Whether you are a keen photographer with all the latest gear or a beginner longing to try out the family camera then a safari might be just the thing for you. Safaris in general are fantastic holidays to capture on film – with the epic scenery and the fantastic wildlife being the main focus. You don’t need lots of fancy gear but if you have a proper digital SLR already and you are keen to take some really smashing shots then we would recommend a zoom lens for wildlife close ups and a wide-angle lens for capturing the vast African savannah. Mind you sometimes the wildlife comes a lot closer than you might expect! With cheetahs sitting on car roofs and lions lying in the middle of the road you might just get the kind of close up photo that professionals only dream of!
You can book specific photographic safaris with a tutor and guide as some of our camps and lodges do offer special courses (Karen Blixen Camp in Kenya). But anyone who goes on a safari is going to get their camera out to capture some of the fantastic memories that you are creating. Our safari guides are all fantastic at helping you take great photographs and will often point out some good angles and viewpoints for you, and will usually try and get as close as possible. They also know all the best views of the stunning local scenery and will stop with plenty of time for photos to be taken at leisure.
Another advantage of the safari as a great photographic opportunity is the time of day. You will usually go on game drives at dawn and at dusk as this is when the animal activity is at its peak. These are also the best times of day for some truly atmospheric shots. The light you get at dawn and dusk will transform you photos into works of art. With long shadows and that wonderful pinky-orange glow you get – everything will look even more striking. The light is one of Africa’s greatest assets – a clear, clean light that works wonders on photos.
Other great photographic opportunities on safari include things like hot-air balloon trips. You can travel across the African savannah at a wonderfully slow pace, usually at dawn, and the game viewing is done from above. Other unique photo opportunities arise around the annual migration with millions of wildebeest on the move at one time. Not to mention the fantastically photogenic predators that follow them such as the lion, leopard, cheetah and crocodile. The best places for watching the annual migration are the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya. Perhaps you will come across a majestic herd of elephants or one of the rare black rhino. Maybe you will be lucky enough to see a lion cub or an elusive leopard. No matter what, when out and about on safari do not forget to take your camera!
