Photo Expedition to Tanzania, Africa
Trip Overview
This is not your standard photo expedition to Tanzania. It is a fully immersive wildlife photography workshop designed to help you come home with gallery-worthy images and the skills to create them again and again. Led by award-winning photographer Cheryl Opperman alongside expert local guides, this small-group expedition offers hands-on instruction in the field, personalized feedback, and intentional time with wildlife in the right place at the right time.
We specialize in total-immersion wildlife photography. That means long days surrounded by the wildlife and landscapes you came to experience, giving you the opportunity to study animal behavior, understand habitat, and photograph in a wide range of light and weather conditions. From elephants in baobab forests to big cats on open plains, this expedition is designed for photographers who want depth, patience, and repeated opportunities with their subjects.
Logistics are handled seamlessly. Dedicated photography safari vehicles carry only three guests each, giving every participant an entire row for unobstructed shooting on both sides. Evenings are spent at comfortable lodges and private-bath tented camps, where image review and instruction continue in a relaxed, supportive environment. We laugh, we learn, we adapt, and we get the shot.
Why Tanzania?
Tanzania offers one of the most diverse wildlife portfolios on the planet. Over the course of this expedition, you’ll have ample opportunities to photograph a wide range of iconic African species across a variety of landscapes and lighting conditions.
You may encounter iconic wildlife such as elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, rhino, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, hyenas, jackals, and diverse antelope, alongside elusive species like servals, caracals, bat-eared foxes, and primates. Birdlife is exceptional, with flamingos at Momela Lakes, over 300 bird species in Tarangire National Park.
Accommodations & Safari Experience
Throughout the expedition, you will stay in a thoughtfully selected mix of lodges and private-bath tented camps, chosen for their proximity to prime wildlife areas and their comfort after full days in the field. All accommodations offer en suite or private bathroom facilities.
Safari travel is conducted in six-seat, four-wheel-drive Toyota Land Cruisers configured specifically for photography. With only three participants per vehicle, you will have space to work, freedom to move, and the ability to remain at sightings as long as light, behavior, and conditions allow. This structure supports both creative exploration and focused, in-the-moment instruction.
It’s important to note that access to 24/7 power for charging cameras, batteries, and devices will vary by location. Plan accordingly and come prepared with backup batteries and charging solutions.
Itinerary
Day 1 | Arrival Day
Schedule flights for an Aug 31 arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (Airport Code JRO). Transfer to your accommodations, where you will enjoy a wonderful dinner and a superb night’s rest after your journey.
Accommodations: Lodge with Private Bath
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 | Orientation / Arusha National Park
After breakfast and a short orientation, set off for Arusha National Park for game viewing. Photograph flamingos, other birds, and black-and-white colobus monkeys while practicing camera techniques and flash. Return to the lodge late afternoon.
Accommodations: Lodge with Private Bath
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 | Drive to Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, load luggage and drive south to Tarangire National Park. Arrive at the lodge for lunch, then embark on an afternoon game drive. Capture elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, lesser kudu, eland, buffalo, giraffes, and zebras. Tarangire is famous for its century-old baobab trees and large elephant herds.
Accommodations: Lodge with Private Bath
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 | Tarangire National Park
Enjoy a full day of game viewing at Tarangire National Park. The Silalei swamp acts as a giant sponge during the green season and slowly releases water during the dry season attracting a wide variety of animals and birds.
Accommodations: Lodge with Private Bath
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 | Tarangire – Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast, enjoy a final morning in Tarangire, then visit the village of Mtowa Mbu for cultural photography and lunch with a local family. Continue through the Ngorongoro Highlands to your lodge on the crater rim.
Accommodations: Lodge with Private Bath
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 | Ngorongoro Crater
Prepare for an early start. Descend into the crater for a full day of wildlife photography and exploration. Observe black rhinos, lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, jackals, hippos, and African wild cats. Picnic lunch at a crater-floor site, then continue game viewing at Mandusi Swamp before returning to the lodge for sunset views.
Accommodations: Lodge with Private Bath
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 | Drive to Eastern-Central Serengeti
After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive toward the eastern-central Serengeti via the Malanja Depression. After arrival at your tented camp, enjoy an afternoon game drive, observing elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, cheetahs, wildebeest, and zebras. As the sun sets over the Serengeti, settle into your camp for the evening.
Accommodations: Tented Camp with Private Bath
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 8–9 | Eastern Serengeti Plains and Kopjes
Morning and afternoon game drives in the Gol Kopjes and Seronera River Valley. Photograph cheetahs, lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, gazelles, wildebeest, and zebras. Return to camp in the evenings.
Accommodations: Tented Camp with Private Bath
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 | Northern Serengeti – Lamai
Scenic drive to Lamai in the northern Serengeti. Afternoon game drive in this quieter northern region. Observe giraffes, zebras, lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalo.
Accommodations: Tented Camp with Private Bath
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 11–13 | Northern Serengeti and Mara River
Explore the Mara River and Lamai region over three days. Witness the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras, lions, crocodiles, and other wildlife. Early-morning and late-afternoon drives maximize wildlife viewing. Return to camp each evening.
Accommodations: Tented Camp with Private Bath
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14 | Northern Serengeti – Arusha
After an early breakfast, take a scenic bush flight from Lamai to Arusha. Enjoy a cultural stop and optional shopping. Then transfer to a lodge for an early farewell dinner before continuing to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your evening flight home. Reflect on your extraordinary Tanzanian expedition and the wildlife photographed.
Accommodations: Day-use room at hotel near airport
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
About Your Photo Expedition Leader
Cheryl Opperman is a nationally acclaimed nature photographer who has photographed on all seven continents, capturing unforgettable images of wildlife, natural landscapes, and indigenous cultures. Her work has appeared in The Denver Post, National Geographic Society publications, and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
She has earned top honors from organizations including the International Photography Awards, Nature’s Best Photography, and the National Wildlife Federation. A sought-after educator and keynote speaker, Cheryl leads with passion, patience, and a deep appreciation for the natural world. Whether you are new to photography or a seasoned shooter, her teaching style inspires confidence and creativity.
Details
Price: $15,495* per person based on double occupancy accommodations – two people sharing a room. Add $1,995** if you prefer private, single occupancy accommodations.
Includes: accommodations; in-country ground transportation starting and ending at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO); exclusive use of 4×4 extended Toyota Land Cruisers – max three photographers in each vehicle guaranteeing a private row of seats w/ unlimited mileage for wildlife drives; expert English-speaking driver/guide w/ photography trip experience; photography instruction, in-field guidance, and image review sessions with Cheryl Opperman; all meals starting with Dinner on Day 1 through Dinner on Day 14; national park, concession and reserve fees; beverages in the field; 24/7 in-country support; bush flight (Serengeti-Arusha); and Flying Doctors membership that includes emergency medical evacuation to Nairobi.
Excludes: international flights; passport/ visa fees; excess baggage fees; beverages at meals; travel insurance; pre- or post- hotels; gratuities; items of a personal nature; activities not listed; and laundry.
*Reflects payment by check or ACH. Credit card fees, if applicable, will be assessed at the time of booking.
**If you are a solo traveler that prefers to share a double occupancy room, but we aren’t able to find a suitable roommate for you, the private room surcharge will apply.
Group Size: Limited to 6 photographers, plus Cheryl Opperman and professional local guides. Safari vehicles are limited to three workshop participants per vehicle to ensure a private row in the safari vehicle to allow unobstructed photography and personalized instruction.
Level of Difficulty: This expedition is designed for travelers comfortable with long days in safari vehicles and early morning starts to take advantage of optimal wildlife activity and light. Walking is generally limited and optional.
Important Information: This itinerary is designed to allow flexibility in response to wildlife movement, weather, and local conditions. While every effort will be made to deliver the itinerary as described, expedition leaders reserve the right to make adjustments as necessary to ensure the best possible experience and the safety of all participants.