Safari Pro 12 days
Safari Auto (Game Drive), translated from English, means "driving games" ,
(so the game is to find the animals of the African savannah, by car, quite simply)
Mara Major Camp & Amboseli. (Exclusive experience accompanied by Chris Dandurand)
This 14-day safari trip has been designed as a high-end, immersive and confidential experience, intended for wildlife photography enthusiasts who are looking for much more than just a trip.
Conceived, tested and refined in the field, this safari has a clear objective: to offer you the best possible conditions for photographing Africa, without compromise, without rushing and without unnecessary constraints.
You will be accompanied throughout the stay by Chris Dandurand, wildlife photographer, in a deliberately very exclusive setting, limited to only 4 participants, guaranteeing comfort, flexibility and personalized attention.
10 days in the heart of the Masai Mara – Mara Major Camp
The first 10 days take place in the heart of the mythical Masai Mara, at the Mara Major Camp, an intimate and elegant camp, designed for travelers seeking calm, refinement and authenticity.
Far from the large tourist structures, the Mara Major Camp offers a peaceful atmosphere, discreet luxury, spacious and comfortable tents, as well as remarkable cuisine, fresh, carefully prepared and generous, unanimously appreciated after long days in the field.
Its strategic location drastically reduces transfer times. Here, every minute saved is a minute spent observing, waiting, composing, and photographing. Days are structured around light, animal behavior, and your photographic priorities.
Explore the Masai Mara in all its diversity
The Masai Mara will be explored in its entirety, without neglected areas or standardized routes:
from the Sand River to the mythical Mara River, via the Talek River, the Olare Orok River, the famous double crossings, spectacular and unpredictable, not forgetting the iconic Black Rock site, renowned for its powerful scenery, contrasts of light and exceptional animal scenes.
Each area has its own identity, its own light, its own flagship species. This safari is a complete, controlled and progressive immersion in one of the richest and most photographed ecosystems in Africa.
High season & low season – Two exceptional experiences
Two Safari Pro offerings are offered each year, each providing a different interpretation of the Masai Mara.
High season – The Great Migration
During peak season, you will witness one of the greatest animal shows on the planet:
1.5 million wildebeest, 400,000 gazelles and 200,000 zebras, more than 2 million animals concentrated in the Masai Mara.
The legendary river crossings, of rare intensity, drive many professional photographers wild every year. Raw power, chaos, tension, dust, dramatic light: an incomparable natural stage for powerful and timeless images.
Off-season – Predator territory
During the off-season, our area becomes a prime territory for leopards and cheetahs. Lions, meanwhile, are ubiquitous in the Masai Mara.
I am categorical: every day of your Safari Pro, you will see lions or lionesses — very often both.
Fewer vehicles, a more intimate atmosphere, softer light and prolonged natural behaviors make this period a true paradise for demanding photographers.
Un safari conçu pour la photographie
Ce safari a été conçu par un photographe, pour des photographes, jusque dans les moindres détails. L’équipement, la logistique et la configuration des véhicules ont fait l’objet d’une réflexion approfondie, car sur le terrain, ce sont souvent ces détails qui font toute la différence.
Deux véhicules semi-longs, parfaitement adaptés aux franchissements, aux traversées de rivières et aux longues journées de safari, sont dédiés exclusivement au groupe.
Chaque véhicule est configuré pour accueillir deux photographes à l’arrière, avec :
• un fond plat équipé de matelas
• des sacs bean bag
• un côté latéral gauche entièrement ouvert pour des prises de vue au ras du sol
• un toit totalement ouvrant offrant une liberté totale selon la scène et la focale utilisée
Les véhicules disposent de nourriture et d’eau à bord, permettant de rester longtemps sur le terrain sans interruption. Les suspensions renforcées assurent confort et stabilité, même sur les pistes les plus exigeantes.
Vous serez accompagnés par deux guides masaïs, spécifiquement formés à la photographie animalière. Leur rôle est de positionner le véhicule selon vos demandes, la lumière, le comportement animal et votre focale, qu’il s’agisse de grand angle ou de très longue focale. Ici, le terrain s’adapte au photographe — jamais l’inverse.
Afin de garantir un accompagnement personnalisé, Chris Dandurand accompagne chaque jour, en alternance, chaque groupe de deux photographes. Il est positionné à l’avant gauche du véhicule, aux côtés du conducteur, pour anticiper les scènes, analyser la lumière et vous guider en temps réel.
Les deux photographes changent de véhicule tous les deux jours, ou plus fréquemment à leur demande, assurant équité, confort et flexibilité totale.
Lors des journées full day, le temps passé sur le terrain est en moyenne de 12 heures par jour, afin de profiter pleinement des meilleures lumières, sans contrainte horaire.
Enfin, durant le séjour au Mara Major Camp, 5 heures sont incluses pour un atelier photo Lightroom, organisé en fin de journée. Cet atelier, animé par Chris Dandurand, permet d’apprendre, d’affiner ou de peaufiner votre style photographique personnel, à partir de vos propres images.
4 days in Amboseli – Ol Tukai & Kilimanjaro
The last 4 days of the stay take place in Amboseli, at the prestigious Ol Tukai, at the foot of Kilimanjaro.
Amboseli is a unique park: vast open plains, lush marshes, spectacular plays of light and iconic views of Africa's highest peak.
The park is home to 65 elephant families and over 300 independent adult males, making Amboseli a mythical place for any wildlife photography enthusiast.
The famous swamps offer unique scenes: elephant crossings, social interactions, male fights and spectacular crossings on the salt lake, where you will be guided to capture simply unforgettable images.
A remarkable ornithological richness
Amboseli is also a haven for birdwatching. Flamingos, pelicans, and numerous other species thrive in the park's marshes and wetlands, offering diverse photographic opportunities, often enhanced by Kilimanjaro in the background.
An exclusive experience, designed for excellence
This safari is not a standardized trip.
It's an immersive, high-end, and confidential experience, built on years of fieldwork and over 10 years of experience in Amboseli. Chris has an intimate knowledge of the roads, tracks, conservancies, Maasai villages, swamp areas, salt lake, and key locations, depending on the season and the light.
This intimate knowledge of the terrain allows you to anticipate animal movements, avoid overcrowded areas and position yourself, day after day, exactly where photography takes on its full meaning.
Few participants, few transfers, controlled comfort and a single priority: to offer you one of the most accomplished and exclusive African photographic experiences available.