ULTIMATE KENYA PHOTO SAFARI
A 12-day luxury photographic safari through Amboseli, the Masai Mara and specialist photo hide locations, designed for big cats, elephants, Great Migration photography and expert field guidance.
August 26 - September 6, 2027 | 12 Days | Max 3 Guests Per Group | Dedicated Photo Host & Vehicle
SAFARI AVAILABILITY
As our flagship Kenya photo safari, this itinerary is designed for photographers who want a carefully planned, small-group experience across some of Kenya’s most rewarding wildlife locations. Each group is limited to a maximum of 3 guests, with a dedicated photo host, private photographic vehicle and local driver-guide.
ULTIMATE KENYA PHOTO SAFARI OVERVIEW
This 12-day Kenya wildlife photography safari is designed for photographers who want exceptional big cat, elephant, Great Migration and specialist photo hide opportunities in one carefully planned itinerary. Travelling through Amboseli, the Masai Mara and selected photo hide locations, this safari combines classic East African wildlife with expert photographic guidance and small-group vehicle space.
In Amboseli, the focus is on elephants, super tuskers and iconic wildlife scenes beneath Mount Kilimanjaro. In the Masai Mara, the itinerary is timed for one of the most exciting photographic seasons of the year, with opportunities for big cats, migration activity, predator behaviour and dramatic open plains. The specialist photo hide element adds a different perspective, offering low-angle and eye-level wildlife photography in carefully chosen conditions.
With a maximum of 3 guests per group, each photographer has their own row in the vehicle, alongside a dedicated photo host, local driver-guide and private photographic vehicle. This safari is built around space, patience, flexibility and meaningful time in the field.
GROUP SIZE
Max 3 guests per group
Location
Amboseli, Masai Mara
& sHOMPOLE photo hidES
PRICE
$15,895 USD per person sharing
DURATION
12 days / 11 nights
PHOTOGRAPHY SKILL LEVEL
All skill levels welcome
Why Join This Kenya Photo Safari?
This itinerary is designed to combine Kenya’s most iconic wildlife photography opportunities with small-group vehicle space, expert guidance and carefully planned logistics.
Amboseli Elephants & Super Tuskers
Photograph large elephant herds, classic Amboseli landscapes and the possibility of super tuskers beneath Mount Kilimanjaro.
Masai Mara Predator Photography
Spend time in one of Africa’s most productive big cat regions, with opportunities for lions, cheetahs, leopards and predator behaviour.
Great Migration Season
Travel during a prime migration period, with the chance to photograph large herds, dramatic crossings and the predators that follow.
Specialist Photo Hide Experience
Add a unique low-angle perspective with hide photography designed for eye-level wildlife images and creative night opportunities.
Small-Group Vehicle Space
With a maximum of 3 guests per group, each photographer has their own row, giving you space to work comfortably with long lenses.
Photographer-Led Guidance
Travel with professional wildlife photographers who understand light, behaviour, positioning and the practical needs of photographers in the field.
PHOTOGRAPHY HIGHLIGHTS
This Kenya photo safari is designed around a wide range of photographic opportunities, from elephants and big cats to migration movement, low-angle hide photography and dramatic East African light.
Elephants and super tuskers in Amboseli
Classic elephant photography with open landscapes, dust, marshes and Mount Kilimanjaro as a possible backdrop.
Big cats in the Masai Mara
Opportunities for lions, cheetahs and leopards, with time to work with light, behaviour and positioning.
Great Migration photography
Seasonal migration movement, dramatic herd scenes and the possibility of river crossing activity.
Specialist photo hide sessions
Low-angle, eye-level wildlife photography with creative opportunities for reflections, dust, nocturnal encounters and different perspectives.
Professional photographic guidance
Support with camera settings, composition, fieldcraft, light, behaviour and image-making throughout the safari.
Itinerary at a Glance
A quick look at the journey, from arrival in Nairobi to Amboseli, the Masai Mara and specialist photo hide photography before departure.
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
Big cats, predator behaviour, Great Migration movement and open plains photography.
Days 9 - 11
SHOMPOLE PHOTO HIDES
Low-angle wildlife photography, reflections, nocturnal opportunities and creative hide work.
Day 12
Departure from Nairobi
Final transfers and onward international flights.
Price & Booking Details
PRICE INCLUDES
Airport meet-and-greet, pick-up/drop-off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi All accommodation in carefully selected luxury lodges and tented camps All ground transportation between lodges, airstrips and safari locations in private vehicles Three private group charter flights with a 25kg baggage allowance per person, per flight All meals throughout the safari, including breakfast, lunch and dinner Purified drinking water, coffee, tea, juice and non-alcoholic beverages House wines, local beers and selected local spirits, where included by the properties All national park, reserve and conservation entry fees included in the itinerary AMREF Flying Doctors emergency medical evacuation cover for the duration of the safari Private photographic safari vehicle with a maximum of 3 guests per group Professional photographic guidance throughout the safari from your photo host Local driver-guide support in each safari region Optional one-to-one photo critiques and image review sessions during the trip Pre-safari planning session with your photography guide All scheduled activities and photographic experiences listed in the itinerary 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 Premium alcoholic beverages, unless specifically included by the property Personal expenses, including souvenirs, laundry, spa treatments, etc. Optional activities or experiences not listed in the confirmed itinerary Gratuities and tips for photo hosts, driver-guides, lodge staff and other support teams Visa fees, passport fees, vaccination costs or any personal travel documentation expenses Any additional hotel nights, meals, transfers or services required due to early arrival, late departure, flight changes, delays or missed connections Any increase in government taxes, national park fees, conservation 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, road closures, flight delays, changes to park regulations, medical issues or other force majeure events
Detailed Safari Itinerary
This itinerary has been carefully designed to balance travel, field time and photographic opportunities across three very different Kenya wildlife locations. 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
Fly to Shompole Photo Hides
After your final Mara session, transfer to the local airstrip for your private charter flight to Shompole Conservancy. On arrival, you will be introduced to the photographic hide setup and briefed on how the hide sessions work, including positioning, lighting, expectations and photographic opportunities.
Photography Focus: Introduction to specialist hide photography and low-angle wildlife perspectives
Overnight: Shompole Wilderness Lodge & Photo Hides
DAYS 10 - 11
Specialist Photo Hide Experience
Spend two full days and nights working from the specialist photographic hides at Shompole. These sessions offer a completely different style of wildlife photography, with low-angle perspectives, reflections, nocturnal opportunities and the chance to photograph animals approaching the waterhole at eye level. Between hide sessions, there will be time to rest, refresh and review images with your photo host.
Photography Focus: Low-angle wildlife, reflections, night photography, predators, plains game and creative hide work
Overnight: Shompole Wilderness Lodge & Photo Hides
DAY 12
Return to Nairobi / End of Safari
After a final morning in the hide, transfer back to Nairobi for your onward international flight. This marks the end of the safari, with final transfers arranged according to the group schedule.
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.
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 wide-angle or mid-range lens, and a telephoto lens of at least 400mm. A 500mm or 600mm lens is ideal for more distant subjects, birds, smaller wildlife and compressed compositions.
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 three very different photographic environments, each chosen for the type of wildlife, light and creative opportunities it can offer photographers.
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli is one of Kenya’s most iconic elephant photography locations, known for large herds, open plains, marshland and the possibility of photographing super tuskers beneath Mount Kilimanjaro.
Masai Mara National Reserve
The Masai Mara offers outstanding big cat and Great Migration photography, with open plains, predator-rich territories and dramatic seasonal wildlife movement.
Shompole Photo Hides
Shompole adds a specialist low-angle photography experience, with hide sessions designed for eye-level wildlife images, reflections, nocturnal opportunities and a completely different creative perspective.
Luxury Safari Accommodation
This safari uses a carefully selected combination of luxury lodges, tented camps and specialist safari properties, chosen for their comfort, location and access to key photographic areas. The accommodation is designed to keep you close to the wildlife while still offering space to rest, review images and recharge between field sessions.
In Amboseli and the Masai Mara, guests stay in comfortable safari properties with excellent access to the surrounding wildlife areas. At Shompole, the photo hide experience is connected to a luxury lodge, allowing guests to return during the middle of the day to rest, refresh, review images and enjoy time in comfort before heading back into the hides.
Expect warm hospitality, good food, private space and thoughtfully chosen locations that support both relaxation and serious photographic focus throughout the journey.
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