Day 1 Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where you will be met and transferred to a Nairobi Hotel for an overnight stay (1 night)

Day 2 Meet up with the rest of the group and our driver/guides who will take our main luggage bags and drive them to the Mara by road. We will depart after breakfast for Wilson airport and catch the mid-morning flight direct to the Maasai Mara carrying only our Camera Equipment. Upon arrival in the Mara, we will be met and transferred to our lodge where we will have lunch. The driver/guides will arrive in the early afternoon with the main luggage bags. We will then head out for our first afternoon drive in the Maasai Mara Reserve (overnight in Maasai Mara for 10 nights)

Day 3 Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in Maasai Mara

Day 4 Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in Maasai Mara

Day 5 Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in Maasai Mara

Day 6 Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in Maasai Mara

Day 7 Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in Maasai Mara

Day 8 Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in Maasai Mara

Day 9 Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in Maasai Mara

Day 10 Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in Maasai Mara

Day 11 Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in Maasai Mara

Day 12 Morning photographic game drive en-route to the airstrip where we will catch our flight back to Nairobi - this time taking all our luggage with us. Arrive midday in Nairobi - check into our day rooms then have lunch. Afternoon at leisure before departing on the complimentary hotel shuttle to the Airport to connect to your international flights home.

Included

• 1 night in city hotel in Nairobi
• 10 nights Maasai Mara
• 1 Day Room in Nairobi on departure day
• all park entrance fees
• all road transfers
• private use of 4x4 Land cruisers with qualified guides
• bottled water on game drives
• professional photographic tuition
• laundry in the Maasai Mara when at ENTIM CAMP
• meals as indicated: (B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner)
• DRINKS - local beer, house wine, sodas, bottled water are INCLUDED where indicated ** Spirits and Cocktails are NOT included **

Excluded

• All meals, drinks & laundry not indicated
• Tips / gratuities for camp / lodge staff and for your driver / guide - see FAQ's
• Visa fees
• Personal medical, travel (including trip cancellation) & photographic equipment insurance
• Any extra nights of accommodation before or after the safari - we can arrange these for you and add it to your statement.
• INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

TRANSPORT

For the duration of this photo safari, we will be travelling in 4x4 TOYOTA Land Cruisers that have a seating capacity of 7 passengers. There will be a maximum of 3 safari vehicles on this photo safari with only two photographers per vehicle allowing each participant plenty of space for equipment. You will be allocated the same local driver/guide for the entire safari.

The vehicles are equipped with WILD4's own professional beanbag system designed by Stu to allow for a comfortable shooting position, from both the roof and the window.

LODGING IN NAIROBI

On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta Int Airport, you will be met by one of our photo safari representatives and you will be taken to EKA HOTEL for an overnight in comfortable en-suite rooms. Due to the groups' different arrival times, we will not meet for dinner, but instead, we will meet up at 6:45 am on the following morning. We will need to have our main luggage bags packed as these will be collected by our driver/guides who will set off for the Mara by road. We will enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then depart for Wilson Airport for a 45 min flight to the Masai Mara.

LODGING IN THE MAASAI MARA

Accommodation will be inside the main reserve at MARA ENTIM CAMP in comfortable en-suite tents.

AEROPLANES

On this photo safari, we will fly from Nairobi Wilson Airport into the Maasai Mara. We will also fly back to Nairobi at the end of the safari (approx 45 mins one way)

Specific FAQs

• What do you expect the weather to be like on this photo safari ?

  The weather in Kenya at this time of year is very pleasant. Cool clear mornings are very refreshing and the days can get quite warm, up to 32 C or 90 F. Being near the equator it is difficult to predict the weather. There may be some afternoon thunderstorms.

• What clothing & equipment would be relevant for this photographic safari ?

  We have a more detailed kit list which we will send out to you at the time of registration.

• How do we recharge camera batteries and laptops on this photo safari ?

  All the accommodations you will be staying at on this safari will have electric points for recharging your batteries and laptops. A detailed Plug & Voltage document will be sent out to you at the time of registration

• What is a typical day "in the field" on this photographic safari ?

  MAASAI MARA
  We enjoy a cup of tea, coffee and some cookies before we head out just before sunrise. We always take a packed breakfast with us and stop at a convenient time during the morning drive, or we eat in the vehicle whilst waiting at a sighting. If there is something really interesting we want to stay with (ie a Cheetah hunting), then we are able to stay out all day, otherwise, we will return to the lodge at around midday for lunch and a short break. We head out again in the afternoon and return to camp at around 7 pm. Dinner will be at 8 pm.

• Are we able to go off road to get closer to the animals on this photo safari ?

  It is officially not allowed to off-road in this area of the Maasai Mara. However, a "grey" area surrounds this rule and it will be up to your guide/driver as to whether he thinks he can take you off-road or not. It is not a simple case of crashing off into the bush after wildlife so that you can "get the shot". Some areas are more sensitive to damage than others and some trees and bushes are more vulnerable than others. You can be assured that your driver/guide wants to show you the animals and get you into the best position possible but we will have to use common sense and respect other people, the rules of the reserve, the environment and the comfort levels of the wildlife.

• What are the luggage restrictions on this photo safari ?

  On all our photo safaris, it is preferable to use a duffel type bag for your main luggage (no hard suitcases) Duffel bags are easier to pack into the vehicles and planes.
  
  One concern people often have is that they struggle to carry a duffel bag if it does not have wheels. Once you arrive in Africa, there will always be somebody willing to carry your bag for you. If you are concerned about not being able to carry your bag before you get to Africa then a duffel with wheels is also acceptable as a second choice.
  
  For the flight to the Maasai Mara, we will avoid having to worry about our main luggage by having it go with our driver/guides who will drive it to the Mara for us. You are also welcome to let your camera equipment go with our guides too so that you can fly "hands-free" to the Mara. We will arrive at midday and be transferred straight to the camp when the light is harsh, so there will be very limited opportunities for photography before our afternoon game drive, by which time our luggage and equipment will have arrived with our guides. However, if you prefer to bring your camera equipment along on the plane that is also perfectly OK. Just be prepared to possibly have it packed into the hold as the cabin space on the plane is very limited.

  For the return flight from the Maasai Mara back to Nairobi we will have extra weight allowance to allow you to take all of your luggage on the plane. ** However, we still recommend that you pack only the necessary amount of clothing and keep your bag as light as possible.
  
  We recommend a maximum total weight limit of 20kgs (around 44lbs) for your main luggage bag plus your Photographic Equipment.

• How long are the flights on this photo safari ?

  The flights from Nairobi to the Mara and Mara back to Nairobi are approx 45 mins one way.

• What "stable photographic platforms" do you offer on this photo safari ?

  As a photo safari company, we believe it is crucial to offer our clients a stable photographic platform on safari vehicles. In this regard, we have invested in our own professional photo beanbag system which we use in the vehicles in Kenya. These beanbags allow you to enjoy a comfortable shooting position from both sides of the safari vehicle and when photographing from the roof in a standing position.
  
  Along with the complimentary use of our beanbags, we also offer each client the complimentary use of one VISUAL ECHOES PANNING PLATE which allows you to pan smoothly from left to right and lifts the focus & zoom rings of your lens off the bean bag enabling better focus and better control of your zoom. (Please view the "TRANSPORT & LODGING" tab for photos). Remember that you will often sit and wait patiently for long periods for a shot to present itself so being comfortable is paramount.

• How early can we leave camp and how late can we return on this Photo Safari?

  The general rule in the Maasai Mara is that you can leave just before sunrise and return just after sunset.

• Is there a laundry service available on this photographic safari ?

  Yes there is a laundry service available at all locations. (Please note that at some places you have to wash your own underwear and socks)

• Is there internet access / mobile phone reception on this photo safari ?

  There is wifi available at all locations on this photo safari. Cell / mobile phone coverage is really quite good in Kenya at all locations.

• What is the recommended Tipping Policy on this photographic safari ?

  Tipping is a safari tradition in Africa. We respectfully request that you follow our guidelines regarding tipping as it helps to set a standard across all of our photo safaris.
  
  Any form of gratuity should be earned by the recipient through excellent service and for effort beyond their job description. If for any reason you do not feel comfortable tipping then please let your tour leader know.
  
  We do our utmost to source quality safari companies/lodges and guides who have a similar work ethic and passion to us. The staff and guides work extremely hard to make sure we have a good time and they are incredibly patient and flexible.
  
  We will send you a detailed recommended tipping policy for this photo safari in your Arrival Information Document, which will be sent to you 2 weeks before the start of your photo tour.

General FAQs

• Do I need a visa for my photo safari ?

  It is best to contact the embassy of the country you will be travelling to, and double-check to see what their latest policies are with regards to Visas and whether you should apply for them before you travel or if you can obtain them at the port of entry.

• Is smoking allowed ?

  Smoking is not allowed in the safari vehicle and generally, it is not a very good idea to smoke in the bush as the grass is often tinder dry and bush fires can start easily. We do not take specific breaks for smoking either, but we will stop at relevant times for everyone to have a break and stretch their legs or have a cup of coffee. This would be your opportunity to have a smoke break. We ask you to respect the environment and carry your cigarette ends away with you.

• How do you deal with "comfort breaks" when out on photo safari ?

  Spending long hours in the safari vehicles will inevitably end up in folks needed a bathroom stop. We have to respect the rules of the different parks when it comes to this and these rules will be explained before the start of each safari. Generally, the safari saying of "any tree is a lavatree (lavatory)" goes. We will make sure we stop in a safe location for the comfort break.

  The Kruger National Park is the only location that has proper washroom facilities at designated picnic sites or in the camps, and as per the rules of the park, we are required to stop at these specific places, not anywhere in the bush. Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania have limited facilities, and stopping at an appropriate place in the bush is allowed.

• How do you deal with unexpected emergencies ?

  All of our safaris have emergency procedures in place. We will have contact with the office via either radio, cell phone or satellite phone. The office would then dispatch the relevant help - be it medical or otherwise.
  
  In the case of medical assistance, the initial recovery from the field to the most relevant medical facility would be covered by our safari insurance. Your medical insurance would need to cover you for all other expenses.

• I have special dietary requirements, can you cater for this ?

  Yes, we can cater for special medical dietary requirements, but you need to inform us of these requirements when you register. We will then be able to inform the lodges/camps we will be staying at about your requests well in advance.

  Depending on what your special requirements are there may be a surcharge for this service.

• Will we have leisure time to sleep in or relax by the pool ?

  Your time on safari is YOURS, you can feel free to use it as you wish. However, I can confidently say that very few people have ever opted to sleep in or spend time at the pool. This is a photo safari after all. Our main reason for being on the safari is to spend every possible minute doing photography so leisure time is not something people normally request.

  On occasion people have wanted to sleep in on one day or skip an afternoon game drive, this is entirely up to you. However please note that we will not change our usual schedule to accommodate "leisure time" If for example, you decided to sleep in, you would not have the right to request the vehicle to come back and collect you at a more convenient time.

  The photographers who go out with the vehicle can decide when to return. If you have a private vehicle to yourself then you can do as you please.

• Credit Cards or cash - what should I bring ?

  Credit Cards are by far the most convenient  90% of the time. Bringing along some cash as a backup is also a good idea. US$ are readily accepted in most African Countries and can also be used in some local shops (**Please note that there are some exceptions like South Africa and Namibia - both of these countries DO NOT ALLOW the use of US$ in their economy.
  
  ** If you are unsure please ASK us about which option is most suitable for the safari you are doing.

  As far as tipping goes (more on the tipping section) you could separate it into the following two scenarios:
  
  1) Your Local Driver / Guide / Ranger: - this can be done in US$ - CASH only
  
  2) Lodge / Camp staff
  > Kenya - this can be done in US$ - CASH or CARD
  > Tanzania - this can be done in US$ - CASH only
  > Botswana - this can be done in US$ - CASH only
  > South Africa - this can be done in US$ - CASH or CARD ** this depends on the actual accommodation used - please ask us for clarity **
  > Namibia - this can be done in US$ - CASH or CARD ** this depends on the actual accommodation used - please ask us for clarity **
  
  Any other major foreign currency will also be readily accepted (EURO, GBP)
  
  If you have any concerns please contact us and we will clarify it for you further.

• What fitness level is required on your photo safaris ?

  All of our scheduled photo safaris (except for Namibia) are vehicle-based for the majority of the time. You will need to be in reasonable health but we will not undergo any long walks or hikes unless you personally choose to do so, or unless it is detailed in the safari description. Our extensions and custom safaris might warrant a different fitness level - please ask us for more details about the fitness level required for your specific custom photo safari or chosen extension.
  
  Our Landscape tours of Namibia do require a fairly good level of fitness to get the most out of them. There is a lot of sand in Namibia and walking in this sand and up sand dunes are part of the trip. If you have more questions about fitness levels PLEASE ask us before signing up on any of our safaris.

• Is there a risk of getting malaria on the photo safari ?

  On any trip to Africa, there is a risk of getting Malaria. Some areas have a higher risk than others. As we are not medical doctors we cannot advise you about whether or not you should take malaria medication. Our advice is to consult your local doctor or travel clinic and ask them for their opinion based on the most up to date and relevant information regarding malaria as well as any other potential diseases.

• What Vaccinations do I need for Africa ?

  This is a topic you would need to consult a doctor or travel clinic about as details of these change on an ongoing basis. Be sure to ask your doctor or clinic about YELLOW FEVER as it is relevant in some of the countries we visit.
  
  We highly recommend that you contact your doctor or clinic as soon as you can after registering to do a photo safari with us.

• I really enjoy photographing birds, do you take time to stop for these too ?

  Yes, we do spend time photographing birds.

  On our photo safaris, we will be stopping for "the large and colourful birds". If you would like to try and cover the birds in more detail then we recommend you travel with a like-minded photographer or that you book out a private safari vehicle so that you can go entirely at your own pace.

  The pace of a regular photo safari compared with a bird photo safari is very different. If you do stop for every single bird no matter the distance or size, you will fall far behind the other vehicles who might find other sightings that you might not be able to get to in time. You would need to understand this and know that you cannot be everywhere at the same time and you will miss out on other sightings and photo opportunities. Also be aware that if you are sharing a vehicle with other photographers that you do not know, they may not be as interested in stopping for every single bird.

• Can I drink the local water in Africa ?

  In general, we would recommend that you stick to bottled drinking water on all the safaris. In Kenya and Tanzania, this also includes brushing your teeth with bottled water. In South Africa it is possible to drink the local water and brush your teeth with it, so the risk of getting ill is small, however, we still recommend you drink bottled water.

• Will our vehicles be in radio contact with other safari vehicles ?

  Yes, the vehicles in our group are in radio contact with each other and we do pass on relevant information about photo opportunities to each other.
  
  Our local guides are also excellent at acquiring any relevant pieces of information from their colleagues and friends. In Kenya, our guides do make use of cell phones to relay relevant information when radio comms are weak. 

• What electrical system can I expect to find ?

  Each country has its own electrical and plug system. After you have registered to do a photo safari with us, we will send you our "PLUG & VOLTAGE" document which will explain this topic in more detail.

• Can I add on an extension to my photo safari ?

  YES, it is possible to add on an extension to any of our safaris if you wanted to stay longer or visit a different place. There are some extension suggestions on the photo safari pages under the "EXTENSIONS" tab. Please ask us if you need help with this.
  
  Alternatively, you can also request a specific extension that you might like to do and we will gladly set this up for you.

• Can you arrange accommodation for me if I wanted to arrive early to help acclimatise before the start of my safari ?

  Yes this is possible to arrange for you - please ask us at the time of registration

• I would like the exclusive use of a photo safari vehicle can you arrange this ?

  Yes, this is possible to arrange, there will, of course, be a surcharge for the exclusive use of the safari vehicle, please ask us what this would be for the safari you are interested in.

• What is in your guides Training Manual ?

  Having worked with many different guides in different locations I have found that it is always nice and refreshing to have a guide with new ideas and suggestions and work together to achieve new images. It is also important though that the basics are understood by all the guides we use on our photo safaris which is why my training manual came to be.

  The manual covers the basics of how to guide photographers, looking at the light, the distance from the subject and parking in a position to predict the animals next move. The manual also illustrates "in the field examples" so that guides know what we photographers are talking about when we say "can we move 1 meter forward, my background is not good from this position, etc etc..." !!

  The manual has a big section on communication - this is the key to a successful safari. Both guides and photographers need to know what is going on so that they can prepare for potential situations, never assume, always ask, it will allow you to achieve more successful images.

• What is a "Private" Photographic vehicle ?

  We secure the use of "Private" Photographic vehicles on all of our safaris. This is a very important element of a successful photographic safari. Essentially it means that you will not share the vehicle with other guests staying at the lodge/camp who are not part of our group. Regular safari clients and nature photographers do not mix very well. You will want to stay for extended periods at a sighting waiting for the best photo opportunities.

  Many regular safari clients just want to see an animal, take one picture and leave to go and look for more animals to tick off their list. We avoid this by securing private safari vehicles at all locations. Understandably there is a surcharge to hire these vehicles as the lodge or camp has to issue a specific vehicle and guide for our group and the vehicle is not filled with up to 9 people as it often is on regular safaris. In our case, there will only be a maximum of up to 3 photographers per safari vehicle.

• What do I do if I have to cancel my photo safari ?

  Our full booking terms and conditions are found at this link on our website:
  
  https://www.wild4photographicsafaris.com/booking-terms-and-conditions
   

• Do you offer full day game drives ?

  Authentic photographic safaris, by their very nature, have to be flexible. We do our utmost to accommodate our client's needs and requests which are very different from regular safari clients. We take each day as it comes and yes we are able to be flexible and stay out all day if a particular situation warrants it.

  For example, if we are far from camp and are patiently waiting for a Leopard to descend a tree, a Cheetah to hunt or a group of Wildebeest to cross the Mara River, then we will stay out. It is always a good idea to bring along some extra snack bars for these situations.

  However, If there is nothing worthwhile waiting for and no particular need for us to stay out the whole day, we will return to the camp/lodge for lunch and a short break before heading out again once the animals start to become more active and the photographic light improves.

Booking Procedure

• Get in touch with us to confirm that there are still spaces available on the photo safari that you are interested in. Please fill out the “ENQUIRE” form on this page
• Once we confirm with you that there is space available, and you would like to join the safari, we will send you a direct link via email. This will allow you to sign up to our CLIENT AREA
• After you have registered with your name, email address and a password of your choice, you will then be able to complete our online booking form

To SUBMIT the booking form, you will need to have read, understood and agree to our booking terms and conditions.

If you would like to read our booking terms & conditions, they can be found here: BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS

Please note that each participant must complete their own booking form.

• Once your booking form has been submitted, you will then be required to make the deposit payment.

We offer two options for payment of the deposits:

• International Bank Transfer
• Paypal

Please note that ALL bank fees are for your account.

Bank fees for a Bank Transfer vary depending on your own bank but are usually in the region of US$ 50 to US$ 80

Payments through PayPal carry a 4% handling fee

• Your place/s on the safari will only be confirmed once we have received your completed booking form/s and deposit payment/s
• As soon as your booking form/s and deposit/s are with us, we will update your CLIENT AREA to display the outstanding balance amount, which will be due 90 days before the start date of the safari.

DESCRIPTION

For those who would like to extend the length of their PHOTO safari, we offer an exciting 3 night / 4-day extension to see and photograph the highly endangered Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda. The extension can be added on before or after the scheduled photographic safari.

The standard package (if added on before or after our scheduled safari) would start with a flight from Nairobi to Kigali in Rwanda.  As you leave the arrivals hall in Kigali, you will be met by our representative and he will be your driver/guide for the duration of your stay. You will start with a tour of the city and a visit to the genocide museum (optional), followed by lunch in one of Kigali's Restaurants.
After this, you head on towards your overnight accommodation in Ruhengeri. You will pass through the very scenic Rwandan countryside with endless rolling hills and lush vegetation. The 3hr drive is a very beautiful one and on the way, your guide will tell you about the country and its interesting history.

You will arrive in the late afternoon, settle into your lodge and enjoy dinner in the restaurant.

The Gorilla treks are done in the early morning (after your breakfast) and depending on which gorilla group you have been assigned to visit, the walk may take a couple of hours (if the Gorillas are close) or it may take longer - 4 or 5 hours if the group is further up the mountain. Either way, the walk is very interesting. We recommend you hire the services of a local porter who will happily and easily carry your camera equipment for you. This allows you to have two free hands to be able to grab onto vegetation during your hike. Gardening gloves are very useful items to protect your hands from stinging nettles and thorny plants. We also recommend you wear gaiters to protect your legs from mud and biting ants, as well as waterproof trousers and a waterproof jacket.

The itinerary offers two treks to see the Gorillas. This is always a good option as both treks will be completely different and it allows you the opportunity to have two chances to photograph the Gorillas. You are never sure where you might find them or in what situation they will be in. They might be in an open area or a dense bamboo thicket.

Group sizes are never more than 6 guests and you will be led by two specialist Gorilla guides, the porters will carry bags and you will also encounter the trackers who find the Gorillas for you and guide your group into them, thus saving valuable trekking time.

Once you are close to the Gorillas, the procedure is to stop and take only the items you need with you. You must also leave your camera bag with your Porter, he will look after it. It is vital therefore that you can carry all your equipment with you as you will not be allowed to go back to your camera bag.

A very strict time limit of 1 hour is given to view and photograph the Gorilla group. After your hour is up everyone leaves the Gorillas and heads back down the mountain. The trackers then stay with the Gorillas for the rest of the day to protect them, but also to take note of where they bed down for the night. Early the following morning the trackers head back up the mountain to find the Gorillas again before they begin their day of foraging.

It is possible to request to walk to one of the closest groups of Gorillas, but it is never guaranteed that you will be picked for that specific group. Thus we recommend that you are in reasonable health to undergo the treks, which will be up fairly steep muddy and slippery paths. You need a good pair of walking shoes or hiking boots with long socks that you can tuck your trouser legs into. This will help to prevent against biting ants.

The lodge does offer some items for hire such as raincoats, gaiters and gloves, but they are not guaranteed to always have them available.

When you return after your trek they kindly wash your shoes for you and return them to your room before dinner. A pair of sandals would be useful to have in the interim.

After your second Gorilla trek, you will depart after lunch and head back to Kigali where you will spend your last night in a hotel. The following morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Nairobi or on to a destination of your choice.

PRICE:
Please enquire

ITINERARY:
Day 1 - Depart your Nairobi Hotel after breakfast and transfer to Jomo Kenyatta Airport where you will catch your flight to the Rwandan capital, Kigali. This is a 1.5 hr flight and upon arrival, you will be met by our ground operators at the arrivals area just outside the airport. You will then take in a tour of the city which includes a visit to the genocide museum. You will also enjoy a lunch in a Kigali town restaurant. Depart after lunch on a 3hr drive to your lodge in Ruhengeri. Dinner at the lodge and overnight - Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Day 2 - Depart the lodge after an early breakfast and head to the main meeting area for your first Gorilla Trek registration. Head off on your trek and return to your lodge around lunchtime. Afternoon at leisure, dinner in the restaurant and then overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Day 3 - Early breakfast and then head out on your second Gorilla Trek and return to your lodge for lunch. Depart in the early afternoon and head back to Kigali via road - 3hrs. Arrive in the late afternoon and overnight at Lemigo Hotel in Kigali

Day 4 - Breakfast then depart for the airport and your flight back to Nairobi. Connect with your international flight back home


INCLUDED in the package:
- International flights Nairobi – Kigali - Nairobi ** PLEASE NOTE **  if you would like to arrange your own flights to take advantage of Airmiles then please let us know.
- Transport services in 4 x 4 vehicle as indicated
- English speaking driver/guide
- 02 nights on full board accommodation at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (BLD)
- 01 night on bed & breakfast accommodation at Lemigo Hotel in a standard room in Kigali (B)

- 02 Gorilla trek permits
- City tour as indicated on arrival day
- Community fees
-  Meals as indicated: (B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner)

NOT INCLUDED in the package:
- All meals not indicated
- All Drinks
- Laundry
- Visa Fees
- Change of Itinerary