BIRDS AS ART BULLETIN 124
DECEMBER 23, 2003
 
 
SEASONS GREETINGS FROM BIRDS AS ART
 
ANNOUNCING THE AUGUST 2004 KENYA PHOTO SAFARI
 

                                                                                         

        Little Bee-eater                                                                                                                  DeFossa Waterbuck baby                                                                                             Lioness with an attitude!
 
Photo Theme: images made in Kenya on my first safari with Todd 
 
                                                      
 
                                                                                          African Elephant                                                                                                                                                          Lesser Flamingoes
 
SEASON'S GREETINGS FROM BIRDS AS ART
 
Lois Smith, Jennifer, and myself would like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season and a happy, healthy, safe, and productive 2004 filled with love and wonderful images.  I am sending out peace and love and energy to each and every one of you.  
 
                                                                       
 
                                              Hammer-eared Bat                                                                                                         Lesser Flamingoes                                                                                                       African Hoopoe
 
THE AUGUST 2004 BIRDS AS ART/GUSTAFSON KENYA PHOTO SAFARI
REVISED!
 
My first trip with Todd Gustafson was to Kenya, in 1998. Since then we have become fast friends and have teamed up to lead two Photo Safaris to Tanzania; both were incredibly successful.  I have come to enjoy Africa so much that Todd and I will be returning to Kenya in August, 2004.  Todd was born in East Africa to missionary parents and lived there for eight years.
 
Here is a brief trip description: 
 
Lake Naivasha Country Club is situated on the shores of a large fresh water lake.  The Club dates back to British Colonial days and was a holiday resort for expatriates in the "Out of Africa" days.  The extensive grounds are home to scores of bush-bird species including fly catchers, Superb Starlings, Sunbirds, Weaverbirds and Ibises.  The lake shore bird sanctuary is home to Grey Herons, Purple Herons, African Spoonbills and Kingfishers.  The dock is a great place to photograph White-necked Cormorant, Grey-headed Gull, and Pied Kingfisher.  Crescent Island is an animal sanctuary reached by boat from the hotel.  A walking safari here can yield great images of Zebra, Giraffe, Gazelle and Impala among others.  

Lake Nakuru is a small National Park where it is possible to see Lion, Leopard and White Rhino on the same game drive.  Rothchild's Giraffe can be photographed here and conditions permitting there may be millions of Flamingoes.  There is a tremendous diversity of bird and wildlife supported by this shallow alkaline lake.  The lodge is set on a hill overlooking the park and is a nice place to relax after a game drive.
 
Samburu Game Preserve is the "Jewel of the North."  Its arid climate supports species the we will see nowhere else.  Grevey's Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Baesa Oryx and the fabulous Gerenuk all make their home here.  This is a park where you can photograph Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, Cheetah, Giraffe, Greater Kudu, and Oryx.  While not on game drives the grounds of our lodge are teeming with bird life.  Here is where your tripod earns it's keep.  You can photograph all day here and never be at a loss for subjects.
 
Next is the Maasai Mara Serena Lodge situated on the escarpment overlooking the Mara River.  The main show here is the Great Migration of Wildebeest and Zebra.  We have timed this trip to optimize our chances for a river crossing, but there are of course no guarantees in nature photography.  If the herbivores are there, we will have all the predators the following the herds. The bird life is spectacular, the wildlife photo opportunities unparalleled, and the chance of photographing a river crossing is a fervent hope.  There is nothing like seeing several thousand animals leap as one into a raging river filled with 18' Nile Crocodile.  At that point it is up to you and your camera!
 
 
 
                                                                         Hunter's Sunbird, male                                                                                
 
August 24-Sept 7, 2004--15 days on the ground on safari:  $6500/person ($200 discount off the second registration for couples.  Single supplement: $1200.)  Airfare not included.  Participants need to be in Nairobi at 9am on Tuesday 24 AUG.  Folks flying to Nairobi on British Airways out of London will need a hotel room on the night Monday, August 23 as they now have only one flight per day which arrives at 8:30 pm.  We would be glad to book your hotel room and arrange your transfer upon payment of a $100/person surcharge. 
See below for additional details.   
 
 
 
 
Participants need to on the ground in Nairobi at 9am on Tuesday 24 AUG and plan on flying home late on the evening of 7 SEPT. 
 
 
 
Day 1: 24 AUG: Arrive in Nairobi early morning; transfer and drive to Lake Naivasha Country Club.  Afternoon boat trip and  photography on grounds.  Lunch, dinner and overnight at Lake Naivasha Country Club.

DAY 2: 25 AUG: Lake Naivasha (Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner = BLD)  Morning excursion to Crescent Island. Afternoon boat trip and  photography on grounds.
Day 03: 26 AUG: Breakfast and morning bird photography on the grounds at Lake Naivasha till 9:30 am then drive to Naivasha-Samburu (LD) for an afternoon game drive.  LD at Samburu Lodge.
Days 4, 5 & 6:  27-29 AUG: Samburu (BLD)   Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives daily during the remainder of our four-night stay at Samburu Lodge.
Day 7: 30 AUG: Breakfast at Samburu Lodge and then game-drive out way into the Lakes Region arriving in time for late lunch, an afternoon game drive, and dinner at 
Lake Nakuru Lodge.
Days 8 & 9: 31 AUG & 1 SEPT: Lake Nakuru (BLD)  Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives daily during our two-night stay at Lake Nakuru Lodge.
Day 10: 2 SEPT: Breakfast at Lake Nakuru Lodge. No game-drive this morning as we depart early for the Maasai Mara, arriving at Mara Serena Lodge in time for lunch, an afternoon game drive, and dinner.
Days 11& 12: 3 & 4 SEPT: Maasai Mara (BLD at Mara Serena Lodge.)  Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives each day. 
Day 13: 5 SEPT:  Breakfast at the Mara Serena Lodge, and then game-drive enroute to the Mara Sarova Tented Camp, arriving in time for lunch. Later enjoy an afternoon game drive and then dinner at Mara Sarova Tented Camp.
Day 14: 6 SEPT: Masai Mara (BLD at Mara Sarova Tented Camp)  Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives today. 
Day 15: 7 SEPT.  This morning, we will enjoy a final game drive before breakfast. Then we will drive back to Nairobi (with a picnic lunch). Day rooms are provided at the Jacaranda Hotel (formerly the Landmark Hotel) until 6PM when we depart for Jomo Kenyatta Airport for your flights.
 
 
$6500 per person.  ($200 discount off the second registration for couples.  Single supplement: $1200.)  Airfare not included.  Participants need to be in Nairobi at 9am on Tuesday 24 AUG.  Folks flying to Nairobi on British Airways out of London will need a hotel room on the night Monday, August 23 as they now have only one flight per day which arrives at 8:30 pm.  We would be glad to book your hotel room and arrange your transfer upon payment of a $100/person surcharge. 
The fee includes:

- Luxury accommodations on a twin-share basis with private facilities.
- Full American breakfast daily, 15 lunches and 14 dinners (as outlined in the itinerary with BLD)
- Transport via 4WD vehicle with fully removable roof-hatch with English speaking driver-guide (maximum 3 passengers per vehicle).
- All park entry fees and hotel taxes
- Complimentary water (1/2 litre per person per day) on Days 2-14.
 
Price does Not Include:

- Passport and visa fees
- Airfare
- Beverages with meals
- Laundry, telephone calls or any other items of a personal nature
- Gratuities to hotel porters, wait staff, room attendants and driver-guides
- Airport taxes
- Visa fees

Do note that though this is a Photo Safari, not an Instructional Photo Tour, Todd and I will be sharing images with the group at most meals and will be glad to share our thoughts with you and to answer all of your questions as well.  Todd will also have a few of his photo albums with him.  He is as big a show-off as I am...   As we hope to have 12 others join us, there will not be a leader in each van every day so experienced photographers will get the most out of this Photo Safari.  The fees above include all lodging, ground transportation, park fees, and meals.  As final payments will be required well in advance of the trip, you may wish to take out travel insurance in case of any health or family emergencies.   

                                                                Squacco Heron                                                                          
      

Best and great picture making to all,  
Artie 

Note: Arthur Morris has been a Canon contract photographer since 1994 and continues in that role today.  Hunt's Photo of Boston, MA is a BIRDS AS ART sponsor, as is Delkin Devices.  Do feel free to forward this Bulletin to one or more photographer-friends. Those wishing to subscribe click here mailto:http://birdsasart.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=94ad23bd96f48a1de2ca612b3&id=bdb4a511a0?subject=subscribesubject=subscribe  If you  received this bulletin in error, or would like your name removed from the subscriber list click here birdsasart@verizon.net?subject=unsubscribe  Back issues of relevant Bulletins are archived on the web site at:  http://www.birdsasart.com/bn.html