Mastermind in Masai Mara, Nov 2021

Date: Nov 9-22, 2021 (14 days 13 nights)
Join Federico Veronesi and Tin Man Lee to a trip to photograph wildlife in Kenya!

To apply, please use the following link:
https://form.jotform.com/211998261671161

(1) For two whole weeks, Nature's Best Photography Grand Prize winners Federico Veronesi and Tin Man Lee will be giving you guidance and instructions to capture the best shots of African wildlife: They will share with you how to prepare your gear, the best camera settings, bring you to the best wildlife sighting (with Federico's 19 years as a driver and guide in Kenya!) and the best way to create dramatic, emotional, and highest quality photos (with over 20 years of experience by Federico and Tin Man both winning numerous international awards, held exhibits and as contest judges).

(2) Save time: You will bring home some of the best African wildlife photos that would take others years to get. Federico and Tin Man will guide you along the way with their years of experience which enabled them to win awards and get to magazine covers etc.

(3) No hassles: The tour is all inclusive. Once you arrive at the Nairobi Airport in Kenya, everything is covered, with driver picking you up at the airport, all transportation, guiding, meals, lodging. Federico has led tours in Kenya for 19 years and know the best land rover vehicle for the best photography and to get you to the perfect spot.

(4) Safety: We will also make sure you have all the PCR tests required for you to have a smooth trip back home.

Details:
We will have 12 photographers plus two photo leaders (Federico and myself) and a professional guide/driver in a total of 4 vehicles, each photographer will have their own row to themselves so they can shoot to the left or to the right. It's also the best vehicle where you have the most freedom to move around to shoot.

We will rotate where you sit each day so you can mentored by Federico and Tin Man with equal time.

This tour is focused on getting on the most dramatic award-winning quality shots with the highest quality so that you can proudly hang them on your walls.

There are multiple GROUP COACHING CALLS prior to the tour, where we will guide you through all the necessary steps to achieve the best shots in the tour.

After the tour, we will hold coaching calls with you to make sure you know how to best edit your photo and learn the best way to print it big (24 inch, 36 inch to 6 feet prints) and how to submit to photo contests.

During the tour, we will give you critiques every day after the shoot, and give you instructions during the shoot, so that you can get the highest quality shots.

Our only goal is to chase for the best photos which evoke emotion, so no time will be wasted.

The main objective is special behaviors, stunning portraits, dramatic lighting, backlit, black and white, animal small in frame with grand landscapes, and also intimate closeups.

Itinerary (We will spend 6 nights in Masai Mara and 3 nights in Ambosei, the remaining 3 nights we will either stay in Lewa or other places depending on the best locations or animal sightings)

1 night Nairobi + 3 nights Amboseli NP + 3 nights Lewa Conservancy (tentative) + 6 nights Masai Mara NR

DAY 1 - 9 Nov 2021

Nairobi
Arrival in Nairobi. Airport pick up and transfer to hotel.
Fairview Hotel, bed & breakfast (aka the safest hotel in Nairobi)

DAY 2 – 10 Nov 2021
Nairobi to Amboseli NP (where the elephants with great tuskers are)
After breakfast, road transfer to Amboseli NP (approx. 4 hrs). Arrive before lunch. Lunch at the lodge. Afternoon game drive. Dinner at the lodge.

DAY 3 – 11 Nov 2021
Amboseli NP
Morning and afternoon game drives. Packed breakfast in the bush. Lunch at the lodge. Dinner at the lodge.

DAY 4 – 12 Nov 2021
Amboseli NP
Morning and afternoon game drives. Packed breakfast in the bush. Lunch at the lodge. Dinner at the lodge.

DAY 5 – 13 Nov 2021
Amboseli NP to Lewa Conservancy (Lewa is tentative, not confirmed. Federico will gather the most info for best sightings before we make a final decision on location)
Morning game drive with packed breakfast in Amboseli. Charter flight to Lewa Conservancy (approx. 1h 20min). Arrive for lunch. Lunch in camp. Afternoon game drive in Lewa. Dinner in camp.

DAY 6 – 14 Nov 2021
Lewa Conservancy
Morning and afternoon game drives. Packed breakfast in the bush. Lunch in camp. Dinner in camp.

DAY 7 – 15 Nov 2021
Lewa Conservancy
Morning and afternoon game drives. Packed breakfast in the bush. Lunch in camp. Dinner in camp.

DAY 8 – 16 Nov 2021
Lewa Conservancy to Masai Mara NR
Morning game drive with packed breakfast in Lewa. Charter flight to Masai Mara NR (approx. 1h 20m). Arrive for lunch. Lunch in camp. Afternoon game drive in Masai Mara NR. Dinner in camp.

DAY 9 – 17 Nov 2021
Masai Mara NR
Morning and afternoon game drives. Packed breakfast in the bush. Lunch in camp or packed lunch in the bush. Dinner in camp.

DAY 10 – 18 Nov 2021
Masai Mara NR
Morning and afternoon game drives. Packed breakfast in the bush. Lunch in camp or packed lunch in the bush. Dinner in camp.

DAY 11 – 19 Nov 2021
Masai Mara NR
Morning and afternoon game drives. Packed breakfast in the bush. Lunch in camp or packed lunch in the bush. Dinner in camp.

DAY 12 – 20 Nov 2021
Masai Mara NR
Morning and afternoon game drives. Packed breakfast in the bush. Lunch in camp or packed lunch in the bush. Dinner in camp.

DAY 13 – 21 Nov 2021
Masai Mara NR
Morning and afternoon game drives. Packed breakfast in the bush or packed lunch in the bush. Lunch in camp. Dinner in camp.

DAY 14 – 22 Nov 2021
Masai Mara NR to Nairobi
Morning game drive with packed breakfast in the bush. Early lunch in camp or packed lunch during transfer to Nairobi. Road transfer from Masai Mara NR to Nairobi International Airport (approx. 5-6 hours, really depends on traffic in Nairobi). Expected time of drop off at the airport: by 6:30 pm at the latest.

The price includes:

Airport transfer from JKIA International airport to Fairview Hotel; JKIA International airport drop-off on last day;
Accommodation in bed and breakfast at Fairview hotel in Nairobi;
Accommodation in full-board basis at Amboseli for 3 nights, Lewa for 3 nights (includes non-premium drinks and laundry) and Masai Mara for 6 nights (includes mineral still water);
Road transfers: Nairobi to Amboseli NP and Masai Mara NR to Nairobi.
Unlimited game drives on 4x4 Land Cruisers configured for photography in Amboseli and Masai Mara. Each photographer will have one full row of seats available for comfortable photography on both sides; in Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, game drives on camp vehicles, open 4x4 Land Cruisers. Each guest will have full row of seats.
Domestic flights: Amboseli NP to Masai Mara NR and Lewa Conservancy to Masai Mara NR. Baggage allowance up to max 30 kg per person;
Park fees and conservancy fees;
Guidance by Federico and Tin Man;
Guiding service by local professional safari guides;
Amref Flying Doctors emergency medical evacuation to Nairobi cover (evacuation only, does not include hospitalization or repatriation);
Government taxes and VAT where applicable.

The price does not include:

International flights;
Entry visa;
Dinner and lunch in Nairobi;
All drinks at in Amboseli;
All drinks (except for still mineral water) at Masai Mara;
Premium-brand drinks at Lewa Camp;
Tipping and personal expenses;
Any other item not mentioned above.
Tour Cost
Workshop Fee: $19995 (Special for Sharp Winning Photos Students $14,995)

To apply, please use the following link:
https://form.jotform.com/211998261671161

Note: Double Occupany. You will be sharing a room with another photographer.

Cancellation and Refund:
Travel insurance is highly recommended. No Refund 30 days prior to the trip starting day.

Covid:
Guests should also be aware of the new Covid policy in the safari industry: basically in the event that the trip cannot take place due to Covid, the deposit can be utilized for the same trip at a later date. It cannot be refunded though.

This is the full Covid Policy - “Covid 19 – If at the time of travelling there is an official travel advisory against the destination country or the Client’s country of origin (including travel ban or quarantine requirements) due to the Covid-19 pandemic, any confirmed bookings can be rescheduled free of charge within 12 months except for travel in a different season (higher season) where different rates may apply. All funds held on account (deposit, any other installments or balance paid by the Client) at the time of postponement are not refundable but can be used towards the postponed Safari. Should the Client wish to cancel the Safari altogether without postponement or when there are no official Covid 19-related travel advisory or restrictions in place, the standard cancellation policy of the General Conditions will apply.”

For additional question: Please email tinmanlee@gmail.com

About Federico Veronesi
Federico Veronesi was the Grand Prize recipient of Nature's Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International in 2011 (a photography contest with over 30,000 entries from 50 countries). His exciting upcoming new book ONE LIFE is in kickstarter currently. His photos made the cover of both Remembering Lions and Remembering Elephants. Federico has been organizing and guiding photographic safaris in Eastern and Southern Africa both for established professionals and keen amateurs. Backlight or dramatic lighting have been his trademark style. He felt that in the play between light and background, dust, mist, there was the key to convey the personality of each animal, the intensity in their eyes, their deeper emotions. And to connect their emotion to the viewer’s. As the years went by his main photographic style gradually shifted towards black and white. Elephants, his favourite animal since childhood, became one of his primary subjects. It was in Amboseli in early 2010 that he made his other unforgettable encounter with a charismatic creature, one Africa’s last big tuskers, a bull Elephant known as Tim. Federico photographed him and other Elephants extensively in the amazing backdrop of Amboseli. Black and white Elephant images from here are some of his most successful fine-art prints. His limited-edition prints are sought after by collectors worldwide, and are available through various galleries in Europe and USA. His images have been published in books and magazines, including BBC Wildlife and BBC earth’s books. Contributing to conservation of African wildlife through his imagery and work is his priority. He has been supporting different organizations such as African Wildlife Foundation, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Cheetah Conservation Fund, Bushlife Conservancy and the Remembering Wildlife initiative.

About Tin Man Lee
Wildlife photographer based in Los Angeles
Grand Prize, Nature's Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International
Winner, Wildlife Category, Nature's Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International
NANPA Top 10 and NANPA "Expression" magazine cover
Judge, Nature Photographer of the Year, NBP Asia and Viewbug.
Featured in Smithsonian Earth, Nik Softwares, Peta Pixel, Outdoor Photographer magazine, Ranger's Rick Jr. Cover of Alaska magazine, Wild Planet Photo magazine, Smithsonian Calendar.
Photos have been displayed in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Invited solo exhibit of 48 photos, HKUST, Hong Kong.