Photo Safaris in Kenya (page 1 of 18)

Back on the forum, I’m starting to write up two 3-week trips to Kenya in August 2021 and 2023. In 2021, Quynh and I traveled with Régis (Rjulie95 on VF). Our son joined us in Baringo for the second half of the trip. In 2023, we went with two friends who’d been dreaming of seeing wild animals ever since we got back from Kenya. We didn’t need much convincing to go with them!

The two itineraries are almost identical (well, when you love something...) but we did make a few tweaks.

- The first part of the trip was with a local driver/guide, Félix, who was recommended by Sylvie56. Sylvie and her husband Ben are Kenya enthusiasts—they’ve been there countless times, always with Félix... and for good reason! He’s fantastic!

- The second part was with Melting Pot Safari, an agency that adapted to our photography needs. Tony Crocetta, the co-founder (along with his Kenyan friend Simon Chebon), is a wildlife photographer himself.

Here are the itineraries for both trips, including accommodations:

In 2021: Day 0: Paris / Nairobi - 67 Airport Hotel Day 1: Nairobi / Amboseli - Simba Cottage Day 2: Amboseli - Simba Cottage Day 3: Amboseli / Aberdares - Fishing Lodge Day 4: Aberdares - Fishing Lodge Day 5: Aberdares - Fishing Lodge Day 6: Aberdares / Samburu - Riverside Camp Day 7: Samburu - Riverside Camp Day 8: Samburu - Riverside Camp Day 9: Samburu / Nakuru - Merica Hotel Day 10: Nakuru / Baringo - Tumbili Cliff Lodge Day 11: Baringo - Tumbili Cliff Lodge Day 12: Baringo - Tumbili Cliff Lodge Day 13: Baringo / Maasai Mara – Meltingpot Bush Camp Day 14 to 18: Maasai Mara – Meltingpot Bush Camp Day 19: Maasai Mara / Nairobi – Roussel Guest House Day 20: Nairobi / Paris

In 2023: Day 0: Lyon / Paris / Nairobi - 67 Airport Hotel Day 1: Nairobi / Meru - Ikweta Camp Day 2: Meru - Ikweta Camp Day 3: Meru - Ikweta Camp Day 4: Meru / Samburu - Riverside Camp Day 5: Samburu – Riverside Camp Day 6: Samburu / Buffalo Springs – Samburu Simba Day 7: Buffalo Springs / Ol Pejeta – Sweetwater Camp Day 8: Ol Pejeta / Amboseli - Simba Cottage Day 9: Amboseli - Simba Cottage Day 10: Amboseli - Simba Cottage Day 11: Amboseli / Nakuru – Lake Nakuru Lodge Day 12: Nakuru / Baringo - Tumbili Cliff Lodge Day 13: Baringo - Tumbili Cliff Lodge Day 14: Baringo - Tumbili Cliff Lodge Day 15: Baringo / Maasai Mara – Meltingpot Bush Camp Day 16 to 20: Maasai Mara – Meltingpot Bush Camp Day 21: Maasai Mara / Nairobi / Paris

Here’s an itinerary—it’s not exactly what we did, but a combination of both.



Ready to join us on safari to see some wild animals?

Departure for Nairobi

We flew with Air France both times because Paris/Nairobi is direct. Otherwise, Kenya Airways also offers direct flights, but they used to cancel them quite regularly, so we didn’t take the risk. As for prices... in 2021, Paris/Nairobi was 1040 €/person, and in 2023, Lyon/Paris/Nairobi was 870 €.

It was summer 2021, and countries were gradually reopening their borders. Covid restrictions were pretty strict—on top of vaccines, we had to apply to the Kenyan Ministry of Health. And we totally understood why, knowing that most of the Kenyan population wasn’t vaccinated.

Of course, in 2023, none of that was needed anymore!

Also, with Air France, in carry-on luggage, each person is allowed one bag plus one accessory (like a laptop bag). Normally, that’s not a big deal—a backpack is more than enough for the trip—but for a photo safari in Kenya... the issue is the camera gear, which is bulky and heavy. So, we were really glad to have two bags per person. However, the weight limit is 12 kg. I made it, but my husband... We stressed out in Paris because at the counter, they were weighing the camera bags and making people remove items to put in their checked luggage. We were lucky—no weighing for us.

In 2023, we flew from Lyon, and they were much more relaxed—they didn’t weigh carry-on bags! Phew!

Anyway, it’s 10 AM, we’re on the plane with all our kilos of gear heading to Nairobi. It’s a daytime flight, so we watch a few movies between meals to pass the time.



The Paris/Nairobi flight takes 8 hours and 40 minutes, so it’s 9:30 PM when we arrive at the airport. There’s only a one-hour time difference with France—that’s really nice about Africa!

After collecting our luggage, a hotel shuttle picks us up as planned, and we’re already stuck in Nairobi traffic. Massive construction is underway, and it’ll be finished two years later, making traffic much smoother.

We arrive at the hotel very late, take a shower, and go to bed, already dreaming of wild animals...😎



The hotel, 67 Airport Hotel, is less than 10 km from the airport—normally, it takes 20 minutes. The value for money is decent (60 € including breakfast), the rooms are spacious but a bit dated. However, the shower water isn’t very hot—just lukewarm... I’ll have to get used to it because that’s pretty common in Kenya 😕.

For those who don’t feel like reading the comments or listening to the chit-chat... The rest is here

Here we go...

Beginner’s question: why Kenya vs. Tanzania (or the other way around)?

True, Tanzania is really tempting too 😉. Actually, our friend Régis had gone on a photo safari in the Maasai Mara, and his wildlife encounters made us really want to go there . We were supposed to leave in March 2020 with Melting Pot Safari, but circumstances took us there in August 2021... and we ended up winning in the end because we went for 3 weeks instead of the one we’d originally planned 🙂.

I’m happily joining in, even though I know what you’re going to say—it’ll bring back some amazing memories! 😊

Lucky you’re boarding with Régis—you were with us in the 4x4 ;). But the other parks in 2023 are gonna be a whole new discovery for you :P

Hi Isabelle, So glad to be back on VF! This story is off to a great start with such beautiful photos already. Can’t wait for the rest! Jacques

Good evening



I’m literally blown away by this “portrait” I’d call artistic! And the other four are just as stunning. Can’t wait to see what’s next!

Thanks Jacques, it’s great to be back on VF 😊. Don’t expect the next update too soon—I haven’t even finished sorting my 2023 photos yet 😅

Of course I'm in—two Vfers for the price of one! Kenya, my first Sub-Saharan African country, was a real eye-opener back in 2010! !

Wow Michel, that’s really kind! 😊 These were picked to make you look forward to what’s next… though the rest might be a lot more ordinary 😄. Still, you might get to see the lion basking in the first rays of sunlight 😄

Hi Isabelle,

I’m signing up for the follow-up 😉 And I’m really interested in your photos. The sample you shared is stunning! You mentioned some heavy gear... Do you use telephoto lenses?

Of course you’re hopping in the 4x4—it’s you who got me back on VF after all! 😄 I’m flattered that even on the other side of the world, you take the time to read my ramblings. 😊

Thanks Kate for joining me in Kenya 😊 Yeah, wildlife photography gear is unfortunately heavy 😅 We usually bring a telephoto lens, a prime lens, plus a wide-angle for landscapes. During the safaris, we don’t carry the gear—it’s just the transport that’s tricky

I’m flattered that even on the other side of the world, you take the time to read my writing 😊

6:45 AM, the day is breaking (or is it dawn?), fingers sliding over the smartphone screen, eyes still heavy from my night 😉

I’m flattered that even on the other side of the world, you take the time to read my writing 😊

6:45 AM, the day is breaking (or is it dawn?), fingers sliding across the smartphone screen, eyes still heavy from my night 😉

And here we are, eyes drooping with sleep over our smartphones, about to close for a good night’s rest 😴

Thanks Kate for joining me in Kenya 😊 Yes, wildlife photography gear is unfortunately heavy 😅 We usually bring a telephoto lens, a prime lens, plus a wide-angle for landscapes. During safaris, we don’t carry the gear—it’s just the transport that’s tricky

We’ve been thinking about Tanzania someday... or maybe Kenya again. I have great memories of our trip to Kruger... back in 2014, even though I was shooting with a bridge camera back then. :(



By the way, your photos are amazing! Could you tell us a bit more about your gear? I’m guessing it’s "high-end," nothing like my hybrid camera (a Micro Four Thirds that’s nice and lightweight). And another question: one body or two? (Swapping lenses in the savanna isn’t exactly recommended.) Thanks

We’ve been thinking about going to Tanzania someday... or why not Kenya. I have great memories of our trip to Kruger... back in 2014, even though I was shooting with a bridge camera at the time. :(



I’m not the one who’ll talk you out of going to Africa... ever since our first trip to Kruger in 2017, we’ve just wanted to go back... we caught the Africanovirus, as Tony Crocetta would say 😄

By the way, your photos are dreamy! Could you tell us a bit more about your gear? I imagine it’s high-end—nothing like my hybrid camera (a Micro Four Thirds that’s great for its lightness). And another question: one body or two? (Swapping lenses in the savanna isn’t recommended.) Thanks

Yep, I have two bodies because with all the dust and the 4x4s completely open, it’s really not recommended to change lenses 😅

As for the gear, in 2021 I was using a DSLR with a 300mm lens on an APS-C sensor, so effectively 450mm, and in 2023 I switched to a full-frame hybrid with a 400mm lens. The second body has a telephoto lens, but I only use it when the animal is too close 😄 If you’d like more details about the gear, I can send you the info in a DM—this is a travel forum, not a photography one 😊, so I’m not sure it’d interest everyone 😄

Hi Isabelle

I’d seen the photos and now I’ve got the text—it’s awesome! 🙂 It’ll bring back great memories with Felix (even if I’m jealous of how amazing your photos are 😉 and also of the luck you had in Samburu, since it was far from our experience 😕). Alright, I’m jumping in too! 😎