$TBD based on TBD guests
All – Inclusive from Nairobi
Single Supplement - $TBD (Limited)
January 16 – 20, 2013
Optional 4 – Day Masai Mara Extension
$TBDbased on TBD guests
Single Supplement - $TBD (Limited)
INTERNATIONAL EXPEDITIONS, INC.
Kenya Photo Safari
John and Barbara Gerlach
A Special 15 DAY – Safari for Photographers
January 3 – 17, 2013
Kenya is renowned for its unparalleled wildlife, habitat diversity and fascinating cultural heritage. A wide range of ecological zones—semi-arid plains and vast savannahs, tropical mountain forests, a rugged Northern Frontier, and the Great Rift Valley—provide for a tremendous array of fauna and flora. On our photo safari in Kenya we explore the best-known and most distinguished parks and reserves in East Africa, with a special emphasis on wildlife photography.
Day 1 – Thursday – January 3
U.S. / En-route
Depart from your home town en route to Nairobi. (Meals Aloft)
Day 2 – Friday – January 4
Nairobi
Your safari begins when you arrive in Nairobi where we will be met at the airport and transferred to the Nairobi Safari Park Hotel for overnight. (Meals Aloft)
Days 3 – 6 – Saturday - Tuesday – January 5 -8
Mount Kenya / Samburu Game Reserve
After breakfast, we travel to Samburu Game Reserve, located in Kenya’s Northern Frontier District. We enjoy the magnificent scenery of this region, exploring the area for wildlife characteristically found here. Grevy’s Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Beisa Oryx, Gerenuk, Olive Baboon, Guenther’s Dik-dik and Reticulated Giraffe thrive in this harsh but picturesque landscape. This is the land of the Samburu tribesmen, a pastoral people related to the Masai. The women wear layers of beads in choker fashion around their necks, and the men are famous for their colorful adornment and high-jumping dances. Morning and afternoon game drives allow ample time to explore this unique area and observe its abundant wildlife. We spend the four nights at Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp. (B,L,D Daily)
Days 7 -9 – Wednesday - Friday – January 9-11
Lake Nakuru National Park
We leave Samburu today and drive south into the Great Rift Valley, an immense geological fault in the earth’s surface that stretches from Jordan to southern Africa. Morning and afternoon game drives allow us the opportunity to explore Lake Nakuru National Park, described by Roger Tory Peterson as the greatest ornithological spectacle in the world. Certainly, the thousands of pink flamingos and fishing fleets of white pelicans are testament to his claim. Although birds are a major attraction—over 400 species have been recorded here—we also expect to see Rothschild’s Giraffe (rarely seen elsewhere), both Grant’s and Thomson’s Gazelles, Impala, Common Zebra, African Buffalo, Eland, Waterbuck and several other species of plains game, as well as Leopard. Recently declared a rhino sanctuary, Lake Nakuru is one of the best places in Africa to observe critically endangered Black and White Rhinos. We spend three nights at Lion Hill Lodge. (B,L,D Daily)
Days 10-13 – Saturday - Tuesday – January 12-15
Masai Mara Game Reserve
We depart early this morning for our exciting journey to Masai Mara, one of Africa’s best game reserves. This northern extension of the Serengeti ecosystem, one of the world’s most rewarding wildlife observation sites, virtually throbs with life. The rich savannah is famous for its concentration of plains game and their predators, including Lion, Leopard, Cheetah and hyena. We drive through the Great Rift Valley, past the extinct volcanoes of Mount Longonot and Mount Suswa. We will begin to see Masai herding their cattle, and will arrive at Narok, an administrative and trading center for the Masai. The Masai, perhaps the best-known and most colorful African group, still follow their traditional ways as semi-nomadic pastoralists. Young warriors carry spears and decorate themselves with red ochre, and the women wear elaborate and beautiful beadwork. The social life of the Masai makes them a fascinating and special people, and we shall see their herds and villages among the plains animals through much of our journey. (Recommended reading: The Maasai by Carol Beckwith and Tepilit ole Saitoti.)
From Narok, we take an all-weather dirt road to the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Our next four days will include both morning and afternoon game drives. You may decide to skip one of the morning game drives and take an optional hot-air balloon safari over the Masai Mara. In the evenings, we enjoy dinner beneath the star-studded African sky. We overnight at the Mara Intrepids. (B,L,D, Daily)
Day 14 – Wednesday - January 16
Masai Mara Game Reserve / Nairobi / En-route
All participants, except those staying on for the Mara extension will leave late in the morning on a short flight back to Nairobi. Upon arrival in Nairobi we transfer to our dayrooms at the Panari Hotel. This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner before our transfer to the airport. (B,L,D)
Day 15 – Thursday – January 17
U.S. / En-route
Arrive in the U.S. and connect with flights home. (Meals Aloft)
B-Breakfast; L-Lunch; D-Dinner
Optional Balloon Safari from the Masai Mara
During our stay at the Masai Mara Game Reserve, we offer the option of a Hot-Air Balloon Safari ($TBD is the current price and is subject to change). The balloon safari includes a champagne breakfast, as well as a game drive back to camp. Space is limited, so it is essential to book in advance.
PLEASE NOTE:
THE ITINERARY MAY VARY BECAUSE OF CIRCUMSTANCES
BEYOND OUR CONTROL.
What to Expect
- An itinerary designed for Photographers
Early mornings and late afternoons for the best light and wildlife activity. Long days in the field. Excellent driver-guides who are sensitive to the needs of photographic groups. Time out of the vehicles, and great photographic opportunities with plenty of time for you to explore on your own.
Travel will be by Land Rover, equipped with roof hatches for game viewing. For the main expedition and the Mara extension we put a maximum of only three guests in a vehicle, guaranteeing you plenty of space, something essential for photographers. John and Barb Gerlach will take turns riding in the front of each vehicle on a rotating basis. (Most of the safari vehicles that we use are long wheel base four-wheel-drive Land Rovers.
You will stay in deluxe-tented camps, lodges and hotels. We much prefer tented camps wherever possible, as they offer the convenience of a lodge, but give you the feel of camping. Your tent is canvas, but has a thatched roof, a concrete floor with rugs and has electricity. The beds are very comfortable. Each tent has private facilities en-suite with cold and hot running water and flush toilets.
In addition to John and Barb Gerlach on the main expedition and the Mara extension, you will be accompanied by professional driver-guides, who know the best locations for wildlife and have experience with serious photographers. Tented camps and lodges have their own permanent staffs.
The safari is not strenuous, and anyone who is reasonably fit and in good health should be able to participate. You, will, however, have long international flights and will be spending many hours in a vehicle on game drives. Land travel will sometimes be over very bumpy and dusty roads. The maximum altitude you will reach on this safari is about 8,000 feet above sea level. If you have any questions about your ability to participate in this trip, please contact International Expeditions, Inc. for more information.
- Pre-Departure Preparation
Extensive background readings and travel information will be sent to you upon your enrollment in this program.
Masai Mara Game Reserve
4-Day Extension
January 16 - 20, 2013
Days 14 - 16 – Wednesday - Friday – January 16 - 18
Masai Mara Game Reserve
We transfer to the Mara Serena and have three additional days to photograph the magnificent Masai Mara Game Reserve. Overnights are at Serena. (B,L,D Daily)
Day 17 – Saturday – January 19
Masai Mara Game Reserve / Nairobi / en-route
Our morning game drive (time permitting) provides a final opportunity to spend time among the wild herds of this wonderful park. Afterward, we transfer to the nearby airstrip for our short flight to Nairobi. We check into our dayrooms at the Panari Hotel. This evening we join our safari guides for a farewell dinner before our transfer to the airport. (B,L,D)
Day 18 – Sunday – January 20
U.S. / En-route
Arrive in the U.S. and connect with flights home. (Meals Aloft)
International Expeditions, Inc.
Kenya Photo Safari
John and Barbara Gerlach
A Special 15 – Day Safari for Photographers
January 3 – 17, 2013
(We are still waiting on pricing from our suppliers)
