
NDUTU PREDATOR PHOTO SAFARI
NDUTU CALVING SEASON
PHOTO SAFARI - TANZANIA
Join professional wildlife photographers Mark A. Fernley and Jaren A. Fernley on an extraordinary photographic safari through the legendary Ndutu region during the Great Migration calving season. Witness one of nature’s most dramatic spectacles as hundreds of thousands of wildebeest give birth on the southern Serengeti plains, attracting intense predator activity from lions, cheetahs, and hyenas. Experience thrilling game drives across open grasslands where life and death unfold before your lens, offering unmatched opportunities for action, storytelling, and behavioural photography. With expert tuition and guidance throughout, this safari combines the raw drama of the calving season with the technical mastery needed to capture it perfectly.
DATE
FEB 1 - 9, 2027 (SPACES AVAILABLE)
FEB 1 - 9, 2028 (SPACES AVAILABLE)
9 DAYS / 8 NIGHTS
PRICE
2027: $10,939 USD
2028: (TBA)
+ $1000 USD SINGLE SUPPLEMENT FEE (if applicable)

SAFARI DETAILS
This exclusive 9-day photographic safari is designed for wildlife photographers eager to master the art of capturing the Great Migration’s calving season in Ndutu - where life and death unfold on the open plains. This group of 6 photo safari offers an intimate, focused photographic experience with only 3 guests & one photo host per truck. With space to photograph wildlife, you’ll enjoy an intimate experience perfectly timed for the arrival of thousands of new-born wildebeest and the intense predator activity that follows, offering thrilling opportunities to photograph lions, cheetahs, and hyenas in dramatic natural scenes.
This is not your standard safari. You’ll spend long hours in the field, positioning for the best light and angles to capture raw behaviour, tender moments, and fast-paced action as new life meets the wild. From golden dawns to stormy afternoons, every session presents new photographic challenges and rewards.
The experience is led by professional wildlife photographers Mark and Jaren A Fernley, whose deep knowledge of East Africa’s ecosystems and advanced technical insight ensure every guest receives expert, hands-on guidance. With their mentorship in composition, light management, and storytelling, you’ll refine your craft and elevate your portfolio with powerful, emotionally resonant imagery.
This safari offers a rare opportunity to work side by side with two of the best in the field - at the very heart of nature’s most dramatic season.
LOCATION
This tour is set in one of Tanzania’s most spectacular and wildlife-rich regions - the Ndutu area, where the southern Serengeti meets the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Each year between January and March, this vast expanse of short-grass plains becomes the stage for one of nature’s greatest events: the Great Migration calving season. The fertile volcanic soils and seasonal rains transform Ndutu into a lush haven, drawing hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle to give birth. The open plains, scattered acacias, and soda lakes create a breathtaking backdrop for photography, with vibrant green landscapes and dramatic skies enhancing every scene. Beyond the sheer volume of wildlife, Ndutu is renowned for its remarkable predator activity. Lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas thrive here, drawn by the abundance of vulnerable young prey. The region’s off-road freedom allows close access to wildlife encounters rarely possible elsewhere, making it one of Africa’s most rewarding photographic destinations. In this stunning location, every sunrise brings new life - and every sunset tells a story of survival on the Serengeti plains.
EXPERT GUIDES
This photographic safari is expertly led by professional wildlife photographers Mark A. Fernley and Jaren A. Fernley, a renowned duo celebrated for their ability to capture Africa’s wild beauty through powerful and evocative imagery. With years of experience guiding photographic expeditions across East Africa and beyond, Mark and Jaren bring an exceptional blend of technical mastery, field expertise, and creative vision to every safari they lead. Their deep understanding of animal behaviour, light, and composition - combined with an unwavering respect for wildlife and conservation - ensures guests gain both artistic and ethical insight into every photographic moment. Alongside their guidance, participants benefit from the support of experienced local guides who possess an intimate knowledge of Ndutu’s ecosystem, seasonal movements, and the region’s rich natural history. This collaboration between world-class photographers and local experts creates a uniquely immersive and educational experience. Together, Mark and Jaren provide an environment where creativity, learning, and adventure unite -ensuring every guest leaves with not only exceptional images but a deeper connection to the natural world.
EQUIPMENT TO BRING
Guests are encouraged to bring one or two camera bodies with a minimum of 24-megapixels to guarantee the best results. This can be mirrorless or a DSLR. For this Ndutu photographic safari, photography guests are encouraged to invest in or bring a lens with the reach of 500mm or 600mm in photographic reach. These may consist of lenses that obtain fixed or zoom capabilities. If you are considering bringing a fixed prime lens of 500mm/600mm for example, please bring an additional lens that has a shorter focal range for close encounters.


ITINERARY
ARRIVAL DAY
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Guests arrive in Arusha (Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO))
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Transfer to Arusha accommodation (Approx. 1 hours drive from airport)
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Meet and Greet with photo host at 6:00pm
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Overnight in Arusha
(Guests must arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport no later than 3:00pm on arrival day)-
FLY TO NDUTU REGION / BEGIN SAFARI OUTINGS
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Transfer to Arusha Airport (Approx. 30 minutes)
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Chartered flight: Arusha to Ndutu Region
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Afternoon photographic safari to monitor the predators and herds
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Introduction to image selection and post processing regarding predator/prey interaction photography
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Overnight in Ndutu Region
PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS: This will be the group's first day on safari to find and monitor the mega herds of the Great Migration. The group will photograph the wildebeests in their thousands as they protect their newborns from predators of the plains.
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PREDATOR/PREY PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI OUTINGS
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Full day OR two safaris daily - photographic safaris to photograph the mega herds and the predators that follow
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Possibilities to photograph other African wildlife throughout these safari outings
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Image selection and post processing sessions will happen each evening with your photo host
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Overnight in Ndutu Region
PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS: Each safari will be dedicated to photographing the mega herds of the Great Migration and the predators that follow. The group will photograph the wildebeests in their thousands as they give birth to their young.
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TRANSFER TO NGORONGORO CRATER
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Chartered flight to Ngorongoro Crater
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Evening for image selection and post processing with photo host
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overnight near Ngorongoro Crater rim
PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS: The evening will be dedicated to image selection and post processing with your photo host
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FULL DAY NGORONGORO CRATER FLOOR
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Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater descend point
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Full day photographic safari on the crater floor
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Return to the lodge for image selection and post processing with photo host
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Overnight near Ngorongoro Crater rim
PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS: Ngorongoro Crater floor has it all! Spending the day on the crater floor will provide photographic opportunities of all of your favourite African wildlife species including the Big 5.
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DEPARTURE DAY
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Fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) arrival before 2:00pm
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END OF TOUR
(Guests must depart after 5:00pm on this day)
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Availability
Group size 6 + 2 Photo Hosts
3 Guests Per Truck + 1 Photo Host
RESERVE YOUR PLACE!
To ensure that you are able to attend this trip, please be sure to book ahead of time to guarantee your spot.
2027 Pricing
This trip is priced at $10,939 USD per person sharing accommodation.
If you are a solo traveller, there is an additional $1,000 USD single supplement fee.
Rates are based on an all inclusive basis
Payment
A deposit of 30% is due at the time of booking to reserve your place on this photographic safari.
A 70% remaining balance due 90 days prior to arrival.
We use Trust My Travel to provide safe payments.
Confirmation
Once a deposit is received, you are officially confirmred on this trip.
CONGRATULATIONS!
You will receive official confirmation via email w along with important details and information you need!














