Masai Mara Kenya Photo SafariOctober 10 – October 17th, 2018 – $5,895.00$300.00 discount for early signup by 6/1/2017Single room supplement + $650.00Couples discount, $200.00 pp, including traveling buddies.

The lions were low in the grass stalking their prey, a small herd of impala, all at once they took off at full speed trying to catch their next meal. All the photographers in our photo tour group were happily clicking away getting amazing action shots.

Yes - we believe we can make this happen in front of your eyes, as it often does in the savannah of Kenya in East Africa. Even better - the value photo tour price of $5,895.00 includes all lodging and meal expenses while on sa-fari. That's a significant discount from the average safari tour of the area and it is specifically designed for a small group of photographers.

Longtime wildlife tour leader, Daryl Hunter has crafted an affordable photo safari in a traditionally expensive part of the Masai Mara National Reserve which is actually an extension of the more famous Serengeti. We will also stay in the Mara North Conservancy, a beautiful private wilderness area of more than 70,000 acres. Jennifer Hall will bring her wildlife expertise along. Jen has also been to Kenya several times before and is the lead crafter of this safari.

Our safari will be based out of permanent tented safari camps (with good showers). We will be accompanied by local Kenyan guides who track wildlife and know where to find them in the best lighting situations.

Photographers have a different approach to viewing wildlife and you will benefit by traveling with only photogra-phers on a safari which will cater to photographers’ needs. Traditional tourist-oriented, safaris are geared for the sightseers who are more interested in seeing the animals than concerned about the light and getting a world class photo. Africa's eco-tourism safari guides sometimes need reminders from the photo safari hosts what is expected by our photographer guests.

Masai Mara National Reserve is a legendary lo-cale - known throughout the world for its diversi-ty of species and dramatic landscapes. The diver-sity of habitats in the park, from open savannahs to lush riverine forests, allows photographers the benefit of selecting preferred landscapes for their photographs. The animals in the Masai Mara have adapted to the presence of vehicles which gives photographers many opportunities to get that special shot.

The camps Daryl and Jen have chosen are at the center of where the BBC's "Big Cat Diary" was filmed, the Marsh Pride of lions near one camp, Leopard Gorge near the other.

It has been said that even an hour in paradise is a rewarding experience and this can also be said to be true of Af-rica's greatest wildlife sanctuary. Yes, an hour is rewarding, but a week is a life-changing experience. For an authen-tic safari experience, this heart of Kenya safari will give us an unbelievable overview of this iconic destination.

Game viewing in the Masai Mara has to be one of the ultimate safari experiences in Africa. These are the animals most people would like to see on safari as they are dangerous and/or exciting to watch. The "big five" was a phrase coined by big game hunters and it refers to the five most difficult animals to hunt on foot. The Big Five consists of the following animals: lion, leopard, elephant, Cape buffalo and rhinoceros. Africa's "super-seven", is the big-five animals plus wild dogs and cheetahs.

October is an excellent time for East Af-rica's savannahs - the wildebeest migra-tion may still be happening which often provides awesome, if gruesome action in and along the Mara River.

We are arranging the best photo experi-ence possible - with a true adventure atmosphere with fellow photographers. Your two hosts are known for their pro-fessionalism, organization and hospital-ity - and for making things fun. Couple that with a value price which includes all lodging and meals while in camp and at a significant discount versus other photo safaris in the area - and we feel we've got a winning combination for photogra-phers of all ages and all skill levels.

Optional Safari ExtensionA trip to Amboseli National Park for Mt. Kilimanjaro and elephants.

$1800.00 Double ocupancy, single supplement $255.00

What to Expect

Our main focus will be the amazing wildlife of the Masai Mara. We will always be on the look-out for interesting images during our photo adventure and for this reason, our itineraries are always subject to change. Weather plays a major role in capturing the best images possi-ble. Changing light and weather conditions will always be assessed and changes in the schedule will be made accordingly. Flexibility, patience, and a sense of adventure are key to having a great time and capturing stellar photographs - and we intend to give you a great photography experience.

Group Size

Group size is ten participants plus your two photography hosts, Jennifer Hall and Daryl Hunter. Small group dynamics enable more individualized instruction for those who would like to have the field guidance. Our adven-ture offers you a chance to combine a spectacular vacation, a wonderful creative learning experience with manage-able group dynamics.

1. There will be four photographers per vehicle, one sitting shotgun, the others all having a full bench in the Land Rover to themselves. Guests will rotate position in the vehicle so nobody monopolizes the prime spots.2. We will offer as much - or as little - instruc-tion as you would prefer.3. We’ll be in the vehicle with you and can help with everything from basics to advanced set-tings.4. During down time we can discuss our ap-proach to Lightroom/Photoshop.5. We’ll be happy to work with you on any area that you’d like help with - composition, light-ing, bracketing, etc.

6. With a small group, there will be lots of opportunity to “talk” all aspects of photography - including stock sales, plug-ins, etc.

7. Opportunities for personal Lightroom and Photoshop post processing help as time allows.8. If requested, periodic image reviews through the duration of the adventure in order to assess any specific areas

which you would like reviewed.

Weather

October averages 78 degrees during the day.

What we expect from you

Show up prepared with your favorite camera bodies and lenses. Enjoy the moment in a upbeat, positive camp environment with fellow photographers who will become good friends and share lifetime memories.

Travel

You are responsible for your arrival into Nairobi, Kenya where your flight will be met by a safari operator repre-sentative who will take you to our hotel. For travel to the Masai Mara, as well as on safari, we will be using safari viewing adapted land rovers with sliding windows and pop-up roofs.

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi, Kenya’s premier hub and ideal gateway into and out of East and Central Africa is where you fly into.

Day One: Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya on October 10, 2018

Upon arrival at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport you will be met by our safari representative who will take you The Boma Hotel for overnight stay.

Nairobi is the capital and the largest city of Kenya, the city was founded by the British in 1899 as a simple rail depot on the railway. Nairobi is a major business hub in East and Central Africa.

Day Two: Masai Mara Game Reserve

After breakfast, we check out of The Boma Hotel and depart by road to the famous Masai Mara Game Reserve. It is one of the great won-ders of the world in terms of animal migrations, as per ABC news “Good Morning America show.” It’s also considered a “must see” by almost all visitors going on safari. It is on the “to-do” list for many because the park is graced by a wide variety of unique and exquisite wildlife and birds.

We arrive at our first camp in time for lunch followed by check in, here we will spend the next three days. You have the option after-noon at leisure, relaxing by the camp’s sun-heated pool and/or departing for an afternoon game viewing around 4:00 p.m. returning after sunset for supper and to enjoy the camp.

Day Three: Morning and afternoon game viewing in the Masai Mara National Reserve has been scheduled for you. You can also decide to book an optional balloon ride over the plains of the Masai Mara, which takes you over the diverse habitats of the Masai Mara Reserve; glide over the great Mara River, swamps, forests, wildlife and the African Savannah. The quiet, relaxing ride allows you to view an amazing assortment of wildlife from a unique bird’s-eye view. Once you land there is a bush champagne breakfast served, you will thereafter proceed on a morn-ing game viewing drive in the reserve. Afternoon game viewing has been scheduled as well on this day.

Day Four: Enjoy your final full day exploring the Masai Mara National Reserve, this time the choice is yours, if its during the annual migration period, drive towards the Mara River, wildebeest arrive at the Mara River in the tens of thousands. Eventually they will choose a crossing point which may vary from day to day or even annually, fairly placid stretch of water without predators although occasion-ally they will choose suicidal places and drown in the hundreds while other will be attacked by crocodiles.

Day Five: Mara North Conser-vancy

Short game drive before breakfast followed by check out; you will be transferred by road from camp one at Masai Mara National Reserve, to your second camp in the Mara North Conser-vancy, arriving at the camp in time for lunch.

Afternoon game viewing has been schedule on this day within Mara North Conservancy. The Mara North Conservancy is a private wilderness which forms the north-western boarder of Masai Mara within an area of more than 74,000 acres. Witness a spectacular sunset as the sun sets over the Ololoolo escarpment.

Day Six: Early morning game drive followed by breakfast at the camp or you can decide to take with you a pic-nic bush breakfast within the conservancy area. This is the day you will be searching for the pride of lions, coali-tion of cheetahs, clan of hyenas, leap of leopards or pack of jackals stalking the zebras, antelope, gnus, wildebeest, giraffes, warthogs, gazelles, hartebeests, hippos, elands, buffalo etc. Return back to the camp for hot lunch. An afternoon game viewing has been scheduled for the group.

Day Seven: This day will be spent exploring the conservancy for selected photos or spend a relaxed day at the camp which is stylishly designed to provide the ideal safari experience where comfort, luxury and outstand-ing personal service combine naturally with the beautiful wilderness. Lunch will be served at the camp. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure, relax by the sun-heated pool before you depart for your evening game viewing.

Day Eight (10/17/2018): Short game drive, then breakfast followed by check out. Depart by road back to Nairobi. Lunch will be served at a city restaurant in Nairobi.

Transfer to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta Inter-national Airport for your international de-parture flight or a night of hotel rest before departure for the “Optional Safari Extension.”

Optional Safari ExtensionA trip to Amboseli National Park for Mt. Kilimanjaro photos$1,800.00, single supplement + $255.00

Have you ever seen that iconic African Savannah photo of the elephant with snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro towering above? Amboseli National Park is where you go to capture that photo. The caveat; Mt. Kili-manjaro, like all of the tallest mountains of the world, often hides in the clouds of their own making. Amboseli National Park is also known for its plethora of wild elephants. If the mountain appears, it isn’t difficult to put an elephant between you and the mountain. Daryl can’t imagine having an African Portfolio without this classic savannah photo as a part of it.

Day Eight: For those continuing on the optional safari extension upon arrival in Nairobi transfer to The Boma Hotel for overnight stay.

Day Nine: After breakfast, check out of the hotel and depart for Amboseli National Park. Amboseli National Park is famous for its large herd of free-ranging elephants. The park has a mixed topography of plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush, swamps and marshes. This diversity, along with a long dry season, ensures excellent viewing of the large concentrations of African animals living in their natural habitat. We arrive in time for lunch.

Afternoon game viewing in the park set at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, which is at 19,341 feet above sea level, the highest freestanding mountain in the world and topped by one fifth of all the ice in Africa. Hopefully with an elephant in front of it!

Day Ten: Breakfast will be served at the lodge, thereafter depart for morning game viewing. The park is famous for its tranquil beauty that allows fabulous wildlife viewing, photography and easy approachable wildlife which include big families of elephants, lions, impalas, giraffes, gazelles etc. Hopefully with Mount Kilimanjaro towering above!

An optional and recommended complimentary visit to a Maasai Cultural Village that reveals the singing and dancing which are part of their daily lives and sacred rituals. A glimpse into their homes and social structure is a memorable experience. They live in close harmony with the environment and the wild animals. Lunch will be served at the lodge followed by afternoon game viewing.

Day Eleven: A short early game drive followed by breakfast served at the lodge, game viewing enroute to Nairobi. Upon arrival in Nairobi transfer to the city hotel or to the airport for departure back to the states.

Services include

• Accommodation in a double room/tent as per specified hotel, camps and lodges in the itinerary

• All meals as per the itinerary; full board while on safari, bed and breakfast for city accommodation (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, Dinner)

• Transportation, transfers, sightseeing and game viewing as detailed in the itinerary

• Private and exclusive customized safari for you

• Local, professional English speaking driver guides who are knowledgeable, helpful and highly experienced with extensive training.

• Game drives in a 4x4 Land Cruiser that are custom built to provide ample leg room, large pop-up roof hatches for game viewing and photographic opportunities and fitted with two spare tires, cooler boxes, equipped tool kits, comprehensive first aid kits, fire extinguishers, seat belts, canvas seats and VHF radios

• Guaranteed window seats, maximum of four guests per safari vehicle• Unlimited bottled water and soft drinks in the safari vehicles during all game drives• Binoculars and field guide books provided in the safari vehicle• Bean bags for use in the vehicle for stabilizing photography• Lunch at a city restaurant in Nairobi on the last day• All park and conservation fees• Service charges, hotel taxes and government taxes as per NOW• Safari hat, Swahili dictionary, safari maps are provided to you at the start of the safari• Meet and greet by owners of DK Grand Safaris upon arrival, or before departure• Membership to Flying Doctors Society• Communication with our operations and concierge department, available 24 hours/day• Guaranteed departures

Services Not Included

• Any optional activities are not included• Hot Air Balloon Ride• All statutory increases beyond our control• International flights• All items of personal nature and not mentioned in itinerary, e.g. phone calls, shopping, etc.• Tips to Hotel staff and Driver Guide.• Travel Insurance• Visa fee

That is our safari!!

Lodging and Hotel Accommodation

We begin at Nairobi’s The Boma Hotel to rest up from the long flight.

Safari Camp = 6 nights 7 days

We will be staying at two different modern tented safari camps. Intimate and comfortable traditional lodging is combined with excellent service. The camp creates a traditional African Safari feel to your journey, and you can be for-given for thinking you were transported back in time to a different era in unexplored Africa.

Permanent semi-luxury tented rooms. We will debark every day from here to experience wildlife game drives in the Masai Mara.

African styled tented rooms create the perfect ambiance for your safari stay.

The tented rooms combine privacy and comfort complete with en suite bathrooms with a shower, while upholding the traditions of an African safari camp. Wifi is available at the camps. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided at the camps.

Drinks are not included.

View from a tent

A Camp Tent

Comfortable Tents

Tent Bathroom

One of the outside showers, Most Tents

also have inside showers

Camp Swimming Pool

Cost and payment schedule

$5,895.00 Double occupancy Plus 3% for using PayPal. Save 3% and send a check. $300.00 discount if deposit is received by 6/1/2017Single suplement + $650.00Couples discount, $200.00 pp, including travel-ing buddies.

What’s included in the price?

1. Accommodations while on tour2. All local transportation during the safari

adventure with experienced wildlife trackers and guides3. All meals at our safari camp (except beverages)4. Park entrance fees and permits5. Water during in-field transportation6. Photography instruction by two professional photographers

What’s not included in the price?

1. Airfare from USA2. Kenyan visa needed to enter the country3. African safari guide/tracker gratuities = Average tip per participant per guide/tracker per day is $10 to $20

USD4. Meals in transit to the safari5. Baggage fees6. Personal expenses such as room service, alcohol, or additional beverages, laundry, phone service7. Activities or meals not listed on the itinerary8. Travel insurance9. Emergency evacuation insurance (required)

Deposit, payment schedule and refund policy Read carefully

1. All fees noted are in USD dollar currency2. We must have deposits paid by ALL ten

participants by 10/1/2017 in order to hold the reservaton dates. Thus, we will cancel the tour ourselves if we don’t fill the ten participant spots by October 2017. If we cancel the trip, ALL deposits will be refund-ed except for any PayPal fees paid as noted below.

3. We have a three installment non-refundable payment schedule that covers the par-ticpant fee for the tour. $1,895.00 USD deposit is due at time of signup. $2,000.00 USD due 10/1/2017. The final installment, $2,00.000 due on 6/1/18.

4. If the tour is cancelled - all deposits paid will be refunded except for PayPal processing fees. We will accept personal checks - but if you prefer to use PayPal, a 3% upcharge will be needed to cover the fees PayPal charges us.

5. Due to camp and lodging required for a trip of this magnitude, the refund policy is firm.6. Once you put a deposit down, that seat won’t be available for anyone else.7. Therefore we can’t offer a refund unless we resell your spot. We will make every effort to do so. This policy is

necessary to assure us that those who sign up are serious about the adventure and will not back out at the last minute. This policy is also important to ensure the trip won’t have to be cancelled for the remaining partici-pants because one person drops out. The safari is for a small group of photographers on a custom itinerary and needs every participant to be viable. Because things can change for anyone at anytime - we strongly recom-mend you book travel insurance with a well known insurance carrier.

8. Seats are transferable (you can transfer a place on this trip that you’ve paid us for to another traveler up to four months prior to departure.)

Do you recommend trip insurance?

Yes, there are few things more disconcerting than paying for an adventure that you can’t join because of unfore-seen difficulties. It is recommended that you purchase travel insurance to cover any non-refundable registration fees, travel, lodging, equipment rental or any other related expenses. Things happen. The cost for travel insurance is typically 4-7% of the total trip cost, depending upon age and other factors. Knowing you have 100% trip cancel-lation coverage can make a big difference should you have to cancel for some unforeseen reason. Travel Insurance is highly recommended.

What type of camera equipment do I need?

To get the most of your images, a good qual-ity DSLR or top-of-the-line mirrorless camera is strongly suggested. Single point-and-shoot cameras often result in disappointment and frustration. We’ll be capturing amazing wildlife, and landscape images as well. Therefore, a focal range of 18-105 is ideal for landscapes, while a longer lens of roughly 200-400mm is needed for wildlife (longer is okay, if you have it). Prime or fixed lenses are great for panorama shots and will give you the best quality all around. Wide- angle lenses can also be utilized for some of landscape locations and night shooting if applicable, a 16-35mm is the ideal lens, but somewhere in that range works as well. If you don’t have any lenses in this focal range we recommend companies, such as borrowlenses.com. Circular polarizing filters will help tremendously and neutral density filters can be utilized as well. A sturdy, but lighter weight tripod or monopod is a necessity, especially if you have a large lens. At times we may be photographing wildlife in one location for more than an hour, so holding a big heavy lens can make you tired. Also, a tripod is essential for the longer exposures needed at sunrise and sunset. We advise bringing a large number of memory cards to suit your style, since there won’t be an opportunity to shop for additional memory. Multiple 32 gig and 64 gig cards are a good idea. A portable hard drive to back up your images with your laptop is good image insurance. If you want to view your images, get feedback and photo editing skills, your laptop is a must have.

Is this a tour or workshop?

A mashup of both. We are there to help if you would like some help and we’ll give you no advice unless you request it. We do expect you to be familiar with the basic settings of your camera, because you don’t want to be fiddling around with how to set the exposure when the light changes. However, we are available with suggestions about exposure, composition and technique. Your working knowledge of your camera gear will have a direct relation to your productivity.

Are there any baggage limitations during the trip?

Some airlines put a limit of 50lbs on your checked bag, so we like to stick with those guidelines, for your cloth-ing bag. Please be sure to check with your airline and keep your luggage to just one suitcase per person and one camera bag per person. Camera gear can get heavy so as photographers we completely understand this. We always recommend carrying all your camera gear if at all possible. See airline regulations for size/weight restrictions. Don’t use a carry on with rollers, they may check it before you board. Some airlines have a limit on the weight

of a carry-on, I started carrying a laptop bag in addition to the camera pack carry on because you are allowed something to slide under your seat as well.

What will the weather be like?

Weather in October will average around 78 de-grees, (can be hotter) but can be humid. Much of our outdoor activity will be early morning and afternoon/evening when it is cooler.

I plan on traveling alone. Do I need to bring someone?

No, you don’t, however, tour price is based on double occupancy, so we will place you with other solo travelers of the same sex. However, if you prefer your own room, we can make arrangements for single accommodations for a supplemental charge. Remember though, if you bring a friend, you both get $200.00 off.

Can a non-photographer friend or spouse attend the workshop?

Non-photographer friends and/or spouses are welcome to attend, but will be subject to the full participant fee due to fixed transportation and lodging costs.

Health Considerations

Most activities are within the capabilities of average people in good health. They require the capability of walking over uneven trails and getting in and out of safari vehicles. If you have concerns about your own capabilities and/or fitness as it relates to a trip, please inquire be-fore reserving a space. By forwarding a signed Registration Form and trip deposit, you certify that you do not knowingly have any physical or other conditions of disability that would create a risk for you or other trip participants and you agree to inform us in writing if changes in your health occur any time prior to the tour. Once a trip has been confirmed, medical circumstances will not be considered as excep-

tions to our cancellation policy. That is what trip insurance is for and why we STRONGLY recommend it for all participants. We assume no responsibility for medical care or for special dietary requirements.

Does weather ever alter or cancel events?

Only if conditions pose a safety risk. Often, poor weather can make for dramatic photographic opportunities, so if rain is forecasted, pack a light jacket or rain poncho and bring something to keep your camera dry.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. A current passport is required that will be valid for the length of your intended stay. Your passport should have at least TWO blank facing pages in it.

Do I Need a Visa

You will also need a Kenyan visa to get in the country, please see this website for more in-formation: https://www.kenyaembassy.com/dcservices/appforvisaonline.aspx

Sufficient funds.A return or onward ticket.Yellow fever certificates – if your journey starts or passes through the yellow fever belt of Africa.

Electricity?

In Kenya the power sockets are of type G. The standard voltage is 240 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. When living in the USA you will need a power plug adapter for sockets type G. Your appliances with plug A don’t fit socket G. Your appliances with plug B don’t fit socket G. You will need an adapter, maybe even more than one.

Check List

1. Travel Insurance/with evacuation rider2. Camera gear - two bodies if possible since it

would be good to have a backup in case of unexpected problems

3. Camera Manual4. Foul weather gear5. Passport (Apply for one now if you don’t

have one - it takes up to six months for a new passport)

6. Kenyan Visa7. Tripod or monopod, keep it small, Daryl

uses a travel tripod as a monopod8. Laptop & card readers9. Split field neutral density filter (optional)10. Polarizer filter11. Lots of digital storage. (We recommend twice as much as you think you might need since storage cards aren’t

available there)12. Lens cleaning cloths13. Extra batteries. We recommend at least 2 extra batteries14. Battery chargers15. Bean Bag (you can bring it empty and we can pick up rice there to fill them, just let us know)16. Electricity converters

I was unexpectedly fortunate enough to be intro-duced to Kenya by my father. While I was excited to go to a country I had never been to and see animals I had really never dreamed were a part of my future, the entire trip took me by complete surprise.

The moment I set foot in our first park, I have never felt such a sense of excitement, peace, anticipation, and love. Both trips gave me the exact same feelings. Every moment seemed like the best moment - the best part of the trip - until the next moment. Driving down a dirt road and seeing giraffes eating, to see their long tongues working around the thorns of an Acacia tree was

so interesting. An elephant walking out of the trees, its beautiful face, ears, tusks - those trunks, I immediately fell in love with them. And spending more time watching their behavior and learning more about them, I am in awe of them. I am especially infatuated with the babies! I was so excited to see my first lion, I remember telling every-one I didn’t want to leave (it was sleeping). Our guides assured me we would see more, and we did. To see lions in their natural environment, watching them interact with each other as a pride, was very special. The second trip to Kenya left me with more amazing images of these Masai Mara lions. Seeing Cheetahs close-up was a dream! Wow, did I just see that? All the cat sightings were just more than I could have hoped for. The most entertaining animal may have been the baboons. I could spend all day watching them. They are so fun. Every animal, even down to the warthogs, were captivating. Each trip is different and you see such a variety of wildlife and birds each time, but the excitement is just as fresh and incomparable. Everyone has seen pictures of Kenya’s wildlife, but it is unbelievably exciting to see it in person. I wondered if it would be somehow different on my second trip, however, it was just as intoxicating. With every new animal came even more enthusiasm, it felt as if I was on another planet. If you love wildlife, you will love Kenya.

I fell in complete love with Kenya. The absolute abundance of wildlife in Kenya is amazing. I loved seeing a new animal for the first time. I loved getting to know each and every animal I saw, learning about them from our guides. Africa’s wildlife is just so different than ours, so unique - absolutely a thrill to see. The landscape and wildlife were amazing, but another unex-pected part of the trips for me was the love of the people. The people of Kenya were so kind, caring, and happy. I loved seeing their villages, their smiles, and their way of life. Even though I have already been a couple times, I would jump at the chance to return to Kenya anytime. I hope everyone who joins us on this trip, feels the same love as I do about Kenya.

A testimony from Jennifer

Have more questions?

No problem! We are happy to answer them: Email Us! Daryl - dh@greater-yellowstone.com or cald Daryl at 208-709-3250Jennifer 208-521-7406. - hallx4@msn.com