BEST of KENYA photo safari TRIP REPORT Nov 2017
Posted by Wild4 Photo Safaris on 28th Nov 2017
Unfortunately I was late in joining this photo safari due to my back giving out at the 10 pin bowling alley on Molly's 9th Birthday !! , I don't think I will be bowling again soon.
However the team headed on to Samburu without me and were very well looked after by Julius and ably supported by his team mates, James and Tim.
The short rains had begun early this year and Samburu was very wet and muddy, adding some extra excitement to the game drives. The Ewaso Nyiro River was flowing fast and had burst its banks just a few weeks before the trip started. There were still good sightings but due to all the rain water lying around in puddles, there was not the usual gathering of animals to drink at the river.
Next stop was Lake Nakuru, the water level was down a bit from last year and so the access point to the flamingos was a bit closer, but still not as close as it used to be in the past. Nakuru has other things to photograph and the team was kept busy with the Rothschild Giraffe, Rhino and a good variety of birds.
Finally the group ended up in the Maasai Mara which never dissapoints, and I managed to catch up with the team for the last few days, which offered a number of great opportunities, including fantastic Giraffe at sunrise, lots of Lions, a beautiful female Leopard and on our final morning, Malaika the female Cheetah and her two large cubs chased two male Topis that were so busy with their own dispute that they did not even notice three Cheetah running in on them. The pure speed of a Cheetah is something to behold and they caught up with the Topi in no time at all and even ran past them, but the size of the Topi put them off and the Cheetah gave up.. what a fantastic final morning game drive !!
Many thanks to Julius for leading the team in my absence and also to James and Tim for guiding their respective clients.
I also wanted to thank everyone for joining this Kenya Photo Safari, Linda, Raj, Peter, Jody, Jim, Lesley and Steve. Thanks so much again for all your understanding, I wish I could have been with you for the entire trip.
Please enjoy a selection of photos from the trip, most taken by the clients and a few by myself.
Best wishes
Stu
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If anyone is contemplating a photo trip to Africa, then we would have absolutely no hesitation in recomending Stu Porter and Wild4 Photographic Safaris. It doesn't really matter what your level of skill is you will get as much or as little help and advice as you wish to receive. Nothing is thrust down your throat and Stu doesn't spend all his time taking his own photographs as some do.
Stu has taken a huge amount of time and trouble in customising and setting up his safari vehicle and the effort he's put in makes the whole experience so much more enjoyable. Tethered bean bags are provided and secure plate mounts on the side of the vehicle will also take your tripod head ensuring a rock steady platform and Stu most certainly knows where the animals are. Particularly enjoyable was the time we spent at the Big Cat Reserve (part of the 4 night extension) which is an unbelieveable photographic experience.
Many thanks WILD4 !
Rob & Sue Brookes, UK
Stu ... Cannot say enough great things about Wild4. The entire Porter family is #1 in my book. I shall recommend you to friends as often as possible. You made my trip the very best and one that I'll always remember. Thanks again
Dan Dimaggio, USA