[email protected] | +230 452 3731

kenya amboseli photo safari 1

October Odyssey: Kenya & Tanzania Photo Safari with Daniel Bailey

ORYX guest and Photo Tour Leader Daniel Bailey embarked on their photographic safari, the October Odyssey, through Kenya and Tanzania. After a year of meticulous planning, the adventure begins in Amboseli, where the focus is “All About the Elephants.” From there, the journey will continue to Tanzania to witness the Great Migration, capturing the raw beauty of the wildebeest Mara River crossings.

kenya amboseli photo safari

Astonishing Amboseli

 

ORYX guest and photo tour leader Daniel Bailey spent an incredible four days at Amboseli National Park. Staying at Tortilis Camp has a prime location for witnessing the majesty of Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro. The camp is named after the flat-topped, umbrella thorn tree, the Acacia Tortilis, and embraces a hill in one of Amboseli’s areas of Acacia Tortilis woodland. Located in a private conservancy bordering the national park, game drives, walks, sundowners and bush meals take place inside the conservancy, where guests enjoy exclusivity. Here we experienced surreal encounters, including multiple elephant herds on the dry lakebed and two mornings with Craig, the largest and oldest super tusker in the world.

kenya amboseli photo safari 6
kenya amboseli photo safari 2
kenya amboseli photo safari 3

All About The Elephants

The elephants of Amboseli are a defining feature of this stunning landscape. Roaming across the expansive dry lake bed, these magnificent creatures create an awe-inspiring sight, and on occasion against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. The opportunity to photograph them from ground level allows for intimate and powerful images, showcasing their impressive size and social interactions. Observing their behaviour as they feed, play, and interact with their young creates unforgettable moments, highlighting the beauty and majesty of these gentle giants in this unique ecosystem.

kenya amboseli photo safari 12
kenya amboseli photo safari 9
kenya amboseli photo safari 25
kenya amboseli photo safari 10
kenya amboseli photo safari 11

The Last of His Kind: Craig the Gentle Giant

Craig, known as the gentle giant of Amboseli, is one of the last super tuskers in the world at 52 years old. Born in 1972 in the Amboseli Ecosystem, he is believed to be the largest and oldest living elephant.

Amboseli is home to some of Africa’s few remaining “tuskers,” large-tusked elephants, with only about 25 believed to be left. A Super Tusker is a male bull elephant with tusks that weigh over 100lbs (45kgs) each. Tusks of that size are usually so long that they scrape along the ground when the elephant walks.

Craig’s tusks are reminiscent of a bygone era and he is a remarkable specimen and poster child of effective conservation in Africa. It was an absolute privilege and a lifelong dream to see him. Adding to this he was with an entourage of other bulls, including two other tuskers Pascal and Wayne.

kenya amboseli photo safari 8
kenya amboseli photo safari 7

Amboseli Abundance


Amboseli National Park, located in southern Kenya, is renowned for its breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro and its diverse wildlife. The park is home to large herds of elephants, as well as predators like lions, cheetahs, and spotted hyenas. Its varied habitats, including savannah, wetlands, and woodlands, support an abundance of life, from giraffes and zebras to a rich array of bird species. Amboseli’s unique landscape and thriving wildlife make it a photographer’s paradise and an essential stop on any East African safari.

Amboseli Photo Tour

Cheetah with Four Cubs

Spotting a female cheetah with her four cubs in Amboseli was a rare and unforgettable experience. We first encountered the cheetah family lounging and relaxing in the sun on a raised earth mound near the Amboseli lakebed, which offered perfect opportunities for portraits and family photographs. Later that evening, we witnessed a tense moment as lions chased the cheetahs at sunset. Thankfully, all escaped unharmed and ventured off into the night

The next afternoon brought another incredible scene as the mother successfully caught a Thompson’s gazelle for her cubs, offering them a much-needed meal. Watching the mother teach her cubs hunting skills and seeing their playful interactions provided exceptional photographic moments throughout the encounter.

kenya amboseli photo safari 4

Lions with Five Cubs

The sight of a lion pride with five cubs was captivating. The energetic and curious cubs provided endless joy as they interacted with each other and their protective mothers, creating perfect opportunities for close-up shots of the pride in action. It was stunning to witness the lioness calling her young cubs out of the tall grasses, where they played, nursed, and drank from a nearby waterhole after securing a meal the night before. These moments showcased the strong bonds within the pride and offered incredible photographic opportunities against the lush green backdrops of the Amboseli swamps.

kenya amboseli photo safari 18
kenya amboseli photo safari 19
kenya amboseli photo safari 20
kenya amboseli photo safari 24

Giraffes

Graceful and towering, the giraffes moved elegantly across the Amboseli dry lake bed. Their distinctive patterns and impressive height created spectacular photographic opportunities, especially when contrasted against the golden hues of Amboseli’s arid landscape.

kenya amboseli photo safari 1

Birdlife

The diverse birdlife in Amboseli was a feast for the eyes, showcasing a variety of colourful species and majestic raptors. These avian wonders added vibrant splashes of colour to the landscape, providing a range of photographic opportunities from striking portraits to dynamic flight shots. Highlights included the elegant Greater and Lesser flamingos, graceful pelicans, an abundance of water birds, and the king of the skies, a pair of martial eagles, which truly elevated the photography experience in this remarkable ecosystem.

With that, we spread our wings and left Amboseli for Tanzania, where we would stay briefly in Arusha before starting the Great Migration section of our safari.

kenya amboseli photo safari 14
kenya amboseli photo safari 15
kenya amboseli photo safari 16

Legendary Lodge

 

Nestled on a working coffee estate near Arusha, Legendary Lodge is a luxurious retreat known for its guest-focused service and peaceful atmosphere. As the gateway to Tanzania’s northern safari circuit, it’s the perfect in-between spot to unwind in lush tropical gardens and enjoy the serene surroundings before your next adventure.

The lodge’s elegant cottages are set among beautifully manicured lawns and connected by winding footpaths. Each cottage offers a blend of old-world charm and modern comfort, featuring a plush four-poster bed draped in mosquito nets and an ensuite bathroom with a deep soaking tub and rainfall shower.

It was the perfect locations to unwind by the swimming pool, find a quiet spot to edit our photographs, relive memories from Amboseli, or enjoy a peaceful cup of tea amidst the tranquil gardens. Legendary Lodge was  the ideal sanctuary to recharge before heading to the Serengeti for the Great Migration.

kenya amboseli photo safari 23
kenya amboseli photo safari 22

Great Migration Safari: Lamai Wedge, Serengeti

We began our great migration safari with a flight from Arusha to the northwestern Serengeti, specifically to the stunning Lamai Wedge. The open plains here are remarkably beautiful and abundant in big game, reminiscent of scenes from “Out of Africa,” offering plenty of freedom to roam and explore.

Our intimate, cozy camp features tents set on teak wood decks and is divided into three intimate wings. Each tent boasts furnishings that blend comfort and elegance, including flushing toilets, indoor and outdoor showers in en-suite bathrooms, enormous wrought iron beds, and Moroccan rugs, creating a uniquely inviting atmosphere.

Perfectly positioned above a prolific crossing point along the Mara River, the camp allows us to witness the dramatic wildebeest river crossings firsthand. The Lamai Wedge is home to vast resident herds of elephants, buffalo, zebra, and Topi, along with abundant big cats—the renowned “leopards and lions of Lamai.”

The safari experience was elevated by having our own dedicated safari vehicle and guiding team, Flexon and Kasa. This freedom enabled us to tailor our adventure—whether it meant embarking on a full day of exploration with a picnic in the wilderness or enjoying a leisurely siesta back at camp before savouring an ice-cold sundowner.

We maximized our time, with six days – focusing on the primary goal of experiencing the great migration, with the iconic Mara River crossings as the highlight of our journey. Of which we were set, to be extremely spoilt with over 12 crossings in the span of the next six days!

tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari

Day 1

Our adventure began at a hyena den, where we observed these fascinating creatures. The interaction among the hyenas provided excellent photographic opportunities as they played and communicated. At sunset, we came across a pride of lions feasting on a wildebeest carcass, with two adults and three energetic cubs adding to the scene’s excitement. Watching the cubs engage in playful antics while their mothers took turns guarding the meal made for a memorable first evening in the Lamai Wedge.

tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari

Day 2

The second day led us to Crossing No. 7, where we arrived to find a huge herd of wildebeests building momentum to cross. Hot air balloons floated gracefully overhead at sunrise, adding to the magical atmosphere. After a long wait filled with anticipation, we witnessed the dramatic sight of wildebeests crossing the Mara River at 12:10PM.

In the afternoon, we explored the surrounding landscape away from the river, traversing the plains where thousands of wildebeests and zebras were moving south towards the Mara River. We encountered mating lions nearby, providing some great action and photography opportunities. However, the lions were eventually chased off by a herd of elephants, showcasing the dynamic interactions among wildlife. We also found ourselves on the Kenya-Tanzania boundary, a remarkable location that underscored the beauty and vastness of the Serengeti ecosystem.

tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari

Day 3

We set out early at sunrise, eager to witness the day’s excitement. As we ventured toward Crossing Point 1, we encountered a mix of wildebeests and zebra foals gathering, signalling the impending southward migration. The anticipation built as we arrived at Crossing Point 2, where we witnessed a harrowing moment: a significant crossing that lasted 10 minutes, during which three wildebeest calves were taken by crocodiles, a stark reminder of nature’s harsh realities.

Nicknamed “the River of Death,” the Mara River is infamous for its role in the Great Migration. Each year, countless wildebeest charge across the steep banks into the perilous waters below, evading lurking crocodiles as they scramble to reach the other side.

Witness this awe-inspiring natural wonder: over 2 million mammals traveling as a single force on a circular route across two countries, in search of greener pastures and safe places to give birth.

This significant calving event occurs in late January and early February in the Southern Serengeti and the Western Ngorongoro Conservation Area. During this time, approximately 8,000 wildebeest calves are born, attracting the highest concentration of predators in Africa. Female wildebeest instinctively head to the short grass plains to spot approaching threats.

These mammals, including wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles, face challenging terrain and dangerous situations, which sadly result in loss of life. Yet, it’s hard not to admire the incredible journey they undertake, marked by trials and tribulations and a sheer determination to reach their destination.

The simple truth is that, to survive, they must migrate in search of fresh grazing. Animals tend to return to their birthplace at the same time each year, likely a combination of instinct and behaviours passed down through generations. Their movements are in constant search of food and optimal birthing grounds, perfectly timed with the annual rainfall.

It’s an experience that’s difficult to put into words, yet it is undeniably unlike anything else on this planet. The Great Migration is nothing short of jaw-dropping.

tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari

After a full day observing the wildebeest herds crossing the Mara River and the dramatic scenes of thousands of wildebeests and zebras making their way across, we decided to spend the afternoon with a leopardess who had successfully caught and treed a zebra foal. She rested in the tree until late evening, descending to find some shade as the heat and relentless tsetse flies bothered her, causing her to flick her tail occasionally, creating stunning visuals. There’s truly no more captivating big cat than the leopard, and it was an incredible afternoon spent in her presence.

tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari

Day 4

The morning began at 6:30 AM, with golden light illuminating the plains, offering us our most photographic sighting yet: a river crossing bathed in that first golden light, lasting for 20 mesmerizing minutes. Early on, there were no signs of crocodiles, and we were delighted to see all the animals cross safely, including a newborn zebra foal—a moment filled with hope and excitement. After an impromptu bush breakfast, we returned to Crossing Point 2, where at 9:30 AM, we witnessed another dramatic river crossing.

tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari

In the afternoon, we explored and found a huge herd gathering close to the camp, headed toward Crossing No. 5. As they crossed at sunset, we spotted the largest crocodile I’ve ever laid eyes on—an easily three-meter-long behemoth. Luckily for the herds, it seemed disinterested.

With ample time, we focused on storytelling through our imagery, learning new techniques to convey emotion and dynamic movement as the herds flowed with constant energy. We experimented with panning and radial blurs, creating artistic effects. Photography is about exploration and play; it’s 20% nailing the sharp shots and 80% playing, learning, and getting creative.

A slight rainstorm brewed in the south of the Mara River, adding an atmospheric touch to the stunning landscape, and it was a reminder of why the herds were crossing southward in search of grains, ultimately heading to the southern plains to calve.

tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari

Day 5

Our fifth day proved to be incredibly productive as we spent the full day out in the bush. We captured the ambiance of the herds building at Crossing Point 0B, and we witnessed the first crossing of the day, which set the tone for our busy schedule. For lunch, we enjoyed delicious bush lasagna while relaxing under the shade of a tree.

The excitement continued at Crossing Number 2, where a large group of wildebeests made their way across the river. This dramatic sight unfolded in the rain, and the sheer number of wildebeests was mind-blowing. Unfortunately, not all made it safely; we witnessed two calves tragically fall prey to the waiting crocodiles. However, amidst the chaos, a zebra foal successfully swam across, marking a triumphant moment in our day. We managed to witness four crossings in total, an exhilarating experience that filled us with awe.

tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari

The day ended on a high note when we spotted a well-fed male leopard lounging in a tree, clearly content from a recent meal. As we photographed him, a sudden downpour began, and while he curled up tight in the tree, he eventually lifted his head from slumber to gaze out into the storm. We captured some stunning images of him before heading back to camp, grateful for another unforgettable day in the Serengeti.

tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari

Day 6

The morning brought yet another thrilling river crossing, enhancing our experience as we witnessed the sheer determination of the wildebeests. Many had started to head south, and it felt as though we had timed our trip to perfection, as the herds would not linger much longer due to the recent rains signalling their migration.

 After returning to camp for lunch, we set out for an afternoon drive, where we once again encountered the male leopard. We spent our final evening with him as he rested in a more photogenic tree. Although he was quite full, he graciously posed for some fantastic images. As a rain and lightning storm began to build in the distance, the sunset filled the atmosphere with charged anticipation, reminding us of the raw power and natural allure of the Serengeti ecosystem.

tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari
tanzania photo safari

Day 7

Our final morning, we started off slowly, allowing us to soak in the tranquillity of the camp. We awoke to the soothing sounds of birds while enjoying coffee in our rooms. After a hearty breakfast, we departed at 7:30 AM for our 9:00 flight, marking the beginning of our own migration south. As we reflected on our incredible week, we felt immense gratitude for the unforgettable experiences and stunning wildlife we had encountered throughout our safari in the Lamai Wedge.

tanzania photo safari

Migration Back South

Experiencing Amboseli National Park and the Lamai Wedge in Tanzania is a photographer’s dream come true. From the iconic views of Mount Kilimanjaro framing vast herds of elephants in Amboseli to the breathtaking river crossings of wildebeests and zebras in the Lamai Wedge, every moment offers extraordinary photographic opportunities.

As your ORYX Photo Tour Leader, I, Daniel Bailey, am dedicated to curating a tailored photographic safari that caters to your unique vision and passion for wildlife photography. Together, we will navigate these stunning landscapes, capturing the essence of Africa’s incredible biodiversity and breathtaking scenery.

Join me for an unforgettable adventure that will not only elevate your photography skills but also create lasting memories in two of Africa’s most captivating regions.

tanzania photo safari

Tanzania – Migration Photo Safari I 2025

Guests: 6 guests.

Dates: 15 – 21 September 2025

Vehicle: 2 Private Safari vehicles = 1 guest per row

ORYX Photo Tour Leader: Daniel Bailey

For a private photo tour to Kenya or Tanzania, please get in touch with us at [email protected].

To join Daniel on a scheduled, small group photo tour to Africa, please get in touch with us at [email protected]

 

tanzania photo safari

Post a Comment

You don't have permission to register