Meek and the Masai Mara 2026

It has taken far too long to produce a write up my Big Cat Masai Mara trip that took place in June with Alison Mees and Porini Gamewatchers.

It is fair to say that normal service resumed, the emotions of the prior year had disappeared, the focus was back, the intent was magnified, objectives were high, demands put forward (sorry Alison and Porini), with only exceptional quality permitted. The bar was set, question was, could I deliver?

The trip focused on three Conservancies;

• Ol Kinyei Conservancy - staying at the cool and hospitable, home from home Cheetah Camp. With a couple of trips into the neighbouring Naboisho Conservancy for the Leopards and Cheetahs, more on that later!

• Loveable Lion Camp in Olare Motorogi Conservancy where the magnificent Leopardess Akira and he mighty Osupaat are based.

Trip Highlights:

Ol Kinyei

Catching up with the Sampu Enkare Breakaway Pride for the fourth year running was a major highlight, always enjoy observing this family grow, small cubs are almost guaranteed now that they are successful despite the growing pressures from intruding male Lions

Documenting another new Male Cheetah for the second year running was also pretty cool, not many people can enjoy this experience

Naboisho

1) Cheetah Mum Kuleta and her playful cub Sadala, spending a morning with them on our own was awesome

2) Leopard Mum Sankuet and her cub Oloshipa, otherwise known as Happy One. Spending time with Oloshipa and capturing without others around was extremely special

Olare Motorogi

Some special raw nature experiences:

1) Akira the beautiful Leopard with a kill in the tree

2) Lions on a Hippo kill

3) Topi Pride Lions v 30 Hyenas on a buffalo kill, I have yet to share this incredible experience

4) Grieving Giraffe Mother against a clan of Hyenas, this was extremely tough to document and I have yet to share this experience

5) Osupaat the dominant Male Lion with his black mane from the Hammerkop Pride

I hope you found this blog post interesting. A choice selection of images can be found below.

Thank you for your time. The Iberian Lynx write up will be coming soon.

Cheers, Paul

Shortlisted British Photography Awards - Land Animal .... Whoop Whoop :)