Overview
We have been running trips across the African continent for many years now and love to work on refining content, focus and locations to develop them. This trip to a fabulous camp for our exclusive use in the northern part of the Serengeti called the Lobo region which is famous for the beautiful rock formations called kopjes has been timed to coincide with the great migration moving south through the area. To make the most of this before we head there, we will enjoy a couple of nights further north in the Serengeti close to the Mara River so we can focus on the dramatic opportunities of river crossings there. We will then head south to the Lobo Valley which is particularly famous for its lion prides that use these rocky outcrops to get a good advantage of their surroundings and these spectacular rocks act as the perfect setting for these majestic big cats. Cheetah numbers in the area are good, and leopards are also to be found on these rocky settings.
Throughout the trip every photographer will have a full row of seats in the specially designed safari trucks with photographers in mind as this allows for ample kit space and flexibility for photography either out of the low side windows or the open roof. The area is a little off the main drag here and so it won’t feel like you are constantly sharing a sighting with countless other vehicles. Tanzania is a wonderful country to visit, and this remote region which is rarely visited promises to deliver some unique opportunities.
Itinerary Open +Close -
Day 1: We will depart the UK on flights to be advised but based on current schedules are likely to be an early afternoon departure time and will involve a connection on route.
Day 2: We look to arrive at Kilimanjaro airport this morning and on arrival we will have approximately a one-hour transfer to Arusha where we will spend the afternoon relaxing and catching up from our overnight travels and spend our first night at a small hotel and acclimatise accordingly.
Day 3: After an early breakfast we will transfer to the domestic airport to catch our bush flight out to Kogatende, set in the northern part of the Serengeti, close to the Mara River and where we will be based for two nights. We will look to get out for our first game drive in the afternoon to establish the state of play in terms of the great migration moving through.
Day 4: We will settle into the familiar safari pattern of early morning drives, a break in the middle and afternoon outings through to sunset with our focus today very much on the migration and any of the dramatic crossings across the Mara River and in our direction that may be happening. This is one of the most incredible sights in the natural world and this one of the quieter times and areas to experience it too.
Day 5: After a final morning outing with wildebeest in mind, we will transfer south to our base in the Lobo valley and where we will be based for the rest of the trip: it’s around a 2-hour drive. After lunch we will then head out on our first game drive here to visit the wonderful Lobo Valley. We have no time constraints so will stay out until the light fades and then head back to camp for an evening meal.
Days 6 – 10: It will be an early start each morning and we will head out with a packed breakfast at dawn each day to make the most of the sunrise and early morning light. Each day will follow a similar pattern, and we will be working on our latest information regarding the big cats of this fantastic area. The resident lion pride, called the ‘Lobo Pride’, is the 2nd largest pride in the Serengeti and this extended family of lions is commonly seen catnapping on the smooth granite kopjes during the heat of the day, sprawled out in proper lion style. As the days go, we will continue our regular routine and as we go along, we will analyse what we have achieved and make decisions on how we progress. All of the big cats are our main target but the large herds moving through also offer great opportunities to achieving a broad portfolio. We will work with the light and the conditions as we go along but this location can produce some fabulous opportunities.
Day 11: After a final short morning drive, we will catch a return bush flight back to Arusha from where we will transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for our overnight flights which will leave late this afternoon.
Day 12: Our flight arrives back at London Heathrow this morning.
What our customers say
“The Zoom meeting was a good idea and a chance to meet the group before we travelled.“
“The trip was very good and well organised.“
“We were able to take every opportunity that was offered to us to get photographs from every angle, by moving the vehicles around. You only had to ask the driver to stop if you saw something that you wanted to photograph.“
“The facilities in the tent were perfect and having a hot water bottle in bed at night was that added little extra.“
“We had lots of fun with the guides and if you wished to know something you only had to ask for assistance.“
“Yes the food was good, but the portions were too much.“
“It was a wonderful trip and nothing needed to be improved.“
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