12 Days
Ultimate Wildlife Photography Safari
Safari Overview
Experience the ultimate photography safari with our 12-day adventure through Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit. Designed for photography enthusiasts, this itinerary allows ample time to capture stunning images of wildlife, landscapes, and birdlife in their natural habitats. Explore iconic destinations including Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park, and Lake Manyara. With flexible schedules tailored to your preferences, you’ll have the opportunity to photograph the most captivating moments at each location.
Destinations
Arusha National Park, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area,
Safari Gallery
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK), and meet with one of our safari representatives who will warmly welcome you and escort you to your booked hotel / lodge in Arusha. You will be staying at one of our warm-welcoming lodges nestled in the peaceful suburbs of the Arusha city. Take the rest of the day to relax in the lodge’s beautiful garden and prepare for the exciting safari adventure that lies ahead.
Overnight:
Meals: Dinner.
- Day 2: Arusha National Park
After you’ve savored a hearty breakfast at your hotel, prepare for an unforgettable adventure as your local guide escorts you through the captivating landscapes of Arusha National Park. This renowned sanctuary boasts a remarkable mix of biodiversity and natural makeup, promising an enriching experience for nature enthusiasts. Take in the awe-inspiring sights of the Ngurdoto Crater, nestled at the foothills of Mount Meru – Tanzania’s second-highest peak, towering humbly after the legendary Kilimanjaro. Keep a keen eye out for the park’s diverse wildlife, including buffaloes, waterbucks, giraffes, zebras, and the charismatic black and white colobus monkeys, renowned for their acrobatic tree-climbing prowess.
Indulge in a delightful picnic lunch amidst the park’s scenic beauty, providing ample time for wildlife observation and photography. Following an enriching day of discovery, your guide will then return you to your Arusha accommodation in the early evening, where you can unwind and enjoy a sumptuous dinner.
Overnight:
Meals: B / L / D.
- Day 3: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Following breakfast, we leave for an exhilarating journey to Tarangire National Park. Named after the meandering Tarangire River, which serves as a lifeline for the park’s diverse wildlife, this beautiful sanctuary offers but just a glimpse to the best of what Tanzania has to offer. During the dry season, the Tarangire River transforms into a vital oasis for the local faunas, earning the moniker “river of warthogs.” Here, amidst the lush vegetation of elephant grass and acacia trees, a wealth of wildlife thrives. Keep your eyes peeled for sightings of giraffes, bushbucks, and hartebeests. As the predators of the savannah, including lions, cheetahs, and leopards, prowl the landscape, the park pulsates with the rhythm of the wild.
Notably, Tarangire National Park boasts an unparalleled avian paradise, hosting more breeding bird species than any other location on Earth. However, its true allure lies in its magnificent elephant herds. Witness these gentle giants in their natural habitat, from adorable calves to formidable bulls, as Tarangire shelters Tanzania’s largest elephant population. Conclude your day’s adventures with a delectable dinner and a restful overnight stay at the Lak, nestled amid the park’s picturesque landscapes.
Overnight:
Meals: B / L / D.
- Day 4: Tarangire National Park to Karatu
Begin your day with an early breakfast, followed by an exciting morning game drive in Tarangire National Park. As you explore the park, your expert guide will navigate through diverse landscapes, from dense acacia woodlands to expansive grasslands, offering you unparalleled opportunities to capture stunning wildlife photographs. Look out for herds of elephants, playful zebras, and the elusive predators that roam these lands.
After a fulfilling morning in Tarangire, we will set off for the scenic town of Karatu. Nestled in the foothills of the Ngorongoro Highlands, Karatu provides a charming retreat with its lush coffee plantations and vibrant local culture. Upon arrival, you’ll have time to relax and soak in the serene environment.
In the evening, enjoy a delightful dinner and unwind at your lodge, preparing for the adventures that lie ahead.
Overnight:
Meals: B / L / D.
- Day 5: Lake Manyara National Park
After a delicious breakfast, set off for Lake Manyara National Park, renowned for its incredible biodiversity and picturesque landscapes nestled between the Great Rift Valley and Lake Manyara. As you enter the park, you’ll be greeted by a lively troop of baboons, an exciting start to your game drive.
Lake Manyara National Park is a gem of the Arusha and Manyara regions, boasting a unique mix of ecosystems. The park is celebrated for its lush forests, acacia woodlands, and the shimmering expanse of Lake Manyara itself. The park’s diverse habitats are home to a variety of wildlife, including large elephant herds and the famous tree-climbing lions. Keep your camera ready to capture the park’s stunning flora and fauna, from giraffes and zebras to a myriad of local avian species.
Enjoy a packed lunch at a scenic picnic spot within the park, surrounded by nature’s beauty. In the late afternoon, we will make our way to the Ngorongoro Highlands, where you will have dinner and an overnight stay at a well-appointed lodge, ready for the next day’s adventures, this time in Serengeti National Park.
Overnight:
Meals: B / L / D.
- Day 6: Karatu to Serengeti
After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll depart for Serengeti National Park, journeying through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. En route, we’ll stop at the Ngorongoro Crater Viewpoint, offering breathtaking vistas of the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. This moment provides a perfect photo opportunity and a glimpse into the rich wildlife that inhabits the crater below.
As we continue our drive towards the Serengeti, enjoy game viewing along the way, where you might spot some of the region’s diverse wildlife. Upon arrival in the Serengeti, you’ll immediately sense the park’s unparalleled natural beauty and significance. The Serengeti is not only the most famous wildlife sanctuary in the world but also home to Africa’s highest concentration of plains game.
In the late afternoon, we’ll arrive at lodge or camp, where you’ll enjoy dinner and an overnight stay, surrounded by the sounds and smells of the African wilderness.
Overnight:
Meals: B / L / D.
- Day 7: Full Day in Serengeti National Park
Awake to the enchanting sounds of the Serengeti and prepare for a full day of adventure. After breakfast, we’ll set out to explore the vast plains, following the path of the Great Migration. Witness the awe-inspiring sight of over a million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles as they journey across the savannah, driven by ancient survival instincts.
Throughout the day, we’ll have numerous opportunities to observe predators such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards, who follow the migrating herds. Our expert guide will lead you to the best spots for wildlife viewing and photography, ensuring an unforgettable safari experience.
After a day filled with extraordinary wildlife encounters and scenic beauty, you’ll return to your booked lodge or camp for dinner and another peaceful night under the African sky.
Overnight:
Meals: B / L / D.
- Day 8: Explore Serengeti National Park
After a hearty breakfast, we set off for another thrilling day of game viewing, this time heading towards the western Serengeti. The Serengeti National Park, renowned globally for its vast wildlife population and stunning landscapes, offers an unparalleled safari experience. Known for hosting the highest concentration of plains game in Africa, the park is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers alike.
As we journey through the diverse terrains of the western Serengeti, keep your cameras ready to capture the dynamic movements of the Great Migration. Witness over a million wildebeest and around 200,000 zebras as they traverse the plains in search of fresh grazing grounds, driven by their instinctual need to migrate. This incredible spectacle occurs annually, with the herds moving from the northern hills to the southern plains during the short rains of October and November, and then back north and west following the long rains in April, May, and June.
Throughout the day, our safari guide will take you to prime viewing spots where you can observe the diverse wildlife of the Serengeti ecosystem. From the vast open plains to the dense woodlands, you’ll encounter various species such as elephants, giraffes, lions, cheetahs, and countless bird species that have been recorded here.
After an exhilarating day of wildlife encounters and breathtaking scenery, we’ll head to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay, where you can relax and reflect on the day’s adventures.
Overnight:
Meals: B / L / D.
- Day 9: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After indulging in a delightful breakfast, bid farewell to the Serengeti as we venture out on a journey towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, we’ll make strategic stops to admire the diverse wildlife that inhabits this region, providing ample opportunities for photography enthusiasts to capture memorable moments.
While the Great Wildebeest Migration may have captivated us in the Serengeti, our adventure doesn’t end there. As an optional activity, you could choose to visit to one of the traditional Maasai Bomas found within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, right after you’ve left the Serengeti behind. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of the Maasai people, gaining insight into their traditional lifestyle, customs, and rituals. This unique experience offers a fascinating contrast to the wildlife encounters of the previous days and provides an unparalleled opportunity for cultural photography.
As we continue our journey, marvel at the stunning landscapes and wildlife sightings that adorn the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. From lions and cheetahs to elephants and giraffes, Ngorongoro boasts an impressive array of wildlife.
In the late afternoon, we arrive at the lodge, situated within the conservation area. Enjoy a delicious dinner and unwind in the comfort of your accommodation, anticipating the wonders that await us.
Overnight:
Meals: B / L / D.
- Day 10: Ngorongoro Crater
After a hearty breakfast, venture into the Ngorongoro Crater for an unforgettable game viewing experience. Known as one of Africa’s most renowned destinations, the Ngorongoro Crater boasts an impressive concentration of wildlife, earning its reputation as one of the continent’s biodiversity hotspots.
With its remarkable geological formation and unparalleled wildlife encounters, the Ngorongoro Crater has garnered international acclaim, earning its place as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and often being dubbed the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Spanning approximately 260 square kilometers and featuring diverse habitats ranging from grasslands to forests, this natural marvel provides sanctuary to an array of species, including the legendary Big Five.
During our game drive, keep your eyes peeled for sightings of the lions, Cape buffaloes, elephants, leopards, and the black rhinoceros, all of which call this crater home. As we traverse the crater floor, enjoy the sheer abundance of wildlife against the backdrop of the crater walls, creating a truly panoramic scenery.
While the Ngorongoro Crater offers unparalleled wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the year, it is particularly famous for its dense population of predators and its status as a prime habitat for the endangered black rhinoceros. Our safari guide will provide fascinating insights into the ecosystem and ensure an enriching safari experience.
During your adventure, you’ll enjoy a delightful picnic lunch at a scenic spot within the crater, allowing you to savor the beauty of the surroundings while refueling for the rest of the safari. Following your unforgettable wildlife encounters, you’ll ascend to the Ngorongoro Highlands in the late afternoon, where rejuvenation at your lodge awaits. Enjoy a sumptuous dinner and restful night – it’s been a great day!
Overnight:
Meals: B / L / D.
- Day 11: Half-Day Endoro Waterfalls & Elephant Caves
After a leisurely breakfast at your lodge in Karatu, prepare for a unique trekking experience to Endoro Falls and the nearby elephant caves. This moderate hike, lasting two to three hours, offers a refreshing change of pace and a chance to appreciate Tanzania’s natural beauty from a unique angle.
Your safari guide will pick you up from the lodge and drive you to the trailhead. The hike takes you through lush forests where you’ll have the opportunity to spot wildlife such as the tiny dik-dik, the smallest antelope species, and a diverse array of bird species, adding more to your photography collection.
The trek’s highlights include the Endoro Falls and the fascinating elephant caves. These caves have been naturally carved out by elephants over the years as they dig into the rock to access the mineral-rich salt deposits. Observing these unique geological formations provides insight into the area’s wildlife behaviors and the ecosystem.
After the hike, you’ll be driven back to your lodge in Karatu, where you can relax and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Overnight:
Meals: B / L / D.
- Day 12: Karatu back to Arusha - Farewell to Your Ultimate Wildlife Photography Safari
As the dawn light of the African sun gently filters through the acacia trees, marking the final day of your unforgettable Tanzania safari, take a moment to savor a hearty breakfast and reflect on the countless moments captured through your lens.
With your belongings carefully packed and memories of thrilling wildlife encounters and breathtaking landscapes etched in your mind, bid farewell to the tranquil haven of Karatu. Set out on a wonderful drive back to Arusha in the comfort of our exclusive safari Land Cruiser, perhaps traversing a little bit of the rugged terrain one last time.
As you reach Arusha, it’s time to bring your Ultimate Wildlife Photography Safari to a close. Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport, embraced by the warmth of Tanzania’s hospitality and the camaraderie forged during this journey. Remember that the savannah whispers its timeless secrets, inviting you to return whenever the call of the wild beckons.
Meals: B / L
Included
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- All activities as per the itinerary
- All accommodations as specified in the itinerary
- Professional English-speaking driver/guide
- All transportation during the safari
- All taxes and VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfers
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Bottled water and soft drinks
Excluded
- International flights
- Additional accommodation before and after the tour
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal items (e.g., souvenirs, travel insurance)
- Any government-imposed increase in taxes and/or park fee
- Extra meals and drinks at the hotel / lodge
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Get in touch
Arusha Tanzania
+255 655 316 215
info@acaciablisstours.com
