Witness one of the wonders of the natural world, East Africa’s Great Migration, at the peak of the calving season in Tanzania’s spectacular southern Serengeti ecosystem. Plus, new for 2027, explore the fabulously photogenic Gol Kopjes, in search of iconic lion and cheetah images.
We’re big believers that spending maximum time with our subjects produces the best images, and where better to spend quality time than Ndutu, where hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra gather to graze and give birth and predators enjoy easy pickings. The Ndutu area has long been a favourite with wildlife photographers and film-makers, and it’s easy to see why. The sheer abundance of animals is breath-taking, with huge numbers arriving in December each year to exploit the nutrient-rich grass after the rains, building up their strength for the calving which follows.  February, when we’ll be there, is the peak of the calving, with thousands of babies born each day. It’s prime time for predators, with lion, leopard, cheetah and hyaena making the most of the running buffet.
Ndutu, with its mixed landscape of grassy plains, marshlands, acacia woodlands and soda lakes, has plenty of resident wildlife, including elephant, buffalo, and giraffe, and we could spot no fewer than six species of cat: lion, leopard, cheetah. caracal, serval and African wild cat.
We’ll be spending nine nights at Ndutu, part of the Ngorongoro conservancy, adjoining the Serengeti. But as an appetiser – and what an appetiser! – we’ll first spend three nights in the Serengeti itself, at a camp which allows us quick access to the famous Gol Kopjes. These beautiful rock formations provide the perfect setting for shots of lounging lions, while the unusually short grass of the surrounding plains is excellent for cheetah sightings. We’ll have the special permits that are required for access to the Gol Kopjes, allowing us to spend two whole days working the location.
This is a very different Great Migration experience to the better-known Mara river crossings in Kenya. We won’t be spending all day camped out in searing heat, surrounded by dozens of other tourist vehicles, waiting for action that may or may not happen. In Ndutu we’re free to drive off road and we can plough our own furrow, exploiting the prolific photo opportunities as we wish.  With a maximum group size of six, we’ll be photographing with only three guests per vehicle, using expert local guides, and staying in Ndutu Safari Lodge, in the heart of the action. All transfers are by road, offering the chance to experience the country (we’ll be passing the Ngorongoro Crater en route to Ndutu) and avoiding the restrictive baggage allowance of small aircraft.
