Price

€5,990 per person – Early Bird Price

Maximum 9 participants – 2 guides – 3 specially modified 4WD Toyota Land Cruisers for photography

Book during the Early Bird period to secure your place at the current price. We anticipate a price increase of approximately 5–15% once our Kenyan partners release their updated 2028 rates. Your price is guaranteed: once your booking is confirmed during the Early Bird period, the agreed trip price will not increase, even if prices rise later.

Guides

Stefan Gerrits & Mikko Oivukka

Tour description

The Maasai Mara is one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations, a vast landscape of open savannah, rolling grasslands and endless skies. Renowned for its extraordinary concentration of wildlife and predators, it offers some of the finest wildlife photography opportunities anywhere in the world. From the first light of morning to the warm colours of the African sunset, every day brings new encounters and photographic possibilities.

Staying at Oltepesi Tented Camp, we will be right in the heart of this incredible ecosystem, allowing us to spend our days out in the field and make the most of the best light and wildlife activity. The camp is designed specifically with wildlife photographers in mind, including specially modified 4WD Toyota Land Cruisers with open sides and low shooting positions. With just three photographers per vehicle, everyone will have plenty of space for themselves and their equipment, and the freedom to quickly change position when an opportunity arises. Combined with experienced Maasai guides who understand light, animal behaviour and the importance of positioning a vehicle correctly for photography, everything is geared towards giving us the best possible photographic opportunities.

Our main focus will be the Maasai Mara’s famous big cats, Lions, Leopards and Cheetahs, but the Mara offers so much more. We will also look for Elephants, Giraffes, Hyenas, Jackals and an incredible variety of other mammals and birds, while using the beautiful African landscapes, skies and light as an important part of our photography.

No two days in the Mara are ever the same. A quiet morning can suddenly turn into an unforgettable encounter, and we will have the flexibility to spend time with our subjects rather than simply moving from sighting to sighting.

Are you ready to experience the African savannah and photograph big cats and other iconic wildlife in one of the world’s greatest wildlife destinations? Let us take you on a photography adventure into the wild heart of the Maasai Mara!

Key experiences

1. Big cats of the Maasai Mara

   The big cats will be one of our main photographic focuses during this Maasai Mara adventure. The Mara is renowned for its healthy populations of Lions, Leopards and Cheetahs, offering exceptional opportunities to observe and photograph these iconic predators in their natural environment.

   
   

   We will spend long hours in the field, particularly during the beautiful early morning and late afternoon light when wildlife is often at its most active. Rather than rushing from one sighting to another, we have the flexibility to stay with our subjects, observe their behaviour and wait for the photographic moments to develop.
   

   

   
   

2. An extraordinary diversity of African wildlife

   The Maasai Mara is about much more than its famous big cats. Its open plains support an incredible diversity of wildlife, including Elephants, Giraffes, Hyenas, Jackals, Zebras, Antelopes and the rare Black Rhinoceros, as well as an impressive variety of birdlife. Every game drive can bring something completely unexpected.

   
   

   The landscape itself is an important part of the photographic experience. Open savannah, lone trees, dramatic skies and beautiful African light provide endless possibilities to create wider environmental images that capture animals within the vast Mara landscape. Early mornings and late afternoons also offer wonderful opportunities to work with the rising and setting sun, using silhouettes, backlight and golden light to create something very different from the more traditional wildlife portrait.

   
   

   

   
   

3. A safari designed for photographers

   There are plenty of ways to visit the Maasai Mara, but most safaris are not designed around the needs of serious wildlife photographers. Crowded vehicles, limited space for long lenses, restricted shooting positions and schedules built around a traditional game drive can make all the difference when that special moment happens.

   
   

   This trip is different. Photography comes first. Staying at Oltepesi Tented Camp, we explore the Maasai Mara in specially modified 4WD Toyota Land Cruisers designed for wildlife photographers. With just three photographers per vehicle, everyone has plenty of room for themselves and their equipment, unobstructed shooting opportunities and the freedom to change position quickly when the action unfolds.
   

   The vehicles feature wide-open sides, flexible seating arrangements and drop-down shooting platforms, allowing us to photograph wildlife from exceptionally low angles, often close to eye level. This creates wonderful opportunities for intimate portraits, dramatic perspectives and beautifully blurred foregrounds. Beanbags are provided to support long lenses, giving us the stability and flexibility needed to make the most of every encounter.

   
   

   There is no rush to tick off species or move on to the next sighting. Together with experienced Maasai guides, we can follow the light, stay with a promising subject and wait for the right moment. From positioning the vehicle for a low-angle portrait to anticipating where a Cheetah might move or finding the right angle for a silhouette at sunset, the safari is built around one thing: creating the best possible opportunities for photography.

Program overview

Below you will find a general itinerary for the trip. Naturally, the program is subject to change depending on wildlife activity, weather and conditions, so the daily schedule serves as a guideline. The wildlife and the best photographic opportunities will ultimately determine where we go and how long we stay.

For example, information about Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, Black Rhinoceros or other interesting wildlife may lead us to change our plans immediately. We remain in close contact with our experienced Maasai guides, who know the area and its wildlife extremely well, and will adjust our plans whenever we believe there is a better photographic opportunity elsewhere.

The same applies to the light. A beautiful sunrise, dramatic skies or the possibility of photographing wildlife against the setting sun may be reason enough to change direction or stay longer in a particular location. Photography comes first, rather than following a fixed game-drive schedule.

As with all wildlife photography, we cannot guarantee any particular sightings. However, the trip is deliberately designed to remain flexible, allowing us to make the most of the wildlife, landscapes, changing conditions and beautiful African light we encounter each day.

Day 1: Flight to the Maasai Mara, transfer & first safari

Our adventure starts at Nairobi Wilson Airport, where we take a short bush flight to Ol Kiombo Airstrip in the Maasai Mara. Our guides and photography vehicles will be waiting for us on arrival and from the moment we leave the airstrip, our safari has already begun.

We make our way slowly to Oltepesi Tented Camp, keeping our cameras ready for whatever we may encounter along the way. After arriving at camp, there will be time to settle into our tents, freshen up and have something to eat.

We will not waste too much time, though. In the afternoon, we head straight back into the Mara for our first dedicated photography safari, staying out to make the most of the beautiful late-afternoon light and our first African sunset.

The next 7 full days: Into the wild

For the next seven days, the Maasai Mara is ours to explore. We leave camp in the darkness, cameras ready, heading out across the savannah before the sun appears on the horizon. We never quite know what the morning will bring. A pride of Lions on the move, a Leopard returning from a night hunt, a Cheetah scanning the plains or Elephants slowly emerging from the darkness. Every morning starts with anticipation.

Our main focus will be the Mara’s Lions, Leopards and Cheetahs, but out here anything can happen. Elephants, Giraffes, Hyenas, Jackals, Black Rhinoceros, Zebras, Antelopes and an incredible variety of birds are all part of this extraordinary ecosystem.

There is no fixed route and no clock telling us when to move on. We follow the wildlife, the latest information from our guides and, above all, the photographic opportunities. Some days we may return to camp for lunch and a short break. On others, we may spend the entire day in the Mara, enjoying a picnic breakfast beneath an acacia tree or lunch overlooking the Mara River, with Hippos and Crocodiles nearby. And if something special is happening, we stay.

With only three photographers in each specially adapted photography vehicle, we have the space and freedom to react quickly. Our experienced Maasai guides know the landscape and understand animal behaviour, helping us anticipate what might happen next and position ourselves where the possibilities are greatest.

And then there is the African light. We will actively search for those moments when wildlife and light come together: Giraffes silhouetted against a fiery sunrise, Elephants walking through dust illuminated by the setting sun, or the last golden rays catching the fur of a watchful Cheetah. We will experiment with backlight, silhouettes, dust, reflections, low angles and wider animalscapes, creating images that capture not only the animal, but the atmosphere of the Mara itself.

Seven full days. Sunrise to sunset. Following the wildlife, chasing the light and never knowing what might be waiting around the next corner. That is our adventure.

Day 9: One last safari & departure

Depending on our flight schedule, there may still be time for one final morning safari. One last opportunity to head out into the Mara, enjoy the early morning light and see what the African wilderness has in store for us.

Afterwards, we return to Oltepesi Tented Camp for breakfast, collect our luggage and make our way towards Ol Kiombo Airstrip. And just like on our arrival, the drive itself is still part of the safari, so the cameras stay ready until the very end. From Ol Kiombo, we take our bush flight back to Nairobi Wilson Airport, bringing nine unforgettable days and our Maasai Mara photography adventure to an end.

General Travel Information

Participant meeting

Before the trip, we will organize an online participant meeting so you can get to know your fellow travelers and ask any questions about the trip.

Maximum group size

You can book this trip individually or with your own group. The group size is a maximum of 9 people excluding the guides.

Guidance

Depending on your place of departure, you will travel independently or with other participants to Nairobi, Kenya. From there, you will make your way to Wilson Airport, where our adventure begins with a domestic flight to Ol Kiombo Airstrip in the Maasai Mara. Our local guides will meet us on arrival and take us to Oltepesi Tented Camp, with our first safari already beginning along the way.

The camp & accommodation

Our home during this adventure will be Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp, set in the heart of the spectacular Maasai Mara ecosystem. Established by wildlife photographers with photographers in mind, the camp combines comfortable accommodation, knowledgeable local guides and an atmosphere dedicated to wildlife photography. As part of a traditional Maasai village, Oltepesi also offers an opportunity to experience authentic Maasai hospitality and gain an insight into the local culture. Its close ties with the surrounding community extend to initiatives such as a public water well, providing access to clean water for neighbouring villages. Surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African wilderness, Oltepesi offers much more than a place to stay. It is an experience in itself.

We will stay in spacious safari tents with private en-suite bathrooms, including a shower, washbasin and flush toilet. Each tent has solar-powered lighting and 230V charging facilities for cameras, batteries and other equipment. Accommodation is based on shared double or twin tents, with single accommodation available for an additional fee, subject to availability.

At the heart of the camp is the Boma restaurant, where we can enjoy freshly prepared meals together. There is also a comfortable lounge where we can download and review our images, charge equipment or simply relax. In the evenings, we can gather around the campfire, enjoy a drink and share the day's experiences as the African sun disappears over the horizon.

What makes Oltepesi particularly special is its atmosphere. Rather than a conventional luxury safari lodge, it offers a personal, authentic experience, with warm Maasai hospitality and a genuine passion for wildlife photography.

And with the reserve only minutes away, we can head out before sunrise and return after sunset, making the most of those precious hours when the African light is at its most beautiful. Here, everything revolves around the photography adventure.

Passport and Kenyan eTA

You will need a valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining from your date of arrival in Kenya and at least one blank page.

Most international visitors must obtain an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before travelling to Kenya. This replaces the traditional visa for most travellers and can be applied for online through the official government website: www.etakenya.go.ke

The standard eTA costs approximately USD 30 per person, excluding payment charges. Applications are normally processed within three working days, but we recommend applying well in advance of departure. You will need your passport details, a passport-style photo, travel itinerary and accommodation information.

Please ensure your eTA has been approved before departure. Entry requirements may vary depending on nationality and can change, so we recommend checking the official Kenyan government website before travelling.

Extra costs

This Maasai Mara photography adventure is available from €5.990 per person, based on shared accommodation at Oltepesi Tented Camp.

A single-occupancy supplement of USD 75 per person per night (USD 600 for the entire trip) applies. Single accommodation is limited and subject to availability.

1 person in a shared twin tent: You will share a tent with another participant of the same gender, with separate beds. If a suitable roommate is unavailable, the single-occupancy arrangements and any applicable supplement will be discussed with you before your booking is confirmed.

2 people sharing a tent:

Ideal for couples or friends travelling together. You can indicate your preference for a double bed or two separate beds when booking, subject to availability.

1 person in a private tent:

Enjoy your own tent for an additional USD 600 for the eight-night stay. Availability is limited, so we recommend requesting this option when booking.

Materials

For this Maasai Mara photography adventure, we recommend bringing a versatile selection of equipment, allowing you to capture everything from intimate wildlife portraits and fast-moving action to wide African landscapes and dramatic silhouettes.

Flight and Transportation

International flights to Nairobi are not included in the trip price and must be booked independently. We will provide flight recommendations well in advance, including guidance on suitable arrival and departure times.

For participants travelling from Europe, KLM’s overnight flights from Amsterdam to Nairobi are worth considering, particularly services that arrive in the morning. A morning arrival allows time to transfer to Nairobi Wilson Airport and, depending on the confirmed domestic flight schedule, may make it possible to continue to the Maasai Mara the same day.

A safer option would be arriving in Nairobi at least one day before the safari begins to allow for potential flight delays and avoid the risk of missing the domestic connection. We will share the recommended flight options and timings before you book. If an overnight stay is required, we can recommend suitable accommodation. Hotel costs and transfers within Nairobi are not included.

Return domestic flights between Nairobi Wilson Airport and the Maasai Mara are included in the trip price. We fly to Ol Kiombo airstrip, where our Maasai guides will meet us and transfer us to Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp. On the final day, we return by air to Wilson Airport.

Important information about luggage and camera equipment:

Domestic flights to the Maasai Mara use smaller aircraft with strict baggage restrictions. Our safari partner indicates a standard allowance of 15 kg per person in total, including hand luggage and camera equipment. Additional allowance may be arranged in advance, subject to airline conditions, availability and additional charges.

We will discuss baggage requirements with every participant well before departure and coordinate additional arrangements where possible. Please do not assume that excess baggage can be accommodated without prior confirmation.

Once in the Maasai Mara, all game drives and safari transportation are included. We travel in specially modified 4WD Toyota Land Cruisers, with a maximum of three photographers per vehicle, accompanied by experienced Maasai guides.

Health and Difficulty

Travelling to Kenya requires some health preparation. We recommend consulting a travel health clinic well before departure for advice on recommended vaccinations and malaria prevention. Yellow fever vaccination requirements may apply depending on the countries you are travelling from or through. Please check the latest requirements for your specific itinerary, as well as the travel advice issued by your country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Bring sufficient supplies of any personal medication for the entire trip, preferably in your hand luggage. Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical treatment, emergency evacuation and repatriation is essential.

Difficulty: Easy to medium

This safari does not require strenuous hiking or a particularly high level of fitness. Most photography takes place from our specially adapted 4WD Toyota Land Cruisers, with only limited walking around the camp.

However, our days in the field can be long. We often depart before sunrise and may remain out until sunset, depending on wildlife activity and photographic opportunities. Game drives involve several hours of sitting in a vehicle, sometimes on rough and uneven tracks. Early starts, dust, heat and changing weather conditions can also make the days tiring.

A reasonable level of general fitness and the ability to comfortably get in and out of a safari vehicle are recommended. Our flexible itinerary allows us to return to camp for a break when circumstances permit.

Terms and Conditions

What if I need to cancel my trip?

In the event of cancellation, you must inform us as soon as possible. As we also incur cancellation costs from our partners, we will have to pass these on to you according to the schedule below, which is also indicated in the terms and conditions and the travel information provided to you. You can always contact your cancellation insurance provider.

Cancellation fee timelines

• 5 to 3 months before departure: 25% of the total trip cost

• 3 to 2 months before departure: 50% of the total trip cost

• 2 to 1 month before departure: 80% of the total trip cost

• Less than 1 month before departure: 100% of the total trip cost

Extraordinary circumstances

In the event of trip cancellation by the local organization due to exceptional and unforeseen circumstances, such as extreme weather conditions, death, conflicts, or airline disruptions, no refunds will be provided for those reasons. You can always consult your travel insurance provider for assistance.