Kenya Big Cat Photography Safari With A Difference:
Mara Predator Conservation Programme Fundraising Photography Safari with Predator Research and Monitoring
Next Departure
2024 date to be confirmed
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Exclusive 9 day Kenya photography safari & predator survey experience with MPCP
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This incredible predator focussed experience is not available elsewhere
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Profits donated directly to the Mara Predator Conservation Programme & The Maa Trust
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Small group - max 6 photographers
Tour leaders:
Trai Anfield: Award-winning wildlife photographer, film maker and former presenter of BBC's The Living World
Niels Mogensen: Senior Programme Scientist of the Mara Predator Conservation Programme
This Kenya photography safari fundraiser is generously supported by
Niels Mogensen, Senior Programme Scientist at the Mara Predator Conservation Programme, and award-winning natural history photographer and film maker Trai Anfield invite you to join them on a truly unique Kenya photography safari and predator monitoring experience, focussing on the two most iconic predators of Kenya’s Maasai Mara: lion and cheetah. Leopard will also be likely, alongside the prey species that make up this complex ecosystem.
Should African wild dog / painted wolf be in the vicinity during our stay we will prioritise this species too.
Highlights of this unique Kenya Photography Safari include:
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Directly support conservation: cost includes a donation to the Mara Predator Conservation Programme & The Maa Trust, plus the option to donate images from your safari to the survey
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Exclusive opportunity for in depth study of the Maasai Mara’s top predators.
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In addition to the three big cat species, should wild dogs be found in the area during the trip
we will prioritise them too, though this cannot be guaranteed.
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Expert insights on each species, pride and individual you encounter with Niels Mogensen: understand pride dynamics, predator behaviour and human-predator conflicts
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Unique chance to understand how Mara Predator Conservation Programme undertakes predator monitoring activities
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Specialist daily predator photography workshops with Trai Anfield
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Small group - max 6 photographers & max 3 photographers per vehicle
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All game drives within Mara private conservancies, allowing for off road access to predators and night time hunting photography shoots
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Stay in Trai and Niels’s favourite luxury camps: Alex Walker’s Serian in Mara North Conservancy & Asilia’s Encounter Mara in Naboisho Conservancy
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Community day - experience genuine Maasai life and the context in which the Mara predators exist
About The Mara Predator Conservation Programme
MPCP is a Kenya Wildlife Trust initiative http://www.kenyawildlifetrust.org
In early 2018, we brought together our two flagship predator conservation projects - focusing on lion and cheetah - into one long-term conservation commitment – our Mara Predator Conservation Programme. We also monitor leopard and wild dog within our area of operation.
The Mara Predator Conservation Programme has three overarching goals:
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To support stable, healthy predator populations in the Greater Mara Ecosystem by providing scientific evidence for conservation action
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To ensure that key stakeholders in the Greater Mara Ecosystem consistently utilise sound scientific information to inform conservation strategies
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To help community members and landowners understand and appreciate the role of predators in the ecosystem
To learn more about Mara Predator Conservation Programme please visit http://www.marapredatorconservation.org
Kenya Photography Safari & Predator Monitoring
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Nairobi to be greeted by our transfer team and driven the short journey to our Nairobi hotel (Ole Sereni or similar) Spend the rest of the day/evening relaxing after your journey, or explore some of Nairobi's many attractions.
Day 2
Early transfer to take Safarilink flight from Wilson Airport to Mara North airstrip
On arrival we will be greeted by our Serian guides and taken on a game drive, with tea and coffee stop, from Mara North airstrip to Serian Original, our fabulous home for the next three nights.
Check-in and lunch in camp
Afternoon safari in Mara North conservancy
Pre-dinner predator presentation with Niels
Dinner in camp
Day 3
Early morning photographic game drive with packed breakfast in Mara North conservancy
Lunch in camp followed by an optional photo clinic with Trai
Late afternoon predator photography game drive followed by dinner in the bush and a night-time drive with thermal imaging and night vision optics to follow predators as they hunt.
Day 4
Early morning photographic game drive with packed breakfast in Mara North, followed by lunch.
Afternoon predator photography game drive followed by dinner in camp.
Day 5
Morning safari and return to Serian Original for breakfast around 09.00
After breakfast check out from Serian and transfer to Aitong where we will do a vehicle exchange with The Maa Trust and continue to their Guesthouse for lunch.
Check in at Maa Trust Guesthouse
Afternoon briefing from the Maa Trust
Remainder of day and evening free: optional photo clinic with Trai
Day 6
Visit the Maa Trust HQ, several Community Projects and the MPCP Predator Hub
Day 7
Breakfast then check out from Maa Trust Guesthouse
10.30 Asilia vehicles pick up at Maa Trust Guesthouse and transfer group to Encounter Mara with game drive en route in Naboisho Conservancy.
Lunch in camp followed by an afternoon predator photography drive.
Dinner in camp.
Day 8
Early morning photographic game drive with packed breakfast in Naboisho, followed by lunch in camp.
Afternoon predator photography game drive followed by early dinner in camp and then a night-time drive with thermal imaging and night vision optics to follow predators as they hunt.
Day 9
Early morning photographic game drive with packed breakfast, followed by lunch in camp.
Afternoon predator photography game drive followed by dinner in camp
Day 10
Final morning safari with packed breakfast check out of your room.
Lunch in camp then check out and transfer to Mara Naboisho airstrip for your afternoon flight back to Wilson airport, and international connections from JKIA.
OR HAVE ONE OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL DAY, in which case we continue with an afternoon game drive followed by dinner in camp
OPTIONAL EXTRA DAY 11
Instead of heading to the airstrip on March 12th settle into another incredible evening game drive with our Asilia guides before returning to Encounter Mara camp for dinner, and a final night listening to the sounds of the bush as you fall asleep.
Then finish your stay in the Maasai Mara in style, with an early morning balloon safari. There's nothing quite like experiencing the Mara from above, watching the sun rise, spotting wildlife from a lofty vantage point, and finding unique new perspectives for photography.
Round off the morning with a champagne breakfast on the plains, and a final game drive back to camp in time for lunch.
After lunch check out and transfer to Mara Naboisho airstrip for your afternoon flight back to Nairobi Wilson airport, and transfer to your international connections from JKIA.
Partner Information:
MPCP would like to thank the following organisations for their generous support of this special fundraising Kenya photography safari
Kenya Wildlife Trust
Find out more at http://www.kenyawildlifetrust.org
Trai Anfield Photography & Film
Find out more at https://www.trai-anfield-photography.com/
Alex Walker’s Serian Original
Find out more at: https://serian.com
Asilia Encounter Mara
Find out more at https://www.asiliaafrica.com
The Maa Trust
Find out more at http://themaatrust.org
Sample Gallery
'In 20 years, if nothing changes, there will be no lions left in Kenya'
Niels Mogensen, Mara Predator Conservation Programme
Trai Anfield Photographic Safaris & Enlightened Media are proud to support the continuing work of Niels Mogensen, formerly at the Mara Naboisho Lion Project, and now at Mara Predator Conservation Programme. As part of our Conservation & Community Commitment we produced and donated two short films which Niels uses often in his work to raise both awareness and funding for lion conservation.
Niels says "What you managed to say in those three minutes is just so useful. We use the film all the time, with funders and volunteers. When it comes on, that's when people start to get excited about what we're doing and really engage."
Please note: this video was produced completely spontaneously, with zero planning, and filmed whilst hanging out of the back of a jeep in fading light, so it does not represent the high production values that we would normally aspire to, but it does its job and it inspired our whole Conservation and Communities Commitment!
With your backing for our fundraising safari we hope to continue to support MPCP with higher quality documentary films in the future!
Kenya Photography Safari
DATES
2024 dates to be confirmed
RATES
£6295 per person sharing a luxury twin / double room throughout
£6595 per person limited single occupancy*
*Single occupancy available at Alex Walker Serian and Asilia Encounter Mara. Twin accommodation only available during our 2 nights at the Maa Trust Guest House..
Includes: minimum donation of $1000 per person to Mara Predator Conservation Programme and minimum donation of $100 to The Maa Trust. 1 night in Nairobi hotel March 3rd, transfers from arrival airport to hotel on March 3rd; from hotel to Wilson airport on March 4th; from Wilson airport to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on March 12th /13th (if opting for additional day), Safarilink return flights between Wilson airport and Maasai Mara, all ground transfers in Maasai Mara, game drives with 3 photographers max per vehicle, expert photographic tuition, expert predator insights, reserve fees, accommodation based on sharing twin room, food on full board basis, soft and local alcoholic drinks and drinking water, laundry,
Excludes: international flights to/from Nairobi, Kenyan visa, personal insurances, all items of a personal nature, gratuities
Getting There
You will require international flights to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, arriving March 3rd 2023.
Major airlines including British Airways, KLM/Air France, Kenya Airways & Emirates fly to Nairobi from the UK.
Please Note
Our flight from Nairobi to the Masai Mara on 4th March will leave at 7am from Wilson Airport.
It is therefore necessary to arrive in Nairobi the day before and stay overnight.
Our departure flight from the Mara is scheduled for 15.00 but times can vary on these flights so we advise booking return international flights no earlier than 21:00 on 12th /13th March.
Optional Extra Night At Encounter Mara With Balloon Safari
OPTIONAL EXTRA DAY 11 (minimum 2 people)
Instead of heading to the airstrip on March 12th settle into another incredible evening game drive with our Asilia guides before returning to Encounter Mara camp for dinner, and a final night listening to the sounds of the bush as you fall asleep.
Then finish your stay in the Maasai Mara in style, with an early morning balloon safari. There's nothing quite like experiencing the Mara from above, watching the sun rise and spotting wildlife from a lofty vantage point, and finding unique perspectives for photography.
Round off the morning with a champagne breakfast on the plains, and a final game drive back to camp in time for lunch.
After lunch check out and transfer to Mara Naboisho airstrip for your afternoon flight back to Nairobi Wilson airport, and transfer to your international connections from JKIA.
2024 Rates
£995 based on two people sharing twin / double luxury tent
£1075 single occupancy
Only available as an extension to the Mara Predators Consevation Programme safari.
Includes 1 additional night accommodation, reserve fees, evening game drive, sundowner, dinner, soft /local alcoholic drinks in camp, balloon safari, transfers,, champagne breakfast, game drive back to camp .
Trai's winning image in the Greatest Maasai Mara Photographer of the Year Contest, March 2019