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Abayaniriza n’abakola entambula abakakasiddwa Ebifo n’obumanyirivu bwa Afrika obw’omutindo Bookinga kati oba saba entambula ekuteredde
12-Day Golden Photography Safari Package

Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

12-Day Golden Photography Safari Package

5.0 / 5 · 665 reviews Offered by African Big Cats Safaris 12-Day

Overview

On this "Golden Package", we ensure that you return home with the everlasting trophies from the wilderness by letting you comfortably take your time to press your camera's shutter button. Capture the precious moments and postures from the animals, landscape and the birds in the sky. This tour ensures that you have the time to capture the best shots in all the major parks of the Northern Safari Circuit. Your preferences are our number one priority! Come and join us on this adventurous trip.

Plan snapshot

Quick Facts

Tour details

Duration

12-Day

Route

Arusha to Arusha (City)

Via Arusha NP, Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP

Country & park

Tanzania / Tarangire National Park

Style

Mid-range safari

Group size

1-12 travelers

Starts

Any day if available

Minimum age

5 years

Activities

game drives

Accommodation

Mtoni River Lodge - Mid-range lodge in Arusha (City)

Meals

Day 1: Breakfast Included; Day 2: All Meals Included; All Meals Included

Pickup

Airport transfer included

Booking

Request quote

Currency

USD

12-Day Golden Photography Safari Package
Tarangire National Park visual context for this itinerary.

Rates

Rates Per Person

USD

Start datesSingle2+ people
Jun 1, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026 n/a* USD $5,132 USD
Jan 1, 2027 - Mar 31, 2027 n/a* USD $5,390 USD
Apr 1, 2027 - May 31, 2027 n/a* USD $4,950 USD
Jun 1, 2027 - Dec 31, 2027 n/a* USD $5,390 USD

Before booking

Important To Know

This tour is not available to solo travelers.
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
This tour is offered in US dollars (USD).
This tour accepts children who are 5 years and older.

Quote flow

Request Guidance

We advise requesting quotes from 3 operators ()
Requests are sent directly to the tour operator
If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
Request a Quote

Route

Tour route map
country Tanzania
Start Arusha (Day 1)
Day 2 Arusha NP
Day 3-4 Tarangire NP
Day 5-8 Serengeti NP
Day 9 Ngorongoro Highlands
Day 10 Ngorongoro Crater
Day 11 Lake Manyara NP
End Arusha (City) (Day 12)

Tour Features

Mid-range tour

This mid-range tour uses lodges and tented camps.

Private tour

This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others.

Can start any day

If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.

Can be customized

You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.

Not for solo travelers

Solo travelers cannot book this private tour.

5
Minimum age of 5 years

The minimum age for this tour is 5 years.

Activities & Transportation

Activities: game drives
Game drives: pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle
Getting around: pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle
Book your own international flights when using this operator
A transfer from and back to the airport is included

Accommodation & Meals

Mtoni River Lodge

Day 1-2

Mtoni River Lodge

Mid-range lodge in Arusha (City)

Day 1: Breakfast Included; Day 2: All Meals Included

Mtoni River LodgeMtoni River LodgeMtoni River Lodge
Lake Burunge Tented Lodge

Day 3

Lake Burunge Tented Lodge

Mid-range lodge less than 1hr drive from Tarangire NP – All Meals Included

All Meals Included

Lake Burunge Tented LodgeLake Burunge Tented LodgeLake Burunge Tented Lodge
Eileen's Trees Inn

Day 4

Eileen's Trees Inn

Mid-range lodge 1-2hr drive from Tarangire NP – All Meals Included

All Meals Included

Eileen's Trees InnEileen's Trees InnEileen's Trees Inn
Embalakai Serengeti Camp

Day 5-6

Embalakai Serengeti Camp

Luxury tented camp inside Central Serengeti NP – All Meals Included

All Meals Included

Embalakai Serengeti CampEmbalakai Serengeti CampEmbalakai Serengeti Camp
Mgunga Serengeti Camp

Day 7-8

Mgunga Serengeti Camp

Mid-range tented camp inside Western Serengeti NP – All Meals Included

All Meals Included

Mgunga Serengeti CampMgunga Serengeti CampMgunga Serengeti Camp
Embalakai Ngorongoro Camp

Day 9

Embalakai Ngorongoro Camp

Luxury tented camp less than 1hr drive from Ngorongoro Crater – All Meals Included

All Meals Included

Embalakai Ngorongoro CampEmbalakai Ngorongoro Camp
Eileen's Trees Inn

Day 10

Eileen's Trees Inn

Mid-range lodge 1-2hr drive from Ngorongoro Crater – All Meals Included

All Meals Included

Eileen's Trees Inn

Day 11

Eileen's Trees Inn

Mid-range lodge less than 1hr drive from Lake Manyara NP – All Meals Included

All Meals Included

Day 12

End of tour

No accommodation

(No accommodation)

Breakfast & Lunch Included

Day By Day

Tour step

Arrival

You'll be collected from the airport. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrival in Arusha

Day 1

Arrival in Arusha

On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK) which caters for domestic flights, you will be met by an African Big Cats Safaris representative who will drive you to your accommodation in Arusha. Overnight will be at Mtoni River Lodge. Mid-range lodge located in Arusha (City) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Destination: Arusha (City) Stay: Mtoni River Lodge Mid-range lodge located in Arusha (City) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Arusha National Park

Day 2

Arusha National Park

After breakfast, we collect you from your hotel in Arusha and drive to the Arusha National Park. The park has an incredible variety of fauna and flora. Hollywood chose this region to film the movie “Hatari” in which Hardy Kruger starred alongside the legendary John Wayne. Your trip includes a visit to the Ngurdoto Crater. Buffaloes, waterbucks, giraffes, zebras and baboons can be seen all year round, as well as many bird species. The park is also known for the black and white colobus monkeys. These monkeys have no thumbs and are good at tree-climbing and jumping from branch to branch. Only a few other national parks in Tanzania give you such an opportunity and it is something that should not be missed. Lunch will be taken at a picnic site. After plenty of time allocated for you to observe the wildlife, we will drive you back to your accommodation in Arusha for dinner and overnight at Mtoni River Lodge. Mid-range lodge located in Arusha (City) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

Destination: Arusha National Park Stay: Mtoni River Lodge Mid-range lodge located in Arusha (City) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Arusha to Tarangire National Park

Day 3

Arusha to Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, we depart for Tarangire National Park. The park is named after the Tarangire River which runs through it. This ‘river of warthogs’ is the only source of water for wildlife in the region during the dry season. In places, the vegetation is quite dense, including elephant grass and acacia woodlands. You may also see giraffe, bushbuck and hartebeest. These animals are closely followed by a range of predators, including lion, cheetah and leopard. There are more breeding species of birds found in Tarangire National Park than anywhere else on the planet. Home to Tanzania's largest population of elephants, Tarangire is the best place to see these gentle giants in their natural habitat – from the adorable calves all the way up to the intimidating bulls. Head to Lake Burunge Tented Lodge for dinner and overnight. Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Tarangire NP All meals included All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Destination: Tarangire National Park Stay: Lake Burunge Tented Lodge Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Tarangire NP Meals: All meals included All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)
Tarangire National Park to Karatu

Day 4

Tarangire National Park to Karatu

After an early breakfast, you will continue with your game-viewing inside Tarangire National Park with a lot of opportunities to capture the images of the African wild. Your private safari guide will take you to the most incredible places, taking into consideration the beauty of the park and all it has to offer in terms of landscape, flora and fauna. Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Tarangire NP All meals included All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Destination: Tarangire National Park Stay: Eileen's Trees Inn Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Tarangire NP Meals: All meals included All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)
Serengeti National Park

Day 5

Serengeti National Park

After an early breakfast, we drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and on to Serengeti National Park with game viewing en-route. Serengeti National Park is undoubtedly the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world, unequaled for its natural beauty and scientific value. It has the greatest concentration of plains game in Africa. It is the migration for which Serengeti is perhaps most famous. Over a million wildebeest and about 200,000 zebra flow south from the northern hills to the southern plains for the short rains every October and November. They then swirl west and north after the long rains in April, May and June. So strong is the ancient instinct to move that no drought, gorge or crocodile-infested river can hold them back. Serengeti is truly home to the legendary great wildebeest migration. The Serengeti National Park is where safari-goers come to truly experience an African safari. You will have dinner and overnight at Embalakai Tented Camp. Luxury tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP All meals included All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Destination: Serengeti National Park Stay: Embalakai Serengeti Camp Luxury tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP Meals: All meals included All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)
Explore Serengeti National Park for More Game-viewing

Day 7

Explore Serengeti National Park for More Game-viewing

After breakfast, we drive toward western Serengeti on a game-viewing drive. Serengeti National Park is undoubtedly the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world. Unequalled for its natural beauty and scientific value, it has the greatest concentration of plains game in Africa. It is the migration for which Serengeti is perhaps most famous. Over a million wildebeest and about 200,000 zebra flow south from the northern hills to the southern plains for the short rains every October and November, and then swirl west and north after the long rains in April, May and June. So strong is the ancient instinct to move that no drought, gorge or crocodile-infested river can hold them back. The wildebeest travel through a variety of parks, reserves and protected areas, and through a variety of habitats. Explore the different forms of vegetation and landscapes of the Serengeti ecosystem and meet some of their most fascinating inhabitants. Head to Mgunga camp for dinner and overnight. Mid-range tented camp located inside Western Serengeti NP All meals included All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Destination: Serengeti National Park Stay: Mgunga Serengeti Camp Mid-range tented camp located inside Western Serengeti NP Meals: All meals included All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)
Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Day 9

Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

After breakfast, depart from the Serengeti and proceed to the Ngorongoro Crater with a game-viewing drive en-route. It is home to the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth - the great migration of wildebeest and zebra. The resident population of lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, and birds is also impressive. There’s a wide variety of accommodation available, from luxury lodges to mobile camps. The park covers 5,700 sq miles (14,763 sq km). It is larger than Connecticut, with at most a couple of hundred vehicles driving around. A packed lunch will be served at a picnic site. In the late afternoon, we continue our drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, arriving at Embalakai Ngorongoro for dinner and overnight. Luxury tented camp located less than 1hr drive from Ngorongoro Crater All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

Destination: Ngorongoro Highlands Stay: Embalakai Ngorongoro Camp Luxury tented camp located less than 1hr drive from Ngorongoro Crater Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Ngorongoro Crater to Karatu

Day 10

Ngorongoro Crater to Karatu

After breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a game-viewing drive. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa’s most famous sites and is said to have the highest density of wildlife in Africa. Sometimes described as an :Eighth Wonder of the World" and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the crater has achieved world renown and attracts an ever-increasing number of visitors each year. You are unlikely to escape other vehicles here, but you are guaranteed great wildlife viewing in a genuinely mind-blowing environment. There is nowhere else in Africa quite like Ngorongoro! One of the best places in the country to see the endangered black rhinoceros, the park is home to the entire Big Five and is a particularly good place to see lions and Cape buffaloes year-round. A packed lunch will be served at a picnic site. Late in the afternoon, drive to the Ngorongoro Highlands for your dinner and overnight at Eileen's Tree Inn. Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Ngorongoro Crater All meals included All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Destination: Ngorongoro Crater Stay: Eileen's Trees Inn Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Ngorongoro Crater Meals: All meals included All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)
Lake Manyara National Park

Day 11

Lake Manyara National Park

After breakfast, continue on a short drive to Lake Manyara National Park. Your first encounter on the game-viewing drive will be the large troops of baboons. Lake Manyara National Park is a protected area in Tanzania's Arusha and Manyara regions, situated between Lake Manyara and the Great Rift Valley. Lake Manyara National Park boasts a spectacular array of diverse terrain as well as plant and animal species. Established specifically to protect the elephant herds that have made the area renowned, the park provides an amazing wildlife experience. Elephants are not the only animals that Lake Manyara is famous for. Tree-climbing lions are also seen occasionally. A packed lunch will be served at a picnic site. Late afternoon, continue on a short drive to the Ngorongoro Highlands for dinner and overnight at Eileen's Tree Inn. Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Lake Manyara NP All meals included All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Destination: Lake Manyara National Park Stay: Eileen's Trees Inn Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Lake Manyara NP Meals: All meals included All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)
Karatu to Arusha

Day 12

Karatu to Arusha

You will wake up in the morning for a hot cup of tea/coffee and enjoy your breakfast. You will have some time to relax, before packing your belongings. Proceed for the drive in the private safari Land Cruiser directly to Arusha. This marks the end of your epic "Golden Photography" adventure with a certificate in hand for the accomplishment of this incredible and unique package. Transfer to the airport for your flight back home or for a flight to Zanzibar. Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Non-alcoholic drinks

Destination: Arusha (City) Stay: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Non-alcoholic drinks

Tour step

End of tour

Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the airport.

Included

Park fees (For non-residents)

All activities (Unless labeled as optional)

All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)

A professional driver/guide

All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)

All Taxes/VAT

Roundtrip airport transfer

Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Excluded

International flights (From/to home)

Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour

Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)

Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)

Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees

Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Getting There

This tour starts and ends in Arusha
Book your own international flights when using this operator
Fly to/from Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO - Check price) near Arusha. Or fly to/from Arusha Airport (ARK - Check price) via Dar es Salaam or Nairobi (Kenya)
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
African Big Cats Safaris
African Big Cats Safaris logo

Offered by

African Big Cats Safaris

5.0 operator rating 666 reviews

African Big Cats has distinguished itself from the crowd for its commitment to excellent service and innovative itineraries. Our safaris are conducted with optimum care to provide our customers with a truly memorable experience. We strive to introduce you to the country, its culture, its people, as well as the wildlife. We have a closely knit team of professionals to guarantee your satisfaction.

Office In

Tanzania

Size

20-50 employees (Founded in 2013)

Member Of

TATO & TTB

Tour Types

Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day

Destinations

Tanzania

Traveler feedback

Reviews

5.00 average

Overall

5.0/5

Communication

5.0/5

Accuracy

5.0/5

Value

5.0/5

Safety clarity

5.0/5

Cultural value

5.0/5
Verified

outstanding value for money

My family and I had the most incredible experience with African Big Cats Safaris during our recent trip to Tanzania! From the moment we were picked up at Kilimanjaro Airport, everything was seamless and professionally handled. Our guide, Obeydi, was not only knowledgeable about the wildlife and ecosystems but also incredibly friendly. We visited the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park — each destination offering breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable wildlife encounters. We saw all the Big Five, including a rare sighting of a leopard lounging in a tree and a pride of lions with cubs just a few meters from our vehicle! The accommodations were top-notch, blending comfort with the authentic safari experience. The team ensured we were well-fed, safe, and informed throughout the journey. I highly recommend African Big Cats Safaris to anyone looking for a well-organized, ethical, and truly magical safari experience in Tanzania. I would definitely book with them again!

Photo by Joanna
Photo by Joanna
Photo by Joanna
Photo by Joanna

Joanna · United Kingdom

Verified

OUTSTANDING !! WELL ORGANISED/ GREAT VALUE *****

OUTSTANDING LIFETIME EXPERIENCE We searched Safaribookings.com intensely and chose African Big Cats Safaris because they ticked all the boxes for us. From the initial contact, the staff were very professional and helpful. Joshua and Naomi answered any questions quickly and with a friendly approach. The meetings at the start and end of the safari with Emanuel (Managing Director) shows the dedication and personal care this company has. The itinerary for the Photographic Safari was excellent. We added an extra day in Arusha at the start without any problem. The safari was well planned and the accommodation in each location was superb. This excellent safari was made OUTSTANDING by our driver/guide FESTO. He is a human encyclopaedia when it comes to the birds, animals and culture of his country. His driving skills are impressive. His passion is infectious. Each day we shared wonderful, magical experiences. Festo became a friend in the short time we were with him. This was our first safari and we were lucky to have chosen African Big Cats Safaris. They would be the only company we would go back to. We highly recommend them.

Walking in Arusha NP
Pride with Kill
Cheetah with cubs Serengeti
Serengeti

Julie · United Kingdom

Verified

Unforgettable Safari Experience

It's been a month since our safari trip. It was an amazing trip. Beyond my expectations. The collaboration with African Big Cats started from months before the trip. The operators, including Salim and others, were helpful. Most of our specified lodging requests were fulfilled and we were able to finalize the trip. They communicated efficiently and accurately. The entire trip was well planned. We went to Tarangire, Serengeti Central, Serengeti North and Ngorongoro. Some highlights are of course the great migration, the wildebeests crossing in Serengeti, the great view in the Ngorongoro crater, seeing cheetah in the night safari in Tarangire. Our guide Khalid is professional. He knows all the animals. We were able to get to know a lot of species in the trip. He helped us mark in our book so we always know what we saw in the trip. We also enjoyed listening to stories about the national parks, Masaai/Meru/Arusha tribes, the culture and thelife in Tanzania. The guide has been very friendly and our time together was great. Our mom's big hope in the trip was to see the crossing. But we were unlucky on the first full day in the north Serengeti. By the end of the day we were unsure about if we still had any chance to see it because we needed to go back to the central Serengeti on the next day. Our guide suggested to wait for the crossing as much as we could on the next day. Because of his suggestion we were able to see the crossing. We saw a huge herd crossed and crocodiles preying wildebeests. It was awesome! On the first day the manager Emanuel gave us a detailed briefing in Arusha. That's a good experience to start the trip. For the lodgings, the first day's lodging in Mtoni River Lodge Arusha is a bit small for 3 persons in a room. Other than that its good. If I have the privilege to get to safari tour in Tanzania again, I would be going with African Big Cats and Khalid again.

Leopard (not cheetah) in night drive
Photo by JC
Photo by JC
Photo by JC

JC · United States

Verified

Unforgettable Safari with African Big Cats!

Our experience with African Big Cats was absolutely fantastic! We did a private safari in Spanish, and from start to finish, everything exceeded our expectations. Our guide, Endeni, was simply amazing — incredibly knowledgeable about wildlife, always kind and patient, and truly passionate about what he does. He made every game drive special, spotting animals we would have never seen on our own and sharing fascinating stories about each one. The organization was flawless: great communication, well-planned itinerary, comfortable accommodations, and no hidden surprises. Everything was handled with care and attention to detail. You can really tell that the team goes above and beyond to make sure you enjoy every moment. Overall, the value for money was excellent, and we came home with unforgettable memories. We 100% recommend African Big Cats to anyone looking for a trustworthy and professional safari operator in Tanzania — especially if you want a personalized, smooth, and truly memorable adventure!

Ignacio · Mexico

Practical answers

Tour FAQs

8 answers

Are rates charged per person?

Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.

Which currency is this tour priced in?

This tour is offered in US dollars (USD).

Can children join this tour?

This tour accepts children who are 5 years and older.

Can this tour start on my preferred date?

If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.

Can the itinerary be customized?

You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.

Where do travelers stay during this tour?

Mtoni River Lodge - Mid-range lodge in Arusha (City). Meals: Day 1: Breakfast Included; Day 2: All Meals Included

Where does this tour start and end?

This tour starts and ends in Arusha

Are airport transfers included?

A transfer from and back to the airport is included

Operator policy

Terms and Conditions

Booking terms

Disclaimer

This tour is offered by African Big Cats Safaris, not SafariBookings.

This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.

If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.

The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.

If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.

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