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A cheetah walks the green grass in Ndutu durimng the calving season here in Tanzania with Untamed Photo Safaris

TANZANIA

NDUTU  CALVING  SEASON
PHOTOGRAPHIC  SAFARI

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

February 1-9, 2027

9 DAYS / 8 NIGHTS

PRICE

TO BE ANNOUNCED

+ SINGLE SUPPLEMENT FEE (if applicable)

Thousands of wilderbeests stand in the grass of Ndutu, stairing at a hunting cheetah during a february calving season photo safari with Untamed Photo Safaris

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. With only four guests, you’ll enjoy an intimate experience perfectly timed for the arrival of thousands of newborn 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

    • Guests arrive in Arusha (Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO))

    • Transfer to Arusha accommodation (Approx. 1 hours drive from airport)

    • Meet and Greet with photo host at 6:00pm

    • ​Overnight in Arusha - Mount Meru Hotel


    • ​(Guests must arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport no later than 3:00pm on arrival day)

    • Transfer to Arusha Airport (Approx. 30 minutes)

    • Chartered flight: Arusha to Ndutu Region

    • Afternoon photographic safari to monitor the predators and herds

    • Introduction to image selection and post processing regarding predator/prey interaction photography

    • 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.

    • Full day OR two safaris daily - photographic safaris to photograph the mega herds and the predators that follow

    • Possibilities to photograph other African wildlife throughout these safari outings

    • Image selection and post processing sessions will happen each evening with your photo host

    • 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.

    • Safari transfer to Karatu

    • Evening for image selection and post processing with photo host

    • overnight in Rhotia Hills

    • PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS: The evening will be dedicated to image selection and post processing with your photo host 

    • Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area entrance (Approx. 45 min)

    • Full day photographic safari on the crater floor 

    • Return to the lodge for image selection and post processing with photo host

    • Overnight in Karatu​

    • 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.

    • Road transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)​ arrival before 2:00pm

    • END OF TOUR

    • (Guests must depart after 5:00pm on this day)

Availability

The maximum group size for this trip is just four guests and spots are limited.

 

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.

Pricing

This trip is prices have not been confirmed. Enquire to add yourself to our waitlist.

 

If you are a solo traveller, there is an additional 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 photo safari and secure your trekking permits.

70% remaining balance due 90 days prior to arrival

(update for 2027 departures)

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! 

ENQUIRE NOW

CALVING SEASON PHOTO SAFARI

FEBRUARY 1 - 9, 2027

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