You've relished films, admired coffee-table books, and stared lecherously at online galleries. The scale, the diversity and the beauty of the continent have enthralled you for long. All the while you have nursed a dream – a dream of a pilgrimage to the Mecca of wildlife, to photograph beautiful animals with plain backgrounds and in orgasmic light. Someday, you have promised yourself, you will live it.

That time has now come. It's time to unleash your camera and harvest the riches. It's time for Africa.

The Crème of Africa
To the green at heart, a mention of Africa evokes its primordial picture – plains, prey and predators teaming up to spawn the most spectacular wilderness site on the planet, where large animals still maraud wild and free. And Kenya is its best showpiece.

It doesn't matter that the Oxford Dictionary doesn't say so, but this East African country named after its highest peak really is a synonym for ecological affluence. With over ten National Parks and Nature Reserves harbouring bounteous wildlife that is easy to view, Kenya is the crème of wild Africa.

And that means if you haven't visited the continent yet, this is your chance. We suggest you grab it.

What you will see and photograph:
Kenya is a venue for all seasons, as Tour Skipper Jayanth Sharma, who has visited an astounding 14 times in the last four years, will testify. Such is the opulence of its natural treasures, says he, that an infertile visit under Toehold's guidance at any time of the year is as unlikely as a deluge in the Atacama.

May marks the end of the first of the two annual wet seasons in Kenya. Nourished by the long rains, the grasslands and the woods alike spring spectacularly back to life and shine resplendently in verdant green.

For tourists, this is technically the low-season but the wildlife doesn't seem to know it, for, save for the overwhelming numbers of ungulates that are otherwise a prerogative of the Great Migration seen here between July and September, virtually all the other spectacles of the savannah are in due attendance for photography while the off-season rates ensure that you don't have to sell your house to afford the Tour.

Chief Exhibitors at the extravaganza are the apex predators and the very emblem of African Wildlife – Lions. The relatively easy pickings of the Migration having not yet begun, these custodians of the land must be mobile to earn their dinner, which keeps all the other members of the ecosystem rightfully on their toes. And thus springs a great chance to photograph action and the many unknown facets of natural behaviour that unfurl themselves on the plains each day.

The myriad dramas, the triumphs and the tragedies that compose life in the wild show up in a mélange of hues. And topping this spectacle is a blessing from the weather god, who is known to let His hair down at around this time every year.

As the day advances, a dark grey curtain of clouds hoists itself down the distant horizon ahead. Behind you, the nomadic wind, never one to be stopped in its ceaseless flight, nudges the water-bearers, exposing for now the nearest star which seizes the moment to bask in its own glow by shining with full resplendence even as a rainbow graces the sky as a giant ornament.

In an instant, everything before you has turned into an impossibly exquisite canvas of golden éclat; a lifetime of memories has become enshrined in a moment of magic. It happens only in Africa.

Masai Mara
The famous venue of the BBC Big Cat Diary series and countless inspiring stories is a theatre of dreams. The Masai Mara is where the first-time visitor to Africa starts his love affair with the continent's wildlife. For, not only does this miniature paradise have a flourishing population of Lions and the rest of the Big Five, it is a most splendid place to photograph them.

A part of the Greater Mara Ecosystem and covering 1510km², the Masai Mara National Reserve is home to what is effectively a bona fide wildlife symposium, with over 250 species of birds and a mindboggling diversity of mammals on show.

Here lies the best opportunity in Africa to photograph the notoriously elusive Leopard, which is often seen arresting the watcher's breath by flaunting its beauty from atop a tree or on the ground. And where there is a cat, a Spotted Hyaena with its trademark psychedelic calls is never far away, plotting relentlessly as it does to usurp an adversary's hard-earned kill.

The Masai Mara is a land of terrestrial superlatives. The world's fastest land mammal, the Cheetah, is often found sitting pretty on a termite mound, surveying the plains to locate breakfast, while the planet's largest land mammal, the African Elephant, takes its size in its stride as it moves about in genial majesty.

The largest living bird on earth, the Ostrich, always likes things to be to its satisfaction. And to top all this, the Giraffe, the world's tallest land mammal, uses its ground clearance to look down on one and all from the upper reaches of its slender neck. Decidedly, the denizens of this system appear to love setting records.

Rather less ambitiously but with equal beauty, an impressive variety of antelope roam the rolling plains. While the fleet-footed Thomson's Gazelle runs like the wind to preserve its life from its nemesis, the Cheetah, the Impala glides across the frame like a symbol of elegance.

But, without a doubt, the imperious Lion is the centerpiece of the wonderland, with the spotlight rightly on the emperor of all he surveys. If there is a better place than the Masai Mara to photograph the iconic African Lion, it is yet to be discovered by man.

Here, individuals of various ages and standing in Lion society may be observed hunting, grooming, resting and copulating on the picturesque open plains in spectacular light, all in the public gaze.

Clearly, the most important thing that you have to do is be there.

Amboseli National Park
One of the abiding images of Africa is a big bull Elephant set against the sensational backdrop of a snow-capped peak, looking like a scene from an idyll. It is actually a scene out of Amboseli.

This Park is so synonymous with Elephants that it has come to be known as "Africa's Elephant Park" and it affords the unique opportunity to photograph some of Africa's biggest bulls and other wildlife in spectacular vistas overlooked by the Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain. The big cat trinity is there too, just so you don't feel left out.

Clearly, you must prepare to be astonished.

Lake Nakuru
If Jaipur is the Pink City, Lake Nakuru National Park must be called the Pink Park. For, anywhere between thousands and millions of Flamingos throng the eponymous lake of this 188km² reserve, obscuring its surface as an overwhelming carpet of resplendent pink – a sight that is seen to be savoured.

Other attractions of this wetland sanctuary surrounding the soda lake on the floor of the Great Rift Valley include Pelicans, Rothschild's Giraffe, flourishing populations of Baboon, Warthog, Burchell's Zebra and one of the highest densities of Black Rhino.

Clearly, extra memory cards are imperative.

What you will take back:
Leveraging Toehold's exhaustive experience photographing in Kenya, this Tour promises to be a photography fest. This means that you can look forward to –

A stunningly productive, professionally guided Photography Tour organized to perfection, to three of Kenya's best wildlife havens
Likely excellent sightings and images of the big cat trinity – the Lion, the Leopard and the Cheetah – on the open plains in dramatic light
Impressive photo opportunities of the rest of the Big Five – the Elephant, the Rhino and the Buffalo in the fresh, verdant environs of May
Photography of animals unique to Africa, such as the Giraffe, the Hippopotamus, the Ostrich and the Nile Crocodile; and virtually infinite room for landscape and creative photography
Extensive photography learning and fascinating natural history insights with master photographer Jayanth Sharma

Please Note: Although the Tour is focussed on photography, non-photographers and families are just as welcome.

PHOTOGRAPHY SKIPPER

Jayanth Sharma

A former User eXperience specialist in an IT firm, Jayanth took up serious photography in 2004. After gradually moving out of IT to pursue his passion, Jayanth has established himself as a fine Natural history photographer in the recent years. He believes there is no meaning to wildlife photography if these pictures can't be used to protect or save them. He travels extensively to take pictures and report stories on birds and animals in order to generate awareness about the critical importance of conserving vulnerable Indian wildlife that is falling prey to a great many changes.

An accomplished photographer, Jayanth Sharma has bagged awards in wildlife photography and many recognitions in magazines and publishing houses. Jayanth loves traveling and believes he should explore all possible natural hotspots of the world before he leaves the planet. Jayanth has immense experience in travelling across various countries and continents like South America, Russia, Africa & South East Asia for photography. This is supplemented by his expertise in photography across all terrains of the Indian Sub continent. Be it the Himalayas or the unexplored north-east india or the tiger havens of central India, Jayanth has been there and done that in the subcontinent and is now exploring the rest of the world. Participants of his photo tours have always enjoyed his company where they learn and see a place from a perspective they had never imagined. Not to forget we have to mention the high potential photography and natural history knowledge he imparts through his very own flavor of humor.

You can have a look at Jayanth's work on his website www.wildlifetimes.com

WHY GO ON A TOEHOLD PHOTO TOUR?

At Toehold, we are passionate about photography just as you are, which lets us understand your travails and needs perfectly. And we use this insight to specially design our Photography Tours so they give you a toehold to excel at the art and set you up for success.

The Toehold team at your disposal will keep you tuned and geared, so you come in empty-handed but go out with bagful of images and tales of an experience that is better lived than heard. Specifically, you will get -

A clinically organized tour with utmost attention to your comfort and needs
An open, informal environment that promotes interactive learning
A team that will strategize and work to a plan to optimize opportunities and ensure a great tour
Practical, hands-on assistance in photography from the tour Skippers both in the field and off it
A wealth of subject matter knowledge
Individual interaction with the Skippers over general or specific issues
First-hand learning from the masters in the art and craft of photography

That's not all. When you're not out in the field using the camera, you will learn and enjoy our sessions on photography techniques, photograph reviews and presentations and discussions on topics relevant to the Photo Tour in question.

These exclusive, informative and interactive sessions are -

ChaayaaChitra (Photography Techniques, Tips, Tricks) - One of your Toehold Skippers will impart key practical knowledge on photography technique, post-processing essentials and related subjects and even the skills and techniques required for a particular form of photography or at a particular locale. This offers a great chance of understanding key aspects of technique and pick up useful tips that you can easily put into practice. We call this ChaayaChitra because it's all about photography.

ChitraTantra (Photo Principles, Reviews, Critique) - Your Toehold Skippers will critique images that can be nominated by tour participants, to enable discussion on how they could be improved. These impromptu discussions benefit everybody, since they are a great way of learning to see the advanced subtleties that make a significant difference, and master the artistic aspects of photography. We call this ChitraTantra as we delve deep into the good and not-so-good aspects of your results and discuss the attributes that can turn an ordinary picture into a special image.

Charchaaloka (Presentations, Lectures, Discussions) - One of your Toehold Skippers will deliver a talk on a subject of interest related to the tour/destination or novel sub-genres of photography. Depending on the kind of tour you are on, this presentation/talk should improve your subject matter expertise and enable you with ample knowledge of your subject, destination or form of photography you are expected to practice during this trip. This is akin to a surprise treasure-chest of fascinating knowledge on intriguing topics that will make your Photo Tour experience complete. We call this Charchaaloka as we expect everyone to participate in the discussion and presentation brainstorming ideas, issues, solutions and experiences.

expand to read more »

WHAT PEOPLE SAID ON OUR PREVIOUS PHOTO TOUR?

Photography enthusiasts who were a part of a similar tour previously said:

I never imagined to see such professionalism and personal touch in a young company. My worries were laid to rest the moment I landed in Nairobi. Salute Toehold and thank you for this experience.
- Sanjay Sridhar, Chennai
It was a wonderful trip, well organised, well informed, great accomadation and food.
- Dr Jayadev Basappa, Bengaluru
Personally I have learnt a lot from this trip which served the purpose of my travel , thank you for that !
- Ujjwal Mukherjee, Bengaluru
First I want to thank you for making this trip a memorable one for me, I was really very happy with the kind of audience we had in this group and it was a pleasure interacting with most of them. It was a very good learning experience for me in the filed of photography and I being a novice I got immensely benefited with this tour
- Satish K, Hyderabad

expand to read more »

NAIROBI

AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK

Day 1, May 19: Arrival in Amboseli National Park
Our fleet of safari vehicles carrying Skipper Jayanth Sharma and the Park Guides will pick participants who have landed in the morning from the Nairobi Airport, and participants who have arrived a day earlier from their hotels, at around 8:00a.m. Once everybody is on board, we undertake a four-hour drive to Amboseli National Park. A mutual introduction session and a brief by Jayanth to set basic expectations for the Tour will be followed by lunch.

After lunch will ensue our first safari of the Tour – recipe for a memorable moment for any first-time Africa visitor and something that, even after all these visits, gets Jayanth's adrenaline pumping. Driving through the Park will acquaint you with the African landscape and give you but a glimpse of the exciting time ahead.
Day 2, May 20: Full Day in Amboseli National Park
An entire memorable day will be spent out in the picturesque expanses of Amboseli, where views of Elephants with the magnificent Kilimanjaro in the backdrop have been specially designed by nature to enthrall. Apart from the pachyderms, we are likely to photograph Ostriches, Hyaenas, Lions, Cheetahs and a whole lot of attractive wildlife including the Kudu.

In the evening, Jayanth will deliver a ChaayaaChitra
ChaayaaChitra: Photography Techniques, Tips, Tricks
session before a satiating supper and shuteye call a closure to the eventful day.

LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK

Day 3, May 21: Arrival and Safari in Nakuru
After breakfast, we depart for Nakuru. Arriving just before lunch, we embrace our home for the next two days overlooking the beautiful Lake Nakuru. Following a scrumptious lunch, we embark on the afternoon safari, seeking the chief spectacle of the Flamingo congregation and over 400 other species of birds found here.

In the evening we enjoy a tribal dance and celebration before an appetizing supper and retire for the day.
Day 4, May 22: Full Day in Nakuru
Setting off after breakfast, we spend as much time in the Park as we can in order to sight the plentiful wildlife of Nakuru. The early morning drive will followed by lunch and an evening safari.

This being an excellent location to see the elusive Leopard, we take our chances to spot the spotted beauty of Nakuru. Efforts will also be made to photograph White and Black Rhinos.

Between the rides, we meet at the picturesque Baboon Hill overlooking the lake and its Flamingo formations, and discuss various topics of nature photography and the natural history of Africa. Meanwhile, here, ultra wide-angle perspectives of Baboons, a fixture atop the hill, are a distinct prospect.

For participants who want to relax and take the afternoon easy, the beautiful lodge with plenty of trees and a great restaurant is a fabulous place to rest.

A rivetting session of ChitraTantra
ChitraTantra: Photo Principles, Reviews, Critique
by Jayanth before dinner will be a fitting, erudite way of ending the enriching day.

MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE

Day 5, May 23: Arrival and Safari in Masai Mara
After breakfast, a pleasant drive across the dramatic Great Rift Valley brings you through the Narok Township, a major Masai administrative centre, to Kenya's most precious wildlife sanctuary, the Masai Mara Game Reserve.

The Masai Mara is home to the colorful Maasai tribe, who may be seen around the borders of the park, with Morans ('warriors') loping across the plains, young boys herding goats, or elders grouped under a tree discussing the matters of the day.

Game viewing is never dull in the Mara, and patience is often rewarded with unique sightings. By now hopefully the group will have been acquainted with the African bush, so we seek to make the most of the bounty on offer.
Day 6 and 7, May 24 and 25: Morning and Evening Safaris in Masai Mara
Staying inside the Park will ensure a great experience and early access to photography hotspots, so we may catch a Lion pride gearing up for a hunt or a solitary Leopard retrieving its kill from the high branches of an Acacia tree merely a few hundred metres from the camp.

Every morning while at the Masai Mara, we start our day after an early breakfast at 6:30 and venture into the bush. For participants who are agreeable to spending the entire day in the field, packed lunch boxes will be provided to keep us going the whole day, thereby maximizing wildlife viewing and photography opportunities.

An occasional afternoon shower may be encountered but this will in no way mean a dampener, for, the animals continue to be seen and what's more, it will open up the prospect of making evocative images of wildlife in the rain. And when the clouds have passed, the light that illuminates the scene can serve to illustrate the meaning of the word 'ethereal' better than any lexicon in the world.

Meeting at specific points in the savannah, we learn and discuss various topics on photography and natural history of Africa and Mara in general. These two days are tipped to be the highlight of the Tour with plenty of wildlife on show.

In the evenings a session of Charchaaloka
Charchaaloka: Presentations, Lectures, Discussions
or simply a question-answer interaction will afford a wealth of learning on a diverse array of photography and natural history topics.

Masai Village Optional Tour
While at the Masai Mara, based on the group's inclination, the Skipper will plan a visit to a local Masai Village for a few hours in the day to learn and understand the Maasai culture, their way of life and their interesting community living. This optional tour costs an additional USD 20 per person.

Balloon Safari Optional Tour
A ride in a hot-air balloon over the endless expanses of the savannah is an ultimate safari experience. We leave the lodge before dawn, when the sky is clear, the air is brisk and the conditions are perfect. As the sun rises over the Mara plains, our balloon lifts off – a bright splash of colour rising gracefully into the infinite blue. A stunning panorama unfolds below us and the balloon basket becomes our lookout post for a bird's-eye view of the Mara's magnificence. We float silently just a few hundred feet above large herds of wild animals. Upon landing, we celebrate the flight with a glass of champagne, after which the retrieval safari cruisers take us back to our driver. This optional ride costs an additional USD 450 per person.
Day 8, May 26 - Departure for Nairobi
After a scrumptious breakfast, we drive out making sure we arrive by lunchtime at an Indian restaurant in Nairobi. After lunch, we are transferred to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for our home-bound flights.

The Tour ends but your love affair with African wildlife has just begun.
Optional Extension at Masai Mara – May 26 and 27
Participants who feel the need to stretch their Tour are welcome to stay back on the 26^th and the 27^th, to experience two more days at the Mara at their own pace. The schedule for the two days will remain the same while we venture to deeper areas of the Mara on the full-day game drives, maximizing our chances of bringing back stunning photographs. This extension will be charged additionally based on your itinerary. Please express your interest in the extension while booking the tour to know more.

All safaris will be in open 4WD Toyota Landcruiser vehicles perfect for photography but you can choose from three options based on your individual needs to balance the expenditure with the amount of space you desire for photography:

Bronze Class

Perfect for families and nature-lovers interested in watching the great wildlife of East Africa. Not suited for serious photography enthusiasts. As a Bronze Class participant, you enjoy ample off-field learning experiences from an assured window seat in the vehicle. Although you do not get on-field guidance from our Photography Skipper, a seasoned naturalist-cum driver will show you the amazing wildlife.

Tour Cost: INR 98,200/- Per Person
Specs: 4WD Landcruiser, 6 pax per vehicle, twin-occupancy accommodation
Couple Discount: Book before 31^st March 2012 and avail of a couple discount of INR 5,000/- per couple.

Silver Class (Maximum Value)

Ideal for wildlife photography enthusiasts wanting to spend as much time in the field as possible. Participants of this class will share their safari vehicle with three others, offering a great balance between space and economics. As a Silver Class participant, you also enjoy unlimited attention and guidance of the Photography Skipper on the Tour and can look forward to a lot of learning on and off the field.

Tour Cost: INR 1,24,400/- Per Person
Specs: 4WD Landcruiser, 4 pax per vehicle, twin-occupancy accommodation
Couple Discount: Book before 31^st March 2012 and avail of a couple discount of INR 7,500/- per couple.

Gold Class

Recommended for experienced wildlife photographers with considerable amount of photography equipment and seeking the ultimate photography experience. As a Gold Class participant, you will be on safari exclusively with your driver-cum-naturalist guide and have access to all the off-field value-added experiences as well.

Tour Cost: INR 1,47,600/- Per Person
Specs: 4WD Landcruiser, 2 pax per vehicle, twin-occupancy
Couple Discount: Book before 31^st March 2012 and avail of a couple discount of INR 10,000/- per couple.

Inclusions:

Twin-sharing accommodation in a luxury resort
All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and hot beverages (coffee and tea)
Safari in 4WD Landcruiser
All road transfers
All applicable taxes
All entry fees and safaris
Services of a safari guide and Photography Skipper

Exclusions:

All Airfare
Any kind of personal expenses or optional tours, extra meals and beverages ordered
Insurance, laundry and phone calls
Bottled water and soft drinks
Alcoholic drinks
Anything that is not included in the Inclusions list (see above)

Terms and Conditions

Cancellation Fees:
1. 15% : Between 30 and 45 days from date of departure
2. 50% : Between 7 and 30 days from date of departure
3. 90% : Between 2 and 7 days from the date of departure
4. 100% : NO Refund within 48 hours from date of departure
- 1. Participants who have a medical history of blood pressure, heart-related problems or asthma are advised to seek medical advice before enrolling for this Tour.
- 2. Fitness to complete the Tour is the only criterion for participation.
- 3. Toehold Travel & Photography Pvt Ltd. shall not be responsible for injuries, damages, or losses caused to any traveller in connection with terrorist activities, social or labour unrest, mechanical or construction failures or difficulties, diseases, local laws, climatic conditions, abnormal conditions or developments, or any other actions, omissions, or conditions outside the travel partner's control.
- 4. All clients travelling with Toehold Travel & Photography Pvt Ltd. must complete and sign a reservation form and the "Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk & Arbitration Agreement" form.

Frequently Asked Questions

How different are your Photo Tours from ordinary tours?
Unlike travel agents who plan your holiday from a remote destination to places they sometimes haven't experienced themselves, Photo Tours offer a comprehensive toehold to experience a place through the guidance of a professional photographer. The common ingredients in all our Photo Tours are fun and a lot of learning and knowledge sharing. Besides, most or all of our Tour participants are photography enthusiasts, which keeps the group in harmony and helps make your experience focussed.
How many people can I expect in each vehicle on this Tour?
The Tour is designed to provide you maximum flexibility in balancing unimpeded photography with your budgetary needs. Safaris will be in open 4WD Toyota Landcruiser vehicles perfect for photography. You can opt for the inexpensive Bronze package, which seats six participants per vehicle, or choose from the Silver or Gold packages, which seat fewer people and allow you even more space, as per your needs. Click here for more information.
What are the requisites for this Tour?
Other than good health and an interest for African wildlife and/or photography, the only other requisites are:

A valid passport and other documents required for a Kenyan visa (issue of visa will be on arrival at Nairobi. The visa costs USD 50 per adult and is USD 25 for children below 12 years.)

Valid yellow-fever vaccination, which is mandatory by law (taken at least 10 days prior to arrival in Kenya and within the last ten years)
How sure are you about photographing wildlife on this Tour?
Considering the meticulous attention to timing we pay while scheduling Tours and the local expertise we leverage, we believe that it would be extremely unfortunate if our sightings and photography were unsatisfactory. The destinations on this Tour have been chosen so as to yield maximum wildlife viewing and photography opportunities. However, since we will be in an uncontrolled environment, we do not claim that sightings – especially of big cats – are guaranteed.
What equipment do you suggest on this Tour?
Kenya is a land of diverse opportunities, so a versatile quiver of equipment is recommended to capture it in all its glory. A wide-angle or normal zoom to capture landscapes or creative perspectives of wildlife, and a digital SLR capable of shooting at a high continuous burst rate (at least 5 frames per second) are suggested. For telephoto applications, a lens with a focal length of at least 400mm on a cropped-sensor body or 600mm on a 'full-frame' sensor body is usually essential, especially for birds. For mammals a zoom lens in the range of 100 to 400mm works well enough but longer focal lengths will yield intimate portraits.

However, if you do not have appropriate equipment, there is no need to fret. Toehold offers an exhaustive array of cameras and lenses for hire, so you can always hire what you need. Click here to see what we offer.
I am a newbie in nature photography. Am I eligible?
Absolutely! This Tour is meant for fledgling as well as experienced photographers. Beginners get all the advantages of learning on and off the field from Toehold's eminent Skippers. In fact if you are a newbie, you should jump on this terrific learning opportunity and sign up right away!