MASAI MARA BIG CATS PHOTO SAFARI
An intensive seven-day photographic safari dedicated to lions, cheetahs and leopards in the Masai Mara National Reserve. After one arrival night in Nairobi, spend five nights focused on big cats, with long days in the field, expert photographic guidance and daily image review and editing sessions in a dedicated photographic studio.
September 9 - 15, 2027 | 7 Days / 6 Nights | Dedicated Big Cat Photography | Daily Studio Editing Sessions
SAFARI AVAILABILITY
This dedicated Masai Mara National Reserve photo safari is designed for photographers seeking an intensive focus on lions, cheetahs and leopards. Five nights combine long days following big cat activity with daily image review and editing sessions in a dedicated photographic studio. Each group is limited to 3 guests, with a dedicated photo host, private photographic vehicle and expert local driver-guide.
ULTIMATE KENYA PHOTO SAFARI OVERVIEW
This 7-day photographic safari is dedicated to lions, cheetahs and leopards in the Masai Mara National Reserve. Following one arrival night in Nairobi, spend five nights immersed in big cat photography, combining long days in the field with daily image review and editing sessions in a dedicated photographic studio.
The approach centres on spending time with subjects and following encounters as they develop. Work with your photo host and expert local driver-guide to locate big cats, observe their behaviour and anticipate photographic opportunities—from pride interactions and cheetahs surveying the plains to leopards moving through cover. Daily plans respond to wildlife activity, allowing patience at promising sightings.
Photographic guidance covers autofocus, shutter speed, exposure and composition as subjects and conditions change. In the studio, review your results, assess technical and creative decisions, and refine your processing. These daily sessions connect your fieldwork with practical improvements to apply on the next drive.
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. This is a focused itinerary for photographers who want to commit time to big cats and develop their images from capture through to edit.
GROUP SIZE
Max 3 guests per group
Location
Masai Mara NATIONAL RESERVE
PRICE
2027: $10,995 USD per person sharing
2028: $11,445 USD per person sharing
DURATION
7 days / 6 nights
PHOTOGRAPHY SKILL LEVEL
All skill levels welcome
Why Join This Kenya Photo Safari?
An intensive itinerary for photographers who want dedicated time with big cats, personal field guidance and daily studio sessions to develop their images from capture through to editing.
A DEDICATED BIG CAT FOCUS
Spend five nights in the Masai Mara National Reserve with lions, cheetahs and leopards as the priority. Each drive is planned around finding subjects and spending meaningful time with them.
LONG DAYS & PATIENT FIELDWORK
Allow time for encounters to unfold, observing behaviour and anticipating changes. Daily plans respond to wildlife activity, with flexibility to stay at promising sightings.
DAILY PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO SESSIONS
Review and edit your images each day in a dedicated photographic studio. Work through image selection, processing and constructive critiques with your photo host.
PROFESSIONAL FIELD GUIDANCE
Receive practical support with autofocus, exposure, shutter speed and composition. Advice is tailored to your equipment, experience and the encounter in front of you.
JUST THREE GUESTS PER VEHICLE
Enjoy your own row in a private photographic vehicle, with space for long lenses and camera bodies, plus flexibility to photograph from either side.
APPLY WHAT YOU LEARN
Connect daily image reviews with your next drive. Identify missed opportunities, refine camera settings and put new approaches into practice throughout your stay.
PHOTOGRAPHY HIGHLIGHTS
Five nights in the Masai Mara National Reserve dedicated to photographing lions, cheetahs and leopards, with time to observe individuals, follow behaviour and develop a varied collection of big cat images.
Lions & pride interactions
Look for greetings, grooming, play and relationships within a pride, alongside opportunities to photograph mature males, lionesses and cubs when encountered.
Cheetahs on the plains
Photograph cheetahs surveying their surroundings, using vantage points and moving through grassland. Watch for changes in posture and attention that may signal developing activity.
Leopards in trees & cover
Work with sightings of leopards resting on branches, watching their surroundings or moving through vegetation, adapting your framing to concealment, light and available sightlines.
Hunting & predator behaviour
Follow opportunities to photograph stalking, pursuit, feeding and encounters with other predators when they occur, anticipating movement and preparing for sudden changes in pace.
Big cats within the landscape
Explore wider compositions that place cats within grasslands, woodland and changing skies, balancing the subject with its surroundings.
Itinerary at a Glance
From arrival in Nairobi to five nights of dedicated big cat photography in the Masai Mara National Reserve, combining intensive fieldwork with daily studio editing sessions.
Day 1
Arrival in Nairobi
Arrive in Nairobi and settle in before the safari begins.
TRAVEL TO THE MASAI MARA
Travel to the Masai Mara National Reserve, settle into camp and begin your first big cat photographic game drive.
Day 2
BIG CATS & STUDIO SESSIONS
Long days focused on lions, cheetahs and leopards, with daily image review, critiques and editing in the photographic studio.
Days 3 - 6
RETURN TO NAIROBI
Day 7
Return to Nairobi for your onward international departure.
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 Five nights luxury safari 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 reserve, conservation and activity fees included in the itinerary Private photographic game drives focused on lions, cheetahs and leopards Custom photographic vehicle with a maximum of 3 guests and 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 Daily photographic studio sessions, including image review, constructive critiques and editing guidance 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 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 reserve regulations, medical issues or force majeure events
Detailed Safari Itinerary
This Big Cats of the Masai Mara Photo Safari combines five nights in the Masai Mara National Reserve with intensive field photography and daily photographic studio sessions. Days are planned around lions, cheetahs and leopards, with flexibility to follow wildlife activity and spend time at promising sightings. Image review, constructive critiques and editing connect each day’s fieldwork with preparation for the next.
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
TRAVEL TO THE MASAI MARA
After breakfast, travel to the Masai Mara National Reserve via private charter plane and transfer to your luxury safari accommodation. Settle in before a briefing on the photographic vehicle setup, daily schedule and use of the photographic studio.
Head out for your first photographic game drive, working with your photo host and local driver-guide to locate big cats. Use these opening encounters to establish camera settings, assess light and backgrounds, and prepare for photographing both stationary and moving subjects.
Your first studio session introduces the image review and editing approach, using selected photographs to identify adjustments for the following day.
Photography Focus: First big cat encounters and wildlife in the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Overnight: Soroi Mara Private Wing
DAYS 3 - 7
DEDICATED BIG CAT PHOTOGRAPHY & STUDIO SESSIONS
Spend four full days focused on lions, cheetahs and leopards in the Masai Mara National Reserve. Set out early with your photo host and expert local driver-guide, with each day shaped around wildlife activity, light and local conditions. Long days in the field allow time to stay with subjects, observe their behaviour and follow encounters as they develop.
The emphasis is on patience and meaningful time with big cats. Depending on sightings, you may spend time with a lion pride, follow cheetahs moving across the plains or watch a leopard resting in cover. Opportunities may include social interactions, play, feeding, hunting activity and quieter moments, with the animals determining the pace.
Your private photographic vehicle accommodates a maximum of three guests, with one row per photographer. Your host and driver-guide work together to consider positioning, light and backgrounds, while practical photographic guidance responds to the opportunities in front of you.
Daily sessions in the dedicated photographic studio provide time for image review, constructive critiques and editing. Discuss your results, develop selected photographs and identify ideas to take into the next day’s fieldwork. Studio sessions are arranged around the photographic schedule, retaining flexibility when promising wildlife encounters develop.
Photography Focus: Lions, cheetahs, leopards, big cat behaviour and wildlife within the landscape.
Overnight: Soroi Mara Private Wing
DAY 7
Return to Nairobi / End of Safari
Enjoy a final morning in the Masai Mara before flying by private group charter to Nairobi Wilson Airport. From there, transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward international departure.
Photography Focus: Final big cat 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 Big Cats of the Masai Mara Photo Safari is built around dedicated field time, photographic vehicle space and personal guidance. From following big cat encounters to reviewing and editing images in the photographic studio, each part of the itinerary supports your development as a wildlife photographer.
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
A mirrorless or DSLR camera with reliable autofocus and good low-light performance is recommended for early mornings, late afternoons and moving subjects.
We recommend a telephoto lens reaching at least 500mm, paired with a 70–200mm lens. The longer lens provides reach for more distant big cats and tighter compositions, while the 70–200mm offers flexibility when subjects are closer or you want to include their surroundings.
A second camera body is helpful for switching quickly between lenses without changing them in dusty conditions or during developing encounters.
Bring a laptop with your preferred editing software, a charger and sufficient image storage for the daily photographic studio sessions. 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
Five nights in the Masai Mara National Reserve provide a dedicated base for intensive big cat photography, with time to explore different areas and follow wildlife encounters as they develop.
Masai Mara National Reserve
Open grasslands, riverine woodland and thicker cover provide varied settings for photographing lions, cheetahs and leopards. Each habitat presents different opportunities, from cheetahs surveying the plains to lion prides resting together and leopards moving through vegetation.
With the entire wildlife itinerary based here, there is time to revisit productive areas and build familiarity with individual animals when sightings allow. Your photo host and local driver-guide shape each drive around recent activity, light and conditions, allowing patient observation at promising encounters.
Luxury Safari Accommodation
Following one arrival night in Nairobi, spend five nights in luxury safari accommodation in the Masai Mara National Reserve. Your camp provides a comfortable base for long photographic days, with welcoming hospitality, good food and space to rest and recharge between drives.
A dedicated photographic studio supports daily image review, constructive critiques and editing sessions with your photo host. Work through your photographs, refine selected images and take fresh ideas into your next day in the field.
Staying in one location throughout the wildlife portion of the safari allows you to settle in, keep your equipment organised and concentrate on big cat photography.
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