SPECIALISED PHOTO HIDE SAFARI – SHOMPOLE
A 6-day specialist photo hide safari in Shompole Conservancy, designed for low-angle wildlife photography, nocturnal encounters, eye-level perspectives and extended sessions in professionally designed photographic hides.
September 2027 | 6 Days | Underground Photo Hides | Day & Night Wildlife Photography
SAFARI AVAILABILITY
This specialist Shompole photo hide safari is offered as two small-group departures in September 2027. Each departure is limited in space to ensure a comfortable hide setup, focused photographic guidance and enough room for guests to work properly during extended day and night sessions.
Specialised Photo Hide Safari Overview
This 6-day specialised photo hide safari is designed for photographers who want an immersive, low-angle wildlife photography experience in one of Kenya’s most unique private conservancies. Based in Shompole Conservancy, this itinerary focuses on underground photo hide photography, nocturnal wildlife encounters, eye-level perspectives and extended day-to-night sessions.
Unlike a traditional game drive safari, this experience is built around spending meaningful time inside professionally designed photographic hides, allowing wildlife to approach naturally while guests photograph from a low, intimate perspective. The hides offer opportunities for creative compositions, reflections, dramatic lighting, dust, night photography and close encounters with a wide range of species.
The departure is limited to 8 guests, split between two photographic hides. Each hide session is limited to 4 guests with 1 photo host, giving every photographer space, support and guidance while working in a focused hide environment. With Mark and Jaren’s extensive Shompole experience, this safari is designed around patience, precision, lighting and the creative possibilities of specialist hide photography.
GROUP SIZE
8 guests + 2 photo hosts
4 guests + 1 host per hide
Location
sHOMPOLE CONSERVANCY
PRICE
$6,480 USD per person sharing
DURATION
6 days / 5 nights
PHOTOGRAPHY SKILL LEVEL
All skill levels welcome
Why Join This Shompole Photo Hide Safari?
This itinerary is designed for photographers who want a specialist hide-based experience, with extended time in professionally designed photographic hides, low-angle perspectives, nocturnal wildlife opportunities and expert guidance in one of Kenya’s most unique private conservancies.
Underground Photo Hide Experience
Spend extended sessions in purpose-built photographic hides, designed for eye-level wildlife images, reflections and dramatic low-angle perspectives.
Day & Night Wildlife Photography
Photograph wildlife from afternoon light through sunset, night activity and early morning, creating opportunities that standard game drives cannot offer.
Nocturnal Predator Encounters
Work with specialist lighting and patient hide technique for the chance to photograph lions, leopards, hyenas and other nocturnal wildlife.
Two Specialist Photo Hides
Experience both Shompole Plains Hide and Shompole Kichaka Hide, each offering different backgrounds, species, light and creative opportunities.
Small Hide Group Setup
Each hide session is limited to 4 guests with 1 photo host, giving photographers space, support and a focused working environment.
Unmatched Hide Experience
Mark and Jaren have spent more time working inside the Shompole photo hides than any other photographers, giving guests specialist insight into the hides, lighting, wildlife behaviour and creative possibilities.
PHOTOGRAPHY HIGHLIGHTS
This Shompole photo hide safari is designed around specialist low-angle wildlife photography, from dramatic nocturnal predator encounters and eye-level reflections to daytime plains wildlife, dust, backlight and custom-lit night sessions.
Low-angle hide photography
Photograph wildlife from below eye level as animals approach the waterhole naturally, creating intimate perspectives that are rarely possible from a vehicle.
Nocturnal wildlife encounters
Work through the night with specialist lighting setups, giving opportunities for dramatic images of predators and other nocturnal species.
Predators at the waterhole
Shompole can offer exceptional opportunities for lions, leopards, hyenas and other carnivores, with patient hide technique allowing wildlife to behave naturally.
Daytime plains wildlife
Photograph elephants, giraffes, zebras, baboons, birds and other species as they visit the hides during daylight, golden hour and dusty afternoon conditions.
Two creative hide environments
Work from both Shompole Plains Hide and Shompole Kichaka Hide, each offering different backgrounds, lighting angles, species and photographic possibilities.
Itinerary at a Glance
A quick look at the journey, from arrival in Nairobi to four nights of specialist day and night hide photography in Shompole Conservancy.
Day 1
Arrival in Nairobi
Arrive in Nairobi, meet your photo hosts and prepare for the hide experience.
Day 2
Fly to Shompole
Private charter flight to Shompole, followed by your first evening in the hide.
Photo Hide Sessions
Morning, evening and overnight hide sessions across two specialist photographic hides.
Days 3 - 5
Return to Nairobi
Final morning in the hide before flying back to Nairobi.
Day 6
Price & Booking Details
PRICE INCLUDES
Airport meet-and-greet, pick-up/drop-off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi One night accommodation in Nairobi before travelling to Shompole Private group charter flights between Nairobi and Shompole All accommodation throughout the safari, including the Shompole Wilderness stay and four nights in the photographic hides All ground transfers between the airport, airstrip, lodge and photographic hides All meals throughout the safari, including breakfast, lunch and dinner Purified drinking water, coffee, tea, juice and selected non-alcoholic beverages House wines, local beers and selected spirits, where included by the property All conservancy, community and activity fees included in the itinerary Four nights in the Shompole photographic hides Scheduled day, evening, night and early morning hide sessions Rotations between Shompole Plains Hide and Shompole Kichaka Hide Professional photographic guidance throughout the safari from Mark and Jaren Fernley A maximum of 4 guests per hide session with 1 photo host Optional one-to-one photo critiques and image review sessions during the trip, where time allows Pre-safari planning information and 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 ETA, visa fees, 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 other incidental costs 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, hide teams, porters and other support staff Excess baggage charges or private luggage arrangements outside the confirmed charter allowance Any increase in government taxes, conservancy fees, reserve fees, fuel levies, airport taxes, tourism fees or other compulsory charges imposed after the safari has been confirmed Any costs arising from circumstances beyond our control, including weather disruptions, flight delays, changes to conservancy regulations, medical issues or other force majeure events
Detailed Safari Itinerary
This specialist Shompole photo hide safari has been designed around extended time in the hides, with a focus on low-angle wildlife photography, nocturnal encounters, reflections, behaviour and creative lighting. Each day is structured to give photographers meaningful time in the field while still allowing space to rest, recharge and review images between sessions.
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
Fly to Shompole Conservancy
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your private charter flight to Shompole Conservancy. On arrival, settle into camp before receiving an introduction to the photographic hides, including the hide setup, lighting approach, safety guidance and what to expect during extended hide sessions.
Later in the day, begin your first hide session as wildlife starts moving towards the waterhole, with opportunities continuing into the evening and night.
Photography Focus: First hide session, low-angle perspectives and introduction to night hide photography
Overnight: Shompole Wilderness Camp & Photo Hides
DAYS 3 - 5
Specialist Day & Night Hide Photography
Spend three full days and nights rotating between the Shompole photographic hides. Each session is designed around patient hide photography, allowing wildlife to approach naturally while guests work from low, eye-level positions.
During daylight and golden hour, opportunities may include elephants, giraffes, zebras, baboons, birds and other plains wildlife. As darkness falls, the hides offer a completely different photographic experience, with specialist lighting setups creating opportunities for dramatic nocturnal images of predators and other night-active species.
Between hide sessions, guests return to the lodge to rest, refresh, recharge equipment and review images with the photo hosts.
Photography Focus: Low-angle wildlife, reflections, dust, night photography, predators, plains game and creative hide work
Overnight: Shompole Wilderness Camp & Photo Hides
DAY 6
Return to Nairobi / End of Safari
After a final early morning hide session, return to the lodge to freshen up before transferring to the airstrip for your private charter flight back to Nairobi. On arrival, connect with your onward international flight or continue with any additional arrangements in Kenya.
Photography Focus: Final hide session and departure
End Point: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi
Guests should book international flights departing no earlier than 6:00pm on this day.
Optional Safari Extensions
For guests who would like to extend their time in Kenya, this Shompole photo hide experience can be combined with additional photographic safari locations before or after the main itinerary. Extension options depend on which September 2027 departure you join.
September 16 - 21, 2027 Departure
This departure pairs perfectly with our Masai Mara & Beyond Photo Safari, which runs from September 8 - 15, 2027. Together, the two itineraries create a longer Kenya photography journey combining Great Migration river crossing opportunities, rare northern species, an additional photo hide experience in Samburu and the specialist day and night hides at Shompole.
September 21 - 26, 2027 Departure
Guests joining the second Shompole departure can add a private extension to the Masai Mara or Amboseli National Park. The Masai Mara is ideal for Great Migration photography, big cats and open plains wildlife, while Amboseli is best suited to photographers wanting to focus on elephants, super tuskers and classic Kilimanjaro landscapes.
Private Locally Guided Extensions
For either departure, we can also arrange a private, locally guided safari extension before or after your Shompole experience. These extensions are not hosted by a photo host, but are organised in partnership with our trusted local expert guides and can be tailored around your preferred locations, duration and photographic interests.
All extensions are arranged by request and subject to availability, flight logistics and seasonal conditions. We will advise on the most suitable options based on your dates, preferred pace and photographic goals.
Designed by Photographers, for Photographers
This is not a standard safari with a hide session added on. Every part of this experience, from the hide rotations and lighting setup to the field guidance and recommended equipment, is designed around the practical needs of photographers working in specialist hide conditions.
Recommended Hide Photography Gear
Mirrorless cameras are ideal for this safari, especially for silent shooting during close wildlife encounters. A camera body with strong high ISO performance is also highly recommended, as many of the best opportunities happen in low light, at night or during first and last light.
Fast lenses with an aperture of f/2.8 are ideal where possible, especially for night photography and low-light hide work.
RECOMMENDED LENSES:
24-70mm lens
Useful for larger animals such as giraffes, elephants and buffalo herds when they approach the waterhole. Also excellent for wider environmental images, reflections and storytelling compositions.
70-200mm lens
The most commonly used lens for this safari. It offers excellent flexibility for predators, plains game and close-range subjects, from portraits to behavioural images.
300mm or 400mm lens
Useful for smaller subjects, birds, shy mammals or more distant wildlife during daytime sessions, especially when you want tighter portraits.
A second camera body is helpful but not essential. A second body allows you to move quickly between wide, mid-range and telephoto compositions without changing lenses inside the hide.
Unmatched Shompole Hide Experience
Mark and Jaren have spent more time working inside the Shompole photo hides than any other photographers, giving guests specialist insight into the hides, wildlife behaviour, positioning, timing and creative possibilities.
Professional Lighting Systems
Night hide photography depends on carefully controlled light. These hides use specialist lighting setups designed for day and night photography, allowing guests to create dramatic, low-light images while wildlife behaves naturally.
Practical Hide Photography Guidance
Throughout the safari, your photo hosts will help with camera settings, exposure, composition, reflections, low-angle framing, quiet movement and how to work effectively during extended hide sessions.
Safari Location
Set in the far south of Kenya near the Tanzanian border, Shompole Conservancy is a remote dryland landscape of open plains, woodland, seasonal water sources and dramatic light. This specialist safari is based around two professionally designed photographic hides, both built for low-angle wildlife photography, day and night sessions, reflections and custom-lit nocturnal encounters.
Shompole Plains Hide
The Plains Hide offers open views, clean backgrounds, reflections, dust, backlight and dramatic low-angle wildlife photography. During the day, plains game, elephants, giraffes, baboons, birds and other wildlife may visit the waterhole.
At night, this hide is especially strong for classic African wildlife encounters, including predators, hyenas, elephants and other species moving naturally through the open landscape.
Shompole kichaka Hide
The Kichaka Hide uses the same professional hide design and lighting approach, but is positioned in a slightly different habitat that can attract a more unusual mix of nocturnal species.
Daytime opportunities are similar to the Plains Hide, while night sessions may offer rare and exciting encounters with species such as caracal, serval, striped hyena and other elusive wildlife.
Safari Accommodation
This safari is based at Shompole Wilderness Camp, a comfortable and atmospheric lodge set within the remote landscapes of Shompole Conservancy. The camp provides a peaceful place to rest, refresh and recharge between hide sessions, with warm hospitality, good food and beautiful views across the surrounding wilderness.
During the Shompole portion of the safari, each night is spent inside the photographic hides to maximise the opportunity for nocturnal wildlife encounters, early morning light and low-angle photography. After each overnight hide session, guests return to the lodge for brunch, rest, showers, image review, battery charging and time to relax before heading back into the hides later in the day.
This structure gives photographers the best of both worlds: extended time inside the hides when wildlife activity is at its most exciting, alongside the comfort of returning to Shompole Wilderness Camp each day to rest and prepare for the next session.
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