A Big Thrills and No-Frills Trip

1. Introduction

A Kenya Masai Mara safari offers an unparalleled experience of Kenya’s wildlife and natural beauty. Located in southwestern Kenya, this renowned game reserve is famous for the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles traverse its plains. The Masai Mara is home to the Big Five: lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and buffaloes, as well as countless other species. Visitors can enjoy game drives, hot air balloon safaris, and guided nature walks, providing intimate encounters with the wildlife. The vibrant culture of the Maasai people adds a unique cultural dimension to the adventure, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

We are organising a “Big Thrills, No Frills” Safari of Wildlife Photography. It is designed for comfort and affordability. This trip is not restricted to photographers only. Non-photographers may also join.

The difference is that for photographers, the jeep provided is for 3 photographers per jeep. While the non-photographer’s jeep will accommodate 6 persons or up to the available seats in the jeep. However, you will also experience the same exuberating thrill of the animal safari as the photographers.

• About Maasai Mara

Maasai Mara National Reserve is an area of preserved savannah wilderness in southwestern Kenya, along the Tanzanian border. Its animals include lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras and hippos. Wildebeest traverse its plains during their annual migration. The landscape has grassy plains and rolling hills, and is crossed by the Mara and Talek rivers. The area nearby is dotted with villages (enkangs) of Maasai people.

• About Olkinyei Mara Tented Camp

The choice was made to stay at “Olkinyei Mara Tented Camp” that is comfortable, safe, clean and have attached toilets. We have stayed in this camp on our visit in 2019. I was told that they have changed their tents to a more comfortable version and have improved on their facilities post pandemic. This Camp is located about a couple of minutes’ drive to Masai Mara National Park entrance.

• Safety

The main question people may have on their minds is regarding safety. We are very much convinced that despite the very close proximity of wild animals, it can be absolutely without risk if you follow the instructions of the Maasai guides. Elephants, water buffalo and hippos are the most dangerous animals in the park. For your safety, the guides will never allow you to leave the car if there is even the slightest risk.

• Safety Tips

Inside the park: we will be inside the vehicles and drive by very experienced drivers. You will be 100% safe inside the cars. NEVER leave the car unless it is in a spot chosen by the guide. Although wild animals will not attack you without reason, you do not want to take any risks.

Inside the Camp. The camp is surrounded by a fence and constantly guarded by Masai (who are not afraid of any wildlife!). During the day, you CAN leave the camp, for example to go birding. But it is advisable to always be with a Masai guide. At night, it is essential NEVER to leave the camp on foot.

Inside the village: you can walk from the camp to the nearest village and the people were extremely friendly. However, it is advisable to always be accompanied by a local if you want to walk outside the camp.

• Weather

Kenya lies on the equator and the weather can therefore get quite hot during the day. However, evenings and nights can get quite chilly. Please bring warm clothes

• How to get there?

We are taking advantage of a direct flight from KLIA to Nairobi by AirAsia. AirAsia’s schedule for August 2025 is not available at this moment.

1. Food and Drinks

The camp will provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If there are any food preference, we can inform them.

• What to do you expect to see?

Animals: elephants, baboons, giraffes, lions, hyenas, cheetahs, leopards, zebras, wildebeests, buffalos and jackals on almost a daily basis. Hippos, rhinos and crocodiles not as frequent

If we are very lucky, you will see a successful hunt/kill by one of the big cats.

The night sky with stars and milky way on a few clear nights was absolutely amazing, if you wish, the camp can take you at night to a location for night photography

By going in mid-August we will have the highest chance of seeing the great migration (more than 1 million wildebeests and zebras crossing the Mara river AND we have a very good chance of seeing the big cats with their cubs

Birds: during our one week stay, I believe I saw many different bird species. Ranging from the tiny sunbird to the huge vultures and marabou

People: the Kenyans are very friendly and, on several occasions, I was allowed to photograph them. However, the main reason you will probably be traveling to Kenya is to photograph the stunning wildlife.

• What photography equipment to bring?

If you have a zoom lens: the best lens to use is probably the 100-400mm. If you have a prime tele lens: 400, 500 or 600 will be perfect to shoot animals safely from a distance. HOWEVER: sometimes you will get so close to an animal (especially the cats and elephants) that you will need less than 400mm like a 70-200mm.

Dust: when we drive on the unpaved roads in and around Maasai Mara, it gets quite dusty, so please remember to bring some kind of dust cover for your cameras and lenses. And a cleaning kit!

Photographing people: we find the Kenyans extremely friendly. Some people will have no problem if you photograph them. Others will ask for a tip.

This trip is not restricted to photographers only. We also welcome non-photographers to join this trip. The difference is that we allocate 3 photographers per safari vehicle while we have no seat restrictions for non-photographers per safari vehicle (only limited by the number of seats.)

• What else to bring?

If you have binoculars, it is recommended to bring them, especially if you are not a photographer

• Earplugs (if you are sensitive to animal noises at night)
• Warm clothes (it gets surprisingly chilly at night with temperatures dropping to below 20 degrees)
• Sunscreen (please remember that we are very close to the equator)
• Small gifts for children: if you plan to take photos of children, you can consider to give them coloring pencils or other small gifts instead of money
• Camouflaged clothes: not mandatory, but recommended
• Travel adaptor (electricity)

• Other Services Provided

• Excellent vehicles for photographers and non-photographers.
• Local Maasai drivers and guides
• WIFI in camp
• Package meals when inside the park
• All meals during the stay
• Filtered water
• Coffee/tea in the camp
• Bottled water for use on safari

• Kenya Visa Requirement

As of 1 January 2024, foreign nationals, regardless of nationality, can enter Kenya without a visa for tourism or business travel for stays up to 90 days. Travelers must, however, obtain a new Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). You need to apply for Kenya eTA at least 3 days before entry to Kenya.

• Difficulty of trip

This trip is rated as easy. The jeeps will transport you around the Masai Mara National Park and other places of interest.

• Itinerary

Day 1- 15^th August 2025:  Day of arrival in Nairobi and transfer to camp

• Arrival Nairobi Airport
  • Departure by car to Maasai Mara,
  • 19:00 PM Buffet dinner at camp

Days 2- 5  – 16^th Aug to 19^th Aug 2025: 4 full days of safari in Maasai Mara

• 05:45 AM Departure for safari
  • 09:00 AM Packed breakfast in park
  • 13:00 PM Packed Lunch
  • 15:00 PM Safari on a lookout for animals
  • 18:00 PM Return to camp
  • 19:00 PM Buffet dinner

Day 6 – 20^th August 2025 : visit to Maasai village

• 06:00 AM Departure for hot air balloon (optional)
  • 9:00 AM Breakfast
  • Free time
  • 13:00 PM Lunch
  • 15:00 PM Departure for Maasai village
  • 18:00 PM return to camp
  • 19:00 PM Buffet dinner

Day 7 – 21^st August 2025 – Depart for home

• 09:00 AM Breakfast
  • Departure for Nairobi airport for return flights

Photo Gallery