Shooting in Kenya really pushed me as a photographer. With my Sony a7III, a 200–600mm lens I’d never used before, and a mix of primes and wide angles, I learned quickly what actually works on safari and what doesn’t. Here’s the setup that got me through ten days of wildlife, culture and landscapes.

Zebra Plains Mara Camp was the most peaceful and luxurious stay of my entire Kenya trip. From spacious tented rooms and incredible food to warm staff, beautiful pool views, and game drives just minutes from camp, this lodge blends comfort with the magic of the Maasai Mara. Here’s everything you need to know before booking your stay.

The Maasai Mara is very dynamic and alive. I visited during the dry season when the grass thins out and the animals are clearly in view. Cheetahs hunting in real time. An elusive leopard and her cub. Lions napping and their cubs hidden not far away.

The range of animals is what makes Maasai Mara so special. Hippos, hyenas, topis, giraffes, impalas, wildebeests. It’s wild and cinematic and truly a once-in-a-lifetime kind of safari.

I visited Amboseli during the dry season when the skies stayed clear and the animals are not only out but out with babies. There were elephants moving in slow, powerful herds, lions napping in the sun, and zebras and gazelles were everywhere you looked.

Between the wildlife and the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli is full of life and the dreamiest safari you’ll want to embark on.