Skip to content

13 Day Mara Predators and Night hide Photography

Explore the Maasai Mara ecosystem, including Ol Kinyei and Ripoi Conservancies, before heading to Shompole for close-up wildlife photography from the night hide. Designed for photographers of all levels, the safari offers practical guidance and opportunities to photograph lions, cheetahs, leopards and other iconic African wildlife.

Three lions drink at a waterhole at night, their reflections shimmering in the calm water at Shompole Hide. Photo credit Alison Mees

Mara Predators and Night hide Photography Safari

25 June – 07 July 2027

Join Alison Mees for her photographic safari in June/July 2027, focusing on Mara predators and up close photography from the night hide in Shompole. These immersive safaris offer hands-on guidance to help you elevate your photography, capture remarkable wildlife moments, and deepen your connection to the natural world.

These guided wildlife photography safaris are designed especially for photographers at all levels, focusing on the finest wildlife areas within the Maasai Mara Eco-system, including Ol Kinyei Conservancy and Ripoi Conservancy,  followed by Shompole, and escorted by well-known wildlife photographer Alison Mees.

These  Safaris offer a great opportunity to view and photograph Africa’s iconic animals – including Lions, Cheetahs, Leopards  – and have been designed especially for photographers or people who just enjoy taking photographs and would like to improve their techniques.

Alison Mees - Wildlife Photographer
Alison Mees is a wildlife conservationist, qualified guide and award winning photographer, who gained the ARPS (Associate of the Royal Photographic Society) in 2021. Alison was born in the UK, and from an early age had a passion for wildlife and photography.
Before the pandemic Alison was living and working in Africa for over 17 years, she started in South Luangwa, Zambia then moved to East Africa – Kenya & Tanzania, where she was managing tented safari camps with her husband Tom.
Alison has been actively involved with cheetah conservation, supporting researchers with valuable data & photographs.  She has also been involved with local community projects over the years, supporting communities and school projects.  Currently she is working with PadMad & Gamewatchers Safaris to support girls continue their education with supplying re usable sanitary pads. 
Since the pandemic Alison leads small safari groups to Kenya, where she shares her knowledge and passion for the wildlife, conservation and photography that she knows so well.
Join Alison on one of her memorable safaris at Porini Camps.

Karen & Erenn

USA

Thank you for an incredible trip! The trip was miles over our expectations.  We learned so much about the wildlife , Kenya, and how to take a non-blob picture.  I could see improvement in my pictures over the course of our Safari, even using a point and shot camera

25 June – 07 July 2027

Alison Mees Safaris
  • 1 night at The Eka Hotel (Bed & Breakfast basis)
  • 4 nights at Porini Mara Camp (Full Board basis, inclusive of house drinks)
  • 3 nights at Porini Giraffe Camp (Full Board basis, inclusive of house drinks)
  • 4 nights at Shompole Photo Hides (Full Board basis, inclusive of house drinks)
A Warm Welcome in Nairobi

Begin your journey with a friendly welcome at Nairobi International Airport, where a Gamewatchers Safaris representative greets you and transfers you to Nairobi Tented Camp for a restful first night.

Guided Photographic Exploration

Embark on a specialised photographic safari with expert guidance from Alison Mees, featuring game drives, guided walks, scenic picnics, and night outings designed to capture wildlife in a range of natural settings.

All-Inclusive Small-Group Experience

Travel in a small group with open-sided 4×4 vehicles, guaranteed window seats, off-road access, scheduled flights, and eco-camp stays—all seamlessly coordinated under Alison’s expert guidance.

Combined Mara Conservancies Experience

Exploring both the 20,000 acre Ripoi Conservancy, the neighbouring 18,700 acre Ol Kinyei Conservancy – offering exceptional wildlife diversity and uninterrupted viewing. The seamless movement between these protected areas provides outstanding opportunities for photography, big-cat encounters, and immersive, crowd-free safari experiences.

Overnight Photography in the Shompole Wildlife Hide

Spend four nights in Shompole’s dedicated wildlife photography hide, photographing wildlife from late afternoon through to the following morning, with beds, dinner and refreshments provided in the hide and photographic guidance from Alison. The waterhole is illuminated using different lighting positions, including front, side and back lighting, creating varied opportunities for creative night-time wildlife photography.

Price Includes
  • Accommodation and board basis as described.
  • Meet and greet on arrival in Nairobi.
  • All internal flights & transfers.
  • Exclusive 4×4 safari vehicle.
  • Park and Conservancy fees.
  • Emergency evacuation cover.
Price Excludes
  • Tips & gratuities
  • Visa
  • International Flights
  • Travel Insurance
  • Any personal items or anything not mentioned in the itinerary
Make An Enquiry:

Contact Us for a detailed breakdown of the safari rates, inclusions, and key details.

LENGTH

13 Days

SAFARI DATES

25 June – 07 July 2027

** 1 Space Left **

PRICE

US $10,772

LENGTH

13 DAYS

DATES

25 June – 07 July 2027

** 1 Space Left **

PRICE

US $10,772

Itinerary in Detail

DAY BY DAY

Send An Enquiry

Short Contact Form (NEW)

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Full Name(Required)

Tour Experiences

Day 1 - Nairobi

Met on arrival at Nairobi International Airport by a Gamewatchers Safaris Representative, who will welcome you to Kenya and transfer you to The Eka Hotel, where Alison will be waiting to greet you and to share the plan for your safari.

Overnight at The Eka Hotel,

Days 2/3/4/5 - Ol Kinyei Conservancy, Masai Mara

Check out after breakfast and transfer to the airport for the flight back to Olseki Airstrip in the Maasai Mara. You will be met on arrival and transfer to  Ol Kinyei Conservancy and  Porini Mara Camp for 4 nights (fully inclusive of meals, beer, wine, soft drinks, mineral water, gin & tonics, day and night game drives, guided walks, sundowners and park fees).

Game drives and walks will be taken in the Ol Kinyei Conservancy to photograph the wildlife with Alison. Night game drives will also be taken.

Days 6/7/8 - Ripoi Conservancy, Masai Mara

Today safari transfer to Mara Ripoi Conservancy and Porini Giraffe Camp for 3 nights (fully inclusive of meals, beer, wine, soft drinks, mineral water, gin & tonics, day and night game drives, guided walks, sundowners and park fees) .

Game drives and walks will be taken in the Mara Ripoi Conservancy to photograph the wildlife with Alison. Night game drives will also be taken.

Days 9/10/11/12 - Shompole

Today, transfer to Shompole for a 4-night stay, fully inclusive of meals, house drinks and park fees.

During your stay at Shompole, the focus is on an immersive overnight wildlife photography experience from the hide, rather than conventional game drives or walking safaris (which are not included).

Each afternoon, you will head to the hide at around 4pm, where you will remain through the night until approximately 9am the following morning.  The hide is equipped with beds, and dinner is served there, with tea, coffee and cold drinks available throughout the night.

Staying in the hide overnight provides a unique and  exceptional opportunity to observe and photograph wildlife at close range, with Alison on hand to provide photographic guidance and support.

Day 13 - Nairobi

Final early morning game drive followed by breakfast and then transfer to the airstrip to fly back to Wilson Airport in Nairobi, arriving at around 12h20. Met on arrival and transfer to the international Airport or Nairobi Hotel, depending on your onward connection.
**End of Tour**

(please note that hotel accommodation is not included but can be arranged for an additional fee).

You may choose to add extra nights at any of the Porini Camps. Alternatively, consider extending your stay by flying to the Kenya Coast or the  Island of Zanzibar, where you can unwind on the pristine white beaches of the Indian Ocean.

Tour Experiences

Day 1 - Nairobi

Met on arrival at Nairobi International Airport by a Gamewatchers Safaris Representative, who will welcome you to Kenya and transfer you to The Eka Hotel, where Alison will be waiting to greet you and to share the plan for your safari.

Overnight at The Eka Hotel,

Days 2/3/4/5 - Ol Kinyei Conservancy, Masai Mara

Check out after breakfast and transfer to the airport for the flight back to Olseki Airstrip in the Maasai Mara. You will be met on arrival and transfer to  Ol Kinyei Conservancy and  Porini Mara Camp for 4 nights (fully inclusive of meals, beer, wine, soft drinks, mineral water, gin & tonics, day and night game drives, guided walks, sundowners and park fees).

Game drives and walks will be taken in the Ol Kinyei Conservancy to photograph the wildlife with Alison. Night game drives will also be taken.

Days 6/7/8 - Ripoi Conservancy, Masai Mara

Today safari transfer to Mara Ripoi Conservancy and Porini Giraffe Camp for 3 nights (fully inclusive of meals, beer, wine, soft drinks, mineral water, gin & tonics, day and night game drives, guided walks, sundowners and park fees) .

Game drives and walks will be taken in the Mara Ripoi Conservancy to photograph the wildlife with Alison. Night game drives will also be taken.

Days 9/10/11/12 - Shompole

Today, transfer to Shompole for a 4-night stay, fully inclusive of meals, house drinks and park fees.

During your stay at Shompole, the focus is on an immersive overnight wildlife photography experience from the hide, rather than conventional game drives or walking safaris (which are not included).

Each afternoon, you will head to the hide at around 4pm, where you will remain through the night until approximately 9am the following morning.  The hide is equipped with beds, and dinner is served there, with tea, coffee and cold drinks available throughout the night.

Staying in the hide overnight provides a unique and  exceptional opportunity to observe and photograph wildlife at close range, with Alison on hand to provide photographic guidance and support.

Day 13 - Nairobi

Final early morning game drive followed by breakfast and then transfer to the airstrip to fly back to Wilson Airport in Nairobi, arriving at around 12h20. Met on arrival and transfer to the international Airport or Nairobi Hotel, depending on your onward connection.
**End of Tour**

(please note that hotel accommodation is not included but can be arranged for an additional fee).

You may choose to add extra nights at any of the Porini Camps. Alternatively, consider extending your stay by flying to the Kenya Coast or the  Island of Zanzibar, where you can unwind on the pristine white beaches of the Indian Ocean.

Send An Enquiry

Short Contact Form (NEW)

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Full Name(Required)

Talk to a Specialist

Our experienced Safari Consultants—based in Nairobi and around the world—are here to guide you every step of the way. From expert advice to seamless planning, we’ll take care of every detail to create a safari that’s perfectly tailored to you.

Get in touch today, and a dedicated Safari Specialist in your time zone will start crafting your personalised safari.

More Safaris Guided By Alison Mees

See below for all the 2026 and 2027 Photography Safaris guided by Alison Mees.

Curating ultimate tailor-made safari experiences for 35 years