Enjoy a magnificent “Big Five” safari at a fantastic price !

On this seven day safari we stay in a 5 star lodge in Kenya’s central highlands which provides an ideal base for safari game drives, hiking and nature observation in various parks and protected areas that surround the lodge.

A maximum of four photographers are booked per trip, so everyone gets a good spot on the safari vehicle!

Dates: 21-29 September 2015

Cost: £3,995 per person sharing, all inclusive (25% non-refundable deposit payable upon booking; see below for details).

Itinerary

The itinerary is as follows:

Day 1: Arrival at Nairobi. Transfer to overnight accommodation
Day 2: Transfer to Rhino Watch Safari Lodge
Day 3: Solio full day

The Solio Game Reserve is a fenced, privately-owned wildlife conservancy geared towards rhino conservation. The park plays a major part in the protection and breeding of black rhinos in Kenya. Breeding has been so successful that rhino from Solio have stocked wildlife reserves all over Africa with young animals. A full day safari allows you plenty of time to observe these magnificent animals up close. Other wildlife includes buffalo, zebra, giraffe, oryx, antelope, Thompson’s gazelle, impala, waterbuck and warthog. The park also offers some of the best leopard viewing in the country, and lion and cheetah can also be found.

Day 4: Walking with giraffes & bird spotting

Located only 15 minutes from the Rhino Watch Lodge is a small private reserve which offers the opportunity to go on a game walk with
giraffe, zebra and antelope. This is a truly wonderful experience to spend the morning. Back at the lodge you can spend the afternoon bird watching from a raised platform, allowing the observation of many bird species that enjoy bathing in the nearby pond.

Day 5: Aberdare National Park full day

The Aberdare National Park contains a wide range of impressive landscapes and is home to a great variety of wildlife.  The main ecosystems within the mountain range are rainforest, one of the last intact rain forest refuges in Africa, giving way to dense bamboo forests and then moorland. Some wildlife more easily observed is the forest elephant, buffalo, the giant forest hog and some of the big cats, including the leopard! The park also contains a large population of black rhino. The crystal clear mountain streams are teeming with trout. And even the bird viewing is rewarding, with over 250 species of birds observed.

Day 6: Relax (or not!)

Today is a free day at the lodge to relax from a wonderful, but intensive few days and to spend at your own leisure. Go for a nice stroll on the property, enjoy some bird watching, or read a book in our comfortable, quiet library while enjoying some refreshments on the veranda. For those seeking a more active experience, this will be an opportunity to climb Mount Kenya if the weather is suitable.

Day 7: Ol Pejeta Conservancy (Jane Goodall Project) — full day

Ol Pejeta is a mosaic of grass plains, wooded grassland, Acacia woodland and evergreen thicket extending for over 350 square kilometers. This extraordinary reserve is East Africa’s largest black rhino sanctuary. Besides black AND white rhino, the park boasts an astounding variety of wildlife including non-indigenous chimpanzees that can be visited in the Sweetwater chimpanzee sanctuary, the Big Five and some of the highest predator densities in Kenya. The combination of amazing wildlife and stunning views across the open plains will guarantee you an unforgettable safari experience.

Day 8: Departure

A week has gone by too fast. Today you will be transferred back to Nairobi to catch your flight back home.

 Cost

The 7 day safari costs only £3,995 per person sharing (£1,200 single supplement). A 25% non-refundable deposit is payable at the time of booking, with the remainder due 12 weeks before departure.

The price includes international flights from the UK, park fees, accommodation, food, transfers, game drives and photography tuition.

The price excludes drinks, tips, insurance and visas.

The above cost applies to payment by bank transfer; please add 3% to the total cost if paying by Paypal.

 Format

When you have booked your trip Adriaan will contact you to discuss your level of photographic experience, your objectives for the safari and what equipment may be useful to bring along. He can also recommend some exercises, background reading and workshops to help you prepare for your trip.

During the safari Adriaan will be on hand to provide advice on location (if and when required), and you will also have the option to participate in photography feedback sessions. During these sessions he can provide one-to-one support to address any areas of difficulty or uncertainty, to advise on technique, composition, etc.

When the safari has finished you are warmly invited to join our Safari Club to stay in touch with fellow enthusiasts and to start planning your next trip!