Tanzania photography holidays: the best lodges and hotels
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.
Spotted Hyena Fly-in Safari
7 days • 2 locations
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT
US$6,660 - US$8,660 per person
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.
Jackal Fly-in Safari
8 days • 2 locations
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT
US$10,460 - US$12,080 per person
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.
Chimpanzee Fly-in Safari
8 days • 3 locations
KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT
US$11,370 - US$16,530 per person
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.
Martial Eagle Fly-in Safari
9 days • 3 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT
US$12,720 - US$17,740 per person
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.
Flufftail Guided Safari
10 days • 3 locations
KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT
US$12,990 - US$18,900 per person
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.
Tinkerbird Fly-in Safari
8 days • 4 locations
KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT
US$10,410 - US$14,140 per person
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.
Marabou Stork Fly-in Safari
13 days • 5 locations
KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT
US$19,410 - US$25,560 per person
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.
Gorillas and Migration Safari
9 days • 3 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT
US$19,360 - US$25,280 per person
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.
Red Colobus Monkey Safari
11 days • 3 locations
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT
US$6,660 - US$8,490 per person
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.
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Our most recent reviews of Photography safaris in Tanzania
Detailed, un-edited reviews from our Tanzania travellers whose trips we tailored towards photography safaris. Click below to read the traveller's full review, and see all the reviews of our Tanzania safari holidays here.
Arrived 28 May 2025, 11 nights
"My May 2025 trip"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 28 Oct 2024, 14 nights
"My Oct 2024 trip"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 6 Aug 2022, 10 nights
"Working with Expert Africa makes it very easy and stress free. "
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 11 Sep 2021, 11 nights
"My Sep 2021 trip"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 25 Feb 2019, 14 nights
"Serengeti Infinity"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 15 Sep 2015, 33 nights
"A memorable and well organised trip"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 11 Feb 2015, 23 nights
"My Feb 2015 trip"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 20 Jul 2014, 14 nights
"Northern Tanzania July/August 2014"
Overall rating: Good
Arrived 22 Oct 2013, 9 nights
"My Oct 2013 trip"
Overall rating: Excellent
Best camps & lodges for Photography safaris in Tanzania

Moivaro Natron Tented
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.

Lake Natron Camp
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 flamingos and some of the local Maasai welcome visitors.

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.

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.

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.

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 safaris elsewhere in Africa
Our top ideas and inspiration for Photography safaris in other countries.

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

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

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

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

Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a great spot for photography, providing myriad opportunities to keen photographers...
Where to see wildlife species in Tanzania
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.

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.
81% SUCCESS
3,740 sightings from 4,622 observations

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
2,410 sightings from 5,132 observations

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
1,308 sightings from 3,934 observations

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.
32% SUCCESS
1,068 sightings from 3,382 observations

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
2,664 sightings from 4,882 observations

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.
67% SUCCESS
3,054 sightings from 4,533 observations

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
3,147 sightings from 3,800 observations

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

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
1,782 sightings from 3,622 observations

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
4,513 sightings from 4,962 observations

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.
69% SUCCESS
1,632 sightings from 2,376 observations

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.
73% SUCCESS
114 sightings from 156 observations

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
4,350 sightings from 5,082 observations

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
3,285 sightings from 3,685 observations

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.
25% SUCCESS
608 sightings from 2,478 observations

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.
24% SUCCESS
592 sightings from 2,495 observations

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
81 sightings from 427 observations

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.
13% SUCCESS
142 sightings from 1,102 observations

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
4,736 sightings from 5,636 observations

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
83 sightings from 4,060 observations

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
70 sightings from 4,101 observations

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.
30% SUCCESS
764 sightings from 2,542 observations

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