Tanzania is a country of superlatives; it’s home to some of the most iconic and breathtaking landscapes and wildlife on the planet. From the vast plains of the Serengeti to the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania offers an unmatched array of photographic opportunities that are sure to inspire and captivate any photography enthusiast.
Regardless if you’re a professional photographer or just really into taking pictures, photographing on a safari in Tanzania is one experience that will challenge and reward you. By the end, you’ll have a portfolio full of stunning images showcasing the raw beauty and power possessed by African wilderness.
Popular Photo Safaris in Tanzania
The Best Destinations for Photography Safaris in Tanzania
Tanzania is super big and there’s a lot to see here. When you think about it, this place is full of parks and reserves that are just asking to be photographed. So why not take advantage of that? Keep reading if you’re interested in some of the coolest places to snap some photos:
Serengeti National Park
If you’re going to plan a photography safari itinerary, it better have Serengeti on the list. This park is one of the most famous destinations known for its wide open plains, acacia trees, and the annual wildebeest migration. But there’s a lot more than that!
The Serengeti is home to what they call ‘the big five’ (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo), as well as cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes and zebras! However this wildebeest migration is definitely something else. From December to July over a million zebras and gazelles move across these fields like their lives depend on it in search of fresh grass.
The landscapes here go from rocky outcrops to river valleys all covered with that perfect golden light that makes any photo beautiful.
Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater has got plenty of titles under its belt like being one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites or even just being one of the most unique wildlife destinations on this planet.
This place is massive! With over 20 km in diameter there isn’t much you can’t do here when it comes to snapping some pics. The crater floor alone has so many different habitats making each picture unique in its own way.
Around 25k large mammals call this place home including lions and hyenas which are found at some pretty high numbers compared to other places around Africa. There’s also a small number of black rhinos living within these walls who aren’t endangered but still need our protection.
Tarangire National Park
Tanzania’s northern circuit is home to a lot of unique parks, and here’s another one you can add to the list.
The Tarangire National Park has some of the largest herds of elephants around, and it only gets bigger during the dry season when zebras and wildebeest gather around rivers like the Tarangire River.
This park is great for bird photography too if you’re into that. There are over 550 species recorded here including the lilac-breasted roller which looks just as cool as it sounds. And don’t even get me started on these massive baobab trees.
Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park is the smallest park on Tanzania’s northern circuit, but its diverse range of wildlife and stunning landscapes make it a must-visit destination. It’s also one of the best places in Africa to see tree-climbing lions.
More than 400 species of birds call the park home, and there are large herds of elephants, buffalo and wildebeest. One-fifth of the park is covered by lakes, which attract flamingos during rainy season. The rest is made up of forest that can be explored on foot, with chances to spot giraffes among the trees or baboons snacking on figs.
The Manyara region has unique features in addition to its famous lions: a group of nine critically endangered hot spring catfish live in just six pools near Maji Moto (hot water). They’re found nowhere else in the world.
In addition to all this wildlife, Lake Manyara boasts breathtaking views from its classic African savannah landscapes along Rift Valley escarpments.
Selous Game Reserve
The Selous Game Reserve is known for being more secluded than other Tanzanian parks – you won’t find many tourists here – but it’s teeming with animals. In fact, it has some of the highest concentrations left anywhere in Africa.
One lake alone holds about 40% of Tanzania’s entire hippo population. There were an estimated 20,000 hippos living here as recently as two years ago; now there are closer to 10,000 due to drought.
