19 Days Mara Photographer Safari

Most international flights arrive in Nairobi in the late afternoon or early evening. Upon your arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, our representative will meet you and arrange for your transfer to a comfortable hotel near Wilson Airport (domestic), where you will depart for nakuru the following morning. We select hotels that are clean, offer good food, hot showers, and comfy beds, ensuring a pleasant stay. Each hotel is conveniently located within a 15-minute drive of Wilson Airport, making it easy for you to catch your morning flight to Masai Mara in North Mara. Accommodation: Acacia Tree Lodge, including dinner.

This morning, we will be transferred to Wilson Airport, where we will catch a light aircraft flight to the Masai Mara. The flight will offer stunning views of the Great Rift Valley below. After touching down in the Mara, we will be transferred to our accommodation at Neptune Mara Luxury Camp, followed by a vehicle safari as we explore the wealth of wildlife in the Mara Northern Conservancy. Accommodation for all nights will be at Neptune Mara Luxury Camp for 4 nights. Each day will begin with an early morning wake-up call around 5:30 AM to 6:00 AM. We will meet around the campfire for a quick coffee or tea before departing at approximately 6:15 AM for the morning game drive. Neptune Mara Camp will be our base for the next four nights. From here, we will explore the 30,000 acres of a private concession, seeking photographic opportunities with iconic wildlife such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards, along with general game like buffalo, elephants, topis, and various gazelles, which will be plentiful. We will return to camp for lunch at 1:00 PM, either enjoying a sit-down meal or opting for a picnic lunch in the bush on full-day game drives. Our evening game drive will commence around 3:30 PM, allowing us to capture the stunning African sunset and observe the night creatures as we return to camp after dark. Night photography will also be possible upon request. With the use of a private vehicle, there are no strict rules regarding game drive duration; our schedule will be dictated by the photographic encounters that present themselves. Dinner will be served by candlelight, either al-fresco under the stars or in the dining tent, depending on the weather. During the following days, we will be awakened with tea, coffee, or hot chocolate before heading out on our daily sunrise game drives in search of the "Perfect Moments." Throughout your stay, four full-day game drives are included, designed to maximize our opportunities during the famous Mara River crossings. There will be ample time for casual photo talks, one-on-one tuition, and workshops during relaxed hours for those interested. Nothing is mandatory during this safari, allowing you to dictate the pace of your adventure. Enjoy a full four days in the North Mara, immersed in the beauty of the landscape and the thrill of wildlife photography!

We will depart and transfer to our next camp, Ilkeliani Camp, located in the Greater Mara Reserve. Upon arrival in time for lunch, we’ll head out on our first vehicle safari, providing an excellent introduction to the incredible wildlife of this region. This will be a fantastic opportunity for photography, with an array of subjects to capture throughout our stay. Accommodation: We will spend 6 nights at Ilkeliani Camp, with all meals included. This elegant oasis in the heart of the Maasai Mara features stylish tented suites and several viewing decks, allowing guests to relax and enjoy the stunning surroundings. The camp is intimate, accommodating a maximum of twelve guests in ensuite tents, dedicated to providing a personal and sophisticated safari experience. During our time at Ilkeliani, guests can engage in a variety of activities or simply relax at the camp. Early morning drives will take us into the game-filled plains, where we can witness the awakening wildlife before returning for breakfast. For those interested in a more immersive experience, we can spend full days in the reserve, pausing for lunch at picturesque viewpoints. Additional activities include leisurely strolls along riverbanks to observe birdlife, visits to local Maasai villages to learn about their culture and medicinal plants, horseback riding across the savannah, or even hot air balloon rides for a bird’s-eye view of the landscape. Over these six days, our primary focus will be on the area’s populations of big cats. While we’ll make every effort to accommodate requests for specific species, the long grasses and warm light of the ‘golden hour’ during this season create perfect conditions for capturing stunning wildlife photographs. An expert will be available throughout our vehicle safaris to provide photographic guidance, working closely with our guides to position us optimally for the best light and backgrounds. With extensive experience photographing big cats in Africa, our expert will help us maximize our opportunities in this breathtaking landscape. After morning game drives, we’ll return to the camp for a relaxing midday interlude. For those interested, we’ll have the chance to review images with our expert and discuss processing techniques. In the afternoons, we’ll venture out for another safari, taking advantage of the beautiful light conditions. As the sun sets, we’ll have the opportunity to capture incredible silhouettes of wildlife against the backdrop of the open plains. After our evening drives, we’ll return to the comfort of the camp for delightful starlit dinners, stories around the fire, and the serene ambiance of the African bush. All nights will be spent at Ilkeliani Camp, with meals provided each day.

On your final day in the Masai Mara, we'll embark on one last early morning drive, offering a final chance to spot wildlife and capture those unforgettable moments. After our drive, we'll return to camp for a hearty breakfast, savoring the flavors of the region one last time. Following breakfast, we’ll be transferred to the airstrip for our chartered flight back to Wilson Airport in Nairobi. Upon arrival, you’ll be taken to Acacia Tree Lodge for a comfortable overnight stay, where dinner will be served. The next day evening, you’ll be transferred to Nairobi International Airport to connect with your flights back home, carrying with you cherished memories and stunning photographs from your incredible safari adventure.