Get ready for an action-packed safari focused on photographing Africa’s stunning big cats! This adventure is designed for photographers who have previously explored Africa’s diverse wildlife and are now keen to concentrate on capturing images that showcase the behaviors and action of the awesome predators that roam these plains!
We will spend our days following hunts, hanging out with mothers with cubs, watching the prides and following the light and conditions for fantastic imagery. Imagine a lion, backlit by the morning sun as it roars across its territory, a pride feeding on a recent kill, a mother cheetah teaching her cubs to hunt, a leopard prowling through the vegetation as it stalks its prey. These are the species and types of moments that we will maximize our time with.
While we won’t pass by any exceptional subjects or situations, putting our focus on the cats allows us to really work awesome situations and let the action and behaviors unfold before us without feeling the pressure to look for other subjects.
One Epic location – The Mara: One of the richest places in the world to photograph Africa’s Big Cats is the Mara. It’s open plains, spotted with acacia trees are rich with both predators and prey. It is a land of plenty giving these magnificent creatures what they need to thrive. On this trip we will spend all of our time in the Mara at one lodge. This is your chance to truly immerse yourself in the Mara and the world of big cats!
We timed this trip for Cats: October is the dry season in the Mara. The great river crossings of July and August have passed, and the herd has settled in. This means food is plentiful and cats are on the prowl. In addition, the cats are busy raising their cubs which by this time of year are out and about with mom. Because it is no longer the high season, crowds have thinned, and we will have more exclusive opportunities with these magnificent subjects.
Safari Vehicles Outfitted for photography: We’ve taken out the windows, removed a few seats and maximized your opportunities to shoot. Our vehicles are comfortable and optimized to allow you to capture the images you imagine.
Vehicle seating limited to just three photographers per vehicle: Critical to any photography trip to Africa is the safari seating and we put this front and center. Let’s face it – as a photographer, you need your space! Unlike many overcrowded safari vehicles, we only have three photographers per vehicle. On our safaris every photographer has their own row in the vehicle on every single game drive. This gives you ample room for your gear, the ability to shoot from both sides of the vehicle, and the freedom to shoot from different perspectives. This is the make or break between having a great wildlife experience and one where you are climbing over others to see and make beautiful photos. We want you to enjoy yourself and beautiful images in this epic location.
Networked guides experienced with Photographers: We have worked with our team of guides for years and they know the images we have in our heads, the situations we prioritize and how to get to the action quickly. They are highly networked on a private channel and keep us apprised of the action and where we need to be.
Comfortable Lodge in the Heart of the Action – In putting this trip together, we wanted to focus on the essentials, making it more affordable while prioritizing our photography. Unlike our other Africa photo safaris that feature luxury camps and lodges, we opted for a comfortable but no-frills permanent tent camp in the Mara that is owned and operated by a local Masai tribe. Each well-appointed tent includes comfortable furnishings, a private ensuite bathroom with hot showers, Wi-Fi, and a lovely dining area serving delicious meals. We know you will love it and feel right at home here.
Two instructors
Our tour is designed for photographers of all skill levels. You’ll have two instructors, Steve and Nicole, by your side throughout, to advise as you capture images of a lifetime.
Fitness Level: Easy. You will be photographing from the safari vehicles during our game drives.
*Non-Photographer spots are available for this trip at a discount. This is a great trip for a photographer to share with a spouse/friend or for a single person who enjoys nature and having a great adventure. The non-photographer sits up front next to the driver/guide on game drives. When riding up front, the non-photographer will be able to see everything and be able to take pictures out of the window and roof. We actually have a number of non-photographers who love nature join our trips because we are not only fun to travel with but also spend time with wildlife, watching and enjoying the behaviors and activity rather than zooming around checking off species.