9 Days Tanzania Big Five Photo Safari and Zanzibar Beaches | Midrange

Our representative meets you at the airport and helps load your luggage and camera bags securely for the approximately 50–60-kilometre (31–37-mile) transfer to Arusha, normally taking 1–1.5 hours. During the briefing, we discuss your main subjects, whether animal behaviour, portraits or wider landscapes, and review the scheduled Serengeti flight’s baggage allowance so equipment requirements are clear before departure. No photography excursion is scheduled after arrival, leaving time to organise your gear and charge batteries where facilities allow. Attractions: Farmland and roadside views during the transfer. Activities: Airport collection, photography-focused safari briefing and equipment preparation. Time: According to arrival; approximately 1–1.5 hours of road travel.

Destination:

Kilimanjaro Airport

Overnight:

Kibo Palace Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch, Dinner

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We leave early for Tarangire, approximately 120 kilometres (75 miles) from Arusha, allowing 2–2.5 hours before entrance procedures, so sunrise photography inside the park is not part of this morning. Our guide searches woodland and river areas for elephants, giraffes and zebras, choosing permitted stopping positions with attention to light and background and allowing time for animals to move naturally within the scene. After a picnic break and further viewing, we transfer approximately 70–100 kilometres (43–62 miles) to the Manyara area in around 1.5–2 hours.

Attractions: Elephants, giraffes, zebras, baobab trees and river scenes.
Activities: Private photographic game drive and transfer to Manyara.
Time: Approximately 6:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m., subject to the route and sightings.

Destination:

Tarangire

Overnight:

Manyara Safari Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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We travel approximately 90–110 kilometres (56–68 miles) through Karatu towards the crater descent area, taking around 2–3 hours with gate procedures while the route climbs through wooded highlands. On the crater floor, our guide searches grasslands for lions, buffaloes and grazing herds, then checks wet areas for hippos and scans farther away for black rhinos, whose position may require distant photography. We remain on permitted tracks, balance time at sightings with exploring other areas, and use an approved picnic stop before the afternoon ascent.

Attractions: Crater landscapes, grazing herds, lions, hippos and possible rhinos.
Activities: Photographic game drive, patient wildlife observation and crater ascent.
Time: Approximately 6:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., including the approach drive.

We begin the approximately 140–180-kilometre (87–112-mile) journey towards Central Serengeti, allowing around 4–5 hours for driving and entrance procedures before extended wildlife stops. The route changes from higher ground to open plains, where dust and uneven sections make secure equipment storage useful, and our guide stops for photographs only where the road and conditions permit. During the afternoon half-day game drive around Seronera, we explore grasslands, river corridors and suitable tree lines for lions, elephants and possible leopards before reaching the evening stop.

Attractions: Open plains, Seronera habitats, lions, elephants and possible leopards.
Activities: Overland transfer and afternoon photographic game drive.
Time: Approximately 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; the main game drive is in the afternoon.

We start around 6:00–6:30 a.m. and use the cooler morning hours to search Central Serengeti without the interruption of an inter-park transfer. Our guide considers the direction of light when choosing a legal stopping position, allows time for animal behaviour to develop and explores different habitats after a picnic break, while keeping a respectful distance rather than disturbing wildlife for a photograph. The day may cover approximately 80–150 kilometres (50–93 miles), with around 6–8 hours devoted to driving and viewing stops before returning before dark.

Attractions: Predators, elephants, giraffes, river habitats and open plains.
Activities: Full-day photographic game drive and extended observation at sightings.
Time: Approximately 6:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., depending on wildlife activity.

We use the available morning for a final wildlife drive near the route to the airstrip, potentially covering approximately 20–60 kilometres (12–37 miles) over around 1–3 hours if the flight schedule permits. Our guide assists with check-in for the scheduled Zanzibar service, whose confirmed baggage allowance must accommodate your equipment and other luggage, while any intermediate stops affect the journey time. On arrival, we transfer you approximately 8–15 kilometres (5–9 miles) to the Stone Town area in 20–40 minutes and leave the remaining time free.

Attractions: Final Serengeti sightings and possible aerial landscape views.
Activities: Morning game drive, airstrip transfer, scheduled flight and island collection.
Time: Flight-dependent; wildlife viewing is arranged around the reporting time.

Destination:

Central Serengeti

Overnight:

Tembo House Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Our local guide leads a Stone Town walk of around 2–3 hours with pauses for street scenes, doorways and waterfront photographs, while explaining the places along the route. We ask permission before photographing people closely and respect restrictions at individual sites, then collect your luggage for the approximately 55–65-kilometre (34–40-mile) drive to Nungwi or Kendwa, normally taking 1.5–2 hours. After settling in, the remaining afternoon is free for rest or independent coastal photography, with no additional guided activity assumed.

Attractions: Stone Town architecture, narrow lanes, waterfront and northern coast.
Activities: Guided photographic walk and transfer to the beach base.
Time: Approximately 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m., followed by free time.

Destination:

Stone Town Zanzibar

Overnight:

Amaan Beach Bungalows

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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We drive towards the Matemwe departure area, approximately 25–40 kilometres (16–25 miles) each way from the northern base, allowing around 45–75 minutes before the private boat outing. Our guide explains the permitted snorkelling areas and helps check equipment before exploring above the coral for reef fish, with underwater photography suitable only for cameras designed or protected for that use. Water clarity and light vary, the visit does not include landing on Mnemba’s private island, and we return to your beach base after the excursion.

Attractions: Reef fish, coral habitats and coastal water scenes.
Activities: Guided snorkelling, optional underwater photography and private transfers.
Time: Usually morning to early afternoon, according to sea conditions.

Destination:

Mnemba

Overnight:

Amaan Beach Bungalows

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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We visit Nungwi and Kendwa using local transfers that may total approximately 15–30 kilometres (9–19 miles), with around 30–60 minutes of driving depending on your starting point. Shoreline activity, boats and coastal views provide possible subjects, while our guide helps identify suitable public areas and explains why permission is needed before close photographs of residents or crews at work. We allow time at both beaches without promising specific light or an organised sunset outing, then return you to the selected base.

Attractions: Northern beaches, coastal boats and everyday shoreline activity.
Activities: Beach visits, coastal photography and optional swimming.
Time: Approximately 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; precise stops are agreed beforehand.

Destination:

Nungwi Village

Overnight:

Amaan Beach Bungalows

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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We leave the final day open for beach time and independent photography, with no guided wildlife or boat excursion scheduled. The light and shoreline conditions may change through the day, so you can work at your own pace before packing equipment for departure. If you fly out today, we arrange the approximately 60–70-kilometre (37–43-mile) transfer to the airport, allowing 1.5–2 hours of driving plus check-in time, while a later flight or extra night provides more coastal time.

Attractions: Your selected beach and coastal views.
Activities: Beach relaxation, independent photography and departure transfer if scheduled.
Time: Flexible, with airport collection based on the flight.