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January 4, 2027: Join instructor Owen Ou at Lake Natron and Lake Magadi for helicopter aerial photography of both lakes and flamingos!2027-01-04 · Linked trip

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January 4, 2027: Join instructor Owen Ou at Lake Natron and Lake Magadi for helicopter aerial photography of both lakes and flamingos!
BEYOND THE FRAME / FIELD JOURNAL 01

Kenya, Tanzania

Open for booking

January 4, 2027: Join instructor Owen Ou at Lake Natron and Lake Magadi for helicopter aerial photography of both lakes and flamingos!

A photographic expedition

2027-01-04 — 2027-01-14Journey time zone: Africa/Nairobi
11 days/ 10 nightsTrip length
Group size to be confirmedGroup size

Go beyond the view

Photograph the deltas, salt crusts and mineral patterns of Tanzania's Lake Natron and Kenya's Lake Magadi from the air, with opportunities to look for flamingos. Lake colors, bird numbers and flying conditions vary.

About the route

Kenya & Tanzania Helicopter Aerial Photography of Flamingos Lake Natron | Engare Sero | Ol Doinyo Lengai Maasai Communities | Lake Magadi | Flamingo Habitats <Some of the images below were provided by participants Lgl and Li Xiaohui> Lake Natron, also known in Chinese as Nachun Lake, is a breathtaking salt lake in northern Tanzania's Great Rift Valley. It is famed for its unusual colors and resident flamingo flocks. From the air, river deltas form magnificent patterns, while carbonate minerals draw latte-art-like designs across the surface. Flamingos flying over these mysterious waters resemble dancing notes in nature's symphony, expressing the miracle of life's cycles. The images above were taken by Lgl. Lake Magadi, a natural wonder in southern Kenya, is one of East Africa's largest salt lakes. Here, salt and carbonate minerals intermingle to form unusual floating salt crusts in varied shapes and colors. From above, the textures and forms of the salt layers are fully visible, revealing Lake Magadi's grandeur and beauty. The images above were taken by Li Xiaohui. Photography at the night-photography lodge On January 4, 2027, instructor Owen Ou will lead you to Lake Natron and Lake Magadi in Tanzania and Kenya for four days of helicopter aerial photography of the two lakes and flamingos. We look forward to having you join us!

JOURNEY IMAGES

The journey in pictures

Photographers linked to this route: Owen Ou →

Itinerary images · Select a photo to enlarge

A different way of seeing

Portrait of Owen Ou

Owen Ou

Graduated from the Photography Department of South China Normal University in 2009. Specializes in landscapes, property environments and commercial portraiture. He has worked with the Shenzhen procuratorate, land bureau, Shenzhen Library, cultural centers, China Merchants Bank, Standard Chartered, Agricultural Bank of China, China Telecom, China Mobile, Guosen Securities, Topway Video, and BMW and Porsche owners' clubs. Photography journeys He regularly leads organizations and photography schools on trips to the Balkans, Iceland, Germany, Greenland, Cuba, South Korea, Canada, Kenya, Laos, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Morocco, Mexico, Namibia, Nepal, Japan, Chiang Mai, Tanzania, Turkey, Uganda, Semporna and New Zealand. Chinese destinations include Anhui, Beijing, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Henan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Inner Mongolia, Shanghai, Sichuan, Suzhou, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Yunnan and Zhejiang. Selected awards Outstanding Work award at the 2009 Pingyao International Photography Festival; silver in the art category of the 2014 Guangdong provincial exhibition; gold in the monochrome category of the 2014 Al-Thani International Photography Competition; Zeyida Photography Club's 2022 Outstanding Instructor award and a 2023 instructor appointment issued in 2022; Fujifilm's 2022–23 Club Gardener Award, received in 2023.

A rhythm shaped by light

DAY 01Jan 4 · Africa/NairobiDay 1: Monday, January 4 — Hong Kong–Addis Ababa–Kilimanjaro International Airport
Hong Kong · City illustration for reference travel arrangements · Destination illustration
Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong

Hong Kong · City illustration for reference travel arrangements · Destination illustration

Flight arrangements: January 4: Hong Kong T1–Doha QR817/18:05/22:30

DAY 02Jan 5 · Africa/NairobiDay 2: Tuesday, January 5 — Arrive in Tanzania
Lake Natron shore landscape · Destination illustration
Lake Natron shore landscape

Lake Natron shore landscape · Destination illustration

Flight arrangements: January 5: Doha–Kilimanjaro QR1499/01:50/07:45 Fly from China to Kilimanjaro International Airport according to your flight schedule. After immigration, drive to Lake Natron and check into the hotel. Hotel: Luxury wilderness lodge directly on the shores of Lake Natron

DAY 03Jan 6 · Africa/NairobiDay 3: Wednesday, January 6 — Flamingos
Flamingos at Lake Natron · Destination illustrationChristoph Strässler · CC BY-SA 2.0 · https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ · https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flamingos_at_Lake_Natron,_Tanzania.jpg · WebP compression only
Flamingos at Lake Natron

Flamingos at Lake Natron · Destination illustration

Depending on how well guests have rested, drive to the flamingo habitat after lunch to photograph the lake and flamingos with cameras. Hotel: Luxury wilderness lodge directly on the shores of Lake Natron

DAY 04Jan 7 · Africa/NairobiDay 4: Thursday, January 7 — Aerial photography of Lake Natron
Flamingos flying over Lake Natron · Destination illustrationThomas Kraft · CC BY-SA 3.0 · https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ · https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flamingos_lake_natron.jpg · WebP compression only
Flamingos flying over Lake Natron

Flamingos flying over Lake Natron · Destination illustration

Helicopter aerial photography session 1 After breakfast, hike in the Engare Sero fossil-footprint site park; At sunrise and sunset, photograph Lake Natron and flamingos from a helicopter. (Approximately 1 hour of aerial photography each morning and evening.) Hotel: Luxury wilderness lodge directly on the shores of Lake Natron

DAY 05Jan 8 · Africa/NairobiDay 5: Friday, January 8 — Aerial photography of Lake Natron
Ol Doinyo Lengai · Destination illustrationChristoph Strässler · CC BY-SA 2.0 · https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ · https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ol_Doinyo_Lengai,_Tanzania.jpg · WebP compression only
Ol Doinyo Lengai

Ol Doinyo Lengai · Destination illustration

Helicopter aerial photography session 2 After breakfast, drive to the foot of Ol Doinyo Lengai for hiking and photography. At sunrise and sunset, continue photographing Lake Natron and flamingos from a helicopter (approximately 1 hour each morning and evening). Hotel: Luxury wilderness lodge directly on the shores of Lake Natron

DAY 06Jan 9 · Africa/NairobiDay 6: Saturday, January 9 — Lake Natron–Lake Magadi
Wildlife at a waterhole at night (photographic subject illustration) · Destination illustration
Wildlife at a waterhole at night (photographic subject illustration)

Wildlife at a waterhole at night (photographic subject illustration) · Destination illustration

Cross the border into Kenya overland, check into a night-photography lodge, and photograph wildlife from a hide at night. Hotel: Luxury wilderness lodge on a night-wildlife photography estate

DAY 07Jan 10 · Africa/NairobiDay 7: Sunday, January 10 — Aerial photography of Lake Magadi
Night-hide wildlife photography (subject illustration) · Destination illustration
Night-hide wildlife photography (subject illustration)

Night-hide wildlife photography (subject illustration) · Destination illustration

Spend the day photographing flamingos, visiting their habitat at sunrise and sunset. After dark, photograph wildlife from a hide. Accommodation: A luxury wilderness lodge on an estate offering night-time wildlife photography.

DAY 08Jan 11 · Africa/NairobiDay 8: Monday, January 11 — Aerial photography of Lake Magadi
Lake Magadi landscape · Destination illustrationKenenock · CC BY-SA 4.0 · https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ · https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lake_Magadi_Horizon.jpg · WebP compression only
Lake Magadi landscape

Lake Magadi landscape · Destination illustration

Helicopter aerial photography session 3 At sunrise and sunset, photograph Lake Magadi and flamingos from a helicopter (approximately 1 hour each morning and evening). Between helicopter flights, photograph wildlife in the reserve near the hotel. Hotel: Luxury wilderness lodge directly on the shores of Lake Magadi

DAY 09Jan 12 · Africa/NairobiDay 9: Tuesday, January 12 — Lake Magadi–Dedicated flamingo photography
Pink salt formations at Lake Magadi · Destination illustrationLynne Tuller (crazykanga) · CC BY-SA 2.0 · https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ · https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lake_Magadi,_Kenya-5.jpg · WebP compression only
Pink salt formations at Lake Magadi

Pink salt formations at Lake Magadi · Destination illustration

After breakfast, head out for helicopter aerial photography of Lake Magadi and flamingos, with 1 hour each in the morning and evening. Return to the hotel at night. Hotel: Luxury wilderness lodge directly on the shores of Lake Magadi

DAY 10Jan 13 · Africa/NairobiDay 10: Wednesday, January 13 — Nairobi–Doha
Nairobi · Destination illustration (travel day) · Destination illustration
Nairobi scenery

Nairobi · Destination illustration (travel day) · Destination illustration

The hotel is 5 hours from Nairobi Airport. Depart at an appropriate time for the return flight. Flight arrangements: January 13: Nairobi T1–Doha QR1336/18:00/23:10

DAY 11Jan 14 · Africa/NairobiDay 11: Thursday, January 14 — Doha–Home
Doha skyline (transit-city illustration) · Destination illustration
Doha skyline (transit-city illustration)

Doha skyline (transit-city illustration) · Destination illustration

January 14: Doha–Hong Kong T1/QR818/02:35/15:00

Trip staff

  • Photography leader · Owen Ou
  • IncludedVehicle costs include the driver, fuel, road and bridge tolls, and all other related expenses. Daily working time is 8 hours.
  • IncludedGuide and driver arrangements: a Chinese-speaking tour leader from Wujing Travel, plus professional overseas drivers and guides;
View trip staffing details

Photography leader · Owen Ou Included · Vehicle costs include the driver, fuel, road and bridge tolls, and all other related expenses. Daily working time is 8 hours. Included · Guide and driver arrangements: a Chinese-speaking tour leader from Wujing Travel, plus professional overseas drivers and guides; Excluded · Tips for drivers, guides, and service staff, and overtime charges for drivers and guides

Transport

  • IncludedVehicles: 8-seat Toyota Land Cruiser off-road vehicles. Total group size = participants + photography instructor + local guide + Wujing tour leader.
  • Included6 guests, 9 people in the group: 2 vehicles
  • Included7 guests, 10 people in the group: 2 vehicles
Travel details and reference schedules

Included · Vehicles: 8-seat Toyota Land Cruiser off-road vehicles. Total group size = participants + photography instructor + local guide + Wujing tour leader. Included · 6 guests, 9 people in the group: 2 vehicles Included · 7 guests, 10 people in the group: 2 vehicles Included · 8 guests, 11 people in the group: 2 vehicles + 1 luggage vehicle Included · 9 guests, 12 people in the group: 2 vehicles + 1 luggage vehicle Included · Vehicle costs include the driver, fuel, road and bridge tolls, and all other related expenses. Daily working time is 8 hours. Excluded · Round-trip international airfare; Excluded · Helicopter fees (approximately RMB 12,400 per hour; the four aerial photography activities throughout the trip are expected to require payment for approximately 4 hours of shooting. Flight duration may be increased or reduced on site according to actual conditions);

Photography

  • IncludedStandard twin hotel rooms in the itinerary (including use of photography facilities at the night-photography lodge);
  • IncludedVehicles: 8-seat Toyota Land Cruiser off-road vehicles. Total group size = participants + photography instructor + local guide + Wujing tour leader.
  • IncludedPhotography instruction and services from the accompanying instructor throughout.
Photography details

About the route Kenya & Tanzania Helicopter Aerial Photography of Flamingos Lake Natron | Engare Sero | Ol Doinyo Lengai Maasai Communities | Lake Magadi | Flamingo Habitats <Some of the images below were provided by participants Lgl and Li Xiaohui> Lake Natron, also known in Chinese as Nachun Lake, is a breathtaking salt lake in northern Tanzania's Great Rift Valley. It is famed for its unusual colors and resident flamingo flocks. From the air, river deltas form magnificent patterns, while carbonate minerals draw latte-art-like designs across the surface. Flamingos flying over these mysterious waters resemble dancing notes in nature's symphony, expressing the miracle of life's cycles. The images above were taken by Lgl. Lake Magadi, a natural wonder in southern Kenya, is one of East Africa's largest salt lakes. Here, salt and carbonate minerals intermingle to form unusual floating salt crusts in varied shapes and colors. From above, the textures and forms of the salt layers are fully visible, revealing Lake Magadi's grandeur and beauty. The images above were taken by Li Xiaohui. Photography at the night-photography lodge On January 4, 2027, instructor Owen Ou will lead you to Lake Natron and Lake Magadi in Tanzania and Kenya for four days of helicopter aerial photography of the two lakes and flamingos. We look forward to having you join us! Included · Standard twin hotel rooms in the itinerary (including use of photography facilities at the night-photography lodge); Included · Vehicles: 8-seat Toyota Land Cruiser off-road vehicles. Total group size = participants + photography instructor + local guide + Wujing tour leader. Included · Photography instruction and services from the accompanying instructor throughout. Excluded · Helicopter fees (approximately RMB 12,400 per hour; the four aerial photography activities throughout the trip are expected to require payment for approximately 4 hours of shooting. Flight duration may be increased or reduced on site according to actual conditions);

Accommodation

  • 10 nights
  • IncludedStandard twin hotel rooms in the itinerary (including use of photography facilities at the night-photography lodge);
Accommodation details

10 nights Included · Standard twin hotel rooms in the itinerary (including use of photography facilities at the night-photography lodge); Excluded · Single-room supplement (Lake Natron rooms each contain one large bed and two small beds, and availability is limited, so single occupancy is not recommended; the supplement for 4 nights in Kenya is RMB 11,500);

Meals

  • IncludedAll meals throughout;

Visa

  • ExcludedVisa fees;

Know what is included

USD 10,518.09 per person · starting price

Deposit in the operator’s published information

per person
USD 4,496.19

This amount reflects the payment terms in the operator’s published information. When booking through this platform, follow the payment schedule shown at checkout.

Public prices may change. Checkout quotes expire at a stated time; your confirmed order records its price and payment deadlines.

Included

1. Standard twin hotel rooms in the itinerary (including use of photography facilities at the night-photography lodge);

2. All meals throughout;

3. Vehicles: 8-seat Toyota Land Cruiser off-road vehicles. Total group size = participants + photography instructor + local guide + Wujing tour leader.

6 guests, 9 people in the group: 2 vehicles

7 guests, 10 people in the group: 2 vehicles

8 guests, 11 people in the group: 2 vehicles + 1 luggage vehicle

9 guests, 12 people in the group: 2 vehicles + 1 luggage vehicle

Vehicle costs include the driver, fuel, road and bridge tolls, and all other related expenses. Daily working time is 8 hours.

4. Guide and driver arrangements: a Chinese-speaking tour leader from Wujing Travel, plus professional overseas drivers and guides;

5. Attractions: initial admission tickets for attractions listed in the itinerary;

6. Insurance;

7. Photography instruction and services from the accompanying instructor throughout.

Not included

1. Round-trip international airfare;

2. Helicopter fees (approximately RMB 12,400 per hour; the four aerial photography activities throughout the trip are expected to require payment for approximately 4 hours of shooting. Flight duration may be increased or reduced on site according to actual conditions);

3. Visa fees;

4. Single-room supplement (Lake Natron rooms each contain one large bed and two small beds, and availability is limited, so single occupancy is not recommended; the supplement for 4 nights in Kenya is RMB 11,500);

5. Personal expenses;

6. Tips for drivers, guides, and service staff, and overtime charges for drivers and guides

7. In exceptional circumstances involving force majeure, such as natural disasters, war, strikes, airline delays or cancellations, or consular visa delays, the organizing team reserves the right to cancel or alter the itinerary. Additional costs, including visa extensions abroad, accommodation, meals, transportation, or adjustments to national airfares, may be charged at cost. We will nevertheless do everything within our ability to minimize participants' losses;

8. Any other additional expenses not expressly listed under inclusions;

9. The prices above exclude tax. If an invoice is required, the applicable invoice tax must be paid additionally.

Single-room supplements, additional local expenses and the final total must be confirmed in writing.

What to know before you go

Availability and booking

Let us know if you’re interested in this trip. Availability is not updated in real time, so please contact us to check whether the trip is confirmed, how many places are available, and the final total and booking terms.

Trip information

[Transport] 1. Flights arranged by the organizing team use economy-class group tickets. Before tickets are issued, check the airline's rules for changes and refunds. 2. Flight, road and boat journey times may vary with conditions on the day. 3. The airlines and flight times listed are for guidance only. Flight changes may require minor adjustments to the itinerary. Please follow the final trip details sent before departure. [Accommodation] The total is based on two people sharing a room. We'll try to match solo travelers with a roommate of the same gender. If you prefer not to share, or no roommate is available, you must pay a single supplement for your own room. [Group meals] We aim to serve meals suited to Chinese tastes. We make sure everyone has enough to eat. [Photography] 1. Photography sessions follow the itinerary, but conditions on the day may affect how long we spend at each location. 2. Read the itinerary carefully and choose a trip that suits your health and circumstances. Skipping part of the itinerary for health or other personal reasons, or choosing not to use the arranged accommodation or transport, counts as voluntary withdrawal from those arrangements. You are responsible for your own safety while not taking part in the itinerary. 3. Stay with the group during photography sessions unless you have permission to leave. This does not apply during free time. The organizing team is not responsible for accidents that occur while you are away from the group. 4. Typhoons, blizzards or other events beyond our control may require changes to the itinerary. [Fuel surcharges] The organizing team reserves the right to adjust the amount payable if fluctuations in global oil markets lead to a substantial rise in fuel surcharges. If the team can absorb the increase, the amount payable will remain unchanged. [Before departure] 1. We'll send your final trip details no later than the day before departure. If arrangements are confirmed sooner, we'll let you know as soon as possible. 2. If the online itinerary differs from the final trip details sent before departure, the final trip details take precedence. [Optional activities at your own expense] Under the Tourism Law provisions prohibiting travel agencies from arranging optional paid activities, please contact the provider directly for details, charges and bookings if you wish to take part. If you need language assistance from a guide or tour leader, any help is provided in a personal capacity, whether paid or unpaid. It is not provided on behalf of the organizing team or the local tour operator. The organizing team is not involved in the payments, transactions or service standards for activities during free time. You are responsible for the outcome of those arrangements. The images above were supplied by Lgl and Li Xiaohui, who joined the operator's trips.

Itinerary notes

Photography locations, accommodations and transportation are subject to final confirmation before departure. Weather and local conditions may affect the itinerary.

[Reference services] The instructor will take the following services: Outbound: January 04: Hong Kong T1–Doha QR817/18:05/22:30 January 05: Doha–Kilimanjaro QR1499/01:50/07:45 Return: January 13: Nairobi T1–Doha QR1336/18:00/23:10 January 14: Doha–Hong Kong T1/QR818/01:45/15:10 Before booking transport, please confirm the departure and travel arrangements through this website.

Itinerary dates use Africa/Nairobi. Flight, transfer and other times follow the time zone stated for each location. Please confirm any time without a stated time zone before departure.

USD 10,518.09 per person · starting price
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