Tanzania photography holidays: the best lodges and hotels
Tanzania offers some spectacular locations and wildlife for photography holidays in Africa, even if it's not always easy to get the perfect photo! Photographers often come to Tanzania with the wildlife in mind - and for that the most famous locations are in the north: the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. Here keen photographers will usually request one of our private 4WD vehicles and guides, for maximum flexibility in setting their own schedules.
The Serengeti is one of Africa's most captivating safari areas and the annual migration circular migration of wildebeest, along with zebra, Grant's gazelle, Thomson's gazelle, eland and impala attracts many photographers in the area. For keen photographers, like other keen wildlife-watchers, will want to understand how the herds are likely to move over the year; see our comments and moving map of where to see the Serengeti wildebeest migration for the full story!
A photography holiday in Tanzania's north can easily include visits to the Maasai people, who live mostly in the northern Tanzania. In at least one location in the Serengeti you can also visit some well-preserved rock paintings of animals, shields and other traditional military regalia. Note that although the Maasai are usually happy to be photographed, most will ask visitors for a fee for this.
Photogenic people and wildlife are not the only features of the northern Tanzania. Here the topography is varied - from grassy plains, open woodland, imposing mountains and forests to networks of channels, lakes and swamps. The dramatic scenery of the Great Rift Valley - rolling volcanic hills, deep craters and groves of skeletal baobabs - is amazing for a photography holiday.
As an alternative to the north, southern Tanzania's scenery is gentler. Here it's less common to hire a private vehicle with a guide, and more common to stay at a camp which organises your activities. So you won't usually have the flexibility of your own vehicle - but you are more likely to have an open-sided and sometimes even open-topped vehicle, which can really help with individual photographs.
Our top 5 locations for photography holidays in Tanzania
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Greystoke Mahale
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98% (38 reviews)
To include chimpanzees in a photographic holiday in Tanzania, come to Mahale: probably Africa's best location for photographing wild chimps. The scenery is spectacular: a white sand beach separating the blue lake from the tropical, forested mountains. It's magical! More about Greystoke Mahale -
Ikuka
|97% (39 reviews)
Ikuka is an excellent choice for keen photographers in Tanzania. Owner and guide Mark Sheridan-Johnson is an accomplished photographer and is more than willing to share his skills and experience with guests, while positioning safari vehicles to allow you to get the best shot. More about Ikuka Safari Camp -
Lake Natron Camp
|100% (1 review)
Lake Natron's scenery is stark and spectacular. Photograph it around dawn and dusk when the light on the surrounding hills, especially Oldoinyo Lengai volcano, is breathtaking. The lake is often home to flocks of flamingos and some of the local Maasai welcome visitors. More about Lake Natron Camp -
Moivaro Lake Natron Tented Camp
|100% (1 review)
The scenery here is spectacular; volcanic mountains shoot straight up from flat plains, whilst in the middle glistens Lake Natron. Get up early for some fantastic shots. Also a great location for photographing traditional Maasai, though expect to pay for the privilege. More about Moivaro Natron Tented -
Sand Rivers Camp
|96% (67 reviews)
Sand Rivers is an excellent lodge to include on a photographic safari in southern Tanzania. The photographic hide overlooks a marshy area which is frequented by large numbers of animals, from playful elephants to herds of giraffe. More about Sand Rivers Camp
