Maasai Mara wildlife photography vacation

Planet

We believe in the power of photography; the power to create incredible experiences, and the power to make a positive impact. That’s why we founded our own Trust, a non-profit organization that uses photography to make a positive impact on both a social and conservation level. We finance the running costs of the Trust, so by just joining one of our workshops, you're indirectly contributing. (So all you have to do to make a difference is have the photo adventure of a lifetime!) Through this Trust, we provide free professional photography to charities doing environmental and conservation work; images they can use for fundraising and communication purposes.
We try to use products, services and food that have the least impact on the waste management of the country we are traveling in. If waste is generated and cannot be immediately recycled or disposed of, we transport it with us to the best location for proper disposal or recycling. We firmly believe in only leaving footprints behind.
At our office in Cape Town, we recycle, compost, and minimize the use of paper by predominantly working with digital files.

CARBON REDUCTION

If you’re arriving by plane, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport will most likely be your point of entry. We recommend that you take only one air travel and then be transferred from the airport to the Maasai Mara Reserve on shared (private) transport to minimize carbon emissions.

Our accommodation partners are dedicated to reducing carbon emissions and following sustainable practices. In the Maasai Mara, solar power is the main source of energy. While most of our movement within the camp is done via game vehicles, there will be opportunities to explore the area on foot and take some amazing photographs of the wildlife.

At our main residence, the Wildlife Training College, you’ll get to enjoy delicious food prepared by a local chef who is employed from the community. The food is locally grown and includes vegetarian options.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Most of our photography expeditions and game drives will be organized through the Wildlife Tourism College. The college is a unique place that provides an ideal environment for wildlife conservation and training, the staff and students are devoted to finding solutions to issues such as declining wildlife populations, habitat loss, climate change mitigation, human-wildlife conflict, and community economic development.

During our stay, we’ll get to experience two beautiful eco-camps – Basecamp Maasai Mara and Eagle View. Basecamp Maasai Mara is an eco-lodge located along the Talek River, while Eagle View is located within the Naboisho Conservancy, which is a highly regarded model for eco-tourism and nature conservation

People

Apart from supporting conservation initiatives through our photography, we also support social nonprofits. We provide free professional photography to charities that do valuable work and can use the images for fundraising purposes.

LOCAL ECONOMY

As is the way in Kenya, many wildlife areas are shared by the local Maasai people who coexist with some of Africa's most dangerous animals. These conservancies have been established with a dual mandate of wildlife conservation preservation as well as the protection, empowerment and improvement of the local Maasai communities.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY, DIVERSITY

The Wildlife Training College facilitates experiential learning and cross-cultural immersion, ensuring that the local Maasai people can actively participate in income generating activities and receive gainful employment through tourism. Meals at the WTC are prepared by a local chef employed from the community and there is a common area where you can eat and socialize with others on campus.

Environmental policy:
One of the guides on this trip, Sam Turley, is an award - winning wildlife photographer, conservationist, writer and educator. He has committed his life to safeguarding Africa’s wildlife, his lifelong goal is to captivate, motivate and enlighten audiences, all while championing sustainable conservation endeavors.