Great Migration: Calving Season Photo Workshop & Photo Tour                
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Great Migration: Calving Season

Lodge-Based Photo Safari
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Great Migration: Calving Season

Lodge-Based Photo Safari
Upcoming Departures
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Trip Leader(s)
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Starting From [Block//Current Price]

Single Supplement: +$1,495.00
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  Deposit: $4,000.00  
Start/End

Kilimanjaro International Airport, Tanzania (JRO) / Kilimanjaro International Airport, Tanzania (JRO)

Length

9 Days/8 Nights

Fitness Level

Level 1 - What's This?

Group Size

Up To 8 Guests

Highlights
  • Ndutu Plains during calving season: Experience the awe-inspiring sight of thousands of wildebeest giving birth and photograph dramatic predator-prey interactions, with lions, cheetahs, and hyenas nearby.

  • Tarangire National Park: Photograph the park’s iconic baobab trees, large elephant herds, and diverse wildlife, including lions, giraffes, and numerous bird species, all set against a dramatic landscape.

  • Ngorongoro Crater: Explore the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, home to over 33,000 animals. Capture close encounters with Africa’s Big Five, including lions, leopards, and rhinos.

  • Immersive Wildlife Experience: Encounter a diverse range of animals in their natural habitats, offering unforgettable opportunities to capture unique wildlife moments.

If you have any questions about a trip, itinerary, or gear, our Photo Experience Coordinators are available for a personalized one-on-one consultation to provide all the details you need.
Trip Description:

Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime photographic safari through Tanzania’s most iconic and wildlife-rich destinations that are incomparable to anywhere else on the planet. Starting in the lively city of Arusha, this itinerary is designed to immerse you in the region’s stunning landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and rich wildlife, all while capturing extraordinary moments you’ll be able to add to your portfolio.

Begin your adventure in Tarangire National Park, known for its ancient baobab trees and large elephant herds. With game drives led by experienced guides, you’ll have the chance to photograph iconic African wildlife in their natural habitat, including lions, giraffes, and a variety of bird species. The park’s rugged terrain and the life-giving Tarangire River create a dramatic backdrop for photography at any time of year.

Next, visit the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s largest intact volcanic calderas. Its unique geography supports a thriving population of animals, from lions and leopards to black rhinos and hippos. With over 33,000 animals contained within its lush grasslands, the crater offers unparalleled opportunities for capturing close encounters with Africa’s Big Five and other species in a concentrated and awe-inspiring environment.

The highlight of this trip is undoubtedly the Ndutu Plains during the awe-inspiring wildebeest calving season, a phenomenon that brings the Serengeti to life. Each year, over 1.5 million wildebeest return to this lush paradise, where approximately 8,000 calves are born daily at the peak of the season. This incredible surge of new life transforms the plains into a dynamic stage teeming with raw energy and drama. Predators like cheetahs, lions, and hyenas patrol the herds, resulting in breathtaking displays of survival instincts and hunting prowess, creating heart-pounding encounters that make for unforgettable photographic moments. These interactions offer rare opportunities to capture the raw essence of the predator-prey dynamic in its most dramatic form.

Beyond the wildlife, the Ndutu Plains are a photographer’s dream with their expansive golden savannahs, iconic flat-topped acacia trees, and shimmering alkaline lakes that reflect the vivid hues of African sunsets. The interplay of light, shadow, and the ever-changing skies adds depth and texture to every shot, allowing for versatile compositions that celebrate both the majesty of the landscape and its thriving wildlife.


Backcountry Journeys has partnered with local experts to provide well-planned accommodations, expert guidance, and access to some of Tanzania’s most iconic locations. This safari balances adventure, comfort, and a focus on photography. Each day is tailored to maximize your time in the field, ensuring you capture not only the grandeur of Tanzania’s landscapes but also the intimate moments of its wildlife. This Backcountry Journeys expedition is more than a trip—it's an invitation to connect deeply with nature and immortalize its fleeting moments. Our professional photo guides will be with you every step of the way, so you’ll leave with unforgettable memories and a collection of stunning images that tell the story of Africa's wild heart.

What's Included
  • All listed meals and non-alcoholic beverages during the workshop

  • All transportation during the workshop

  • All lodging during the workshop

  • All internal flights

  • Airport transfers

  • All permits and park fees

  • AMREF Medical Evacuation Coverage

  • Professional photography guiding and instruction

  • Gratuity for service staff, local guide, and drivers

What's Not Included
  • Flights to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

  • Meals not listed as included on the itinerary

  • Lodging outside workshop dates

  • Alcoholic beverages

  • Souvenirs and personal items

  • Excess baggage fees on regional flight

  • Gratuity for photography guide(s)

  • Trip Insurance (required) - see plans here.

 Trip Itinerary 

Most Meals Included – (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 1 (Travel Day) (D)
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania. After clearing customs, you will be met by our tour representative and transferred to your hotel in Arusha. Arusha is a vibrant city known for its diverse cultures, stunning natural beauty, and rich history as the starting point for many safari expeditions in the Serengeti and Mount Kilimanjaro. It offers a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation with bustling markets, lush gardens, and cultural landmarks to explore. There will be an orientation and welcome dinner this evening.

Day 2 (B, L, D)
Today we'll travel toward Tarangire National Park. Along the way, we may visit a Maasai village to learn about their cultural traditions and attire. The scenic drive features rolling hills, open plains, and acacia woodlands, with opportunities to spot wildlife like zebras and giraffes. At Tarangire, we'll enter a park renowned for its iconic baobab trees, the Tarangire River, and abundant wildlife, including large elephant herds, lions, and leopards. Panoramic viewpoints, like Silale Swamp, offer breathtaking views of the park’s diverse landscapes and inhabitants.

Day 3 (B, L, D)
Today, we spend all day exploring Tarangire National Park. Established in 1970, the park offers a spectacular landscape and is home to diverse wildlife, including large herds of elephants, wildebeests, zebras, buffaloes, and antelopes. Visitors may also spot big cats like lions, cheetahs, and leopards, as well as rare species such as wild dogs, tree-climbing pythons, and fringe-eared Oryx.

Day 4 (B, L, D)
Today's drive from Tarangire National Park to Ngorongoro Crater covers approximately 150 kilometers and takes around 3 to 4 hours, passing through some of Tanzania's most scenic landscapes. As we leave Tarangire, we'll encounter areas with baobab trees, acacia woodlands, and wildlife such as elephants and zebras. The journey also takes us through the bustling Mto wa Mbu village, offers views of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, and passes Maasai villages with traditional mud huts. The route then transitions to agricultural lands with small farms and coffee plantations before reaching Ngorongoro, where the cooler, lush highland vegetation provides stunning views of the crater rim.

Visiting the Ngorongoro Crater, often referred to as the "8th wonder of the world," offers a unique experience of a caldera formed by a massive volcanic eruption, resulting in a collapsed mountain that now supports abundant wildlife in what is known as "The Garden of Eden." This UNESCO World Heritage site, established in 1959, covers 8,300 square kilometers, with the crater itself measuring 260 square kilometers and 610 meters deep. At 2,400 meters above sea level, it is home to over 33,000 animals, including the "Big 5" (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, and elephant), and more than 65 lions in well-established prides. Visitors can witness the harmonious coexistence of people and wildlife in this peaceful environment, making it a must-see destination for nature lovers.


Day 5 (B, L, D)
The drive from Ngorongoro Crater to the Ndutu Plains, approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles), offers a captivating journey through Tanzania's diverse landscapes, transitioning from highlands to savannah. The route begins at the high-altitude crater rim with cool temperatures and lush forests, before descending into arid savannah. This area, part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, is rich in wildlife, with opportunities to see the Great Migration, wildebeest, zebras, lions, cheetahs, and antelope. Along the way, we may encounter Maasai communities and their cattle. The journey showcases varied ecosystems, culminating in the vast plains of Ndutu, known for its seasonal wildlife, including calving wildebeest and predator sightings, within the Serengeti ecosystem.


Days 6 - 8 (B, L, D)
These days will be spent witnessing one of the most extraordinary wildlife events on the planet: the calving season in Ndutu. During this period, vast herds of wildebeest, along with zebras and gazelles, gather on the short-grass plains of Ndutu to give birth to their young. It’s a time when thousands of wildebeest calves are born within a very short span, creating a spectacle of life and renewal. This seasonal event attracts numerous predators, such as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas, which take advantage of the abundance of vulnerable newborns. The calving season in Ndutu is also a critical time for wildlife enthusiasts, as the concentration of animals and predator activity offers exceptional opportunities for wildlife viewing. The plains come alive with movement, as predators and prey engage in a dramatic and often intense survival struggle, making it a prime time for safaris.


Day 9 (B)
There will be a morning safari before we transfer to a local airstrip for flights back to Arusha and transfers to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for departure flights. Return flights can be booked any time after 5 pm local time. 

Please note that the exact sequence of the itineraries on all photography trips will be based on weather and lighting conditions. The goal on these trips is to make sure we are at the right place at the right time for the perfect light on our subjects. Also, itineraries can change for a variety of other circumstances including floods, forest fires, national park closures, road closures, and more. Due to the nature of wildlife and landscape photography, we do not guarantee any specific sightings or specific compositions.
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We’re so confident that the Photography Trips we offer will not only meet but exceed the lofty expectations set forth on our website – if your trip experience does not 100% match the promises laid forth on our website we will gladly give you a credit toward a future trip.

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BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS

"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2024

CONTACT US

Monday-Friday
8am to 4pm Mountain Time
928-478-1521
adventure@backcountryjourneys.com

TRIP CATALOG

Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.

BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS

"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.

- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director

CONTACT US

Monday-Friday
8am to 4pm Mountain Time
928-478-1521
adventure@backcountryjourneys.com

TRIP CATALOG

Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.

All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLCs - Copyright 2024
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