Kenya Migration Photo Expedition

Our Kenya Migration Photo Expedition begins in Nairobi, the country's capital and traditional jumping-off point for most safaris. Transfer to our boutique inn in the tranquil suburb of Karen on the outskirts of the city, a setting at the foot of the Ngong Hills immortalized in Isak Dinesen's famous memoir Out of Africa. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with our Expedition Leader who offers a preview of the many photography adventures that lie ahead.

After breakfast, head out with our Expedition Leader for our first wildlife photography opportunity, a morning game drive in nearby Nairobi National Park. Designated as a protected reserve by the British colonial government in 1946, this 45-square-mile park on the outskirts of the city is home to black rhino, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, buffalo, giraffe and diverse birdlife, with more than 400 species recorded. During these introductory wildlife photo sessions, our Expedition Leader will assess interests, aspirations and level of photography experience, in order to provide the personalized coaching that is the hallmark of a Nat Hab Photo Expedition.

Transfer to the airport for our flight to the Maasai Mara. Our first safari destination is a vast private conservancy offering unparalleled access for wildlife photography. Nat Hab's own mobile camp provides bush luxury in classic canvas tents, surrounded by all the wonders of the Maasai Mara ecosystem without the crowds. The conservancy model has been a boon to the region's legendary wildlife, creating buffer zones and protecting migration corridors while providing economic benefits to local landowners through responsible safari tourism.

On this private reserve, we photograph the Mara’s spectacular wildlife in peaceful solitude, as our camp is one of just a handful located within its bounds. Strict limits on guest numbers mean unprecedented wildlife viewing, especially of the wildebeest migration that occurs in close proximity. The conservancy serves as a migration corridor for several hundred thousand animals between the Maasai Mara National Reserve and the Loita Plains to the east. A multitude of species flourishes here: great herds of antelope dot the rolling plains while stands of acacia trees shelter prolific birdlife. Rich volcanic soils nurture a verdant landscape where we find more lions per square mile than anywhere else in Kenya. Impressive herds of elephant, giraffe and zebra are also at home here. Our activities make the most of our unrivaled access to this vast, wild region. In addition to daily game drives, enjoy guided walks, bush picnics, off-road safaris and night drives in search of nocturnal wildlife—pursuits not permitted in the national reserve.

With plenty of wildlife photo opportunities en route, transfer by road to the Maasai Mara National Reserve for another exhilarating vantage on the wildebeest migration. The reserve is named for the Maasai tribespeople, the traditional inhabitants of the area who still graze cattle here, and the Mara River that runs through it. The Mara is the northern portion of the Serengeti Plains, and we find excellent wildlife viewing in these endless grasslands.

Nat Hab's Migration Camp, our private luxury mobile outpost, enjoys an exclusive setting near the Mara River where wildebeest cross during the migration. Deluxe canvas tents are secluded beneath ample trees that provide shade from the midday sun. Located in a wildlife hotspot, our campsite also provides easy access to the rest of the reserve, including the main river systems. Wildlife drives take us among myriad plains game for close-up photo opportunities—not only of the thundering herds of wildebeest and their zebra companions, but also gazelle, impala, hartebeest, topi and giraffe. Predators follow in close pursuit, and the Mara is especially famed for its lions—we may see them hunting in the early morning or evening or resting beneath acacia trees in the heat of the day. Hyenas also patrol the plains in some of the largest numbers in Africa. Optional hot air balloon safaris with a champagne breakfast upon landing are also available (additional cost) during our stay at Nat Hab's Migration Camp.

Fly back to Nairobi today, where day rooms await for refreshment and relaxation. Later, we'll share a farewell meal to close our Kenya photo safari before outbound evening flights.