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Once a year, the Maasai Mara becomes the central gathering point of the Great Migration – a natural spectacle where vast herds of wildebeest and zebra cross the Mara River and attract intense predator activity. This season offers remarkable photographic conditions, and it’s during the peak of this season that we offer you this wildlife photography and conservation experience.
This exclusive photo safari combines time in the Mara Triangle with access to the community-led Pardamat Conservation Area and the private Naboisho Conservancy – three very different environments that allow for varied storytelling. Small group sizes and unrestricted time with sightings mean you can wait for the right moment rather than rush from scene to scene.
Throughout the trip, you’ll be guided by both an experienced Maasai guide and award-winning wildlife photographer Sam Turley, who will provide professional photographic tuition. Our small group size will allow for enough one-on-one time for each photographer, so that you can learn at your own level and pace. The itinerary also includes the opportunity to connect with local Maasai communities and to learn about the area’s conservation efforts. The goal is simple: strong images, deeper understanding, and an experience that goes beyond a standard safari.
Aug 19 - 29, 2026
Aug 18 - 28, 2027
Aug 19 - 29, 2026
Aug 18 - 28, 2027
At the current exchange rate. Please note final quote might vary slightly
2026: $7,995
2027: $8,495
Saruni Wilderness Camp A quiet, low-impact tented camp set deep within the private Naboisho Conservancy. Wilderness Camp blends comfort with simplicity; canvas tents, soft linens, and uninterrupted views of the valley. Early mornings and late afternoons offer breathtaking light for photography right outside your tent. Evenings are spent around the fire or in the cosy dining tent, surrounded by books and lantern light. Staying here directly supports the Maasai community and the conservancy model that protects this vital wildlife corridor, giving guests a sense of connection to the landscape and the conservation work it enables.
Eluai Campsite (Mara Triangle) This private-use campsite sits on an elevated ridge with sweeping views of the Mara River and the grasslands below. There are no fences, no artificial lights, just the sounds of the bush and the possibility of wildlife passing through camp at night. Its location provides quick access to the Mara Triangle’s classic game drives, ideal for photographing big cats and migration herds. Campers can enjoy a fully immersive bush experience, falling asleep under star-filled skies and waking to the sights and sounds of early morning wildlife activity.
Wildlife Tourism College Located in the heart of the Pardamat Conservancy, the Wildlife Tourism College offers simple, comfortable guest rooms with shared facilities and panoramic views over community-managed lands. It’s a unique base where travellers can meet students and learn about Kenya’s innovative community-led conservation model. The college also provides access to guided walks and local insights, giving guests a richer understanding of how tourism, education, and wildlife protection come together in the greater Mara ecosystem. Its location allows for early morning and late afternoon photography in a quieter, wildlife-rich setting.
Sam Turley
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.
This safari combines peak wildlife photography in the Mara with meaningful engagement in community-led conservation. Instead of staying in one area, we photograph in three distinct zones – the Mara Triangle, Naboisho Conservancy, and the Pardamat Conservation Area, offering varied ecosystems, fewer vehicles, and opportunities to learn from conservancy teams about how wildlife and Maasai communities coexist.
These departures are scheduled during the peak migration period in the northern Mara. While wildlife is unpredictable, this timing offers strong chances to photograph large herds, river crossings, and intensified predator activity around the herds.
During this time of year, sightings often include lions, cheetahs, hyenas, elephants, giraffes, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, and numerous bird species. Leopards are present in all areas, with particularly good chances in the private conservancies where vehicle numbers are limited.
You’ll have professional guidance throughout the trip, during game drives and optional midday editing sessions. Support includes camera settings for fast action, composition, behaviour prediction, and creative techniques such as backlighting and working with dust and silhouettes.
No. All levels are welcome, from beginners to advanced photographers. Tuition is tailored individually, so you can learn at your own pace, whether you’re working on mastering manual settings or refining a portfolio for publication.
A DSLR or mirrorless camera with a telephoto lens (200–600mm range) is ideal for wildlife. A mid-range zoom (24–70mm or similar) is great for landscapes, people, and camp life. A laptop with Adobe Lightroom Classic is recommended if you want to take part in editing sessions.
Part of the safari takes place in the Pardamat Conservation Area, a Maasai-owned conservancy where tourism directly contributes to habitat protection and improved income for landowners. By joining this safari, you help ensure wildlife corridors remain open and viable.
Group size is intentionally small, and we use private vehicles with a maximum of three photographers per vehicle. This ensures space for gear, movement, and the flexibility to stay with a sighting as long as needed for light and behaviour to develop.
Our photo tours and safaris will take you to the right place, at the right time, to get that epic shot. You'll be guided by a professional photographer, who will help you take your photography to the next level, and we keep our trips exclusive by traveling in small groups. Whether it's in Kenya's sprawling savannahs, Yellowstone's snowy interior, or the jungles of India, your journey will be filled with photography magic.
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