Maasai Mara

Wildlife & Birding Safari

03 – 10 March, 2021

8 Days with Gavin Slabbert CPP, M.Photog

 Africa’s big predators in abundance, red-robed Maasai warriors and Out of Africa scenery – if you’re looking for that quintessential East African safari experience, then a Maasai Mara safari delivers exactly want you think it should.

The camp is set up each season in a forest along the banks of the Mara River in one of the prime areas of the renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve. The experience of being in the wild coupled with luxury and attention to detail is the finest way to enjoy the magic and mystery of the African wilderness with its amazing wildlife.

So join us on this spectacular 8 day, action-packed photo workshop on the Mara River, in the heart of Maasai Mara, where you will experience an Abundance of wildlife and a full complement of migratory birds. (see Disclaimer)

This wildlife & birding safari will offer some of the best Big Cat photography in the world, as well as opportunities to photograph Africa’s “Big Five” which are Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Buffalo and Black Rhino, as well as Hyena, Jackal, Cheetah, Hippo, Topi, Eland, Zebra, Kudu, Thomson’s Gazelle, Impala, Grants Gazelle, Coates Hartebeest, Steenbuck, Dik-Dik, just to mention a few …

For the birders, a large portion of the over 1100 migratory and endemic species will be present, with some of the more iconic and sought after birds, such as the highly endangered Southern Ground Hornbill, Secretary Bird, Crowned Crane, Woolly Necked Stork, Saddle Billed Stork, Malachite Kingfisher, Kori Bustard, Martial Eagle, Bateleur Eagle, plus a number of Snake Eagles, Hawk, Kites, Plovers, Lapwing,  4 species of vulture, including both the Griffon and Lappet Faced Vulture.

Important Note:

Birders and wildlife photographers each have totally different requirements, and to accommodate both genre’s we will have our birders in one or two vehicles and wildlife photographers in at least 2 vehicles

Safari Dates:

March 03 – 10, 2021 (Tentative)

Location:

Set in the heart of Africa’s Great Plains in Kenya, the Masai Mara boasts 1,672 sq. kilometers of unspoiled wilderness. It offers the best game and bird-viewing not only in Kenya, but anywhere in Africa. The views across the rolling golden grasslands studded with acacia trees, rivers and forests are dazzling, the sense of space overwhelming. Throughout the year the Masai Mara is a place of natural drama, a kaleidoscope of color and life.  Our Private Camp puts you right in the heart of the action, closer than anyone else to its incredible sights and sounds.

Food:

The food is delicious, the desserts have been called “sinful”, and the drinks all free, except for champagne. Meals are served on fine china and crystal. You can even tailor your own menus with our Executive Chef. Complimenting this is friendly and attentive service. * Please make us aware of any food allergies and or special dietary requirements.

Photography Vehicles:

We have reserved 4 game drive vehicles each with 3 rows of seats, and each person regardless whether they are a photographer or not is allocated a row of seats in the game drive vehicle.

Accommodation:

One of the jewels of the Maasai Mara is the Tented camp that we have reserved, and for those who want a taste of the Maasai Mara, want to experience the feel of the bush yet are not prepared to give up some of the home comforts, this is the place to be. The Private camp can only be booked by one group at a time, so it is ours to enjoy, and as the name suggests, in Private.  It is located on a bend of the Mara river where the animals come to drink, where the hippo laze in the shallows and where the elephant bring their young for a dip.

Large comfortable tents are designed to offer guests the traditional safari experience of times gone by. The tents are luxurious with handmade furniture, each has its own private bathroom with flush toilets and hot showers whenever you wish. Further each suite has been positioned on wooden platforms with extended verandas.

Onsite Printing:

We will be providing as a special bonus on this safari a Canon Pro 10 (or Similar) large format printer, and will be providing instruction, as well as the physical tools to calibrate monitors, printers, and paper, so that what you see  in camera will be correctly represented both on screen as well as in print.
Each person will have individual hands on time with the printer and the tools and will leave with a copy of the printer profile that matches the printer, paper and ink used onsite.
This printer will be available as well as paper and ink for the attendees to print  images up to size A3 while on location. Below is an outline of what printing instruction will be covered.

• Printing an Image
  • How to effectively profile paper to use for printing
  • Creating ICC Profiles using iStudio
  • Selecting ICC profiles for printing
  • What to do to your images for sharpness for the print
  • Start to Finish Print demo on a Pro-10 Printer
  • Walkthrough of individual images for printing workflow
  • Start to Finish Print your own images on location

Safari Highlights:

• • 8 morning & 7 afternoon safaris
  • Knowledgeable and passionate safari guides in open Land Rovers will assist us in locating the wildlife we seek.
  • This safari offers spectacular game viewing and photographic opportunities in one of the finest luxury safari settings in Africa.
  • Private accommodation on a per person sharing basis
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner prepared by an executive chef

Number of Photographers / non-Photographers:

We are limiting this safari to 14 photographers and their spouse / companions, and each person will be allocated their own row of seats whether they are a photographer or not.

Tentative Schedule:

So … what’s next:

The camp that we use is small, and has 7 riverfront rooms. We have the entire camp booked and our groups are kept to a maximum of 14 persons, however typically we have no more than 10 persons, thus space is very limited. If this spectacular photo safari piques your interest, then register now.
Remember, there is limited space for this safari and when it’s filled – that’s it!
If you have any questions prior to registering, please contact us, or to discuss this in person, call Gavin at (916) 759-0776

A Special Bonus:

I have arranged for a presentation one evening by the people of The “Mara Meru Cheetah Conservation Project”

The following morning the Cheetah conservation folks will take us out to the cheetah, and we will get to enjoy close up photography with wild cheetah in their natural habitat.

Refund and Cancellation Policy:

If you must cancel your reservation, Images in Africa Safaris will assess a cancellation charge to cover loss of nonrefundable advance payments we have made on your behalf to ground operators and government agencies, communication expenses, and the loss of time that may permit resale of your space.  Exceptions to our cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather, terrorism, civil unrest, or personal emergencies.  There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early.  No refunds will be given for unused hotel rooms, meals, or sightseeing trips for any reason whatsoever.  Percentage charges are calculated on total trip cost.  The following cancellation charges will apply:

All deposits are fully refundable up to 90 days from the date of the reservation, unless the reservation is made within 6 months of the safari commencement date.  If the reservation is made less than 6 months of the safari commencement date, then the following refund policy will apply:  After 90 days from the date of the reservation, 50% of the deposit is refundable up to 6 months prior to the safari commencement date.  Within 6 months of the safari commencement date, and up to 90 days prior the safari commencement date, 100% of the deposit is forfeited but all other funds are refundable.  There are no refunds for no shows or cancellations made within 90 days of the safari commencement date.

We recommend obtaining trip cancellation/ interruption and baggage loss insurance which is available from various providers. This coverage may offset cancellation charges in the event of illness before or during the trip and/or if you need to cancel for work reasons depending on the coverage provided by the plan.

Disclaimer:

• We cannot guarantee that you will view and experience every species as wildlife behavior patterns are unpredictable, however the dates selected and the region selected will provide the best opportunity for the ultimate wildlife experience.

For additional information you may want to read through the FAQ page