MASAI MARA

Masai Mara, Kenya’s most famous national park, is located in the southwestern part of the country and is commonly referred to simply as “the Mara.” This vast and stunningly beautiful park continues across the border into neighboring Tanzania, where it takes on a new name: the Serengeti. Approximately 10% of the ecosystem lies within Kenya, while the remaining 90% is situated in Tanzania. Masai Mara is largely composed of open landscapes and expansive grasslands. Two rivers, the Mara River and the Talek River, flow through the park and shape its scenery. It is along various points of the Mara River that millions of wildebeest and zebras make their dramatic river crossings each year during what is known as The Great Migration. Every year, massive herds of wildebeest and zebras arrive from the Serengeti to graze in the Mara for a few months. In the fall, they leave the park to return to the Serengeti in time for calving season. Beyond this breathtaking spectacle, Masai Mara offers an extraordinary variety of wildlife. The park is home to a large population of lions, often regarded as its main attraction. Other big cats such as leopards and cheetahs are also commonly seen. From your safari vehicle, you may also spot hyenas, jackals, giraffes, gazelles, various species of antelope, baboons, and many other animals. The rivers are inhabited by hippos and the fascinating Nile crocodiles. Thanks to the rich vegetation near the water, there are also good chances of seeing elephants, reedbucks, and waterbucks moving through the area.

PHOTO JEEPS

The vehicles used during this trip are Arnfinn Johansen’s privately owned, specially modified 4WD Toyota Land Cruisers, built specifically for photography.

Each jeep is spacious, with a total of eight seats. There are three rows behind the front seat, offering seating for seven people, including six window seats. However, to ensure the best possible photographic experience, we limit each vehicle to a maximum of four guests. The large open sides, free from windows and with low frames, offer a major advantage when panning or capturing action shots from a low perspective. This setup also gives excellent visibility of the surroundings. The roof can be opened, allowing photographers to stand and shoot from above if preferred. Since the vehicles are privately operated, we have the flexibility to remove seat rows for extra space or to lie down and shoot through a low-level photo hatch in the door for an even lower angle. It’s also possible to remove the front seats, providing room to lie on the thick rubber floor mats — perfect for photographing wildlife at eye level.

Every jeep features 230V power outlets, allowing you to easily charge your camera batteries during the day if they run low. However, we recommend charging all batteries overnight at camp and bringing extra batteries as well. Thanks to the thoughtful layout of the vehicle, it’s also easy to use tripods, monopods, and beanbags inside. Beanbags are available for use, but you can also bring your own and fill them up in the camp.

FULL-DAY SAFARI IN THE PARK

Unlike most safari trips, we will embark on full-day safaris each day, allowing us to explore the park from before sunrise until after sunset. This approach ensures that you get the absolute most out of your photographic week in the Masai Mara. Full-day safaris provide significantly more time to photograph wildlife, as we don’t return to the lodge for lunch. Instead, we bring breakfast and lunch with us, allowing us to stay with the animals throughout the day and capture those magical moments whenever they happen — whether in the early morning light, midday action, or golden-hour calm. Meals are enjoyed out on the savanna, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the wild.

ITINERARY

AUGUST 9-15 2026

During the week, Arnfinn will give lectures, and you’ll also work on photo editing. He will provide personal image critique and feedback on your photos to help you develop your photographic skills.

DAY 1, (Aug. 9) – ARRIVAL TO MASAI MARA
We meet at Nairobi International Airport at 06:30, where a driver will greet the group for transfer to Masai Mara. A scenic five-hour drive awaits before we arrive at the park.

Upon arrival at Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp, you’ll be welcomed by Arnfinn Johansen. After check-in, a late lunch will be served. In the afternoon, it’s time for our first safari in the specially modified photo jeep, which will provide unique photographic opportunities throughout the trip. After our first game drive in the Masai Mara, we return to camp for dinner. (L = Lunch, D = Dinner)

DAY 2-6, (Aug. 10-14) – FULL-DAY SAFARI WITH PHOTO JEEPS
During the days, we will explore the surroundings of the Masai Mara with the help of our skilled Maasai guides and driver, led by award-winning photographer Arnfinn Johansen. This setup offers plenty of time for conversations, personal guidance, and hands-on photographic tips and advice. The main focus throughout the safari is the Great Migration.

Even on the way to the river, you’ll encounter thousands of wildebeest moving almost in single file toward the water, driven by their instinct to find greener grazing lands. Seeing massive herds of wildebeest and zebras gather at the riverbank, hesitating at the edge as crocodiles lie in wait, is a truly thrilling experience. Then, suddenly, the tension breaks — one animal makes the first move, and the rest follow. What unfolds is one of the most dramatic spectacles in the natural world, offering endless possibilities for powerful compositions and images. You might choose a slow shutter speed to capture the chaotic movement of the herd descending toward the river, or zoom in on a single zebra struggling through the current — either way, the photographic and emotional impact is unmatched. And the danger doesn’t end once they’ve crossed — in the tall grass beyond the steep banks, lions lie in wait for an easy target.

To maximize our shooting opportunities, we begin early,  before sunrise, and stay out until after sunset. With over 100 species of mammals and more than 570 bird species, the photographic subjects are virtually limitless. Our specially modified photo jeeps allow us to shoot from a low, eye-level perspective, ideal for capturing wildlife in the most natural and intimate way. Breakfast and lunch are enjoyed out on the savanna, and back at camp we end the day with dinner by the campfire, sharing stories and reviewing the day’s photography together. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)

DAY 7, (Aug. 15) – DEPARTURE
Even on this final day, we’ll enjoy a morning safari before returning to camp for lunch. After lunch, the bus departs for Nairobi International Airport, where you’ll catch your onward flight home. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch)

PHOTOGRAPHER

ARNFINN JOHANSEN • Wildlife and Nature Photographer

Arnfinn Johansen is a professional nature photographer based in Lillehammer, Norway. He is a member of Norske Naturfotografer (NN), an exclusive association for nature photographers who share a strong commitment to environmental protection and adhere to high ethical standards. Arnfinn has primarily focused his photography on the Nordic countries — including Svalbard — but has also worked extensively in North and South America, India, Sri Lanka, and Africa. Through his photography, Arnfinn aims to capture the magic of nature, evoke emotion, and let his images tell their own story. Some of his most powerful work features wildlife and birds in their natural environments, often with clean, minimalist compositions that also highlight the surrounding landscape and atmosphere.

www.arnfinnjohansen.com 

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LODGE

PRICE, FACTS & BOOKING

PRICE

Price per person: USD 5 900

The price includes:

• Round-trip bus transfer from Nairobi
• Accommodation in a tented camp according to the program
• All meals (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner) as stated in the itinerary
• Non-alcoholic beverages with meals
• Safaris with guides and drivers as per the program
• Access to specially adapted photography safari jeeps
• Full-day safaris in the park
• Park entrance fee to Masai Mara
• Participation of photographer Arnfinn Johansen throughout the trip
• Photo editing sessions and image critique with Arnfinn Johansen

The price does not include:

• Flights to and from Nairobi
• Single room supplement: USD 690
• Tips: USD 15 per day for the guide/driver and approximately USD 10 per day for the camp staff
• Personal expenses such as laundry, alcoholic beverages, etc.
• Travel insurance and cancellation protection – see “Good to Know” for details

FLIGHT

You should arrive in Nairobi no later than 06:00 on August 9 and not plan your return flight earlier than 20:00 on August 15.

FACTS

Target group: Photographers interested in developing their skills in wildlife and nature photography.

Minimum/Maximum participants: 7/8

Other information: For more details about Zoom Photo Tours, terms and conditions, etc., please visit the “Other Information” section on our website.

CAMERA EQUIPMENT

• Your DSLR or mirrorless camera.

• A short zoom lens, e.g. 24–70 mm.

• A medium zoom lens, e.g. 70-200 mm.

• A telephoto lens, e.g. 400/500/600 mm.

• A teleconverter.

• A monopod.

• Extra memory cards, batteries, and battery charger.

• A laptop for taking backup-up.

BOOKING

If you would like assistance with booking international flights to Nairobi, we are happy to help. Please contact us by phone at +46 470 466 40 or via email info@zoomphototours.com