One of our safari guides on a photography safari
Wild Portrait Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2015)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $220 to $1,500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Monica | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Had the best safari experience with Wild Portraits
Our safari with Wild Portraits was truly unforgettable, and a huge part of that was the incredible team behind it.
Right from the booking stage, Leo was there to help us every step of the way. He was always responsive, patient, and understanding. When our flight got postponed, he even suggested hotels for us to stay at and helped arrange transport, making what could have been a stressful situation completely hassle-free.
Our safari experience with Gerald exceeded all expectations. His passion for wildlife and Kenyan culture made every game drive an opportunity to learn something new. He is an exceptional spotter, and thanks to his sharp eye and quick thinking, we were lucky enough to see some truly elusive animal.
What stood out even more was how personalized the experience felt. Once Gerald learned about my husband’s interest in birds, he went out of his way to point out countless species, sharing fascinating facts and patiently answering every question we had. His knowledge, enthusiasm, and ability to communicate made the experience so much richer.
The entire Wild Portraits team is incredibly skilled, thoughtful, and genuinely cares about ensuring you have the best possible safari. Every lodge we stayed at was beautifully chosen and perfectly suited to the journey, making the trip seamless and memorable from start to finish.
We couldn’t have asked for a better safari experience and would highly recommend Wild Portraits to anyone planning a trip to Kenya.
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Email Johanna Hagström | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect Safari!
Our safari was absolutely amazing! The experience exceeded all our expectations. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and passionate about wildlife and nature. He shared fascinating information throughout the trip and made sure we had the best possible opportunities to see the animals. His enthusiasm, experience, and friendly personality made the safari truly unforgettable. We highly recommend this safari to anyone looking for an exceptional adventure. Thank you for an incredible experience!
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Email Catarina Dunghed | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A memory for life
Our 7-day safari through Amboseli, Maasai Mara, and Lake Naivasha was truly beyond words – a deeply magical journey that touched something in me I didn’t even know was there.
James was so much more than a guide. He is incredibly knowledgeable and shared rich insights about the wildlife, the land, and also about Kenyan society and politics, which gave every moment a deeper meaning and context. But what makes James truly exceptional is not only what he knows – it is how he makes you feel.
With him, you don’t just observe the animals from a distance. You are invited into their world. You begin to feel them, understand them, and connect with them in a way that feels almost sacred.
James carries such a genuine love for his work, the animals, and nature itself that it becomes almost contagious. You feel it in every pause, every story, every quiet moment of watching the wild unfold.
I leave with a heart full of gratitude. Grateful for the experience, for the beauty we witnessed, and for being gently welcomed into James’ world – a world shaped by deep respect, humility, and love for Mother Earth.
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Email Daniel | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible!
We went on our first safari trip with James and team in January 2026 and everything was simply amazing; from the first contact where we discussed and planned our trip to the last farewell at the airport. We will forever be thankful to James and team for giving us the opportunities to create memories for our lives. I can warmly recommend anyone to arrange their safari trip with Wild Portraits Safari.
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Email Harshitha | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best Safari experience!
My husband and I had a wonderful 7-day trip with our guide James! We just to had arrive with our luggage and everything was booked and taken care of from A-Z. Their land cruiser handled all the tough terrains like a beast and was very comfortable for the long journeys from one NP to the other. All the stays provided were breathtakingly beautiful properties with great hospitality and we couldn't get enough of them! We were lucky to witness and capture some incredible action like lions trying to hunt down warthogs, a shy leopard climbing down a tree after getting some rest, two baby elephants play fighting against the backdrop of beautiful sunset and many more, all thanks to our pro-active and knowledgeable guide, James. His understanding and compassion for wildlife is commendable and we are very sure our experience wouldn't have been what it was without him. I would 100% recommend this operator to anyone I know, planning to go on a Kenyan safari. They have patiently answered my innumerable queries during booking enquiry and have been very accomodative of my itinerary needs. Thanks for making this our best trip ever!
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Email Kirsten and Michel | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional, knowledgeable, funny and human
# An unforgettable 8-day safari with James (Wild Portrait Safari) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
From the moment we met James, the owner of Wild Portrait Safari, we knew we were in expert hands. Over eight incredible days across the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, and Amboseli, he didn’t just show us the Big Five—he introduced us to hundreds of other stunning species and the living, breathing story of Kenya’s wildlife. Every day was a masterclass in understanding nature, reading the land, and truly seeing animals in their best habitats and biotopes.
What sets James apart is the way he blends deep knowledge with genuine warmth. He taught us where and how to look for animals, how ecosystems connect, and the very real challenges wildlife face due to climate change. His insights made each sighting more meaningful, and his tips on wildlife photography (from light and composition to patience and timing) helped us bring home images we’re truly proud of. Through it all, his human touch—kindness, humor, and care—made the journey unforgettable.
We loved every minute of our 8 days, and we left feeling both grateful and inspired. If you’re dreaming of a Kenyan safari that combines breathtaking sightings, thoughtful education, and heartfelt guiding, look no further.
## Highlights
- Saw the Big Five plus countless other remarkable animals
- Clear, engaging lessons on Kenyan wildlife and habitats/biotopes
- Thoughtful discussions on conservation and climate change
- Practical, game-changing wildlife photography guidance
- Warm, attentive, and deeply human guiding throughout
- Seamless experience across Masai Mara, Nakuru, Naivasha, and Amboseli
Thank you, James, for an extraordinary adventure—we’ll treasure it forever. Highly, highly recommended. 🐘🦁
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Email Peter F | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wild Portraits with James offers an authentic, respectful, and unforgettable safari experience.
We spent 10 days on safari trip with Wild Portraits. Travelling with James is to experience Africas savanna gives you as a whole.
The chance to see the five iconic African animals – lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and African buffalo – is truly special. To witness the magical sunrises and sunsets of the savannah, where the senses of sight, hearing, smell and touch come together, is something James brings to life in a remarkable way. He has a natural eye for suggesting the most captivating scenes for photography, always without compromising the dignity of the animals. His passion for wildlife and nature shines through in everything he does, and his deep respect for both is evident in the way he acts.
With genuine humility towards nature and the way animals live – always mindful of a sustainable future for all, and a place one longs to return to – James is a true role model whom many other guides could learn from.
If you simply want pictures of one or two animals, James is not the person for you. Save your money and visit a zoo. But if you are looking for a complete experience – one that offers rich in genuine and profound knowledge of wildlife and breathtaking nature, along with the unforgettable scenes of the African savannah where all your senses are stirred – then James is the one your surely want, where I warmly recommend - where you will get real value in your journey. You will leave with renewed energy, memories to treasure, and magical experiences that no picture or words can ever fully capture, only the feeling of having truly lived them.
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Email Abilasha G | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
It was simply awesome.
Just went for 8 day safari with James and Wild Portraits Safaris...it was spot on perfect.
Reasons
1.Clear communication and replies always comes very quickly on WhatsApp.
2. Very genuine with suggestions and doesn't do things as a job or formality.
3. James is very knowledgeable.
4. The enthusiasm and passion shown by James was just so infectious.
5. The planning of itinerary takes care of all the finer details.
6. They really take care of your focus and they don't try to sell anything you are not interested in. For example we skipped the village visit because we didn't see value in it.
7. Quite flexible and adjusts as things progress.
Email Darcy | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An epic travel adventure to Kenya's National Parks with a knowledgable and experienced travel guide
We spent two adventurous weeks with James Muchina of Wild Portraits Safaris traveling to Kenya's National Treasures - Amboseli, Masai Mara Triangle, Samburu, Lake Nakuru and Nairobi National Park. This is an epic adventure for photographers, as James is knowledgable of the local wildlife and can also identify and locate birds. He is respectful of the park rules and wildlife distancing. I would not want any other driver to assist with getting the best photographic positioning and anticipating wildlife locations. Our days started early at 6 am and did not end until 6 pm with a break for lunch, so that we could take advantage of seeing the height of animal activity. He is an excellent safe driver and will give you great confidence when traveling across Kenya. All accommodations that we had were in the parks. They were all excellent, clean and provided great food. A definite bucket list must do trip. Do not miss out, you will be ever thankful for this life changing experience in Kenya, it was worth every dollar spent! I would definitely travel with Wild Portraits Safaris again.
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Email Camilla | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Simply the best there is!
We have recently return from an absolutely fantastic and unforgettable 10-days safari in Kenya thanks to James Muchina and Wild Portrait Safaris!
We were a group of 8 (ages 8-76) and James planned an impeccable trip for us that included 2 nights in Nairobi/Nairobi NP/ Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, 4 nights in Masai Mara NR, 2 nights at Lake Naivasha/Hells Gate and 2 nights in Amboseli NP. Through Wild Portrait Safaris you will get a personalised tour taking into account your interests, priorities, budget etc. All our dealings with James were seamless and smooth from start to finish. His focus is always on maximising your day-to-day adventures, ensuring each day on safari and the lodges offered a unique experience. In addition to James we also had his colleague Gerald as the guide in the second car.
This was my sixth safari (4th to Kenya) and I can without doubt say that James is an outstanding guide and the best I have ever had! He is a very sympathetic, kind and thoughtful person passionate about his job and with a strong moral and ethics in what he does. James has years of experience in the various reserves and animal behaviors which gives him an outstanding ability to read animal behavior and predict what they will do next (thereby positioning you in the best possible position in terms of the animal, light and nature). You spend a lot of time in the car with your guide and we always enjoyed our conversations with James as he willingly shared his knowledge about wildlife, nature and Kenya. James went out of his way to teach the kids the wonders of the savanna. At the end of the trip James is more than your guide, he is your friend!
One thing to remember is that you can never be guaranteed what you will experience despite how excellent your guide is – nature is what it is and we are guests in the animals natural habitat. We experienced more than you can dream of during our safari thanks to James and Gerald. We went during the migration season and that means that it sometimes became very hectic/crazy at the savanna. We were in those situations proud to have James and Gerald as our guides since they always put the welfare of the animals and nature first. Their strong moral and ethics stood out compared to a lot of other safari guides behaving in a manner that cannot be described in any other way than disgraceful and disgusting.
A safari is so much more than the animals. Being on the savanna is a feeling that goes straight to your heart and something I cannot put into words – you have to experience it. And the way to do that is to have a guides as James and Geral who are passionate about the magics of the savanna and go out of their way to give you that experience (within the limits of the nature, the rules and ethics).
I would wholeheartedly recommend Wild Portrait Safaris and James as they are the best in their business!