Iconic East Africa
A photographic journey through Kenya with David Rogers
17 – 24 September 2012
$5950 per person sharing. $520 single supplement
Highlights: Elephants, Kilimanjaro, Masai culture, Migration, Cats, Wide African landscapes.
David Rogers will be leading a group of six photographers to Kenya’s Masai Mara and Amboseli National Parks from 17 – 24 September 2012 during the peak migration season. Fill in this registration form now to put down your name for exciting trip. Please note that availability is updated weekly and places are confirmed in writing.
The seven-night safari coincides with the migration in the Masai Mara so you will have the good possibility of photographing wildebeest and zebra crossing the Mara River – a spectacle that ranks among the greatest wildlife events in the world. The wide open plains dotted with thorn trees is an iconic African landscape and produces the best wildlife viewing of cats that can be imagined.
We will also be visiting Amboseli – another iconic destination where you will have the chance to photograph elephants against the backdrop of Kilimanjaro. This is a much dryer area fed by meltwaters from Africa’s highest peaks and there is also the chance of photographing gerenuk, lesser kudu and other interesting dryland species. We will visit remote Masai villages far from the usual tourist routes for an in depth experience of the culture of these fascinating people.
As occurred in Botswana, the most satisfying wildlife experiences in Kenya occur outside national parks in private concessions where numbers are strictly controlled. All the Porini properties are on land bordering the national parks, which is leased from the Masai for tourism purposes and where cattle have given way entirely to wildlife. This gives us the opportunity to go on night drives, walks and enjoy privacy of sightings, which is not possible in National Parks. We will of course also be having the opportunity to visit the national parks for the excellent photographic opportunities that they provide.
As with all David Rogers workshops we will have a maximum of 6 clients. David will guide the trip and assist with photographic tips and advice and also help clients with their post-production. Read what other clients have had to say by visiting David Rogers website on www.davidrogers.co.za
The itinerary
17 September 2012
PALACINA SUITES
Arrive at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta Airport. Met on arrival by the Gamewatchers representative and transfer to the Palacina Suites for overnight stay including briefing at 6pm in the conference room and Dinner at Moon Flower Restaurant.
18 September 2012
AMBOSELI PORINI CAMP
0630hrs pick up from Palacina Hotel and transfer to Wilson Air port for Safari Link 07015Hrs check in at Safari Link for flight to Amboseli ETD 0815Hrs. Meet at the airstrip by Amboseli Porini Camp vehicle for full morning game viewing in the park. Amboseli is famous for its herds of elephants, as well as hippo, buffalo, gazelles and may different bird species living on the swamps which are fed by the mountain streams of the magnificent Mt Kilimanjaro in the background. Following a picnic lunch in the park, return to Porini Camp after sunset, stopping for a sundowner at a scenic viewpoint for 7 pm arrival at Selenkay Conservancy. Settle into camp and dinner.
19 September 2012 AMBOSELI PORINI CAMP AI
After an early breakfast spend the morning on a game drive in the Selenkay Conservancy and an escorted nature walk with Maasai guides, returning to camp for lunch. In the afternoon you will visit a nearby Maasai Village where you will get to known more about the way of life of a Masai before enjoying a night game drive with a spotlight to seek out the nocturnal animals as you head back to camp in the dark for dinner and overnight.
20 September 2012 PORINI LION CAMP AI
Breakfast.
06h00 departure to Amboseli airstrip for short game drive and then the 09.05 hrs flight via Nairobi to the Maasai Mara. Meet at Olkiombo Airstrip by Porini Lion Camp safari guide and transfer to the camp, arriving for lunch. Take an afternoon game drive in Olare Orok Conservancy, stopping at a scenic point for a sundowner. Continue on a night game drive in search of nocturnal animals. Dinner and overnight at camp.
21 September 2012 PORINI LION CAMP AI
Awake to the sounds of the African bush and have an early breakfast. Depart on A full day of wildlife viewing to look for the Big Five in the Masai Mara National Reserve (with picnic lunch). Return to camp in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at camp.
22 September 2012 PORINI LION CAMP AI
After early morning tea in your tent take a dawn game drive in the Olare Orok Conservancy. Return to camp for breakfast then enjoy a morning nature walk escorted by Masai warriors. Return to camp for lunch. Join an afternoon game drive in the Conservancy – stopping at a viewpoint for a sundowner – then a night game drive as you head back to camp for dinner and overnight.
23 September 2012 PORINI LION CAMP AI
Wake to the sounds of the African bush. Early morning bush walk escorted by Maasai warriors - the early morning light in the Mara is special! After breakfast game drive in the Olare Orok Conservancy or drive to the Mara National Reserve for a full day game drive depending where the best wildlife viewing is (the Camp guide will assist you on this). All meals included. Night game drive after dinner to look for the nocturnal predators.
24 September 2012 Depart
Early morning game drive or bush walk before breakfast. Mid morning transfer to the airstrip for the 11.00 hrs flight to Nairobi. Met on arrival at midday and after a lunch at the Aero Club at Wilson Airport transfer JKIA to check in for flight home.
Please note that this is an intensive trip with fantastic opportunities and there are often very long days. Full day game drives are scheduled for two days and we may need to do more depending upon crossings. We will always find time for you to siesta for an hour or two — even if it is on a blanket under a tree in the heat of the day. You may wish to spend a couple of extra days before or after the trip enjoying a more leisurely pace. We can arrange a variety of options for you.
What is included?
All accommodation, tips, transfers from Nairobi, park fees, guiding by David Rogers and workshop notes. Meals and drinks (except Champagne and premium brands) are included at all Porini properties. Dinner and breakfast in Nairobi and limited drinks.
Our group
We will all be keen photographers on the group and we will plan our days around being in the right place at the right time and in the right light. Where possible we will discuss photography techniques and analyse photographs during the evening.
Our hosts
Gametwatchers and Porini, will be handling all arrangements for this trip. They have been carefully chosen on account of their excellent guides and wonderful camps. Furthermore they have the highest reputation for their work with local communities and have been nominated by BBC and National Geographic for responsible tourism awards.
Amboseli Porini There are just 9 tents in this tented camp in the Selenkay Conservancy which forms part of the Amboseli ecosystem. We will be visiting the local Masai village, exploring the dryland habitat and using the park as a base for tours into Amboseli National Park. Africa’s largest mammals walking in front of Kilimanjaro is a sight that has drawn many photographers to East Africa. The elephants are some of the most relaxed anywhere having been studied for more than two decades by the researcher Cynthia Moss. They have also been the subjects of two BBC documentaries.
Mara Porini
Porini Lion Camp is on community land bordering the Maasai Mara. The great thing about staying here is that it is in a private concession and we will have the concession area almost entirely to ourselves. We will also be able to go on night drives and on walks, which are not permitted in national parks. The camp has just six tents. These are semi-permanent and the camp has a traditional safari feel.
To secure your place please complete this form or contact David Rogers now on 27 82 7843309 or by email david@davidrogers.co.za. To find out other trips and what you can expect on a typical safari go to www.davidrogers.co.za
