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Untamed Journal
Explore field stories, wildlife photography advice, safari planning guides and behind-the-scenes insights from our time in Africa’s most rewarding photographic environments.
Field Notes, Photography Advice & Safari Inspiration
The Untamed Journal is where we share practical wildlife photography guidance, destination insight, field stories and reflections from the wild. Whether you are planning your first photo safari or looking to improve your work in the field, these articles are created to help you travel with more knowledge, confidence and purpose.


The Masai Mara - A Wildlife Photographer's Guide
The Masai Mara: A Wildlife Photographer’s Guide The Masai Mara is one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife photography destinations. Known for its open savannahs, dramatic skies, big cats, seasonal migration movement, and beautiful East African light, it offers photographers an incredible variety of subjects and photographic opportunities throughout the year. This wildlife photographer’s guide is designed to help you understand what makes the Masai Mara such a powerful location f
May 2517 min read


Remembering Giraffes - A Selected Winner - Mark A Fernley
Remembering giraffes - Remembering Wildlife We are incredibly proud to share that an image by Untamed Photo Safaris photo host Mark A. Fernley has been selected as one of the winning images for the upcoming Remembering Giraffes book, part of the globally respected Remembering Wildlife series. This is a huge honour, not only for Mark as a wildlife photographer, but also for us as a team at Untamed Photo Safaris. The selected image was captured from Shompole Plains Hide in sout
May 114 min read


The Great Migration Calving Season - A Wildlife Photographers Guide
From cheetahs hunting across open plains to lions moving through golden grass, Ndutu rewards photographers who can react quickly and adapt to changing scenes. Olympus offers a unique advantage here, combining powerful reach with a lightweight system built for long days in the field.
Apr 1416 min read


A Short Film - Lions Feeding After Dark
Lions Feeding After Dark: A Night Inside the Shompole Photo Hide Filming lions feeding after dark is something few people ever witness, and even fewer capture at eye level. Wildlife photographers and videographers Mark A Fernley and Jaren A Fernley documented this rare sequence from an underground photo hide in Kenya’s Shompole Conservancy, arriving with knowledge of a fresh zebra kill. What followed was an uninterrupted, immersive account of predator behaviour, raw, controll
Mar 276 min read


Mountain Gorilla Photography - A Unique Photograph, Uganda: By Mark A Fernley
Mark A Fernley talks about his trek into Bwindi Impenetrable forest to photograph a Black Back Gorilla high in the canopy.
Mar 1611 min read


Samburu National Reserve - A Wildlife Photographers Guide
This Wildlife Photographer’s Guide to Samburu National Reserve explores one of Kenya’s most distinctive ecosystems through the lens of serious safari photography. From the Samburu Special Five to leopard, lion and elephant along the Ewaso Nyiro River, this guide covers natural history, access, recommended lenses, lighting challenges and fieldcraft insights to help photographers create purposeful, refined wildlife images in northern Kenya.
Mar 311 min read


Northern Serengeti - A Wildlife Photographers Guide
All you need to know about wildlife photography in the Northern Serengeti, before you attend a photographic safari with Untamed Photo Safaris.
Feb 1814 min read


Central Serengeti - A Wildlife Photographers Guide
Dive into our wildlife photographers guide to the Central Serengeti National Park, written by wildlife photographer Jaren A Fernley.
Feb 1012 min read


Farewell to a Giant: Honoring the Life and Legacy of Craig the Super Tusker
Today, we say goodbye to one of the greatest icons of the African wilderness. Craig, the legendary super tusker elephant of Amboseli, has passed away at the remarkable age of 53. He died of natural causes, peacefully and with dignity, having defied the odds for decades. In a world where elephants with tusks as grand as his are so often targeted by poachers, Craig's long, healthy life is nothing short of a conservation triumph.
Jan 34 min read


Ngorongoro Crater - A Wildlife Photographers Guide
Ngorongoro Crater - A Wildlife Photographers Guide Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most extraordinary wildlife destinations in the world. Often described as the Eden of Africa, this ancient volcanic caldera provides a natural amphitheatre where wildlife thrives within dramatic scenery. For photographers, the Crater is a place of concentrated opportunity, where wide open grasslands, swampy wetlands, acacia woodland, and steep crater walls create a striking backdrop for wildlif
Dec 27, 202513 min read


Tarangire National Park: A Photographers Guide
Tarangire National Park is one of Tanzania’s top wildlife photography destinations. This guide explores its elephants, baobabs, predators, landscapes, equipment recommendations, and essential tips for creating powerful images on a Tarangire photo safari.
Dec 8, 20259 min read


A Photographic Guide to Amboseli National Park: The Land of Giants
Discover why Amboseli National Park is one of Kenya’s best wildlife photography destinations. Learn about its landscapes, Super Tuskers, ideal lenses, techniques, seasons, ethical practices, and how to capture Kilimanjaro with elephants.
Nov 29, 20258 min read


A Photographic Guide to the Masai Mara: Capturing Africa’s Most Iconic Wildlife
Join professional wildlife photographers Mark and Jaren Fernley for a comprehensive photographic guide to Kenya’s Masai Mara. Learn optimal seasons, gear setups, and field techniques to capture Africa’s most iconic wildlife with precision and respect.
Nov 10, 202511 min read


A Night In Shompole Hide - Mark A Fernley 2025
Our guests first night at Shompole Hide with Untamed Photo Safaris and the close wildlife encounters that we were able to photograph with intense detail.
Aug 17, 202510 min read


Photographing Wild Chimps in Kibale Forest - A Beginners Guide
Kibale Forest, often called the "Primate Capital of the World," is truly a paradise for wildlife photographers like you. Your journey into wildlife photography can see a turning point here, especially concerning the wild chimpanzees that will captivate both your heart and camera. This experience will not only enhance your technical skills but also reshape your perspective on wildlife and conservation here in East Africa. The Allure of Kibale Forest Covering around 766 square
Jul 4, 20257 min read


Where to Photograph Mountain Gorillas and Why Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the Best
Where to Photograph Mountain Gorillas
Jun 15, 20257 min read


Why You Should Choose The Masai Mara for Your Ultimate Photo Safari Experience
This article written by wildlife photographer Mark A Fernley will tell you why to attend a photo safari in the Masai Mara.
May 9, 20258 min read


Why You Should Capture the Great Wildebeest Migration: A Wildlife Photographer's Guide
The Great Wildebeest Migration: A Wildlife Photographers Guide Wildlife photography immerses you in nature's extraordinary moments, with few experiences as awe-inspiring as the Great Wildebeest Migration. This annual event is not merely a spectacle of nature; it is a dynamic and complex phenomenon that unfolds over time, drawing millions of animals into a life-and-death struggle for survival. For photographers, it's not just about capturing beautiful images; it's an opportuni
Apr 30, 20256 min read


Why You Must Experience a Thrilling Photographic Safari in Serengeti National Park!
Why the Serengeti National Park is a great destination for wildlife photographers.
Apr 23, 20255 min read


Why Amboseli National Park is Your Ultimate Elephant Photography Destination
Learn all you need to know about Amboseli National Park and why this magnificent Elephant photography hots spot is the best place in Africa to photograph wild African Elephants.
Apr 14, 20254 min read
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