Safari in Focus

I often hear, ‘We’ve seen many wildlife photographers, but your work truly stands out.’ Here, I’m excited to share how I prepared for a recent trip to Amboseli because this time, I wanted to experiment...

Taking a quick step back, it all sort of began with a trip to the Maasai Mara in 2007, which reignited my passion for wildlife photography when I returned home with the most breathtaking images. From that moment on, I knew how I wanted to spend my free time. This set me on a path to mastering composition, exposure, and animal behaviour. My engineering background helped me build unique devices, like an ant’s-eye view, while aerial photography later added a new challenge. 

Drawing on my experiences with elephants, I recently built a device to set my camera on the ground for remote shooting. Fortunately, my 14-30 Lens and Nikon Z8 camera survived the test this time — a win after a few setbacks, thanks to some extra ‘elephant-proofing.’ 

With years of photography experience, I plan my trips based on weather conditions. Having previously visited Kimana Sanctuary and met Super Tusker Craig, I had my sights set on dust this time — not ideal for my camera, but perfect for capturing elephants bathing in that magical golden light. I felt well-prepared for Amboseli National Park.

For my standard photography trips, here’s my usual kit: 

I received a warm welcome when I arrived at Angama Amboseli and met the team, including my Guide, Jeremy, who would be by my side for the next few days. We shared some laughs, and I appreciated his sense of humour. His enthusiasm for nature was contagious; all it took was a mention of backlighting, and he knew exactly where to position the vehicle.

We also chatted about night photography. Angama Amboseli is located in the private Kimana Sanctuary, so guests can experience night drives, which offer exceptional opportunities for photographers keen on night shoots. After a full day in Amboseli National Park, we ventured out again long after sunset. I handed Jeremey my light, and our first sight was of a striking male lion. We spent a good hour watching as he yawned, stretched, and settled down for a ‘lion nap’ in the tall grass. Moving on, we found a group of wildebeest beautifully silhouetted against the night sky and gusty winds. 

One night, at the lodge, I decided to capture some beautiful moments of the Maasai going about their evening duties. The fire added such an interesting element to the images and of course the beautiful lights of the lodge.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Jeremy and the Angama team. Thank you for treating me like family; I can’t wait to return and immerse myself in this stunning wilderness again. Love to you all.