Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Spending 2 days with a cheetah with 5 cubs. Unless of course it was the lion cubs stuck on one side of a gully with their mums and the kill over the other side of the muddy stream......or the leopard and her cub.....or the magnificent cheetah brothers.....or the newly born giraffe.......or the sunrises/sunsets/storm skies.

Thoughts on Group Leader

One of the joys of travelling with Paul is that he prioritises the right things - finding the wildlife and the photographic opportunities, and giving those all the time they need. With the help of the great Kicheche guides, Paul got us in the right place at the right time; succeeded in keeping us entertained and challenged us to take ever better pictures. Charismatic, energetic and with decided opinions, there was never a dull moment.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take more warm clothes than you first thought - it's chilly before dawn in open vehicles. There is a reason the Maasai wear woolly hats.....

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the relationship between Malaika, the cheetah, and her 5 cubs on two different days and following their progress and reactions as she hunted gazelle for them. On one afternoon drive with Paul he asked what we would particularly like to see. We replied "leopard" and he and our guide duly obliged with one in a tree about an hour later. The following morning the three guides found a large male, bigger than they had seen before plus a mother and her cub.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul is dynamic, full of energy and inspired our guides, already highly competent, to give of their very best, pulling out all the stops to make our experience truly wonderful. Somehow he managed to combine organising the group with both taking and editing his own photos so that he finished the trip with a few hundred real pictures (if that!) whereas we returned with over 8,000 shots! I guess that a good part of the difference can be put down to our lack of expertise.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Have plenty of sleep before you go and a couple of days off work when you get back. You can expect to be on the go from 5:30am to 9:30pm (by the time that you have finished dinner) on several days of the trip. You will probably spend one or two afternoons around camp to make some time to edit your photographs if you don't fall asleep on the job! But we would not have had it any other way - and we are both over 70! Travel very light - the camp laundry service is superb and turns round in 24 hours except for ladies' underwear which the Masai men cannot do for cultural reasons. Detergent is provided as are all the necessary toiletries. Take plenty of camera cards! You will be taking a lot of bursts and may not have time to edit them.

Suggestions

Darren and Emma are the perfect and most attentive hosts. They coped magnificently with special dietary needs and were ALWAYS on hand to see us off on our early drives and to welcome us back on our return. All three guides, Patrick, James and Charles, were absolutely brilliant, very experienced and worked together extremely well. They anticipate Paul's needs to achieve good photography, particularly in relation to lighting, know almost to the metre where the big cats will go and position the Land Cruisers to maximum advantage without intruding on the cat's environment. The domestic staff and the askaris who escorted us around after dark were also dedicated to their jobs, particularly James and Wilson who looked after the Bush Camp "East Wing". The camp atmosphere was uniformly friendly, attentive and welcoming.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing female Cheetah with five cubs over an extended time. This was followed by lioness jumping muddy stream with cubs following suit.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Inspirational and fun to be with

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes

Suggestions

It surpassed our high expctations

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole trip was memorable, watching loin and cheetah cubs playing, leopards being chased by a lion, herds of elephant but the main highlight was meeting and spending time with the guides. James, Patrick and Nelson....exceptional men and a credit to Kicheche. I hope one day to meet and spent time with them all again.     

Thoughts on Group Leader

I have been on 3 photographic trips with Paul and thought I knew what to expect... his passon for wildlife and Masai Mara was admirable and his enthusium contagious. a very passionate man. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Know your camera before you go ..... and when Paul shouts at you "you,re a F...ing  Muppet"  (his words) dont take it to heart.Take sweets for Paul and the guides.( they like wine gums) keeps him sweet. 

Suggestions

Take anti-bacterial hand cleaner with you will need int in the bush!!! Would I go again........Definately 

Most Inspirational Moment

The morning we left to continue on to Tanzania, I knew we would be coming back - to THAT camp and THOSE guides because they are the best and it's a joy to spend time with them in a very special part of Africa with magnificent wildlife and endless adventures.

Thoughts on Group Leader

If you have the hide of a rhinocerous, a sense of humour and can give as good as you get, then Paul should be first choice if you want to maximise your chances of having the trip of a lifetime with regard to photographic opportunities. 

Most Inspirational Moment

From start to finish this trip was brilliant..I have been on a safari before but not like this.. As Paul says this is not a tick box safari and lots of time is spent watching. There were so many fantastic moments it is hard to choose the best - A lion stalking a leopard...cheetah cub..lion cubs..probably the moment that will live with me will be sitting in the land cruiser with a herd of elephants walking either side of me..it was wonderful

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul is very enthusiastic and will give you the best opportunity to see and photograph animals..mainly cats. He can be very over powering and could cause some people to be offended by him.. If you are able to take his manner and stress levels then this is the trip for you because Paul WILL give you the opportunities that others may not give.. He is very passionate about photography and the wildlife...  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Know your camera before you go!!!!! and be willing to give as good as you get with Paul.....Also be prepared to use the behind the vehicle toilet (tyre pressure stops as we called them) and take some hand cleaner....Listen to the guides and drink lots and cover up as it is very hot... 

Suggestions

I can not fault this trip..The camp is clean..the managers Darren and Emma are very approachable..the food was brilliant.. Be prepared to be tired when you come home...this is no holiday and you will have VERY early starts and some sleepless nights with animals outside your tent. being woken with a gentle voice and a bottle of hot water in the morning is wonderful as are the hot water bottles in your bed when you come back from dinner. I will definately return in the future....... 

Most Inspirational Moment

For me - it was finally seeing a caracal - and not just seeing it - but spending time with her as she went about her business, not bothered by us and our wonderment.Of course I also have to mention the day-old lion cubs and the 3-week old leopard cubs (and once again Kicheche went the extra mile to allow us to spend time with them! - thanks).  Can I also mention the Abyssinian Roller too - just another visitor to the Camp - no not really - must've been on a stop-over!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul Goldstein - well it's all been said before! I go back on trips with him - so that says it all really I think!The guides are truly amazing and are still delighted/moved by the things they themselves see.The Camp managers and staff go out of their way to ensure that everyone has a top stay! 

Advice for Potential Travellers

All the usual advice - be prepared for anything and everything - rewarding long days out, plenty of stops, plenty to drink and eat! Great laundry service! 

Suggestions

If you love spending time with amazing wildlife and photographing it, of course, then do go nuts and book one of these trips - I might just see you there..... again!

Most Inspirational Moment

Paul achieved my dream of seeing my favourite spotted cats (Leopard and Cheetah) by lunchtime on the 1st full day, but the highlights didn't stop coming all week.  The wildlife highlights go on and on from the majestic Black Rhino, something I never dreamed I might get to see, Elephant in a stormy ski, cute 6 week old Lion cubs playing in the early morning light, the show off Cheetah siblings who walked right past us, hunted endlessly and gave us countless photographic opportunties, the little Carcal who provided so much entertainment,the unforgettable Leopard on granite in early evening light and an encounter with all 4 of Notch's Boys. Oh and the crossings, how could I forget those! Early morning starts are worth it to watch the sunrise over the plans casting a warm golden glow. Equally enjoyable are those sundowners at sunset with perfect round african sun, just make sure there is some tonic with the gin, if thats your choice of tipple!  Life at migration camp was simple, comfortable and perfect, the food was out of this world, just wait till you get to see the cooking facilities at the end of your trip! The water for the bucket showers was always hot, ready and waiting at the end of the day and the laundry fairy was amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

It's no secret that what you see with Paul is what you get. He wants the best out of you, he only has 6 full days to get it. If you want the softly softly approach you won't get it here but what you do get is an endlessly entertaining, highly committed and inspirational individual who drives you to experience the moment and hopefully bring home an image or two that you can be proud off. The Kicheche guides, James Joseph and Francis worked hard with Paul all week to deliver unforgettable moments. Their eyes can spot things from such a distance, they understand their environment and as a result you experience the best it has to offer. You know when the "bush telegraph" has come up with something amazing, their driving changes and they get you there, but they also put you in the best position they can and seem to be able to predict with great accuracy what will happen next! My lasting memory from the guides has to be photographic advice from Francis including "As Paul would say Wide Angle, Low Aparture" remark, it has the vehicle in stitches and it still makes me smile 6 weeks later and the bush breakfast in the vehicle on the last morning.....food ended up all over the floor of the vehicle and the coffee just had to go out of the window in the race to get to crossing!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Know your camera relatively well before you go. You definately need the telephoto lens, I hired mine. If you can afford 2 camera bodies then do it, I didn't and as such when things came close my telephoto was too close and you don't always have time to change the lens. Don't underestimate the amount of memory space you need, particularly is you are practising the slow pan shots, or take a laptop to process your images on.I borrowed my binoculars and didn't use them, I wouldn't take any next time, the guides have a pair and often let you borrow when they spot something in the distance! Pack light, the bush laundry is great!, Next time it will be 2 outfits only and 2 fleeces, I didn't wear anything else. Don't forget the hat, sunglasses and sunscreen!Oh and whatever you do don't forget to pack some winegums for Paul and the guides, our group didn't live that one down all week....we all forgot!

Suggestions

Don't think about it, just book it, it is an amazing trip!

Most Inspirational Moment

There are so many.  Being met off the plane and taken straight to see four male lions feeding on a hippo which they'd taken down the previous night.  Seeing Pink Nose, the very chilled leopard who was happy to let us take photos of him.  Following a cheetah and her cubs whilst they played and stalked.  We were lucky enough to see three cheetah kills.  Watching the pygmy kingfishers and trying to get photos of them in flight returning to the branch.  Witnessing two giraffes mating, a process which can apparently go on for days.  The most memorable occasions for me though were the storms, the light just before the downpour and the amazing drives back to camp in torrential rain through mud and washed-away river crossings.  Huge respect to James, Patrick and Charles for their driving skills (as well as their knowledge and animal spotting skills).

Thoughts on Group Leader

This was my first trip with Paul.  I read all the reviews beforehand and was a little afraid!  I'd had my DSLR camera for about 6 months, didn't know how to use it and struggled to remember the relationship between F stop, shutter speed and ISO.  By the end of the week, thanks to Paul, I was confidently changing the settings and getting the exposures mainly correct.  I have a huge respect for someone who works as tirelessly as Paul did to ensure we got the best opportunities.  His own photographs are breath-taking.  Previous courses I'd done presented Photoshop as the answer to getting good photos and were run by an instructor who spent the day in a coffee shop leaving you to fend for yourself.  Paul is the complete opposite and a breath of fresh air in comparison.  He may shout at you for messing up an opportunity but it is in no way personal or bullying.  Get over it!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The facilities at camp are excellent.  Eco-friendly soap, shampoo and shower gel are provided, as is washing powder (the laundry service doesn't cover smalls).  There are water flasks in the tent for you to take out on game drives.  The game drives are bumpier than any high impact sport though - ladies, come prepared!One of the other people on the trip kindly leant me an L series zoom occasionally and the improvement in photo quality is marked.  Next time I would definitely hire an L series lens.  I would also bring the fastest memory cards I could buy.  Missing the cheetah catch her prey because your card is buffering is frustrating.  I wish I'd turned my camera off and on more frequently to initiate the sensor cleaning process (despite Paul being exasperated at me for turning it off) as there are dust spots on some of my photos.

Suggestions

Bush Camp is lovely.  Emma and Darren are the perfect hosts and make you feel at home from the minute you arrive.  James, Patrick and Charles are excellent drivers with a wealth of knowledge and professionalism.  The meals in camp are outstanding, especially considering the fairly simple catering facilities.  Paul might not be everyone's cup of tea but I can understand why his photographic holidays book up really quickly.  I hope to find a space on one of his trips in the near future.  His passion for photography is contagious.