Kenya is one of the best photography destinations in Africa with some of the most famous bush films set in the country’s wildernesses. Major parks in Kenya not only presents wildlife photography opportunities but also a series of dramatic landscape to detail. In this guide we shall share some of the best destinations you should pick for your next photography tour.
1. Mara river
The famed river that tops our list is in greater mara region and separates sections of Mara triangle and serengeti from the masai Mara main reserves. The river draws its fame from the deadly river crossing epic where over 1.2 million wildebeest and their associate take the risk of plunging into the crocodile dominated channel in a quest of getting to the expansive grazing plains across. The whole escapade has great photo scenes ranging from shots of wildebeest descending the steep banks of the river with clouds of dust from the falling flakes to shots of crocodiles striving to hold on to their victims in some of the most breathtaking predation scenes. Here you will need your lens at 400mm to comfortably take images from the river bank. To time the river crossing event get an accommodation along Mara river from where you can easily move to the scene when the crossing starts.
2. Mara North private reserves
The greater Mara region has many great wildlife photography spots. Notably, the region has a high wildlife density and is the only place in Kenya you can easily track all the big five. The tree big cats the lions, leopards and Cheetahs are also very common. We however recommend that you go for the Mara conservancies after the river crossing period. Here you will have the opportunity to go on guided nature trails for birds and small animals photo shoots. You will also have an opportunity to go on a game drive on open sided safari vehicle which are better for photography. Here carry a short range lens for walking safaris and another mid-range one for game drives.
3. Lake Nakuru National park
The small lake park is the perfect choice for both birding and wildlife photography. With a large soda lake covering most part of the park, the destination has been the best flamingo spots Kenya with over 2 million flocking into the lake at the height of migration period. The adjacent park is one of the best places to photograph free range wildlife, especially rhinos, against the background of beautiful yellow-backed fever trees. Notably, Nakuru is one of the sets for the famous film out of Africa.
4. Amboseli
The small park in southern Rift valley features in the movie lion the king . Importantly, is the best location in the planet for photographing Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. With the mountain majestically towering right in front and the skies remaining blue most part of the year you are guaranteed a sharp focus on the snow-capped kibo peak. Amboseli also boost a large population of kili elephants. An early morning game drive will lead to one of the best photo opportunities as the tuskers spectacularly move in herds to search for food in the southern part of the park.
5. Hells gate National Park
The small park features in the movie nowhere in Africa which is one of the best films cast in Africa in the 20th century. Here the focus will be the dramatic 50 km gorge. Some of the best photos include: a sharp close range focus on the narrow sections of the gorge displaying the wall strata, a midrange focus of beautiful flora with the gorge majestically behind and a shot on the Fischer’s plug against a background of beautiful blue skyline.
6. Nairobi National park
The park owes its photo magnet to its plenty flora and fauna standing in fronts of profoundly contrasting skyscraper and other sights of human development. Here you will go on a walking safaris and with over 500io; bird species you will have an opportunity to shot on birds ranging from the largest one ostrich to the smallest secretary bird.
The nearby animal orphanage is the best zoo where you can easily take pictures of animals at a very close range.
7. Tsavo parks and Taita hills
Tsavo East and West forms the most diverse ecosystem in Kenya presenting an opportunity to take a shot on flowering plants, savannah plains and dense tropical woodlands. The Tsavo Elephants known for dusting their body with the characteristic reddish soil giving them an alluring reddish tint are the most photogenic giants of the savannah. Saltlick lodges at Taita hills game sanctuary, a major wildlife dispersal point for elephant migrating between the two tsavo parks, is the perfect accommodation choice for wildlife photography with its positioning in a quite an elevated spot giving a sweeping view of the entire wilderness. The nearby watering hole is always teeming with wildlife especially elephants. The two parks also boost photogenic natural sites like the long balsatic shetani lava flow, Lake jipe and Mzima springs. Here the off-road driving is strictly not allowed and therefore you should arm your camera with long range focus lenses.
8. Aberdares and Mt Kenya National parks
The two parks are in central highlands and the best for photographing mountainous flora and landscape. In both parks there is a range of ecosystems which mainly include: rainforest, bamboo forest and moorlands. At Mt kenya you will also find some photogenic glacial lakes. The panoramic chania falls are the dominant natural features in Aberdare. Since you will be doing most of your photography while walking carry a lightweight camera fitted with a wide angle lens of focal length range 70 – 200 mm and a wide aperture. This will help you make impressive and detailed images of different natural features and flora in your subject destinations.
9. Chyulu hills
The park is the best if you are looking at taking photos in a deep forest. The small volcano also features dramatic landscape with an elevation that gives the best photo opportunity to capture the entire forest at a shot. Being one of the most recent volcanos in the world, formed 500 years ago, the hill also boost beautiful sights of barren lava flows and ash cones.
10. Mombasa old town
Walking down the narrow streets of the old town gives you an opportunity to see some of the oldest Arabic and Swahili architectural design. Fort Jesus is the most unique landmark. An inclined wide angled caption of the rusty fortress walls gives the best representation of the rich coastal Kenya heritage.
11. Diani beach
The 17 kms white sand stretch is a great beach photography spot. Here you will have an opportunity to capture images of ancient Arab dhows emerging from the horizons at sunset. Pictures of coastal forest and lined up palm trees. Diani coast is also home to a number of fauna species more commonly the colobus monkeys.
