Join us in Kenya on a safari that has been designed especially for photographers or people who just enjoy taking photographs and would like to improve their technique.
Focus on Kenya’s finest wildlife area, the Masai Mara ecosystem, escorted by award-winning wildlife photographer Paolo Torchio. Paolo was the first monthly winner of the Greatest Masai Mara Photographer of the Year 2018.
This safari offers a great opportunity to view and photograph Africa’s iconic animals – including Elephants, Lions, Cheetahs, Leopards and Giraffes – under expert guidance and tuition from Paolo. There are two set departures for this safari: starting in Nairobi on 5 May 2019 and 10 May 2020.
The Porini Safari Experience
A Porini Safari is the ideal safari for the true wildlife enthusiast who wishes to get close to nature to enjoy an undisturbed personal adventure with a knowledgeable and qualified safari guide, using customised open-sided 4×4 safari vehicles and escorted nature walks in private Conservancy areas.
Accommodation on this safari is at Porini Lion Camp, which is a small and authentic safari bush camp. Here you will escape from the crowds and experience the African wilderness with the personal attention of your Porini safari guides and Paolo Torchio.
From the camp, you will be taken on day and night game drives in custom-built, open-sided 4×4 safari vehicles with a driver-guide and a spotter, allow for maximum visual coverage. They are 3 tier and are spacious and comfortable, with access to an open window for each photographer.
Transport from Nairobi to the Mara is by scheduled flights to avoid a long journey over bumpy roads and to give more time to viewing the wildlife.
Spectacular Wilderness
The safari spends time in an exclusive wildlife conservancy in the Mara eco-system: Olare Motorogi Conservancy as well as in the Masai Mara Reserve.
The Mara Conservancies have the highest density of free-roaming lions in Africa, as well as leopards, cheetahs, elephants and much more. The pristine, natural environment attracts many species and provides the ideal location for viewing Africa’s iconic wildlife.
The conservancies are formed of pristine wilderness with open savannah plains, riverine forest, springs, streams and rivers, rolling hills and spectacular views.
Conservancies allow for a maximum of 1 vehicle per 1,400 acreas, which offers the opportunity to view and photograph the wildlife in peace and without masses of other vehicles.
Prices are Fully Inclusive of:
- Small group for the safari, with each person guaranteed a “window” seat in the open-sided 4×4 safari vehicle under the guidance and tuition of Paolo Torchio.
- Sundowners at scenic spots where you can try to capture those postcard perfect African sunsets
- Game drives in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy and the Masai Mara National Reserve
- Off-road driving advantages get you closer to the wildlife and away from crowds
- The price includes scheduled domestic flights from / to Nairobi. Luggage allowance is 15 kg per person, additional allowance of up to 75 kg per person can be arranged (supplement applies).
- Accommodation at Porini Lion Camp, a small eco camp located in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy.
- Safari is fully inclusive of all meals, selected drinks, day & night game drives in custom-built 4×4 safari vehicles with expert guides, bush picnics and sundowners, conservancy and Mara park fees and all taxes.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival into Kenya
Met on arrival at Nairobi International Airport by a Gamewatchers Safaris Representative, who will welcome you to Kenya and transfer you to The Eka Hotel, for 1 night (Bed & Breakfast basis).
Day 2: Photographic Safari
After breakfast, transfer from The Eka Hotel to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, where you will meet Paolo Torchio and check-in for your Safari Link flight to the Masai Mara departing at 10 am, arriving at 11 am.
Touch down at Olare Motorogi airstrip from where you will be transferred to Porini Lion Camp, which will be your base for the next 6 nights. Game drives and walks will be taken in the Conservancy & Masai Mara Reserve to photograph the wildlife, with Paolo Torchio. Night game drives will also be taken.
*Optional Balloon Safari for a chance to take some stunning aerial shots of the Mara eco-system.
Day 8: Departure
Final early wildlife and photography drive in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy to capture the beauty of the early morning, followed by breakfast at camp and then transfer to the airstrip to fly back on the 11 am flight to Wilson Airport in Nairobi, arriving at around 12:20 pm.
Met on arrival and transfer to the International Airport or a Nairobi hotel (depending on your onward connection).
Prices
Maximum size group 4 people plus Paolo Torchio. Safari operates with a minimum of 2 people. Price reduces with more people booked.
Safari is on Request basis only.
About Paolo Torchio
Paolo Torchio was born in Turin, Italy, in 1961 and came to Kenya in 1990. A keen photographer since childhood, he was immediately captivated by the African wildlife and wilderness areas that he encountered, and quickly made the country his home.
Paolo’s work has appeared in a host of Kenyan wildlife and travel magazines, including Travel News, Kenya Birding, and About Kenya, as well as in some illustrious wildlife magazines elsewhere in the world. Paolo’s photography has earned widespread acclaim. In 2006 he was declared Overall Winner of the East African Photographer of the Year Award.
His photographs and articles documenting aspects of the region’s animal, bird and insect life have appeared regularly in Swara, the quarterly magazine of the East African Wild Life Society (EAWLS), where they are seen all over the world.
Paolo was the first monthly winner, of the Greatest Masai Mara Photographer of the year 2018 with his fantastic photograph of a Cheetah chasing a Thomson Gazelle.
“The last few seconds of the hunt, when all will be decided by small hesitations, in one way or the other. Both of them totally absorbed by what they are doing. A matter of life and death.”
What Our Guests Say ...
“My husband and I have traveled all over the world, and have learned that sometimes things don’t meet our expectations. This was not the case with Gamewatchers – the safari experience they arranged for us exceeded my expectations on every level.
From the moment we landed in Nairobi, everything was taken care of – from the airport pickups and transfers, to making sure we were comfortable in our hotel before heading out to the camps, to dietary restrictions and special needs – they do it all.
Our Masaai guides gave us the experience of a lifetime. Excellent food, accommodations and care… breakfasts in the field, nightly sundowners – and a professional photographer to teach us how to take great safari shots!
I couldn’t recommend this authentic experience any more highly. We were treated like family, and I can’t wait to return again and again. Thank you Gamewatchers!” Patti Pagliei
“I am not a photographer, but even with my point and shoot bridge camera and limited experience I was able to put together some nice shots. Paolo encouraged us to see things differently and of course, having lived in Kenya for years he knows where to look! He and the Porini guides and drivers made a great team. Paolo has a very easy way of working, letting things emerge and responding with his expertise and ideas when needed, gently guiding things along. And he was also a lot of fun to be with!” Denise Finney
“Paolo did not disappoint. He worked with our guide and drivers to help find the best angle and lighting. He helped us in our settings in difficult lighting situations. He never told us exactly what to do, but worked with us so we would learn how to find the answer ourselves. I feel that there are photographic lessons that I learned during these 7 days with Paolo that will stay with me forever. He has a great knowledge of the culture and animal behavior. His sense of humor was spot on. In fact, this will not be the last trip we take with Paolo. He is stuck with us as friends forever now!” Tori Bohn
