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ULTIMATE KENYA WILDLIFE PHOTO SAFARI
SAFARI OVERVIEW
This 12-day photographic safari will take guests to some of the most incredibly wildlife photography destinations in Southern Kenya. The first stop on this trip is Amboseli National Park, or more commonly known as 'Land Of The Elephants' by the local people. With over 1,600 individual elephants, this park offers endless photographic opportunities that provide a beautiful backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. This area is also home to Craig, one of the last remaining super tusker elephants left in Africa. With the help of our local trackers, the group will be lucky to be in the presence of such an icon.
The next destination on this trip the famous Masai Mara where the focus will be on the famous Great Migration of Wildebeests and the overwhelming amount of predators that roam the plains. The commonly spotted predators include lions, cheetah, hyena, jackal, and even the more illusive species such as leopard and even serval.
After our experience in the Masai Mara, the group will then head to the final location of the trip in Southern Kenya. This location is where the group will have the opportunity to spend three days and nights in an underground hide designed for wildlife photography. This experience is included to provide guests with an entirely new perspective of wildlife photography. Photography wildlife from below eye level as animals come to the waterhole each day and night to drink.
GROUP SIZE
4 guests + 1 photo host per group
LOCATION
Amboseli + Masai Mara + Shompole
DURATION
12 days / 11 nights
PHOTOGRAPHY SKILL LEVEL
All skill levels welcome
BRIEF ITINERARY
DAY 1:
Arrival Day in Nairobi, Kenya
DAY 2:
Road Transfer to Amboseli National Park / afternoon safari
DAYS 3 - 4:
Morning and afternoon safari in Amboseli
DAY 5:
Chartered flight to Masai Mara / evening safari
DAYS 6 - 8:
Morning and afternoon safari in Masai Mara
DAY 9:
Chartered flight to Nairobi - road transfer to Shompole
DAYS 10 - 11:
Overnight photographic hide experience
DAY 12:
Road transfer to Nairobi / end of tour
(see detailed itinerary below)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
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Elephants & Kilimanjaro: Iconic Amboseli Scenes
Photograph large herds of elephants walking gracefully across Amboseli’s flat plains with the majestic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro—perfect for creating timeless African compositions.
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Super Tusker Photography in Amboseli
Capture images of the world’s last remaining Super Tuskers—massive, rare elephants with tusks that nearly touch the ground. With only ~25 left in East Africa, this is a once-in-a-lifetime photographic opportunity.
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Great Migration & Predator Encounters in the Masai Mara
Spend four nights in the Masai Mara during the height of the Great Migration. Witness and photograph river crossings, massive herds, and the predators that follow—lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, and more.
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Underground Photo Hide Experience
Spend three nights at a professionally designed underground photo hide, where you’ll photograph wildlife at eye level—including predators and nocturnal species—in dramatic low-light conditions.
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Seamless, All-Inclusive Luxury Safari Experience
Enjoy charter flights, premium accommodations, private vehicles, and expert photo guidance—designed to keep your focus on photography while traveling in total comfort.
LOCATION
SOUTHERN KENYA
AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK: Amboseli is a photographer’s dream, offering close encounters with large elephant herds set against the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. The flat, open plains create clean compositions and striking silhouettes, especially in golden light. This is also one of the last strongholds of the legendary Super Tusker elephants—rare giants with tusks that nearly touch the ground.
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. This region offers easy access to dramatic river crossings and predator-rich territories, ideal for capturing lion hunts, cheetah chases, and massive herbivore herds in motion. Soft light, sweeping savannahs, and dynamic wildlife behavior make every drive full of potential.
SHOMPOLE CONSERVANCY: Shompole offers a remote and artistic setting for wildlife photography, with salt flats, soft light, and minimal vehicle presence. A highlight is the low-angle photographic hide at Shompole Wilderness, ideal for close, intimate shots of elephants, giraffes, and more at eye level. It’s a perfect location for capturing quiet, minimalist wildlife moments.
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.
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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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If the group has the opportunity to photograph the Super Tusker Craig during the trip, we recommend a wide angle lens that ranges anywhere between 12 - 105 mm. This can also be used for landscapes, astro-photography, close range wildlife, and congregations of wildlife.
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For the photographic hide portion of this trip, a 70 - 200 mm lens is recommended and this proved the perfect reach and offers great adaptability to the subjects that come to frame at the waterhole.
TOUR INCLUDES
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Airport pick-up/drop off (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
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2 Chartered domestic flights (Amboseli - Masai Mara, Masai Mara - 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
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All game drives
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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 AMBOSELI / AFTERNOON SAFARI
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Road transfer to Amboseli National Park (Approx. 4 hours drive)
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Evening photographic safari in Amboseli National Park
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Introduction to image selection and post processing with photo host
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Overnight in Amboseli
PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS: Amboseli National Park is known as 'The Land of Elephants' so elephant photography will be our top priority in this location
DAYS 3 - 4:
TWO SAFARI OUTINGS DAILY
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Morning photographic safari to find Craig - the famous super tusker of the area
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Evening photographic safari in Amboseli National Park
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Image selection and post processing with photo host at the lodge (lunch and evening)
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Overnight in Amboseli
PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS: Craig the Super Tusker Elephant - also, Amboseli National Park is known as 'The Land of Elephants' so elephant photography will be our top priority in this location
DAY 5:
FLY TO MASAI MARA / AFTERNOON SAFARI
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Transfer to Amboseli Airstrip
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Chartered flight: Amboseli to Masai Mara National Reserve
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Evening photographic safari in Masai Mara
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Image selection and post processing with photo host at the lodge
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Overnight in Masai Mara
PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS: The famous Great Migration of Wildebeests and the predators that roam the central region of the Masai Mara National Reserve
DAYS 6 - 8:
FULL DAY SAFARI OUTINGS DAILY
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Full day photographic safari in Masai Mara
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Image selection and post processing with photo host at the lodge
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Overnight in Masai Mara
PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS: The famous Great Migration of Wildebeests and the predators that roam the central region of the Masai Mara National Reserve
DAY 9:
FLY TO NAIROBI - ROAD TRANSFER TO SHOMPOLE
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Transfer to local Airstrip
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Chartered flight: Masai Mara to Nairobi
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Road transfer to Shompole Conservancy
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Introduction to the photographic hide
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Overnight in the photographic hide
PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS: Photographic opportunities in the hide include many species of African wildlife including predators such as lion and leopard
DAYS 10 - 11:
OVERNIGHT PHOTOGRAPHIC HIDE EXPERIENCE
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Early morning in the photographic hide
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mid-morning rest and refresh at the lodge with photo editing and critique with photo hosts
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Evening in the photographic hide
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Overnight in the photographic hide
PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS: Photographic opportunities in the morning include many birds, giraffe, zebra, baboon, and much more. Evening photo opportunities in the hide include many species of African wildlife including predators such as lion and leopard
DAY 12:
ROAD TRANSFER TO NAIROBI / END OF TOUR
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Early morning in the photographic hide
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mid-morning rest and refresh at the lodge
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Transfer to Nairobi
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END OF TOUR
(Guests must depart no earlier than 9:00pm on this day)
ACCOMMODATION
This safari features a handpicked selection of intimate lodges and tented camps, each chosen for their comfort, location, and photographer-friendly setup. From a convenient airport hotel in Nairobi to luxury eco-camps in Amboseli and the Masai Mara, accommodations are designed to keep you close to the wildlife while providing space to rest, review, and recharge.
Spacious tents and cottages offer en-suite bathrooms, private verandas, and views overlooking plains, rivers, or waterholes—often with photographic opportunities right from camp. In Shompole Conservancy, the final nights are spent in a specialist underground hide, giving guests a rare opportunity to photograph wildlife from a low angle, both day and night - with a comfortable lodge close by to refresh each day.
Expect a blend of comfort and immersion, with warm hospitality, great food, and thoughtfully designed spaces that support both relaxation and creative focus throughout your journey.
