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How to Capture Stunning Safari Photography on Your Next Trip

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If you’re planning a safari trip in the near future, you’ll want to make sure your camera is packed and ready to go. Safari photography can be some of the most rewarding and beautiful photos you’ll ever take, but it takes a little bit of know-how to capture those perfect shots. Here are seven tips to help you get started.

Safari Photography: What to Expect on an African Safari

Equipment for Safari Photography

Heat and Light

Seasons and Weather

Landscapes and Perspectives

Finding Your Own Composition

Popular Content

40 Safari Photography Tips For Stunning Wildlife Photos

Written by BELLA FALK

Contents (click to view)

So you’ve booked your dream African safari , and you’re ready to go! 

I imagine you’re excited for the adventures, the landscapes, the amazing food and the friendly people, but mostly for all that incredible wildlife you’re going to see – and photograph.

But you don’t want to spend all that money and go all that way, only to come back with rubbish photos! You want to make the most of the opportunities that are about to unfold in front of you, and come home with stellar safari images to post on Instagram and put up on your wall. 

If that’s why you’re here – you’ve come to the right place!

Welcome to my top 40 African safari photography tips , to help you bring home wildlife photos you’ll treasure for years to come. 

About my safari photography experience

Hello! In case we haven’t met, I’m Bella, and I’m an award-winning travel and wildlife photographer . 

I’ve photographed wildlife on all seven continents , from penguins in Antarctica to puffins in the UK and from whales in Sri Lanka to sloths in Costa Rica . 

In 2020 I won Travel Photographer of the Year at the UK Travel Media Awards (and was a finalist in 2019 and 2023 too).

My wildlife images have been shortlisted five times in the world-famous Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. I’ve written and photographed for National Geographic Traveller, BBC Wildlife Magazine and Travel Africa among others, and I’ve led workshops and written guides to travel photography and wildlife photography .

Read more: 60+ Awesome Antarctica Photography Tips

But most importantly, I love safari photography!

I’ve worked with safari companies in Botswana and Kenya to shoot images for national publications , and I’ve also photographed safaris in South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda (where I lived for three months). 

Throughout all of that I’ve learned a few things about how to make the most of your safari photography tour, and I’d like to share some of that knowledge with you now. 

I’ve tried to write this for beginners and intermediate shooters so I’ve kept it fairly simple, but hopefully there are tips and inspiration in here for more advanced photographers as well. 

Let’s get started! 

Wildlife photography for beginners: some troubleshooting

If you’ve come here looking for Africa safari photography advice, that probably means you’re currently a bit dissatisfied with your wildlife photography.

So first up, I want to discuss some of the reasons why you might be finding your photos disappointing, and what you can do to deal with some of those issues. 

The animals are too far away

If you’re annoyed because the wildlife in your photos appears too small, you need to get closer! You can do that in one of three ways: 

• Ask your driver to move closer (if it’s possible without breaking any rules or disturbing the animal).
• Wait and hope the animal comes closer to you.
• Zoom in. If you’re already fully zoomed in, then you’re gonna need to buy a bigger lens or a better camera. You could also crop the image later, but how much you can get away with depends on the resolution of your camera.

The photos are blurry

Blurred images happen for one of three reasons:

• Camera shake. Use a faster shutter speed to counteract things like bumpy roads or shaky hands.
• The animal is moving too quickly. Again, you need a faster shutter speed to freeze the animal’s motion (unless you’re going for an artistic slow shutter speed effect).
• Your image is not in focus. Modern cameras have extremely advanced autofocussing systems but if you don’t know how to use yours properly, it can and will make bad decisions. Get properly acquainted with your camera’s focussing system, and practise using it!

The images are poor quality

If you’re not happy with the resolution or quality of the images your camera produces, I’m afraid the only answer is to buy a better camera!

But this doesn’t mean you need to splurge thousands on a top-of the range new camera. You can get great deals on older camera models second hand , and many of them are excellent.

I shot this image using a Canon 5D Mark II which you can buy today second hand from Wex , MPB.com or eBay for less than £200.

The lighting is bad: the image looks too harsh, too dark, or too flat

Most safari game drives take place in the early mornings and late afternoons which is when the animals are usually most active. Happily, this tends to also be the prettiest light for photography, but sometimes it can be quite dark. So in an ideal world you should also have a camera that can cope well in low light. 

If the light is dull, flat or too harsh, there are still ways round it. Try changing the position of the car so the subject is backlit, or using a high- or low-key technique to exploit strong contrast.

Learning to edit your images will also make a huge difference: shoot in RAW and then try adjusting the exposure, highlights and shadows, or convert to black and white.

Safari photography tips: before you go

1/ choosing your camera.

Your trusty camera is your window into the wild, so pick the right tool for the job! While it is possible to take great safari images with a smartphone, unfortunately you will be very limited by what your phone camera can do.

If you really want to get those beautiful closeups and soft backgrounds, you’ll need a DSLR or a mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses – or at the very least a compact camera with a good zoom lens.

You also need to consider factors like how much weight you’re prepared to carry, weather sealing (dust and rain resistance), image stabilisation, and how well it performs in low light.

In Tanzania and Uganda’s national parks I used my much-loved Canon 5D Mark IV ; for my recent trips to Botswana and Kenya I upgraded to a Canon R5 mirrorless which has a much faster focussing system with animal eye detection which is a total game changer for safari photography.

2/ Learn your camera

That said, there’s no point in splashing out thousands on a fancy camera if you don’t know how to use it. The best camera for safari photography is always the one you know well and are comfortable using. 

So if you do splurge on a new camera, don’t be caught fumbling with settings when that perfect wildlife moment arises! Make sure you learn its functions beforehand, explore the menu, and practise using it so that it feels like second nature by the time you’re out in the bush.

I took my new R5 to London Zoo and London Wetland Centre before heading to Kenya , so that I could get it set up how I like it and get any teething troubles out of the way in a controlled environment.

3/ Master your camera’s focus

Modern cameras have extremely intelligent focussing systems that take much of the trial and error out of focussing – but you do need to know how to control them or they’ll take over and get things wrong!

It’s vital you learn how your camera’s focusing system works, get it set up in a way that works for you, and practise focusing on moving subjects. 

Experiment with single-point autofocus for static subjects and continuous autofocus (or servo mode) for tracking moving animals. Don’t be afraid to manually focus for a critical shot, but I normally reserve that for when the subject is still and the autofocus can’t cope – such as a lion sitting amongst tall grasses.

Many newer cameras have fantastic animal eye detection AI but it doesn’t always work and you need to know how to take over quickly if it doesn’t want to play ball. 

4/ Pick the right lenses

The lens you choose will dramatically impact the types of shots you can capture.

A telephoto lens (200 mm and above) is essential for bringing distant animals closer – and I’d recommend a minimum of 400 mm. 

Consider a zoom lens for versatility, but a prime lens offers superior image quality at a fixed focal length. Don’t forget a wider lens (24-70mm range) for capturing landscapes and dramatic animal encounters at close range.

Prime lenses or lenses with a wide maximum aperture (f/4 and below) give you more of that lovely shallow depth of field and perform better in low light, but big prime lenses like the Canon RF 400mm f2.8 L are very large and eye-wateringly expensive!

Check out my guide to camera gear for wildlife photography in Antarctica – you can obviously ignore the cold weather and water sections but all the camera and lens advice is pretty much the same.

5/ Take a second body

It’s a luxury, but if you do have a second camera or a spare body, I recommend you bring it. 

Animal encounters can change in the blink of an eye, and you don’t want to be rushing to change lenses when the lion suddenly comes right up to you, or when you want to switch between a close up and a wide shot showing the environment.

The African bush is also very dusty, so not having to change lenses while you’re out and about will help protect your gear.

I always take two cameras – one fitted with a long lens for close ups or animals that are far away, and one fitted with a wide lens for landscapes or if an elephant is right next to the car. A backup camera is also there should some misfortune befall your main camera.

If you don’t have a spare, why not buy an older model, cheap and second hand ? You can get great deals on pre-loved gear and having a second camera will definitely add more flexibility to your African safari photography.  

6/ Protect your gear

If you’re going to take all that expensive gear to Africa and expose it to the dust, wind, sand and possibly rain, you’d better protect it! 

Invest in a decent padded backpack , and a rain cover for when an unexpected downpour blows in through the side of your open vehicle. Make sure you bring plenty of lens cloths and a dust blower , and give your gear a wipe at the end of every day to keep it in top condition.

And don’t forget proper insurance! Most cameras are too expensive to be covered by your travel insurance policy, so check and get separate gear insurance or cover it under your home insurance policy instead.

7/ Shoot RAW and learn to edit

While RAW files take up more space and need post-processing, they capture more data than JPEGs and offer the flexibility to edit your images to bring out their best. 

If you really want to take your wildlife photography to the next level, one of my top safari photography tips is to shoot RAW and learn some editing skills, to transform your images from good to great.

8/ Dress for success

Neutral-coloured clothing blends into the environment, making you less likely to spook the animals.

Opt for natural fabrics or sweat-wicking sportswear that breathes well in hot weather, and avoid bright colors and noisy clothing that might startle wildlife.

Read more about what to pack for safari here .

9/ Beanbag, tripod or monopod?

If you’re taking a large telephoto lens, you’ll need stabilisation. It’s hard to hold a heavy camera and lens for long periods at a time! 

Some safari companies provide beanbags for you to rest on the window ledge or roof, while others have adapted their cars with padded arm rests to balance your camera on. So it’s worth asking before you travel. 

I usually pack an empty photography beanbag , which I can then fill with beans or rice at the local market when I arrive. 

A tripod or monopod can offer even greater stability but can be impractical if you want to change your angle in a hurry, or if you don’t have much space. However, if you have a monopod (and trust it!), you can also use it to lower your camera over the side of the car for eye-catching low-angle shots. 

10/ Don’t forget spare cards and batteries

Running out of power or storage on safari is a recipe for disappointment!

Pack plenty of fully-charged batteries and enough memory cards – you’ll probably shoot way more than you usually do. Consider high-capacity, fast cards for capturing bursts of action, like birds in flight or a cheetah on the hunt. 

Cards are expensive, so I bring just two, and then back up my photos daily onto a portable hard drive before reusing the cards the next day. 

Find out more about my travel photography workflow here .

African safari photography tips: practicalities

Getting the best out of your safari photography begins before you leave the lodge – in fact, you could say it begins before you even get on the plane!

Here are some things to think about before you head out on your safari adventure:

11/ Ask about your vehicle

Not all safari vehicles are created equal. Before you book, find out what type of car you’ll be using. Will it be open sided; will it have a pop-up or a roll-back top?

Does everyone get a window seat, or will some people have to sit in the middle? Is there tiered seating and will you be able to get down low?

Ideally, you want a car with open sides and a pop-up or open roof for unobstructed views. At all costs avoid tour buses or normal-style jeeps with windows that don’t open fully.  

I prefer to book with companies that offer smaller vehicles (maximum six people per car) and a guaranteed window seat. In an ideal world, you’ll be able to have an entire row to yourself, so you have a prime spot no matter which side the animal is on. 

Knowing the vehicle will also help you choose the right accessories to bring: do you need a monopod or a beanbag? Will you have space to spread your gear out or will you need to bring a more compact setup?

12/ Consider a private car

For the ultimate in control and flexibility, a private safari vehicle might be better for you if you have the budget. 

Not having to worry about what other people want to do, or compete for the best angles, allows you to tailor the itinerary to your photographic goals, spread yourself around the car, and get in the perfect position every time. 

Looking for African safari tours? Search TourRadar for a huge selection from 5* operators

13/ Talk to your guide

Your guide is your key to unlocking the secrets of the bush – he or she is the person who’ll hopefully help you find your dream safari animals or get the shots you’re after.

What’s more, a good guide who understands light and angles is probably the number one most important thing you can have for safari photography. So before the trip or when you first arrive, I always tell the company I’m a photographer and ask to be assigned their best photography guide.

I noticed a huge difference in both Kenya and Botswana between the shots I got with a guide who really ‘got’ photography, and the ones who didn’t. 

Chat to them before you head out on your first game drive. Let them know the wildlife you’re hoping to see and the shots you’d like to get, and they will do their best to help you.

When you’re out and about, don’t be afraid to ask if you want something. The guide won’t know what shot you have in mind, so if you want to stop, move on, nudge the car forward or back a little, get a little closer, or find a different angle, just ask. It might not always be possible or allowed, but they will do their best to help you if they can. 

Remember though, that guides, while brilliant, are not miracle workers. If you’re desperate to see a leopard, they will use all their skills to help find one, but unfortunately the animals don’t perform on demand and sightings are never guaranteed. 

14/ Don’t just talk, listen!

As well as communicating your needs effectively, it’s important to listen. Guides are a goldmine of information when it comes to animals – not only in general, but they will also know the habits of specific animals in their patch. Your guide will be able to tell you where and when you’ll have the best chance of seeing a certain species or where certain individuals like to hang out. 

Once you’ve found the animal, the guides are experts at recognising behaviour cues and will be able to tell you if the lion is about to stretch or the hippo is about to yawn, so you can capture the money shot.

In Kenya, our guide Saruni anticipated that this lion would be thirsty after eating and would walk to this puddle to drink, so he positioned the car in the perfect spot and then all we had to do was wait for the lion to come to us.

15/ Get up early and stay out late

Lighting is crucial in photography. Early mornings and late afternoons offer the soft, golden light that creates stunning wildlife portraits, while midday sun can be harsh, creating strong contrast and deep shadows. 

Typically, most safari itineraries include morning and afternoon game drives, as that is when the animals are most active. Make sure you’re ready to go – if you hit snooze or dawdle over breakfast, you’ll may miss the best moments.

Likewise, at the end of the day many safari companies offer ‘sundowner’ drinks and snacks – which is exactly when you want to be photographing. So I always let my guide know that I’d prefer to skip cocktail hour and keep shooting instead (which is much easier to do if you’re not sharing the car with non-photographers who don’t take kindly to this!).

Safari photography tips: framing and composition

16/ think about your composition.

Now you’ve sorted the practicalities, it’s time to think about the images you’re going to take. Don’t just snap what’s in front of you – instead, think about what you want to include or leave out, and where you want the main focal point to be. 

You’re probably already familiar with the Rule of Thirds, where you imagine dividing the frame into thirds and then place your subject off-centre on one of those ‘third lines’ to create a more pleasing composition. Give it a go!

I explain more about the Rule of Thirds, as well as giving loads more general wildlife photography tips, in my Easy wildlife photography tips for beginners post. 

17/ What’s in shot? Keep it simple.

Be mindful of what fills your frame. Where possible, try to avoid clutter and distracting elements like branches or leaves that obstruct your subject. If necessary, change position in the car or ask the driver to move back or forward a little to get a better angle.

Avoid photos with too many elements competing for attention. Where there are many animals together, try to isolate one to three individuals, or wait for the group to space out a little to create a clean composition.

There were many zebras at this waterhole at Leroo La Tau in Botswana but I focussed on just these three to create a simple composition

18/ What’s in the background?

A messy background can detract from your subject. Whether that’s tangled trees or random other animals, try to aim for clean backdrops that don’t distract.

If necessary, ask your driver to move the car, or wait for the animal to move into a better position.

19/ Focus on the eye

In wildlife photography, it’s generally accepted that you should always focus on the main animal’s eye. We want the viewer to connect with the subject, and we are naturally drawn to eyes, so if the eye isn’t in focus the viewer’s connection to the image may be lost.

There are exceptions of course, such as if the eye isn’t visible in the shot, or you’ve deliberately chosen something else to focus on, but as a general rule of thumb, you should always get at least one eye sharp.

20/ Wait for eye contact

Connected with this, notice how when the animal’s gaze is locked on you, it creates an extra dramatic connection.

Some safari animals are curious and will look right at you, so keep your camera poised and ready to click the shutter at that crucial moment when your subject looks right at your lens.

21/ Get low

Sitting in a car, with the animal on the ground, most of the time you’ll be looking down on your subject and the background will be the grass around it. 

It’s not easy to do because most of the time it’s not safe to get out of the car, but if you can get down to the same level or lower than your subject so it’s framed against the sky instead, it makes for much more dramatic images. 

You obviously can’t do this when there are predators around, but if you ask your guide, it may be possible if the animal is a herbivore, it’s far enough away and you stay close to the car. I shot these rhinos by staying safely behind the car, and lying on the ground so I could shoot underneath it. 

22/ Shoot landscapes

Another top safari photography tip to remember is that going on safari isn’t just about the animals.

Don’t forget to capture the vastness and beauty of the African landscape, from the wide savanna grasslands, to lonely trees silhouetted against the sunset, to dramatic mountains on the horizon or reflections in lakes and wetlands. 

23/ Include the environment for context

Show how your animal subject interacts with its environment. Did you spot a lioness stalking through tall grass or a solitary giraffe eating acacia? Close ups can be dramatic and beautiful but including context can tell a different story. 

In Tsavo West, Kenya , I was amazed by the magnificent elephants which are often stained red or orange thanks to the landscape’s red dust. In this image I wanted to show how the elephants’ vivid colour stands out in the dry landscape and is mirrored by the orange dust bath just behind them.

24/ Shoot silhouettes

Sunrise and sunset are the most magical times for safari photography. And if you get dramatic colours in the sky, you can shoot sensational silhouettes. 

Find a recognisable animal – giraffes and elephants are great for this – and then get down low (positioning your car a little downhill is ideal) so the animal’s shape is against the sky and you can see its legs.

Time the shot so all the legs and the tail are visible, and underexpose by a stop or two to bring out the sky and turn the animal into a dark silhouette.

25/ Use the beauty of backlighting 

It’s tempting to always have the sun fully illuminating your subject from the front, but moving round to the other side so the animal is backlit often gives much more attractive results.

Low backlighting at the beginning and end of the day also illuminates grasses and creates a beautiful rim of light around your animal, highlighting the texture of its fur.

26/ Look up and around

Don’t forget to look skyward! Capture African birds soaring overhead, or giraffes munching on leaves from tall trees.

And don’t forget to look behind you too. While everyone is clicking away at resting lions, there might be some hyenas or a band of mongooses on the other side of the car.

27/ Include soft foreground elements

Frame your shot with interesting foreground elements like wildflowers, tall grasses, or branches, using a wide aperture and shallow depth of field to make them soft focus. This creates depth in your image and draws the viewer’s eye towards your subject.

This spoonbill standing by a lake was a pretty boring shot, until I moved behind the bush to create a natural frame around the bird. 

28/ Include cars and people 

As well as taking shots of the animals you see, don’t forget to include people too. 

Sometimes lions, elephants and other wildlife comes extremely close to the vehicles, and you can’t get a clean shot. Embrace this and make a point of it! Shots of animals and people’s reaction to them being so close can give you dramatic images and great memories of your safari photography trip.

29/ Try high key and low key

Playing with your exposure and going for a minimalistic look can add a new dimension to your safari photos. 

High key photography, emphasising bright whites and light colours, creates a clean feel, and can work well on overcast days when the sky is white. A great way to start practising with this is to find an animal against a white sky, and overexpose by a stop or two to blow out the sky and give an airy feel to the image.

Conversely, low key photography emphasises darker tones and deeper shadows, ideal for dramatic portraits. This works best if you have an animal lit by the sun against a darker background such as trees or rocks. Underexpose by 1-2 stops for that moody look.

I mainly shoot aperture priority, so the exposure compensation wheel is your friend here if you want to start experimenting.

30/ Use black and white to convey drama or texture

I love bright colours, but sometimes, stripping the colour away can be incredibly powerful. 

Black and white photography can allow the textures and shapes of your subject to shine – and works especially well with patterned animals like zebras, leopards or giraffes. 

Converting your image to black and white is also great for giving a boost to flat images shot on cloudy days or in disappointing light.

31/ Don’t ignore the little guys

While everyone wants jaw-dropping shots of lions and cheetahs, don’t ignore the less celebrity animals.

Some antelopes have wonderful character and colours, and if you look at your feet you may spot a colourful lizard or a fascinating dung beetle. So keep your eyes open!

32/ Look for natural framing

Trees, leaves, or even the bodies of other animals can create great natural frames which add interest to your composition.

In the image of silver-backed jackal pups below, I deliberately cropped the shot so the body of the standing puppy makes a natural frame around its siblings

33/ Try an unusual crop

You don’t always need to include the whole of the animal. If your zoom allows, why not crop in to draw the attention to details or a single individual amongst a herd.

I’ve cropped this image so you only see the eye and mouth of the mother crocodile, but it draws attention to the two babies sitting on her head.

34/ Be creative

Try to think outside the box with your images. What can you shoot that tells a story in an creative way but isn’t a basic portrait of an animal? 

Perhaps a lone elephant casts a long shadow as the sun dips below the horizon. Or look for reflections in watering holes – the mirrored image can add an artistic touch.

Buy my safari prints

Did you know that all my images are available to buy as prints to hang on your wall? And if you head to my Print Store and something you like is not there, you can simply message me via the contact form or on social media and I can add it for you.

Safari photography tips: some tricks and techniques

35/ aperture or shutter priority, or manual.

Some photographers like to make you think that if you’re not always shooting full manual, you’re just an amateur. Well I’m here to tell you that’s rubbish, so don’t worry.

Yes, you do need to get away from full auto, because although auto can be helpful and gets some things right, it often gets things wrong too.

But the ‘semi-auto’ modes, where you tell the camera your priorities and it calculates the rest, are ideal for wildlife photography. Things happen quickly and unexpectedly on safari, and there simply isn’t time for you to be fiddling with all the settings.

Looking for Africa photography safaris? Check out   these photo safaris  to fin d your dream trip

I pretty much always use Aperture Priority (AV) mode with my aperture fully wide open for lovely soft depth of field, while keeping an eye on my shutter speed to make sure it’s not too slow for fast-moving animals.

I keep my ISO on manual as well, to avoid the camera pushing it right up and giving me noisy images.

You could also use Shutter Priority (TV) mode to make sure your shutter is fast enough to freeze the action, but then you don’t have any control over the depth of field you want.

36/ Auto focus or manual focus?

Manual focus can definitely be useful at times, but in general I always use auto focus. Cameras have extremely complex and clever auto focussing systems, so why wouldn’t you use it!

You do need to understand your focussing system and know how to control it, otherwise the camera may choose to focus on the wrong thing. I use a single spot which I either point at the subject and then reframe to take the shot, or I move the spot around the frame. For fast-moving animals, the animal eye detection AI is really very good, but not always perfect.

For more on how I set up my camera for wildlife photography, check out Using The Canon R5 For Wildlife Photography: A Full Review .

37/ Use burst mode to freeze action

The animal kingdom is unpredictable, and perfect photo opportunities can happen in a flash. 

Today’s DSLRs and mirrorless cameras – and even smartphones – can now shoot many frames per second, allowing you to capture a rapid sequence of images and increasing your chances of getting that razor-sharp shot of a lion leaping or a gazelle mid-air. 

Later, you can sort through the burst and select the image with the perfect composition and action frozen in time.

I used a high-speed burst to take a sequence of images of this leopard snapping a flies so that I could pick the facial expression I liked best (on the right).

38/ Or experiment with slower shutter speeds

Safari photography is all about capturing movement and it can be tempting to go for the fastest shutter speeds possible to freeze the action.  

Why not try using a slower shutter speed and either panning or zooming at the same time, to create a sense of motion and a very different look?

I used a slow shutter speed of 0.3 seconds and turned the zoom as I took the photo to create this impressionistic images of a lion in Botswana.

39/ Be patient

Animals move on their own schedule, and if you get bored too quickly, you may miss that dream moment. In fact, some of my best shots have happened after all the other cars have got bored and left, while we waited and were rewarded for our patience. 

So embrace the waiting game! Enjoy the scenery, listen to the sounds of the savannah, but always be ready to shoot quickly when that leopard finally comes down from the tree or the sleeping lion gets up and goes on the hunt.

Click here to start planning your dream photo safari adventure!

40/ Be a team player

Sharing a vehicle means compromising sometimes. If another guest has a dream shot, or there’s only one good angle on the animal, be flexible and allow them some space, and they should do the same for you.

The same goes for your car as a whole. Don’t be that guy who parks in front or hogs the best spot for hours. You may not get every shot, but life is better when people are considerate of others too – and it’s better for the animals if they’re not being harassed by jostling cars.

Communication and courtesy go a long way in ensuring everyone gets a chance to capture unforgettable moments and has a great time in the process.

And that’s it! I hope you enjoyed all these tips for safari photography.

My favourite travel tools and brands

To help you organise your trip, here’s a short list of some of the brands and tools I use over and over again when I’m planning my travels. You can see more on my Travel Resources page.

• Booking.com : A huge range of hotels to choose from, often with free cancellation. If you book hotels regularly you can earn discounts. I’m on Genius Level 3 which gets me 20% off!
• Expedia : Another great place to find hotels and Expedia also sell flights , car hire, and loads more all in one place.
• Skyscanner : The only place I ever go to search for flights and compare prices.
• Flight Centre : Booking a more complicated route? Let Flight Centre organise it for you (and deal with the drama when something goes wrong).
• Priority Pass: I love having access to 1,400+ airport lounges when I fly, allowing me to enjoy my time at the airport. With my link you get 30% off a standard membership or 20% off standard plus.
• Airalo: Say goodbye to ridiculous mobile roaming charges. Did you know you can now buy an e-SIM , install it in your phone before you leave home, and then use data abroad at local prices? Game changer.
• TourRadar: If you prefer group travel and organised tours, TourRadar has a huge range of fantastic tours from respected operators. They’re very helpful and have 4.5 stars on TrustPilot.
• Viator: Part of the TripAdvisor brand, Viator is another great place to search for group adventures and day trips.
• GetYourGuide: A great place to find local tours and day trips in your destination.
• Wex Photo Video: The UK’s best camera gear store. Quote my name – Bella Falk – to get £20 off your first purchase.
• Ellis Brigham: Looking for good quality backpacks, travel clothes and other gear? Ellis Brigham is where I buy almost all of mine.
• Rentalcars.com: Part of the Booking.com family and the world’s largest online car rental service, with 24/7 customer service.
• World Nomads Travel Insurance: I never ever travel without travel insurance and nor should you!

Where to next?

If you liked this safari photography tips post, why not try some of my other safari posts?

• A Kenya Safari Holiday: How To Plan The Perfect Trip For You
• Which Is The Best Botswana Safari Lodge? My Favourites With Photos
• Kenya Vs Tanzania: Travel Experts Decide
• 28 Brilliant Things To Do In Uganda
• 46 Amazing African Safari Animals – A Photo Guide
• What To Wear On Safari: My Detailed Safari Packing List With Photos
• My Camera Equipment List: What’s In My Gear Bag?
• Is Cardamom House In Vipingo The Best Beach Hotel In Kenya?

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21 Safari Photography Tips for Capturing Stunning Safari Photos

As a passionate ethical wildlife photographer and qualified safari guide, I've gathered some valuable safari photography tips to help you elevate your safari experience. Even if you've never held a professional camera, you can still capture the raw beauty of the wild with just a few tips and tricks.

Embarking on a safari in Africa is a magical journey, and capturing these moments through photography allows you to relive the excitement and share the beauty of the African wilderness with others. Photography on safari also encourages you to pay attention to other things that might have gone unnoticed. By actively seeking unique angles and observing moments to capture, you become more attuned to the intricate details of the wildlife and the breathtaking landscapes surrounding you. It helps you notice small details and appreciate nature even more.

Read my 21   safari photography tips for capturing stunning safari photos :

1. Immerse Yourself in the Experience

Each day on safari brings unique moments. Photography not only preserves memories but also encourages you to notice intricate details and appreciate nature. Seek unique angles and moments to capture, and let the beauty of the wild inspire you.

2. Be mindful of the Environment and Respect Wildlife

Patience is key to capturing natural behavior. Maintain a respectful distance, observe quietly, and avoid disrupting the animals' natural rhythm. Remember, you are a guest in their home and therefore this is one of the most important wildlife photography tips . Always respect local regulations, cultures, and environments. Your patience will be reflected in the authenticity of your safari photos.

If you approach an animal sighting, always be careful to not disturb the animal and minimize noise. How to show respect for the animals during wildlife photography? 

• Maintain a respectful distance
• Approach animals indirectly
• Avoid positioning yourself upwind from the animal
• Keep your voice extremely low
• Switch your camera to silent mode to avoid startling wildlife
• Don’t use your flash

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced photographer, adhering to a code of conduct ensures the well-being of wildlife, contributes to conservation efforts, and ensures a more authentic safari experience.

3. Utilize Your Guide's Knowledge

Collaborate with your local field guide who possesses invaluable knowledge of animal habits, territories, and behavior. Communicate your photography preferences, and leverage their expertise to position yourself for the perfect shot. Guides can anticipate lighting conditions and animal movements, enhancing your photography experience. For example, positioning the vehicle in a way that the sun is in your back instead of in your lens to have nice lighting on the animal or landscape you want to capture. However, on some occasions, it’s also great to photograph towards the sun to create a nice rim light around the animal.

As a nature and wildlife enthusiast, I encourage you to ask your safari guide lots of questions  to learn more about the behavior and habitats of the wildlife you encounter. This knowledge helps you anticipate movements and position yourself for the perfect shot.

4. Pay Attention to Composition

Crafting attractive compositions on safari is key to impactful photography. Be creative. Explore angles, perspectives, and framing techniques to create visually appealing images.

Rule of Thirds

Apply the rule of thirds by placing your subject off-center for dynamic images. Utilize paths, tracks, or natural elements like bushes, rocks or trees for depth and scale. These composition tips elevate your photos without requiring advanced technical skills. Most cameras also have a grid that helps you to better frame your subject. Also, always think of leaving an empty space in the direction the wildlife is heading or the direction the animal is looking. In some occasions, it's also a good idea to put your subject in the middle.

Shoot from a low angle

Shooting from a low angle (on the ground) can also make your composition more attractive. Safari in a game drive vehicle mostly doesn’t allow you to get out of the car to photograph wildlife, but on some occasions it might be possible. Another occasion could be if you’re on a walking safari . The advantage of getting low on the ground is that you are able to change the background in your scene. Being on eye-level with your animal also establishes a better connection.

Please consider the ethics of your framing – prioritize the well-being of the wildlife you encounter.

5. Show animals in their natural environment

Capturing close-ups of the Big Five is often popular among safari tourists, and wildlife photographers, but don’t forget the beautiful environment these animals live in.

Their natural environment is equally important as they form that bigger picture together. And it’s those areas that we need to protect to save wildlife from extinction.

Every part of the ecosystem is dependent on each other. That’s the beauty of nature, and it allows the viewer to understand where the animal lives and flourishes. As a conservation photographer, I also love to showcase the wildlife’s home that we need to protect.

6. Master the Exposure Triangle

Light is a fundamental element in photography, and understanding the exposure triangle is a fundamental part to master the art of safari photography. Understanding aperture , shutter speed , and ISO allows you to adapt to various lighting conditions. These three factors work together to determine how bright or dark your photos will turn out, as well as the level of sharpness and graininess.

Adjust aperture for light control and depth of field , use shutter speed to freeze or create motion of animals, and set ISO for sensitivity (lower during the day, higher when it’s getting darker).

7. Use Shutter Priority Mode for moving wildlife

If you’re used to photographing in automatic mode, it can feel like a puzzle if you want to photograph wildlife manually. Therefore, my best photography tip is to set your camera on shutter priority mode (S). It means that you only have to think about the shutter speed and the camera does the rest like your ISO and Aperture (semi)automatically.

This technique ensures sharp and clear images, especially when photographing animals in motion on your safari. Use a fast shutter speed to freeze fast-moving wildlife action, and try to practice with various settings between 1/250th of a second up to 1/2500s. Additionally, fast shutter speeds can help prevent camera shake, particularly when shooting handheld.

A rule of thumb: choose a minimum shutter speed based on the focal length you are shooting. An example: I often capture wildlife with a focal length of 400 mm, meaning my minimum shutter is 1/400s. If you are in a moving safari vehicle, boat or hot air balloon, and/or the animal you want to photograph is moving fast, then use a minimum of 2 times the focal length. So, shooting at 400 mm would mean a shutter speed of 1/800s. To capture moving birds in flight , you might want to practice choosing shutter speeds to up to 1/2000s.

8. Choose AI Servo (AF Continuous) Mode for moving wildlife

AI Servo  is the best mode to capture wildlife that is moving, to automatically keep track of and stay focussed on the moving animal.

9. Practice with Aperture Priority Mode for a ‘blurry’ background

Aperture Priority in safari photography allows you to set the desired aperture, controlling the depth of field in your wildlife shots. In situations where you want a blurred background to emphasize the subject, or conversely, a broader depth of field to capture more details.

Aperture Priority mode gives you this creative control. For example, when you want a close-up of a lion or a colorful bird with a blurred background effect, like the Lilac-breasted Roller in the above image. The more zoom and the lower the aperture number, the more you are able to eliminate the background in your image and create that nice compression.

On the other hand, if you want to photograph a group of animals like a herd of elephants, I recommend choosing an aperture of f/8 to get the whole group of animals in focus (and not only one).

10. Try Burst Shooting Mode in Safari Photography

Shooting in  burst mode is an important wildlife photography tip for safari enthusiasts, catering to both beginners and advanced photographers. Wildlife is unpredictable, and animals often move swiftly. Burst mode allows you to capture a series of rapid shots, increasing the chances of freezing dynamic moments, ensuring you don't miss critical actions or spontaneous behaviors.

Beginners benefit by having a safety net, capturing shots even if timing is a challenge. For advanced photographers, burst mode offers creative opportunities to select the perfect frame from a sequence.

11. Focus on the eyes of an animal

Always focus on the eyes of the animals ; that’s the cardinal rule of wildlife photography! This golden tip elevates your shots, creating a connection between the viewer and the wildlife subject. Instead of hastily snapping numerous wildlife images, wait for the moment when the animal turns its gaze towards you.

Focusing on the eyes provides viewers with a unique perspective. It creates a visual connection, as if the animals are looking directly through the photograph at the audience. This transformative approach adds depth and emotion, making your wildlife images more memorable and resonant, especially when capturing close-up shots of animals. This technique enhances the details in the eyes, showcasing the intricacies and expressions that might be missed in broader shots.

Aim for a shutter speed between 1/250s to 1/2500s, depending on the animal's movement, and an aperture between f/2 to f/6, depending on your lens. These settings ensure both eyes are in focus, capturing the essence of the wildlife subject.

Remember, the eyes are the windows to the soul , even in the animal kingdom. So when focusing on the animal’s eyes, you can create truly remarkable and memorable wildlife photographs.

12. Shoot in RAW if you can

Shooting in RAW format on a safari offers several advantages.

RAW images provide a higher dynamic range compared to JPEG, capturing more details in both shadows and highlights. This is crucial in the diverse and often challenging lighting conditions encountered during a safari.

RAW files contain more image data , allowing for extensive post-processing without compromising quality. This flexibility is valuable when adjusting exposure, contrast, color balance, and other elements during the editing process (I usually edit my wildlife images in Lightroom).

Shooting in RAW preserves the original quality and detail captured by the camera's sensor. This is especially important in wildlife photography, where preserving the authenticity of the scene is crucial.

13. Timing is Everything: The Golden Hour and Beyond

The golden hours of sunrise and sunset conveniently align with the typical timing of game drives during a safari when the animals are most active. The warm, soft light enhances the colors and textures of the African landscape, creating a captivating backdrop for your photos.

The advantage of photographing during the Golden Hour , sometimes called ‘Magical Hour’, is that the soft golden light reduces harsh shadows and creates a golden glow. Patience during these hours rewards you with captivating glimpses into the animals' daily lives.

14. Equip Yourself Wisely with the right camera gear

Ensure you have the right camera equipment for safari photography.

Bring a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera and zoom lenses with 200-600 mm range or a quality compact camera for versatile quality wildlife photos. Safari photography on a smartphone is not the best option to photograph wildlife, but it is, of course, a great option to create short videos, stories, and reels.

Zoom lenses for safari photography

I highly recommend a long lens with a minimum of 200 mm zoom to capture distant wildlife. A zoom lens allows you to effortlessly switch between photographing animals from a distance without disturbing them and capturing intricate details of flora and fauna up close.

More ideally, a zoom lens with a focal length of 300 mm+ is great for capturing wild animals or birds. If you’re using a full-frame camera, I would suggest a 400 mm zoom lens and if you are a keen birder a 600 mm long lens is perfect for bird photography on safari.

Wide-angle lens

Apart from zoom lenses, I always carry a wide-angle lens (for example 16-35 mm), great for capturing the beautiful African landscapes and its animals or magical sunsets.

Essential accessories

Don't forget essential accessories, such as memory cards, extra batteries, cleaning wipes, a charger, a camera bag, and a rain cover. Consider a beanbag for stability.

Hire photography gear for safari

Not having the right camera gear ? Nowadays, the quality of compact cameras is pretty good as well, and it’s also possible to hire photography gear .

15. Consider bringing a tripod and/or beanbag

Bringing a tripod and/or beanbag on safari is a crucial photography tip for the following reasons:

• Stability for Clear Shots: A tripod or beanbag provides stability, reducing camera shake and ensuring clear shots, especially when using longer lenses.
• Flexibility in Composition: Both tripods and beanbags allow photographers to compose shots with precision. A tripod is ideal for setting up shots in a fixed position, while a beanbag provides a more flexible option, allowing quick adjustments and movements.
• Support for Heavy Equipment: Professional camera gear, including telephoto lenses, can be heavy. A tripod and/or beanbag offers robust support for heavier equipment, preventing fatigue during extended periods of shooting.
• Long Exposure and Low Light Conditions: In low light or during sunrise/sunset safaris, a tripod is essential for capturing long-exposure shots without introducing motion blur. A tripod is also great to practice with star photography and photographing the milky way when you're back at the safari lodge .
• Silent Shooting with Beanbags: Beanbags are preferred for wildlife photography as they provide a stable base without the noise associated with adjusting tripod legs. This is especially important to avoid disturbing animals in their natural habitat.
• Versatility in Safari Vehicles: Safari vehicles often have limited space, and tripods may be cumbersome. Beanbags are more versatile, easily adapting to the contours of the vehicle and providing a stable platform for photography.

16. Make a back-up of your images on safari

I always back up my images while traveling. When my memory card is full, I back up my images onto an external hard drive. That is mostly enough, but for people who want to travel longer, I highly recommend backing up to a second external hard drive (kept in different locations). Hard drives I use are Lacie Rugged, Samsung, and Seagate.

If you are using your phone only, I also recommend backing up your images in the cloud, for example iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, Google Photos, you name it.

17. Keep it Simple and Be Patient

Wildlife photography requires patience . Allow yourself time to observe and wait for the right moment, focusing on mastering basic techniques. Don't be overwhelmed by settings; simplicity often reveals the raw beauty of wildlife.

18. Edit your photos

Editing your safari photos is not essential, but if you want to step up your safari photography game, I highly recommend learning how to edit your wildlife images in, for example Adobe Lightroom (for both desktop and smartphone) and Photoshop . Especially if you are planning to print your photos, post-processing is an important step.

Get in touch for a private workshop on how to edit your safari photos or join me on a photo safari where I will share editing tips to improve your wildlife photography.

19. Know Your Camera

If you're a beginner photographer, all the settings on your camera can be a bit overwhelming. When I first started photography, my camera was a puzzle to me. I kept using the automatic mode until I learned the basics of photography during a volunteer program in South Africa . Having two game drives per day in Thanda Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal was the perfect way to start practicing shooting in manual mode and learn more about the best settings for safari. I highly recommend to start learning more about your camera and camera settings before you go on safari. Go through your camera manual to find the buttons and settings of some of the technical photography tips I mentioned in this article.

20. Embrace Learning and Growth

Whether you're a beginner or experienced photographer, nurture your interest in learning photography. Books about photography, online photography courses, workshops and guided photo safari tours with photography experts offer opportunities to enhance your safari photography skills; including my small group photo safaris . To master a new skill, learning by doing is often the most effective approach to get to know your camera better. So please remember, anyone can learn photography, and the wonders of a safari in Africa can ignite your passion for capturing the mesmerizing beauty of our planet's wildlife.

21. Join me on a photo safari to Africa

Do you want to improve your photography skills on safari  and travel with like-minded travelers? Join me on a small group safari to Africa . As a professional wildlife photographer, I can help to improve your photography skills on safari by sharing hands-on experience and valuable tips. Instead of rushing to tick off the Big Five, we will spend our time carefully during the beautiful golden hours around sunrise (morning game drive) and sunset (afternoon game drive).

It doesn't matter if you're a beginner, intermediate, or professional photographer. Having an interest in photography and and being prepared to learn are the most important aspects.

Safari Photography Tips to take the best photos on safari

These tips, coupled with the expertise on my photographic safari trip to Africa , will undoubtedly enhance your safari photography journey. Capture the essence of Africa's breathtaking wildlife and create lasting memories with every click of your camera (or even your smartphone).

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Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

Safari Photography Tips – How to Get Great Photos on Safari

Last updated: May 7, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 4 Comments

A safari is a fantastic way to see a wide range of wildlife in its natural habitat. It’s also an opportunity to take lovely photos of that wildlife! However, there are some unique challenges to taking photos on safari. In this post, I’m going to share some safari photography tips to help ensure you get the best photos when you go on safari.

As a professional travel photographer, I’ve been lucky enough to take photos in a wide range of scenarios, including on a number of safaris in both Africa and Asia. Based on my experiences, I’m going to share with you everything you need to know to get great photos on safari.

Most of my examples used in the post are from taking photos while on safari in Africa; however, these tips will work for most safari destinations. as well as for wildlife photography in general. Many of these tips can help anyone looking to improve their wildlife photography and also for anyone wanting to take photos from a vehicle.

I’ll cover a few things in this post. I’m going to talk about some general tips and things to think about when going on safari from a photography perspective. I’ll also include ideas on suggested cameras and camera accessories for safari so you know what is important to bring along.

A safari is a big investment for many of us, and is often a once in a lifetime trip. So getting great photos to remember our experiences is important. Let’s get started with the tips!

Tips for Taking Better Photos on Safari

Plan where you want to go.

The first thing you are going to have to do is decide where you want to go on safari. It’s likely that you already have an idea as to what you want to see and photograph on your safari, be it specific animals or birds, or maybe you are interested in certain landscapes.

The main thing is that you pick a destination that will give you a good chance of seeing the things you really want to see and photograph. This is particularly the case with animals or birds that are rarer, like rhinos.

On a recent trip across East Africa, we knew that we wanted to see and photograph things like gorillas, chimpanzees, rhinos, and spoonbill storks. We picked the countries we visited as well as the time of year we travelled to ensure that we would have a good chance of seeing these particular animals.

We also wanted to see the Great Wildebeest Migration on that trip. This is always taking place, so it was just a question of researching where it would be at the time of year we would be visiting to ensure we would have the best chance to see and photograph it.

Planning your destination properly is definitely the first step to getting the photos you want to get on your safari.

Research Your Chosen Safari Location

Once you have chosen your safari destination, do some research to better understand your trip itinerary and the wildlife, landscape, and climate of the destination.

All of these things can affect how you will want to prepare for your safari and the type of camera equipment you might need.

For instance, if your main photography goal of the trip is take photos of lions, you will want to try to make sure that you spend a sufficient amount of time in places with healthy populations of lions to increase your chances of seeing and photographing them. Lions are often best seen in savanna areas.

However, if you are interested in malachite kingfishers, you’ll want to make sure that you spend enough time in wetland areas for a good chance to see these birds. These little birds are best spotted and photographed either from a boat or on foot.

This research will also help you decide on the equipment you will need to take with you. For photography of smaller birds for example, you’re likely going to need a longer lens. If you are more interested in landscapes, then a wide-angle lens will be an essential item.

Finally, check out the climate for the country you are visiting and the time of year you plan to visit. Having an idea of what to expect will ensure you bring the right clothing as well as any protective equipment like camera rain covers on your trip.

Choose the Right Camera for Safari

One of the main decisions you’ll have to make when planning your safari trip is what camera to take with you on your trip. This decision will have you weighing various factors, from your budget through to the size and weight of the camera.

When you are deciding how much to spend and how much you are willing to carry with you, consider what sort of images you want to get. If you are looking for amazing wildlife shots of fast action or in low light, then you will want to invest more money in a high-end set-up.

As an example, compare these two shots of a leopard taken in low light at the end of the day. Both are uncropped.

Both images are obviously of a leopard. However, the compact camera struggles to get a close up shot due to the maximum 70mm focal length, and even at ISO 800 the image ends up being quite noisy. The slow shutter speed, even with image stabilization, also means the shot is not too sharp.

The larger and more professional Canon EOS R5 mirrorless camera paired with a 100-400mm lens is still able to get a very usable image, even at 10,000 ISO.

If you are just happy to capture memories of your trip, then a compact camera or smartphone will likely do the job.

A good compromise for many users is a bridge camera , which offers a good balance between a long zoom, affordability, and image quality.

However, if you want the most flexibility and opportunity to get the best shots from your trip, then a higher end mirrorless camera would be my recommendation.

If money and size are no object, my recommended camera for safari would be a high-end mirrorless system. The latest mirrorless models feature excellent auto-tracking autofocus which can recognise and lock onto a subject very quickly, which can really help with fast moving subjects.

In this situation, I’d probably pick a Canon EOS R5, Sony Alpha a7r IV or a Nikon Z9. I’d pair it with a telephoto zoom in the range of 100-500 with stabilization and as wide an aperture as I could afford.

If you want something that offers a good balance between affordability, image quality, and zoom, then my suggestion would be a bridge camera.

I have a whole post on the best camera for safari which I would suggest reading if you don’t already have a camera you want to bring with you. It’s definitely important to choose the right camera for you.

In summary though, here are some recommended cameras that I suggest you take a look at, depending on the type of camera you would like to take on safari:

• Smartphone: either a Pixel 6 Pro or iPhone 13 .
• Compact camera Panasonic Lumix ZS70 or Sony RX100 VII
• Bridge camera:   Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 / FZ82 or Sony RX10 IV .
• Mirrorless camera: Sony a6100, Sony Alpha 7c , Canon EOS R6 Mark II , Nikon Z7II , Canon EOS R5 , or   Sony Alpha a7 IV
• DSLR camera:  Nikon D3500 or Canon EOS 6D Mark II

For more on choosing a camera in general, we also have guides to the best travel camera , best compact camera , best bridge camera , best mirrorless camera and best DSLR cameras .

If you have, or plan to buy, a mirrorless camera or DSLR camera, you may be wondering what kind of lens would be best for safari. It depends of course on your photography goals and what you want to photograph, but I would generally recommend a lens with a focal range of 100-400mm. See my safari camera post for lens recommendations.

Learn How to Use Your Camera

Once you have decided on which camera to take with you, it’s important that you learn how to use it properly. This applies to whatever kind of camera you are using, be it a smartphone camera or a high-end DSLR or mirrorless camera.

A camera is ultimately just a tool to help you take great photos, and like any tool, it will only do what you ask of it. Understanding the various features of your camera and how to access and adjust key settings is vital to ensure you don’t miss a shot.

When you are on safari, great photography opportunities can arise very quickly and be gone just as quickly. For example, for the shot of the leopard at the start of this post I had just a couple of seconds to frame the shot and ensure all the settings were correct before he decided to sit up and slink away out of sight.

Had I not been able to nail the focus or adjust ISO, aperture, and shutter speed appropriately in time, I would have missed the shot. I would recommend checking out my guide to the exposure triangle , as well as how to use a mirrorless camera for detailed advice.

Understanding how to adjust the settings and set up your camera properly means you’ll have more control over the final look of your shots. For example, you could learn how to manually change the shutter speed so as to capture movement in different ways.

Here are a couple of examples of different shutter speeds to show the difference.

In the first shot, even though the fighting zebra are moving quickly, the fast shutter speed freezes the action. In the second shot of the wildebeest crossing, they are just walking over the road. But in 1/5th of a second, they cover a small amount of ground, and so they become blurry. The single stationary wildebeest remains sharp as it isn’t moving.

There are many features of a camera which can be used to adjust how the final shot looks, and understanding how to control them will help ensure you get the shots you want.

If you feel you need help with using your camera and would like to improve your photography, there are a lot of photography courses, books, and workshops out there. I run an online photography course that teaches all the basics as well as more advanced skills, and have proudly helped thousands of people improve their photography skills.

Understand the Limitations of Your Camera

Every camera has limitations as to what it can do. These limitations will vary, and even high-end cameras will have some sort of limitation.

Examples of limitations are:

• The zoom isn’t very big, meaning you can’t capture animals which are far away and will have limitations capturing smaller animals like birds
• The camera sensor is small, and so will produce noisier images when there is less light
• The lens is big and heavy, so you need to use a fast shutter speed to avoid getting blurry images due to your hand motion when hand holding it
• Big and heavy equipment is more difficult to pack and travel with

The important thing is to understand the limitations of your camera so you can work around them, or at least, know what to expect before you go on safari.

The most common issue is probably not being able to take photos of animals that are further away. We saw a number of travelers frustrated by this on our recent trip in East Africa. All cameras will have their distance limitations, just be sure to have a good idea of yours so you can have realistic expectations of what kinds of photos you will be able to take. You can simply go outside and take photos of local animals or birds to get a good sense of this.

Another common issue I see from safari photos and wildlife photos in general are images that are not as sharp as they could be.

This is usually because the shutter speed is too low, and the user is hand holding a larger lens. A slow shutter speed means that any movement in your hand is translated into motion blur as you take the picture. You can fix this by increasing the shutter speed and/or resting the lens on a steady surface.

Some limitations can’t be overcome though, and are usually down to the actual hardware inside the camera. For example, the maximum zoom, the sensor size and maximum aperture size will be fixed.

However, if you know what the limitations of your equipment are, then you will be able to either accept them and work around them, or decide on upgrading to a different camera for your trip.

I’d also add at this point that you shouldn’t compare your photos to those you’ve seen on TV, online, and in wildlife magazines. You have no doubt seen some amazing wildlife photos and videos on sites like National Geographic or the BBC , and might wonder why you aren’t able to get the same sorts of shots.

Whilst it is of course possible to get images like those photographers do, they often have a lot of advantages over the average tourist. Not only do they typically travel as a crew with tons of high-end equipment, but they often take photos in locations that are hard to get to with limited public access.

They also often have paid for special press / filming permits to get off-road access or shoot in private areas outside of national parks. They also often spend weeks planning and trying to get the right shots, and only share the best shots with the public.

So don’t be too hard on your gear or yourself. Just be aware of the limitations of your photography equipment and know how to get the most out of it.

Understand What Causes Blurry Wildlife Images

It’s important that your images are sharp. Two things can cause an image not to be sharp.  The first is using too slow of a shutter speed for the situation you are shooting. The second is not focusing correctly.

A slow shutter speed can result in blurry images for a number of reasons. If you are hand holding your camera, then any movements in your hands can translate to blurry images. Movement of the subject can also translate to blur, as can movement due to you taking photos from a moving vehicle or boat.

You can resolve the slow shutter speed blur problem by using a faster shutter speed, and ensuring you are as still as possible when shooting. Ideally, you’ll want to rest your camera on something totally stable when shooting. Then all you have to think about is the motion blur that might result from the animal moving.

For focus, the main issue is likely to come about as a result of the camera’s autofocus system picking the wrong part of the scene to focus on, leaving your subject out of focus. I’ll cover that in my next tip.

Master Your Camera’s Focus System

An important aspect of wildlife photography is knowing how to use your camera’s focus system.

It is important to be able to focus on the animal or thing that you want the viewers’ eyes to go to in the image. This means that you will want to be able to use your camera’s manual focus system (if it has one) and/or learn how to change the focus if your cameras autofocus gets it wrong.

A shot can technically be in focus and sharp, but if you have focused on the wrong part of the scene your actual subject will be out of focus and so you won’t end up with the image you want.

Nearly every camera on the market today has an automatic focus, or autofocus system. As the name suggests this system automatically focuses for you when you point the camera at a scene.

There is however quite a difference in the capabilities of these systems. At the more basic end, an autofocus system will allow you to select an area of the scene to focus on, and then focus appropriately.

More advanced autofocus system will be able to identify specific types of subject like animals or people, and track them as they move so you can keep focus.

Many cameras and lenses also feature manual override, so you can manually adjust the focus if you need.

For the main camera I use for wildlife photography, the Canon EOS R5 , this has a very sophisticated autofocus system which is able to recognised and lock onto a wide range of subjects. If it can find an eye, it will lock focus on that. Otherwise it will try to track a torso or head. Additionally, it can continue to track the subject as it moves, switch between subjects, and I can override the focus selection if necessary.

It took me quite a while to get to grips with this system, and also to get used to its quirks and limitations. For example, on some occasions it would prefer to focus on the grass in front of the subject rather than the subject. Other times it might focus on a marking on an animal’s hide, rather than the eye.

Results like this are why it is so important to both understand the various focus modes of your camera, but also understand how to override them.

For example, on my Canon EOS R5 I have a separate button set up for centre spot focus. This allows me to point the centre of the frame at the area I want to focus on, and know I’ll get sharp focus in that area when I press the focus button. I can also entirely override the focus with the manual focus ring on the lens.

Whilst I can rely on the autofocus subject tracking 90% of the time, it also means I don’t miss focus in those edge cases where the camera doesn’t get it right. Technology can be smart, but it can’t read minds quite yet, so it’s usually working off a best guess as to what you want to take a photo of.

Whatever your camera is, my recommendation is to spend some time learning the various focus modes, what they are, and how to quickly override the focus if necessary, either manually or by selecting a different focus area.

Ideally you’ll want the camera to be in a continuous focus mode so it keeps tracking a moving subject. Try to find some subjects like wildlife in your garden or a moving pet that you can practice on before you go on safari to master your camera’s focus features.

Try Shooting in Burst Mode

Most cameras have a range of shooting modes, which may also be called drive modes. The choices normally vary, and will include single shot and burst shot modes. The drive mode menu on your camera is also where you’ll often find the camera’s self-timer mode.

For wildlife photography, a lot can happen in a short sequence of time. For this reason, shooting in burst mode is usually the way to go when you have a moving subject. This means that as you hold down the shutter button the camera will keep taking images.

Alternatively, in single shot mode, you have to keep pressing and depressing the shutter button. This loses you time and you may miss the shot.

Shooting in burst mode will let you take a sequence of images and then pick the best one. For example, here’s a sequence to show a yellow-billed stork landing.

The number of images the burst mode will take will depend on two main factors.

First, the camera’s burst speed, which is the number of images per second your camera can take. For instance, a camera with a burst speed of 10fps (frames per second) can take up to 10 photos per second.

Second, the speed that your camera can write to the memory card inside the camera as it takes pictures.

Most cameras will be able to take a certain number of images at the maximum burst speed for a few seconds, and then as the memory buffer fills up, this rate will slow down or even stop until the images have been written to your memory card. These details should be made clear on the specification sheet for your camera.

When you shoot in burst mode you will definitely also want to have continuous autofocus enabled. This will mean that if your subject moves as you are shooting it will hopefully stay in focus.

The main disadvantage of shooting in burst mode is that you will end up taking a lot more photos and using more memory card space. However, memory cards and memory in general are relatively inexpensive these days, so this shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Just be sure to always have an extra memory card with you.

Try to Shoot at the Best Times of Day

If you’ve ever read a photography guide, it will normally advise you that shooting in the earlier morning and later afternoon will give you better results. This is because the light at the start of the day and in the evening is softer and has that nice warm yellow glow.

In addition, the lower angle of the sun in the morning and evening produces shadows, resulting in images that have better contrast and depth compared to images shot in the overhead midday sun which can produce more flat images.

When it comes to safari, this advice is also true, but there are additional reasons to shoot earlier in the morning and later in the evening.

To start with, the majority of animals are going to be more active earlier in the morning and then towards the evening. The middle of the day tends to be hotter, and is a time when many animals are likely to be resting in a nice shady spot.

You will tend to see fewer animals in the hottest part of the day and those you see will tend to be less active during this time.

If you are looking for nocturnal species like genets, bushbabies, or aardvarks, your best chances to see them are on night drives or night walks, or to try to go as early in the morning as you can for a chance to spot them before they have gone off to sleep.

Just note nocturnal animals can be pretty tricky to see in most national parks given the hours that you are allowed to do a game drive. Getting good photos of them can be very difficult given they are often spotted at night.

We recommend trying to start your game drives as early as the park will allow. This will give you a better chance of seeing more wildlife, and also getting better images of that wildlife.

Another reason to avoid the middle of the day is that as the air heats up it gets more hazy. Think of the heat shimmer you see on a hot day—this is a real issue when shooting during hotter days and can negatively impact your images.

The haze will result in less sharp images, especially of further away subjects. In addition, as the day progresses, there will often be more dust in the air from vehicles driving around, which also reduces the clarity in the air.

Of course, I appreciate that I am talking about ideals. It isn’t always possible to pick the ideal time. Sometimes you will be out in the middle of the day. In these situations. Try to get as close as possible to your subject, which will let you avoid more of the heat haze. Where possible, shoot your subject so the sun is behind you rather than behind your subject.

The below two images are of the same black rhino mother and calf in Kenya. Both were shot in the middle of the day. In the first shot, the pair were quite far away and there was quite a lot of heat haze, meaning the shot ended up not being as sharp as I would have liked.

In the second shot, the pair moved much closer to us and the light was slightly improved, so there is some depth from the light and dark. It’s still not the ideal setup, but it’s definitely improved compared to the flat and slightly hazy look of the first shot.

See more on heat haze in photography here , including more tips for identifying and avoiding it.

This brings me on to my next tip for getting great photos on safari.

Any wildlife photographer will likely tell you that their most useful skill is patience. When doing landscape photography , I am certainly used to waiting for the right light, but wildlife photography definitely takes the need for patience to a new level.

Wild animals tend not to move to our schedules. They go where they want when they want. Being patient and quiet can reap huge rewards when it comes to photographing them in their natural habitat.

An example is of this leopard in a tree. When we arrived, it was asleep in the tree by its kill. However, we waited for around an hour and it decided to get up, eat more of its kill, descend from the tree and wander off. All these moments provided better photography opportunities than the initial one, and just required patience.

Another example would be a group of lion cubs we encountered in Tanzania. There were eight of them playing near the road, and as we watched two of them climbed up a tree. Shortly afterwards, one of their mothers returned, and we were rewarded by the sight of baby lions bounding across the grass to be reunited.

This is a story I could repeat multiple times across many wildlife encounters, but the overall message should be clear. Try to remember that a safari game drive is not an exercise in getting somewhere.

When you find an animal or bird you want to see, you will probably be rewarded if you spend some time just sitting and watching it rather than rushing on to try to find something else.

Prepare Your Equipment

If you already have a camera that you plan to take with you on safari, you want to make sure it’s in great working order before heading on safari. This is especially the case if you have older gear or gear that gets a lot of use.

Before you go, I recommend testing and cleaning the camera yourself to make sure it’s working. You’ll also want to make sure all the gear from your lenses to your camera straps are in good shape before your trip. Your trip is not a good time to learn about a preexisting scratch in your lens, a corrupted memory card, a fraying strap or a battery that doesn’t hold its charge!

You might also consider taking your camera to have a professional clean and check before your safari. Often you can do this at a local authorised dealer or repair shop for your camera brand, as they will have servicing options. Alternatively, your manufacturer might offer mail-in servicing options.

I try to get my cameras serviced every year or two, especially if I know I’ve been hard on them. As well as cleaning the sensor professionally, they check the camera over and make sure things like seals and screws are all in good working order. In my opinion this is well worth the investment, especially on high-end equipment.

Protect your Equipment on Safari

Safaris can be really hard on camera equipment. From dusty conditions to bumpy roads, there are all sorts of hazards that can either damage your equipment or cause it to function less effectively. In this section, I’m going to talk about common issues you can expect to encounter and how to overcome them.

Dust or Sand

When it’s hot and dry, the roads will be dusty. As your vehicle and other vehicles travel on the roads they kick the dust up, and it gets everywhere. If you have the top down or windows open, expect dust to get on your camera equipment.

If you are traveling to a place where sand is a concern, such as a desert or beach, be careful as blowing sand can get into your gear and can also leave scratches on your lens if you accidentally wipe them. Never put your camera down in the sand as it can easily work its way inside.

Cameras contain a lot of sensitive electronics as well as some moving parts, neither of which appreciate dust or sand. In addition, if dust gets onto your camera’s sensor it can cause unsightly spots to appear in your images.

There are a few things you can do to minimize the impact of dust or sand. First, a good camera bag that you can put your camera in between uses will help to prevent general dust getting in. So when you are not using your camera, I’d recommend securing it in a case or bag.

Also be careful about where you set your camera. Don’t place it on the ground or other dirty surfaces, and don’t leave it outside for any longer than it needs to be outside.

Next, remember to use a lens cap if your camera lens supports them as this will help to keep the front element dust free. Just keep the lens cap in your pocket and place it on the camera whenever you are not using it. If your lens supports it, then a lens hood and a UV filter can also provide much needed protection.

If you are using a camera where you can change lenses, try to change the lens in a dust-free location if possible, such as in your hotel or when stopped in a sheltered place. Try not to change your lenses more than you need to when in dusty situations.

In addition, I’d recommend packing a small camera cleaning kit so you can get accumulated dust off your gear as you travel. I’d particularly recommend having a lens cloth, a brush, and a blower with you.

Once you are done with your safari and you have gotten all the amazing photos you wanted, you might consider getting your camera professionally serviced and cleaned to get rid of any errant dust and to ensure it’s back to full working order for your next adventure.

Not all safaris take place whilst in a closed vehicle. Sometimes you might be on foot or trekking, or in an open top vehicle. In these situations, even when visiting a country in the dry season, there’s always a possibility of rain.

Whilst some cameras do offer a level of weather-proofing or rain resistance, the majority are not fully waterproof. So having a camera rain cover to keep your gear dry like this is a good option.

I’d also recommend having a good camera bag or backpack with a rain cover where you can put your camera in between shots.

If you have a smaller camera like a compact camera or smartphone, something like a resealable freezer bag or clear dry bag can also work well to keep it dry.

Bumpy Roads

As well as dust and rain, another issue you will have to contend with will be bumpy roads. Most roads in safari parks are unpaved, and some of them can be very bumpy.

You definitely don’t want your camera equipment flying around the inside of a vehicle as this can damage it, and could even cause injury to the other occupants. I have a few suggestions to help avoid this scenario.

First, I recommend bringing along a good camera bag or case. Camera bags are specially designed to provide padding and protection for your gear, and many of them also come with rain covers. This means that you have somewhere safe, protected, and padded to put your gear in between shoots.

Personally I use Vanguard photography bags and I’ve been an ambassador for Vanguard for many years now. If you see something on their store that works for your equipment, you can save money using our exclusive Vanguard discount code. This will give you 20% off everything in the  Vanguard store.

Just use the code  FindingTheUniverse for your discount! This code works in the Vanguard USA, UK, Australia, Spain, and Germany stores.

When you are actually using your equipment, I recommend having a strong and comfortable strap to keep it secure around your neck or shoulders. I use the Peak Design strap system which has reliably kept my camera gear comfortably slung at my hip for many years now. You’ll want to find one that is comfortable for you.

I left my DSLR camera on the seat of our Land Cruiser on a trip and it fell on the floor after hitting an unexpected bumpy patch in the road. I was lucky that nothing was damaged but it sure made me more careful about either putting gear away in my bag or keeping it around my neck.

I also recommend that if you are someone like me who enjoys standing up in a safari vehicle, that you sit down or at least put your camera in a camera bag when the roads gets really bumpy. If your guide tells you to hold on or you see that you are going to be crossing a river, it is probably best for both you and your gear to sit down. This way you’ll have a better grip on your gear and avoid banging your gear on something or falling.

Dress Appropriately

Packing appropriate clothing is going to ensure you are comfortable and ready for the weather during your trip. Whilst it might not directly help you get better photos, comfort is a really important factor. When you are comfortable you will be able to focus on getting great photos rather than the temperature or the insects.

When choosing clothes for your trip, consider the climate, weather, and insects of where you are going as well as the activities you plan to do. You are going to pack very differently for a cool weather destination than a tropical one. You also need to pack differently if visiting a country during its rainy season versus its dry season.

In terms of photography specific clothing, you might want to consider having lots of pockets so that you have plenty of places to store things when standing in a vehicle and when hiking. This will give you quick access to things like extra batteries, lens wipes, and your lens caps.

There are a range of different vests you can get, including specialised photography vests . I personally prefer something a bit more versatile that I can use in a variety in situations, and I like the Scottevest products which have a lot of pockets and are great for travel in general. I find them particularly useful for airport travel as they have so many handy pockets.

Generally though, on safari I wear the NosiLife long-sleeve shirts from Craghoppers . These have lots of pockets and also come with built in insect protection and sun protection. They also dry very quickly.

Jess and I mainly wore Craghoppers tops and bottoms throughout the days where we were either in the vehicles on safari or were doing treks. This is the most common brand we’ve seen people wearing for proper safari clothing throughout our travels. You can shop for them on their official store here , as well as on REI in the US here , and on Amazon here .

Depending on where you are going, you will probably also want to consider packing a hat, sunglasses, insect repellent , sunscreen, good practical shoes (we generally wear Scarpa or Merrell ), layers for warmth, and a rain jacket or poncho .

For more tips, check out our detailed guide to what to pack for safari , which has lots more tips and suggestions for your trip.

Pack a Photography Bean Bag

If you are traveling with a longer lens, I’d consider getting a photography bean bag or two for your safari trip.

For wildlife photography on safari, I find that a photography bean bag like this is one of the most useful photography accessories I have packed. Generally, I find I get a lot more use out of a bean bag on safari compared to a tripod or monopod.

This is because on safari you are often shooting from a vehicle, either from the window or via the pop-up top. And in both cases, setting up a tripod or even a monopod isn’t always going to be possible.

On the other hand, a bean bag can rest on the top of the vehicle or over a window, where you can then rest your lens or camera on it. If you are shooting with a larger camera and lens setup, you will definitely be thankful of having somewhere to steady it, as it’s unlikely to be practical to hold it up for prolonged periods of time. It also keeps you from putting your camera or lens directly on the metal edges of windows and roofs which could lead to damage.

Using a bean bag means you’ll be able to use slower shutter speeds for more stationary animals as well, so you don’t have to worry about camera shake so much. This is especially helpful when shooting with very big telephoto lenses from around 400mm and up.

Jess also found the bean bags useful for just using as armrests and for placing her elbows when using binoculars.

Bean bags are very light to travel with, and you can usually find inexpensive materials like dried beans to fill them with at your destination. My only tip is not to fill them with anything obviously edible, as some animals in some parks might sniff out the tasty treats within and decide to give them a nibble! Dried (obviously uncooked!) beans are a good option for this reason.

Be Specific About What You Want with your Guide

If you are doing a safari with a driver and/or guide, then being able to communicate about your goals and what you want to see is really important. It is also important for you to listen to your driver/guide for feedback and understand what is realistic based on their expertise. Doing this as early in the trip as possible is best.

If there’s a certain shot or composition that you want, it’s a good idea to let your guide know so you have a better chance of seeing it. Whilst there’s never a guarantee of seeing any wildlife on safari, if you specify that you want a shot of an elephant bathing for example, then your guide should have an idea of where the best places to get that shot might be on your trip.

If you aren’t clear on your interests, then you’ll be on more of a general safari and taken on the common safari drive circuits within the parks. Guides will almost always drive you to see things like lions or cheetahs if spotted, even without asking you. However, if you’d rather photograph elephants, eagles, or zebras, then you need to speak up so that you guide know what your wildlife sightseeing priorities are for the trip.

Whilst you will still likely get great photo opportunities (your guide is there to take you to see wildlife after all!), it might not be exactly the shot you want. So being specific will definitely help improve your chances of getting the shots you want if you have something specific in mind.

Another thing we discussed with our guide from the beginning was to have signals about stopping and when to leave after stopping for a wildlife sighting. So we asked our guide to just ask to make sure we wanted to leave an animal or we’d tell him, or he’d give us a head’s up if we needed to leave.

This not only helped make sure we felt we had enough time to get the photos we wanted, but it also made sure we were prepared for any sudden jerks from stopping and starting the vehicle.

Communicate with your Fellow Travelers

If you are traveling solo, then you will of course have a lot of autonomy in where you go and what you see on your trip. If you have a driver/guide then the two of you can set times and itineraries each day and be in sync about your wildlife spotting goals.

But, if like most safari goers, you are traveling with a partner, your family, friends, or as part of a group safari with other travelers, then you will likely have to be willing to compromise at times.

Common things you will likely need to decide on together will be what time to leave, how long to spend on game drives, whether to eat a hot lunch or a picnic lunch, and how long to spend watching each animal.

This can also affect your ability to get the photos you may want in terms of timing and views from the vehicle. With just one or two people in a vehicle, it is generally easy to find a good view, but once you have 4 or more people, it often becomes difficult for everyone to have a great view all at the same time, especially if an animal is not in an open area.

Generally, in these circumstances everyone will politely take turns and give everyone a bit of time and space to view the animal and take photos. But this does mean you will need to compromise and will sometimes miss the “best” view.

However, group safaris by far offer better value in terms of money compared to a private safari. But just note that they do come with some compromises.

I definitely recommend traveling with family or friends if that is an option, as sharing these experiences is probably worth more than taking a good photo. But it is worth talking about everyone’s goals and travel style before booking your trip to make sure everyone is likely to have a good trip.

Consider the Composition

As with any kind of photography, composition is key. Composition refers to how you place the various elements in your shot to create the final image.

It can be easy to get caught up in the moment when you see something exciting, and just to start shooting in an effort to get something shot. This excitement is very understandable!

However, if you are able to calm yourself down a bit and spend a fraction of time properly composing your shot, you will likely get better results.

There are a range of general composition rules in this post that you can read about, so I won’t rehash that. The main things I’d suggest just keeping in mind are the following.

• What’s in shot . When framing your shot, glance around the whole frame to see what is and what isn’t in the shot. For example, it can be very easy to frame an animal’s head, but accidentally crop out parts of their body or a tail. Whilst this might be the composition you are after, it might also end up looking a bit odd. Sometimes, zooming out a fraction and ensuring the whole animal is in the frame might be a better composition
• Eye contact . There are many different wildlife poses you can capture, but one of my favourites is when the animal is looking directly into the camera. In this pose, it will appear to be directly staring at the viewer. This is not always easy as animals tend to look all over the place. In these scenarios, burst mode and patience can be your friends.
• Animal Placement . When shooting from a vehicle, especially from the pop-up roof area, we can often end up above the animal. However, often animals look better when shot from eye level. So repositioning yourself to shoot from an open window lower down in the vehicle might give you a better shot, depending on the distance to the subject.
• Background and skyline . When putting your shot together, don’t forget to consider the background. For example, a deer against a brown rock face or tree will not stand out as well as one against a skyline. It’s not always possible to reposition yourself, but if there is the opportunity to wait for a better composition, or move the vehicle to a different location, take it.

Here are a couple of shots to illustrate my points above.

Don’t Forget the Landscapes

One of the main reasons people go on safari is to see the incredible wildlife of an area. However, it’s also very likely that you are going to be passing through some amazing natural landscapes.

Whilst it can be easy to get a bit single-minded about what we’re photographing, it’s important to step back and capture the landscapes as well as the wildlife.

If nothing else, this will serve as a reminder for you in the future as to where you were when you got the shots, and also the lovely scenery you witnessed. Capturing the wildlife with the landscape is also a good option, as it will give some depth and scale to your compositions.

Pack Spare Memory Cards and Batteries

The chances are that you are going to be taking a lot of photos when on safari. If you are shooting with anything other than a smartphone, your camera will likely have a battery you can change and a memory card slot.

It is definitely worth bringing at least one spare battery for your camera, and ideally two. In addition, bringing plenty of memory is also a good idea.

You don’t want to be half way through a busy day and run out of battery or memory card space, and then potentially miss some great shots. Modern mirrorless cameras in particular can eat through batteries, so a spare or two is definitely a must in my opinion.

Consider bringing a USB Powered Battery Charger and Power Pack

Accommodation options on safari can vary greatly, from simple campsites to high end luxury safari lodges. One thing we have found is that not every accommodation, especially the more remote and basic ones, will have AC power outlets. Or at least not one in your room (there is usually at least one public shared power outlet somewhere in a lodge or campsite).

If they have wall outlets, they will likely be 220V-240V, so you will want to check that all your equipment supports this if you are coming from a country like the USA, Japan, or Canada which has 110V-120V power. Many people will also need a travel adaptor to adapt your plugs, depending on where you are coming from and your travel destination.

However, rather than full power outlets, many locations offer USB outlets. These don’t use so much electricity, and are often powered by solar panels.

What this means is that if your camera only has a standard wall outlet charger for its batteries, you might not be able to charge them. Note that some cameras do charge via USB, so do check if that is the case.

So we recommend making sure that you are able to charge your batteries using both the local AC power outlets and via USB so you can take advantage of either charging option. We also recommend considering packing a power pack.

We personally travel with a USB battery charger for our Canon camera batteries. This is better than our standard charger in some respects, as it can charge two batteries at once, and charges over standard USB. There are a number of different models available , the main thing is to find the one that matches your camera battery.

As well as the USB battery charger, we also travel with a USB power pack . We can use this to charge all our USB powered devices, including our phones and the USB camera battery charger. This is helpful when we have periods of time without power.

Ask About Your Safari Vehicle

Before you go on safari, it’s a good idea to check with your safari company about the type of vehicle you will be in. There are a number of different models that companies use in different locations around the world, with Toyota Land Cruisers being the 4X4 vehicle of choice for many companies. However, there are many different models of Land Cruisers used for safaris so knowing the specific model can be very helpful.

The same vehicle model’s features can also be different across companies depending on the specific conversion. Probably the most important thing for most people is the number of seats, luggage space, and the configuration of the top.

We highly recommend a vehicle with a pop top. This means the top of the vehicle will pop up, allowing you to stand up inside the vehicle and get a better view, as well as better photos.

For the majority of these vehicles, the top pops up and remains over your head, providing much needed shade. However, in some vehicles, the tops actually come off completely, so you won’t have any shade.

We highly recommend a vehicle where the top doesn’t come off completely, as otherwise you are going to be in the sun a lot.

It’s also a good idea to check on the height. In some of the vehicles we have found that even when standing up, the lip is a little high for Jess to get a good view. So if you are shorter (or very tall) you should definitely check about this if you really want to be able to stand up for game viewing.

Another thing to check is whether or not the vehicle has charging points (some have standard wall outlets whilst others might have USB outlets). Some of our vehicles have had this, some didn’t, but it is becoming more common.

If you are planning a very photography focused safari, you can also ask if the vehicle has any photography specific features. Some of the vehicles we’ve travelled in came with photography bean bags for our use for example, which was very helpful.

Other special features might include special camera mounts, tripod mounts, the ability to fully open or remove windows, and even the ability to remove a door or two. I wouldn’t expect most of these features unless you are paying extra for a special photography trip.

Consider Doing Boat and Walking Safaris

Whilst most safaris are done from a 4×4 vehicle, there are other options depending on where you are travelling.

For example, in some locations you might be able to do a walking safari or a boat-based safari. These will give you some variety as well as present the opportunity to see different wildlife.

For instance, if you are interested in birds and small creatures (e.g., dung beetles, lizards), then walking safaris are often going to be better for getting close to these animals. Boat safaris are going to obviously be the best way to get closer to aquatic wildlife.

Of course, this isn’t always going to be possible depending on where you travel, but we definitely recommend signing up for at least a couple of these experiences if you have the option.

Shoot in RAW

If your camera supports it, and nearly all do these days, I highly recommend setting it up so it saves your image files in RAW format. Whilst this takes up more memory, and does require you to edit your photos, you will get a lot more latitude when it comes to editing your final image.

I go into a lot more detail in why to shoot in RAW in my guide to RAW in photography . For now, I recommend enabling it. Most cameras have the option to shoot in both RAW and JPG if you need a stepping stone, although this will take up more memory card space.

However, if you want to be able to share your photos instantly online during your trip, then you will probably want to also shoot in JPG/JPEG because you don’t need to edit them prior to uploading them.

Learn to Edit Your Photos

Photography involves a number of skills. The first two are in the field when you’re getting the shot, and require you to know how to compose a great photo and how to use your camera.

The third skill is photo editing. Photo editing is where you can get the most from the images you have captured. This doesn’t have to take a long time, even minor edits can make a big difference to an image.

Judicious cropping, adjustment of shadows and highlights, tweaks to saturation—these can all add up to really improve an image.

Of course, you can go a lot further with photo editing software. But as a starting point, loading up one of our favourite photo editors and learning how to use it can really help you get the most from your shots.

Keep Your Eyes Open

When you are on safari, the chances are that you will have a guide. Your guide will normally know what sort of wildlife you are likely to see in the areas you’re visiting, and they will of course be looking out for it as you drive or walk around.

However, the thing about wildlife is that you never know what you are going to see. And the more eyes that are looking for wildlife, the higher your chance that you will spot something. Your guide can’t look everywhere at once, and if they are driving, they are going to be at least a little distracted by operating the vehicle and keeping you safe.

In our most recent safari experience, we would often maximize what we could all see while on a game drive. So, generally our guide was seated in front in the driver’s seat, Jess would sit on the opposite side of vehicle from the driver, and I would stand at the back and scan for a different viewpoint. This way we were looking in many directions and had a better chance of spotting things. Although our guide was by far much better at spotting wildlife than we were, we still occasionally made some great spots that our driver had missed.

In my opinion, a safari should definitely not be a passive experience where you sit back and wait for something interesting to be pointed out to you. However, I have been surprised by the number of Land Cruises and Land Rovers full of bored-looking people who seemed to be spending more time on their phones or talking to one another than looking outside. They seem to simply wait for their driver to stop and point something out, take a photo, and then go back to their phones.

If you actively participate and spend your time searching for wildlife as well, you’re going to improve the chances of sightings and find more photo opportunities. You are also going to learn a lot more about the natural environment around you. And you are going to enjoy your trip a whole lot more!

Enjoy Yourself!

This might seem a bit counter intuitive in a guide to getting great photos on safari, but it’s important to remember. When on safari, it can be easy to become caught up in the need to capture every moment with our cameras, and not to miss a shot.

Whilst of course I want you to get those amazing shots, don’t forget that you came on safari also to witness wildlife in its natural habitat. So don’t forget to just step back from the camera every now and again and just take it all in. A safari is an incredible experience and you definitely want to try and enjoy it rather than being stressed over getting every shot on your memory card.

On our recent trip, Jess generally only took photos when animals came close, otherwise, she was content just watching them, either with a pair of binoculars (I definitely recommend packing a good pair of binoculars) or her naked eyes. She said she got much more enjoyment just watching them than when she was trying hard to get a good photo as she had in prior trips.

We highly recommend just sitting back and letting some moments go by unrecorded. I find you can often learn a lot more about animals if you just sit and watch them sometimes. Not every moment needs to be photographed!

Further Reading

That’s it for my guide to getting better photos on safari! If you found this useful, you might enjoy some of my other photography content. Here are some articles to get you started.

• We have a guide to the best safari camera , to help you choose the right gear for you and your budget. We also have a guide to photography bean bags for safari you might consider checking out.
• We have a detailed overview of gorilla trekking in Uganda as well as chimpanzee trekking in Uganda , both of which are an incredible experience
• We have a detailed guide to what to pack for safari , to help ensure you bring the right gear for your trip
• I have a guide to my favourite  photo editing applications , as well as the best  alternatives to Lightroom
• Wildlife photography can often result in noisy images. See my guide to the best noise reduction software for some ideas on how to get the best out of your photos even when they might be a bit noisy
• We have a guide to  how to use a compact camera ,  how to use a DSLR camera , and  how to use a mirrorless camera . We also have a guide to  how a DSLR works
• Knowing how to compose a great photo is a key photography skill. See our guide to  composition in photography  for lots of tips on this subject
• We have a guide to what  depth of field  is and when you would want to use it.
• We are big fans of getting the most out of your digital photo files, and do to that you will need to shoot in RAW. See our guide to  RAW in photography  to understand what RAW is, and why you should switch to RAW as soon as you can if your camera supports it.
• You’re going to need something to run your photo editing software on. See our guide to the best  laptops for photo editing  for some tips on what to look for.
• If you’re looking for more advice on specific tips for different scenarios, we also have you covered. See our guide to  Northern Lights photography ,  long exposure photography ,  fireworks photography ,  tips for taking photos of stars , and  cold weather photography .
• Color accuracy is important for photography – see our guide to  monitor calibration  to ensure your screen is set up correctly.
• If you’re looking for a great gift for a photography loving friend or family member (or yourself!), take a look at our  photography gift guide ,
• If you’re in the market for a new camera, we have a detailed guide to the  best travel cameras , as well as specific guides for the  best cameras for hiking and backpacking , the  best compact camera ,  best bridge camera ,  best mirrorless camera  and  best DSLR camera . We also have a guide to the  best camera lenses .
• If you want a camera or lens, but the prices are a bit high, see our guide to  where to buy used cameras and camera gear  for some budget savings options.
• We have a guide to  why you need a tripod , a guide to  choosing a travel tripod , and a round-up of our  favourite travel tripods

Looking to Improve Your Photography?

If you found this post helpful, and you want to improve your photography overall, you might want to check out my  online travel photography course .

Since launching the course in 2016, I’ve already helped over 2,000 students learn how to take better photos. The course covers pretty much everything you need to know, from the basics of how a camera works, through to composition, light, and photo editing.

It also covers more advanced topics, including astrophotography, long exposure photography, flash photography, and HDR photography.

You get feedback from me as you progress, access to webinars, interviews and videos, as well as exclusive membership of a Facebook group where you can get feedback on your work and take part in regular challenges.

It’s available for an amazing one-off price for lifetime access, and I think you should check it out. Which you can do by  clicking here .

And that’s it! I’d love to hear about your thoughts on wildlife photography on safari, and am happy to answer any questions you have. Just pop them in the comments below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

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Towab Muhammad Yusuf says

2nd April 2022 at 12:27 pm

Zebras is looking awesome, so natural looking

Laurence Norah says

3rd April 2022 at 10:28 am

Thanks Towab!

D. Hernandez says

26th March 2022 at 1:36 am

Hello Laurence,

Thanks for these wonderful photography tips and advice! I am not much of a photographer but found these tips very useful and will be keeping this page bookmarked to read again before my safari. My wife and I have a 2-week trip planned to South Africa in in the fall and about a week of that will be spent on safari.

I was given a Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR camera (used but barely used) last year but without any lenses. So my question for you would be what lens would you recommend I invest in if I was to choose to take just one for this trip? I would also of course want to use it around home and for taking photos of family events and future trips, but the main focus for now is getting some decent wildlife photos on our safari in South Africa. Would like to purchase it soon so can start practicing (as you recommend) now!

Thanks for all your time & help! D

26th March 2022 at 9:42 am

I’m glad you found the post helpful and I am sure you will have an amazing trip! So if you are looking at just one lens then you will want a lens that can go from quite wide to quite zoomed in. A lens like this is known as a walk around lens. I would probably recommend either the Tamron 18-400 f/3.5-6.3 or the Tamron 16-300 f/3.5-6.3 . These would both give you the versatility you would want in terms of range, from wide to zoomed in. The 16-300 gives you a slightly lighter lens that can take slightly wider angle shots, whilst the 18-400 is a bit heavier but you get more reach.

It is worth noting that of course if you zoom in at 100% and peer at the images produced by these lenses they won’t compare to a high-end lens costing thousands of dollars. However I think that for standard size prints and general use they are a good option at a reasonable price point.

Let me know if you need any further input, I’m happy to help. Otherwise, have a fantastic trip!

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20 Easy Tips for Better Safari Photos

I hate to break it to you, but it’s impossible to get good safari photos with your phone’s camera . Yes, even with the latest iPhone or Pixel, what good safari photos require is physically impossible to fit into a phone. I mean, if we didn’t need to lug around big lenses, I’m pretty sure no one would do it?

So if you need to bring a “real camera” on safari, exactly what camera equipment do you need for safari? Which equipment is optional? And how can you make the most out of the camera equipment that you already have?

Here are the essential photography equipment for going on safari, including my personal recommendations for gear, ideas for how to save money on your safari photography setup, as well as safari photography tips to help you make the most of any gear you get your hands on.

Bring the right photography gear for safari

You don’t need to spend a fortune to get great photos, but you do need more than an iPhone to snag great photos. If this list sounds daunting and you don’t already have a suitable camera, consider renting a camera or lens if you are certain you won’t use it again. You can also buy gear used on eBay or Amazon to save some money.

• Camera – I used the Fujifilm X-T2 with great success.
• Zoom lens – For the Fuji system, I can recommend the Fujinon XF 50-140mm f2.8 + Fujinon 2x Teleconverter .
• Wide angle / mid-range lens – I took the Fujinon XF 16mm f1.4 + Fujinon XF 35mm f1.4 + Fujinon 56mm f1.2 .
• Lens cleaning equipment (lens pen, lens wipes) – I recommend this lens pen and these lens cleaning wipes .
• Spare batteries – Choose whatever fits the camera you have, fully charged! I usually bring two spares.
• Spare memory cards – You want something with a fast write speed, like this 64GB UHS-II 300MB/s SD card
• Camera bag – Bring anything with easy access. You’ll be sitting on safari so size and weight is not a big deal.

It might look silly, but you can bet I got the best photos!

Use the burst shooting mode

Burst shooting mode allows you to hold down the shutter, and take between 5 10 photos in a single second! This can be extremely useful on safari, when animals are moving quickly or simply when you know the animals are likely to disappear into the bush or an area you cannot drive to. That’s why it’s super useful to get a camera that supports this setting!

For example, here there are two water bucks, sparing with one another in the morning sun. Since they’re moving around quite a lot, there weren’t a lot of photos where I could see their antlers interlock. But since I could take a bunch of pictures, I could just pick the best one.

Here, the rhinos are not moving very fast, but it’s a super special moment to capture a baby rhino on camera! Owing to the vegetation, I knew I wouldn’t have a view of both the mother and baby for long, but burst mode saved me and I had a number of pictures to choose from. Thanks burst mode 🙏

Learn to use your camera in advance

Nothing is worse than trying to figure out how your freaking camera works while you’re already ON safari! You’ll just be frustrated trying to get the settings right, while an amazing wildlife moment just passes right by. Spend time practicing with your new camera. You’ll want to learn a few things like:

• How to make the shutter speed faster
• How to turn on burst mode
• How to change the focus point

That’s just for beginners, but these are really important things to have down second-nature before your safari 🍃

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Bring equipment for dealing with dust or fingerprints

When you’re driving out in the bush, there’s a good chance you’ll need to deal with some dust. How much dush depends a lot on where you’re driving and recent weather conditions (has it rained recently?). In any case, don’t forget to bring along a lens pen for cleaning smudges off your lenses (which can make your photos blurry!) and some lens cleaning wipes for more serious dirt or water droplets 💦

Bring back up memory cards

When you’re using burst mode, it’s easy for your memory card to fill up fast . Don’t get caught on safari having to delete photos just to free up space on your memory card. I personally filled up THREE memory cards during my two-week trip to South Africa, and about half of that was just safari photos. Be prepared, buy extra.

Bring a telephoto lens

If your goal is to take wildlife photos, then a telephoto lens (also called “zoom lens”) is the one piece of equipment you can’t leave behind. The question is always, how much zoom do you need for safari? For many systems, the most common zoom lenth is somewhere between 50-150mm and 100-400mm. In general, you won’t regret having plenty of zoom – it doesn’t go as far as you’d think. That said, be sure to complement your zoom lens with a wide-angle or mid-range lens because there will be times where you need to capture a landscape, a whole herd of animals, or a complete scene with multiple animals in it.

This crocodile was super far away, but I could capture him with my zoom!

Support your zoom lens to avoid camera shake

An interesting caveat to having a big zoom lens is that the more you zoom, the more likely you are to get blurry photos . That’s because more zoom means less light coming in, and your camera needs to compensate for it. If you already have the aperature (also called “f stop”) as open as possible, the next step for the camera is probably to slow down the shutter speed.

That’s why you need to be as still as possible and support your lens with your hand to keep camera shake down. You can also hold your breath during a shot, to avoid introducing shake, or balance your lens on a bag or something soft on the edge of the safari vehicle or hand rail. Anything to help the lens keep still!

Many zoom lenses also come with OIS (optical image stabilization), so look for that when you are picking a zoom lens!

This two-week South Africa itinerary can show you some of the best of the country, from wine regions to urban life, from safari to city, and from the sparkling Indian Ocean to the deserts of the Karoo. Here is how to spend two weeks traveling South Africa.

Bring a tripod for long exposures at night

Even though this isn’t strictly a safari tip, the fact is that if you’re staying in a private safari lodge , you’re going to have incredible views of the stars . Bring along a tripod for some very special photos at night!

Include the environment

Sometimes the environment with the animal in it is way more interesting than the animal itself! Here’s an example of that, with the hippo yawning as the sun sets over his favorite watering hole. These guys were so loud with their howling, it was a really memorable moment on safari while the sun was going down.

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Be prepared for low light photos

When choosing lenses for safari, make sure you find one that has the lowest f-stop number (meaning, the widest aperature) that you can find. For example, the lens I used was f2.8. That’s pretty good for a zoom lens. Many wildlife lenses will be f4, but that can also mean you get less light for the evening drives. Strive for a balance between zoomm power and f-stop.

At night, our tracker scans the landscape for the gleam in the eyes of nocturnal animals. On one night, we spotted this beautiful African barn owl who was patient enough to let me take his photo!

You can hover over any photo on this blog to see the camera and lens that the photo was taken with. Click on the information to see reviews on Amazon.

Don’t forget about the details

It can be really easy just to focus on animals, but safari is also about the overall experience, not just the so-called “Big Five”. On safari you’ll learn about the plants that animals feed on, and how it affects where they move to, as well as the smaller creatures that drive the ecosystem in the bush, like the venerable Dung Beetle!

Above: Mopane trees are a favorite food of elephants, and one of the reasons they come to the Timbavati Game Reserve. Below: A Dung Beetle crafts its ball of dung, intended to attract a mate.

Include people or other objects for scale

It can be incredible how big animals are on safari! But usually in photos it’s hard to convey how big they really are. By including people or other objects for scale, it can be easier to communicate visually how big something really is. For example, this Giraffe is totally huge standing next to a fully grown tree! No trouble getting to those leaves, eh?

Go to where the animals are

In most parks, this means watering holes! Especially during high sun, you’ll see animals coming to watering holes for a drink or to take a mud bath. Even if you don’t see animals right away, you can stay and sit at a watering hole for a while and there’s a pretty good chance that some animals will swing by in no time.

Watering holes are also a great place to see herds of animals. At Addo Elephant Park we saw herds of zebras and especially elephants congregating at the watering holes. The best part is watching the elephants chase the zebras away! 🐘

Going on safari is the number one item on top of many tourists' lists when visiting Africa. No matter what your budget is, there is a safari option that will fit your budget. Here are different ways you can get the safari experience and their pros and cons!

Wear neutral colors

There’s a reason why safari-goers tend to dress in neutral colors! That’s because animals are less likely to see it and run away. In most areas that are popular for safari, the animals know that safari vehicles are not to be feared, but plenty of prey animals are likely to run anyways. Dress neutral and keep your visibility to a minimum.

Dressing neutral usually means tan and olive-colored clothing. You’re meant to avoid white or neon colors in particular.

Join a bush walk

One of the best ways to experience the African bush is going through a bush walk! You’ll get a chance to see smaller animals and get up close to plants and insects you typically don’t get to take your time with when driving through. Check that your safari lodge offers a bush walk.

WARNING – You should never go on a bush walk on your own, or leave the safari vehicle without your guide telling you it’s fine. On a self-drive you should not get out of the vehicle at all. Only walk through the bush on guided tours, with guides who are usually armed.

Travel early in the morning or around sunset

Not only do you get some of the best photos possible during the “golden hours”, but it’s also the time when animals are the most active. Although we saw animals at all times of the day, you’ll see different animals active at each time during the day. Most private safari lodges will take you on early morning and late afternoon game drives, but be sure to verify that before you book!

Above: Hyenas venture away from their den for a late afternoon drink near our safari lodge. Below: A bull elephant eating his leafy breakfast 🍃

Talk to other safari-goers for tips on sightings

If you’re doing a private safari, there’s a good chance your guide and tracker are communicating with other guides and trackers about their sightings. That’s one of the big benefits of going on private game drives. But even if you don’t have the budget for that, don’t be afraid to slow down your car on a self-drive and roll the window down to talk to people! That’s how we got a tip about one of the best elephant herd sightings we had.

It can be really hard to pick a safari lodge in South Africa with so many great options. Here is my incredible experience at Motswari, a private game reserve in part of the Greater Kruger National Park.

Don’t just zoom in all the way

Sometimes the best photos include the full body of the animal, or even some of the environment. It can be so so so tempting just to use your zoom for animal portraits, but make sure you’re also getting some of the landscape in the picture too!

Focus on the eyes

Whether you’re photographing animals on safari, or you’re taking portraits of people, the principle is the same: set your focus point on the eyes! This is what makes the photo look sharp and feel engaging.

Make sure the settings on your camera are correct

Before heading out for the day, check that your camera settings didn’t get changed, or that they’re not the same settings you used when you were out at night! Nothing’s worse than having an awesome early morning sighting and screwing it up because you still had your ISO too high.

Don’t forget to enjoy the safari!

Photography is supposed to help you remember your safari experience, not to BE the experience in and of itself. Bring some binoculars to inspect the animals more closely, and enjoy whatever gifts nature has brought you that day!

Have you ever been on safari? What animal did you think was the most photogenic? What was the best spot you’ve been for viewing animals?

Share your experiences in the comments! I’d love to get your safari tips.

About the author

Hi there! I'm Monica, an American expat living in Germany for over six years and using every opportunity to explore the world from my homebase in Berlin. My goal is to capture my memories in photos and posts that show how easy it is to start from scratch and travel the world by working abroad.

Follow along on Instagram , Twitter , Bloglovin , & Facebook .

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Masai Mara Safari

Wildebeest on our Masai Mara Safari. © Charl Stols

Quick links

Masai Mara Safari • Getting to the Mara • Topography and landscape • Why visit the Mara

Mammals of the Mara • Birdlife in the Mara • Camera equipment • Activities • Where to stay

A true Kenyan gem

The Masai Mara National Reserve is more than just a haven for wildlife photography ; it’s an experience that every wildlife enthusiast or photographer should visit at least once in their lives. Covering an expansive area of Kenya , this iconic park offers a tapestry of breathtaking landscapes, endless plains, and an awe-inspiring variety of wildlife.

Lion and Marabou Stork in the Masai Mara National Reserve. © Sabine Stols

What sets a Masai Mara safari apart is its extraordinary year-round concentration of wildlife. Beyond the massive herds of wildebeest, zebras, and other antelopes that make up the Great Migration — which arrives from Tanzania between August and November each year — you’ll find an abundant population of elephants, buffalos, and giraffes.

Predators like lions, cheetahs, and leopards are frequently spotted, while rhinos are hidden treasures you might find in dense thickets. The iconic Mara River is teeming with plenty of hippos and crocodiles, adding another layer of excitement to this dynamic ecosystem.

Elephants Near the Mara River in the Masai Mara on our Masai Mara Safari. © Charl Stols

Located along Kenya’s southwestern border, just across from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park , the Masai Mara is part of a colossal ecosystem shared between the two countries. This natural wonderland is safeguarded through a blend of national reserves and community-run conservation areas, but we will talk more about that later.

Our Pangolin Photo Hosts agree that it’s not just the animals that make this place so special; it’s the atmosphere itself, especially during the tense river crossings, that makes this the ultimate safari destination. Truly, visiting the Masai Mara National Reserve is a bucket-list-worthy adventure that offers unparalleled adventure in East Africa.

Hot Air Balloon Safari in Masai Mara Reserve. © Guts Swanepoel

How to Get to Masai Mara National Reserve: Your Complete Travel Guide

When you land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, you essentially have two main options to get to the Masai Mara National Reserve. One choice is to embark on an adventurous road trip that can take anywhere from five to six hours, depending on which entrance gate you opt for.

The other, quicker option is to catch an approximately 45-minute flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, which is conveniently just a 30-minute drive away from the international airport. Depending on when your international flight arrives you may opt to overnight in Nairobi and then fly from Wilson first thing the next day. We have a few preferred hotels that fit this bill so chat to one of our consultants about options.

Wildebeest Migration by Hot Air Balloon on a Masai Mara Safari. © Charl Stols

If you’re leaning towards flying, you’re in luck! Several airlines operate flights from Wilson Airport to the Masai Mara, and airlines like Air Kenya, Safarilink, and the newer Governors Aviation are popular choices. Once you arrive, you’ll find nearly a dozen airstrips scattered across the reserve and nearby conservancies.

Each airstrip serves its surrounding lodges and camps to minimise your transfer time. So, whether you’re flying or driving, getting from Nairobi to the Masai Mara is easier than you might think, and each mode of transport offers its own unique kind of adventure.

Discovering the diverse topography and landscape of the Masai Mara National Reserve

The Masai Mara is a photographer’s haven; as mentioned earlier, the park is teaming up with wildlife, but what really makes this park something special is its iconic landscapes.

Pangolin Photo Host Sabine Stols says, “For me, the Mara is truly one-of-a-kind. Imagine vast, endless landscapes bustling with wildlife—especially the big cats. Spotting predators here is a breeze; they’re often lounging on termite mounds, scanning the horizon. It’s a photographer’s dream, really. And let’s talk silhouettes!

Two Lion Cubs Playing in Kenya in the Masai Mara. © William Steel

The expansive open spaces make it so easy to capture stunning silhouettes, whether it’s secretary birds perched in the scattered trees or the iconic figures of elephants, giraffes, zebras, and, if you’re lucky, even big cats. Honestly, I can’t think of a better place for silhouette photography!”

Wildebeest Trekking Across the Masai Mara. © Charl Stols

If you had to close your eyes and picture this reserve, you’d see rolling golden grasslands with acacia trees, rivers cutting through the terrain, and scenic escarpments towering in the background. All in all, a kaleidoscope of landscapes merges to bring this iconic safari destination to life.

When it comes to weather, the Masai Mara offers a comfortable climate, featuring mild daytime temperatures and cooler evenings. The region experiences two rainy seasons, one from March to June and another shorter one in November and December, but regardless of this, it offers panoramic beauty all year round.

Masai Mara Silhouette Backdrop. © Sabine Stols

Exploring on a Masai Mara safari

Nestled in the heart of Africa’s Great Plains, the Masai Mara National Reserve stretches across 1,510 square kilometres (or 583 square miles) of southern Kenya. Bordering Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, it’s a cornerstone of the larger Mara-Serengeti Ecosystem—one of the Earth’s largest and most protected natural sanctuaries.

Though it’s been a wildlife haven for about 50 years, the reserve has evolved significantly since its inception in 1961. Originally covering just 520 square kilometres, including the Mara Triangle, it expanded over time and achieved National Reserve status in 1974. Some land was later returned to the local Masai communities, reinforcing the intricate partnership between conservation and local livelihoods.

Multitude of Wildebeest on Our Masai Mara Safari. © Janine Krayer

The greater Masai Mara area comprises not only the main national reserve, which is unfenced and scattered with free-roaming wildlife but also several community-led conservancies. These include well-known names like Mara North, Olare Motorogi, and Naboisho.

The main Masai Mara safari reserve is divided into eastern and western sections, managed by Narok County and the Mara Conservancy, respectively. These lands are privately owned by Maasai families, who lease them to safari lodges. This symbiotic relationship allows the Maasai to invest in community development, from education to other social initiatives. Occasionally, you might even spot Maasai farmers and their cattle grazing peacefully in these conservancies.

Vibrant Clothing of Maasai Warriors. © Janine Krayer

What does this mean for us as safari goers? Well, these community partnerships result in a more exclusive yet responsible safari experience. While the main reserve has a well-maintained network of both paved and dirt roads, which are actually some of the best we’ve seen on safari, the private conservancies often permit off-road driving. Whether you’re captivated by the Great Migration or after a more intimate wildlife encounter, the Masai Mara offers the best of both worlds, all while contributing to local conservation and community empowerment, which we avidly support.

Cheetah Coalition in the Mara Triangle. © Sabine Stols

Sabine also notes that if you buy the right permits, you could spend a day exploring the Mara triangle. This is possible by crossing the New Mara Bridge or going via the Oloololo gate, and once you cross you’ll find yourself in a quiet corner of the Masai Mara that has a wonderful concentration of both mammals and birdlife. Offering you a perfect front-row view of the Mara River crossing during the Great Migration.

The Mammals of the Masai Mara

Hyena and Pups in the Masai Mara. © Janine Krayer

The Masai Mara is a veritable playground for mammal enthusiasts; thanks to its notably diverse landscape, it is home to over 80 mammal species. Grazers are plentiful even outside of the great wildebeest migration with large populations of antelope like Hartebeest and Topi.

Wildebeest and Lilac-Breasted Roller. © William Steel

Not to mention the cheeky olive baboons and curious vervet monkeys that, no matter where you go on safari, will always be fun to photograph. Of course, the main attraction of the Mara will always be the spectacle of the Great Migration, which, as we know, features massive herds of wildebeest, zebra, and Thompson’s gazelles crossing the Mara River and hoping to dodge the enormous crocodiles lurking in the water.

Spotting Lions on Our Masai Mara Safari. © Sabine Stols

But as photographers, the real stars of the Mara are its predators and their young. From the regal lions that patrol the vast plains or the elusive leopard hiding in a tree to swift cheetahs and playful hyenas, there is truly something to be seen around every corner of the park.

Ultimately, the Masai Mara offers an unparalleled mammal-watching experience that’s second to none.

Giraffe Silhouette. © Charl Stols

Birdlife in the Mara

The Masai Mara National Reserve is also well known for its diverse birdlife, boasting over 450 recorded species that range from year-round residents to migratory visitors, as well as a number of rare and remarkable endemics.

Lappet-Faced Vulture in a Tree in the Masai Mara. © Charl Stols

Notably, the reserve is a raptor-rich environment, featuring 57 species, including the Martial Eagle, African Hawk-Eagle, and Bateleur—often seen soaring over the plains. Ground birds like the Secretary Bird and the Kori Bustard, along with vibrantly coloured species such as the Lilac-breasted Roller and the Superb Starling, are familiar residents often found perched on savannah shrubs.

 The Superb Starling. © Janine Krayer

The Mara also welcomes plenty of migratory birds between November and April, including European storks, swallows, and cuckoos, as well as raptors and waders like the Lesser Kestrel and the Caspian Plover. While the Masai Mara itself may not be particularly known for its endemic species, Kenya as a whole is home to unique birds like the Grey-crested Helmet-shrike and the Red-throated Tit, making it an all-encompassing birdwatching destination.

What lenses and camera equipment to bring along on a Masai Mara safari? 

Pangolin Photo Host Sabine Stols has visited the Masai Mara multiple times over the years, gaining extensive expertise on the best camera equipment for a safari adventure. Here’s her advice: “I highly recommend a zoom lens in the range of 100-400mm, or even up to 600mm, to capture distant scenes like cheetah hunting. Generally speaking, we do get fairly close to the animals, and in my opinion, a 400mm lens is perfect.

If you have a 400mm or 500mm prime lens, definitely bring it along. These prime lenses are often faster than zoom lenses, making them ideal for low-light conditions, which is when predators are usually active, be it early in the morning, late in the afternoon, or on overcast days. The Mara also offers stunning landscapes featuring dramatic clouds and beautiful sunsets; for these, a 70-200mm, 24-70mm, or 24-105mm lens is excellent.

Anything wider is generally not necessary. If you’re planning to experience one of the iconic hot air balloon rides, a 70-200mm or 100-400mm lens is ideal, as it allows for flexibility between capturing wide landscapes and zooming in on animals. Don’t forget a camera strap, especially for hot air balloon rides, to secure your camera around your neck.

Stabilised Photographic Equipment on a Masai Mara Game Drive Vehicle. © Janine Krayer

My go-to lens is a 400mm f/2.8, which is exceptional for creating buttery smooth backgrounds and offers just the right amount of reach. I also carry a 100-500mm zoom lens for flexibility and a 24-105mm for wider shots. I have a 1.4x and 2x teleconverters for added range when needed, and they are conveniently small for travel. Given the long days and limited culling time, I make sure to pack enough hard drives so I never run out of storage space. And since it can get dusty at times, I always bring my Kikoy to cover my gear while driving around.”

  © Janine Krayer

Want to know more about the different lenses? Check out this Masai Mara Video that Pangolin Photo Host, Charl Stols did.

What are the Photographic opportunities and activities on a Masai mara safari?

As you can see, the Masai Mara is an incredible destination for a photographic safari. At Pangolin Photo Safaris, we take pride in our customised photographic vehicles, and in this short video, Charl will explain why we configure our safari vehicles the way we do. Each of our game drives accommodates only three to four guests per vehicle, ensuring an incredibly personalised experience. Our long-wheelbase Toyota Land Cruisers come equipped with pop-up roofs for standing, as well as an array of bean bags and camera mounts.

Cheetah Coalition Spotted on Our Masai Mara Safari. © Janine Krayer

These vehicles also feature plug points, allowing you to charge your batteries or even do some editing on your laptop while waiting for a wildebeest herd to cross the Mara River. One of our favourite activities is our bush lunches, where guests can take a midday break for refreshments and socialising.

Beyond the safaris, other activities in the Masai Mara offer a glimpse into the authentic daily rituals of the Maasai people. By going on a Maasai cultural visit, you can spend a morning learning about these once-nomadic tribes. Of course, no trip to the Mara is complete without a hot-air balloon ride over the vast plains of the reserve. This experience provides a unique perspective and fantastic photographic opportunities. Watch the video below to see what a day or two in the Masai Mara could look like.

Where to stay during a visit to the Masai Mara

The Masai Mara offers a diverse array of accommodation options, perfectly tailored to suit various tastes and budgets. Choices range from rustic tented camps for an authentic safari experience to lavish lodges and luxury ‘resorts’ that provide five-star amenities, and of course, something in between all of that too. Some of these accommodations are strategically situated within the boundaries of the national park, giving guests unparalleled access to game drives and wildlife spotting right at their doorstep.

Wildebeest Migration Crossing the Mara River in the Masai Mara. © William Steel

Others are nestled in the private conservancies surrounding the park, providing exclusive experiences like night drives, guided nature walks, and off-road adventures—activities that are not allowed within the national park itself. Unique dining experiences such as bush dinners or sundowner cocktails are often a highlight at these conservancy-based lodgings. Importantly, the reserves and surrounding conservancies are unfenced, allowing wildlife to roam freely across this expansive ecosystem, so it can’t be said that one area is better than another.

Giraffe and Topi Silhouette. © Sabine Stols

In conclusion

There’s a reason why we continue to return to the Masai Mara year after year. It’s not merely a location; rather, it’s an unmissable experience for both wildlife photographers and enthusiasts alike. From capturing the Great Migration to photographing iconic predators out in the open without searching behind bushes, this reserve truly embodies the essence of quintessential Africa.

The Masai Mara is however a year round destination and outside of the Migration we can get even better predator sightings as the big cats are really working much harder to find and catch prey. Dont discount the Months from November through to May as a potential time to visit the Mssai Mara national reserve

Moreover, accessing the reserve has never been easier—with a quick flight from Nairobi (which offers its own scenic flight) and a diverse range of accommodations, there’s truly no excuse not to experience this park at least once.

A Herd of Wildebeest. © Janine Krayer

Not to mention, the Masai Mara serves as the perfect starting or finishing point to explore more of Kenya. We like to combine time in the Masai Mara with a few extra days in Samburu (for a very different landscape and certainly different animals) or perhaps some time in Amboseli. Travelling between these iconic destinations is relatively easy using Wilson as a sort of hub.

If you’re after something a bit different from a traditional safari, consider trekking with the gorillas and chimpanzees in Uganda and visiting the iconic Shoebill Storks.

Giraffes in the Masai Mara Triangle. © Sabine Stols

Possibilities are wide open; feel free to get in touch with our expert safari planners to learn more.

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Description.

Experience the magic of Africa! We invite you on an all inclusive adventure for two in the heart of one of South Africa’s most diverse conservation regions. Spend six nights relaxing in the comfort of your beautifully appointed room or bask poolside in the African sun. Embark on two breathtaking guided tours of the Private Game Reserve every day of your stay. Return with priceless photos of our wide variety of game, from the majestic elephant to rhino, buffalo, hippo, giraffe, the secretive leopard and cheetah and the shy antelope that are endemic to the region. Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Consignment Fee: 50% of total (must sell for a minimum of $3000.00)

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• 6 Nights At Heritage Safari Lodge or Tented Camp (depending on availability)
• 3 Meals Per Day (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
• 2 Game Viewing Per Day On Private Game Reserve
• 2 Year Expiration
• Scheduling Subject to Availability

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Uniquely Chobe 2020 - 9 night lodge and houseboat special Amboseli-Masai Mara – 12 night photo safari CLASSIC KENYA

Big game and big skies.

Amboseli and Masai Mara

12 night african wildlife photo safari.

Join us on an action-packed photo safari to two of Kenya’s most famous and photographic wildlife reserves: Amboseli national park and the Masai Mara.

Amboseli is world renowned for its large herds of elephant – it’s considered by many photographers to be one of the best places in the world to photograph these charismatic animals.  The snow-capped peak of distant Mount Kilimanjaro provides the perfect backdrop. The Masai Mara needs no introduction, its varied habitats of savanna grassland, gently rolling hills, woodland, rivers and marshes are home to more than 80 species of mammal and 450 species of bird and it’s been dubbed the predator capital of Africa for its high number of big cats.  We’ll be looking out in particular for lion, cheetah and spotted hyena, there’s a good chance of leopard and black rhino sightings, and there are plenty of elephant, hippos, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and assorted antelope to keep our shutter fingers busy.

We’re visiting on the cusp of the dry season and the start of the rains, so with luck we’ll be treated to some dramatic afternoon thunderstorms, adding an extra dimension to our wildlife shots. With the great migration largely finished, there are fewer tourists on the reserve, making for a much more pleasurable experience in our view.  There’s always a chance of a late river crossing, and our camp is located right by the Mara river, so we’re well placed if it happens.  But even without the huge wildebeest herds, there’s bountiful resident wildlife, and with fewer easy pickings the big cats have to work harder for their prey, meaning there’s a good likelihood of frequent activity such as lions stalking or cheetah chases. The grass has been grazed low, making it easier to spot predators, and there’s a better chance of caracal and serval sightings.

We’ll be using customised photo vehicles driven by expert local guides, with only three photographers in each, meaning you’re guaranteed access to both sides of the vehicle. We’ve chosen excellent accommodation in prime locations, offering immediate access to photography, so no time wasted travelling back and forth. And we’ve bought extra luggage space on the internal flights, so you’ll not have to worry about how much gear you can bring.  As with all our trips, there will be a maximum of six guests, ensuring you’ve all the personal attention, help and advice from ourselves that you may need, whatever your level of expertise.

Photographic highlights

Amboseli’s famous elephants, mount kilimanjaro backdrop, prime predator season, excellent black and white ‘fine art’ photography, one date in 2024, 2024  october 26 – november 7   (1 space), competitively priced, 2024  us$11,750 sharing. single supplement us$1,000.

Classic Kenya - Essential information

• Four nights in Amboseli national park
• Seven nights photographing in the Masai Mara
• Superb elephant photography, Amboseli is known as one of the best places for elephant herds
• Iconic views of elephants with Mt Kilimanjaro backdrop
• Flamingos and other waterbirds in Amboseli
• Prime predator time in the Masai Mara
• Search for big cats plus a host of other mammals and birds
• Good chance of dramatic skies for black and white shots
• Two customised photo vehicles on Amboseli
• Row of seats per photographer, access to both sides and through open roof
• High quality accommodation located in the heart of the reserves
• Generous 40kg luggage allowance on internal flights
• Expert local guides/drivers
• Suitable for photographers of all levels of experience
• Maximum six guests

The cost of the 2024 Amboseli-Masai Mara safari is US$11,750.

Single supplements:

A limited number of single rooms are available, on a first-come, first-served basis. Single room supplement is US$1,000. We do not make a profit on single supplements, which are less than the cost to us.

Gratuities:

We understand that knowing who, when and how much to tip can be a headache, so we now include gratuities in the cost of the safari. We’ll make sure everyone deserving a tip, from photo guides to kitchen staff, receives an appropriate amount, so you don’t have to worry about it. Of course, if you wish to reward individuals with something extra for excellent service, then you are welcome to do so, but there isn’t any expectation or need that you do this.

The cost includes:

• Meet and greet at Nairobi airport
• One night at Four Points Sheraton hotel, B&B
• Four nights at Amboseli Serena Lodge, all meals
• Seven nights at Entim Mara camp, all meals and non-premium drinks (house wine, beer, soft drinks)
• Local flights and extra luggage allowance
• Day room at Four Points Sheraton hotel, room only
• All road transfers
• All park entrance fees
• Services of professional local safari guide
• Services of Ann & Steve Toon photo guides
• Use of dedicated 4×4 Landcruisers, three guests per vehicle.

The cost excludes:

• International flights to Kenya
• Items of a personal nature
• Drinks not specified above
• Meals not specified above (i.e. dinner on first night arrival if required)
• Travel insurance

Giving back

To see how your booking helps engage disadvantaged young people in South Africa with wildlife and conservation, visit our Giving Back page.

Accommodation

Our safaris aim to place you in the best places, at the best times, for the best photographic opportunities, but that doesn’t mean we have to rough it. We’ve chosen accommodation that is very comfortable, with good food and great beds.

On arrival in Nairobi you will be met at the airport and transferred to the Four Points Sheraton hotel, only five minutes drive. It’s a modern hotel with very comfortable rooms and excellent security.

Our next four nights will be spent at Amboseli Serena lodge.  This is a hotel-style lodge, offering comfortable rooms, great views over a floodlit waterhole that attracts plentiful game, and a location in the heart of the park, so we won’t be wasting time getting to and from our subjects.

In the Mara we’ll be staying seven nights at Entim Camp, a classic East African style safari camp in the heart of the reserve, with quick access to the most productive game areas.  Luxurious tented guest suites on wooden platforms overlook the Mara river and the plains beyond, and you can keep an eye on the action while eating on the open-fronted dining deck.  Unlike the majority of camps located outside the reserve, we won’t have to race to the gate as the sun sets and miss the best light.

Amboseli is a small but spectacular reserve in the south-east of Kenya.  It enjoys iconic views, weather permitting, of Mount Kilimanjaro, over the border in Tanzania. While the reserve itself is only 392 square kilometres in size, it is part of a much larger, 8,000 square kilometre open system that straddles the border.

The Masai Mara lies in the west of Kenya, its unfenced southern boundary shared with Tanzania’s Serengeti national park.  Vast herds of wildebeest and zebra migrate seasonally between the two.  The Mara is best known for its extensive savanna grassland, but its 1500 square kilometres include a wide variety of habitats, including acacia woodland and riverine thickets.

Getting there

The safari begins and ends at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Flights are not included in the cost of the safari. Most international long-haul flights arrive and depart in the evening.  British Airways, Air France, KLM, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa, and, of course, Kenya Airways, are among airlines servicing Nairobi. Check hand baggage allowances and stopover times when shopping around.

On arrival at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport you will be met and transferred to Four Points Sheraton hotel, only five minutes from the airport, where we will greet you.  Dinner at the hotel is not included in the safari cost, as most guests will arrive too late and will have eaten on the plane.

On our final day we will fly back to Nairobi from the Mara, and you will have use of a day room in the Four Points Sheraton, before being transferred to the airport for your evening flight home.

• Day one: Guests arriving at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta airport will be met and transferred to the nearby Four Seasons Sheraton hotel.
• Day two:  After an early breakfast we’ll depart by road for Amboseli, arriving in time for lunch, before going out on our first afternoon game drive.
• Days three to five:  Morning and afternoon game drives in Amboseli.
• Day six: Fly to Masai Mara, transfer to Entim camp in time for afternoon game drive.  This afternoon and tomorrow morning we’ll be using two Entim vehicles, as our own photo vehicles will be coming by road.
• Days seven to twelve: Morning and afternoon game drives in Masai Mara.
• Day thirteen: After a final short morning game drive we’ll catch a flight to Nairobi Wilson airport, from where you will be transferred to the Four Points Sheraton.  Here you will have use of a day room until it’s time to be transferred to the airport on the complimentary shuttle bus, in time for your flight home.

As with most forms of wildlife, a long lens helps enormously, and we’d recommend a minimum of 400mm full frame equivalent.  A long zoom, such as 100-400, 100-500mm or 150-600mm would be a good choice. If you have a 500mm or 600mm prime, it’s definitely worth bringing.

We’d also recommend a short zoom for animals in the wider landscape: we find a 24-105mm is a versatile option. If your long lens is a fixed length prime (like a 500mm), then a medium zoom, such as a 70-200mm, would be an ideal third lens. We also use 1.4x teleconverters for extra reach.

If you have a second camera body, and can fit it in your hand baggage, then bring it. Not only is this good insurance if your main body packs up, but it’s a lot quicker to respond to opportunities if you have a second body with shorter lens attached.

The photo vehicles are well designed for photography with all lengths of lens, and beanbags and panning plates are provided.  Tripods are not really suited to use on photo vehicles, but if you wish to bring one for use in camp, you are welcome to do so.

To book, join our waitlist or ask a question, email [email protected]

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African Safari Animals Ultimate Photography Guide: 33 Photos, Tips & Facts

Please note: This post contains affiliate links.

Looking to immerse your friends and family in the fascinating interactions you will witness while on safari? Use my African safari animals photography tips from six safaris in five countries to create captivating imagery . By understanding wildlife behaviors and experimenting, you’ll come away with touching photographs that tell the story of your amazing experiences.

Maneuvering along sandy, unpaved tracks, keep your eyes peeled and listen for warning calls. Your skin will tingle as you search for elusive African wildlife. Your astute and eagle-eyed guides will optimally position you for unforgettable experiences . Relish locating stealthy, well-camouflaged cheetahs  skulking through the grass. And, marvel at elephant herds tossing mud on themselves at watering holes.

Embrace backlighting with African safari animals

Setting out early in the morning and late in the afternoon for safari coincides with wildlife’s most active times and soft golden light. While dust bombards your cameras and infiltrates every crevice in your open-air vehicle, it also leads to intoxicating sunsets . The light in Africa lends an ethereal quality to your photography.

PHOTOGRAPHY TIP : Embrace backlighting and shoot into the sun to capture rim light around African safari animals’ silhouettes. While I previously avoided this approach, it’s now led to some of my favorite images.

Shoot high speed continuous to capture action packed safari pictures

Whether you embark on safari in East Africa (Kenya,Tanzania, Rwanda ) or Southern Africa ( Botswana , South Africa, Zimbabwe), heart-stopping interactions  await in these national parks.

Encountering Cindy, a female cheetah, devouring an impala as her cub diligently chased away brazen jackals made for a quintessential National Geographic scene . Sneaking up behind her, the bold risk takers would race forward to snatch the coveted delicacy. Outnumbering Cindy three to one, they strategically distracted her cub, which feverishly pursued them, banking around corners with incredible precision.

Resting after the chase, the inexperienced cub found itself in the path of wildebeests, a vulnerable position. Worried about a potential stampede, mum stopped savoring her hard-won kill and relocated next to the cub. This provided the perfect opportunity for the defiant interlopers  to move in. Shortly after, eagles and vultures surrounded the kill from above. Once Cindy moved the cub out of harm’s way, they snuggled and groomed one another.

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS : To make sure you don’t miss pivotal, frenzied moments, set your camera to high speed continuous.

Use a fast shutter speed to freeze the action.

To be prepared for a chase, shoot manual or aperture priority and expose for the scene in advance. Catching the action is key to transporting your viewers .

An odd number of subjects – one, three, or five adds more visual interest .

Seek out alternative perspectives for African safari animals pictures

After seeing a picture isolating an elephant trunk with falling water droplets framed by elephant toenails, I wondered aloud to my Zimbabwe tour leader, Lauren Bath , where I could photograph a similar scene. Grinning ear to ear, she excitedly whispered to me, “It’s one of the surprises I have in store for you!”

Although I’d seen this perspective from a few famous wildlife photographers, I never thought it accessible to anyone other than National Geographic.

Staying at Imvelo Safari’s Camelthorn Lodge   in Hwange National Park provides private access to a unique vantage point. They’ve constructed an  underground elephant hide from an old shipping container and camouflaged it beneath dead trees.

Attracted by the watering hole, massive bull elephants quench their thirst right in front of you! Imagine examining their toenails as the largest land mammals daintily cross their feet. Gleefully suctioning water, they cool themselves by flapping their enormous ears.

FUN AFRICAN SAFARI ANIMALS FACTS : Did you know elephants’ dexterous trunks have 40,000 muscles  as compared to only 650 in the human body?

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS : Shoot low speed continuous to capture them slurping water.

To vary your point of view, bring two camera set ups – a wide angle (16-35) + zoom (200-500) .

Get creative and shoot tight shots to capture the details – water droplets, the trunk finger, and elephant eyelashes.

Elephants’ textures are perfect for black and white treatment too.

Don’t be afraid to “ break the rules ” and isolate the aspects you find most compelling. Although I purposefully cut off the tusks and trunk, the image above still tells the story of the elephant drinking.

Since you typically spend a couple of hours stationary in the hide, it’s ideal for iPhone or GoPro time-lapse videos .  Just don’t accidentally knock yours out of the hide like I did (oopsie).

Light and interactions enliven African safari photos

With only 7,500 cheetahs remaining in the wild , they are one of the rarest African safari animals.

Not only are their coats gorgeous, but they also allow them to easily camouflage and surprise potential prey. Imagine encountering a mum and 12 month-old cub lounging in soft, early morning light as the long grass whispers in the wind.

Keenly attuned to sounds around them, their ears twitch as they listen for animals in the vicinity. Between yawning and stretching, they chase one another through the grass. Leaping onto a tree provides an elevated vantage point for mum to scan the horizon, scouting their next meal. Whenever the cub moves out of her line of sight, she chirps, signaling it to return.

FUN AFRICAN ANIMALS FACTS: Did you know the dark teardrops under cheetahs’ eyes decrease glare like eye black used by football and baseball players? And, the white at the end of their tails helps cubs follow mum in tall grass.

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS : Wait for the light to illuminate their eyes , facial markings, and whiskers . Doing this will separate them from the background.

Also, if your subject is sitting amongst grass, use manual focus to ensure crisp images. Otherwise, your sensor’s auto focus will be tricked by the blowing grass and constantly searching for its target.

Watch African wild dogs’ extraordinary teamwork

While watching predators stalk their prey is riveting, witnessing an actual kill can be heart wrenching. After receiving a call that wild dogs were in the area, our Botswana guide turned to us with a huge smile. Given that fewer than 7000 of this stunning species remain in Africa, guides are giddy to see them too.

Maneuvering at break-neck speed, he encouraged us to duck as he plowed through branches in pursuit. Shortly after arriving, the dogs repositioned into a fighter jet formation  and began aggressively chasing a steenbok (small antelope).

Literally eating it alive as it ran, the poor steenbok was nothing but dust in fewer than two minutes. While evading these precision hunters is daunting for prey, the thrilling chase  highlights the admirable teamwork these clever safari animals exhibit as they expertly conspire  and flank  their target as it races through the tall grass.

FUN AFRICAN ANIMALS FACTS : Alpha females lead these formidable packs. To learn more about them, check out Painted Dog Conservation .

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS : Since their legs have exquisite patterns , make sure to photograph those details.

I also enjoyed making portraits of them when their huge ears pivoted forward to listen for prey.

I recently learned you can photograph wild dogs from a ground level perspective in Mana Pools, Zimbabwe.  So, this location has now moved to the top of my bucket list!

Cherish sentient elephants

Elephants are incredibly tactile , constantly caressing and comforting one another with their trunks. Experienced and enormous matriarchs lead the herds. Aunties protect from behind, assisting the little ones if they stumble.

Upon detecting a threat, the herd forms a protective barricade around the calves. Flaring their ears, raising their trunks and bellowing signals a potential charge towards a predator. Matriarchs don’t tolerate vehicles getting too close to babies.

FUN AFRICAN ANIMALS FACTS : Did you know that baby elephants are small enough to fit beneath their mothers’ bellies until they are six months old? This provides protection from the sun and potential predators

PRO TIP : To learn more about their social structures and intelligence, read Love Life and Elephants , The Elephant Whisperer or its sequel, the Elephant in My Kitchen .

To see how two organizations nurse orphaned elephants back to health, visit Wild is Life in Harare, Zimbabwe, or Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi, Kenya.

Read more about my touching experiences at Wild is Life. I cherished witnessing the love the handlers had for the elephants in their care.

A hippo out of water is a rare African safari moment

Did you know that hippos are considered one of Africa’s most dangerous animals ? 500 people die from hippos each year in Africa . Despite appearing slow and lumbering, they can be lightning quick, especially if protecting calves.

Since they spend most of the time wallowing and submerged in water to stay cool, they usually only emerge at dusk to forage. While in Bumi Hills, Zimbabwe, we were fortunate to witness one running back into the lake after munching on grass.

The setting sun reflecting on the water provided an idyllic backdrop.

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS : To convey motion, photograph wildlife with one leg forward .

If a hippo is yawning or running, setting your camera to high speed continuous will provide a great series from which to choose.

Accentuate giraffe’s beauty against the clouds

Giraffes are most vulnerable when bending down for a drink. Therefore, they check their surroundings carefully before satiating their thirst.

PHOTOGRAPHY TIP : Use fluffy marshmallow cloud to accentuate their beauty, height and majestic necks.

FUN AFRICAN ANIMALS FACTS : Giraffes’ blue/purple tongues are due to high concentrations of melanin, which people believe protects them from getting sunburned.

Kudus’ elegant horns are a work of art

Watching light and shadows interplay on kudu horns is mesmerizing. Acutely aware of potential predators, their ears are sensitized to the slightest sounds.

PHOTOGRAPHY TIP : Since herds tend to turn their heads in a synchronized fashion, wait for them to pivot to capture the delicate pink inside their towering rabbit-like ears.

Pay respects to Cecil the Lion

Although I had never traveled to Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe and seen Cecil the Lion  prior to him being heartlessly hunted, learning of his death impacted me greatly.

Hearing that this beloved, radio-collared lion was lured from the game reserve, shot with a bow and arrow by a trophy hunter US dentist in July 2015, and left to suffer overnight infuriated me. Having the opportunity to pay respect to him at his tree on the Elephant Express enroute to Hwange meant a lot.

PRO TIP : To learn more about Cecil, read Lion Hearted: The Life and Death of Cecil & the Future of Africa’s Iconic Cats .

Since I’d never seen a radio-collared lion before, I found it fascinating and fortuitous that I encountered one on my second day in Hwange. Watching him and his brother lounging in the late afternoon light, startling a young elephant and then snuggling and yawning was the perfect way to end our first full Zimbabwe safari day. Appearing lethargic and well fed the next morning, we assumed they killed a young buffalo from the herd they’d been tailing the night before.

PHOTOGRAPHY TIP : Since lions yawn frequently, wait for them to yawn to photograph their impressive canines.

Leopards are one of the most elusive African safari animals

Spotting the shy and elusive leopard is a rare treat. While in the Okavango Delta in Botswana , one sashayed past our vehicle. She then leapt on to a dead tree to survey the landscape, providing the perfect angle for this photogenic beauty.

During a night drive in Zimbabwe, our guide spotted a leopard’s eyes as he panned across the horizon with his red spotlight. Elated at this coveted discovery , he hushed us. Having last seen one six months before, his excitement mirrored ours.

Despite watching it skulk through gulleys in pursuit of impala for 45 minutes, we didn’t see it make a kill, which secretly pleased me.

PHOTOGRAPHY TIP : Make sure to scan high tree branches as you are driving as leopards are often found lounging in them. If you are lucky, they might have a kill in the tree with them to protect it from other predators.

Admire lilac breasted rollers’ striking colors

Vibrant  and iridescent  colors make the lilac breasted roller one of the most popular safari birds in Africa. Constantly pruning their feathers and flitting from tree to tree can make them challenging to photograph.

PHOTOGRAPHY TIP : After you get your “safety shots” of it perched, crank up your shutter speed to 1/2500 and wait for it to fly.  Although capturing them in flight is challenging, it’s a fun way to experiment. Shooting high speed continuous and AI Servo to track them maximizes the chances you might get a few shots in focus.

Beware of buffalos

We’ve had more than one guide indicate they find buffalos the most fearsome of the Big Five .

FUN AFRICAN ANIMALS FACTS : Did you know the Big Five classification originally denoted the most dangerous animals for hunters to pursue on foot ?

Stampeding buffalo are dangerous for young safari animals, proving fatal for cubs lurking in the grass. Therefore, female lions tend to steer clear of provoking them, especially if they don’t have others in the pride to help them with a kill. While buffalos often give no warning and just begin charging, snorting can indicate displeasure.

PHOTOGRAPHY TIP : Since buffalo have a symbiotic relationship with oxpeckers, wait for them to land on their horns to photograph them.

Seek out crocodile reflections

During the Great Migration from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, wildebeest and zebra must navigate across rivers, teeming with crocodiles. Witnessing crocodiles erupting from the water as the wildebeests hopscotch across tops many people’s bucket lists.

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS:  To add more visual interest, wait for them to run into the water or open their mouths.

If they are lounging next to calm water, seek out reflections.

Zebra stripes make for interesting abstract shots

Zebra’s striped patterns are as unique as a human fingerprint . Experts theorize their stripes also deter pesky biting flies, prevalent throughout the African savannah.

FUN AFRICAN ANIMALS FACTS : Did you know that their skin provides cooling benefits since the black and white stripes absorb and reflect light differently? And, a group of them is referred to as a dazzle.

PHOTOGRAPHY TIP : Experiment with converting your zebra images to black and white during post processing.

And, zoom in for some tight abstract shots to accentuate their stunning lines.

Hyena pups are endearing

While many safari goers are not huge fans of hyena adults, the pups are endearing. The strongest female in the group leads these matriarchal clans. Unlike the team-oriented wild dogs, the older hyenas are very possessive about kills, snarling and squealing to chase younger ones away until they have their fill.

PRO TIP : Check out Serengeti on Discovery for some great stories about a hyena clan.

Immerse in mountain gorillas’ human similarities

Observing one of the 1000 mountain gorillas  remaining in Rwanda, Uganda and the Congo will remind you how much human DNA they share. Watching Silverbacks beating their chests to assert their dominance, babies cuddling with mums or rambunctious juveniles swinging amongst the branches will entrance you. While an hour will fly by, it will be one of the most memorable and heartwarming experiences of your life. Use my detailed guide to help you plan your Rwanda trip .

PHOTOGRAPHY TIP : Since it’s dark in the rainforest and no flash is allowed, make sure you bring a fast telephoto lens . I captured most of my images with a 70-200 2.8 Canon lens.

Epic 7 Travel is a for-profit blog. The post contains Affiliate links for which I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only feature products that I own or would recommend regardless of an affiliate relationship. Read more in our Terms of Use . Thank you for your support of Epic 7 Travel!

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Marielena Smith

Marielena founded Epic 7 Travel to inspire you to Live the Unforgettable by sharing stories and photography from around the world. She aims to transport you to extraordinary places on, above and beneath all 7 continents and drive you to start your own adventures.

If you are looking for more inspiration to Live the Unforgettable , join the Epic 7 Travel Community

Reader Interactions

September 12, 2019 at 9:38 pm

Wonderful photos!! I had seen many of these on your Instagram feed and was already in love with all these majestic animals, but seeing them on my computer screen is even more impressive! Ooh and I could *feel* the warmth of the sun coming from behind your backlit elephant family! Africa would be amazing to see one day…

September 19, 2019 at 4:51 pm

That makes me so happy to hear, Deb. The backlight in Africa adds more drama to an already magical scene. I hope you make it there one day. Perhaps on one of my future tours 🙂

September 27, 2019 at 7:49 pm

Loved this blog post! The pictures and storytelling were perfect to share with my kids. They loved the stories and factoids you shared throughout the blog. Their favorite parts were the action-packed moments like the cheetah chase and the wild dogs! Reading this post was the next best thing to experiencing a safari firsthand. Thank you for sharing.

October 12, 2019 at 10:09 am

Kavita, I’m delighted that you and your kids enjoyed the facts and stories. I’ll definitely keep that in mind for future posts that the chase scenes resonate. Safari is a special and unforgettable experience – seeing the animals interact in their element is an incredible privilege. I’m happy I could transport you all!

November 22, 2020 at 12:43 am

Fabulous photographs – the African wild dogs remind me of hyena.

November 24, 2020 at 2:18 pm

Cherryl, Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m delighted that you enjoyed the photographs I captured in Africa. I absolutely agree that the African wild dogs coloring looks similar to hyenas. It’s such a privilege to see the wild dogs. To see them hunting is truly unforgettable. Their teamwork and efficiency is unparalleled. I hope you have a lovely holiday season.

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We art walmart photo contest official rules.

THERE IS NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THE “WE ART WALMART” PHOTO CONTEST, WHICH IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW AND OUTSIDE THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES:  UNITED STATES (INCLUDING D.C.), CANADA, MEXICO, CHILE, CHINA, INDIA, COSTA RICA, EL SALVADOR, HONDURAS, GUATEMALA, NICARAGUA, BOTSWANA, ESWATINI, LESOTHO, MALAWI, MOZAMBIQUE, NAMIBIA, SOUTH AFRICA, AND ZAMBIA. Subject to all applicable federal, state, commonwealth, provincial, territory and local laws and regulations.

ONLY Walmart associates living in the countries listed above may participate the “We Art Walmart” Photo Contest (the “Photo Contest” or the “Contest”); the Contest is not open to the general public. Participation is voluntary.

Note:  While we encourage creativity and personal expression, please remember to keep all Entry submissions within the boundaries of Walmart's workplace guidelines and good taste, and be sure your Entry (as defined below) is representative of Walmart and its global values and consistent with the Contest theme outlined below. 

1. Contest Submission Period: The Contest Submission Period for this Contest starts April 15, 2024, at 12:01:01 A.M. Central Time CT and ends at 11:59:59 pm CT on April 29, 2024(the "Contest Submission Period"). Sponsor's clock, located in Bentonville, Arkansas is the official time-keeping device for this Contest. 

2. Sponsor: The Sponsor of this Contest is Walmart Inc., 702 SW 8th St, Bentonville, AR 72716-0080. No other entities or any other third parties are a sponsor of or affiliated in any way with this Contest.

3. Eligibility: The Contest is open to individuals who are (1) legal residents of the United States (including D.C.), Canada, Mexico, Chile, China, India, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zambia; (2) at least 18 years old or the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence (whichever is older); and (2)  part-time or full-time employees of Walmart Inc., its subsidiaries, or any legal holding of Walmart International and in good standing at all times during the Contest from the start of the Submission Period up to and including the time of awarding the prize, if applicable. “Good Standing” means that the associate is not the subject of a current investigation by Walmart or any Walmart entity, is not currently in “coaching,” and is not currently on probation by Walmart or any Walmart entity. Corporate, brand and store employees located in any of the countries specified in these Official Rules are eligible to participate. 

Walmart associates involved in administering, judging, or working on any aspect of this Contest, temporary agency personnel and contingent staff are not eligible to participate and independent contractors or vendors who work on-site at a Walmart facility are not eligible to enter or win. Entrants may not be: (1) represented under contract (e.g., by a talent agent or manager) that would limit or impair Sponsor's ability to display the Entry in any media form; (2) under any other contractual relationship that may prohibit them from participating fully in this Contest, or from allowing Sponsor to use royalty-free, with no payment or remuneration of any kind to you or to any third-parties, the Entry worldwide in any and all manner and media, in perpetuity.

Individual associates who are the age of majority in their jurisdiction of legal residence and employed in Good Standing by Walmart or a legal holding of Walmart International who have not been otherwise excluded above are eligible to submit one (1) Entry (as defined in Section 4). Each eligible individual that submits an Entry that is in full compliance with these Official Rules is referred to as the “Entrant” and may sometimes hereinafter also be referred to as “you” and/or “your.” The Entrant is considered located within the country in which he or she is located at time of entry. Each Entrant must be employed by Walmart or a legal holding of Walmart International (together, the “Contest Entities”) and in Good Standing at time of Entry, Contest and Award fulfillment. 

4. How To Enter: Walmart is inviting eligible Entrants to showcase the cities, towns, and communities they call home. To enter, interested Associates should visit the “We Art Walmart” Contest site at https://walmartone.votigo.com/WeArtWalmart (the "Contest Site" or the “Site”) during the Contest Submission Period, where they will be asked to: (1) read and accept these Official Rules, (2) complete the entry form provided at the Site, and (3) follow the instructions provided to submit a panoramic photo of their hometown taken by the Entrant  that complies with all content and technical requirements as provided in these Official Rules and on the Site (the "Entry" or the “Submission”). 

Limit: one (1) Entry per Entrant. Any attempt by any Entrant to obtain more than the permitted number of entries by using multiple and/or different identities, forms, registrations, addresses or any other method will void all of that entrant’s entries and that entrant may be disqualified at Sponsor’s discretion. Normal Internet, phone and usage charges imposed by your online or phone service may apply. Entries will not be returned. Incomplete, corrupted, or untimely entries are void and will be disqualified. Sponsor and its agencies are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, damaged, stolen, or misdirected entries; lost, interrupted, or unavailable network, server, or other connections; or miscommunications, computer or software malfunctions, telephone transmission problems, technical failures, garbled transmissions, damage to a user’s computer equipment (software or hardware), or other errors or malfunctions of any kind, whether human, mechanical, electronic or otherwise.

Associates should not participate in the Contest while they are working or on-duty. Participation in the Contest is voluntary and is not required of any associate. Associates will not receive compensation for participating in the Contest, and must complete and submit their Contest entries, if any, off of Company premises and outside of their working hours, at times when they are not performing work for Sponsor. 

Entry/Submission Requirements: Each Contest Entry must include the required entry form, which may be found on the Site, and one (1) panoramic photograph showcasing the city, town, or community you call home (referred to herein as the "Photo"). Your Photo may feature a community event, landmark, landscapes, or some other identifying feature of your community, -- but may not feature identifiable individuals or include content that infringes any third party’s intellectual property or right of publicity. The Photo must be your original work or it will not be accepted. Entrant will be required to accept these Official Rules when submitting the Contest Entry. Should any Entry not comply with these Official Rules, or with any of the specific Photo Requirements described below, Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to disqualify any Entry that does not comply with said requirements. Sponsor retains all rights in its sole and absolute discretion, to modify the resolution, dimensions, compression, and/or any and all other aspects of the Photo before or after the Contest Submission Period. 

When you submit your Entry, you warrant and represent that the Entry (including the Photo) meets the following technical and content requirements:

• Basic edits are permitted and expected. These include edits such as exposure adjustments, shadow and highlight recovery, HDR (high dynamic range) capture if applicable, color balance and tint correction, cropping, sharpening, contrast, and black levels. Disclosure for these edits is not necessary.
• Advanced editing is permitted but must be disclosed when you submit your Entry. At proficiency, advanced editing could include layering, composites, cloning or healing tools, masking, warping, or heavy filters. 
• Photos must not have a watermark, signature, or logo or any identifiable data.
• No illustrations, paintings, or Entries generated by Generative Artificial Intelligence (“Gen AI”). Sponsor may disqualify Entries and Photos that it believes were generated by Gen AI, illustrations, and paintings in its sole discretion, or that contain elements of same.
• Content alteration of digital files will not be accepted. 
• The addition of objects is not permitted. 
• Accepted file formats: RAW files, jpg or png.
• Maximum file size is 50 MB.
• Digital files must be at least 150 DPI – 1440 x 1800 pixels. 
• For a Photo in which a person is recognizable, Entrant must be prepared to provide a signed release to Sponsor upon request from that person, or, in case of a minor, from the subject’s parent or guardian indicating that the subject has granted the right for his/her/their likeness to be used in by Sponsor in the Photo. A sample release (“Release”) is provided here . 
• Similarly, Entrants whose Photo depicts other people’s intellectual property (such as a sculpture, statutes, paintings, and other copyrightable works and/or trademarks/logos (“Works”)) must be prepared to provide a Release from the rights holder to the Sponsor upon request. When photographing the work of others, the Work must appear as an object in the environment and not appear in full-frame close-up. 
• Entries must be in compliance with all national, federal, state, provincial, commonwealth, territorial, and/or local laws, and may not contain any content that is lewd, obscene, discriminatory, demeaning, sexually explicit, pornographic, disparaging, defamatory, libelous, obscene, infringing, or that puts Sponsor in a negative or false light, or that otherwise contain any inappropriate content or objectionable material, as determined by Sponsor in its sole, absolute and unfettered discretion. Photos that violate such laws, and/or contain sexually explicit, nude, obscene, violent, or other objectionable or inappropriate content, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion, may be disqualified. 
• Entries must not be contrary to the Walmart values, available at https://www.walmartethics.com/content/walmartethics/en_us.html , and/or the Walmart brand, as determined in Walmart’s sole and absolute discretion.
• Entries must not contain any personally identifiable information of any person other than Entrant. Should an Entry include personally identifiable information about yourself or any other individuals in the Entry, each Entrant acknowledges and agrees that such information will be disclosed publicly and each Entrant, and not Sponsor, is/are solely responsible for any and all consequences arising out of such disclosure. 
• If an Entrant is unable to provide any/all required Releases, Sponsor in its sole discretion reserves the right to disqualify the Entry, seek to secure the required releases, and/or permit the Entry to remain in the Contest with any necessary modifications. 

Additional requirements and/or instructions regarding Entries and/or Photos may be posted by Sponsor on the Site. Each Entry will be screened by the Sponsor for compliance with these Requirements and all aspects of these Official Rules. Sponsor reserves all rights to remove any Entry from the Contest Site, or any other site, at any time during the Contest Submission Period, or thereafter, if, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, such Entry is in violation of these Official Rules, and Entrants agree to same. Sponsor's decisions with respect to whether an Entry complies with these Official Rules are made in Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion and are final and binding. Entries that are not compliant with these Requirements and/or the Official Rules in accordance with Sponsor's sole and absolute discretion will cause the Entry to be void, at the discretion of the Sponsor. Sponsor shall have no liability of any kind to any Entrant or any third party with respect to Sponsor’s removal of any Entry. 

By submitting an Entry, you warrant and represent that: (a) you have all rights, including, without limitation, all rights of copyright, trademark and other intellectual property rights, to the Entry, to submit your Entry in accordance with these Official Rules; (b) your Entry does not infringe upon the copyrights, trademarks, rights of privacy, publicity or other intellectual property or other rights of any person or entity; (c) that publication or other use by Sponsor of the Entry via various media including, without limitation, online posting, will not infringe on or impede the rights of any third party; and (d) otherwise complies with these Official Rules. 

6. Winner Selection/Judging

• Relevance to the theme: Hometown and/or Community 
• Do all elements come together, with the photographer showing some creative thought or originality in making this image?
• Was the subject or viewpoint presented in a unique way or was something common shown from a non-traditional point of view?
• Is it eye-catching?
• Is there effective communication between the photographer and viewer?
• Is there a story told through the picture?
• If yes, do the viewers receive it/is it likely they will receive it?
• Is the photograph in focus?
• If not, assess whether this could be intentional to enhance the image in an ‘artistic’ way.
• Consider use of the following:
• Shutter Speed 
• Proper Exposure 
• White Balance 
• Depth of Field 
• Did the photographer use the best angle or an otherwise interesting perspective?
• If there is a subject or objects within the photograph and are the objects arranged in a meaningful or pleasing manner?
• Lighting (if applicable) 
• Is the Entrant thoughtful about proper lighting of the subject matter?
• Do any extremes of darkness or brightness lend to or detract from the image content?
• Advanced editing is permitted but should be disclosed. At proficiency, advanced editing could include layering, composites, cloning or healing tools, masking, warping, or heavy filters. 
• Undisclosed advanced edits, if used, could lead to lowered ranking at judges’ discretion.
• Judging Period. Judging will be comprised of two phases – The Preliminary Judging Period, which will begin on April 30, 2024, and the Final Judging Period, which will end on May 18, 2024. Winners will be notified by no later than May 24, 2024.
• Preliminary Judging Panel:  The preliminary judging panel will be comprised of five qualified judges (“Preliminary Panel”).  Entries will be judged in accordance with the Judging Criteria and the Preliminary Panel will provide a score between 1-10 for each Entry with 10 being the highest score and 1 the lowest (“Score”). This Preliminary Panel will select 100 of the highest scoring “Semifinalists” and these Semifinalists’ Photos (“Semifinalist Entries”) will be then proceed to the Final Round of Judging as set forth below. In the event of a tie between one or more entrants, an additional "tie-breaking" judge selected by Sponsor in its sole and absolute discretion will judge the tied entries and break the tie to choose the determine the Semifinalists Entry/ies based on the Judging Criteria listed in these Official Rules. Sponsor reserves the right to select fewer than one hundred (100) Semifinalist Entries if, in its sole discretion, it does not receive a sufficient number of eligible and qualified Entries. In the event that Sponsor does not receive at least one hundred (100) qualified Entries, the top 50% of the received Entries will be selected as Semifinalist Entries. All judging will be conducted in accordance with these Official Rules, as applicable. 
• Final Judging and Winning Entry Selection: The selected Semifinalists' Entries will be judged anew by an executive panel of judges (the “Executive Judging Panel”) using Judging Criteria, and scored 1-10 with 10 being the highest score and 1 the lowest score. The top twenty (20) Entries with the highest Score awarded by the Executive Judging Panel will be identified as the twenty (20) potential “Winning Entries,” and the Entrants who submitted those entries will be the potential “Winners.” In the event of a tie, an additional "tie-breaking" judge selected by Sponsor in its sole and absolute discretion will determine the Winning Entries based on the criteria listed in these Official Rules. Sponsor reserves the right not to award all of the available prizes in the event that Sponsor does not receive a sufficient number of eligible and qualified Entries. Winning Entries will be selected by no later than May 18, 2024.

7. Winner Notification and Award Verification: Potential Winners will be notified by email no later than May 24, 2024. Potential Winning Entries are subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with these Official Rules prior to Award. Potential Winners will be required to execute/sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, a Publicity/Liability Release and Assignment of Rights confirming acceptance and compliance with these Official Rules and return same within three (3) calendar days of the date of notification of their potential winning status, otherwise the potential Winner may forfeit the Award which may then be awarded to the potential Winner with the next highest Score, at Sponsor's discretion. The potential Winners may also be subject to an interview by Sponsor to help ensure the potential Winner has complied with the Official Rules, and the potential Winner may be disqualified if their Entry is not in compliance with these Official Rules, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Potential Winners may further be required to provide proof (to Sponsor's satisfaction) that he/she/they own(s) all rights to the Entry. Failure to comply with any of these requirements may, at Sponsor's sole discretion, result in disqualification and alternate potential Winners may be notified with no liability of any kind to Sponsor for taking such action. If a potential Winner is found to be ineligible or otherwise not in compliance with these Official Rules, the potential Winner declines to accept the Award, or if Sponsor is unable to contact a potential Winner within a reasonable period, the Award may be forfeited and, at the Sponsor's sole discretion, Award may be awarded to the Entry with the next highest Score if time permits. Sponsor shall not be held responsible or liable for any delays in awarding of the Award, or any forfeiture of the Award, for any reason. Award will only be awarded to verified potential Winner.

8. Publicity Release : By accepting the Award, the potential Winner consents to the use of his/her name, address (city and state), voice, statements relating to the Contest or Sponsor, and photographs, performance (including, without limitation, the performance during the Show, as defined below) and other likenesses, and Entry without further compensation, notification or permission in any publicity, promotion or advertising carried out by Sponsor or any related entities in any and all media now known or hereinafter developed without territorial or time limitation, except where prohibited by law. 

9. Prizes:  There will be Twenty (20) Awards: Each Winning Entry wins the opportunity to have their Photo featured at Walmart’s new Headquarters’ location (“new HQ”) and the opportunity to be recognized with other winners during Sponsor’s Associate week meeting occurring June 4 – June 7, 2024 (the “Award”). Sponsor reserves the right as to the date(s), time, and specific location(s) where the Winning Entries will be featured in the new HQ. Sponsor will have no further obligation of any kind, to such Winning Entry, or any other liability of any kind to any Winning Entry or any third parties. Sponsor reserves right to change all dates and other aspects of the Contest and these Official Rules, in its sole and absolute discretion. All other costs and obligations associated with Award acceptance and not specified herein as being provided, are the sole responsibility of the Winning Entry. The Award is personal to the Entrant and is neither assignable, nor transferable and must be accepted as awarded, with no substitutions or alterations of any kind unless determined by Sponsor in its sole and absolute discretion. All Award details are at the Sponsor's sole discretion. 

10. General Conditions: Void where prohibited by law and outside of the participating countries. WARNING: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL DELIBERATELY TO DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS CONTEST OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAW, AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO PROSECUTE AND SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of the Contest or the Contest Site, who act in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner or who are in violation of these Official Rules, as solely determined by Sponsor, will be disqualified and all associated Entries will be void. Sponsor and its agents are not responsible for (1) any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by entrants, printing errors or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest; (2) technical failures of any kind, including, but not limited to malfunctions, interruptions, or disconnections in phone lines or network hardware or software; (3) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Contest; (4) technical or human error which may occur in the administration of the Contest or the processing of entries; or (5) any injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Contest or receipt or use or misuse of any award. If, for any reason, the Contest is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus or bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of Sponsor, which corrupt or affect the operation, administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of this Contest, Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, (a) cancel the Contest; (b) void any suspect entries  modify the Contest or suspend the Contest to address the impairment and then resume the Contest in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules; and/or (b) void any suspect entries and award the Grant from among the eligible, non-suspect entries received up to the time of the impairment in accordance with the Honoree selection criteria described above. 

11. Limitation of Liability and Releases. Sponsor, its subsidiaries, or any its legal holdings, and the respective officers and directors of same, and any employees involved in administering the Contest (collectively, "Released Parties") are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, damaged, inaccurate, stolen, delayed, or misdirected Entries; or for lost, interrupted or unavailable network, server, Internet Service Provider (ISP), website, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties, or other errors or difficulties of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, computer, network, typographical, printing or otherwise relating to or in connection with the Contest, including, without limitation, errors or difficulties which may occur in connection with the administration of the Contest, the processing or judging of Entries, the announcement of the Awards, the incorrect uploading of the Entry, the use of the Award (including any travel or activity related to Award) or in any Contest-related materials or activities. Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by Contest Site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest. Released Parties are not responsible for injury or damage to any person, person's or entity’s computer or personal property related to or resulting from participating in this Contest in any aspect, and/or downloading materials from or use of the Contest Site. For residents of India only: this release does not apply to personal injuries, death, damages, or losses caused by released parties’ intentional or gross negligence, or fraudulent representation. 

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, PARTICIPANT AGREES THAT SPONSOR AND THE RELEASED PARTIES WILL HAVE NO LIABILITY WHATSOEVER FOR, AND SHALL BE HELD HARMLESS BY PARTICIPANTS AGAINST, ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY INJURIES, LOSSES OR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND TO PERSONS, INCLUDING PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH, OR PROPERTY RESULTING IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FROM ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, MISUSE, OR USE OF THE AWARDS, PRIZE, ENTRY, OR PARTICIPATION IN THIS CONTEST OR IN ANY CONTEST-RELATED ACTIVITY, OR ANY CLAIMS BASED ON PUBLICITY RIGHTS, DEFAMATION OR INVASION OF PRIVACY, OR MERCHANDISE DELIVERY. THE RELEASED PARTIES ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE IF THIS CONTEST CANNOT BE ADMINISTERED OR CONDUCTED OR THE AWARDS CANNOT BE AWARDED DUE TO CANCELLATIONS, DELAYS, OR INTERRUPTIONS RESULTING OR ARISING FROM ACTS OF GOD, WAR, OR TERRORISM, CIVIL UNREST, STRIKES, SUPPLY SHORTAGES, NATURAL DISASTERS, WEATHER, EPIDEMICS, PANDEMICS, WIDESPREAD ILLNESS, COMPLIANCE WITH ANY LAW OR ORDER OF A GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY, OR ANY OTHER SIMILAR ACT, EVENT, OR OCCURRENCE BEYOND THE REASONABLE CONTROL OF THE SPONSOR. BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS CONTEST, PARTICIPANT AGREES THAT THE RELEASED PARTIES WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY INJURIES, DAMAGES, OR LOSSES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES TO PERSONS, INCLUDING DEATH, OR TO PROPERTY ARISING OUT OF ACCESS TO AND USE OF ANY WEBSITE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS CONTEST OR THE DOWNLOADING FROM AND/OR PRINTING MATERIAL DOWNLOADED FROM SUCH SITE. 

FOR RESIDENTS OF INDIA ONLY: THIS RELEASE DOES NOT APPLY TO PERSONAL INJURIES, DEATH, DAMAGES, OR LOSSES CAUSED BY RELEASED PARTIES’ INTENTIONAL OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE, OR FRAUDULENT REPRESENTATION.

12. Intellectual Property Release and License to Photo: BY SUBMITTING AN ENTRY, ENTRANT AGREES THAT SUCH ENTRY, PHOTOGRAPH, COMMUNICATIONS OR OTHER SUBMISSIONS, CREATIVE SUGGESTIONS, IDEAS, NOTES, CONCEPTS OR OTHER MATERIALS THAT ENTRANT MAY SUBMIT TO SPONSOR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS CONTEST, INCLUDING ALL RIGHTS EMBODIED THEREIN, WHETHER SENT VIA THE WEBSITE OR ELECTRONIC MAIL OR SOME OTHER MEANS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION AS IDENTIFIED IN SPONSOR’S PRIVACY POLICY (AVAILABLE AT http://corporate.walmart.com/privacy-security/walmart-privacy-policy ), ARE DEEMED TO BE NON-CONFIDENTIAL AND NON-PROPRIETARY AND SPONSOR SHALL HAVE NO OBLIGATION OF ANY KIND WITH RESPECT TO SUCH ENTRIES. ENTRANT HEREBY GRANTS TO SPONSOR, AND TO ITS LICENSEES, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, AND ANY PERSON OR ENTITY ACTING ON ITS BEHALF, THE IRREVOCABLE WORLD-WIDE RIGHT AND EXCLUSIVE LICENSE IN PERPETUITY TO USE, PUBLISH, EXPLOIT, MODIFY, EDIT, TRANSMIT AND DISTRIBUTE THE ENTRY AND THE PHOTO, IN INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, YOUR NAME, OCCUPATION, CITY, STATE, COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE, THE NAMES AND LIKENESSES OF ANY PERSONS OR LOCATIONS EMBODIED IN THE ENTRY AND PHOTO, IN ANY AND ALL MEDIA NOW KNOWN OR HEREAFTER DEVISED, WORLDWIDE, IN PERPETUITY FOR SPONSOR'S INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL, DECORATIVE, PUBLIC RELATIONS, ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES WITHOUT COMPENSATION, PERMISSION, CREDIT OR NOTIFICATION TO ENTRANT OR ANY THIRD PARTY. ENTRANT AGREES THAT IF SPONSOR ELECTS TO USE ENTRIES FOR ANY PURPOSE, ALL RIGHTS UNDER COPYRIGHT OR OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS THAT MAY RESULT FROM THAT RELATING TO ENTRANT’S ENTRY FROM USE OF THE SAME BY SPONSOR SHALL BE THE SOLE PROPERTY OF SPONSOR. ENTRANT FURTHER AGREES THAT IF SPONSOR ELECTS TO USE ENTRANT’S ENTRY, ENTRANT WILL EXECUTE ANY DOCUMENTS REQUESTED BY SPONSOR REGARDING THIS ASSIGNMENT.

13. Nature of Relationship/Waiver of Equitable Relief. Each Entrant understands and acknowledges that Sponsor has wide access to ideas, designs, and other materials, and that new ideas are constantly being submitted to it or being developed by their other associates. Each Entrant also acknowledges that many ideas may be competitive with, similar or identical to the Entry and/or each other in theme, idea, format, or other respects. Each Entrant acknowledges and agrees that such Entrant will not be entitled to any compensation as a result of Sponsor’s use of any such similar or identical material. Each Entrant acknowledges and agrees that the Sponsor does not now and shall not have in the future any duty or liability, direct or indirect, vicarious, contributory, or otherwise, with respect to the infringement or protection of the copyright in and to the Entry. Finally, each Entrant acknowledges that, with respect to any claim by entrant relating to or arising out of Sponsor’s actual or alleged exploitation or use of any Entry or other material submitted in connection with the Contest, the damage, if any, thereby caused to the applicable entrant will not be irreparable or otherwise sufficient to entitle such Entrant to seek injunctive or other equitable relief or in any way enjoin the production, distribution, exhibition or other exploitation of the Entry or any material based on or allegedly based on the Entry, and the Entrant’s rights and remedies in any such event shall be strictly limited to the right to recover damages, if any, in an action at law.

14. Indemnification. You will indemnify and hold Released Parties (as defined below) harmless from and against any and all claims, damages or expenses related to your violation of these Official Rules, and/or these representations and warranties and from and against any demands, actions, causes of action, damages, costs or expenses brought against or suffered or incurred by the Sponsor or Released Parties arising out of or in connection with your participation in this Contest, or the use, in whole or in part, by the Sponsor or any Released Party of your Entry (or portion thereof) submitted by you in this Contest. 

15. Request for List of Winning Entries: For a list of Winning Entries (available for thirty (30) days after Winners are announced) visit https://walmartone.votigo.com/WeArtWalmart . 

16. Reporting Alleged Copyright Infringements: Pursuant to federal law and under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”), Sponsor has a process by which any party who believes that his/her/its copyrighted material is being infringed may provide Sponsor with notice and request a takedown. In order to do so, please contact Sponsor's Copyright Agent in accordance with the instructions available at http://help.walmart.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8/~/walmart.com-terms-ofus%20e#DMCA . All such requests will be handled pursuant to the procedures outlined at the link immediately above. 

17. For residents of India: Entrants have the right to access, withdraw, and correct their personal data and under certain circumstances to oppose the collection or processing of the information and request the status of Sponsor's use or sharing of Entrant’s personal information. Entrants may request such action by contacting Sponsor. To exercise these rights, you may write to:[email protected]. The personal data will be stored by Sponsor on servers located within the United States. 

18. Rules of Record/Jurisdiction . These Official Rules are the rules of record for the We Art Walmart Photo Contest and all Entries, these Official Rules, and the Contest are governed solely and exclusively under U.S. law. Except where prohibited, by participating in the Contest and agreeing to these Official Rules, each Entrant hereby agrees that: (a) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Contest or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas or the appropriate State Court located in Benton County, Arkansas; (b) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering this Contest not to exceed fifty US Dollars (US$50.00), but in no event attorneys’ fees; and (c) under no circumstances will participant be permitted to obtain awards for, and participant hereby waives all rights to claim, indirect, punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of the participant and Sponsor in connection with the Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Arkansas, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the State of Arkansas or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Arkansas.

19. Severability. If any provision of these Official Rules is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby and shall continue in full force and effect and such provision may be modified or severed from these Official Rules to the extent necessary to make such provision enforceable and consistent with the remainder of these Official Rules.

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Watch CBS News

Bomb threat at Antelope Walmart prompts store to be evacuated

By Cecilio Padilla

Updated on: June 3, 2024 / 9:18 AM PDT / CBS Sacramento

SACRAMENTO COUNTY – An Antelope-area Walmart store was evacuated on Monday morning due to a bomb threat, authorities say.

The incident happened at the store at 7901 Watt Avenue.

According to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to investigate a reported bomb threat. A suspect has been detained by deputies.

Walmart at 7901 Watt Avenue has been evacuated due to a bomb threat. Suspect is detained. Traffic on Watt Avenue stopped near U Street as Deputies work to safely secure the suspect’s backpack. EOD en route. pic.twitter.com/u02h91R2MA — Sacramento Sheriff (@sacsheriff) June 3, 2024

Explosive Ordinance Disposal crews investigated the suspect's backpack. The item has since been cleared, the sheriff's office says. 

Due to the situation, traffic on Watt Avenue was stopped near U Street.  

Cecilio Padilla is a digital producer for CBS Sacramento and a Sacramento-area native who has been covering Northern California for more than a decade.

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• child sex assault

75-year-old man accused of enticing 12-year-old girl into Walmart dressing room, court docs show

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A man accused of luring a 12-year-old girl into a Walmart dressing room was arrested on Thursday, according to court documents.

Paul Palacios, 75, has been charged with enticing a child with the intent to commit a felony.

Court documents show that Palacios was notified not to return to the Walmart store at 4412 North Freeway. Ten minutes later, he made an attempt to persuade a 12-year-old girl to go into the dressing room with him.

This is not the first time the suspect has been accused of an incident involving a child. According to records, Palacios was currently on parole after being sentenced to 20 years for the aggravated sexual assault of a child in 2016.

On Saturday, Palacios was released from the Harris County Jail after no probable cause was found in the case.

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