There are places in the world that get under your skin. They claim you. Forever.
Lentorre is one of them.
The road there — unless you fly directly from Nairobi — gives nothing for free. My very good and trusted friend James, guide and driver in one, delivered an outstanding performance. And nothing will prepare you for what awaits at this edge of the world — in our case, the southern tip of Kenya. Trust me, it will take your breath away. A small paradise on earth. An oasis of calm, harmony and quiet luxury at the foot of the Nguruman Escarpment, just above the Tanzanian border.
The Lodge That Will Spoil You. But You Won’t Enjoy It.
The lodge is beautiful. Set in wild, open landscape with a direct view of Shompole. Ready to spoil you in every possible way. But you won’t enjoy it much. Because you came to photograph from the hide.
The Run to the Hide
After dinner you run to your tent — and I say tent, but this is an enormous space with every imaginable comfort in the middle of the wilderness. You glance sadly at that beautiful bed, grab your camera bag, check your batteries, check again, and run to the hide. Nothing can come to the waterhole without you being there.
The tension when you settle in front of the glass. The anticipation — who will come? You run through your camera settings a thousand times in your head. Because the chance to shoot may come only once.
A Litter of Puppies on Two Bunks
Every evening the Maasai turn down your bed — enormous, with several pillows, an incredible mattress — and every morning they make it up again. A bed that screams with every inch: come and rest, let me take care of you. One of my truly difficult decisions. But after dinner you simply have to go to the hide.
Six photographers take six positions, most with two cameras in front of them — long glass and short glass — and enormous curiosity about what the night will bring. The hide also has six neatly made beds — two directly behind the chairs at the glass, four more in the adjoining room.
Where do you think six adult photographers recover their strength between wildlife visits at the waterhole?
Yes — on those two narrow bunks. Six adults lying in a pile like a litter of puppies. Four more made-up beds waiting behind the door. But nobody wants to miss a thing.
I did lie down in the luxury tent bed one afternoon — for at least an hour and a half, just to try it. I didn’t sleep. And I ran back to the hide as soon as I could.
The Maasai Who Never Sleeps
In the hide, between wildlife visits — I can promise you this — you won’t stay alert all night. That’s where the Maasai night watchman becomes invaluable. He monitors the waterhole and wakes the whole group with the first movement at its edge.
A Photographer’s Eden
We had extraordinary luck for all three nights. A female leopard came the very first night. And came again the second. That same second night a caracal appeared — an animal most photographers never encounter in years of visiting Africa. Ours came twice. Genet, civet, mongoose, jackal…
A photographer’s eden in southern Kenya.
The Light That Decides Everything
Shooting with front light, backlight, side light — every night is a different scene, every animal a different story. You have time to think. But only until the animal leaves. And that keeps you in a state of constant alertness — which is exactly why the images are so alive.
We came away with extraordinary shots. Nature rewarded us in full.
Yes, you’ll need a few days to recover afterwards. But it’s an experience you would repeat again and again without hesitation.
The People Who Get Under Your Skin Just Like the Place
The team at Lentorre, led by manager Leonard, was extraordinary — people with a deep connection to nature and genuine love for wildlife. You feel it from the first moment.
But Lentorre offers more than animals in the night.
A place like this brings you to people. For me personally, that is always the most precious thing I carry home from Africa — encounters with people and their stories.
Africa That Needs No Lens
We photographed Maasai herders returning with their flocks in backlight towards the boma. From my drone I have footage I will never forget — hundreds of sheep and goats converging into a single narrow gateway. From above, a funnel of living bodies slowly pouring through.
Africa that has existed for thousands of years and needs no lens from us. But it lets us in — when we are quiet enough, humble enough, open enough.
A Story No Screenwriter Could Invent
For James, Lentorre was also a first. We were all there together for the first time — and that is exactly what writes our stories and deepens our friendships.
I handled the communication with Lentorre, and gave James his route instructions. But wilderness has its own rules — directions like “at the large acacia, turn left after the third bush with white flowers” are not always entirely clear. We called the lodge. Leonard sent a car without hesitation.
And then came a twist no screenwriter could have invented.
To the enormous surprise of James, Leonard, and myself — they discovered they were childhood friends.
We Are One Team
At our first lunch at Lentorre, the staff seated us at the table. James was shown to a sofa with a small side table, apart from the group.
I said no. James sits with us.
We are one team. Always. On every trip. James drives, cares for us, protects us — he is the soul of every group. For me it is an honour to share a table with him.
Until We Meet Again, Lentorre
When we left, Leonard told me he knew I would come back. And that they would be waiting.
Of that there is absolutely no doubt.
Lentorre was built by Raaji Singh Bharij. Without his vision and enormous effort — and the effort of his entire team — this place would simply not exist. Our deepest gratitude for opening the gates of this photographer’s paradise to us.
Will you join me next time? Write to me.
📍 Lentorre — Where It Is
Southern Kenya, at the foot of the Nguruman Escarpment. In the Great Rift Valley, just above the Tanzanian border. Neighbouring Lake Magadi, with views of Shompole.
Lentorre can be combined with other photographic destinations in the area — for those who want to make the most of Kenya.
Minimum 3 nights. Write to me.
