tempest101 Loc: Indiana

Dear readers,
I would like to go on a photo tour to Masai Mara sometime (hopefully in 2018). It is hard to decide which company to choose based on info and reviews on google searches.
Does anyone on this forum has any experience with organized photography tours to Masai Mara? Or do you know of any safe and reliable companies I can further research on? I probably will have to travel singly, as husband has to be with the kids, who are too little for safaris let alone a photo tour to Masai!!

genesampson

Decide what you want to see to determine when you go. I was there mid October and was too late to see river crossings as rains were two weeks early (we did see all of the Big 5 in one day and shot from across a stream from National Geographic's Safari Live). Also consider the Serengeti. Look at Great Africa Migration maps to see what happens when. I have gone on Overseas Adventure Travel and a private tour. I haven't been on a specifically photo tour. All guides I've had are very knowledgeable as to light and getting in good photo positions and have been responsive to our desires. Consider shooting video too. You can see some of my Africa trips on Facebook (as name shown above).

FredL

I've been to The Masi Mara a few years back. Loved it then! BUT now it is The Disney Land of African Safaris :-( Way too many Tourists and way too many Tour Operators wanting to get Their Clients that "Perfect" photo angle to capture that Perfect Photo. This October I went with my wife, for almost a 3 week Self Drive in Namibia. (Bring your husband and Kids)... There are several ways to go... Self-Drive Camping or Self Drive Lodging / Glamping or Group Busing Tours (Not recommended) :-( Their huge National Park (Estosha National Park) has two "lodges" and camping "within" the National Park and Several options just outside their gates. Inside the National Park (it's over 100 miles of roadway) are areas (waterholes) where the animals gather everyday and photo opts are Unlimited. (You DON'T need a Photo Guide). In the almost 3 weeks we traveled throughout this country we met only 3 other Americans. Mostly German tourists. It was one of the friendliest countries I've been to. There are Soooo Many photo opts. in this country. The Desert Dunes, the South Atlantic Sand Dunes the animal rescue centers and the Several Private Reserves. I'm looking to go back for another Adventure to that country, but NOT for 3 weeks BUT for 3 months! It is that Impressive and Yet really undiscovered by the American traveler... If you want you can checkout some of the photos on my Facebook Page..."The Real Costa Rican Adventure" and go back on the page a little to the photos on Namibia... You'll LOVE It there!

drydock Loc: mackay, queensland australia

I recommend Gamewatchers safari company in the Kenyan conservancy’s. no crowds of tourists, the same amount of game, personalised guided tour with wonderful Masai guides, great food and accommodation. Plenty of photo opportunities. The best thing is that you are supporting conservation and the Masai people

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Need someone to carry your extra cards or batteries, maybe your tripod? Asking no wages, just expenses

jedcardio

The travel company Jacada will tailor a trip for you.Give them your budget and they will do everything except for air travel to and from Africa.

Rineal Loc: Copake NY

I am going with Gamewatchers on January 9th! So excited I can hardly wait - any specific tips?
Thanks
Richard

genesampson

Don't change lenses due to dust and take videos as well as stills. If you haven't taken videos practice zooming and panning before you go.I like my vids better than stills. They tell a story, not just capture a moment in time.

fromafar

2016 Kenya & Tanzania in and about the Masai Mara for two fantastic weeks! Highly recommend Natural Habitat Adventures. They specialize in small group safaris, limit group size to no more than 12 travelers, typically 8 or less; our 2016 safari to the Masai Mara was a 'group' of 3, our Botswana Photo Safari was a group of 5! NatHab is affiliated with WWF. They specialize in safaris that take you off the 'beaten tourist path', the company is one of the few if only, that has special permissions/license to go off road in the Mara. Most tour/safari companies are not permitted to go off-road, thus the reason for the tour group crowding often seen.

NatHab uses only licensed, local guides who have a great knowledge of the land and animals. As example, our guide for the Masai Mara Kenya Safari, was Joe Charelson, who grew up as a child in So. Africa and whose father was 'hunter and guide in the day' of big game hunts. So he lived on the land quit often...had a vast repository of knowledge that he freely shared which added to the experience!

Is NatHab pricey, yes, a bit so, but well worth it. The company can make all arrangements, door-to-door! Here is there link: www.nathab.com

fecraly

I have been to Masai Mara as part of a trip to Kenya/Tanzania. Travelled in June 2016. Check the weather forecasts for the time you want to go. Late May-early June is after wet season--best time to travel. Include Serengeti in your plans. May-June is time to see northern migration. I used Overseas Adventure Travel. Not strictly a photo safari, but unlimited opportunities for photos, with some cultural stuff included (visit to Masai tribe, etc). Small groups, 12-14 typical. Take a telephoto lens with long reach. I had only 28-300 mm zoom, 600 would have been much better (200-500 zoom, or 150-600 zoom would be best). Still need another lens for "close-ups"--yes the lions and elephants get within 10 feet of the safari vehicles!! Interesting observation in Masai Mara--out in middle of absolute nowhere, at a rest break, the native guide in native dress pulled out a cell phone and checked with other guides on what animals were where. Could see no towers; he said look for trees with very straight trunks--sure enough, could see the antennas in well disguised towers. Great 2 week trip. I plan to go back to Serengeti again soon.

rosjan

I just got back from the Mara. I wasn't part of a photo tour and had a wonderful time. I shot some beautiful pictures. Now more to the point, I have a friend who travels Africa regularly on photo tours. He swears by Tusk Photo (tuskphoto.com). He says they are very reliable and the tours have really improved his work. His pictures are unbelievable.

tempest101 Loc: Indiana

Thank you all so much!! I am really motivated to go with my whole family. I think I am equipped with the right gear already...so at least the won’t add to the trip cost. I should soon get down to figuring out the time and itinerary!!
Once again thanks for your inputs, tips and references!!

For tBragg Guy Loc: Fort Bragg Ca

I went there with a company called Images in Africa Safaris and had a wonderful experience. There were individuals on the trip as well as a family and all were pleased. We stayed at the Karen Blixen Camp on the Mara River. The owner also gives free advice and camera help and has led companies from professional photo people.

For tBragg Guy Loc: Fort Bragg Ca

I went there with a company called Images in Africa Safaris and had a wonderful experience. There were individuals on the trip as well as a family and all were pleased. We stayed at the Karen Blixen Camp on the Mara River. The owner also gives free advice and camera help and has led companies from professional photo people.

DJD Loc: Seal Beach, CA

Last June I spent 2.5 weeks touring the Masai Mara and the Serengeti with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT). The Masai Mara portion was a 5 night "pre-trip" extra. After a short flight from Nairobi, Kenya we landed on the Masai Mara and within an hour and a half, we saw the big five. And it just got better. Our OAT group consisted of 14 people. OAT tends to attract people 55 and older. However, I've seen groups with younger people as well. We had one woman who was 95 and she kept pace with everyone. One thing about OAT there is no extra charge for single travelers. OAT isn't exclusive to just photography, they include a lot of cultural activities, e.g. museums, village/school visits, etc. Nevertheless, there are abundant opportunities for photo ops. I took my Nikon D500 w/80-400 lens for animals/birds and a point and shoot for landscapes (didn't want to change lens as dust is everywhere). There are a lot of good recommendations on this page, so set a date and GO ! If you can take your family, all the better.