Maasai Mara Wildlife Photography & Conservation Workshop

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Photograph the epic Great Migration, learn from a pro, and become a conservationist.

Here’s an opportunity to experience the Maasai Mara – one of the most exclusive African safari destinations – in a unique way; as a wildlife photographer and conservation volunteer. This July and August, you can join us for 2 to 6 weeks for an exclusive experience. (And photographers of all levels are welcome!)

Kenya’s Maasai Mara is an enchanting wildlife paradise that presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to embellish your wildlife portfolio with matchless photography opportunities. Picture a quintessential African vista of rolling hills dotted with acacia trees, and populated with lions, leopards, elephants, and giraffes – and you’re there.

As a wildlife photographer on this program, you will spend your time shooting, editing, critiquing and showcasing under the guidance of our experienced photography instructors and in the company of equally enthusiastic peers. You’ll also contribute to local wildlife conservation efforts in a tangible way. You’ll leave Kenya having grown as a photographer, enriched your intercultural competence, and armed with an incredible portfolio.

2025 Dates & Rates

Start Dates: July 13 / July 20 / July 27 / August 3 / August 10
Please note that you’ll arrive on a Sunday, but leave on a Monday. (So if you’re staying for 2 weeks, your full stay is 15 days.)

Rates: 1 wk: $2745 / 2 wks: $4995 / 3 wks: $7395 / 4 wks: $9745 / 5 wks: $11,995 / 6 wks: $14,295

Quick Facts

Maasai Mara, Kenya

Jul 13 – Aug 25, 2025

Join for 2 – 6 weeks

Wildlife Photography

Photography Guides: Hanna Wigart & Sam Turley

Group Size: Max 10

All Photography Levels

Tour & Destination Highlights

Enjoy incredible wildlife photography opportunities (some of the very best in Africa)
Have an opportunity to photograph the Great Migration
Enjoy tutoring by professional wildlife photographers
Learn about and photograph local wildlife photography projects
An opportunity to experience exclusive game reserves without paying luxury prices
Have the flexibility of joining for 2 to 6 weeks

Quick Facts

Maasai Mara, Kenya

Jul 13 – Aug 25, 2025

Join for 2 – 6 weeks

Wildlife Photography

Photography Guides: Hanna Wigart & Sam Turley

Group Size: Max 10

PRICING OVERVIEW

from USD $2745GBP £EUR €ZAR RAUD $

USDGBPEURZARAUD

At the current exchange rate. Please note final quote might vary slightly

per person sharing

INCLUDING

Accommodation
All meals
All game drives and other wildlife photography activities
All conservation activities
All transportation & Airport transfers
Photographic tuition
Park entrance fees

EXCLUDING

International Flights
Personal travel insurance

EXPLORE

Photography in Kenya

All your dreams, as a wildlife photographer, come true in the Maasai Mara.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN KENYA

Your Photographic Experience

The Maasai Mara is one of Africa’s prime safari destinations. Situated within the expansive Great Rift Valley, it boasts a diverse array of habitats including open rolling grasslands, riverine forests, woodlands, and even swamps. These habitats are home to the Mara’s remarkable concentration of herbivores such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, elephant and much more. The Maasai Mara’s significance extends beyond its wildlife diversity, as this wildlife haven also serves as a corridor for one of the most spectacular animal sightings on earth – the great wildebeest migration. An astonishing 1.2 million wildebeests, 300,000 zebra, and other herds of smaller herbivores set the scene for the greatest show on earth as they begin their trek along age-old routes, moving from the southern part of Tanzania’s Serengeti Desert up and around to Masai Mara in Kenya, then back again. The curtain rises on a wildlife photographer’s dream scene, and although we can not predict the exact movement of the animals, our program runs within the right season to photograph this dramatic spectacle. Throughout your stay, you’ll enjoy the expert guidance of a local team, as well as a professional wildlife photographer. During the first three weeks of the program, Hanna Wigart will be the photography guide, and during the last three weeks, it’ll be Sam Turley. You’ll have the unique opportunity to visit various initiatives and communities that are dedicated to the conservation of the Greater Maasai Mara. This includes meeting with representatives of local communities and conservation-focused foundations, which will give you great insights into multi-faceted solutions to conservation, sustainable tourism, and more. We’ll also visit the Ol Chorro Conservancy, a conservation project that has been protecting rhinos for over 20 years. Rhinos roam freely within the surrounding landscape, so we will have the unique opportunity to approach and photograph the rhino on foot quite safely. In addition, we’ll join the Maasai herders on a cultural walk during the last stretch of their return home, where we will also meet with the herders’ families. This activity is an excellent opportunity for intercultural learning and exchange, and a great setting for portraiture and sunset photography.

Feedback

My tour of the Maasai Mara with Penda was nothing short of brilliant. When you travel to a place as incredible as Kenya you always have very high expectations, and Penda delivered. The tour was very well organised, the staff at the camp, the food, the accommodation and logistics were all amazing. But it’s the people that always make a tour special, and our guide and drivers were brilliant, making sure we got the best access to see and photograph the incredible wildlife of the Maasai Mara. Big shout out to Hanna, our guide, for her expertise and making sure we got the most amazing shots. I can highly recommend Penda if you are ever considering a wildlife photography tour.

Michael Collinge

I feel very lucky to have been able to take part in the Masai Mara Photography Project with Penda. The wildlife encounters, from big cats to river crossings and much more, surpassed all of my expectations. It was also interesting to learn about the conservation successes and challenges in the wider ecosystem. The accommodation, staff and food were excellent and it was nice to be part of a diverse group of other participants. Hanna and Sam, the tour leaders, were great and taught me a lot about editing images as well as improving my photography in the field, the challenge will be to keep it up! Penda made the process of booking very easy and were always on hand to help, even checking in whilst on the trip which was a nice touch. I would definitely travel with them in the future and recommend them to others.

James Walker

My experience with Penda in the Maasai Mara was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we set out, it was clear that this was not just a tour, but a deeply immersive wildlife experience tailored for photographers of all levels. The guides were incredibly knowledgeable, not only about the wildlife but also about how to capture the perfect shot in the unique conditions of the Mara. Their expertise and patience ensured that I could capture the stunning beauty of the landscape and the majestic animals in their natural habitat. The tour was organized, and every detail was planned to maximize our time in the field. Penda provided an unforgettable adventure, allowing me to return home with breathtaking images and memories that will last a lifetime. I cannot recommend them highly enough for anyone looking to combine their love of photography with the awe-inspiring beauty of the Maasai Mara.

Juan Rivera

Gallery

WORKSHOP LEADER

Hanna Wigart

WORKSHOP LEADER

Hanna Wigart

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Hanna is a wildlife photographer with a background in zoology, so she’s able to offer insight into both the photography and the wildlife you’ll be photographing. Hanna has worked with incredible wildlife around the world, and is passionate about using photography to spread awareness of conservation and research projects.

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WORKSHOP LEADER

Sam Turley

WORKSHOP LEADER

Sam Turley

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Sam is an award-winning wildlife photographer and conservationist. During his career in wildlife conservation in Southern Africa, Sam began to understand the power of conservation storytelling through photography, and has made it his mission to educate, inspire and motivate people to fight for a wild future. Sam has won the Wilderness Safaris People’s Choice Award in 2020, and he was a finalist in various competitions, including Africa Geographic Photographer of the Year and Natural History Museum Photographer of the Year.

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EXPERIENCE

Your Time With Us

Day 1Hello Maasai Mara

If it is the day of your arrival, we will head to the Wildlife Tourism College (WTC) in the Pardamat Conservation Area (PCA). After an informal get-to-know-you breakfast, we will have an orientation and introduction to wildlife photography session. We may also have a free day, or a day’s game drive in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Day 2Introduction to Conservation

We will begin with an early morning field patrol with PCA rangers including; setting of camera traps, retrieving previously set up camera traps, and an introduction to conservation work in PCA. We will also practice shooting wildlife photography on foot and low-angles. We may also get into our editing with Lightroom sessions and continue with on-going conservation work in the PCA.

Day 3Photography and hands-on Conservation

We will continue with hands-on conservancy work by photographing on-going projects and activities (such as road maintenance/mapping, soil erosion control, invasive species removal, de-fencing), and retrieve camera traps. Ending the day with an evening game drive for sunset and silhouette photography. Photographing conservation work will be on-going throughout this program, which may be punctuated by the opportunity to engage with WTC students.

Day 4Naboisho or Enonkishu Conservancy

After breakfast, we will be transferred to Naboisho Conservancy. We may spend the afternoon editing the photos we’ve taken so far, followed by an evening game drive in Naboisho. If we are in the Enonkishu Conservancy instead, this may be a good opportunity for a day’s game drive and wildlife photography.

Day 5In touch with wildlife

Day 6Night time photography

Day 7sunrise panoramas & Rhino Sanctuary

Starting with an early rise for a sunrise panorama shooting experience, we will proceed into the morning with a Pardamat Cultural Walk, then transfer to Enonkishu for a visit to Rhino Sanctuary with an overnight stay at Wild Hub. There may also be an opportunity for an evening game drive at Enonkishu Conservancy. This will also be the final day of the two-week program, we will leave ample time for departure to Arrivals from PCA and transfer to JKIA for flights (those staying beyond two weeks will remain in PCA and have a free day for optional excursions).

Maasai Mara Wildlife Photography & Conservation Workshop

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Tour Enquiry

At Penda, we're all about creating incredible photographic opportunities.

Our photo tours and safaris will take you to the right place, at the right time, to get that epic shot. You'll be guided by a professional photographer, who will help you take your photography to the next level, and we keep our trips exclusive by traveling in small groups. Whether it's in Kenya's sprawling savannahs, Yellowstone's snowy interior, or the jungles of India, your journey will be filled with photography magic.

Why travel with us