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Photography holidays in Tanzania
Photography holidays in Tanzania
Photography holidays in Tanzania
Photography holidays in Tanzania
Photography holidays in Tanzania
Photography holidays in Tanzania
Photography holidays in Tanzania
Photography holidays in Tanzania
Photography holidays in Tanzania
Photography holidays in Tanzania

Cheetah and cub on the Serengeti

Tanzania offers some spectacular locations and wildlife for photography holidays in Africa.

A leopard in Ruaha National Park

The Serengeti is one of Africa's most captivating safari areas.

So expect amazing wildlife...

...with great photo opportunities everywhere.

To include chimpanzees in a photographic holiday in Tanzania, come to Mahale.

The green season is a photographer's favourite

Tanzania photography safaris

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 aspects of a visit to attract photographers to 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.

Sand Rivers Camp

Sand Rivers is an excellent lodge to include on a photographic safari in southern Tanzania. The photographic platform overlooks a marshy area which is frequented by large numbers of animals, from playful elephants to herds of giraffe.


Ikuka Safari Camp

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.


Greystoke Mahale

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.


Rekero

Near the confluence of the Mara and Talek rivers, Rekero is in the heart of the Mara reserve – ideally located to capture the migration. The standard of guiding is superb and a specialised photographic vehicle is also available to book.

Namiri Plains Camp

There is a specialist photographic vehicle based at Namiri Plains with drop-down sides to allow photographers to lie down and get low-angle photographs and just the three swivel seats for full view and minimal disruption.


Dunia Camp

Dunia can arrange the hire of a specialist photographic vehicle. This features three swivel seats for full view and minimal disruption, as well drop-down sides to allow photographers to lie down and get low-angle photographs.


Dunia Camp

Dunia can arrange the hire of a specialist photographic vehicle. This features three swivel seats for full view and minimal disruption, as well drop-down sides to allow photographers to lie down and get low-angle photographs.


Namiri Plains Camp

There is a specialist photographic vehicle based at Namiri Plains with drop-down sides to allow photographers to lie down and get low-angle photographs and just the three swivel seats for full view and minimal disruption.


Bisate Lodge

Bisate has a scenic setting with wonderful views over Mount Bisoke and the surrounding volcanoes. Small antelopes and numerous species of birds can be seen from the nature trail and the golden evening light can produce wonderful photos.


Ikuka Safari Camp

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.

Photography holidays elsewhere in Africa

Our top ideas and inspiration for Photography holidays in other countries.


Photography holidays in Botswana

Botswana

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Photography holidays in Kenya

Kenya

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Photography holidays in Mozambique

Mozambique

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Photography holidays in Namibia

Namibia

There is a reason why Namibia features so heavily in photography competitions such as Wildlife ...

Photography holidays in Rwanda

Rwanda

Rwanda has a reputation as one of the top locations in Africa for trekking the mountain gorillas ...

Photography holidays in South Africa

South Africa

South Africa is a good country for a photography holiday; it offers scenic environments, varied ...

Photography holidays in Zambia

Zambia

Professional photographers lead few of our ideas for photography holidays in Africa, but we do ...

Photography holidays in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a great spot for photography, providing myriad opportunities to keen photographers...

Where to see wildlife species in Africa

Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite African animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.


Lion

Lion

Panthera leo

Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.

82% SUCCESS

2,934 sightings from 3,600 observations

Where to see lion in Africa

Leopard

Leopard

Panthera pardus

The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.

47% SUCCESS

1,875 sightings from 3,986 observations

Where to see leopard in Africa

Cheetah

Cheetah

Acinonyx jubatus

The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.

33% SUCCESS

1,008 sightings from 3,047 observations

Where to see cheetah in Africa

Wild dog

Wild dog

Lycaon pictus

African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.

31% SUCCESS

840 sightings from 2,672 observations

Where to see wild dog in Africa

Spotted Hyena

Spotted Hyena

Crocuta crocuta

The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.

55% SUCCESS

2,098 sightings from 3,799 observations

Where to see spotted hyena in Africa

Wildebeest

Wildebeest

Connochaetes sp.

Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.

68% SUCCESS

2,383 sightings from 3,524 observations

Where to see wildebeest in Africa

Buffalo

Buffalo

Syncerus caffer

One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.

83% SUCCESS

2,472 sightings from 2,982 observations

Where to see buffalo in Africa

Chimpanzee

Chimpanzee

Pan troglodytes

The chimpanzee is our closest living relative. This highly intelligent great ape is a forest animal with a sophisticated social life. Any encounter in the wild is a memorable experience.

100% SUCCESS

28 sightings from 28 observations

Where to see chimpanzee in Africa

Eland

Eland

Taurotragus oryx

Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.

49% SUCCESS

1,405 sightings from 2,877 observations

Where to see eland in Africa

Elephant

Elephant

Loxodonta africana

By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.

91% SUCCESS

3,504 sightings from 3,850 observations

Where to see elephant in Africa

Oryx

Oryx

Oryx sp.

Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.

70% SUCCESS

1,272 sightings from 1,823 observations

Where to see oryx in Africa

Gerenuk

Gerenuk

Litocranius walleri

With its slender frame and extraordinarily long neck, this unmistakable East African antelope resembles an attenuated impala and often stands on its back legs browse high shrubs.

79% SUCCESS

88 sightings from 112 observations

Where to see gerenuk in Africa

Giraffe

Giraffe

Giraffa camelopardalis

The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.

86% SUCCESS

3,374 sightings from 3,911 observations

Where to see giraffe in Africa

Hippo

Hippo

Hippopotamus amphibius

The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.

89% SUCCESS

2,562 sightings from 2,875 observations

Where to see hippo in Africa

Roan antelope

Roan antelope

Hippotragus equinus

Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.

23% SUCCESS

457 sightings from 1,958 observations

Where to see roan antelope in Africa

Sable antelope

Sable antelope

Hippotragus niger

Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.

22% SUCCESS

436 sightings from 1,952 observations

Where to see sable antelope in Africa

Sitatunga

Sitatunga

Tragelaphus spekii

The sitatunga is the most aquatic of Africa’s antelopes and specially adapted to its swampy habitats. Though widespread across Africa, only a handful of places offer reliable sightings.

19% SUCCESS

60 sightings from 316 observations

Where to see sitatunga in Africa

Striped Hyena

Striped Hyena

Hyaena hyaena

The striped hyena is the most widespread of the world’s hyenas, but absent from southern Africa. A rarely-seen nocturnal scavenger, it is shyer and more solitary than its spotted cousin.

14% SUCCESS

121 sightings from 868 observations

Where to see striped hyena in Africa

Zebra

Zebra

Equus sp.

The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.

84% SUCCESS

3,684 sightings from 4,366 observations

Where to see zebra in Africa

Aardvark

Aardvark

Orycteropus afer

The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.

2% SUCCESS

67 sightings from 3,205 observations

Where to see aardvark in Africa

Pangolin

Pangolin

Smutsia sp.

Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.

2% SUCCESS

52 sightings from 3,201 observations

Where to see pangolin in Africa

Black Rhino

Black Rhino

Diceros bicornis

The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.

31% SUCCESS

607 sightings from 1,963 observations

Where to see black rhino in Africa

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