This safari covers a wide range of habitats in some of the best East African wilderness areas, from forests and lakes to large plains and rocky kopjes.

We start with 6 nights split between two camps on the edge of the Amboseli ecosystem. The targets are the big tuskers and the incredible juxtaposition of wildlife and the scenery of Mount Kilimanjaro. If we are truly fortunate, we will be able to combine the two! But the area also offers a variety of other sightings, including cheetah, large herds of zebra, great waterbirds and the chance of caracal and serval (of which a few melanistic individuals have been seen in the past).

Both Tawi and Tortilis camps have private concessions which allow us to enjoy privacy on sightings. There is a reasonable chance that one or more of the big tuskers will be in the Tawi Conservancy when we stay there, giving us freedom to enjoy this special experience in our own safari area.

After a week in Amboseli, we will travel by road to Arusha, stay overnight at River Trees lodge, and catch an onward flight to Ndutu. The massive grasslands, open woodlands and massive herds of the Serengeti need little introduction; worldwide, this area is known for the bountiful wildlife and the way that visitors feel when they explore the plains of the world’s most famous national park. But with the kudos come the crowds, a feature which has plagued the Serengeti’s reputation for many years.

However, choosing the more remote corners of the national park and selecting the quieter months offers visitors — and especially photographers — the chance to see this ecosystem in a private way that allows for creative photography, extended waits for hunting cheetahs and serene encounters with the nature of the area. In short, it’s a spectacular experience.

This 10-day trip spends 3 days in the Ndutu conservation area and then 7 in the Serengeti itself. Ndutu safaris are based along the lakeshore (where lions, flamingos and giraffes are found in good numbers) and inland away from the water on the vast plains where cheetah, Kori bustard and copious gazelles thrive. Ndutu is also a superb location for nesting Fisher’s lovebirds and multitude of other bird specials.

A week at Namiri Plains follows where photographers can expect multiple cheetah, lion and hyaena sightings, many with cubs or at the den. All of these species regularly hunt during the day and, when the lions finally settle, the cheetahs begin their hunting schedule, keeping photographers busy all day long. There are also opportunities to see leopard and the lesser-known aardwolf as well as serval and caracal.

But it is the landscapes of Namiri which make safaris in that area so special. It’s fun to explore the vast rolling grasslands (plenty with short grass which favours hunting cheetah) punctuated by tall, spectacular rocky outcrops. These rocky kopjes are a focal point for predators and it’s common to find lions hiding cubs in the caves and crevasses, or cheetahs using the height of the rocks to scan for prey.

The Serengeti holds lots of meaning for me; it featured in Willard Price’s books about Hal & Roger Hunt which I read when I was young; it is also famous as one of the world’s great wildlife areas.

We spent a total of 24 days together split between Tawi Lodge, Tortilis Camp, The Highlands Camp, Olakira Migration Camp and Namiri Plains. We put in long hours, early starts and experienced dust storms, rain and mud along the way, but the results were well-worth it: great experiences in nature and some of the best photographic opportunities that I have enjoyed anywhere.

If you are considering joining this safari, send me an enquiry to start planning your trip and discuss anything you would like to know.