6-Day Tanzania Photographic Safari - Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro

After an early breakfast in Arusha you depart for Tarangire National Park, roughly two hours away. Tarangire is known for its ancient baobab trees and one of the highest elephant densities of any park in Tanzania, and the afternoon light here works especially well against the open, golden grassland. An afternoon game drive begins on arrival, with the vehicle positioned for backlit and side-lit shots as the sun lowers.

Distance: Approximately 2 hours from Arusha to Tarangire National Park

Activity: Afternoon photographic game drive in Tarangire National Park

Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in Tarangire National Park

Meals: Half Board

A full day is spent inside Tarangire, with the guide working the river and swamp areas where elephant herds, buffalo, and resident predators gather, alongside the baobab-lined ridgelines that define the park's landscape photography. The schedule is split around the harsh midday hours, with the vehicle repositioned for both a sunrise and a sunset session.

Distance: Game drives within Tarangire National Park

Activity: Full day photographic game drive, split around midday light

Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in Tarangire National Park

Meals: Full Board

Departing Tarangire, the route climbs through the Ngorongoro highlands before descending onto the open plains of the central Serengeti, with photo stops along the rim for the crater and highland scenery. The afternoon is spent on a game drive into the Seronera area, where resident lion prides and leopards are regularly found along the river lines.

Distance: Approximately 6 hours from Tarangire to central Serengeti via Ngorongoro highlands

Activity: Travel day with scenic photo stops, afternoon game drive on arrival

Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in central Serengeti

Meals: Full Board

A full day is dedicated to the Seronera valley and surrounding plains, the most predator-dense section of the Serengeti year-round. The guide prioritises known territories for lion and leopard, with the vehicle positioned low and close for eye-level shooting wherever sightings allow, again split into a sunrise and a sunset session.

Distance: Game drives within the central Serengeti

Activity: Full day photographic game drive, split around midday light

Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in central Serengeti

Meals: Full Board

A final morning game drive in the Serengeti is followed by the drive up to the Ngorongoro Crater rim, arriving in time for the afternoon and evening light over the caldera. The lodge sits directly on the rim, with the crater floor visible below, ahead of an early start the following morning.

Distance: Approximately 3 hours from central Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Crater rim

Activity: Morning game drive, afternoon transfer to the crater rim

Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp on the Ngorongoro Crater rim

Meals: Full Board

An early descent into the Ngorongoro Crater floor follows the best light of the day, with the enclosed caldera holding one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa, including the rare black rhino, resident lion prides, and large flamingo flocks on the soda lake. After the crater session, the drive returns to Arusha, arriving in the afternoon for onward connections.

Distance: Crater floor game drive, then approximately 3 hours from Ngorongoro to Arusha

Activity: Full descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, afternoon transfer to Arusha

Accommodation: N/A - return to Arusha

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Extend your trip

For Tanzania's southern parks, continue this style of trip on our 9-Day Grand Tanzania Photographic Safari. To time your trip around the wildebeest calving season, see our 5-Day Ndutu Photographic Safari. Add a beach extension with our 6-Day Zanzibar package.