Where Can I Have A Photography Safari In Kenya

Kenya has multiple locations suitable for selecting as photography safari destinations but choose a theme of this African Adventure first as this will give direction to this tour. Kenya is one of the best African safari destinations with unique safari destinations that are catered for and offering memorable safari experiences to many travelers. Most of the Kenya safari destinations are under the management of Kenya Wildlife Society.

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From the multitudes of locations where to stage the photography safaris in Kenya some of the possible destinations in the country include game parks and reserves, coastal areas, mountain areas, water bodies, the local communities, historical sites and much more.

To plan a functional Kenya photography safari, you need ground handlers to coordinate all that is necessary for this African trip in order to get the best of its purpose. At Encounter Africa Safaris, we can work with you to tailor such safaris, identify the suitable locations according to your script and all the necessary logistics to support the time on your safari including accommodations, transports and others.

Note that it is best to clear all the necessary documentation for this photography safari to Kenya in advance including media cards, permits and others. This saves you from getting bounced off the set by authorities in case you are in the middle of the photoshoot. Do carry your own photographing equipment because hiring may be quite challenging in Africa especially equipment that may have the value or capacity you need.

Where To Do A Photography Safari In Kenya

Wildlife Safari Destinations in Kenya

Masai Mara National Reserve

The Masai Mara National Park Reserve is the safari face of Kenya world over because of the Great Wildebeest Migration that happens every year. The mysterious Wildebeest migration is an annual natural phenomena where multitude of wild animals make there way from Serengeti National Park into Masai Mara National Reserve. What triggers the exodus of the wild animals in the Great Wildebeest migration and when it starts is still a mystery.

The vast savanna plains of Masai Mara National Reserve are dotted with large population of both herbivores and carnivores in the season of the Great Wildebeest Migration so it is great time to take the photography safari in this park. There is not must struggle to find most of the wild animals in the park because they may show up even before you know it.

Note that there are normally more people on the same mission to take photographs of these wild animals at this moment so positioning yourself is very important. Even select accommodations where you can enjoy can views of the wild animals of Masai Mara National Reserve during this period. The Mara River crossing is always the highlight of the safari experiences in this park so you need a perfect position to capture that moment.

Some of the possible animals that find there way to Masai Mara National Park include the big five that is prides of lions, leopards, herds of Elephants, buffaloes, rhinos others including Impalas, waterbucks, wildebeest, bushbucks, gazelles, giraffes, oribi, cheetahs, hyenas, kudus and others.

The presence of the view of the backdrop of Mountain Kilimanjaro block with its all year around glacier top that sparkles under the bright sunshine is an epic spot for taking photographs in this Masai Mara National Reserve.

Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru National Park is the birder‘s haven in Kenya hosting multitudes of lesser flamingos that tend to reflect a pink color on the shoreline of lake Nakuru. The park has a range of wooded and bushy grassland with other landforms that beautifully create a backdrop for photographers. The park has ridges, escarpments and a rich ecological diversity.

Lake Nakuru National park hosts other wild animals whose photos you can take upon sighting including Rothschild giraffes, White and black rhinos, elands, Impalas, reedbucks, dik dik, steenbok, klipspringers and others.

Nairobi National Park

Situated just 7 kilometers from Nairobi town is Nairobi National Park with over 100 mammals recorded. For photographers who wish to use destinations closer to a town in Kenya this is a perfect choice. It is a seasonal park too but the Rhinos are common residents of this park all year. During the game drive in Nairobi National Park, you may spot animals including Rhinos, wildebeests and others.

Other than the wild animals, Nairobi National Park borders the south Kapiti plains and Kitengela  Migration corridor which a number wild animals use to cross into this park. This is  great location for photographers.

Tsavo East And West National Park

Being one of the oldest Kenya National Parks, Tsavo National Park is a game rich area in the country. As a photographing location, Tsavo National Park has great view and fabulous light that brings creates unbelievable photos.

The Mudanda Rock and Yatta plateau in this park form the largest lava flow. The Park is strategically positioned close to the coastline of the Indian Ocean in Kenya, which is a unique location for capturing wildlife and water.

The different vegetation zones of Tsavo East And West National Park are unbelievably marvelous including bushy grassland, open plains, semi-arid acacia scrub and others.

Amboseli National Park

Locally, the word Amboseli literary means place of water in Masai language. As a possible photography safari destination in Kenya, some of the important features in park include the two clear water springs in the middle of Amboseli National Park resulting from water that melts from Mountain Kilimanjaro glacier that melts and sips through thousands of feet volcanic rocks along the way.

The mirage formed by the shimmering reflection from the dry lake bed some time punctuated with some animals including Zebras and Wildebeests is unique.

During the game park in Amboseli National Park, you may encounter animals including herds of Zebras, Wildebeests and others. You can also embark on a walking safari in Amboseli National Park to get up close with a number of wild animals and other features in the park in order to shoot photos from a close range.

Kisite Marine National Park

For a chance to see the coral gardens, Kisite Marine National Park offers an opportunity in Kenya. This colorful park lies in shallow waters and its possible to get to them using a motorboat. The reef runs along the near and outer edges of the reefs from Mpunguti Island to the small coral Island of Kisite. Choosing this marine park as a location for the photography safaris in Kenya is exciting.

Chances of spotting dolphins, frigate mackerel and bonito are possible which may add to your photo collection.

Shimba Hills National Reserve

Shimba Hills National Park is a botanically rich coastal forest with beautiful Orchids. There are Sable Antelopes too. The park hosts a number of birds that call this forested park home. While exploring the park you may come across the sparkling Sheldrick falls.

Meru National Park

Meru National Park is dissected by about 13 rivers  including the River Murera, Ura river and a number of highlands fed streams. The park boasts woodland on the slopes of Nyambeni Mountains, riverbanks dotted with doum palms and others. During the drive in the park, some of the animals that may possibly be seen include elephants

Look out for the several birds that find comfort in setting in Meru National as over 300 birds species have been identified.

Samburi And Buffalo Springs National Reserve

The terrain of Samburi And Buffalo Springs National Reserve is general rugged with stunning hills and uneven plains. A number of animals may be sighted in Samburi And Buffalo Springs National Reserve  during the game drive including Grey Zebras, Reticulated Giraffes, herds of elephants, Somalia Ostriches and others

More than 365 birds species have been identified as residents of Samburi And Buffalo Springs National Reserve. During the photography safari in this park, you may get the chance to spot some of these  animals and birds.

Beaches At The Coastal Areas Of Kenya

Kenya has a coastline that separates it from the Indian Ocean. There are several beaches especially in Mombasa, Malindi areas which may make a great location for taking photos. In Lamu Island there are breathtaking spots where you can capture photos reflecting the oceanic background. A number of Palm trees create a great ambience on this high end dominated Island in the Indian ocean part of Kenya.

Mountain Kenya

Take epic photos from a more elevated point in Mountain Kenya with vegetation that is hard to find close to the ground. The snowcapped peak on mountain Kenya is picturesque when you get to the top. Take as many photos as you can possibly do because this is a once in a life experience hard to accomplish for many adventure seekers.

Community Visit in Kenya Especially the Masai

Take off time to spend time with the Masai community in Kenya who are not shy to share their culture with the rest of the world. Even with the influx of modernity, the Masai are stuck to there conservative life styles. They are mainly pastoralists whose life fully depends on cattle.

During the Masai community visit, seek permission to take photos of these people, there tradition attires, the entertainers that normally jump as a style, Manyattas, the stylish beadwork and others crafts they so and much more. Before embarking on the photographing adventure in the Masai community, seek permission from their authorities.

Business Centers in Nairobi or Mombasa

During a safari in Kenya you may choose to do a city tour in Nairobi or Mombasa. Visit the market places, shopping centers, Nairobi Museum, places of worship and others. In case you choose some of these to be part of the locations for your photography expedition, seek permission from the owners so as not to land into trouble.

Hot air Balloon safari experience

Much as viewing wildlife from the ground is breathtaking, the aerial view is spectacular. Different games in Kenya offer the opportunity to view wildlife from a different point. As a tourist on a photographing safari in Kenya you can take advantage of the hot air balloon safari to capture such epic shots. You get to photograph even more animals from the aerial view points.

To enjoy the best of this safari experience, it is better to book the hot air balloon in advance.

What To Do and Not To do A Photographing Safari In Kenya

Do not go off track while on a game drive in Kenya as this is punishable and you may kill some animals. In case you have to seek permission from the Kenya Wildlife Services.

Do not enter any national park without the ranger guide especially if you have to walk. The wilderness has other occupants that may be harmful to you. Even at the lodge, follow the instructions given by the lodge staff as wild animals have no boundaries.

Dumping garbage is forbidden while in the wilderness as plastic wraps, cans alter the nature of the habitats where wild animals thrive.

Shouting or making noise while in the wilderness is forbidden as this scares the wild animals. There other tourists who may want to have the same joy as you get when you locate these animals.

Feeding wild animals is forbidden because they must depend on the supplies from there habitats and not on human provision.

During game drive, do not drive off track unless you seek permission from the Kenya wildlife Services. Chances of driving over some hard to see wild animals are more open. Even driving into an unsafe location that may cause an accident to you is possible when you drive off track.

Drive on the speed limit advised by park authorities because when you knock animal, you are penalized.

Open your mind to different features, animals and sceneries in the park and do not expect to see all the animals in the pack everywhere. These are wild animals that move freely so enjoy your Uganda safari and not focus on spotting particular animals.

Ensure to clear the necessary documents in advance that allow you to do a photography safari in Kenya before proceeding to the destination because you can be stopped from proceeding.

For more information, please get in touch with us.