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Kenya Wildlife Photography Destinations

Kenya is the best all-round photo safari destination in east africa with several world-class game reserves most notably the masai mara. kenya wildlife photography is not just about the annual wildebeest migration and there are plenty of other amazing destinations and times of the year to visit magical kenya ..

Possibly the most famous game reserve in Africa alongside The Kruger and Okavango Delta it plays host to one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth – the Great Migration.

The Masai Mara , however, is just as photographically productive at other times of the year.

Samburu is Kenya’s lesser known photo safari gem.

So many different and unusual species to be seen and photographed as well as the proud and supremely photogenic Samburu Tribe. As an addition to The Masai Mara there are few places in east Africa that can compete.

Amboseli is one of East Africa’s most iconic national reserves and famous for its big bull elephants , diverse ecosystem and of course glorious backdrops of Mount Kilimanjaro.

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Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

Safari Photography Tips – How to Get Great Photos on Safari

Last updated: May 7, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 4 Comments

A safari is a fantastic way to see a wide range of wildlife in its natural habitat. It’s also an opportunity to take lovely photos of that wildlife! However, there are some unique challenges to taking photos on safari. In this post, I’m going to share some safari photography tips to help ensure you get the best photos when you go on safari.

As a professional travel photographer, I’ve been lucky enough to take photos in a wide range of scenarios, including on a number of safaris in both Africa and Asia. Based on my experiences, I’m going to share with you everything you need to know to get great photos on safari.

Most of my examples used in the post are from taking photos while on safari in Africa; however, these tips will work for most safari destinations. as well as for wildlife photography in general. Many of these tips can help anyone looking to improve their wildlife photography and also for anyone wanting to take photos from a vehicle.

I’ll cover a few things in this post. I’m going to talk about some general tips and things to think about when going on safari from a photography perspective. I’ll also include ideas on suggested cameras and camera accessories for safari so you know what is important to bring along.

A safari is a big investment for many of us, and is often a once in a lifetime trip. So getting great photos to remember our experiences is important. Let’s get started with the tips!

Tips for Taking Better Photos on Safari

Plan where you want to go.

The first thing you are going to have to do is decide where you want to go on safari. It’s likely that you already have an idea as to what you want to see and photograph on your safari, be it specific animals or birds, or maybe you are interested in certain landscapes.

The main thing is that you pick a destination that will give you a good chance of seeing the things you really want to see and photograph. This is particularly the case with animals or birds that are rarer, like rhinos.

On a recent trip across East Africa, we knew that we wanted to see and photograph things like gorillas, chimpanzees, rhinos, and spoonbill storks. We picked the countries we visited as well as the time of year we travelled to ensure that we would have a good chance of seeing these particular animals.

We also wanted to see the Great Wildebeest Migration on that trip. This is always taking place, so it was just a question of researching where it would be at the time of year we would be visiting to ensure we would have the best chance to see and photograph it.

Planning your destination properly is definitely the first step to getting the photos you want to get on your safari.

Research Your Chosen Safari Location

Once you have chosen your safari destination, do some research to better understand your trip itinerary and the wildlife, landscape, and climate of the destination.

All of these things can affect how you will want to prepare for your safari and the type of camera equipment you might need.

For instance, if your main photography goal of the trip is take photos of lions, you will want to try to make sure that you spend a sufficient amount of time in places with healthy populations of lions to increase your chances of seeing and photographing them. Lions are often best seen in savanna areas.

However, if you are interested in malachite kingfishers, you’ll want to make sure that you spend enough time in wetland areas for a good chance to see these birds. These little birds are best spotted and photographed either from a boat or on foot.

This research will also help you decide on the equipment you will need to take with you. For photography of smaller birds for example, you’re likely going to need a longer lens. If you are more interested in landscapes, then a wide-angle lens will be an essential item.

Finally, check out the climate for the country you are visiting and the time of year you plan to visit. Having an idea of what to expect will ensure you bring the right clothing as well as any protective equipment like camera rain covers on your trip.

Choose the Right Camera for Safari

One of the main decisions you’ll have to make when planning your safari trip is what camera to take with you on your trip. This decision will have you weighing various factors, from your budget through to the size and weight of the camera.

When you are deciding how much to spend and how much you are willing to carry with you, consider what sort of images you want to get. If you are looking for amazing wildlife shots of fast action or in low light, then you will want to invest more money in a high-end set-up.

As an example, compare these two shots of a leopard taken in low light at the end of the day. Both are uncropped.

Both images are obviously of a leopard. However, the compact camera struggles to get a close up shot due to the maximum 70mm focal length, and even at ISO 800 the image ends up being quite noisy. The slow shutter speed, even with image stabilization, also means the shot is not too sharp.

The larger and more professional Canon EOS R5 mirrorless camera paired with a 100-400mm lens is still able to get a very usable image, even at 10,000 ISO.

If you are just happy to capture memories of your trip, then a compact camera or smartphone will likely do the job.

A good compromise for many users is a bridge camera , which offers a good balance between a long zoom, affordability, and image quality.

However, if you want the most flexibility and opportunity to get the best shots from your trip, then a higher end mirrorless camera would be my recommendation.

If money and size are no object, my recommended camera for safari would be a high-end mirrorless system. The latest mirrorless models feature excellent auto-tracking autofocus which can recognise and lock onto a subject very quickly, which can really help with fast moving subjects.

In this situation, I’d probably pick a Canon EOS R5, Sony Alpha a7r IV or a Nikon Z9. I’d pair it with a telephoto zoom in the range of 100-500 with stabilization and as wide an aperture as I could afford.

If you want something that offers a good balance between affordability, image quality, and zoom, then my suggestion would be a bridge camera.

I have a whole post on the best camera for safari which I would suggest reading if you don’t already have a camera you want to bring with you. It’s definitely important to choose the right camera for you.

In summary though, here are some recommended cameras that I suggest you take a look at, depending on the type of camera you would like to take on safari:

• Smartphone: either a Pixel 6 Pro or iPhone 13 .
• Compact camera Panasonic Lumix ZS70 or Sony RX100 VII
• Bridge camera:   Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 / FZ82 or Sony RX10 IV .
• Mirrorless camera: Sony a6100, Sony Alpha 7c , Canon EOS R6 Mark II , Nikon Z7II , Canon EOS R5 , or   Sony Alpha a7 IV
• DSLR camera:  Nikon D3500 or Canon EOS 6D Mark II

For more on choosing a camera in general, we also have guides to the best travel camera , best compact camera , best bridge camera , best mirrorless camera and best DSLR cameras .

If you have, or plan to buy, a mirrorless camera or DSLR camera, you may be wondering what kind of lens would be best for safari. It depends of course on your photography goals and what you want to photograph, but I would generally recommend a lens with a focal range of 100-400mm. See my safari camera post for lens recommendations.

Learn How to Use Your Camera

Once you have decided on which camera to take with you, it’s important that you learn how to use it properly. This applies to whatever kind of camera you are using, be it a smartphone camera or a high-end DSLR or mirrorless camera.

A camera is ultimately just a tool to help you take great photos, and like any tool, it will only do what you ask of it. Understanding the various features of your camera and how to access and adjust key settings is vital to ensure you don’t miss a shot.

When you are on safari, great photography opportunities can arise very quickly and be gone just as quickly. For example, for the shot of the leopard at the start of this post I had just a couple of seconds to frame the shot and ensure all the settings were correct before he decided to sit up and slink away out of sight.

Had I not been able to nail the focus or adjust ISO, aperture, and shutter speed appropriately in time, I would have missed the shot. I would recommend checking out my guide to the exposure triangle , as well as how to use a mirrorless camera for detailed advice.

Understanding how to adjust the settings and set up your camera properly means you’ll have more control over the final look of your shots. For example, you could learn how to manually change the shutter speed so as to capture movement in different ways.

Here are a couple of examples of different shutter speeds to show the difference.

In the first shot, even though the fighting zebra are moving quickly, the fast shutter speed freezes the action. In the second shot of the wildebeest crossing, they are just walking over the road. But in 1/5th of a second, they cover a small amount of ground, and so they become blurry. The single stationary wildebeest remains sharp as it isn’t moving.

There are many features of a camera which can be used to adjust how the final shot looks, and understanding how to control them will help ensure you get the shots you want.

If you feel you need help with using your camera and would like to improve your photography, there are a lot of photography courses, books, and workshops out there. I run an online photography course that teaches all the basics as well as more advanced skills, and have proudly helped thousands of people improve their photography skills.

Understand the Limitations of Your Camera

Every camera has limitations as to what it can do. These limitations will vary, and even high-end cameras will have some sort of limitation.

Examples of limitations are:

• The zoom isn’t very big, meaning you can’t capture animals which are far away and will have limitations capturing smaller animals like birds
• The camera sensor is small, and so will produce noisier images when there is less light
• The lens is big and heavy, so you need to use a fast shutter speed to avoid getting blurry images due to your hand motion when hand holding it
• Big and heavy equipment is more difficult to pack and travel with

The important thing is to understand the limitations of your camera so you can work around them, or at least, know what to expect before you go on safari.

The most common issue is probably not being able to take photos of animals that are further away. We saw a number of travelers frustrated by this on our recent trip in East Africa. All cameras will have their distance limitations, just be sure to have a good idea of yours so you can have realistic expectations of what kinds of photos you will be able to take. You can simply go outside and take photos of local animals or birds to get a good sense of this.

Another common issue I see from safari photos and wildlife photos in general are images that are not as sharp as they could be.

This is usually because the shutter speed is too low, and the user is hand holding a larger lens. A slow shutter speed means that any movement in your hand is translated into motion blur as you take the picture. You can fix this by increasing the shutter speed and/or resting the lens on a steady surface.

Some limitations can’t be overcome though, and are usually down to the actual hardware inside the camera. For example, the maximum zoom, the sensor size and maximum aperture size will be fixed.

However, if you know what the limitations of your equipment are, then you will be able to either accept them and work around them, or decide on upgrading to a different camera for your trip.

I’d also add at this point that you shouldn’t compare your photos to those you’ve seen on TV, online, and in wildlife magazines. You have no doubt seen some amazing wildlife photos and videos on sites like National Geographic or the BBC , and might wonder why you aren’t able to get the same sorts of shots.

Whilst it is of course possible to get images like those photographers do, they often have a lot of advantages over the average tourist. Not only do they typically travel as a crew with tons of high-end equipment, but they often take photos in locations that are hard to get to with limited public access.

They also often have paid for special press / filming permits to get off-road access or shoot in private areas outside of national parks. They also often spend weeks planning and trying to get the right shots, and only share the best shots with the public.

So don’t be too hard on your gear or yourself. Just be aware of the limitations of your photography equipment and know how to get the most out of it.

Understand What Causes Blurry Wildlife Images

It’s important that your images are sharp. Two things can cause an image not to be sharp.  The first is using too slow of a shutter speed for the situation you are shooting. The second is not focusing correctly.

A slow shutter speed can result in blurry images for a number of reasons. If you are hand holding your camera, then any movements in your hands can translate to blurry images. Movement of the subject can also translate to blur, as can movement due to you taking photos from a moving vehicle or boat.

You can resolve the slow shutter speed blur problem by using a faster shutter speed, and ensuring you are as still as possible when shooting. Ideally, you’ll want to rest your camera on something totally stable when shooting. Then all you have to think about is the motion blur that might result from the animal moving.

For focus, the main issue is likely to come about as a result of the camera’s autofocus system picking the wrong part of the scene to focus on, leaving your subject out of focus. I’ll cover that in my next tip.

Master Your Camera’s Focus System

An important aspect of wildlife photography is knowing how to use your camera’s focus system.

It is important to be able to focus on the animal or thing that you want the viewers’ eyes to go to in the image. This means that you will want to be able to use your camera’s manual focus system (if it has one) and/or learn how to change the focus if your cameras autofocus gets it wrong.

A shot can technically be in focus and sharp, but if you have focused on the wrong part of the scene your actual subject will be out of focus and so you won’t end up with the image you want.

Nearly every camera on the market today has an automatic focus, or autofocus system. As the name suggests this system automatically focuses for you when you point the camera at a scene.

There is however quite a difference in the capabilities of these systems. At the more basic end, an autofocus system will allow you to select an area of the scene to focus on, and then focus appropriately.

More advanced autofocus system will be able to identify specific types of subject like animals or people, and track them as they move so you can keep focus.

Many cameras and lenses also feature manual override, so you can manually adjust the focus if you need.

For the main camera I use for wildlife photography, the Canon EOS R5 , this has a very sophisticated autofocus system which is able to recognised and lock onto a wide range of subjects. If it can find an eye, it will lock focus on that. Otherwise it will try to track a torso or head. Additionally, it can continue to track the subject as it moves, switch between subjects, and I can override the focus selection if necessary.

It took me quite a while to get to grips with this system, and also to get used to its quirks and limitations. For example, on some occasions it would prefer to focus on the grass in front of the subject rather than the subject. Other times it might focus on a marking on an animal’s hide, rather than the eye.

Results like this are why it is so important to both understand the various focus modes of your camera, but also understand how to override them.

For example, on my Canon EOS R5 I have a separate button set up for centre spot focus. This allows me to point the centre of the frame at the area I want to focus on, and know I’ll get sharp focus in that area when I press the focus button. I can also entirely override the focus with the manual focus ring on the lens.

Whilst I can rely on the autofocus subject tracking 90% of the time, it also means I don’t miss focus in those edge cases where the camera doesn’t get it right. Technology can be smart, but it can’t read minds quite yet, so it’s usually working off a best guess as to what you want to take a photo of.

Whatever your camera is, my recommendation is to spend some time learning the various focus modes, what they are, and how to quickly override the focus if necessary, either manually or by selecting a different focus area.

Ideally you’ll want the camera to be in a continuous focus mode so it keeps tracking a moving subject. Try to find some subjects like wildlife in your garden or a moving pet that you can practice on before you go on safari to master your camera’s focus features.

Try Shooting in Burst Mode

Most cameras have a range of shooting modes, which may also be called drive modes. The choices normally vary, and will include single shot and burst shot modes. The drive mode menu on your camera is also where you’ll often find the camera’s self-timer mode.

For wildlife photography, a lot can happen in a short sequence of time. For this reason, shooting in burst mode is usually the way to go when you have a moving subject. This means that as you hold down the shutter button the camera will keep taking images.

Alternatively, in single shot mode, you have to keep pressing and depressing the shutter button. This loses you time and you may miss the shot.

Shooting in burst mode will let you take a sequence of images and then pick the best one. For example, here’s a sequence to show a yellow-billed stork landing.

The number of images the burst mode will take will depend on two main factors.

First, the camera’s burst speed, which is the number of images per second your camera can take. For instance, a camera with a burst speed of 10fps (frames per second) can take up to 10 photos per second.

Second, the speed that your camera can write to the memory card inside the camera as it takes pictures.

Most cameras will be able to take a certain number of images at the maximum burst speed for a few seconds, and then as the memory buffer fills up, this rate will slow down or even stop until the images have been written to your memory card. These details should be made clear on the specification sheet for your camera.

When you shoot in burst mode you will definitely also want to have continuous autofocus enabled. This will mean that if your subject moves as you are shooting it will hopefully stay in focus.

The main disadvantage of shooting in burst mode is that you will end up taking a lot more photos and using more memory card space. However, memory cards and memory in general are relatively inexpensive these days, so this shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Just be sure to always have an extra memory card with you.

Try to Shoot at the Best Times of Day

If you’ve ever read a photography guide, it will normally advise you that shooting in the earlier morning and later afternoon will give you better results. This is because the light at the start of the day and in the evening is softer and has that nice warm yellow glow.

In addition, the lower angle of the sun in the morning and evening produces shadows, resulting in images that have better contrast and depth compared to images shot in the overhead midday sun which can produce more flat images.

When it comes to safari, this advice is also true, but there are additional reasons to shoot earlier in the morning and later in the evening.

To start with, the majority of animals are going to be more active earlier in the morning and then towards the evening. The middle of the day tends to be hotter, and is a time when many animals are likely to be resting in a nice shady spot.

You will tend to see fewer animals in the hottest part of the day and those you see will tend to be less active during this time.

If you are looking for nocturnal species like genets, bushbabies, or aardvarks, your best chances to see them are on night drives or night walks, or to try to go as early in the morning as you can for a chance to spot them before they have gone off to sleep.

Just note nocturnal animals can be pretty tricky to see in most national parks given the hours that you are allowed to do a game drive. Getting good photos of them can be very difficult given they are often spotted at night.

We recommend trying to start your game drives as early as the park will allow. This will give you a better chance of seeing more wildlife, and also getting better images of that wildlife.

Another reason to avoid the middle of the day is that as the air heats up it gets more hazy. Think of the heat shimmer you see on a hot day—this is a real issue when shooting during hotter days and can negatively impact your images.

The haze will result in less sharp images, especially of further away subjects. In addition, as the day progresses, there will often be more dust in the air from vehicles driving around, which also reduces the clarity in the air.

Of course, I appreciate that I am talking about ideals. It isn’t always possible to pick the ideal time. Sometimes you will be out in the middle of the day. In these situations. Try to get as close as possible to your subject, which will let you avoid more of the heat haze. Where possible, shoot your subject so the sun is behind you rather than behind your subject.

The below two images are of the same black rhino mother and calf in Kenya. Both were shot in the middle of the day. In the first shot, the pair were quite far away and there was quite a lot of heat haze, meaning the shot ended up not being as sharp as I would have liked.

In the second shot, the pair moved much closer to us and the light was slightly improved, so there is some depth from the light and dark. It’s still not the ideal setup, but it’s definitely improved compared to the flat and slightly hazy look of the first shot.

See more on heat haze in photography here , including more tips for identifying and avoiding it.

This brings me on to my next tip for getting great photos on safari.

Any wildlife photographer will likely tell you that their most useful skill is patience. When doing landscape photography , I am certainly used to waiting for the right light, but wildlife photography definitely takes the need for patience to a new level.

Wild animals tend not to move to our schedules. They go where they want when they want. Being patient and quiet can reap huge rewards when it comes to photographing them in their natural habitat.

An example is of this leopard in a tree. When we arrived, it was asleep in the tree by its kill. However, we waited for around an hour and it decided to get up, eat more of its kill, descend from the tree and wander off. All these moments provided better photography opportunities than the initial one, and just required patience.

Another example would be a group of lion cubs we encountered in Tanzania. There were eight of them playing near the road, and as we watched two of them climbed up a tree. Shortly afterwards, one of their mothers returned, and we were rewarded by the sight of baby lions bounding across the grass to be reunited.

This is a story I could repeat multiple times across many wildlife encounters, but the overall message should be clear. Try to remember that a safari game drive is not an exercise in getting somewhere.

When you find an animal or bird you want to see, you will probably be rewarded if you spend some time just sitting and watching it rather than rushing on to try to find something else.

Prepare Your Equipment

If you already have a camera that you plan to take with you on safari, you want to make sure it’s in great working order before heading on safari. This is especially the case if you have older gear or gear that gets a lot of use.

Before you go, I recommend testing and cleaning the camera yourself to make sure it’s working. You’ll also want to make sure all the gear from your lenses to your camera straps are in good shape before your trip. Your trip is not a good time to learn about a preexisting scratch in your lens, a corrupted memory card, a fraying strap or a battery that doesn’t hold its charge!

You might also consider taking your camera to have a professional clean and check before your safari. Often you can do this at a local authorised dealer or repair shop for your camera brand, as they will have servicing options. Alternatively, your manufacturer might offer mail-in servicing options.

I try to get my cameras serviced every year or two, especially if I know I’ve been hard on them. As well as cleaning the sensor professionally, they check the camera over and make sure things like seals and screws are all in good working order. In my opinion this is well worth the investment, especially on high-end equipment.

Protect your Equipment on Safari

Safaris can be really hard on camera equipment. From dusty conditions to bumpy roads, there are all sorts of hazards that can either damage your equipment or cause it to function less effectively. In this section, I’m going to talk about common issues you can expect to encounter and how to overcome them.

Dust or Sand

When it’s hot and dry, the roads will be dusty. As your vehicle and other vehicles travel on the roads they kick the dust up, and it gets everywhere. If you have the top down or windows open, expect dust to get on your camera equipment.

If you are traveling to a place where sand is a concern, such as a desert or beach, be careful as blowing sand can get into your gear and can also leave scratches on your lens if you accidentally wipe them. Never put your camera down in the sand as it can easily work its way inside.

Cameras contain a lot of sensitive electronics as well as some moving parts, neither of which appreciate dust or sand. In addition, if dust gets onto your camera’s sensor it can cause unsightly spots to appear in your images.

There are a few things you can do to minimize the impact of dust or sand. First, a good camera bag that you can put your camera in between uses will help to prevent general dust getting in. So when you are not using your camera, I’d recommend securing it in a case or bag.

Also be careful about where you set your camera. Don’t place it on the ground or other dirty surfaces, and don’t leave it outside for any longer than it needs to be outside.

Next, remember to use a lens cap if your camera lens supports them as this will help to keep the front element dust free. Just keep the lens cap in your pocket and place it on the camera whenever you are not using it. If your lens supports it, then a lens hood and a UV filter can also provide much needed protection.

If you are using a camera where you can change lenses, try to change the lens in a dust-free location if possible, such as in your hotel or when stopped in a sheltered place. Try not to change your lenses more than you need to when in dusty situations.

In addition, I’d recommend packing a small camera cleaning kit so you can get accumulated dust off your gear as you travel. I’d particularly recommend having a lens cloth, a brush, and a blower with you.

Once you are done with your safari and you have gotten all the amazing photos you wanted, you might consider getting your camera professionally serviced and cleaned to get rid of any errant dust and to ensure it’s back to full working order for your next adventure.

Not all safaris take place whilst in a closed vehicle. Sometimes you might be on foot or trekking, or in an open top vehicle. In these situations, even when visiting a country in the dry season, there’s always a possibility of rain.

Whilst some cameras do offer a level of weather-proofing or rain resistance, the majority are not fully waterproof. So having a camera rain cover to keep your gear dry like this is a good option.

I’d also recommend having a good camera bag or backpack with a rain cover where you can put your camera in between shots.

If you have a smaller camera like a compact camera or smartphone, something like a resealable freezer bag or clear dry bag can also work well to keep it dry.

Bumpy Roads

As well as dust and rain, another issue you will have to contend with will be bumpy roads. Most roads in safari parks are unpaved, and some of them can be very bumpy.

You definitely don’t want your camera equipment flying around the inside of a vehicle as this can damage it, and could even cause injury to the other occupants. I have a few suggestions to help avoid this scenario.

First, I recommend bringing along a good camera bag or case. Camera bags are specially designed to provide padding and protection for your gear, and many of them also come with rain covers. This means that you have somewhere safe, protected, and padded to put your gear in between shoots.

Personally I use Vanguard photography bags and I’ve been an ambassador for Vanguard for many years now. If you see something on their store that works for your equipment, you can save money using our exclusive Vanguard discount code. This will give you 20% off everything in the  Vanguard store.

Just use the code  FindingTheUniverse for your discount! This code works in the Vanguard USA, UK, Australia, Spain, and Germany stores.

When you are actually using your equipment, I recommend having a strong and comfortable strap to keep it secure around your neck or shoulders. I use the Peak Design strap system which has reliably kept my camera gear comfortably slung at my hip for many years now. You’ll want to find one that is comfortable for you.

I left my DSLR camera on the seat of our Land Cruiser on a trip and it fell on the floor after hitting an unexpected bumpy patch in the road. I was lucky that nothing was damaged but it sure made me more careful about either putting gear away in my bag or keeping it around my neck.

I also recommend that if you are someone like me who enjoys standing up in a safari vehicle, that you sit down or at least put your camera in a camera bag when the roads gets really bumpy. If your guide tells you to hold on or you see that you are going to be crossing a river, it is probably best for both you and your gear to sit down. This way you’ll have a better grip on your gear and avoid banging your gear on something or falling.

Dress Appropriately

Packing appropriate clothing is going to ensure you are comfortable and ready for the weather during your trip. Whilst it might not directly help you get better photos, comfort is a really important factor. When you are comfortable you will be able to focus on getting great photos rather than the temperature or the insects.

When choosing clothes for your trip, consider the climate, weather, and insects of where you are going as well as the activities you plan to do. You are going to pack very differently for a cool weather destination than a tropical one. You also need to pack differently if visiting a country during its rainy season versus its dry season.

In terms of photography specific clothing, you might want to consider having lots of pockets so that you have plenty of places to store things when standing in a vehicle and when hiking. This will give you quick access to things like extra batteries, lens wipes, and your lens caps.

There are a range of different vests you can get, including specialised photography vests . I personally prefer something a bit more versatile that I can use in a variety in situations, and I like the Scottevest products which have a lot of pockets and are great for travel in general. I find them particularly useful for airport travel as they have so many handy pockets.

Generally though, on safari I wear the NosiLife long-sleeve shirts from Craghoppers . These have lots of pockets and also come with built in insect protection and sun protection. They also dry very quickly.

Jess and I mainly wore Craghoppers tops and bottoms throughout the days where we were either in the vehicles on safari or were doing treks. This is the most common brand we’ve seen people wearing for proper safari clothing throughout our travels. You can shop for them on their official store here , as well as on REI in the US here , and on Amazon here .

Depending on where you are going, you will probably also want to consider packing a hat, sunglasses, insect repellent , sunscreen, good practical shoes (we generally wear Scarpa or Merrell ), layers for warmth, and a rain jacket or poncho .

For more tips, check out our detailed guide to what to pack for safari , which has lots more tips and suggestions for your trip.

Pack a Photography Bean Bag

If you are traveling with a longer lens, I’d consider getting a photography bean bag or two for your safari trip.

For wildlife photography on safari, I find that a photography bean bag like this is one of the most useful photography accessories I have packed. Generally, I find I get a lot more use out of a bean bag on safari compared to a tripod or monopod.

This is because on safari you are often shooting from a vehicle, either from the window or via the pop-up top. And in both cases, setting up a tripod or even a monopod isn’t always going to be possible.

On the other hand, a bean bag can rest on the top of the vehicle or over a window, where you can then rest your lens or camera on it. If you are shooting with a larger camera and lens setup, you will definitely be thankful of having somewhere to steady it, as it’s unlikely to be practical to hold it up for prolonged periods of time. It also keeps you from putting your camera or lens directly on the metal edges of windows and roofs which could lead to damage.

Using a bean bag means you’ll be able to use slower shutter speeds for more stationary animals as well, so you don’t have to worry about camera shake so much. This is especially helpful when shooting with very big telephoto lenses from around 400mm and up.

Jess also found the bean bags useful for just using as armrests and for placing her elbows when using binoculars.

Bean bags are very light to travel with, and you can usually find inexpensive materials like dried beans to fill them with at your destination. My only tip is not to fill them with anything obviously edible, as some animals in some parks might sniff out the tasty treats within and decide to give them a nibble! Dried (obviously uncooked!) beans are a good option for this reason.

Be Specific About What You Want with your Guide

If you are doing a safari with a driver and/or guide, then being able to communicate about your goals and what you want to see is really important. It is also important for you to listen to your driver/guide for feedback and understand what is realistic based on their expertise. Doing this as early in the trip as possible is best.

If there’s a certain shot or composition that you want, it’s a good idea to let your guide know so you have a better chance of seeing it. Whilst there’s never a guarantee of seeing any wildlife on safari, if you specify that you want a shot of an elephant bathing for example, then your guide should have an idea of where the best places to get that shot might be on your trip.

If you aren’t clear on your interests, then you’ll be on more of a general safari and taken on the common safari drive circuits within the parks. Guides will almost always drive you to see things like lions or cheetahs if spotted, even without asking you. However, if you’d rather photograph elephants, eagles, or zebras, then you need to speak up so that you guide know what your wildlife sightseeing priorities are for the trip.

Whilst you will still likely get great photo opportunities (your guide is there to take you to see wildlife after all!), it might not be exactly the shot you want. So being specific will definitely help improve your chances of getting the shots you want if you have something specific in mind.

Another thing we discussed with our guide from the beginning was to have signals about stopping and when to leave after stopping for a wildlife sighting. So we asked our guide to just ask to make sure we wanted to leave an animal or we’d tell him, or he’d give us a head’s up if we needed to leave.

This not only helped make sure we felt we had enough time to get the photos we wanted, but it also made sure we were prepared for any sudden jerks from stopping and starting the vehicle.

Communicate with your Fellow Travelers

If you are traveling solo, then you will of course have a lot of autonomy in where you go and what you see on your trip. If you have a driver/guide then the two of you can set times and itineraries each day and be in sync about your wildlife spotting goals.

But, if like most safari goers, you are traveling with a partner, your family, friends, or as part of a group safari with other travelers, then you will likely have to be willing to compromise at times.

Common things you will likely need to decide on together will be what time to leave, how long to spend on game drives, whether to eat a hot lunch or a picnic lunch, and how long to spend watching each animal.

This can also affect your ability to get the photos you may want in terms of timing and views from the vehicle. With just one or two people in a vehicle, it is generally easy to find a good view, but once you have 4 or more people, it often becomes difficult for everyone to have a great view all at the same time, especially if an animal is not in an open area.

Generally, in these circumstances everyone will politely take turns and give everyone a bit of time and space to view the animal and take photos. But this does mean you will need to compromise and will sometimes miss the “best” view.

However, group safaris by far offer better value in terms of money compared to a private safari. But just note that they do come with some compromises.

I definitely recommend traveling with family or friends if that is an option, as sharing these experiences is probably worth more than taking a good photo. But it is worth talking about everyone’s goals and travel style before booking your trip to make sure everyone is likely to have a good trip.

Consider the Composition

As with any kind of photography, composition is key. Composition refers to how you place the various elements in your shot to create the final image.

It can be easy to get caught up in the moment when you see something exciting, and just to start shooting in an effort to get something shot. This excitement is very understandable!

However, if you are able to calm yourself down a bit and spend a fraction of time properly composing your shot, you will likely get better results.

There are a range of general composition rules in this post that you can read about, so I won’t rehash that. The main things I’d suggest just keeping in mind are the following.

• What’s in shot . When framing your shot, glance around the whole frame to see what is and what isn’t in the shot. For example, it can be very easy to frame an animal’s head, but accidentally crop out parts of their body or a tail. Whilst this might be the composition you are after, it might also end up looking a bit odd. Sometimes, zooming out a fraction and ensuring the whole animal is in the frame might be a better composition
• Eye contact . There are many different wildlife poses you can capture, but one of my favourites is when the animal is looking directly into the camera. In this pose, it will appear to be directly staring at the viewer. This is not always easy as animals tend to look all over the place. In these scenarios, burst mode and patience can be your friends.
• Animal Placement . When shooting from a vehicle, especially from the pop-up roof area, we can often end up above the animal. However, often animals look better when shot from eye level. So repositioning yourself to shoot from an open window lower down in the vehicle might give you a better shot, depending on the distance to the subject.
• Background and skyline . When putting your shot together, don’t forget to consider the background. For example, a deer against a brown rock face or tree will not stand out as well as one against a skyline. It’s not always possible to reposition yourself, but if there is the opportunity to wait for a better composition, or move the vehicle to a different location, take it.

Here are a couple of shots to illustrate my points above.

Don’t Forget the Landscapes

One of the main reasons people go on safari is to see the incredible wildlife of an area. However, it’s also very likely that you are going to be passing through some amazing natural landscapes.

Whilst it can be easy to get a bit single-minded about what we’re photographing, it’s important to step back and capture the landscapes as well as the wildlife.

If nothing else, this will serve as a reminder for you in the future as to where you were when you got the shots, and also the lovely scenery you witnessed. Capturing the wildlife with the landscape is also a good option, as it will give some depth and scale to your compositions.

Pack Spare Memory Cards and Batteries

The chances are that you are going to be taking a lot of photos when on safari. If you are shooting with anything other than a smartphone, your camera will likely have a battery you can change and a memory card slot.

It is definitely worth bringing at least one spare battery for your camera, and ideally two. In addition, bringing plenty of memory is also a good idea.

You don’t want to be half way through a busy day and run out of battery or memory card space, and then potentially miss some great shots. Modern mirrorless cameras in particular can eat through batteries, so a spare or two is definitely a must in my opinion.

Consider bringing a USB Powered Battery Charger and Power Pack

Accommodation options on safari can vary greatly, from simple campsites to high end luxury safari lodges. One thing we have found is that not every accommodation, especially the more remote and basic ones, will have AC power outlets. Or at least not one in your room (there is usually at least one public shared power outlet somewhere in a lodge or campsite).

If they have wall outlets, they will likely be 220V-240V, so you will want to check that all your equipment supports this if you are coming from a country like the USA, Japan, or Canada which has 110V-120V power. Many people will also need a travel adaptor to adapt your plugs, depending on where you are coming from and your travel destination.

However, rather than full power outlets, many locations offer USB outlets. These don’t use so much electricity, and are often powered by solar panels.

What this means is that if your camera only has a standard wall outlet charger for its batteries, you might not be able to charge them. Note that some cameras do charge via USB, so do check if that is the case.

So we recommend making sure that you are able to charge your batteries using both the local AC power outlets and via USB so you can take advantage of either charging option. We also recommend considering packing a power pack.

We personally travel with a USB battery charger for our Canon camera batteries. This is better than our standard charger in some respects, as it can charge two batteries at once, and charges over standard USB. There are a number of different models available , the main thing is to find the one that matches your camera battery.

As well as the USB battery charger, we also travel with a USB power pack . We can use this to charge all our USB powered devices, including our phones and the USB camera battery charger. This is helpful when we have periods of time without power.

Ask About Your Safari Vehicle

Before you go on safari, it’s a good idea to check with your safari company about the type of vehicle you will be in. There are a number of different models that companies use in different locations around the world, with Toyota Land Cruisers being the 4X4 vehicle of choice for many companies. However, there are many different models of Land Cruisers used for safaris so knowing the specific model can be very helpful.

The same vehicle model’s features can also be different across companies depending on the specific conversion. Probably the most important thing for most people is the number of seats, luggage space, and the configuration of the top.

We highly recommend a vehicle with a pop top. This means the top of the vehicle will pop up, allowing you to stand up inside the vehicle and get a better view, as well as better photos.

For the majority of these vehicles, the top pops up and remains over your head, providing much needed shade. However, in some vehicles, the tops actually come off completely, so you won’t have any shade.

We highly recommend a vehicle where the top doesn’t come off completely, as otherwise you are going to be in the sun a lot.

It’s also a good idea to check on the height. In some of the vehicles we have found that even when standing up, the lip is a little high for Jess to get a good view. So if you are shorter (or very tall) you should definitely check about this if you really want to be able to stand up for game viewing.

Another thing to check is whether or not the vehicle has charging points (some have standard wall outlets whilst others might have USB outlets). Some of our vehicles have had this, some didn’t, but it is becoming more common.

If you are planning a very photography focused safari, you can also ask if the vehicle has any photography specific features. Some of the vehicles we’ve travelled in came with photography bean bags for our use for example, which was very helpful.

Other special features might include special camera mounts, tripod mounts, the ability to fully open or remove windows, and even the ability to remove a door or two. I wouldn’t expect most of these features unless you are paying extra for a special photography trip.

Consider Doing Boat and Walking Safaris

Whilst most safaris are done from a 4×4 vehicle, there are other options depending on where you are travelling.

For example, in some locations you might be able to do a walking safari or a boat-based safari. These will give you some variety as well as present the opportunity to see different wildlife.

For instance, if you are interested in birds and small creatures (e.g., dung beetles, lizards), then walking safaris are often going to be better for getting close to these animals. Boat safaris are going to obviously be the best way to get closer to aquatic wildlife.

Of course, this isn’t always going to be possible depending on where you travel, but we definitely recommend signing up for at least a couple of these experiences if you have the option.

Shoot in RAW

If your camera supports it, and nearly all do these days, I highly recommend setting it up so it saves your image files in RAW format. Whilst this takes up more memory, and does require you to edit your photos, you will get a lot more latitude when it comes to editing your final image.

I go into a lot more detail in why to shoot in RAW in my guide to RAW in photography . For now, I recommend enabling it. Most cameras have the option to shoot in both RAW and JPG if you need a stepping stone, although this will take up more memory card space.

However, if you want to be able to share your photos instantly online during your trip, then you will probably want to also shoot in JPG/JPEG because you don’t need to edit them prior to uploading them.

Learn to Edit Your Photos

Photography involves a number of skills. The first two are in the field when you’re getting the shot, and require you to know how to compose a great photo and how to use your camera.

The third skill is photo editing. Photo editing is where you can get the most from the images you have captured. This doesn’t have to take a long time, even minor edits can make a big difference to an image.

Judicious cropping, adjustment of shadows and highlights, tweaks to saturation—these can all add up to really improve an image.

Of course, you can go a lot further with photo editing software. But as a starting point, loading up one of our favourite photo editors and learning how to use it can really help you get the most from your shots.

Keep Your Eyes Open

When you are on safari, the chances are that you will have a guide. Your guide will normally know what sort of wildlife you are likely to see in the areas you’re visiting, and they will of course be looking out for it as you drive or walk around.

However, the thing about wildlife is that you never know what you are going to see. And the more eyes that are looking for wildlife, the higher your chance that you will spot something. Your guide can’t look everywhere at once, and if they are driving, they are going to be at least a little distracted by operating the vehicle and keeping you safe.

In our most recent safari experience, we would often maximize what we could all see while on a game drive. So, generally our guide was seated in front in the driver’s seat, Jess would sit on the opposite side of vehicle from the driver, and I would stand at the back and scan for a different viewpoint. This way we were looking in many directions and had a better chance of spotting things. Although our guide was by far much better at spotting wildlife than we were, we still occasionally made some great spots that our driver had missed.

In my opinion, a safari should definitely not be a passive experience where you sit back and wait for something interesting to be pointed out to you. However, I have been surprised by the number of Land Cruises and Land Rovers full of bored-looking people who seemed to be spending more time on their phones or talking to one another than looking outside. They seem to simply wait for their driver to stop and point something out, take a photo, and then go back to their phones.

If you actively participate and spend your time searching for wildlife as well, you’re going to improve the chances of sightings and find more photo opportunities. You are also going to learn a lot more about the natural environment around you. And you are going to enjoy your trip a whole lot more!

Enjoy Yourself!

This might seem a bit counter intuitive in a guide to getting great photos on safari, but it’s important to remember. When on safari, it can be easy to become caught up in the need to capture every moment with our cameras, and not to miss a shot.

Whilst of course I want you to get those amazing shots, don’t forget that you came on safari also to witness wildlife in its natural habitat. So don’t forget to just step back from the camera every now and again and just take it all in. A safari is an incredible experience and you definitely want to try and enjoy it rather than being stressed over getting every shot on your memory card.

On our recent trip, Jess generally only took photos when animals came close, otherwise, she was content just watching them, either with a pair of binoculars (I definitely recommend packing a good pair of binoculars) or her naked eyes. She said she got much more enjoyment just watching them than when she was trying hard to get a good photo as she had in prior trips.

We highly recommend just sitting back and letting some moments go by unrecorded. I find you can often learn a lot more about animals if you just sit and watch them sometimes. Not every moment needs to be photographed!

Further Reading

That’s it for my guide to getting better photos on safari! If you found this useful, you might enjoy some of my other photography content. Here are some articles to get you started.

• We have a guide to the best safari camera , to help you choose the right gear for you and your budget. We also have a guide to photography bean bags for safari you might consider checking out.
• We have a detailed overview of gorilla trekking in Uganda as well as chimpanzee trekking in Uganda , both of which are an incredible experience
• We have a detailed guide to what to pack for safari , to help ensure you bring the right gear for your trip
• I have a guide to my favourite  photo editing applications , as well as the best  alternatives to Lightroom
• Wildlife photography can often result in noisy images. See my guide to the best noise reduction software for some ideas on how to get the best out of your photos even when they might be a bit noisy
• We have a guide to  how to use a compact camera ,  how to use a DSLR camera , and  how to use a mirrorless camera . We also have a guide to  how a DSLR works
• Knowing how to compose a great photo is a key photography skill. See our guide to  composition in photography  for lots of tips on this subject
• We have a guide to what  depth of field  is and when you would want to use it.
• We are big fans of getting the most out of your digital photo files, and do to that you will need to shoot in RAW. See our guide to  RAW in photography  to understand what RAW is, and why you should switch to RAW as soon as you can if your camera supports it.
• You’re going to need something to run your photo editing software on. See our guide to the best  laptops for photo editing  for some tips on what to look for.
• If you’re looking for more advice on specific tips for different scenarios, we also have you covered. See our guide to  Northern Lights photography ,  long exposure photography ,  fireworks photography ,  tips for taking photos of stars , and  cold weather photography .
• Color accuracy is important for photography – see our guide to  monitor calibration  to ensure your screen is set up correctly.
• If you’re looking for a great gift for a photography loving friend or family member (or yourself!), take a look at our  photography gift guide ,
• If you’re in the market for a new camera, we have a detailed guide to the  best travel cameras , as well as specific guides for the  best cameras for hiking and backpacking , the  best compact camera ,  best bridge camera ,  best mirrorless camera  and  best DSLR camera . We also have a guide to the  best camera lenses .
• If you want a camera or lens, but the prices are a bit high, see our guide to  where to buy used cameras and camera gear  for some budget savings options.
• We have a guide to  why you need a tripod , a guide to  choosing a travel tripod , and a round-up of our  favourite travel tripods

Looking to Improve Your Photography?

If you found this post helpful, and you want to improve your photography overall, you might want to check out my  online travel photography course .

Since launching the course in 2016, I’ve already helped over 2,000 students learn how to take better photos. The course covers pretty much everything you need to know, from the basics of how a camera works, through to composition, light, and photo editing.

It also covers more advanced topics, including astrophotography, long exposure photography, flash photography, and HDR photography.

You get feedback from me as you progress, access to webinars, interviews and videos, as well as exclusive membership of a Facebook group where you can get feedback on your work and take part in regular challenges.

It’s available for an amazing one-off price for lifetime access, and I think you should check it out. Which you can do by  clicking here .

And that’s it! I’d love to hear about your thoughts on wildlife photography on safari, and am happy to answer any questions you have. Just pop them in the comments below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

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There are 4 comments on this post

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Towab Muhammad Yusuf says

2nd April 2022 at 12:27 pm

Zebras is looking awesome, so natural looking

Laurence Norah says

3rd April 2022 at 10:28 am

Thanks Towab!

D. Hernandez says

26th March 2022 at 1:36 am

Hello Laurence,

Thanks for these wonderful photography tips and advice! I am not much of a photographer but found these tips very useful and will be keeping this page bookmarked to read again before my safari. My wife and I have a 2-week trip planned to South Africa in in the fall and about a week of that will be spent on safari.

I was given a Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR camera (used but barely used) last year but without any lenses. So my question for you would be what lens would you recommend I invest in if I was to choose to take just one for this trip? I would also of course want to use it around home and for taking photos of family events and future trips, but the main focus for now is getting some decent wildlife photos on our safari in South Africa. Would like to purchase it soon so can start practicing (as you recommend) now!

Thanks for all your time & help! D

26th March 2022 at 9:42 am

I’m glad you found the post helpful and I am sure you will have an amazing trip! So if you are looking at just one lens then you will want a lens that can go from quite wide to quite zoomed in. A lens like this is known as a walk around lens. I would probably recommend either the Tamron 18-400 f/3.5-6.3 or the Tamron 16-300 f/3.5-6.3 . These would both give you the versatility you would want in terms of range, from wide to zoomed in. The 16-300 gives you a slightly lighter lens that can take slightly wider angle shots, whilst the 18-400 is a bit heavier but you get more reach.

It is worth noting that of course if you zoom in at 100% and peer at the images produced by these lenses they won’t compare to a high-end lens costing thousands of dollars. However I think that for standard size prints and general use they are a good option at a reasonable price point.

Let me know if you need any further input, I’m happy to help. Otherwise, have a fantastic trip!

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Planning a photo safari in Africa: 7 essential tips

Planning a photo safari in Africa ? Based on my knowledge and experience as a photographer, responsible traveler , and wildlife enthusiast, I share 7 essential tips that help you plan and prepare a photo-focused safari trip , where it's all about capturing beautiful and high-quality images of your safari adventure and wildlife sightings.

If you have been on an African safari before, you will be aware of the conflict that can occur when traveling with people with different interests. For people with a special interest in (learning) wildlife photography in Africa, I would recommend looking into a photography safari trip, rather than a regular safari. I wrote an article about the difference between a photo safari and a regular safari .

What is a photo safari?

On a photo safari all circumstances that can be influenced, are created in a way to get the best out of your photography. It’s all about going to the right place at the right times, in different lights, getting the best position to photograph from the right (and different) angles, and spending more time at one sighting to observe and get that perfect shot. The more time you spend with the animals, who are telling their story, the better your photos. On a photographic journey, you will not be rushing to tick off the ' Big 5 ' game animals. You will also be out during the ‘magic golden hours’ around sunset and sunrise.

Apart from that, you will learn from a professional photographer who helps to improve your photography skills. If you are traveling in a group, you can also learn from other wildlife photography enthusiasts. Another plus of photography safaris is that many game drive vehicles are designed and configured specifically for wildlife photography with more space to maneuver.

Joining a photo safari doesn't mean you have to be an experienced photographer. On most photography trips it doesn't matter if you're a beginner, intermediate or professional photographer. Having an interest in photography is the basis of what you need for most of these photo trips.

Planning a photo safari group tour or private tour

Whether you love to travel in a group or with a private company, there are always a few important things to consider before you book your trip. If you have never been to Africa, I wouldn't recommend planning your safari trip on your own. Feel free to reach out for advice to help you create a personalized travel plan, or to join me on one of my upcoming photo safari tours .

Now you know what to expect from a photographic safari in Africa, it’s time to dig into the most important things to know and consider for planning and preparing your photo-focused safari. Here are my 7 valuable tips for planning your African photography safari .

1. Create an overview of your wishes

As a traveler, you are the only one that can decide what’s important to you, and how you want to spend your money.

To make that clear, you need to d o research and create an overview of your wishes . From there, you can start making choices. Consider which aspects are most essential for you. Keep in mind that every aspect can influence the price.

You can make a start by answering the following questions:

• Where do I want to go? (Country, safari destinations, number of places)
• When do I want to go? (high-, low-, rain-, dry-season)
• Do I like to travel in a group or private?
• What’s my budget?
• What accommodation can I afford (Budget, comfort, luxury)
• How long will I be traveling?
• Do I want to organize it all by myself or book an organized trip?
• What would I like to see and do?

2. Choose the right time to travel

As you might know, Africa has a wet and dry season and offers variations of climates and weather in different countries and areas. The dry season in Africa is the most popular as well as the most crowded season. The best advantage of traveling in the dry season is that animals are frequently found around water pools because of the scarcity of water. In the dry season, the temperatures are high and landscapes are usually dry.

However, some photographers find the wet season in Africa the best time to photograph because of the dramatic skies, green scenery, better light (because of clouds), and less dust. This is also a great period for capturing newborns.

I’ve traveled to Africa in both seasons and in different months. I always try to go in the shoulder seasons , in between dry and wet seasons. Choosing the best time to travel also depends on your personal wishes, budget, and safari destination. Kenya is for example an all-year-round safari destination, while other countries, for example, Uganda , are harder to travel during certain times of the year because of heavy rains.

3. Choose a reliable and qualified photo safari operator

After you defined your wishes, it’s time to select the right tour operator or organization to travel with and choose destinations and accommodations to stay in. I always attach great importance to organizations with a focus on conservation efforts, sustainability, and responsible travel choices . I personally do my best to select and collaborate with local organizations and try to look for unique, more private experiences, where they also give back to nature and the surrounding communities.

Do your research to ensure that your trip will meet, or even exceed your expectations.  Always search for valuable reviews, ask specific questions in advance to know what to expect to check the reliability, and follow your gut. If you are planning your first African safari trip, feel free to contact me for help or simply join me on one of my group safari trips to Africa . You can even form your own group of max 6 people to accommodate greater flexibility in addressing your preferences regarding the travel period and dates.

Good photography focussed safari companies will offer a 4x4 vehicle with enough space inside, large windows, and a pop-up roof. The luxury photographic companies usually offer a specially-equipped photographic vehicle with sliding gimbals, removable doors, and photography equipment to borrow. Some companies also have the permission to enter National Parks and Game Reserves after opening hours, which is great for an evening game drive or night photography.

4. Find a guide with an eye for photography

Normally you cannot choose your guide for your safari, but by doing detailed research, like searching for reviews and references, you can increase your chances of finding a guide with an eye for photography.

Guides with an interest and eye for photography will understand how to get you in the right position for a perfect shot. They will anticipate the lights and movements of the animals, and they will always find the best positioning for the vehicle. To get the best out of your photography, your guide has to be committed to leaving in the early morning and staying out for a longer amount of time than on a regular game drive.

Use your guide’s knowledge to capture the best photos. Local guides perfectly know the animal’s habits, territories, and behavior. Tell your guide what’s important for you and what kind of photos you would like to capture. Take advantage of their knowledge and advice!

If you come on a photo safari with me , I can assure you that I work with highly knowledgeable and qualified driver/guides . And as a qualified guide myself with an expertise in photography, we form a great team to give you the best possible safari experience.

5. The right photography gear for a photo safari

If you are an advanced photographer, I would definitely recommend bringing one, or preferably two, DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras with exchangeable lenses .

With two cameras (bodies) and different lenses, you can easily switch cameras. For example, when wildlife comes closer, or you want to capture an animal in different contexts, like a wide shot to capture wildlife in its environment and close-ups. In the worst case, when anything happens to one camera, you have a second to continue photographing.

Zoom lens and wide-angle lens

The best zoom lenses for wildlife photography are in the range of 200-600 mm. Zoom lenses with a focal length of 300+ mm are great for capturing wild animals or birds, while more wide-angled lenses are great to capture the beautiful environment or stunning African sunsets. For a crop camera, a zoom lens of 300mm should be ideal. If you’re using a full-frame camera, I would suggest a lens that can reach 400mm zoom. If you are a keen birder, then the more zoom your lens has, the better. For example, 600mm is perfect for bird photography .

Keep in mind that Africa’s wildlife is most active in the early morning and late evening, which means the lights can be challenging. For that reason, it will be better to bring lenses with larger apertures (f/2.8) and to use a camera that can increase the ISO without getting too much noise in your photo.

Other photography accessories

Apart from the camera and lenses, it's advisable to bring photography accessories like an external hard drive to secure your photos, plenty of memory cards, extra batteries, cleaning wipes, a charger, a camera bag, and a rain cover. To provide stability for your camera, you can also bring a beanbag, monopod, and/or tripod on safari.

In the above image captured in Uganda, I carry a 16-35mm wide-angle lens for landscape photography as part of my photography gear

6. Know your camera

Having the most expensive camera doesn’t mean you’ll shoot the best images because whatever camera you bring, it’s extremely important to know how to use it. You will be disappointed if you invested a lot of money in camera gear and your pictures are too dark or blurry.

To practice and learn how to use your camera, you can read the instruction manual, watch some tutorials on YouTube, and most importantly  practice with different settings and conditions  before you're going on a photo safari to Africa. Practice on your dog, take photos in a park or forest, and do whatever you can to get more familiar with your camera and its features. It’s essential to understand the different settings to adjust to different conditions.

If you don’t have the time, motivation, skills, or if there’s any other reason why it’s not possible to learn how to make good photos, please save your money and enjoy the experience. You can try to take photos with your smartphone or a compact (zoom) camera because nowadays, the cameras on smartphones and compact cameras are pretty good. The most important thing is that you have an interest in (learning) photography.

7. Make a suitable itinerary

Photographic safaris often manage a slow and sustainable travel approach to spend enough time at the right places at the right times. The less time you spend in transit, the more time you’ll have for spending on your destination, being in the moment, and encountering and capturing incredible wildlife. On regular safaris, you usually visit more destinations, which means more time in transit. Another big advantage of slow travel is minimizing your impact on the environment and maximizing your appreciation and connection with the local community and their environment . I would always recommend spending at least three nights at each safari accommodation.

For photography, it’s extremely important to have time and patience. Wildlife is unpredictable and not always active.

When planning your trip, find a good balance between the number of destinations and the time you want to spend photographing wildlife on game drives .

Customized Photo Safari Experience

Do you want to improve your photography skills and travel with like-minded people? You might want to consider joining my upcoming photo safari in Africa ! Contact me if you are interested.

Like what I do? Follow me on my social media channels and  help me grow by sharing or pinning this article and leaving a comment.

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Category: Kenya

Guided photo safari.

Join us on a bespoke photo led safari by the distinguished cinematographer David Douglas and photographer Mia Collis. Partnered with the Soroi Collection and their spectacular camps we’ll experience Kenya’s majestic north through and it’s spectacular species such as reticulated giraffes and Grevy’s Zebras exclusive only to these Northern rangelands.

4 Nights Wings Over the Wilderness Safari

Embark on a captivating journey through Kenya’s wilderness with the “Kenya Wings over the Wilderness Safari.” This meticulously crafted safari whisks you away from the bustling streets of Nairobi, offering a serene escape into the heart of Kenya’s pristine wilderness. From the rugged terrains of Samburu to the expansive plains of the Maasai Mara, every day unveils a new chapter of adventure and discovery. With the sky as your pathway, traverse the wild landscapes in a scheduled light aircraft, descending into a world where nature choreographs the rhythm of life. Your journey through the sky promises not just a safari, but a flight into the heart of Kenya’s untouched beauty.

6 Nights Wings Over the Wilderness Safari

Road package to maasai mara.

This safari is ideal for travelers looking to join a group at a reduced price and take you to Kenya’s most popular Game Reserve, the Maasai Mara, where game viewing is at its best throughout the year. The safari operate on fixed departure dates. Nairobi excursions or beach holidays can be arranged before or after the safari.

08 Days Ukulele Musical Safari

Imagine yourself sitting by a campfire at the end of an unforgettable day of experiences, surrounded by the breathtaking views of the African Savannah. Right then and there, you take your musical instruments out and begin composing and playing music inspired by the events of your day.

4 Days Magical Maasai Mara

Visit this renowned Game Reserve best known for its highest concentration of wildlife in the entire continent hence making it great for game viewing throughout the year. The famous ’BIG FIVE‘ animals reside here which are the lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo and the elusive leopard. They were famously named by colonial hunters for being the most difficult and dangerous animals to hunt and kill…Other game sightings include the cheetah, giraffe, hippo and abundant plains game.

Discover Kenya Safari

“The perfect road trip in a custom-built 4 x 4 safari vehicle to discover Kenya’s most beautiful National Parks & Game Reserves”

Best of Kenya & Tanzania

Exploring your favourite spots in both Kenya and Tanzania with fantastic game viewing throughout the year! You may be lucky to witness the great annual migration of the wildebeest should your travel period fall during the months of July to October!!

Northern Frontier Safari & Lake Turkana Festival

Culture, breathtaking scenery and wildlife stand at the forefront of this safari ! The main focus of this trip is the desert Lake Turkana, that remains wild and un-touched with its outstanding cultural tribes. You will encounter the Samburu, Rendille, El Molo, Dasenich Tribes among others. The festival is the main event on this safari and it will bring these cultures close to you in a way you will never experience it otherwise. You will also encounter wildlife in Samburu Reserve and the Great Rift Valley Lakes.

Migration Adventure

The Migration Adventure is one of our most popular trips sold ! It takes place during the Annual Great Migration of wildebeest (July to November) in the world famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve. Get up close and personal with hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebras, roaming the plains of the Mara and crossing the Mara River with spectacular hunting scenes of Big Cats and Crocodiles. Your accommodation is in a small & intimate luxury camp in an excellent location close to the various migration points. In addition, you will visit the bird paradise of Lake Naivasha, one of Kenya’s scenic Great Rift Valley Lakes.

How To Take The Perfect Safari Photo

The safari photography guide.

Photographing wildlife is always challenging, so we’ve put together our top tips on how to take a steady stream of great wildlife photos whilst  on safari to help capture the amazing sights that await on your African adventure.

Photo Prep Before You Go:

– Take the time to familiarise yourself with how your camera works. Practice using the different modes and studying the result. You don’t want to waste a moment of your trip getting frustrated over how to use your camera!

– Think about the environment you’re going to be in – will you want the hassle of carrying around a tripod,  extra lenses, and filters? For a safari situation, your extra gear may be a touch too limiting and distracting.

– Study the animals you are hoping to photograph. Being familiar with their movements and features can help you plan how best to capture them when the moment arrives… and end up with a safari animal photo portfolio like this .

– Check your equipment to ensure it is not too noisy or distracting for the animals. See if you can turn off the shutter sound, for example, or choose a camera with a quiet one if you’re buying something new.

Tips Whilst On The Trip:

– Be sure to charge your battery and bring spares if you have them, or invest in a few if you don’t. You could be out all day and are likely to be doing a lot of shooting, so start each day with a fully charged battery to limit the chances of running out and missing a perfect shot.

– Make sure you have extra memory cards for the same reason as above. The general consensus is – however much memory you think you will need, bring more! For many, a safari is a once in a lifetime experience, so don’t limit yourself to the number of memories you can capture.

– When trying to shoot a moving animal, switch your camera mode. Sports or action mode are both good options if you have them, as they increase the shutter speed, meaning you can catch the movement without the result being a blurry mess. Do remember to switch it back to normal afterward, however, as this won’t produce a good result for stationery shots.

– Avoid shooting into the light and try to position yourself on the opposite side of the vehicle to the sun.  Ideally, you would like the sun to be behind you, illuminating the subject.

– Turn the flash off! You won’t need it during the day and it can annoy the animals, so be mindful and respect the local environment.

– Don’t put your subject in the middle of the picture. Think about the shot you want and how best to compose it, then spend some time setting it up (even if the animals aren’t yet there). It is all too easy to get caught up in the moment and just start pointing and shooting, but this will not result in the best images.

-Following on from the above point, use the rule of thirds. In a nutshell,  this means imagining your screen as a grid cut into 3 x 3 squares, placing the focal point(s) of the scene where the lines intersect.

Technical Talk:

– For capturing animals in motion, you ideally want a camera that shoots at 5x a second, with a shutter speed of 1/125.

– If you are bringing a Digital SLR along, a long lens is crucial. A 300mm lens will work fine, but a 400mm lens is better for shooting from a distance. For landscape shots, use a wide-angle lens.

– If you don’t think a tripod is practical, take a bean bag or a window-mounted tripod instead.

– Blurred backgrounds can look great, particularly on close-up shots.

– For zoom shots, keep the eyes of the creature in focus, which will result in a more engaging photo that embraces the personality and spirit of the animal. Find out more about some great zoom lenses .

And finally, don’t get so caught up in taking the perfect photo to show everyone back home that you forget to take the time to experience the moment! Put your camera down for a while and make some memories that are just for you.

Interested in putting your new-learned photography skills to use on a safari? Read our guide to photography safaris across Africa.

Interested in sharing your photos with the world? Learn more about how to start a photography blog on 9 Mousai .

Top countries for safaris

• Botswana safaris
• Kenya safaris
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• Tanzania safaris
• Uganda safaris

Safari basics

• Safari animals
• How to find the right safari company
• When to go on safari
• What to take on safari
• Safari clothing – what to wear
• Safari rules & etiquette
• Wildlife spotting tips

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Africa’s best game reserves

• Chobe National Park, Botswana
• Etosha National Park, Namibia
• Kruger National Park, South Africa
• Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
• Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
• Okavango Delta, Botswana
• Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

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• Meet the Team
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• Tailor Made Safaris
• South Africa
• Conservation

The origin of safari, of romance under canvas on a vast African landscape, Kenya is where it all began. Today, its rich Maasai culture is woven into a classic safari experience that is centred around the annual wildebeest migration.

Our knowledge and experience of Kenya’s premier wildlife destinations allows us to craft journeys that hit exactly the right spots for photography, or hot-air ballooning, or watching the famous river crossings where predators lie in wait of an easy meal.

Kenya top Destinations

The crowning glory of a Kenya safari is indeed the Masai Mara, but knowing where and when to plan your trip for the migration is key. Our most highly rated Mara destination is the Mara North Conservancy, where some of the country’s premier tented camps and luxury lodges are located, offering far superior, private encounters with wildlife in a very popular part of Kenya.

Beyond the hype of the great migration are Kenya’s equally as remarkable wilderness areas, like Amboseli National Park – land of the planet’s last Big Tuskers. Here, these exceptional elephants, carrying tusks in excess of 50kg roam across open plains with the famous icy peak of Mount Kilimanjaro in the background. Truly breath-taking.

amboseli national park

Mara north conservancy, premade safari packages, why book a premade safari package.

We put together carefully crafted safari packages using our knowledge of Kenya’s wildlife seasons, migrating herds, and the best properties located in the best places for the ultimate photographic safari experience. The luxury lodges we work with know what we expect for our clients and we trust them to deliver a superior experience, packed with prime photographic opportunities and extra special attention to detail.

These packages are pre-arranged making it easy for you to choose your dates and leave the rest up to us. We have a selection of different packages to suit our guests with varying preferences, so take a look and see what suits you best.

ALEX WALKER SERIAN

From $10,015 / per person sharing

Why is it you can never hope to describe the emotion Africa creates? You are lifted. Out of whatever pit, unbound from whatever tie, released from whatever fear. You are lifted and you see it all from above.

SKYSAFARI KENYA

From $10,614 / per person sharing

Kenya is the Africa of your imagination. Planet earth on an epic scale. A place that fills your nostrils, kisses your skin, tingles your spine.

We spent 10 incredible nights with Lance as our private guide in Kenya. We stopped over in Nairobi at the Giraffe Manor, a simply must do for everyone, visited the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage before making our way to the Mara North Conservancy.The Mara North was one of the most fabulous places I have ever visited. We saw lions on every drive, one of the best destinations if this is what you are looking for, as well as elephants, buffalo, multiple cheetah, day old lion cubs, leopard and even drove to the National Park for one day and saw two wildebeest crossings!I can highly recommend traveling with Lance. He got us into the best position multiple times and seemed to know what the animals were going to do even before they did. Nicola Ann

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Safari in Kenya

Kenya's best safari reserves and camps.

Stuart Butler

• In this guide
• Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba

Meru National Park

Lake nakuru national park, amboseli national park.

• Nairobi National Park
• Off the beaten track

Kenya besides safari

• Where to go
• Need to know
• Itinerary planning
• Hidden gems
• Conservancies
• How to plan & book

Kenya is the original home of the safari and it’s still one of the finest safari destinations in Africa . I've been going on safari in Kenya for decades, as a travel journalist and guidebook author writing about safari, conservation and life among the Maasai tribes.

The main thing I've learned: there's so much more to Kenya than the mainstream safari industry of luxury camps and the famed “big five” (so named because they were the prize targets of colonial–era hunters).

The country proudly boasts of an impressive network of protected spaces made up of 65 national parks and reserves as well as dozens of private and community conservancies. Together these cover a huge proportion of Kenya’s diverse landscapes and provide a home for animals as large as an elephant and as tiny as an elephant shrew.

Some parks, such as the Masai Mara and Amboseli , are rightly world famous. Other parks, such as Meru National Park or Kakamega Forest Reserve, barely make a blip on the mainstream safari circuit but are every bit as rewarding (and much quieter!) then the big name parks and reserves.

Kenya has a world class safari tourism industry with excellent safari operators catering to all budgets and a diverse portfolio of safari lodges and camps. All you need to decide is when and where to go – and that's where my guide comes in. Dig in and Safari njema! – (Have a nice trip!)

featured kenya safaris

Enchanted Kenyan Safari

Samburu, Rhinos and Mara Safari

Affordable Masai Mara Safari

Close encounters with a herd of elephants in Kenya's Masai Mara

The best safaris in Kenya

Kenya’s most popular – and some underrated – safari highlights.

Don't be swayed by the Masai Mara's magnetic pull. There are many hidden gems to be discovered in Kenya: here are a few of my top recommendations.

Elsa’s Kopje

This is the best lodge in what is, for me, one of the best safari parks in Kenya. Named after Elsa the lion, of Born Free Fame, the lodge sits on an outcrop with simply incredible views over Meru. Owned by Kenya-based Elewana Collection, it’s undeniably pricey – rooms start at around USD $950 per night and climb steeply from there – but worth a night or two if your budget can stretch that far. If that’s beyond your means I can also recommend Meru Camp and there are cheaper options in the nearby town of Maua.

Masai Mara National Reserve

Witness the migration river crossings – but expect crowds.

The wildebeest migration is one of the world’s greatest natural phenomena, and watching the herds dodge hungry crocodiles as they surge across the Mara River is a staple of Kenya safari. The migration moves into the Masai Mara from Tanzania’s Serengeti between June and October. This is by far the busiest time and place of the year, so expect crowds. If you’d rather see the migration untroubled by crowds, I recommend you look at Tanzania instead.

Denise Carnihan

I can highly recommend Maili Saba. It has a picturesque location overlooking the Great Rift Valley and volcano region, with lovely permanent tents each with en-suites and balcony, and all very nicely decorated. There is a communal pool and outside gazebos for relaxing. The main dining room and lounging area is stunning with striking cathedral ceiling and beautiful decor. The food is absolutely outstanding and the staff are warm, friendly and go out of their way to assist their guests. The first time I visited was a complete surprise organised by my Kenyan partner, and I've included it in our tour itineraries ever since.

Nashulai Maasai Conservancy

One of the great success stories of Kenya safari has been the emergence of networks of conservancies, usually adjacent to the better known national parks. These are community-run or privately-operated protected areas, run for the benefit of wildlife and local communities. In the Masai Mara, the Nashulai Maasai Conservancy is particularly interesting, as it’s the only one that was 100% established by local Maasai and the only one where the Maasai remain in their homes within the conservancy. I can also highly recommend Mara North, Naboisho, and Ol Dereski; you’ll likely have an amazing time in any of them.

Offbeat Mara

Mara North is perhaps the best known conservancy in the Masai Mara, and Offbeat Mara is one of my favourite camps in the entire place. It's a small, un-showy camp of just seven tents including two family tents. In addition to the standard game drives you can do night drives, guided bush walks, horse riding, hot air balloon flights and even do some Maasai running coaching!

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

If you’ve ever wondered what the hide of a rhino feels like, wanted to experience a safari at night or dreamed of running (or riding) in the wild, open air of a safari reserve, head to Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The conservancy is in the Laikipia region, at the foothills of Mount Kenya. The sanctuary is the largest in East Africa to host black rhino, as well as the world’s last two remaining white northern rhino. Ol Pejeta is also the only place in Kenya where you can see chimpanzees. Conservation is at its core, with several experiences available for intrepid safari-goers who want to do more than just watch the animals.

Those looking to get their hands dirty can join one of the one or two-week volunteer programmes and learn wildlife research and tracking, veterinary care and more of what goes on behind the scenes. The conservancy has several accommodation options from simple cottages to basic campsites and luxury tented eco-camps.

Campi ya Kanzi

If elephants are your thing, you can’t do much better than Amboseli where herds of these magnificent beasts graze in the shadow of the equally magnificent Mt. Kilimanjaro. By far the best place to stay is not in the park itself but 30km away at Campi ya Kanzi in the Kimana Community Wildlife Sanctuary, situated between Amboseli and Chyulu Hills. It’s a very high-end Maasai-run camp that was set up to aid the local community and conservation projects. Its excellent location means you can see wildlife in the conservancy, Amboseli and Chyulu all from one base.

Samburu Game Reserve

Saruni rhino camp.

This camp in the Sera Conservancy, just north of the Samburu Reserve in northern Kenya occupies a stunning location in the semi-desert. Their specialism is a thrilling rhino tracking walking safari, probably my favourite place to see rhinos in all Kenya. I spent five days here and by the end still couldn’t decide if coming within ten metres of the steamroller-like rhinos was thrilling or simply terrifying!

Tsavo East & West National Parks

Kilaguni serena lodge.

In Tsavo West most of the accommodation is fairly expensive (unless you have your own camping gear in which case there are three spartan public campgrounds). A reasonably-priced option is the Kilaguni Serena Lodge – it’s far from a budget offering but the Serena collection is generally pretty good value. If you have the budget to blow, Finch Hattons is the most exclusive camp in the park, with an eye watering price tag to match.

Loita Hills

Best walking safari.

In my opinion the best way to experience a safari is to ditch the 4X4 and explore on foot. With a good tracker-guide you’ll see all the little things you’d otherwise miss if you’re stuck in a vehicle all day. Walking is often forbidden within state-run national parks but is usually allowed, even encouraged, in conservancies. If I had to pick a favourite place for a walking safari in Kenya it’d be Loita Hills without question. Although not far from the Masai Mara, Loita Hills is barely visited by tourists despite boasting superb and varied scenery, a lovely climate, very different wildlife to the lower savannah plains, and fascinating interactions with very traditional Maasai culture.

Also, while Kenya doesn’t really compete with the multi-day Tanzania trekking scene, some organised trekking may be found here, as well as in the Aberdares and around Mt. Kenya.

Saruni Samburu

There’s only one lodge within the Kalama conservancy, immediately to the north of Samburu Reserve, and it’s likely going to be one of the most spectacular places you’ll ever stay. Built into, around and onto a huge granite outcrop, Saruni Samburu is almost invisible from a distance but the stunningly turned out rooms offer a cliff side view over what feels like half of northern Kenya.

Lewa Conservancy

Lewa, in the Laikipia plateau area, is perhaps the most famous of all Kenya’s conservancies. And for good reason: this is safari to order. Want to see a black rhino? No problem. One of the superb guides will manage to find one. Lions, cheetah, elephant. They are all found here in abundance.

And it’s not just the wildlife that’s outstanding. The landscape is cinematic in its scope. Rolling sun bleached grasslands, table flat acacia trees, meandering rivers and a backdrop of the glinting glaciers of Mt Kenya.

The other great thing about Lewa (and this is common to all the Laikipia area conservancies) is exclusivity. If you’re not a guest of one of the handful of lodges then you can’t go on a safari here.

Kakamega Forest Reserve

Kenya’s safari hidden gem.

Just north of the equator in far western Kenya, is Kakamega Forest — Kenya’s only tropical rainforest. The land here is wet, green and intensely cultivated with a mix of subsistence farming and large tea estates. In amongst all this though are a few pockets of the dense rainforests that once covered large parts of western Kenya.

The Kakamega Forest Reserve is a fine example of this kind of forest and interesting walking safaris here reveal bird and primate life that has more in common with the forests of Uganda and the Congo than anything you’ll see on safari in Kenya. Wander the forest’s network of trails and take in the huge variety of flora and fauna it supports, including hundreds of bird species, some of which are not found anywhere else.

In my opinion, Kakamega is one of the most delightful places in Kenya, but yet hardly any tourists know of its existence. It should be a must visit for any ornithologist or herpetologist. As well as birds, reptiles and primates, I found the visit to the old mine shaft to look for bats especially memorable.

Up close and personal with baboons

Laikipia is known for its rhino conservation, but my own personal highlight in this area wasn’t the rhinos. Rather it was the day I spent with a biologist in very close proximity to around 200 habituated baboons. Having a huge male baboon shove its way past you as it bares its teeth was an experience easily on a par with gorilla and chimpanzee encounters in East Africa. The other nice thing about this particular experience is that it doesn’t involve staying inside an expensive conservancy but rather you are hosted by a grassroots Maasai womens’ project. And hardly anyone – even other Kenyans – know about it!

Aberdare National Park

Hiking in aberdare national park.

A world away from the African safari image of savannah grasses and drooling sunsets, the Aberdares consists of two different ecosystems. A high, cold and often bleak moorland and, below that, dense tangled montane jungle.

The wildlife here is a little different and a little harder to spot. But elephants are very common as are big grumpy buffalo. There are also montane species you won’t see anywhere else including bongo antelope, bush pigs and melanistic leopard and serval.

Unusually among Kenyan national parks, you can also get out of the vehicle here and enjoy long, lonely hikes over the moorlands: I have really enjoyed the sensation of trudging across the bleak moorlands in cold afternoon drizzle while always keeping a beady eye out for roaming buffalo.

The park also has some history. In 1952, a young English lady named Elizabeth was staying at the famed Treetops Lodge here (today’s version is actually a reconstruction of the original) when it was announced that her father had died. And so it was, that on a remote Kenyan mountain slope, that young lady became Queen Elizabeth II. Many years later her eldest grandson, and future king, proposed to Kate Middleton in a small wooden fishing cabin in a spot not so far away from where his grandmother became Queen.

Lamu Island

Post-safari beach time.

If time allows I highly recommend you find a couple of days to wash away the safari dust on Kenya’s palm-fringed coastline. The country has many beautiful beach destinations but the standard itineraries tend to focus on Diani, south of Mombasa. My vote goes for the underrated Lamu archipelago, and in particular the old Swahili trading town of Lamu, which always leaves me enchanted.

Mara North Conservancy

Featured kenya safaris.

Tanzania and Kenya Safari

The greatest safari on earth, kenya's best safari parks, kenya’s most popular safari parks and lesser-known hidden gems.

In a standard two week safari it’s perfectly possible — in fact I'd highly recommend — to explore three or four different protected areas. Ideally with each one offering a totally different habitat and set of wildlife inhabitants. If I had to pick a favourite, I'd probably vote for Meru National Park, but any of the following could feature on a Kenya safari.

Best for tranquil, crowd-free safaris

Meru, the country’s forgotten national park, is easily one of my favourite of all Kenya’s safari parks. This was once one of the most popular parks in the country but during the 1980s, when Kenya was going through a rough political patch and instability overwhelmed some parts of the country, Meru turned into a hotbed of poaching.

Security and stability have long since returned, yet somehow this park never returned to its former fame. But for those in the know – and that now includes you – Meru National Park is safari gold.

For the classic – if busy – Kenya safari

The very essence of an African safari landscape, the Masai Mara stretches along the Kenya-Tanzania border and forms the northern fringe of the greater Serengeti ecosystem (most of which is in Tanzania ).

This is the part of Kenya in which I have spent the most time (months and months if I added it all up), and was the scene of one of my best ever travel experiences. Some years ago a Maasai friend and I set out on a five week hike that took us across the entire Mara ecosystem. By day we walked alongside the wildlife and Maasai herders. By night we camped out under the stars and slept in traditional Maasai villages. An unforgettable adventure!

This is the place to see large prides of black-manned lions, bellowing elephants, grumpy buffalo and a pick ‘n’ mix box of antelope and gazelles. And that’s before we even touch on the smaller creatures and huge array of birds. But, above and beyond all else, the Mara is renowned for the spectacular wildebeest migration .

For elephants & Kilimanjaro views

Amboseli National Park is the postcard park of Kenya. This is where those photographs are taken of elephants with a backdrop of the (fast melting!) glaciers of Mt Kilimanjaro. I have spent many dreamy mornings parked under an acacia tree, a thermos of coffee in hand watching the rising sun tinge the snows of Kilimanjaro a pinky-red.

The elephants and the scenery are the real highlights of this park. In dry periods they flock here from miles around to quench their thirst in the swamps and pools that splash the dusty landscape in greens.

Another big reason to visit Amboseli is the chance to see conservation in action in the conservancies and other environmental and community projects surrounding the park.

For wetland safari & birdwatching

Just 5 kilometres from the big city of Nakaru, Lake Nakuru National Park’s accessibility makes it one of the most popular Kenya safari hotspots. It’s centred on the large Rift Valley soda lake of the same name, but also encompasses fringing grasslands, acacia woodlands and rocky escarpments.

The park is best known for its sometimes huge flocks of flamingos and a large rhino population. Back in the 1990’s, Lake Nakuru was the first place where I saw a really huge flock of flamingos. I’d seen the odd handful before, but the thousands upon thousands I saw here on that day sticks in my memory. The smell (ah yes the smell!), the noise, and of course the searing pink colours; It was one of the moments that made me fall in love with Kenya.

Best for wide open spaces

Combined, Tsavo East and West National Parks cover an enormous swathe of acacia scrub Kenyan wilderness. Tsavo West alone (the bigger of the two parks) covers an area greater in size than Wales, or two and half times the size of Yellowstone National Park.

The two parks are separated from each other by the Nairobi-Mombasa highway and are easy to reach from either city.

Despite being directly adjacent, the two parks are radically different from one another with the green hills of Tsavo East a marked contrast to the red soil and volcanic landscapes of Tsavo West. Because of their diversity and sheer size, I strongly recommend you devote enough time to the parks if you’re going to visit them. The rushed two-day safaris from Mombasa (or Nairobi) simply don’t allow enough time to get much out of a visit.

For world-leading conservation

The Laikipia plateau area in central Kenya is one of the most exciting places in African conservation. This isn’t a single national park or reserve, but rather a network of interlocking private and community-run conservancies where people, livestock and wildlife live together to the benefit of all.

Laikipia hosts all the classic East African safari mammals but is best known for its rhinos, including the critically endangered northern white rhino, only two of which are left alive. Both are female and so, tragically, this is a species awaiting extinction. They can be seen at the Ol Pejeta conservancy.

Kenya’s remote far north

Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba National Reserves are three interconnected reserves on the edge of northern Kenya’s vast semi-desert wilderness.

Far removed from mainstream Kenyan life, these northern regions have a wild reputation. The landscape is harsh with endless sunburnt plains of acacia thornbush out of which rise the occasional fertile and densely forested mountain peaks, ranges, table lands and volcanic plugs.

Elephants, in particular, are the main event here. There are large herds who can migrate huge distances in search of water.

Safari in the big city

While most capital cities have their collection of ornate parks filled with neatly cut lawns, manicured flower beds and perhaps a boating lake, Nairobi has gone one step further.

Its biggest ‘park’ is in fact a 117 square kilometre swathe of undulating savannah grassland and acacia woodland. And while it doesn’t have a boating lake, it does have lions. And buffalo. And rhinos. All of which means that it’s probably not such a sensible place for an after work stroll.

It’s a fabulous safari destination but is woefully overlooked by international visitors to Kenya. This is a shame, because Nairobi National Park is an excellent safari location in its own right. I have been many times, often just for a quick half-day drive from the city. This was the place I first witnessed the thrill of a hunt: a cheetah racing, but failing, to grab dinner for her cubs.

A pair of ostrich in Meru National Park

Kenya safaris: Need to know

Everything you wish you'd known before you booked.

My first Kenya safari was in 1994 and I’ve been coming back pretty much every year since. Here’s what I’ve learned over the years about the best way to plan and book a safari in Kenya.

Mix up your itinerary

My single most important tip for Kenya safari first-timers is to avoid the mistake of non-stop game drives. Standard tour operator itineraries shuttle you from park to park with a gruelling schedule of game drives. Yes, this is the best way of seeing large mammals up close, but the bumpy tracks, early starts and long hours quickly exhaust even the most ardent wildlife-watcher. And there is so much more to safari in Kenya that you’ll miss from racing around in a jeep. Break it up. Look for operators who offer bush walks, village visits, and conservation projects. Or simply take an afternoon or two to sit back under a tree enjoying the sights, sounds and smells.

Many visitors to Kenya devote their entire trip to going on safari…

Don’t miss Kenya’s many hidden gems

Most standardised Kenya safari itineraries reduce the entire country to the blockbuster highlights: the Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru… maybe Tsavo and Samburu if they’re feeling adventurous. This does a great disservice to the country’s true diversity. There’s so much more to a Kenya safari than racing around the savannah chasing the big five and I’d strongly advise you find time to visit some of Kenya’s numerous hidden gems.

For instance, out in the far west is Kakamega Forest Reserve which has more in common with the rainforests of Uganda and the Congo than the classic Kenya landscape. In my opinion this is one of the most delightful places in Kenya, yet hardly any tourists know of its existence.

Another personal favourite that’s a world away from the classic Kenya savannah is Aberdare National Park where dense tangled montane jungle gives way to a high, cold and often bleak moorland. Unusually among Kenyan national parks, you can also get out of the vehicle here and enjoy long, lonely hikes over the moorlands.

But that’s not it: Saiwa Swamp, the Chyulu Hills, Hells Gate, Ruma National Park, and many more that rarely feature on the mainstream Kenya safari circuit but are usually accessible on a self-drive safari, or with more specialist safari operators.

Get out of the safari bubble

Many safari goers, especially those on a high end tour just bounce from one heavenly safari camp to another. Sure, you live the Hollywood Africa dream but you’ve not really experienced real Kenya. Instead, hop on a bus and head out to one of the numerous small market towns where most Kenyans live. You’ll experience a totally different side of the country and it’s one that will stay with you long after the sundowner safari drinks fade from memory.

Kenya off the beaten track

The parks and reserves covered in my Kenya safari guide are only the best-known and most visited of the country's numerous protected and other natural areas…

Stay in at least one conservancy

National parks, reserves and conservancies are mentioned a lot in this guide, but just what is the difference and why does it matter?

A national park or reserve is a government or local council run protected area. Most of the best-known protected areas in Kenya fall into this category.

These areas are run solely for the benefit of wildlife and tourism, sometimes at the expense of local people. Tourism in these areas creates jobs, but locals are often forbidden from entering these protected areas other than for work reasons and communities were often (but not always) removed from their land when the parks and reserves were created. Corruption can be a problem with the money generated by these parks not always going where it should.

A conservancy is a different affair. A conservancy is normally located on either communal land owned by the community as a whole or on private ranch land and has no official government status. On a community conservancy the tourism stakeholders (i.e. the safari camps) lease the land from the local communities on the condition that the land is managed in a manner that is of benefit to both people and animals. The (normally very high) fees you pay to stay in a conservancy go toward paying the land leasing fees as well as various community and environmental projects.

Other conservancies may be located on private ranchland, in which case they have to make enough money for the landowner to financially justify turning his land over to wildlife conservation over cattle ranching.

In other words, a conservancy is run for the benefit of both wildlife conservation, tourism and the needs of local communities (in many cases local people are allowed to continue to graze their cattle on a conservancy but in a controlled and sustainable manner).

All of this means that staying in a conservancy is not just a great safari experience but it’s also very good news for conservation!

Do a homestay

For a cultural experience you’ll never forget, try spending a night at a Maasai homestay near the Masai Mara. Finding authentic, community-run homestays can be a bit of a minefield. I can recommend Sekenani Maasai Development Project (Semadep) but there are others – make sure you book with a community owned and operated outfit, and check reviews carefully.

Caution needed: "Human safaris"

In my opinion, one of the big problems with the safari industry is the way it prioritises seeing wildlife over having meaningful connections with local people. In fact, other than being served by their guides, drivers and camp employees, a typical safari-goer might not have any interaction with a local at all. To me, this is the exact opposite of how it should be done! In my experience, a good trip to Kenya isn't just about seeing wildlife: it should put intimate, authentic interactions with local people at the heart of the whole experience. You can make genuine connections and real friendships as you sit around, sharing stories, laughing and learning from each other.

On the other hand, mainstream Kenya safaris are often sold with "village tour" or even "slum tour" add-ons. These "goldfish bowl safaris" as I call them are unethical and nothing short of exploitation. They violate the privacy, integrity and dignity of local communities and undermine sustainable development by perpetuating a myth of backward, poverty-stricken people. The traveller thinks they're doing the right thing by getting some cultural interaction, but in reality it's deeply damaging. I strongly encourage visitors to avoid anything that feels contrived, and look for trips that put real people at the heart of the experience, rather than an afterthought.

How to plan & book a Kenya safari

There are three broad categories of safaris in Kenya.

The first and easiest option is to book a week(s)-long, multi-stop itinerary through a tour operator, either locally-based or international. This provides the most hand-holding and support for cautious visitors, plus more protection should things go wrong. The potential downside is getting shunted onto one of the more formulaic itineraries and simply following the crowds around the most popular parks. If you book a full tour with an operator, try to find a genuine specialist and ask about visiting some of the lesser-known locations mentioned in this guide.

Secondly you can simply show up and book a safari tour once in-country from the hundreds of operators in Nairobi. There’s nothing inherently wrong with doing it this way but I strongly advise you don’t just book something in the street. Do your homework first and find a reputable, responsible operator. Things to double check include whether park entry fees are included in the price, vehicle type (avoid cramped minibuses), and accommodation type.

Thirdly, and probably my recommendation for all but the most cautious of visitors, is to book the accommodation yourself, rent a car (or a car plus driver), and head out solo. You can take your own camping gear or book into lodges or camps (booking ahead is essential!), or mix camping with more comfortable nights in lodges. I strongly advise renting a vehicle plus driver. It’s often cheaper plus you get an unofficial local guide who knows the ropes. A good driver will become a cultural and language translator, wildlife guide, fixer, and general guardian angel.

Aim for shoulder season if possible

High season in Kenya is the peak summer months of July to September, before the rains begin. In my experience the best time to visit – especially in the busier parks – is either June before the crowds arrive or September-October as the crowds are thinning out, wildlife viewing is excellent and temperatures are ideal.

The best time to visit Kenya for safari

January & FebruaryThis is a hot and dry period…

Be prepared to splash out!

There are almost as many different ways of doing a safari as there are stripes on a zebra and how, when and where you safari makes a huge difference to what you pay. Expect to pay anything from $150 to $1,000+ per person per day.

You can find very low budget two or three day safaris to the Mara from around $250 all in, but these are generally rushed, crowded and uncomfortable. If you’re looking to shave off some costs without compromising on the experience, consider doing a DIY camping safari with your own vehicle and driver.

My other big Keny safari tip is to spend as much as your budget allows on fewer nights in better conservancies and camps. Packing more into fewer days gives you much greater bang for your buck.

Kenya safari costs

For a multi-day, mid-range safari visiting some of the big name parks and reserves then you’re looking at around USD $300-600 per person, per day…

Kenya safari FAQs

Your questions, our expert answers, is it safe / a good idea to rent a car in kenya and drive yourself around, or is it better to join a tour.

Yes, it's perfectly easy to do a self-drive Kenya safari . When you ask if it's "safe" that depends a little on what you mean. If you mean are there bandits, car jackings, dangers from wildlife, etc, then no you are quite safe. Instead the danger is from other drivers, as the driving conditions can be a little 'hectic' in places and accidents are common.

I'd recommend hiring a car with a driver, which can be a cheaper and, in my opinion, a much better option. A good driver will know the lay of the land, the driving conditions, best places to stop for lunch, etc. And they are often knowledgeable of the wildlife. A good driver will be both your driver and guide, and probably become your friend!

Almost any tour company in Nairobi or Mombasa can organise a private vehicle with a driver. Standards and prices vary hugely, so explain to the tour company exactly where you want to go and get in writing exactly what is and isn't included. Pay particular attention as to whether fuel, and the drivers food and accommodation is included in the rates. Also make sure you're booking the right vehicle: a 4WD may be needed for more remote areas.

Where’s the best place to see the big five in Kenya?

Seeing all the big five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo & rhino) in one park is hard. Only Lewa and some of the conservancies in Laikipia can honestly claim to offer easy sightings of all five. But, who cares! This fixation on racing around to tick off just five species is an anachronism from colonial-era big game hunting days. There’s so much more to Kenya’s wildlife and the modern safari experience.

We're visiting the Masai Mara but would like to visit another area on safari in Kenya. Can you recommend anywhere very different to the Masai Mara to see different wildlife and landscapes?

The most common combinations for a short add-on to the Masai Mara are Amboseli , Laikipia or the Samburu area.

For your requirements of a different habitat and wildlife then without doubt I would suggest Samburu National Reserve. This is a much drier and hotter area than the Mara with different vegetation and animals. And, even the animals you might have seen in the Mara are different up here with different species of giraffe, zebra and ostrich all present (and in my opinion all more beautiful than the kinds in the Mara). The park is also superb for elephants.

Samburu, though still popular, is notably quieter than the Mara and, once away from the river, it's easy to feel you have the place all to yourself (and especially if you go into the co-joined Buffalo Springs and Shaba reserves). Depending on when you are there you will find direct flights from the Mara, but otherwise will have to go via Nairobi. If you're driving it's a long way – a 10 hour non-stop drive, so flying is the better option.

Would you recommend staying at Elephant Bedroom Camp in Samburu Reserve, or at Sarara Camp in Namyunak Conservancy?

The quantity and ease of seeing the wildlife is better in Samburu Reserve than in the neighbouring Namyunak Conservancy (because the wildlife is drawn to the river running through the reserve). But there's not a huge difference in habitats or species between the two.

Elephant Bedroom Camp, in Samburu, is a fabulous, small camp. You'll see a lot of elephants and the owners are some of the worlds foremost elephant experts.

In Namyunak Conservancy, Sarara Camp is one of the most exclusive – yet low-key – camps in Kenya. There's slightly less wildlife than in the reserve but it's very close to the reserve and safaris from Sarara often enter the reserve.

The bonus with Sarara is exclusivity. You and the other camp guests will have the entire place to yourself meaning no crowding around animals (though that's rarely a problem in Samburu).

Unlike in the reserve itself you can do walking safaris in the conservancy and there will be more interaction with local people. The final plus is that by staying on a conservancy you will be actively helping to fund private/community conservation initiatives, which isn't always the case when staying only in a reserve or national park.

Overall then, I would opt for Sarara Camp, but I suspect it does cost more, so it might come down to budget!

We are travelling with a large group of 5 families with 3-4 kids per family. What are the best budget friendly safaris in Kenya in July?

If most of the children in your group are very young, your options are fairly limited as the reality is that a longer, multi-day safari can be a bit much with very young kids. I first did a safari with my kids when they were five and two years old and although it was good I probably wouldn't do it again! Past the age of about eight or nine the safari experience gets much easier, as they'll will tolerate sitting in a jeep on a bumpy road for longer.

Do be aware that some safari camps don't accept children below the age of 12. These are normally the unfenced camps and it's done for safety reasons.

You will also need to keep in mind that you will either need several safari jeeps and to travel in convoy or a bus (and these aren't always allowed in some parks). Because you will be travelling with so many children I would suggest small safari camps which you can book out for your group alone. Some of these are more child friendly than others. Some possibiltles that I believe might work well for your group are: Maji Moto Eco Camp, Loita Hills Basecamp, and if you are interested in a Maasai homestay style experience then I'd suggest Semadep Camp, who can arrange homestays around the Masai Mara.

As for specific parks and reserves the Masai Mara area is good because there's a lot of animals to see everywhere you look which keeps children interested. Also good are Nairobi and Narok national parks because of easy access and good roads. Lake Naivasha is good for families too.

It would be easy to combine all these places into a 10 day safari and then you could maybe finish up on the beach (Lamu and Watamu are both superb for families).

Can you recommend any family-friendly camps/lodges in the Masai Mara?

I would suggest rather than staying within Masai Mara proper, stay in one of the conservancies that now fringe the Mara.

In the most basic of terms these are like private, community-run wildlife reserves. Conservancy operators lease the land from local people and each local family receives a guaranteed monthly payment. The conservancy also provides employment and sets up development projects. People continue to graze their cattle but in a more controlled manner. And in return, fences are removed and the wildlife encouraged to return to the lands they were once driven out of. The conservancies have been a great success both for wildlife and local people. And, for tourists, they offer a very exclusive experience and the world's finest safaris.

Each conservancy has only a handful of very discreet high end camps and only guests of those camps can go on a safari in the conservancy, which means crowds of vehicles around a lion are non-existent.

The conservancies also allow activities not permitted within the reserve such as walking (highly recommended), bush camping, night safaris, etc. This makes them ideal for kids because it breaks up the routine and allows a little more freedom.

The safari vehicles and guides used in the conservancies are absolutely the best in the game and the wildlife populations are the equal of the actual reserve. However, there's a catch (of course...), conservation like this doesn't come cheap. All of the conservancies are superb but some names are Naboisho, Mara North and Nashulai Maasai Conservancy (this last one being slightly cheaper than the others and lots of focus on meeting local people). As for actual camps you cannot go wrong with any of them. All the conservancy camps are superb. I'm a big fan of the Basecamp offerings, Off-Beat and Kicheche. All are a little less extravagant than some of the other camps.

If you want to only visit the reserve and not a conservancy then I suggest either Basecamp Mara, Oldarpoi or you could go for a Maasai homestay in Sekenani village. Expect basic but perfectly comfortable rooms but an amazing experience. Your kids would really enjoy this.

Is February a good time to visit the Masai Mara, or would June-July be better? What would be the differences?

February is a very good time for safari in the Masai Mara , but also very different to the experience in June and July.

It's hotter and drier in February and generally there are fewer other tourists. There will still be plenty of zebra and wildebeest around but these are the non-migrating resident herds, so they don't form the massive iconic herds that you might see on TV.

July is good because the migrant wildebeest are all normally in the Mara by then, but its also absolute peak high season so can be busy and expensive. June is perhaps my overall favourite month. Everything is green after the rains and it's nice and cool with far fewer tourists than July, but the first migrant wildebeest might start to arrive (it all depends on rains and the state of the grass).

In short, all three months are excellent but each is different so it might be best to go with whatever just suits your timings better.

I will be in Kenya in early March and am looking for a five day safari for wildlife photography and birdwatching. Where would you recommend for me noting it is the start of the rainy season?

Early March is still a bit early for the rainy season so you might just get the odd thunderstorm. If birds are your real interest and you only have five days then probably the easiest is to go down to the Masai Mara via the Rift Valley lakes of Naivasha and Elementia or Nakuru. This would give you a good range of avian habitats and species in a short space of time. Don't forget as well that Nairobi itself has some excellent birding in the various forests and parklands in and around the city. Plus of course, there's the superb Nairobi National Park where you will see a lot of wildlife and birds.

We can't travel during the migration river crossings, are there other impressive spectacles at other times of year?

Yes! I think calving season during the wildebeest migration is just as spectacular as the more famous river crossing period.

This period runs from December to March around the Ndutu Plains to the south of Serengeti. During this time the wildebeest and zebra stampede over the plains preparing to give birth to thousands of calves. At the same time the big cats are on the lookout for an easy snack. With vast numbers of animals, their sounds and smells, all of the little calves, and the big cats on the lookout... it's theatre on an epic scale and you cannot be disappointed. And the extra benefit is that it's a much shorter drive here than to see the river crossings.

Robbin Meulemans

In this guide:, typical prices for a safari in kenya, when to go on safari in kenya, things to do in kenya other than safari, best safari camps and lodges in the masai mara, about the author.

Stuart is an award-winning travel journalist covering safari, trekking and conservation in Africa for the Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, BBC, Bradt Travel Guides, amongst many others. He is the author of Walking With The Maasai , a journey through some of Kenya's lesser-visited Maasai lands.

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10+ Best Safari Parks in Kenya

It’s no secret that Africa captured my heart from a young age (hello, Lion King), and kept it ever since. If you haven’t been to Africa it’s time to plan a trip. With an incredible history, diverse cultures, and of course storybook animals – you’ll be able to find somewhere that will steal your heart in Africa. Kenya will always have a special place in my heart. It’s considered home to some of the best safari parks in the world! While many visitors only think of the Great Migration in the Masaai Mara Game Reserve, there are a variety of safari parks in Kenya worth visiting!

When planning a trip to Kenya, it can be a bit overwhelming with where to go. There are just so many options and an incredible variety of habitats. That’s why I teamed up with travel bloggers to bring you descriptions of the parks so you can decide which parks are the best for your trip! Be sure to get your free Kenya travel guide (pictures below) for practical tips and information for your trip!

If you like this post, be sure to sign up for my e-mail list for travel inspiration (and get your FREE budget printable), or connect with me on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , or Pinterest .

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Maasai Mara National Park

The most renowned safari park in Kenya is the breathtaking Maasai Mara. It’s the best place to see the Great Migration – the annual movement of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle between Kenya and Tanzania. The Mara is also home to the elusive leopard, lions, and cheetahs! “The Mara” as it’s commonly referred as, was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1961. The terrain of the reserve is primarily open grassland making it a great wildlife spotting destination.

One of my favorite things to do (that truly was worth the $500 additional fee) was to take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise. Waking up at 3:00am was not fun, nor driving in the dark, but to see the sun rise over giraffes and hyenas was worth it. It made me feel connected to nature in a way I’ve never felt before (or since!). After the hot air balloon ride, we were treated to a champagne breakfast in the Serengeti. Everything was temporary (even the bathroom) so we didn’t leave anything behind!

One of the best places to stay in the Maasai Mara Park is Mara Bush Camp . You can check out my full review of this amazing camp here.

Samburu National Reserve

The wild and remote Samburu National Reserves lies hidden away in northern Kenya, with landscapes that are very different from the grasslands of the Masai Mara. Here you’ll find lofty mountain escarpments punctuating semi-arid plains, with the Ewaso Ng’iro river snaking through the heart of the reserve.

One of the main reasons to come here is to see the  Samburu Special Five  – a collection of unique animals endemic to northern Kenya. These include an ostrich, zebra, and giraffe, as well as an unusual antelope called the ‘gerenuk’ which stands on its hind legs to eat shoots from high tree branches.

There are lots of safari activities to enjoy here, with game drives being the most popular. Bush walks and night drives are on offer in the surrounding conservancies, as well as sumptuous bush breakfasts on the banks of the river. The animals and local Samburu cattle herders use the dry riverbed as a bit of a motorway in their search for water, so it’s a great place for wildlife sightings.

The best place to stay is Saruni Samburu in the adjacent Kalama Conservancy. Views from the private luxury suites and infinity pools stretch far out across the reserve, and the warrior guides are incredibly knowledgeable about their home area. For something different, you can go scorpion hunting at night, or walk down to the concealed hide and watch elephants drinking from the waterhole.

Crescent Island, Lake Navaisha

Located in the Lake Naivasha , Crescent Island offers a unique opportunity to do a walking safari. The island was populated with animals to shoot a movie. The animals remained afterwards and multiples and now have a big population of all sorts including zebras, giraffes and wildebeests. 

The way to get there is to arrive at Lake Naivasha which is an amazing place on its own. There’s plenty of birds to watch and tons of hippos to watch. From there you’re I’ll need to book the walking safari and take a guide with you. The usual cost is $40-60 for this excursion. You will be taken via bot to the crescent island with your designated ranger to begin the safari. 

The hippos love to chill at the edge of the island as well as waterbucks. The island is quite beautiful and walking around is really fun. The giraffes are especially beautiful so close to you without the barrier of a safari jeep. The walking safari takes 2-3 hours and is a great chance to explore the small island as well as the animals which are usually shy and run away the moment you come close to them. Here though. without predators they have becomes bolder. The rangers also act as guides and provide useful information and fun facts about the place. 

A walking safari in Crescent island and Lake Naivasha  is a unique experience not to be missed.

Meru National Park

Meru National Park, located east of Mount Kenya and around 350 km from Nairobi, is a must-visit. Established in 1966 and encompassing an area of 870 km², this beautiful grassland park has an unspoiled feel to it and is particularly attractive to those looking to get even more off of the beaten path. This, however, does not mean a lack of infrastructure. As part of one of the richest African countries , the region has the facilities and groundwork to cater to the international traveler. The park features a luxuriant jungle, numerous rivers, tall grassland, and lush swamps. Featuring a dedicated rhino sanctuary, Meru National Park is one of the best places to see rhinos in the wilderness among the other Big Five. Other animals that live in the area include hippos, gazelle, reedbucks, and a countless number of bird species.

The variety of wildlife in Meru makes it one of the best safari parks in Kenya! Rainfall in this area is abundant and the best time to visit would be during the dry season of July to October. The park is easily reached from Nairobi via Nyeri-Nanyuki-Meru or via Embu all-weather roads. It is also small enough that it can be seen in a day, although an additional day is recommended to get a good feel of this undiscovered region.

Mount Kenya National Park

Mount Kenya National Park is still relatively young. It was opened in 1949 and is also home to the 2nd largest mountain in Africa. This beautiful mountain alone with its 5200 meters height is a highlight of Mount Kenya National Park. But this is not the only natural spectacle. There are also numerous glaciers and lakes and unique animal species to admire. This is just one of the reasons why it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Every year numerous hikers make a pilgrimage to this national park to hike up Mount Kenya. The way to the top requires some experience. The slogan for the hike is “Come touch the sky”. This National Park is especially recommended for anyone who is an enthusiastic adventurer. But of course there is also the possibility of a more relaxed tour, where you can see the unique nature and biodiversity of Africa. A highlight are certainly the leopards. Here you can find more information about  Africa Travel Guides .

Location: It is a 2-3 hour drive from Nairobi. You can either book a tour and get picked up in Nairobi, or drive yourself with a rental car. If you book a tour, accommodation is already taken care of. But don’t worry, there are also numerous guesthouses and camping sites. The best time to visit would be between December and March.

Lake Nakuru National Park

Located about 5,800 feet (1800m) above sea level rests the beautiful Lake Nakuru. This lake is protected as part of the Lake Nakuru National Park. The Lake used to attract a huge quantity of flamingos due to its abundance of algae. Thousands of birds still flourish in the area, but many of the flamingos have migrated to Lake Bogoria (they can still be spotted in Lake Nakuru though). In 2013, the lake received an alarming increase in water levels that were not beneficial to the algae and flamingos.

Due to the variety of habitat located in the park, it’s not only the best safari park in Kenya for bird watching, but also baboons! Baboons frequent the area and can be spotted in the trees. Eastern black rhinos have also been introduced to the park and peacefully wander. We were luck to spot these four male rhinoceroses during our drive through the park. Lake Nakuru National Park has one of the largest concentrations of rhinoceroses in the country. Flamingo Hill Camp is a great place to stay in the area – with mouthwatering food for dinner!

Hell’s Gate National Park

Located in western Kenya near the town of Naivasha, Hell’s Gate National Park is one of the best destinations in Kenya if what you’re looking for is a bit of a unique safari experience. What makes Hell’s Gate so special is that, due to the fact that there are no major predators here, you can actually enjoy a walking and cycling safari! Not only will this give you a totally different perspective of the bush, but you’ll also get the chance to get close and personal with the animals and the breathtaking scenery that surrounds the area.

Another aspect that makes Hell’s Gate so special is its unique scenery made up of cliffs and gorges that you can spend hours hiking through. It’s also a somewhat geothermal hotspot, which means there are tons of natural hot springs sitting in the middle of the unique rock formations that make up the park.

There are a few campsites inside of Hell’s Gate if you’re up for spending a night in the wilderness. If you’d rather have a few more amenities, you can find tons of accommodation options for every budget in nearby Naivasha (a fabulous option is L ake Naivasha Resort ).

One of the best safari destinations in Kenya is Tsavo West National Park. It can easily be combined with a trip to Tsavo East, which is just across the road. Both parks are located around a  3 hour drive from Mombasa , which could be a good option for a base if you plan on exploring Tsavo National Park. The West side of the park is a little more overgrown compared to the East, which does make it more difficult to spot ‘The Big Five’ while on a game drive. It is awesome for bird watching though. There are several unique features of Tsavo West, such as its red soil, the volcanic landscape, and the Shetani Lava Flows.

A great thing to see in this part of the National Park, is the Mzima Springs. This natural spring is home to crocodiles and hippos, which can often be seen close the the surface of the spring. A short walking trail leads to an underwater viewing area, but views of the hippos may be obstructed by hundreds of fish! This unique experience makes Tsavo West one of the best safari parks in Kenya!

Tsavo West is home to the Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge. A highlight of a stay at this luxury lodge, is the main communal seating area which looks out over a large watering hole. Early in the morning, it is full of many different species, including: giraffes, monkeys, antelope and more.

Tsavo East National Park is the largest and oldest national park in Kenya and forms half of the largest protected area in Kenya, Tsavo National Park which combines Tsavo East and Tsavo West. Tsavo East is lesser known and an underrated gem when thinking about a safari in Kenya, it is a budget friendly destination that is easy to cover as part of a  3-day Tsavo Safari tour  meaning it is great for a family friendly safari.

Tsavo East is easily accessed by road from both Nairobi and Mombasa or by train or bus to the town of Voi. Inside the park, you can find a range of safari lodge accommodation and there are plenty of opportunities to spot ‘The Big 5’ as Tsavo East is flat and dry with savannah grassland and acacia trees. Tsavo East is home to herds of Kenya’s famous red elephants, named after the dusty red roads throughout the park, you can also spot lions, giraffes, buffalo, leopards, zebra, wild boards and many more mammals, Tsavo is also home to over 500 species of unique birds.

The Yatta Plateau is the one of the main attractions of Tsavo East National park, after the wildlife of course. The Yatta Plateau is the world’s longest lava flow at 300km long and it runs along the boundary of the park on the western side. Tsavo East and West both have incredible things to see making them two of the best safari parks in Kenya!

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park , just 3 hours from Nairobi is one of the most scenic safari experiences in Africa as it is set against majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. The Park is huge at 400 sqm and is one of the best places to see African elephants in their natural habitats. Would you believe over 1600 of these gorgeous creatures live in Amboseli?  The incredible size of the park makes it one of the best safari parks in Kenya!

Amboseli Lake is a popular spot to sight animals and make sure to ask your driver to stop at Telegraph Hill for your lunch for the most outstanding views over the Lake. A hot air balloon safari is a must-do in Amboseli . It offers you magnificent views of Kilimanjaro Mountain and the wildlife in the park (including giraffes, lions, zebras, and elephants). It’s the ultimate bucket list-worthy experience. 

A great place to stay in Amboseli is at the unique Maasai Simba Camp, which is owned & operated by a Maasai tribe.  Your room is a comfortable but basic wooden cabin. Part of your accommodation package here is a sunset and sunrise walking safari with a Masai warrior as well as the opportunity to meet with Maasai women. Worth noting is this camp is located on the outskirts of the park and not within the park itself. If you wish to stay within the National Park – Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge is an excellent option.  Getting to Amboseli – located just 240km southeast of Nairobi. It is easily reached by car or taxi from Nairobi. Alternatively, you can catch the train from Nairobi to the nearby Emali station and get a taxi or hotel pick-up to the park from there. 

Kimana Sanctuary

Kimana Sanctuary is Kenya’s hidden gem safari park in Kenya that only the locals know.  This pocket-sized conservancy sits next door to its superstar sister Amboseli.  It has the same Mount Kilimanjaro views, the same population of Big Tuskers but only a fraction of the tourists.  Kimana Sanctuary is 5700 acres located in an elephant corridor that stretches between the Chyulu Hills and Amboseli.  The corridor is used by some of the last bull elephants known as Tuskers, famed for their enormous tusks which reach nearly to the floor. Sadly, poaching in the area and human-wildlife conflict means that many of them are accompanied by 24-hour armed guards.  The sanctuary is home to all the Big 5 but it’s the sheer quantity of elephants that makes it special. Kimana sits under the shadow of Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. They say the best view of Kilimanjaro from here, and it is hard to disagree.  The famous white peak is visible from nearly everywhere in the picture-perfect park.

Kimana Sanctuary has two options for accommodation. You can stay in the lushly palatial Kimana House, a sprawling safari-style home that has 4 bedrooms or you can choose to camp.  Kimana is one of my favorite places for camping in Kenya. The sites are next to a stream where animals come to drink and owls roost in the trees. Completely wild camping, we’ve had elephant and hyena walk through the camp

Kimana is special for its intimacy and quantity and quality of wildlife.  It is notable for its lack of tourists it is one of my favourite wildlife conservancies in Kenya. 

Read More about Kenya

How to Plan a Safari to Kenya

10 FAQ’s for Visiting Amboseli National Park

Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride over the Masai Mara

Visiting Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi

Pin “Best Safari Parks in Kenya” for Later

About The Author

6 thoughts on “10+ Best Safari Parks in Kenya”

I hope one day to do such a Safari. Thanks for letting your readers virtually experience it.

Wow i never knew there are so many National parks in Kenya..Can’t wait to explore this beautiful land.

I wouldn’t have known the first thing about picking a safari park to visit while in Kenya, so this was really interesting to read. Thanks for sharing!

I’ve had many trips to Kenya cancelled in the past so this is going to be a fab resource for me for when I start planning again!

Oh I hope you get to go soon! Kenya is truly magical!

Such a helpful list! We have only started to consider an Africa adventure but your blog on the different parks is a great starting point as we begin our research. I loved reading about the hot air balloon ride…we did one in AZ and loved it. You are right, it’s totally worth it. I can’t imagine taking a ride in Africa!

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Safari Photography Guide

Embarking on an African safari promises an exhilarating and memorable adventure, and ensuring you have the appropriate camera gear is crucial for immortalizing those rare and exceptional moments. Canon stands out as a top choice among camera brands for safari photography, renowned for its superior image quality and robust build. This article delves into the optimal Canon cameras and lenses to seize breathtaking photos during an African safari. This safari photography guide focuses on Canon as it is the brand that I use for all my photography and I have found the bodies and lenses robust and able to withstand whatever nature chooses to throw at you while on safari.

Behind the Lens: A Peek into My Camera Bag Essentials

In the dynamic world of photography, having the right gear can make all the difference in capturing those picture-perfect moments. Here’s an in-depth look into what’s in my camera bag, a carefully curated selection of equipment that empowers me to unleash my creativity.

• Lowepro ProTactic BP 350 AW II (Camera Backpack)

The backbone of my photography setup is the Lowepro ProTactic BP 350 AW II. Crafted with precision, this camera backpack is a perfect blend of durability and functionality. Its customizable interior ensures a snug fit for my gear, while the all-weather cover provides protection against the elements. With its versatile design, this backpack is a reliable companion for photographers on the move.

• Canon R7 Camera

At the heart of my kit is the Canon R7 Camera. Boasting advanced features and a mirrorless design, it delivers outstanding performance and portability and with its crop sensor is perfect for safari photography. With a high-resolution sensor and rapid autofocus, the Canon R7 empowers me to capture crisp and vibrant images, making it an indispensable tool for both amateurs and professionals.

• Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R

Enhancing the versatility of my setup, the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R allows seamless integration of my EF lenses with the Canon R7. This adapter ensures compatibility across the Canon lens ecosystem, giving me the flexibility to explore various shooting styles and perspectives.

• CANON EF 100-400MM F/4.5-5.6L IS II USM (Telephoto Lens)

When it comes to capturing distant subjects with precision, the CANON EF 100-400MM F/4.5-5.6L IS II USM is my go-to telephoto lens. Its impressive focal range and image stabilization technology enable me to achieve sharp, detailed shots, making it an essential tool for wildlife photography.

• SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 2TB (Storage Solution)

Storage is never a concern with the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 2TB. This high-speed, compact storage solution ensures that I have ample space for my extensive collection of photos and videos. Its rugged design adds an extra layer of security, making it the perfect companion for on-the-go photographers.

• Lexar SILVER Series Professional 1667x 128GB UHS-II SDXC Memory Card

The Lexar SILVER Series Professional 1667x 128GB UHS-II SDXC Memory Card complements my camera’s capabilities with its high-speed performance. With rapid read and write speeds, this memory card ensures smooth data transfer, a crucial factor in capturing high-resolution images and recording 4K videos.

• CANON EF 24-105MM F/4L IS II USM (Versatile Zoom Lens)

The CANON EF 24-105MM F/4L IS II USM is a versatile workhorse in my kit. Its wide focal range and constant aperture make it suitable for a variety of shooting scenarios, from landscapes to portraits. The built-in image stabilization ensures sharp results even in challenging lighting conditions.

• MacBook Air 13-inch  Apple M2 (Editing Powerhouse)

For on-the-go editing and organization, the MacBook Air 13-inch with the Apple M2 chip is my trusty companion. Its lightweight design and powerful processing capabilities allow me to review and edit photos with efficiency, ensuring a seamless workflow during and after photo sessions.

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (Immersive Audio Experience)

These headphones provide an unparalleled audio experience with exceptional noise cancellation, perfect for long flights and allowing me to focus entirely on my work, whether I’m editing photos or reviewing footage, or listening to music.

• Manfrotto Element Travel Tripod (Stability on the Go)

Stability is paramount in photography, and the Manfrotto Element Travel Tripod delivers just that. With its lightweight design and quick setup, this tripod provides a steady platform for capturing long-exposure shots, group portraits, or any scenario where stability is key.

• Spare Canon LP-E6NH Lithium-Ion Battery

To ensure uninterrupted shooting, I always carry a spare Canon LP-E6NH Lithium-Ion Battery. With extended battery life, I have the peace of mind that I won’t miss a crucial moment, especially during extended photo sessions or while exploring remote locations.

• iPhone 15 Pro Max (Smartphone Camera)

Lastly, the iPhone 15 Pro Max serves as a versatile tool for quick captures and behind-the-scenes moments. With its advanced camera capabilities, it complements my professional gear and allows me to document scenes spontaneously, ensuring no moment goes uncaptured.

Photography Tips  

Engaging in safari photography offers a rare chance to capture breathtaking wildlife images in their native surroundings. Yet, achieving these moments can be daunting without a grasp of the optimal camera settings. Armed with the right configuration, you can produce sharp, well-exposed photographs with vibrant colors. This section will explore the most effective camera settings and offer tips for successful safari photography.

Shutter Spee d

Capturing the essence of movement is crucial in safari photography, making shutter speed a vital setting. Opting for a faster shutter speed proves effective in freezing the motion of swift-moving animals. Typically, a recommended shutter speed of 1/1000th of a second or faster is advised for wildlife photography. Adjustments to the shutter speed may be necessary depending on the animal’s movement and the prevailing lighting conditions.

Slow shutter speed can also play a crucial role in enhancing the artistic and dynamic elements of safari photography. While a faster shutter speed freezes fast-paced movement, a slower shutter speed introduces intentional blur, imparting a sense of motion to the image. This effect can be particularly useful when capturing the graceful movements of animals, such as a herd of wildebeests or a bird in flight.

By deliberately slowing down the shutter speed, you allow more light to enter the camera, contributing to a longer exposure time. This can result in visually striking photographs, showcasing the ambient light and creating a sense of drama in the scene. It’s important to note that using a slow shutter speed requires a steady hand or, preferably, a tripod to avoid unwanted camera shake.

Experimenting with slow shutter speeds in safari photography opens up creative possibilities, offering a unique perspective that goes beyond simply freezing action. Consider incorporating this technique when the opportunity arises, and adapt your settings based on the specific conditions and subjects encountered during your safari adventure.

In safari photography, mastering the relationship between aperture and depth of field is key to creating compelling and visually striking images. The aperture, the opening in the camera lens that controls the amount of light entering, plays a dual role by significantly influencing the depth of field in your photographs.

A wide aperture, represented by a smaller f-number (e.g., f/2.8 or f/4), is advantageous for safari shots. This setting allows more light to reach the camera sensor and creates a shallow depth of field. This shallow depth of field results in the main subject, such as a magnificent lion or an elegant giraffe, being sharply focused, while the background is beautifully blurred. This technique not only isolates the subject but also adds a pleasing aesthetic element to the image.

On the other hand, a narrow aperture, represented by a larger f-number (e.g., f/11 or f/16), increases the depth of field. This is useful when you want to keep both the foreground and background in focus, capturing the broader context of the scene. It’s essential to strike a balance between aperture and depth of field based on your creative vision and the specific composition you aim to achieve.

Understanding how to manipulate the aperture for optimal depth of field empowers you to adapt to different safari scenarios and improve your safari photography. Whether you’re highlighting a single animal against a dreamy backdrop or capturing the expansive landscape with various subjects in sharp focus, mastering aperture settings enhances the storytelling potential of your safari photography.

ISO is a measure of your camera’s sensitivity to light. A higher ISO can help you achieve a faster shutter speed in low-light conditions. However, a high ISO can also introduce noise or grain in your images. You should try to use the lowest ISO possible to achieve the desired shutter speed and aperture. A good starting point for ISO is 400, but you may need to adjust it based on the lighting conditions.

When capturing animal photographs on a safari, selecting the right focus mode is crucial to ensure that you achieve sharp and well-focused shots, especially considering the unpredictability of wildlife behavior. Here are some focus modes and considerations for taking animal photographs on safari:

• Continuous Autofocus (AI Servo or equivalent): This focus mode is essential for photographing moving subjects, such as animals in action. Continuous autofocus allows the camera to track the subject and adjust focus continuously, ensuring that your shots remain sharp even as the animal moves within the frame. It’s particularly useful for dynamic scenes like animals in motion or engaged in activities. This is the mode in which I normally have my camera set.
• Single Autofocus (One-Shot AF): When photographing stationary animals or capturing portraits, using the Single Autofocus mode can be effective. This mode locks focus on a specific point, and it’s suitable when your subject is relatively still. It allows you to achieve precise focus on the animal, especially when capturing detailed shots or portraits.
• Face and Eye Detection: Many modern cameras, including those used for safari photography, come equipped with advanced face and eye detection technology. When photographing animals, especially those with distinct facial features, enabling face and eye detection can help the camera automatically focus on the eyes or faces of the animals, resulting in compelling and engaging images. This needs to be set in your camera menu.
• Zone or Expanded Area Autofocus: For situations where your subject may move unpredictably within a certain area of the frame, using a zone or expanded area autofocus mode can be beneficial. This allows the camera to focus on a broader region, making it more forgiving if the animal moves slightly within the selected zone.
• Manual Focus: In certain scenarios, such as when dealing with challenging lighting conditions or when the camera’s autofocus might struggle, switching to manual focus gives you full control over focusing. This can be particularly useful for capturing shots where the autofocus system might have difficulty, such as in dense vegetation or low-light environments.

When on a safari, it’s essential to be ready for various shooting conditions and animal behaviors. Experimenting with different focus modes and being familiar with your camera’s autofocus capabilities will help you adapt to different situations, ensuring that you can capture stunning and well-focused animal photographs on your safari adventure.

Exposure mode

When on safari, selecting the appropriate exposure mode on your Canon camera is crucial for capturing well-exposed and visually appealing photographs in a variety of lighting conditions. Canon cameras typically offer several exposure modes, and the choice depends on the specific shooting scenario. Here are some exposure modes to consider:

• Aperture Priority (Av): This mode allows you to set the desired aperture while the camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed to achieve a proper exposure. Aperture Priority is useful when you want to control the depth of field, especially in wildlife photography where isolating the subject with a blurred background might be desirable.
• Shutter Priority (TV): Shutter Priority lets you choose the shutter speed while the camera adjusts the aperture accordingly. This mode is beneficial for capturing fast-moving animals or freezing motion in dynamic scenes. For example, when photographing wildlife in action, a faster shutter speed can help avoid motion blur.
• Program (P) Mode: In Program mode, the camera automatically sets both the aperture and shutter speed based on the scene’s lighting conditions. This mode is convenient when you want a balance between control and automation, suitable for situations where lighting is relatively consistent.
• Manual (M) Mode: Manual mode provides full control over both aperture and shutter speed. This mode is beneficial when dealing with challenging lighting situations or when you want precise control over exposure settings. It’s particularly useful for capturing diverse safari scenes where lighting conditions may vary.
• Auto (Green Square or Scene Modes): The Auto mode is suitable for beginners or situations where you want the camera to handle most of the exposure settings. Many Canon cameras also offer scene modes, allowing you to select a specific scenario (e.g., landscape, portrait, sports) for optimized settings.
• Exposure Compensation: Regardless of the exposure mode you choose, exposure compensation is a valuable tool. It allows you to adjust the exposure up or down in increments to compensate for challenging lighting conditions. This can be crucial when dealing with backlit subjects or scenes with high contrast.

When on safari, be prepared to encounter a variety of lighting situations, from bright sunlight to low-light conditions during sunrise or sunset. Familiarizing yourself with the different exposure modes on your Canon camera and understanding how they affect aperture, shutter speed, and ISO will help you adapt to the diverse and dynamic environments of a safari, ensuring you capture stunning images with optimal exposure.

RAW VS JPEG

When embarking on a safari adventure with your Canon camera, the choice between shooting in RAW or JPEG format becomes a crucial decision, each with its own set of advantages and considerations. My safari photography is done solely in RAW.

RAW Format:

• Maximum Image Quality: RAW files contain uncompressed and unprocessed data captured by the camera’s sensor. This results in the highest image quality and provides more flexibility in post-processing.
• Greater Dynamic Range: RAW files retain more information in highlights and shadows, allowing for better recovery of details in post-production. This is particularly useful in challenging lighting conditions often encountered on safaris.
• Extensive Editing Options: RAW files offer a broader range of editing possibilities, enabling adjustments to exposure, color balance, and sharpness without significant loss of quality.
• White Balance Flexibility: RAW allows you to fine-tune white balance settings during post-processing, providing greater control over the final appearance of your images.
• Optimal for Print and Large Prints: RAW files are well-suited for large prints due to their higher resolution and superior image quality.

JPEG Format:

• Smaller File Sizes: JPEG files are compressed, resulting in smaller file sizes. This can be advantageous for conserving storage space on memory cards and hard drives.
• In-Camera Processing: JPEG files undergo in-camera processing, applying settings like white balance, sharpness, and color saturation at the time of capture. This can be convenient if you prefer minimal post-processing.
• Quick Sharing: JPEGs are easily shareable as they are ready to be uploaded or sent without the need for extensive post-production. This can be beneficial when sharing images promptly, such as on social media.
• Faster Burst Rates: Shooting in JPEG allows for faster burst rates and longer continuous shooting, beneficial when capturing rapid sequences of wildlife action.

Considerations:

Storage Capacity: RAW files consume more storage space than JPEGs. Ensure you have sufficient memory cards and storage devices, especially if you plan to shoot extensively.

Post-Processing Skill: If you are comfortable with post-processing and desire maximum control over your images, shooting in RAW is recommended. However, if you prefer minimal editing and quicker workflows, JPEG may be suitable.

Backup: Given the larger file sizes of RAW, having a robust backup strategy is essential to avoid the loss of valuable images.

Ultimately, the choice between RAW and JPEG depends on your preferences, post-processing workflow, and the level of control you seek over your safari photographs. Many photographers opt for shooting in RAW for the superior image quality and flexibility it provides during post-production, especially when capturing the diverse and challenging conditions of a safari environment.

Familiarize Yourself with Your Camera Settings

Before embarking on your safari, take the time to acquaint yourself with the settings of your Canon camera. Knowing how to manipulate factors like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO is crucial for capturing captivating photos of wildlife and landscapes. Opting for manual mode grants you complete control over your camera settings, enabling adjustments tailored to the specific shooting conditions. For beginners, Aperture Priority mode serves as a viable option, providing control over depth of field while the camera automatically adjusts other settings.

Use a Telephoto Lens

When embarking on a safari adventure in Africa, having the right telephoto lens can significantly enhance your wildlife photography. Canon, a renowned camera and lens manufacturer, offers a variety of telephoto lenses designed to capture the beauty and essence of African wildlife. 

To explore these lenses further and make an informed decision, you can check out real reviews from experienced photographers by clicking on the respective links. These firsthand experiences will give you valuable insights into the capabilities of each lens and help you choose the perfect companion for your safari photography journey.

Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM Lens

• Compact, lightweight, and high-image quality RF Tele zoom lens
• Optical Image Stabilizer with up to 5.5 Stops of shake correction
• High speed, smooth, and quiet autofocus with Canon’s Nano USM
• 9-blade circular aperture for beautiful bokeh
• Control Ring for direct setting changes

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM :

• Versatile zoom range for flexibility in framing distant subjects.
• Advanced Image Stabilization (IS) for sharp handheld shots.
• Excellent image quality with fluorite and super UD glass elements.
• Fast and accurate autofocus for capturing fast-moving wildlife.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM :

• A professional-grade telephoto zoom lens with a wide aperture.
• Ideal for capturing wildlife portraits and details.
• Superior image stabilization for handheld shooting.
• Durable build suitable for rugged safari conditions.

Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM :

• Exceptional image quality with a wide aperture for low-light conditions.
• Super telephoto reach for capturing distant subjects.
• Advanced IS technology for stable handheld shooting.
• Lightweight design for easier portability during safari excursions.

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM :

• Designed for Canon’s RF mount, offering compatibility with mirrorless cameras.
• Impressive zoom range for versatile composition.
• Image Stabilization for sharp images at longer focal lengths.
• Compact and lightweight design for travel and safari use.

Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM :

• Super telephoto lens with an ultra-wide aperture for exceptional light gathering.
• Ideal for capturing distant or elusive wildlife with incredible detail.
• Advanced IS system for handheld stability.
• Robust build with magnesium alloy construction.

Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x :

• Unique built-in extender for increased focal length flexibility.
• Versatile zoom range suitable for a variety of safari scenarios.
• Advanced optical design for high-quality images.
• Durable construction for challenging environmental conditions.

When selecting a telephoto lens for safari photography, consider factors such as focal length, aperture, and image stabilization. The choice depends on your specific preferences, the type of wildlife you plan to capture, and the shooting conditions you expect to encounter during your African safari.

Consider using a Wide-Angle Lens

When embarking on a safari adventure in Africa, a wide-angle lens can be a valuable addition to your camera gear. While telephoto lenses are often associated with wildlife photography, wide-angle lenses offer unique opportunities to capture the vast landscapes, stunning scenery, and the broader context of the safari experience. Here are some Canon wide-angle lenses to consider and why you might use them on a safari:

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM :

• Versatile Wide-Angle Zoom: This lens covers a broad range of focal lengths, making it versatile for capturing both expansive landscapes and closer subjects.
• Large Aperture: The wide f/2.8 aperture allows for excellent low-light performance and creative control over depth of field.
• Durable Construction: With weather-sealing and robust build quality, it’s suitable for varied safari conditions.

Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM :

• Designed for Mirrorless Cameras: This lens is part of Canon’s RF series, providing compatibility with their mirrorless cameras.
• Image Stabilization: The inclusion of image stabilization is beneficial for handheld shooting, especially in low-light situations.
• High Optical Performance: Offers sharpness and clarity across the frame, capturing the vibrant details of African landscapes.

Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM :

• Wide Aperture: With a wide f/1.4 aperture, this lens excels in low-light conditions, allowing you to capture the magical moments of sunrise or sunset on the safari.
• Prime Lens Quality: As a prime lens, it delivers exceptional optical performance and is well-suited for capturing wide-angle scenes with stunning clarity.

Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM :

• Ultra-Wide Angle: This lens offers an ultra-wide focal length, ideal for capturing dramatic landscapes and immersive safari scenes.
• Image Stabilization: Equipped with image stabilization for handheld stability, even at wider angles.
• Compact and Lightweight: Designed for portability, making it a practical choice for travel and safari expeditions.

Why Use a Wide-Angle Lens on Safari:

Landscape Photography: Wide-angle lenses are perfect for capturing the vastness of African landscapes, showcasing the sweeping plains, majestic mountains, and expansive skies.

Environmental Context: Wide-angle lenses help tell a more comprehensive story by including the surroundings, and providing context to the wildlife and their habitat.

Creative Perspectives: Wide-angle lenses allow for creative compositions, emphasizing foreground elements and creating a sense of depth in your images.

Group Shots: When photographing groups of animals or scenes with multiple subjects, a wide-angle lens ensures you can fit more into the frame.

In summary, incorporating a wide-angle lens into your camera kit for an African safari enables you to capture breathtaking landscapes and diverse environments, providing a well-rounded photographic narrative of your safari experience.

Best Canon Cameras For Safari

Choosing the right Canon camera for an African safari involves considering factors such as budget, features, and the level of photographic expertise. Here are recommendations for affordable, mid-range, and professional-level Canon cameras that are well-suited for capturing the diverse and dynamic scenes encountered during an African safari:

Affordable Cameras:

Canon EOS Rebel T7i (EOS 800D):

• Budget-Friendly: The Rebel T7i offers an affordable entry point for those on a budget.
• 24.2MP APS-C Sensor: Provides decent image quality for capturing wildlife and landscapes.
• Dual Pixel CMOS AF: Ensures quick and accurate autofocus, handy for spontaneous wildlife moments.

Affordable RF Canon Cameras

Canon EOS R100

• Entry-Level Mirrorless: A budget-friendly mirrorless option24.1 Megapixel (APS-C) CMOS Sensor with ISO 10025600 (H: 51200
• Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC Technology.
• 9-point AF System and AI Servo AF
• Optical Viewfinder with Approx. 95% Viewing Coverage
• 3.0-inch LCD with 920,000 Dots
• Scene Intelligent Auto Mode – Full HD 30p 
• Canon EOS Rebel SL3 DSLR Camera
• Lightest, Smallest EOS DSLR camera.
• High Image Quality with 24.1 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) Sensor
• Fast and Accurate Dual Pixel CMOS AF with Eye Detection AF
• 4K Video, 4K Time-lapse Movie
• Vari-angle Touchscreen, 3.0-inch LCD.
• Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Technology with Auto Image Transfer.

Mid-Range Canon Cameras :

• Canon EOS 90D
• Fast continuous shooting, Capture the action at up to 10fps
• 32.5 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, For exquisite detail
• Intelligent optical viewfinder, Comfortable to use even over long periods
• 45 cross type AF points with multi-controller, Focus quickly and accurately even in low light
• iTR focus tracking, Keep even fast-moving subjects in focus
• 4K filmmaking and Dual Pixel CMOS AF, Superb quality video and audio
• Canon EOS 6D Mark II
• Full-Frame Power: A mid-range full-frame option.26.2 Megapixel Full-frame CMOS Sensor
• Optical Viewfinder with a 45-point All Cross-type AF System
• Dual Pixel CMOS AF with Phase-detection & Full HD 60p
• DIGIC 7 Image Processor, ISO 100-40000
• Vari-angle Touch Screen, 3.0-inch LCD
• Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth and GPS
• Canon EOS R7
• High Image Quality with a 32.5 Megapixel (APS-C) CMOS Sensor
• High-Speed Shooting
• Blazing Fast Autofocus
• 5-axis In-body Image Stabilization with auto-level technology
• Record each clip over 30 minutes
• Get professional quality video with Smart Shoe integration for audio and HQ 4K

.                            

Pro Canon Cameras

• Canon EOS R3 Mirrorless Camera
• High Image Quality with a Back-illuminated Stacked 24.1 Megapixel Full-frame CMOS Sensor
• DIGIC X Image Processor with an ISO range of 100-102400; Expandable to 204800
• The First EOS Digital camera to feature Eye Control AF
• 5.76-million-dot & 120fps blackout-free EVF with quick response, as well as a Vari-Angle Touchscreen
• Capable of recording 6K 60P RAW or 4K 120p 10-bit (uncropped) with Canon Log 3
• Dual Card Slots for CFexpress and UHS-II SD Memory Cards
• Canon EOS 1DX Mark III
• A new era in autofocus speed and accuracy
• Outstanding stills and video
• High speed camera communications
• Always ready to perform, whatever the situation
• Enhanced DIGIC Processor
• New CMOS Sensor

Considerations When Buying a Canon Camera for Your African Safari:

Focal Length and Lens Compatibility: Ensure the camera is compatible with the lenses you need for wildlife and landscape photography, considering both EF and RF lenses.

Autofocus Performance: Wildlife photography demands reliable autofocus, so look for advanced autofocus systems like Dual Pixel CMOS AF for quick and accurate focusing.

Weather Sealing: Given the varied conditions on safari, having a camera with weather-sealed construction is crucial for durability and protection against the elements.

Portability and Weight: Consider the size and weight of the camera, especially if you plan to carry it for extended periods during safari excursions.

Battery Life: Longer battery life is beneficial for extended periods in the field. Consider having spare batteries for backup.

Video Capabilities: If you plan to document your safari in video format, consider cameras with advanced video features, such as 4K recording and high frame rates.

Low-Light Performance: Given the early morning and late evening safari excursions, good low-light performance is essential for capturing wildlife in natural lighting conditions.

Budget: Determine your budget range and choose a camera that offers the best features within that range. Consider investing in good lenses as well.

• It Is Important To Pay Attention To The Lighting. 

Lighting is a crucial aspect of photography, and when on safari, capturing the vibrant colors, textures, and details of wildlife and landscapes depends significantly on understanding and utilizing available light conditions. Here are considerations and tips for handling lighting while on a safari photography expedition:

• Golden Hours:
• Early Morning and Late Afternoon: The golden hours around sunrise and sunset provide soft, warm, and directional light. This lighting not only enhances the natural colors of the environment but also creates long shadows, adding depth and dimension to your photographs.
• Harsh Daylight:
• Use Shadows Creatively: Embrace the challenges of harsh midday sunlight by incorporating shadows creatively. These shadows can add contrast and drama to your images, especially when capturing textured landscapes or wildlife features.
• Cloudy Days:
• Even and Soft Lighting: Overcast or cloudy days can provide even and soft lighting. This diffuse light reduces harsh shadows and can be advantageous for capturing details and colors without the distraction of strong contrasts.
• Backlighting:
• Silhouettes and Rim Lighting: Experiment with backlighting, especially during sunrise or sunset. This technique can create silhouettes and add a beautiful rim light to your subjects, highlighting their contours against the backdrop.
• Adapt to Changing Conditions:
• Be Flexible: Safari conditions can change rapidly, from bright sunlight to overcast skies. Be prepared to adapt your settings and compositions accordingly. Stay alert to the changing atmosphere and adjust your approach as needed.
• Use Natural Frames:
• Utilize Trees and Vegetation: Take advantage of natural elements like trees or bushes to create frames within your composition. These frames can add interest to your photos and also help control the intensity of sunlight.
• Consider the Animal’s Perspective:
• Capture Catchlights: When photographing animals, pay attention to the catchlights in their eyes. Position yourself so that the light enhances the catchlights, bringing life and sparkle to the subject’s eyes.
• White Balance:
• Adjust for Conditions: Set your camera’s white balance according to the prevailing conditions. Different lighting situations may require adjustments to maintain accurate and natural color tones.
• Avoid Direct Flash:
• Opt for Natural Light: While flash can be useful in certain situations, especially for fill-in light, try to rely on natural light as much as possible. It provides a more authentic and visually appealing look to your safari photographs.
• Patience and Observation:
• Wait for the Right Moments: Patience is key in wildlife photography. Observe the behavior of animals and be ready to capture those magical moments when the lighting is just perfect.
• Silent and Respectful Approach:
• Minimize Disturbance: Approach animals silently and respectfully to avoid disturbing their natural behavior. This not only ensures ethical photography but also allows you to capture them in their most relaxed and authentic state.
• Lens Hoods and Filters:
• Minimize Lens Flare: Use lens hoods to minimize lens flare caused by direct sunlight. Consider using polarizing filters to manage reflections and enhance colors.

Conclusion:

Lighting is a dynamic element in safari photography, and understanding how to adapt to different conditions will significantly impact the quality of your images. Whether you’re capturing the warmth of a sunrise, the drama of a storm, or the soft glow of an overcast day, being attuned to the nuances of lighting will help you create stunning and evocative safari photographs.                                                                                                       

Best Software To Edit Safari Photos

Editing safari photographs requires software that can handle various aspects such as color correction, exposure adjustments, and fine-tuning details to bring out the beauty of wildlife and landscapes. Here, I’ll discuss three popular software options for editing safari photographs: Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, and Luminar Neo.

• Adobe Lightroom: 
• User-friendly interface: Lightroom’s intuitive interface makes it accessible for both beginners and experienced photographers.
• Non-destructive editing: Lightroom preserves the original image, allowing you to experiment with edits without altering the original file.
• Efficient organization: The software offers robust cataloging and organizational tools, helping users manage large collections of safari photographs.
• Synchronization: Edits made in Lightroom can be synchronized across multiple devices, facilitating a seamless editing workflow.
• Key Features: Global and local adjustments: Lightroom enables users to make overall adjustments to the entire image or target specific areas using the Graduated Filter, Radial Filter, and Adjustment Brush tools.
• Presets and profiles: The software includes a variety of presets and profiles, allowing users to apply predefined settings or create their own for consistent editing.                                                                     

Advanced editing capabilities: Photoshop is a powerful software for intricate and detailed edits, making it suitable for tasks like retouching and compositing.

Layers and masks: The ability to work with layers and masks provides a high level of control over specific elements in the image, enhancing flexibility in editing.

• Key Features:
• Retouching tools: Photoshop offers advanced retouching tools, such as the Healing Brush and Clone Stamp, which are useful for removing distractions or imperfections in safari photographs.Advanced color correction: Photoshop provides extensive color correction tools, allowing photographers to fine-tune the color balance and enhance the vibrancy of safari images.

Luminar Neo:

• AI-powered editing: Luminar Neo leverages artificial intelligence to streamline the editing process, making it easier for photographers to achieve impressive results quickly.

One-click enhancements: The software includes AI-driven features like Accent AI, which automatically enhances images with a single click, saving time in the editing workflow.

• Sky replacement and AI filters: Luminar Neo offers creative tools like AI Sky Replacement, allowing photographers to change the sky in their safari photographs easily. Additionally, AI filters enhance specific aspects of the image, such as details and colors.

In conclusion, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, and Luminar Neo are all excellent choices for editing safari photographs, each offering unique features and strengths. Lightroom is ideal for efficient organization and global adjustments, Photoshop excels in detailed editing and retouching, while Luminar Neo stands out with its AI-powered enhancements and creative tools. Choosing the best software depends on the specific needs and preferences of the photographer.

Patient, Observant Wildlife Photography

Wildlife photography is a fascinating and challenging genre of photography. It requires a lot of patience and observation, as well as technical skill and knowledge of animal behavior. In this article, we will discuss some tips for being patient and observant in wildlife photography.

Research and Plan

Before heading out to photograph wildlife, it’s important to research and plan your trip. Research the animal behavior and habitat, as well as the best time of day and season to photograph them. Knowing where and when to find your subject will save you time and increase your chances of getting the shot you want. Planning also involves choosing the right gear, clothing, and accessories for your trip.

Be Quiet and Still

Wild animals are sensitive to noise and movement, so it’s important to be quiet and still while photographing them. Avoid making sudden movements, rustling leaves, or loud noises that could startle or scare the animal away. Move slowly and deliberately, and keep a low profile. Wildlife is more likely to approach you if you look and act non-threatening.

Observe the Animal Behavior

Observing animal behavior is essential to capturing great wildlife photos. Pay attention to their movements, body language, and interactions with other animals. This will give you insight into their behavior and help you anticipate their next move. Knowing when and where to point your camera will increase your chances of getting the shot you want.

Wait for the Right Moment

Wildlife photography requires patience, and waiting for the right moment is key to getting a great shot. Observe the animal and wait for it to do something interesting or unique. Be prepared to wait for hours or even days to get the shot you want. The key is to be patient and ready for when the animal does something interesting.

Be Respectful of the Animals

Respect for the animals and their habitat is crucial in wildlife photography. Avoid disturbing the animal or its environment by keeping a safe distance and avoiding feeding or touching them. Respect their space and be mindful of their safety and well-being. Remember, the animal’s welfare comes first, and photography comes second.

Patience and observation are essential to capturing great wildlife photos. Research and planning, being quiet and still, using a telephoto lens, observing animal behavior, waiting for the right moment, being respectful of the animals, using natural light, and shooting in continuous mode are all important techniques to master. With practice, skill, and a lot of patience, you can capture stunning wildlife photos that will inspire and delight others. Remember, the key to great wildlife photography is to be patient, observant, and have fun with creativity.

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Kenya Safaris - Kenya Safari Holidays

Our africa safaris in kenya. here are best safaris kenya can offer.

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Explore our Africa Kenya Safaris Designed just for you

Flexible kenya safari tours with a safari expert.

If you are on the lookout for a safari that will show you some of the world’s most fascinating wildlife firsthand, then look no further. The range of Kenya wildlife safaris that we have available at Cheetah Safaris can quench your thirst for exploration. Be guaranteed of amazing Kenya Safaris designed to make your holiday a memorable adventure. 

Home to the best Big Five Wildlife species such as Lions, Leopards, Elephants Rhinos, and others. Special Five Wildlife species from Samburu National Reserve such as the Beisa Oryx, Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy Zebra, and other fantastic species. With endless savannah plains, amazing cultures, and beautiful sceneries to absorb, there’s plenty to see and do on a Cheetah Safari.

It Hosts the Second second-highest mountain in Africa, Mt. Kenya. Explore the Kenyan Coast, Diani, Malindi, Watamu, and Mombasa after a Wildlife Safari to relax and unwind for a beach holiday vacation. Home to the seventh new wonder of the World,  The Great Wildebeest Migration . You won’t go back the same after experiencing this amazing spectacle that happens in Masai Mara National Reserve.

Best Places to Visit in Kenya For Your next Adventure

Safari destinations in kenya that you need to add in your itinerary.

Most of our short and long-haul safaris cover major parks along the great rift valley in Kenya including the award-winning Masai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park to view the Mt. Kilimanjaro, Samburu National Reserve home to the special five, Lake Nakuru National Park home to the white rhinos, and greater and lesser flamingos.

Lake Bogoria National Reserve is home to the greater and lesser flamingos, Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks, Aberdares and Mt. Kenya National Parks, Olpejeta Conservancies, and Nairobi National Park.

Comprehensive designed holidays Kenya safari are perfect for families with kids of for senior citizens looking to have a bonding time all together. These are the perfect moments that families and loved ones cherish a lot, as you enjoy a cool time away from the norm and busy schedules.

Major Kenya Safari Destinations

Popular tourist destinations in kenya.

Explore some of our most popular National Parks and Reserves in Kenya. All our safaris cover these major safari destinations in Kenya. Making sure you explore all kinds of wildlife species, sceneries and even a full total experiences of all kind of activities. 

Masai Mara National Reserve

Samburu national reserve, amboseli national park.

• Meru National Park
• Nairobi National Park

Tsavo West National Park

• Tsavo East National Park
• Marsabit National Park

Aberdares National Park

Lake nakuru national park.

• Hells Gate National Park
• Mt. Kenya National Park
• Buffalo Springs National Reserve
• Shaba National Reserve
• Kora National Park
• Central Island National Park
• Ruma National Park
• Kakamega Forest National Park
• Chyulu Hills National Park
• Lake Bogoria National Reserve

Are You Looking for an All Inclusive Kenya Safari?

We have flexible and well designed all-inclusive luxury safaris in kenya you can choose from.

Our Kenya Safaris & Holidays are well designed and curated to ensure you get the best experiences , memorable times with your loved one, and amazing breathtaking wildlife and people interactions. Welcome to Kenya and enjoy a wide variety of wildlife safaris and beach holidays.

Our Kenya Safari Holidays are a guarantee of the best, indulging in cultural, wildlife, and adventure engagements. By booking our Kenya Safaris, you support more than 10 students in schools, the carbon-free programs, and the healthy standards of our girl children. Our sustainable safari programs ensure we create awareness to protect and conserve our natural resources. 

Reasons, why you should choose us, are many that will lure you directly to booking with us a luxury Kenya Safari, family or private safari. Cheetah Safaris offers some of the best Kenya safari tours from Nairobi that covers all major safari destinations including and not limited to city tours and cultural experiences. 

Our experts are well conversant with every part of Kenya, curating safaris for more than 25 years and making memories for every traveler looking for an escape vacation in Kenya or even East Africa. 

Start Planning Your Kenya Safaris

We will be glad to receive your safari inquiry and bookings to help you plan and organize your Kenya Safaris. Our able safari managers will be ready to go through the process to customize and tailor-make your next Kenya Safari Experiences with us.

Why You Should Book The best of The Great Wildebeest Migration Safaris in Kenya

Understand the great migration in kenya with our guides.

The famous Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania is one of the most unique experiences you can get. The Wildebeest Migration starts from the south of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and South Serengeti National Park. A Region called the Ndutu Conservation Area.

Wildebeest Calving happens at Ndutu Conservation Area during the first months of the Year, Jan to March of every year. They later migrate North of Serengeti towards Masai mara National Reserve in Kenya. 

We ensure you get the best experience while on a Wildebeest Migration Safari in Tanzania. Explore our Wildebeest Migration Safari Ideas in Kenya and Tanzania. Our luxury Tanzania Safaris are unbeatable, filled with unlimited safari experiences and holiday-making memories, ensure we craft for you one of the best high-end safari holidays.

Our Kenya Safaris and Packages you can explore

Kenya safari itineraries that are ready for booking. explore these kenya safari holiday ideas.

Book a Kenya Safari with our Short Stay Kenya Safari Holidays selected below. These are just Ideas and estimated costs of safaris in Kenya. Safari bookings for Kenya are made easier by just selecting the best Kenya Safaris that you need and we will customize it for you.

In our medium stay Kenya safaris, you can still embark on a once-in-a-lifetime excursion to some of Kenya’s most popular destinations, including Nairobi, Mombasa, and the famous landmark Mount Kenya. Staying for more than two nights and less than 6 nights, makes it easy to process Kenya Safari bookings and customize them easily. 

Experience an array of National Parks , game reserves, and cities in one of our long stay Kenya safaris. Whether you decide to stay for 7 or 15 days, a long stay safari will give you plenty of time to explore the different cultures and wildlife Kenya has to offer.

11 days Elephant and Rhino Safari in Kenya – Conservation Safaris

9 Day Northen Kenya Conservation Safaris – Samburu

17 Days 16 Nights Kenya and Tanzania Safari – Bush To Beach

11 days 10 nights Kenya Tanzania Combined Safaris

11 days Kenya and Tanzania Combined Wildebeest Migration Safaris

9 Days 8 Nights best of Kenya and Tanzania Combined Private Wildlife Safari

8 days 7 nights kenya and tanzania combined wildebeest migration safari, 9 days masai mara and lake nakuru safari – best of kenya.

9 days 8 nights Kenya Family Safaris – Best Family Friendly Tours

7 days 6 nights Wildebeest Migration Kenya Safaris – Luxury Safaris

6 days 5 nights Amboseli and Masai Mara Wildebeest Safaris – Kenya Safaris

5 days 4 nights Meru National Park Samburu / Buffallo Springs / Shaba Reserve Kenya Safaris

4 Days Amboseli National Park Tsavo West Safari Tour

4 days masai mara safari package from nairobi | kenya safaris.

4 days 3 nights Kenya Wildebeest Safaris and Flamingo Tours

4 days 3 nights Kenya Lake Naivasha Masai Mara Wildebeest Safaris

4 Days Samburu Flying Kenya Safari

2 Days 1 Night / Overnight Olpejeta Conservancy Road Safari

2 days 1 night / overnight masai mara road safari, 2 days 1 night / overnight lake nakuru national park road safari.

2 Days 1 Night / Overnight Lake Nakuru National Park and Lake Naivasha Boat Rides Road Safari

2 Days 1 Night / Overnight Aberdares National Park Road Safari

5 Days 4 Nights Tsavo West & East Safari From Nairobi Or Mombasa

15 Days Kenya Tanzania And Zanzibar Luxury Safaris

12 Days Pumba Luxury Safari In Kenya

12 Days 11 Nights: Combined Kenya and Tanzania Wildlife Safari

12 days 11 nights big tuskers photography safari.

11 Days 10 Nights Kenya Classic Safari

10 days 9 nights: kenya tanzania classic safaris.

10 Days Luxury Combined Kenya Tanzania Safari Tour

Learn which is the best time to visit kenya for safari, get to understand month to month guide of when to visit kenya for safari holidays.

Generally, Kenya is best to visit in the dry-season months of July – October when the parks are dry and wildlife viewing is dramatic, easy and action packed. 

LOW SEASON:

1 st April to June 15th and 15 th Nov to 15th Dec

If you are looking for an intimate exclusive safari but affordable Kenya Safari, this is the best time to visit. 

Best Places to visit includes Serengeti, Masai Mara, Ngorongoro, Amboseli among many others.

high SEASON:

Jan 10th to 1 st  April and 1 st  Nov to 15 th  Dec

One of the most considered seasons to travel and visit East Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. 

Easy to spot the big five and the big cats of the Masai Mara, Serengeti other major parks.

PEAK SEASON:

15th June to 30th Oct, 15th Dec to 10th Jan

An action filled season to witness the great wildebeest migration and crossings in Kenya is during this season. 

Incase you are looking for the best adventures, then this is the best fit for you

Kenya Safaris and Holidays FAQs

Having questions learn about our kenya safari bookings q&a.

If you have any questions regarding any of our Kenya safari tours, you may find your answer below in our most frequently asked questions. However, don’t be afraid to get in touch if your query is not included in order for our experts to help you design your best Kenya Safaris. 

Our team is happy to help discuss any of our safari packages, destinations, or general information, so you have peace of mind! Get in touch with us now.

Is Kenya Safe to Visit For Safaris and Holidays 

You must be wondering is Nairobi Kenya Safe for travels and safaris. The short answer is Kenya is safe to visit for safaris, either with your family, work colleagues, friends or just on solo travel. Security and intelligence levels of Kenya are high to keep all guests and tourists safe while on safari, work, or any other activities. 

Which Are the Best Safari Destinations to visit in Kenya?

Welcome to Kenya, a land full of endless adventure and sceneries. Kenya is blessed to have many attractions that could quench your adventure thirst. From Wildlife Safaris, Safari Activities, Fitness Safari Tours, Beach Holidays, Marine sports and adventure, Cultural Safari Tours, Extreme Activities such as Hiking, Ziplining, and Much more.

The best places to visit in Kenya For Safaris and Holidays include:- 

• Masai Mara National Reserve:- One of the prime safari destinations in Kenya, offering wildlife sightings and wilderness exposure. Witness the big five, the big cats, and the famous wildebeest migration and crossings over the Mara River. 
• Lake Turkana:- Explore the Kenyan North Frontier. A semi-arid region with beauty and magical sightings. Get a chance to visit the Central Island National Park, The Sibiloi National Park, the cradle of Man Kind. Fly over the Suguta valley and view beautiful sand dunes. 
• Samburu National Reserve:- The Magical destination in Kenya, pure classified wilderness and beautiful sceneries. Feel at home while in Samburu National Reserve with the special five wildlife and bird species. Hike Mt. Ololokwe, Mt. Nyiro Rangers, and spend time with orphaned elephants and rhinos at Reteti and Sera Conservancy.
• Amboseli National Park:- Sitting on the slopes of the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro, is the prime park home to many elephants, birds, the big five, and big cats. Amboseli National Park hosts thousands of flamingos and many different bird species.
• Kenyan Coast:- Deep yourself in some white sandy beaches on the Kenyan Coast such as Diani Beach, Wasini Island, Watamu Beach, Watamu Beach, Mombasa Beaches, and many others such as funzi and chale Island.
• Lake Victoria:- Located in the western part of Kenya, Lake Victoria is the biggest lake in Africa and the second biggest in the world. It serves three countries, Kenya Tanzania and Uganda. Enjoy boat rides, fishing expeditions, and beautiful sunsets over the lake.
• Mount Kenya:- Climb the highest Mountain in Kenya and the second highest in Africa. Summit and make records with the best views of the landscapes and amazing sightings of Mt. Kenya Lakes such as Lake Michaelson. 

Which Are the Best Safari Tour Packages to do in Kenya?

Kenya has diverse options for safari adventures one can take. Wildlife Safaris to Beach Holidays and Cultural Exposures, are some of the epic and amazing ways to experience Kenya. 

Below are some of the amazing safaris we have for you that can give you amazing exposure.

• 12 Days Kenya Pumba Safari:- An extensive safari within Kenya for 12 days. Visiting the major parks and reserves rich in wildlife and beautiful sceneries to admire.
• 9 Days Wildlife Conservation Safari:- Wildlife conservation is important and we encourage our guests to learn and engage in conservation. Our 9 Days goes to Northern Kenya featuring cultural visits and engagements. Visit Reteti and Sera conservancies. 
• 11 Days Kenya Safari:- A classical safari tour within Kenya. Featuring in the great wildebeest Migration, Special five, and the best views of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Amboseli National Park
• 5 Days Aberdares Park & Wildebeest Migration Safari:- Visit the highlands of Kenya, and spot the various huge and small waterfalls such as the Chania and Karuru waterfalls. Visit Masai Mara National Reserve for wildebeest migration and crossings.
• Safari Beach Extensions:- After your bush safari, a magical beach holiday awaits you at the Kenyan Coast. With our holiday packages to Diani, Watamu, Lamu, and Mombasa Beaches. 

When is the Best Time to See the Wildebeest Migration in Kenya?

Wildebeest Move Yearly from Tanzania Ndutu Region To Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to Masai Mara Kenya. Almost 2 Million Wildebeests, Gazelles, Impalas, Topis, and Zebras do migrate every year. 

Read More about Wildebeest Migration Month by Month Guide .

• December to March is the best time to witness the Wildebeest Calving Season in Tanzania Ndutu Ngorongoro Conservation Region
• May to July of every year is best to Witness herds Move from Ndutu Region up to Serengeti Central towards the west of the park called Grumeti Region.
• July every year happens the wildebeest are around Serengeti North, and high probability to spot Wildebeest crossings in the major Mara River.
• July to October they move towards Masai Mara and spend the days there till the start or end of October. They now start moving back towards Serengeti Tanzania. 
• Major Wildebeest Crossings over Mara River and Sand River happen Between July and August and in October.

Just to Note:- The Wildebeest Migration is not guaranteed to follow the months as stated above, though the months are 80% of what happened before and the experience we have had with them over the years. Wildebeests and other migratory wildlife like zebras, follow rain patterns, and where the grass is green. Due to their biological culture such as mating, and calving (giving birth), they have to migrate across the plains in order to meet these demands.

Our Sustainable Practices

These Safaris are 100% Carbon Offset

How We do It.

We are a safari company in Kenya that believes in sustainable safari practices, community support, and environment management and protection.

By Booking this safari, you contribute 1% of the bookings to sustainable safari practices and carbon offsetting programs in the world. We are a strong advocate of travel sustainability by ensuring we have all that it takes to protect everything for our future generations and healthy living. 

Carbon Free Safaris

In partnership with biglife foundation & redd+ carbon project, recently explored african holiday safaris.

Check out the Popular safari packages our visitors are exploring and discover something new for your next holiday.

3 days 2 nights Serengeti National Park Luxury Fly In Safaris from Arusha

12 Days Wildebeest Calving Safaris – Tanzania Tours

Let us help you customize your trip

Like all of our holidays on this site, this is just an idea. All of our trips are tailor-made, so we’ll always adapt them to suit you.

Talk to an Expert

Browse our Cheetah Safaris Website. We’ll match you with a Specialist in our team who is best suited to help you plan your next safari adventure. To start, contact us now via our contact forms.

Prepare for your trip

Our Safari expert will be of help in planning your safari from start to end. They will advise you on all what you need to bring, wear and travel documents too. They will be ready to answer any queries you have.

When you return

We would love to hear from you about your trip with us. Your feedback will help us always work better and try to be the best. You can leave your review on our TripAdvisor Page . 

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Witnessing Nature's Great Migration: A Photo Safari Adventure with the Wildebeest

Photo: Dawn w

Embark on an extraordinary journey into the heart of Africa's wilderness, where the rhythms of nature orchestrate one of the most spectacular wildlife phenomena on Earth: the Great Wildebeest Migration. Join us as we delve into the depths of the savannah, camera in hand, to capture the awe-inspiring spectacle of millions of wildebeests, zebras, and other wildlife as they traverse the plains of East Africa.

The Epic Migration

Each year, around two million wildebeests, along with hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, embark on a perilous journey across the Serengeti plains in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara in Kenya. Driven by instinct and the search for greener pastures, this epic migration spans over 1,800 miles, making it one of the largest and longest migrations in the animal kingdom.

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Our team of experienced and knowledgeable guides are passionate about sharing their love for Africa. Fluent in multiple languages, they provide insightful commentary, ensuring that each safari is not only visually stunning but also intellectually enriching.

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We believe in providing exclusive and intimate experiences. Our small-group safaris and private tours ensure that each client receives personalized attention and enjoys an unparalleled level of service.

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Our team's deep love and understanding of the African continent drive us to go beyond the ordinary, offering journeys that capture the essence of Africa's beauty, diversity, and spirit.

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At Prestige Africa Safaris, customer satisfaction is at the core of our values. We listen to our clients, understand their desires, and tailor our services to create seamless, unforgettable travel experiences

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[PHOTOS] Thrilling day 3 of WRC Safari Rally packed with non-stop action

The safari rally kenya 2024 is scheduled to take place from march 28 to 31 in naivasha..

It was flagged off from the KICC in Nairobi on Thursday, by President William Ruto

As the 2024 World Rally Championships Safari Rally entered its third day, the action-packed event saw Kenyans turn out in numbers to enjoy the scenery and the adrenaline rush that comes with the sport.

The Safari Rally Kenya marks the third round of the 2024 World Rally Championships, following Rallye Monte and Rally Sweden in January and February respectively.

The WRC 2024 is scheduled to take place from March 28 to 31 in Naivasha.

Here is what the day looked like from the Elementaita, Soysambu stretch of the event.

Fourmaux resorts to cautious driving as Safari enters crucial stage

President ruto wants fia to reconsider longer wrc safari, [photos] ruto steps out in rally driver gear ahead of flag-off from kicc, most popular, [photos] ruto holds talks with kiambu leaders at state house, kindiki appears before senate plenary to answer questions, [photos] sakaja ground breaks public hospital in mathare, [photos] kdf at uthiru's collapsed building, [photos] cdf kahariri assumes command in colorful ceremony, latest videos, mother's plea for financial help to save son from execution in saudi ..., the news brief: tough questions for linturi in ejection bid, sign up for the free star email newsletter and receive the latest kenya news daily..