Jewels of Kenya

Information and FAQ

For us one of the very best things about Kenya is its abundance of animal species and diversity of habits. That is the beauty of this safari, you are going to get many different animal encounters in many different settings! Each of the 5 locations and camps that we are staying at are fantastic places, with top quality accommodation, fabulous cooking and absolutely everything that you would expect from a luxury safari. We don’t do cheap, we provide a quality all round safari experience that few can match. This page provides all the info you need for this safari, what you can expect to see, what each reserve has to offer, what our daily life will be and to start with some info on our Community Tourism…

Sustainable Community Tourism

It is very important to us that all tourism is sustainable and benefits the local communities on which it depends. Our Kenya safaris are dedicated to this, and our clients on this tour will not only learn about how their money benefits local communities but they will get the chance to have hands-on contact with some animals in local orphanages that we support. Click the button below to learn all about these projects that you will visit and the great success that we are contributing to….

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Ol Pejeta Conservancy is famous for it’s rhinos, with good numbers of black and white rhinos in its mixed grassland and bush habitat. Dominated by Mount Kenya, the park is a lovely way to start any safari as we always find different wildlife here each time. Our focus as always will depend on the time of day, early and late it will be the cats and hyenas that will dominate our time but we will always have a watchful eye for iconic rhino shots. Ol Pejeta is a conservancy which means it has a community focus which we wholeheartedly support. It is the centre for the breeding program for the Northern White rhino, which is now down to its last two individuals. To support this project we will have a special photography session inside the northern white rhino enclosure where you will learn all about the conservation program and get the opportunity to get some low angle photos of the last two of these rhinos. You will then meet the black rhino ambassador, Baracka, for a photo call and the chance to see this impressive animal up close and personal.

Samburu National Park

Samburu is one of the best places in Kenya to see huge breeding herds of elephants; in the late mornings and afternoons they travel down from from the cooler hills to the main river to wash and feed on the vegetation rich riverbanks. Travelling in large groups of various ages they are a pleasure to spend time with and we will spend a lot of time with them! This is largely because, unlike other populations, they witness very little human elephant conflict, which means that they are peaceful and relaxed around vehicles. Sometimes they come so close you can hear them breathing next to you! Of course whilst the elephants are the main attraction of Samburu they are backed up by frequent leopard and cheetah sightings plus rarities like Aardwolf, African Wildcat, Grevy’s Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Reticulated Giraffe and incredible bird life. It’s an awesome park to photograph in as it’s so beautiful, for us it’s our home park and we know it so well which of course gives our trips the edge.

Laikipia Conservancy

Laikipia has long been established as the place to go if you want to have a chance of photographing the elusive black leopard, however we didn’t want to add it into our itineraries until we were sure that there was more to offer than just one individual. After a very successful recce trip we are pleased to be able to add Laikipia into our Kenya Safaris. Yes it is home to Giza the famous female black leopard but it is also an incredibly leopard rich habitat. On our recce trip there we photographed leopards on every drive, tracking off road when needed, and had just simply incredible access to these normally elusive cats. All the leopard images you see in this brochure were taken during these six drives, it was simply incredible. We saw a mixture of males and females, plus a 9 month old cub. We also saw and photographed other species like Dik Dik and Grevy Zebra and one group had a fantastic encounter with the wild dog pack that frequents the area.

The vehicles were superbly adapted for what we needed, driven by real leopard loving experts complete with a local spotter too. The vehicles have low angle shooting holes and lots of space as they are open so you can shoot from a variety of angles. With off road driving and priority for our vehicles you have the best chances of getting some awesome pictures of leopards.

Amboseli National Park

World-renowned Amboseli National Park is a landscape like no other; a vast, open plain framed by the towering, snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. It’s home to Africa’s legendary super tuskers, the mighty elephants with tusks so long they brush the ground. If luck is on our side, we may even encounter Craig, the most iconic of them all, a true gentle giant and living symbol of Amboseli.

Elephants dominate the landscape here, often in large herds, moving through shimmering heat haze or golden dust - creating atmospheric scenes perfect for photography. The flat terrain and open light make it ideal for portraits, wide-angle storytelling, and layered compositions.

Amboseli is also gaining fame for its spectacular flocks of flamingos. These elegant birds gather in large numbers on the lake, offering opportunities for everything from graphic flight shots to artistic ICM (in-camera motion) work. The wetlands around them are alive with diverse birdlife, making every drive a chance for unexpected avian gems. There are also lions in Amboseli and if we get lucky we can not only get them to ourselves but they can also be in a very flat area. Amboseli never disappoints and we know all the best spots to go!

Lumo Conservancy

Lumo Conservancy nestles between the world famous Tsavo East and West parks and is an undiscovered gem. We have now been going there for 5 years, so what makes it so special? Well the red sand turns everything a shade of red; expect to see Ostrich’s with red tail feathers! Elephants are the polar opposite to their calm cousins in Samburu, they can be fiesty which makes them all the more fun to photograph. The lions here are mean too, they will stare right down any photographer’s lens and if you get lucky they will climb on the red rocks in the centre of the park. It’s a great place for Cheetah too and we know some secret spots to look. Apart from all those you get herds of zebra, eland, wildebeest, buffalo and great bird life. Servals roam freely but are usually seen at night from the superb low angle photographic hide (see below).

Lumo is a very surprising place to work, it can vary so much but the photos you get from here will be very different from anywhere else.

Photographic Hides

So far on this page you have seen images taken on game drives… with the exception of the Serval above. That was taken in a special photographic hide at Lumo Conservancy, one of two that Soroi have at their properties (the second is at Samburu). These low level photography hides are constructed next to a waterhole and enable you to get stunning below eye level shots of wildlife that visits the waterhole day and night. All of our guests get exclusive access to these hides, under our strict supervision, if used at the right times and correctly they can yield some amazing pictures. For full details of the hides and to see some pictures taken from them click the button below…

Camps and Lodges

Safari is a complete experience and it’s not just about the photography. For us it’s the complete experience of being in the bush and staying in a lovely camp eating awesome food!! Well our lodges are superb, with world class food, lovely accommodation and a wonderful ambience. To see details of every lodge you will be staying at (Ol Pejeta, Soroi Samburu Lodge, Laikipia Wilderness Camp, Soroi Amboseli and Soroi Cheetah Camp) just click the button below….

Safari Life

Safari is more than just about the photography, it’s a complete lifestyle for your holiday. Yes we are the best at getting you in the right place at the right time and we work hard for our photography, but it’s always fun too. We usually take our breakfast al-fresco in the bush, which is a great experience. Camp life is relaxed and you get plenty of chill time, at some camps we have spas for those who like a little massage during the day. The evenings start with a hot shower, then it’s off to the campfire for a refreshing drink before sitting down to a hearty dinner. At night you fall asleep to the sounds of Africa. A lifestyle anyone can enjoy!

The Guide Team

Lots of people run safaris, what separates our expeditions is the experienced guide team that we have, plus the Travel Trust Association bonding that protects your holiday money from supplier failure. Your guides for this trip will be leading wildlife photographers Andy Rouse and Jamie Peters, who have visited the areas before and are experts at getting you in the right place at the right time.

Andy Rouse

Perhaps a little about Andy for those that have never worked with him before. Andy has won over 28 major international awards, been a pro for nearly 25 years and has led photographic expeditions all over the world. He prides himself in only offering the very best destinations, and has built a reputation as one of the best photographic safari guides in the world. Put simply, if you book a WildBunch safari, you can rest assured that you will be guided by one of the best in the business. Andy’s safari’s are always packed with fantastic opportunities, expert guidance and a drive to get the very best for his clients, as well as being a lot of fun - you are on holiday after all!

Andy shoots with the Sony A1 Mark II, but rest assured no matter what system you use, Andy will be able to help you get the most from your system and yourself.

Away from work he is a proud husband, Dad and West Ham fan!

Jamie Peters

Andy has known professional macro and wildlife photographer Jamie Peters for over 10 years. In his previous life Jamie was an Army Photographer for 11 years. During that time he went to many places photographing the army including Afghanistan, Kenya, Nepal, Ukraine and Sierra Leone. He was also an instructor at the Defence School of Photography, so Jamie has exactly what it takes to help you achieve the very best from your safari.

As well as an excellent teacher Jamie has won awards for his stills and videos including the prestigious and fiercely competitive Army Photographer of the Year. His real passion though is nature photography and he spends his spare time photographing tough species near his home. An expert at leading tours in Africa and India his experience not only covers fieldcraft but all genres of photography and videography.

Leopard walking on a dirt path in a savanna with shrubs and trees.
  • This is a very easy trip since all activities will be from our 4×4 vehicle.

  • We are using Toyota Landcruisers that have been specially adapted for photography. They have big windows, roll up windows not glass for great visibility and a sunroof. All have electrical power sockets and seats with seatbelts.

    When we are out on safari Andy / Jamie are in the front seat next to the driver as that is the most restrictive view. They are also in prime position to direct to get in the best position at all times. In the back of each vehicle there are three clients, which ensures that each of you has a window seat.

    At LWC we are using their specialist vehicles and drivers. They are very open and it’s fun!

  • Of course we cannot predict this as the world is changing, but in general it's very pleasantly warm at this time of the year. Expect daytime highs of 25C-28C and night time lows of 12C. The days should be clear but we can get rain and you must be prepared for this. It can be cloudy too so a light fleece is essential. In short it’s unpredictable!

  • Comprehensive pre departure information will be provided 3 months before departure. This will cover photo kit, clothing, visas, tips and anything else you need to know.

    Lens wise flexibility will be the key here so a couple of zoom lenses and something for wide angles will be ideal.

  • We appreciate that for a lot of you, you have your own frequent flyer memberships and preferences. So, as we do for all our safaris, once you book we will tell you when and where you need to be and give you some flight recommendations.

    All transfers are included in the package in Nairobi.

  • We drive! To keep costs down for you we will be driving between camps, a maximum journey of 4 hours each time which will go quickly!

  • Rest assured that this safari is backed by the Travel Trust Association (TTA). The TTA is an independent trade organisation of tour operators that we are proud members of. The TTA provides guarantees for your booking with us in two forms.

    The first is that all monies are deposited to a trustee managed trust bank account and any payments to / from them have to be authorised at several levels. 

    Secondly your booking is protected by the TTA Safe Seat Plan and Supplier Failure Cover, both of which are insurance policies to protect your money from fraud and supplier failure. 

    We include the costs of these policies automatically in your booking fee, so that you can have total financial confidence in us, and your booking with us, as a trusted and reputable tour operator. 

    Further details of our TTA membership can be found by clicking here 

  • We have put this section in as it's very important that anyone considering coming on this tour reads it. We are always 100% honest with our clients so there are no surprises when you arrive. 

    When we go offroad it can be slightly rough, we will drive very slowly and carefully but there will be thorn bushes that will try to come in the vehicle, you will be warned and have time to get out the way but you need to know we will be bushwhacking!

    Now because of the habitat, and the way that the animals move, you cannot expect to sit in your seat and have a clear view. Sometimes it might be but there might be grass from where you are sitting, whereas for others it will be clear. The vehicle will always stop in the best place for the animal and the sighting, it will be up to you to move in the vehicle to ensure a clear shot. Andy or Jamie will be at the front controlling it for everyone BUT it's sometimes impossible to get a clear shot for everyone, whereas other times it's easy, so you have to understand that moving is essential.

    So that's that, all the slight negatives, which is just our way of being honest. It's an easily manageable trip for anyone!

  • The tour is open to both photographers and non photographers. The atmosphere is holiday when we are in the lodges, and wildlife focus when we are out and about.

    Our tours are inclusive, anyone is welcome irrespective of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. We just ask that you come with a smile and a love of wildlife.

  • It’s important that you understand that whilst we guarantee that everyone will do their very best to get you the very best in photographic opportunities we cannot guarantee photographable sightings. Nature and wildlife can be unpredictable.

    All his clients know that Andy and his guide team try their absolute best to get everyone the best photographic opportunities possible, but of course this can be out of our control as the wildlife has other ideas!!! So whilst we look for everything we can, we absolutely cannot guarantee in anyway shape or form that you will see any of these. It can rain. It can be cloudy. The wildlife can be elusive. You must come with this realistic expectations, we do not make false promises. What we can promise is that the team will work 150% to give you the best chances and best experiences possible. That is GUARANTEED!

  • This will vary depending on the camp that we are staying at. However your day will always start early with a wake up call with tea or coffee and biscuits. We will work in the good light and we will either return to camp for a brunch or stop for breakfast at some point during the morning.

    Then you can chill until mid/late afternoon when we meet for coffee and cake before heading out again. At some of the parks we have to return to camp at sundown, but at others we will again make a stop for sundowners and snacks before we begin the evening tracking session using lights. We return to the camp at 8pm ish for dinner and bed, usually we go straight into dinner.

  • We can usually cater for most dietary requirements so please get in touch with any questions and we will be happy to help.

Travel Trust Association

Now we know that there are a lot of people out there offering photographic tours, however rest assured that this safari is backed by the Travel Trust Association (TTA). The TTA is an independent trade organisation of tour operators that we are proud members of. The TTA provides guarantees for your booking with us in two forms.

The first is that all monies are deposited to a trustee managed trust bank account and any payments to / from them have to be authorised at several levels. 

Secondly your booking is protected by the TTA Safe Seat Plan and Supplier Failure Cover, both of which are insurance policies to protect your money from fraud and supplier failure. 

We include the costs of these policies automatically in your booking fee, so that you can have total financial confidence in us, and your booking with us, as a trusted and reputable tour operator. 

Further details of our TTA membership can be found by clicking here.

Travel Trust Association logo with text "Your Holidays 100% Financially Protected" and identifier "X8091" in blue font.