Spend four days and three nights in the Maasai Mara on a private road safari with a photography focus. The itinerary has two full middle days between the road journeys. Tell us your photographic interests, camera equipment and party size so we can plan the guide support and vehicle setup.
Choose from budget, mid-range or luxury camps and lodges. Prices vary by season and accommodation.
Planning the photographic pace: this four-day road itinerary has three Mara nights and two full middle days. Share your photographic interests, equipment and party size so the viewing pace and vehicle arrangements can be agreed. Equipment provision or specialist photographic tuition is not established by this programme. For a general wildlife itinerary of the same duration, compare the 4-day Maasai Mara safari.
Trip Highlights
Four days and three nights
Two full middle days in the Mara
Private tour minivan or Land Cruiser 4x4
Vehicle layout and photographer capacity specified before booking
Photography guide and bean-bag lens supports included
Maximum three photographers per Land Cruiser or two per tour minivan, subject to the confirmed vehicle layout
Itinerary
Four days with three nights in the Maasai Mara, including an arrival drive when entry and arrival arrangements permit and two full private wildlife-photography days. The final day returns to Nairobi without an additional game drive.
Day 01 :
Nairobi to the Maasai Mara — journey and first game drive
The party leaves Nairobi with its private photography guide and travels to the Maasai Mara. During the introduction to the safari, the guide discusses the party’s photographic interests and equipment before the reserve programme begins.
After arrival, an afternoon game drive takes place when the arrival and entry arrangements permit. The guide pauses at wildlife encountered along the viewing circuit, allowing time to observe behaviour and work with the available light before the first of three Mara nights.
12 hours
Lunch + Dinner
Day 02 :
Your first full day of private wildlife photography
The first full photography day explores the booked Mara viewing area with the private guide and vehicle. The guide uses current wildlife activity and light to choose viewing positions, allowing the party to spend time with a scene rather than move immediately between subjects.
The shooting programme includes time to observe behaviour, frame images and adjust positions within the reserve’s rules. Bean-bag lens supports remain part of this trip’s inclusions, and each traveller has the guaranteed window seat. The day ends back at the safari base after the first full photography outing.
13 hours
Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Day 03 :
A second full day to develop your Mara photography
The second full photography day builds on the previous day’s observations. The guide follows the wildlife and light present in the booked viewing area, allowing time to revisit a subject, wait for behaviour or explore other opportunities along the circuit.
The private format supports patient observation and discussion of positioning and composition with the wildlife-photography guide. The outing ends after the final full shooting day, followed by the third Mara overnight before the return to Nairobi.
13 hours
Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Day 04 :
Breakfast in the Mara and the road journey to Nairobi
The party checks out after the final night in the Maasai Mara. This is the return stage of the safari, with no additional game drive scheduled before departure.
The private vehicle leaves the Maasai Mara for Nairobi. The safari finishes at the agreed Nairobi drop-off point after the preceding wildlife destinations.
10 hours
Breakfast
Cost Details
What's Included
Return road transport between Nairobi and the Maasai Mara in your private tour minivan or Land Cruiser 4x4
Nairobi pickup and drop-off
Private safari vehicle and guide for your party
3 nights of accommodation in your selected budget, mid-range or luxury camp or lodge
Meals and game drives described in the agreed itinerary
Applicable reserve entry fees for the agreed itinerary
Drinking water during game drives
Photography guide
Bean-bag lens supports
Up to three photographers per Land Cruiser or two per tour minivan, subject to assigned shooting positions and equipment space
What's Not Included
International flights
Travel and medical insurance
Entry authorisation or visa costs, where applicable
Optional hot-air balloon safari
Optional Maasai village visit
Tips and gratuities
Personal expenses and drinks not listed as included
Lunch on the final road-return day; breakfast is the final included meal
Camera bodies, lenses, memory cards and other personal photography equipment
FAQs
Is the safari private?
Yes. Your vehicle and guide are reserved for your party. Choose a tour minivan or Land Cruiser 4×4.
Which camp or lodge will we use?
Choose from budget, mid-range or luxury camps and lodges. The property and room type depend on your dates and preferences.
Are wildlife sightings guaranteed?
No. Wildlife movements and sightings vary. Your guide plans game viewing around current conditions and the access included in your booking.
Is lunch included on the return day?
No. Breakfast is the final included meal on the road-return day. Lunch is at your own expense. No departure-day game drive is promised.
How many photographers travel in each vehicle?
Up to three photographers per Land Cruiser or two per tour minivan, subject to the assigned shooting positions and equipment space. A photography guide and bean-bag lens supports are included.
Safari Route Map
A sense of the journey
Your route, at a glance.
4 days3 nightsKenya
Nairobi → Maasai Mara → Nairobi
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Find your journey on the map.
Tap a stage below to explore the journey.
Location markers are approximate. Connections show the journey sequence, not roads, exact driving distances or live vehicle tracking. The itinerary sets out each stage.
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From
$1,497/ per adult
Private safari for your party
Budget, Mid-Range or Luxury accommodation
Quote tailored to your travel dates and party
4.9
Based on 664 reviews
Erica Anderson
What an amazing tour: we saw an incredible number and variety of animals and got to learn so much from our fantastic guide Kelvin. He was very knowledgable and patient with us andWhat an amazing tour: we saw an incredible number and variety of animals and got to learn so much from our fantastic guide Kelvin. He was very knowledgable and patient with us and he made our experience unforgettable. Could not have asked for a better introduction to Kenya!…
Laura H
Very knowledgeable and friendly
michael graham
Kelvin met us at the airport, took us to our hotel and then picked us up next morning for a 5 day Safari through the Masai Mara. Brilliant experience! Kelvin is knowledgeable,Kelvin met us at the airport, took us to our hotel and then picked us up next morning for a 5 day Safari through the Masai Mara. Brilliant experience! Kelvin is knowledgeable, patient and great fun. Rustic Nature Tours are well organised and quick to respond from my very first enquiry. You won’t be disappointed.…
Peter M
Great experience! Kelvin is an excellent guide and is full of knowledge. He made sure our 3 experiences were to the max. I highly recommend Rustic Nature Tours and I recommendGreat experience! Kelvin is an excellent guide and is full of knowledge. He made sure our 3 experiences were to the max. I highly recommend Rustic Nature Tours and I recommend asking for Kelvin as your guide.…
Ruth
My husband and I completed a half-day Nairobi Park and Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage tour and the variety of wildlife was amazing: enormous dazzle of zebras cautiously drinking atMy husband and I completed a half-day Nairobi Park and Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage tour and the variety of wildlife was amazing: enormous dazzle of zebras cautiously drinking at the lake, three lions slinking past our vehicle as they hunted an impala, a huge crocodile incubating eggs, two white rhinos napping on the side of the road, and so much more. Our guide was happy to provide knowledgeable answers to all of our questions and was amazing at locating wildlife. I absolutely recommend this company.…
Michael G
Rustic Nature Tours were responsive from my very first contact and flexible with what we wanted to do and when. The Safari was excellent and accomodation/food spot on. If someoneRustic Nature Tours were responsive from my very first contact and flexible with what we wanted to do and when. The Safari was excellent and accomodation/food spot on. If someone says they had a better guide than Kelvin, they are making it up! He’s the MAN. We had a blast.…
Fernando Estaragues
It was a really good experience, it's totally recommended, the service of the office guys is good, they answer to you everytime and with a lot of enthusiasm.The truck was reallyIt was a really good experience, it's totally recommended, the service of the office guys is good, they answer to you everytime and with a lot of enthusiasm.The truck was really good with a lot of personalized service.The guide was the best one, fully recommended our guide, Kelvin Ndolo, he drive through all the safari to let us catch some good pictures, the service is really good with him, he was a nice person with a lot of experience, telling you about everything in Kenya in general, nice time with him, helping, giving advices, experienced man.He is el chingon!!In general we can say that we wouldn't be in a better tour and guide for the first experience in Kenya!…
Nicole S
We had a wonderful day exploring Nairobi and learning so much about the history of both the city and Kenya. This private tour was great value, offering pick-up directly from ourWe had a wonderful day exploring Nairobi and learning so much about the history of both the city and Kenya. This private tour was great value, offering pick-up directly from our hotel and a comfortable ride to each site.Our driver/guide, Denish, was fantastic! extremely safe, knowledgeable, and always ready to answer any questions we had. Every guide we met at the individual stops was equally kind and full of insights.Highlights of our day included a delicious lunch, visiting local community shops for souvenirs, and especially the museum and Kobe Tough! It was the perfect blend of culture, history, and city highlights. If you have a day in Nairobi, we highly recommend booking this tour!…
Marc-Antoine Ladouceur
I booked a four-day trip with Rustic Nature Tour (Safari tour) in Kenya at the very last minute, and they absolutely nailed it. They put together a beautiful itinerary, adapted toI booked a four-day trip with Rustic Nature Tour (Safari tour) in Kenya at the very last minute, and they absolutely nailed it. They put together a beautiful itinerary, adapted to my preferences, at a price that really surprised me, in a good way. My guide was fantastic, not just knowledgeable about wildlife but also about the socialBiophysical environmental, geomorphology and human stories behind the places we visited. Everything just flowed. I couldn’t be happier with the experience and highly recommend them to anyone looking for an authentic Kenyan adventure…
FarAway57601419658
Just completed a half-day Nairobi Park and Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage tour and the variety of wildlife was amazing: enormous dazzle of zebras cautiously drinking at the lake,Just completed a half-day Nairobi Park and Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage tour and the variety of wildlife was amazing: enormous dazzle of zebras cautiously drinking at the lake, three lions slinking past our vehicle as they hunted an impala, a huge crocodile incubating eggs, two white rhinos napping on the side of the road, and so much more. Our guide was happy to provide knowledgeable answers to all of our questions and was amazing at locating wildlife. I absolutely recommend this company.…
Katie Richards-Schuster
Kelvin and Rustic Nature Tours were the absolute best choice for the two day trips we did during our time in Nairobi. We could not have asked for a better experience. The tripsKelvin and Rustic Nature Tours were the absolute best choice for the two day trips we did during our time in Nairobi. We could not have asked for a better experience. The trips were completely seamless. We had terrific communication beforehand in preparation for the experiences, and we felt that all aspects were accounted for. Kelvin was absolutely exceptional as a guide. He was very knowledgeable about the animals, the local history, and the elements of the safari experience. His ability to navigate us to exactly the spots where we could see the most, be the closest, and truly experience all that Kenya has to offer.For the first-day experience, we traveled to Amboseli. People in our group really wanted to see elephants. And elephants we saw! Kelvin helped position the Land Cruiser so that we had multiple herds of elephants (including babies) walk in front of the vehicle, less than 10 feet away!! It was a memorable sight. We also saw lions, zebras, wildebeests, birds (of all kinds), giraffes, and so much more. Kelvin has a college degree in wildlife management, and he is both extraordinarily knowledgeable and professional in the trip. He answered our questions, provided information, and helped us experience the wildlife in the safest manner possible. I would definitely recommend taking the Land Cruiser over the Safari van. The roads in the park are bumpy, and the Land Cruiser ensured a safe, comfortable ride while also getting us into the perfect spot to see the animals. After 4 hours or so in the park, we headed to a beautiful lodge to eat. The food and experience at the lodge were wonderful. After that, we did another drive before leaving to head back to Nairobi. A long but unbelievable day!For the second experience, we headed to Nairobi National Park, then the Sheldrick Elephant Trust, Kobe Beads, lunch, and the Giraffe Center. Again, Kelvin was a masterful guide. In the park, he got us close to hippos, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, ostriches, and even a crocodile- among many other animals. He found the perfect spots and maneuvered the vehicle just right (and sometimes even off the beaten path) to make sure we saw the best views of the animals (again, we recommend the Land Cruiser for the best experience!). After talking with others who took different trips to Nairobi National Park, we realized how special our visit was. Many of them didn’t have Kelvin guiding them and, as a result, missed seeing all that we saw. We can’t emphasize enough how amazing Kelvin is. From there, Kelvin got us to the Elephant Sanctuary. He had the tickets already set, so all we needed to do was walk in, and then he got us to the perfect spot where we could be feet away from baby elephants, a baby rhino, and a baby zebra. Truly spectacular! After that, we visited a local bead factory that is a microenterprise supporting local women. We had a tour, learned about the beading process, and then had the opportunity to visit their shop (no hassling or pressure to buy- but we did get some beautiful items!). Then to a hidden garden for lunch at a local restaurant, and then finally to the giraffes. By the time we got to the giraffes, it was very busy, but again, Kelvin worked his magic to get us through the line quickly (we felt like VIPs!) and to the perfect spot to feed them. He clearly knows the staff, as he was able to get us pictures and even additional food to feed the animals. After a long day, he masterfully navigated traffic (which is no joke) to return us to the hotel.All in all, our time in Kenya would not have been the same without Kelvin and Rustic Nature Tours. We can’t recommend their tours any higher. You will not be disappointed!!!…
Brianna D
Our amazing guide Faith was right on time to pick us up at our hotel. We started the morning with a trip to Kobe Tough where we saw the bead making process. Then we headed to theOur amazing guide Faith was right on time to pick us up at our hotel. We started the morning with a trip to Kobe Tough where we saw the bead making process. Then we headed to the elephant orphanage where Faith knew the whole system and was able to get us up close spots in the “splash zone.” Next up was the giraffe center where we got up close to hand feed giraffes. Faith knew all of the giraffes by name and personality and even took photos on our camera for us. Afterwards we stopped for traditional Kenyan lunch (at your own expense) and we elected to do the Karen Blixen museum for the entrance fee as well. Since it was just me and my husband, Faith even drove us to the local mall before taking us back to the hotel. Overall it was a day well spent with memories to last a lifetime!…
This eight-day safari and beach holiday combines two Maasai Mara nights, two Amboseli nights and three nights at Diani. The journey begins by private road...
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