Arrive in Nairobi
Overnight at the Macushla House (Travel Day/ Meals on your own)
TRIP PRICING:
If there are 7 or fewer trip members, a nominal fee of $900.00 per person will be added to the total trip cost.
Single supplement: $1700 (If you are willing to share a room, please let us know and we will do our best to find a roommate for you for the trip)
Many have heard it said that “Africa is magic”. We are here to show you just how true this is and we will start by introducing you to Kenya - a country filled with a beautiful diversification of landscapes, wildlife, plant life and fascinating cultures. For the next two weeks, you will embark on a safari, a Swahili word meaning “long journey” and that is what we will be on from the moment we set foot on this continent. This will be an African safari at its best; with an abundance of wildlife, intense action and loads of excitement. We will visit villages that will envelop us in tribal culture and colors.
During a full day in Nairobi we will spend time with baby elephants that have been orphaned as a result of ivory poaching. You will learn about elephant conservation, the dedication of a team of passionate people, and what it takes to help an orphaned calf thrive after suffering such physical hardship and loss. You won’t be able to help but to fall in love with these large babies after having spent time with them. You will gain a new understanding of the intelligence, awareness, the sensitivity and the emotional fragility behind their large intelligent eyes.
Our safari starts by taking us to Amboseli National Park, one of the best places in Africa to see large herds of wild elephants. Some of the largest tuskers in the world live here in front of Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. We hope for clear skies to see snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world.
After spending three days with the big tuskers of Amboseli, we will fly north to Samburu, home of the traditional Samburu tribe. We will spend time in the Samburu National Reserve near the Koitogor and Ololokwe mountains. The Ewaso Ng’iro river (meaning “brown water”) runs through Samburu and our lodge lies right on the river where large herds of elephants, giraffe, zebra come throughout the day to drink. Here we will find several species of animals endemic only to the dry and arid northern climate of Samburu including gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe. All three big cats are found in Samburu including over 350 species of birds. We will enjoy an unforgettable afternoon and evening with the Samburu people experiencing their traditions in full color.
Finally we will fly to the Maasai Mara where we will witness one of the greatest spectacles on this planet - the Great Migration. Nearly two million wildebeest and zebras cross the plains of the Serengeti to the Maasai Mara and it is here where we will make our home in a perfectly situated camp for the next four nights. To experience the power, the sights and sounds of this epic herd thundering across the plains is like nothing else in the world. Lying in our tent at night listening to lions calling and hippos splashing in the river below our tents, reminds us that we are in the wilds of the African bush. We will visit a traditional Maasai Village, shop for beautiful handmade beadwork, and learn about the traditions of this nomadic tribe.
Your group will experience the magic that this wild continent stirs within each of us. Coming to Africa reminds us of what it is to be a part of a greater world - a world where being wild is to be free and at home. Africa will change you forever.
Please read the REVIEWS of our previous Kenya expeditions!
$12,650.00 – $14,350.00
Letters correspond to points on the map in the map tab.
Overnight at the Macushla House (Travel Day/ Meals on your own)
The next two full days will be spent exploring Samburu where we hope to discover five rare species of animals that are endemic in the northern part of Kenya: the Somali Ostrich, Reticulated giraffe, Gerenuk, the endangered Grevy’s zebra, and the Beisa oryx. Samburu is very different to other Kenyan reserves. The landscape is unique in that it has very different vegetation than the larger open plains reserves like Amboseli and the Mara. It is a wildly beautiful, dry and arid mountainous area that depends on the Ewaso Ng’iro River. The combination of this near-permanent water and the forest shade along the banks draws lots of wildlife. We will leave daily for our game drives after our pre-dawn morning coffee. For the rest of our safari, we will take our breakfast al fresco in the bush in order to increase our chances of wildlife action and behavior during the cool mornings.
We will spend one afternoon into early evening at a traditional Samburu village. Not only will we learn about their culture and traditions, but we will have a unique experience with the Morani warriors of this colorful people. The Samburu are known amongst other tribes as the “butterfly people” because of their colorful beadwork and tribal dress. There is no doubt that they love color and you will have complete freedom to photograph them during our visit - unlike most other tourist tribal visits. You will also have a chance to buy some of the beautiful beadwork handmade by the Samburu women. After our time with them in the village, we will have a short game drive back to our lodge where dinner awaits.
Overnight Elephant Bedroom Camp (B,L,D)
After our last game drive and breakfast in Samburu, we will make our way to the airstrip where we will fly to the world famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve. The camp drivers will be waiting for us at the airstrip and will transfer us to camp. As soon as we land, we will be surrounded by wildlife and the vast open plains that encompass the Mara. We will arrive in time for lunch and will have some time to become acquainted with our new home for the next four nights.
The Maasai Mara is Kenya’s finest wildlife sanctuary with abundant wildlife and gentle rolling grasslands, which ensure that animals are never out of sight. Birdlife is prolific with over 450 different species. We hope to witness and photograph the greatest spectacle in Africa - the Great Migration where roughly two million wildebeest and zebras cross the plains of the Serengeti to the Maasai Mara.
After our afternoon tea/coffee, we will leave camp on our first game drive. Exploring the Mara is seeing nature at its best.
Overnight Mara Bush Camp Private Wing (B,L,D) - Inclusive of selected beverages and laundry
For the next three days, after our early morning coffee and tea, we will depart on our morning game drives. Like Samburu, we will have our breakfast al fresco each day out on the vast Mara. Here we will have good chances of seeing lions, cheetahs and maybe even leopards amongst thousands of wildebeest, zebras and other antelopes. On one afternoon, we will visit a Maasai village where we will learn about the traditions of the Maasai people. We will have complete freedom to photograph the village and the Maasai . You will have a chance to buy some wonderful handmade beaded necklaces, bracelets and other traditional crafts in the village. After our game drive and return from the Maasai village, we will enjoy a cocktail around the fire and dinner in camp.
Overnight Mara Bush Camp Private Wing (B,L,D) - Inclusive of selected beverages and laundry
Sadly this will be our last game drive where we must bid farewell to the Mara and to Kenya. We will return back to camp for a warm breakfast before making our way to the airstrip. We fly from the Mara airstrip (Ol Kiombo) to Wilson airport in Nairobi. Upon arrival, we will be picked up and transferred to Four Points Sheraton for use of day rooms. We can freshen up in our room, relax and prepare for our international flight home. Dinner is on your own.
(B,L)
End of services
We look forward to seeing you on your next Wild Focus Expedition!
Kenya’s fascination lies in the richness and diversity of its natural and cultural history. Wherever you look you find excitement, colorful tribes, wildlife wonders, majestic landscapes. It is a photographer’s and adventurer’s paradise. We fell in love with Kenya over twenty years ago and have discovered its beauty during our travels from the south to the far wild north of the country.
Wild Focus Expeditions provides specialized, small group photography tours. Our photography expeditions are designed to get participants into distinctive, engaging locations around the world at the optimum times for photography. Our photo tours are created by our team of photographers who want to experience and photograph the world's top wildlife, nature and traditional cultures locations.
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