Maasai Mara Wildlife Photography & Conservation Workshop

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Photograph the epic Great Migration, learn from a pro, and become a conservationist.

Here’s an opportunity to experience the Maasai Mara – one of the most exclusive African safari destinations – in a unique way; as a wildlife photographer and conservation volunteer. This July and August, you can join us for 1 to 3 weeks for an exclusive experience. (And photographers of all levels are welcome!)

Kenya’s Maasai Mara is an enchanting wildlife paradise that presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to embellish your wildlife portfolio with matchless photography opportunities. Picture a quintessential African vista of rolling hills dotted with acacia trees, and populated with lions, leopards, elephants, and giraffes – and you’re there.

As a wildlife photographer on this program, you will spend your time shooting, editing, critiquing and showcasing under the guidance of our experienced photography instructors and in the company of equally enthusiastic peers. You’ll also contribute to local wildlife conservation efforts in a tangible way. You’ll leave Kenya having grown as a photographer, enriched your intercultural competence, and armed with an incredible portfolio.

2025 Dates & Rates

Start Dates: August 3 / August 10
Please note that you’ll arrive on a Sunday, but leave on a Monday.

Rates: 8 days: $2745 / 15 days: $4795 / 22 days: $6455

Quick Facts

Maasai Mara, Kenya

Aug 3 – Aug 25, 2025

Join for 1 – 3 weeks

Wildlife Photography

Photography Guide: Sam Turley

Group Size: Max 10

All Photography Levels

Tour & Destination Highlights

Enjoy incredible wildlife photography opportunities (some of the very best in Africa)
Have an opportunity to photograph the Great Migration
Enjoy tutoring by a professional wildlife photographer
Learn about and photograph local wildlife photography projects
An opportunity to experience exclusive game reserves without paying luxury prices
Have the flexibility of joining for 1 to 3 weeks

Quick Facts

Maasai Mara, Kenya

Aug 3 – Aug 25, 2025

Join for 1 – 3 weeks

Wildlife Photography

Photography Guide: Sam Turley

Group Size: Max 10

PRICING OVERVIEW

from USD $2745GBP £EUR €ZAR RAUD $

USDGBPEURZARAUD

At the current exchange rate. Please note final quote might vary slightly

per person sharing

INCLUDING

Accommodation
All meals
All game drives and other wildlife photography activities
All conservation activities
All transportation & Airport transfers
Photographic tuition
Park entrance fees

EXCLUDING

International Flights
Personal travel insurance

EXPLORE

Photography in Kenya

All your dreams, as a wildlife photographer, come true in the Maasai Mara.

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WHAT TO EXPECT IN KENYA

Your Photographic Experience

The Maasai Mara is one of Africa’s prime safari destinations. Situated within the expansive Great Rift Valley, it boasts a diverse array of habitats including open rolling grasslands, riverine forests, woodlands, and even swamps. These habitats are home to the Mara’s remarkable concentration of herbivores such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, elephant and much more. The Maasai Mara’s significance extends beyond its wildlife diversity, as this wildlife haven also serves as a corridor for one of the most spectacular animal sightings on earth – the great wildebeest migration. An astonishing 1.2 million wildebeests, 300,000 zebra, and other herds of smaller herbivores set the scene for the greatest show on earth as they begin their trek along age-old routes, moving from the southern part of Tanzania’s Serengeti Desert up and around to Masai Mara in Kenya, then back again. The curtain rises on a wildlife photographer’s dream scene, and although we can not predict the exact movement of the animals, our program runs within the right season to photograph this dramatic spectacle. Throughout your stay, you’ll enjoy the expert guidance of a local team, as well as professional wildlife photographer Sam Turley. You’ll have the unique opportunity to visit various initiatives and communities that are dedicated to the conservation of the Greater Maasai Mara. This includes meeting with representatives of local communities and conservation-focused foundations, which will give you great insights into multi-faceted solutions to conservation, sustainable tourism, and more.

Feedback

My tour of the Maasai Mara with Penda was nothing short of brilliant. When you travel to a place as incredible as Kenya you always have very high expectations, and Penda delivered. The tour was very well organised, the staff at the camp, the food, the accommodation and logistics were all amazing. But it’s the people that always make a tour special, and our guide and drivers were brilliant, making sure we got the best access to see and photograph the incredible wildlife of the Maasai Mara. Big shout out to Hanna, our guide, for her expertise and making sure we got the most amazing shots. I can highly recommend Penda if you are ever considering a wildlife photography tour.

Michael Collinge

I feel very lucky to have been able to take part in the Masai Mara Photography Project with Penda. The wildlife encounters, from big cats to river crossings and much more, surpassed all of my expectations. It was also interesting to learn about the conservation successes and challenges in the wider ecosystem. The accommodation, staff and food were excellent and it was nice to be part of a diverse group of other participants. Hanna and Sam, the tour leaders, were great and taught me a lot about editing images as well as improving my photography in the field, the challenge will be to keep it up! Penda made the process of booking very easy and were always on hand to help, even checking in whilst on the trip which was a nice touch. I would definitely travel with them in the future and recommend them to others.

James Walker

My experience with Penda in the Maasai Mara was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we set out, it was clear that this was not just a tour, but a deeply immersive wildlife experience tailored for photographers of all levels. The guides were incredibly knowledgeable, not only about the wildlife but also about how to capture the perfect shot in the unique conditions of the Mara. Their expertise and patience ensured that I could capture the stunning beauty of the landscape and the majestic animals in their natural habitat. The tour was organized, and every detail was planned to maximize our time in the field. Penda provided an unforgettable adventure, allowing me to return home with breathtaking images and memories that will last a lifetime. I cannot recommend them highly enough for anyone looking to combine their love of photography with the awe-inspiring beauty of the Maasai Mara.

Juan Rivera

Gallery

WORKSHOP LEADER

Sam Turley

Sam Turley

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Sam is an award-winning wildlife photographer and conservationist. During his career in wildlife conservation in Southern Africa, Sam began to understand the power of conservation storytelling through photography, and has made it his mission to educate, inspire and motivate people to fight for a wild future. Sam has won the Wilderness Safaris People’s Choice Award in 2020, and he was a finalist in various competitions, including Africa Geographic Photographer of the Year and Natural History Museum Photographer of the Year.

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EXPERIENCE

Your Time With Us

Day 1Arrival in Nairobi

Please note that itineraries are flexible, and this is just to give an idea of what your week might look like. On the start of your adventure, you'll arrive in Nairobi, where we'll meet you at the airport. We'll take you on a short drive to our accommodation for the night, Brackenhurst - a comfortable hotel. Here, you can acclimatise, meet other photographers, rest, and get ready for your wild adventure.

Day 2Transfer into the Greater Maasai Mara

Day 3Photography and hands-on Conservation

Day 4Naboisho Conservancy

Day 5In touch with wildlife

We may begin the day with a wildlife count that assist conservation efforts, mixed with wildlife photography. There might also be an opportunity to engage with local Maasai herders, and learn about the way local communities interact with wildlife and conservation. We might end the day with a barbecue.

Day 6Night time photography

Day 7Editing day