10 Days Tanzania Big Five Photographic Safari and Zanzibar Tour

Our representative meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and assists with your luggage and photography equipment before the transfer to Arusha. The journey passes through local towns and villages, with views of Mount Kilimanjaro possible when the weather is clear. Upon arrival, we assist with check-in at your midrange hotel and review the safari route. Our guide also discusses camera storage inside the vehicle and the following morning's departure arrangements. Time: Approximately 1–1.5 hours Attractions: Kilimanjaro surroundings, local landscapes, Arusha Distance: Approximately 50–55 km

Destination:

Kilimanjaro Airport

Overnight:

Kibo Palace Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch, Dinner

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We leave Arusha after breakfast and drive toward Tarangire National Park, reaching the entrance after approximately two hours. Our first game drive focuses on the Tarangire River, baobab trees, and surrounding woodland, where elephants, giraffes, zebras, and antelopes are frequently seen. We select safe viewing positions that provide clear opportunities for wildlife and landscape photography. Throughout the day, our guide allows time to observe animal behavior rather than rushing between sightings. After a picnic lunch and further game driving, we transfer to the Lake Manyara area for the evening.

Time: Approximately 7–9 hours, including travel and photography stops
Attractions: Elephants, baobab trees, giraffes, lions, Tarangire River
Distance: Approximately 180–220 km, excluding game-drive detours

Destination:

Tarangire

Overnight:

Manyara Safari Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After an early breakfast, we drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend to the crater floor for a full-day photographic safari. The crater offers different backgrounds for wildlife images, including grassy plains, lakes, woodland, and the surrounding crater walls. Our guide searches for lions, buffaloes, elephants, and black rhinos while also looking for zebras, hippos, and other animals. We approach sightings carefully and position the vehicle at a safe distance, allowing you to photograph wildlife without disturbing it. Following a picnic lunch, we continue the game drive before leaving the crater and transferring to your accommodation.

Time: Approximately 6 hours inside the crater
Attractions: Black rhinos, lions, buffaloes, elephants, crater landscapes
Distance: Varies according to the game-drive route

We depart from the Ngorongoro area and travel toward Serengeti National Park, passing through the highlands and into the open plains. During the journey, we make suitable stops for landscape photographs and wildlife sightings along the permitted roads. Once we reach Central Serengeti, our guide begins an afternoon game drive around the Seronera Valley. This area offers opportunities to photograph lions, giraffes, elephants, leopards, and animals gathering near water sources. We continue photographing until the planned return time before checking into your midrange tented camp.

Time: Approximately 5–7 hours of driving and afternoon game viewing
Attractions: Serengeti plains, Seronera Valley, lions, leopards, giraffes
Distance: Approximately 180–220 km

We start early to make use of the softer morning light, when wildlife is often active and photography conditions can be favorable. Our guide explores the Seronera Valley, rocky areas, and open grasslands in search of lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, and other animals. We allow longer stops when there is interesting behavior to photograph, such as elephants moving together or lions interacting. After a picnic lunch, we continue through different areas of Central Serengeti, looking for additional wildlife and suitable natural backgrounds. We return to camp in the late afternoon with time to review your photographs.

Time: Approximately 7–9 hours, including photography stops
Attractions: Lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, Serengeti landscapes
Distance: Flexible photographic game-drive route

Our second full day in Serengeti gives us the flexibility to search for animals that may have been difficult to photograph earlier. We explore open grasslands where cheetahs are sometimes seen and wooded areas used by elephants, giraffes, and leopards. The guide considers the direction of sunlight, wildlife movement, and safe vehicle positions when choosing photography stops. We also spend time observing smaller animals, birds, and the different landscapes of Central Serengeti. After a full day in the park, we return to your midrange accommodation.

Time: Approximately 7–9 hours, including photography breaks
Attractions: Cheetahs, lions, elephants, birds, plains and rocky landscapes
Distance: Flexible game-drive route

We begin the morning with another game drive in Central Serengeti, using the available time to photograph wildlife before the scheduled flight. Our guide plans the route so we arrive at the airstrip with enough time for check-in and luggage handling. We then assist with your flight to Zanzibar, where our island team welcomes you on arrival. During the transfer to your midrange beach hotel, you can begin seeing Zanzibar's coastal scenery and village surroundings. We leave the evening open for rest and organizing your photography equipment for the island excursions.

Time: According to the confirmed flight schedule
Attractions: Serengeti wildlife, aerial landscapes, Zanzibar coastline
Transport: Morning game drive, domestic flight, private hotel transfer

Destination:

Central Serengeti

Overnight:

Tembo House Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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We begin our Zanzibar photography activities with a guided walk through Stone Town. Our local guide leads you through historical streets, markets, carved wooden doorways, and public areas that offer opportunities for architectural and cultural photography. We allow enough time for photographs while respecting the privacy of residents and asking permission before taking close-up portraits. Afterward, we visit a spice farm to photograph plants such as cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, and tropical fruits. We return to the hotel after completing the tour.

Time: Approximately 5–7 hours
Attractions: Stone Town architecture, traditional doors, spice farms, local markets

Destination:

Stone Town Zanzibar

Overnight:

Zanzibar Queen Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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We arrange a boat trip from Stone Town to Prison Island, where you can photograph historical buildings, coastal views, and the giant tortoises at the sanctuary. Our guide explains the island's background while ensuring the visit follows the sanctuary's rules. We then travel to Nakupenda Sandbank, where the white sand, shallow water, boats, and open sea provide different coastal photography opportunities. The timing of the visit depends on the tide, as the exposed sandbank changes throughout the day. After the excursion, we return to the waterfront and arrange your hotel transfer.

Time: Approximately 5–7 hours
Attractions: Giant tortoises, Prison Island, Nakupenda Sandbank, coastal scenery

Destination:

Prison Island

Overnight:

Zanzibar Queen Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Our guide takes you to Jozani Forest, where we follow established paths in search of Zanzibar red colobus monkeys. The forest provides opportunities to photograph monkeys in the trees, different plant life, and sections of the natural surroundings. We take care to keep a respectful distance from the animals and follow the local guide's directions. Later, we continue to Jambiani village, where you can photograph coastal landscapes, traditional boats, and village surroundings with appropriate permission. We return to your midrange hotel after the visit.

Time: Approximately 5–6 hours
Attractions: Red colobus monkeys, forest trails, Jambiani village, fishing boats

Destination:

Kuza Cave Jambiani

Overnight:

Zanzibar Queen Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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We leave the final day free for beach relaxation and personal photography. Depending on your hotel location, you may photograph the shoreline, traditional fishing boats, palm trees, and coastal village life. Our team can assist with an optional early morning or late afternoon excursion if you would like to explore another nearby area. Otherwise, you can enjoy your hotel's facilities and spend the day reviewing your wildlife and island photographs.

Time: Full day at leisure
Attractions: Zanzibar beaches, Indian Ocean, coastal landscapes