ON SAFARI IN KENYA'S AMBOSELI AND OL PEJETA
Photograph Africa's diverse wildlife in two of Kenya's most special locations
A DESTINATION EARTH PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
DATES: FEBRUARY 12 - 20, 2027 *** SOLD OUT ***
The word Safari originates from the Arabic word “safar” which means “to make a journey.” And this is precisely what a visit to Africa is in the truest sense: A Journey. Just to be able to put yourself in the presence of the largest collection of megafauna on the planet takes considerable effort. And the rewards are there for those that choose to do so.
Immersing yourself in the biodiverse plains of Kenya, in search of elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, rhinos and more, one can often question our place in this world and our impact upon it. The affects of mankind are very real here with so many species in Africa now endangered and having tremendous population declines in the last half century. And yet the lands here still remain vibrant and filled with so much abundant wildlife that you cannot help but wonder just what could have been if not for humans. We find ourselves now in the present day at a tipping point for the survival of so many African species. But with global strides in curbing the illegal wildlife trade, tougher poaching laws, eco-tourism helping to fund conservation, and protecting more lands to prevent habitat loss, there is something that these majestic creatures of Africa have now that they haven’t in a long time: Hope.
It is my goal to share this feeling of hope during our 8 day Journey to Kenya. We will begin in Amboseli National Park, the best place in the world to view and photograph free range elephants which sits at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Named for the salty flats, Amboseli has the densest population of elephants in this small 392 square kilometer park. We will be photographing large herds of these wonderful animals as the wander across the dusty plains.
After three days in Amboseli we will move on to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy for the remainder of the trip. Home to a very healthy population of Eastern Black Rhinos (180+) and Southern White Rhinos (40+) as well as lions, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, hippos, wild dogs, numerous bird species and more. A conservation success story for rhinos with just 20 individuals in 1993 and over 200 today, the conservancy is a remarkable place to get up close and personal with these animals to capture fantastic portraits. Needless to say that your camera and memory cards will be getting lots of work. All in all, these safaris produce life-long memories and the images often can be framed by the Kenya’s famous sunrises, sunsets, and dramatic vistas.
INSTRUCTOR: CHRIS BYRNE
GROUP SIZE: 6 Participants
COST: $7,950 USD (Double Occupancy) / $1500 USD Single Supplement (limited availability)
PAYMENTS: 50% Deposit (Non-Refundable) due at sign up. Final payment due 120 days in advance.
INCLUDED: All Transportation in Country, Meals and Lodging
NOT INCLUDED: International Flights to Nairobi, Premium Alcohol, Tips & Gratuities, Camera Equipment
PLEASE READ VERY CAREFULLY THE TERMS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE REGARDING CANCELLATION POLICY, TRAVEL INSURANCE, INOCULATION, ETC.
ITINERARY & AIRPORT INFO
AMBOSELI PORTION: Upon arrival into Nairobi on February 12, 2027 you will be received at the airport and transported to the Tamarind Tree Hotel. Participants may arrive anytime on February 2 and it is recommended to arrive a day earlier to get acclimated. The following day we will take a short bush plane flight to Amboseli for a three night stay where we will enjoy game drives in the park in Africa with the densest population of elephants.
OL PEJETA PORTION: On February 16 we will fly out of Amboseli via Wilson Airport for connection to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy where we will spend the next three nights. With morning and afternoon game drives each day in both locations in our private safari vehicles, delicious meals and sundowners at sunset, we will be immersed each day in the African experience. We shall return back to Nairobi with an evening drop off at the Crown Plaza Airport Hotel on February 19 with flights out the next day from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), February 20, to your next destination.
All in country flights, transportation, hotels (double occupancy rooms) and meals are included on this tour. More logistical info will be emailed as the dates get closer.
USEFUL INFO / PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY
Participants are responsible for their own travel to and from Nairobi, Kenya and must have a valid passport and eVisa to do so.
Expect climate this time of year is warm with a gentle breeze. Temperatures will range with lows around 60F and highs over 80F with rain certainly a possibility.
Physical difficulty of this tour will be easy as we are spending the entire time in the comfort of safari jeeps. It is important for participants to be in good physical health, but there will be no hiking at all.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
A wildlife photography trip of a lifetime! Simply put there is no place else on earth like Africa. And the two parks chosen for this adventure will provide numerous opportunities for Africa’s famous creatures: elephants, lions, cheetahs, leopards, rhinos, giraffes, zebra and so much more. The chance to photograph this wildlife in close proximity is a nature photographer’s dream. As we move about in our safari vehicles, with eyes glued to the grasslands and plains for interesting sightings, immersing yourself in the moment will be key. For we are guests in their habitat and wild lands. “These aren’t zoo lions” is what I was told on my first journey to Africa and that couldn’t have been more accurate. These animals are raw, scarred, fighting for survival and we shall witness the circle of life right before our eyes.
In Amboseli, known for it’s dusty plains, we will be after images of herds of elephants walking across the flats (often in a line) that can be some of the most dramatic wildlife images a photographer can produce. The strong family ties of these beautiful animals will be on full display as we work to create memorable photographs of their interactions. In Ol Pejeta, our focus will shift to big cats and rhinos that this region is known for. Watching cubs play and wrestle with each other, a group of lions at a watering hole, or even the sounds and smells of them feeding on a kill, I assure you the behavior of these animals is wonderful to see and photograph (even if they are just lounging around). Aside from that there will be the backdrop of even more wildlife that you don’t see everyday which will have you struggling to put the camera down and just enjoy the moment for awhile.
Join me on this journey to Africa for great memories with an incredible portfolio of wildlife images awaits you!
FIELD & CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION WILL INCLUDE:
- Expert guiding and instruction
- Creating compelling compositions and storytelling through images
- Controlling your camera in manual mode
- Understanding and using the Histogram
- Best settings for wildlife photography
- Techniques for telephoto lenses
- Understanding and using light
- Capturing Difficult Scenes (getting all the pieces in the field to put together in post processing)
- Lightroom - importing and organizing
- Lightroom development tools
- Cleaning up images - cloning tools, warping and stretching, eliminating distractions
- Blending images in Photoshop
- Dodging and burning
- Using layers and masks
- Mindful sharpening (depending on the output)
- Image Critiques
WHAT TO BRING, CLOTHING, ETC.
- Warm weather clothing
- Light pants or shorts
- Light jacket
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Rain coat
- Sunscreen
- Bandana or face covering for dust
- Malaria pills
RECOMMENDED CAMERA GEAR, ETC
- DSLR or Mirrorless Camera with lenses up to 600mm
- Teleconverter
- Camera manual
- Lots of Memory cards
- Circular Polarizing Filter for all lenses
- Lens cloths, rocket blower, etc.
- Computer with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop
- Notebook
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- All Meals
- All Transportation
- Double Occupancy Lodging
- In-Country Flights
- Airport Transfers
- Park Fees
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
- Airfare to Nairobi
- Travel / Medical Insurance
- Hotels before or after the workshop
- Premium Alcoholic Beverages
- Excess Baggage Fees
- Tips and gratuities for guides
- Camera Equipment
MEET THE INSTRUCTOR
CHRIS BYRNE
Hello there! I’m Chris Byrne and I spent way too many years aimlessly wandering the earth and working for the man before finding my true passion in nature and landscape photography. My love of nature started very early in life as I would study the photographs in my dad’s huge collection of National Geographics, and also spend as much time as I could out exploring in the woods with my younger brother. Fast forward many years and after getting a finance degree in college I went to work in the stock market for over fifteen years (and didn’t get rich). During my time, I saw first hand two of the most devastating financial crises in our country’s history, and after the second go around I completely lost interest in my profession and desperately needed something more. I found myself in a place in life without any inspiration or excitement for what I was doing.
Then on a trip to Glacier, Montana I rediscovered my love of nature. However, the photographs I was trying to get just didn’t do the place any justice. It was then that I decided to get serious about photography and quickly poured all of myself into the craft, learning as much as possible as quickly as I could. I was a super sponge and had a new passion for life! As soon as I became proficient in my skills, I wanted to share my knowledge and began teaching others. Now I lead workshops to some of the best places on the globe.
Along the way I’ve won a few awards, but with so many contests out there, I wouldn’t claim that’s a good judge of a good teacher. Rather I am proud to be able to inspire others and spend as much time as I possibly can with each person in helping them connect with nature while teaching the techniques to capture the images that they want to create. Seeing people make breakthroughs in their art is something that I cherish. I truly believe that nature is good for the soul. The more you explore, the more you will be inspired.
KENYA WILDLIFE SAFARI WORKSHOP
FEBRUARY 12 - 20, 2027
— REGISTER NOW —
50% DEPOSIT IS REQUIRED TO RESERVE A SPACE
FINAL PAYMENT IS DUE 120 DAYS IN ADVANCE
