great migration calving season photo safari
9 DAYS / 8 NIGHTS
TOUR OVERVIEW
Join me for one of Africa’s most intense and unforgettable photographic adventures. Every February, I guide a small group into the heart of the southern Serengeti’s Ndutu region, where the Great Migration’s calving season explodes into action.
Over 500,000 wildebeest give birth on the short-grass plains — and the predators are never far behind. Lions, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, and vultures gather for the feast, creating raw, high-energy scenes of survival and drama. This is nature at its most primal — and we’ll be right there with our cameras ready.
We’ll spend 5 nights in Ndutu, flying straight into the action to maximize our time on the ground. Expect golden light, stalking predators, newborn wildlife — and yes, the brutal, heartbreaking moments that define life in the wild. This experience isn’t for the faint of heart. We’re here to document the full, unfiltered story of the natural world — from the beauty of new life to the harsh realities of survival.
After Ndutu, we make our way to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where we’ll spend 2 nights near the crater rim, surrounded by breathtaking views and cooler highland air. From here, we’ll venture into the iconic Ngorongoro Crater for a full day of photography. This ancient caldera is packed with wildlife — from elephants and rhinos to lion prides and massive grazing herds — offering an entirely different environment and an exciting shift in photographic opportunities.
This is a highly focused photographic safari, limited to just 3 guests. We travel in custom-designed photographic vehicles, giving us the flexibility to adapt, wait, and frame every shot just right. I’ll be shooting and teaching alongside you throughout the journey, helping you not only witness the wild, but capture it with purpose, honesty, and impact.
PHOTO SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
Calving Season at Ground Zero
I’ll take you straight into the heart of the Great Migration’s calving season, where over 500,000 wildebeest give birth on the Ndutu plains. Predators are everywhere — lions on the hunt, cheetahs sprinting through the grass, hyenas causing chaos, and vultures circling above. It's raw, real, and deeply emotional — and we’ll be there to document every moment.
Fly Straight Into the Action
We skip the long overland drives and fly directly into Ndutu, landing you in the action from day one. With five full days in the migration zone, you’ll spend more time photographing and less time transiting — maximizing every golden opportunity.
Vehicles Built for Photography
We travel in custom photographic vehicles designed with photographers in mind. With just four guests per vehicle, you’ll have full freedom of movement, clear sightlines, and the ability to position perfectly — whether we’re shooting intimate portraits or fast-paced action.
Hands-On Photo Tuition in the Field
I teach alongside you throughout the safari — offering real-time guidance on composition, light, and storytelling. Whether we’re tracking a predator or waiting for that perfect moment of tension, I’ll be there to help you elevate your photography on the spot.
Small Group = Big Flexibility
With just three guests, we’re able to stay agile and responsive. If a lion is stalking, we wait. If the light is perfect, we stay. Our itinerary flexes around the action so we never miss the story unfolding in front of us.
Ngorongoro Crater: A Powerful Finale
We end our journey with a full-day photographic expedition in the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater. From endangered black rhinos to massive elephants and dense predator activity, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a dramatic shift in scenery and a stunning finale to the safari.
ITINERARY
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Guests arrive in Arusha (Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO))
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Transfer to Arusha accommodation (Approx. 1 hours drive from airport)
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Meet and Greet with photo host at 6:00pm
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Overnight in Arusha - Mount Meru Hotel
(Guests must arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport no later than 3:00pm on arrival day)-
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Transfer to Arusha Airport (Approx. 30 minutes)
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Scheduled chartered flight: Arusha to Ndutu Region
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Afternoon photographic safari to monitor the predators and herds
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Introduction to image selection and post processing regarding predator/prey interaction photography
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Overnight in Ndutu Region
PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS: This will be the group's first day on safari to find and monitor the mega herds of the Great Migration. The group will photograph the wildebeests in their thousands as they protect their newborns from predators of the plains.
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Full day OR two safaris daily - photographic safaris to photograph the mega herds and the predators that follow
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Possibilities to photograph other African wildlife throughout these safari outings
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Image selection and post processing sessions will happen each evening with your photo host
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Overnight in Ndutu Region
PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS: Each safari will be dedicated to photographing the mega herds of the Great Migration and the predators that follow. The group will photograph the wildebeests in their thousands as they give birth to their young.
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Safari transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
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Evening for image selection and post processing with photo host
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overnight near crater rim
PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS: The evening will be dedicated to image selection and post processing with your photo host
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Descend to the Ngorongoro Crater floor
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Full day photographic safari on the crater floor
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Return to the lodge for image selection and post processing with photo host
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Overnight near crater rim
PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS: Ngorongoro Crater floor has it all! Spending the day on the crater floor will provide photographic opportunities of all of your favourite African wildlife species. This time of the year is perfect for photographing flamingo flocks.
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Road transfer local airstrip
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Chartered flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) arrival before 2:00pm
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END OF TOUR
(Guests must depart after 5:00pm on this day)
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EXPERT GUIDANCE
As your guide and photography mentor, I’ll be by your side throughout the journey — helping you anticipate moments, refine your composition, and tell stronger visual stories. This is hands-on, in-the-field instruction designed to meet you where you are and push your photography further.
We’re also supported by exceptional local guides, whose deep understanding of the land and wildlife ensures we’re always positioned for the best possible encounters — often before the action even starts.
At the end of each day, you’ll return to carefully selected lodges, where professional staff take care of everything else: warm hospitality, delicious meals, and a comfortable space to rest, recharge, and get ready for the next day’s adventure.
EQUIPMENT TO BRING
CAMERA BODY:
I recommend bringing a camera body with at least 24 megapixels to ensure you’re getting the best possible image quality out in the field. Both mirrorless and DSLR systems are perfectly suitable — I’m experienced with both and happy to help with setup or troubleshooting as needed.
A second camera body is a great option if you have one. It’s not required, but it makes life easier — either as a backup or for keeping a second lens attached, so you can switch focal lengths quickly without missing a moment.
LENSES:
500mm Prime: This is my go-to lens for photographing distant wildlife — especially big cats on the hunt or herds moving across the plains. It allows you to capture fine detail from a safe, respectful distance without disturbing the scene.
70–200mm Zoom: Incredibly versatile and ideal for more intimate, fast-paced encounters — like close-range predator-prey interactions or environmental portraits in golden light. This is the lens that often saves the day when the action happens close.
Pro Tip: If you’re bringing a 500mm prime, I strongly recommend also packing a 70–200mm (or similar zoom) for added flexibility. You’ll be ready for everything from sweeping landscapes to sudden close encounters — without the stress of swapping lenses mid-action.
AVAILABILITY
The maximum group size for this trip is just three guests and spots are limited.
To ensure that you are able to attend this trip, please be sure to book ahead of time to guarantee your spot.
2027 PRICING
This trip is prices at $10,939 USD per person sharing accommodation.
If you are a solo traveller, there is an additional $1,000 USD single supplement fee.
PAYMENT
A deposit of 30% is due at the time of booking to reserve your place on this photo safari and secure your trekking permits.
70% remaining balance due
90 days prior to arrival
CONFIRMATION
Once a deposit is received, you are officially confirmed on this trip!
You will receive official confirmation via email along with important details and information you need!
