Tanzania Big Cat Safari
Lion Rock Camp
Lion Rock Camp sits at the heart of one of Tanzania's most productive big cat areas and offers a safari experience that feels refreshingly untouched. The resident lion prides are the stars of the show, spending much of their time lounging on the area's dramatic granite kopjes, where they provide some of the most iconic photographic opportunities imaginable. Whether it's magnificent males surveying their kingdom, playful cubs climbing over the rocks or prides gathering as the sun begins to set, these ancient outcrops create a stunning natural stage for unforgettable wildlife photography. During our reconnaissance visit, we photographed lions on all seven days – a testament to just how reliable this area can be. It wasn’t just lions though, we saw herds of zebra and plains game and the bird life was everywhere, offering some great photo ops.
The camp's central location also puts us within easy reach of three additional lion territories, two exceptionally productive leopard areas and a nearby reserve that offers the chance to photograph the rare and endangered black rhino. Yet despite the incredible wildlife, this remains a wonderfully peaceful corner of Tanzania where you'll rarely find yourself sharing sightings with multiple vehicles. The result is a far more relaxed and exclusive safari, with time to observe natural behaviour, work different photographic angles and simply enjoy being immersed in the African bush. It is this combination of outstanding wildlife, remarkable scenery and genuine exclusivity that makes Lion Rock Camp such a special place to photograph.
Cheetah Plains Camp
For the second part of our safari we'll move to Cheetah Plains Camp, a wonderful area that offers a completely different photographic experience. Here, the landscape opens into vast rolling plains dotted with acacia trees, creating the perfect habitat for one of Africa's most elegant predators. Cheetahs are the undisputed stars of this region, and with an excellent resident population we have an outstanding chance of spending quality time with these incredible cats as they scan the horizon from termite mounds, stalk unsuspecting prey across the grasslands or, if we're lucky, explode into breathtaking high-speed hunts. We are experts at working with Cheetahs and predicting their behaviour, that comes from years of experience in the field so you are in the best hands.
One of the real advantages of this area is the freedom to drive off-road. This allows us to position our open safari vehicles exactly where we want them, making the most of the light, the background and the behaviour of the animals rather than being restricted to the road. Whether it's a cheetah silhouetted against a glowing sunrise, a mother and her cubs walking through golden grass, or a dramatic dust-filled chase across the plains, we'll be able to work every sighting creatively to produce images with atmosphere and impact.
The plains themselves are alive with wildlife, attracting huge numbers of gazelles, impalas, zebras and other grazers that provide a constant food source for the resident predators. While cheetahs are the main focus during our stay, lions, hyenas and a wealth of other wildlife also patrol the area, ensuring that every game drive brings fresh photographic opportunities. By combining the dramatic rocky landscapes of Lion Rock Camp with the wide-open hunting grounds of Cheetah Plains, this safari offers two completely different settings, each perfectly suited to photographing Tanzania's magnificent big cats at their very best.
Accommodation and food
Both camps are old style safari fashion, very friendly, personable and comfortable.
Lion Rock Camp is simple, rustic yet comfortable and very old school. It has old style safari tents with all you need and a cosy central dining area and bar. The camp is completely open on all sides to the wildlife and at night the sounds are amazing.
Cheetah Plains Camp has stone cottages, a small spa and gym, and is family owned so you are assured of great service too.
Both camps have great food, can cater for vegetarian and vegan diets, and offer workable wifi (but no phone signal).
Single occupation is possible in all locations and there is a reasonable charged-at-cost single supplement for this tour.
Safari Life
Safari is more than just about the photography, it’s a complete lifestyle for your holiday. Yes we are the best at getting you in the right place at the right time and we work hard for our photography, but it’s always fun too. At both camps we start early at 6am, ensuring that we are out and finding the cats in the best early light.
At Lion Rock Camp we usually concentrate on lions for the first 60-90 minutes, as after that the sweet light has gone. Rather than go back to camp we then revert to a “normal safari” where we look at plains game, birds and just enjoy being out. Then it’s a packed breakfast brunch mid morning outside before returning to camp to chill, sleep and process those images (lunch is optional). In the afternoon we start again at 4pm with our target to find lions on rocks for the sunset shots. Then it’s back to camp for 7pm and straight to the campfire for drinks then dinner. After that you will be escorted back to your tent for shower and bed. We have changed to operate this dining routine so that you are not sleeping on a full stomach, which is very unhealthy! Some days we will hear intelligence from our friends in nearby areas and will make longer drives to see lions / leopards in those areas too, it just all depends!
At Cheetah Plains Camp we operate longer morning drives for Cheetah as once we get the early shots we will follow the cheetah hunting. We are experts at this. If it is not hunting and maybe full, or sitting in the shade, we will simply find another as their are plenty there! So we maybe will get back to the lodge around midday. There is a small spa in camp and a gym. We will be out again at 4pm, back strictly at 7pm for the evening routine.
We will be using the same modified landcruisers for the trip, which offer unparalleled visibility for everyone. There will be three of you in the back split between two rows. There is a lot of space between the rows so you can either sit in your seat and photograph or get down much lower and sit on the floor, there is space! We will be using the same vehicles for both camps, same drive team and they will also be our transfers too. Here is a short video (sorry for the wind!) on the vehicle config to show you!
The Guide Team
Lots of people run safaris, what separates our expeditions is the experienced guide team that we have, plus the Travel Trust Association bonding that protects your holiday money from supplier failure. Your guides for this trip will be leading wildlife photographers Andy Rouse and Jamie Peters, who have visited the areas before and are experts at getting you in the right place at the right time.
Andy Rouse
Perhaps a little about Andy for those that have never worked with him before. Andy has won over 35 major international awards, been a pro for nearly 25 years and has led photographic expeditions all over the world. He prides himself in only offering the very best destinations, and has built a reputation as one of the best photographic safari guides in the world. Put simply, if you book a WildBunch safari, you can rest assured that you will be guided by one of the best in the business. Andy’s safari’s are always packed with fantastic opportunities, expert guidance and a drive to get the very best for his clients, as well as being a lot of fun - you are on holiday after all!
Andy shoots with the Sony A1 Mark II, but rest assured no matter what system you use, Andy will be able to help you get the most from your system and yourself.
Away from work he is a proud husband, Dad and West Ham fan!
Jamie Peters
Andy has known professional macro and wildlife photographer Jamie Peters for over 10 years. In his previous life Jamie was an Army Photographer for 11 years. During that time he went to many places photographing the army including Afghanistan, Kenya, Nepal, Ukraine and Sierra Leone. He was also an instructor at the Defence School of Photography, so Jamie has exactly what it takes to help you achieve the very best from your safari.
As well as an excellent teacher Jamie has won awards for his stills and videos including the prestigious and fiercely competitive Army Photographer of the Year. His real passion though is nature photography and he spends his spare time photographing tough species near his home. An expert at leading tours in Africa and India his experience not only covers fieldcraft but all genres of photography and videography.
Travel Trust Association
Now we know that there are a lot of people out there offering photographic tours, however rest assured that this safari is backed by the Travel Trust Association (TTA). The TTA is an independent trade organisation of tour operators that we are proud members of. The TTA provides guarantees for your booking with us in two forms.
The first is that all monies are deposited to a trustee managed trust bank account and any payments to / from them have to be authorised at several levels.
Secondly your booking is protected by the TTA Safe Seat Plan and Supplier Failure
Cover, both of which are insurance policies to protect your money from fraud and
supplier failure.
We include the costs of these policies automatically in your booking fee,
so that you can have total financial confidence in us, and your booking with
us, as a trusted and reputable tour operator.
Further details of our TTA membership can be found by clicking here.
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The quoted cost is based on you arriving / departing from Kilimanjaro International Airport In Tanzania. Several major airlines fly there including Ethiopian, Air France and Qatar. Now Ethiopian arrive in the morning in time for the transfer flight to Lion Rock Camp on Miracle Air but the others only arrive the night before. Therefore we have an overnight package for you to stay at a local lodge, including transfers of $260, that will be used for Air France and Qatar arrivals.
We will fly domestically via the excellent Miracle Air, who have set the world alight with their incredible service. They even have their own lounge at Kilimanjaro airport.
All international flights to Kilimanjaro will have to be booked by you. This is now our standard policy as many of you have airline preferences. We will tell you what flights we will be on when the flights become available.
For those tied into the BA One World scheme you will have to fly to Nairobi JKIA, stay overnight at the airport, transfer the next morning back to JKIA airport, board a flight to Kilimanjaro and then connect with the afternoon flight to camp. On the return we will drop you at Kilimanjaro in time for your connection flight to JKIA. We will get Sunworld to arrange your Kenya arrivals package including transfer and overnight stay. You can easily book the JKIA - Kilimanjaro flight as part of your international flight booking, we just checked it and it’s all good. This will obviously be a cost and we will let you know when the tour is booked and when flights become available.
It’s upto you to decide the best price and the best route for you, we will help you no matter what.
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This is a very easy trip as you will be in 4×4 most of the time. You will need to be patient and able to wait in the heat if we are on a good sighting.
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Comprehensive pre departure information will be provided 3 months before departure. This will cover photo kit, clothing, visas, tips and anything else you need to know.
Lens wise flexibility will be the key here so a couple of zoom lenses and something for wide angles will be ideal. Low angle photography will be encouraged so you will need a monopod setup to take advantage of this, you will be briefed in the pre departure guide.
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We are always very honest with all our clients and when you come on a tour with us you will always know everything, warts and all!
With regard to wildlife sightings there is nothing we can do if wildlife decides not to show. We are good at finding big cats but it might be on that day they have other plans. They may have a kill where we cannot go, they could decide not to be found.
All of this is beyond our control and you must come with the correct attitude towards wildlife.
All his clients know that Andy and his guide team try their absolute best to get everyone the best photographic opportunities possible, but of course this can be out of our control as the wildlife has other ideas!!! So whilst we look for everything we can, we absolutely cannot guarantee in anyway shape or form that you will see any of these. It can rain. It can be cloudy. The wildlife can be elusive. You must come with this realistic expectations, we do not make false promises. What we can promise is that the team will work 150% to give you the best chances and best experiences possible. That is GUARANTEED!
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The tour is open to both photographers and non photographers. The atmosphere is holiday when we are in the lodge, and wildlife focus when we are out and about.
You must be able to be patient enough to sit and wait for something to happen. You must not expect luxury accommodation here or western luxuries.
Our tours are inclusive, anyone is welcome irrespective of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. We just ask that you come with a smile and a love of wildlife.
Importantly, as with the previous point on managing expectations, you must not come and expect guarantees to find wildlife. We will do our best but sometimes it has other ideas and you MUST understand that.
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Of course we cannot predict this as the world is changing, but in general it's very pleasant at this time of the year. Expect daytime highs o28C and night time lows of 14C.
The days should be clear but we can get rain and you must be prepared for this. It can be cloudy too so a light fleece is essential. It is usually a little windy.
In short it’s unpredictable but we do expect it to be warm. Hopefully.
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Vegetarian, Vegan and gluten free are easy options to cater for. Anything else need to be checked in advance.
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This area has Tsetse flies and were were there in the worst period for them and never got bitten. They don’t give you any diseases, all those tales are from a long time ago, but they can bite. A good repellant helps as does long trousers and shirts. Sometimes there are none, in the heat there can be a few, it’s not an issue.
There are mosquitos, although we saw none, and Fit For Travel recommends anti malarials. We never do but it’s a personal choice.
At the end of the day it’s wild Africa and this is part of it.