Roaring Nights And Stunning Safari Days: My 21 Photos From Kenya

At that moment, I’m momentarily disoriented, until the realization hits me—I’m in Kenya, on safari. I drift back into sleep, attempting to suppress my bubbling excitement for the adventures that await in the days and nights ahead. I awake again, this time to the familiar chime of my iPhone alarm.

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Camelopard

As dawn breaks, a gentle pink hue tints the horizon while our 4x4 rumbles along the rugged terrain. My driver, Steve, punctuates the journey with his customary humor, quipping about the “African Massage” as we bounce along. His joke elicits a smile from me and laughter from my guests.

Serendipity

Fever Tree Leopard

The chilly wind nips at my face, but I’m grateful for my trusty beanie, which keeps my head warm. It doesn’t take long before our first wildlife encounter—a pride of lions consisting of five females and a young male sporting the beginnings of a mane.

The Stare, Lion Pride

Bull Elephant, Out Of The Marshes

As we approach, maintaining a respectful distance of about 20 meters, I adhere to my philosophy of not crowding our subjects. Getting too close can trigger a fight-or-flight response, so I prefer a slow, cautious approach from a distance. Alternatively, if the animals are on the move, I opt to let them come to us. This approach ensures the wildlife remains relaxed, allowing us to photograph their natural behavior.As we approach the lions, I notice the wide-eyed wonder on my client’s face, reminiscent of my own first safari experience. The thrill, the reverence, and the tingling anticipation as you come face-to-face with a killing machine. Whenever I work with my clients, my first goal is to calm them down and reduce their over-excitement. After all, capturing a sharp photograph requires a steady hand and a calm mind. With a few deep breaths and reassuring words, the familiar click of shutters fills the air.

As we approach the lions, I notice the wide-eyed wonder on my client’s face, reminiscent of my own first safari experience. The thrill, the reverence, and the tingling anticipation as you come face-to-face with a killing machine. Whenever I work with my clients, my first goal is to calm them down and reduce their over-excitement. After all, capturing a sharp photograph requires a steady hand and a calm mind. With a few deep breaths and reassuring words, the familiar click of shutters fills the air.

Elephant Mothers And Babies

Craig Super Tusker, Amboseli

After an hour of capturing photos of the lions, they eventually retreated to the comforting shade of an acacia tree. I informed my clients that we’d revisit the lions later in the afternoon to check on them. Leaving the lions behind, we ventured into the undulating hills of the Mara. While my passion lies in wildlife photography, I’ve always harbored a secret affection for landscapes. During lulls in wildlife sightings, I turn my lens toward the vast landscapes, seeking out compositions for my clients. The Mara trees, in particular, captivate me, and I have a few favorite spots I frequently revisit.

Last Of Its Kind, Northern White Rhino

Old Tusker, Amboseli

With nearly two decades of experience photographing African wildlife, I’ve become intimately acquainted with animal behavior. This familiarity often aids me in capturing extraordinary moments. Anticipating the route of the giraffes and predicting that the lead giraffe would stop to assess us before continuing on his way. What I hadn’t anticipated was the near-perfect symmetry that unfolded as the other giraffes continued their graceful stride in the background.My client was thrilled with the resulting composition, and so was I. As the giraffes proceeded toward the tree, it was the last giraffe that provided us with the quintessential African scene. Stretching its neck to reach the last dangling leaves, amidst the lush grass and billowing white clouds, a stunning photographic print was born.As my tummy rumbled, signaling perfect timing for breakfast, we made our way to my cherished tree. While my guests stretched their legs, Steve and I swiftly set up a table and chairs, arranging a delightful spread that the lodge had prepared for us: coffee, croissants, muffins, cheeses, and meats. It was a scrumptious breakfast, enjoyed amidst the expansive beauty of the Mara.

My client was thrilled with the resulting composition, and so was I. As the giraffes proceeded toward the tree, it was the last giraffe that provided us with the quintessential African scene. Stretching its neck to reach the last dangling leaves, amidst the lush grass and billowing white clouds, a stunning photographic print was born.

As my tummy rumbled, signaling perfect timing for breakfast, we made our way to my cherished tree. While my guests stretched their legs, Steve and I swiftly set up a table and chairs, arranging a delightful spread that the lodge had prepared for us: coffee, croissants, muffins, cheeses, and meats. It was a scrumptious breakfast, enjoyed amidst the expansive beauty of the Mara.

Craig & Friends, Mount Kilimanjaro

Ruka & Rafiki, Cheetah Brothers

Over the next few days, we were treated to some of the most extraordinary wildlife encounters imaginable—leopards, cheetahs, rhinos, and buffalo. One memorable morning, we managed to tick off the entire Big Five.One of the most unforgettable highlights for my clients occurred in Amboseli, where we spent an entire morning in the company of one of the last remaining super tuskers in East Africa. It was a magical bucket-list moment to capture and spend time with this gentle pachyderm against the backdrop of the majestic snow-covered Kilimanjaro. But that’s a story for another time.

One of the most unforgettable highlights for my clients occurred in Amboseli, where we spent an entire morning in the company of one of the last remaining super tuskers in East Africa. It was a magical bucket-list moment to capture and spend time with this gentle pachyderm against the backdrop of the majestic snow-covered Kilimanjaro. But that’s a story for another time.

Black Rhino Mother And Baby

Serengeti Boy

Elephant Family, Amboseli

Black Death, African Buffalo

Bull Elephant, Kilimanjaro Storm

Old White Rhino Bull