A Photographer's Safari

Have you always dreamed of going to Africa and be able to hear, smell and see the amazing wildlife and culture of Africa? Well, this is a photographic safari done right. We will be traveling to the east African country of Tanzania. This country is home to the amazing plains of the Serengeti, the rich ecosystem of the Ngorongoro Crater and many other unique and spectacular National Parks. With less tourism, more land and unbelievable wildlife this is a true photographers paradise. Matt will be taking a small group traveling in custom land rovers and staying in private luxury tented camps. With this 19 day trip we will be able to focus on five different regions and environments that Tanzania has to offer. From the lust rivers and trees of Tarangire, to the diversity and richness of bird life in Lake Manyara to the vast plains and bountiful wildlife of the Serengeti. This safari is for serious wildlife photographers and nature lovers. This is truly a once in a life time trip!

What to Expect...

This safari is for anyone who is serious about nature photography, wildlife or both. This is a quality safari not a quantity safari. Meaning that this trip is not to just see an animal and check it off the list. This is a patient animal viewing trip. In order to obtain great wildlife images you have to be patience and be able to observe them and wait for the rare and special moments, like a Black Rhino and it's young coming out of the brush and into view, and also have a little luck in your favor. We will not be just snapping a quick image and then on to the next. Patience and time invested in certain situations will allow us to have great rewards and hopefully capture some amazing images. We will be traveling in custom fitted land rovers, power sockets in each row, with 3 people to a vehicle this will provide enough room for all your gear and still allow for plenty of movement. We will get up early have a quick bite to eat and get out when the light is right and then return late. Some lunches will be in the field while others will be back at camp. This is a trip for serious wildlife photographers and people who love the natural world.

That being said this is still a vacation for you and a trip of a life time. So we will have wonderful food and restful nights mixed with full days. Besides the first two nights and two nights in the middle of the trip at Gibbs Farm all of our accommodations will be private luxury tented camps. These camps are great for several reasons. First is location, they allow us to be closer to the wildlife and thus giving us an advantage in the morning when the light is right and also a shorter drive in the evening back to camp. They also are private only available to guests of our operator Thomson Safaris. This will mean we will not be having to deal with large groups of tourist at huge hotels for the most part it will and a few other at most of the camps, so we can share stories and talk about our days activities openly. Lastly, they are very comfortable and some even ultra luxurious for being out in the the bush. Fine linens and hot showers greet us each evening along with wonderful safe meals. These meals are prepared fresh, with local produce by expert chefs and feature a wide variety of options from freshly baked breads and homemade soups to delicious salads and great desserts. After dinner we can download images from the days adventure and sit around the camp fire telling stories, drinking wine and hearing the sounds of the African wilderness. This is how to experience the true wild Africa!

If you have a friend or know someone that is not a photographer but loves wildlife and the natural world, then this is also a trip for them as well. If this sounds like the adventure you have been looking for then don't wait to contact Kaki Trimble at Thomson Safaris, she is a professional and will be able to get to all set up and answer any questions you may have. Remember space is limited do to the unique logistics and accommodations, so do not hesitate to get your name on the list. If you have any questions for Matt please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to answer them and look forward to hearing from you.

The Operator...

Thomson Safaris is one of the best operators in Tanzania, hands down. They were the first U.S. company licensed to operate safaris in Tanzania and have been doing so for the past 25 years. By operating exclusively in Tanzania, this has allowed them to develop relationships with guides and the local community that is unmatched by other operators. They are the recipient of the 2005 Tanzania Tourist Board Humanitarian Award. This great group of people are sole owners of their operations both in the United States and in Tanzania. They employ over 70 staff in Tanzania and the fact that they own and maintain their own safari vehicles and employ their guides year round, which means that they are committed to not just providing you with an amazing service but also they care about the lively hood of their employees in Tanzania and giving back to the community, as most companies subcontract guides and only do this seasonally. All these elements come together to allow for great communication with their guides and logistical operations as they are part of their company. So key elements to a great trip such as guides, logistics and communication are already taken care of and you will not have to worry about this. Therefore, the services mentioned above and the detailed itinerary below will be a truly amazing experience and one you can count on.

The Itinerary

Matt Green has worked with Thomson Safaris for over two years to design this amazing adventure. This is a 19 day custom photographic safari. Below you will find an itinerary, and some details about this trip.

October 11 - Depart the U.S. on an overnight flight to Amsterdam.

October 12 - Amsterdam to Arusha, Tanzania

In Amsterdam, connect with our flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport, arriving late in the evening. Upon arrival we will meet our Guide and he will take us to the Mountain Village Lodge. This lodge is a working coffee plantation, six miles from Arusha. You will enjoy the lush gardens and friendly welcome at this idyllic refuge.

October 13 - Arusha National Park

After a breakfast safari briefing, we depart for Arusha National Park. This park is one of Tanzania's best kept secrets, with beautiful landscapes ranging from lush woodlands and lakes to the dramatic black cliffs of Mount Meru. Enjoy a picnic lunch and guided walk in the park as you see your first African wildlife of the trip. We will return in the evening after a long day on safari to relax at the Mountain Village Lodge.

October 14 - Arusha to Tarangire National Park

Today we'll head south to Tarangire National Park, with plenty of wildlife viewing en route to camp. We arrive in time for lunch, we'll settle in before an afternoon game drive through the grasslands and woodlands, around rocky hilltops and along meandering rivers. We will overnight in our tented camp underneath the canvas and hear the sounds of the African wilderness all around us.

October 15 - Tarangire National Park

Tarangire is home to innumerable species, but is renowned for its large elephant populations. The mighty Tarangire River, which winds through the length of the park, is a valuable source of water, and we'll observe lion, gazelle, zebra, elephant and many other animals as they gather to drink at its banks. Overnight at Tarangire Tented Camp.

October 16 - Tarangire National Park

Full day wildlife viewing: Tarangire National Park. Overnight Tarangire Tented Camp.

October 17 - Tarangire National Park to Ngorongoro Highlands

Rise early, and after breakfast, we depart Tarangire, wildlife viewing as we go. The Great Rift Valley Escarpment will soon come into view. Nestled in its shadow is the bustling village of Mto Wa Mbu. Here, we will see an accurate picture of modern Tanzanian life. Almost 120 different ethnic groups live in Tanzania, and in this melting pot, we will find representatives of almost all of them. The spirit of cooperation and growth thrive here. Roam through the village with a guide, visiting a tilapia farm, wandering around banana plantations and walking through a busy market. From there, head to Gibbs Farm, where we'll arrive in time for a late lunch. This wonderful working coffee plantation has great food and the grounds offer a lush and peaceful oasis in which to relax. With lush vegetation ranging from old growth native trees to roses to exotic orchids, it is no wonder that over 200 species of bird have been recorded on the estate. This will allow us some time to photograph these species. This evening, we'll enjoy a farm-fresh meal and relax around the fireplace as we discuss tomorrow's activities and share some images with each other. Overnight at Gibbs Farm.

October 18 - Lake Manyara National Park

Enjoy breakfast at our lodge before heading out for a full day of wildlife viewing in Lake Manyara National Park. Ornithologists favor this location for its splendid diversity and richness of bird life. In the acacia woodlands, lions can be seen sprawled out in the heat of the day on the stout branches of the umbrella trees, while enormous hippos cool themselves in the pools along the lake shore. The tall trees of the ground water forest are home to troupes of monkeys while elephants can often be seen on the slope of the escarpment amongst the baobab trees. Overnight at Gibbs Farms.

October 19 - Ngorongoro Highlands to Ngorongoro Crater

We will rise early for a hike in the abutting conservation area to a functioning elephant salt lick and remote waterfall. We return to the farm for our mid-morning departure to Ngorongoro Crater. Stopping for our first look at the collapsed caldera of Tanzania's "Garden of Eden" we will gaze in awe onto the verdant crater floor, nearly 2,000 feet below. Spend the afternoon wildlife viewing. At the end of each day we ascend the crater wall to our luxury tented camp perched high on the rim of the crater. We have access to a not so traveled road for ascent and decent each day. Overnight at Tented Camp.

October 20 - Ngorongoro Crater

Full day wildlife viewing: Ngorongoro Crater. Overnight at Tented Camp.

October 21 - Ngorongoro Crater

Full day wildlife viewing: Ngorongoro Crater. Overnight at Tented Camp.

October 22 - Ngorongoro Crater to Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti region is one of the world's last great wildlife refuges. This 18,642 square mile region has two World Heritage Sites and two Biosphere Reserves. It is one of the oldest eco-systems on earth and is home to the amazing and last great migration. With its vast array of wildlife we have the potential to see herds of grazing elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, gazelles, and topi. Overnight at Serengeti Tented Camp.

October 23 - Serengeti National Park

Full day wildlife viewing: Serengeti National Park. Overnight Serengeti Tented Camp.

October 24 - Serengeti National Park

Another full day to journey far and wide in this immense park, allowing our guide’s unerring instincts to lead the way.  An infinite number of dramas play themselves out on these endless plains: predators stalk prey, animals eat, scavenge and graze, mothers nurture their young, birds hover and soar overhead, young animals frolic as older animals keep a watchful eye on these vulnerable little ones… in short, it is a story of life and death, decay and renewal and ultimately, survival of the fittest. Overnight Serengeti Tented Camp.

October 25 - Serengeti National Park

Today we move to our northern camp. This will allow us to focus on a different area of the Serengeti, one of the hidden corners of the park.  The Serengeti, always impressive in its size, offers much more to explore in its diverse regions and among all the species it protects.  Home to literally hundreds of thousands of hoofed animals, it is a unique and pristine sanctuary that will give you a glimpse into “the world as it was in the beginning.” Full day wildlife viewing. Overnight Serengeti Private Camp.

October 26 - Serengeti National Park

Full day wildlife viewing: Serengeti National Park. Overnight Serengeti Tented Camp.

October 27 - Serengeti National Park

Full day wildlife viewing: Serengeti National Park. Overnight Serengeti Tented Camp.

October 28 - Serengeti National Park to Arusha

Morning wildlife viewing en route to airstrip for the flight to Arusha. After lunch we will have time to relax, shop or sit by the pool. We will have a day room for the afternoon at the Kia Lodge. Early evening transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight to Amsterdam.

October 29 - Arrive in Amsterdam and your final destination.

The Price

The cost of this all-inclusive trip is U.S. $7990 per person, land only. This fee includes all in-country ground and air transportation as well as accommodations (double occupancy) and all meals.

Accommodations are two people to a room. If you would like a private room there will be a single supplement charge of $690.

If you choose, our safari operator can book both the safari and your flights. This is a great service, as if you are departing from the U.S. this will allow everyone to be on the same international flight, allowing everyone to arrive at the same time. The cost usually is at or slightly below the average market rate for such a flight.

We will be taking one internal flight from the Serengeti to Arusha and there will be a 33 pound weight limit for baggage. As such you can purchase an additional seat for the extra baggage for $275. I will discuss this later and we will share a few extra seats and all put some money in and share the cost.

What's Included

  • All Game Park fees
  • Accommodations based on double occupancy
  • Meals while on safari
  • Services of guide/drivers throughout
  • Land transportation in a specially customized, 4-wheel drive Land Rover with one photographer per row in each Rover, directly under the pop-up roof
  • Internal flight from Serengeti to Arusha, including the 33lb weight limit, extra baggage may require an additional fee
  • Airport transfers
  • Bottled drinking water at all times
  • Services of Thomson Safaris Classic Camp
  • $30 Tanzanian Airport departure tax, if KLM / NW ticket purchased through us.

What is not Included

  • International airfare from the US to Tanzania and back. Exact rate depends on departure point selected and airline availability at the time of booking.
  • Soft drinks, beer, wine and spirits
  • Tips for staff such as guides and camp staff
  • Fees for passport, visas, immunizations and insurance
  • Meals and expenses en route to Tanzania
  • Laundry, phone and other items of personal nature
  • Cost of hospitalization and evacuation if necessary

How Do I Sign Up?

Our group is small, so space is limited. If you are a photographer or nature lover and have been waiting to go to Africa and want to experience it in a unique way, then don't wait! Remember, there will be limited space available for this trip. Email Kaki Trimble at Thomson Safaris to find out how to reserve your spot and what you need to do to become registered. If you have any questions for Matt please contact us with any inquiries.

Please note: We will attempt to adhere to this itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, cultural, or wildlife migrations) may necessitate changes in the itinerary. We reserve the right to alter any itinerary at any time, if necessary. We will attempt to notify participants of changes as far in advance as possible. Costs incurred by such changes will be the responsibility of the participant.