A Guide to Wildlife Photography on Safari

You have booked your trip, countdown to departure, and packing lists are ready and excitement growing by the day. You review the itinerary and lodges you will be staying at and marvel at the beautiful wildlife photos shown.

Close-ups of Lions with playful cubs, a Zebra’s fine black and white stripes, the textures of an Elephant’s tough trunk skin, and even a video of a leopard climbing up a tree with its fresh prey, to hide from fellow predators.

You remember your travel manager asking if you are interested in photography while travelling. But of course… who is not while visiting the beautiful African continent?

So you pack your phone as a photo device, surely if you can use it at home, it is good enough on safari too?
Well, yes and no.

One of the most important tips I love to share with fellow travellers is to keep in mind that the wildlife photos you see on travel and safari lodge websites are probably taken by Professional Photographers, with proper photo gear and long lenses (not phones), photographers who waited patiently at wildlife sightings and always had their cameras ready to shoot.

The photos you see are most probably also the few best selected from thousands of photographs taken.

Do we all have to lug around heavy packs with professional photography gear to have good photo memories? No, but it does help to know a little bit about the opportunities you may have and arrive prepared.

This is a comparison between capturing a leopard in a tree  trunk taken with a mobile phone vs taken with my Canon EOS 5D Mark IV camera

1. Mobile Phone Camera
   I use mine for general travel photos, rural areas, cities, landscapes, video memories – even on safari. Also good for sharing on the go.Plus one of the below:
2. A Bridge Camera
   This is a good option for someone who wants zoom capability but does not want to worry about changing lenses on a big camera and complicating things.Or
3. An SLR Camera
   The big camera is where you can change lenses. Our suggestion for great wildlife photos!

Some newer models have the option of sharing to your phone so you can share on social media on the go.

Bridge camera for wildlife and travel, an example is the Sony – RX10-IV-with AF-25x-optical-zoom or Panasonic LUMIX Super Zoom Bridge Camera DMC-FZ2000

If you do want to venture into the bigger SLR or mirrorless cameras, consider these:

• Entry-level options:  Canon EOS R7 (mirrorless) or Canon EOS 90D (DSLR)
• Canon 7D ii – older model but still a very popular one for wildlife
• Canon 5D iv – much heavier, but great for wildlife
• Nikon D850

Ps, you will need to buy lenses for the above mentioned cameras or rent them at your destination.

• Mobile phone: And a little cloth to clean its lenses. A good phone protection case and maybe even a sling to hang phone around your neck works great while on safari to not drop your phone.  Plus:
• 2 Camera bodies – DSLR, or mirrorless – with/without converters
• 1 Wide angle lens – 24-105mm, or a basic 18-135 to cover all ranges
• 1 Long lens – 70-200mm, 100-400mm (my favourite for wildlife photos, but heavy), 70-300mm (a more cost-effective lens)
• Memory cards – bring more than you think you will need
• Batteries – 2 per camera and a charger
• Lens hoods
• Accessories like cables, chargers, card reader…
• A blower or a cloth/duster for cameras and lenses – to keep things clean – ESSENTIAL!
• Scarf or cloth to wrap the camera in while on dusty drives.
• Backpack to hold it all safely (also used as a general travel backpack)

Here are some of my personal photos taken over time on my mobile vs taken on my camera:

Most safari lodges and camps provide proper electricity in your room/tent. It may be that they run on solar energy and have one shared charging station at a central area (away from your room). Please make sure to bring charger as well as adaptor plug to fit the local electricity supply.

When you are out on a full day safari, there will be no charging opportunities. Ensure to bring enough batteries (we suggest 2 per camera).

If you are travelling in East Africa, Southern Africa you may be travelling by small plane with very limited weight allowances. Travellers are generally allowed a maximum of 15-20kg (33-44lbs) for all luggage – that’s all luggage, checked-in, carry-on, as well as cameras.

Here’s a link to view our luggage to use on a safari guideline.

If you pack anything like me you will know that 2 camera bodies, 2 lenses and some gear already take at least 5kg (11lbs).

If you need extra weight allowance for photography gear please discuss with your travel manager as you do have the option to buy up luggage allowances.

RENTING GEAR:

Some luxury lodges have photographic rental options at the lodge, while another option would be to rent gear in the first town you stop (then return on your way out).

Speak to your Travel Manager to help you figure out the most suitable option.

* I was recently hosted by GreatPlainsConservation and stayed at their Selinda and Okavango Explorer’s Camp. They supply all guests with a Camera body and 100-400mm lens to use while staying in their reserve camps.