A safari trip to the wild and wonderful Masai Mara in Kenya offers so many picture taking opportunities you won’t want to put your camera down. Yet taking an artistic and blur-free image of say a lion or elephant is no easy feat – unless you have a professional photographer on hand to guide you.
How to take better pictures in the wild
If you want to hone your photography skills and get up close and personal with animals including the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, cape buffalo and rhinoceros), UK tour operator Far & Wild have a specialist tour starting on Saturday 27 April for six nights, hosted by notable wildlife photographer Paul Joynson-Hicks.
CLICK HERE to find out more about the photography safari
About Paul Joynson-Hicks
Paul Johnson-Hicks has been living and working in Africa for more than 25 years, during which time he has become a widely published wildlife photographer, and has produced several coffee table books showcasing his photography in Uganda and Tanzania. Paul also runs numerous social and charitable projects, for which he was awarded an MBE by her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
Wildlife photography in the Masai Mara
The Masai Mara (or Maasai Mara) is a large game reserve in Narok County, Kenya, named in honour of the Maasai people who live in the region. The national park covers some 1,510 km2 (583 sq mi) and is mostly open grassland with seasonal riverlets. Every year millions of wildebeast, zebras and Thomson’s gazelles migrate from the Serengeti Plains to the Mara reserve.
Check out these incredible wildlife photographs taken in the Masai Mara, from a magnificent herd of monochrome zebras to a touching moment from the king of beasts.
A herd of zebras and a single beady eye (c) Paul Joynson-Hicks
Lilac breasted rollers are swift fliers and will sometimes pray on animals fleeing from bush fires (c) Paul Joynson-Hicks
This artistic shot of a cheetah looks as if it is painted on a canvas (c) Paul Joynson-Hicks
A king and his cub (c) chessboard35
These grey crowned cranes are larking about (c) Marc Veraart
More about Far & Wild’s Photography Safari experience
Each day you will have the opportunity to try your hand at techniques of back-lighting, higgling, panning, silhouetting, and capturing perfect wildlife portraits. Each game drive is personally hosted by Paul, who will provide both group and one to one tuition.
The chosen drives will depend on the activity of the wildlife and photographic opportunities presented. Every evening there will be a chance to review your photos as a group and further hone your skills.
On the final evening there will be a contest to select the best photograph from the safari.
CLICK HERE to book the photography safari
Home is the Governors’ Private Camp, an intimate camp of just eight tents. The camp is completely unfenced and immersed in the wildlife of the Masai Mara. This means you may see elephants, hippos and impalas pass by as you relax in the comfort of the camp. There is an executive chef on site who will cook a selection of scrumptious local dishes.
There are currently six places available for the six night photography safari, taking place in the Masai Mara National Reserve between 27 April and 03 May, 2019.
Prices start from £4,370 per person (based on two sharing) which includes domestic flights, transfers, accommodation and full board, bottled water, laundry, game drives in a shared vehicle and photographic workshop hosted by Paul Joynson-Hicks.
Disclaimer: this article was sponsored by Far & Wild