Day 1: Arrival in Arusha – Briefing & Photography Prep

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you’ll be met by your private photographic guide and transferred to your lodge in Arusha. Spend the afternoon checking equipment, reviewing the itinerary, and receiving a photography briefing covering wildlife techniques, lighting, and composition strategies.

• Overnight: Arusha Coffee Lodge or similar
• Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Arusha to Central Serengeti – Predator Photography Begins

After breakfast, take a scheduled bush flight or drive to the Central Serengeti, a prime zone for predator action year-round. Begin photographing plains wildlife including elephants, giraffes, zebras, and resident lion prides. Your guide will help position the vehicle for ideal lighting and backgrounds.

• Overnight: Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge or similar
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 3: Central to Northern Serengeti – En Route Wildlife & Landscapes

Travel slowly north toward the Mara River, using this transition day to capture scenic compositions, acacia-studded savannahs, kopjes (rock outcrops), and solitary predators. Opportunities for action shots increase as you approach the migration herds gathering in the north.

• Overnight: Mara Mara Tented Lodge or luxury mobile camp near the Mara River
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 4: Northern Serengeti – Mara River Crossing Photography

Dedicate this full day to tracking wildebeest river crossings—the iconic, high-drama moment of the migration. Your guide will monitor herd movements and riverbanks to position you for the best vantage point. Capture leaping wildebeest, dust clouds, and lurking crocodiles from optimal angles.

• Overnight: Mara Mara Tented Lodge or similar
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 5: Northern Serengeti – Predator Action and Scenic Shots

Spend the day capturing predators such as cheetahs on the hunt, lion prides stalking prey, and possibly elusive leopards in riverine trees. Early morning and late afternoon light offer golden hour conditions ideal for dramatic wildlife and landscape photography.

• Overnight: Mara Mara Tented Lodge or similar
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 6: Fly to Ngorongoro – Crater Rim Landscape and Sunset Shots

After breakfast, take a scenic bush flight to Ngorongoro Conservation Area and drive to your lodge on the crater rim. In the afternoon, explore local viewpoints and capture wide-angle panoramas of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perfect for landscape-focused shots and creative compositions at sunset.

• Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge or similar
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater Safari – Big Five Through the Lens

Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater early to make the most of the morning light. Focus your photography on rhinos, elephants, lions, and massive herds of wildebeest and zebras, all in a compact, photogenic setting. The crater’s soft light, rich backdrops, and close-range encounters make for outstanding wildlife portraiture.

• Overnight: Lodge in Karatu or back on the crater rim
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 8: Return to Arusha – Photo Review & Departure

After breakfast, return to Arusha with time for a photo review session with your guide. Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy lunch and shopping at a local craft center. You’ll then be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your international flight.

• Meals: Breakfast and Lunch