EXPERIENCE THE SPICE ISLANDS
whalesharks & Wild Dogs
In particular, Tanzania is a natural paradise, both inland at some of the most wildlife-rich reserves you'll ever see, and in the clear, crystalline ocean waters off the country's coast, teeming with resplendent life and colour. It's almost impossible to overstate the breathtaking beauty on offer across African landscapes that have stood unchanged for hundreds of thousands of years.
There's a sense of deep natural history here: a primal connection to the earth and the ocean that's hard to find anywhere else on the planet. Imagine swimming alongside majestic giants that live to 150 years or more. Inhale the scent of a nearby campfire, listening to the howls of distant wild dogs and the sounds of the bush coming alive at night.
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- Information
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- Tour Plan
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- Additional Info
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What's included
- 3 meals daily daily, plus early morning tea
- Accommodation on a sharing basis
- Airport transfers
- All domestic fights
- All park and conservation fees
- Assistance with photographic and post processing on a casual basis
- Overweight on domestic flight for uw camera gear
- Two game drives a day, or options for game walks
- Any additional meals other than stated
- Dive Insurance
- Extra activities not mentioned
- International Flights (if not part of Tour)
- Items of personal nature
- Staff/Guide gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Travel visas
A Unique Tanzania Photo Safari
Join Saltwater Safaris on a unique Tanzania Photo Safari adventure. You’ll get to experience the best of both worlds. From Mafia Island off the coast of Tanzania, to the phenomenal wildlife on offer in Nyerere. This really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Mafia Island, Tanzania
Why ‘Mafia’ Island? The name itself conjures up intrigue, but it’s not what you think. ‘Morifiyeh’, is an Arabic word which simply means group, or when it comes to islands – archipelago. Happily, it has greatly escaped the invasion of mass tourism, unlike its sister island, Zanzibar. This is what makes this island even more appealing, less people, means quieter dive sites, and a more rewarding diving and underwater photography experience.
Our primary goal here is to track the migrating Whale sharks, who tend to congregate in the balmy waters around the archipelago between October and March, reaching its peak in December. We hope to be able to swim with these gentle giants and capture unique imagery that’s only available in a few places around the world.
Between Whale shark swims, we will also explore the incredible reefs of Chole Bay, a Marine Reserve, harbouring some 400 species of fish, and offering up some amazing wide angle and macro photo opportunities. Not only are there reef dives, but also a bit of muck diving for those little critters we all seek.
Enjoy All The Islands have To Offer
There will be plenty of time to explore all the islands have to offer. Both under water and the lush, tropical island itself. During our stay on the island, as part of the Tanzania photo safari experience, we’ll stay at one of the most exclusive eco-lodges. Located on the shores of Chole Bay, the tantalising cuisine,tranquil atmosphere and comfortable furnishings make it a guest-favourite – especially after a day in the water.
Our accommodation offers the perfect base for our diving expeditions and is conveniently close to our dive shop. We’ll be diving with one of Tanzania’s leading diving companies, who will ensure we are taken to the ideal spots for great diving and photography. With at least 2 dives scheduled each day, although these are all tide dependent, you’ll have the best opportunities for spectacular under water photography, while enjoying everything the Islands have to offer.
Nyerere National Park
Phenomenally wild and beautiful, the Selous – now known as Nyerere National Park – is Africa’s largest game reserve, almost 4x the size of the Serengeti. However, unlike the iconic destinations in the northern region of Tanzania, this reserve is relatively unknown. This makes it a perfect destination for photography,and enjoying spectacular sightings with no-one else around.
You’ll find predators like lion, leopard, spotted hyena, cheetah and wild dog at home in the Nyerere National Park. And in large numbers, too! A Tanzania photo safari simply isn’t complete without a visit to the Selous. Expect to be entranced by sightings of large elephant and buffalo herds as well as giraffe, hippo and sable antelope. Lined by tall Rafia palms, the Rufiji River and its series of canals and inter-connected lakes, sets the stage for some of the most iconic images to capture on film. It is at it’s most photogenic in the early morning and late afternoons.
Diverse and Beautiful Wildlife
We’ll be based at a lodge in the reserve that overlooks a waterway linking Lake Manze to Lake Nzeraker. This comfortable and stylish camp offers game drives, walking safaris, boating, and catch-and-release fishing. It is also ideally situated for exploring this diverse and beautiful reserve.
The lush, green season is the perfect time to arrive. Why? Water is the lifeblood of the African bush. And, with the rains falling after a lengthy dry season, the ecosystem comes alive with activity. So you’ll get to witness behavioural activities that you won’t see at any other time. Migrant birds reappear after a long winter spent abroad, juvenile animals are born, and the natural life-cycle begins afresh. Of course, this also means more predators – so there’s a vastly increased possibility of seeing incredibly unique predator-prey interactions.
2023
November 2023
- Day 1
- Day 2-7
- Day 8
- Day 9-13
- Day 14
Dar es Salaam to Mafia Island
There are two options, depending on time of arrival. If the arrival time is in the early afternoon, we meet at domestic departures for our flight to Mafia Island, which is usually scheduled for 15h30.
However, if your arrival is significantly earlier in the day, you'll be transferred to the hotel, where a day room can be booked for a shower and change before heading to our flight to Mafia Island.
Diving around Mafia Island
Mafia to Dar es Salaam
We'll spend the morning on Mafia Island, engaging in activities according to the group's desires. Unfortunately there is only one flight per day out of Mafia Island, and this leaves at 17h30. The evening is spent relaxing at our hotel in Dar es Salaam, ready for an early wake-up call so we can fly to Ruaha National Park the following day.
Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park
Nyerere to Dar es Salaam
All good things must come to an end! Carrying newfound friendships, a lifetime of inspirational memories, and collections of superlative photography, our flight back to Dar es Salaam leaves at 09h30. We say our goodbyes ( or 'till we meet again'), and head home from an adventure that will be cherished for years to come.
More about this tour
African Photography Tours
This Tanzania Photo Safari tour was designed with photography enthusiasts in mind. If you're a shutterbug who loves adventure and visiting exotic locales, you're going to love what we have in mind. You don't need to be a pro and you don't need all the photographic equipment. In fact, it doesn't matter what your level of experience is or your computer knowledge. We've catered for everyone, from novice to the experienced and we'll ensure that you have the best time on each part of the trip, whether we've on the boat heading out for a dive or enjoy wildlife photo ops during a game drive.
We're not into the formal, so there won't be structured training or classes. But you'll always have an experienced and knowledgeable professional photographer on hand. So, if you have questions on how to set up for a specific shot, need help with camera prep or want some pro tips we'll provide you with as much - or as little input as you'd like. We can help with Lightroom and other photo editing software and anything else you may be curious about.
We also know that you may not want to spend every single moment of your vacation taking photographs - and that's perfectly fine. There is so much to enjoy that you'll be spoilt for choice. Between the beautiful blue waters of Tanzania and the scenic splendor of the bush, you'll be absolutely spoilt for choice.
If you have any questions about any of our underwater photography tours, please contact us!
