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Producers of
Wildlife Film News
The free monthly e-zine for the wildlife film-making industry

Big Cat Film Safari in the Masai Mara

"The trip of a Lifetime" - "An exhilarating experience" - "I had the time of my life"

A unique experience with the Big Cats of the Masai Mara...

Not only will you witness the high-speed chase of the cheetah, and watch prides of lions hunting their prey, but you will do this alongside a veteran BBC Big Cat Diary/Week cameraman who will show you how the series is made in the bush and accompany you throughout the trip.

Also in the group will be a full-time team leader and a professional editor who will show you how footage is pieced together with state of the art video editing technology to make programmes such as Big Cat Diary.

Make your own Big Cat Film - at the end of the trip you will take away a DVD that was produced during the safari. Note you do not need to be a videographer to come on this trip - many of our guests are keen stills photographers or simply want to watch big cat behaviour with the experts - no experience or equipment is required. But for those of you who want expert instruction on the use of camcorders then this will be available at all times.

We regularly meet up with the real stars of Big Cat Diary/Week on these safaris - on previous trips we have seen Shadow, Bella and Chui the leopards, the Marsh and Ridge pride of lions with stars Cheza and Sala, and memorable close encounters with Kike the cheetah and her cubs (photo on the right).

Click below for photos from the previous Big Cat trips to the Masai Mara:
April 2003 - April 2004 - July 2004 - May 2005 - August 2005 - August 2006

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart (London Heathrow plane)

Day 2: Arrive Nairobi airport (06.35 from Heathrow). Transfer via minibus to Wilson airport for breakfast in cafe and 45 minute flight to Mara (10.00 take off) on board a light aircraft. Arrive at Mara Intrepids, Masai Mara for lunch. Afternoon meeting - briefing and introductions.
Mara Intrepids is a luxury tented bush camp with four-poster beds, ensuite hot showers and toilets, swimming pool and superb food. The camp staff are extremely friendly and attentive, and will ensure you have a memorable stay.

Day 3 - Day 9: Full board at Mara Intrepids. Daily game drives (three per day) to Masai Mara Reserve accompanied by local specialists. Evening talks and wildlife video shows. One of the days will include a nature walk in the bush accompanied by park rangers and Maasai naturalists.

Day 10: Return to Nairobi by light aircraft to Wilson Airport, transfer by minibus to the famous Carnivore restaurant for dinner en route to main Jomo Kenyatta airport. Depart (Heathrow plane KQ102 leaves 23.40)

Day 11: Arrive (Heathrow 06.45)

What Wildlife will you see?

Species in the Mara highly likely to be seen: lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, wildebeest, Thomson's gazelle, Grant's gazelle, warthog, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, eland, zebra, Maasai giraffe, hyena, hartebeest, topi, jackal, bat eared fox, bushbuck, impala, baboons, vervet monkeys, mongoose.
350+ species of birds, including vultures, eagles, bustards, ostrich, storks, kingfishers, weaver birds, hornbills and many more.
A variety of lizards, insects and many fascinating plants. All the above (and more) were seen on the previous Big Cat trip.

Personnel

Cameraman:

Editor: Will Ridgeon (pictured left) -

Team Leader: Piers Warren (pictured right) - Principal of Wildeye - conservationist, writer, photographer and teacher of wildlife film-making. Founder of Filmmakers for Conservation, Executive Producer of wildlife-film.com and Editor of Wildlife Film News. Author of Careers in Wildlife Film-making and Go Wild with Your Camcorder - How to Make Wildlife Films.Through Wildeye, Piers leads wildlife tours and training expeditions around the world

Plus experienced local guides and drivers from the Mara Intrepids camp.

Travel Information

Visas: Required. Cost UK£30. For a visa application form from the UK download via www.kenyahighcommission.net

Immunisations: Check with your health clinic and Fit for Travel or MASTA - you can obtain a Health Brief by telephoning the Travellers Healthline on 0906 8 224100. Advised to be in date for; Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid Fever, Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A.

Malaria: Protection recommended - check with your health clinic
See Travelpharm.com for travellers' medication and health supplies

Insurance: Although not a legal requirement we STRONGLY RECOMMEND you take out comprehensive travel insurance – we do not offer this service but have suggested using BUPA TravelCover https://www.bupatravel.co.uk/. Whichever insurance you choose please ensure it provides adequate cover for both you personally and also for any equipment you may be bringing with you.

Dates:
February 2009

Costs:
£xxxxx per person (£xxx single supplement)

Includes international flights, all local travel in Kenya, accommodation and full board (apart from arrival breakfast at Wilson airport and final dinner at The Carnivore in Nairobi)

Comments from previous participants:

"Just a quick note of thanks for an almost unbelievable trip! - It's just as well we took a few photos... (about 1500 of them). Our thanks to Piers for putting it all together, the services of Warren (and the rest of the gang) made it an almost unrepeatable experience. How come a mere 4 cats managed to lift the trip into the magical? Thanks must go to Kike and her gang for their part too!" Simon & Susie Kelly

"I just wanted to thank you for such an exhilarating experience in Kenya. It was a truly ultimate trip!" F Khouri

"Received the tapes and Rob's Masterpiece -------he has made a fantastic job of editing all the films and has captured the whole happy atmosphere of the safari, Warren's commentary and the music was excellent we are absolutely delighted with it, so glad that we are going again next year. Once again many thanks for organising the holiday and all that you did in making it such a super 10 days!" J and J Welch

"Just like to pass on my sincere thanks for hosting what was a fantastic Big Cat Safari Trip. What a success it was. It certainly surpassed all my expectations. The wildlife we saw was breathtaking and I am really pleased with all the video footage we shot. ... It was really noticeable with everyone how their footage improved and developed as each day went by.... I have been taught much, made great friends and will always have fond memories of our time in the Mara" G Trezise

"Both of us thoroughly enjoyed the 'holiday' and we learned a great deal about animal behaviour and the art of photography"
J and D Brookes

"We would both like to thank you for putting the trip together, it far exceeded all our expectations and the standard of both the tuition and accomodation was superb. We would certainly love to do the trip again at the earliest opportunity."
T Grimley and M Robinson