Big Cats of the Serengeti - April 2026

Each photo safari I lead is built around you - your goals, your style, and the images you dream of creating. Before the trip, I work closely with every guest to understand what you want to capture, from specific backgrounds and wildlife to behavior. Together, we plan everything, from the best locations and light to gear and lens choices so you arrive ready to create the photographs you envision.

With nearly two decades living and working across Africa, including four years based in Tanzania, I bring unmatched local knowledge and a deep appreciation for its landscapes, wildlife, and cultures. You’ll travel with a guide who knows the terrain intimately and values ethical, respectful wildlife photography.

Our base for this photo safari is Namiri Plains, Asilia’s premier luxury camp in Tanzania’s Eastern Serengeti. It’s an area renowned for its big cats, sweeping savannas, and sense of true wilderness. Nestled in an exclusive part of the park, the camp offers the perfect balance of comfort and wild authenticity. From your private deck, you’ll overlook a wildlife-rich basin where lions, hippos, and elephants often wander by between game drives.

Each spacious tented suite combines elegant design with natural materials - stone walls formed from ancient volcanic ash, airy interiors, and open decks that let you feel part of the landscape. Guests can choose between single or shared accommodations, all with reliable power, Wi-Fi, and thoughtful amenities that make it easy to recharge both your batteries and yourself.

The camp’s warm hospitality, and attention to detail make it a welcoming retreat and the perfect base for photographers who want to experience the Serengeti’s wild beauty in comfort and style.

This safari is timed for one of the most dramatic and rewarding seasons for wildlife photography in the Serengeti - the wet season. As afternoon storms build and break, the skies fill with texture, color, and light that transform every scene into something extraordinary. When the clouds part at sunset, golden rays pour across the plains, creating some of the most striking photographic conditions anywhere in Africa.

Wildlife is equally spectacular. With plentiful prey and lush grasslands, predators (especially lions) are in peak condition and highly active: hunting, mating, and defending their territories. Resident animals thrive this time of year, so there’s always action to capture, from stalking cats to playful cubs.

Best of all, this is the Serengeti’s low season, which means fewer vehicles, quieter sightings, and a more intimate experience with both wildlife and wilderness. Combined with the secluded setting of Namiri Plains, it’s an ideal time for photographers seeking epic light, authentic encounters, and space to create without the crowds.

The Eastern Serengeti is all about capturing both intimate wildlife moments and sweeping landscapes. With the region’s abundant wildlife, we’re often close to the action, so mid- to long-range zoom or prime lenses are ideal. I typically shoot with a 400mm f/2.8 and a 70–200mm f/2.8, which together cover most situations we encounter on safari. Wildlife behavior peaks at the edge of day, and fast glass can really help keep you shooting as the light fades.

The Serengeti’s landscapes are integral to its magic, and going wider (around 35mm) can create powerful environmental portraits that place animals in their natural context - especially under the dramatic skies and golden light of this season.

Before each trip, we’ll discuss your photography goals and tailor your gear setup to the images you want to create. Whether you’re deciding between lenses, camera bodies, or accessories, I’ll share field-tested techniques and insights from years of photographing in Tanzania to help you make the most of every opportunity.

During our pre-trip consultation, I’ll share a detailed packing list designed specifically for this location, refined over four years of photographing in the Eastern Serengeti. It covers everything from travel essentials to the field-tested gear that helps you stay comfortable and ready for action in all conditions.

Because this safari takes place during the Serengeti’s wet season, I recommend bringing reliable rain gear - a lightweight rain jacket and waterproof covers for your camera and lenses. (I personally use Think Tank’s Storm Jackets.) Rainstorms here can appear quickly and dramatically, but they can pass just as fast - often leaving behind incredible light and photographic opportunities.

Our open-sided Land Cruisers are equipped with roll-down flaps and extra ponchos, so you’ll stay dry and focused no matter what the weather brings. With a little preparation, you’ll be ready to capture those iconic post-storm moments that make the Serengeti so unforgettable.