This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more

Skip to main content

Talk to an expert 1-800-242-2434 Lines now closed

User menu
Photography holidays in Kenya
Photography holidays in Kenya
Photography holidays in Kenya
Photography holidays in Kenya
Photography holidays in Kenya
Photography holidays in Kenya
Photography holidays in Kenya
Photography holidays in Kenya

Kenya photography safaris

Experience photography holidays in Kenya

Kenya is a delight for keen photographers, with fascinating wildlife to watch against the backdrop of a huge range of scenery. Expect great photo opportunities and driver-guides who know exactly how to position the vehicle so you’ll get the best shot. Some camps even offer equipment on loan.

Serian

Set high above the Mara River, Serian offers spectacular views. Private vehicles and guides offer complete flexibility and bush walks are available for those hoping to photograph their surroundings from a new perspective.

Serian Nkorombo

Guests enjoy autonomy with a private vehicle and guide. You can pause to wait for the perfect angle or visit your favourite viewpoint. Open Land Cruisers offer fantastic visibility while the location provides brilliant wildlife and migration access.


Naboisho Camp

Naboisho’s photographic vehicle boasts rotating chairs and drop sides, and top-quality guides position it to get the perfect shot. The camp’s location in a game-rich, private area offers access to wonderful landscapes and wildlife without the crowds.


Little Governors'

Sited by a broad marsh, Little Governors’ has a great backdrop for wildlife shots in camp, especially elephants and hippos, while spacious vehicles and experienced guides allow for great opportunities to get up close and personal with your subjects.


Rekero

Near the confluence of the Mara and Talek rivers, Rekero is in the heart of the Mara reserve – ideally located to capture the migration. The standard of guiding is superb and a specialised photographic vehicle is also available to book.


Governors' Camp

Governors Camp has a resident photographer on site, and with advance notice you can pre-book him for a special photo shoot or perhaps a photography lesson. Lenses are also available to hire. The guides can also advise you on photography and know how to position the vehicles for the best shots.


Laikipia Wilderness

Laikipia Wilderness has been a consistent draw for keen wildlife photographers since it opened, with sightings of wild dogs frequent, and periodically reliable. Similarly, the appearance of black leopards near the camp has provided excitement and challenge for photographers.


Mara Plains Camp

Mara Plains is great for serious photographers: Canon cameras and 400mm lens are available to borrow, while the vehicles are ideally set up and there’s a keen photographer if advice is needed. The camp can burn images to CD, but it's best to bring your own storage devices.


Kicheche Bush Camp

With keen photographer Paul Goldstein a major shareholder and frequent visitor to the camp, Kicheche is well geared to photographers. The guides are very good at using light in their positioning, and the vehicles have bean bags, tables to rest on, and bars to attach lenses.


Satao Camp

There's lots of wildlife around Satao Camp offering plenty of quirky photo opportunities. On our last visit this included a fairly relaxed bull giraffe, hippos after dark, a genet over the bar, insect life and numerous birds, including feed-from-your-hand hornbills.


Giraffe Manor

Giraffe Manor is a wonderful place to get close-up photos of giraffes. It also makes a very appropriate venue for photographing special occcasions. If you prefer to have this done by a professional photographer, Giraffe Manor can lay on a photo shoot at extra cost.

Best camps & lodges for Photography holidays in Kenya


The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille

Sanctuary at Ol Lentille

The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille is a great location for keen photographers. Combining wildlife, adventure and cultural activities, the range of subjects is wide, and that's before you take account of the wonderful landscapes in the area. And the fact that all stays here are private, means you will never have to compromise over your photography time - except with other members of your own party!


No reviews yet
Ishara

Ishara

Ishara is one of the few safari camps to boast it's own photography studio. There are high end Cannon cameras and lenses for guests to use, while the resident photography guides can join you on game drives, providing tuition and editing advice. Professional safari photoshoots can also be arranged.


No reviews yet
Governors' Camp

Governors' Camp

Governors Camp has a resident photographer on site, and with advance notice you can pre-book him for a special photo shoot or perhaps a photography lesson. Lenses are also available to hire. The guides can also advise you on photography and know how to position the vehicles for the best shots.


96% (11 reviews)
Laikipia Wilderness

Laikipia Wilderness

Laikipia Wilderness has been a consistent draw for keen wildlife photographers since it opened, with sightings of wild dogs frequent, and periodically reliable. Similarly, the appearance of black leopards near the camp has provided excitement and challenge for photographers.


93% (38 reviews)
Kicheche Bush Camp

Kicheche Bush Camp

With keen photographer Paul Goldstein a major shareholder and frequent visitor to the camp, Kicheche is well geared to photographers. The guides are very good at using light in their positioning, and the vehicles have bean bags, tables to rest on, and bars to attach lenses.


100% (104 reviews)
Mara Plains Camp

Mara Plains Camp

Mara Plains is great for serious photographers: Canon cameras and 400mm lens are available to borrow, while the vehicles are ideally set up and there’s a keen photographer if advice is needed. The camp can burn images to CD, but it's best to bring your own storage devices.


100% (13 reviews)
Mara Expedition Camp

Mara Expedition Camp

Mara Expedition has two Canon 50D cameras that guests are invited to use. This is with a wide-angle and 100–400mm lens – fun for budding photographers to experiment with. The camp managers also have a good understanding of photography and so can offer up advice and tips.


100% (3 reviews)
Shimba Lodge

Shimba Lodge

Shimba Lodge is a delight for photographers. Night or day, just set up somewhere with a tripod and start shooting: there is always something fascinating to watch around the very large waterhole, in the trees on the other side of it, or in and around the lodge itself.


80% (1 review)
Satao Camp

Satao Camp

There's lots of wildlife around Satao Camp offering plenty of quirky photo opportunities. On our last visit this included a fairly relaxed bull giraffe, hippos after dark, a genet over the bar, insect life and numerous birds, including feed-from-your-hand hornbills.


90% (12 reviews)
Giraffe Manor

Giraffe Manor

Giraffe Manor is a wonderful place to get close-up photos of giraffes. It also makes a very appropriate venue for photographing special occcasions. If you prefer to have this done by a professional photographer, Giraffe Manor can lay on a photo shoot at extra cost.


98% (36 reviews)
Basecamp Maasai Mara

Basecamp Maasai Mara

Sitting on your deck with a camera at Basecamp Maasai Mara is always rewarding. Birds and monkeys often fill the trees near the tents, and there are areas in camp where you can get uninterrupted views across the Talek River to the herds of game in the reserve.


70% (2 reviews)
Leleshwa

Leleshwa

Leleshwa guides know how to position a vehicle to get you the best shots. For birders, the riverbank location is particularly rewarding in terms of subject framing, as you can spot birds on branches opposite comfortable spots for setting up with a camera.


90% (2 reviews)
Naboisho Camp

Naboisho Camp

Naboisho’s photographic vehicle boasts rotating chairs and drop sides, and top-quality guides position it to get the perfect shot. The camp’s location in a game-rich, private area offers access to wonderful landscapes and wildlife without the crowds.


98% (49 reviews)
Little Governors' Camp

Little Governors'

Sited by a broad marsh, Little Governors’ has a great backdrop for wildlife shots in camp, especially elephants and hippos, while spacious vehicles and experienced guides allow for great opportunities to get up close and personal with your subjects.


95% (30 reviews)
Serian Nkorombo

Serian Nkorombo

Guests enjoy autonomy with a private vehicle and guide. You can pause to wait for the perfect angle or visit your favourite viewpoint. Open Land Cruisers offer fantastic visibility while the location provides brilliant wildlife and migration access.


100% (8 reviews)
Rekero

Rekero

Near the confluence of the Mara and Talek rivers, Rekero is in the heart of the Mara reserve – ideally located to capture the migration. The standard of guiding is superb and a specialised photographic vehicle is also available to book.


98% (30 reviews)
Porini Lion Camp

Porini Lion Camp

There are few other vehicles in the area, making the experience exclusive and very personal. The Porini Lion Camp Land Cruisers have a number of helpful modifications for photographers, including adept driver/guides and plug sockets.


83% (8 reviews)
Serian

Serian

Set high above the Mara River, Serian offers spectacular views. Private vehicles and guides offer complete flexibility and bush walks are available for those hoping to photograph their surroundings from a new perspective.


97% (15 reviews)
Mara Nyika

Mara Nyika

Mara Nyika equips each guest tent with a Canon camera, including 100-400mm and 24-70mm lenses for complimentary use. Your images will be downloaded onto a memory stick for you to take away with you at departure.


100% (1 review)

Best camps & lodges for Photography holidays in Africa

Photography holidays elsewhere in Africa

Our top ideas and inspiration for Photography holidays in other countries.


Photography holidays in Botswana

Botswana

Botswana is one of Africa's top safari destinations and also one of our key recommendations for ...

Photography holidays in Mozambique

Mozambique

Mozambique offers marine national parks, hundreds of pristine islands and coral reefs - some of ...

Photography holidays in Namibia

Namibia

There is a reason why Namibia features so heavily in photography competitions such as Wildlife ...

Photography holidays in Rwanda

Rwanda

Rwanda has a reputation as one of the top locations in Africa for trekking the mountain gorillas ...

Photography holidays in South Africa

South Africa

South Africa is a good country for a photography holiday; it offers scenic environments, varied ...

Photography holidays in Tanzania

Tanzania

Tanzania offers some spectacular locations and wildlife for photography holidays in Africa, even ...

Photography holidays in Zambia

Zambia

Professional photographers lead few of our ideas for photography holidays in Africa, but we do ...

Photography holidays in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a great spot for photography, providing myriad opportunities to keen photographers...

Where to see wildlife species in Kenya

Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.


Lion

Lion

Panthera leo

Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.

81% SUCCESS

3,428 sightings from 4,237 observations

Where to see lion in Kenya

Leopard

Leopard

Panthera pardus

The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.

47% SUCCESS

2,210 sightings from 4,708 observations

Where to see leopard in Kenya

Cheetah

Cheetah

Acinonyx jubatus

The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.

33% SUCCESS

1,169 sightings from 3,569 observations

Where to see cheetah in Kenya

Buffalo

Buffalo

Syncerus caffer

One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.

83% SUCCESS

2,899 sightings from 3,486 observations

Where to see buffalo in Kenya

Wild dog

Wild dog

Lycaon pictus

African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.

32% SUCCESS

994 sightings from 3,106 observations

Where to see wild dog in Kenya

Spotted Hyena

Spotted Hyena

Crocuta crocuta

The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.

55% SUCCESS

2,446 sightings from 4,483 observations

Where to see spotted hyena in Kenya

Striped Hyena

Striped Hyena

Hyaena hyaena

The striped hyena is the most widespread of the world’s hyenas, but absent from southern Africa. A rarely-seen nocturnal scavenger, it is shyer and more solitary than its spotted cousin.

14% SUCCESS

135 sightings from 990 observations

Where to see striped hyena in Kenya

Elephant

Elephant

Loxodonta africana

By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.

91% SUCCESS

4,141 sightings from 4,551 observations

Where to see elephant in Kenya

Black Rhino

Black Rhino

Diceros bicornis

The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.

30% SUCCESS

701 sightings from 2,307 observations

Where to see black rhino in Kenya

White Rhino

White Rhino

Ceratotherium simum

The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.

43% SUCCESS

563 sightings from 1,305 observations

Where to see white rhino in Kenya

Eland

Eland

Taurotragus oryx

Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.

49% SUCCESS

1,642 sightings from 3,352 observations

Where to see eland in Kenya

Gerenuk

Gerenuk

Litocranius walleri

With its slender frame and extraordinarily long neck, this unmistakable East African antelope resembles an attenuated impala and often stands on its back legs browse high shrubs.

76% SUCCESS

102 sightings from 134 observations

Where to see gerenuk in Kenya

Giraffe

Giraffe

Giraffa camelopardalis

The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.

86% SUCCESS

3,987 sightings from 4,645 observations

Where to see giraffe in Kenya

Oryx

Oryx

Oryx sp.

Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.

70% SUCCESS

1,523 sightings from 2,183 observations

Where to see oryx in Kenya

Hippo

Hippo

Hippopotamus amphibius

The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.

90% SUCCESS

3,019 sightings from 3,373 observations

Where to see hippo in Kenya

Sable antelope

Sable antelope

Hippotragus niger

Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.

23% SUCCESS

543 sightings from 2,332 observations

Where to see sable antelope in Kenya

Wildebeest

Wildebeest

Connochaetes sp.

Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.

67% SUCCESS

2,790 sightings from 4,158 observations

Where to see wildebeest in Kenya

Zebra

Zebra

Equus sp.

The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.

84% SUCCESS

4,355 sightings from 5,176 observations

Where to see zebra in Kenya

Aardvark

Aardvark

Orycteropus afer

The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.

2% SUCCESS

80 sightings from 3,732 observations

Where to see aardvark in Kenya

Pangolin

Pangolin

Smutsia sp.

Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.

2% SUCCESS

63 sightings from 3,770 observations

Where to see pangolin in Kenya

Inspire me

Need inspiration?

Let our trip chooser narrow down the options for you

Inspire me

Other styles of holiday in Kenya

Discover all that Kenya has to offer


Beach holidays

Beach holidays

Discover Africa's coast and tropical islands.

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Diverse habitats, discreet hides and superb guiding.

Cultural experiences

Cultural experiences

Get an insight into Africa's cultures and history.

Family holidays

Family holidays

Hand-picked camps for an incredible family safari.

Honeymoons

Honeymoons

Romantic safaris and castaway island retreats.

Luxury

Luxury

First-class service, scenic vistas and unparalleled comfort await you during these carefully selected luxury holidays. 

Photography holidays

Photography holidays

Great holidays to suit the keen photographer.

Private villas & houses

Private villas & houses

Enjoy Africa with just your friends & family

Riding holidays

Riding holidays

Explore Africa's wilderness on horseback.

Solo Travel

Solo Travel

Trip ideas ideally suited for a solo traveller.

Walking

Walking

Explore Africa's most scenic trails on foot.

Walking safaris

Walking safaris

Explore Africa's untouched wildernesses on foot.

Wellbeing

Wellbeing

Wellness escapes in stunning locations

Wildlife safaris

Wildlife safaris

These trips include hard-hitting game and fascinatingly elusive species alike, as well as superb guiding and a variety of diverse ecosystems.

Login to Expert Africa

Sign in with password

Sign in with email link


New to Expert Africa? Create an account

Forgotten your details?

It's free & quick to set up

  • Save your wish-list
  • Send us an enquiry
  • Pay online for your trip
  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Give us feedback on your trip
  • Full site benefits of the site

Need some help? Talk to our team

Newsletter background

Stay in the know with Expert Africa

Join our newsletter. Get the latest on new camps and lodges, insights from our team, uplifting conservation stories and more...

A few more details and you're subscribed

Thanks!

Almost there! We've sent you an email to confirm your subscription. Just click on the link and you'll soon be receiving our newsletter in your inbox.

In the meantime, take a look at our previous Bush Telegraph newsletters.