We were delighted to the response to the safaris we hosted in 2009 - we will be repeating our two photographic workshops in the Mara in 2011 and also will be doing another Tigers and Temples safari to India in 2011- we would love to hear from anyone interested in traveling with us to these two destinations - the numbers are kept small on these trips and fill fast so do let us know.

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARIS TO THE MASAI MARA
FEBRUARY AND OCTOBER 2010

We are offering two week-long safaris to the Masai Mara in 2010 in association with Rekero Camp, one of our favourite locations in the Mara. The two trips will run from the 21 to 28 February and from the 10 to 17 October. Rekero is situated on the Talek River and is a prime leopard location and one of the places where we film Big Cat Diary. It is also within reach of the Marsh Pride of lions, is an excellent area for cheetahs and also has its own lion pride. February is not the time when the wildebeest migration is in the Mara - not the Serengeti migration at least, but we still quite often have wildebeest and zebras in the Reserve which are part of Kenya's Loita Plains population and the landscape generally looks greener than later in the year. February is normally a very good time to be on safari in the Mara as the grass is not too long making it easier to find big cats. The October trip would be the one to select if you specifically wanted to see the migration and the chance of photographing river crossings.
 
The safari is open to everyone - but if you are interested in photography then of course this will be a great opportunity to hone your camera skills as both Angie and I are professional photographers and part of the Canon Ambassadors Programme (but you don't have to have a Canon camera!!). Warren Samuels will be joining us again - he our specialist wildlife cameraman on the cheetah team for Big Cat Diary, so this is the chance to improve your video skills. Warren is a first class guide and was the Head Game Ranger at Londolozi Private Game Reserve in South Africa for a number of years (but his home is Kenya). We will be giving workshops for those who are interested on various aspects of photography - though I think you will find that most of the time you will want to be out in the field with the animals!
 
I hope this gives you some background information on what to expect. Rekero is a very comfortable camp and the food is excellent – no chance of dieting on this trip. We are hoping to have 16 people join us for each safari - 4 vehicles - which will mean that we will have exclusive use of the camp.

ZAMBIA SAFARI
NOVEMBER 2010

6 guests for Lower Zambesi extension - 12 guests for main trip to Mfuwe Lodge

Though our home is in Kenya we love to travel to other destinations in Africa, and in the summer of 2001 Angie and I spent six weeks on safari in southern Africa visiting Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa to collect images for our trilogy of books on big cats. These areas offer an exciting alternative to those of you who love the safari experience. With this in mind in November this year I will be joining legendary game warden Phil Berry for a week long safari based at Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park (or ‘The Valley’ as it is known), with the option of a three day extension to the Lower Zambezi staying in a private tented camp.

Zambia is famous for its night game drives, walking safaris and bush breakfasts – it is also prime leopard habitat and a wonderful place to photograph the abundant bird life. And if we’re lucky we may be treated to a family of elephants striding through reception at Mfuwe Lodge to feast on ripening guava fruits along the river.

You will be in the company of enthusiastic and informative guides: Phil Berry has an encyclopedic knowledge of the Valley and its wildlife, and I will be on hand with presentations and one-on-one critiques to help people get the best out of the photographic opportunities. On our last visit to the Valley we saw leopards, lions and wild dogs within a few miles of camp – and a mother elephant with a new born calf wobbling to its feet.