Tanzania Wildebeest Calving & Big Cat Photo Tour TOUR

Experience one of Africa’s greatest wildlife spectacles on our Tanzania Calving & Big Cat Photo Tour. From January to March, around one million wildebeest gather on the Ndutu plains, including roughly 400,000 newborn calves.

Large zebra herds also arrive, creating a bustling wildlife arena that attracts predators. This provides exceptional opportunities for wildlife photography, capturing lions, cheetahs, and leopards in action.

Our tour is carefully timed to coincide with the peak of this extraordinary calving season, giving you the best chance for once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters and unforgettable photographs.

your hosts

Our Tanzania Calving & Big Cat Photo Tour is led by a team of up to two skilled wildlife photography hosts (for groups of five or more, both hosts guide the safari).

The Images of Wildlife team includes Sarah Skinner, Andy Skinner, and Chris Hodgson, all with extensive experience in organizing tours in this region.

We focus on helping each guest capture the best wildlife images. Personalized tuition is offered in a friendly, supportive manner, whether you are an amateur or professional photographer. Meet our Wildlife Safari Photography Team here.

Who is this tour for?

The Tanzania Calving & Big Cat Photo Tour is designed to make the most of every moment spent in the field. Photographic tuition is provided during all game drives and back at camp, covering traditional techniques and how to make the best use of changing light conditions.

We also explore creative techniques, including high- and low-key photography, as well as panning with slow shutter speeds. Photographers of all levels are welcome, alongside keen wildlife enthusiasts. This tour is not just for photographers—it is ideal for anyone who wants to spend long hours in the field and enjoy a spacious game viewing experience.

Each guest and photographer has their own row in the game vehicle, ensuring comfort and freedom to photograph. Additional weight allowances on internal flights allow photographers to travel stress-free with all their equipment.

where we visit

This 10-day/9-night small group Tanzania Calving & Big Cat Photo Tour is all about wildlife, with a focus on the wildebeest calving and big cats. Our adventure begins at a charming lodge just one hour from Arusha, set within lush gardens. Here, you can photograph the resident Black & White Colobus and Sykes monkeys, providing a perfect introduction to African wildlife photography.

The next day, we take a short bush flight—complete with an extra 10 kg luggage allowance—to Africa’s premier game viewing areas. Over the following eight nights, we split our time between two wildlife-rich locations in the Southern and Eastern Serengeti. You’ll stay in comfortable mid-range and luxurious tented camps, all strategically located to ensure you are immersed in the heart of the action during this extraordinary wildlife season.

Ndutu

Our Tanzania Calving & Big Cat Photo Tour includes five nights in the stunning Ndutu region in the eastern Serengeti.

During the first five days, we are permitted to off-road, giving greater access to wildlife and enhancing photographic opportunities.

The vast plains fill with thousands of wildebeest and zebra giving birth, attracting many predators. Lions, cheetahs, and hyenas are often active, providing incredible wildlife photography moments.

The area is also home to a wide variety of African mammals and bird species. It often produces sightings of interesting and elusive animals, such as the bat-eared fox.

Gol Kopjes

Our Tanzania Calving & Big Cat Photo Tour also includes three nights in the eastern Serengeti, staying at a luxurious tented camp.

The landscape here contrasts sharply with Ndutu, offering striking images to enrich your photography portfolio.

During this time, we hold special permits to access the incredible Gol Kopjes, just 75 minutes from our camp.

This stunning area of granite monoliths—often called “the world’s largest Japanese rock garden”—provides exceptional opportunities to photograph lions and other big cats on the rocks.

Gol Kopjes is also an excellent spot for lions to den their cubs, providing unique wildlife photography opportunities.

In both the Gol Kopjes and Soit le Motonyi regions, we stay away from the busier Serengeti transit areas. Here, you can experience landscapes that are untouched, wild, and truly spectacular.

In addition, this area is a cheetah conservation zone, with a high concentration of these beautiful and elusive cats.

The Game Vehicles

Our Tanzania Calving & Big Cat Photo Tour is limited to a maximum of six participants, ensuring a personalized and immersive experience.

We use specially modified game viewing vehicles with open sides, perfect for photography. Unlike typical vehicles in Tanzania, these allow unobstructed shots without glass windows.

For groups of up to four guests, one photography host guides the tour. For five or more guests, two hosts rotate between vehicles, ensuring everyone gets the best photographic opportunities.

In addition to the photography hosts, the tour includes accredited Tanzania Field Guides. These highly experienced guides frequently work with photographic groups and drive the vehicles throughout the safari.

Each vehicle features comfortable seating, open sides, and a spacious open roof area. On this Tanzania Calving & Big Cat Photo Tour, we limit the number of guests to three per vehicle.

This ensures each guest has their own row, allowing easy access to both sides for unobstructed views and plenty of space for camera gear.

The large side openings make it simple to capture wildlife from the sides, or from the open roof. The roof pops up, providing enough headroom to stand and offering shade from the sun.

At Ndutu, we have the privilege to go off-road, allowing access to the best spots for optimal lighting, composition, and unforgettable wildlife photography opportunities.

Tanzania wildebeest calving & big cat photo tour itinerary

day 1:

Upon arrival for the Tanzania Calving & Big Cat Photo Tour, you will be greeted at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) after your international flight, arranged independently.

From the airport, you’ll be transferred to a beautiful lodge just 30 kilometers from Arusha. Your hosts will welcome you, and a group welcome dinner is included. During dinner, your hosts will outline the plans for the next day and give you a chance to meet your fellow travellers.

The lodge is a charming country estate, formerly a coffee farm, set on ten acres of lush gardens that blend seamlessly with the gentle slopes of Mt Meru. The serene environment is a haven for local birds and wildlife. You will stay in uniquely decorated garden rooms with cozy beds and en-suite shower and toilet facilities, providing comfort before your adventure begins.

Overnight: 1 night at Rivertree Country Inn, Arusha (includes evening dinner and breakfast).&</span&gt;lt;/span>

Day 2:

AM

We will gather early as a group and take along a packed breakfast before departing for the Arusha airstrip.

At 08:00, we board a bush aircraft for a direct flight to the Ndutu area, arriving at 09:25. This flight includes an extra 10 kg luggage allowance, giving a total of 30 kg for carry-on and checked luggage.

Upon arrival, our two local Tanzania field guides will greet us and accompany us throughout the tour. We then enjoy a game drive to our first destination, the Ndutu Mobile Migration Camp in the Southern Serengeti, where we stay for five relaxing nights.

After a welcome drink, we share lunch as a group, and your hosts outline the plans for the afternoon and evening activities.

PM

Once everyone has settled into their tents, the group sets off for the first afternoon game drive on our Tanzania Calving & Big Cat Photo Tour.

We explore the expansive plains, focusing on areas with the most wildlife activity. During this season, thousands of wildebeest and zebras gather to give birth, staying for several weeks before continuing their migration north.

The region offers plenty of opportunities to capture stunning photographs of plains game. The high concentration of animals also attracts predators, providing incredible chances to photograph lions, cheetahs, and hyenas in action.

By park regulations, we return to camp around 6:30 PM. Afterwards, enjoy a sundowner by the fire, followed by a delicious group dinner where your hosts share the plans for the following day.

Overnight: Nasikia Ndutu Mobile Migration Camp (Includes Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

day 3:

This morning, we gather bright and early at the mess tent, with tea and coffee available before our morning game drive on the Tanzania Calving & Big Cat Photo Tour.

We aim to meet around 5:45 AM, leaving promptly to make the most of the morning light and capture incredible photographic moments. During the drive, we pause for a bush breakfast, finding a perfect spot on the plains or under an acacia tree to relax and stretch our legs.

The Ndutu area allows for off-roading, giving us access to unique vantage points. This flexibility helps create breathtaking compositions not possible in other parts of the Serengeti.

We return to camp around 11:30 AM–12:30 PM, depending on wildlife sightings. After lunch, you can unwind and recharge before the afternoon game drive at approximately 3:30 PM, returning around 6:30 PM.

Following the drive, freshen up and join the group for dinner, where your hosts share the plans for the following day.

Overnight: Nasikia Ndutu Mobile Migration Camp (Includes Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

days 4-6

Over the next three days, we explore this wildlife-rich area on game drives during our Tanzania Calving & Big Cat Photo Tour.

Each day offers two drives or the option of a full-day adventure, depending on wildlife locations and group preferences. Your hosts and field guides help shape the itinerary to maximize photography and wildlife viewing opportunities.

We stay overnight at the Nasikia Ndutu Mobile Migration Camp, where breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included, providing comfort and convenience after long days in the field.

day 7

This morning, after tea and coffee at the mess tent, we bid farewell to the camp staff and gather our belongings. We depart the Ndutu Conservation Area and begin a game drive through Ndutu, heading toward the eastern Serengeti and our next destination, the beautiful Olmara Camp.

At the Naabi entrance gate, we pause for a short break before continuing through breathtaking open plains and the iconic granite kopjes that define the Central and Eastern Serengeti.

We expect to arrive at Olmara Camp by lunchtime. The camp features spacious, elegantly furnished tents, nestled in a prime wildlife area just an hour from Gol Kopjes. Wildlife is frequently spotted nearby, offering excellent photography opportunities.

After a briefing and lunch, you can settle into your tent and enjoy tea and coffee. In the afternoon, we set off on our first game drive in the Soit le Motonyi region. We return to camp around 7 PM for refreshing showers and a delightful group dinner, while your hosts outline the plans for the next day of the Tanzania Calving & Big Cat Photo Tour..

Overnight: 3 nights at Olmara Camp (All Inclusive).

days 8-9

AM

Over the next two days, we have an exciting opportunity to enjoy game drives twice daily, with the option for full-day adventures on our Tanzania Calving & Big Cat Photo Tour.

We start early, before dawn, and head to the stunning Gol Kopjes area, just 75–90 minutes from Olmara Camp. Our tour includes special permits allowing access to this remarkable landscape.

Gol Kopjes is famous for cheetah sightings and local lion prides that often relax on the granite kopjes, offering perfect chances for iconic “lions on rocks” photographs. This region is also a favorite spot for lion and cheetah mothers raising cubs.

What makes Gol Kopjes unique is its low vehicle traffic. In past tours, we’ve spotted numerous predators without encountering other cars, making mornings here particularly rewarding.

During the drive, we pause for a delightful bush breakfast, choosing a scenic spot on the plains or near the kopjes. After breakfast, we continue the game drive, searching for predators and other wildlife before returning to camp in time for lunch.

PM

After a delightful meal and some time to unwind, we set off for another afternoon game drive on our Tanzania Calving & Big Cat Photo Tour.

This drive takes us into a different area, offering fresh opportunities to observe big cats resting on rocky outcrops. Our journey often leads to the Soit le Motonyi region, where wildlife sightings are plentiful.

During the drive, we focus on photography techniques, composition, and lighting to capture breathtaking images of predators and plains game.

We aim to return to camp by 7 PM for a wonderful group dinner, sharing stories and plans for the next day’s adventure.

Overnight: Olmara Camp (All Inclusive).

day 10

Rivertrees Country Inn Nr. Arusha (1-night)

At the start of the Tanzania Calving & Big Cat Photo Tour, we stay at the Rivertrees Country Inn, a property we have used for many years on our Tanzania tours.

This charming country estate was once a coffee farm and now spans ten acres of lush greenery, blending seamlessly with the foothills of Mt Meru.

Guests can enjoy peaceful walks along the stream that runs through the grounds, a sanctuary for local birds and wildlife. It is common to see and photograph Black-and-white Colobus monkeys in their natural habitat.

Accommodation is in uniquely furnished garden rooms with comfortable beds and en-suite shower and toilet facilities, providing a relaxing start to your safari adventure.

Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp – Ndutu  (5-Nights)

This fully serviced, mid-range to semi-luxury mobile-tented camp is the first wildlife camp used on the Tanzania Calving & Big Cat Photo Tour, located in Ndutu. Set up for just a few months each year, the camp provides an authentic safari experience with maximum comfort, placing you in the heart of the wilderness near the wildebeest migration.

The camp is well equipped to meet all your needs, including a dining tent, mess area, and charging facilities. Each guest tent measures approximately 12 meters by 4 meters and includes an outside patio with chairs and a table to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

Inside, the tents are beautifully styled and fully equipped with a desk and chair, storage chest with extra blankets, wardrobe or drawers, bedside tables, torch, camp information folder, and luggage racks. Guests also receive robes, slippers, an umbrella, and laundry bags for convenience.

Each bed is fully netted to protect against mosquitoes and insects. Beds feature imported cotton sheets, double pillows, duvets, and bed runners for comfort. The tents have netted windows on each side that can be fully opened while keeping insects out.

The en-suite bathroom is accessed directly from the tent and includes a ceramic washbasin with running water, mirror, natural-based toiletries, linen, flushing toilet, and shower with hot water on request. Showers use a 20L pulley system, and the tents are fitted with extensive solar lighting for convenience.

This setup ensures you enjoy comfort and style while remaining fully immersed in the Serengeti’s wildlife, making it perfect for photography and safari experiences.

Olmara Tented Camp, Eastern Serengeti (3-nights)

We conclude our Tanzania Calving & Big Cat Photo Tour with a stay at the luxury Olmara Camp (formerly Ehlane Plains Camp), located in the remote Soit le Motonyi region of the eastern Serengeti. This wildlife-rich area offers extraordinary predator sightings and unparalleled photography opportunities.

The camp features eight recently refurbished tents (2024), designed to blend seamlessly with the environment. Each tented suite provides clear vistas of the surrounding wilderness, a lounge cove with comfortable seating, a dressing area with handcrafted cupboards, a net-draped king-size bed, bedside tables with lamps, a writing desk, full-length mirror, and soft carpets. The suite flows into an ensuite bathroom with a shower, double basins, and a flushing toilet.

Two of the tents are ‘star domes’, inspired by Arabian design, with open rooftops for lounging under the stunning African night skies. Guests can relax on cushions and enjoy uninterrupted views of the moon, stars, planets, and the Milky Way—perfect for night photography.

The camp’s dining and lounge areas are centrally located and include satellite Wi-Fi and charging facilities. Olmara Camp offers comfort, elegance, and an immersive wilderness experience, making it the perfect place to conclude your Tanzania Calving & Big Cat Photo Tour.

Minimum tour numbers/Photography Hosts

The Tanzania Calving & Big Cat Photo Tour runs with a minimum of three guests. For groups of five or fewer, one photography host will lead the tour. For five or more guests, two photography hosts join, ensuring personalized guidance and expert support throughout the safari.

Pre-Trip advice

Around two to three months before departure, you will receive a comprehensive pre-trip information pack. This document includes detailed packing advice and essential travel guidance.

In addition, it covers helpful tips specific to our Tanzania wildebeest calving & big cat photo tour. The information below highlights a few key details to support your planning before booking your safari with us.

Tour language

The Tanzania wildebeest calving & big cat photo tour operates entirely in English.

All photography hosts, field guides, and lodge staff speak English confidently. This ensures clear communication, smooth logistics, and a relaxed experience throughout your safari.

Final Itinerary

Upon booking, you will receive a detailed outline itinerary.

Approximately two weeks before departure, we will send an updated itinerary. This will include local flight schedules, airport pickup details, and important local contact information.

Visas

Each traveller is responsible for obtaining their own visa.

Most nationalities require a visa to enter Tanzania. Therefore, please check visa requirements well in advance with your local Tanzanian Embassy or Consulate.

In August 2019, Tanzania introduced a new visa-on-arrival process at Kilimanjaro International Airport. As a result, arrival processing times have increased significantly. In some cases, travellers have waited over two hours to complete visa formalities.

For this reason, we strongly recommend applying for your Tanzanian visa online well before departure at https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/ This helps ensure a smoother and faster arrival experience.

E-visas can take up to 3 – 4 weeks to be issued. Please do ensure you apply in advance with this time frame in mind.

Vaccinations

Below is a general guide to the vaccinations you may require. However, we recommend confirming all vaccinations and medications with a qualified travel doctor.

Travel health professionals have access to the latest advice from specialist tropical medicine organisations. Therefore, their guidance is always the most accurate.

For best preparation, we suggest visiting your travel clinic at least 12 weeks before departure. This allows enough time for any required vaccinations or medication courses.

YELLOW FEVER

Yellow Fever vaccination is generally required for travel in East and Central Africa. You must receive the vaccination at least 10 days before departure.

However, if you have a history of liver disorders, including hepatitis, consult your doctor before vaccination. Please see further details below regarding Yellow Fever guidance.

Tanzania requires proof of Yellow Fever vaccination for visitors arriving from certain countries considered at risk. As a result, immigration officials may request certificates on arrival.

Since 2008, officials at Kilimanjaro International Airport and the Namanga border have required vaccination proof for arrivals from Kenya. This applies even though Yellow Fever is not present in Kenya.

Unfortunately, official guidance can be unclear and inconsistent across Tanzanian embassy and consulate websites. Therefore, we strongly recommend erring on the side of caution.

If you are travelling directly to Tanzania from Europe, the USA, or Australia, you usually do not require a certificate. This applies if you have not visited a Yellow Fever risk country within 12 months.

However, if you are transiting through Kenya or have visited Kenya within the last 12 months, vaccination is advised. In this case, it is safer to arrive with a valid Yellow Fever certificate.

OTHER VACCINATIONS

Several other vaccinations are commonly recommended for travel to Tanzania. These include Diphtheria, Typhoid, Tetanus, Hepatitis A, and Polio.

In addition, your doctor may suggest Hepatitis B, Cholera, or Meningococcal Meningitis. These vaccinations are usually optional and depend on individual circumstances. Therefore, we recommend discussing them with a qualified travel health professional.

Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended for travel in Tanzania. Some medications are available at pharmacies, while others require a doctor’s prescription. Please consult your pharmacist or doctor to choose the most suitable option for your itinerary.

Finally, illnesses such as traveller’s diarrhoea or Giardia are usually avoidable with good hygiene. Always drink bottled or treated water, which is widely available throughout the country. However, we recommend carrying basic medication as a precaution.

Fitness Level Required

The Tanzania wildebeest calving & big cat photo tour does not require a high level of fitness. However, guests should have reasonable mobility.

You should be able to get in and out of the game vehicle with minimal assistance. The step height is approximately two feet. In addition, guests should be comfortable walking up to 200 metres between tents and camp facilities.

If you require accommodation closer to the main mess or reception areas, please let us know at the time of booking. We will do our best to accommodate your request.

Weather & environmental conditions

February is one of the warmer months to visit Tanzania. During the day, temperatures usually range between 27°C and 32°C. Occasionally, temperatures may rise slightly higher or drop below this range.

However, early mornings and late evenings feel much cooler and very comfortable. At these times, temperatures typically range between 10°C and 17°C. In addition, February can bring occasional rainfall, adding dramatic skies and fresh landscapes.

During the Tanzania wildebeest calving & big cat photo tour, road conditions vary once we leave Arusha. Most travel takes place on game tracks, which can be dusty, muddy, and bumpy.

Off-road driving is generally not permitted in most areas. However, specific regions within Ndutu do allow off-roading. These permitted areas give us greater flexibility for positioning and photography opportunities.

Internal (Bush) flight luggage limits

Please pack all luggage in a soft-sided bag. This is essential for internal flights and safari vehicles.

Your combined hand luggage and checked luggage must not exceed 30kg. This total includes the additional 10kg luggage allowance provided on internal flights.

Camera Equipment

How to Book

o reserve a space on the Tanzania wildebeest calving & big cat photo tour, please email us via the contact form on this page or directly at info@imagesofwildlife.co.uk.

We will hold your space and request a deposit within 7 days to confirm your booking.

Payment can be made by bank transfer or credit/debit card.

Total Cost

The cost of this safari in 2026 is £8695 Per Person and based on two persons sharing a twin/double tent. Single supplements are charged at £695 per person and guarantees sole occupancy throughout.

The cost of this safari in 2027 is £9795 Per Person and based on two persons sharing a twin/double tent. Single supplements are charged at £895 per person and guarantees sole occupancy throughout.

Cost Includes: 

Not Included

How to Book:

To book on this Tanzania wildebeest calving & big cat photo tour please contact us and secure your place with 25% non-refundable deposit with the remainder payable 90 days prior to travel. We are able to take payments for deposits and final balances via bank transfer or payment via credit or debit cards.

Financial protection & ATOL

Images of Wildlife Photo Tours & Safaris is the trading name of Images of Wildlife Ltd. A company registered in England & Wales. Company No: 10566301. We are a member of  Protected Travel Services (Membership Number: 5221) and we hold an ATOL licence (No. 11862)

Protected Travel Services

As full members of Protected Travel Services we are able to offer the highest financial protection. All monies you pay to us are financially protected in line with the 2018 Package Travel Regulations via a trust account. This means that your funds are secure in an independent trust account and will be protected against our failure from the moment you pay to the day that you return from your trip. This includes protection for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all monies paid to the trust account, arising from cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Images of Wildlife Ltd or any of our local suppliers paid from the trust account.

ATOL Protection: 

ATOL protection apples to this tour

How to Book:

To book a place on the Tanzania wildebeest calving & big cat photo tour please fill in the details below with detail of how many spaces you wish to secure. Once a member of our team receives the email we will provisionally hold your place/s. A booking pack is sent out by email with details of the deposit payment required.

A 25% deposit is required to secure your place with the rest payable 90 days prior to travel. We can take payments for deposits and final balances via bank transfer or payment via credit or debit cards.

Financial protection & ATOL

Images of Wildlife Photo Tours & Safaris is the trading name of Images of Wildlife Ltd. A company registered in England & Wales. Company No: 10566301. We are a member of  Protected Travel Services (Membership Number: 5221) and we hold an ATOL licence (No. 11862)

Protected Travel Services

As full members of Protected Travel Services we are able to offer the highest financial protection. All monies you pay to us are financially protected in line with the 2018 Package Travel Regulations via a trust account. This means that your funds are secure in an independent trust account and will be protected against our failure from the moment you pay to the day that you return from your trip. This includes protection for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all monies paid to the trust account, arising from cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Images of Wildlife Ltd or any of our local suppliers paid from the trust account.

atol

ATOL Protection: ATOL protection apples to this tour