full day of view and photographing wildlife. This morning you will travel to the Mara River, where there are great opportunities to photograph hippo and crocodile A picnic lunch then drive back to the eastern side of the Mara. At this time of year the migration is returning to the Serengeti. While not a spectacular as the migration into Kenya, you will see large numbers of wildlife. Late afternoon return to Sarova Mara Camp for dinner and overnight. After dinner spend some time in the bar for live music and drinks around the fire. B/L/D Continue on to the Mara arriving at the park gate around noon. After clearing the gate, a very short drive to Sarova Mara Camp. After check-in and lunch some time to relax around the lush grounds, take a swim in the pool or take a nature walk with a Sarova Guide. Before going a game drive a meeting with Jerry for an introductory talk on the Maasai people.

5 Day 13 Nov. 14: Maasai Mara National Reserve: Today you have some options. Those interested can take a hot air balloon ride over the Mara (cost not included), you can return to the Manyatta for more cultural activities or continue wildlife viewing. WildTrek suggests that you wait until this day to make decisions about activities. B/L/D Day 14 Nov. 15: To Nairobi: Breakfast then transfer with your WildTrek guide to Nairobi. Arrive in Nairobi around 1:00p at The Stanley Hotel. Lunch on your own today and there are number of very good restaurants to choose from within easy walking distance of the hotel, including the famous Thron Tree at the Stanley. Afternoon free to relax. There are a number of shops and galleries also within easy walking distance. Tonight a farewell dinner with your WildTrek host at the well known Haandi Indian Restaurant. Overnight at the Stanley. B/D Day 15: Nov. 16: To JKIA Breakfast at your leisure. Time for some last minute souvenir shopping. Lunch on your own, then meet with your WildTrek guide and concierge and depart for JKIA and your flights home. Your concierge will assist with your flight check in. Clear passport control and go upstairs to the departure lounge. Have a safe flight home. B OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO LAMU ISLAND Lamu Island is one of the oldest inhabited Swahili settlements in East Africa. The old town is built of coral stone and mangrove timber, the town is characterized by the simplicity of structural forms enriched by such features as inner courtyards, verandas, and elaborately carved wooden doors. The Town is Muslim, but you will find the people warm and welcoming. The Town was a trading center with Arabs and Chinese traders. In addition to Lamu Island there are other islands, accessible only by boat where the small communities are even more traditional in their lifestyle. Lamu is accessible only by boat. Once on the Island, there are no vehicles. The only means of getting around, are on foot or by donkey There will be plentiful opportunities here for photographing the Swahili peoples and culture. Day 14 Nov. 15: To Nairobi and Lamu: Breakfast then transfer with your WildTrek guide for Nairobi. Arrive in Nairobi around 1:00p. Leave your primary luggage at WildTrek offices and pack small bag for stay in Lamu. Lunch on your own the transfer to Wilson Airport. Flight from Wilson to Lamu. Arrive Lamu late afternoon. Take your boat to the Island and walk to the Lamu Palace Hotel. Balance of afternoon at your leisure. Dinner and overnight at the Lamu Palace Hotel. B/D Day 15 Nov. 16: Lamu Island Today you walk about the town with a guide who will introduce you to the history, culture, architecture and customs on Lamu. Lunch on your own today and your guide will help you select a restaurant that will be to your liking. After lunch continue your walking tour. Around 3:00p your guide will depart and the balance of the day is at your leisure. B/D Day 16: Nov. 17: Lamu Island Today you go exploring the Lamu archipelago by dhow. A dhow is a traditional Arab sailing vessel. Dhow trips are the ultimate experience on a trip to Lamu. You can go as far as Manda Island, Takwa Ruins or Matondoni. Kiwayu is the most pristine of the islands and it is in a biosphere reserve. Return to Lamu mid afternoon, balance of day at your leisure. B/D Day 17: Nov. 18 Lamu Island Today is completely at your leisure, no scheduled activities. You are free to explore the Island on your own. B/D Day 18: Nov. 19 to Nairobi JKIA Leisurely breakfast then walk to the boat and transfer to the airport for your flight to Nairobi and Wilson Airport. Meet your WildTrek Concierge and transfer to JKIA for your flights home. Your Concierge will assist with your flight check-in. Clear passport control and go upstairs to the departure lounge. Have a safe flight home. B SAFARI PROGRAM LAND COSTS Costs as quoted below are based on a 6 paying passenger minimum. Costs as quoted include accommodations and meals as indicated (B - breakfast, L - lunch, D - dinner), ground transportation, driver/guide, game drives, in Africa air transfers and entrance fees into parks/reserves/museums. Not included are: Items of a personal nature, beverages, souvenirs, laundry, phone charges and airport exit taxes. SAFARI LAND COSTS US $6, per person double occupancy Single room supplement additional US $1,320 per person MAASAI ACTIVITIES COSTS Costs for participating in the Maasai visits are additional. Not all travelers are comfortable in primitive conditions, so costs are additional giving those who prefer not to participate, the option of opting out. Costs for Maasai officials, village visit $300 per person additional

6 OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO LAMU COSTS $1,565 per person double occupancy Cost inclusive of flights WIL/LAU/WIL $225 single room supplement PROGRAM CANCELLATION POLICY A deposit of $ per person is required in order to hold space in lodges and camps. Cancellation - 60 days prior to program departure date full deposit is forfeited. 45 days prior to program departure date total program cost is forfeited. Cancellation policy is as determined by overseas suppliers. Overseas service suppliers will not hold confirmed dates for services beyond 45 days from the scheduled date of arrival in country. Forfeiture amounts are in compliance with those set by service suppliers. We STRONGLY recommend that participants purchase Trip Cancellation insurance. Insurance applications are available through WildTrek Safaris Ltd. SUBSTITUTE / ADDITIONAL COSTS Cost for an additional night at Stanley on Day 18/Nov. 19 US $170 ppst; US $105 srs Nairobi airport US $60 per vehicle each way