Serengeti National Park
The Greatest Wildlife Sanctuary
About
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is located in the north-eastern corner of Tanzania and is known as one of the best places in Africa to see wildlife. Golden Dawn Expedition operates safaris into different zones in the Serengeti National Park.
One of the world’s most famous game-viewing parks, the Serengeti is host to the Great Migration, where 2 million wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelles move together across the plains, predators following closely in their wake. The vast open landscape makes the Serengeti one of the best places to view wildlife on Earth.
Africa’s Greatest Wildlife Sanctuary
Covering 14,763 km² square kilometers, the Serengeti is larger than entire countries like Belgium. It’s not just Tanzania’s crown jewel — it’s Africa’s greatest wildlife sanctuary, home to the planet’s largest land migration and an unmatched diversity of predators and prey.
THE FOUR WORLDS OF SERENGETI, EACH A SAFARI OF ITS OWN
The Serengeti is not one place it is four distinct ecosystems, each alive with its own stories, seasons, and wildlife rhythms. From the predator-rich valleys of Central Serengeti to the cheetah plains of the East, the dramatic Mara River crossings in the North, and the calving grounds of the South every zone is a completely different safari.
To experience the Serengeti properly, each region must be explored in its right season, with its own time, and through its own dedicated journey.
That is why no one can truly visit the entire Serengeti in a single trip it is a masterpiece best discovered, chapter by chapter.
Central Serengeti - The Kingdom of Big Cats (All Year)
Central Serengeti
Location & Landscape
Central Serengeti, anchored around the Seronera River, is the wildlife heart of Serengeti National Park. Its golden plains, scattered kopjes, and riverine forests create the ultimate setting for wildlife photography. The Moru Kopjes, rising dramatically above the plains, provide elevated vantage points for predators, herds, and landscapes.
Moru Kopjes is also a key black rhino conservation area, with guided visits to monitored rhino zones. Photographers can safely observe these critically endangered species while documenting anti-poaching efforts and conservation initiatives, adding a unique storytelling layer to their safari.
Wildlife & Photography Experience
Predator Hotspot
Lions, leopards, and cheetahs are abundant in Central Serengeti. The open plains and kopjes allow unobstructed action photography, capturing hunting sequences, cub behavior, and territorial displays.
Black Rhino Conservation at Moru
Moru hosts carefully monitored black rhino populations. Guided visits provide photographers the opportunity to document these rare animals and learn about habitat protection, rhino tracking, and anti-poaching operations.
Predator-Prey Dynamics
Plains are teeming with wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, and buffalo. Dust clouds from hunting or fleeing herds add cinematic drama for wildlife photography.
Birdlife & Smaller Fauna
Kopjes and riverine areas are rich with raptors, secretary birds, and kori bustards. The Seronera River attracts waterbirds, hippos, and crocodiles, adding variety to photographic subjects.
Moru Kopjes Advantage
Granite outcrops serve as elevated photography platforms, perfect for sunrise, sunset, and wide-angle landscape compositions, including dramatic silhouettes of predators and rhinos.
6 Day Photographic Itinerary – Central Serengeti & Moru Kopjes
Day one – Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport meet our driver ready to be transferred to your hotel
Day Two – Arrival & Afternoon Game Drive
Arrive at Seronera airstrip and transfer to camp near Moru Kopjes. Afternoon drive to photograph lions, cheetahs, and plains game. Sunset photography atop a kopje for panoramic landscapes.
Day Three – Sunrise & Predator Action
Pre-dawn drive to capture big cats in golden morning light. Track lions, leopards, and cheetahs hunting or interacting with cubs. Afternoon visit to Moru rhino conservation zones, photographing black rhinos and learning about anti-poaching programs. Evening sunset photography atop kopjes.
Day Four – Moru Kopjes Exploration & Wildlife Photography
Morning atop Moru Kopjes photographing lions and leopards surveying the plains. Midday rest at camp with photo review. Afternoon drive focusing on cheetah stalking sequences, dust-cloud photography, and plains game. Sunset silhouettes over the plains.
Day Five – Seronera River & Rhino Conservation Focus
Early morning along Seronera River for hippos, crocodiles, and bird photography. Afternoon guided visit to rhino conservation zones for closer photographic opportunities and learning about protection efforts. Evening drive to capture predator-prey interactions with dramatic golden light.
Day Six – Final Morning & Departure
Pre-dawn game drive for last shots of predators, plains game, and rhinos. Breakfast at camp. Transfer to Seronera airstrip for departure.
Safari Highlights for Photographers
- High density of lions, leopards, and cheetahs
- Black rhino observation and conservation photography at Moru Kopjes
- Granite kopjes for elevated vantage points and dramatic landscapes
- Action photography of predator-prey interactions and dust clouds
- Wide-angle compositions of plains, kopjes, and Seronera River
- Golden hour lighting, silhouettes, and astrophotography opportunities
- Hands-on conservation storytelling opportunities
Accommodation Options
- Seronera Safari Lodge – Luxury lodge with panoramic views near Moru Kopjes
- Central Serengeti Tented Camp – Upscale camp located close to predator hotspots and rhino conservation areas
Style & Group
Small groups with a maximum of 3 photographers per vehicle, ensuring freedom and flexible positioning. Private guided photographic safaris are available for a fully tailored wildlife and conservation photography experience.
Northern Serengeti – The Great Mara River Crossing (July - October)
Northern Serengeti
Location & Landscape
Kogatende sits in the far northern Serengeti, along the Mara River near the Kenya border. This area is famous for the Great Migration river crossings, where thousands of wildebeest and zebras traverse the crocodile-infested waters, creating one of the most dramatic wildlife spectacles on Earth. The landscape features rolling grasslands, riverine forests, and acacia-studded plains, providing diverse and cinematic backdrops for wildlife photography.
Kogatende is more remote than other parts of the Serengeti, giving photographers less crowded safari experiences and opportunities to capture wildlife in natural, uninterrupted settings.
Wildlife & Photography Experience
The Great Migration River Crossings
From July to September, hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebras move north from the Serengeti into Kenya. Photographers can capture dramatic river crossings, predator ambushes, and high-action shots of animals in motion. Crocodiles lying in wait add tension and incredible photographic drama.
Predator Action
The northern Serengeti supports abundant lions, leopards, hyenas, and cheetahs. With fewer vehicles than the central Serengeti, photographers can get closer and spend more time capturing hunting sequences, stalking behavior, and interaction between predators and the migrating herds.
Birdlife & Smaller Wildlife
Along the Mara River, herons, storks, egrets, and other waterbirds create additional photographic subjects. Hippos and crocodiles provide action shots in riverine habitats, and giraffes, elephants, and buffalo roam the surrounding plains.
Light & Atmosphere
Morning and evening light is spectacular, with soft golden rays illuminating the plains, creating opportunities for silhouette photography, reflections on the river, and dust clouds stirred by migrating herds.
6-Day Photographic Itinerary – Northern Serengeti (Kogatende)
Day One – Arrival & Transfer to Kogatende
Arrive via small aircraft to Kogatende airstrip. Transfer to camp overlooking the Mara River. Evening game drive along the riverbanks to photograph early wildlife activity and golden light reflections.
Day Two – Sunrise and Migration Action
Pre-dawn drive to capture sunrise over the plains. Follow migrating herds and position along the Mara River for dramatic river crossing photography. Afternoon rest with optional close-up wildlife photography near camp. Evening review and discussion of images.
Day Three – Predator Focus
Full-day game drive focusing on predators—lions, leopards, and hyenas—as they hunt around the migrating herds. Evening photography session capturing sunset silhouettes on the riverbanks.
Day Four – Mara River Crossings
Early morning at river crossing hotspots to capture dramatic action shots of wildebeest and zebras navigating the river. Afternoon drive exploring riverine forests for bird and small mammal photography. Sunset shoot with migration as background.
Day Five – Off the Beaten Track
Explore more remote areas of the northern Serengeti for undisturbed wildlife action. Focus on cheetah and lion behaviors in open plains, plus landscape compositions featuring acacia trees and kopjes. Evening photography from elevated terrain for panoramic shots.
Day Six – Final Morning & Departure
Pre-dawn game drive to capture final migration shots. Breakfast at the lodge, followed by transfer to Kogatende airstrip for departure.
Safari Highlights for Photographers
- Dramatic river crossings of the Great Migration (July–September)
- Abundant predator activity including lions, leopards, hyenas, and cheetahs
- Remote, uncrowded photographic locations
- Rolling plains, riverine forests, and Mara River backdrops for versatile compositions
- Expert guiding to position vehicles for optimal photographic angles
Accommodation Options
- Kogatende Tented Camp – Luxury mobile tented camp near the Mara River for migration access
- Serengeti Kogatende Lodge – Comfortable lodge with panoramic views of the river and plains
Style & Group
Small groups with a maximum of 3 photographers per vehicle, allowing freedom of movement, flexible positioning, and ample photographic opportunities. Private guided photographic safaris are also available for tailored experiences.
Eastern Serengeti - The Realm of Cheetahs (Best Jan - June)
Eastern Serengeti
Location & Landscape
Namiri Plains and Gol Kopjes are located in the Eastern Serengeti, a region known for its open grasslands, rocky outcrops, and minimal tourist traffic. Unlike the busier Central Serengeti, these areas allow photographers to experience intimate wildlife encounters in pristine surroundings. The plains are dotted with acacia trees and granite kopjes, creating dramatic natural backdrops for wildlife and landscape photography.
Namiri Plains was closed for 20 years by the Tanzanian government to protect its high cheetah population. Since reopening in 2014, the area has offered a perfect balance of luxury safari accommodation and unrestricted wildlife observation, while Gol Kopjes complements it with its elevated granite formations for iconic predator photography.
Wildlife & Photography Experience
Cheetah & Big Cat Action
Namiri Plains is renowned for its cheetah population, while Gol Kopjes attracts lions, leopards, and hyenas. The open plains and kopjes give photographers unobstructed views, ideal for capturing hunting sequences, stalking behavior, and mother-and-cub interactions.
Predator-Prey Dynamics
Both areas provide the opportunity to photograph predators in action, often with plains game like gazelles, impala, and wildebeest as subjects. The rocky outcrops at Gol Kopjes also allow for dramatic vantage points, creating epic predator shots.
Landscape & Light
Golden plains, expansive skies, and granite kopjes provide incredible settings for wide-angle landscapes, silhouettes at sunrise or sunset, and dusty action shots during hunts.
Birdlife & Small Fauna
From secretary birds to kori bustards and other raptors, the plains host a variety of birds that add dynamic foregrounds or action to your photography.
6-Day Photographic Itinerary – Namiri Plains & Gol Kopjes
Day One– arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and get transferred by our driver to your hotel
Day Two – Arrival at Namiri Plains
Arrive in Serengeti and transfer to Namiri Plains Camp. Afternoon game drive to spot cheetahs and plains game. Sunset photography session atop a kopje.
Day Three – Full Day in Namiri Plains
Pre-dawn game drive capturing early morning predator activity. Spend the day tracking cheetah families and photographing lions in the golden light. Evening sundowners with panoramic shots of the plains.
Day four – Final Morning in Namiri & Transfer to Gol Kopjes
Morning game drive for last cheetah sightings. Transfer to a lodge near Gol Kopjes. Afternoon photography focusing on kopjes and resident predators. Evening light for silhouettes.
Day Five – Full Day at Gol Kopjes
Early morning predator tracking: cheetahs, lions, and leopards. Midday rest with photography review. Afternoon game drive to capture hunting sequences and dramatic landscapes. Sunset atop kopjes.
Day Six – Eastern Serengeti Photography
Full-day photographic safari covering both plains and kopjes. Focus on predator-prey interactions, dust clouds, and landscape compositions. Evening shoot capturing silhouettes and wildlife against the golden horizon.
Day Seven – Final Morning & Departure
Pre-dawn game drive for last morning shots. Breakfast at the lodge. Transfer to the airstrip for departure.
Safari Highlights for Photographers
- High concentration of cheetahs, lions, and leopards in intimate settings
- Dramatic granite kopjes for predator vantage points and landscape shots
- Open plains for golden light photography and wide-angle compositions
- Minimal vehicle congestion for private, uninterrupted wildlife observation
- Luxury camps with views directly onto wildlife-rich areas
Accommodation Options
- Namiri Plains Camp – Luxury tented camp with 360° views of the plains
- Serengeti Serena Lodge or Similar – Comfortable lodge near Gol Kopjes for easy access to predator hotspots
Style & Group
Small groups with a maximum of 3 photographers per vehicle, ensuring space, flexibility, and freedom to position for the best shots. Private guided photographic safaris are also available.
Southern Serengeti - Calving Miracle
Southern Serengeti
Location & Landscape
Ndutu lies in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, bordering the Southern Serengeti. Unlike Serengeti National Park, Ndutu has a unique advantage: off-road driving is permitted. This makes it a dream destination for photographers, allowing you to follow predators or birthing wildebeest right to the action without restriction. The landscapes are made of short-grass plains, dotted with acacia trees and seasonal alkaline lakes such as Ndutu and Masek, creating stunning natural backdrops.
Wildlife & Photography Experience
The Great Calving Season
Between late December and March, Ndutu becomes the birthing ground of the Great Migration. Over half a million wildebeest calves are born in just a few weeks. For photographers, this is a rare opportunity to capture new life unfolding, mothers protecting their young, and predators testing their survival.
Predator Action
Ndutu is famous for its predator sightings. Lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and even leopards thrive here. The short grass plains give clean, unobstructed views, ideal for action photography.
Off-road Freedom
Unlike many reserves, Ndutu allows vehicles to go off-road. This is priceless for photographers. You can position perfectly with the light, follow a cheetah family all day, or set up for dramatic low-angle shots with dust and sunsets.
Birdlife and Landscapes
Seasonal lakes attract flamingos, pelicans, crowned cranes, and many other species. Wide open skies, acacia woodlands, and endless horizons give incredible opportunities for wide-angle and landscape photography.
Light and Atmosphere
Every day in Ndutu begins with a dramatic sunrise over the plains and ends with golden light shining through dust clouds raised by the herds. Photographers can also experiment with silhouettes, reflections on the lakes, and even astrophotography at night.
Ndutu Photographic Itinerary – 6 Days / 5 Nights
Day One – Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport and get transferred to your hotel for dinner
Day Two – Arrive from Arusha by flight or drive.meet your guide and game en route to your camp, set your gears ready before leaving the airport anything might happen, Settle into your camp overlooking Lake Ndutu. In the evening, head out for your first sunset drive, photographing wildebeest herds in golden light.
Day Three – Sunrise on the Plains
Begin before dawn with wildebeest silhouettes against the rising sun. Spend the morning following cheetahs across the plains. Return to camp for rest and photo review. In the afternoon, focus on elephants and birdlife near Lake Masek.
Day four – Calving and Predator Drama
Position close to the herds to capture wildebeest births. Photograph lions and hyenas as they interact with the calving herds. In the evening, gather around the campfire for discussions on storytelling photography.
Day Five – Big Cats and Off-road Freedom
Track cheetah families and capture hunting sequences. Use the off-road advantage to position with the light. Later, search for leopards and caracals in the acacia woodlands before photographing herds in the soft evening light.
Day Six – Lakes and Bird Photography
Begin at Lake Ndutu with flamingos in the morning light. Focus on smaller bird species with telephoto or macro techniques. In the afternoon, capture wildebeest dust storms and sunsets. At night, enjoy an optional astrophotography session with the Milky Way and silhouetted acacia trees.
Day Seven – Final Morning and Departure
Spend your last morning with the herds and predators. Depart Ndutu for Arusha by flight or road transfer.
Safari Highlights for Photographers
- Unrestricted off-road access to wildlife action
- Golden light and open plains for world-class photography
- Predators, calving season, and dramatic birdlife as main subjects
- Professional guiding to position vehicles perfectly
- Optional night-sky astrophotography in camp
Accommodation Options
Ndutu Safari Lodge – a classic stay with prime access to the herds
Luxury Mobile Tented Camps – seasonal camps positioned right at the migration hotspots
Style & Group
Small groups with a maximum of 3 photographers per vehicle for plenty of space and freedom. Private guided photographic safaris also available.
One Park. Four Ecosystems. Endless Journeys.
Each Serengeti zone is a different world, with its own wildlife, atmosphere, and season. To experience them fully, you explore them one at a time, like chapters in the greatest wildlife story on Earth.
Serengeti Featured Packages
10 Days Safari – Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Ndutu
From $ 4,500
7 Days Ndutu - The photographer's Paradise
From $ 3,900
9 Days Photography Safari - Serengeti
From $ 4,000