top of page
Mark A Fernley.png
Bloody lioness feeding on a Cape Buffalo here in the Mara National Reserve - Mark Fernley

ULTIMATE KENYA PHOTO SAFARI

AMBOSELI - MASAI MARA - SHOMPOLE
PHOTO  SAFARI

Join professional wildlife photographers Mark A. Fernley and Jaren A. Fernley on a journey designed to take your wildlife photography to the next level. In Amboseli National Park, capture breathtaking images of the legendary Super Tusker elephants against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. Continue to the Masai Mara, world-famous for its big cats and the dramatic Great Wildebeest Migration. Conclude at Shompole Conservancy, where an exclusive overnight photographic hide with professional night lighting offers unique opportunities to create award-worthy images of Africa’s nocturnal wildlife.

DATE

AUG 26 - SEP 6, 2026 (FULLY BOOKED)
AUG 26 - SEP 6, 2027 (SPACES AVAILABLE)

12 DAYS / 11 NIGHTS

 PRICE

2026: $13,795 USD
 2027: (TBA)

+ $2000 USD SINGLE SUPPLEMENT FEE (if applicable)

Great Migration Photo Safari, Masai Mara - Mark Fernley Wildlife

SAFARI DETAILS

This 12-day photographic safari will take guests to some of the most incredibly wildlife photography destinations in Southern Kenya.​ This group of 6 photo safari offers an intimate, focused photographic experience with only 3 guests & one photo host per truck.

 

The first stop on this trip is Amboseli National Park, or more commonly known as 'Land Of The Elephants' by the local people. With over 1,600 individual elephants, this park offers endless photographic opportunities that provide a beautiful backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. This area is also home to Craig and Michael, two of the last remaining super tusker elephants left in Africa. With the help of our local trackers, the group will be lucky to be in the presence of such an icon.

The next destination on this trip the famous Masai Mara where the focus will be on the Great Migration of Wildebeests and the overwhelming amount of predators that roam the plains. The commonly spotted predators include lions, cheetah, hyena, jackal, and even the more illusive species such as leopard and serval. 

After our experience in the Masai Mara, the group will then head to the final location of the trip in Southern Kenya - the Shompole Conservancy. This location is where the group will have the opportunity to spend three days and nights in an underground hide designed for wildlife photography. This experience is included to provide guests with an entirely new perspective of wildlife photography. Photograph wildlife from below eye level as animals come to the waterhole each day and night to drink.

LOCATION

This photo safari is located in three locations in the southern region of Kenya - Amboseli, Masai Mara & Shompole. The First destination during this tour is Amboseli National park that is most famous for its huge herds of African elephants with large tusks. Situated just north of Mt Kilimanjaro, this African Elephant flatland will provide you with some of the best elephant photographs out there. The second destination during this tour is the Masai Mara that is located in the south west of kenya. This famous national reserve is home to some of the best African big cat photography on the continent. It is also hold a major rout and grazing area for the Great Wildebeest Migration that can be seen crossing the Mara River providing fantastic wildlife photography. Lastly the concession of Shompole is situated in a remote spot just south of the Great Rift Valley. The Shompole Reserve offers an underground photographic waterhole hide that is designed at a professional level. Not only is it a hide, it offers you the ability to photograph lions and leopard at night.

EXPERT GUIDES

This trip is expertly guided by Mark Fernley, a highly regarded professional wildlife photographer known for his exceptional skills in capturing the beauty of nature through his lens. With years of experience in the field, Mark brings not only his technical expertise but also a profound passion for wildlife and conservation. He has travelled to numerous remote locations around the globe, documenting the intricate behaviours and habitats of various species, which allows him to share invaluable insights with participants during the trip. In addition to Mark's guidance, the journey is enriched by the presence of local experts in each location we visit. These knowledgeable individuals possess a deep understanding of the local ecosystems, cultural significance, and the unique wildlife that inhabits the area. Their first-hand experiences and connections to the land provide participants with a comprehensive perspective, enhancing the overall learning experience. Together, Mark and the local experts create a dynamic and informative environment, ensuring that every moment of the trip is not only enjoyable but also educational, fostering a greater appreciation for the natural world around us.

EQUIPMENT TO BRING

Guests are encouraged to bring one or two camera bodies with a minimum of 24-megapixels to guarantee the best results. This can be mirrorless or a DSLR. For Amboseli and the Masai Mara, photography guests are encouraged to invest in or bring a lens with the reach of 500mm or 600mm in photographic reach. These may consist of lenses that obtain fixed or zoom capabilities. If you are considering bringing a fixed prime lens of 500mm/600mm for example, please bring an additional lens that has a shorter focal range for close encounters. Camera equipment for the Shompole Hide is rather unique. As this part of the trip is based in an underground hide, lenses are specific to obtain the best results. During the day, a simple 24-105mm lens is perfect for capturing larger animals and herds with their full reflection. Close up images of animals drinking during the day can be achieved with a reach of 300mm. During the night, a recommended equivalent of the canon 70-200mm f2.8 lens would be ideal for this night photography.

ITINERARY

  • ARRIVAL DAY

    • Guests arrive in Nairobi (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
       

    • Transfer to Nairobi airport hotel (Approx. 10 min drive from airport)
       

    • Meet and Greet with photo host at 6:00pm
       

    • Overnight in Nairobi

    ​(Guests must arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport no later than 4:00pm on arrival day)

  • TRANSFER TO AMBOSELI / AFTERNOON SAFARI

    • Road transfer to Amboseli National Park (Approx. 4 hours drive)
       

    • Evening photographic safari in Amboseli National Park
       

    • Introduction to image selection and post processing with photo host
       

    • Overnight in Amboseli


    PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS: Amboseli National Park is known as 'The Land of Elephants' so elephant photography will be our top priority in this location

  • TWO SAFARI OUTINGS DAILY

    • Morning photographic safari to find Michael - the famous super tusker of the area
       

    • Evening photographic safari in Amboseli National Park
       

    • Image selection and post processing with photo host at the lodge (lunch and evening)
       

    • Overnight in Amboseli


    PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS: Craig the Super Tusker Elephant - also, Amboseli National Park is known as 'The Land of Elephants' so elephant photography will be our top priority in this location

  • FLY TO MASAI MARA / EVENING SAFARI 

    • Transfer to Amboseli Airstrip
       

    • Chartered flight: Amboseli to Masai Mara National Reserve
       

    • Evening photographic safari in Masai Mara 
       

    • Image selection and post processing with photo host at the lodge 
       

    • Overnight in Masai Mara


    PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS: The famous Great Migration of Wildebeests and the predators that roam the central region of the Masai Mara National Reserve

  • FULL DAY SAFARI OUTINGS IN MASAI MARA

    • Full day photographic safari in Masai Mara
       

    • Image selection and post processing with photo host at the lodge 
       

    • Overnight in Masai Mara

    ​​​
    PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS: The famous Great Migration of Wildebeests and the predators that roam the central region of the Masai Mara National Reserve

  • TRANSFER TO SHOMPOLE CONSERVANCY

    • Transfer to local Airstrip
       

    • Chartered flight: Masai Mara to Shompole Conservancy
       

    • Introduction to the photographic hide
       

    • Overnight in the photographic hide


    PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS: Photographic opportunities in the hide include many species of African wildlife including predators such as lion and leopard

  • OVERNIGHT PHOTO HIDE EXPERIENCE

    • Early morning in the photographic hide
       

    • mid-morning rest and refresh at the lodge with photo editing and critique with photo hosts
       

    • Evening in the photographic hide
       

    • Overnight in the photographic hide​


    PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS: Photo opportunities in the morning include many birds, giraffe, zebra, baboon, and much more. Evening photo opportunities in the hide include many species of African wildlife including predators such as lion and leopard

  • TRANSFER TO NAIROBI / END OF TOUR

    • Early morning in the photographic hide
       

    • mid-morning rest and refresh at the lodge
       

    • Transfer to Nairobi
       

    • END OF TOUR​


    (Guests must depart no earlier than 9:00pm on this day)

Availability

Group size 6 + 2 Photo Hosts

3 Guests Per Truck + 1 Photo Host

 

RESERVE YOUR PLACE!

To ensure that you are able to attend this trip, please be sure to book ahead of time to guarantee your spot.

2026 Pricing

This trip is priced at $13,795 USD per person sharing accommodation.

If you are a solo traveller, there is an additional $2,000 USD single supplement fee.

Rates are based on an all inclusive basis

Payment

A deposit of 30% is due at the time of booking to reserve your place on this photographic safari.

 

A 70% remaining balance due 90 days prior to arrival.

We use Trust My Travel to provide safe payments. 

Confirmation

Once a deposit is received, you are officially confirmred on this trip.

CONGRATULATIONS!

You will receive official confirmation via email w along with important details and information you need! 

ENQUIRE NOW

THE ULTIMATE KENYA PHOTO SAFARI

AUG 26 - SEP 6, 2026 / 2027

bottom of page