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 2 to 6 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.
Project highlights;
- Incredible wildlife photography opportunities (some of the very best in Africa)
- Have an opportunity to photograph the Great Migration
- Professional tutoring by wildlife photographers
- A chance to support wildlife conservation efforts
- An opportunity to experience exclusive game reserves without paying luxury prices
- Flexiblity of joining for 2 to 6 weeks.
THE PHOTOGRAPHY
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 a professional wildlife photographer. During the first three weeks of the program, Hanna Wigart will be the photography guide, and during the last three weeks, it’ll be Sam Turley.
CONSERVATION INIATIATIVES
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. We’ll also visit the Ol Chorro Conservancy, a conservation project that has been protecting rhinos for over 20 years. Rhinos roam freely within the surrounding landscape, so we will have the unique opportunity to approach and photograph the rhino on foot quite safely. In addition, we’ll join the Maasai herders on a cultural walk during the last stretch of their return home, where we will also meet with the herders’ families. This activity is an excellent opportunity for intercultural learning and exchange, and a great setting for portraiture and sunset photography.
ACCOMMODATION
For most of your stay, you’ll be based at the Wildlife Tourism College, an educational facility situated in the heart of the Pardamat Conservation Area in the greater Maasai Mara ecosystem. The college provides an unmatched environment for wildlife conservation training, and of course wildlife tracking. You’ll stay in a comfortable, permanent safari tent. Not only will you be sharing the camp with other fellow photographers and research volunteers, you will also be sharing with local Maasai students. With no fences around the campus, it is possible that animals venture through camp and therefore you will be escorted to bed by our Maasai Warriors (Askaris), after dark.
We’ll also have the pleasure of staying at some of the Mara’s best situated lodges. From eco-camps nestled along the rivers, making them ideal hotspots of all the iconic wildlife and offering remarkable vantage points for wildlife sighting and photography. To hilltop lodges acclaimed for their eco-tourism practices and nature conservation models, the elevated private balconies allows for magnificent viewing and photography of the expansive landscapes below.
DATES & RATES
You can join us for 2 to 6 weeks. Please note that you’ll arrive on a Sunday, but leave on a Monday. (So if you’re staying for 2 weeks, your full stay is 15 days.) The start dates are;
July 14 / July 21 / July 28 / August 4 / August 11
Rates in USD:
2 weeks: $3995
3 weeks: $5995
4 weeks: $7995
5 weeks: $9450
6 weeks: $11750
EXAMPLE OF WEEKLY ITINERARY
Day 1
If it is the day of your arrival, we will head to the Wildlife Tourism College (WTC) in the Pardamat Conservation Area (PCA). After an informal get-to-know-you breakfast, we will have an orientation and introduction to wildlife photography session.
We may also have a free day, or a day’s game drive in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Day 2
We will begin with an early morning field patrol with PCA rangers including; setting of camera traps, retrieving previously set up camera traps, and an introduction to conservation work in PCA. We will also practice shooting wildlife photography on foot and low-angles.
We may also get into our editing with Lightroom sessions and continue with on-going conservation work in the PCA.
Day 3
We will continue with hands-on conservancy work by photographing on-going projects and activities (such as road maintenance/mapping, soil erosion control, invasive species removal, de-fencing), and retrieve camera traps. Ending the day with an evening game drive for sunset and silhouette photography.
Photographing conservation work will be on-going throughout this program, which may be punctuated by the opportunity to engage with WTC students.
Day 4
After breakfast, we will be transferred to Naboisho Conservancy. We may spend the afternoon editing the photos we’ve taken so far, followed by an evening game drive in Naboisho.
If we are in the Enonkishu Conservancy instead, this may be a good opportunity for a day’s game drive and wildlife photography.
Day 5
We will begin the day with a wildlife count. We will also have the opportunity to walk with the herders, and practice some landscape photography.
Friday’s may also be the days set aside for Digital Showcasing BBQ and bonfire.
Day 6
Depending on how the group feels, this may be a rest day; or a day to go through editing and production workshops. Later in the day, we will transfer to Pardamat and get on a nighttime game drive for low-light photography.
Day 7
Starting with an early rise for a sunrise panorama shooting experience, we will proceed into the morning with a Pardamat Cultural Walk, then transfer to Enonkishu for a visit to Rhino Sanctuary with an overnight stay at Wild Hub. There may also be an opportunity for an evening game drive at Enonkishu Conservancy.
This will also be the final day of the two-week program, we will leave ample time for departure to Arrivals from PCA and transfer to JKIA for flights (those staying beyond two weeks will remain in PCA and have a free day for optional excursions).
QUICK FACTS
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Maasai Mara, Kenya |
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July 14 – August 26 (Join for 2 – 6 weeks.) |
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Wildlife Photography |
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Hanna Wigart & Sam Turley |
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Group Size: Max. 10 at a time |
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All Photography Levels |
From $3995
pp sharing
INCLUDES
- Accommodation
- All meals
- All game drives and other wildlife photography activities
- All conservation activities
- Airport transfers
- All transport during the program
- Photographic tutoring by professional photographers
- Park entrance fees
EXCLUDES
- Flights
- Personal travel insurance
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
- SLR camera
- A range of lenses; ideally including a wide angle lens
- Tripod or bean bag
- Sturdy camera bag
- Laptop if you’re keen to improve your post-production skills, and/or if you’d like to review your images with Hanna or Sam
WORKSHOP LEADERS: Hanna Wigart & Sam Turley
Hanna is a wildlife photographer with a background in zoology, so she’s able to offer insight into both the photography and the wildlife you’ll be photographing. Hanna has worked with incredible wildlife around the world, and is passionate about using photography to spread awareness of conservation and research projects.
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.
