Discover the breathtaking beauty of the wildlife that visits the night hide at Lentorre Lodge with this series of images photographed by Paul Beastall during a photography holiday in the Southern Great Rift Valley with NaturesLens. Lentorre Lodge is set amidst the stunning landscapes of the Rift Valley, & offers a unique opportunity to observe & photograph a diverse range of wildlife in their natural habitat.
Under the guidance of experienced guides, who are free to set the lighting according to the scene, guests can capture the mesmerising moments of elephants, lions, zebras, & other iconic African species as they visit the hide. From the smallest jungle cat to the raw power of the big cats, the photographs taken during a visit to the South Rift Valley with NaturesLens are sure to leave you in awe of the incredible beauty of the natural world.
The above image is a captivating scene of a backlit lion cub perched on the edge of a waterhole at night. The warm light illuminates the cub’s fur, showcasing every detail of its majestic features. The surrounding darkness adds mystery & intrigue to the photograph, emphasising the cub’s wild & untamed nature.
The above image is of an Antelope drinking at night & it captures the mesmerising beauty of nature as this graceful creature quenches its thirst. Antelopes are known for their agility & adaptability, & this stunning photograph showcases their ability to survive & thrive in their natural habitat.
At night, a majestic giraffe approaching a waterhole creates a captivating sight. With its tall neck extended high into & above the trees, the giraffe gracefully moves towards the water source, displaying its inherent elegance & adaptability even under cover of darkness.
This captivating image of a drinking hyena offers a glimpse into the nocturnal life of these intriguing creatures, showcasing their adaptability & survival skills in the wild.
This image of the elusive leopard drinking from the waterhole at night captures the mesmerising moment when this secretive & nocturnal big cat quenches its thirst under the cover of darkness. Leopards are renowned for their stealth & agility, making them one of the most elusive & enigmatic creatures in the animal kingdom. This captivating image provides a rare glimpse into the leopard‘s private world, showcasing its stunning spotted coat & piercing eyes.
The image captures a pair of dik-diks, small antelopes native to the eastern & southern regions of Africa, quenching their thirst at the waterhole near the Lentorre Lodge night hide. Taken during the night, the picture showcases the serene ambience of the surroundings as the dik-diks gracefully sip water from the tranquil pool.
A close-up image of a pair of Waterbuck drinking from a waterhole at night showcases the incredible adaptability & beauty of these majestic animals. Waterbuck, a large antelope species in sub-Saharan Africa, have distinct features such as shaggy coats, long, curved horns, & a white ring around their rumps. This captivating photograph captures the Waterbuck in its natural habitat, highlighting their ability to navigate & find sustenance in the darkness.
Unsurprisingly, porcupines are not commonly associated with water-drinking activities. However, this intriguing image captures a rare moment when a porcupine spent over 20 minutes drinking from a waterhole at night. Porcupines are primarily herbivores & derive most of their water intake from the vegetation they consume. This behaviour of prolonged drinking from a waterhole suggests the porcupine’s adaptation to its environment, possibly due to limited nearby water sources. It highlights the fascinating ability of animals to adapt & utilise available resources in unexpected ways.
The image captures a mesmerising moment of a lion cub cautiously approaching a waterhole under the blanket of night. The cub’s innate curiosity is evident in its focused expression & the anticipation in its agile movements. This compelling photograph encapsulates the raw beauty & vulnerability of wildlife in their natural habitat, reminding us of the delicate balance of life in the animal kingdom.
The image captures a captivating moment of a lion family at a waterhole at night. In the photograph, a mother lion & her two sub-adult cubs can be seen quenching their thirst. This trio of lions exudes a sense of tranquillity & unity as they gather together in the darkness. This extraordinary image allows us to witness the innate beauty & familial bonds within the lion kingdom, reminding us of the majestic wonders of the animal kingdom.
An extreme close-up of an elephant’s eye who visited the Lentorre waterhole at night. Elephants are known for their incredibly intricate & captivating eyes, & this close-up shot offers a mesmerising glimpse into their world. In this image, we can see the sheer size & depth of the elephant’s eye, highlighting the remarkable adaptability & resilience of these magnificent creatures. The wrinkles & crinkles around the eye reveal a lifetime of wisdom & experience.
Paul captured a group of backlit zebras as they gathered at the waterhole at night for a refreshing drink. The backlit setting provided a stunning visual effect, highlighting the silhouettes of these magnificent creatures against the dark surroundings. The zebras, known for their distinctive black & white stripes, came together in unison, creating a beautiful spectacle for our guests.
A breathtaking sight awaits at Lake Natron in Kenya as the sun rises. The graceful & vibrant pink flamboyance of flamingos, numbering in the thousands, gather along the lake’s shores, painting a striking picture against the golden hues of the sky. These elegant birds, known for their long necks & slender bodies, engage in various activities, such as preening their feathers & feeding on the lake’s algae-rich waters. The tranquil ambience at dawn provides the perfect opportunity for photographers to capture the mesmerising reflection of these marvellous creatures, creating a truly captivating image of nature’s beauty.
In this captivating image, a flock of flamingos gracefully lifts off from the surface of Lake Natron, located in Kenya. Known for its stunning pink hues, the lake is a popular gathering spot for these elegant birds. With their long legs stretched out & wings spread wide, the flamingos create a mesmerising sight as they take flight together. The photograph beautifully captures the flamingos’ vibrant colours against Lake Natron’s waters, showcasing the natural beauty of this unique location in Kenya.
An image of a group of traditional Maasai warriors against the setting sun captures the essence of their vibrant cultural heritage & resilience. The Maasai, an indigenous ethnic group in East Africa, are renowned for their distinctive attire, adorned with bright colours & intricate beadwork. Clad in their traditional garments, the warriors often stand tall & proud, their silhouettes striking against the backdrop of the setting sun. This imagery symbolises the Maasai’s deep connection to their ancestral roots, commitment to preserving their traditions, & unwavering spirit in the face of modern challenges.
What Wildlife Visits the Night Hide at Lentorre Lodge?
Lentorre Lodge, nestled in the heart of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, offers a unique opportunity to witness an array of fascinating wildlife at their night hide. As dusk settles, this secluded spot becomes a haven for various nocturnal creatures. Guests can expect to encounter African civets, genets, servals, lions & even the elusive leopard. Additionally, the hide attracts smaller mammals like hyraxes, & mongooses. The lodge’s strategically placed lighting enhances the viewing experience, allowing visitors to observe these nocturnal visitors in their natural habitat without disturbing them. A visit to the night hide at Lentorre Lodge promises an unforgettable wildlife encounter under the cover of darkness.
Why You Need to Visit the Night Hide at Lentorre Lodge With an Experienced Guide
The night hide at Lentorre Lodge is an experience not to be missed for wildlife enthusiasts. It is better with an experienced guide by your side. David from NaturesLens has over 25 nights of experience alongside guests in the night hide. Why is this experience needed? It is best if you are accompanied by a guide versed in operating the lights, who understands what works & what does not, & also which animals are tolerant of changing lights. Along with local spotters, an experienced guide may also provide valuable insights into the behaviour & ecology of the animals, making your visit both educational & exciting. You do not want the lights on & off like a disco floor; this scares the animals away.
Why You Need to Visit the Night Hide at Lentorre Lodge With a Small Group
The night hide at Lentorre Lodge provides guests with an up-close & personal experience with various wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, zebras, & even elusive predators like leopards & lions. But it only has six shooting positions for photographers at most; we would argue that the left-most position is less than ideal, which is one reason why our guide always takes that position; the other is to operate the lights. With NaturesLens, we now only take a group of five guests & one guide; this means our guests can be best positioned to witness incredible night-time interactions & capture breathtaking images. The small group size ensures an intimate & immersive experience, allowing for optimal viewing & minimal animal disturbance. Most importantly, every guest will have access to the hide each night during their stay; there will be no risk of missing out because you have had to give up your space to another guest on a particular evening. Additionally, the daytime drives & other activities in Lentorre can be rather lack-lustre; the morning visit to the flamingos is an exception & is utterly brilliant, though!
Which tours have NaturesLens scheduled for wildlife photography at Lentorre Lodge?
NaturesLens offers a range of photography holidays to Lentorre Lodge, designed to allow photographers of all levels to add images of the magnificent wildlife in the conservancy to their portfolio. These trips are generally conducted in October when the wildlife around Lentorre Lodge is most active.
Our photography holidays allow photographers to capture stunning images of African civets, genet cats, servals, caracals, lions & even leopards, & many other Kenyan species, including giraffes & elephants.
At NaturesLens, we aim to provide photographers with an unforgettable experience that will leave them with beautiful, memorable images. Our trips are led by experienced wildlife photographers who are passionate about wildlife photography & are dedicated to helping photographers capture the best photographs possible.
