Best of Africa 2027
The Great Migration and More • Feb 4–16, 2027Our 2027 Best of Africa photo safari is the most exciting and comprehensive Africa itinerary we’ve ever offered. Add the Uganda Mountain Gorillas extension to complete your Ultimate Wildlife Photography adventure.
At a Glance
- Starts / Ends
- Arusha, Tanzania
Nairobi, Kenya - Dates
- Best of Africa (Kenya & Tanzania) Feb 4–16, 2027
Mountain Gorillas Extension (Uganda) Feb 17–20 - Fitness Level
- Best of Africa: Easy
Mountain Gorillas Extension: Difficult
- Cost
- Best of Africa: $14,500
Gorillas Extension: $6,300 - Deposit
- $2,000
- Instructors
- Leighton Lum
Stephanie Hogue - Max Group Size
- 10 Participants
- Included
- Lodging; meals per itinerary; airport transfers; transport including internal flights; guides & instruction
- Not Included
- International flights; visas; travel insurance (mandatory); personal expenses; gratuities
All prices are per person in US Dollars based on double occupancy, with a single lodging option available at additional cost.
Experience Highlights
Africa’s Iconic Species
Lions, leopards, cheetah, elephants, giraffe, hippos, Cape buffalo, hyena, flamingoes and many, many more.
Your Own Row
Every guest gets their own row in our safari vehicles — shoot out both sides with plenty of room for your gear.
The Great Migration
Witness the largest movement of land animals on Earth, on the vast Serengeti plains. Countless wildebeest, zebra, gazelles and the predators it attracts.
Personalized Instruction
Learn wildlife photography basics and advanced techniques with in-the-field coaching and expert instruction on post processing and image management in camp.
Uganda Mountain Gorilla Trekking
An optional post-trip extension to sit quietly with our primate cousins. A magical experience, but a long hike may be required.
The Best Locations at the Best Times
February is wildebeest calving season on the vast plains of the southern Serengeti. In the space of a few weeks, a half million wildebeest calves emerge into the world. Such an abundance of prey attracts huge numbers of predators. We’ll be there to capture the drama, including from an optional sunrise hot air balloon flight.
Masai Mara National Reserve — world-renowned for its large numbers of apex predators including lions, leopards and cheetah. That’s why so many wildlife documentary film crews choose the Mara as their base.
Amboseli — photograph some of the last big tuskers in front of stunning views of Mt. Kilimanjaro, weather permitting. Famous for its large elephant population of over 2,200 individuals, Amboseli is also home to an amazing variety of large game.
Tarangire National Park — famous for its enormous elephant herds, ancient baobab trees and the Tarangire River, which draws an extraordinary concentration of wildlife including lions, leopards and over 550 bird species.
Serengeti National Park — watch life and death dramas unfold in the world’s most famous wildlife reserve. Experience the Great Migration at its most spectacular during wildebeest calving season.
For Passionate Photographers
Every aspect of this trip is designed for passionate photographers by passionate photographers. Our days start early and end late because that’s when the best light happens, and animals are most active. Long before other tour groups begin their breakfast, we’re firing frames in the field.
Moving beyond snapshots requires patience and perseverance. We put in the time necessary to produce portfolio-worthy images. We choose our lodges for their proximity to the action rather than their amenities — however, we’re confident you will be pleasantly surprised by our accommodations.
Level Up Your Skills and Vision
Leighton and Stephanie will always be close by to answer questions, provide tips on shooting techniques and offer insights about practical ways to expand your creative vision. Like most pursuits, good coaching and lots of practice are the keys to improving your wildlife photography game. You will get plenty of both on this photography-intensive adventure. Need a little help with camera settings and lens selection? Maybe some advice on composition and ways to move beyond the obvious animal portrait? Or perhaps a few tips on post-processing techniques or workflow might make the biggest difference?
Images From Past Trips
Optional Uganda Mountain Gorillas Extension
Feb 17–20, 2027 · Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Experience two magical up-close encounters with families of endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. A team of professional rangers and trackers will lead us to a family of mountain gorillas. Upon making contact, we will have exactly one hour with the family — all mountain gorilla treks everywhere work like this. Take plenty of photographs, but don’t forget to pause and appreciate the experience.
Trekking duration and difficulty varies widely depending on the location of the gorilla families assigned to us and weather and trail conditions. Porters are available for hire to carry equipment, but participants should be physically fit and able to hike for up to several hours in hot, humid conditions.
Day by Day Itinerary
Best of Africa · Feb 4–16, 2027
| Day | Date | Itinerary | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Feb 4 | Arusha — Welcome to Tanzania! Transport to our hotel in Arusha. Relax until 4pm when we gather for introductions, workshop overview and a crash course of wildlife photography fundamentals. Arusha Hotel | D |
| 2 | Feb 5 | Arusha – Tarangire National Park — Early departure from Arusha & drive to Tarangire National Park. Afternoon game drive followed by dinner. Tarangire Sopa Lodge or similar | B,L,D |
| 3 | Feb 6 | Tarangire National Park — Our schedule starts with an early morning game drive. Enjoy a bit of downtime before lunch or download & review images. We head out again late afternoon for another game drive. Tarangire Sopa Lodge or similar | B,L,D |
| 4 | Feb 7 | Tarangire – Serengeti National Park — Early morning game drive in Tarangire, then drive to the Ndutu area on the border of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro reserves. Afternoon game drive followed by dinner at camp. Kontiki Camp or similar | B,L,D |
| 5–6 | Feb 8–9 | Serengeti — Typical days begin with an early morning game drive, a break for lunch at camp, then back out for the afternoon. On one of these days we will have the option of a sunrise hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti plains followed by a gourmet bush breakfast. Kontiki Camp or similar | B,L,D |
| 7 | Feb 10 | Serengeti – Amboseli National Park — Morning game drive, then our scheduled flight back to Arusha and the drive north to the Namanga border crossing. Amboseli boasts stunning views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and is renowned for its large elephant population including some of the biggest tuskers in Africa. Ol Tukai Lodge | B,L,D |
| 8 | Feb 11 | Amboseli NP — Early game drive. Return to lodge for breakfast. Relax, work on images by yourself or get a professional’s input. Lunch at lodge followed by afternoon/sunset game drive. Ol Tukai Lodge | B,L,D |
| 9 | Feb 12 | Amboseli NP – Maasai Mara National Reserve — After breakfast we board our small plane flight to the Maasai Mara. Kenya’s richest game reserve is particularly famous for its abundance of big cats – lions, leopards and cheetah. Maasai Mara Safari Camp | B,L,D |
| 10–12 | Feb 13–15 | Maasai Mara — Early morning game drive, then breakfast in camp or a bush breakfast in the field. Lunch in camp followed by a Lightroom image processing session and discussions on various topics. We head out again late afternoon, returning after sunset for dinner. Maasai Mara Safari Camp | B,L,D |
| 13 | Feb 16 | Maasai Mara – Nairobi – Homeward — Breakfast at camp, then the drive from the Mara to Nairobi, arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in time to check in for your homeward flight. End of Service. – | B,L |
Optional Post-Trip Extension · Uganda Mountain Gorillas · Feb 17–20
| Day | Date | Itinerary | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 17 | Kigali, Rwanda – Ichumbi Hotel, Uganda — Arrive at Kigali Airport, Rwanda. Transfer by car to Ichumbi Hotel in Uganda. Ichumbi Hotel | D | |
| Feb 18 | Mgahinga NP – Bwindi Impenetrable NP — After breakfast, drive to Mgahinga National Park headquarters where you meet your rangers and begin your first gorilla trek. You will be given one hour with a gorilla family. After the experience, drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with a stop at the Batwa cultural village en route. Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge | B,L,D | |
| Feb 19 | Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP — Depart hotel after breakfast and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP. Gorilla trek with professional tracker/guide. We’ll spend 1 hour with a gorilla family, but total trek time depends on location of the gorilla families. Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge | B,L,D | |
| Feb 20 | Bwindi – Kigali, Rwanda – Homeward — Depart hotel after an early breakfast and drive to Kigali, Rwanda. Lunch in Kigali with optional city tour. Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your homeward international flight. End of Service. – | B,L |
Your Instructors
Leighton Lum — Hawaii native Leighton Lum’s jaw-dropping images simply speak for themselves. Led by his creative eye and passion for adventure, Leighton has traveled the globe to destinations like Africa, South America, Iceland, Indonesia, and Antarctica, leading photography workshops and making his own award-winning photographs. Leighton hopes his photography inspires others and raises awareness about conservation to ensure future generations can enjoy the natural world he cherishes. Read more about Leighton and see a selection of his images.
Stephanie Hogue — Texas native Stephanie Hogue moved to southern California to pursue her passion for photography at the highly regarded Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara. She eventually settled in Ventura, California and began a very successful wedding and portrait business, earning the respect and admiration of clients including the Hollywood elite, and presidential and senatorial candidates. Read more about Stephanie and see a selection of her images.
Cancellation, Refunds & Travel Insurance
We understand life happens and plans may change. If you need to cancel your reservation, the following applies:
Deposits are not refundable. If you cancel more than 120 days before the workshop start date, your deposit is transferrable to another Art of Seeing workshop for up to 24 months from the date you cancel. If you cancel inside 120 days, your deposit is forfeit.
If we fill your spot*, you receive a refund of all other fees paid, less a $150 processing fee. This applies no matter when you cancel.
If we do not fill your spot, your refund depends on when you cancel:
- More than 120 days before the start date: 100% refund of fees paid, less your deposit and a $150 processing fee. Deposit transferrable for up to 24 months.
- 90 to 120 days before the start date: 50% refund of fees paid, less your deposit and a $150 processing fee. Deposit forfeit.
- Less than 90 days before the start date: No refund. Deposit forfeit.
*Your spot counts as filled only after the workshop reaches full capacity and another participant signs up. Someone who signs up while we still have open spots has not filled your spot.
All cancellations must be made in writing. We pay refunds by the same method you used to pay.
If we cancel or substantially change this workshop before it begins and you cannot accommodate the change, you receive a full refund of everything you have paid us, including your deposit. If we change the schedule or itinerary during the workshop for reasons outside our control, such as weather, wildlife, logistics, road conditions, the availability of guides and vehicles or mechanical failure, no refund or compensation is due.
Travel Insurance
A travel insurance policy which covers emergency medical evacuation is a requirement for participation in this workshop, because medical facilities and standards of care where we are going may not meet US standards. Such policies typically also provide other benefits, including coverage for lost luggage or trip cancellations.
Click here to read our complete Terms & Conditions
Alumni Discounts
If you’ve traveled with us before, thank you! You’re the reason our passion is our profession, and we are deeply grateful for this blessing.
To express our appreciation, we’ve launched our Alumni Rewards Program which gives our ‘frequent flyers’ discounts on future Art of Seeing Photography Adventures. Click here for full details.
| Previous Workshops | Domestic | International |
|---|---|---|
| 1 completed | $50 | $100 |
| 2 completed | $100 | $200 |
| 3 completed | $150 | $300 |
| 4 completed | $200 | $400 |
| 5 or more | $250 | $500 |
Select the number of previous Art of Seeing workshops you’ve previously attended the next time you register for one of our trips and your discount will automatically be applied to your remaining balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this trip different or better than other African safaris?
- Locations & timing – we’ve chosen the very best parks at the best time of year including The Great Migration in the Serengeti at the height of wildebeest calving season.
- 100% Photography focused – everything from our itinerary, choice of lodging and daily schedule is designed around maximizing opportunities to produce portfolio-worthy images of African wildlife.
- Every guest gets their own row in our safari vehicles – shoot out both sides with plenty of room for your gear. Note: 1 guest occupies the front “shotgun” seat in one of our vehicles on a rotating basis. Extra photo gear can be stored in the back rows.
- Individualized instruction – a maximum 5:1 instructor to student ratio ensures plenty of personal attention to help you raise your wildlife photography skills to the next level.
- Top notch logistics & support – we partner with top notch lodges, camps and safari outfitters to ensure a safe and glitch-free experience for our guests.
How should I make my travel arrangements?
Book your international flights to arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (airport code: JRO) near Arusha, Tanzania and depart from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (airport code: NBO) in Nairobi, Kenya. Additional information to help you plan your travels advance. Kenya has replaced its visa requirement with an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which you can apply for online at etakenya.go.ke. Detailed instructions for all three will be provided to registered participants.
What if I want to arrive early or stay after the workshop dates?
No problem, let us know your arrival/departure details and we will book the additional hotel nights on your behalf (additional cost).
Which parks/reserves will we visit?
The parks we will visit include Maasai Mara NR and Amboseli NP in Kenya, and Tarangire NP and Serengeti NP in Tanzania. See the Daily Itinerary for more details.
What species of wildlife will we encounter?
Typical species in the locations and times we will be visiting include lions, cheetah, leopards, hyena, elephants, rhinos, Cape buffalo, hippos, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra and many more.
What’s a Game Drive?
Game drive is the term we use for a photography excursion in our safari vehicles (modified 4X4 Landcruisers with pop-up roofs).
What’s the difference between a Lodge and a Camp?
Lodges are permanent hard-sided accommodations while camps use temporary tents for lodging. Glamping is an understatement for these tents however, which include electricity, hot showers, flush toilets, real beds and furniture.
What’s the food like?
Most meals are served buffet style. The cuisine is mostly western, and the selections are comparable to what you would expect at a nice resort hotel.
Can my non-photographer friend/partner attend?
Absolutely, travel partners who may not share your passion for photography are very welcome. Just make sure they can handle being part of a group that wants to do nothing but eat, sleep and talk about photography. Unfortunately, due to limited space, we cannot offer a discount for non-photographer partners.
What is the fitness level required for this trip?
The Best of Africa (Kenya & Tanzania) is classified as Easy from a physical fitness perspective. No hiking or long walks are planned but lots of riding around in safari vehicles on ‘roads’ that can be very bumpy and dusty. If you are pregnant or have back issues, please contact us for more details.
The optional Uganda Gorilla Trek is classified as Difficult. Extensive hiking in steep terrain may be required. You don’t have to be a super athlete –most participants are 55+, many 65+ years old– but you must be in good physical condition.
Anything we missed? Send us a message or schedule a phone call.
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