SAFARI OVERVIEW
This photo safari in the Masai Mara is designed to take you on a photographic journey to capture images of Kenya's most iconic wildlife while getting to stay at a remarkable tented camp.
Led by professional wildlife photographers and local guides, this mind-blowing photo safari will give you the chance to get up close with some of Africa's apex predators such as Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Hyenas, along with many Elephants, Giraffes, and much more. Guests will also be taken to witness the river crossings of the famous great migration where thousands of Wildebeest and Zebra migrate in their hundreds and thousands, making this a photo tour of a lifetime.
TOUR DATE
2024: August 16 - 25
( FULLY BOOKED )
from $9,950 USD pp sharing
Single Supplement: $1,200 USD
Planning a trip for 2025? View our 2025 Masai Mara Photo Safari here
BRIEF ITINERARY
DAY 1: Arrival Day
DAY 2: Fly to Masai Mara / afternoon safari in Mara
DAY 3: Morning and afternoon safari in Mara
DAY 4: Morning and afternoon safari in Mara
DAY 5: Full day safari in Mara
DAY 6: Full day safari in Mara
DAY 7: Morning and afternoon safari in Mara
DAY 8: Morning and afternoon safari in Mara
DAY 9: Morning safari / fly to Nairobi
DAY 10: Departure Day
(see detailed itinerary below)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
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This all-inclusive photo safari is lead by a professional wildlife photographer, offering their expertise throughout the tour to help guests obtain incredible photographs
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During the month of August, the Great Migration is at its best with millions of Wildebeests and Zebra making their way into the Masai Mara National Reserve
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Photograph Wildebeests, Zebra, and Thomson's Gazelle as they risk their lives to cross the Mara River. With dust in the air and animals running wild, guests can expect to gain incredible photos during river crossings
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Enjoy wildlife sightings without even leaving the lodge. With Elephants and Giraffe commonly walking through, Hippos in the Mara River below, and monkeys making their way around the lodge, there is always photo opportunities, even during the off times.
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Other than the Great Migration, the Mara is home to many other animals including Elephant, Rhino, Hippo, Lion, Leopard, Giraffe, hundreds of bird species and much more that guests will have the opportunity to photograph throughout the tour
LOCATION
MASAI MARA - KENYA
The Masai Mara National Reserve is known as the best destination to witness the Great Migration. With spectacular wildlife sightings including big cats, and the famous Big-5 of Africa, the Mara is truly any wildlife photographers dream destination. During this photographic safari, guests will be staying the the heart of all the action and possibly in the best location for all wildlife sightings.
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.
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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 you are interested in taking landscape photographs during the trip, we recommend a wide angle lens that ranges anywhere between 12 mm - 105 mm. This can be used for landscapes, astro-photography, close range wildlife, and congregations of wildlife.
TOUR INCLUDES
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Airport pick-up/drop off (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
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Domestic chartered flight (round trip Wilson Airport to Musiara)
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All accommodation
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All transportation to airstrips/airports
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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 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
The first day is designed for all photography participants to arrive in Nairobi at their own leisure. Untamed Photo Safaris will arrange transfers from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (airport code NBO) for each photographer’s arrival. Guests who have arrived in advance and are already in the country/area should make their way to the Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel on this day.
The tour will start at 6 pm on this day, where the group will meet for the first time. Your Photo Host will be awaiting you with welcome drinks as you go through the itinerary, ask any questions, and get to know the fellow photographers in your group.
After our briefing/meet and greet, we will move over to the restaurant for dinner. After dinner you will have the opportunity to relax with the others in the group.
DAY 2:
FLY INTO MASAI MARA / AFTERNOON SAFARI
After an early breakfast, the group will head to Wilson Airport, where we will take a domestic flight into the Mara region to start our safari. This chartered flight will bring you spectacular views the great plains of Kenya. As we land on the secluded runway in the open plains, our transfer vehicle and local expert will be awaiting our arrival with a very warm welcome.
The group will take a short drive through the Masai Mara National Reserve to arrive at Governor’s Camp. Spotting wildlife along the way is very possible so camera will be out and ready during this transfer to the camp. On arrival our friendly staff will give you a briefing of the lodge and get you settled into your rooms. Lunch will be served in the open grasslands of the lodge, followed by an introduction to the photography ahead.
We will later leave on a remarkable afternoon photo safari. This first trip will take you through the open plains of the Masai Mara in search of wildlife in the area. We will return for dinner overlooking the reserve, followed by some relaxing free time to enjoy the wilderness around a camp fire.
DAYS 3 - 8:
MASAI MARA
Mornings at Governor’s Camp start with coffee and tea being brought to your tent at your requested wake up time. As wildlife is active in the early mornings, we will head out for our first safari of the day as the sun is starting to rise. The group will then be taken on a morning photo safari into the plains of the Masai Mara. After a few hours of safari, we will stop to have breakfast in the bush, before continuing on until we return to the lodge for lunch.
Each drive on safari is different and you never know what will come into frame while out in the open plains of the Masai Mara. From Lions, Hyenas, Thompson’s Gazelle, Buffalo, Zebra, thousands of Wildebeests, and much more, the reserve is thriving with wildlife to photograph.
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We will return for lunch each day followed by a photographic tutorial and/or critique. After a short break, we will venture out for a second photo safari of the day to photograph spectacular wildlife including the great migration.
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Each evening, we will return to the tented camp where we will have dinner overlooking the Mara. After, guests can relax in the camp or around the fire and under the stars with a refreshing drink to end the night, where the sounds of the nocturnal wildlife call.
DAY 9:
MORNING SAFARI / RETURN TO NAIROBI
On this last morning in the Masai Mara, we will have breakfast at the lodge before heading out on our final game drive.
Guests also have the option to go on a hot air balloon safari on this morning. This must be booked in advance and is not included in the price of the tour. This experience includes a one hour hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara National Reserve, spotting wildlife from above. After landing, guests are taken to a bush breakfast served with champagne. A short game drive will be included as you make your way back to the lodge.
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Lunch will be served at the lodge, guests will gather their belongings and we will make our way to the airstrip, where we will take our leave back to Nairobi.
DAY 10:
DEPARTURE DAY
This day will look a bit different for each guest, as this is your departure day. Join your photo hosts for breakfast if you have the time, or have an early start to the airport to catch your flight.
Extend this trip to
Amboseli National Park
Home of the Elephants
ACCOMMODATION
Governors’ Camp possibly occupies the best wildlife viewing location in the Reserve, nestled in the riverine forest along the winding banks of the Mara River, its waters teeming with bird-life, hippo and crocodile.
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The entire camp is under canvas with all of the comforts of a luxury hotel. Some of the 25 tents line the riverbank, tucked into the forest they enjoy uninterrupted views over the Mara River, while others have views across the sweeping plains of the Masai Mara.
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The tents are big, bright and allow in lots of natural light. All tents are classic safari style, each with en-suite bathrooms and a private veranda. There is a bar tent with a deck overlooking the Mara River and a dining tent with amazing views over the plains.
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Governors’ Camp has been awarded a GOLD Eco Rating from Eco – Tourism Kenya due to the sustainable tourism practices in camp.
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