This 7-day Tanzania Photographic Safari is designed specifically for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts. Explore some of Tanzania’s most iconic parks with opportunities to capture breathtaking landscapes and extraordinary wildlife moments. From the massive herds of elephants in Tarangire to the world-renowned Serengeti and the ancient crater walls of Ngorongoro, this safari offers endless opportunities to fill your camera with unforgettable images.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) – Overnight in Arusha
- Arrival: Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be greeted by our friendly team from Focus Mission Safaris Tanzania.
- Transfer to Accommodation: You will be transferred to Summit Lodge in Arusha for your first night in Tanzania. The lodge provides a peaceful environment, allowing you to unwind after your flight. If you arrive early, you may want to explore Arusha town or relax in the serene lodge garden.
- Dinner and briefing: In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner, followed by a detailed briefing on what to expect during your photographic safari.
Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park – Overnight at Burunge Tented Lodge
- Early Departure: After breakfast, your adventure kicks off with a drive to Tarangire National Park, famed for its giant baobab trees and enormous elephant herds.
- Morning Game Drive: With your camera gear ready, you’ll enjoy a morning game drive in the park. Tarangire offers rich photographic opportunities, particularly for capturing family groups of elephants bathing in the Tarangire River, as well as sightings of giraffes, wildebeest, zebras, and predators like lions.
- Lunch: Enjoy a packed lunch at a scenic spot within the park, surrounded by wildlife.
- Afternoon Game Drive: After lunch, your guide will take you to less-visited corners of the park, increasing your chances of spotting rarer species such as greater kudu, elands, and a variety of birds.
- Transfer to Lodge: Late in the afternoon, you’ll drive to Burunge Tented Lodge, located on the park’s outskirts, where you can relax and download your images while enjoying the views over Lake Burunge.
Day 3: Full Day in Tarangire National Park
- Photographic Focus: Today is dedicated to a full day of photography in Tarangire. Your guide, experienced in assisting photographers, will help position you for the best shots, whether you’re capturing the golden morning light, an elephant herd crossing the river, or a predatory hunt in action.
- Morning & Afternoon Game Drives: Your morning game drive will be followed by a picnic lunch, after which you’ll continue exploring the park for the rest of the afternoon. Tarangire is particularly photogenic at sunrise and sunset, so you’ll aim to capture the best light of the day.
- Wildlife Highlights: Keep an eye out for cheetahs, lions, and a wide variety of bird species, including yellow-collared lovebirds and vultures circling overhead.
- Return to Lodge: After a productive day of shooting, return to Burunge Tented Lodge for a well-deserved rest and an evening reviewing your shots under the Tanzanian night sky.
Day 4: Tarangire to Serengeti National Park – Overnight at Tanzania Bush Camp
- Scenic Drive to Serengeti: After breakfast, you will embark on a long but scenic drive towards the Serengeti, with a stopover at the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The landscape along the way will provide plenty of photo opportunities, including Masai villages, rolling hills, and vast savannahs.
- Arrival in Serengeti: After lunch, you’ll enter the Serengeti National Park and begin your first game drive in this world-famous wildlife haven. Serengeti is a photographer’s paradise, with opportunities to capture iconic African wildlife such as lions, cheetahs, elephants, and the large herds of wildebeest that populate the plains.
- Sunset Game Drive: As the sun begins to set, the golden light of the Serengeti offers a magical opportunity to capture some of your most stunning photographs.
- Overnight at Tanzania Bush Camp: After the game drive, head to Tanzania Bush Camp, where you can enjoy an evening around the campfire, reviewing the day’s images and planning for the next day of photography.
Day 5: Full Day in Serengeti National Park
- Sunrise Photography Session: Start your day early to capture the magical Serengeti sunrise. Watching the sun rise over the vast plains of Serengeti is an unforgettable sight and a perfect moment for landscape photography.
- Game Drive: After breakfast, continue your photographic journey through the park. Depending on the season, you may witness the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest and zebras cross the plains in search of fresh grazing grounds. The migration attracts predators such as lions, hyenas, and leopards, offering dramatic wildlife encounters.
- Lunch in the Bush: Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush, with plenty of time to review and back up your photos.
- Afternoon Game Drive: The afternoon will be spent exploring different areas of the Serengeti, focusing on spotting wildlife and capturing the essence of the African savannah.
- Overnight at Tanzania Bush Camp: Return to Tanzania Bush Camp for another night, where you can unwind and enjoy the evening with fellow photographers.
Day 6: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Overnight at Ang’ata Ngorongoro Camp
- Morning Game Drive in Serengeti: Enjoy one last morning game drive in Serengeti, providing you with more chances to capture the park’s diverse wildlife and breathtaking landscapes.
- Transfer to Ngorongoro: After lunch, you’ll drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with a brief stop at a traditional Maasai village, where you can photograph and learn about the Maasai culture.
- Arrival at Ngorongoro: Arrive at Ang’ata Ngorongoro Camp, located near the crater rim, in time for sunset. The camp offers fantastic views and is ideally situated for an early start the next morning.
Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater Half-Day – Drop-Off at Arusha or JRO
- Early Morning Crater Descent: Start your day early with a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, the largest unbroken caldera in the world. The crater is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a photographer’s dream. Here, you will find a dense concentration of wildlife, including rhinos, elephants, lions, leopards, and more.
- Half-Day Crater Tour: Spend the morning exploring the crater floor, capturing its unique beauty and diverse wildlife. The crater’s lush landscapes provide stunning backdrops for your shots, from open grasslands to swampy marshlands, dotted with flamingos and hippos.
- Lunch by the Crater: Enjoy a picnic lunch near the crater’s Hippo Pool, where you can photograph these massive creatures cooling off in the water.
- Afternoon Departure: After lunch, you will drive back to Arusha, where you can be dropped off at Arusha town, your hotel, or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your onward journey.
Inclusions:
- Professional safari guide and photographer assistance
- Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof
- Park entrance fees
- All meals and accommodations as outlined in the itinerary
- Drinking water throughout the safari
- All airport transfers
Exclusions:
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guides
- Optional activities such as hot air balloon rides in Serengeti
- Personal items like extra drinks and souvenirs
