BEST of KENYA - S a m b u r u - L a k e N a k u r u - M a s a i M a r a

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1 BEST of KENYA - S a m b u r u - L a k e N a k u r u - M a s a i M a r a 1 Copyright WILD4 AFRICAN PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARIS

2 BEST of KENYA - S a m b u r u - L a k e N a k u r u - M a s a i M a r a DOCUMENT CONTENTS DESCRIPTION INCLUDED & EXCLUDED TOUR LEADER & PHILOSOPHY DETAILED ITINERARY TRANSPORT & LODGING BOOKING PROCEDURE MAP FAQ's 2

3 BEST of KENYA - S a m b u r u - L a k e N a k u r u - M a s a i M a r a DESCRIPTION This 15 Day photo safari includes three of Kenya's most famous and photographically productive reserves. November in Kenya brings with it a different experience for the photographer. It is the start of the short rains where mornings are generally bright and sunny followed by a build up of dark thunder clouds in the afternoon. This offers dramatic dark backdrops with animals bathed in warm sunlight in the foreground. The reserves are also a lot quieter at this time of year with fewer tourists and vehicles. The safari begins in Nairobi with a 1 night stop over. We then head North by road, crossing the equator & passing Mount Kenya on our way to the "jewel of the arid north" - SAMBURU RESERVE. The reserve is home to a number of special species which we will only see in Samburu.. These include the Grevy's Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Beisa Oryx and the long necked Gerenuk. Elephant are abundant and Lion & Leopard are often seen along the banks of the magnificent Ewaso Nyiro River, which rises far to the West in the foothills of the Aberdare Mountains. We continue by road to LAKE NAKURU. Established in 1961, Lake Nakuru National Park offers a wide variety of both mammal and waterbird species, notably White & Black Rhino and great numbers of Flamingos which feed on the lake's abundant algae. Other common waterbirds include Pelicans, Cormorants, Grebes, Ducks, Stilts and Herons. Our 2 night stay at Lake Nakuru will offer a variety of different photo opportunities and is convenient stop over between Samburu and the Maasai Mara. Our final road trip of the safari takes us past Lake Naivasha and Narok and into the Great Rift Valley. We reach our destination, the famous MAASAI MARA RESERVE in time for a late lunch. We stay at 2 different locations in the Maasai Mara - allowing us to explore both sides of the Mara River and seek out its abundant wildlife. This safari offers an incredible diversity of both animal species and landscapes, great weather, quiet reserves and a true feeling of adventure. On many occasions we have also been lucky enough to catch a late river crossing as the last remnants of the migration herds make their way back towards Tanzania. Lion & Cheetah photography is especially good in the Maasai Mara. The tour will end at Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi, Kenya. This is an exclusive small group photo safari with a maximum of 6 participants in 3 private vehicles (2 participants per vehicle). You will have plenty of space for equipment and guaranteed access to both sides of the safari vehicle. Stu Porter will lead the tour and will alternate between the vehicles each day to offer photo tuition and guidance. You will have a good chance to see and photograph the following animals: Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Reticulated Giraffe, Rothschild Giraffe, Maasai Giraffe, Beisa Oryx, Gerenuk, Grevy's Zebra, Hippo, Black Rhino, White Rhino, Spotted Hyaena, Jackal, Plains Zebra, Wildebeest, Thompson's Gazelle, Grant's Gazelle, Olive Baboon, Vervet Monkey Coke's Hartebeest, Topi, Waterbuck and an excellent variety of birdlife. 3

4 BEST of KENYA - S a m b u r u - L a k e N a k u r u - M a s a i M a r a DETAILED ITINERARY DAY 1 ARRIVE IN NAIROBI KENYA at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where you will be met and transferred to a Nairobi Hotel for an overnight stay (1 night) DAY 2 Meet up with the rest of the group and depart after breakfast. Drive North towards Samburu Reserve arriving in time for a late lunch and our first afternoon game drive (overnight in Samburu for 3 nights) DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5 DAY 6 DAY 7 DAY 8 DAY 9 DAY 10 DAY 11 DAY 12 DAY 13 DAY 14 Morning & Afternoon game drives in Samburu Morning & Afternoon game drives in Samburu Depart Samburu after breakfast and travel by road to Lake Nakuru arriving in time for a late lunch and our first afternoon game drive (overnight at Lake Nakuru for 2 nights) Morning & Afternoon game drives at Lake Nakuru Depart lake Nakuru after breakfast and travel by road towards the Maasai Mara Reserve arriving in time for a late lunch and our first afternoon game drive in the Mara (overnight for 7 nights inside the Maasai Mara Reserve) Morning & Afternoon game drives in Maasai Mara Morning & Afternoon game drives in Maasai Mara Morning & Afternoon game drives in Maasai Mara Morning & Afternoon game drives in Maasai Mara Morning & Afternoon game drives in Maasai Mara Morning & Afternoon game drives in Maasai Mara Morning game drive en-route to the airstrip where we will catch our flight back to Nairobi. Arrive midday in Nairobi - check into our day rooms then have lunch. Afternoon at leisure before being collected and transferred to Jomo Kenyatta Airport to connect to your international flights home. (DEPART from JOMO KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - NAIROBI, KENYA) 4

5 BEST of KENYA - S a m b u r u - L a k e N a k u r u - M a s a i M a r a MAP 5

6 BEST of KENYA - S a m b u r u - L a k e N a k u r u - M a s a i M a r a INCLUDED & EXCLUDED INCLUDED 1 night in city hotel in Nairobi (B) 3 nights Samburu 2 nights Lake Nakuru 7 nights Maasai Mara (BLD) 1 Day Room in Nairobi (L) All park entrance fees All road & air transfers Bottled water on game drives Private use of 4x4 Land Cruisers with qualified guides Professional photographic tuition Meals as indicated below (B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner) EXCLUDED All drinks Dinners in Nairobi Hotel on arrival and departure days Laundry Curios & personal gifts / items from shops Tips / gratuities for camp / lodge staff and for your driver / guide Internet usage (if available) Personal medical, travel & equipment insurance Visa fees International Flights Any extra nights of accommodation before or after the safari - we can arrange these for you and add it to your statement 6

7 BEST of KENYA - S a m b u r u - L a k e N a k u r u - M a s a i M a r a TRANSPORT & LODGING On this photo safari we will be driving between all the locations, i.e. Nairobi to Samburu, Samburu to Lake Nakuru and from Lake Nakuru to the Maasai Mara. We will FLY from the Mara back to Nairobi. At all locations we will have rooms with en-suite bathroom facilities and electric power points. We will have the private use of Toyota 4x4 Land Cruisers for the duration of the safari. The vehicles are kitted out with 2 way radios and professional beanbags to help make your shooting experience as comfortable as possible. 7

8 BEST of KENYA - Samburu - Lake Nakuru - Masai Mara TRANSPORT & LODGING A WILD4 PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI Nairobi Hotel for overnight and dayroom Elephant Bedroom Camp - Samburu Reserve Nairobi 1 night Samburu 3 nights Lake Nakuru 2 nights Mara 7 nights Elephant Bedroom Camp - Samburu Reserve 8 Sarova Lion Hill, Lake Nakuru POSTAL ADDRESS: Postnet suite # 301 Private Bag X Nelspruit 1200 SOUTH AFRICA FAX: +27 (0) Justyna TEL: +27 (0) Stu TEL: +27 (0) wild4photographicsafaris@gmail.com FAX: +27 (0) Justyna TEL: +27 (0) Stu TEL: +27 (0) wild4photographicsafaris@gmail.com

9 BEST of KENYA - S a m b u r u - L a k e N a k u r u - M a s a i M a r a TRANSPORT & LODGING Sarova Lion Hill, Lake Nakuru Nairobi 1 night Samburu 3 nights Lake Nakuru 2 nights Mara 7 nights Mara Serena Lodge in the Maasai Mara Mara Serena Lodge Mara Bush Camp 9

10 BEST of KENYA - S a m b u r u - L a k e N a k u r u - M a s a i M a r a TRANSPORT & LODGING 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser Safari Vehicle & Aeroplane The flight from the Mara back to Nairobi is 45 mins We use roll-back canvas roofs which allows a comfortable shooting position when standing Complimentary use of our professional beanbags for a stable shooting platform 10

11 BEST of KENYA - S a m b u r u - L a k e N a k u r u - M a s a i M a r a FAQ's relevant to this specific safari > How long are the flight & road transfers? The safari begins with a drive from Nairobi north towards Samburu Reserve this is a 6 hr drive. From Samburu we drive to Lake Nakuru which is also a 6 hr drive. From Lake Nakuru we drive to the Maasai Mara which is also a 6 hr drive. We will fly from the Maasai Mara back to Nairobi which is a 45 minute flight. > Why are dinners at the Nairobi Hotel NOT included? On the day of arrival, clients tend to arrive into Nairobi at different times, some arrive late in the evening, so it makes sense for each client to choose if they want to eat dinner or not. The same goes for the departure day from Nairobi. We will all have day rooms in the hotel to freshen up and we have lunch together which is included. However the same situation applies for dinner as clients will depart at different times. > What are the luggage restrictions? On all our safaris it is preferable to use a duffel type bag for your main luggage (not hard suitcases) as these are easier to pack into vehicles and planes. The normal luggage restriction as far as weight goes are 20 kgs for hold luggage and 8 kgs for Cabin Luggage. We all know that as photographers 8 kgs for camera equipment is not enough However you will find that the size of the bag is more important. A normal Think Tank type camera bag (airport accelerator) should carry the amount of equipment you need for your safari. The only internal flight we have to take will be from the Maasai Mara back to Nairobi. There is much said about these flights and the weight restrictions. In my experience when flying from the Mara back to Nairobi they are not strict at all. As long as you are within a total weight allowance of 30 kgs you should not have a problem. > Can I hire Camera Equipment from you? The only hire item available from me on this safari is a Visual Echoes Panning plate. Please ask us for our up to date equipment hire rates. > What "stable shooting platforms" do you offer? I firmly believe that having a stable shooting platform on the safari vehicles is a crucial element to the success of a photo safari. You need to be comfortable when shooting so that you can concentrate on the image and not how to balance a telephoto lens on a wobbly monopod or on your knees We will often sit and wait patiently for long periods for a shot to present itself so being comfortable is paramount. I have invested in a professional beanbag system which we use in the vehicles in Kenya. This will offer a comfortable shooting position from both sides of the safari vehicle. I personally like to use the Visual Echoes Panning plate along with beanbags as it allows a smooth panning motion from left to right and it lifts the focus ring of the lens off the bag allowing you to focus manually if necessary. > Are we able to go off road to get closer to the animals? In Samburu, Lake Nakuru and the Maasai Mara NO OFF ROAD DRIVING is permitted. A "grey" area surrounds this rule in the Maasai Mara and it will be up to your guide / driver as to whether he thinks he can take you off road or not. It is not a simple case of crashing off into the bush after wildlife, so that you can "get the shot". Some areas are more sensitive to damage than others and some trees and bushes are more vulnerable than others. You can be assured that your driver / guide wants to show you the animals and get you as close as possible but we will have to use common sense and respect the rules of the reserves, the environment and the comfort levels of the wildlife. > What do you expect the weather to be like? The weather Kenya at this time of year is very pleasant. Cool mornings are very refreshing and the days can get quite hot, up to 35 C or 95 F. The mornings are generally nice and clear and the afternoons usually offer impressive cloud build up and showers. > What clothing & equipment would be relevant? We would recommend a warm fleece as well as a wind breaker jacket, long trousers / shorts. As far as camera equipment goes, we have a more detailed kit list which we will send out to you at time of enrolment. > Is there a laundry service available? Yes there are laundry services available at all locations at an extra charge which will be added to your room and you will need to settle this on the day of departure from that particular lodge / camp. At some of the smaller camps you must please wash your own "smalls" i.e. your underwear / socks. > How do we recharge camera batteries and laptops? All locations will have power in the rooms or in the case of small tented camps, there will be a central recharging point. Most of the camps do not offer 24hr electricity so you will have to re-charge within the allocated times. There is normally power up until midnight. > Is there internet access / mobile phone reception? There is wifi in the Nairobi Hotel, and at one of the locations in the Maasai Mara. Cell / mobile phone coverage is really quite good in Kenya at all locations. > How early can we leave camp and how late can we return? The general rule for all the locations is that you can leave just before sunrise and return just after sunset. 11

12 BEST of KENYA - S a m b u r u - L a k e N a k u r u - M a s a i M a r a FAQ's relevant to this specific safari > What is a typical day "in the field"? Days out in the field are similar at all the locations. We usually meet up for a cup of tea / coffee in the lodge reception area and then head out just before sunrise. We always take a packed breakfast with us and stop at a convenient time during the morning drive, or we eat in the vehicle whilst waiting at a sighting. If there is something really interesting we want to stay with then we are able to stay out all day, otherwise we will return to the lodge at around midday for lunch and a short break. We head out again in the afternoon and return to camp at around 7pm. Dinner will be at 8pm. > What is the recommended Tipping Policy on this safari? Tipping is a safari tradition in Africa and it is expected in some form or other. You are welcome to stick to your regular personal tipping policies but we politely recommend you try to follow our guidelines regarding tipping as it helps to set a standard. Firstly, even though it is expected, it is not compulsory. If you feel that you have not been given excellent service then you do not have to tip. I personally feel that if somebody goes above and beyond their job description then it is polite to tip them and I am more than happy to do so. Please ask us to send you our detailed recommended tipping policy for this specific photo safari. It will also be in your Arrival Information Document, which will be sent to you 2 weeks before the start of your photo safari. 12

13 BEST of KENYA - S a m b u r u - L a k e N a k u r u - M a s a i M a r a TOUR LEADER & PHILOSOPHY I was born and raised in Africa. From a young age I spent many family holidays enjoying Africa's diversity of wildlife and wild places. As a family we have lived in Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia and South Africa, which we now use as our home base from which we personally organise and lead authentic small group photographic safaris. In 1999 I became a qualified FGASA Field Guide and THETA Tourist Guide and in 2003 I obtained a BA (Hons) Degree in Wildlife Photography at Blackpool & the Fylde College, an associate college of Lancaster University in the United Kingdom. The combination of these two passions helped me to achieve my long-held dream of operating my own photographic safari tour company. My images have been published in Outdoor Photography, Getaway, Africa Wild, Photo Comment, 50/50 Veld Focus TV show, Fuji Film awards and National Geographic Website. They are also for sale through a number of online stock libraries. My wife, Justyna, was born and bred in Poland and is a handy photographer herself as well as a qualified tourist guide. Justyna worked on first class cruise liners, the world famous Harrods in London and as a top seller for the UK's largest travel consolidator. Customer service is just one of her many strong points. Justyna looks after the office and all the important administration of our business. We have two daughters, Molly and Jenny and my parents, John & Ann offer us tremendous support and help out with background logistics and catering whilst in the Kruger National Park. We are a small family business with a sincere and genuine passion for our company and our clients. Through our experiences, we have built a strong product that offers our clients the best opportunities to photograph African wildlife. Stu Porter 13

14 BEST of KENYA - S a m b u r u - L a k e N a k u r u - M a s a i M a r a TOUR LEADER & PHILOSOPHY After 14 years of leading many successful tours, we feel strongly that the following principles and photographic details are crucial to the success of a photo safari: > Quick response to clients' enquiries and personal attention to each client's travel needs > Specialisation in small groups of only 3 to 6 photographers per tour > Never more than 3 photographers per safari vehicle > Careful planning of logistics to ensure maximum time in the field > Use of locations that, through experience and over time, have consistently offered excellent photo opportunities > All scheduled tours are personally led by myself > Specially designed photographic platforms on the safari vehicles we use at all locations > 24/7 tuition available, tailored to the individual needs of the client. In the field workshops and WILD4 tuition booklet provided > Regular use of the same local driver / guides, who are familiar with the needs of photographers through our training manual and who operate to our specific guidelines > An ethical approach to wildlife photography and genuine respect for the animals we photograph and the environment they live in. Sticking to the above principles and details has been the number one reason why we have a high percentage of repeat clients and clients who approach us via word of mouth. Stu, Molly, Justyna & Jenny 14

15 BOOKING PROCEDURE BOOKING PROCEDURE: > First contact us to confirm that there are spaces available on the photo safari that you are interested in. > Once confirmed, you will need to complete our Photo Tour Booking Form and we will send you details of how to make the deposit payment > To secure your place on the safari we will need a completed Photo Tour Booking Form per person as well as proof of payment of the tour deposit. > You will then receive a statement from us indicating that you have paid your deposit. The statement will also detail the outstanding amount and the due date for this payment (90 days prior to departure). We will also send out the following documents: - Wild4 suggested clothing & equipment lists - Wild4 plug & voltage info - Wild4 pre-safari camera setup - Wild4 Photographic Safaris tuition booklet Please note that it is compulsory for you to take out your own travel insurance to cover unexpected trip cancellation, medical, personal and photographic equipment. WILD4 will not be held responsible in any way for the loss of or damage to any photographic equipment or personal belongings, nor for any medical expenses. Our medical insurance will only cover you for evacuation from the field to the closest most appropriate medical facility, at which point your medical insurance would take over. CANCELLATION POLICY: We must receive a formal written notification of your cancellation. Deposits are non-refundable. If for any reason a participant ends a tour early or does not make use of a service that has been included in the price of any scheduled tour, tailor-made tour or tour extension, no refund for this unused portion or service will be made. Tour fees are not transferable. All tour deposits are non-refundable. Full payment of the tour fee is due 90 days prior to the departure date. We must receive written notification of your cancellation, at which time the following fees apply: 89 to 60 days before departure: 75% of tour fee 59 or fewer days before departure: 100% of tour fee Wild4 Booking Form Wild4 suggested Clothing & Equipment Wild4 Plug & Voltage info Wild4 Photographic Safaris TUITION BOOKLET "seven top tips" Wild4 pre-safari Camera setup 15 FAX: +27 (0) Justyna TEL: +27 (0) Stu TEL: +27 (0) Type wild4photographicsafaris@gmail.com to enter text

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