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Kenya’s Masai Mara is one of Africa’s finest reserves and is known the world over for its exceptional wildlife. Join award-winning wildlife photographer Bret Charman on this small group photographic safari.

This 10-day tour to Kenya has been designed to maximise photographic opportunities in Kenya’s Mara ecosystem, particularly focusing on the region’s population of big cats. We fly in to Nairobi before a charter flight on to the Mara and our beautiful, authentic safari camps. With our own dedicated vehicles, we will conduct game drives in search of the incredible wildlife in this area of the Great Rift Valley.

The camps themselves are stunning and the perfect places to base ourselves on this dedicated photography tour. Staying at two different camps during our time in the Masai Mara allows us to explore more of this incredible destination, which in turn should present more wildlife photography opportunities. Travelling at the end of the dry season and on the cusp of the long rains, we can expect some spectacular conditions in which to photograph the region's wildlife. Whilst the annual wildebeest migration will have long-since passed, the long grass and open landscapes provide countless opportunities for big cat photography.

Late in the dry season water will be in short supply, forcing herbivores to congregate around the few remaining watering holes and this invariably attracts predators and in particular the Mara’s big cats. Whilst there is still sufficient prey to sustain the area's predators, in comparison to the glutinous times of the migration, the cats are forced to work much harder for their meals, leading to increased levels of activity. When coupled with the reduced number of tourists visiting the area, it makes for a very rewarding time to visit.

Typical Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Depart the UK & arrive Nairobi

    We depart the UK on international flights to Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city. We arrive later in the evening and we are transferred to accommodation nearby.

    Accommodation: Tamarind Tree Hotel, 1-night

  2. Day 2: Fly to Masai Mara & transfer to Ol Kinyei Conservancy

    This morning, we will be transferred to Wilson Airport from where we catch a light aircraft flight and fly over to the Masai Mara. This flight should provide some wonderful views of this section of the Great Rift Valley.

    After touching down in the Mara, we transfer to our accommodation in the Ol Kinyei Conservancy, arriving in time for lunch. This afternoon we head out on a vehicle safari for our first opportunity to photograph the wonderful wildlife of this region. This should be a great introduction to the wildlife of East Africa and provide a wonderful array of photographic opportunities for the whole group.

    Accommodation: Porini Mara Camp, 3-nights

  3. Days 3-4 : Explore the Masai Mara to observe & photograph wildlife

    The next two days will be spent in much the same way, with early starts for our morning game drives. Our primary focus will be on the area’s population of big cats, but if there are any particular species that people are interested in, we can try and accommodate them accordingly. At this time of the year, long after the wildebeest have migrated back to the Serengeti, the grass is long and the warm light of the ‘golden hour’ is perfect for photographing wildlife with big skies and endless seas of grass.

    Bret will be on hand throughout the vehicle safaris to give photographic advice, and he will be working closely with our guides to get them into the right positions to make the most of the light and ensure clean backgrounds for striking imagery. As Bret has a wealth of experience in Africa, his experience of photographing big cats will be key to getting the most out of this landscape. We will have plenty of time to really get to know the area and hopefully get to know some individual animals too.

    After our morning drives, we return to the lodge for a relaxing interlude during the middle of the day. For those that are interested, there will be the opportunity to go through their images with Bret and discuss processing techniques and any technical details.

    In the afternoons we go out once more on safari, at a time when the lighting in the Mara is often at its best. As the sun sets, some incredible silhouettes can be captured, with the wildlife walking across the open plains. After our afternoon/evening game drives, we return to the comfort of our lodge for stunning starlit meals, stories around the fire and the peace and tranquillity of the African bush.

  4. Day 5: Transfer to Olare Motorogi Conservancy

    Following another morning vehicle safari, we depart and transfer to our next camp in the Masai Mara, located in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy. This transfer will effectively be another vehicle and, therefore, another opportunity to photograph the wealth of wildlife in the Masai Mara.

    We arrive at our next camp in the early afternoon, when we have some time to settle into our new accommodation before some lunch. Later in the day, we head on another vehicle safari and return to camp in time for dinner.

    Accommodation: Porini Lion Camp, 4-nights

  5. Days 6-8 : Further vehicles safaris in search of wildlife and photographic opportunities

    For the next three days, we continue with morning and late afternoon vehicle safaris in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy and further afield in search of the Masai Mara's prolific wildlife and photographic opportunities. Throughout the itinerary, for those that are interested, there will be the opportunity to go through their images with Bret and discuss processing techniques and any technical details that may help improve your photography. Bret will be on hand throughout the itinerary, but in between safaris back at camp is often the opportune time for informal workshops, tuition and discussions about photography.

    We hope to capture further images of lion, leopard and cheetah during our safaris. However, in addition to the three primary targets, we hope to see and photograph a wide range of wildlife including African elephant, olive baboon, spotted hyena, bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal (serval if we are lucky), buffalo and a number of different antelope species. The birdlife here is equally varied and, depending on the opportunities that arise, there may well be the chance to build some wonderful imagery of African specialities.

  6. Day 9: Return to Nairobi & departure

    Today marks the last day of our safari in Kenya's Masai Mara, and after a final early morning wake-up, we head out for our last wildlife drive, returning to the lodge later in the morning.

    Later in the day we transfer to the airstrip and board a light aircraft flight back to Wilson Airport in Nairobi. From here, we are transferred across the city to the international airport where we check-in for our return overnight flights back to the UK.

  7. Day 10: Arrive UK

Key info

  • Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 10 days from £6,495 pp
  • Duration and price excluding international flights: 9 days from £5,695 pp
  • Single supplement: From £1,295
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
  • Group size: 8
  • When to go: Jan-Feb
  • Group Departures: We are currently finalising future dates for this tour. Please contact us for further details.
  • Tailor-made Departures:

    A tailor-made holiday or private departure can be arranged, please contact us to tailor a trip to suit your requirements.

  • Included in the price/package:
    • Domestic light aircraft flights
    • 7 nights tented camp
    • 1 night hotel
    • All meals
    • Transfers & transport
    • Safaris in private vehicles
    • Services & photographic tuition from Bret Charman
    • Services of local guide(s)
  • Activities available:
    • Nature drive
    • Photography

Expert leader

Bret Charman

Photo of Bret Charman

Bret is an award-winning wildlife photographer with a background in the wildlife travel and safari industry, with a particular interest in African and Australian wildlife.

After spending a year in Australia to pursue wildlife photography, he was rewarded with success at the prestigious Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition, as well as winning the Birds in Flight category in Bird Photographer of the Year. Bret has experience leading groups in Europe, the Americas and in Africa.

View all tours led by Bret

Tour Reports

Find out more about the day-to-day sightings and wildlife activities on our group tours from our expert naturalist leaders.

Featured location:

Masai Mara National Reserve

Kenya’s finest wildlife sanctuary, the Masai Mara is a paradise of gently rolling grasslands studded with acacia trees. Remaining as the ancestral homelands of the Masai, a curious harmony between man and wildlife exists that allows a route for the large migrations and a home for predators and plains wildlife. Find Out More about {acc:title}

  • Where: Rift Valley Province
  • Ideal for viewing: cheetah, Grant’s gazelle, leopard, lion, Thompson’s gazelle
  • Excellent for: Walking safaris, Wildlife photography, Vehicle safaris
Featured accommodation:

Porini Lion Camp

This award-winning camp is located in the exclusive 14,000 hectare Olare Motorogi Conservancy, a pristine wilderness bordering the Masai Mara National Reserve. Ten secluded luxury tents are situated along the banks of the seasonal Ntiakatiak River, offering guests a real African bush experience. Find Out More about Porini Lion Camp

Porini Mara Camp

Porini Mara is the only safari camp in the Ol Kinyei Conservancy, and offers traditional game drives, comfortable accommodation and a wonderful safari experience at an affordable price. It has some of the best safari guides in the Mara, and with just six spacious tents, the camp has an exclusive feel. Find Out More about Porini Mara Camp