SAFARI OVERVIEW
This photo safari in the Masai Mara is designed to take you on a photographic journey to capture images of Kenya's most iconic wildlife while getting to stay at two remarkable tented camps in two incredible wildlife hot spots.
Led by professional wildlife photographers and local guides, this mind-blowing photo safari will give you the chance to get up close with some of Africa's apex predators in the northern conservancy before making their way down to the Mara Triangle to witness the Great Migration of Wildebeests, one of nature's greatest spectacles.
GROUP SIZE:
4 max.
LOCATION:
Northern + Southern Masai Mara
DURATION:
8 days / 7 nights
ACCOMMODATION:
Luxury
FITNESS LEVEL:
BRIEF ITINERARY
DAY 1:
Arrival in Nairobi, Kenya
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DAY 2:
Fly to Masai Mara / afternoon safari in Mara North - Focus on Predators
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DAY 3:
Morning and afternoon safari in Mara North - Focus on Predators
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DAY 4:
Morning and afternoon safari in Mara North - Focus on Predators
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DAY 5:
Full day safari in Mara (Transit to Mara South)
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DAY 6:
Morning and afternoon safari in Mara Triangle - Focus on Great Migration of Wildebeests
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DAY 7:
Morning and afternoon safari in Mara Triangle - Focus on Great Migration of Wildebeests
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DAY 8:
Morning safari / fly to Nairobi / End of Tour
(see detailed itinerary below)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
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This all-inclusive luxury photo safari is lead by a professional wildlife photographer, offering their expertise throughout the tour to help guests obtain incredible photographs
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During the month of August, the Great Migration is at its best with millions of Wildebeests and Zebra making their way into the Masai Mara National Reserve​. Photograph Wildebeests, Zebra, and Thomson's Gazelle as they risk their lives to cross the Mara River. With dust in the air and animals running wild, guests can expect to gain incredible photos during river crossings
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Enjoy wildlife sightings without even leaving the lodges. With Elephants and Giraffe commonly walking through, Hippos in the Mara River below, and monkeys making their way around the lodge, there is always photo opportunities, even during the off times.
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Photograph the famous Marsh Pride Lions on a daily basis at our first location. With daily lion sightings in Mara Northern Conservancy, photographic opportunities of lions on their kills are endless.
MEET YOUR PHOTO HOST
MARK A FERNLEY
VIEW BIO
LOCATION
MASAI MARA - KENYA
The Masai Mara National Reserve is known as the best destination to witness the Great Migration. With spectacular wildlife sightings including big cats, and the famous Big-5 of Africa, the Mara is truly any wildlife photographers dream destination. During this photographic safari, guests will be staying the the heart of all the action and possibly in the best location for all wildlife sightings.
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
CAMERA BODY:​​
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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.​
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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.
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LENSES:​​
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A telephoto lens with a reach of at least 500 mm​​. This can be a fixed/prime lens or a zoom lens. ​
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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​
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If you are interested in taking landscape photographs during the trip, we recommend a wide angle lens that ranges anywhere between 12 mm - 105 mm. This can be used for landscapes, astro-photography, close range wildlife, and congregations of wildlife.
TOUR INCLUDES
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Airport pick-up/drop off (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
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Two domestic chartered flights (Wilson Airport to Musiara Airstrip, Mara-Olekiombo Airstrip to Wilson Airport)
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All accommodation (1x Nairobi, 3x Mara North, 3x Mara South)
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All transportation to airstrips/airports
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All game drives
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All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner each day)
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All beverages (non-alcoholic and local beers, wines and spirits)
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All national park entry fees
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All photographic guidance / tutorials
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one-on-one photo critiques (optional)
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Pre-Tour meeting with your photography guide
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10kg extra baggage allowance on domestic flight (total baggage allowance 25kg per person)
TOUR EXCLUDES
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International flights
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Personal Travel Insurance (required for all guests)
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Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra activities, etc.)
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Activities not listed in itinerary
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Premium alcoholic beverages
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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 MASAI MARA / AFTERNOON SAFARI
After an early breakfast, the group will head to Wilson Airport, where we will take a domestic flight into the northern region of the Masai Mara to start our safari! This chartered flight will bring you spectacular views the great plains of Kenya, flying over the Great Rift Valley. As we land on the secluded runway in the open plains, our transfer vehicle and local expert will be awaiting our arrival with a very warm welcome. The group will take a short drive through the Masai Mara National Reserve to arrive at Sentinel Mara Camp. Spotting wildlife along the way is very possible so camera will be out and ready during this transfer to the lodge. On arrival our friendly staff will give you a briefing of the lodge and get you settled into your rooms. Lunch will be served, followed by an introduction to the photography ahead.
We will later embark on an afternoon photo safari in our custom photographic vehicles. This first trip will take you through the open plains of the Masai Mara in search of wildlife in the area, specifically the big cats that dominate the area. We will return for dinner, followed by some relaxing free time to enjoy the wilderness around a camp fire.
DAYS 3 - 4:
TWO SAFARI OUTINGS DAILY
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 be taken on a morning photo safari into the plains of the Masai Mara. Each morning, breakfast will be served in in the bush to allow guests to ge the most out of their time here in the Mara.
Every safari outing 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. With this being said, this portion of the photo safari is dedicated to big cats. With the Famous Marsh Pride Lions at our doorstep (quite literally), guests will have the opportunity to spend time photographing the most famous lion pride in Africa.
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Each day, the group will return to the lodge for lunch and some photo editing time before heading out on an evening game drive.
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Each evening, we will return to the tented camp where we will continue our photo editing session before having dinner. After, guests can relax in the camp or around the fire and under the stars with a refreshing drink to end the night, or you can join your photo host for a bit more editing or a one-to-one critique or tutorial session.
DAY 5:
FULL DAY SAFARI / TRANSIT SOUTH
On this day, you will say your fairwells to the staff at Sentinel Mara Camp and prepare for a full day safari ending at our next destination, Mara Bush Camp. This full day safari will take the group south, where we will start to get into the area where the Great Migration of Wildebeests are in their thousands!
With a packed lunch, the group will head straight first into the action! With potential river crossing happening almost daily, the group will gear up to witness one of natures greatest spectacles on Earth!
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After a long day out in the reserve, the day will come to an end at Mara Bush Camp. We will settle into the dedicated photo studio to continue our post processing before heading over to dinner.
DAYS 6 - 7:
FULL DAY SAFARI OUTINGS
To get the most out of our time here, the group will spend all day out on safari near the Great Migration. This will offer the group the best chance to witness a river crossing. These two days will be filled with patience, as we monitor the mega herds, waiting for a movement to happen.
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With a packed lunch, we will have plenty of time to take advantage of. If there is no movement on the river, the group will head towards the herds in the open plains and photograph the migration as they are in their thousands. Remember, predators are never far from these mega herds and they are always looking for an opportunity to arise.
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At the end of each day, the group will return to the photo studio at the lodge to continue the image selection process and post processing.
DAY 8:
FLY TO NAIROBI / END OF TOUR
The group will have breakfast in the Masai Mara before heading to the airstrip to take our flight back to Nairobi. Upon our return in Nairobi, guests will be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where the group will say their goodbyes.
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If guests wish to spend an extra night in Nairobi before flying out or continuing your travels, then transportation can be arranged to your hotel of choice.
ACCOMMODATION
SENTINEL MARA CAMP: An exclusive safari retreat in Kenya's Masai Mara Reserve situated in an astonishing wildlife hotspot. With only nine rooms and an exclusive, private experience for our photography guests, this lodge offers a true safari experience like no other.
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MARA BUSH CAMP: This luxury camp is strategically positioned near the river crossing points, so it is ideally located to witness and photograph the dramatic great migration river crossings. This exclusive access makes it a photographer’s dream, providing guests with the opportunity to capture the awe-inspiring moments that define this incredible natural spectacle.
