Arrival in Nairobi – Urban Wildlife Encounters

Your 12 Days Kenya Photography Expedition begins with arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), Nairobi. Upon meeting your dedicated safari guide, you will be transferred to a luxury city hotel to rest after your flight. For photographers, Nairobi provides early opportunities to capture urban wildlife contrasts and practice portrait-style wildlife shots at controlled settings.

Optional excursions include the Giraffe Centre, where Rothschild giraffes approach visitors for hand-feeding, creating excellent close-up photography moments. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust offers another unique opportunity to photograph rescued elephant calves, capturing their interactions and playful behavior. These experiences allow photographers to practice techniques such as framing, depth of field, and close-up action shots before venturing into the wilderness.

Evening in Nairobi offers a chance to enjoy Kenyan cuisine and photograph cityscapes during golden hour. This initial day sets the tone for the 12 Days Kenya Photography Expedition, blending urban wildlife experiences with preparation for the photogenic landscapes ahead.

• Animals to Spot: Rothschild giraffes, elephants (Sheldrick Trust), Nairobi NationalPark wildlife (optional)
• Birds to Spot: African fish eagle, hornbills, weavers, sunbirds
• Cultures to Experience: Kenyan urban lifestyle, traditional performances at Bomas of Kenya

Depart Nairobi for Lake Naivasha, driving through the scenic Great Rift Valley. This journey offers photographers an opportunity to capture sweeping landscapes, crater lakes, and rolling hills with dramatic lighting. Upon arrival, embark on an afternoon boat safari to photograph fish eagles swooping down to catch prey, hippos surfacing at eye level, and Nile crocodiles basking along the shoreline.

A walking safari on Crescent Island provides additional photographic opportunities. Here, photographers can capture zebras, giraffes, impalas, and other non-predator wildlife in a more intimate setting. The island’s open terrain and varied light conditions make it ideal for experimenting with perspectives and composition techniques. Lake Naivasha’s reflective waters, combined with surrounding acacia woodlands, offer perfect sunrise and sunset shots, essential for landscape photography enthusiasts.

• Animals to Spot: Hippos, giraffes, zebras, waterbucks, warthogs
• Birds to Spot: African fish eagle, malachite kingfisher, grey heron, pied kingfisher
• Cultures to Experience: Local lakeside communities and freshwater fishing practices

Travel to Lake Nakuru National Park, a renowned birding haven and rhino sanctuary. The park’s alkaline waters attract large flocks of flamingos (seasonal), creating stunning pink vistas perfect for wide-angle and aerial-style photography. From Baboon Cliff, photographers can capture panoramic shots of the lake with flamingo-dotted shores and surrounding escarpments.

Game drives around Lake Nakuru allow for close encounters with white and black rhinos, lions, leopards, and giraffes, providing a mix of wildlife action shots and scenic compositions. The contrast between lush woodland and open water landscapes offers diverse photographic subjects, and photographers can utilize early morning mist or sunset lighting for dramatic effects.

• Animals to Spot: Black and white rhinos, lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras
• Birds to Spot: Flamingos, pelicans, cormorants, African fish eagle
• Cultures to Experience: Local conservation initiatives and community-run lodges

Samburu National Reserve – Northern Kenya Gems

Venture north to Samburu National Reserve, a semi-arid, rugged landscape providing unique photographic opportunities. This region is home to the Samburu Special Five: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, and gerenuk. Photographers can explore the banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro River, capturing wildlife interactions in a dramatic, open landscape under clear skies.

Early mornings and late afternoons are prime for capturing golden light on dry riverbeds, highlighting animal behavior and textures of the arid terrain. Optional walking safaris and guided bush experiences provide opportunities to photograph smaller species, plant life, and track wildlife, enhancing a holistic photographic portfolio.

• Animals to Spot: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, lions, elephants, cheetahs
• Birds to Spot: Somali ostrich, lilac-breasted roller, weavers, cormorants
• Cultures to Experience: Samburu village life, traditional attire, pastoral activities

Maasai Mara National Reserve – Big Five and Migration Photography

Travel to Maasai Mara National Reserve for four full days, providing unmatched photographic opportunities. The Mara’s expansive plains, acacia-dotted landscapes, and river systems create dramatic backdrops for wildlife photography. These days are dedicated to capturing predator-prey dynamics, herds of wildebeest and zebras, and intimate animal portraits.

Optional hot-air balloon safaris at sunrise offer aerial perspectives, revealing migration patterns, river crossings, and expansive savannah panoramas. Cultural visits to Maasai villages enable photographers to capture traditional lifestyles, dances, and ceremonies. Each day’s game drives are strategically planned to maximize sightings of the “Big Five” – lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinos – while also capturing smaller wildlife and abundant birdlife.

• Animals to Spot: Lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, giraffes, zebras
• Birds to Spot: Martial eagle, lilac-breasted roller, grey-crowned crane, hornbills
• Cultures to Experience: Maasai village visits, traditional dances, beadwork and jewelry

Departure – Nairobi and International Flight

After a final morning game drive or breakfast, fly back to Nairobi for your international departure. Reflect on the immersive 12 Days Kenya Photography Expedition, filled with diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, and rich cultural encounters. The itinerary has been designed to provide unparalleled photographic opportunities, ensuring every guest departs with a portfolio of images capturing Kenya’s essence.