Around the World in Analogue: Through Kenya's Safari
7From lions moving through tall grass to elephants in quiet procession and zebras threading the plains, Kenya is home to fascinating wildlife. Its national parks and reserves frame these encounters against vast and varied terrains, drawing travelers and photographers in search of both perspective and spectacle.
In this edition of Around the World in Analogue, we immerse ourselves in Kenya’s landscapes through the lens of Community member Audrey Rodriguez (@arod1983), who captured her first safari adventure on film and recounts the journey in her own words.
Name: Audrey Rodriguez
LomoHome: @arod1983
Social Media: @analogue.shorts
Camera: Minolta Dynax 500si
Film: Lady Grey B&W 35 mm ISO 400, LomoChrome Purple Pétillant 35 mm ISO 100–400, LomoChrome Metropolis 35 mm ISO 100–400, Agfa APX 100, and Kodak Colorplus 200 (35 mm)
Location: Masai Mara and Nairobi, Kenya
It was my very first time in that part of Africa. I began with a safari in the central part of the Masai Mara and then stayed a couple of days in Nairobi.
On our very first game drive, we were lucky to be the only jeep around. We came across two lions and two lionesses, feasting on an eland, the largest antelope of the savannah, which they had hunted the day before. We were just a few meters away. They completely ignored us.
“They are not dangerous when they’ve just had fresh dinner,” the guide told us. Those words of reassurance just accentuated my anxiety, I had never seen big cats so close and in such numbers! We watched them for about half an hour. Most of the time, they slept, stretched, or ate. My heart would go a little bit faster when their gaze would cross mine.
I used a Minolta AF 70–210 mm lens. The distance we had to maintain really depended on the animals. Herds of zebras, antelopes, and warthogs were much more fearful, often running off before I could get a sharp shot. Who can blame them, given how often they’re hunted? Lions, on the other hand, allowed us to get surprisingly close, sometimes as near as a – scary – four, five meters.
Elephants set their own boundaries. They made it clear when we were too close, so our guide would give them more space, as they can charge if they feel threatened. One unforgettable moment was when a herd crossed directly in front of our jeep. We stopped, waited silently, and let them pass at their own pace, hoping for the best.
Another unforgettable moment was being awakened at night by hippos. I heard a huge splash, looked outside the tent, and saw two hippos emerging from the Talek River to graze.
Animals such as elephants, giraffes, and lions were surprisingly relaxed about our presence and photographing them was easier than I expected. The most difficult ones to capture were warthogs: they get scared easily and run away quickly. I only have blurry or far away pictures of them!
The main challenge was dealing with how quickly light changes on the savannah. Early mornings, midday, and late afternoons all have very different atmospheres. It’s magical, but you need to adapt quickly in terms of framing and exposure. You never quite know if you have chosen the right film for the moment. And you can only find out when you come back!
I shot fourteen rolls of film in four days so it is tough to choose one favorite shot. From the roll of Lomography Lady Grey, my favorite photo is of a lioness hunting a warthog. We observed her for a while - she was so focused on her prey that she did not pay any attention to us. We remained at a good distance so as not to disturb the hunt.
The warthogs were playfully hopping on the savannah, unaware of the dramatic fate that awaited them. In the end, though, the lioness grew tired and I captured another picture of her resting under a bush. No warthogs were harmed that day!
LomoChrome Metropolis is one of my favorite films, and it always delivers. I hoped that shooting at dawn would highlight its contrasts and subtle desaturation, blending nature and animals together almost like a painting – it did beautifully. I wanted to explore as much as possible and experiment with different rolls.
Choosing the LomoChrome Purple felt like a perfect match for the hot air balloon ride: a special experience called for a special roll. The experience was unlike anything else. Watching the balloon inflate was magical; its colors slowly swelling until it reached a perfect shape in the sky. Once airborne, we floated above the waking savannah; it’s easier to spot animals, as you can see them for afar.
The pilot got closer to a massive herd of elephants, and they ran alongside us, more curious than afraid. Animals were very intrigued by the balloon and the sound of the loud bursts of the burner. We passed by a leopard resting in a tree, something we would have completely missed from the ground.
From up there, the view is endless. You can see how the rivers turn and flow, hidden ponds not accessible with a jeep. At times, I couldn’t even take pictures as I could not focus. I was taking it all in and enjoying the flight, going up and down, feeling the hot air on my face. Landing in the savannah and setting foot for the first time in wildlife land was an experience in itself!
I am very pleased with the results of the Lomography Lady Grey. The savannah is so colorful that I hesitated when picking it up. But black and white really brings out the animals. The background fades away, and the eye is drawn straight to the animal with all its details. Zebras, in particular, look amazing in monochrome.
I didn’t think too much about my selection of film rolls; I simply followed the mood of the moment. The surprise during development was part of the fun and was very rewarding. Having both true-to-life color stocks and more experimental films created a rich palette of images, telling the story in a different way.
Some advice I can offer:
- Decide which part of the Masai Mara you want to explore, as wildlife and scenery vary. You can even hop between airstrips to explore more areas.
- Pay attention to the type of jeep you book. An open-sided one - or at least one with a pop-up roof - will give you clear views without car frames or people blocking your shots.
- Guides are very skilled and will try to get you close to the animals - sometimes a little too close! Make sure you are comfortable with the distances.
- I went in May, which is technically the rainy season. We had two dramatic storms, but they only lasted about an hour each, and the rest of the days were clear. Plus, the savannah was lush and green, and there were fewer tourists around. July and August are more popular because of the Great Migration, when millions of animals cross the plains - something to consider depending on what you’d like to experience.
- Last but not least, take enough rolls with you as there are no nearby shops.
I absolutely loved Kenya and the safari experience. I had never been so close to potentially dangerous wild animals outside a zoo, and it felt like a true privilege to observe them in their natural environment.
The rest of the album can be viewed here.
We'd like to thank Audrey for sharing her images and experiences with us! To view more of her work, visit her LomoHome and her Instagram.
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written by maxinecruz on 2025-10-07 #places #around-the-world #people #culture #places #kenya #around-the-world-in-analogue
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