Tanzania - Southern Serengeti Culture & Wildlife Photo Tour 2025
We are proud to present a safari tailor-made to visit and photograph some of Tanzania's iconic cultures and wildlife events that are found in the southern Serengeti. Based in an area called Kakessio, we will split up our days between photographing the fascinating Maasai, Datoga and Hadzabe tribes with one of Africa's most spectacular wildlife events; the Wildebeest breeding season, dubbed, the Calving Migration. A bonanza of young Wildebeest, Zebra and Gazelle are seen on the southern Serengeti's plains which offer abundant opportunities for the local predators to feast!
Why this Photo Tour is for You
Destination Allure
The southern Serengeti plays host to the Wildebeest calving between January and March, and it’s hard to imagine a more exciting photo tour and travel experience! Dramatic storms sweep in new life and tens of thousands of Wildebeest and their babies cover the plains while ever watchful predators and scavengers lie in wait for a quick meal. Spliced within the wildlife bonanza are photographic opportunities and experiences with some of Tanzania's last remaining traditional tribes.
Month of Travel
Our Tanzania photo tour takes place between January and March which is typically when the migrating herds of Wildebeest, Zebra and Gazelle gather on the open grassland plains in the Serengeti South to give birth to their young and feed on the fresh, nutrient-dense grass. As the Maasai, Datoga and Hadzabe tribes are local, our tour is timed around the Calving season.
Subjects of Interest
Tribes: Maasai - They live in large villages in typical Maasai structures made of homemade bricks and wood. Their livelihood and most important commodity is their cattle. Datooga - Formally nomadic but now more pastoralists, they dress to blend in with their environment, the color of the reddish brown soil, and have few and subtle adornments. They are proud people and resistant to cultural change. Hadzabe - last remaining true hunter-gatherers of Africa. The Hadza are nomadic and survive by hunting their food with hand-made bows and arrows and foraging for edible plants. Wildlife: with breathtaking numbers of Wildebeest, their calves and dazzles of Zebra, the scenery with these herds is unbelievable! Predators thrive during this season with Lion prides, Cheetah, African Wild Dog and Spotted Hyaena being the top hunters.
Group Size
Whether solo or traveling as a group, this itinerary is customisable to meet your needs.
Guided experience
Local knowledge of the region and its wildlife is key to crafting the ultimate photography tour experience. Combined with the photographic expertise of your ORYX Photo Tour Leader, and you are in for an adventure that will further fuel your excitement for photography and the destination.
76 Days
Guests +1 ORYX Leaders
Classic Culture
- Destination:
Tanzania
- Departure:
- Person Sharing:
USD 0
- Single Supplement:
USD 0
- Photographic Highlights:
- Guide:
Penny Robartes
- Tour Price(Per Person):
USD0
- 1
Day 1: Arrival Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), transfer to Arusha
Today is set aside as an arrival day in Arusha (the safari capital of northern Tanzania), and after landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be collected and driven to Arusha where you will spend the evening (note drive time of around 75 mins).
- 2
Day 2: Depart Arusha with flight to Mwiba Airstrip. Game drive to camp
Departing Arusha today, we drive the short distance to Arusha Airport and board a flight destined for the remote Mwiba area (time TBA), which is on the south-western edge of the Serengeti. You will be collected by your local guide and transferred to our camp via a game drive. Keep your camera ready as you don't know what you may see along the way! At a time to be confirmed, you will leave camp for your official first afternoon game drive in the southern Serengeti.
- 3
Days 3 to 7: Serengeti South for Tribal Photography & Wildlife
We have five full days to explore this wonderful area, and will be able to access both the tribes and wildlife in the Kakession area. Our camp is located in the south-west of the Serengeti ecosystem and during the Wildebeest birthing season, it’s hard to imagine a more stunning backdrop to our adventure. Dramatic storms sweep in new life and there are young Wildebeest babies all over along with the attendant predators. This is the land of the Cheetah, Lion and Spotted Hyena, and one of our aims is to photograph predations. With a pack of African Wild Dogs often seen and stay ranging through the area, the photographic opportunities are potentially diverse. Hadza One of the last hunter-gatherer tribes in Tanzania, the Hadza number under 1000. They live a life almost free of possessions and are able to move by carrying what they have on their backs. They wear pieces of cloth wrapped around them and don’t speak any English. One with nature and the wild surrounds, the Hadza Tribe only consume what they need such as honey, leaves for their medicinal properties and on occasion, small animals. The Hadza gain access to hunt small animals and gather on Mwiba Wildlife Reserve as they are increasingly marginalised in terms of access to wilderness areas. If guests would like to witness the Hadza way of life, their guide and tracker will take them in search of the nomadic Hadza hunters who are always moving through the wilderness. Upon finding them, guests may have the opportunity to accompany them as they forage for their vital food sources. They will show you how to prod the rich African soil for tubers and stalk small mammals and hunt birds. Listen as the Hadza re-tell tales of their ancestors. Datoga The Datoga are nomadic herders depending largely on cow and goat meat and milk for their diet. In contrast to the Hadza, the Datoga woman wear beautiful jewellery that they make themselves and colourful traditional wear. The bracelets around their wrists and ankles create a percussive beat for their singing, dancing and jumping, which can go on for days and even years! A Nilotic tribe, the Datoga woman are beautifully adorned with intricate beaded necklaces and copper bangles while the men stand proud and tall. Maasai The Maasai are one of Africa's most famous tribes. They are pastoralists and farm sheep, goats and cattle. Historically a nomadic people, the Maasai relied heavily on available materials to built impermanent structures in nature. While many Maasai are still nomadic, many live a more permanent life and are agro-pastoralists with small holdings and livestock. Many Maasai have homes made of homemade bricks and wood, with cattle still being their most important commodity. They are a patriarchal society and are recognisable by their wear bright colours and beadwork among other aspects.
- 4
Day 8: Flight Serengeti South to Arusha and depart
Today sadly marks the conclusion of your fascinating safari, and after your morning activities, you will fly back to Arusha Airport. Here, our photographic journey together sadly comes to an end!
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.
