Who is this trip for?

This trip is open to all, no matter where you hail from and no matter what your level of experience in photography. We expect most photographers will be using interchangeable-lens cameras with lenses reaching out to 400mm or further.

John and Michelle will be your photo guides and instructors in the field, available to answer and help with all photography related questions.

While there is not a lot of walking or hiking on this tour, there is a physical toll with long days in a 4x4. Full days in the field can last up to 12 hours; the ride can be bumpy and it can get quite hot.

Please note: There may be a requirement of Kenya to either provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test. More details will be provided closer to the trip date.

Inclusions:

• Small group of 8-12 travelers
  
• All hotels (10 nights accommodation)
• All in-country flights
• All breakfast, lunch and dinners, as per itinerary
  
• All scheduled transportation within Kenya
• Local guide(s) and drivers as per itinerary
• Gratuities for drivers & guides

• All park entry fees & game drives in a 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof

• Bottled drinking water

Experience incredible wildlife photography in Nairobi, Amboseli, and Maasai Mara.

This once in a lifetime trip through Kenya will provide you with memories and amazing wildlife images that are impossible to find anywhere else. This itinerary will bring you, the photographer, an amazing safari experience at multiple locations with plentiful animal sightings.

These animal encounters will undoubtedly make for special memories and a view of nature like you’ve never seen before.

Itinerary

Day 1:

Monday, August 12th

Upon your arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met and then transferred to our Nairobi hotel where we will have dinner and a “meet and greet” for our guests.

  D  |  Hotel location: Nairobi

Day 2:

Tuesday, August 13th

Our first full day will be spent acclimatizing in Nairobi. Our local driver will collect us in the morning for a private viewing at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The organization is best known for their work protecting elephants, but the Trust’s projects span everything from sustainable safari travel to protecting wildlife habitats, from offering veterinary services to sick and injured animals to community outreach that improves the livelihoods and education of Kenyans.

We then visit the Giraffe Center where we have the opportunity to come into close contact with the world’s tallest species.

Continuing the day’s “best of Kenya” experiences, we have lunch at The Talisman Restaurant. Starting as a small old house originally occupied by the famous wildlife photographer and author Alan Root in his youth, The Talisman has grown into one of the best restaurants in Kenya. The rest of the afternoon will be spent back at the hotel, where John and Michelle will be on-hand for questions and to help you fine-tune your gear before we venture into the field.

BLD  |  Hotel location: Nairobi

"We were so happy to meet in person the guy who pretty much taught us (and continues to teach us) almost everything we know about the key fundamentals of photography.  It was great to see how his creative vision worked.  Also, the fact that he's structured and disciplined, yet easygoing and a bunch of fun to hang around with, makes future considerations for a Greengo branded tour a no-brainer."

Jane L.

Day 3:

Wednesday, August 14th

After breakfast at our hotel we make our way to the airport for our flight to Amboseli. Amboseli National Park is located at the foot of Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro at 19,341 feet. The snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro rises above a saucer of clouds and dominates every aspect of Amboseli.

Upon our arrival we’ll have a game drive while enroute to our lodge. Amboseli National Park covers only 150 square miles but despite its small size, its fragile ecosystem supports a wide range of mammals and birdlife. Amboseli is popular with birders; over 400 species of bird, including 40 raptors have been recorded. Notable species include the Lesser Flamingo, many ducks, darters, heron, and birds of prey like Martial Eagles.

Lunch will be followed by an afternoon game drive. As the sun sets we’ll venture back to the lavish comfort of our lodge, enjoying the uninterrupted views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

BLD  |  Hotel location: Amboseli National Park

Day 4:

Thursday, August 15th

Amboseli National Park affords us the best opportunity to get close to the mighty elephant in the wild. After breakfast we will begin our journey for the Big 5. We might also spot Cape Buffalo, zebra, and wild dogs.

During the heat of the day we’ll return to our lodge for lunch; relax by the pool or get a jump start on your photo editing.

We’ll venture out again for an afternoon game drive and finish the day with a traditional Kenyan bush barbecue dinner and a sharing of images and review.

BLD  |  Hotel location: Amboseli National Park

Day 5:

Friday, August 16th

After breakfast we say goodbye to Amboseli. We transfer to the airport for a flight back to Nairobi and then directly onto a flight to the legendary Maasai Mara.

Upon arrival we transfer to our beautiful safari camp, perfectly located in the heart of the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, for check-in and lunch.

The Mara, as locals refer to the reserve, is world famous for hosting the epic Great Migration. It hosts over 95 species of mammals and over 570 recorded species of birds. In the afternoon, we go on our first game drive in search of lion, cheetah, elephant, rhino, African buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe, zebra and many more animals calling The Mara home.

BLD  |  Hotel location: Maasai Mara region - East location

Day 6 & 7:

Saturday, August 17th & Sunday, August 18th

Early morning and afternoon game drives for both days, returning to our lodge for lunch. We’ll take full advantage of active wildlife by a potential full day game drive with a packed lunch.

Maasai Mara is a magnificent landscape of open plains bisected by the Mara River and its tributaries. It is the most frequented game reserve in Kenya and has the highest desity of game to be seen anywhere. During the seasonal migrations, the reserve is home to up to a million wildebeest and an equally impressive number of zebras. The “big five” (lion, elephant, leopard, black rhinoceros, and African buffalo) all call Maasai Mara home and it is also possible to observe baboon, eland, ostrich, bat-eared fox and jackal. The rivers abound with hippos and crocodile.

BLD  |  Hotel location: Maasai Mara region - East location

"John was great at keeping track of people, offering photo tips or equipment when needed, and making sure everyone was getting what they wanted out of the trip. He often offered extra shoots for anyone interested, before our planned day began or after it ended, so that was like getting "bonus tracks." (And I especially appreciated that he didn't discount my commitment or skills, just because I brought a very simple camera with me!) He made a point of being very inclusive, and was also a lot of fun!!"

Jean B.

Day 8:

Monday, August 19th

We wake up with an early morning game drive before we return to camp for breakfast and check out. We will continue our morning’s game drive while en route to our second Maasai Mara base.

Checking into our sophisticated and stylish camp, we have lunch while enjoying the wildlife in the neighboring savannah. We follow lunch with an afternoon game drive exploring new parts of The Mara.

BLD  |  Hotel location:  Maasai Mara region - North location

Day 9:

Tuesday, August 20th

We start the day with a morning game drive followed by a visit to a Maasai Village. You'll experience how the locals live, their customs, and have an opportunity to see and purchase local handcrafted works. After a midday lunch break we head back out into the field in search of new wildlife encounters.

There is the opportunity for an early morning hot air balloon ride over Maasai Mara (extra cost); giving you a special experience and new point of view. Upon your return you will rejoin the rest of the group.

BLD  |  Hotel location:  Maasai Mara region - North location

Day 10:

Wednesday, August 21st

On our final full day in The Mara we’ll have morning and afternoon game drives. The large park provides many paths for exploration of new animal encounters in different environments. We may choose to go back to camp for lunch or have a picnic in the field.

We will gather in the evening for a final image review, to share our favorite pictures and moments. The day is ended with a farewell dinner and drinks; the perfect ending to a fantastic journey.

BLD  |  Hotel location:  Maasai Mara region - North location

Day 11:

Thursday, August 22nd

This morning we check out of our camp and leave the savannah for our morning flight back to Nairobi. Departing at 11:00am, we are scheduled to arrive in Nairobi at 12:20pm. Lunch will be our final meal together where we'll say farewell to our new friends.

Thereafter we transfer to an airport hotel where day rooms are booked for everyone (checkout at 6pm) for use prior to your departure flight.

B  |  Hotel location: Dayroom at airport hotel

Kenya Safari 2024: PDF version of Itinerary

Kenya Safari 2024: Terms & Conditions

"I'd tell someone thinking about traveling with John to jump at the chance. That they'd get great opportunities, the trip will be well planned (yet flexible) and they'd get tons of good opportunities for photos."

Tom D.

Experience Life Through Photography