Photography

If you have been looking for the best African Wildlife Photography opportunity, then you are in the right place. Hold on to your hats, you are in for an experience that you will never forget in your life. We are leading you in to the best combination of Kenya’s and East Africa Game Parks.

Nowhere else that you find huge concentration of big game, small game and birdlife than these two parks in Kenya. They are simply the best for you as a professional wildlife photographer or amateur. Our experienced safari guides who are driving customized 4 x 4 Landcruisers will lead you out on safari, they know how to track the movement of the big game, positioning of safari vehicles based on subject, light and animal behaviour. They have been guiding a lot of experienced photographers and they always get booked in advance which it is a sign of excellent guiding skills.

Why Photo Tour with us

  • Two best game viewing parks in East Africa throughout the year.
  • There is value for your money. Our pricing is very competitive. Excellent services at affordable prices.
  • Stay at our own luxury tented Camps.
  • Top, experienced and knowledgeable safari guides with over 7 years of guiding experience.
  • Private and exclusive use of Safari Vehicle, Row seating is guaranteed. Three photographers per car. (4th person only if requested by the same group)
  • Customized Safari vehicles all are 4 x 4 with open roof and open sides for excellent viewing and Photography.
  • Our booking terms and conditions of are very flexible.
  • Camps owned by Safari Guide with wide knowledge on Safari guiding and Safari Lodge Management.

Safari Highlights

  • Big Five Safaris in their Natural Habitat I.e. Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffalos and Black Rhinos.
  • Close encounter with Big herds of elephants feeding, moving, playing, mud-bathing, fighting or mating.
  • Big male elephants with massive tusks, some of the biggest in Africa.
  • Elephants with Africa’s highest Mountain in the background.
  • Massive numbers of birds in Lake Amboseli, water birds and birds of the Savannah.
  • The Great Migration of over 2.5 million Wildebeests and Zebras in July to October, One of the seven wonders of the world.
  • Moving, Playing, mating and Hunting Lions, Cheetahs and Leopards.
  • Zebras, Giraffes, Hippos, Warthogs, Impalas, Topis, Gazelles, crocodiles, Jackals, Hyenas, Serval cats.
  • Best Sunset and Sunrise Silhouettes.

Our Photography Safari Guides

Our guides are some of the best in the industry!
We won the "GREATEST MAASAI MARA PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2019" where our own guest together with our guide staying at zebra Plains Mara Camp had their photo Titled 'SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST' won among thousands of other selected photos by the panel. The description of the photo was "An intense moment of life and death as a lioness kills to feed her young male cubs so their legacy may continue"

Zebra Plains Collection guides who will lead you out on photography safari have undergone several training in the field of Photography and they will be able to get you into the best position to photograph African Wildlife. Apart from their knowledge in Positioning of the safari car in consideration to the subject, light, animal behaviour and your type of Photography our guides understand movement of the big game and small game.
You will be surprised by them giving you the names of most cats in the Mara and this thus gives you confidence that they know where to spot specific animal at a particular location.
Depending on your duration of stay with us, your interest and season of the year, your guide will plan with you what he thinks to be the best for you. They guide with a lot of passion and always happy to take you out on Half day safaris or Full Day safaris to ensure that your wish list is achieved.
They have several years of experience in guiding different photographers. They also go through In-house training every year to sharpen their skills on Wildlife Knowledge, Customer Care, Safari Guiding and Photography.
We appreciate to see our 85% of Photographers coming back to Zebra Plains and requesting our guides which it is a good indicator of excellent guiding skills.
Our guides will create once in a lifetime experience for you.

Our Photography Safari Vehicles

Our customized Photography safari vehicles are all 4 x 4 Landcruisers and we only do Private Safaris for each group which it guarantees you Private Safari Car and Guide and thus allowing you to explore your photography at your own pace.

Our Safari Vehicles features the following:

  • Most of them have 6 Comfortable Seats with 3 rows with each photographer taking own row. One Vehicle with 2 Rows may be assigned for 2 Photographers or 1 Photographer.
  • Wooden Window frames which help in stabilizing your camera and also support for the beanbags.
  • Open roofs that gives you opportunity to photography from the roof, we have support for the bean bags as well in the roof.
  • One of the doors can be removed while staying at Zebra Plains Mara camp and upon request and approval by management of the Park. This has to be applied for prior to arrival.
  • We have fitted charging units in our safari vehicles to ensure that you can charge your Cameras if need be.
  • We have Cooler boxes and Picnic Safari Boxes in the safari vehicles for drinks and packed meals when out on full day.
  • Our Vehicles have radios for communication among our guides on game sightings. Our guides will always use them professionally.
  • NB: Vehicles with sun-roof can be made available if requested. We can always put back the hatch in one of the vehicles for you.

Our Guests Photographers Reviews


Rao GV - Atlanta, Georgia, USA

The all in one Zebra Plains Mara camp in Magical Maasai Mara.
Amazing location, the tents are open to the wilderness and seeing the wildebeest grazing outside while eating the lunch and listening to the lions roaring while slipping into the sleep is an amazing experience and out of the world. Think about lying down in a luxury tent and watching the savanna and wildlife after the lunch and taking a little nap :) The high caliber guides at Zebra plains make your safari experience exciting, exhilarating and unforgettable. The guides are knowledgeable, quick at spotting the animals and if you are a photographer, these amazing guides know how to quickly position the vehicles to take pictures. Being a repeated guest at Zebra Plains Mara Camp, I happened to witness the real game , Lions hunting Giraffe baby, Warthog, Lions retrieving the warthog from the burrows, Cheetahs hunting Topi and Gazelle, Leopard hunting, Hyenas hunting a buffalo calf, Hyenas chasing the Gazelle and the drama is never ending. While coming back to the camp after the game drive twice i happened to see a cheetah with its kill near the camp. Been to half a dozen of safaris in Botswana, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and a couple of places in Mara before I found the Zebra Plains and Zebra Plains Mara is my permanent place in Mara. The accommodation, the food, and the lovely staff are just amazing and very accommodating. First time I entered my pictures for any competitions in "The Greatest Of Maasai Mara” and three of my pictures got caught of the attention of the judges.

The Zebra Plains Amboseli camp - The Gem of Amboseli National Park and the Photographer's destination!
The beautiful Zebra Plains Amboseli camp is a real hidden gem in the African bush surrounded by the Acacia trees, and the bushes. The tents are cozy,huge, clean and give you the real bush experience and yes the majestic Mt.Kilimanjaro in the back drop make this place an unique and you will forget all the stress and you feel that you are in a different world and feel the fairy tale experience. So serene, calm and the aroma of the crisp and fresh air fill the energies with in.
I must mention about the food, since I am a food lover :). Such a delicious international menu and I liked their Goat Choma the most .. think about the camp fire in the evening with a tusker beer or your favorite cocktails?
The guides are so sweet,so patient and always eager to show the new sightings every day. Imagine watching a huge elephant from 2-3 meters distance? Huge elephant herds against the Mt.Kilimanjaro? as a photographer, i was lucky enough to capture the elephants against the Mt. Kilimanjaro and the dream was fulfilled in my last trip. Gereneck, Oryx, Lions, Bat Eared fox,Flamingoes,Pelicans,Yellow necked fowls,King fishers, Fish eagles, many varieties of cranes, egrets, African Jacana and the drama between an eagle and the fox over feeding on a gazelle are some of my memorable experiences. While Amboseli is famous for huge elephants in Africa, it is also a place for variety of other wildlife and birds. The marshes and swamps are beautiful with flora and fauna.

Rosemary Locock - Weymouth, Dorset, UK

Amboseli Camp
Amboseli camp is in a prime position for its magnificent views of Kilimanjaro. The tents are beautifully equipped to a high standard and each one is nestled in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. There is an abundance of bird life and herds of Elephants making their way from the forests down to the marsh each morning. The staff at Amboseli camp are on hand to attend to your every need and nothing is too much trouble. The food is delicious and beautifully presented. The guides are very knowledgeable and will make the most of every photo opportunity, getting you in the correct position for that all important shot. There is no sharing a vehicle either. As photographers you are always given your own vehicle to ensure you have plenty of room and you can stay out all day if you so desire.

Mara Camp
As a repeat guest to Zebra Plains Mara Camp we can truly recommend this tented camp. From the moment you step down from the safari vehicle you feel like you have come home. The staff are amazing and are on hand at all times to make sure you have the best stay possible. The camp is beautifully furnished and the attention to detail is of a very high standard. The tents are comfortable and well furnished. At times you have your own private game viewing as Zebra, Wildebeest and Giraffe are seen grazing just outside the the tents. The photography opportunities here are endless. From the moment you leave camp the guides are looking for the best photo opportunities and always strive to get you to where the action is taking place and getting you in a prime position. They have a wealth of knowledge about the animals and the Mara itself. The food is amazing, well prepared and presented to a very high standard. As photographers you are always given your own vehicle to ensure you have plenty of room and you can stay out all day if you so desire.

Greg Harvey - Wildlife Photographer - Edmonton, Canada

As a tour leader I have stayed at several camps in the Masai Mara. I like staying at Zebra Plains for their close proximity to leopards. If you are a serious photographer and interested in staying out on longer game drives I find Zebra Plains to be more accommodating than most other Mara camps. A good guide can make or break your safari experience and all of the guides I have had the pleasure of working with at Zebra Plains have been fantastic. They understand light and photography and know where to position the vehicle so you have the best chance at getting great images. Back at camp the accommodations are comfortable and the staff are warm and are always happy to ensure my guests are delighted with all aspects of their stay.

I recommend photographers and non-photographers alike stay at Zebra Plains Mara camp. For the safari enthusiasts who aren’t as serious about photography, I highly recommend Zebra Plains guides for their warmth, kindness and willingness to show guests a great Masai Mara experience. If you are interested in visiting and or supporting a school, visiting a village, going for long game drives or shorter game drives, Zebra Plains will accommodate your needs.

Dominique Haution and Laurent Renaud - Douai France

In September 2020 it was It was our first stay in Zebra Plains and what a discovery!
We came back in October for 2 weeks and again booked for February 2021 and many more to come in future.
Everything is set up for observing and photographing many animal behaviors:

Life in the camp is extremely agreeable. The staff is very kind and efficient. And when we are at Zebra Plains we feel at home.

Teresa O Dweyer - Thurles, Co Tipperary Ireland

At Zebra Plains Mara camp the guides with their extensive knowledge of the local wildlife go the extra mile to fulfil your photography needs and improve your chances of getting the best shot, Their ability to position your vehicle for optional photo options.

The game drives are incredible and the guides knowledge and familiarity of the Wildlife and the park ensured many amazing encounters.

Safari Vehicles have been converted to suit any photography need, the location of the camp is northern corner of the Mara and you choose places to go depending on what you want to see also as per your guides recommendation.

Back at the camp the staff are so lovely and chefs prepare very delicious food,I love my vegeterian meals. The rooms are very spacious, clean and comfy.

I have been to the camp 9 times and yes this tells you how much I love the camp and all staff.

Rob the Ranger (Rob Vamplew) - Mokopane, South Africa

Zebra Plains Amboseli and Mara camps provide excellent service and friendly welcoming atmospheres. Both camps have a stunning view: Mara across the rolling Plains and is perfect for sunset pictures, and Amboseli dominated by the peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The flexibility offered in the timing of the drives and the fact that each booking goes out in a private vehicle means that there is no rush in any sighting to get the shots you want. The knowledgeable guides always ensure that the vehicle is in the best position for a shot.

One of the best things I found about the Amboseli Camp is that it is situated in a different habitat to the main reserve, giving a greater variety of fauna and flora. I also very much appreciate the location of the Mara Camp as it gives easy access to almost all of the reserve meaning you can visit all the different game viewing hotspots during a visit.

Alessio de Vitis - Saint Gallen, Switzerland

We visited Zebra Plains Mara Camp in January 2020 rather spontaneously. After booking just about a week before our arrival, we only had to book a flight to Nairobi – the rest was taken care of by Alfred and his marvelous team.

Everything worked out smoothly and we could already catch a glimpse of what expected us during our 5-day stay when we drove from the airstrip to the camp: a family of elephants, giraffes and cape buffalos – which are affectionately called ‘bush cows’ here :).

Yuda, our safari guide, accompanied us during the entire length of our stay. An avid photographer himself, he always made sure we would get the perfect angle to shoot the best possible picture of the animal we just found.

Not only the safari was perfect; the staff at Zebra Plains Mara Camp did everything to make us feel comfortable and taken care of. The food was just delicious. We honestly expected the dishes to be more ‘basic’ out in the bushes (maybe I was a bit biased by what I experienced in the Army), but hey!...what the chef(s) at Zebra Plains Mara Camp prepared on the plates every day was a delight for the palate! We can’t wait to return to this wonderful place once it’s allowed to travel again. Experiencing all these animals out in the wild up-close is a really humbling privilege.

Photography Equipment

  • A Quality Camera of your choice and its different lenses.
  • Flexible Telephoto lens comes into use when you don’t get closer into a sighting. Standards lens may not help and having telephoto lens will be handy in this situation.
  • Tele Converters will always give you good quality image. Always choose the right one, some can damage the quality of your photos still.
  • Wide-angle lens that will allow you to capture your subject when you are very close to it.
  • Bean Bags are used on any surface in the car to support your camera and reduce any shaking thus giving you good quality image. (Zebra Plains provide them on request. Other photographers prefer to have their own.)
  • Camera Bag that is customized to carry your camera, lenses and other equipment. They are normally padded to protect all the equipment from crushing each other.
  • Clothing that camouflages you on safari are highly recommended. Avoid brightly coloured clothes.
  • Tripod where bean bag is not used provide stability to your camera.
  • Lens cleaning equipment.
  • Battery chargers.
  • Spare Batteries and extra Memory cards are needed when on safari so that you don’t run out of them in the middle of action.