Immerse yourself in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley for a dedicated wildlife photography safari where you can photograph from an underground hide and enjoy a wealth of wildlife, from big cats to stunning birdlife.
Kenya is best known for its annual wildebeest migration, but the Great Rift Valley is a vast area of wilderness and filled with some exceptional wildlife. The 25,000 hectare Olkirimatian Conservancy, situated to the north of Lake Natron, is home to a staggering diversity of wildlife and is perfect for those with a passion for wildlife photography. Lentorre Lodge is situated on the edge of the Nguruman Escarpment, offering game drives twice a day, or alternatively you can use specialist hides.
We have exclusive access to the Olkirimatian Conservancy and access to the neighbouring Shompole Conservancy for our game drives. There is also the opportunity (for a small extra conservancy fee) to visit the neighbouring Lake Magadi where we can photograph the flamingos feeding in the caustic waters.
The trip has been designed to coincide with the end of the dry season, when water levels in the area are lower and the wildlife is drawn to the lodge’s waterhole. This in turn should maximise the photography opportunities.
If you'd like to read more about this fantastic trip, check out Sean Weekly's blog on photographing Kenya's wildlife.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK
Today, we depart from London Heathrow for our overnight flight to Kenya.
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Day 2:
Arrive & transfer to Lentorre
We arrive at Nairobi’s international airport early in the morning. We're met by our team on the ground and head out of Nairobi towards Olkirimatian Conservancy.
The drive takes us south, and we wind our way through the dry landscape of this part of the Great Rift Valley. The journey takes at least four hours. Upon our arrival at Lentorre Lodge, situated within Olkirimatian Conservancy, we sit down for lunch together. There is then the chance to head out on an afternoon game drive.
After being out on the game drive, which will turn into a short night drive, we have dinner upon our return after dark.
Accommodation: Lentorre Lodge, 7-nights
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Days 3-8
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Enjoy daily game drives and hide sessions
We have six full days to enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in Olkirimatian, and the neighbouring Shompole Conservancy. The area is home to a wonderful array of mammals and birds alike. Familiar African species include elephant, giraffe, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, oryx and wildebeest. We will do our best on the game drives to maximise our time in the field, making the most of the magical early morning and evening light.
Sean Weekly is on hand throughout the drives to offer any guidance and help you get the very best out of your safari, whilst expert local guides will be able to share their superb knowledge regarding the local wildlife.
Simultaneously, in the mornings, it's possible to head into the two bird hides for those that want to. This is the perfect time to focus on the avian delights of the area. In the afternoon, half of the group can stay in the larger underground hide. where they can spend as long as they wish in the hide, until the middle of the night if necessary, maximising the time to capture breath-taking images of the wildlife. The benefit of staying later into the night means you are more likely to be able to photograph some of the area's more elusive nocturnal species. For those wishing to stay late into the night, snacks and drinks are available to you.
There's also be the chance (for a small extra conservancy fee) to head to Lake Magadi on a morning drive to photograph the flamingos at sunrise. This is an incredibly special opportunity and something that the group can decide at the lodge.
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Day 9:
Depart Lentorre Lodge & transfer to Nairobi
After a relaxing morning at the lodge, and a hearty breakfast, we say goodbye to the team at Lentorre and climb aboard our vehicles for the transfer back to Nairobi. Upon our arrival in Nairobi, we check into our hotel and enjoy a last meal together in the evening.
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Day 10:
Return UK
This morning we have a very early flight back to London. We arrive back in the UK in the afternoon, where we say our goodbyes and make our own way home.
