Track and photograph the legendary Black Leopard of Laikipia, Kenya, on an exceptionally rare photo safari set within private wilderness landscapes. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, among the rarest wildlife encounters on Earth, to witness and document a bold Black Leopard against dramatic savannahs and river valleys, capturing close-up portraits, powerful hunts, and intimate natural behaviour rarely seen anywhere in the world. Along the way, encounter elephants, wild dogs, and elusive striped hyenas, all framed by Laikipia’s striking light and open terrain. Led by expert guides, this all-inclusive photo expedition offers day and night safaris, placing you at the heart of one of the most coveted and cherished wildlife photography journeys globally.
Laikipia (4 nights)
June 17-21, 2026
If you seek an off-beat African safari far removed from the crowds, join us in Northern Kenya for an all-inclusive photographic journey through the wild heart of Laikipia. This rugged plateau, where rolling savannahs dissolve into rocky escarpments and riverine forests, hosts a remarkable diversity of wildlife. Elephants, Grevy’s zebras, and antelopes move through the open plains, while elusive predators such as leopards, wild dogs, and striped hyenas lend the landscape its raw, untamed edge.
The region’s true icon is the Melanistic Leopard, a rare black variant that has become emblematic of the Laikipia wilderness. Its regular presence and relaxed behaviour around vehicles make it one of the most coveted photographic subjects in Africa. Based at the elegant Laikipia River Camp, days unfold with morning, evening, and night safaris, dedicated to tracking and photographing the Black Leopard alongside Laikipia’s extraordinary wildlife. Designed as a small-group expedition, this experience blends exclusivity, expert guiding, and unhurried photography, crafted for travellers drawn to authentic wilderness and the rarest of encounters.
Today, guests arrive in Nairobi by morning. We will then pickup any guests who have arrived in Nairobi the previous day from their respective hotels and will proceed to Laikipia by road. It takes around 6 hours. As we head North from the Kenyan capital, we will pass through different landscapes and watch as it shifts from lush plains to dry desert-like landscapes. We arrive in time for lunch, post which we will prepare for our first game drive in the conservancy. At dinner time we will return from the safari before we retire for the night.
Over the next 3 days, we will spend whole days in the conservancy looking for the region’s elusive Black Leopards. Our focus will remain on Giza, one of the resident Black Leopards, while we also look for and photograph other wildlife the region has to offer. The day would start by 5:30 am with a hot cup of coffee or tea followed by a light breakfast. As the sun rises, we will be out on safari until mid day, returning briefly just to have lunch and back on safari once again. We will conclude our evening safari just before dinner. On of the days, we will also enjoy a bush dinner in the middle of the wilderness and under the stars, an experience entirely worth it.
Today, will be our last morning on safari. Soon after we return from the morning drive, we will check-out and proceed to Nairobi arriving in the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by 4 pm. Tour concludes
At Safari Crafters, we are children of nature first. Years spent immersed in forests and wild habitats across the world have shaped our understanding of landscapes, seasons, and the subtle rhythms that govern life in the wild. Awed continually by nature’s grandeur, we bring together this depth of experience to create one of the most versatile and thoughtfully led safari companies from the Indian subcontinent.
Our tour leaders, naturalists, and guides are among the finest allies one can have on a journey into the wild. We work in close partnership with the most trusted and respected names in the industry, ensuring every experience is guided with integrity, expertise, and care.
