BACKGROUND

About Oltepesi
Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp is a specialist photographic safari camp in Maasai Mara, Kenya, established in 2017 based on a shared photography concept developed by Arnfinn Johansen and John Siololo.

Oltepesi is an eco safari camp located in Oltepesi Village, a five-minute drive from Maasai Mara National Reserve. It was made to meet professional wildlife photographers, nature photo enthusiasts and wildlife lovers. Oltepesi offers the very best guides in Maasai Mara with many years of experience working with professional wildlife photographers and nature photo enthusiasts. With the best guides and specially modified vehicles for photography where you both have a good overview and can do low-angle photography, Oltepesi offers guests exceptional wildlife experiences and the chance to bring home first-rate images in the very best light.

The camp is locally owned and operated by John Siololo and his experienced Maasai team.

Oltepesi Village is actually a genuine Maasai village. This way, you also have a unique opportunity to learn about the Maasai way of living, adding an interesting aspect of authentic cultural experience to your journey. You can feel at home in the village and photograph and film as much as you like without asking permission first. If you like, you can also stay a night in a traditional Maasai house.

You can watch this 5-minute video for more information about Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp and Maasai Mara.

About John Siololo
John Siololo, also known as Big John, is a naturalist with 20 years of experience guiding in the Mara. He is Camp Manager and guide at Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp. John was born and raised in the Mara North and Olare Motorogi Conservancy and knows the Maasai Mara like the inside of his pockets.

As all the other guides in the Oltepesi team, John knows what it means to deal with professional and demanding wildlife photographers and always work hard to give you the best opportunities to get the best shots, whether inside the car, from the ground or on foot – from the early mornings to the late afternoons.

John is the local owner and operator of Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp in Kenya. For information about all the Maasai guides and drivers in the Oltepesi team, visit The guides.

About Arnfinn Johansen
Arnfinn Johansen is an award-winning Norwegian wildlife photographer with a great passion for Africa. He is a member of the Norwegian Nature Photographers Association (NN), an exclusive association of professional nature photographers.

Arnfinn cooperates with Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp as an independent tour organiser through Arnfinn Johansen Wildlife Photography AS in Norway. His personal website is www.arnfinnjohansen.com.

Arnfinn’s photographic work has been recognised in international competitions worldwide, including European Wildlife Photographer of the Year (GDT), Big Picture Awards, Bird Photographer of the year, Asferico, Glanzlichter, Por el Planeta, Oasis, Global Arctic Awards, Memorial Maria Luisa (MML), Nordic Nature Photo Contest (NNPC), Nature’s Best Windland Smith Rice International Awards, Black & White Spider Awards, Sony World Photography Awards, Nature’s Best Photography Africa, among others.

In addition to different exhibitions in Norway, Arnfinn’s photographs have been on display in Europe, Russia, the U.S., Mexico, India, China, and South Africa.

Arnfinn also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Business Administration and has over 20 years of experience in entrepreneurship, governance, board work and management within the information technology industry in Norway. In 2008 he co-founded Styrmand AS, an IT consulting company based in Norway. In this company, he is the CFO and Chairman of the Board.

FORMALITIES

Juridical
Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp is locally owned and operated in Kenya through the registered company Oltepesi Village (KRA PIN P051786833T), a Maasai-owned and managed company. All safari bookings arranged by Arnfinn Johansen Wildlife Photography AS are contracted in Norway. Arnfinn Johansen Wildlife Photography AS, Company ID NO 920 742 580, is a registered member of the Norwegian Travel Guarantee Fund. Safari accommodation and ground services in Kenya are provided locally by Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp, which operates as an independent service provider.

Travel Guarantee
The purchase of package tours in Norway is governed by the Norwegian Package Tour Act, which safeguards customers who have purchased package tours against loss due to bankruptcy, debt settlements or insolvency on the part of the tour organiser. The Travel Guarantee Fund in Norway refunds a customer’s advance payments if the organiser cancels a tour. If a tour is interrupted while underway, the refund amount shall be equal to that portion of the advance payment for which services’ performance has not been completed. Additionally, expenses related to accommodation and return travel shall be covered if return travel was included in the package price. The company, Arnfinn Johansen Wildlife Photography AS, is a member of the Travel Guarantee Fund. More information may be obtained by contacting the Travel Guarantee Fund at +47 51859940 or https://reisegarantifondet.no.

Data management and protection
Customer integrity is essential to us. Therefore, our GDPR data protection policy aims to describe how we collect, use, and store information on your personal details clearly and transparently.