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Photography Safari – Tanzania photography safari

Travel style

Photography Safari

Tanzania photography safari: a photography safari is planned around light and time. That means being in position before sunrise, staying.

Tanzania photography safari: what to know

A photography safari is planned around light and time. That means being in position before sunrise, staying with one subject for as long as it takes, and using the middle of the day to rest, charge batteries and back up files.

The practical differences from a standard safari are a private vehicle with fewer passengers, so each photographer has a full row and can shoot from either side; a guide who understands where the light is coming from and places the vehicle accordingly; beanbags or mounts for long lenses; and itineraries with three or more nights in each area.

Where and when to go depends on what you want to photograph. Ndutu in February has calving and cheetah hunts on open plains, and vehicles are allowed off-road. The northern Serengeti from July to October has the Mara River crossings. Tarangire in the dry season is the place for elephants among baobabs, and Ngorongoro Crater for rhino and early mist.

For most wildlife, a lens that reaches 400 mm or more is useful. Bring more memory cards than you expect to need and a cover to keep dust off your camera.

Leopard resting in the branches of a large tree

What to know before you go

  1. Leopard standing in tall golden grass

    What to expect on a Tanzania photography safari

    Photography needs time and the right angle. We use vehicles with open sides or roof hatches, keep seats free for your gear and plan long drives at dawn and dusk, when the light is soft. Your guide knows how to position the vehicle without disturbing the animals.

  2. Cheetah stalking through dry grass

    Where and when to go

    The Serengeti kopjes are ideal for big cats, Tarangire for elephants and baobabs, and Lake Natron for flamingos. The green season, from November to May, brings dramatic skies and newborn animals.

  3. Cheetah walking across the savannah with acacia trees at sunset

    Who it suits

    Keen photographers at every level. Bring a long lens and a bean bag; our packing list covers the rest.

Photography Safari trips

Sample itineraries. Every trip is private, so we change the days, lodges and pace to suit you.

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13-Day Photography Safari in Tanzania Photography Safari

13 days12 nights

13-Day Photography Safari in Tanzania

Arusha Tarangire National Park (2) Lake Manyara National Park Lake Eyasi Ngorongoro Crater (2) +3 more

Talk to a safari expert

Our team in Arusha answers in English, French, German and Spanish.

Questions about Photography Safari

Photography Safari: how many days do I need?

Our Photography Safari trips run from 13 to 13 days, and most guests choose about 13. Fewer days mean more time on the road; more days let you slow down and stay longer where the animals are.

Photography Safari: when is the best time to go?

The best time is November to May for skies, June to October for wildlife. Every month has something, though, so read our guide to the best time to visit Tanzania before you choose your dates.

Photography Safari: how much does it cost?

The price depends on the season, the number of people and the lodges you choose. We send a clear, all-inclusive proposal for your dates within 24 hours, and our guide to the cost of a Tanzania safari explains the main costs.

Photography Safari: can I add Zanzibar or Kilimanjaro?

Yes. Zanzibar is about an hour's flight from Arusha or the Serengeti, and Kilimanjaro is an hour's drive from Arusha. See our Zanzibar holidays and Kilimanjaro routes.

Photography Safari: is the trip private?

Yes. Every trip we run is private, with your own vehicle and guide, and we adapt the route, the lodges and the pace to you. Start with the trip planner or contact us.

Shall we plan your trip?

Tell us your dates and what you would like to see. A specialist in Arusha sends a route and a clear proposal within 24 hours.

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Our partners

We are a licensed Tanzanian tour operator, working with the national tourism bodies, parks and conservation authorities, and the organisations that look after Kilimanjaro’s porters.