2022 Masai Mara Kenya Safari
With Community Outreach
November 6-12, 2022
Join us on a “glamping” safari experience with our friends at:
SOLD OUT! CHECK BACK SOON FOR ANOTHER ADVENTURE OPPORTUNITY
WILDLIFE • CONSERVATION • COMMUNITY • CULTURE • LANDSCAPE
Get ready for one of the biggest adventures of your life!
Here are all the details.
✈︎ Pre-Safari Arrival Day: November 5 - Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be greeted by a Wild Eye representative who will safely escort you to your hotel for a good night’s rest before you set off to “The Mara”. (International flight and pre-safari hotel accommodations not included. Hotel can be arranged through Wild Eye.)
• November 6 - After breakfast, you will be picked up at your pre-departure hotel then escort to Wilson Airport for a scenic flight into the Maasai Mara.
Get Your Cameras Ready
The action starts now!
As soon as our private charter plane takes off, the photo ops begin! Capture your journey as we soar over the buzzing city of Nairobi, past remote Maasai villages, and into the wide-open landscape of the Mara Triangle. We land smack dab in the middle of the Mara Triangle Conservancy, with wild animals nearby to welcome you.
Climb aboard your mobile safari photography studio.
Custom Land Cruisers have been modified to make the most of the available space by removing the middle seats, allowing you to freely move about and store your gear. The pop-up top provides shade while allowing for 360-degree angles of unobstructed shooting. Sturdy bean bags are provided to rest your heavy lenses on for stabilization. Snacks and beverages are on board, including ice-cold beers to help you celebrate after a long, successful day on safari. Once everyone is on board, we will head out in search of the wildlife that roam the plains while heading towards the Wild Eye camp for lunch.
Meet your friendly camp staff.
Upon arrival at the Wild Eye Mara camp, you will have the extreme privilege of meeting the caring and attentive staff. They truly enjoy getting to know each guest and assuring that they are happy and well taken care of. Learn about the history and traditions of the Maasai community during a cultural presentation on one select evening of our adventure. These wonderful people are sure to capture your hearts and make a lasting impression.
Settle in and start “glamping”
This is not your grandfather’s type of tent. This is a sturdy, safe and cozy space to call home for the week. The tent is equipped with your own private flushing toilet, comfy bed, solar powered light, clothing racks and convenient necessities such as insect repellent, lotion, mirror and toiletries. Your private shower is located outside your tent and will be supplied with hot water fresh off the campfire on-demand. In the evenings, you can hear the sounds of nearby wildlife as they call out to each other. Be assured that you are safe as there are always guards on the lookout to protect you. Watch this video for details
Watch this video to answer every question you may have about the camp:
set off on a Breathtaking Evening Game Drive
After you have had your first gourmet lunch in the dining tent and have sorted out your belongings, we will set off again for a game drive. Enjoy an action-packed afternoon spotting wildlife dotted throughout the grasslands. End your day with a cold refreshment while watching the sun go down over a beautiful brilliant orange sky.
♦︎ Nov 7-11 - We wake up around 5:00, grab some coffee and biscuits then head out to a prime location to catch the sunrise. With the potential for wildlife in the foreground and hot air balloons floating in the background, you’re sure to get some spectacular shots on our twice-daily game drives.
♦︎ The guides will bring a packed breakfast from the camp and find a safe, scenic spot out in the grasslands for a picnic mid-morning.
♦︎ We return to the camp for a few hours in the afternoon for lunch and to recharge our batteries (both human and camera batteries!). Relax by the campfire or take some time in the media tent to download and backup photos. If time allows, do a little editing in Lightroom or Photoshop with the assistance of your Wild Eye photographic guide.
♦︎ We head back out for an afternoon safari around 15:00 (3pm to us Americans) for another amazing adventure, making sure to catch the sunset on the way back to camp for the evening.
♦︎ Upon returning to the camp, grab a refreshing beverage then head off to your tent to freshen up for dinner. Then enjoy a nice relaxing evening discussing the day’s events around the campfire. Rest up and repeat the next day.
✈︎ Nov 12 - On the last day, we will have our usual morning safari and picnic breakfast. Upon returning back to camp, there will be time to enjoy lunch and freshen up before heading to the airstrip. The charter flight back to Nairobi will arrive at 17:00. A short transfer will take us back to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where the safari comes to an end around 18:00.
BONUS #1
Free Pre-Trip Preparation Assistance
We’re here to help you along every step of your journey!
★ Contact us to ask all of your pre-booking questions.
★ Once you are ready to book, we will connect you with our travel partners at Wild Eye to finalize the booking.
★ Join us on a series of three video conference calls with your travel group to prepare you for take-off.
★ Access a private Facebook group where you can ask questions, meet your fellow guests and share photos and memories
★ Your Adventure Artists International host, Susan Schmitz, will be on this adventure with you! Although the crew at Wild Eye will take care of you throughout the trip, she can help to provide additional assistance when needed. Please note that she will be working on her own photography but will be happy to offer up photo tips whenever she can.
★ E-mail support for trip-specific questions not covered during the video calls or by Wild Eye.
BONUS #2
★Very special community outreach opportunity! ★
Available exclusively on this tour With Adventure Artists International.
During our week in the Mara, we will schedule a half day to visit one or more of the projects that Africa Foundation is working on in the local Maasai communities. Throughout this visit, you will have the opportunity to meet the local residents and see how they live and work. You will learn about the everyday struggles that the community faces and the efforts that are in place by the foundation to enrich their lives.
This is a truly humbling and inspiring experience that you will not soon forget. For a deeper look into the type of project that you might visit, follow this link to see details on our trip in February 2019. Visit this link to see the types of projects that the foundation is currently working on on the Maasai villages in the Mara Triangle Conservancy.
Bonus #3 - Your visit will make an even greater impact!
For each guest that books this package, Wild Eye has generously agreed to donate $250.00 to Africa Foundation USA!
Base Safari Package
Offered by our travel partners at Wild Eye
Cost of $4950.00 includes:
A Wild Eye photographic guide
Local Wild Eye East Africa guides
Accommodation on a single basis (You get your own private tent at no extra cost!)
All park & conservation fees
Twice-daily game drives
All meals & drinks at the Wild Eye Mara Camp
In-field photographic tuition
Post-processing tuition
Domestic flights Wilson Airport Nairobi to Mara Serena airstrip Masai Mara, return
Arrival transfer on day 1 and departure transfer on day 7
Excludes:
Passport and visa costs (if applicable)
Travel vaccinations (where required)
International flights into and out of Nairobi
Gratuities and items of a personal nature
Pre and post-safari accommodation
Drinks and meals not specified
Transfers not specified
Visit Wild Eye’s website for complete details. But pretty please, contact us before booking with them to receive your complimentary pre-trip preparation assistance package.
Dates:
November 6-12, 2022
Availability:
SOLD OUT
Enquire Here:
View Kenya’s current COVID-19 travel requirements here.
***All safari travel is managed by and booked through our partners at Wild Eye. Your friends here at Adventure Artists International have simply chosen this amazing adventure to embark upon and we would love for you to join us. So, in other words, we're not liable if you get eaten by a lion (or anything else along those lines)! Although we are not affiliated with Wild Eye, we will receive a travel credit if we refer you to them directly.***
Listen to what past Wild Eye guests have to say about the Mara Camp experience:
After your trip is over, your philanthropic journey will just begin!
We can brainstorm with you on ways to lend a helping hand to the foundation by raising awareness and funds for the projects that you visit.
“Our mission is to curate epic adventure opportunities that inspire global impact through creativity, connection and conservation.”
Click through the photos in the following slideshow to see how April Howland helped to raise funds for Africa Foundation to build kitchens in three separate schools in Africa!
SIGN UP NOW! SPACES ARE LIMITED.
Make the most of your big adventure by joining us the week prior in South Africa.
Experience hands-on rhino conservation and community outreach activities.
Your Adventure Artists International Host
Susan Schmitz
•Adventure Artist co-founder
•wildlife photographer
•philartripist
Susan Schmitz is an award-winning photographer/digital artist that specializes in stock imagery designed for the marketing needs of the animal and travel industries. Her work can be seen in publications and on products around the globe.
Susan has developed two separate bodies of work that portray her passions and compassion in unique ways.
Her domestic animal stock photography library features fun, whimsical, and conceptual images of thousands of different pets. Most of the animal models used in her work were photographed through her Good-Focused Photo Program which was developed as a way to help animal welfare organizations to find fur-ever homes for pets by providing them with high-impact photos that give adoption ads greater visibility.
Her wildlife photography library features both documentary style and creatively composited images that are representative of her wanderlust spirit, awe of nature, and devotion towards animals of all kinds. A portion of proceeds of sales through this brand’s direct website are donated to various wildlife and nature conservation organizations worldwide through her Good-Focused Donation Program.
Fine art prints of select animal and nature photos are available for purchase on her website.
Website - GoodFocused.com • Insta - @begoodfocused • FB - @begoodfocused
Your Wild Eye Photographic Guide
Matt Yardley
Born and raised on a farm in the heart of Zululand South Africa, the African bush has fascinated me since my first memory. I have always described the African bush as the exact point where blinding beauty and boundless adventure meet.
Photographic safaris have always had a special place in my heart because it allows us an opportunity to capture glimpses of the sheer beauty Africa has to offer. My profession as a photographic guide continues to take me all over the continent of Africa, and the rest of the world, meeting the most wonderful people in the most breathtaking places. Nothing pleases me more than sharing these moments with people from all over the world.
• Photographer • Field Guide • Conservationist
A prior guest on this trip shares some love…
SUSAN AND APRIL PUT TOGETHER A GREAT ENJOYABLE ADVENTURE!
The best part was that I was able to experience exciting sites without having to do any previous homework on my own. While I have traveled a lot, I had never been to Africa and was a little nervous. But before the trip, they helped to prepare me thru emails, Zoom meetings, and helpful links. It made me feel very at ease, I knew what to pack and expect during the travel,
They worked directly with the tour company to develop an itinerary that provided easy travel with every imaginable sightseeing opportunity and knowledge about the area, time for relaxation, and lots of laughter.
We were introduced to great local people, I felt immediately welcome and part of the ‘family’. Friendships were built that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life! They also worked closely with the Africa Foundation to coordinate a visit to a school where I learned a lot about their work and struggles. As a result, I was inspired to help. Together with the Africa Foundation, I organized a fundraiser in the name of my late husband Kendall Ong, to help build much-needed teacher accommodations.
This Adventure Artist trip was a truly life-changing experience, combining nature, wildlife, culture, connection, and philanthropy. I would highly recommend it, even if you are not an artist or photographer!
I am so thankful and grateful to Susan and April! Can’t wait for our next adventure together!
~ Beate from Germany
An Important Note About Photography
When visiting Africa Foundation projects in villages, we will be on private property. You are allowed to take photos of the people and places but the images that you produce cannot be sold for commercial purposes. Detailed photography guidelines in these areas will be provided at a later date. Please be respectful and ask permission before taking photos of individual people.
Please keep in mind that this trip is very fast-paced and action-packed. It is not a good time to be learning all about your camera or how to take action photos. If your goal is to come home with Nat Geo worthy images, you must prepare yourself to be able to capture these types of photos beforehand. Assistance with your photography will be provided during the trip. However, this is not an intensive photography workshop. Tips and suggestions will be made on camera settings including ISO, shutter speed, aperture and focal length. If you are spending time in the field fumbling around with your camera to change these settings, you may miss the shot.
We offer wildlife photography private training designed to prepare you for the type of action that you will encounter on an African safari. Contact Us for further details.
*Itinerary subject to change since we have no control over the wildlife and nature.