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Kenya – Black Leopard Photo Safari II 2023

US$8,995 person sharing

Fully Booked

19 Jul 2023 – 26 Jul 2023

ORYX is proud to present you with a wildlife photo safari to the Laikipia wilderness as we embark on an exciting journey to photograph one of the rarest big cats in all of Africa; the melanistic black leopard.

 

Until recently, the odds of spotting an African melanistic black leopard in the wild would have been deemed impossible as there were no records or images of their presence. For more than a century, melanistic black leopards were not documented in Africa until 2018 when a small population was discovered on a series of camera trap images in Laikipia, Kenya.

 

Over the last 3 years, guides and trackers have spent hours understanding the movement and territories of these animals, which has resulted in regular sightings of these rare big cats.

 

This Kenya photo safari is exclusively designed to not only take you to the heart of the melanistic black leopard territory, with dedicated night drives to maximise photographic opportunities, but also to enjoy Kenya’s wildlife in seclusion from the crowds.

Why this Photo Tour is for You

Night Game Drives

As night time is considered the best time to look for black leopard, evening game drive sessions will be incorporated, with the flexibility to stay out as long as we would like to maximise photography opportunities for all nocturnal species and possible encounters.

Rare and Unique Wildlife

Laikipia is home to some of the continent’s rarest and most endangered wildlife species, including the African black leopard, African wild dog, Reticulated giraffe, striped hyena and Grevy’s zebra.

Private Game Drive Vehicle

This photo safari includes a private guide, tracker, and an open 3 row safari vehicle, to ensure that each guest has their own row for photography.

Location

Our camp of choice is nestled within a private concession, with very low vehicle density so that it provides an exclusive photo safari experience in a true African wilderness region. An added benefit is being able to exit the vehicle, when it is deemed safe to do so, to photograph on ground level.

Guided Experience

Local knowledge of the region and its wildlife is key to crafting the ultimate safari experience. Combined with the photographic expertise of your ORYX Photo Tour Leader, and you are in for an adventure that will further fuel your excitement for photography and the destination.

Penny Robartes

ORYX LEADER
Penny Robartes

8 Days
3 Guests + 1 ORYX Leader
Classic
Landscape
Wildlife
  • Destination
    Kenya
  • Departure
    Nairobi
  • person sharing
    US$8,995
  • Single Supplement
    US$1,880
  • Photographic Highlights
    Endangered wildlife species, including the African black leopard, African wild dog, Reticulated giraffe, striped hyena and Grevy’s zebra.
  • Guide
    Penny Robartes

From our gallery

Best of Laikipia

african black leopard 2
reticulated giraffe
african black leopard
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Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi and transfer to accommodation

Today is set aside as an arrival day in Nairobi. After arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), you will be transferred to your nearby hotel. At time to be discussed, your ORYX leader will meet you for dinner to discuss this upcoming safari in more detail. 
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Day 2: Scheduled flight from Wilson Airport to Laikipia

This morning we will be collected from the hotel and transferred to Wilson Airport for our scheduled flight to Laikipia. Upon arrival, we will be transferred to camp and have the chance to explore camp’s surroundings before setting out on our first afternoon game drive.  Our time here in Laikipia will be flexible when it comes to game drives. As dusk and night time are considered the most optimum time to search for African black leopard, we may spend a few hours of the night in search of this elusive big cat. Given this time frame to maximise photography, we will have the option to return to camp post afternoon game drive for dinner, and to charge our camera’s batteries, before heading out out on an evening excursion for our prime photo target, as well as other nocturnal species.   
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Days 3 to 7: Laikipia

We will spend the next 5 days tracking and focusing on photographing the black Leopards of Laikipia, which there is now a population being regularly seen in this area. Over the last 3 years, the guides and trackers have spent hours understanding the movement and territories of these animals, which has resulted in regular sightings of these rare big cats. This photo safari is deigned to takes you to the heart of the black leopard territory.  The Laikipia region is also home to some of the most unique and endangered animals in Kenya. Grevy’s zebra, Reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Zorilla (African polecat), Striped hyena, Aardwolf and African wild dog, are all some of the unusual species we will keep an eye out for to photography, along with large permanent herds of elephants all year round, Lion, Leopard, Spotted hyena, Hippo, Buffalo, various antelope species, and over 350 different species of bird.  An added bonus of this area is the ability to get out of the vehicle, when it deemded safe to do so, and photograph wildlife from ground level in order to capture angles not always possible from a vehicle.
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Day 8: Scheduled flight from Laikipia to Wilson Airport and depart

This morning after one last game drive and a scrumptious breakfast, we will depart for the airstrip for our scheduled flight back to Wilson Airport. On arrival, you will be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or a hotel, where this wonderful photo safari comes to an end. 
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