SUPER TUSKERS & BIG CATS PHOTO SAFARI
A 9-day luxury photographic safari combining super tuskers and elephants in Amboseli National Park with big cats in the Masai Mara National Reserve, with expert photographic guidance throughout.
September 7–15, 2027 & 2028 | 9 Days | Max 3 Guests per Group | Dedicated Photo Host & Vehicle
SAFARI AVAILABILITY
This Kenya photo safari offers a focused, small-group experience photographing super tuskers and elephants in Amboseli National Park and big cats in the Masai Mara National Reserve. Departures run in September 2027 and 2028, with a maximum of 3 guests per group, a dedicated photo host, private photographic vehicle and expert local driver-guide.
SUPER TUSKERS & BIG CATS PHOTO SAFARI OVERVIEW
This 9-day Kenya wildlife photography safari combines super tuskers and elephant photography in Amboseli National Park with big cat photography in the Masai Mara National Reserve. After one arrival night in Nairobi, spend three nights in Amboseli National Park and four nights in the Masai Mara National Reserve, with expert photographic guidance throughout.
In Amboseli National Park, focus on impressive tuskers, elephant herds and wildlife within the surrounding landscape. In the Masai Mara National Reserve, attention turns to big cats, with time to observe behaviour and follow encounters as they develop. Your photo host will help you adapt exposure, autofocus and composition to the wildlife, light and conditions on the day.
With a maximum of 3 guests per group, each photographer has their own row in a private photographic vehicle, alongside a dedicated photo host and local driver-guide. The itinerary provides space, flexibility and time to develop your photography across two distinct wildlife settings.
GROUP SIZE
Max 3 guests per group
Location
Amboseli NATIONAL PARK
& Masai Mara National Reserve
PRICE
2027: $13,295 USD per person sharing
2028: $13,895 USD per person sharing
DURATION
9 days / 8 nights
PHOTOGRAPHY SKILL LEVEL
All skill levels welcome
WHY JOIN THIS SUPER TUSKERS & BIG CATS PHOTO SAFARI?
A carefully planned photographic journey with small-group vehicle space, personal guidance and dedicated time in each location to develop your skills and make the most of wildlife encounters.
JUST THREE GUESTS PER GROUP
Travel with a maximum of three guests, giving your photo host time to understand your goals and tailor advice to your experience, equipment and interests.
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHy GUIDANCE
Receive practical help with camera settings, exposure, autofocus and composition. Your dedicated photo host will help you make decisions in the field as conditions change.
YOUR OWN VEHICLE ROW
Each photographer has their own row in a private photographic vehicle, providing room for equipment and flexibility to work from either side as encounters develop.
TIME TO WORK EACH LOCATION
Three nights in Amboseli National Park and four nights in the Masai Mara National Reserve allow you to settle into each setting, refine your approach and build on previous sessions.
EXPERT LOCAL DRIVER-GUIDES
Work with experienced local driver-guides whose knowledge of wildlife movements and behaviour helps inform each drive, alongside your photo host’s attention to light and positioning.
IMAGE REVIEW & EDITING SUPPORT
Discuss your results with your photo host between drives, where time allows. Constructive feedback and editing guidance help you identify improvements to apply during your next session.
PHOTOGRAPHY HIGHLIGHTS
From Amboseli National Park’s super tuskers and elephant families to the big cats of the Masai Mara National Reserve, this safari centres on wildlife and its behaviour.
Super tuskers of Amboseli National Park
Seek out mature elephant bulls with remarkable tusks, photographing their presence, movement and scale within the landscape.
Elephant families & calves
Spend time with elephant herds, looking for protective behaviour, playful calves, greetings and interactions between generations.
Lions & pride life
Follow opportunities to photograph lions resting, greeting, grooming and interacting, with the possibility of cubs, feeding or hunting activity.
Cheetahs on the open plains
Look for cheetahs scanning their surroundings, moving through grassland or resting on vantage points, with hunting opportunities dependent on their activity.
Elusive leopards
Search for leopards resting in trees, moving through cover or watching for prey, adapting your photography to the sightlines and conditions of each encounter.
Itinerary at a Glance
From arrival in Nairobi to three nights of elephant photography in Amboseli National Park, followed by four nights focused on big cats in the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Day 1
Arrival in Nairobi
Arrive in Nairobi and settle in before the safari begins.
Days 2 - 4
Amboseli National Park
Elephants, super tuskers, open landscapes and Kilimanjaro backdrops.
Masai Mara National Reserve
Days 5 - 8
Explore the Masai Mara National Reserve, focusing on lions, leopards, cheetahs and their behaviour.
Departure from Nairobi
Day 12
Final transfers and onward international flights.
Price & Booking Details
PRICE INCLUDES
Airport meet-and-greet, pick-up and drop-off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi One night accommodation in Nairobi on arrival Three nights luxury accommodation in Amboseli National Park Four nights luxury accommodation in the Masai Mara National Reserve All transfers and internal travel as outlined in the confirmed itinerary All meals throughout the safari Purified drinking water, coffee, tea, juice and selected non-alcoholic beverages House wines, local beers and selected spirits, where included by the property All national park, national reserve, conservation and activity fees included in the itinerary Private photographic game drives in Amboseli National Park, focused on super tuskers and elephants Private photographic game drives in the Masai Mara National Reserve, focused on big cats Custom photographic vehicle with a maximum of 3 guests, with one row per photographer A dedicated Untamed Photo Safaris photography host throughout the safari Expert local driver-guide Practical photographic guidance on camera settings, exposure, autofocus, composition and field technique Optional image review, photographic critiques and editing guidance where time allows Pre-safari planning information and equipment preparation guidance AMREF Flying Doctors emergency medical evacuation cover for the duration of the safari On-the-ground logistical support throughout the safari
PRICE EXCLUDES
International flights to and from Kenya Personal travel insurance, which is required for all guests Kenya entry authorisation, visa fees, Kenya inbound travel insurance, passport fees, vaccination costs or other personal travel documentation expenses Premium alcoholic beverages unless specifically included by the property Personal expenses, including souvenirs, laundry, spa treatments, additional drinks and incidentals Optional activities or experiences not listed in the confirmed itinerary Additional hotel nights, meals, transfers or services required due to early arrival, late departure, flight changes, delays or missed connections Gratuities and tips for photo hosts, local guides, lodge staff, porters and other support staff Excess baggage charges or private luggage arrangements outside any confirmed internal flight allowance Any increase in government taxes, national park fees, national reserve fees, conservation fees, fuel levies, airport taxes, tourism fees or other compulsory charges imposed after confirmation Costs arising from circumstances beyond our control, including weather disruptions, flight delays, changes to national park or national reserve regulations, medical issues or force majeure events
Detailed Safari Itinerary
This itinerary has been carefully designed to balance travel, field time and photographic opportunities across Amboseli National Park and the Masai Mara National Reserve. Three nights focus on super tuskers and elephants, followed by four nights dedicated to big cat photography. Each day remains flexible around light, wildlife behaviour and local conditions, allowing your photo host and driver-guide to make the most of the opportunities in front of you.
DAY 1
Arrival in Nairobi
Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where you will be met and transferred to your Nairobi airport hotel. This first evening includes a meet-and-greet with your photo host, giving you time to discuss the safari ahead, ask questions and prepare for the journey.
Guests must arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport no later than 4:00pm on arrival day.
Overnight: Nairobi Airport Hotel
DAY 2
Transfer to Amboseli National Park
After breakfast, travel by road to Amboseli National Park, one of Kenya’s most iconic elephant photography destinations. After settling in, head out for your first afternoon photographic safari, with time to begin working with light, composition and the open landscapes of Amboseli.
Photography Focus: Elephants, open savannah landscapes and first field session
Overnight: Soroi Amboseli Lodge
DAYS 3 - 4
Amboseli Elephants & Super Tuskers
Spend two full days exploring Amboseli with morning and afternoon photographic safaris. This region is known for large elephant herds, classic Kilimanjaro backdrops and the possibility of photographing some of East Africa’s remaining super tuskers. During quieter hours, there will be time for image selection, editing guidance and optional feedback with your photo host.
Photography Focus: Elephants, super tuskers, dust, marshes and Kilimanjaro landscapes
Overnight: Soroi Amboseli Lodge
DAY 5
Fly to the Masai Mara
After a final morning in Amboseli, transfer to the airstrip for your private charter flight to the Masai Mara. On arrival, settle into camp before heading out for an evening photographic safari in one of Africa’s most productive wildlife regions.
Photography Focus: Big cats, open plains, migration movement and first Mara opportunities
Overnight: Soroi Private Wing - Masai Mara
DAYS 6 - 8
Masai Mara Predators & Great Migration Photography
Spend three full days photographing in the Masai Mara, with time dedicated to big cats, predator behaviour, open plains, dramatic skies and seasonal Great Migration activity. Each day will be planned around the best available light, wildlife movement and local conditions, allowing the group to focus on quality sightings rather than rushing between locations.
Photography Focus: Lions, cheetahs, leopards, migration herds, predator behaviour and dramatic plains
Overnight: Soroi Private Wing - Masai Mara
DAY 9
Return to Nairobi / End of Safari
After breakfast, prepare for your return journey to Nairobi. Depending on departure arrangements, there may be time for a final photographic game drive in the Masai Mara National Reserve before leaving camp.
On arrival in Nairobi, transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward international flight.
Photography Focus: Final wildlife photography opportunities, subject to departure timing.
End Point: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi
Guests should book international flights departing no earlier than 5:00pm on this day.
Designed by Photographers, for Photographers
This is not a standard safari with photography added on. Every part of the experience, from the vehicle setup and field guidance to the recommended equipment, is designed around the practical needs of wildlife photographers.
Professional Field Guidance
This safari is led by Mark or Jaren Fernley, professional wildlife photographers and co-founders of Untamed Photo Safaris. Throughout the safari, your photo host will help you work with light, behaviour, positioning, composition and camera settings in real field conditions.
Guidance is practical, flexible and shaped around the opportunities in front of you.
Recommended Camera Gear
We recommend bringing a DSLR or mirrorless camera, a telephoto lens reaching at least 500mm and a 70–200mm lens. This combination provides flexibility for more distant wildlife, closer encounters and different compositions when photographing elephants and big cats.
An optional 24–70mm lens is useful for wider scenes, elephant herds and images that place wildlife within the landscape. A second camera body is helpful for switching quickly between focal lengths while reducing lens changes in dusty conditions.
A full recommended equipment list will be shared with confirmed guests before departure.
Photographic Safari Vehicles
Each group is limited to a maximum of 3 guests, with one row per photographer in a private photographic vehicle.
This gives you space for long lenses, easier positioning and more flexibility when working a sighting.
Safari Locations
This itinerary combines two contrasting wildlife settings, with three nights dedicated to elephants and super tuskers in Amboseli National Park and four nights focused on big cats in the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Amboseli National Park
Open plains, marshland and expansive skies provide the setting for elephant photography in Amboseli National Park. The focus is on super tuskers, mature bulls and family herds, with opportunities to photograph their behaviour and movement within the landscape. Mount Kilimanjaro may provide a backdrop when visibility allows.
Masai Mara National Reserve
The grasslands, riverine woodland and varied terrain of the Masai Mara National Reserve provide habitats for lions, leopards and cheetahs. Four nights allow time to explore different areas, observe big cat behaviour and work with encounters as they develop, from quiet resting scenes to interactions and movement across the plains.
Luxury Safari Accommodation
This safari combines an arrival night in Nairobi with three nights in luxury accommodation in Amboseli National Park and four nights in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Properties are selected for comfort, hospitality and access to the wildlife areas, providing a welcoming place to rest between photographic sessions.
In the Masai Mara National Reserve, a dedicated photographic studio provides space for image reviews, editing sessions and constructive critiques with your photo host. Bring your field experiences into these sessions, refine your processing techniques and prepare for the next game drive.
Throughout the journey, enjoy comfortable accommodation, good food and time to relax, recharge equipment and concentrate on your photography.
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