Wild4 African Photographic Safaris

Wild4 African Photo Safaris

Specialist small group photo safaris to South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana and Namibia

TANZANIA and ELEPHANTS of AMBOSELI photo safari - March 2018

Posted by Wild4 Photo Safaris on 10th Apr 2018

The 2018 WILD4 photo safari to Amboseli in Kenya and the Serengeti, Ndutu and the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania produced some very different photo opportunities thanks to the unusual amount of rain that fell during the safari.

Amboseli National Park in Kenya was our first stop and mother nature decided to open up the heavens on us !. An incredible amount of rain fell during our stay and the usually dry dust bowl that Amboseli is renowned for, turned into one massive lake. On numerous occasions, the road we were driving on ended abruptly at the edge of a massive expanse of water, forcing us to turn back the way we had come.

As we have witnessed before, whenever there is an unusual occurrence in nature, it always provides the photographer with some special shooting conditions which if taken advantage of, can produce some very different looking photographs. Amboseli certainly provided that for us on this trip. We also had a wonderful view of mount Kilimanjaro with an unusual amount of snow, reflected in the massive pools of rain water.

After our border crossing into Tanzania, we headed for the Ngorongoro Crater for an overnight stop. This proved to be a good change to our usual logistics, as it allowed us to have a great morning photo shoot down in the crater when the animals are usually more active. We got to spend some time with a magnificent male Lion with the biggest mane I have ever seen !. We left the crater in the late morning and headed to the Seronera area of the Serengeti. 

Following on from last years trip, we found a big pride of Lions, numbering around 20 members out near the Research Kopjes. The group included 3 big males and from this point on the male Lion sightings on this trip just got better and better. We finally ended up seeing 21 different male Lions.

Some other highlights were finding 3 different Leopards, Lions on an Elephant carcass, Elephants, Zebra and Wildebeest in big numbers, a Cheetah and some fantastic Giraffe at the stunningly beautiful Moru Kopjes.

Next stop was Ndutu, always a favourite for everyone as off road driving is permitted and this allows one to get closer to the wildlife. The rain also decided to follow us to Ndutu as it did in 2017. We got to see a number of different Cheetah, including a mother with two large cubs who hunted in the pouring rain, taking advantage of the wet conditions to sneak up on prey that was trying to take shelter. There was a mating pair of Lions out in the plains and on one occasion the male charged at another male who was lying nearby. We made a trip out to “Hidden Valley” and spent some time with a beautiful young female Cheetah. Ndutu provided us with multiple sightings of the new 4 member strong Lion coalition, one of which has the most magnificent multi coloured mane. Our final afternoon in Ndutu provided a massive rain storm that caused the rivers to swell and flood towards Lake Ndutu. We stayed with the males after the rain had stopped and got some wonderful photos of two of them as they walked alongside the new “Ndutu River”

Other highlights were finding two Lionesses with tiny cubs, who were very well hidden in thickets, a lonely bull Elephant with one massive long tusk, and many Wildebeest with their new borns.

Our final destination was the Ngorongoro Crater. Highlights here were a fantastic sighting of a Black Rhino crossing Lake Magadi, and a multitude of wonderful photographic opportunities of different species in the rain. A clan of around 50 Spotted Hyaenas brought down and devoured an adult Wildebeest. At the end of the day we reached our lodge and experienced one of the most beautiful sunsets over the Crater that I have ever seen.

A huge thanks goes out to our very hard working Guides, Julius & Arnold, we really appreciate all the long hours you put in and how patient you are with us photographers. Your interpretation of behaviour and where to park for great photos are exceptional, it is always a pleasure to work with you both.

A huge thank you must also go to the hard working staff at all the Camps and lodges we stayed at.

Many thanks to our clients, Linda, Bernice and Cliff, it was fantastic to share such a different photo safari with you all, looking forward to the next one already !!

Enjoy some images from the photo tour.

Kind regards

Stu

Grey Crowned Cranes, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Grey Crowned Cranes, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Bull Elephant in the Marsh, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Bull Elephant in the Marsh, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Hippo out of water, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Hippo out of water, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Zebra, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Zebra, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Reedbuck running, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Reedbuck running, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Bull Elephant, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Bull Elephant, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Cattle Egret, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Cattle Egret, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Zebra running, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Zebra running, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Elephants, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Elephants, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Thompson's Gazelle in water, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Thompson's Gazelle in water, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Marabou Stork, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Marabou Stork, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Wood Sandpiper, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Wood Sandpiper, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Zebra, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Zebra, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Zebra crossing water, Amboseli National Park, Kenya, Wildlife Panorama & Composite Image
Zebra crossing water, Amboseli National Park, Kenya, Wildlife Panorama & Composite Image
Zebra in water, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Zebra in water, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Wildebeest, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Wildebeest, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Water logged Amboseli, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Water logged Amboseli, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Black Herons, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Black Herons, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Big Cow Elephant, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Big Cow Elephant, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Elephant herd, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Elephant herd, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Thompsons Gazelle in the rain, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Thompsons Gazelle in the rain, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Bull Elephant in the rain, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Bull Elephant in the rain, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Elephants in the early morning, Amboseli National Park, Kenya, Wildlife Panorama & Composite Image
Elephants in the early morning, Amboseli National Park, Kenya, Wildlife Panorama & Composite Image
Kilimanjaro reflection, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Kilimanjaro reflection, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Wildebeest in water, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Wildebeest in water, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Zebra silhouette, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Zebra silhouette, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Great White Pelican, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Great White Pelican, Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Ngorongoro Crater from Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge
Ngorongoro Crater from Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge
Long exposure of Ngorongoro Crater: ISO 100 f16 150sec (using 10 stop filter)
Long exposure of Ngorongoro Crater: ISO 100 f16 150sec (using 10 stop filter)
African Buffalo, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
African Buffalo, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Male Lion on the move, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Male Lion on the move, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Male Lion, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Male Lion, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
The male Lion with the massive mane, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
The male Lion with the massive mane, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Male Lion, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Male Lion, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Male Lion resting in the crater, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, Wildlife Panorama
Male Lion resting in the crater, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, Wildlife Panorama
Lioness with the Elephant Carcass, Serengeti, Tanzania
Lioness with the Elephant Carcass, Serengeti, Tanzania
Lion cubs at Research Kopjes, Serengeti, Tanzania, Wildlife Panorama
Lion cubs at Research Kopjes, Serengeti, Tanzania, Wildlife Panorama
Male leopard in tree, Serengeti, Tanzania
Male leopard in tree, Serengeti, Tanzania
Female Leopard on rocks, Serengeti, Tanzania
Female Leopard on rocks, Serengeti, Tanzania
Seronera River, Serengeti, Tanzania
Seronera River, Serengeti, Tanzania
Old Male Lion, Serengeti, Tanzania
Old Male Lion, Serengeti, Tanzania
Bull Elephants, Serengeti, Tanzania
Bull Elephants, Serengeti, Tanzania
Spotted Eagle Owl, Serengeti, Tanzania
Spotted Eagle Owl, Serengeti, Tanzania
Verreaux's Eagle Owl, Serengeti, Tanzania
Verreaux's Eagle Owl, Serengeti, Tanzania
Two Giraffe, Serengeti, Tanzania
Two Giraffe, Serengeti, Tanzania
Lions at Research Kopjes, Serengeti, Tanzania
Lions at Research Kopjes, Serengeti, Tanzania
Lioness, Serengeti, Tanzania
Lioness, Serengeti, Tanzania
Lioness on rock, Serengeti, Tanzania
Lioness on rock, Serengeti, Tanzania
Lion cubs playing, Serengeti, Tanzania
Lion cubs playing, Serengeti, Tanzania
Lion cubs, Serengeti, Tanzania
Lion cubs, Serengeti, Tanzania
Lion cubs, Serengeti, Tanzania
Lion cubs, Serengeti, Tanzania
Lioness and cub, Serengeti, Tanzania
Lioness and cub, Serengeti, Tanzania
Lions on rocks, Serengeti, Tanzania, Wildlife Panorama
Lions on rocks, Serengeti, Tanzania, Wildlife Panorama
Male Lion resting, Serengeti, Tanzania
Male Lion resting, Serengeti, Tanzania
Male Lion running, Serengeti, Tanzania
Male Lion running, Serengeti, Tanzania
Sunrise over Lake Magadi, Serengeti, Tanzania
Sunrise over Lake Magadi, Serengeti, Tanzania
Giraffe and Fever Tree Forest, Serengeti, Tanzania
Giraffe and Fever Tree Forest, Serengeti, Tanzania
Giraffe at Moru Kopjes, Serengeti, Tanzania, Wildlife Panorama
Giraffe at Moru Kopjes, Serengeti, Tanzania, Wildlife Panorama
Moru Kopjes, Serengeti, Tanzania, Panorama
Moru Kopjes, Serengeti, Tanzania, Panorama
Waterbuck at Moru Kopjes, Serengeti, Tanzania
Waterbuck at Moru Kopjes, Serengeti, Tanzania
Cheetah with young wildebeest kill, Serengeti, Tanzania
Cheetah with young wildebeest kill, Serengeti, Tanzania
Male Lion on rock, Serengeti, Tanzania, Wildlife Panorama
Male Lion on rock, Serengeti, Tanzania, Wildlife Panorama
Lioness in tree, Ndutu, Tanzania
Lioness in tree, Ndutu, Tanzania
Mating pair, Ndutu, Tanzania
Mating pair, Ndutu, Tanzania
Mating pair, Ndutu, Tanzania
Mating pair, Ndutu, Tanzania
Cheetah with Wildebeest kill, Ndutu, Tanzania
Cheetah with Wildebeest kill, Ndutu, Tanzania
Three Grant's Gazelle, Ndutu, Tanzania
Three Grant's Gazelle, Ndutu, Tanzania
Cheetah female with two cubs, Ndutu, Tanzania
Cheetah female with two cubs, Ndutu, Tanzania
Cheetahs, Ndutu, Tanzania
Cheetahs, Ndutu, Tanzania
Baby Giraffe in the rain, Ndutu, Tanzania
Baby Giraffe in the rain, Ndutu, Tanzania
Female Cheetah on the hunt, Ndutu, Tanzania
Female Cheetah on the hunt, Ndutu, Tanzania
Cheetahs, Ndutu, Tanzania
Cheetahs, Ndutu, Tanzania
Cheetahs in the rain, Ndutu, Tanzania, Wildlife Panorama
Cheetahs in the rain, Ndutu, Tanzania, Wildlife Panorama
Cheetahs, Ndutu, Tanzania
Cheetahs, Ndutu, Tanzania
Lions playing, Ndutu, Tanzania
Lions playing, Ndutu, Tanzania
Male Lion near the mating pair, Ndutu, Tanzania
Male Lion near the mating pair, Ndutu, Tanzania
Male Lion chasing the other off, Ndutu, Tanzania
Male Lion chasing the other off, Ndutu, Tanzania
Wildebeest and calf, Ndutu, Tanzania
Wildebeest and calf, Ndutu, Tanzania
One of the four Lions of the new coalition, Ndutu, Tanzania
One of the four Lions of the new coalition, Ndutu, Tanzania
One of the four Lions of the new coalition, Ndutu, Tanzania
One of the four Lions of the new coalition, Ndutu, Tanzania
One of the four Lions of the new coalition, Ndutu, Tanzania
One of the four Lions of the new coalition, Ndutu, Tanzania
The fourth member of the new coalition with a magnificent mane, Ndutu, Tanzania
The fourth member of the new coalition with a magnificent mane, Ndutu, Tanzania
Female Cheetah, Hidden Valley, Ndutu, Tanzania
Female Cheetah, Hidden Valley, Ndutu, Tanzania
Female Cheetah at Hidden Valley, Ndutu, Tanzania
Female Cheetah at Hidden Valley, Ndutu, Tanzania
Female Cheetah, Ndutu, Tanzania
Female Cheetah, Ndutu, Tanzania
Kori Bustard in display, Ndutu, Tanzania
Kori Bustard in display, Ndutu, Tanzania
Male Elephant with the massive tusk, Ndutu, Tanzania
Male Elephant with the massive tusk, Ndutu, Tanzania
Male Lion sleeping, Ndutu, Tanzania
Male Lion sleeping, Ndutu, Tanzania
Lioness in hiding, Ndutu, Tanzania
Lioness in hiding, Ndutu, Tanzania
Spotted Genet at Ndutu Safari Lodge, Ndutu, Tanzania
Spotted Genet at Ndutu Safari Lodge, Ndutu, Tanzania
Lioness drinking, Ndutu, Tanzania
Lioness drinking, Ndutu, Tanzania
The two Lionesses with the small cubs meet each other, Ndutu, Tanzania
The two Lionesses with the small cubs meet each other, Ndutu, Tanzania
The older of the two Lionesses with young cubs, Ndutu, Tanzania
The older of the two Lionesses with young cubs, Ndutu, Tanzania
Lioness portrait, Ndutu, Tanzania
Lioness portrait, Ndutu, Tanzania
Two of the male Lions after the heavy rain, Ndutu, Tanzania
Two of the male Lions after the heavy rain, Ndutu, Tanzania
Still raining, Ndutu, Tanzania
Still raining, Ndutu, Tanzania
Male Lions, Ndutu, Tanzania
Male Lions, Ndutu, Tanzania
Male Lion, Ndutu, Tanzania
Male Lion, Ndutu, Tanzania
Male Lions resting on the banks of the new "Ndutu River", Ndutu, Tanzania
Male Lions resting on the banks of the new "Ndutu River", Ndutu, Tanzania
Alert Male Lions Ndutu, Tanzania, Wildlife Panorama
Alert Male Lions Ndutu, Tanzania, Wildlife Panorama
Bushpig at Ngorongoro Crater
Bushpig at Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater, Panorama
Ngorongoro Crater, Panorama
On our way out of the Crater, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, Panorama
On our way out of the Crater, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, Panorama
Sunset over the Crater, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, Panorama
Sunset over the Crater, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, Panorama
Black Backed Jackal, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Black Backed Jackal, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Abdims Stork, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Abdims Stork, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Grey Crowned Crane in the rain, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Grey Crowned Crane in the rain, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Wildebeest in the rain, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Wildebeest in the rain, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Thompson's Gazelle shaking the rain off, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Thompson's Gazelle shaking the rain off, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Bull Wildebeest facing off, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Bull Wildebeest facing off, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Spotted Hyaena chasing each other, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Spotted Hyaena chasing each other, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Part of the 50 strong Spotted Hyaena clan that took down the Wildebeest, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, Wildlife Panorama
Part of the 50 strong Spotted Hyaena clan that took down the Wildebeest, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, Wildlife Panorama
Spotted Hyaena in water, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Spotted Hyaena in water, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Black Rhino crossing Lake Magadi, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Black Rhino crossing Lake Magadi, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Clouds engulfing the forest, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, Panorama
Clouds engulfing the forest, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, Panorama
Final sunset over the Crater, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Final sunset over the Crater, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

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3 Comments

  • Always a treat to read and view your trip reports.  I really like the black & white treatment. The “high key” treatment on the giraffes was great.  You provide so many wonderful ideas for creating interesting images. Thanks Stu.

    Bruce Hollingsworth - April 11th, 2018 at 6:49pm

  • Hi Stu, great photos and great memories from a truly remarkable trip.  Now what’s on for 2019?

    Thank you.

    Bernice - April 11th, 2018 at 10:43pm

  • Hi Stu, great shots.
    It was a good trip and wonderful travel companions Bernice and Linda. Apologies I couldn’t do the reunion trip in October.
    I have just returned from my 6 weeks adventure in Mexico for Whale Migration and USA for Astrophotography and Storm Chasing.
    Now I need to process my images from this trip in March 2018.
    Hope to back to the Wildlife Photography soon in 2019 with Wild4.
    Cheers
    Cliff

    Clifford Yap - May 18th, 2018 at 3:26pm

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Testimonials Dear WILD4 Team, thanks a lot for making our anniversary holiday so special. The sightings were superb and your company was very enjoyable. We cannot wait for the next trip to arrive. All the best. Graham & Caroline

Graham & Caroline, UK

Testimonials The Wild 4 team made my trip to South Africa a truly memorable experience. Photographing some of the orphaned captive animals at the private game reserve on the extension was a great way to start the holiday, and Stu's tuition on techniques, composition and familiarity with your gear was the foundation for the rest of the trip.  In Kruger we had some wonderful sightings - including the 'Big 5' all in one day on two consecutive days! The highlights were spending 20 minutes with a leopard cub in a tree no more than 30 metres away, and on the last day watching a pride of 14 lions stalking a herd of zebra for more than an hour - just wonderful experiences! I'm sure the quality of the shots I took was infinitely better than if I'd gone on a regular safari, as the whole focus of the experience is expertly designed to maximise photographic opportunities - including only 3 photographers in the specially designed vehicle.  Stu's knowledge, enthusiasm and patience were boundless, and Ann's spotting and catering skills were also priceless! I hope to visit Africa again soon, and without doubt Wild 4 will be my first option.

Greg Morgan, UK

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