EXPEDITION KENYA ITINERARY
Thank you for your interest in Jack Swynnerton’s 2025 "Expedition Kenya" Safari! This unforgettable journey will take you to two of Jack’s favorite destinations in Kenya. First, you will explore Amboseli, renowned for its thriving elephant population and breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro as a stunning backdrop. Next, you will venture to the Mara North Conservancy, where off-road driving allows for up-close encounters with incredible wildlife.
This safari is open to anyone who shares a passion for nature, wildlife, and adventure—everyone is welcome! For those interested in photography, Jack will provide one-on-one guidance, sharing his techniques for capturing, editing, and showcasing stunning content along with tips and tricks for converting your content into viral social media content.
He look’s forward to embarking on this extraordinary adventure with you!
The important information:
Location: Amboseli, and Mara North - Kenya
Departure Date: First come first serve (Date will be based on the majority’s preference)
Length: 9 Days (1 night Nairobi, 3 Nights Amboseli and 4 nights Mara North)
Price: From $10,455,00 per person sharing (Season dependent)
Lodging: 3 Nights at Elewana Tortilis Camp + 4 nights at Alex Walkers Kimya Kimya
Guides: Jack Swynnerton + Driver guide in each location
Group Size: Min 4 pax
Day-By-Day Breakdown
Day 1:
On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, clear immigration and collect your luggage. Make your way into the arrivals hall, where you will be met by your Photographic Guide, Jack Swynnerton and your driver.
Transfer to Nairobi Hotel, a drive of about half an hour.
Day 2:
This morning you will be transferred to Wilson Airport in time to connect with a scheduled flight to the Amboseli National Park.
Scheduled flight: Air Kenya Wilson Airport to Amboseli 7.30am
On arrival, you will be met by your driver/guide and transferred to the Camp.
Tortilis Camp has a prime location for witnessing the majesty of Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro.
Tortilis Camp is named after the flat-topped, umbrella thorn tree, the Acacia Tortilis, and embraces a hill in one of Amboseli’s areas of Acacia Tortilis woodland. Located in a private conservancy bordering the national park, game drives, walks, sundowners and bush meals take place both inside the national park and in the conservancy, where guests enjoy exclusivity.
Jack has carefully selected this location due to its proximity to the incredible Amboseli dry lake bed where you will capture incredible moments of animals crossing it.
The tents are all spacious, with king or twin beds and elegant en suite bathrooms. There is a main lounge, bar and dining area, all exquisitely built with natural materials and thatched roofs. The Private House and Family Tent are located slightly separate to the main camp, upon the hill where they share a pool.
Tortilis Camp was one of the first eco-lodges of its size, and is very proudly 100% solar. Guests can rest assure they are leaving a minimal footprint during their stay.
Head out early for an afternoon drive and explore our new location before having an epic sundowner and then heading back to camp in time for dinner.
Overnight: Elewana Tortilis Camp
Days 3 - 4
Spend the next three days photographing the amazing Amboseli wildlife, people and scenery. Each day we will all decide our options for giving ourselves the best opportunity to capture incredible moments like visiting “Craig” (Kenya’s biggest Elephant Tusker), photograph Kilimanjaro and animals in the foreground or visit Amboseli’s dry lake bed for epic shots of wildlife crossing it.
The Tortilis Camp guides are based at camp in Amboseli and know their backyard intimately. They know the individual elephants and their family histories. A couple of the guides at Tortilis are Maasai, and between them have 80 years of guiding at Tortilis!
Tortilis Camp has open game drive vehicles, the current fleet are, specially fitted, 4×4 Toyota Landcruisers. The vehicles are unrivalled with feature enhancements specifically designed for comfort and photography – molar bean bags on the window rail to aid camera stability, open sided with 3 rows of seats and charging sockets.
With only 10% of Amboseli National Park utilized by most safari vehicles, combined with Tortilis Camp’s unique location on the western edge of the park (most lodges are outside of the eastern gate of the park), guests can enjoy an almost private Amboseli. There is also private game driving within their own 30,000 acre Kitirua Conservancy, which is the western part of the Amboseli ecosystem.
Tortilis Camp’s walking guides are from the local community, who have been walking over these plains since childhood. Take the time to leave the car behind and enjoy the small things – tracks, dung beetles, micro-ecosystems. The guides are happy to share their knowledge of the terrain, traditional uses of wild herbs and barks, and the Masai way of life.
In the heart of Masai country, Tortilis Camp offers visits to local Masai homesteads. The Masai live in semi-permanent huts known as Manyattas and it is the role of the wife to construct the hut from cattle dung and grass. The families will show you round their home for a fee (payable separately). Tortilis Camp works with closely with the Masai community, and there are ways that you can get involved.
Each evening after an action packed day we will all gather and go through footage and photos - This is also where Jack can guide you on post production and allow you to ask any questions regarding photography and videography.
Overnights: Elewana Tortilis Camp - 3 nights
Day 5: Amboseli - Mara North Conservancy
After a breakfast, you will be transferred to the airstrip in time to connect with a scheduled flight to the Masai Mara.
Scheduled flight: Mombasa Air Amboseli to Mara 9.30am
On arrival you will be met by your driver/guide and transferred to the Camp.
Serian’s Kimya Kimya is set on a private riverside site in the Mara North Conservancy. This snug little setup is chock-full of character with grand views over the rushing Mara River and a lively salt lick that regularly features Elephant, Giraffe and Zebra. Throughout the day, Zebra work their way down to the nearby spring for a mid-morning tipple, often displaced by raucous kids wanting to splash around in the warm water spring. This is an active river crossing point; Elephant and Giraffe navigate their way through the maze of granite boulders to the opposite bank.
Enjoy an afternoon activity, before heading back to camp for dinner.
Overnight: Serian Kimya Kimya Camp
Days 6 - 8: Mara North Conservancy
Spend the next three days photographing the amazing Masai Mara, wildlife and scenery.
The cornerstone of a safari experience at Serian is that each group has their own open-top safari vehicle, and their own dedicated guide and spotter. The freedom this grants you is key to getting the most out of your stay: go where the day takes you, without the limitations of fixed schedules, or fitting in with other peoples’ plans. Nothing but personal desire need dictate what you do.
Kimya Kimya’s vehicles are specially customised to be a climbing frame, and a photographer’s extra tool. They are comfortable, able to handle the terrain, and cover the distance…. And were designed for sun, rain, wind, and above all, the feeling of having as little as possible separating you from what’s out there.
Kimya Kimya’s guides and spotters are intimately familiar with these special places, so they know all its secrets and the ways the animals interact with it, from the subtle changes of the seasons, to the stages of an animals lifecycle, to the flora that sustains it all – they are the key that can unlock it all for you.
Overnight: Kimya Kimya - 4 nights
Days 9: Mara North Conservancy - Nairobi
After your last game activity, you will be transferred to the airstrip in time to connect with a scheduled flight to Wilson Airport.
Scheduled flight: Air Kenya Mara to Wilson Airport 11.30am
On arrival at Wilson Airport, you will be met and transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Here you bid farewell to Jack, before checking in for your homeward bound flight and depart Africa.
What to expect on this Expedition.
Join Jack on an unforgettable safari through his favorite locations in Kenya, carefully chosen for their breathtaking landscapes and exceptional wildlife encounters. This expedition offers unparalleled opportunities to capture stunning imagery in some of the most picturesque settings.
Beyond photography, you’ll connect with like-minded adventurers, explore Kenya’s most beautiful and diverse regions, immerse yourself in rich local cultures, and experience the safari of a lifetime.
Meet your photographic guide
Jack, a passionate photographer, was born in Australia, raised in the foothills of Kilimanjaro, and is now based in Nairobi, Kenya. As a fourth-generation living in East Africa, he comes from a long line of naturalists, hunters, conservationists, and pilots, making his deep connection to the wild instinctive. Jack loves an adventure and is always looking for the next best thing - having summited Kilimanjaro, bungeed jumped off Victoria Falls bridge there’s always an adventurous plan on the horizon.
His great-grandfather, C.F.M. Swynnerton, arrived in Africa in the early 1900s and became Tanganyika’s (Tanzania today) first head game warden. He played a pivotal role in eradicating the tsetse fly, helping shape the safari tourism industry as we know it today. After C.F.M.'s tragic plane accident en route to Dar es Salaam, Jack’s grandfather, Gerry Swynnerton, took over later as head of the game department in Arusha, Tanzania. Gerry was instrumental in managing wardens and protecting iconic wildlife areas such as the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
Jack was named after his great-uncle, Jack Bousfield, a legendary figure in African safaris and roamed freely where now the iconic Jack’s Camp in Botswana is situated. His family’s legacy extends even further—his grandfather, Peter Whitehead, was the lion handler for the classic film Born Free, while his great-grandfather, Alex "Fatty" Pearson, was Ernest Hemingway’s bush pilot. Pearson famously rescued Hemingway after a plane crash, a story immortalized in The Snows of Kilimanjaro, where he appears as "Compton."
Joining a safari with Jack is more than just a wildlife adventure—it’s a chance to immerse yourself in a rich history, hear legendary stories, and gain invaluable photography and social media insights.
FAQs
Photography Expedition in Kenya – FAQs
1. What makes this expedition unique?
This is more than just a safari—it's a photography-focused adventure led by Jack Swynnerton, who will take you to some of Kenya’s most spectacular locations. You'll have exclusive access to prime wildlife viewing spots, expert guidance, and opportunities to refine your photography skills in the field.
2. Do I need to be a professional photographer to join?
Not at all! This expedition is open to all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned photographers. Whether you're shooting with a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or even a smartphone, you'll receive guidance tailored to your experience.
3. What kind of photography will we focus on?
The main focus is wildlife photography, but you’ll also have opportunities for landscape, cultural, and night photography. We’ll cover techniques like composition, lighting, action shots, and post-processing tips.
4. What equipment should I bring?
A DSLR or mirrorless camera with telephoto and wide-angle lenses
Extra batteries & memory cards
A sturdy tripod
A laptop or tablet for editing (optional)
Binoculars (highly recommended for spotting wildlife) Use “jack10” for 10% discount on all Swaroski optik products.
A detailed packing list will be provided upon booking.
5. What kind of wildlife can I expect to see?
Kenya is home to an incredible array of wildlife, including the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino), cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, and countless bird species. The exact sightings depend on the season and location.
6. What’s included in the expedition package?
Expert photography guidance
All internal flights
Accommodation at top lodges/camps
All meals & non-alcoholic drinks
Private safari vehicles with ample space for photography
Park & conservation fees
Airport transfers
7. What’s not included?
International flights
Visa fees
Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Personal expenses & gratuities
Extra activities such as helicopter rides, hot air balloon rides etc
8. What type of accommodation can I expect?
You’ll stay in high-quality lodges or luxury tented camps, offering comfort, great hospitality, and prime access to wildlife areas. Accommodation details will be shared upon booking.
9. What’s the best time of year for this expedition?
Kenya offers incredible wildlife photography year-round, but the best times depend on your interests:
July–October: Great Migration in the Maasai Mara
January–March: Dramatic landscapes & fewer tourists
April–June: Green season with lush scenery & unique wildlife behavior
10. How physically demanding is this expedition?
This is a relaxed safari experience with minimal physical exertion. Most photography will be done from safari vehicles, but there may be optional short walks for landscape or cultural photography.
11. How do I book, and what’s the payment process?
To secure your spot, a deposit is required, with the balance due before departure. Payment plans and cancellation policies will be outlined in your booking confirmation.
12. What should I wear?
Comfortable, neutral-coloured clothing is best for safaris. Layers are recommended for cool mornings and warm afternoons. A detailed packing guide will be provided before the trip.
13. Will there be internet and charging facilities?
Most lodges/camps have Wi-Fi, though it can be limited in remote areas. Charging facilities are available, but bringing a power bank or extra batteries is advised.
14. Can non-photographers join?
Absolutely! While the focus is on photography, the experience is immersive and enjoyable for anyone who loves wildlife and adventure.
15. What would a typical day look like?
5:00am - 5:30am - Wake up call along with a coffee
5:30am - 10:00am - Search for our next photography opportunity in the best light.
9:30am - Packed breakfast or head back to camp for a hot breakfast.
11:00am - 12:00pm - Focus on different forms of photography
12:00pm - 14:00pm - Head back to camp for a hot lunch / transfer morning photos / Editing with Jack
14:00pm - 16:00pm - Relax and get ready for afternoon shoot
16:00pm - 18:00pm - Afternoon activity maximising best light.
18:00pm - 18:30pm - Sundowner
18:30pm - 21:00pm - Dinner/ spend time around the campfire chatting about another incredible day on safari.
End of Day.