Here are some pointers to help you get better images when shooting wildlife in Nairobi National Park.
Author: mwarv
Mid-week Trip to Hell’s Gate
On trips like these, I appreciate the ability pursuing passion and not profit has given me. While many other Nairobians were stuck in rain traffic or caught up in clouds of tear gas from anti-IEBC demonstrations, I was engulfed in fresh air and sandwiched by beautiful landscapes, in the company of great friends and amazing wildlife.
Tips to Help Plan a Road Trip
I’ve been part of a team that has been planning Onetouch road trips since 2012. I’d now like to share some of the knowledge I’ve gathered while on the job.
#OnetouchLive Lake Chala
Located on the south eastern slopes of Kilimanjaro and sitting on the border of Kenya and Tanzania, I’ve always considered Lake Chala to be the best doof mpararo location in East Africa. Last August, I got a chance to experience it again with Onetouch during one of our monthly photographic expeditions.
Nairobi National Park, Randomly
Last Thursday, out of the blues that engulfed Nairobi after tensions from the General Election, I got an urge to return to the Nairobi National Park to shoot wildlife. I shared the idea with friends from Onetouch and Friday morning, we met at the NNP Lang’ata Road Gate at 6am.
Shooting Kenya’s General Elections
19.6 million Kenyans registered to vote at this year’s General Elections. Before most of them got in line, I visited two polling centres in Nairobi to see how the day had started.
Presidential Campaign Photography Review
With less than two weeks to Kenya’s General Election and more people getting their news online, I’ve decided to do a quick review of presidential campaign photography that’s been posted to Facebook.
Shooting The President’s Portraits
I’ve never tried to have a one-on-one with Uhuru Kenyatta or William Ruto, but something tells me it wouldn’t be that easy: whom would I call for a number? Or talk to to tell someone who would whisper to them that I’d like to have a word? There must be a long list of protocol to be observed, most …
Hunting Lions in Nairobi National Park
Lions have never loved my camera. In my countless encounters with them, I’ve only managed to capture two good photos: in 2007 in the Mara, and 2009 in Amboseli. All other times, in Nakuru, Mara and even Nairobi National Park, they’ve either been sleeping, hiding behind bushes or not within the reach of my lenses.
King Baudouin African Development Prize Winners
I was recently called upon by the King Baudouin Foundation to document the innovations of this year’s King Baudouin African Development Prize winners. The Prize rewards outstanding contributions to development initiated and led by Africans in Africa. It also seeks to draw public attention to the many inspirational stories, including challenges and successes, emerging from Africa.
Stuck in Sereolipi
Our car was parked under a tree in a rhino sanctuary, grounded and unable to move, 50km away. We were running out of cash and the nearest ATM was 100km away. The sun was unbearably hot and shade was scarce.The Safaricom network was very patchy so we couldn’t easily make or receive calls. We were stuck in Sereolipi.
#OnetouchLive – The Big North : Exploring Marsabit
The light from the starry skies above faded as the sun pieced the morning clouds, illuminating the beauty of Marsabit’s Abdul Camp. Thick fog engulfed us. And as the smoke from the campfire breakfast danced with the fog, we packed our cameras and set out to explore Marsabit National Park.
#OnetouchLive – The Big North, Day One
For many years, The Big North has been a forgotten territory. Lack of infrastructure meant only resilient pastoralists and opportunistic bandits called this home. But around ten years ago, President Kibaki’s government decided to prioritise tarmacking of the A2 from Isiolo to Moyale. Now complete, this stretch of asphalt has opened up The Big North to those …
Amazing Beadworks of Kalama
In the beautiful heart of northern Kenya sits one of the most scenic community conservancies in Kenya. It covers 49,000 hectares teeming with wildlife that attracts visitors from far and wide. Apart from that, Kalama Community Conservancy is where some of Kenya’s most exquisite jewellery is made.
SGR Nairobi – Mombasa Test Ride
There’s been a lot of controversy about Kenya’s largest infrastructure project since independence, centred mostly around the Kshs327 billion price tag. I’m not here to throw my weight behind any of the arguments, but simply to show you what I saw when I took a ride from Nairobi to Mombasa.
St Martins School Kibagare
If I ever doubted how free spirited children are, my doubts are cast away, never to return. All it took was spending a day with pupils of St Martins in Kibagare, seeing them jostle and push in excitement, eager to get their photos taken.
Welcome to Dandora
Less than 20 kilometres from the heartbeat of Nairobi is a settlement that many living on the opposite side of Nairobi fear to visit. Famous for being the home of Nairobi’s main dumpsite, Dandora is also where enthusiasts believe Kenyan hip hop was born, bred and continues to thrive to this day.
African Screens 60 – Nairobi Fireworks
I’ve received a couple of requests on Facebook and Instagram for this image of fireworks exploding over Nairobi to be released as a wallpaper.
What it takes to shoot on the streets of Nairobi
Nairobi’s beauty has many people – especially photographers – wanting to click away at every junction. Nowadays, it isn’t unusual to see a photographer or two taking long exposures of the city after dark, or posing newly weds on a median over the weekend. Just like any activity held in a public space in Nairobi, permissions should be …
Suswa: The Best Day Trip Outside Nairobi
If you have a free day in your week and are looking for an adventurous getaway, Suswa Conservancy should be top on your list. A quick scenic drive outside Nairobi, Suswa is guaranteed to take your breath away – literally!