Tanzania - Ngorongoro & Serengeti Signature Safari 2021
Tanzania has some of the most iconic wildlife areas in the whole of Africa, and two that are possibly more celebrated than any others are the Serengeti and its neighbour, the Ngorongoro Crater. We have two full days at Ngorongoro Crater, photographing in this beautiful wildlife amphitheater created by the implosion of a huge volcano many aeons ago. Fluffy clouds rim the caldera, and dark forests flank large portions of the side of the walls, creating stunning backdrops to the dramatic numbers of game on the flat crater floor. In the Serengeti, we will focus on Cheetah and Lion in the incredible south-central portion of the reserve. This is a land of open plains and impressive kopjes, and we will attempt to photograph the latter cats as they use the kopjes to rest and hunt from. Join Greg du Toit and ORYX on this bespoke Tanzania photo safari adventure that promises incredible wilderness, top-class accommodations, and some truly spectacular photographic opportunities!
Why this Photo Safari is for You
Destination Allure
The Ngorongoro Crater has been dubbed the 8th wonder of the world. Here you will find predator and prey in close proximity thanks to the steep crater walls, and it is also home to some of the biggest elephant Tuskers left in Africa, as well as the endangered free-ranging black Rhinoceros. The Serengeti’s open plains is synonymous with big cat country, known for its sublime Cheetah sightings, a Lion stretched out on an elevated boulder or a Leopard draped across the branch of a tree.
Guided Experience
Wildlife Photographer of the Year winner 2013 Greg Du Toit has visited Tanzania numerous times over the years, and local knowledge of the region and its wildlife is key to crafting the ultimate photo safari. Greg will provide hands-on tuition to ensure that you obtain your dream images.
Wildlife
Tanzania has the largest concentration and diversity of animals in Africa. Covering an incredible 30,000km², the Serengeti ecosystem is one of the world’s largest and most spectacular wildlife areas and boasts over 1,100 bird species on top of that. Despite the vast space, the volume and concentration of game that we can expect to see during our Tanzania photo safari is nothing short of astounding.
Small Group Departures
Travel to wildlife saturated Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater region with a maximum of only 3 individuals for a private photo safari experience.
Artistic Dimensions
If you are a photographer who enjoys playing with light and lines and giving your photographs mystery and mood, then this is the trip for you as the light is dramatic and so are the backgrounds.
8 Days
Guests
Signature Wildlife
- Destination:
Tanzania
- Departure:
- Person Sharing:
USD 17,170
- Single Supplement:
USD 0
- Photographic Highlights:
- Guide:
- Tour Price(Per Person):
USD17,170
- 1
Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Arusha
After arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be collected by an ORYX representative and driven to your accommodations for the night. Here you will be met by tour leader Greg du Toit, and will be able to discuss your exciting upcoming African photo safari together!
- 2
Day 2: Drive Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater
This morning on our Tanzania photography tour we head west away from Arusha before turning northwest towards the Gregory Escarpment. At the base of the escarpment, we pass through the town of Mto wa Mbu and its large ground water forest before ascending the Rift Valley wall, allowing us to gaze down onto Lake Manyara below. Our photo tour then takes us through cultivated lands as we make our way through the dusty town of Karatu and its red soils into the Crater Highlands. We enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area at Lodoare Gate, and travel through the verdant highland forest which cloaks the crater rim. Reaching the top of the rim, we will stop and take a few minutes to drink in the sensational view of the crater stretching out ahead of us! Our Tanzania photo safari continues as we drive to our spectacular accommodations for the next three nights. All the wildlife is free ranging, and sleeping on the edge of the crater we might have an elephant or buffalo walk through the lodge grounds.
- 3
Days 3 and 4: Ngorongoro Crater
During our Tanzania photo tour, we will depart camp early each day and then wind our way down the descent road. Once we reach the bottom of the road and where the crater opens up, ambient light levels will just be high enough to capture sublime moody and mysterious images. For two full days on our Tanzania photo safari we will be able to photograph the crater together with all its incredible creatures and vistas.
- 4
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater to Serengeti National Park
Today we strike out for a different area in this stunning ecosystem on our Serengeti photo tour, making our way north-west into the south-central Serengeti.
- 5
Days 6 and 7: Serengeti National Park
During our time in the national park, we will be able to access a large network of roads that will lead us to its famous residents. An African Lion stretched out on an elevated boulder enjoying the cool afternoon breeze, a Leopard draped over an Acacia or Sausage tree bough awaiting nightfall, or an elegant Cheetah standing proud on a termite mound scanning the plains for an easy meal… These are some of the quintessential sights of this region that we will be searching for. The Serengeti also harbours excellent numbers of resident game, and we should encounter Grant’s Gazelle as well as its smaller, “bouncier” cousin the Thomson’s Gazelle, Topi, Impala, Warthog, Cape Buffalo, Maasai Giraffe, Defassa Waterbuck, Coke’s Hartebeest and even African Elephant. Although Black Rhino does occur, it typically inhabits thick thorn scrub and wooded koppies, and is rarely encountered. Smaller carnivores include Banded Mongoose, Golden and Black-backed jackals, Bat-eared Fox and Serval, although the latter two can be slightly more challenging to encounter. Overall however, the volume and diversity of game that occurs in the Serengeti is astounding, and it truly is any wildlife photographers dream to visit and photograph this one-of-a-kind region! With full days to explore this paradise, we are in for a real treat, and with the next closest camp being one hour away, we are guaranteed an incredible photographic and wilderness experience!
- 6
Day 8: Drive Namiri to Seronera Airstrip, fly to Arusha Airport, lunch and depart Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Today marks the end of our Tanzania photography tour and make our way to Seronera Airstrip, where after we will fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport and depart.
Penny Robartes was an a brilliant guide for me, always putting my shooting needs first, making sure that my settings were right, giving advice on how to shoot at a sighting and calming me down when a sighting became intense…no easy feat as there were plenty of those! Thank you for your support and advice, not only on safari, but afterwards as well, and giving me a new outlook on Lightroom!
The Serian camps were wonderful, I loved every minute that we spent there, accommodation, food, staff were great, I look forward to returning one day.
Thank you again for a wonderful photo safari, I will always treasure those memories. It was an incredibly special place and the whole experience was wonderful. Its hard to explain to people how beautiful it was with all the yellow and purple flowers and then it became the scene of utter carnage as well!
It doesn't get any better than traveling with ORYX Photo Tours if you want the most knowledgeable guides, seamless service and the perfect photography spots.
This was my second trip with ORYX. The first was to Kenya, this one to Tanzania. I did not think that ORYX could top the first trip but in fact they did. I had requested the ability to photograph different tribes along with the animals. ORYX went above and beyond. They arranged opportunities to photograph the Massai, Dagoota and Hazda tribes. It was very clear when going to the villages with Marius Coetzee, the owner of ORYX Photo Tours, that he was incredibly well respected and welcomed by everyone. It was an absolutely amazing experience.
The trip took place this past February which is calving season for the wildebeest in Tanzania. Along with the calves, come the predators, lions, cheetahs etc.... The guides that work with ORYX are so experienced. They knew exactly where to go and at what time of day to get the very best shots of the animals. It was insane how good they were at their work. And after many years of guiding, they were still so passionate.
Finally, on both Oryx trips my photography skills became better and better. The guidance and instruction was outstanding. Each time it felt like I was taking a master class in photography taught by a world class teacher. Every question (and I had a lot) was answered professionally and in a way so that I would learn something.
Can't wait to travel with ORYX Photo Tours again! Oh wait....I am traveling to Uganda to see the gorillas, chimps and more cultural photography this summer.
