TOUR OVERVIEW

The Outback Experience presents a tour to the Maasai Mara like never before. We guarantee it! This brilliant wildlife photography adventure is surely what dreams are made of.

We will be staying at the most amazing location in the entire Mara, at the Mara Intrepids Tented Camp. This is without a doubt, the best possible base for us to go out and explore this amazing habitat. This area is home to all of celebrated big cats, as seen on BBC’s famous Nature Documentary – Big Cat Diary!

Masai Mara National Reserve:

Easily, the world’s most famous wildlife reserve. Masai Mara is a dream destination for any wildlife lover. Encompassing an area of 1510 km², the Masai Mara is nestled within the enormous Great Rift Valley and lies at the bottom of the Siria Escarpment. The terrain of the reserve is primarily open grassland, with seasonal rivulets.

The Masai Mara is perhaps most famous for its abundance of Africa’s “Big Five”, especially lions. The population of cheetahs are also high, however the black rhinoceros is severely threatened, with a population of only 40 recorded. Hippopotamus’s are found in large groups in the Mara and Talek Rivers. Numerous antelope are seen, including Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle, impala, topi and Coke’s hartebeest. Large herds of zebra are found throughout the reserve. The plains are also home to the distinctive Masai Giraffe and there are good sightings of the large Roan antelope and the nocturnal bat-eared fox, usually a difficult sighting in other parts of Kenya. Additionally, over 450 species of birdlife have been identified in the park, including vultures, marabou stork, secretary bird, ground hornbill, crowned crane, ostrich, long-crested Eagle, and African pygmy-falcon.

So what are you waiting for ? It’s time for Africa!

TOUR TAKEAWAYS

With an array of activities including learning about wildlife conservation, full day wildlife safaris, wildlife photography, birdwatching and animal tracking, each participant is sure to have an unforgettable experience. The specific of the camp include:

  • Only 4 participants and 1 instructor per vehicle to maximise individual attention and increase productivity of images
  • 5 fascinating nights at the the best location in the Mara
  • An enjoyable and super comfortable stay at the stunning Mara Intrepids Tented Camp
  • No road journeys; only charter flights for transits
  • Unlimited safari drives for the duration of the Tour
  • A productive and professionally guided photography tour, with superb photography and natural history learning
  • Fantastic sightings and photographic opportunities of Africa’s ‘Big Five’ – Lions, Leopard, Water Buffalo, Elephant and Rhino

TOUR LOGISTICS

Mara Intrepids Tented Camp:

Mara Intrepids Camp enjoys one of the most spectacular locations in the world’s best-known wilderness Maasai Mara National Reserve. It sits above a sweeping bend in the Talek River at the confluence of the Maasai Mara’s four game-viewing areas.

Accommodation:

The camp has 30 luxury tents, which are spread across a large riverside site to ensure guests the privacy and peace.

Each tent is furnished in the classic style of the grand African safaris, with large four-poster beds and handsome reproduction furniture offset by modern en suite bathrooms with hot showers, flush toilets and all modern amenities.

CAMP ITINERARY

DATES: 17th February to 23rd February 2020

DAY 1: Travel to Nairobi, transfer to hotel and Overnight in Nairobi:

Arrive in Nairobi as per your personal flight preference. Transfer to the beautiful Tamarind Tree hotel in Nairobi for the night.

DAY 2: Transfer from Nairobi to Maasai Mara via a charter airplane:

Depart after breakfast for the Wilson Airport, where we hop onto the 10 AM flight to the Mara-Olekiombo Airstrip. En route, we enjoy some amazing aerial views of the savannah before touching down in the Masai Mara at 11:00 a.m., upon which we are immediately transferred to the gorgeous campsite on the banks of the Talek river. After checking in and refreshing ourselves, we meet for our first meal in the African bush, while at the same time, get to know one another better.

Post-lunch, we prepare to venture out for our first safari, Phillip will help you understand your camera and talk to you about the strategy for the next few days.

After a productive first safari, we return to camp, unwind and retire for the night.

DAY 3-6: Mission Big Five of Maasai Mara

Over the next four fascinating days, we go all out to explore the Maasai Mara, with a priority to capture stunning images over the multiple morning and afternoon rides we embark on. We are sure to photograph those celebrated big cats and all of the other cool wildlife that is teeming in this paradise.

We will arrange to carry packed breakfast so we don’t have to return to camp in a hurry and can stay out shooting, thereby maximizing wildlife viewing and photography opportunities. This way, we take advantage of the fact that big cats are at their most active and the light is at its best, so we are sure to take home some award-winning images. During the evenings we will try some unique images, including silhouettes, backlit and side-lit ones.

These four full days out in the bush are surely going to be the highlight of the tour with an astounding amount of wildlife to see and photograph.

In the evenings, presentations by Phillip, will offer a wealth of learning on photography and natural history topics.

DAY 7: Departure for Nairobi

After a leisurely breakfast, we are transferred to the nearby airstrip on time for the departure of our scheduled flight at 11:00a.m., and arrive at Nairobi at 12:20 p.m. On arrival in Nairobi we are transferred to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for our home-bound flights, where we return home with tons of great memories, great images and a love for the Maasai Mara like no other!

COST & TERMS

How much does it cost?

Individuals

USD 3,300/-*

per participant(Exclusive. of 5% GST)

Pals

USD 6,500/-*

for two participants(Exclusive. of 5% GST)

Outbacker

USD 3,200/-*

per outbacker(Exclusive. of 5% GST)

Outbacker: Participated in at least three previous The Outback Experience camps or workshops

* Exchange rates listed here as on the date of payment will apply. Additional bank charges may be payable at actuals.

Inclusions

  • 5 nights’ accommodation on twin-sharing basis at the absolutely stunning Mara Intrepids Tented Camp
  • 1 nights’ accommodation on twin-sharing basic at the lovely Tamarind Tree Hotel at Nairobi.
  • All delicious meals while on the camp (Except for dinner on Day 1 and Lunch on Day 7)
  • Air transfers between Nairobi and Masai Mara in scheduled charter flights
  • All safaris in a 4WD Toyota Landcruiser, especially designed for photography
  • All reseserve entrance fees
  • Expert guidance

Exclusions

  • 5% GST
  • All travel expenses between your home and Nairobi Airport
  • Dinner on Day 1 and Lunch on Day 7
  • Optional hot air balloon ride and visit to Maasai village
  • Any kind of personal expenses, optional tours or extra meals ordered
  • Insurance, laundry and phone calls
  • Mineral water, alcoholic drinks, aerated and non-aerated beverages
  • Visa expenses
  • Yellow fever and polio vaccination charges
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Anything that is not included in the inclusions list

Payment Terms

100% payment in advance for confirmation of booking.

Payment can be made via bank transfer to our account. Please inform us of the reference number once the payment is made.

Cancellation Fees

  • 10% outside 76 days before the camp
  • 25% between 75 and 59 days before the camp
  • 50% between 60 and 46 days before the camp
  • 75% between 45 and 31 days before the camp
  • 100% within 30 days before the camp

Have questions about this camp?

We hope you'll find your answers here.

Who is this tour for?

Anybody above the age of 18 with a passion to learn and master photography. There are no other eligibility criteria.

How do I make the payment?

We have multiple payment options available from which you may choose one as per your convenience. Details will be shared when we receive your enquiry.

How many participants can be expected to attend?

A maximum of 8 adults are expected. The Outback Experience’s USP is to provide as much individual attention and quality time to each participant as possible and thus the workshop strength has been kept low. We do not cater to very large groups per batch!

What are the mandatory requirements for this Tour?

Apart from a passport valid for at least another six months from the date of travel, valid yellow-fever and polio vaccination cards are mandatory. We also need a letter from a parent or guardian expressly authorising the child to travel with us, for customs clearance.

Are yellow-fever and polio vaccination mandatory?

Yes; the vaccination is mandatory in many countries including India. But don’t worry; we’ll fully assist you to get one.

Is an earlier vaccination card valid?

Yellow fever vaccination is valid for a period of 10 years from the date of administration, but polio vaccination is valid for only one year. Please check your vaccination cards to verify validity. Please note that all vaccination must be valid as on the date of your return to your country after the Tour.

What about the visa?

You’ll need a Kenyan visa, which is applied for and issued online. More information will be shared, and assistance provided, when you sign up.

What type of vehicle will we be using for the safaris?

We’ll be using a four-wheel-drive Toyota Landcruiser safari vehicle, which has large windows and a thatched roof that opens up to give a 360-degree panoramic view for convenient wildlife-viewing and photography. Each vehicle will be shared by only four participants and the Skipper, to ensure everybody has ample space to move around and shoot comfortably.

BOOK NOW!

Please submit your details, to enrol for this event.

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