Also check our Mountain Gorilla Trek report
2010 Photographic Safari to Africa
While filming "Out Of Africa" Actress Meryl Streep said of Kenya:
"The air is sweeter than anything I have ever smelled before"
Join us on our 2010 Photographic African Safari;
"Our 2010 safari itinerary details are finalized!
With the experience and pleasure of guiding numerous photographic safaris to
Africa, we've decided to make this our all time:
"Best Photographic Gold Safari"!
Our 2010 safari will include our favorite game destinations, our most preferred
and less crowded safari camps, I have selected the most knowledgeable driver/guides,
which I consider to be the best in the business, plus I've added more time in
the bush to guarantee more game drives for more photographic opportunity!
In 2010, we'll be returning to a special extension to the Land of The Thousand
Hills, to capture rare images of the Mountain Gorilla.
Permits have already been approved for this once in a life-time treat.
Imagine- Being "Face to Face with a beautiful Mountain Gorilla"!
The Mountain Gorillas were made famous by Dr. Dian Fossey who dedicated her life
to their future and immortalized them in the film,'Gorillas in the Mist'.
This huge impressive primate, far from being an aggressive animal, the Mountain
Gorilla is gentle and peaceful in its habits.
Join us and experience the trip of a lifetime and explore this untamed African
landscape with:
ImageXpeditions
Enjoy a unique two-week Photographic Safari to one of the most magnificent wildlife
regions on Earth !
- Nothing can compare to seeing-up close and personal-- your first Elephant, Giraffe, Lion or Leopard in the semi-desert habitat of Samburu ! You'll see them all, and many more exotic
species, large and small.
- Capture images of the greatest wildlife spectacles of the world on the vast plains
of the upper Serengeti, and visit Maasai villages in the famous Maasai Mara !
- Awake each morning to the spectacular view of the sun's golden light reflecting on
the snow- capped crown of Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli!
- Experience the aroma of an open fire as we watch and enjoy traditional African
dancers!
And as you leave Africa, realize as virtually everyone who's been privileged
enough to experience this ancient land,
"You will always yearn to return to Africa"
Africa is a place of timeless beauty, of ancient landscapes and teeming wildlife,
virtually unchanged for thousands of years.
Kenya has not allowed hunting since the 1970's, and the animals generally regard
a vehicle occupied with people, as being just some large, benign fellow animal
which plays no particular role in their existence -- and so they disregard us
even as we whisper about them and click away with our cameras. Our professional
driver/guides will approach each animal subject with one goal- to provide everyone
with the best possible observation and photographic opportunities.
This is not your standard tourist drive-through safari. Each driver/guide takes
the specially designed and custom built 4 X 4 Land Rover's or Land Crusers to
location's that will provide the best close-up view of wildlife in action. Each
traveler has his/her own window seat with an open-roof-hatch to provide the best composition for
photography. Radio communication allows all of our Land Rovers to work in sync,
each alerting the others when something unusual or exciting has been sighted.
These guides are true professionals who are educated in biology and ornithology,
as well as years of training and experience in safari work. Each is very personable,
and is determined to make each game drive a mixture of fun, excitement and the
best experience a true-safari can offer.
We have the perfect balance between true luxury and a real "safari" atmosphere
when we overnight at our prominent "Four-Star Tented Camps". Each spacious tent
comes complete with electric power, full sized individual rest facilities including
running hot and cold water, lavatory and shower, and full privacy. The double-roofed
tents are floored, and are secured with netting and zippered door flap- and even
a covered front porch.
Add the wonderful sounds of the night- rain on a tent roof, a hippo blowing like
a whale as it surfaces in the nearby river- and you'll find yourself sleeping
better than you could ever imagine.
When you do awake it will be with the sounds of intermingled bird songs, a breakfast
cup of tea or coffee, with pure anticipation of the day to come.
We offer a unique approach for viewing wildlife, landscape, and native tribes;
with emphasis on wildlife photography and art. This safari is not intended to
be a "Classroom" or "Workshop" experience. Rather, it will be informal, and provide
the opportunity to approach Africa with a creative eye. It is geared individually
to each participant, whether you are a beginner or professional, artist or photographer,
art collector or simply a nature enthusiast.
Emphasis will be given to creative photography and in getting the best, most
innovative photo references and sketches for creating exciting paintings, drawings
and sculpture of the African plains, its wildlife and native villagers.
"Our Personalized Safari"
Our Safari is specifically designed to provide a maximum of photographic opportunities
in one of the most spectacular wildlife regions on Earth. Each safari takes us
into areas away from the ordinary tourist sites. We may explore on foot, occasionally
take night drives, and in other non-traditional ways experience Africa and the
wealth of beauty, culture and natural history that are so abundant here.
Our accommodations are arranged directly with the prestigious African outfitters,
the Turners. Steve Turner, an accomplished photographer in his own right, is Managing
Director of the family owned business. Over forty years ago his father, Donald
Turner, founded the company that specialized only in Ornithological safaris.
Donald is the author of the most extensive, well illustrated field guide to the birds
of East Africa. We have been very fortunate to have Donald personalize his book
during our previous safaris.
Our professional driver/guides, each with an extensive knowledge of wildlife
biology, photography, natural history and African culture are the same guides
used by Alan Root, Richard Leakey and the BBC during their African wildlife film
productions.
Our strategically located accommodations next to waterholes and rivers, are frequented
by a variety of wildlife, and this often provides us with great photographic opportunities
right in our own front yard. In addition to enhancing the "feel" of the traditional
East African Safari, these tented camps provide all the comforts of a luxury hotel
but offer far more personalized services and less crowded conditions. The pace
of our safari is moderate and should not be excessively demanding. We have time
to relax and enjoy the beauty and sounds of Africa.
These specially selected private reserves and game parks allow us to get close
to Africa's wildlife and tribal people, offering the opportunity for your "Once
in a Lifetime Photograph". Our top quality guides and services plus exclusive
accommodations make this an exceptional program at an excellent value.
"Our 2010 African Safari Itinerary"!
Yes we're excited! Our 2010 personalized African Photographic Safari itinerary
is completed and we have managed to include every feature that we requested. I've had the pleasure
of filming in seven different African countries and I consider these three game
parks the best places for photography in all of Africa. Our ratio of better photographic
opportunities is greater in these game parks than any other parks I've explored.
Dates:
2010 African two-week safari- April 27 - May 8 , 2010
Mountain Gorilla extension: May 8 - May 11, 2010
Prices:
Two-week African safari is inclusive from Nairobi and includes all accomodations,
safari flights, vehicles, driver-guides, park permits, safari meals and flying
doctors enrollment:
$ 6300
The Mountain Gorilla extension is inclusive from Nairobi and includes all accommodations,
flights, gorilla permits, vehicles, mountain porters, driver guides and safari
meals:
$ 2700
Our group size is limited to only 18 participants for the two-week safari and
10 participants for the Mountain Gorilla extension.
We book on a first come/ first serve basis:
So book early!
Over-bookings are added to a waiting list!
For bookings or additional information please call, mail or email:
Dennis Holt
251-401-0631
251-621-0450
P.O. Box 1272
Fairhope, Al 36533
A deposit of $ 1000 is required for the two-week Safari and $1000 for the endangered
Mountain Gorilla extension.
Additional information will be included in your Safari Packet.
Itinerary !
Our journey begins in Nairobi as we overnight at the famous and historic Norfolk Hotel. Nairobi
was practically built around this early colonial hotel. Over the years, the Norfolk
has become a meeting place for African history, hosting everybody who was anybody
on their East African expeditions- including Presidents, Prime Ministers, famous
explorers, actors and authors. On a list of many; President Theodore Roosevelt
was said to have ridden his horse into the main lobby and Sir Winston Churchill used
this hotel as his headquarters on his many visits to Kenya.
In The Bush:
After a night of rest and a hearty breakfast we load our Land Rovers and head
for Amboseli National Park and the snow covered Mount Kilimanjaro. Our ultimate
tented camp destination is Tortilis.
After four wonderful days of exploring the land at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro,
we board our plane and head for the land of Elsa the lioness, made famous in Joy
Adamson's movie 'Born Free'.
This destination is Samburu National Reserve and our luxury tented camp is the
Samburu Intrepids, a true example of East Africa's finest.
Next we cross the great Rift Valley and head our bush-plane to the most famous game
preserve in all of East Africa- The Maasai Mara!
A true photographers paradise this upper Serengeti game wonderland is Mother
Nature at her best. Our camp, The Mara Intrepids is strategically located next
to water holes, rivers and raised photographic platforms that are frequented by
a variety of wildlife and this often provides us with great photographic opportunities
right in our own front yard.
As you recall the movie "Out of Africa" depicted the life and story of Karen
Blixen. I highly recommend viewing this movie one or more times before your African
safari. Watching "Out of Africa" will enhance your African safari experience.
Many of the same places filmed in the movie, we will visit during your safari.
The Samburu Intrepids Luxury Camp in Samburu National Park is situated on the
banks of the River in the heart of Samburu National Reserve, the Intrepids Camp looks
out over the riverbanks where herds of Elephant, Buffalo and Zebra come daily
to drink.
The Intrepids is a luxurious, tented camp set in lush lawns on the bank of the
Uaso Nyiro, a river in Samburu National Reserve. Each tent is shaded by palm trees,
and all face the river.
There are birds and vervet monkeys everywhere and dik diks wander freely around
the camp. An animal-viewing platform in a tree lets you scan the vast Samburu
plain.
You will be accommodated in luxurious tents with large beds, modern en-suite
bathrooms and secluded verandahs.
In the heat of the day you can relax on your private deck while the monkeys play
in the trees around you and animals drink from the opposite bank. The sounds you
hear are birdsong, flowing water and the breeze whispering through the doum palms.
This is camping in high style with casual colonial elegance, hot showers and
a surprising degree of comfort. Toweling gowns are in your tent, the safari chairs
have maroon leather seats and a complimentary sherry aperitif is served before
dinner from a decanter.
The dining tent is open on three sides and faces the river. A first class dinner
is elegantly served by candlelight on tables set with silver and china.
Grevy's zebra, beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, Rhinos, Somali ostrich and gerenuk
are found only in this sort of dry semi-arid country. Crocodiles sun themselves
on the banks of the river. Lion, cheetah and leopard are also fairly easy to see.
My favorite photographs of Leopard were captured just a few miles away from our
camp in Samburu.
.
Our next Safari destination, after we cross the Great Rift Valley, is my favorite and the ultimate game reserve in all of East Africa, the Maasai
Mara. The Mara is a natural continuation of the famous Serengeti Plain: undulating
grassland, dramatic escarpments, beautiful acacia forests- and the greatest wildlife show on earth.
The Mara Intrepids is located in the centre of the Maasai Mara National Reserve,
on the banks of the Talek River near one of the major annual wildlife migration
crossings. Situated in one of the most talked about destinations in the world
and best known wilderness, Mara Intrepids combines luxurious accommodation and
fine dining with warm hospitality.
The camp offers some of the world's best game viewing with large populations
of plains game, Elephants, Rhinos, Buffalos and all of the Big Cats.
This large lush grassland consists the largest number of the 'King of Beasts"
found in all of Kenya. Large prides of Lions are known to roam this area because
of the abundant number of available prey. The Lion is a beautiful predator and
the prides usually occupy a certain recognized territory. One of our driver/guides
is a Maasai and is naturally skilled at knowing, locating or tracking these different
Lion Prides. It's amazing to watch this Maasai use his skill.
Other predators included are the Cheetah, Leopards, spotted hyenas and silver
or black-backed jackals. On all of our previous safaris we've captured many wonderful
photos of all three of the large cat species on game drives from the Mara Camp.
The daily interactions among the Maasai Mara herds of mammals with the ever-present
lions, cheetahs, hyenas and the elusive leopard make for unscripted dramas. Our
driver/guides are not only professional naturalists, but they thoroughly enjoy
driving their vehicle in close to each wild subject, for the ideal photograph.
The wildlife, including elephants and lions, simply ignore these big vehicles,
probably thinking of us as just a huge, benevolent "critter".
Daily Routine on Safari
The pace of our Photographic & Art Safari is considered 'moderate' and should
not be difficult. As a matter of fact, many call our safaris a relaxed and stress-free
pace. The normal stay at each camp is usually two or three nights, allowing time
to experience the place, relax and even sit out a game drive or two and enjoy
a quiet afternoon in camp.
On most days there are options for both morning and afternoon game drives. On
some mornings it may be a photographic advantage to depart camp early to capture
that once in a lifetime sunrise photo, then return to camp for breakfast.
On other days we may chose to take our breakfast with us and spend the entire
morning observing and photographing the wildlife. The afternoon game drive usually
begins a few hours after our lunch at camp and may last until dark.
Night drives in search of nocturnal animals are options at some private sanctuaries.
Some of our safaris offer options for walking, camel riding, hot-air balloon rides,
fishing and visiting small towns and villages along the way.
MOUNTAIN GORILLA SAFARI
A special Extension to Photograph the Mountain Gorillas!
Day one- Arrive in Nairobi (Overnight)
Day two- Fly to Kigali and overnight at Gorillas Nest Lodge
Day Three- Gorilla Trek
Day four- Fly to Nairobi-depart for international flight
We depart after breakfast at 0830 for our Gorilla trek. The climb begins through
the lush terraced farmland of the lower volcanic slopes. As the slopes become
steeper and rockier, the vegetation becomes thick and tangled; the guides must
use their machetes to help clear a path. Huge trees, clinging vines and undergrowth
add to the challenge of swift streams and slippery red mud underfoot.
Usually at around 8,000 foot signs of the huge animals become apparent. Damage
to the bamboo trees is an obvious sign as the gorillas relish the young tender
shoots and break older stems to suck the sap. The smell of gorilla may waft by
in the stray breeze or, if one is really near, it is strong and unmistakable.
Sounds, which can be loud crashes or dull reverberating thuds.
This is one of the most exhilarating and moving wildlife experiences you can
have: you get so close to these giant primates, observing them observing you –
their almost human movements, innate dignity and social interaction make a unique
connection within each of us.
Each visit is by permit and limited to one hour with a professional Gorilla tracker
in charge who will coach you in the safety rules and body language required to
come close to the Gorilla troops.
Dennis Holt is the recipient of Two Television Emmys for wildlife cinematography and his
clients have included National Audubon, National Geographic, CNN, TBS, NBC, BBC,
U.S. Department of the Interior, Lorne Green's New Wilderness Productions, Sesame
Street (3-2-1 Contact), and The Discovery Channel.
............He is a five-time winner of The Sigma Delta Chi's Excellence in Journalism award,
has received the AP News Photography Award four times, and was twice awarded the
Nature Conservancy's Golden Leaf.
............Dennis is also a natural history speaker and has given more than 150 film/lectures
in the United States, Canada, Bermuda and the West Indies. His presentations have
included The American Museum of Natural History in New York City, The Smithsonian
Institute in Washington DC and The Peabody Museum in Hartford, Connecticut. Dennis
was also featured on National Public Radio's segment "All Things Considered" for
his work in swamp environments.
Experience 'complete Safari relaxation' and the 'Real Africa' in the most wonderful
place on Earth to see wildlife in it's natural habitat.
Join us for our next African Photographic and Art Safari!
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