TED SCHIFFMAN & ANIMAL IMAGES CORDIALLY INVITE YOU ON A PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI TO KENYA THE ORIGINAL SAFARI DESTINATION ( 2023 / 2024 July 12 – July 29) Phone: (office: +1 (802) 362-5287 Cell: +1 (802) 345-4173)
2023 :
Main safari : 12 – 24 July 2023 USD $ 6,595 per person sharing USD $ 1,095 Single room supplement Post Safari extension: 24 – 29 July 2023 USD $ 2,995 per person sharing USD $ 350 Single room supplement2024 :
Main safari : 12 – 24 July 2024 USD $ 7 ,330 per person sharing USD $ 1,220 Single room supplement Post Safari extension: 24 – 29 July 2024 July USD $ 3330 per person sharing USD $ 350 Single room supplement
Ted Schiffman has been a nature and wildlife photographer for 48 years. His photographs have been published by: The National Geographic Society, the American Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian Institution, the Sierra Club, the World Wildlife Fund, the United States Department of Interior, encyclopaedias Americana and Britannica, among many others. He has lectured at the American Museum of Natural History on the challenges facing the wildlife photographer while on assignment.
Ted has also participated in photographed and published work about wildlife research on endangered animal species: California condor, Florida panther, the Peregrine Falcon and the lemurs of Madagascar. In addition, he has co-authored a book on backpacking photography, recently published “Treefrogs Prehistoric survivors with a global message,” and has published essays on polar bears, Bald Eagles, and wolves that have appeared in many newspapers.
His prints are collected privately and by institutions and corporations throughout the United States and Europe. In 1972, he climbed to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro and is returning to East Africa for his 35th safari. Ted’s passion, experience and unsurpassed dedication is to his clients. He also has 15 books
published
SAFARI ITINERARY
12TH & 13TH JULY – DEPART USA/ARRIVAL NAIROBI
Your journey begins as you board your flight from USA en route to Nairobi, Kenya. Arrive Nairobi, the safari capital of East Africa, where you will be welcomed by Classic Journeys Customer representative who will assist you with your transfer to your hotel for check-in. He will brief you of your program and introduce you to your tour driver who will be with you throughout the safari. After check-in to your hotel, he will leave you with his mobile number and an emergency number for your attention through your safari. Have lunch at a local restaurant and continue to the AFEW Nature Centre near Giraffe Manor where you may hand-feed the Rothschild giraffes that live here. The giraffes were brought here by Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville, who founded AFEW (African Fund for Endangered Wildlife) and built the Nature centre to help educate young African children about wildlife conservation. The Rothschild giraffes are the tallest species and may reach eighteen feet in height, but you can see eye to eye with them on the elevated walkway at the centre. Later proceed to your hotel for dinner and overnight. Overnight: Tamarind Tree Hotel Meals: BLD14TH JULY – NAIROBI EXCURSION
After a briefing about the wonderful events ahead, get set for an exciting adventure as you visit Daphne Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage at the edge of Nairobi National Park, which is a nursery and rehab centre for infant elephants that have lost their families. The wife of the famous naturalist David Sheldrick, Daphne dedicated her life to the conservation. David was founder Warden of Kenya’s giant Tsavo East National Park, in which he served from 1948 until his death in 1976. Daphne continued her involvement and had real impact on the lives of elephants and rhinos, which would have normally died due to human poaching and surrounding population conflict. You will enjoy a visit with the elephants as they’re brought by their keepers to the waterholes and salt lick to be fed and socialize – see how they roll in the mud, play fight and their affectionate interaction with their keepers. The staff will be on hand to discuss their habitats, as well as impart interesting facts about their upkeep. Their infants are eventually released into the wild at Tsavo East National Park and end up in the care of other orphans who have been successfully reintroduced to the wild.
15TH, 16TH & 17TH JULY – TSAVO WEST NATIONAL PARK
Begin your safari with a drive to Tsavo West famous for the Mzima Springs. This star attraction is a pool of natural water with underwater viewing hides for observing hippos where a gushing supply of fresh, crystal water has created an oasis for wildlife. A specially constructed underwater observatory provides visitors with a unique view into the underwater world of Mzima. The water catchment is divided into two pools; here you can view hippos and crocodiles. The upper pool is occupied by the hippos and lower pool by the crocodiles. The first lodge ever to be built in a Kenyan National Park, Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge is superbly situated in the shadow of Mt. Kilimanjaro, encircledby volcanic splendour, adjacent to a teeming waterhole and daily visited by vast herds of elephants, buffalo and plains animals with the finest watering hole in East Africa. Inspirationally positioned so that not only all the rooms but also the open-air restaurant, timbered viewing decks and rock-built bar enjoy uninterrupted views of the legendary snows of Kilimanjaro, the lodge also stands central to miles of lion-stalked grasslands, elephant-studded plains and wildlife-teeming bush and is ideally placed for visits to all the park’s prime attractions. Faced in volcanic stone and utilising the natural rocky outcrops of a valley known as ‘the place of the young rhino’, from which it takes its name, the lodge has been designed to blend chameleon-like into the savannah landscape. Cool, tranquil and hushed for optimum wildlife-viewing, the open-air dining area, timbered decks and rock-hewn bar blend the traditional “Khaki and-canvas” look with bright-painted banners, sepia-hued paintings and evocative olive-wood carvings of elephant herds and tail-erect warthogs. The elegantly renovated rooms draw on a sun-gold, sky-blue and bush-green savannah colour palette and have been so styled to provide world-class luxury and a quintessential African aura while featuring private verandahs with views of eternity. Overnight : Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge Meals : BLD
18TH, 19TH & 20TH JULY – AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
Today’s drive takes you to Amboseli National Park located at the foot of Africa’s highest mountain, Mt. Kilimanjaro, which Ted climbed in 1972. The snow-capped peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro rises above a blanket of clouds and dominates every aspect of Amboseli. This park only covers 150sq miles but despite its small size and its fragile ecosystem, it supports a wide range of mammals (well over 50 of the larger species) and birds (over 400 species). Years ago, this was the locale around which such famous writers as Ernest Hemingway and Robert Ruark spun their stories of big game hunting in the wilds of Africa. This too, is part of Masai land, and it’s not unusual to see the proud Masai warrior or small children tending their cattle as you traverse their territory. In this land, animals and man have learned to coexist and thrive together, despite the harsh conditions. This is also the park that has been made famous by Cynthia Moss, the noted American naturalist and author who has one of the longest-running studies on elephants. In the shadow of Mt. Kilimanjaro, beside a copse of giant acacia trees and gently flowing natural springs, stands Amboseli Serena Lodge. With Kilimanjaro’s 19,340-foot snowcapped summit presiding over the landscape, the setting is unrivalled. All around the lodge roams the wildlife that has made East Africa legendary; lion, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, baboon, gazelle, zebra and wildebeest. Influenced by native Masai architecture, the lodge is in perfect harmony with its environment. Beautifully landscaped gardens, unique guest services and exceptional amenities enhance the distinctive ambience. The uniquely constructed guest rooms with en-suite bathrooms, individually appointed with authentic African art painted by renowned local artists, convey a distinctive Masai manyatta mood. Grouped in the manner of Masai Village, each room enjoys a view of either majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro or the expansive Amboseli plains, which are home to herds of elephants that feed on the large, feathery acacia trees. While here, you will have the chance to learn about the Masai way of life and how they have co-existed through the millennia with the wildlife. Overnight : Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge Meals : BLD21ST, 22ND & 23RD JULY – MASAI MARA /NORTHERN SERENGETI
This morning board your scheduled flight to Masai Mara, Kenya’s most famous wildlife reserve and the setting for much of the film “Out of Africa,” It is classic savannah grasslands, where animals are plentiful and the vistas spectacular. Here, Masai tend their cattle in concert with free roaming wildlife – all sharing the same land. You will have 3-4 days of wildlife-viewing opportunities in the Masai Mara Reserve, also known as the “Jewel of Africa” inhabited by many of Africa’s most popular wild animals, including lion, cheetah, elephant, leopard, black rhino, and hippo. There are over 500 resident species of birds in the park including ostrich, larks and sunbirds as well as the lovely Lilac-breasted roller. The area is famous for rolling grassland and for the Mara River, which runs through the reserve from north to south. The reserve covers an area of 700sq miles and forms part of the Serengeti ecosystem, hosting the world-famous spectacle of the annual migration of up to two million wildebeest, thousands of zebras and an escort of carnivores as they follow the rains and succulent new grass.
OLPEJETA CONSERVANCY & MT KENYA POST EXTENSION
24TH & 25TH JULY – OLPEJETA CONSERVANCY
Bid farewell to the group departing for the USA and prepare for your next adventure as you fly from the Masai Mara to Nanyuki via Nairobi. You will be transferred to Olpejeta Conservancy, this is a privately owned 24,000 acre reserve. Another adventure begins at your luxurious tented camp with magnificent views of Mt. Kenya. Lunch will be at your tented camp followed by an afternoon game viewing drive. One of only four private wildlife reserves in Kenya, your under canvas experience includes wildlife drives in search of the ‘Big Five’. Watch a parade of elephant, giraffe, zebra and impala come to drink at the camp’s floodlit waterhole and saltlick. Optional activities abound, you may choose to go on a night drive in search of nocturnal species, go on a nature walk or join a rhino patrol with experienced armed rangers to find and monitor black rhino. You will also visit the 200-acre Chimpanzee sanctuary that has been set up here. Overnight : Sweetwaters Serena Camp Meals : BLD
26TH & 27TH JULY – MT KENYA SAFARI CLUB
After breakfast, transfer to Mount Kenya Safari Club to arrive in time for lunch. With magnificent views of majestic Mount Kenya, the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club Resort’s 120 luxuriously appointed hotel rooms, set in over 100 acres of landscaped gardens, offer a unique blend of comfort, relaxation and adventure. Its no wonder this Nanyuki resort emerged a winner in the 2013 Travellers Choice Awards and that Travel & Leisure Magazine often positions it in the ‘World’s Top 50’ List. Originally the retreat of movie star and Club founder, William Holden, the Club’s illustrious former members have included Winston Churchill and Bing Crosby. Spend the day relaxing! On your next day visit the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy which was established in 1967 by the Hollywood actor, William Holden, Julian McKeand and Iris and Don Hunt. The Conservancy also hosts a herd of rare white zebras, shelters orphaned or wounded animals and provides a wide-reaching educational program for young Kenyans. Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy gives orphaned, injured, neglected, abused or frightened wild animals a second chance. The orphanage provides shelter and professional care with the goal to release these creatures back to the wild where they belong. Its known for bongo breeding programme and protection of the rare white zebra. Overnight : Mt Kenya Safari Club Meals : BLD
28TH & 29TH JULY – SHOPPING / DEPARTURE
Today you after breakfast transfer to the airstrip where you will fly to Nairobi. Lunch and shopping will be at a Utamaduni Craft Centre. Here you will shop for souvenirs as you test your bargaining power. The shop specializes in general shopping, arts and crafts, entertainment & media supplies and shipping services. A day room and dinner will be supplied for you at the Crowne Plaza Nairobi, Airport. Soon you are escorted to the airport for your flight back home. As your journey ends, you say a fond farewell to your driver guide and naturalist and promise to come back soon. The next morning your jet lands back in the US bringing with you the memories of all the wonderful sights of Kenya. Overnight : Mt Kenya Safari Club Meals : BLD
2022 SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
SAFARI INCLUSIONS
• Accommodation as stipulated in the itinerary. • Welcome dinner at your hotel. • Transportation in a chauffeur driven safari 4 X 4 land cruisers with a pop-up roof for easy game viewing & photography • Services of an English-speaking driver-guides, unlimited game viewing drives and parks entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary. • All Government taxes and levies. • Complimentary mineral water per person per day in the safari vehicle. • All meet and greet services. • Ted Schiffman will accompany the group on the main program as your escort for the duration of the safari. • All domestic flights on the main program and the post extension. • 24-hour stand-by contact number. • Meals as indicated in the itinerary. • Guaranteed window seat in each vehicle per passenger. • Two-way long-range high frequency radio communication in each vehicle. • On safari accessories in each vehicle: – First-aid kit, wildlife books, a pair of binoculars, cool box and fire extinguisher.Flying doctor’s coverage which covers you within East Africa for the safari. In the eventuality of a medical emergency, you will be airlifted to Nairobi where you will be taken to a good hospital. Hospital bills are borne by the patient. • Services of a local professional naturalist. Note: We proudly host the greatest number of game drive safaris.SAFARI EXCLUSIONS
• All items of personal nature e.g. telephone call bills, fax/email bills etc. • Tips and gratuities to driver- guides and local naturalist. • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. • Any additional flight taxes. • Laundry services. • Any other item(s) not included in our itinerary. • Visa fees Please Note that the Itinerary Sequence is correct at the time of writing, and is subject to Change.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT KENYA
Participants: • Must be able to climb in and out of, as well as move around in confined quarters within safari 4X4 vehicles, minibus, and small aircrafts unassisted. People need to be willing to rotate seats when need be. • Must be able to tolerate riding on uneven, bumpy roads (some with many potholes) for long periods of time while game viewing 4-5 hours. • Must be able to stand and/or walk moderate distances when visiting villages, town, or other sites. This walking will be on uneven ground or uphill, often at altitudes many people are not used to. • Should generally be in good health and prepared to travel in locations without medical facilities.
In General, this trip requires:
• Flexibility and good humor – unexpected changes rarely happen but may occur.
• A spirit of adventure and curiosity.
• Interest in and willingness to appreciate a destination with a modest infrastructure and a bending definition of comfort. That being said, some locations are nestled in absolute luxury where pampering is the norm.
Air Schedules.
Choosing the best possible air arrangements for our travelers is always a challenge. We work with many airlines that offer the best level of service, routings and value for our programs. While there may indeed be more direct routings available with another airline, the cost of these flights may not be within the budget that allows us to give you the best value possible. If you prefer to purchase your own international air, please feel free to choose the ‘land only’ rate for this program.The start and end city for the land only program is Nairobi, Kenya.
HOW TO BOOK: USE RESERVATION FORM
n order to book please fill in the reservation form at the back page of the brochure which is also available on our website. Once you send us the booking application, we will send you an invoice in which we will require a USD $1,500 to secure the space then the balance at least 2 months (60 days) prior to your safari. You can pay us direct, via bank wire transfer or online, via PayPal by use of credit or debit card.CANCELLATIONS:
Reservations/Bookings that are canceled, reduced in length of stay or reduced in numbers of participants (hereinafter collectively called CANCELLATION) are subject to cancellation and No-Show fees. The scale of charges, expressed as a percentage of the tour prices, is as follows: SEASON 1 (20 DECEMBER – 28 FEBRUARY & 01 JUNE – 31 OCTOBER) More than 61 days’ notice Deposit refunded less 5% handling fee Less than 60 days’ notice 33% Less than 30 days’ notice 100% SEASON 2 (REST OF THE YEAR) More than 56 days’ notice Deposit refunded less 5% handling fee Less than 28 days’ notice 50% Less than 21 days’ notice 60% Less than 14 days’ notice 90% Less than 7 days’ notice 100% Should you fail to join a tour or join it after departure or leave prior to its completion, no tour fare refund can be made. (Please note that if the reason for the cancellation falls within the terms of any holiday insurance policy, which you hold, then the insurance company, subject to the terms of your insurance will normally refund any such charges to you).