Wildlife Photography Workshops – African Big Cats
African Big Cat Photo Safari Workshops
** 2013 Bookings Now Available **
Our Big Cat photo safaris have been hugely successful over the last few years and Richard will again be hosting this amazing experience out in Africa’s Masai Mara.
OVERVIEW
The Masai Mara really is the place to see the Big Cats in the wild. Home to the BBC’s Big Cat Diary series, the opportunities to observe and photograph Lion, Leopard, Cheetah and so much more are amazing and draw Richard here year after year. There are many tours to the Mara but Richard’s images speak for themselves as to his experience and skill working in Africa with Big Cats alongside the award standard guides who were initially hand picked years ago and have since become good friends.
Always putting his hard earned photographic and animal experience to work for you alongside the unbelievable tracking skill of the guides, you will be in the right place at the right time to take advantage of all encounters and opportunities. Richard will be on hand to improve your field craft and camera skills whilst out in the plains, helping to take your photography to the next level all whilst having a blast. Whether you are a well seasoned snapper or total beginner, you will be able to learn and grow, returning with images to be proud of as well as skills that you will carry with you on your next photographic endeavors.
YOUR HOST
Richard’s realistic, no nonsense approach to both teaching and his own photography means anyone with any level of gear will benefit from his safaris. Field-craft, patience and technique are just some of the skills you will learn, putting any gear that you do have to best use.
Using his experience, Richard directs the vehicles exactly as he does when working alone, the same way that has enabled him to take the images he does the world over. Once back in camp, informal sessions on digital workflow, raw processing and more will be conducted; preferably with a cold drink in hand! We run focused trips, working hard to get the shots but all the while never loosing the important sense of fun. That’s why Richard does what he does, a love of animals and the enjoyment of getting up close to nature an experience he loves to share with others.
THE MASAI MARA
A desicion born out of experience, Richard chooses to work mostly in private reserves just out of the Main (busy!) Mara National park where you have a much better chance of more personal, calmer encounters without masses of vehicles surrounding you. The camp we work with have a close relationship with the reserve owners and the guides know the whole area like the back of their hand! The animal concentration within are great and we have an advantage too; if we hear on the bush telegraph that something amazing is happening in the National Park, we can drive on in and check it out, however those staying in the main park cannot cross over onto the reserve we will be working on, ace!
The camps we use are Kicheche camps. Amazing tented camps located right within the private reserve. Very comfortable with amazing staff, food and all the comforts you need, it is perfectly safe and a real African experience. The tents are of the fully sealed, semi-permanent variety with toilets inside and hot showers after each afternoon drive as well as large comfortable beds. Evening meals around the campfire are the perfect way to unwind after a hard day’s Safari and can all be washed down with cold beer, wine or juice or whatever takes your fancy.
WILDLIFE
The premier reserve for Big Cats, the Mara is home to fantastic concentrations of Lion, Cheetah and Leopard. The thrill of having a wild Lion walk right past you, sometime too close for your lens is something you will never forget! Leopards up trees, and even cheetahs on the vehicle. Whilst we of course cannot guarantee the exact encounters you have (wild really means wild), the Mara always has something to give. No two drives are the same and this is one of the reasons Richard works time and time again in the Mara.
All the pictures here are taken from the areas we will be in and you can see much more by typing “mara” into the image search of this web site (see the link in the top menu bar).
Of course there is a whole lot more to the Mara than just the cats! Wildebeest, Antelopes of many varieties, Eagles, Vultures, Buffalo, Elephant, Giraffe, Crocodiles, Ostriches… the list is endless and there is always something to inspire out on the plains.
Our guides live and breathe the area and the wildlife within. Combined with their award winning tracking skills allow us the best chance to find and photograph the animals. Richard’s experience working from all types of vehicle (the open Land Cruisers used on our trips are perfect for photography) means we stand the best change of being in the best location for great shots. Predicting where the animals will move to is essential to getting ahead and in position. Richard and the guides have worked well together for years and understand each other very well, anticipating most of the action ahead of time; getting you in the right place!
One reason Richard chose and stuck with Kichechi for his Safaris, is their impeccable ethics towards the animals and environment. No shot is worth stressing or endangering the animals and we will not do so for any reason. This is hugely important and although it means on some rare occasions the best shot is not possible, it means the animals are respected and usually, we get a longer, stress free encounter. Respect the animal and they will respect you. It is for this reason we are often the car that has the Cheetah on top or the Hyena cub crawling over the wheels, an unstressed animal makes for a good encounter and is good for everyone, especially the wildlife which must come first.
THE SAFARI
Trips are limited to 8 people with a maximum of 4 guests per vehicle (vehicle’s normally carry 6 or more guests). This is hugely important and often glossed over on some other tours. You really do need room to move around in the vehicles to make the most of the opportunities that we work hard to get to and these vehicles really do allow for this when not full to capacity.
For the drives, we use custom modified Land Cruisers. There are large, real workhorses and perfect for photography. They are open topped (with a quickly erected cover should it rain) and allow maximum flexibility. Of utmost importance is the fact we restrict the cars to a maximum of 4 people. These vehicles often take 6 or more people but this really is not conducive to good photography (which requires flexibility). With this 4 person limit you have room for you, your gear and room to move around the vehicle without getting in each others way. In addition to this, the vehicles are further customised as per Richard’s requests on arrival. We have a great relationship with the camp and drivers and therefore can prepare the vehicles to our exact spec. Richard is squashed up in the front with the driver to make sure you have the most room possible, not all trips do this and it is often overlooked! Of course Richard will be on hand to not only get the vehicles in position to make the most of the light and angles, but help you in any and every way with your photography. Whether it’s on composition, preparation for some quick action or what settings you need; he will be there to ensure you return not only with images to be proud of, but skills to improve your photos long after the trip has ended. You will see not only how to get those stunning images, but why he does what he does; all the time improving and developing your own style and taking advantage of it all for your own photography.
THE CAMP & GROUPS
The Camp offers the perfect place to unwind after a long days Safari. Cold drinks (or a brew if you prefer!) are ready and waiting as is a hot shower. Whilst your images are downloading from the day, we meet up around the campfire. At the sound of the gong dinner is served with excellent, freshly prepared food. The camps have fully trained chefs and they really do deliver a great meal, just what you need and most people always ask for seconds. Richard will do all his downloading and workflow in the main area and will offer any help and advice to you as well as giving small informal talks or presentations on how to make the most of your RAW files. Spending as little time as possible at the computer, whilst still getting top class results is what Richard aims for and he will show you all you need to know. These are purely optional as some people simply prefer to unwind.
BOOKING
All bookings are made through our partnership with the excellent UK based tour operator Safari Consultants. Fully ATOL bonded for financial protection they are experts in African travel and arrange all of Richard’s solo expeditions to the continent.
Safari Consultants take care of the logistics from when you set off from the airport to when you land back there a week later. All our African tour prices include all your flights (from the UK) with no hidden travel extras. Flights can be arranged at any class (availability permitting) and if you are coming from outside the UK we can simply arrange to take over once you are in the UK or Nairobi pending your external travel arrangements.
One of the reasons Richard chooses Safari Consultants is they really know Africa and are the most flexible tour operator you will come across. They don’t offer rigid packages and will work with us to accommodate our every (sometimes oddball!) needs.
Places are strictly limited so please get in touch if you are considering joining us at no obligation. For dates and details of our 2013 Big Cat Safaris, click here.
See a quick trip report from last year’s tour HERE
Please get in touch for more details! - Full PDF brochure available soon.
CURRENT TOURS AVAILABILITY
| TOUR DESCRIPTION | DATE | AVAILABILITY | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Great Migration - Africa | 7th September 2013 | Places available, click to contact us | Click here for details |
| Big Cats Of The Mara - Africa | February 2013 | Places available, click to contact us | Click here for details |
| Big Cats Of The Mara - Africa | 06-12 July 2012 | Full | Full |
| Big Cats Of The Mara - Africa | July 2011 | Finished, click for report! | Finished, click for report! |
