Join award winning photographer and tour leader Donna Bourdon for an amazing safari adventure to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The Mara is an area of preserved savannah wilderness in southwestern Kenya, along the Tanzanian border. It is home to the famous Big Five (lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo ). But more importantly, it is one of the most famous and significant wildlife conservation and wilderness areas in Africa. It is also noted for its exceptional populations of African leopard, large prides of lion and cheetah. A visit to the Mara pretty much guarantees multiple sightings daily of big cats. Of course, elephant, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, rhino, hippos and more can be photographed as well. For a full species list CLICK HERE.

Unlike many other game parks in Africa and around the world, we do not face restrictions on when we can leave and return to the camp. The plan for most mornings is to leave before sunrise to locate the animals that we want to photograph before the sun comes up. Many of the cats are most active in the very early morning. Usually we will try to locate the cats that we have been with the previous evening. The guides have radios in all the vehicles such that on occasion, we may split up. Our guides are in radio contact with drivers from other camps and lodges as well. This gives us a good chance to get to wildlife encounters quickly assuming they are occurring near to our existing location. Most days, when the sun is hot and the light is too bright we will go back to camp, download our images, relax over a cool beverage and spend time preparing for the afternoon safari drive.

The Samburu National Reserve is a game reserve on the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro river in Kenya. Sporting awe inspiring, iconic acacia trees against an arid, red African soil. Samburu is home to what is referred to as the “special five” species: Grevy zebra, Somali ostrich, Reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, and the Beisa Oryx. In addition to these rare beauties, Samburu is also home to all three big cats, the lion, cheetah, and leopard. Wild dog sightings are not common but still possible. And a population of over 900 Elephants attract photographers from around the world. Last year we had backlit dust with oryx fighting, it was great fun.

Vehicles

We will use 1 stretch/modified Toyota Land Cruisers. There will be three rows of seats in the vehicle so that each person has a row to themselves. That way everyone can shoot unencumbered irrespective of what side of the vehicle the action is taking place.

The vehicle is designed so that you can shoot out of the sides or standing, out of the top. The top of the vehicle has two roof hatches which we remove at the start of each day (they rest on the top of the vehicles next to the openings such that they can put back on if it rains or if we need shade.

The side of the vehicle comprises either a large roll down windows or roll up, transparent canvass sides. Again, we roll these canvases side up before we go out each day but if it rains, they can quickly be rolled down.

Included

Accommodations on shared basis, unless a single supplement is requested and is available. This trip is for 3 nights in Samburu and 6 nights in the Mara, one night in Nairobi at the start of the trip.

Wifi in our tents at the Mara.

All meals once we get to our camp.

Domestic flights with ample weight allowance for baggage.

Guaranteed row and window seat in a private 4X4 land cruiser

Park fees

Bottled drinking water in safari vehicles and rooms.

Not Included

International flights

e-Visa

Travel and Medical insurance

Personal purchases (including beverages, laundry, phone calls, etc)

Accommodations before or after the tour

Tips for drivers/guides/camp-approximately $400.00 per participant.

Deposit Information: A non-refundable deposit of $2,000 due now to hold your spot. Final payments are due January 15, 2024 via check or wire transfer only, fees on both ends are the responsibility of the participant. Credit cards will not be accepted for any payment other than deposit. Full payments are always welcomed via check or wire transfer . All checks made payable to: Denise Ippolito LLC. Please note that I will do my very best to secure you a room mate; if I am unable to secure you a room mate then you will be charged for a single supplement.

Please be sure to check your calendar carefully and to check out my Workshop Policy Page.

Note: Purchasing travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Single supplements for this trip are 1300.00 limited availability. You must let me know at sign up if you want one.

*A detailed information sheet will be sent upon sign up. To be clear, this is not a birding trip though we will stop for some of the more popular birds.