SAFARI OVERVIEW
This 12-day photographic safari will take guests to some of the most incredibly wildlife photography destinations in Southern Kenya.
​
The first stop on this trip is Amboseli National Park, or more commonly known as 'Land Of The Elephants' by the local people. With over 1,600 individual elephants, this park offers endless photographic opportunities that provide a beautiful backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. This area is also home to Craig, one of the last remaining super tusker elephants left in Africa. With the help of our local trackers, the group will be lucky to be in the presence of such an icon.
​
The next destination on this trip the famous Masai Mara where the focus will be on the overwhelming amount of predators that roam the plains. The commonly spotted predators include lions (large prides including the famous Marsh Pride and Paradise Pride), cheetah, hyena, jackal, and even the more illusive species such as leopard and even serval.
​
After our predator photography experience in the Masai Mara, the group will then head to the final location of the trip. The Shompole Conservancy. This location is where the group will have the opportunity to spend three days and nights in an underground hide designed for wildlife photography. This experience is included to provide guests with an entirely new perspective of wildlife photography. Photography wildlife from below eye level as animals come to the waterhole each day and night to drink.
PRICING:
TBA
Reserve your place for just $200 USD
25% deposit due when pricing is released - the $200 USD paid goes towards your 25% deposit)
TOUR BROCHURE COMING SOON!
BRIEF ITINERARY
DAY 1: Arrival Day
DAY 2: Chartered flight to Amboseli / evening safari
DAYS 3 - 4: Morning and afternoon safari in Amboseli
DAY 5: Chartered flight to Masai Mara / evening safari
DAYS 6 - 8: Morning and afternoon safari in Mara
DAY 9: Chartered flight to Nairobi - road transfer to Shompole
DAYS 10 - 11: Overnight photographic hide experience
DAY 12: Road transfer to Nairobi / end of tour
(see detailed itinerary below)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
-
Photograph large herds of Elephants as they walk graciously along the flat plains of Amboseli with picturesque backdrops of Mount Kilimanjaro​​
​
-
Amboseli and the surrounding conservancies are among the very few locations in Africa to spot and photograph the last remaining Super Tusker Elephants on Earth. With only approximately 25 known Super Tusker Elephants still living, this is an extremely special photo safari
​​​
-
Spend four nights in the Masai Mara National Reserve to photograph predators such as Lion, Leopard, Hyena, Cheetah and more. ​​
​​
-
Guests will have the opportunity to photograph some of the most iconic African wildlife. Potential sightings include Giraffe, Zebra, Rhino, Topi, Buffalo, Wildebeests, and much more
​​
-
Spend three nights in an underground hide designed for wildlife photographers and gain an entire new perspective to wildlife photography
​​​
-
This is an all-inclusive photographic safari where each camp provides a luxury feel for our clients.
LOCATION
SOUTHERN KENYA
Amboseli - Masai Mara - Shompole Conservancy
This photo safari highlights three destinations, all of which are located in the southern-most part of Kenya. Experience breath-taking views of the tallest peak of Africa; Mount Kilimanjaro, fly over the Great Rift Valley and get a birds eye view of this incredible landscape before arriving in one of the best safari destinations in Africa, the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Lastly situated right in between the two, we find the Shompole Conservancy, managed by the local Masai villages. This region hosts great diversity; the camp, situated along the riverside provides a healthy environment for a large population of local wildlife, ideal for wildlife photographers.
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
CAMERA BODY:​​
​
-
Guests are encouraged to bring a camera body with a minimum of 24-megapixels to guarantee the best results while on safari. This can be mirrorless or a DSLR, as your photo host is experienced with both and will be able to offer assistance whenever need be.​
​
-
A second camera body is always a great consideration, however, this is not mandatory. This can be used as a backup, or you can keep a second lens attached and switch back and forth between cameras.
​
LENSES:​​
​
-
A telephoto lens with a reach of at least 500 mm​​. This can be a fixed/prime lens or a zoom lens. ​
​
-
If you intend to bring a fixed/prime lens of 500 mm or more, you will also need a closer range lens. ​A 100 - 400 mm or similar is a great option, as this will allow you to get shots of wildlife that comes closer to the vehicle​
​
-
If the group has the opportunity to photograph the Super Tusker Craig during the trip, we recommend a wide angle lens that ranges anywhere between 12 mm - 105 mm. This can also be used for landscapes, astro-photography, close range wildlife, and congregations of wildlife.
TOUR INCLUDES
-
Airport pick-up/drop off (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
-
3 Chartered domestic flights (Nairobi - Amboseli, Amboseli - Masai Mara, Masai Mara - Nairobi)
-
10kg extra baggage allowance on chartered flights (25kg in total baggange allowance per person)
-
All road transfers
-
All accommodation
-
All game drives
-
All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner each day)
-
All beverages (non-alcoholic and local beers, wines and spirits)
-
All national park entry fees
-
All conservancy fees
-
All photographic guidance / tutorials
-
one-on-one photo critiques (optional)
-
Pre-Tour meeting with your photography guide
TOUR EXCLUDES
-
International flights
-
Personal Travel Insurance (required for all guests)
-
Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra activities, etc.)
-
Activities not listed in itinerary
-
Premium alcoholic beverages
-
Gratuities/tips for guides and staff
ITINERARY
DAY 1:
ARRIVAL DAY
The first day is designed for all photography participants to arrive in Nairobi at their own leisure. Untamed Photo Safaris will arrange transfers from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (airport code NBO) for each photographer’s arrival. Guests who have arrived in advance and are already in the country/area should make their way to the Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel on this day.
The tour will start at 6 pm on this day, where the group will meet for the first time. Your Photo Host will be awaiting you with welcome drinks as you go through the itinerary, ask any questions, and get to know the fellow photographers in your group.
After our briefing/meet and greet, we will move over to the restaurant for dinner. After dinner you will have the opportunity to relax with the others in the group.
DAY 2:
FLY INTO AMBOSELI / AFTERNOON SAFARI
After an early breakfast, the group will head to Wilson Airport where they will take a quick chartered flight to Amboseli National Park, arriving to the lodge just before lunch. Guests will be taken to their tents where they will be able to take in the incredible views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
​
Guests will meet back in the restaurant for lunch and a quick photographic briefing before heading out on our first safari in Amboseli National Park. This afternoon will be dedicated to photographing the large herds of Elephants that are walking the open plains.
​
After our first photographic safari, the group will return back to the lodge, where we will meet for our first tutorial session. This is a great time to ask for a one-on-one critique with your photo host to prepare you for the remaining days ahead.
DAYS 3 - 4:
TWO SAFARI OUTINGS DAILY
Each day will consist at least two safari outings, either in Amboseli National Park, or in one of the conservancies that border the park. This will be decided by our local tracker. We will use his expertise and instinct when it comes to finding the famous Craig and the other tusker in the area.
​
If Craig is near, we will photograph him either in the national park or in the surrounding conservancy. If he is in the conservancy, guests have the chance to get those iconic fish eye shots that create and incredible perspective. If he is not near, we will enter the park and focus on the hundreds of elephants in the area.
All meals will be served at the lodge each day, along with group editing tutorials and post processing sessions each evening.
DAY 5:
FLY TO MASAI MARA / AFTERNOON SAFARI
After breakfast, the group will head to the Amboseli Airstrip where you will depart to the Masai Mara National reserve, arriving in time to get checked in and settled before lunch.
​
After lunch, the group will have a photography briefing before heading out on their first game drive in the Masai Mara, where predators are never too far away. After the game drive, the group will return to camp for post processing and photo editing before dinner.
DAYS 6 - 8:
TWO SAFARI OUTINGS DAILY
Mornings at Governor’s Camp start with coffee and tea being brought to your tent at your requested wake up time. As wildlife is active in the early mornings, we will head out for our first safari of the day as the sun is starting to rise. The group will then be taken on a morning photo safari into the plains of the Masai Mara. After a few hours of safari, we will stop to have breakfast in the bush, before continuing on until we return to the lodge for lunch.
Each drive on safari is different and you never know what will come into frame while out in the open plains of the Masai Mara. From Lions, Hyenas, Thompson’s Gazelle, Buffalo, Zebra, thousands of Wildebeests, and much more, the reserve is thriving with wildlife to photograph.
​
We will return for lunch each day followed by a photographic tutorial and/or critique. After a short break, we will venture out for a second photo safari of the day to photograph spectacular wildlife including the great migration.
​
Each evening, we will return to the tented camp where we will have dinner overlooking the Mara. After, guests can relax in the camp or around the fire and under the stars with a refreshing drink to end the night, where the sounds of the nocturnal wildlife call.
DAY 9:
FLY TO NAIROBI - ROAD TRANSFER TO SHOMPOLE
After breakfast on this morning, the group will make their way to the airstrip to return to Nairobi, where a quick lunch will take place before heading to the Shompole Conservancy. After the approx. 4 hours, the group will arrive at our destination, get checked in, and prepare for the first night in the photo hide.
​
Dinner will be served in the photo hide each night as we wait for the wildlife to come to drink at the waterhole.
DAYS 10 - 11:
OVERNIGHT PHOTOGRAPHIC HIDE EXPERIENCE
Our morning activities will vary depending on the wildlife activity in the area. Your photo hosts will inform you of what activities your will be doing each day. Photo activities include morning game drives, mornings in the photo hide, and the occasional bush walk. Regardless of the activity, guests will return for lunch with some great shots! Both groups will meet back at the lodge for lunch and some photo editing before heading out to the hides for the night.
​
OVERNIGHT IN THE HIDE: After lunch, the group will have a bit of time to prepare for the night in the hide. Later in the afternoon, this group will head out for a shorter game drive that will finish at the photo hide. Once you arrive, your photo host will get you all set up and ready for whatever comes your way. Hides are all about the wait, so be sure to bring your laptop to do some editing with your photo host while you are in there. Guests will take turns resting/napping in the bunker, while we have someone on the lookout at all times, sure to wake you up when something comes into frame. When the sun rises, the group will head back to the lodge for breakfast. A morning activity will be offered, however, if you'd like some well deserved sleep, that is an option.
DAY 12:
ROAD TRANSFER TO NAIROBI / END OF TOUR
This morning, the group will have our last breakfast together at the lodge before being transported back to Nairobi. The group should arrive to Nairobi for a late lunch. After lunch, transportation to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) will be provided.
If guests would like to spend an additional night in Nairobi, transportation to the accommodation of choice will be provided. Untamed Photo Safaris can arrange accommodation for this night for guests if necessary.
ACCOMMODATION
KIBO SAFARI CAMP: Kibo Safari Camp is a luxury tented camp in Amboseli National Park in Kenya at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa.
Kibo Safari Camp lies within the Amboseli National Reserve with splendid views of majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. Amboseli, meaning “salty dust” in maa, the language of the Maasai, is a place of stark contrast. The park provides the classic Hollywood image of Africa.
Set in rolling savannah scenery the park is dwarfed by the presence of the pink-tinged, snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.
