Kenya Photographic Safari with Paul Goldstein - Premium Adventure
Kenya Photographic Safari with Paul Goldstein - Premium Adventure
7 Days Starting and ending in Nairobi
Visiting: Masai Mara, Nairobi
Tour operator:
Tour code:
WYX
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 12
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
Africa conjures images of acacia-dotted plains, migrating wildebeest, and predators relentlessly pursuing zebra. Being in the right place at the right time, with the best light to capture these scenes, is the essence of this photographic safari in Kenya. Join a small group led by award-winning photographer and passionate conservationist Paul Goldstein, who will work tirelessly to get you the best photographic opportunities. This safari exudes style – premium tented camps within a private conservancy provide a comfortable base in an exclusive location, internal flights get you into the wilderness quickly, and vehicles are designed with photographers in mind to ensure you will always be set up for the perfect shot. Be prepared for early starts, long days and plenty of advice and enthusiasm. The exclusive Kicheche Camps are in prime spots within the conservancies, where it is not uncommon to observe wildlife from the veranda. Wilderness fans and photographers alike will fall in love with Africa after a week at Kicheche.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Nairobi; Morning Flight To Masai Mara
Location: Masai Mara
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Welcome to Kenya. We have an early morning flight from Wilson Airport directly to the heart of the Mara conservancies. We advise booking accommodation in Nairobi the night before the tour starts to allow for an easy meet at Wilson Airport this morning. The 45-minute flight to the Mara provides great scenery to start our Kenyan adventure. At the airstrip, we’ll be picked up by custom-built 4WD vehicles for the short transfer to Kicheche Camp. The Kicheche crew will be waiting to welcome you and help you settle into camp. After lunch, we’ll take our first afternoon game drive in the exclusive Mara conservancies to discover some of the prolific wildlife that inhabits this area. Your first game drive will end with sundowners looking across the plains.
Premium accommodation: Kicheche Tented Camp
Day 2 - 6 : Sharpen Your Photography Skills On The Vast Plains Of The Masai Mara
Location: Masai Mara
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our days at Kicheche usually start early, with camp staff bringing tea, coffee, hot water and biscuits to the tent around 5am. One of the huge benefits of staying within the conservancies is that game drives start right from camp and we can be in position on the plains by first light. For photographers, this means the all-important golden hour is always maximised. Depending on the movement of the game and tips from the bush telegraph, drives can be a moveable feast. Some days we may find ourselves on a full-day safari (approximately 13 hours) while other days might be broken into morning and afternoon drives. Paul and his team will try to make good calls when it comes to sightings and will always aim to be in the best position for viewing. They will be trying their hardest to ensure that photographic opportunities are frequent, but they will not be dashing around ticking off species like mainstream safari companies. Early starts are the order of the day, and we normally find shade for lunch in a beautiful spot and to relax. Unless, that is, we come across a migration crossing or hunting cheetah. These drives are not endurance tests but a full day out on the plains can be quite tiring. They also involve patience, as a hungry cheetah will often wait many hours before making their move.
Mealtimes are a delight under the stars or in the mess tent if there is bad weather. It is the game and scenery that make this area so incredible. Camp can often have a lion pride nearby, and their call accompanied by a hyena cackle is an occasional night-time companion. The property is very relaxing for those hours in the middle of the day between game drives and the haute cuisine and hot showers are a big bonus. These luxurious trappings sometimes belie the fact that the camp is right in the heart of the most prolific savannah on Earth.
Premium accommodation: Kicheche Tented Camp
Day 7 : Morning Game Drive; Afternoon Flight To Nairobi; Depart Nairobi
Location: Nairobi
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, we enjoy a final game drive in the wilderness followed by brunch back at camp, before packing up and taking a late afternoon flight back to Nairobi where the trip ends.
Please speak to your sales representative regarding the timings of internal flights. They can book additional post-tour accommodation in Nairobi if required.
What's Included
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All breakfasts, six lunches and six dinners
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All accommodation
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Named tour leader, chosen for their experience and great customer feedback
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Internal flights to/from the Mara Conservancies
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All transport and listed activities
What's Not Included
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Travel insurance
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Visas or vaccinations
Accommodation
On this photographic safari in Kenya, we stay at Kicheche Camps with prime spots in the conservancies – it’s not uncommon to observe wildlife from your veranda!
Mara North Conservancy: Kicheche Mara Camp (two nights)
In the Acacia Valley, overlooking the Olare Orok stream, this collection of 10 premium tents is ideally located in a wildlife hotspot. The camp also has a lounge with views down the valley, a library and local crafts. Meals are served in the dining tent or under the protective boughs of a large euclea tree.
Naboisho Conservancy: Kicheche Valley Camp (four nights)
With just six large tents set on wooden platforms and a spot among acacia woodlands, Kicheche Valley Camp occupies a peaceful spot in the secluded Naboisho Conservancy. The attached bathrooms have running water heated by solar power, plus there’s a small shop and spa should you wish to treat yourself.
Worth knowing
The accommodation shown has been booked and agreed in advance; however, we may need to make changes to a property of similar or higher standard after you have booked. We endeavour to inform you of any changes in advance, which could, on rare occasions, be at late notice.
Food
All breakfasts, six lunches and six dinners included.
At Kicheche, the food is superb and with plenty of choice. Breakfasts will be taken out in the bush and so will lunch on full-day drives in the Mara. Kicheche has an excellent reputation for its cuisine.
In the Mara, hot drinks are brought to the tents each morning
Freshly baked biscuits and a breakfast of fruit, cakes, bacon, sausage, egg, juice and coffee/tea is taken out on the plains
On return, there is a large but healthy brunch (if not doing a full-day drive)
Tea and cakes are taken mid-afternoon before the game drive
A three-course dinner is taken (weather permitting) by candlelight under the African sky
Vegetarians are well catered for but please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests
Check out our Q&As
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What is the maximum group size?
12
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
Luxury Tented Camp
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.