January 11 - January 25, 2011

Our 5th Annual KENYA EXPEDITION is among the best locations to photograph wildlife in the world. If you have never visited this magical country, it is full of incredible wildlife and cultural experiences. From the monkeys trying to get into your tent, to the lion prides of the Mara, YOU WILL ENJOY! The photography opportunities are endless; your stories upon your return will be shared for years to come. Join us!!

Meet Daniel and his wife Tanya

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As always, our group is small compared to our competitors with a maximum of only 16 guests. We fly between the National Parks versus driving dusty wash board roads.

Why do we go in Jan/Feb to visit Kenya verses the "popular time" in Aug/Sept?

For good reason, no crowds of people! The last thing you want is to be around clusters of safari vehicles and people "corralling" the herds. Kenya has so much to offer year round verses trying to hit the wildebeest migration. It is impressive to see masses of wildebeest however (Tanya's opinion:) they are not a "beauty" animal to photograph...they are actually quite "ugly". Wildebeest and wildebeests young being eaten, blood stained cats do not make good wall decor! If it is your first time to Kenya and possibly the only time you will experience it I feel this time of year is perfect. There are short rains usually in December that make the area green. Babies are possible to see year round along with more wildlife and birds than you can imagine...enjoy the quiet camps and lodges, hear natures sound...

We stay at both the traditional room/bungalow style lodge along with a tent camp for the true African adventure - "tenting" includes four-post beds, flush toilets and hot water showers. No roughing it here! Swimming pools are at each destination to help cool down midday between game drives.

The word ‘safari’ in Swahili means journey. We seek to offer the best all round journey by ensuring that our guests travel in comfortable, reliable custom built vehicles. We only allow 3-4 guests per 8 seater vehicles.

In support of the ‘best of the best’ we use a modern, custom-built fleet of 4 wheel drive Land Rovers and Toyota Land Cruisers, specially designed for easy observation & photography.

Each vehicle is customized to give extra leg room and plenty of headroom. Extra large windows and windscreens improve all-around game viewing and room for those with cameras with big lenses, tripods etc. Three generous roof hatches in the rear offer plenty of room for overhead game viewing.

All vehicles are fitted with VHF Radio communication, with our own dedicated private frequency for inter vehicle communication.

Jan 11
Fly from US/Canada

Jan 12-13
Arrive in Nairobi (NBO)- overnight at Norfolk Hotel, two nights. We stay two nights in Nairobi to give extra travel time for unexpected travel delays and to recover from jet lag. An option we can organize is a half day trip to the Giraffe Manor for tea or shopping. Also near by is the Sheldrick's Elephant Orphanage. The Norfolk is a luxury five-star hotel and is a traditional starting point for safaris. our representatives will be at the airport to pick you up and take you to the Norfolk Hotel upon arrival.

Jan 14-16
Fly to Amboseli National Park, Ol Takai Lodge - stay 3 nights - 2 game drives daily.

Ol Takai Lodge is one of the best spots in the world to watch elephant with the backdrop of Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. This lodge is situated in the heart of Amboseli National Park that is home to numerous animals including large populations of elephant, lion, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, and gazelle. Over 400 varieties of birds can be spotted in the area, and Ol Takai has a specially designed bird walk for the professional or amateur bird watcher.

Here will be an opportunity to visit a native village between game drives. This is a good time to see the Kenyan culture, singing, and dance. Feel free to photograph the people in their bright clothing and beads. We often bring goods (clothing and school supplies) to give; all is greatly appreciated.

Jan 17-20
Fly to Masai Mara Game Reserve, Mara Intrepids - stay 4 nights. Located in the Upper Masai Mara - 2 game drives daily.

The Mara Intrepids is a permanent tent camp that is spread over a large riverside site. Each tent includes large four-post beds, teak floors with moderate en suite bathrooms with hot showers and flush toilets. There is a pool area, large terrace dining room and lounge for refreshments before dinner.

All the Big Cats, Elephant, Black Rhino and thousands of plains game spread out before you – it’s better than the Discovery Channel because you are part of the spectacle.

Jan 21-23
We drive to the Mara Serena Safari Lodge - stay 3 nights - 2 game drives daily.This lodge is set high on a bush-cloaked hill with a bird's eye view of the vast area below. The architect of this lodge was inspired by the Masai cultural motif of a cluster of domed, mud-colored huts with ethnic decor and a palette of sunburst color. Each guest has an individual room with private balcony or veranda with private bath. The dining room has a traditional safari style with candlelit atmosphere. The lounge has and inside bar along with an outside sitting area with evening fire pit. Pool, massage, gift shop. Nature and bird walks available.

Jan 24
Return flight to Nairobi - dayroom at Norfolk - dinner at Norfolk - evening flight home.
This day will give you time to repack, visit some gift shops or relax at the hotel by the pool. We will have our last dinner together as a group before leaving for our return flights home in late PM. You will gain a day on the return so you should be home late day on Feb 24.

Jan 25
Arrive home

January 11 - January 25, 2011

Price Per Trip: All based on double occupancy

We only accommodate 3-4 guest per 8 seater vehicle.
All guests have access to the open roof.

We have two different pricing structures depending on your needs/preference:

The first two sets of seats allows our guest to have a seat and window on each side of the vehicle. This gives ample room for camera gear and space to shoot from both sides of the vehicle.

Price ROW 1 or 2: $8800/per guest/double occupancy

The last seat in the vehicle has 1 long bench (3 seats). We have many requests from couples that wish to share this bench reducing the cost of the space. This space is recommended if your spouse or partner does not photograph as much and you have minimal camera gear.

Price ROW 3: $6880/per guest/double occupancy

Minimum 10 guests - Maximum 15 guests
Single supplement add $1510 (private room)

Deposit of $1000 due at time of booking - payment may be made by Visa/MC or check (credit cards may be used for DEPOSIT only). CHECKS ONLY for 1st and final payment made payable to Natural Exposures and mailed to:

Natural Exposures
810 N. Wallace, Suite E
Bozeman, MT 59715

1st Payment - Half Payment - Due May 1st, 2010
Final Payment - Due September 1st, 2010

• ALL accommodation and meals on safari.
• ALL government hotel taxes and service charges.
• ALL land transport and airport transfers.
• ALL game drives in specially built 4x4 safari vehicles.
• ALL national park and reserve entrance fees.
• Visit to Amboseli Village
• ALL internal air transport as specified in itinerary.
• Bottled mineral water with meals and in vehicles for
game drives.
• Incredibly knowledgeable, KPSGA certified guides
throughout.
• Temporary Flying Doctor (AMREF), emergency evacuation to
Nairobi.

FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE
Each Safari's client will automatically be registered as a member of 'The Flying Doctor Society' (AMREF) in East Africa. Applicable charges will be included in the cost of the tour arrangements. AMREF emergency Air Evacuation is limited to safaris in East Africa

• Personal insurance - we suggest InsureMyTrip.com
• Beverages (bottled water will be in your room along with bottled water in your
touring vehicle, all other beverage not included
• Personal laundry
• Personal spending money
• Gratuities to guides and camp (we usually suggest leaving $1 USD on dining table after each meal, $3-5 USD/day for room staff, $20 USD/day/person for guides - we will take a collection together the last day of the trip for the guide's envelopes - we split gratuities equally among guides. I usually tip my luggage help $1 USD. Dan and I will leave an additional envelope for lodge staff from our group as a thank you. The service is excellent, the guides are excellent, and their livelihoods depend on our help. Tourism supports Kenyans which in turn protect the animals.
• Telephone/fax/e-mail charges; Note: e-mail is VERY slow
and difficult at lodges - works best at Norfolk Hotel in Nairobi
• Any excursions not related to the booked itinerary
• Optional meals in larger towns or cities
• Optional extra nights at camps or lodges
• Cost of obtaining passports, vaccinations
• Visas & international flights
• Excess baggage charges
• All items of a personal nature

FLIGHTS TO NAIROBI (airport code NBO)
Dan and I fly Northwest via Minneapolis and Amsterdam - we find there are more restrictions in the past on British Airways for carry on weight and size. We suggest going through Amsterdam if possible. You can usually get one free stop on the return (eg. Amsterdam) with this long of international flight. Some people will stop for a few days on return in Amsterdam for a visit. Talk to you airline representatives for details when booking.

VISAs
The easiest way to get your Kenya Visitor Visa is to purchase it upon arrival at the Nairobi (NBO) airport. It is easy and efficient - cash only. We will send you a form prior to departure to fill out to give to customs or you can fill one out at the airport.
I will double check on the fee but in the past it was $50 US/per person. Please bring "newer" US bills - Kenyans will not accept older bills due to counterfeit problems - ask your bank before departing the US for new bills - you may also want to get multiple $1 and $5 for easy tipping prior to departing - it is hard to get small change in Kenya.

CLOTHING
Morning safaris can be chilly, you may want to bring a sweater/fleece with a t shirt underneath, it will warm up considerably by mid morning. The afternoons will be very hot and the evenings are mild but not cold.

On safari most people wear shorts and a T-shirt during the day and put on long sleeved shirts and long pants in the evening for protection from mosquitoes. Should you be particularly sensitive to the sun a loose cotton shirt is essential during
the day.

Below is a list of suggested items to bring:

• 2 pair khaki cotton pants (jeans are rather hot)
• 2 pair sturdy shorts
• 1 skirt or dress slacks for hotel evenings (optional)
• 2 long sleeved shirts (for sun protection as well as warmth).
• 1 light sweater or sweatshirt
• 1 lightweight, waterproof windbreaker
• 1 pair sturdy walking shoes or running shoes
• 1 pair sandals
• 3-5 short-sleeved or T-shirts
• 1 bathing suit
• 1 bandanna (many uses! I usually wet mine and wrap it around
my neck for the afternoon tours to keep me cool)
• 1 hat with a brim (baseball caps cover your nose but not your ears).
• Sunglasses
• A flashlight will be in each tent for after the generator is
turned off later in the night, we usually bring an extra one
or a head light. It is also good to have one at night walking
to and from the dining area.
• Anti-Bacterial wipes
• Any RX medicines needed, bee sting kit etc.
• Suggest bringing Pepto-bismal, sunscreen, feminine protection,
cold/allergy caplets, cipro (prescription - used for any anti diarrhea problems)
• Ear plugs (for plane)
• Hairdryer with adapting voltage (220volt needed)
• Binoculars
• Paperback reading material for the afternoons and around the pool
• Snacks, trail mix, gum, hard candies – I usually bring the
single serving sizes of Crystal Light to add to my water bottles – if you have any
extra at the end of the trip leave them for the guides – they love them
• 3 prong (triangle shape) UK plug adapters - 220Volt
• Luggage tags on all bags
• A few plastic grocery bags (always needed for something)
• Alarm clock ( every night you will be asked at dinner what
time you will like a wake-up call – your room staff will
come to your tent each morning and wake you up with cookies
and coffee/tea
• Clothing - Carry basic essentials in carry-on, half your
clothes in your bag/half in your partner's bag if traveling
with someone. If one of our bags is lost, you still have half
your clothes.
• Flight Bag - This is a small, lightweight carry-on that can be
folded flat and takes practically no room when it is placed on
the bottom of your bag. Comes in very handy when you bring
back more than you can place in your luggage.

GIFTS
Quite often I bring gifts to give to the local village we will visit, our guides and staff. Last year I told everyone to bring anything they do not wear/use anymore in a spare bag and/or school supplies. The people in the villages will appreciate ANYTHING you bring. Used/new clothes (adult/baby/child), watches, flip flops, plastic bowls, pens - they have nothing. You will not only have a spare bag to bring back gifts you buy from them, but your heart will feel good. These people need to be supported, they have been taught not to kill the animals or tourists won’t come. They are not pushy to tourists, they smile and are friendly. They will sing and dance in bright colors for you to take pictures. Education is very important to them and they wish to learn. School supplies are like gold. Thank you in advance! The guides like music, I usually make them some CDs of music (country, gospel, soft rock). We usually leave any unused supplies with them on the last night…no need to hall them home and they will be thoroughly enjoyed.

LAUNDRY
You can leave your laundry in your tent with the plastic bag provided each morning on your bed – your clean laundry will be returned to you by the time you are back from your evening game drive. No need to overpack please!

NETTING
There is netting provided around your bed in each tent incase of mosquitoes. There are few insects but possible mosquitoes in the evenings. The lodges provide insect repellent wipes in your tents to use.

CAMERA NEEDS
Batteries, charger and adaptor plugs, wide angle lens & telephoto lens

Roller backpack style bags work well, you can usually roll your bag to and from your tent to the vehicles. Nothing too big for the international flights, they are not as easy going as they are in North American about carry-ons.

VACCINATIONS
The suggested vaccinations are:
Hepatitis A & B (now give as a combo shot, good for life )
Typhoid
Yellowfever (suggested but optional)
Polio (one-time booster shot )
Tetanus
Malaria Pills (Malarone is a good one)

More detailed information will be sent to you closer to departure...

Note: All services are provided by operators who are not owned or controlled by Natural Exposures. Natural Exposures takes all reasonable precautions to make these safaris as safe as possible for travelers and others. Natural Exposures and its agents shall not be responsible or liable for any injury, loss, damage, delay of inconvenience arising out of, or in connection with, any defect in any vehicle or aircraft or any act, including any acts of terrorism, industrial action, acts of governments, war, terrorism and God, omission, neglect, accident, error or omission in the provision of any services. Any travel involves some measure of risk, of which travellers need to determine themselves.

Cancellation Policy: Natural Exposures has the right to cancel a trip if we do not have a minimum number of participants.

Please Note: Deposits are non-refundable. If for any reason you need to cancel your trip we will need this request in writing. We will refund your payment (minus deposit) ONLY if we can resell your space.If we need to discount your space to sell it we will refund you (minus deposit/minus discounted amount). No partial refunds are made for unused portions or services of a trip. All prices are quoted in US dollars. We will do our best to help you resell your space.

We suggest purchasing travel insurance to all our guests.
We recommend looking at travel insurance through InsureMyTrip.com and/or GlobalRescue.com for emergency evacuation. Please pick a plan that is best suited to your needs.

Natural Exposures has the right to change the itinerary if needed to best service the interests of our guests. If we are unable to fill the final safari vehicle depending on seating arrangements of the 15 guests, Natural Exposures has the right to add up to one additional person to the group.

By booking a trip with Natural Exposures you have agreed to the following TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

TESTIMONIALS FROM OUR GUESTS

"The Kenya trip was our vacation of a lifetime – just when you thought it couldn’t get any better – every day it did. Excellent and knowledgeable guides, small group experience with fellow photographers was a very enjoyable trip."
-Joanne Dougherty

"This is our third trip to Africa and the first time with Dan and Tanya and it was the best of all three trips."
-Lynne & Jim Edwards

"If you visit Africa, you will want to experience the land, the people, and the wildlife. On this, my first trip to Africa, I have been fortunate to travel with Dan and Tanya Cox. They put together a trip that far exceeded my expectations using first-class accommodations and Kenya’s best wildlife guides. The sights, the photography, the food, and the comradery will always be remembered."
-Art Simmons

"I am so happy I went to Kenya again. Everything was handled so smoothly and so well. Dan and Tanya made everything easy. We stayed at great lodges where the food was fantastic and the accommodations first-rate. I will definitely be traveling with you all again."
-Allison McClure

"In the truest sense, expert guides in all the fauna and flora of Kenya and greater East Africa accompanied by a wizened mentor of photography."
-Steven K. Chang

"Class and comfort all the way. Natural Exposures photo tours are run with the smoothness and efficiency of high-end travel outfits."
-Miriam Stein