SERengeti calving & kopjes
March 1st – March 12th 2028
12 days/ 11 nights in Tanzania: 1 night in Arusha, 1 night at Ngorongoro Crater, 4 in Ndutu and 5 in Serengeti NP
Perfectly timed to greet the newborn baby Wildebeests commencing their journey of life here in the short grass plains of the Serengeti… my favorite location to photograph big and small cats... driving through endless savannahs and among stunning rocky outcrops with Lions looking down from the top… remote and quiet locations with very few other vehicles… the chance for timeless and iconic images
itinerary
Dates
Safari dates: March 1st – March 12th 2028
Arrival in Tanzania: you should arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport near Arusha on March 1st at any time of your convenience. We recommend that guests travelling to Tanzania from overseas arrive one day early, allowing enough time to recover from long-haul flights and to minimise the risk of flight delays or cancellations before beginning their safari. We can book the extra night for you.
Departure from Tanzania: on the last day of the safari, you may expect to be dropped off at Kilimanjaro International Airport at around 12:30/ 1 pm. Therefore you are advised to book your return international flight from 4.00 pm onwards on March 12th 2028.
March 1st 2028
ARUSHA
Mt meru Game lodge, Half board
Guests will be met on arrival at Kilimanjaro airport and transferred to the lodge for the night.
The following morning, after breakfast, we’ll drive to the Ngorongoro Crater (4hrs), with packed lunch.
March 2nd - 3rd 2028
NGORONGORO CRATER
One night, two crater entries
Garden of Eden
Ngorongoro was an active volcano which last erupted about 8 million years ago. The tip of the crater collapsed, leaving a 265 sq kms wide caldera with extremely nutritious pastures that attracted wild animals first and Maasai livestock later. The Ngorongoro Crater is 600 meters deep, and hosts an impressive concentration of animals, including Black Rhinoceros, large bull Elephants and a prolific population of Lions.
Here we will photograph wildlife surrounded by the majestic landscapes and colours of the crater rim. The setting is particularly fascinating on cloudy or misty days.
Our safari begins with one night at the famous Ngorongoro Crater, at the south-eastern edge of the Greater Serengeti ecosystem. We’ll descend into the crater on the first afternoon and the next morning. The Crater is the living “Garden of Eden”, with an unmatched concentration of wildlife teeming in the caldera all year round, with a stunning backdrop.
ngorongoro serena lodge
In Ngorongoro, our base will be Serena Lodge (https://www.serenahotels.com/ngorongoro) which is located close to the Senetu descent road into the crater, which will allow us to be down in the crater in time for sunrise.
Serena is a very big lodge, with great service and good food. What is most striking is the view on the crater, especially at sunrise as it faces to the east.
All rooms are en-suite and have sockets for charging equipment.
March 3rd - 7th 2028
ndutu
Four Nights
predator’s heaven
This area in this time of the year hosts an amazingly high concentration of big cats. In particular, Cheetahs and Lions are the most prominent, with Leopards sometimes seen in the woodlands around lakes Ndutu and Masek. Lions at this time of the year enjoy a time of abundance of prey, and are therefore very playful and active.
Cheetahs live out in the open plains and they too have a lot of prey to chose from. It’s one of Africa’s best places to see these felines hunting.
Besides big cats, Ndutu is also one of Africa’s best places to find and photograph the smaller felines, Servals, Wild Cats and Caracals.
The Great Migration
Watching the plains filled with Wildebeests and Zebras as far as the eye can see is one of nature’s most amazing spectacles, and one that is very hard to convey in pictures or words. You just have to be there to experience it in person. At this time of the year the Wildebeests give birth to their calves in the span of about three to four weeks. Literally thousands of young calves trot besides their mothers at this time. Their journey has just begun.
In the western side of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, endless short-grass plains extend as far as the eye can see. At the heart of this immense savannah and surrounded by a beautiful Acacia woodland are Lakes Ndutu and Masek.
The short-grass plains come to life during the wet season. New shoots of grass emerge and the Wildebeests return from the north. This grass is particularly rich in salts and minerals, providing the ideal conditions for the Wildebeests cows to give birth to their babies.
lake ndutu safari lodge
At Lake Ndutu, within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, we will stay at the Ndutu Safari Lodge (www.ndutu.com).
It is the oldest lodge in the area, with a beautiful atmosphere and in excellent position to photograph wildlife in the plains and in the woodlands around the lakes and marshes.The cottages have a wonderful view on the woodlands surrounding the lakes.
All cottages are en-suite, with comfortable beds and hot showers. The lodge offers excellent international cuisine. Sockets for charging equipment are supplied in each room.
March 7th - 12th 2028
SERENgeti
Five Nights
On the Kopjes
The famous kopjes are a key feature of this area. They are gigantic rocky formations that rise from the plains and provide shade, nutrition and water to a large variety of wildlife. The shapes of many of these rocks are truly spectacular and provide an excellent setting for iconic images of predators looking down on the plains from the rocks. We will camp in two beautiful locations, which give us access to remote areas of the park, where we will have the privilege of enjoying majestic wildlife in a magnificent setting on our own, with hardly any other vehicle in sight.
One of Africa’s most amazing landscapes with an unparalleled concentration of wildlife. The heart of one of the world’s last remaining true wilderness ecosystems. The Serengeti NP. We’ll explore remote areas of the park where very few people venture, where the landscape is filled with magnificent rocky boulders that rise from the plains. Often, on these rocks, big cats can be found.
karibu woodlands camp
In the Serengeti NP we will stay at Karibu Woodlands Camp, (https://karibucamps.com/visit-serengeti/serengeti-woodlands-camp/ ), a cozy and intimate camp tucked on a hill in the heart of the savannah.
This permanent camp is in excellent position to photograph wildlife in the plains and the kopjes of the Serengeti. We will have access to remote areas of the park and often we’ll be the only vehicle in the area.
Tents are spacious and en-suite, with hot showers.
SAFARI VEHICLES
Vehicles will be two nine-seater, 4x4 Land Cruisers with pop-up roof and wide side windows for comfortable photography.
Both will carry bean bags.
Only three guests will sit on each vehicle, meaning that each guest will have a full row of seats at his/her disposal throughout the trip. This is crucial on a photographic safari, especially for photographers with long telephoto lenses.
If still allowed by the parks authorities at the time of travel, we’ll operate with one door removed for low angle photography.
prices and inclusions
NOTE on single rooms
There is a limited number of single rooms/tents available, and 2 or 3 single rooms maximum, subject to availability, are allowed per each booking. Additional singles may attract the full double room rate.
As much as we always try our best to meet guests’ requests, there are cases in which there is nothing we can do to either guarantee a single room (because of unavailability of extra rooms etc) or find a room companion for single travellers who would like to share (because of odd numbers of participants etc). Some level of compromise and flexibility is then requested to single travellers.
The allocation of available single rooms will be made following the chronological order of requests.
Price per person on a twin-sharing basis and a full row of seats available each:
US$ 16,890
Single room supplement (see the important note on single room below in this document)
US$ 2,200
Extra night in Arusha on arrival (upon request):
1 double/ twin room, b&b—US$ 330
1 single room, b&b—US$220
The price includes:
One online session (2hrs) before the safari. Photographic coaching throughout the trip by Federico Veronesi. One post-safari online sessions (2hrs). Access to special discount 30% for a one-to-one photographic online class with Federico Veronesi.
Accommodation on full board for 10 nights in the parks as per above itinerary. Standard drinks and laundry included.
Accommodation on half board basis for 1 night in Arusha.
Unlimited game drives - within park hours - and full row seat on a 4x4 Land Cruiser with 3 rows of seats (except travelers wishing to share one row of seats).
Park fees for 10 nights, including 2 special permits for Crater descent at current rates (subject to change): Ngorongoro Conservation Area: US$ 70.80 park fees per person per night & US$ 59 concession fees per person per night; Serengeti NP US$ 82.60 park fees per person per night (in the period 16 May to 14 March) and US$ 70.80 per person per night (in the period 15 March to 15 May) & US$ 59 concession fees per person per night; Crater descent fee per vehicle US$ 295. We will absorb up to a 10% increase in park fees before adding any further price increase to the final invoice.
Airport pick-up and all road transfers in the dates specified in the itinerary.
Domestic flight from Serengeti NP to Kilimanjaro International Airport with increased baggage allowance up to 30kg per person (including both checked and hand luggage).
Guiding services by professional photographer Federico Veronesi and two local professional safari guides.
AMREF Flying Doctors (www.flydoc.org) emergency medical evacuation cover from safari locations to international standard hospital in Kenya or Tanzania (valid for n. 1 evacuation only – it does not include hospitalization and repatriation).
VAT and government taxes where applicable.
The price does not include:
International flights.
Entry visa in Tanzania (50 USD p/person and 100 USD p/person for US Passport holders at the time of writing).
Personal travel and medical insurance (mandatory).
Any increase in park or concession fees beyond 10% or the introduction of new conservation fees.
Premium-brand drinks in the safari locations such as champagne, cellar wines, selected spirits (the exact list varies from camp to camp).
Airport transfers outside the safari dates.
Tipping.
Any other costs not expressly mentioned in the inclusions.
Off-road – Please be informed that off-road driving is strictly forbidden and fined in Serengeti NP and Ngorongoro Crater. Off-road is currently allowed in Ngorongoro Conservation Area around Lake Ndutu. However, things might change anytime in Tanzania.
Game drive times – Please note that timing of game drives in Tanzania is quite strict, without much flexibility. Game drives are allowed from 06.00am to 07.00pm (though times can change without notice). Vehicles should therefore be in camp by 7.00pm, which unfortunately is just the same time as sunset. It will not always be possible to enjoy the sunset with the animals. However, we will try to plan accordingly and stay out as long as possible.
Great Migration - Based on historical trends and experience, the whole period from late January until mid April approximately is in theory the best time for Migration and Wildebeest Calving in Tanzania. It is however very important to be aware that Migration, like most natural events, has some degree of unpredictability. The precise Migration timing as well as location of great wildebeest herds and calving are not predictable. These vary from year to year depending on several factors, including rainfall patterns, availability of fresh grass and water sources ietc n the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.
Guests may be asked to rotate through the two vehicles for the photographer and guide, Federico Veronesi, to share his time equally with everyone. Given the odd number of seats, people travelling together should be aware that at times they may have to split and sit separately in the two vehicles.
Copy of passport bio page—closer to time, guests will be requested to send copy of their passport bio page, which is a requirement for the purchase of park fees in Tanzania.
Body weight—as per airlines’ policy, guests with body weight over 100kg should disclose this info upon booking . This, will be treated confidentially.
notes
What People Are Saying
“I am still pondering and trying to digest the immense adventure Federico gave me. It was so different, spectacular, and profound in many ways! It will be weeks or months before I can get my mind and emotions completely wrapped around it. The service you provide is truly top notch---everything from the itinerary to the lodgings were impressively good and well considered, and I was continually delighted with Federico’s expertise, passion, artistry, warmth, and care. I can see why so much of your business is repeating clients”
— Jeff Wong
“Home a bit tired, but what a wonderful experience! We can't say enough about how terrific Federico was the entire trip. He never flagged even after 16 days with us, was always ready at just the right time to offer suggestions or to point out potential shots that were coming up. Everything went off without a hitch”
— Penny and Rodney Cook
WHY WItH US?
Small groups of keen wildlife photographers
Up to 13 hrs per day out in the bush searching, waiting, photographing wildlife
Following individual animals on their journey of life
Accommodation in the heart of the best wildlife areas
Guided by Federico Veronesi and excellent local guides
Open to photographers of all levels, from professionals to passionate amateurs
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Intimate knowledge and in-depth experience of African wildlife and parks
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Itineraries specifically designed to maximize photo opportunities
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Secret, remote and exclusive locations
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Photographic tutoring from Federico before and after the safari
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Capture dramatic lights at sunrise and sunset
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Full row for each guest
PHOTOGRAPHY TUITION
On this unique workshop, Federico will support your photographic growth much beyond the duration of the safari. Federico realized that his support would benefit you more if it could be extended beyond just guiding, tutoring and positioning when in the field.
For years he has been offering evening sessions on post-production and photography at the end of the safari, but even this has its limitations due to how tired people are at the end of a long day out in the wild, and due to the fact that photographers need time to work and elaborate on their images and eventually realize where their shortcomings are, what they mostly need help on.
Federico therefore designed a unique curriculum specifically to maximize your learning opportunities from this trip.
Before the safari, Federico will hold one 2hr-long online session with all the participants to present you the photographic opportunities and challenges of this safari and respond to all your logistics and photography questions.
During the safari, Federico will be available for evening or afternoon sessions focusing on images captured during the previous days, including review of your images and presentations on selected aspects of photography.
After the safari. Federico will offer one 2hr-long online session to review and critique your portfolio of images from the trip, discuss your post-production and present you with in-depth techniques to further optimize your photographs.
Additionally, you will benefit on a discount on a one-to-one session with Federico to review and discuss the images from the trip in more detail and to further address your eventual shortcomings or questions.
At the end of the experience, you will have refined or improved your photography and post-production skills and will have a great portfolio of images from the safari.
Our Process
Plan with Purpose
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Collaborate Openly
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Plan with Purpose
Every project is different. We stay flexible and responsive to make sure the process fits your flow—not the other way around.
Plan with Purpose
When we deliver, it’s not just a finished product—it’s a solution you can trust, backed by real care and effort.
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The Atlas Project
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