Tanzania

The Great Migration is one of the most impressive spectacles in nature as hundreds of thousands of hoofed animals are on the move across the Serengeti to follow the rains. Since their way inevitably lies across the water, which is often infested with crocodiles, crossing the rivers becomes their greatest obstacle. However, nothing ever stops the mass migration, which will be the primary focus of our photography expedition. This wild spectacle attracts photographers from all over the world, who fly to witness first-hand the savannahs of the northern Serengeti and the never-ceasing flow of running wildebeests.

We will have several days to capture this incredible event. We'll arrive as early as possible and occupy the best locations to photograph. All vehicles will have an entire row for each photographer to make the photography process as convenient as possible. During a safari, having an adequate amount of space for the camera is very important since something exciting can happen at any moment and you need to be able to move quickly.

In addition to the Great Migration, during the tour we will be able to photograph the following animals:
lions, rhinos, hippos, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, antelopes, gazelles, baboons, many species of birds, warthogs, zebras, crocodiles.

We'll reside in good comfortable lodges with all amenities. Often animals can be photographed directly from the veranda.

Day 1. (August 7)

Tarangire, Manyara

We'll meet on the evening of the previous day for dinner at the Tulia Hotel & Spa, located near Arusha Airport (ARK).

In the morning, we'll take off in jeeps, which will be fully prepared for wild nature photography, from Arusha, and drive along the scenic road to Tarangire National Park. The path lies through the Maasai Steppe. We'll reach Tarangire in about two hours.

There are a lot of elephants that live in Tarangire National Park. They gather in herds of up to 300 and graze among numerous baobabs. During the dry season from July to October, animals from all the surrounding areas come to the Tarangire River for water. One can see lions, giraffes, buffaloes, wildebeests, zebras, as well as various antelopes and gazelles. If we are lucky, we'll even meet a python! More than 550 different bird species gather here during the dry season, including the Masai ostrich, one of the largest birds in the world.

For lunch, we'll stop for a picnic, and then continue to observe the wildlife. After the evening photography session, we'll go to the lodge on Lake Manyara.

Day 2. (August 8)

Manyara - Central Serengeti (Seronera)

From Manyara, we'll leave after an early breakfast. Our path lies across the Great Rift Valley. On the way, we will pass through the Ngorongoro Nature Reserve with its stunning landscapes and animals.

On the way to the Serengeti, if you wish, we can visit the Masai village, where we will take pictures of the Masai ancient and warlike tribe, take part in local dances, and visit their traditional houses.

Day 3. (August 9)

Central Serengeti - Northern Serengeti.

After breakfast, we will drive to the northern part of Serengeti National Park, also known as Wagakuria. On the way from Lobo to Wagakuria, we'll see different animals to photograph, such as giraffes, buffaloes, and elephants.

We will arrive at the lodge by lunchtime. After lunch, we'll go on a safari, where we'll observe the great migration of wildebeests. It is in the northern Serengeti that the Mara River presents the most difficult obstacles for animals as they try to cross its crocodile-infested waters. These river crossings are arguably the most exciting part of our photo expedition. In the Northern Serengeti, you can always find a wide variety of animals, including a lion pride. In August, the area surrounding the Mara River turns into a paradise for wildlife photographers.

Day 4. (August 10)

Northern Serengeti. Great Migration

From the very dawn, we'll be photographing the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Kogatenge / Wagakuria area.

In August, which is the peak of the migration, the herds approach the Mara River. River crossings happen almost every day. We will have plenty of time and opportunities to catch the thrilling moments when the antelope avalanche rushes into the stormy waters teeming with crocodiles.

Day 5. (August 11)

Northern Serengeti - Central Serengeti

Early in the morning, we'll set off again to photograph the migration. After breakfast, we'll return back to the Central Serengeti. On our way, we will look out for and photograph animals.

In the Serengeti, one can see lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, cheetahs, Thompson and Grant gazelles, tapirs, hyenas, impalas, baboons, warthogs, ostriches, secretary birds, marabou, and many other species of animals and birds.

We will see unforgettable sunrises and sunsets. We'll watch how lions, leopards, and cheetahs go hunting.

Day 6. (August 12)

Serengeti - Ngorongoro

From sunrise to lunch on this day, we'll be photographing animals in the Serengeti. In the Maasai language, the Serengeti literally means "the endless plains." A lot of different species inhabit the central part of the park. We'll be looking in particular at the many predators that inhabit the area. These are lions, leopards, hyenas, and cheetahs. In general, the Serengeti is the most famous natural reserve in the world and home to more than three million mammals, which, of course, include the famous "Big Five'' -- elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, and buffalo.

After lunch, we'll leave the Serengeti and head off to yet another unique place - the Ngorongoro Crater.
We'll stop at a wonderful lodge on the edge of the crater where the entire caldera will spread out before us.

Day 7. (August 13)

Ngorongoro - Manyara

After breakfast, we'll descend to the crater, where we'll be taking pictures of the animals for the next seven hours.

Millions of years ago, a volcano as high as Kilimanjaro appeared on the hills of Tanzania. Its eruption formed a large, unbroken, un-flooded caldera -- the Ngorongoro Crater. The crater has now the densest known population of a variety of animals, which we'll observe and photograph. This is the best place to observe the black rhinoceros.

The park is also home to many beautiful predators: lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs, and leopards.
After finishing our safari and a brief sojourn for lunch, we'll head back to Manyara.

Day 8. (August 14)

Lake Manyara - Arusha

Today we'll be photographing in Lake Manyara National Park. Although this is a relatively small park, we'll see and photograph many other interesting animals. The park is home to elephants, hippos, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, and large colonies of baboons. On the shores of Lake Manyara, we'll observe large concentrations of birds, and if we are lucky, we'll photograph lions climbing the trees.

After our photography session, we'll head to Arusha where our tour ends. We recommend staying at the same hotel: Tulia Hotel & Spa.
You can fly home or join us further on our tour to Madagascar which kicks off the very next day.