15th – 22nd August 2021 (£4995). £750 Deposit payable upon booking.
Booking for this widlife photography safari is via my ‘sister’ website, African Photography Safaris….
Please click here to visit AfricanPhotographySafaris.com or contact me for further information.
A dedicated wildlife photography safari in the private conservancies of the Masai Mara. The home of the iconic African ‘Big Five’: lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and cape buffalo. The Great Migration too, millions of wildebeest and zebra traversing the savannah.
Plus, cheetahs, hippos, crocodiles, hyenas, giraffes, gazelles, impala and countless other animals are everywhere to be seen. And the bird life is incredible, the brilliantly coloured lilac-breasted roller, superb and splendid starlings, several species of kingfisher, as well as a ruthless cast of vultures, marabou stork and eagles – the list is endless.
I’ve teamed up with my good friend and professional photographer Kaleel Zibe, plus our good friends in the Mara, Moses Nampasso and Boston Nabaala to offer these photography safaris. Kaleel is an accomplished wildlife photographer and tutor and both Moses and Boston are Masai landowners and nationally accredited Koyiaki safari guides. They both have an eagle eye for wildlife plus a vast knowledge of the area and heritage. Their wildlife knowledge is second to none and they know exactly what photographers want from their safari.
‘Normal’ safari trips are often nothing more than a ‘box ticking’ exercise speeding around the reserves. They simply do not cater for serious photographers’ needs as well as a trip like this.
Join me in the Masai Mara – the wildlife heart of Africa!
Lion & Topi, Lemek Conservancy, Masai Mara
We will be staying at the stunning House In The Wild on the banks of the River Mara in the Enonkishu Conservancy. This is an ideal base in the middle of beautiful surroundings with access to the national reserve, Mara Triangle and the surrounding Lemek, Ol Choro and Mara North private conservancies. This trip is timed to take place during the great migration and although river crossings are unpredictable we are well placed to experience and photograph this great wildlife event.
Throughout the trip, we’ll be using large four wheeled drive safari vehicles. Each person gets a window seat and there will be more than enough room in the vehicles. Being packed into a vehicle with several other photographers with little or no room is a sure way to ruin a photo safari.
| 18th – 25th August 2020 | Cancelled. All bookings have been transferred to 2021 |
| 15th – 22nd August 2021 | Good availablity, £4995 pp (£750 deposit) |
I recommend a interchangeable lens mirrorless or digital SLR camera with a lens of 300mm or more. A 70-300mm or 100-400mm is ideal for photographing the diverse large mammals of the Masai Mara. A bridge camera with an equivalent focal length lens will also be a good option. I’d also recommend a wider lens to take in the amazing habitat and landscape too. Spare batteries and memory cards are absolutely essential. We’ll be able to charge batteries daily at our accommodation.
Longer lenses may need a bean bag or monopod for support on the vehicle. I’d also recommend a method of backing up your photography, for example a laptop and portable storage device. We’ll have access to a Macbook which can be used if you have a USB storage device but I’d advise bringing your own for extra security.
African Elephant, Ol Choro Conservancy
| August 2021 | Details |
| 15th August | Arrive in Nairobi by around 6am for morning transfers to board our internal flight into the Masai Mara and on to the House In The Wild. Our own preference and recommendation is to fly to Kenya the day before (17th) and book evening accommodation at an airport hotel. We can provide details and guidance if required.
Arrive at House In The Wild for lunch and drinks. We’ll have an intial camera settings session then we head out for our first afternoon and evening photography safari! |
| 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th & 21st | Morning and afternoon / evening or full day safari drives with sun-downer drinks in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Mara Triangle and surrounding conservancies with evening accommodation and meals at House In The Wild.
We’ll also visit an optional Rhino conservation project visit on one of these days. It’s an incredible opportunity to ‘walk with Rhinos’ under the guidance and instruction of rangers. |
| 22nd | Half day photography safari and afternoon flight back to Nairobi then transfer to Jomo Kenyatta for evening flights. |
African Elephant, Mara Triangle
I just wanted to say thank you for hosting such a great trip – I have so many lovely memories and I am re-living them now as I sort out my photos. The migration crossing was something that I have always wanted to see so it was fantastic to have such a wonderful view.
Having just returned from an amazing safari with Kaleel and Alan with fantastic photographs I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone thinking about going.
The wildlife we saw throughout the trip was fascinating & no two days were alike. I would definitely like to return one day.
Wow…. what can I say?
Thank you both so much for another unforgettable experience. I didn’t think it could get any better than last year…..yes it did! I learned new photographic techniques from both of you as well as much more knowledge regarding the habitat / wildlife / conservation of the Conservancies and the Mara.
To all those thinking about this kind of safari I would say ‘go for it’. You will not regret making that decision.
Thanks for a fantastic week. I learned lots (I think I’ll be the eternal student!), I saw the most beautiful and memorable sights the Mara has to offer and met new friends. Oh, and captured much of this on “film”. Thanks to you both, I appreciate a tour like this requires a lot of planning, logistics and that you’re always “on call”. It was great. For me, an unforgettable and rewarding experience. Champion! Thanks and safe travels!
I decided to go to the Masai Mara with Alan & Kaleel after attending one of Alan’s one day field workshops and boy am so I glad I did. I can honestly say that this was one of the best wildlife experiences of my life and I can only recommend it without reservation.
I’ll definitely be going again!
The whole experience of this trip surpassed my expectations, our guides were absolute legends and gentlemen! It’s unbelievable how they track and find these fabulous animals and their knowedge is awesome. They got us into the right spot to take our photographss and would move the car just a couple inches so everybody got the right view. Alan was always on hand to give you photography tips on settings and techniques and as much instruction time as you needed, even with the editing over a beer or two!
House In The Wild is a private home tucked away on a 1000 acre private estate, Naretoi, on the edge of the Masai Mara. It sits on the banks of the Mara River and is surrounded by wildlife in the Enonkishu Conservancy. The numerous lodges and rooms are spacious and clean with comfortable beds with cotton sheets and duvets.
The ‘Boma’, where me meet, eat, drink and socialise is a beatiful thatched building with roaring fires, a small bar, dining table and comfortable sofas.
House in the Wild is very proud of the fact that all of the fresh vegetables, eggs, milk, cream and baked goods are produced by the farm or the family. Healthy and delicious ingredients delivered to the kitchen from the farm daily to create sumptuous wholesome meals. Dining is either under the stars on a table by the campfire or in the dining area by the fire…
Bush dinners and brunches can also be prepared and packed picnics for full day trips.
Lodges and ‘Boma’ at House In The Wild ©Nick Watson
1 Without extra baggage allowances, your total allowance would be limited to just 15kg or would require unreliable road transfer. Beware of other operators who do not include this.
2 Some operator’s trips look cheaper, but do not include access fees to the conservancies and parks!
Cheetah & Cubs
Sorry, this trip is not suitable for wheelchair users or those with very poor mobility due to frequent mounting and dismounting on to 4wd vehicles.
Playful Lion Cubs
Taking part in a photography trip like this is an incredible experience, many have described their experiences with us in the Mara as life changing!
Understandably there is also a huge amount to talk about and many, many questions. If you’d like to talk to me about this trip, please feel free to get in touch and we can have a discussion via email or by telephone.
