Photography Guide: How to Capture the Big Five in Maasai Mara
8 min readPhotography

Photography Guide: How to Capture the Big Five in Maasai Mara

The Challenge of Safari Photography

You’ve bought the expensive lens. You’ve traveled thousands of miles. But getting National Geographic level shots requires more than just gear—it requires positioning.

This guide shares the secrets of professional wildlife photographers.

Close up lion portrait
Close up lion portrait

Tip #1: Eye Level is Everything

The biggest mistake amateurs make is shooting *down* on animals from the roof of a van.

Pro Move: Get low. Our vehicles have open sides, allowing you to shoot at eye level with lions and cheetahs. This creates that intimate, intense connection in the photo.

Tip #2: The Private Vehicle Advantage

In a shared game drive vehicle, you are competing with 5 other people for the window seat. If the driver moves to get a better angle for *you*, the person in the back seat might complain.

With a Private Experience:
- You tell the driver exactly where to stop.
- You can stay with a leopard for 2 hours waiting for it to wake up (shared vans leave after 10 mins).
- You can position the vehicle for the perfect "Golden Hour" backlight.

Best Settings Cheat Sheet

SubjectShutter SpeedApertureISO
Running Cheetah1/2000s +f/5.6 - f/8Auto ISO
Portrait (Lion)1/500sf/2.8 - f/4Low (100-400)
Landscape1/100sf/8 - f/11100
Birds in Flight1/3200sf/5.6Auto ISO

Ready to Start Planning?

Book a Private Photography Safari

Related Articles

Experience Maasai Mara Your Way

Our private villa offers an intimate safari experience for up to 5 guests.

Plan Your TripFrom $250/night
Check Availability