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SAMBURU + MASAI MARA
SAFARI OVERVIEW
This immersive photographic safari is designed for wildlife photographers eager to capture the drama of the Great Migration and the intimacy of hide-based shooting—all in one unforgettable journey.
First, you'll travel north to the rugged beauty of Samburu National Reserve, a stark contrast in both landscape and subject matter. Over two nights, you’ll explore this unique ecosystem in search of rare northern species, and spend one full day and night focused on underground hide photography. From striking low-angle portraits of elephants and oryx to elusive nocturnal visitors, Samburu offers creative opportunities that push beyond traditional game drive photography.
Then, take a quick flight south to spend four nights in the Central Masai Mara, timed to align with the peak of the migration. Here, you’ll photograph massive herds of wildebeest and zebra, dramatic Mara River crossings, and the predators that follow in their wake—including lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas.
With a small group size, prime seasonal timing, and a blend of high-action and slow, intentional photographic experiences, this safari is designed to elevate your portfolio and deepen your connection to the wild.
GROUP SIZE
4 guests + 1 photo host per group
LOCATION
Samburu + Masai Mara: Kenya
DURATION
8 days / 7 nights
PHOTOGRAPHY SKILL LEVEL
All skill levels welcome
BRIEF ITINERARY
DAY 1:
Arrival Day in Nairobi
DAY 2:
Road Transfer to Samburu - evening safari / overnight in photo hide
DAY 3:
Sunrise in photo hide / rest & refresh / afternoon safari in Samburu
DAY 4:
Chartered flight to Masai Mara / evening safari
DAYS 5 - 7:
Full day safari in Mara - Focus on Great Migration of wildebeests and predators
DAY 8:
Chartered flight to Nairobi / end of tour
(see detailed itinerary below)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
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Great Migration Photography in the Masai Mara
Photograph the iconic wildebeest migration as massive herds move across the plains and through the Mara River—creating intense, fast-paced scenes of movement, tension, and survival.
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Predator Encounters in Central Mara
Spend four nights in one of the most predator-rich areas of the Mara, where lions, cheetahs, and leopards follow the herds. Expect daily opportunities to capture dynamic hunting behavior and intimate big cat portraits.
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Rare Species & Rugged Landscapes in Samburu
Explore the unique terrain of Samburu, home to species not found elsewhere in Kenya—including Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, and gerenuk—set against a backdrop of rocky outcrops and golden light.
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Underground Hide Photography in Samburu
Spend one full day and night at a professional photo hide, capturing eye-level images of wildlife like elephants, oryx, and nocturnal species in a controlled, creative setting—ideal for slow, thoughtful photography.
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A Two-Region Safari Designed for Diversity & Depth
From the high-action drama of the Mara to the quiet, focused compositions of the Samburu hide, this itinerary offers a well-rounded photographic journey with powerful contrasts in wildlife, light, and storytelling.
LOCATION
SAMBURU & MASAI MARA
SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE: Samburu’s arid beauty and rugged landscapes are home to rare northern species like Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, and the long-necked gerenuk. It’s a quieter, more intimate destination perfect for focused photography, with fewer vehicles and clean, natural backdrops. The addition of underground hide photography offers a unique perspective—ideal for capturing wildlife up close, including nocturnal visitors under the stars.
MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE (Central Region): The Central Masai Mara is one of Africa’s most action-packed photographic arenas, especially during the Great Migration. Here, you’ll photograph river crossings, massive herds, and a high density of predators including lion, leopard, cheetah, and hyena. The open plains and soft golden light offer ideal conditions for dramatic, behavior-driven wildlife photography.
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
CAMERA BODY:
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Guests are encouraged to bring a camera body with a minimum of 24-megapixels to guarantee the best results while on safari. This can be mirrorless or a DSLR, as your photo host is experienced with both and will be able to offer assistance whenever need be.
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A second camera body is always a great consideration, however, this is not mandatory. This can be used as a backup, or you can keep a second lens attached and switch back and forth between cameras.
LENSES:
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A telephoto lens with a reach of at least 500 mm. This can be a fixed/prime lens or a zoom lens. Ideal for photographing predators and more distant wildlife.
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If you intend to bring a fixed/prime lens of 500 mm or more, you will also need a closer range lens. A 100 - 400 mm or similar is a great option, as this will allow you to get shots of wildlife that comes closer to the vehicle.
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A 70 - 200 mm lens is ideal for our photo hide experiences because it allows you to frame intimate, close-up portraits of wildlife just meters away, while also offering enough reach to capture subjects approaching from a distance—all with beautiful compression and sharp detail.
TOUR INCLUDES
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Airport pick-up/drop off (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
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Chartered domestic flights (Samburu to Masai Mara, Masai Mara to Wilson Airport Nairobi)
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10kg extra baggage allowance on chartered flights (25kg in total baggage allowance per person)
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All road transfers
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All accommodation (1x Nairobi, 2x Samburu, 4x Masai Mara)
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All game drives & photo hide activities
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All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner each day)
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All beverages (non-alcoholic and local beers, wines and spirits)
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All national park entry fees
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All conservancy fees
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All photographic guidance / tutorials
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one-on-one photo critiques (optional)
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Pre-Tour meeting with your photography guide
TOUR EXCLUDES
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International flights
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Personal Travel Insurance (required for all guests)
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Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra activities, etc.)
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Activities not listed in itinerary
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Premium alcoholic beverages
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Gratuities/tips for guides and staff
ITINERARY
DAY 1:
ARRIVAL DAY
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Guests arrive in Nairobi (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO))
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Transfer to Nairobi airport hotel (Approx. 10 min drive from airport)
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Meet and Greet with photo host at 6:00pm
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Overnight in Nairobi
(Guests must arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport no later than 4:00pm on arrival day)
DAY 2:
TRANSFER TO SAMBURU / EVENING SAFARI / OVERNIGHT IN PHOTO HIDE
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Road transfer to Samburu National Reserve
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Afternoon photographic safari in Samburu
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Evening and overnight in specialised overnight photographic hide
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Overnight in Samburu (Larsen's Photo Hide)
PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS: The 'Samburu Special Five' including species that are not found in typical safari locations: Grevy's Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Beisa Oryx, Somali Ostrich, Gerenuk along with the commonly spotted predators - leopard and lion.
DAY 3:
SUNRISE PHOTO HIDE EXPERIENCE / EVENING SAFARI OUTING
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Sunrise in photo hide
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Mid morning brunch and rest & refresh
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Image selection and post processing with photo host at the lodge
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Evening photographic safari in Samburu
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Overnight in Samburu
PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS: The Great Migration of Wildebeests focusing on mega herds and iconic river crossings as well as photographing the predators that follow the herds.
DAY 4:
FLY TO MASAI MARA / AFTERNOON SAFARI
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Chartered flight: Samburu to Masai Mara (Central Region)
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Afternoon photographic safari in Masai Mara
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Image selection and post processing with photo host in dedicated photo studio at lodge
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Overnight in Masai Mara
PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS: General wildlife of the Masai Mara such as elephants, lions, leopard, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, etc.
DAYS 5 - 7:
FULL DAY SAFARI OUTINGS DAILY
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Full day photographic safari in Masai Mara Central Region
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Image selection and post processing with photo host in dedicated photo studio at lodge
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Overnight in Masai Mara
PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS: The Great Migration of Wildebeests focusing on mega herds and iconic river crossings as well as photographing the predators that follow the herds.
DAY 8:
CHARTERED FLIGHT TO NAIROBI / END OF TOUR
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Chartered flight: Masai Mara to Nairobi Wilson Airport
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Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport - NBO (or accommodation of choice in Nairobi)
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END OF TOUR
(Guests must depart no earlier than 9:00pm on this day)
ACCOMMODATION
This safari features handpicked luxury camps that place you at the heart of Kenya’s most photographically rewarding regions. Each camp is chosen for its proximity to wildlife, comfort, and the ability to keep you immersed in nature while offering all the amenities needed to recharge after long days in the field.
In Samburu, you’ll stay at Soroi Larsens Camp, a stylish, riverfront retreat in the heart of the reserve. With its tranquil setting, comfortable accommodations, and close access to the underground photo hide, it’s the ideal place to wind down between shooting sessions while staying deeply connected to the wild.
In the Masai Mara, your base is Soroi Mara Bush Camp, set along the Olare Orok River in big cat territory. The camp offers spacious tents with en-suite bathrooms, private verandas, and even an on-site photo studio—perfect for editing, reviewing images, and prepping gear between game drives.
Together, these camps deliver a seamless blend of comfort, exclusivity, and prime location, making them the perfect basecamps for a photography-focused adventure.
