Towards the end of our Tanzania trip, we spent four days and three nights on safari. First, we drove from Moshi to Serengeti National Park, where we stayed at a lodge for two nights. The Serengeti is massive, covering 5,700 square miles, and during our time there, we explored a few different areas of the park. After that, we headed to Ngorongoro for one final night with an incredible view of the crater. The safari was full of amazing moments—getting up close to a lion, watching a cheetah perched on a rock scanning the grasslands, and enjoying breathtaking sunrises and stargazing over the Ngorongoro Crater.
Serengeti Layers: From Earth to Sky
We had only just arrived in Serengeti National Park, but it didn’t take long for us to be greeted by the incredible beauty of the landscape. The view was like something from a painting—the green grass, scattered Acacia trees, rolling hills, and a towering mountain, all beneath the expansive blue sky. We’d already seen some wildlife on the drive in, but as we headed to our lodge, this breathtaking scene caught us by surprise. It felt like the perfect way to close out our first day of the safari, just us in the safari vehicles, cruising along the dirt road, with the Serengeti stretching out behind us.
The King’s Gaze
On our second day of exploring the park, we received some exciting news from our driver. Safari drivers often use radios to communicate sightings of popular animals, like lions, and we were headed to a spot where one had been spotted. When we arrived, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The lion was sitting just a short distance away, and I was so mesmerized by its presence that my hands fumbled as I tried to set up my camera. But what made this moment even more incredible was that through the viewfinder, I was looking straight at the King. As I clicked away, watching through the lens, his eyes shifted—from a lazy, tired look to a stern, almost warning gaze. That intense stare gave me a small sense of fear, but I couldn’t help but capture what was an unforgettable portrait of the lion in his domain.
Crossroads of the Serengeti
During our time in the Serengeti, we were fortunate to witness the Great Migration in full swing. Wildebeest herds were moving in massive numbers, heading south toward their calving grounds in the southern Serengeti. This migration takes place just before the calving season, which begins around January and February. For me, the safari was about more than just capturing close-ups or stunning landscapes—it was about telling the story of the wildlife through motion. In this moment, I wanted to capture the wildebeest on the move, a snapshot of the continuous flow of life in the Serengeti. The scene perfectly embodied the dynamic nature of the safari, where every moment was alive with action and movement.
A Majestic Walk in the Crater
After finishing our time in Serengeti National Park, we made our way to our final safari stop: the Ngorongoro Crater. While some may prefer the crater for its abundance of wildlife in such a contained area, the Serengeti’s expansive beauty held its own unique appeal. We had already encountered numerous species in the crater, and I’d captured plenty of stunning photos, but this one stood out. Three enormous elephants were slowly making their way across the grasses, exuding an imposing sense of power over the land. As part of the “Big 5,” along with lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffaloes, elephants are one of the most iconic creatures to see in the wild. I especially love this shot because the elephants are framed perfectly in the foreground, with the towering walls of the crater creating a majestic backdrop behind them.
One Landscape, Many Lives
As we approached a pride of lions resting in the warmth of the afternoon sun, most of our attention was on the group tucked away in the bushes. But for me, the real moment was happening just outside. As a photographer, it’s important to keep an eye out for unexpected scenes, and this was one of them—a solitary young lion sitting apart from the pride, quietly observing the world across the river. It wasn’t stalking or hunting, just watching. On the other side, a chaotic herd of zebras moved together, birds soared above, and a lone hippo barely broke the surface of the water. If there was ever a moment on the safari that felt straight out of The Lion King, this was it. What I love most about this shot is how it captures the peaceful side of the wild. Not every moment is about survival and the chase—sometimes, it’s just different species sharing the same space, curiously watching one another in the vast and connected world of the Serengeti.
The safari experience was more than just a chance to see wildlife—it was a journey through some of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth. From the vast plains of the Serengeti to the dramatic walls of the Ngorongoro Crater, every moment felt like a glimpse into nature’s masterpiece. But what stood out the most wasn’t just the iconic animals or the golden sunsets—it was the way everything coexisted, from the smallest birds to the towering elephants. And while these photos highlight just a handful of unforgettable encounters, they barely scratch the surface of everything these parks have to offer. The Serengeti and Ngorongoro hold an entire world beyond the lens—endless herds stretching to the horizon, hidden moments deep in the grass, and landscapes so vast they make you feel like a part of something greater. Looking back, this journey wasn’t just about seeing the wild—it was about stepping into it, even if only for a few days, and leaving with a deeper appreciation for its untamed beauty.
My Lens and Beyond 
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