Into the Heart of the Serengeti
Story by Johan Siggesson
There are places in the world that stay with you long after you leave. The Serengeti is one of them. Not because of constant drama or spectacle, but because of the quiet moments that unfold when you slow down and truly observe. This is the reason I am excited to be leading the Big Cats of the Serengeti journey with Photo Workshop Adventures.
I come to this trip as a fine art wildlife photographer with a strong focus on black and white. Over the years, the Serengeti has shaped how I see, how I photograph, and how I understand wild animals. It is not just a destination. It is a place that teaches patience, awareness, and respect for the natural rhythm of life.
Why the Serengeti is Different
The Serengeti is often described as vast, and it is. But what makes it special is not its size. It is the openness. The land stretches out in every direction, creating space not just for wildlife, but for stories to unfold naturally. You are not forcing encounters here. You are witnessing them.
Like everywhere else for us photographers light plays a central role. Mornings are soft and layered. Evenings are calm and deliberate. This kind of light is ideal for black and white photography, where shape, texture, and contrast matter more than color. In these conditions, a lion resting in the grass or a cheetah scanning the horizon becomes something timeless rather than dramatic.
The Namiri Plains
One of the areas we will spend time in is the Namiri Plains. For photographers, this region is something special. It is known for its open terrain, low vegetation, and strong populations of big cats, especially lions. It is also well known for its thriving cheetah population.
What I value most about the Namiri Plains is visibility. You can watch behavior unfold from a distance without disturbing it. A cheetah moving with intent across the plains. Cubs playing while a mother rests nearby. Lions interacting quietly within a pride. These moments are not rushed, and that is exactly what makes them powerful.
From a photographic perspective, the Namiri Plains offer clean backgrounds and clear lines. This allows you to focus on composition rather than clutter. It is an environment that rewards observation and patience rather than speed.
A Fine Art Approach to Wildlife Photography
My work has always been about restraint. I am less interested in action for its own sake and more interested in presence. Black and white photography strips away distraction and asks you to pay attention to what remains. Expression and posture are important qualities for me.
On this trip, I will be sharing how I approach scenes in the field, from reading animal behavior to anticipating movement rather than reacting to it. This is not about chasing images. It is about positioning yourself, understanding light, and allowing moments to come to you.
Whether you work in color or black and white, these principles apply. The Serengeti is an ideal classroom because it gives you time. Time to think. Time to adjust. Time to learn.
What You Can Expect from This Journey
This is not a rushed itinerary. The goal is not to tick boxes, but to spend meaningful time in areas that offer repeated opportunities to observe and photograph big cats in their natural environment.
You can expect early starts, because the best light and the most honest behavior often happen in the first hours of the day. You can expect periods of waiting, because wildlife does not work on schedules. And you can expect moments that feel quiet at first, but stay with you long after.
We will talk about composition in open landscapes, using negative space, working with minimal backgrounds, and understanding how animals relate to their surroundings. These are skills that go beyond this trip and apply to photography everywhere.
Learning Through Real Moments
Some of the most important lessons I have learned in the Serengeti did not come from dramatic sightings. They came from watching a lion rest for an hour, noticing how the light shifted across its face. Or observing a cheetah stand completely still before making a decision.
These real moments from the wild are where understanding grows. They teach you to see rather than simply look. As a guide, my role is not just to help you find subjects, but to help you slow down enough to truly experience them.
Who This Trip is For
This journey is for photographers who want more than just images. It is for those who want to understand the environment they are photographing and feel comfortable working within it. You do not need to be an expert. You do need curiosity and a willingness to be present.
Whether you are refining your style or looking for a deeper connection to wildlife photography, the Serengeti offers that opportunity. The Namiri Plains, in particular, give you the space to experiment and observe without pressure.
Beyond the Images
Every time I return to the Serengeti, I am reminded why I do this work. It brings me back to the fundamentals. Light. Form. Patience. Respect.
Leading this trip with Photo Workshop Adventures is not about showcasing my work. It is about sharing the experience of being there, of standing in a landscape where big cats still live on their own terms. That is something worth protecting, and something worth experiencing fully.
If you join us on this journey, my hope is that you leave with more than photographs. I hope you leave with a deeper understanding of how to see, how to wait, and how to connect with the wild in a way that stays with you long after you return home.
The Serengeti has a way of doing that.
