Join Us on Safari

The last two months seem to have flown by! From September 7th - 23rd I led another safari to Kenya, with a wonderful group of people. We had a fabulous time photographing wildlife, people and landscapes in Kenya. It was an incredible safari!!! In fact six of the eight people who went have said they are returning with me by February of 2008.

Two days after returning home, my wife Sandy and I, along with our Golden Retriever named Buddy, headed off to the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone and the Canadian Rockies. Another fabulous trip! I love this photography business!

Now back to Kenya. We left Nairobi early for Amboseli National Park known for its great herds of elephants and beautiful views of snowcapped Mount Kilimanjaro. Amboseli benefits greatly from the run off of water from the melting glaciers on Mount Kilimanjaro.The water travels underground until it appears in the swamps and lake beds in Amboseli. Large herds of animals are attracted to the water in the park year round. In recent years the glaciers have been melting and receding due to global warming.

Mt. Kilimanjaro, Wildebeest and acacia trees in early morning light

Canon 20D, Lens- 28 - 105
Copyright: Paul Renner 2006

We were fortunate to see five cheetahs in Amboseli. We saw about twenty cheetahs during our safari. They are certainly magnificent animals. Some of the folks in our group were fortunate enough to see cheetahs chase and kill twice. The first was in Samburu and the second in the Masai Mara. Their speed is thrilling to witness in person!

Cheetah

Canon 20D, Lens- 100 - 4 00IS
Copyright: Paul Renner 2006

Right from our tents at Sweetwaters we watched as this Masai Giraffe came to the water hole to drink. His movements were like poetry in motion. He spent about twenty minutes drinking from different areas around the pond.

Giraffe and Sweetwaters Permanent Tented Camp

Canon 20D, Lens 100 - 400IS
Copyright: Paul Renner 2006

Our next destination, Sweetwaters Private Reserve, is known to have both Black and White Rhinos.

We came upon this White Rhino shortly after sunrise. That is such a great time to be out on safari because you see the animals being so much more active. White rhinos obtained their name not from their color but rather from many generations of people incorrectly saying white instead of wide, which they had originally been called due to the shape of their mouths.

White Rhino

Canon 20D, Lens : 100 - 400IS
Copyright: Paul Renner 2006

Our next park was Samburu. just north of Mount Kenya. The Uaso Nyiro River flows through this dry, desert area creating an oasis which creates a life line for many species of wildlife. It is a fabulous park where we enjoyed great photo opportunities with lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, oryx, gerenuk, grevey's zebra, lesser kudu, somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe and so much more! WOW!!! It is truly an incredible place!

Elephants in the Uaso Nyiro River, Samburu

Canon 20D, Lens- 100 - 400IS
Copyright: Paul Renner 2006

Our Somak Safari guides were awesome! They found everything we wanted to see and so much more. They were always helpful and ready to work any hours we needed and with a smile. They would always do their best to get us in location to get our best photographs in the right light. I have really enjoyed working with the staff at Somak Safaris as they have been exceptional to work with!

Contemplating African Lion

Canon 20D, Lens- 100 - 400IS
Copyright: Paul Renner 2006

Announcing a new Safari to Tanzania and Kenya, July 12 - 28, 2007.

For those of you that cannot make my February and September safaris, I have decided to run one in July next year. It is a fabulous time of year as the weather is beautiful and the animals are good looking. We will visit Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara National Parks in Tanzania. Then we will head up into Kenya to Amboseli at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Lake Nakuru, with the remainder of the trip in the Masai Mara with the migration. There are still spaces available, so get your reservations in soon.

February 2007 safari to Tanzania has been sold out for months. Click here for upcoming safari schedule.
 

The bird life in East Africa is phenomenal! There are 350 to 400 different species of birds in each park. From ostriches to eagles to tiny sunbirds, the shapes, colors and numbers seem endless. Its a bird photographer's paradise!

Superb Starling

Canon 20D, Lens- 100 - 400IS
Copyright: Paul Renner 2006

The people of East Africa are wonderful. They are some of the friendliest people you will find on the planet!

The people in their colorful clothing are a joy to photograph. Here is one place that my Swahili is very useful. As a white man getting out of a safari vehicle and speaking fluent Swahili I am something of a curiosity. They seem to really enjoy speaking with me in one of their native languages. To be honest, I love it too!

Samburu children, shy, curious and friendly.

Canon 20D, Lens- 17- 40
Copyright: Paul Renner 2006

It is fascinating to watch gerenuk as they feast on thorny acacia bushes and trees. They appear oblivious to the two or tree inch thorns that protect the delicate leaves on which they feed.

Gerenuk Eating Acacia Leaves

Canon 20D, Lens- 100 - 400IS
Copyright: Paul Renner 2006

At Lake Nakuru we found the same pride of lions that we saw last with cubs last September. The cubs were doing well and growing fast.

The large male lion and one of the females separated from the pride to begin their mating ritual. If we are lucky, next September we will get to see some new little cubs on our safari. Digital is great! It was after sunset and almost dark when I took this picture. I had set the ISO at 1600. I lightened it up in Photoshop through levels.

Young Lions On a Log

Canon 20D, Lens- 100 - 400IS
Copyright: Paul Renner 2006

For photographers and those who just love to watch the animals, one can't say enough good things about Kenya's Masai Mara! It is a magical place! We saw and experienced one great scene after another! We watched a mother cheetah catch and feed her three cubs a Thomson's Gazelle, We saw a pride of lions and their cubs feeding on two wildebeest they had just killed. Not one but two wildebeest! We witnessed the migration of thousands of wildebeest and zebra as they headed toward the Mara River and were lucky enough to see crossings on two different days.

Cheetah and Cub

Canon 20D, Lens- 100 - 400IS
Copyright: Paul Renner 2006

Even after we had seen their speed with our own eyes, we could hardly believe what we had just seen!

Cheetah with Thomson's Gazelle

Canon 20D, Lens- 100 - 400IS
Copyright: Paul Renner 2006

We had been on the plains in the Mara watching two cheetahs. As we headed for the lodge we were fortunate to see a double rainbow. A beautiful ending to an amazing day!

Double Rainbow in the Mara

Canon 20D, Lens- 28 - 105
Copyright: Paul Renner 2006

We watched as thousands of wildebeest and zebra gathered at the edge of the Mara River, each one fearing the danger in crossing but driven by a powerful migratory instinct to move on. Finally, one leaped into the river and the others began to follow, desperate to reach the other side. The crossing had begun!

Wildebeest Leaping Into the Mara River

Canon 20D, Lens- 100 - 400IS
Copyright: Paul Renner 2006

It was treacherous going as they scrambled up the steep, wet, muddy cliffs on the far side of the river. We were fortunate to witness two crossings on this safari. I felt as though we had been given an extra special gift.

Wildebeest Crossing the Mara River

Canon 20D, Lens- 100 - 400IS
Copyright: Paul Renner 2006

Consider giving an African Safari for the Holidays or graduation. It will be remembered for a lifetime as one of their life's greatest experiences. What a gift! For dates and information regarding my upcoming safaris click here.

Giraffe at Sunrise in the Masai Mara

Canon 20D, Lens- 100 - 400IS
Copyright: Paul Renner 2006

Important Safari Information:

• Prices for safaris include airfare from LAX, or save a little from New York.

• We have only three passengers per nine passenger safari vehicle. You will enjoy plenty of space for you and your equipment!

• We stay in luxury safari lodges. View Safari Lodges

• You do not have to be a photographer but you must enjoy watching the wildlife because that is what we do!
  I will be there to photograph with you and available to answer your questions.
  
  I hope you will join me for an African Safari, your adventure of a lifetime!!!
  For more information, prices and itineraries click here.