9-day Tanzania Birthing Season on the Serengeti Photo Safari (February 17–25, 2025)

From

$5,700.00

Occupancy

Clear

Pay a 30% deposit per item

Payment Requirements:

30% deposit
Two 35% payments

Purchase Trip, Travel & Medical Insurance Here

Discover the jewels of East Africa in the heart of the Maasai homelands with Blackwood Safaris…imagine hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra surging across the vast savannah of the Serengeti on their way to the Mara River. They are following the rains, seeking the green grass, while predators such as cheetah, lion, and leopard are on the hunt. Huge crocodiles wait for the first gnu to plunge down the cliff and dare to try to cross the river. It’s a dance of survival that has graced the stage for millenium, and you can have a front row seat this year for exceptional photography opportunities.

We’ll see and photograph iconic Acacia trees silhouetted against the red African sunset. In addition to predators and prey, we’ll look for endangered Black Rhino, and have a very good chance of spotting some. Thompson’s and Grants Gazelle, Topi, Hartebeest, buffalo, and other ungulates dot the landscape. Elephant families browse the trees alongside graceful giraffe. Jackals and hyena will lope around kills, hoping to steal a meal. If we are truly lucky, a caracal or serval will pop up and give us an exceptionally exciting photo opportunity. This is the Africa you dream about…and Karen from Blackwood Safaris will be by your side to coach you to get the photographs that you never expected.

We’ll also spend quality time in the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, an unspoiled UNESCO microcosm environment in which iconic wildlife species thrive. We expect to see Black Rhino, Golden Jackals, White-bearded Wildebeest, Lions, Elephants, and many of Africa’s most colorful and iconic birds including vultures, Crowned Cranes, Flamingos, and so many more.

We’ll take hundreds of photos, so bring extra memory cards, and time permitting, we’ll edit and view our photos together. The food is fantastic, prepared by our professional chef. We will be pampered by local Maasai staff. We’ll share cocktails and tell stories about our day around the fire. We will learn about the nomadic, cattle-herding warrior culture as we immerse ourselves in an iconic Safari experience. Won’t you join us by booking your spot now? All ages and photography experience levels are welcome.

This trip pairs with Gorilla and Golden Monkey trekking in Rwanda from 19 – 22 July, and our Search for Big Tuskers in Amboseli National Park from 2 – 5 August. Ask about a double safari booking discount when you extend this trip.

Itinerary:

DAY 1: ARRIVAL

Arrival Day

We will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer you to the hotel in Arusha. You will have some time to freshen up and rest in your cozy room. We will all meet for dinner and brief on our upcoming safari and the plans for the next day. We will spend the night in Arusha (overnight Planet Lodge). (no meals included today)

DAY 2: TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK

You’ll be impressed by Tarangire National Park. Baobab trees stand like fortresses against the sky in the savannah landscape. Elephants roam in family groups amongst wildebeest, buffalo, zebra, and antelope species. Lions, leopards and cheetahs balance the ecosystem, and if we are lucky, we’ll find them in this unique landscape during an all-day game drive. Suricata Boma Lodge will host our overnight at the end of our safari day.

DAY 3: TARANGIRE TO SERENGETI

As we transfer to the Serengeti and our accommodations at Embakalakai Serengeti Camp, we’ll be on a game drive. You’ll see big populations of the wildlife for which the Serengeti is famous. There are plenty of northern acacia trees and endless Serengeti horizons so you can create breathtaking compositions.

DAYS 4 & 5: SOUTHERN SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

You’ll have an excellent chance of seeing cheetahs on the plains of the Serengeti, plus lions and leopards, especially near the rocky outcrops and shallow river valleys. This is classic Serengeti, with acacia trees and grasslands, and great wildlife viewing.

We’ll stay at Sero Tented Camp, where you will be treated as a cherished guest.

DAY 6: SERENGETI TO NGORONGORO

We’ll make the most of our last day on the Serengeti, starting our game drive early again and traversing the Park, photographing more iconic African Wildlife. Ultimately, we’ll make our way for dinner and our overnight at Embalakai Ngorongoro Camp on the slope of the Ngorongoro Crater.

DAYS 7 & 8: NGORONGORO CRATER ECOSYSTEM

You’ve got 2 full days of game drives in unique UNESCO Heritage Site. We’ll have ample opportunities to capture incredible shots of African Lions, Leopards, Golden Jackals, Spotted Hyenas, Cape Buffalo, Savannah Elephant, and so much more. Birds to expect here include Golden-winged Sunbird, White-naped Raven, White-headed Barbet and Schalow’s Turaco. Karen will help you frame your wildlife shots, and we’ll practice some tricks that will make your photos pop!

We’ll stay at the lovely Embalakai Ngorongoro Camp, set back from the rim of the crater with views of the untouched high montane forest, with Mount Oldeani dominating the horizon, and Mount Makarot in the distance. Your comfortable en-suite room offers a cozy living space, friendly local staff, and generous African-inspired meals. It’s an amazing welcome to Africa’s most remarkable game park.

DAY 9: DEPARTURE

Transfer back to Arusha

After breakfast, we’ll stop at the viewing point on top of the crater to have one last look, and learn more about this geological landform at the resource center. Then, it’s time to wave goodbye and head back to Arusha. We’ll go back to Planet Lodge to recap our trip. We never say “goodbye,” though. Instead, it’s “see you next time!” because once you’ve experienced Africa, you will be back.

Overnight at Planet Lodge.

Extend Your Trip

This safari pairs perfectly with our 5-Day Rwanda Mountain Gorilla and Golden Monkey Photo Safari (February 11-15, 2025) on the front end and our 4-days In Search of Big Tuskers, Amboseli National Park Conservation Photo Safari (February 26–March 1, 2025) on the back end.

Ask about our double- or triple-booking discount!

Additional Information

Mammal Highlights

Wildebeest
Zebra
Lion
Leopard
Cheetah
Elephant
Cape Buffalo
White Rhino
Black Rhino
Caracal
Serval
Antelope species
Crocodile
Hippo
Maasai Giraffe

Birding Highlights

Golden-winged Sunbird
Pearl-spotted Owlet
Blue-capped Cordon-bleu
Spotted Thick-knee
Woodland Kingfisher
Fischer’s Lovebird
Yellow-collared Lovebird
Rosy-breasted Longclaw
Southern Ground Hornbill
Tanzania Red-billed Hornbill
Bare-faced Go-away-bird
Schalow’sTuraco
Cape Teal
Saddle-billed Stork
Grey Crowned Crane
Kori Bustard
Secretary Bird
Lesser Flamingo
Greater Flamingo
Hunter’s Cisticola
Rufous-tailed Weaver
Grey-breasted Spurfowl
Hildebrandt’s Francolin
Banded Parisoma,
Usambiro Barbet
Superb Starling
Hildebrandt’s Starling

Habitats Covered

Savannah
Wetlands
Highlands

Special Moments

Great Migration featuring huge herds of wildebeest crossing the Mara River
The Great Rift Valley
African Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo)
Coffee Farm Tour from seedling to harvest to roasting the berries
2 days of photo safari in Ngorongoro Crater, the largest caldera ecosystem in the world
Meeting Maasai Warriors and learning about their culture

Photography Skill Level

While this isn’t a Workshop Trip with dedicated classroom time, Karen will help you with your camera settings, coach you on composition, and make sure you capture incredible moments as they happen. She wants you to take your best shot every time.

Cost

Double Occupancy: $5,700 USD per person

Single Occupancy: $6,100 USD

Deposit: 30%

2nd Payment: 35% – 180 days prior to Safari

Final Payment: 30% – 90 days prior to Safari

What Do I Wear?

The Serengeti is generally mild to warm during our safari dates. You’ll want a hoodie or light jacket for cool nights. Our safaris are casual, so don’t overpack. Convertible hiking pants, t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts to keep the sun off your arms…you’re good!

Required Fitness Level

Average. You’ll need to be able to climb in and out of the safari vehicle, walk over level terrain that might be uneven in places, and manage a few steps at accommodations. We won’t have any strenuous activities on the itinerary.

Health Considerations

You may need a Yellow Fever vaccine to enter Tanzania. Tanzania is a malaria area; please consult with your physician prior to travel. You should be up to date on tetanus prior to travel. Please bring insect repellent and sunscreen.

For more information, see your country’s health/travel website, or the CDC website: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/tanzania

Maximum Client Numbers

We limit this photo safari to 8 participants. With 6 or fewer, we will have a larger vehicle and everyone will have a window seat. With 8, we will use two vehicles. We want to ensure that there are empty seats available for your camera gear and personal items while we are on game drives.

Electric Adapter

Tanzania uses Type D & G plugs. You may be able to use an adapter instead of a converter. To be sure, check the label on the appliance. Some appliances never need a converter. If the label states ‘INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz’ the appliance can be used in all countries in the world. Devices like this include most laptops and phones, most recently produced battery chargers, and many small, electrical gadgets, especially those designed for world travel.

Here is an example of an international converter for Tanzania: https://www.amazon.com/customerpicks/Explore-power-adapters-for-tanzania/0c13e9e376a2afa04fa7

Extra Costs and Gratuities

Gratuities may be given in USD – please check the exchange rate and plan enough cash. ATMs are safe to use in Arusha. There are few ATMs once we leave Arusha on safari, so please plan to have enough cash while on safari.

Driver: $5-10/day
Ranger and Tracker: $5-10 each/game drive depending on quality of drive
Staff at Lodges (staff tip box): $5/day (you may tip individuals directly if they go above & beyond for you)

You may purchase souveniers from a craft shop or directly from roadside crafters. You may bargain for a lower price.

Included:

Full-time access to our 4×4 open-roofed safari Toyota Land Cruiser throughout your trip (max 6 guests per vehicle)
Personal photography coaching with Karen
8 nights full board: accommodations and meals as noted
Sufficient water during the entire trip and a cooler box in the vehicle to keep cold drinks.
All National Park entry fees and taxes included (Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire Reserve)