Maasai Mara Photo Expedition

January 19 – 27, 2027

Join me on an amazing safari adventure in the Maasai Mara!
This private tour is specially designed for wildlife photography.

WHY MAASAI MARA

The Maasai Mara is one of the most famous and important areas in Kenya, located in the southern part of the country, near the border with Tanzania. The park is part of a wider area that covers about 1,510 square kilometers. The park is known for its large concentrations of wildlife, including the “Big Five” (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalo). It is also famous for the annual wildebeest and zebra migration, which is one of the greatest natural wonders of the world.

Some of the most popular wildlife documentaries have been filmed right here. It is also a very well-known spot for photographing big cats. If you want to photograph lions, then this is the perfect place for you!

WILDLIFE

The Maasai Mara is incredibly rich in wildlife. Lions, hyenas, leopards, hippos, rhinos, buffaloes, baboons, giraffes, elephants, zebras, antelopes. and many other species await!

Our drivers actively communicate with other guides in the area to find out what’s happening, where it’s happening and when we’re most likely to find something special to photograph. As this is a private tour, we can position the vehicles however we like to get the best shots of the action, which is often happening very close.

As soon as we get into the vehicle and our first game drive begins, we will focus on capturing the most striking photos. Based on my previous experience in wildlife photography in the savanna, I will try to guide you on how to photograph specific animal species in the best way.

The goal of this photo tour is to make the most of our cameras and return home with excellent results.

ONE EXPEDITION - TWO PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCES

A photography expedition to the Masai Mara gives you the opportunity to choose between two distinct wildlife photography experiences. Whether you want to explore the incredible diversity of the ecosystem and aim to photograph all of the Big Five, or prefer to dedicate your time to tracking and photographing the big cats, our expedition offers both approaches.

Program 1: Wildlife Safari And The Big Five

This option is designed for photographers who want to explore and document the incredible diversity of life in the Maasai Mara.
Throughout the tour, the focus is on a wide range of species and their behavior, with the goal of photographing all members of the Big Five whenever conditions allow: lion, leopard, African elephant, African buffalo, and rhinoceros.

Beyond the Big Five, attention is also given to many other iconic East African species — giraffes, zebras, impalas, and other large herbivores, as well as wading birds and raptors. The savannah landscapes themselves are also an important part of the photographic experience. Particular emphasis is placed on making the most of the beautiful morning and evening light, capturing not only wildlife but also the atmosphere, scenery, and visual character of the Maasai Mara.

Program 2: Big Cats

For photographers passionate about big cats, this option offers a completely different approach.
We spend most of our time tracking and photographing big cats, with a particular focus on lions. Our daily movements and logistics are planned around the locations and activities of known prides, coalitions, and individual lions.

The focus may include the Rongai Pride, Topi Coalition, Rongai Rockers, Oloimina, as well as the many other lions that call the Maasai Mara home. The goal is not simply to find and photograph lions, but to spend meaningful time observing them and documenting their story – from resting and social interactions to territorial behavior, movement, and hunting.

Which Program Is Right for You?

Wildlife Safari is the right choice if you want to photograph as many different species as possible and aim to capture the Big Five, while also photographing birds, herbivores, and the stunning landscapes of the Maasai Mara.

Big Cats is designed for photographers who want to dedicate as much time as possible to photographing big cats and lions, with more in-depth tracking of specific prides and the opportunity to document their behavior and daily lives.

In both cases, the goal is the same – to spend as much time as possible in the field, be in the right place at the right time, and return home with photographs that tell a story.

TECHNICAL AND LOGISTICAL CONDITIONS IN THE FIELD

The success of wildlife photography depends directly on precise positioning and equipment stability. Throughout the tour, all the necessary technical and logistical conditions are provided to ensure high-quality and uninterrupted photography experience.

- Modified 4x4 Vehicles -

Fully open off-road vehicles are used, without side windows and with open roofs. The vehicles are equipped with specially designed platforms that allow photographers to shoot from a low angle and at eye level with the animals. They are also fitted with supports for stabilizing heavy telephoto lenses. The number of photographers per vehicle is strictly limited to ensure that each photographer has ample, unobstructed space to move and comfortably operate professional camera equipment, including camera bodies with 400mm–600mm telephoto lenses.

- Expert Local Trackers -

Our drivers and guides are professionals with years of experience in tracking wildlife. They are trained to position the vehicle optimally in relation to the direction of incoming light and the anticipated movement of the animals.

- Photography Mentoring -

The program includes continuous technical assistance in the field, including guidance on exposure and autofocus settings according to the situation, as well as evening reviews and analysis of the day’s images.

- Off-Road -

We have a special permit for off-road driving, which allows us to get up close to the animals for the best photographic opportunities.

Safari vehicles for professional photography

PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR

Zoom lenses will give you the best versatility. There are many instances where animals are very close, and the ability to quickly change the focal length is very handy. The following choices are great for close-up action: 70-200, 100-300, 100-400, 200-500, or 200-600. You might also want to pack a wide-angle lens. I usually use my iPhone and I highly recommend keeping your phone close while we are taking photos.

Fixed lenses are also a great option, 300 f2.8 or 400 f2.8 are ideal. The 600 f4 is also good choise, but sometimes there will be too many lenses. I personally bring two bodies and have 70-200 f2.8 on one of them, while I keep longer range lens on the other.

Tripods are acceptable but do not work well in safari vehicles. I suggest using monopod instead.

ITINERARY

Day 1 : Arrival in Nairobi

Arrive at Nairobi Airport (NBO)
Our group meets at Nairobi Airport upon arrival.
Transfer to Hotel and overnight stay
After arrival, we will be transferred to a hotel in Nairobi for check-in. We will spend the night here, relaxing and preparing for the adventure ahead.

Day 2: Nairobi to Masai Mara

Transfer to Maasai Mara
After breakfast, we depart for Maasai Mara.
Check-in to camp and rest
We will arrive in the Maasai Mara in the afternoon and check in to our camp. After settling in, we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner and take time to relax and unwind, preparing for our first safari day.

Day 3 - 6 : Full Days at Maasai Mara

Morning Game Drive
We will wake up early and head out for a morning game drive in the reserve, starting at 6:00 AM. We will enjoy the wildlife at its most active, with a stop for breakfast in the savannah amidst the beauty of nature. The game drive will last until about noon, depending on animal activity.
Return to Accommodation for Rest
After the morning game drive, we will return to our accomodation for luch, rest, editing or backing up your images.
Afternoon Game Drive
In the afternoon, we will head out for our second game drive starting at 4:00 PM, continuing until sunset. We will return to our accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 7: Morning Game Drive and Return to Nairobi

Morning Game Drive
On our last day, we will enjoy one final early morning game drive, followed by breakfast in the savannah.
Return to Nairobi And Optional Overnight Stay

After the morning game drive and breakfast, we will transfer to Nairobi and check in to our hotel. This optional overnight stay provides time to relax, reflect on the journey, review and enjoy the photographic highlights from the tour, and prepare for the trip home. Those who prefer to travel onward the same day can connect directly to their international flight and will be transferred to the airport.

TOUR INCLUDES

Transfers (Nairobi to Maasai Mara, Maasai Mara to Nairobi)
Accomodation (1xNairobi, 5xMaasai Mara)
All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
10 safari drives
Off-road driving
National park entry fees
Photography guidance/tutorials

TOUR EXCLUDES

International flights
Kenya visa
Tips and gratuities for camp staff and guides

Price : 3000€

To book your spot, please contact me via email at nikolastevanovicfoto@gmail.com or reach out on Instagram.

ACCOMODATION

Olkinyei Mara Tented Camp, situated right at the Talek Gate of the Masai Mara National Reserve, offers direct access to the park’s abundant wildlife and stunning landscapes. Staying in a tented camp here means immersing yourself in the sights and sounds of the bush, with cozy, well-appointed tents and open-air dining under the stars. Both camps combine comfort with a sense of adventure, providing guests with intimate and memorable encounters with the Mara’s incredible wildlife, making them an ideal choice for wildlife photographers.