Big Cats Africa Safari

Oct 23 - Nov 3, 2024 - Sold Out!

Nov 3 - 14, 2024 - Sold Out!

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Join our Big Cats Africa Safari to capture cheetahs, lions, and leopards in action! We'll observe the cats in their natural environment socializing, playing, and even hunting. As the rain season draws nigh, big clouds and dramatic sunsets often make for stunning silhouettes and wide angle shots. The workshop includes 3 days in Amboseli National Park with its stunning backdrops of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Next, we'll spend 7 days in the Masai Mara including 3 nights in a private conservancy where we'll stay in a luxury lodge with private land access and night drives.  As a bonus, we'll capture action shots of fish eagles, flamingos, and hippos from the vantage point of a small boat. With a max group size of 6 clients, everyone will have access to an operable window and pop-up roof.  So get your cameras ready!

Tuition

  • $12,000
  • 12 Days All-Inclusive
  • Includes 3 Charter Flights

Max Group Size

  • 3 Students per Instructor
  • Max 6 Students

Instructor(s)

  • Jeffrey Wu
  • David Swindler

Physical Intensity

Night Wildlife

Animalscapes

Big Cats

Kilamanjaro

Baby Animals

Fish Eagles

Hunting

Black & White

Hippos
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Highlights

  • Capture cheetahs, lions, and leopards in action throughout the Masai Mara!
  • Experience the thrill of the hunt, especially with newborn impalas and gazelles this time of year.
  • Dramatic clouds and gorgeous sunsets can make for spectacular animal-in-landscape shots.
  • Exclusive off-road driving permits and a flexible itinerary allow us to get exceptionally close to the action.
  • Photograph the wildlife at night with dedicated night-drives in the private conservancy for the 3 nights we stay there.
  • Experience incredible views of Mt Kilimanjaro with 3 days in Amboseli.
  • Observe fish eagles, flamingos, and hippos at water-level from a small boat.
  • Lead instructor Jeffrey Wu is an award-winning wildlife photographer who spends 10 months out of the year following Kenya's big cats in the Masai Mara. He has photographed well over 400 cheetah hunts and intimately knows their behavior and habitat.
  • Small group of 6 photographers with 2 instructors.  Everyone will have their own window seat and pop-up roof to allow unobstructed shooting.
  • Expert instruction both before and during the workshop on camera techniques, action shooting, composition, and post-processing.
  • Workshop includes all food, lodging, ground transportation, and 3 charter flights between Nairobi, Amboseli, and Masai Mara.

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya (airport code NBO). Transportation to the hotel will be provided.
  • Day 2: We'll start the workshop with Meet and Greet at breakfast and then drive to the airport for our charter flight to Amboseli National Park. After our scenic flight, we check into our lodge and head out for an evening wildlife safari drive.
  • Day 3: We spend our day photographing wildlife in Amboseli National Park with the imposing Mt Kilimanjaro as our backdrop. Expect to find species such as elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, lions, and flamingos.
  • Day 4: We enjoy our last morning with the wildlife in Amboseli and then take our charter flight to the Masai Mara. Our camp is located in the center of what is called "The Circle of the Cats." This is the most concentrated area in the Masai Mara for finding cheetahs, lions, and leopards. Our expert drivers will get us in position for capturing the best action shots!  If we're lucky, we may even get to observe the hunting behavior. We will spend the next 4 nights in this area.
  • Days 5-7: Each day we'll go out for morning and evening game drives looking for big cats, dramatic animalscapes, and action shots. Other species include elephants, giraffes, zebras, hippos, wildebeest, birds, and more.
  • Day 8: After a morning game drive, we pack up and head to the private conservancy where we'll check into our luxury lodge.  We head out for a sunset game drive followed by a night excursion where we can photograph the animals with artistic spotlighting!
  • Days 9-10:  We'll go out on morning and evening/night game drives within the private conservancy, looking for big cats, animalscapes, and more.
  • Day 11: After our morning wildlife shoot, we pack up and board our charter flight back to Nairobi. We then head out to a special lake to take action shots of fish eagles, flamingos, and hippos from a boat.
  • Day 12:  We go out on the lake for a last sunrise shoot on the boat before we return to Nairobi.  A day-room will be provided for all participants where you can shower, re-pack, and rest before your international flight in the evening.
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Logistics

Plan to arrive in Nairobi, Kenya anytime on or before Day 1.  Most international flights arrive in the evening and a hotel room will be provided for all participants.  We will meet together as a group at breakfast on Day 2.

We strongly recommend that all participants purchase their own travel insurance.  The proper policy will cover things like last-minute cancellations, medical emergencies, and any non-refundable fees connected to the workshop. We have partnered with Squaremouth, a website that allows you to compare policies from multiple providers to choose the best one for you. Please see our Terms and Conditions for more information.

This workshop includes accommodations only on Day 1 and is all-inclusive from Day 2 until you are dropped back off at the hotel on Day 12 (transportation, meals, and accommodations). All you need to worry about is taking incredible photos!

The base price assumes double occupancy.  If you book as a single participant but want double occupancy, we will attempt to pair you with another participant of the same gender.  If that is not possible, you will be asked to pay the single supplement.

Shortly after registration closes, we will set up a Zoom meeting to discuss gear and pre-trip planning.  You will receive additional information via email to ensure you are set up for a successful and memorable trip!

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Sample Accommodation Photos

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Bella Mara 2
Royal Mara
Big Cats Africa Safari David Swindler

Pricing

$12,000/person + Tax

Trip Includes:

  • 11 nights double-occupancy lodging in Nairobi, Amboseli, Masai Mara, and the Lake. Single supplement is $1800.
  • 3 charter flights between Nairobi, Amboseli, and Masai Mara.
  • All meals and snacks from Day 2 to Day 12.
  • 3 Nights in a Private Conservancy within the Masai Mara.
  • 4x4 Ground Transportation in Land Cruisers.
  • 2 Excursions on a small boat for fish eagles and hippos.
  • Park Entrance Fees and Conservation Fees.
  • Services of exceptional English-speaking guides.
  • In-field and classroom instruction by pros Jeffrey Wu and David Swindler.
  • Hotel day-room in Nairobi before your departing international flight.

Trip Does NOT Include:

  • Transportation to/from your home to Nairobi.
  • Travel/Medical/Interruption/Cancellation Insurance.
  • Passport and Visa Fees.
  • Inoculations and Testing, including any COVID-19 specific requirements.
  • Gratuities for photo guides, local guides and/or drivers.
  • Meals on Day 1 and any meals on Day 12 after you are dropped back off at the hotel in Nairobi.

When you complete the checkout process, you will be given the option to either pay the full amount or put down a 50% deposit.  If you pay the deposit, the remaining amount will be charged 120 days prior to departure.  See the full Terms and Conditions.

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Meet Your Instructors

Jeffrey Wu Profile

Jeffrey Wu

Jeffrey Wu is a world-renowned wildlife photographer, conservationist, author, and educator. He fell in love with Africa back in 2013 and has since spent 10 months each year photographing the wildlife in Kenya and beyond. Jeffrey's photos have won many awards and he is well known for his in-the-moment action shots and story-telling style.  As an active member of the Kenya Tourism Board, he is actively working to protect and preserve these fragile ecosystems.  Jeffrey's photos and articles have been published in over 120 publications worldwide.  His book "Beauty of the Wild" was the first wildlife photography guidebook ever published in the Chinese language.

Jeffrey is also passionate about teaching.  His innovative shooting and post-processing methods have been shared and viewed over half a million times online.  He has been invited to speak at many forums and conferences.  But he loves teaching small groups on his home turf in Kenya.  He intimately knows the wildlife and their behavior patterns.  Having captured more than 300 cheetah hunts, he is one of the foremost experts in finding unique, compelling, and exciting photographic opportunities.

Please visit his website to see more of his amazing work:  https://www.jeffreywuphotography.com/

IG Profile

David Swindler

David Swindler is an award-winning landscape and wildlife photographer.  Among others, he has been recognized by Sony World Photography Awards, International Landscape Photographer of the Year, and National Geographic.  He received a degree in chemical engineering and worked in the semiconductor industry specializing in optics and photolithography. In 2014, he left his day job to follow his true passion. He has traveled to some of the most remote regions of the world and has extensive experience photographing a wide variety of subjects and conditions. He finds great satisfaction in helping others learn photography, especially in the wild desert environment near his home in Kanab, UT.  David is an expert in night photography and loves to get out and shoot the starry night skies. Catch a glimpse of David's work in the slideshow, and follow the links below to see more!

Gallery    Awards and Media Coverage

Having guided photo tours for years, David is very familiar with many different types of cameras.  He is a master with light and composition. But most importantly, his dedication to his clients is what really sets him apart!   Just read what others are saying here: Trip Advisor.

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