A Q&A with wildlife photographer & photo safari guide Alan Hewitt
At Mattikoko, we’re passionate about sharing the wonders of the Maasai Mara ecosystem with adventurers from around the world. One of our greatest joys is hosting groups of photographers who come to capture the raw beauty and drama of African wildlife. These photo safaris offer a unique blend of immersion, creativity, and expert guidance, allowing guests to not just observe but truly document the stories unfolding on the savannah.
We’re especially thrilled to regularly host our friends from African Photography Safaris, a premier operator that brings unparalleled expertise to our camp. Leading these experiences is Alan Hewitt, a renowned UK-based wildlife photographer and co-owner of APS. Alongside fellow photographer Kaleel Zibe, Alan hosts regular photo safaris right here at Mattikoko, drawing on his deep knowledge of fieldcraft and conservation to create unforgettable trips. We sat down with Alan for a Q&A to dive into what makes these safaris so special.
Images by Alan Hewitt and Kaleel Zibe
What is the difference between a photography safari and a regular safari?
A regular safari is about experiencing and seeing wildlife. A photography safari is geared more towards the needs of keen photographers. That means more time in the field, vehicles positioned with consideration of ambient light and backgrounds in mind, patient guides and professional photographers who understand fieldcraft and the freedom to sit with an opportunity or scene rather than rush off to ‘tick-off’ the next sighting. It’s a slower, more intentional experience where the journey matters as much as the subject.
Importantly, guests don’t need to be professionals! Just people who enjoy taking photographs and want the space, time and guidance to improve.
What makes Mattikoko a good spot for photo safaris?
Mattikoko sits in the Lemek Conservancy, which shares borders with the greater Maasai Mara eco-system but with significantly fewer vehicles and more freedom to follow wildlife stories off-road as they unfold. The camp is surrounded by open plains, riverine woodland and seasonal watercourses. Lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, cheetahs and hyenas are regular neighbours. The list is huge and then there is the birdlife too! Add in private vehicle access, guides who understand photography, and a camp that’s close enough to the action that you can be with lions at first light… and it’s an environment which is ideal for wildlife photography.
What does a day on one of your trips to Mattikoko look like?
We’re always up early to get out for the rising light and the best animal activity – particularly the predators. There’s time for hot morning tea or coffee first then we head out into the conservancy. We check up on fieldcraft clues we see and hear, and also on what may have happened the day before or throughout the night. Every day is different and full of surprises. We usually enjoy a packed breakfast out on the savannah. This means we can head out a little bit further and for longer with the freedom to please ourselves.
We return to Mattikoko Safari Camp mid / late morning. There’s time for a nap, some one-to-one or group tuition, back-ups, image reviews and processing and a review of the trailcams to check on our night time visitors! Also, time to chill and relax with a drink looking across the savannah and watch the wildlife before lunch.
As the light softens its time to head out again. Afternoon drives pretty much follow the same vibe as morning. Look, listen and photography! We can enjoy evening drinks (aka sundowners!) while photographing animals in front of the dramatic setting sun with iconic savannah trees. We’re always on the lookout for elephants and giraffes at this time as they make such dramatic silhouette shapes. In the private Lemek Conservancy we can stay out until the last of the light then return to camp in the dark. Night drives are another incredible experience, the sounds and sights can change dramatically!
When we return to camp we spend a fantastic hour around the campfire with the Maasai. The night time wildlife soundtrack is often in full swing too! We chat about the day, possible plans for the next day and anything else – it’s time for some light-hearted banter, some laughs with great company in a great setting! Of course we do like to have a structure to each day, but the wildlife and the light dictate the rhythm, not the clock!
Can you describe any specific moments that stand out from the past few trips?
Wow! Where do I start? Our groups have enjoyed incredible encounters with the Lemek lions over the years. The alpha males, lionesses with cubs and juveniles. Cheetahs have been incredible, including seeing and photographing Kisaru and her six cubs almost every day on one trip. Some of my own favourite moments are when we are stationary and a herd of elephants is moving around us. Females, calves and younger bulls at absolute peace with our presence. We photograph them in groups, bringing in elements of the surroundings especially if they’re browsing on the iconic Mara Balanite trees. The quiet and peacefulness is wonderful and its beautiful to be in the presence with such huge and emotionally intelligent animals. Words sometimes do not do experiences like this justice!
I’m a great believer in how fieldcraft can improve us as wildlife photographers. It can help locate animals, predict behaviour and also helps us work safely and ethically. Some of my most treasured experiences are when we have used fieldcraft to find the hidden!
Hearing a jackal’s distress barking call alerted us to the possibility of a nearby leopard. Watching two hyenas pick up on the same call then estimating a cross-bearing based upon the direction they were heading in led us to a beautiful female leopard. We stop and kill the engine to listen, scan with our binoculars and keep our guests informed of what we are doing. We love to pass this on to our guests as it highlights the importance of fieldcraft in the bush.
Evening sundowners are amongst my favourite moments. It’s a chance to get out of the vehicles and importantly, listen. The drinks are served and if we can, we get behind elephants, giraffes or antelopes as they walk between us and the setting sun. It’s simple yet highly effective creative wildlife photography made even more enjoyable in great company with a cold beer! Or a gin, or a glass of wine!
There are so many incredible moments we have experienced that I cannot possibly list them all. Each trip brings something new, something different. Even for us as photographers who have done so many trips in the past, there is always a new ‘Wow’ moment!
Find out more about photo safaris at Mattikoko
Who should consider joining one of your photo safaris?
Everybody! We’re here to host guests who have a wide range of existing photography backgrounds. Complete beginners are very welcome and even the more advanced photographers have also enjoyed using new skills and thinking more about fieldcraft. It’s a wonderful opportunity to indulge in creativity, wildlife and feed off the enthusiasm of the whole group. We’re aren’t gear snobs either, we’ll teach you how you can get the best out of what you already have. But, for guests who are normally resident on the UK Mainland, we can arrange free 14 day hire of FUJIFILM cameras, lenses and accessories.
We often host guests perhaps as couples where one is a much more keen photographer than the other, self-forming groups too and basically anybody who wants to enjoy a fantastic, ethical and meaningful photography safari experience where sustainability is important. On our photography safaris, around £2,000 per person is distributed back into local conservation and Maasai community projects. Giving back is important to us as it places a high economic value on the eco-system, allowing conservation to flourish in the conservancy as a part of daily way of life.
Keen to explore the Maasai Mara through your lens?
Whether you’re a budding photographer eager to learn or a seasoned pro seeking fresh inspiration, a photo safari at Mattikoko with African Photography Safaris promises moments that will stay with you forever. If this has sparked your interest, head over to the African Photography Safaris website to explore upcoming trips, itineraries, and how you can join Alan and Kaleel for an adventure that combines stunning wildlife encounters with the art of photography. We can’t wait to welcome you to the savannah!