Photographing Lions in the Masai Mara: A Field Guide

The Masai Mara is one of Africa's most celebrated wildlife destinations, and for good reason. The vast open plains, the abundance of prey species, and the resident prides of lions make it a paradise for wildlife photographers. But getting truly great lion images requires more than just showing up.

Know Your Lions

Before you can photograph lions well, you need to understand them. Lions are largely crepuscular and nocturnal — meaning they're most active at dawn and dusk. Plan your game drives accordingly. The golden light of early morning also happens to coincide perfectly with when lions are most likely to be active and moving.

Equipment for Big Cat Photography

A telephoto lens of at least 400mm is essential. I use the Canon 500mm f/4L IS III as my primary lens, paired with the Canon EOS R5 body. The subject tracking autofocus on modern mirrorless systems is a game-changer — I rarely miss sharp focus even when lions are moving toward the vehicle at speed.

The One Skill That Matters Most

If I could give only one piece of advice, it would be this: stay with your subject. The temptation is always to move on to the next exciting sighting. Resist it. The lions sleeping under that acacia tree might seem boring now, but an hour of patient observation will reveal moments of interaction, play, and drama that make the most memorable images.