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The Wildlife
Accommodation
Photo Safari Map
This 17-day photo safari visits the famous Serengeti National Park, undoubtedly the best place to photograph the Big Cats in Tanzania.
You will visit three different locations, each with its own unique landscapes, resident Lion prides, elusive Leopards and nomadic Cheetahs.
With three nights in the northern Serengeti, three in the central Serengeti and eight nights in the Ndutu area, you are guaranteed to get amazing images of all three of Africa's incredible Big Cats.
Our meet and greet service will welcome you at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya and transfer you to a Nairobi hotel for an overnight stop. The following morning you will fly to the Kogatende airstrip in the northern Serengeti in Tanzania via Migori and Tarime airstrips.
Our first camp is situated close to the Mara River where the great migration will still be in full swing. Here we hope to take in a mix of the spectacle of the migration as well as the predators that follow it.
We then move location to the heart of the Serengeti, characterised by the Seronera River and beautiful granite outcrops, locally known as Kopjes. These Kopjes are often used as resting places for the resident Lion prides. This area is particularly good for Leopard and Lion photography.
Our final destination on this photo safari is the incredibly beautiful and photo-productive area of Ndutu. Soda Lakes, marshes, woodlands and open short grass plains are the features of this unique landscape. These ingredients provide the right amount of food, water and shelter for animals to survive here. It is an excellent area for Lion and Cheetah photography.
The main focus of this safari will be to locate and photograph the Big Cats. We will sit patiently with them as they rest and move with them when they move. Filmmakers spend countless hours waiting for predators to do something, and are often rewarded for their patience. Staying in three different locations will not only enable us to see different habitats but also view different Lion prides, Cheetahs and Leopards. With patience and focus, we will be rewarded with some fantastic photographs.
After a final morning of photography in Ndutu, we will spend one night in Arusha and then head towards the Namanga border post. We cross back into Kenya and arrive in Nairobi for a late lunch. You will have the use of a day room to freshen up before your international departure later that same night.
Take this opportunity to spend extra nights on your way back to Nairobi. We can arrange for you to enjoy two nights at the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania and three nights at Amboseli National Park in Kenya.
** View all details of this extension in the EXTENSION TAB
** Please note that Stu Porter will not be doing the extension - you would do this on your own with one of our professional local driver/guides. **
Formed as a national park in 1951, the Serengeti (from the Maasai word "Siringet" meaning "the place where the land goes on forever") is a 14,750 square kilometre (5,700 square mile) reserve. It is part of a much larger 30,000 square kilometre (11,583 square mile) ecosystem and is the flagship of Tanzania's 19 national parks.
It is home to the largest population of Lions in Africa at around 3000 and the largest migratory herd of animals left on earth. The Great Migration moves with the seasons in a clockwise rotational system. Between July and November, the mega herds congregate in the northern parts of the Serengeti and the Masai Mara in Kenya.
The Serengeti is characterised by hills, valleys, lakes, rivers, woodlands and short grass plains dotted with rocky granite outcrops known as "kopjes."
The Ndutu area offers fantastic wildlife viewing and photography all year round. During the dry months (Aug to Oct), the resident animals are concentrated around the last remaining water sources in the marshes and lakes. The woodland areas provide excellent shelter for both predators and prey.
Ndutu lies within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and off-road driving is permitted here. This is a massive benefit to photographers who can explore many different areas. It also makes it easier to position the vehicle for the best light, angle and distance to the subject.
The Ndutu area is a personal favourite of mine and is without a doubt, one of the best places in Africa to photograph Lions and Cheetahs.
This small group photo safari allows for a tremendous amount of flexibility in the field. We always take packed breakfasts to maximize our photographic time and make use of the cooler morning hours when the predators are more active.
This Big Cats of the Serengeti photo safari will have a maximum of 4 participants in 2 private vehicles (2 participants per vehicle). You will have plenty of space for equipment and guaranteed access to both sides of the safari vehicle.
Stu Porter will lead this photo tour.
Photographic tuition and guidance will be offered, making it ideal for beginners. The informal and flexible nature of the tuition also makes it perfect for intermediate and advanced photographers who can choose to engage in as much or as little as they feel comfortable with.
We always use guides who are professional & experienced and who know how to use their local contacts and knowledge of the area to locate the wildlife.
The guides are fully aware of the needs of photographers. They will always do their utmost to position the safari vehicle for the best photographic results.
You will have an excellent chance to see and photograph the following animals on this incredible photo safari to Tanzania:
Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Hippo, Black Rhino, Spotted Hyena, Jackal, Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Thompson's Gazelle, Grant's Gazelle, Olive Baboon, Vervet Monkey, Coke's Hartebeest, and an excellent variety of reptile and birdlife.
Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), overnight in Nairobi - Kenya
Your safari begins with a meet & greet at the airport. A road transfer will take you to a local hotel.
You will stay for 1 night in Nairobi at TAMARIND TREE HOTEL
(Bed & Breakfast only)
Breakfast. Depart at 08:30. Fly to the Serengeti via the Masai Mara
After breakfast transfer to Wilson Airport for our flight to Migori (via the Masai Mara). At Migori airstrip we will be met and driven by an airline representative, through the border and customs and into Tanzania. We will then drive for 45 mins to Tarime Airstrip to catch a 20 min flight into the Serengeti National Park, arriving at Kogatende Airstrip. We will reach our camp in time for lunch.
You will stay for 3 nights in the northern Serengeti National Park at KATI KATI TENTED CAMP.
(All meals included)
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in the northern Serengeti
Enjoy flexible photographic game drives
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in the northern Serengeti
Enjoy flexible photographic game drives
Travel through the Serengeti with a packed breakfast and arrive at Seronera Wildlife Lodge for lunch
We depart at the same time taking all our luggage with us, as well as a packed breakfast. We will arrive at our second location in the central Serengeti in time for lunch
We will stay for 3 nights in the central Serengeti at SERONERA WILDLIFE LODGE
(All meals included)
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in the central Serengeti
Enjoy flexible photographic game drives
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in the central Serengeti
Enjoy flexible photographic game drives
Morning game drive in the Serengeti, via the Gol Kopjes. Drive to the Ndutu area and arrive for lunch
This is our final morning exploring the central Serengeti region. We depart early with all our luggage and with special permits in hand, we explore a seculded area of the Serengeti on our way towards Ndutu. We enjoy our packed breakfast in the Gol Kopjes and then drive to Ndutu in time for a late lunch.
We will stay for 8 nights in Ndutu at NDUTU SAFARI LODGE in en-suite rooms.
(All meals included)
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in Ndutu
Enjoy flexible photographic game drives
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in Ndutu
Enjoy flexible photographic game drives
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in Ndutu
Enjoy flexible photographic game drives
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in Ndutu
Enjoy flexible photographic game drives
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in Ndutu
Enjoy flexible photographic game drives
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in Ndutu
Enjoy flexible photographic game drives
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in Ndutu
Enjoy flexible photographic game drives
Final morning in Ndutu. Drive back to Arusha for an overnight stop - OR optional 6-night extension to NGORONGORO CRATER & AMBOSELI
Enjoy your final morning of photography in Ndutu. Drive to Arusha, arriving in the late afternoon for an overnight stop.
You will stay for 1 night in Arusha at KAHAWA LODGE in an en-suite room.
(All meals included)
** NGORONGORO CRATER & AMBOSELI OPTIONAL EXTENSION
If you choose to do the optional 6-night Ngorongoro Crater and Amboseli EXTENSION, you will stay for 2 nights on the rim of the Crater at NGORONGORO SERENA SAFARI LODGE in en-suite rooms.
(All meals included)
You will then stay for 1 night in Arusha at the KAHAWA LODGE
(All meals included)
You then cross back into Kenya by road and stay for 3 nights in Amboseli at AMBOSELI SERENA LODGE in en-suite rooms.
(All meals included)
** View all details of this extension in the EXTENSION TAB
Depart Arusha, cross the border back into Kenya, and reach Nairobi in the early afternoon. Use of dayroom before departure
After breakfast, you will depart Arusha by road and pass through the Namanga Border Post back into Kenya. You will reach the FOUR POINTS SHERATON AIRPORT HOTEL in Nairobi in the early afternoon. Enjoy the use of a day room until your time of departure. The complimentary shuttle bus will take you a short 5 min journey to the airport to catch your international flight home.
(Dayroom and final lunch & drinks included)
We offer an exciting extension to stay at two more iconic African destinations, the Ngorongoro Crater and Amboseli National Park. The extension will be at the end of the scheduled safari.
After your final morning photo game drive in Ndutu, you will then head to the Ngorongoro Crater and stay for 2 nights at the Ngorongoro Crater Serena Lodge.
Your first afternoon will be at leisure as you settle into the lodge and take in the spectacular view of the Crater right below you.
After a refreshing rest, you will then head into the Crater for a full day of photography taking breakfast and lunch boxes with you. The scenery in the Crater is stunning and the dry season offers a very different colour palette. The Crater is well known for its large numbers of predators including Lion and Spotted Hyaena. Large Bull Elephants roam the crater floor and the endangered Black Rhino is also found here.
You will return to the Serena lodge at the end of the day and enjoy your second night on the rim of the famous Crater.
You will take breakfast with you and head down for your final morning game drive. The mornings in the Ngorongoro Crater are usually the most productive so best to take advantage of this before you begin your leisurely journey back to Arusha where you will arrive in the late afternoon. This will be your final night in Tanzania.
After a good nights sleep, you will head off towards the Namanga Border post and enter back into Kenya. At the border, you say farewell to your Tanzanian guide and meet up with our Kenyan guide who will take you to Amboseli Serena lodge for a late lunch. Enjoy your first afternoon game drive in one of Kenya's most famous National Parks.
You will enjoy two full days exploring Amboseli National Park in search of the large herds of Elephants and many other animals. The picturesque backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro is a continual reminder that you are in one of the most amazing and famous locations in all of Africa.
After a final morning game drive, you will drive back to Nairobi arriving in time for a late lunch and the comfort of a day room to freshen up before you head off to the airport for your international flight home.
PRICE:
$ Please enquire
The Ngorongoro Crater is believed to have formed about 2.5 million years ago from a large active volcano whose cone collapsed inward after a major eruption. It is 264 square kilometres (102 square miles) in size. The rim rises 610 metres (2000 feet) above the caldera's floor to a total elevation of 2,286 metres (7,500 feet) above sea level.
The crater was incorporated into the Ngorongoro Conservation area in 1959 and included within a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.
Dominated by open grassland, the Crater floor is home to an astounding number and array of animals. It has the densest population of lions in the world.
The shallow soda Lake Magadi is home to thousands of pink flamingos.
It is one of the most spectacular destinations in Africa, with ever-changing weather patterns and fantastic cloud formations that pour over the rim like massive waves.
Gazetted as a national park in 1974, the core of Amboseli is 392 square kilometres (151 square miles) in size. However, it is part of a larger 8,000 square kilometre (3,100 square mile) ecosystem that spreads across the Kenya-Tanzania border.
The park protects two of five primary swamps, which are a haven for mammals and birds. It also includes a dried-up Pleistocene lake known as Lake Amboseli. It is the second most popular wildlife park in Kenya after the Masai Mara.
The park is famous for being the best place in the world to get close to wild, free-ranging elephants. It also boasts views of Africa's tallest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, at 5,895 m (19,341 ft). This is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular backdrops of any park in Africa.
The iconic image of a herd of Elephants with the snow-capped mountain in the background is high on our list.
Day 1
Final morning drive in Ndutu area. Arrive at Ngorongoro Crater for a late lunch. Afternoon at leisure
After breakfast, you will say farewell to the rest of the group who will continue to Arusha. You will stop arrive at the Ngorongoro Crater for a late lunch and settle into your new accommodation. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon and the magnificent views of the Crater from the lodge.
You will stay for 2 nights on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater at SERENA LODGE.
(All meals included)
Day 2
Full day of photography in the Ngorongoro Crater
Depart early from the lodge to be at the entrance gate to the Crater as it opens. You will have a packed breakfast and lunch inside the Crater with rest stops at the designated picnic sites. Return to Serena lodge at the end of the day.
Day 3
Final morning drive in the Crater then drive to Arusha for overnight stop
After a final early morning game drive in the crater, you will head towards Arusha, arriving in the late afternoon.
You will stay for 1 night at the famous ARUSHA COFFEE LODGE.
(All meals included)
Day 4
After breakfast, depart for the Namanga Border. Then continue to Amboseli
Today you will enjoy a good breakfast at the lodge before driving to the Namanga Border Post. You will cross back into Kenya and meet up with our Kenyan guide and vehicle.
You will drive to Amboseli arriving in time for a late lunch and an afternoon game drive in the park.
You will stay for 3 nights at AMBOSELI SERENA LODGE.
(All meals included)
Day 5
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in Amboseli National Park
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography.
Day 6
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in Amboseli National Park
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography.
Day 7
Final morning game drive in Amboseli. Drive back to Nairobi arriving in the mid-afternoon. Depart in the evening
Final short morning photo game drive in Amboseli before heading back to Nairobi by road. Arrive in the mid-afternoon and enjoy a day room to freshen up.
The complimentary shuttle bus will take you the short 5 min journey to the airport to catch your international flight home.
(Room only, no meals or drinks included)
Road Transfers
2 nights Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania)
1 night Arusha
3 nights Amboseli National Park (Kenya)
Visa fees
Laundry not indicated
Meals & drinks not indicated
Tips for lodge staff & your local guide
We first recommend that you read and become familiar with our booking terms & conditions, which can be found on this page, under the PRICES box.
Get in touch with us to confirm that there are still spaces available on the photo safari that you are interested in. Click on the “ENQUIRE NOW” button above.
Once we confirm with you that there is space available, and you would like to join the safari, we will send you a direct link via email. Follow this unique link to sign up to our CLIENT AREA. After you have registered with your name, email address and a password of your choice, you will then be asked to complete our online booking form.
As soon as we receive your completed booking form/s (1 per participant) then you will be required to send us the deposit to secure your place on the safari.
Deposits can be paid via credit card, PayPal or international bank transfer. We will notify you as soon as your deposit arrives. Places on the safari will only be confirmed once we have received both a completed booking form and deposit payment.
As soon as your booking form and deposit are with us, we will update your CLIENT AREA to display the outstanding balance amount. This amount will be due 90 days before the start date of the safari.
Stu Porter
