MASAI MARA PHOTO SAFARI | KENYA
Situated in the southwest of Kenya, covering an area of 1,510 square km (583 square miles), the Masai Mara National Reserve is a land of breathtaking vistas, abundant wildlife and endless plains. The quintessential Masai Mara safari delivers many attractions, as the reserve is home to an excellent year-round concentration of game, including the more than two million wildebeest, zebras and other antelopes that make up the famous Great Migration.
- January to March mark the calving and lambing time in the Mara, meaning predators are more active in hunting. This makes it an excellent time for those who love big cats. During the predator season, one can also observe many migratory birds during this period.
- In July, the migratory season begins, and herds return to the plains. Predators eagerly await this event. But, in recent years, the predictability and pattern of these crossings have become more challenging. We cannot guarantee any crossings in July, but smaller herds may arrive earlier.
- Small groups – maximum group size of 5.
- CNP Safaris Specialist Photography Vehicle – https://youtu.be/aU9Q0Qzr59s
- The focus is on improving your photography.
- We aim to help you see beyond the “obvious” and approach your photography differently.
We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Mara Trails, an eco-tourism and conservation organisation that operates a luxurious tented camp in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
The camp is situated in an ideal location for photographers who want to capture the stunning beauty of the African savannah.
The organisation is committed to living in a way that respects the natural world and the wildlife in the area. Mara Trails Camp’s primary objective is to support the local Maasai community. They allocate 50% of their profits towards creating employment opportunities and providing educational resources for the people of Masai Mara.
They are also dedicated to empowering women in the community by providing them with opportunities to learn new skills and assume leadership roles. Mara Trails believes that supporting the local community can help ensure the long-term conservation of the area’s unique wildlife and ecosystems. Through these initiatives, they hope to create a sustainable future for the Maasai people and the natural world around us.
Their passionate team, well-experienced field guides and ecological scientists operate this unique bush camp.
The Masai Mara is a photographer’s paradise, with abundant elephant, buffalo, giraffe, lion and cheetah alongside the migratory wildebeest and zebra. Leopards are frequently encountered, endangered black rhino seek shelter in the dense thickets and large pods of hippo and enormous crocodiles are found in the Mara River. The park is also home to over 450 bird species.
We have harnessed decades of first-hand experience in wildlife photography to design and build specialised vehicles that meet the most challenging demands of comfort, flexibility and photographic application.
Our vehicles are of ideal height, size and suspension, feature custom-built chairs that can swivel 360 degrees. They come equipped with sophisticated controls for every possible positional adjustment, including gas-assisted height determinations and manoeuvrable camera supports featuring professional Wimberley heads.
The vehicle is fitted with a bank of 220v plug points, allowing photographers to charge camera and laptop batteries in the field. This means that we are able to stay out shooting quite comfortably all day without returning to base if the need arises.With only four photographers sharing the space in the vehicle, this is Business-Class-in-the-bush at its best!
The essence of taking good wildlife photographs lies in the understanding of animal behaviour. Having spent years in the field capturing rare moments in the animal kingdom, we have gained valuable knowledge that we share with our guests, to support capturing those unforgettable moments
Migration Season
Few events stir more emotion or offer more photographic opportunities than the annual Wildebeest, Thomson’s Gazelle & Burchell’s Zebra migration across the Mara Triangle. The drama of the crossings, the short grass and the migrating herds covering the vast open plains allows for extraordinary images of the annual migration.
Benefits of visiting the Masai Mara during the Crossing season.
- Bucket list tick.
- Witnessing the UNESCO ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’
- Breathtaking abundance of animals
- Dramatic crossing scenes.
Predator Season
What do predators resort to when the Wildebeest migration has moved on and with that their abundance of food? They work much harder in order to take larger numbers of smaller prey to sustain themselves. This results in amazing photographic opportunities.
Benefits of visiting Masai Mara during the Predator season.
- There are fewer tourists, thus allowing more time at sightings to photograph.
- The sky is clear and free of dust.
- The vast open plains are lush and green with sprouting flowers.
- Low season rates.
- Birding in the Masai Mara is excellent.
Day 1
- Arrival in Nairobi and road transfer to Tamarind Tree Hotel
- Arrival and check-in
- Dinner and overnight
Day 2
- Breakfast at Tamarind Tree Hotel
- Check-out and road transfer to Wilson Airport
- 10:30 Charter flight from Wilson Airport to Mara-Olekiombo Airstrip | Air Kenya Flight 853
- 11:10 Arrival at Mara-Olekiombo Airstrip and road transfer to Mara Trails Camp
- Check-in and lunch
- Afternoon photography session
- Return to camp and dinner
Day 3 to 6
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner Breakfast and lunch will be served on the drive or at camp (depending on sightings)
- Morning and afternoon photography sessions
- Daily guidance from CNP Tour Leader
Day 7
- Morning photography session
- Breakfast
- Check-out and road transfer to the Mara-Olekiombo Airstrip
- 11:15 Charter flight from Mara-Olekiombo Airstrip to Wilson Airport | Air Kenya Flight 854
- 13:00 Arrival at Wilson Airport | *Trip ends with CNP Safaris
- Road transfer to Jomo Kenyatta Int Airport
- 15:30 Flight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to O.R. Tambo International Airport | Airlink Flight 4Z71 (recommended flight to book)
- 18:40 Arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport
18:40 Arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport
Suggested travel from O.R. Tambo:
4 Hour flight to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
09:40 Flight from O.R. Tambo International Airport to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport | Airlink Flight 4Z70 (recommended flight to book)
Direct International flights are also available
Includes:
- Return road transfers as per itinerary
- Return charter flights between Wilson Airport and Mara-Olekiombo Airstrip | 28kg baggage weight allowance with sharing freight seat
- 1x Night dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation (excl. drinks) at Tamarind Tree Hotel | Standard Room
- 5x Nights full board accommodation (incl. selected drinks) at Mara Trails Camp
- Morning and afternoon photography sessions (or full-day sessions – CNP tour leader’s discretion) | CNP Safaris Specialist Photography Vehicle
- Park, Conservation and Vehicle Fees
- Community and Government Fees
- Private vehicle operator/guide
- Daily Guidance from the CNP tour leader
Excludes:
- All travel to Nairobi – Kenya
- Expenses of a personal nature (incl. laundry)
- Drinks
- Gratuities
- Mandatory Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)
- Medical Insurance and Travel Insurance
PREDATOR SEASON
MIGRATION SEASON
