Yes! Africa, at last! That’s how I would like to start this blog post.
The dream come true for every wildlife photographer is to visit Africa and its most famous national park – Masai Mara at least once in their lives. Now that I’m counting the days until embark on a journey of my dreams, I can’t help but remember the beginnings of my wildlife photography career. Before I go into the details of the upcoming adventure, lets first take a look at some info about this famous national park.
The Masai Mara is one of the most beautiful savannas in Africa, located in the southwestern part of Kenya. Masai Mara National Park is located at 1500-2200 meters above sea level and is a natural oasis widely known for its rich biodiversity and spectacular landscapes that include vast plains, rivers and hills. The Masai Mara is home to the “Great Migration”, a phenomenon that takes place every year, when millions of wildebeest, zebra and other animals cross from the Serengeti in Tanzania to Masai Mara in search of food and water. This migration attracts tourists from all over the world, as it provides a unique opportunity to observe wild animals. Apart from the incredible wildlife, the Maasai Mara is also home to the Maasai tribe, which is known for its rich culture and traditions.
But let’s quickly stop for a short walk down a memory lane, back to the moment when it all started.
INSPIRED BY A LION PORTRAIT
September 12, 2023, Key West, Florida
After successful day of wildlife photography in Florida’s Everglades National Park, I decided to take a break. Walking through a small town at the southernmost point of America, I came across a gallery. In the display window of the gallery there was a large photograph, a portrait of a lion. To be honest, the photo left a very strong impression on me. “Man, I wish I had made it myself!“, was the thought that crossed my mind. However, at that time Africa seemed so far far away, so unreachable. I had no idea that less than a year later, I myself would be looking forward to the opportunity to photograph such a fascinating creature. I am not entirely sure why, but when I think of the upcoming trip, I always remember that portrait of a lion.
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY - THE BIG FIVE
The time has come for me to embark on my long-awaited journey to the Masai Mara, the heart of the African wilderness. Excitement fills me as I imagine the vast savannahs, golden sunsets and encounters with wild animals that have always been my inspiration. With camera in hand, I want to capture not only the spectacular sights, but also the stories hidden in every look and movement of these wonderful creatures. This trip is not only a professional challenge, but also a dream come true after many years of waiting and hard work.
Of course, the primary and main goal of this trip will be photographing wild animals, as well as the possibility to record the big five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhinoceros. But even if I don’t get to see all of them, it’s not the end of the world really. A general rule in nature is that there are no rules and no guarantees, especially when it comes to wild animals. But yes, there is a chance of course! I want to give my full attention to each frame and I’m going with the intention of giving my best.
The great news we received recently is that there is still a great chance that large herds from the migration will be in Masai Mara at the beginning of November, and we might get the chance to see them.
PREPARATIONS DONE – PHOTO GEAR READY AND LOADED!
I want to record everything! I want to photograph everything!
As the primary camera body, I will use the Nikon Z9 in combination with the 180-600mm and 70-200 2.8 S lenses, while my backup camera will be the Nikon Z6 III. I will also carry with me several landscape lenses in the backpack. I plan to document the entire trip through videos, so I will have a DJI Osmo action camera in combination with a DJI mic 2 at hand as well.
When I recall the beginnings of my career as a wildlife photographer, I remember my first photographs of birds, the smallest ones and the rarest ones. I also remember mammals, foxes, roe deer. Many hours I spent in nature, waiting, hoping. Then I remember the laborious process of acquiring all the necessary equipment. When I consider all of that and connect it to the upcoming trip, I can say that this trip to Africa is the pinnacle of my work so far. I also think it’s happening at the best time possible.
To be continued…