CHEETAHS OF THE SERENGETI PHOTO TOUR
photograph the world's fastest cat
6 Pax
Easy
Easy
Cheetahs of the Serengeti Photo Tour
See the world's fastest cat in action
This cheetahs of the Serengeti photo tour gives you the opportunity to see and photograph these incredidle cats in an intimate setting. Our eastern Serengeti location has been protected for over twenty years to ensure a healthy cheetah population that is thriving. We will have high chances of seeing a cheetah hunt as well as female cheetahs with cubs. We will look for these cats near the privacy of Namiri Plains, an hour from the nearest camp.
PHOTOGRAPH CHEETAHS IN THE SERENGETI, WITH HIGH CHANCE OF SEEING CUBS
ENCOUNTER LIONS IN THE SERENGETI
SEE THE WILDERBEEST MIGRATION AS IT MOVES INTO THE EASTERN SERENGETI
GOOD CHANCE OF SEEING SERVAL
MEET AND LEARN FROM CHEETAH RESEARCHERS
Why we love this cheetah safari
This cheetah photo tour is designed for wild cat lovers that are specifically interested in photographing cheetahs. Photographing the world's fastest land mammal is a thrill we are excited to share with you. We have choosen to hold this photo tour in the eastern Serengeti where cheetah numbers are high, the cats are very visible, and the low grass provides great opportunities for fantastic cheetah photographs.
We have picked a single beautiful lodge, Namiri Plains camp, as our only hub so we don’t waste time on transport going from one lodge to another. This camp is right in the heart of cheetah country, in fact the area was closed for twenty years to allow cheetah numbers to return. Cheetah numbers are extremely high in this part of the Serengeti and we have a good chance of seeing the cats every day.
We have picked this time of year to be away from the crowds, to ensure we will have cheetah sightings to ourselves, as it provides for much more intimate viewings. The grass too will be shorter at this time of year, ensuring better visibility and less obstructions for photography. We may even have the opportunity to get out of our vehicles and to photograph cheetahs from the ground.
To get the most out of your cheetah tour, we have feline researchers come to camp to give us an insight into the ecology of the cats of the area, to understand their threats, and to realize how they fit into the ecosystem.
-
Cheetah Mother Carrying Kitten in Serengeti, Tanzania -
Cheetah Male Scent Spraying in Serengeti, Tanzania -
Cat Expeditions Game Viewer with Cheetah in Serengeti,... -
Cheetah in Serengeti, Photographed from the Ground, Tanzania
Other wildlife you can see on this tour
-
African Elephant Mother and Calf in Serengeti, Tanzania -
Cheetah Male Scent Spraying in Serengeti, Tanzania
-
Cat Expeditions Game Viewer with Cheetah in Serengeti,...
-
Cheetah in Serengeti, Photographed from the Ground, Tanzania
Target wild cats during our cheetah photo tour
The Serengeti is one of the cheetahs strongholds. The Namiri Plains in general have been closed to tourists until recently to ensure the cheetahs recovery in the area. Since this is our main target species, we will focus most of our efforts on this feline. In the Serengeti, cheetah primarily hunt Thomson's gazelle.
Difficulty: Easy
Other possible wild cats during our safari
Despite not being one of our target cats, lions are found in good numbers in the Serengeti. We will take photographs of these majestic cats when we see them, especially if there is action going on. The lions often utilize the kopjes, or rock formations, to get a better view of their surroundings, leading to majestic photographs.
Leopards are present in the Serengeti, but are the most elusive of the big cats in the area. As these cats can be quite difficult to find, we will utilize the chances we have with them. Like in other parts of Africa, the best way to find a leopard is to look for legs or a tail hanging in the trees.
Difficulty: Difficult
The acrobatic serval is found in relatively good numbers in the Serengeti. That doesn't make it easy to find, but the Namiri Plains area is a fantastic spot to search for them. The best areas to look for these cats is in the grasslands away from water. To catch their prey, they are able to pounce over twelve feet horizontally to surprise rodents in the grass.
The beautiful and elegant caracal is found in good densities in the Serengeti, but is even harder to see than the serval. Though mostly rodent specialists, caracals will also predate birds and smal gazelles. To catch their prey, they are able to jump ten feet. Unlike the serval, the caracal is not spotted, but a uniform brownish-red in coloration.
The African wild cat, a very close relative of our domestic cats, is found in the Serengeti, but is extremely elusive and hard to find. This is especially true as they are mostly nocturnal in the area, making sightings even harder. We may have a chance to see this species when we are returning to camp from our afternoon game drives.
Easy: for the duration of the trip we will have multiple encounters with this wild cat species with good photo opportunities
Medium: we expect to see the wild cat and have at least one, but probably multiple encounters, with good photo opportunities
Difficult: for the duration of the trip, our goal will be to have one encounter with good photographic opportunities Very Difficult: for the duration of the trip we hope to have one encounter with the cat, whether a good photo opportunity or not
Extremely Difficult: it is extremely unlikely to see this cat, so having even a glimpse of this cat is considered successYou are in good hands, we are cheetah experts
Our cheetah photo tour is unique in that it targets this speedy feline as our main objective. Sebastian and Rachel have spent over two hundred hours with cheetahs in the wild and are very familiar with their behaviors, including hunting and cub rearing. Cheetah hunts are fast endeavors, so when Rachel or Sebastian see that a hunt will take place, they will get you ready to nail the photograph.
We have also picked the best location at the best time of year to photograph cheetahs. The savanna grass of the Serengeti will be short, and there are lots of Thompson's gazelle young that cheetah like to hunt, during this time of year.
Day 1
Fly into Kilimanjaro airport in northern Tanzania. You will be picked up by a Cat Expeditions representative there and be driven to your hotel where you can relax. Dinner is at the hotel.
Day 2
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to Arusha Airport where you will take a chartered bushplane flight to beautiful Namiri Plains camp in the Serengeti. After settling into camp and having lunch, we will go on our first game drive to look for cheetah and other animals of the Serengeti. Dinner will be back at camp.
Day 3-7
We will look for the cats at sunrise and sunset with lunch, and dinner at the camp, and a bush breakfast in the field. The wildlife outings will mostly be game drives, though we may do some walking safaris. We will most likely also see lions, cheetah, leopards, and lots of plains game like elephant, wildebeest, zebra and gazelles during this time.
Day 8
After breakfast, you will take a chartered flight from Namiri Plains Camp to Arusha airport, from where you will be driven to Kilimanjaro International Airport. You will catch your onward flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Itinerary at a glance
8 DAYS
1 hotel
1 Lodge
11 GAME Drives
1 Big CAT
Walking safaris
African small cat itinerary
This cheetah photo tour itinerary was designed to find and photograph the world's fastest land animal, the cheetah. We have chosen a very secluded camp in the eastern Serengeti where cheetah numbers are high to maximize our chances of good photographic opportunities with these cats.
You are also not limited to being in a safari vehicle at all times, but you can search and experience the Serengeti’s wildlife safely on foot, while being led by an armed guide. Our timing overlaps with the very beginning of the wildebeest migration season so we will not be competing with crowds at any of our sightings.
Besides providing you the opportunity to see and photograph wild cats, we at Cat Expeditions make your travel experience hassle free. Upon booking, you will be sent a full itinerary that includes what to bring and how to prepare. Once you land in Tanzania, you can focus on enjoying yourself as all the travel logistics are not only taken care off, but optimized to give you the most time to enjoy the incredible wildlife that the Serengeti has to offer.
Rivertrees Country Inn
Located in northern Tanzania, just outside the bustling safari town of Arusha, Rivertrees Country Inn has a beautiful view of Mount Kilimanjaro, and is perfectly situated as our transfer hotel.
Elegant, rustic cottages are along a river on the foothills of Mount Meru. The gardens are filled with birds indigenous to the area, providing you the opportunity to get your photography practice in. The rooms provide all the comforts one requires while showing off the regions charms.
Enjoy a candle-lit dinner at night that features delicious meals made from fresh ingredients based on old family recipes.
Namiri Plains Camp
In the eastern part of the Serengeti lies Namiri Plains camp, remotely situated from any other camp and perfect for you to experience the wildlife of the grasslands. It was fully renovated in 2019, providing you up-to-date comfort and luxury.
The ten canvas tents all have their own ensuite bathrooms with flushing toilets. The tents all provide privacy while allowing beautiful views of the surrounding Serengeti.
In the middle of the day, when light is bad for photography, you can enjoy the pool and deck area or read up on the local wildlife in their information center.
Conservation impact of our cheetah photo tour
Like all Cat Expeditions tours, our cheetah photo tour has conservation impact built into it. Cheetah face a multitude of threats on the continent including habitat destruction, habitat fragmentation, pre base depletion due to poaching, and persecution because of conflict with livestock.
We have partnered with the cheetah researchers in the area to give us a presentation about the biology of the cats and the threats they face. We also have a long standing partnership with Panthera, the world’s leading wild cat conservation organization and part of the tours cost is allocated towards funding their research and anti-poaching patrols in Africa.
Conservation at a glance
Cheetahs of the Serengeti Photo Tour Dates
November 14th-21st, 2025 (6 spots available)
November 14th-21st, 2026 (6 spots available)
(Book this back-to-back with the serval tour and you get 1k USD off!)
Cheetah Photo Tour Pricing
2025 Price per person: $14,500
Single Supplement: $2,000
The price includes:
- all transportation starting in Tanzania
- lodging
- meals (not including alcohol)
- wild cat excursions
- guide services of Sebastian Kennerknecht
- guide services of Rachel Tobias
- English speaking local guide
- conservation donation to wild cat project
The price does not include:
- flights to Tanzania
- tips
- laundry
- insurance