WOMEN ON THE MARA
July 25th – August 3rd, 2025
Come to the Mara and join us for this grand tour in celebration of women wildlife photographers! The Maasai Mara during migration season is at the top every wildlife photographers bucket list, make it even more special by sharing with fellow women photographers who have a common passion. This year we’ve expanded the tour to ten days to get the most out of your time in Kenya.
We’ll start in Samburu. Filled with large, iconic umbrella acacia trees in a stunning, arid environment among the rich red African soil, Samburu Reserve evokes the traditional vision of “I Dream of Africa.” As the wind blows through the stunning doum palms, one instantly knows they are in a magical place. Roaming through this primal land and unique to this reserve are the mane-less lions, rare and exotic Grevy’s Zebras, red soil–stained red elephants, reticulated giraffes, Gerenuks, Oryx and Somali ostrich. In the stillness of what seems like an empty land, one might hear the rustle of brush as a cheetah or leopard makes himself or herself known.
The Samburu were originally part of the Maasai tribe before they split off when the Maasai continued their journey south to Tanzania. The Samburu are known to be quite colourful with the Samburu name meaning the butterfly people. They not only flew off from their original tribe, but they became more colorful in their traditional dress.
We then move on to Maasai Mara.
The renowned Maasai Mara needs little introduction because it is arguably the greatest wildlife reserve on the planet! The vast, open plains are home to a large pride of Lions, Cheetahs, Leopards, Elephants, Black Rhino, Hippos, Maasai Giraffes, Zebras, Gnu, Impala, Thompson’s and Grant’s Gazelles, Topi, Hartebeest, Black-backed Jackals, Spotted Hyenas and more. It is the best reserve for the big cats, where BBC filmed Big Cat Diaries and where they continue to film regularly. The Great Migration is perhaps the most exciting wildlife experience to be had. With over a million Wildebeest and thousands upon thousands of Zebras and Gazelles migrating through the Mara in search of lush green grass, they are met by some of the worlds most lethal predators, big cats. This is wild Africa at its best.
We are thrilled to have award winning wildlife photographer, Karen Schuenemann leading this year’s Women On The Mara and offering her guidance during the tour.
Why go to the Mara with Women In Wildlife Photography?
A Comfortable And Supportive Environment
Traveling with a woman-only photography group provides a supportive and uplifting environment where women bond, share experiences, and enjoy the special camaraderie that forms when women with similar interests come together. It also creates a safe and comfortable space for women to explore new cultures and destinations without some of the concerns that may arise when traveling in mixed groups or alone. Additionally, woman-only photography trips cater to the specific interests and needs of women photographers. Women come away from our tours with new, lasting relationships and a strong sense of empowerment.
Experienced Driver Guides
Our driver guides are all silver rated and have thousands of hours of experience throughout the entire Mara. Our driver guides are all silver rated and have thousands of hours of experience throughout the entire Mara. They understand the needs of photographers and the importance of quickly positioning the vehicle for the best light, composition, and exceptional photographs. Our main guides have vast personal networks, through which they receive information from all corners of the Mara. Having a large solid network in the Mara, especially during the migration, is critically important for the best photographic opportunities.
Deluxe Photographic Safari Vehicles
Everyone will have their own row in the vehicles, ensuring uninhibited access to both sides. Our vehicles are fully extended Land Cruisers specially designed to give photographers the most flexibility and maximum space. The sides of the Land cruisers are open (no small sliding windows), with custom built-in bean bags. Small bean bags are supplied to custom adjust the height. The roof has a special roll-back top, so no bars are holding up a pop-top, which creates obstructions to your lens placement.
They ensure plenty of space and options for using clamps, molar beanbags, panning plates, and other gear to aid your ability to capture the best images.
Extra Weight Allowance
We have arranged extra weight allowance on your flights so your gear and luggage can remain with you. Each guest will have 30kg.
About your leader….
Karen Schuenemann is a wildlife and bird photographer. She was awarded a Highly Commended Award-Bird Behavior in the 2018 Wildlife Photographer of the Year sponsored by the London Natural History Museum. In 2017 she was the Professional Category Honorable Mention in the National Audubon Contest, one of the top five awards. Her work has hung in the London Natural History Museum, and has been included in shows at the San Diego Natural History Museum, The G2 Gallery, Palos Verdes Art Center, Armenia Conservation Show, Florida Museum of Photographic Art, as well as the World Economic Summit in Davos, Switzerland. Her imagery has been published in Nature’s Best, Audubon Magazine, USA Today, NANPA, Shadow and Light Magazine, and American Photo Magazine. In addition, she has garnered numerous awards from Best in Show in Los Angeles County Fair to Honorable Mention in the National Park Contest. Her articles have been published in NANPA. She enjoys speaking about wildlife and bird photography and using photography to tell stories and make a positive impact in protecting and conserving our natural world. She was honored to be a jurist for NANPA, and be on the faculty for the NANPA High School Scholarship Program in Tennessee. She currently leads workshops to a variety of locations around the world with her company, Wilderness At Heart Photography, and teaches classes in both California and Florida.
8 Participants
$11,200
$1,755 Single Supplement*
*If you wish to have a roommate, we will make every effort to pair you with someone. However if we are unable to find a roommate for you the single supplement will be applied to your final invoice.
July 25th – August 3rd, 2025
Day 1 (25 July) Nairobi
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay. Official check-in time at the hotel is 1500hrs. Overnight at Emara Ole Sereni Hotel
Day 2 (26 July) Nairobi – Drive to Samburu
Breakfast at 0730hrs followed by group briefing at 08:00hrs
You will depart for a 6-hour drive to Samburu. You will arrive in time for check-in and lunch.
Afternoon Game Drive
Overnight at Samburu Intrepids (B, L & D)
Day 3 (27 July) Samburu
Morning and Afternoon Game Drives Overnight at Samburu Interpids (B, L & D)
Day 4 (28 July) Samburu
Morning and Afternoon Game Drive Overnight at Samburu Intrepid (B, L & D)
Day 5 (29 July) Samburu to Mara
Morning Game Drive
You will be transferred to the airstrip for your chartered flight to Maasai Mara.
Upon arrival, you will be picked up by your guides and transferred to camp. You will arrive in time for check-in and lunch.
Afternoon Game Drive
Overnight at Olive Camp (B, L & D)
Day 6 (30 July) Maasai Mara
Morning and Afternoon Game Drives Overnight at Olive Camp (B, L & D )
Day 7 (31 July) Maasai Mara
Morning and Afternoon Game Drives Overnight at Olive Camp (B, L & D )
Day 8 (01 August) Maasai Mara
Morning and Afternoon Game Drives
Overnight at Olive Camp (B, L & D )
Day 9 (02 August) Maasai Mara
Morning and Afternoon Game Drives
Overnight at Olive Camp (B, L & D )
Day 10 (03 August) Maasai Mara – Fly Nairobi
Morning Game Drive
Transfer to the airstrip for Charter flight back to Nairobi departing at 1100hrs to arrive at approx. 1220hrs.
July 25th – August 3rd, 2025
Women On The Mara 2025
Women On The Mara 2025
July 25th – August 3rd, 2025
All payments are non-refundable unless a tour is cancelled due to under-enrollment, in which case you will receive a full refund of your initial deposit, or you may transfer your deposit to a future tour.
There will be no refunds if you need to cancel your trip for any reason.
In the event we need to cancel a tour due to natural disaster, pandemic, labor strikes, or any other situation that is beyond our control, there will be no refunds.
We strongly recommend purchasing trip insurance as soon as you book your trip, in most cases this will be your only recourse for a refund. Trip insurance that includes medical evacuation is required for all international tours.
All accommodations as stated in the itinerary
All meals as stated on the itinerary B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
Transportation and exclusive use of deluxe custom safari built, open side, 4- wheel drive Land cruiser vehicles.
Charter flights from Nairobi – Maasai Mara and Maasai Mara to Nairobi with 30KGS luggage allowance per person
Airport transfers in Nairobi
Airstrip Transfer in Maasai Mara
Park Entrance Fees
Evacuation insurance to a Nairobi hospital
Visas
Travel and medical Insurance
Personal purchases (such as curious, spirit liquors, telephone calls, internet, laundry…) except where specified
Gratuities for guides, camp and lodge staff
International flights to and from Kenya
Lunch and dinner while in Nairobi
Easy, we will be traveling in safari vehicles.