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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This was simply an outstanding photographic safari all round – by far the best that I have been on! As a keen enthusiast photographer, looking to step up a level with view to entering 2 competitions later in the year, I could not have hoped for more. Excellent !
The family based Wild4 team is personable and friendly and went the extra mile all the way through. They are very well organized and their prompt and helpful responses to queries pre-trip ensured they were easy and a pleasure to deal with.
Stu Porter can pitch his photographic tuition at any level and his attention to detail and enthusiasm was spot on throughout this trip. I was surprised by just how much I learn’t because I was quite comfortable with my photo technique on arrival. I have easily adopted his full-on manual approach, every bit of which he was able to justify - a revelation! I am quite picky, but I cannot praise these guys enough and I will be back.
Very many thanks to the whole team.
Malcolm, UK
Stu, Thank you for another wonderful safari. We were blown away by the sightings that we had. From the Lion kill to the tiny Lion Cubs, it was one great experience after another. The bird opportunities were also outstanding. I'm still sorting though the 1000's of images that we brought home. Also, thank you Justyna for setting up our 2 week private Kruger safari with Stefan. We spent over a month in Africa shooting every day except for a couple of travel days. It was our trip of a lifetime. The accommodations, food, and itinerary were as good as it gets. We can't wait to do another one!.
Dick and Mary
Wild Side Photographic Art
Dick Collins, USA