Planning
Planning Your Photo Safari
PHOTO SAFARI BASICS
What's A Photo Safari?
A traditional safari is already an remarkable experience. Imagine spotting a herd of giraffes gracefully moving across the open plains or watching a pride of lions laze in the afternoon sun!
At Mara Trails Camp, guests will enjoy all the hallmarks of a classic safari plus some extraordinary extras:
- Staying in classic safari-style tents inside the Masai Mara National Reserve, where wildlife roams freely
- Embarking on daily game drives, with the chance to spot the Big Five and countless other species native to Kenya
- Taking part in special excursions, from visiting a Maasai village to exploring the forest on a guided bush walk.
But what makes a photography safari different? It’s all about the details. Founded by award-winning wildlife photographers, Mara Trails Camp was designed with photographers in mind, ensuring you have the best opportunity to capture breathtaking images.
PHOTO SAFARI MUST-HAVES
An Exclusive Location Inside The Reserve
Mara Trails Camp is located inside the Masai Mara National Reserve. Located in southwestern Kenya in East Africa, this location is a protected conservation area that allows endangered species to thrive.
Why It Matters: when looking for a safari camp, you may notice that the majority are situated outside the reserve. That means the first hour or more of your game drive is just spent driving to your destination, where you then wait to pay your entrance fees and pass through the gates.
Thanks to our location inside the reserve, you’ll be staying where the wildlife stays. The camp is protected by Maasai askari who stand guard all night long, but it’s not uncommon to see waterbuck, giraffes, and elephants while enjoying a chef-prepared dinner in the camp.
- Expect to see most of the iconic Big Five, which includes lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinos
- Plan to photograph additional species native to Kenya like giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, ostriches, and more
PHOTO SAFARI MUST-HAVES
Experienced Maasai Drivers To Guide You
Mara Trails Camp was founded by award-winning wildlife photographers. We recognize that one of the key factors in getting the perfect shot is having expert Maasai guides who understand light, angles, and animal behaviour.
Why It Matters: when you’re on safari in the Masai Mara National Reserve, you’re shooting from inside a Land Cruiser. Having guides that understand how to find wildlife and how to position the vehicle for the best shot is critical.
We allow guests to book a private game drive, for an additional fee. Our specially modified Land Cruisers feature lowered sides so photographers can lay down while shooting. Booking a private game drive ensures you can shoot from both sides of the vehicle, which wouldn’t be possible if you were sharing with five other guests.
PHOTO SAFARI MUST-HAVES
Bookings Available In All Seasons
Mara Trails Camp is open year round. We find that many photographers book their photo safaris during peak season in order to experience the Great Migration.
In our experience, booking during the green season may offer a better photography safari experience in the Masai Mara. The tourist numbers drop dramatically which makes each game drive a more intimate experience.
Why It Matters: the Masai Mara National Reserve sees peak tourist numbers in July, August, September, and October. If capturing the Great Migration is a life-long dream of yours then we welcome you at that time! If, on the other hand, you’re looking for the opportunity to connect with the wildlife in a more sustainable way, then consider visiting during November, December, January, February, and March.
PHOTOGRAPHY SAFARI FAQ
Photography Safari FAQs
Over the years, we have hosted many photography enthusiasts passionate about wildlife and conservation. Find out answers to our most frequently asked questions!
Do I Need To Be An Expert Photographer?
Not at all! Our safaris cater to all skill levels, from beginners using their first DSLR to seasoned photographers looking to refine their craft. We welcome all who are passionate about wildlife, photography, and conservation.
How Many People Are In Each Safari Vehicle?
At Mara Trails Camp, our daily game drives are conducted in Land Cruisers that seat up to 6 passengers. You can choose between a morning & afternoon game drive (returning to camp for a midday break) or an all-day game drive that ventures deeper into the Masai Mara National Reserve.
For those visiting specifically for a photography safari, we highly recommend upgrading to a private game drive. This ensures that you and your group have the vehicle to yourselves, giving you more freedom to move from side to side for the best angles. We offer specially modified vehicles upon request, depending on availability.
What Equipment Should I Bring On Safari?
For a photography safari, we recommend bringing the following equipment. Don’t bring a tripod – we providing stabilizing bean bags for photographers.
- your DSLR or mirrorless camera of your choice – your favourite brand is fine!
- a lens in the 200mm – 800 mm range is suitable – don’t pack more than 2 lenses
- multiple camera batteries so you don’t run out of juice during an all-day safari
- multiple memory cards capable of holding thousands of high resolution photos
- an external hard drive to back up the images you’ll be taking each day
- a laptop with your preferred processing software may be useful during downtime
Can I Rent Photography Equipment At Mara Trails?
Mara Trails Camp does not offer equipment rentals at this time. If you’re not sure if your camera is suitable for a photo safari, please feel free to send us a message via our website or via social media. We can offer some advice based on our experience.
How Do I Book A Photo Safari At Mara Trails Camp?
Send us a booking inquiry and let us know what dates you would be interested in visiting the Masai Mara. We can arrange your entire itinerary from the time you land in Nairobi. We’ll book your hotel in Nairobi, arrange your transport to the Masai Mara, and set up any additional excursions you’d like to experience during your stay with us.
Don’t hesitate to ask us to add on other destinations within Kenya. We’re well-connected within the industry can can arrange bookings at other destinations such as Lake Naivasha or Amboseli National Park.
Mara Trails offers all-inclusive stays for solo travelers, couples, families, and photography groups. Send us a booking inquiry and one of our experienced travel planners will be in touch.
