Feedback from our Maasai Mara Photo Safari: A Q&A

Colin MacAllister Shares Insights & Images

Joining a photo safari is never just about seeing wildlife – it’s about sharpening your eye, experimenting with new techniques, and finding fresh perspectives in the field. Earlier this year, Colin MacAllister travelled with us to Kenya for our Maasai Mara photography and conservation safari, a trip designed to combine big-cat encounters and sweeping savannah scenes with meaningful insight into the ecosystems that sustain them. In this Q&A, Colin reflects on the experience.

Images by Colin MacAllister 

What made you join this trip?

I was attracted to this particular safari for three reasons. Firstly, having compared several other companies, Penda’s price was very competitive. This was important to me as a flight from the UK was always going to be expensive and not having been on a safari before I was unsure how much I would find myself spending while on the trip. 

Secondly, communication from Penda was really good. I asked many questions about what equipment I would need, how best to carry it in the aircraft and while in a safari vehicle. There was some civil unrest in and around Nairobi shortly before I travelled but the staff at Penda were on the ball and provided reassuring and accurate updates.

Thirdly, having read the profile of the guide Sam Turley, it looked like I would get photography coaching from a skilled, professional, wildlife photographer. This was really a huge selling point for me as I was really keen to develop my photography and Sam was excellent in his coaching of photography, use of editing software and encyclopedic knowledge of the wildlife we saw.

Can you describe any highlights?

It’s so hard to pick out a single highlight – there were so many fabulous experiences. However, I loved our overnight stay at Saruni Base Camp. This was a touch of luxury I was not anticipating.  Another truly memorable highlight of the trip was the two nights wild camping in the Mara Triangle. When I received an email saying to bring a sleeping bag, I was a little apprehensive. I occasionally camp at home in Scotland and I know how rough that can be. However, Sam had arranged a local company to set up individual tents for us and to cook our meals. They even erected a makeshift shower. What an incredible two nights we had, listening to the sounds of the Mara all around the camp through the night. The food was cooked over an open fire and we spent evenings relaxing around the campfire with a couple of beers and good conversation. A fabulous experience and a much more comfortable way to camp than I had experienced before! 

Overall, was the trip what you expected?

I wasn’t sure what to expect, so approached the trip with an open mind. In the end, I have to say that it exceeded anything I thought it might be. The organisation was excellent, transfers all ran smoothly, accommodation at the Wildlife College was really comfortable. Then there was the wildlife; so much to see, so many species and fantastic photographic opportunities. Our Maasai driver and guide Raphael was a gem. Great sense of humour, easy company and he could spot a lion in a bush 500m away! Together, he and Sam worked our wildlife encounters to get us into great positions to grab shots. 

What did you learn as a photographer?

As a photographer, I learned some techniques to achieve a more artistic look to my images. The use of slow shutter speeds and panning to impart the feeling of motion or speed. The way to  underexpose when photographing in backlight or sunset situations. The use of the pre-shot feature on my camera, which works fabulously for birds as they take off from a perch. And the importance of my subjects’ eyes and using the catchlight in them really improved my images.

What will you look for in your next photography trip?

I will look for a similarly small group trip, as this enabled us to get to know each other and we all had the same mindset (i.e. no problem getting up early and coming home late if it meant getting great images). A similar level of photography advice and coaching will definitely be on my list of “must haves”. You can go on a safari and take photos, but with Penda it was far more than that – it was a learning experience. 

I liked the fact that there was no need to spend a lot of money while on the trip. There were no shops and everything was included by way of meals, transfers, accommodation, park fees etc.  So once there it was not an expensive trip.  As always, budget is important and I found Penda to be very competitively priced and great value for money.

A huge thanks to Sam, Rapha, Amy, Marleen and all at Penda who ensured the trip ran without a hitch and I had one heck of an incredible experience! 

If you’d like to experience a similar trip, check out all our wildlife photography tours