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This is shorter version of the Great Wildebeest Migration in Masai Mara, conducted in our custom designed Landcruiser for wildlife photography. Here are some sample itineraries along with extension options to parks like Amboseli, Tsavo, Lake Nakuru and Samburu.
HIGHLIGHTS : THE GREAT MIGRATION & THE BIG FIVE
LOCATION : Masai Mara
Post your arrival at Nairobi, you will be picked up either from the airport or from your hotel. You will then travel to your lodge in Masai Mara via road/ chartered flight. Members of the Masai tribe will be there to greet you on your arrival, to mark the beginning of a great African experience. After checking in, the evening will be spent relaxing and unwinding. You should preferably wrap up early for the night as the next morning, we will be leaving before sunrise.
Your day will begin early with a steaming cup of coffee. Game drives in the Mara will begin at the crack of dawn, so that you get the breathtaking golden light of the gorgeous savannah on your way to the river for the migration. These are full day safaris with packed breakfasts and lunches, so that you get to spend entire days photographing and witnessing the amazing wildlife around you. As the herd move periodically during the Great Migration, full day game drives also give you the benefit of making important decisions in advance, to catch the herds crossing the river. You will always have the option of going back to your lodge during the day. If you are interested, in the evening, a trip to the local Masai village can also be arranged for you to soak in the culture of Masai Mara.
Since this is your last day, we will be leaving from the lodge with packed luggage and food. Post the morning game drive, the travel back to Nairobi will begin, or you will be dropped at the airstrip inside Mara in case you have opted for a flight back to Nairobi. At Nairobi, you will be dropped either straight to the airport for your flight back home, or your hotel, as per your requirements.
As a photographer, Kenyan wildlife and National Parks give you countless moments to capture and create a wholesome and unique portfolio of world class images. We recommend the following options for extended game drives in a few other locations, which can be covered once The Great Migration tour has been conducted.
DURATION : 5 DAYS (2 nights per location)
LOCATIONS : LAKE NAKURU & LAKE BOGORIA
HIGHLIGHTS : LESSER AND GREATER FLAMINGOS
Both Lake Nakuru and Lake Bogoria are known for the presence of a large population of Lesser and Greater Flamingos. Lake Nakuru is one of the most famous lakes of the Rift Valley and hosts a large population of big game species as well. Lake Bogoria on the other hand is known to be home to one of the largest Lesser Flamingo populations in the world. Both the locations can be explored on foot. The large number of birds create a vision of fluffy pink on the lake surface and the number can reach up to more than one million individuals at times, making this one of the greatest bird spectacles on earth.
On Day 5 instead of leaving for Nairobi, you will be transported to your lodge in the Lake Nakuru area. On arrival and checking in, you have the option of visiting the lake to catch the birds in the gorgeous evening light, or you can spend the remainder of the evening unwinding.
Post an early morning coffee, you will leave for the lake and spend the whole day with the flamingos. Our expert guides and photo mentors will always be around to support you in creating artistic and exclusive images of the pink spectacle you will be witnessing. Food will be packed and can be enjoyed by the lakeside. Once you are back at the lodge, you can pack up and get a restful night’s sleep.
After a quick visit to the lake early morning to catch the birds in the beautiful morning light, you will leave for Lake Bogoria. The travel time between Lake Nakuru and Lake Bogoria is roughly 3 and a half hours. Once you check in at your lodge in Bogoria, you can spend the evening relaxing.
An early morning visit to Lake Bogoria will give you breathtaking views to photograph. The whole day will be spent at this location. Packed breakfast and lunch will be provided. Evening will be back at the lodge.
On your last day in Bogoria, we will be visiting the lake in the morning. After spending the first half of the day photographing, we will leave for Nairobi and you will reach the airport or your hotel in Nairobi in about 5 hours.
DURATION : 5 DAYS (2 nights per location)
LOCATIONS : AMBOSELI & TSAVO EAST/ TSAVO WEST
HIGHLIGHTS : THE BIG FIVE/ ELEPHANTS/ TSAVO LIONS/ LANDSCAPE
Amboseli National Park is best known for getting up and close with African elephants. With the snowcapped Mount Kilimanjaro in the background, the park is dotted with swamp land and savannah grasslands which results is a great opportunity to track and spot wildlife. The habitat also includes sulphur springs and dry lake beds and majority of the wildlife can be encountered around the permanent swamp areas.
Famous for being ‘The Big Five’ location, Tsavo East and Tsavo West together make up the Tsavo Conservation Area. Tsavo East is one of the oldest and largest parks in Kenya, famous for the Tsavo Llons, a population where the males are often seen lacking the distinguishing manes. Tsavo West boasts of a rhino reserve, guided trails along the Tsavo river and rock-climbing opportunities. Apart from the Big Five, the Tsavo Conservation area also offers a wide range of species including the Masai giraffe, hippopotamus, Lesser kudu, along with a large variety of birds, including the ostrich.
The Tsavo elephants are also known as red elephants as they tend to roll and spray themselves with the red earth of the area.
On Day 5 instead of leaving for Nairobi, you will be transported to your lodge in Amboseli. This will be done via a chartered flight. On arrival and checking in and depending on the time, you have the option of going for a short drive in the gorgeous evening light, or you can spend the remainder of the evening unwinding.
You will be up and about before sunrise and will be leaving for your game drive in the wee hours of the morning. This will ensure that you are already inside the park as the sun comes up. Shooting the elephants against Mt. Kilimanjaro in the golden light is an opportunity not to be missed. The whole day will be spent inside the park, with packed food. Once you are back at the lodge, you can pack up and get a restful night’s sleep.
After a quick morning drive, you will leave for Tsavo East by road/ air on a chartered flight and the journey will roughly take about 9 hours/ 4 hours. You will arrive at your lodge post sundown and after checking in and dinner, you can retire for the night.
The day will begin early, and you will have the chance to photograph a plethora of wildlife species. The ‘maneless’ Tsavo Lions will be the main point of focus, apart from the other birds and animals. If mentioned, a short drive into Tsavo West can also be arranged, where the elephants bathing themselves with the red dust can be photographed. The trip to Tsavo West can be arranged for early morning the next day as well. Evening will be back at the lodge.
Depending on the travel and flight timings, you can either go for a quick morning game drive or leave directly for Nairobi. On arrival at Nairobi, you will be dropped off at the airport or your hotel, as per your choice.
DURATION : 4 DAYS
LOCATIONS : SAMBURU
HIGHLIGHTS : BIG CATS / CROCODILES / BIRD SPECIES
The park is a lowland area and is not visited by too many tourists, making it a peaceful and serene setting for great game drives. Many of the game species of the Northern Kenyan wilderness can be seen in Samburu’s habitat. Apart from the three big cats- leopards, East African lions and the Tanzanian cheetah, Samburu is home to the gerenuk, Reticulated giraffe, oryx and the Grevy’s zebra. The park also hosts a large array of bird species, including the Secretary bird. Samburu National Reserve is one of the two areas made famous in the book Born Free.
On Day 5 instead of leaving for Nairobi, you will be transported to your lodge in Samburu, via Nairobi. This will be done via road/ a-chartered flight. On arrival and checking in and depending on the time, you have the option of going for a short drive in the gorgeous evening light, or you can spend the remainder of the evening unwinding.
You will be up and about before sunrise and will be leaving for your game drive in the wee hours of the morning. This will ensure that you are already inside the park as the sun comes up. With a lower footfall of tourists, Samburu gives you the opportunity to spend long hours photographing great natural history moments. The whole day will be spent inside the park, with packed food. Once you are back at the lodge, you can get a restful night’s sleep.
Your day will again begin in the wee hours and you will head for your game drive to spend another day inside the park. You will always have the option of returning to your lodge early. Post dinner, you can pack up and retire for the night.
With a quick game drive in the morning, you will be leaving for Nairobi. On arrival at Nairobi, you will be dropped off at the airport or your hotel, as per your choice.
