Please note that the MAIN focus of this trip will be on photographing and spending as much time with the Big Cats as possible (Lion, Cheetah & Leopard) There will also be opportunities to photograph other animals, but the MAIN focus will be on Big Cat photography.
After your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, then Transfer to Arusha, meet a leader at the hotel for a photo safari brief after check in a hotel. From there will have a final preparation on going to the main wildlife farms “parks”. Next morning transfer to small Airport in Arusha for a scheduled flight to Serengeti National Park.
We begin our search for the Big Cats discovering central part of the eminent Serengeti National Park. At nearly 15 000 sq km or 6 000 sq miles, the Serengeti is one of Africa’ most gorgeous and unique home to Wildlife. Its exceptional landscapes are made up of open grasslands, woodlands and spectacular rocky ridges known as “Kopjes”, this is a photographers paradise. We will have total of 7 nights exploring this huge reserve, split between the central and southern areas of the park. One of the main motives for being in the Serengeti is to get photographs of the big cats up on the rocky outcrops, this iconic image is just one of the many on our list.
We will then move location and head towards a unique area known as Ndutu, here we spend 6 nights. This area is probably the best place in Africa to photograph wild Cheetah who like to roam out on the short grass plains. Ndutu and has a number of occupant lion prides and Leopards prowl in the woodland areas contiguous to the marshland. The stunning Lake Ndutu and Lake Masek portray a false idea that there is an plenty of freshwater, but these are soda lakes, making this area an really harsh place for the resident wildlife. On top of this, we will be visiting Ndutu in the dry season. Very few tourists undertaking to this area at this time of year and it is one of the only places left in Africa where you can be alone with a Cheetah, Lion or Leopard, and where you can drive off-road.
The main focus of this big cats photographic safari is to go out in search of the three BIG CATS. We will sit patiently with them as they rest and move with them when they move. Filmmakers spend countless hours waiting for predators to do something, and are often rewarded for their patience. Moving to 3 different locations will not only enable us to see different habitats but also view different Lion prides, Cheetahs and elusive Leopards. With patience and focus, we will be rewarded with some fantastic photographs.
At this time of the year, the mega migration herds are to the North in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, but there is still plenty of resident wildlife around. The cats also tend to be a bit more active at this time of year as they have to put in more effort to catch their food.
** Please note that there is also the option to extend your stay with a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park – please ask us for more details of this optional trip extension…
This is an private small-group photo safari with a maximum of only 4 photographers in 2 private vehicles (2 participants per vehicle). You will have plenty of space for equipment and guaranteed access to both sides of the safari vehicle.
On this photo safari, it is not unusual to stay out all day waiting for the cats to move. We take packed Lunch and Coffee in the vehicles to enable us to remain in the field for as long as it takes.
You will have a good chance to see and photograph the following animals:
Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Hippo, Spotted Hyena, Jackal, Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Thompson’s Gazelle, Grant’s Gazelle, Olive Baboon, Vervet Monkey, Coke’s Hartebeest, and an excellent variety of birdlife.
Meet a drive guide at the Airport and transfer.
Hotel; Katambuga Private House (HB)
Flight time; 10am O’clock from Arusha Region Airport. Arrive at the Seronera Airstrip at 1045 am.
Afternoon game drive and evening.
Overnight; Intiment Tented Camp (FB)
Morning and afternoon photo safari game drives.
Overnight; Intiment Tented Camp (FB)
After breakfast in the Camp at Centra Serengeti with packed lunch depart for Southern part of Serengeti national Park.
Morning and afternoon photo safari game drives.
Overnight; Intiment Special Wildebeeness Camp (FB)
After breakfast in the Camp at Kusini Camp with packed lunch depart for Ndutu Plain in northern Ngorongoro. The plain bordering Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation.
Morning and afternoon photo safari game drives.
Overnight; Ndutu Safari Lodge (FB)
After morning photographic game drive, drive to Arusha town for dinner and one night before a departure.
Overnight; Katambuga Private House (FB)
END OF TOUR