Tanzania, the largest country in East Africa, is a wildlife photographer’s paradise—renowned for its sheer abundance of animals and dramatic, ever-changing landscapes. To the east, the country meets the Indian Ocean, home to the idyllic Zanzibar Islands, while to the west lies the vast Lake Victoria. In the north, near the Kenyan border, the snow-capped summit of Mount Kilimanjaro offers a striking backdrop—perfect for combining iconic landscape shots with nearby big game photography in the Serengeti.
Tanzania is home to some of the world’s most sought-after photographic subjects, from lions and leopards to vast herds of wildebeest. The Serengeti National Park stands as the crown jewel for wildlife photographers, offering unrivaled access to the Great Migration—a breathtaking natural event where millions of animals traverse the plains in search of greener pastures. With its golden light, open savannas, and dense predator populations, Tanzania offers some of the finest conditions on Earth for capturing powerful, emotive wildlife imagery.
2026 GROUP PHOTO SAFARIS IN TANZANIA
INTERESTED IN A PRIVATE PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE IN TANAZNIA
Elevate your portfolio with a custom-designed photographic safari through Kenya’s most iconic and untamed landscapes. Enjoy the freedom of private vehicles, pro-level mentorship, and elite accommodations—all tailored to deliver an extraordinary photographic journey.
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT TANZANIA
Tanzania offers incredible photographic safaris year-round, each season bringing unique advantages.
JAN
FEB
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APR
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DEC
= best overall
= great for specific encounters
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January and February This is the heart of the "green season," where Southern Serengeti and Ndutu come alive. It's calving season for the wildebeest—a dramatic time filled with predator action, intimate wildlife moments, and lush backdrops. Flamingos also gather in large numbers at Lake Ndutu and surrounding soda lakes, creating dreamlike photographic opportunities. This season offers vibrant landscapes, dramatic skies, and fewer crowds—ideal for photographers seeking rich color and raw wildlife moments.
March to May is the long rainy season, with fewer tourists and lusher environments. While some remote areas may be harder to access, this season offers moody skies, birding opportunities, and exceptional value for those willing to embrace unpredictable weather.
June to September This is peak safari season—dry, cooler, and buzzing with wildlife. The Great Migration moves through the Western and Northern Serengeti, creating powerful scenes of river crossings and predator-prey interactions. Visibility is excellent with thinner vegetation, making this the prime time for action-packed wildlife photography across northern Tanzania.
October to December brings short rains and fewer crowds. Landscapes begin to green again, and wildlife remains active, offering a sweet spot for photographers who value a balance of accessibility, beauty, and solitude.
TOP LOCATIONS IN TANZANIA FOR WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
Serengeti National Park is one of the most iconic and photogenic wildlife destinations on Earth. Spanning over 15,000 square kilometers of endless savannahs, rocky outcrops, and acacia woodlands, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a dream location for wildlife photographers. The Serengeti hosts an astonishing density of wildlife, including approximately 3,000 lions, 1,000 leopards, 550 cheetahs, 500 bird species, and over 2 million ungulates—offering endless opportunities to capture dramatic, raw moments of the wild.
What makes the Serengeti exceptional for photographers is not just its abundance of life, but its variety of ecosystems, unique behaviors, and light—ranging from golden dawns to moody storms across the plains. Whether you're focused on predators, birdlife, or grand-scale compositions of vast herds on the move, Serengeti delivers year-round.
At the heart of the park’s appeal is the Great Migration, one of the most significant wildlife spectacles on the planet. This continuous movement of wildebeests and zebras creates seasonal concentrations of animals and predators, setting the stage for thrilling photographic storytelling.
SOUTHERN SERENGETI: (Ndutu Region): In January and February, the short-grass plains of Ndutu host the calving season, when hundreds of thousands of wildebeests give birth in just a few weeks. The sheer density of life—and death—creates a powerful photographic narrative. Predators such as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas follow closely, making this the best time to document the circle of life with intensity and emotion.
CENTRAL SERENGETI: Accessible year-round and rich in resident wildlife, the Central Serengeti is ideal for capturing classic African scenes: lions basking on kopjes, elephants against a golden horizon, leopards lounging in acacia trees, and large herds grazing. This region is reliable, varied, and photographically rewarding in every season.
NORTHERN SERENGETI: (Mara River Crossings) During July to September, the Great Migration reaches the Northern Serengeti, where wildebeest and zebras make the perilous Mara River crossing—one of the most dramatic scenes in wildlife photography. Thousands plunge into crocodile-filled waters in search of fresh grass, and with patience and positioning, photographers can capture intense sequences of action, chaos, and triumph. This region also features mobile luxury camps, placing you at the heart of the action during these peak migration months.
Whether you're photographing a solitary cheetah at sunrise or the thunder of hooves across the savannah, the Serengeti offers a rare combination of scale, spectacle, and intimacy. For wildlife photographers, it’s not just a destination—it’s a canvas of life in motion.
NGORONGORO CRATER CONSERVATION AREA
Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a photographer’s dream destination. This vast, collapsed volcanic caldera in northern Tanzania is home to an astonishing diversity of wildlife, including the Big Five—lions, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, and leopards—as well as cheetahs, wildebeests, zebras, and a variety of bird species. The crater’s unique ecosystem, isolated from the surrounding areas, creates an exceptional concentration of wildlife, making it one of the best places in Africa for wildlife photography.
The landscape of Ngorongoro adds to its photographic appeal, with its lush green grasslands, marshes, and salt flats, all surrounded by towering crater walls. The scenery provides a dramatic backdrop for wildlife encounters, allowing photographers to capture everything from sweeping shots of herds across the plains to intimate portraits of predators and prey. The light here is also incredible, with the early morning and late afternoon hours offering a warm golden glow over the crater floor, making it perfect for capturing wildlife in its most beautiful light.
What makes Ngorongoro particularly special for wildlife photographers is the abundance of wildlife. The density of animals makes it easier to encounter the Big Five in a single day, and the compact nature of the crater allows for frequent and close-up sightings. Photographers can capture moments of dramatic predator-prey interactions, elephants roaming peacefully, and the rare black rhino in stunning detail. The crater also hosts numerous bird species, making it a great place for capturing both large and small wildlife in one location.
With its diverse ecosystems, abundant wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes, Ngorongoro Crater is an extraordinary location for photographers seeking to capture the full range of Africa’s iconic wildlife in one place. Its combination of natural beauty and photographic opportunities makes it a must-visit destination for wildlife photographers from around the world.
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Tarangire National Park is one of Tanzania’s most photogenic and underrated wildlife destinations. Located in the northern part of the country, it is known for its large populations of elephants, with herds that roam freely across the park’s striking landscapes. The park’s diverse ecosystems—savannah, wetlands, and acacia woodlands—provide a dramatic backdrop for wildlife photography, especially when captured against the park’s signature ancient baobab trees.
The wildlife in Tarangire is incredibly diverse, making it a fantastic location for photographers looking to capture iconic African species in various settings. Elephants are the highlight, with Tarangire being home to one of the largest concentrations of elephants in East Africa. The sight of massive elephant herds, often moving gracefully across the park’s plains, is an unforgettable photographic moment. In addition to elephants, Tarangire is also home to lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, and a rich variety of birdlife.
Wildlife photography here is exceptional, with the dry season (June to October) offering the best opportunities for capturing wildlife as they congregate around the Tarangire River, which is a vital water source during this time. The dense acacia woodlands and grassy plains provide the perfect setting for spotting predators such as lions and cheetahs, while the river attracts herds of elephants and buffaloes, providing excellent opportunities for dramatic action shots.
The landscape of Tarangire adds to the experience, with its unique combination of open plains, swamps, and the occasional baobab tree offering striking compositions. Whether you're capturing a herd of elephants framed by a distant baobab or a lioness stalking through the tall grasses, Tarangire provides plenty of opportunities for breathtaking wildlife imagery.
For wildlife photographers, Tarangire National Park is a hidden gem, offering incredible wildlife sightings and stunning landscapes, making it a must-visit destination for capturing the essence of East Africa’s wildlife.
EAST AFRICA IS OUR EXPERTISE
At Untamed Photo Safaris, East Africa isn’t just one of many destinations—it’s our entire focus. While others offer photographic safaris around the globe, we choose to specialise solely in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. That dedication gives us a depth of knowledge others simply can’t match.
Led by professional wildlife photographers and guides Mark and Jaren Fernley, we live and breathe this region year-round. We know the terrain, the light, the patterns, and most importantly, the wildlife—how they move, hunt, and behave across the seasons.
This intimate, on-the-ground expertise means we don’t just take you to the action—we anticipate it. That’s the difference a true specialist makes.
