Most travelers who go on safari game drives photograph their sightings to reminisce about the trip on their return. Some of my favorite photos from around the world are of the landscape and wildlife in southern Africa. While the spectacular sights make for beautiful photos no matter your skill level, below are my top 12 tips for better safari photography.
1. Bring the Right Gear
Lenses
Many animals will be too far out for a clear shot with just your phone. Zoom lenses anywhere from 200mm to 400mm are perfect for most sightings. Camera kits typically come with small (18-55mm) and zoom (70-300mm) lenses. If it is in your budget, I find that a combo lens, something like 18-300mm, is best so you don’t waste time changing lenses.
Spare Batteries
In order to always be ready, I never turn off my camera or put it away while on a game drive. Keeping it on and snapping hundreds of photos will drain your camera battery quickly. I carry at least 3 batteries and charge them every night.
Multiple Memory Cards
You will take way more photos than you think. Having multiple SD cards means you’ll never have to miss an incredible shot. Even if the card isn’t full, you may want to change it out during the trip – that way if something happens to your memory card or camera you won’t lose all your photos.
Lens Cleaning Equipment
Clean your lenses frequently with cleaning cloths, wipes, or lens sprays and pens. Most visitors participate in game drives during the dry months when it is easier to spot wildlife. It is especially dusty during this time. I ended up wiping orange dirt and clay off my lens every few stops.
This is less of an issue during the rainy season. Learn other reasons to Travel Southern Africa During Green Season.
Tripod
If astrophotography interests you, having a tripod helps to take incredible long exposure shots of the sky and stars. A tripod is also beneficial if you plan to set up in a hide for long periods of time. If you are only going on game drives, a tripod is unnecessary; however, you may want something to steady your hand on the edge of your game vehicle.
2. Travel at Dawn and Dusk When Animals Are Most Active
You’ll have the benefit of both diurnal and nocturnal wildlife being active. Both groups can be seen waking, eating, and settling down to sleep on opposite schedules during these times.
We only saw cheetahs once on our trip and it was first thing in the morning. Other vehicles saw them in the same area the previous night right before they returned to the lodge.
3. Practice with Your Camera Before Your Trip
You don’t want to be stuck figuring out settings at an amazing animal sighting and miss the perfect shot. Read the manual, watch YouTube tutorials, and practice photographing in your local area.
4. Set Your Camera Settings
Use burst mode – it allows you to capture multiple photos quickly with one press of a button. This is great for capturing animals moving quickly. Burst mode is perfect for wildlife that may disappear into the bush, hide in trees, or dip underwater.
Make sure your flash is disabled. You don’t want to disturb animals if your camera decides it’s not sunny enough. As most guided drives are in the morning and evening, your camera may automatically switch to flash unless you remember to disable this feature.
5. Rent Camera Gear
For non-hard-core enthusiasts or photographers, buying an expensive, extra-long zoom lens for one trip is a waste. If you can’t afford or don’t want to buy an expensive camera or lens, many lodges and tour companies will rent camera gear. Always make sure to ask about renting or photography services prior to travel.
6. Consider Splurging for a Private Vehicle
With a private vehicle and guide, you can focus on the wildlife you want rather than stopping for everything. Those who want to see only the Big 5 or big cats won’t have to stop for birds or impala. You can also stay at a sighting as long as you want to get the perfect shot without feeling the pressure to move on.
7. Choose a Camp or Lodge with a Watering Hole
Guests can see wildlife without having to leave the facility. Waterholes often attract zebras, wildebeests, warthogs, birds, and more. Wildlife is likely to stay near the waterhole for long periods, giving you more photography time.
Looking to book a camp or lodge? Check out my 12 Tips for Choosing a Safari Game Lodge.
8. Stop at Wildlife Hides
Hides are usually placed around watering holes to get close to animals while staying reasonably safe and concealed. Depending on your priorities and goals, you can spend hours at a hide observing the landscape and wildlife comfortably.
9. Be Patient
Game drives are not the zoo; these are wild animals who are relatively unpredictable. There may be hours where you don’t see anything big.
When you do spot something, you may need to be patient for the animal to move from behind bushes or come out of the water. It was 10 minutes, and dozens of photos, before I was able to catch a great shot of a hippo yawning.
Learn to appreciate the quiet moments as well. Make sure to be present at every stop and enjoy the moment rather than only focusing on the perfect photo.
10. Photograph a Mix of Wide Shots, Full Body, and Detailed Close-Ups
Sometimes the environment is more interesting than wildlife. Vivid sunrises and sunsets make for spectacular images. Mountains, rivers, clouds, and trees create a mood for the overall landscape.
Getting close ups of details like coat patterns, skin, eyes, and tusks can make for incredible photos. You don’t see these types of images as often so they stand out.
11. Include Objects and the Landscape for Scale
Nothing helps to show the height of giraffes better than their heads towering above treetops. Elephants and hippos are giants near bushes or in rivers. Jackals seem tall until they are shown trailing after lions and hyenas.
12. Look for Groups of Animals
Groups of wildlife can make for more compelling photos, especially parents with their young. One impala is pretty but an entire herd, up to 100 members, is stunning. Interactions between individuals are also more captivating than the animals just standing next to each other.
Hopefully my tips for better safari photography will make your once-in-a-lifetime shots really shine! What were your favorite animals to photograph on safari? Do you have any additional tips to assist others? If so, leave them in a comment below!
These are great tips! Especially learning how to use your camera before you go on your trip. A private guide is AMAZING and I would recommend that to everyone. It’s worth the money!!!
Thanks Sarah! I was lucky enough to have my own guide during off-peak season. It was fantastic!
These are some amazing tips! You have some great photos too! I cannot wait until we can travel to South Africa.
Thank you so much Lisa! You’ll have an amazing time in South Africa when you get the chance to go. Do you have a specific place in mind?
Again Steph , valuable information. I am a novice photographer and needed to be told about disabling the flash. Also, to get the pictures I just saw I will be practicing , practicing, practicing! Thank you,
Thanks Liz! Learning your camera and your own “style” makes a big difference 🙂