Tanzania - Ngorongoro Crater & Ndutu Photo Tour 2026
1 Feb 2026 - 9 Feb 2026
ORYX is proud to present you with an unforgettable 9 day wildlife photo safari to Tanzania’s world-renowned Ngorongoro Crater & Ndutu area. Our focus on this Tanzania Photo Tour is on the astounding Crater scenery & wildlife that have made this large volcanic caldera their home, as well as one of Africa’s greatest natural spectacles: the bonanza of young wildebeest, zebra and gazelle which offer abundant opportunities for the local predators in the southern Serengeti! Mammals you should encounter include impressive Cape Buffalo, Grant’s Gazelle, Zebra, Wildebeest, Lion and Spotted Hyaena. The latter two species are the dominant large predators of the crater floor and inhabit the area in very high densities. Black Rhinoceros can often be seen out on the plains, and Ngorongoro must rank as one of the better places in Africa to view them.Why this Photo Safari is for You
Destination Allure
The Ngorongoro Crater is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a fascinating origin. Once a gigantic volcano thought to be similar in size to Kilimanjaro, its implosion formed what is the largest intact caldera in the world, now home to a staggering number of large mammals.
Wildlife
Ngorongoro Crater: one of the most densely populated conservation areas on earth with over 25,000 large mammals calling it home! Large herds of Wildebeest, Zebra and gazelle dots the plains and large-tusked Elephant bulls can be seen strolling relaxedly to forage-rich swamps or feeding on acacias. Black Rhino are often seen, as are Lion. Serengeti South: with breathtaking numbers of Wildebeest, their calves and dazzles of Zebra, the scenery with these herds is unbelievable! Predators thrive during this season with Lion prides, Cheetah, African Wild Dog and Spotted Hyaena being the top hunters. Bat-eared Fox and Martial Eagle are a few of the smaller predators that can be found. Migratory storks, elephant, plains game, Maasai Giraffe and more are found in this Wildlife Eden.
Small Group Departures
Limited to only 6 participants with two pop-roof private safari vehicles in Ngorongoro Crater.
Guided Experience
Local knowledge of the region and its inhabitants is key to crafting the ultimate photography tour experience. Combined with the photographic expertise of your ORYX Photo Tour Leader, and you are in for an adventure that will further fuel your excitement for photography and the destination.
10 Days
Guests +1 ORYX Leaders
Classic
- Destination:
Tanzania
- Departure:
- Person Sharing:
9395.00
- Single Supplement:
995.00
- Photographic Highlights:
- Guide:
Dale Morris
- 1
Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Hotel in Arusha
After arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and having taken care of passport control and collected luggage, you will be met outside the arrivals hall exit by an ORYX representative and driven to your accommodations set in lush tropical gardens just outside Arusha (+/- 90 minutes). At dinner you will be met by your ORYX photo tour leader who will discuss the upcoming tour in more detail.
- 2
Day 2: Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater
You depart Arusha early this morning, driving west out of the lush, forested environs around the lower slopes of Mt Meru and out into the open country outside of town. You may see scattered groups of Maasai herding their cattle, and on nearing Makuyuni, the landscape reveals an area dotted with Baobab trees. You then head directly for the Gregory Escarpment, which is the spectacular wall of the Great Rift Valley above the small town of Mto Wa Mbu (“The river of mosquitos”!). This area is known for its bananas, with many colourful varieties on show at the roadside stalls.
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Day 3: Full day Ngorongoro Crater
You depart Arusha early this morning, driving west out of the lush, forested environs around the lower slopes of Mt Meru and out into the open country outside of town. You may see scattered groups of Maasai herding their cattle, and on nearing Makuyuni, the landscape reveals an area dotted with Baobab trees. You then head directly for the Gregory Escarpment, which is the spectacular wall of the Great Rift Valley above the small town of Mto Wa Mbu (“The river of mosquitos”!). This area is known for its bananas, with many colourful varieties on show at the roadside stalls.
- 4
Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater to Ndutu area
Leaving the Ngorongoro after breakfast, you drive along the crater rim before descending past the Malanja Depression followed by the semi-arid woodlands near Oldupai whereafter the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti stretch out in front of you. You destination is the Ndutu area, where a huge patch of Acacia woodland (where most of the camps are located) is surrounded by vast plains that sport predominantly short grass and shrubs that are amazing for plains game. After lunch and bit of down time, you will head out on an afternoon game drive in one of the most celebrated wildlife areas on earth. This safari is designed to focus on predator – prey interactions, and as the majority of the Wildebeest will have offspring or will be in the process of calving, this means a lot of small calves and consequently, there will be lot of opportunities for us to witness predations! Being located in the Serengeti, specifically in a part that falls under the management of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, means that offroad driving can be done in order to pursue subjects where soil and vegetation conditions.
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Days 5 to 8: Ndutu area
Covering an incredible 30,000km², the Serengeti ecosystem is one of the world’s largest and most spectacular wildlife areas. Despite the vast space, the volume and concentration of game that you can expect to see during our Serengeti photo safari is nothing short of astounding. There is little permanent water in the southern Serengeti and this, combined with a fairly regular rainfall pattern over the ecosystem as a whole has resulted in the incredible Great Migration where up to two million large ungulates move through the Serengeti ecosystem (in a stylistically clockwise pattern) between the expansive Serengeti area in Tanzania and smaller Maasai Mara area in southern Kenya. Our visit is timed so as to provide us with the best opportunity to bear witness to the unbelievable numbers of Wildebeest and Plains Zebra in the southern Serengeti – an unrivalled and primeval wonder of the natural world!
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Day 9: Flight Ndutu to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and depart
You may have some time for a short drive this morning prior to flying (time to be announced) to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) where this incredible safari sadly comes to an end. *Please note that there are a number of options for extensions available, including to Namiri Plains and the surrounding kopjes (lion and cheetah), the lush grasslands of the northern Serengeti or even further afield to Tarangire (elephants and baobabs) or even Kenya. Please consult the ORYX office for more information*
Penny Robartes was an a brilliant guide for me, always putting my shooting needs first, making sure that my settings were right, giving advice on how to shoot at a sighting and calming me down when a sighting became intense…no easy feat as there were plenty of those! Thank you for your support and advice, not only on safari, but afterwards as well, and giving me a new outlook on Lightroom!
The Serian camps were wonderful, I loved every minute that we spent there, accommodation, food, staff were great, I look forward to returning one day.
Thank you again for a wonderful photo safari, I will always treasure those memories. It was an incredibly special place and the whole experience was wonderful. Its hard to explain to people how beautiful it was with all the yellow and purple flowers and then it became the scene of utter carnage as well!
It doesn't get any better than traveling with ORYX Photo Tours if you want the most knowledgeable guides, seamless service and the perfect photography spots.
This was my second trip with ORYX. The first was to Kenya, this one to Tanzania. I did not think that ORYX could top the first trip but in fact they did. I had requested the ability to photograph different tribes along with the animals. ORYX went above and beyond. They arranged opportunities to photograph the Massai, Dagoota and Hazda tribes. It was very clear when going to the villages with Marius Coetzee, the owner of ORYX Photo Tours, that he was incredibly well respected and welcomed by everyone. It was an absolutely amazing experience.
The trip took place this past February which is calving season for the wildebeest in Tanzania. Along with the calves, come the predators, lions, cheetahs etc.... The guides that work with ORYX are so experienced. They knew exactly where to go and at what time of day to get the very best shots of the animals. It was insane how good they were at their work. And after many years of guiding, they were still so passionate.
Finally, on both Oryx trips my photography skills became better and better. The guidance and instruction was outstanding. Each time it felt like I was taking a master class in photography taught by a world class teacher. Every question (and I had a lot) was answered professionally and in a way so that I would learn something.
Can't wait to travel with ORYX Photo Tours again! Oh wait....I am traveling to Uganda to see the gorillas, chimps and more cultural photography this summer.
