Tanzania 2026 - 1 open spot

Cost

• $18,400 (Price includes all lodging, food, transportation, internal flights, park entrance fees and airport transfers throughout the whole trip. International airfare, visa, alcoholic drinks, and tips for the driver are not included.

• $6,000 non-refundable deposit due on signup. Balance of $12,400 is due by March 15, 2026.

• Free 2 Hour Image Review and Processing Bonus Session after the tour to help with processing questions.

Tour Objective

The objective of this Tanzania photography safari is to provide a high-quality, immersive experience focused equally on photographing mammals and birds in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Guided by Isaac Grant, the tour aims to help participants create technically strong, visually compelling images by prioritizing optimal light, composition, behavior, and habitat. Through carefully planned game drives and expert guidance, the safari seeks to build a diverse and polished wildlife portfolio that reflects both the iconic mammals and the rich, often overlooked birdlife that define Tanzania’s ecosystems.

Description

This photography-focused safari in Tanzania is a carefully designed journey dedicated to producing high-quality images of both mammals and birds, with equal emphasis on each. Led by expert guide Isaac Grant, the tour combines world-class wildlife destinations with a structured schedule that maximizes photographic opportunities in the best light and locations.

This safari is intentionally limited to just three participants in a single vehicle, ensuring an exclusive and highly focused photographic experience. Traveling together the entire time, we can make quick decisions based on light, subject behavior, and positioning without coordinating with other vehicles or schedules. This means we never have to worry about group convoys lining up, blocking angles, or compromising the best light. The result is complete freedom to position the vehicle exactly where it needs to be, giving each photographer unobstructed views and the ability to fully concentrate on creating the strongest possible images.

The safari includes 10 full days and 2 half days in the field, allowing ample time for immersive wildlife observation and photography without rushing. Activities are organized into dedicated photographic sessions, conducted in the morning and afternoon when light and animal activity are at their best.

The itinerary is split between two iconic ecosystems:

Ngorongoro Crater
Over 3 days, you will have 6 photography sessions within the Ngorongoro Crater. This compact, wildlife-rich caldera offers exceptional opportunities to photograph dense concentrations of mammals such as lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, and black rhinos, alongside an abundance of birdlife including flamingos, raptors, and waterbirds. The dramatic crater walls and varied habitats provide striking backgrounds that enhance image quality and composition.

Serengeti National Park
The heart of the safari takes place over 8 days in the Serengeti, with 16 photography sessions across its vast plains, river systems, and woodlands. Here, the focus expands to include large predators, herbivore herds, and classic African landscapes, while also dedicating time to the Serengeti’s extraordinary bird diversity. From colorful rollers and bee-eaters to bustards and abundant songbirds, sessions are planned to ensure birds receive the same thoughtful attention as mammals.

Throughout the tour, Isaac Grant emphasizes image quality, guiding participants on positioning, light direction, backgrounds, and subject behavior to create clean, impactful photographs. Sessions are paced to allow flexibility, repeat encounters, and refinement of compositions. This unique safari is ideal for photographers seeking a balanced, professional-level experience that results in a diverse portfolio showcasing both Tanzania’s iconic mammals and its rich, often underappreciated birdlife.

The safari vehicle is designed for photographic flexibility, allowing participants to adapt quickly to different subjects and shooting conditions. It features unobstructed side windows that can be fully opened, making it easy to shoot low from the window for intimate, eye-level perspectives of mammals and birds. In addition, a pop-up roof allows photographers to stand and photograph comfortably when animals are higher up, such as birds in trees or giraffes and elephants on raised terrain. This versatility ensures optimal angles, cleaner backgrounds, and greater creative control in a wide range of wildlife encounters.

Throughout the safari, we will stay in beautiful luxury tented camps that combine comfort with prime wildlife access. These camps are carefully chosen for their ideal locations within the Serengeti and near the Ngorongoro Crater, minimizing travel time and allowing us to spend more time in the field during the best light. Being so close to key wildlife areas makes early pre-sunrise departures and late returns after sunset easy and efficient, while still providing a relaxing, well-appointed place to rest between sessions. This balance of strategic location and high-end comfort ensures that your energy stays focused on photography while enjoying an exceptional safari experience.

Travel

The tour will begin and end at Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania.

Hotel 

included in the safari

Schedule

Morning Sessions:

Each day is structured to take full advantage of the best photographic light. We will depart before sunrise so that we are already on location as the first light reaches the landscape, allowing photographers to capture wildlife in soft, directional morning light and dramatic early colors. Morning sessions extend through peak activity hours,

Lunch Time: Optional image review session where we will review the images from the morning. We will work on things like processing and composition and I will make suggestions or answer any questions.

After Lunch: we will have some personal time before our evening sessions.

Evening sessions:

In the afternoon, we head back out for evening sessions that continue through sunset, positioning ourselves to photograph animals in warm, low-angle light and rich skies. This approach ensures maximum time in the field during the most visually rewarding moments of the day.

Meals

All meals while on safari are included. This does not include the first night in Arusha and the last day after we land back in Arusha.

What to Bring 

Photography Gear

• Many of the birds can be very close. I bring my 600 F4, my 300mm F2.8 and my 24-70, F2.8. Depending on the type of photos that you want to take you can also bring an even wider lens like a 14mm or even a 10mm.

• 1.4 teleconverter is optional but highly recommended ( I use this for some Gannet and Kittiwake photos)

• I recommend bringing a back up camera.

• Bring lots of extra batteries and a rapid charger.

• Bring as many  memory cards with as much storage as you can as it is not uncommon to take an immense amount of photos in a single session.

• I also highly recommend bringing a laptop or other external storage to transfer your images from your memory cards.

Other Gear

• Ground pod, monopod or tripod - whatever you prefer to shoot with

• Walking Stick should you need it for support or to keep your balance

• Head lamp if you wish to have one for the walk to the gannet colony

Clothes

• Rain gear

• Waterproof boots

Weather

We will be out in all weather conditions and will shoot in the sun or rain. Temperatures in July typically range from the 50’s to low 70’s. Mornings and evenings can be quite cool. I recommend layers so that you can shed them as the temperature warms up.

Physical Activity

The walk to the Puffin colonies is fairly short and easy but uphill. It does not take more than about 10 minutes at a slow pace. For the gannets we have to walk about a mile (25-30 minutes at a slow pace) in some rocky and up and down terrain. If it is wet it could be slippery. In the mornings we will be walking there before the sun comes up so the light can be quite dim.

My Responsibilities

I will get you in front of the birds and assist in creating the highest quality photos as possible with each opportunity we have. I will help with obtaining the most pleasing backgrounds and compositions. I will help with field craft techniques and with attracting the birds when needed. I will also put us in the most productive spots to be able to produce high quality photographs of the highest species diversity possible. I will be there to answer all questions and to help facilitate any other needs you may have.

My Ask

Enjoy yourself as much as possible and get cards full of beautiful photos.  I love to talk birds, cameras and gear. I am here to help so anything that you need, please just ask.

Cancellation Policy

Participants will receive a full refund, minus $500, if I am able to fill the canceled spot. If I am unable to fill the canceled spot, I will not be able to refund any of the money.

Insurance

Travel insurance is strongly encouraged. Things can and do happen and travel insurance is the best way to protect your investment.