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The Big Cats of the Masai Mara - Aug/Sep 2023

BIG CATS of the Mara photo tour - Kenya

Posted on 10th March, 2024

Stu Porter

Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Male Leopard sheltering in a fig tree during a typical Mara downpour - Masai Mara, Kenya

BIG CATS OF THE MASAI MARA PHOTO SAFARI TRIP REPORT

Our safari started in Nairobi, where we stayed overnight before heading out. The next day, we flew to the Mara Triangle and checked into Mara Serena Lodge for four nights.

MARA SERENA LODGE (4 NIGHTS)

During our stay at Mara Serena Lodge, we had some incredible encounters with a pride of lions. We saw them every day, watching as they hunted, ate, and patrolled their territory. The Mara Triangle was bustling with animals, and we were lucky to see the great migration mega herds. One of the highlights was capturing photos of a huge male leopard taking shelter from the rain in a giant Fig Tree.

MARA BUSH CAMP (6 NIGHTS)

Next, we moved across the Mara River to the main reserve where we spent 6 nights at Mara Bush Camp. Here, we saw different cheetahs, including the two remaining, famous "Tano Bora" males. We watched them chase a baby Hartebeest, but their meal was stolen by a Spotted Hyaena. We also spent time photographing the beautiful scenery on offer in the Mara, in particular we captured some magnificent sunsets. We also added some great birds to our collection as well as a cute hyaena cub at the den, Bahati the female leopard, mating lions, hippo, giraffe and a stunning Thompson's Gazelle at sunrise.

THE JOURNEY ENDS

Our journey ended with a short morning drive in the Masai Mara before flying back to Nairobi. Huge thanks to our guides, Mamai and James, for taking such good care of us and helping us capture amazing wildlife photos. And thanks to the staff at Mara Serena Lodge and Mara Bush Camp for their hospitality and delicious breakfasts, which gave us more time for photography.

A special shoutout to Ramin, Nima, Char, and Frank for joining us on this unforgettable adventure!

Enjoy some highlights from our trip!

Warm regards,
Stu

Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Male Lion in the Mara Triangle - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Alert Lioness - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Lionesses - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Lioness drinking - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Lioness - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Ruppell's Griffon Vulture - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Sunset and rainstorm - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Wildebeest drinking - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Great Migration herds - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
A cub greets an adult - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Sunrise migration herds - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Lioness in long grass - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Old male Lion - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
White Bearded Wildebeest - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Male Common Ostrich - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Verreaux's Eagle Owl - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Lioness resting on a termite mound - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Cheetah resting on a termite mound - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
The female Leopard known as Faulu - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
The two remaining members of the "Tano Bora" male Cheetah coalition - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Lions near camp - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Lioness in long grass - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Masai Giraffe - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Secretary Bird - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Lions at sunset - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Lioness - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Young male lion - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Adult lioness on a termite mound - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Cheetah in hunting mode - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Female Cheetah with her kill, a Thompson's Gazelle - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Young Spotted Hyaena at the den - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Masai Giraffe - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Hippo with a baby in the Mara River - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Lioness from the Rongai pride - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Alert group of female impala - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Lioness in hunting mode - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Giraffe on horizon - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Female leopard known as Bahati - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Lions greeting - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Male Cheetah with a baby hartebeest - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Lions near the Talek River - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Sunset over the Mara - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Honeymoon couple - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Male Lion - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Young lioness searching for the rest of her pride - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Lioness on a termite mound - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Time for a breakfast under a typical Mara tree - Masai Mara, Kenya
Stu Porter Photography Copyright Kenya Photo Safari with WILD4 African Photographic Tours
Thompson's Gazelle at sunrise - Masai Mara, Kenya