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BIG MIGRATION PHOTO SAFARI 2018 Autumn: 16 Sept. 22 Sept. (6 nights) Join one of the worlds most awarded photographers, Pål Hermansen, on our Migration Photo Safari in Masai Mara in September 2018. September is the perfect time for experiencing 1.5 million gnu, zebra and antelopes on the move, followed by lions, hyenas and leopards. This is the last of the great migrations of big mammals in the world. We promise you a magical experience! Let us get this straight; you will be joining a migration photo safari that is so exclusive and special, almost like a dream. However, when you are back home, the evidence will be right in front of you, i.e. all the images you have taken of the most exceptional open landscape and big mammals in action. You may capture wildebeest, lions and native maasai on the open and endless African savannah, in a composition that will surprise your friends, family and even yourself because you have been working and learning from the professionals. We emphasize that this photo safari will focus on experiencing the wildlife and optimizing the photo opportunities. You will get the same opportunities as the most experienced wildlife photographers in the field, the results will be impressive regardless of you being an amateur or a seasoned photographer. In between the game drives - and around the camp fire - Pål Hermansen will be available for personal coaching and advice regarding Photoshop, Lightroom, composition and technical and artistic issues. We will also offer you the opportunity to make portraits of the maasai and document their traditional lifestyle. You will travel with two photographers with different perspectives. Pål Hermansen is acknowledged as one of the 10 most innovative photographers in the world. Ole Bernt Frøshaug, the co-founder of Basecamp back in 1996, knows the maasai people and the savannah as his own backyard. He has a life long experience as a professional documentary photographer and filmmaker. To see or not to see To photograph is all about seeing, observing and sorting impressions. Technically, photographing has become fairly simple. A number of photo courses teach you to deal with equipment and take pictures that are technically acceptable. However, if you wish to take pictures that are of interest not only to yourself and your friends, the challenge is still huge, it requires a personal process where you consciously observe and interpret the world surrounding you. Every day on the photo safari, you will get the chance to practice and in between the game drives you may receive valuable professional feedback on your images, We aim at spending time on the beautiful savannah when the light conditions are optimal, i.e. early mornings and around sunset. During daytime hours we will focus on informal dialogue and advice. Our experience from previous photo safaris has shown that most participants have a remarkably progress. 3
When you present your pictures, we will give you feedback whether it is landscape, documentary, portrait or nature photography or classical modernist and postmodernist art photography. You will receive the instructions you ask for on how to improve the quality of your images; on photo composition, use of light and so forth. The most important, however, will be to give you a visual understanding of what photography is all about, and through one week of working together, discussing and sharing experiences you will hopefully get the inspiration to observe and interpret your surroundings in a new way. The Photo Safari is suitable for both beginners and more advanced photographers. You need to bring your own camera and your PC/MAC with a basic photo-editing program. Basecamp, among the best safari camps We meet on the Kenyan savannah, also known as the 7th wonder of the world. We stay at Basecamp Masai Mara and Wilderness Camp, two exclusive safari camps that have received awards and great attention for their focus on responsible tourism. National Geographic has listed Basecamp among the 10 best savannah experiences of the world. Within Kenya, Basecamp Masai Mara is Gold Eco-rated as among the best eco hotels in the country. This was one of the reasons why President Barack Obama and his family chose to stay at this place when on safari in Africa. Basecamp does not only operate open safari jeeps, but has also specialized in walking safaris with highly knowledgeable maasai guides. In 2010 Basecamp Foundation Kenya opened a private conservancy in cooperation with 500 maasai landowners the Mara Naboisho Conservancy. As a participant on our Photo Safari, you will have exclusive access to this secluded and protected area, which probably holds the highest density of lions in the world. The maasai possess a long traditional knowledge about plants, trees and animals. They live and co-exist with their cows and sheep, surrounded by hyenas, lion and elephants. While on jeep safari and walking safari we will have the pleasure of getting to know their culture and rich traditions. Basecamp Masai Mara sits on the river Talek, bordering the Masai Mara Game Reserve. The density of big mammals are higher than anywhere else in the world and the open landscape provides an unique opportunity to experience and spot where the action are happening. You may see lions hunting, cheetahs roaming or giraffes in the sunset. Bird life on the savannah is fascinating and rich; from your private deck on the safari camp we have registered more than 250 species. Basecamp is concerned with protecting the rich biodiversity of East Africa. Basecamp Foundation Kenya cooperate closely with the local communities regarding health, education, entrepreneurship and access to clean drinking water. You may also visit our various community projects. Unique photo opportunities Basecamp Foundation Kenya s strong position within the local community will give you the possibility to photograph the maasai in their everyday life. Upon request, we may also arrange a basic daylight studio for enabling portrait photography. Imagine flying silent over the savannah as the first rays of sun cast long shadows over the horizon. The wildlife will roam freely below you and you are in a position to follow them through your lenses. This may become reality as you find yourself safely on board a hot air balloon over Masai Mara. We invite you to experience an unforgettable morning in the air (Note: Additional cost paid directly to the Balloon operator!) 4
You have the possibility to extend your stay. We highly recommend this, as you then have the chance to digest your impressions and further refine your photographic work. Most of our guests on previous photo safaries have opted for an extension as the main trip comes to an end. Pål Hermansen and Ole Bernt Frøshaug are inviting you to what we call Photo Extreme or you can choose just to relax and enjoy the unique savannah at your own convenience. Bring your camera and join the adventure! Basecamp Masai Mara & Widerness Camp 12 spacious safari tents with thatched roofs and private deck. This makes Basecamp private and exclusive and our team of maasai will provide you with a genuine, personal service. Freshly made coffee before sunrise, a three course meal in our restaurant, a sundowner on the viewing deck as you observe the giraffes in the horizon and possibly a nightcap by the campfire under the African sky. Our Camps have a particular charm and traditional design, but appear highly luxurious and the concept encourage personal interaction with our local employees. We provide you with a solar heated shower and as night falls, you will be inspired by the sounds; the lions roar, the hyenas laugh and the intense screams of the baboons. Wilderness Camp is just a 45 minutes drive away, a luxury camp in the middle of Mara Naboisho, an exclusive private conservancy. When you have photographed The Big Five on our classical open jeep safaris, you are going to try our signature product: the walking safari, experiencing nature and wildlife on foot only protected by the maasai and their knowledge of the ecosystem and the wildlife - an magic Out of Africa adventure. 5
The photographer among the top 10 in the world competition in Germany and in 2014 he was named the All over winner in the largest European nature photography competition, Glanzlichter. Very few nature photographers have received more prizes and acknowledgements than Pål. In addition he has a diploma from Robert Meyer College of Art. Philosophy: The vastness and eternity of the landscape and the power of all living creatures are the basal inspiring elements of my life Pål Hermansen is one of the most highly profiled and awarded Norwegian nature photographers, who clearly challenge people s traditional perception of nature photography. In 2013, he was presented as one of the 10 best nature photographers of the world in a BBC/Natural History Museum book. Pål Hermansen is portrayed together with Frans Lanting, Jim Brandenburg, David Doubilet, Anup Shah and others. Pål has published more than 30 books (text and pictures). Today he cooperates with several of the big stock photo agencies, Getty Images, Nature Picture Library, Steve Bloom agency and NTB/Scanpix among others. His pictures have been published in world leading newspapers and magazines like National Geographic Magazine, GEO, New York Times, The Guardian and so on. Pål Hermansen has had a number of solo exhibitions and made contributions to photo galleries around the world. He has a 2nd prize from World Press Photo, two first prizes at the world s largest nature photography competition, BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year. He has won the European National Photojournalist 6
The film White Canvas, Black Hyena from Masai Mara won the Prix Essai as the world s most innovative art film at the Unesco Art film festival in Paris 2005. Ole Bernt has lived, worked and travelled in Africa since the eighties. He is today a board member of Basecamp Foundation Kenya. He found the location for Basecamp Masai Mara already in 1995 and co-founded Basecamp Explorer one year later. He will host the Photo Safari in close cooperation with the best maasai guides in Kenya Host, guide and founder of Basecamp The Africa of the animals is a sort of Dream Kingdom, I had a most intense sentiment of returning to the land of my youth, a recognition of the immemorially known. Africa has the stillness of the eternal beginning. (Carl Jung, 1925) Ole Bernt Frøshaug has a background from photojournalism, filmmaking, environment and development work in Africa. He has worked for NORAD and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He has directed and produced more than 30 documentary films for TV2, NRK, and BBC, focusing on politics, environment and culture. 7
Photo Safari in Masai Mara, 16 22 September 2018 7 days/6 nights Departure from Europe: 15 September in the afternoon /Return 22 September in the evening from Nairobi, Minimum 8 participants Price is inclusive of photo course, 6 nights in shared double room, full board, all photo safaris, walking safari, transfer between airports in Nairobi and Masai Mara, return flights Nairobi-Masai Mara. The price is also inclusive of park fees, which is a compulsory fee to the park authorities. Price does not include: International flights to Nairobi, any additional nights in Nairobi, drinks and tips. We recommend night flight from Europe on 15 September, arriving Nairobi latest in the morning 16 September. For return ticket, we recommend leaving Nairobi in the evening on 22 September. We will take care of you from arrival at the airport through to departure Very good offer on extra nights: you can join Hard core safari or just relax. Your choice. If you choose to extend your stay in Masai Mara with one or more nights, and get to practice your new skills, we have the pleasure of giving you the following offer: Photo Extreme hard core safari : Pål Hermansen and Ole Bernt Frøshaug will be staying on the savannah for three or four more nights once the Photo Safari comes to an end. We will continue our adventure and further enjoy the pleasure of photographing. We would be delighted if you choose to join us and do the same. 8
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