Top 10 Safari Photos and Videos of 2023
From the golden Serengeti plains to the slopes of Kilimanjaro, we received a lion’s share of incredible guest photography in 2023. Let’s count down the top 10 photos and videos we shared on Instagram!
10. World Giraffe Day
World Giraffe Day was June 21 (the longest day of the year). Naturally, we had to show some love for our favorite long-necked lads.
9. Earth Day Serengeti Celebration
Golden grasslands, sun-drenched plains and thriving wildlife–there’s a world of reasons the Serengeti is worth celebrating every day.
8. Ngorongoro Crater Hippo Pool
Sweeping, 3-million-year-old slopes form the walls of Ngorongoro Crater. Thomson staffer Angela Woods had a picture-perfect view of them at her lunch by the hippo pool!
7. Porters and Guides Cheering on a Kilimanjaro Trekker
We celebrated Porter Appreciation Week with this video of Thomson porters chanting, singing, clapping and encouraging one trekker to reach Stella Point. It goes to show, not only do porters lift your gear–they lift your spirits and help you reach new heights!
6. Male Lion in Tree
Magnificent. Majestic. A king on his ligneous throne. Taken by Thomson guest Jen Bresnick.
5. Elephants at Watering Hole
Hydrating is a full-time job for African elephants, who need 50 gallons a day just to get by!
4. Great Migration River crossing
Over 2 million mammals race across the Serengeti during the Great Migration–and Mary Barinaga’s video of a thrashing, raucous river crossing shows it off at its most spectacular.
3. Trekker at Uhuru Peak
“My porter Mariam was my rock, cheerleader, sister,” Thomson guest Jennifer Black said. It’s a heartwarming testament to the strength of Kili’s remarkable women porters, who defy the odds to make every trek memorable and empowering.
2. Leopard Staredown
This leopard’s hypnotic gaze is matched in beauty by her rosettes, and a subtle suggestion of strength courses through her posture. It’s hard to look away! Taken by Thomson staffer Emily Bresnick.
1. Scenes from Ngorongoro Crater
Three million years ago, Ngorongoro Crater was a volcano–now, this extinct caldera is a maximalist dream of nature realized. Mountainous walls, dense wildlife populations and hilly landscapes make this one of the most breathtaking oases on the planet.
See more safari and Kilimanjaro photos–all taken by Thomson guests!
