Top 10 Safari Photos and Videos of 2023

Written by Thomson Safaris

top photos 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.

giraffe in eastern serengeti
SEE ON INSTAGRAM

 

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.

WATCH FULL VIDEO

 

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!

hippo pool in ngorongoro crater
SEE ON INSTAGRAM

 

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!

WATCH FULL VIDEO

 

6. Male Lion in Tree

Magnificent. Majestic. A king on his ligneous throne. Taken by Thomson guest Jen Bresnick.

male lion in tree
SEE ON INSTAGRAM

 

5. Elephants at Watering Hole

Hydrating is a full-time job for African elephants, who need 50 gallons a day just to get by!

elephants at watering hole in serengeti
SEE ON INSTAGRAM

 

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.

WATCH FULL VIDEO

 

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.

kili summit
SEE ON INSTAGRAM

 

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.

leopard in tree with kill
SEE ON INSTAGRAM

 

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.

WATCH FULL VIDEO

 

 

See more safari and Kilimanjaro photos–all taken by Thomson guests!