Photography Safari – 14 nights

We will leave early on our first full day from Arush to Tarangire National Park. Famous for its density of elephants and baobab trees, we will spend our time working on different ways to capture both. With luck, we will have the opportunity to photograph tree-climbing lions found only in a handful of African national parks. We have the opportunity to experience a walking safari (additional cost), but the intimate feeling of being on foot is incredibly exciting. We will have no agenda outside of searching for wildlife for incredible shots. Every evening our expert photographer will answer questions over cocktails about photography to help fine tune your skills for the following day.

Surrounding the ancient volcanic caldera of the Ngorongoro Crater, this region is rich with unique wildlife habitats. This will also be a great opportunity to visit local tribes to view and photograph ancient traditions still being practiced today. 

– Our first full day will be exploring inside the caldera with the possibility of photographing black rhinoceros, hippopotamus, lions, gazelles, hyenas, flamingos, grey crowned cranes and many other species. This unique habitat is unlike any in Africa and has been designated UNESCO World Heritage Site status. A well-groomed network of roads crisscrosses the caldera allowing us to explore the multiple habitats inside the crater. 

– Day 2 we will focus on the rich cultural sites located in the region. Our morning will be spent with the Hadzabe tribe where we will have the opportunity to get an inside look to one of Africa’s last remaining nomadic hunter-gather tribes. Our focus will be education of a disappearing way of life, intimate tribal portrait photography and the possibility of photographing a hunt. After lunch we will visit another tribe famous for jewelry making and crafts. With our hearts full and memory cards maxed out we will head back to the Plantation Lodge for a relaxing evening where our expert photographer will lead a discussion on cultural and wildlife photography. 

– Day 3 will have some flexibility built into the schedule. While spending so many continuous days searching for wildlife or immersing ourselves in culture this day can be a welcome break in the trip. (Option 1. Sleep in, take a stroll through town popping in and out of art galleries and shops or spend the whole day lounging by the pool. (Option 2. Take a ride into Lake Manyara National Park where we will continue searching for wildlife including many species of exotic birds in their dense lakeside forest. After exploring the western edge of Lake Manyara we will head back to the Plantation Lodge

– Day 4 Drive to Serengeti National Park and visit Maasai Tribe

After driving across the Northern region of the Serengeit National Park, stopping along the way for any wildlife spottings, we will be spending the next few days on safari. This is where we hope to see a wildebeest crossing and observe the Great Migration (July, Aug, Sept). Each night we will set an agenda for the following day based on what remaining wildlife shots you will want before leaving Tanzania. Our days will start at sunrise and end at sunset catching both blue and golden hours of the day for incredible lighting. Luch will be packed to enjoy under the shade of a tree in the bush while we watch the wildlife roam the landscape. 

With our memory cards full we will begin our journey back to Arusha. For those not wanting the comfort of our jeep flights leave daily from this part of the Serengetti to Arusha where we will arrange for transport back to your hotel. (flights not included).  Those wishing to continue to view the Tanzanian wilderness and villages we will leave in the morning after breakfast for a leisurely drive back to Arusha.