Iconic Wildlife

Famed by countless BBC and National Geographic documentaries, the Mara is the stage for some of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth. Lions roam the plains, wildebeest and zebra thunder through on their epic Great Migration, and elephants and elusive leopards make their home in the vast savannah. Overhead and all around, hundreds of colourful bird species fill the skies – from eagles and vultures to the dazzling lilac-breasted rollers and aptly named superb starlings.

Here, you’ll find all of the Big Five, lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and Cape buffalo but let’s not forget an endless cast of other incredible creatures: cheetahs, giraffes, gazelles, crocodiles, hippos, zebra, storks, vultures, kingfishers and more. It’s a wildlife photographer’s paradise, and we’ll be right at the heart of it.

There’s nowhere quite like the Mara. The sheer volume and variety of wildlife is breathtaking, it’s a place where you’re spoilt for choice at every turn, with something remarkable always waiting for your lens.

We partner each year with our brilliant, highly experienced Maasai guides whose deep knowledge of the land and its animals is second to none. And rather than following the crowds, we base ourselves in the very peaceful private conservancies. Quieter, wilder places that often feel like we’ve got the entire savannah to ourselves. Ideal for wildlife photography!

This trip is perfectly timed to catch the Great Migration – when vast herds of wildebeest and zebra move between the Serengeti and the Mara. Nature doesn’t run on a schedule, of course, but this window has delivered every time we’ve been.

Karibu Mattikoko…

…. place of wild beauty, warm hospitality, and unforgettable photography safaris.

Tucked away in the heart of Kenya’s Maasai Mara, Mattikoko Safari Camp is a peaceful, family-run retreat nestled in the wildlife-rich and private Lemek Conservancy. It’s the kind of place where you can hear the dawn chorus of birds, sip coffee as the plains come to life and still be back in time for a hot shower and a proper breakfast. At night, you’ll drift off to the sounds of the African bush, hyenas whooping in the distance and the occasional lion reminding everyone who’s in charge (don’t worry, they’re not that close!). Our brilliant Maasai guides and welcoming camp team are here to make sure every game drive, meal and moment is something to remember.

You’ll stay in spacious, glamping-style safari tents with hot showers, flushing toilets, electricity, and comfortable beds, everything you need to feel at home in the wild. Wildlife is often spotted near camp, adding to the magic of the setting.

Meals are freshly prepared on-site each day, with breakfast and lunches enjoyed back at camp or a packed and enjoyed in the wild when we’re out on a longer adventure. Evenings begin with sundowners out on the savannah, followed by a drink or two around the fire back at camp, and then dinner in the boma. Great meals, great conversations, and a safari cocktail in hand while the evening blends with the crackle of the fire and the clink of glasses.

Karibu Mattikoko!

The Conservancy Advantage – Ethical and Sustainable

Most of our photo safaris take place in the Lemek and Ol Chorro Conservancies, beautiful, wildlife-rich areas in the Maasai Mara eco-system. These conservancies were created to protect vital habitats and wildlife corridors, while also supporting the local Maasai communities who own the land.

Compared to the much busier National Reserve, conservancies are a dream for wildlife photographers: fewer vehicles, no jostling at sightings, and the ability to responsibly go off-road. Our guides are well connected too, always in touch with fellow guides and rangers to help track down the best action.

Conservancies are also doing crucial work behind the scenes, keeping the Mara–Serengeti ecosystem healthy while bringing income and opportunity to the Maasai people.

Part of the cost of your safari goes straight back into these conservancies, helping to fund community projects, protect wildlife, and keep the wild feeling truly wild.