Ndutu & the Gol Kopjes Wildlife Filming Safari - Tanzania - Feb/Mar 2027
February 20th - March 08th, 2027
The Wildlife
Photo Safari Map
Welcome to Africa’s First Wildlife Filming Safari!
Level Up Your Wildlife Storytelling
Ready to move beyond still photography and capture the magic of wildlife in motion? Join professional filmmakers Wim & Mags Vorster on an exclusive, hands-on safari in one of Africa's top wilderness destinations.
This is an immersive learning experience designed to teach you how to film wildlife like a pro. You'll gain a practical toolkit covering everything from camera settings and frame rates to effective lens use, essential sound recording techniques, creative time-lapse creation, and the confidence to edit your own wildlife films.
No matter your gear – DSLR or mirrorless, across all camera brands – you'll receive comprehensive support throughout the entire safari.
From Wim & Mags - What Makes Our Filming Safaris Unique?
✓ AFRICA'S FIRST WILDLIFE FILMING SAFARI
We offer you a unique opportunity to craft your own visual wildlife story. We are the first to specialize in wildlife filming, guiding you from the field all the way to the final edit, and we warmly welcome all enthusiasts and aspiring filmmakers.
✓ LED BY PROFESSIONAL FILMAKERS
Drawing on our own film productions and extensive broadcast credits with National Geographic, BBC, Discovery Channel, and others, Mags and I share the knowledge and insights we've gained from years of filming wildlife throughout Africa.
✓ OVER 25 YEARS LIVING IN THE WILD
We’ve lived, guided, and filmed across Southern Africa’s wildest corners, from the Kalahari to the Okavango Delta. Our boots-on-the-ground bush experience translates into accomplished field knowledge.
✓ HUSBAND & WIFE GUIDING TEAM
Together, we blend technical precision with intuitive storytelling. As your guides, we bring depth, warmth, and our two distinct perspectives to every scenario.
✓ FROM THE FIELD TO THE TIMELINE
With our guidance and streamlined editing process, your raw footage will become a compelling wildlife short video you'll be proud to share.
✓ SMALL GROUPS BIG ACCESS
We only take three guests per vehicle, which means you will get an entire row of seats to yourself and access to both sides of the vehicle. There is plenty of space for your equipment, and we guarantee personal guidance throughout.
OVERVIEW
This 17-day wildlife filming safari begins and concludes in Arusha, Tanzania. Perfectly timed for the Great Migration's calving season, you'll spend four nights capturing the incredible wildlife of the Gol Kopjes in the Serengeti.
Following that, enjoy nine nights in the Ndutu area, where off-road driving is permitted, putting you right in the heart of the great migration and intense predator-prey interactions.
Guided by professional filmmakers Wim & Mags Vorster, you'll learn practical filming skills while documenting the migration's dramatic story.
The adventure wraps up with two full days at the stunning Arusha Serena Lodge, where you'll edit your safari footage into a short wildlife video with expert support.
This unique experience blends thrilling game viewing with hands-on storytelling, leaving you with a film you'll be proud to share.
GOL KOPJES - SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK - TANZANIA (3 nights)
The Gol Kopjes, often called the "Japanese Rock Garden," are ancient granite outcrops in the southeastern part of the Serengeti. These unique geological formations rise like islands from the grass, creating a visually stunning landscape.
What makes Gol Kopjes so exceptional for photographers and filmmakers is its renowned status as a cheetah stronghold. The blend of open grasslands for high-speed chases and rocky kopjes for vantage points and denning makes it one of the best places in Africa to view Cheetahs. Lions, leopards, and a dense concentration of hyenas are also attracted to the area, especially during the migration season.
The ever-changing light, dramatic skies, and the ability to find uncrowded scenes within this beautiful, unspoiled wilderness, offers amazing photographic opportunities.
NDUTU - NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA - TANZANIA (9 nights)
Ndutu, nestled within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, shares an unfenced border with the Southern Serengeti, boasting nutrient-rich grasses.
These short plains and open terrain draw the Great Migration herds to this area in February and March, making it the perfect place for wildebeest and zebra to give birth to the next generation. This period witnesses an explosion of life, with numerous calves and foals, and intense predator-prey interactions.
Beyond the main migration, you'll encounter a rich array of wildlife. Expect to see substantial populations of gazelles, giraffes, and various antelope species. The area is also a birdwatcher's paradise, home to a diverse range of raptors, waterbirds, and savanna species.
The landscape features expansive short-grass plains, woodlands bordering marshes, and two soda lakes: Ndutu and Masek.
A major advantage for photographers and filmmakers is off-road driving permission. This flexibility allows for optimal vehicle positioning, crucial for achieving desired backgrounds, ideal lighting, and perfect subject distance.
Ndutu is, without doubt, one of Africa's premier locations for capturing the dramatic story of the great migration.
ARUSHA SERENA HOTEL (3 nights) - EDITING
Your creative journey concludes at the Arusha Serena Lodge, a stunning retreat nestled amidst lush coffee plantations on the shores of Lake Duluti. This serene oasis, with its charming stone-built rooms and vibrant gardens, provides a relaxed and inspiring environment perfectly suited for reflection and creation.
This peaceful setting isn't just for rest – it's where your safari story comes together. Over two focused days, you'll be guided through editing, sequencing, and refining your filmed material, helping you craft a compelling visual narrative from your safari footage.
With expert guidance every step of the way, you'll depart with your own edited wildlife short video – ready to impress, share, and relive with friends and family.
Arusha Serena Lodge offers the perfect creative atmosphere to complete your journey, from field to final cut.
IT'S A WRAP
Under the expert guidance of seasoned wildlife filmmakers Wim and Mags Vorster, this hands-on safari is crafted for all skill levels.
You'll receive one-on-one support and strategic vehicle positioning to maximize every opportunity to film Africa's most iconic wildlife, including lion, leopard, cheetah, and elephant, amidst the breathtaking backdrops of the Gol Kopjes and Ndutu.
From the raw intensity of the bush to the focused creativity at Arusha Serena Lodge, this small-group experience offers a unique chance to capture and create your own unforgettable short wildlife video.
DAY 1 - Arrival in Arusha, Tanzania
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), overnight in Arusha - Tanzania - 1 night
Your safari begins with a meet & greet at the airport. A road transfer will take you to a local hotel in Arusha.
You will stay for 1 night in Arusha at KAHAWA HOUSE.
(Bed & Breakfast only)
DAY 2 - Drive to the Serengeti
Early breakfast. Depart at 07:00. Road transfer past the Ngorongoro Crater (stopping for lunch) to arrive in the Serengeti in the mid afternoon - 3 nights at Karibu Woodlands Camp
Meet for early breakfast at 06:30. Meet our guides at 07:00 and begin the road transfer to the Serengeti. The route will take us past the Ngorongoro Crater and we enjoy our lunch at the Serena Lodge overlooking the crater.
You will have time for an afternoon drive in the special Gol Kopjes area of the Serengeti.
(All meals & drinks included)
DAY 3 & DAY 4 - Explore the Gol Kopjes
Accommodation: Karibu Woodlands Camp (All meals & drinks included)
With our special permits, we will explore the unique area of the Gol Kopjes in the Serengeti. KNown for excellent Lion and Cheetah encounters along with the 1000's of animals that form part of the great migration.
(All meals & drinks included)
DAY 5 - move to 2nd location - Ndutu
Accommodation: Ndutu Safari Lodge (All meals included) - 9 nights
After a final morning session around the Gol Kopjes, you will then transfer by road to reash Ndutu Safari Lodge for lunch.
(All meals included)
DAY 6 to DAY 13 - Explore the Ndutu area
Accommodation: Ndutu Safari Lodge (All meals included)
You will spend 8 full days exploring the area around Ndutu, rich in wildife and different habitats.
In Ndutu we have off-road access, every drive is an opportunity to capture extraordinary moments on film.
(All meals included)
DAY 14 - Transfer to Arusha Serena Lodge – Post-Production Begins
Accommodation: Arusha Serena Lodge (All meals included) - 3 nights
After a final drive and bush breakfast in Ndutu, drive back to Arusha via the Crater, stopping for lunch along the way.
(All meals included)
DAY 15 and DAY 16 - Post-Production & Editing
Accommodation: Arusha Serena Lodge (All meals included)
With guidance from Wim & Mags, you’ll dive into the creative process: reviewing footage, creating string-outs, building sequences, layering sound and music, and shaping your personal short wildlife video.
This is where your African safari story comes to life.
DAY 17 - Departure
Final review of your edited short film and then transfer to Kilimanjaro for DEPARTURE
Relaxing final morning at the Lodge before taking a road transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) to meet your international flight home.
Mashatu, Botswana - "The Land of Giants" - showreel by Wim & Mags Vorster
STEP 1 - PLEASE READ OUR BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS
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.
STEP 2 - GET IN TOUCH
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.
STEP 3 - AWAIT A REPLY FROM US & THEN CREATE YOUR CLIENT ACCOUNT
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.
STEP 4 - COMPLETE A 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.
STEP 5 - SEND YOUR DEPOSIT
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.
STEP 6 - FINAL BALANCE 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.
- Tour Leader
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Wim & Magdel Vorster
