ULTIMATE WILDLIFE SAFARI KENYA 2025

4-5 DYNAMIC LOCATIONS, 12 DAYS, TWO LEADERS TEACHING!

Known as the top wildlife photography destination immortalized by countless wildlife films, Kenya needs little introduction. Crafted to exceed a photographer’s wildest dream, this multiple-location safari takes you to the top wildlife reserves and offers you the most outstanding photographic opportunities for multiple species, compelling ecosystems with stunning landscapes, and capturing dynamic images as we focus on light and composition! 

SAMBURU: Crossing the equator opens a magical new world! Filled with large, iconic umbrella acacia trees in a stunning, arid environment, among the rich, red African soil, Samburu Reserve evokes the traditional vision of “I Dream of Africa.” As the wind blows through the stunning doom palms, one knows they are in a magical place.Roaming through this primal land and unique to this reserve are the maneless lions, rare and exotic Grevy’s Zebras, red soil–stained red elephants, reticulated giraffes, Oryx and Somali ostrich. In the stillness of what seems like an empty land, one might hear the rustle of the brush as a cheetah or leopard makes himself or herself known. In stark contrast to this dry, neutral landscape, wander the vivid, semi-nomadic colorful Samburu tribe. 

SOLIO GAME RESERVE: Tucked in the valley between the lofty slopes of Mount Kenya and the peaks of the Aberdare Mountains lies the private Solio Game Reserve, which is internationally recognized as the most successful private Rhino Breeding reserve in Kenya. Besides the world’s largest population of white rhinos and nearly one hundred black rhinos, sightings of up to 40 Rhinos at a time are not uncommon. The wildlife experience is exclusive, with 19,000 acres of conservancy surrounded by 45,000 acres of ranch. Although our focus will be on the Rhinos, the reserve is inhabited by buffalo, zebra giraffe, Oryx, antelope, lion, cheetah, and leopard. 

LAKE ELEMENTAITA– is set within the eastern portion of the great Rift Valley in the private Soysambu Conservancy. The varied terrain offers volcanic hills, acacia woodlands, grassy plains, and a forest of yellow fever trees which is a stunning backdrop for any image.  The conservancy serves as a sanctuary for the nationally threatened colobus monkeys and endangered Rothschild giraffe. The alkaline lake draws tens of thousands of pink flamingos.

MAASAI MARA: Known as the wildlife mecca of the world, the renowned Maasai Mara is one of the greatest wildlife reserves on the planet! The vast, open plains are home to large pride of lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, black rhinos, hippos, Maasai giraffes, common zebras, gnu, impala, Thompson’s and Grant’s gazelles, topi, hartebeest, black-backed jackals, spotted hyenas and more. It is the best reserve for the big cats, where BBC filmed Big Cat Diaries and where they continue to film regularly.  

We have also timed this safari during the GREAT MIGRATION. Each year, between July and October, approximately 1.5 million wildebeest, 400,000 zebras, and 200,000 gazelles migrate through the Mara, chasing the rain and eating the tall grasses as they come from and returning to the Serengeti in Tanzania. This giant moving feast for the predators creates one of nature’s most astonishing dramas.

DON’T WANT YOUR SAFARI TO END……WE ARE GIVING YOU TWO CHOICES!

MARA NORTH EXTENSION – Led by Piper Mackay

As most photographers say, “There is never enough time in the Mara.” The Maasai Mara is 1,510 square kilometers, and there is much more to explore. Mara North Conservancy is part of the greater Maasai Mara and shares an invisible border with the main Mara. In the conservancy, we will have the freedom of respectable off-road access for the best vehicle positioning, no gate times, and the ability to use our low-angle door for the best perspectives. The low vehicle density is best for a higher-quality photographic experience. 

Shooting eye-to-eye creates a more dynamic and compelling image that stands out compared to those shooting down on their subjects.

FULL DETAILS AND DEPOSIT

AMBOSELI EXTENSION – Led by Vicki Jauron

Imagine photographing stunning images of large herds of elephants, zebras, and giraffes as they roam across the dusty plains of Amboseli, framed by the majestic silhouette of Mount Kilimanjaro rising in the background. Of course, your journey wouldn’t be complete without trying to track down elusive predators, observing their stealthy movements and raw power in their natural habitat. You’ll also explore the lush swamps, home to a dazzling array of African birds, their vibrant plumage adding a burst of color to the scenery. Finally, you’ll be captivated by the fine art landscapes, where dust devils twist and dance gracefully across the golden savanna, creating an ever-changing masterpiece that reflects the soul of Africa.

FULL DETAILS AND DEPOSIT

ENSURING THE BEST PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE

“I had a truly wonderful trip with Piper. I was not prepared for just how deeply a visit to Africa can effect ones soul. The image you will bring home are second to the experience of being with the animals and people of Kenya Piper’s knowledge and love for the land really makes this trip special and gives you an insight that I don’t think you can get anyplace else. This is a trip of a life time and you will remember forever!” – Beth Tollefsen

Workshop

During this safari, we will not just give photographic advice but also teach. At the first location, over three days, I will present the four elements of a successful image—light, background (composition), motion, and emotion. We will put these into practice, and I know from the success of the Maasai Mara workshop in 2024 that you will leave a better photographer with better images. 

Artistic Images

Piper Mackay and Vicki Jauron take great pride in creating artistic wildlife images, using natural dramatic lighting, combined with manipulating camera settings. They will work passionately with you to capture images that stand above the point, click, and simply shoot the action in front of you. 

Deluxe Photographic Safari Vehicles 

Our vehicles are fully extended Land Cruisers specially designed to give photographers the most flexibility and maximum space. The sides of the Land cruisers are open (no small sliding windows), with custom built-in bean bags. Small bean bags are supplied to custom adjust the height.  The roof has a special roll-back top, so no bars are holding up a pop-top, which creates obstructions of your lens placement. They ensure plenty of space and options for using clamps, molar beanbags, panning plates, and other gear to aid your ability to capture the best images. 

Experienced Driver Guides

Our driver guides are silver rated and photographically trained by professional photographers. They understand the needs of photographers and the importance of quickly positioning the vehicle for the best light, composition, and exceptional photographs.  They have vast personal networks, through which they receive private information about sightings.  

Extra Weight Allowance 

We have arranged an extra weight allowance of 32 kg on your flights so your gear and luggage remain with you. This is a big trip, and anything could happen when transferring gear and luggage by ground transfer. 

This safari is designed to spend most of our time in the field, behind the lens, capturing award-winning images.  During the mid-day, back in camp, when the light becomes harsh, and the animal activity becomes quiet, we will review images—seeing your images while in the field will allow you to create better images while you are still on safari!

Professional Photography Leaders

• Piper Mackay – has over 17 years’ experience photographing throughout the African continent and lives in Kenya. She is a seasoned expert in guiding photographic safaris in Africa for over a decade. In 2017, she won the prestigious African wildlife category for Natures Best Photography. Her work has been widely published in numerous internationally known magazines and she is an inspirational speaker for Nikon. Her caring approach and sincere care for her clients’ satisfaction and success is palpable!

• Vicki Jauron – Vicki is an award-winning nature and wildlife photographer living in the US, but spends time in Africa every year. She is known for her artistic vision capturing dynamic and powerful moments. In 2021, she was the Grand Prize Winner in the Share the View Photo Competition, the portfolio winner of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards and she placed in the Top 100 in the National Audubon contest.  Vicki is especially proud to have had her images selected to promote leading international conservation efforts such as Remembering Wildlife, The New Big Five Photography Project and Prints for Wildlife. 

In order to spark a love of nature in young children, Vicki recently authored two Children’s books now available on amazon.com – “The Magical Bird Beach of Long Island” and “The Magical Bird Beach of Long Island in Winter.”   Her images of African Wildlife, Birds and Landscapes can also be found in a wide range of educational publications, travel brochures, books, magazine articles and advertisements throughout the world.   

No other safari offers suchan extreme variety of African wildlife photographic opportunities! You will be editing through your images for years to come!