SPECIALISED PHOTO HIDE EXPERIENCE - SHOMPOLE
SAFARI OVERVIEW
This exclusive photographic safari is designed for experienced wildlife photographers ready to take their skills to the next level through the unique art of underground hide photography. With only four guests, you'll spend three nights rotating between two professionally designed photo hides, set in the thriving Shompole Conservancy known for its diverse and often elusive wildlife.
This is not your standard safari. You’ll be photographing from the hides for extended sessions—including full nights—capturing wildlife at eye level in low-light conditions. From elephants and giraffes to hyenas, civets, genets, porcupines, and even leopards and lions, the opportunities for creative and impactful imagery are exceptional.
The experience is co-led by Mark and Jaren Fernley, resident photographers of Shompole Hide, both of whom are unmatched in their understanding of this location. With their expertise in lighting setups, behavioral prediction, and hide photography strategy, every detail is optimized to help you produce visually striking, technically challenging images.
This safari offers a rare chance to work alongside two of the best in the field—quietly, confidently, and without compromise.
GROUP SIZE
4 guests + 1 photo host
LOCATION
Shompole Conservancy
PRICE
DURATION
$3,990 USD pp sharing
5 days / 4 nights
PHOTOGRPHY SKILL LEVEL
Experienced Photographers Only
2026 PRICE:
$3,990 USD per person sharing accommodation
$500 USD single supplement fee (if applicable)
25% DEPOSIT TO CONFIRM BOOKING
Airport pick-up and drop-off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
All accommodation in handpicked 5-star lodges/tented camps
All ground transportation to lodge in private, comfortable vehicle
All meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily
Purified drinking water, coffee, tea, juice, and all non-alcoholic beverages
All alcoholic beverages (house wines, beers, spirits)
All conservation fees
Daily photographic support and guidance from your photo host
Optional one-on-one photo critiques during the trip
Pre-tour planning session with your photography guide
International flights (arrival and departure to Kenya)
Personal Travel Insurance (required for all guests)
Premium alcoholic beverages
Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra activities, etc.)
Activities not listed in itinerary
Gratuities/tips for guides/staff
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
-
Three Nights of Immersive Hide Photography
Spend three nights in two professionally designed underground hides, photographing predators and rare nocturnal wildlife in their natural rhythm. With strategic spotlights illuminating the waterhole, every frame is an opportunity for dramatic, low-light imagery.
-
Led by Experts of the Shompole Hide
Benefit from the experience of Mark Fernley and Jaren A. Fernley—respected specialists in hide photography and lighting. Their knowledge of animal behavior and creative setup ensures each guest is positioned for impactful, technically strong shots.
-
Big Cat Activity at Close Range
Photograph leopards, lions, and even cheetahs as they visit the waterhole by day and under the cover of night. These intimate, eye-level encounters offer rare access to elusive predators in a completely natural setting.
-
A Professional Setup for Serious Photographers
The hide is fully equipped with gimbal heads, charging stations, comfortable seating, beds, and a toilet—everything needed for extended and focused shooting sessions.
-
A Creative Space for Shared Passion & Knowledge
This safari brings together a small group of skilled photographers, creating an inspiring environment where ideas, techniques, and stories are exchanged—fueling creativity and community behind the lens.
-
Relax in Comfort After Each Night Session
After long hours in the hide, unwind in your luxury tent overlooking the riverbed—complete with private veranda and all the comforts needed to reset for the next shoot.
ITINERARY
ARRIVAL DAY
-
Guests arrive in Nairobi (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO))
-
Transfer to Nairobi airport hotel (Approx. 10 min drive from airport)
-
Meet and Greet with photo host at 6:00pm
-
Overnight in Nairobi
(Guests must arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport no later than 4:00pm on arrival day)
-
TRANSFER TO SHOMPOLE - NIGHT IN PHOTO HIDE
-
Road transfer to Shompole Conservancy (Approx. 4 hours drive)
-
Evening introduction to the photographic hide
-
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
-
MORNINGS & EVENINGS IN PHOTO HIDES
-
Early morning in the photographic hide
-
mid-morning rest and refresh at the lodge with photo editing and critique with photo hosts
-
Evening in the photographic hide
-
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
-
TRANSFER TO NAIROBI
-
Early morning in the photographic hide
-
mid-morning rest and refresh at the lodge
-
Transfer to Nairobi
-
END OF TOUR
(Guests must depart no earlier than 9:00pm on this day)
-
RECOMMENDED GEAR
CAMERA BODY:
-
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.
-
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:
-
24–70mm lens: Excellent for wide-angle perspectives in the hide, capturing unique compositions and dramatic close-range encounters. Great for storytelling, including animals in their environment.
-
70–200mm lens: Offers flexibility and reach for medium-distance subjects in the hide, allowing you to isolate details, capture behavior, and create stunning portraits with clean backgrounds.
-
300mm lens (prime or zoom): Highly recommended for photographing smaller species like birds, jackals, or shy mammals that may stay just beyond the closest range. The added reach ensures you don’t miss subtle but beautiful wildlife moments.
LOCATION
SHOMPOLE CONSERVANCY
One of Kenya’s best-kept secrets—a secluded, wild landscape tucked between the Maasai Mara, Amboseli and the Tanzanian border. Surrounded by dramatic contrasts—from the towering cliffs of the Great Rift Valley to the surreal flamingo-filled lakes of Magadi and Natron—this region is a dream for photographers seeking both wildlife and atmosphere. Its mosaic of wetlands, savannah, and alkaline lakes creates a haven for predators, grazers, and a variety of birdlife, including vibrant flocks of flamingos. With few tourists and uninterrupted access to nature, Shompole offers an unmatched sense of exclusivity and raw beauty, ideal for those looking to create powerful, intimate images in a truly off-the-grid setting.
ACCOMMODATION
Tucked beneath a canopy of fig trees along the Ewaso Ng’iro River, Shompole Wilderness offers a secluded and elegant base for your photographic journey. This intimate camp blends beautifully into the natural surroundings, with just a handful of spacious tents designed to immerse guests in the sounds, sights, and rhythm of the wild—without sacrificing comfort.
Each tent features open-air bathrooms, generous verandas, and sweeping views of the surrounding wilderness, offering a serene retreat after long nights in the hide. With attentive service, fresh meals, and a peaceful riverside setting, the camp is both comfortable and authentically wild—a perfect match for photographers who value space, silence, and connection to nature.
Its close proximity to the photo hides makes it ideal for resting between overnight shoots, recharging gear, and reviewing images in peace.
Shompole Wilderness is more than a camp—it’s a creative sanctuary for wildlife photographers seeking focus, stillness, and inspiration.
