A photographic safari in Africa is truly a photographer’s dream, and being able to photograph at close range the beautiful variety of iconic wildlife, wide and variegated landscapes, and the gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, is on the bucket-list of many photographers.
Both amateur and experienced photographers will benefit from the immense visual inspiration that abounds across the diverse African continent, and being able to take advantage of the unique sightings which and African photographic safari brings you will add immensely to your experience.
Wildlife photography in the African bush is an immersive experience that you would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in the world.
This is because, while there are amazing global photographic destinations all over the globe, there is a special wildness, vibrancy, and aesthetic wonderment that makes Africa unique.
On an African photographic safari you will have the opportunity to shoot amazing close-range wildlife experiences that will make all the difference to your portfolio.
The special view of a cheetah stalking its prey, of elephant herds emerging from a camel thorn forest, of lion cubs playing across the wide Savannah, or of the elegant giraffe silhouetted beside a thorn against the rich canvas of an African sunset, are sightings which remain at the top of the list for many photographers.
African photographic safaris attract numerous likeminded photographic enthusiasts who share the same passion, lending itself to an inspiring experience of camaraderie amongst like-minded individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Being able to spend time with other individuals who share your passion also affords the ability to learn about different photographic techniques and approaches, allowing you to leave with more than you came with.
Added to this, photographic safaris are often headed by extremely experienced photographic guides, who are specialists in lending their expertise, showing you the tricks of the African wildlife photography trade, and who are also able to locate the best positions for getting that perfect shot every time.
A photographic safari in Africa is a game-changing educational experience where you are able to learn as you go and apply your new skills immediately. In this way, you are able to develop your camera skills, master your angles, and practice a whole new range of styles, all with the most amazing wildlife right at the other end of your lens.
And because Africa abounds with wildlife, one failed shot can quickly be retaken until you have mastered the moment, while the variegated African canvas of immense landscapes, high mountains, far vistas and open skies means you can try new photographic styles you would not be able to attempt as easily elsewhere in the world.
Photographic guides are dedicated to helping you get the best shot possible, which is usually done through a friendly coaching experience in the vehicle, as they explain the camera settings they use and share the special techniques which they have mastered in the field.
Photographic safaris can also be booked with tailored photographic workshops for photographers of every style and experience level, so that beginners and seasoned professionals alike can get the most out of the experience.
These workshops often cover the most important aspects of wildlife photography, such as the fundamentals of exposure, creative control of exposure, composition, detailed autofocus settings and much more.
Added to this, many guides will teach you fieldcraft in order to learn how to work ethically and safely with different types of wildlife, while also being able to predict their behaviour so that you are ready for the perfect photographic moment every time.
In this way, photographers of all backgrounds and experience levels can learn the special craft of wildlife photography, and optimise the complexities of their camera for this special arena, so that you are always primed for the perfect shot.
On these photographic safaris you will be able to benefit from being guided by a professional wildlife photographer, who is committed not only to ensuring that you get the best possible shot every time, but also to making sure that every participant has the opportunity to improve their skills.
These safaris are usually conducted in small groups to allow for a personal and catered approach, so that everyone in the vehicle is able to benefit from their guide.
Added to this, these guides have many years of experience in the field and in navigating the terrain, allowing them to bring you to places you would not have otherwise been able to locate, to position the vehicle at the best vantage point in terms of lighting and angle, and to offer a holistic learning experience that integrates all the fascinating complexities of African wildlife.
While regular wildlife safaris do afford great opportunities for taking amazing shots, photographic safaris are tailored towards ensuring the right light and angles are included in their approach, and dedicate a large amount of time to photographing wildlife.
While regular safaris will often move on before you have been able to ensure your perfect shot, on photographic safaris the guides remain in place to ensure that all participants have managed to find the angles and position for that perfect snap.
Since photography is the primary goal on these safaris, you are guaranteed the best possible conditions available on the trip, and safaris will typically set out in the early morning or the late afternoon when the light is right and when the animals are at their most active.
At the same time, because you are travelling with other photographers, you get to share the trip with individuals who are equally enthusiastic about finding the best photographic opportunities, making for a more enhanced photographic experience than you would find on a regular safari.
Photographers are often interested in spending larger amounts of time with an individual species, rather than seeing as much of the Big 5 in one day, allowing the guides to approach these animals from various different perspectives and lighting angles, and to spend enough time with them to benefit from the full scope of their behaviour.
The Kruger National Park is one of the most popular and iconic wildlife destinations in Africa, which is feted for its pristine natural surrounds and the amazing sightings of Africa’s Big 5, as well as numerous other wildlife species.
There are some amazing photographic safaris available in the Kruger Park, which, with its wide scope and easy access to wildlife sightings, makes for an excellent photographic destination.
These photographic safaris will take you far from the usual throng of tourists located in the more public areas of the park to rustic private lodges, some of which are nestled in private concessions, and along the foothills of breath-taking mountain ranges.
With a myriad of beautiful, natural and private watering holes, photographers are able to take in a stunning visual of lion prides, elephants and buffalo which gather at the water’s edge, while the deep hues of the sunset and sunrise create a gorgeous backdrop to your photographic canvas.
Zimanga Game Reserve, located in the verdant reaches of the KwaZulu-Natal province, is unique for being the first game reserve in South Africa which was designed to cater to wildlife photographers.
This pristine natural wonderland boasts luxurious and exceptionally located photographic hides, and all five of Zimanga’s hides provide stunning photographic perspectives. As such, these hides were conceptualised by award-winning wildlife photographer, Bence Mate, who is also a hide expert.
The hides at Zimanga are particularly popular with bird photographers, who are perfectly positioned to capture over 400 bird species with their bazooka lenses, while the reserve also boasts crocodiles, cheetah, elephant and the princess of wildlife subjects, the elusive and photogenic leopard.
Located in the gorgeous and untouched wild of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, Pumba Private Game Reserve is one of the newest additions to the excellent Big 5 reserves located in a Maleria-free region of the country.
Photographic guests at Pumba can take part in superb and extremely affordable wildlife photographic workshop which are tailored towards photographic enthusiasts who want to learn how to make the most out of shooting with a DLSR camera.
These safaris also provide superb Canon equipment which can be rented for the purposes of the photographic excursion, allowing enthusiasts who do not yet have access to top-level equipment to still make the most of their trip, and learn all the complexities of wildlife photography from a trained guide.
These guides consist of renowned professional wildlife photographers with years of experience in the industry, providing a rare opportunity to learn tips and tricks from industry experts, who also give comprehensive photographic presentations at the lodge to make for a full-bodied learning experience.
Pumba is abundant with wildlife, and photographers seeking unique wildlife shots will be especially enthralled by the reserve’s resident pride of extremely rare white lions.
Located in the beautiful and pristine Waterberg Region of the Limpopo province of South Africa, Welgevonden Game Reserve is another malaria-free Big 5 destination made spectacular by jagged antediluvian rock formations, deep valleys and verdant vegetation.
The reserve also boasts more than 2000 plant species, which makes it a fanstastic destination for wildlife and landscape photographers alike, and for those seeking a singularly spectacular backdrop to their wildlife photographs.
The Game Reserve’s luxurious Mhondoro Game Lodge is a popular hotspot for photographers that boasts a superb photographic hide which is safely accessed from a tunnel that runs from the central lodge area, delivering you into a supremely wild area.
This stunning hide is located right in the middle of a waterhole to offer excellent low angle shots of the myriad of wildlife that gather to drink at the water’s edge.
While Namibia attracts fewer hordes of tourists than many of its African sisters, the country is one of the continent’s best-kept secrets for photographers.
Namibia boasts one of the world’s most distinctive and greatest deserts, which attracts tourists who seek a rawer and more intrepid safari experience, while being able to immerse themselves in close-range sightings the country’s fascinating wildlife that have been able to thrive in the region’s arid conditions.
While the area might seem relatively inhospitable when compared to the lush conditions of many other African countries, it provides an arresting beauty that many photographers find profoundly alluring, bringing an unmatched aesthetic to many wildlife photographic portfolios with its high, jagged mountains, deserted beaches, wide dry riverbeds, and crimson sand dune giants.
The Etosha National Park a singular African destination which is renowned for its unique, desert landscape, wide sparkling salt pans, glistening watering holes, and not least of all, the amazing and unique wildlife.
Located in the north of the country, the Etosha National Park is a 20 000 square kilometre reserve which serves as one of the best photographic destinations in Namibia. The Park may seem inhospitable at first glance, with its wide glistening salt pan that seems to create a theatre of mirages in the trembling heat of the desert air.
But the generous sprinkling of water holes located on the edge of the salt pan are a wonderful source of amazing wildlife sightings, with a wide variety of indigenous animals which are attracted in droves to the water’s edge.
As such, Etosha makes for both a breath-taking source of incredible landscape photography and wildlife photography, where photographers need only place themselves near to these watering holes to take advantage of the close sightings of lions, elephants, springbok, zebra, and gemsbok, amongst others.
A photographic safari in the Etosha National Park is an incredible place to start honing your photographic skills, while also affording you the opportunity to capture photographs that you would be hard-pressed to match elsewhere on the continent, due to Namibia’s uniquely arid landscape silhouetted by distant dunes and the scraping fingers of petrified trees.
Known as the “great white area”, Etosha offers the most extensive variety of wildlife in Namibia, due to the enormous dry salt pan in the centre of the park, with its startling contrasts in colour that create a distinctive backdrop to your wildlife photography.
The photographic safaris in Etosha are focused on the watering holes along the edge of the salt pan, and much of these excursions are also dedicated to studying animal behaviour in order to afford participants a better opportunity of capturing the perfect shot. This educational element gives participants the unique skill of anticipating behavioural changes in the wild, a fundamental aspect of successful wildlife photography, which also gives greater insight into the fascinating aspects of wildlife interaction.
The Etosha pan also attracts a wonderful variety of birdlife, which provides an interesting challenge to bird photography enthusiasts, while these safaris are accompanied by experienced photographic guides who are able to teach participants the special skill of capturing these amazing bird species in these unique conditions.
While these drives typically start early in the morning and end late in the afternoons in order to take advantage of the desert light, they are also defined by a certain element of spontaneity to follow the best photographic opportunities as they arise, and dedicate enough time to particularly photogenic wildlife moments.
In addition to the day trips, these safaris are especially attractive for the opportunities for night photography which take place at floodlit waterholes, under the rich, starry canvas of the desert sky.
These night-time excursions often take place in hides located beside the watering holes, and there is usually no time limit to the experience, allowing photographers to take full advantage of the many thrilling nocturnal wildlife events of the Namibian night.
With the dedication to education, and the rich variety of both wildlife and landscape photographic opportunities, photographic safaris in the Etosha National Park are an excellent choice for both amateur photographers and for seasoned professionals seeking to add something unique to their portfolios.
Located in the dryer reaches of Namibia and lying between the Atlantic Ocean and two deserts – the Namib in the west and the Kalahari in the east – Namibia’s arid southern region offers truly astounding landscapes.
Here you will find Sossusvlei, a wide salt and clay pan enveloped by soaring crimson dunes, and located in the southern part of the distinctive Namib Desert, in the Namib-Naukluft National Park.
The word Sossusvlei originates from two regional languages, namely Nama and Afrikaans, and literally translates to “dead-end” (from the Nama word “Sossus”) “marsh” (from the Afrikaans word “Vlei”).
“Sossusvlei” is typically used to refer to the broader surrounding areas, and also encompasses other nearby “vleis” such as Deadvlei and their neighbouring dunes, a region which has come to be a major attraction for visitors to Namibia, including the iconic Dune 45.
Photographers will benefit from making the trek to the summit of Dune 45, from where they can take advantage of the endless photographic opportunities of the burnt orange surrounds and some of most unique landscape photography in the world.
These vast, desolate and isolated reaches fill the lens for miles, while many enjoy the particular photographic challenge of trying to capture the sheer enormity of Dune 45.
The Namib-Naukluft Park is a vast and untouched wilderness area that extends for almost 50 000 square kilometres. Some of the most popular photographic sites in the Park include Sossussvlei, Sesriem, the Naukluft Mountains and the Kuiseb Canyon.
The iconic red dunes of the Namib Desert were developed over many millions of years, and their deep red sand was first deposited into the Atlantic Ocean from the historical Orange River. From here, the Benguela current brought these sands northwards, where they were returned to the land by the ocean surf and carried inland by ancient desert winds.
Continuously moulded by intense multi-directional winds, these dunes find their highest point where the Tsauchab River flows in to the vlei, hence its name meaning “dead-end marsh”. While Namibia is an extremely arid region, after particularly good rainy seasons the Tsauchab River empties into the pan, transforming it into a vast lake for a rare and remarkable sight. Here, the deep-hued sands which change in the sunlight from dusty-pink, to orange and crimson, create a startling contrast against the sparkling white of the clay pans.
These dynamic sand dunes constantly change shape with the direction of the wind, and the giants that enfold Sossusvlei are referred to as “star-dunes’ due to the multi-directional shaping of their angles.
The endless and unpeopled landscape allows visitors to experience a profound and visceral sense of silence, and of the vastness of the desert wilderness. The enormous red dunes of Sossusvlei are one of Namibia’s top destinations, these giants being a beloved source of inspiration for artists and photographers alike, whose soaring star-shaped crowns merge with the rich canvas of stars in the desert night.
Here you will find the Dead Vlei pan, a vast spectral reach of dry white clay silhouetted by the ghostly figures of ancient camel-thorn trees.
Deadvlei is the ancient remainder of a dry river artery that disappeared hundreds of years ago, and became filled over time with sands delivered by the desert wind to form the present-day dunes. But Deadvlei’s most intriguing and achingly beautiful sight is the 900 year old fossilized acacia trees that are dotted throughout the basin, an ancient forest petrified in time.
The spectacular contrast of stark white clay, blackened clawing trees, orange sands and wide blue skies make for a photographer’s dreamscape, an ancient and unique canvas that presents some truly arresting photographic opportunities.
Many who visit this area captured in time are filled with a sense of reverence for the enduring nature of the desert, a surreal landscape that almost seems to have been dreamed up in the artist’s imagination.
As such, Deadvlei is one of the star attractions for photographers from all over the world, and photographic safaris typically visit the location just as the sunrise begins to break over the dramatic vista of dead trees contrasting against the morning shadows of the petrified forest and the morning warmth on the dunes.
On these excursions, photographers are taken on a guided walk up some of the smaller dunes to make a circuit to capture the landscape from a higher angles. These trips then include a stop at Sossusvlei and an afternoon tour of the nearby Seisreim Canyon, to capture these variegated rocky passages in the rich afternoon light.
While self-drive safaris are available, it is recommended to take full advantage of guided safaris in order to find the best locations and benefit from the learning experience of the professional photographic guides.
Just some of the possibilities on these safaris include fantastic colours and breath-taking landscapes, exciting team building activities, and the photographing of Namibia’s unique wildlife. Some safaris also offer aerial photography from a hot air balloon for some truly dramatic shots.
All in all, a photographic safari to the Namib Desert allows you to breathe freely and take full measure of the immense horizons of the desert, while capturing the ever-changing colours of the flowing sands as they transition from pink to mauve to blood-red, immersed in the serene beauty of one of Africa’s most captivating landscapes.
Namibia’s mysterious Skeleton Coast is a remarkable photographic destination, where safaris take place from luxurious camps flanked by rugged hills that overlook startling and stark scenic beauty.
On many of these photographic safaris, participants are able to access and photograph both inland and coastal scenery, providing an interesting backdrop to Namibian wildlife photography.
In this remote area, tourists are offered an immersive photographic experience without the distractions of wifi or mobile service, while being able to enjoy a catered excursion equipped with luxurious amenities.
The regional Hoanib River also makes for some beautiful landscape photography, while on these safaris participants will be able to enjoy such amazing highlights as tracking desert elephants, observing the lone desert lions, or capturing the elegant angle of a giraffe against the stark backdrop of Namibia’s stark landscape.
Following the Skeleton Coast, many safaris move on to private camps at Namibia’s northernmost border where you will get the opportunity to encounter the gorgeous and compelling regional Himba cultural group.
The last true nomadic tribe of Namibia, the Himba people make for some fascinating photographic subjects, and these safaris typically dedicate enough time to fully explore the local villages and photograph their traditional way of life.
Added to this, photographers will find opportunities to capture local wildlife such as ostrich, gemsbok and springbok against the vast and expansive terrain.
Botswana is one of Africa’s most popular photographic destinations which abounds with wildlife, untouched bush scenery, and a natural, unpeopled landscape.
Botswana offers diverse photographic opportunities, from the vast pristine reaches of the Kalahari Desert to the watery tapestry of the Okavango Delta and the otherworldly salt pans at Makgadikgadi.
These spectacular landscapes create gorgeous backdrops to the wide diversity of wildlife, allowing photographers to capture some of Africa’s most iconic animals in a true bush setting.
Apart from being an unspoilt wildlife destination, Botswana’s Okavango Delta is famous as a photographic safari destination for its rich variety of dramatic landscapes, wide herds of plains game and diverse birdlife.
The Delta remains abundant with water, making it a wonderful wildlife photography destination for the rich diversity of animal species which gather at the water’s edge, and create some truly amazing photographic opportunities.
The Okavango Delta’s dynamic ecosystem means that there are a variety of photographic opportunities present throughout the year. At the beginning of the dry season, the flood waters of the river bring a distinct diversity of animals and birdlife, while each changing season gives something new to the sightings.
The Okavango Delta boasts a variety of stunning lodges and camps, from which photographic safaris are typically conducted. More intrepid photographers can also opt for a self-drive excursion, but on the whole photographers will benefit from the expertise of a professional guide who is also familiar with the terrain and with the best locations for photographic opportunities.
These private guides can be arranged on an initial booking to ensure enough time dedicated to observing and photographing wildlife and benefiting from lessons on the dynamics of animal behaviour. Participants can also select a guide best suited to their experience levels, ranging from more standard guides to full-on photographic professionals.
When packing for your photographic safari, keep in mind that participants travel to the Okavango Delta on light aircraft with limited luggage capacity, but your luggage requirements can be discussed in greater detail with your tour operator.
Due to the amazing closeness of wildlife sightings at the Delta, a range of equipment can be used for a variety of shots. Amateur photographers can achieve fantastic results from mid-range digital equipment, but of course, having a variety of lenses up to 400 mm enhances your ability to capture all the complexities of the African bush.
With so much to photograph, it’s important to come with enough memory cards, and a tripod or beanbag will aid you in stabilizing your larger equipment.
Uganda offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience totally unlike your typical African photographic safari, being home to approximately half of the remaining population of endangered mountain gorillas in the country’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
A photographic safari to Bwindi is a truly intrepid excursion, with much of the park’s dense forest only accessible on foot.
Located in Western Uganda, this is a spectacular setting with dramatic landscapes and lush vegetation, which also offers a variety of other wildlife as well as beautiful birdlife. The highlight of the trip remains the opportunity to photograph the elusive and impressive mountain gorillas.
The Park provides a limited number of tracking permits for each day, so that participants would do best joining guided hikes to locate the mountain gorillas for incredible close range encounters in their dense natural habitat.
A mountain gorilla safari in Uganda can also be combined with differentiated photographic safaris, with fantastic opportunities to photograph chimpanzees, and smaller primate species.
Participants who come to photograph these fascinating creatures will be able to enjoy close-range shots with a camera that performs best in low light, as the Ugandan forests are known for being dark and close.
As such, a zoom lens of 70 to 200 mm in range is perfect for getting close-range shots, and photographers will also benefit from bringing two camera bodies with their own lenses. This is because you typically won’t have a lot of time to change your lenses when the gorillas are on the move.
It is also important to keep in mind that flash photography is not permitted on these excursions, in order to provide for a safe and ethical experience that does not intrude on the gorillas’ interactions.
The Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in the same region as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, but offers another opportunity to photograph a rare African wildlife sight, namely tree-climbing lions.
Located in sprawling East African savannah, the Park also offers a wealth of other wildlife species, as well as beautiful birdlife.
Well regarded as one of the best photographic safari destinations in Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park boasts scintillating vistas of East African savannah dotted with high palm trees.
Here, photographers can capture animal and bird life along the iconic Victoria Nile as well as stunning shots of the arresting Murchison Falls.
With all three of these Parks, it is important to ensure that you arrive with all the gear that you will require on your safari, as they are situated in remote locations. To this end, be sure to include spare memory cards, and a spare battery for multi-day excursions.
Photographers hoping to capture landscape shots should also be sure to include a lightweight tripod, and a beanbag for steadying your equipment while shooting from a vehicle.
Kenya is synonymous for many with the quintessential African safari, famous for its open savannah which is richly populated with elephants and lions, providing for the typical picture of a pristine African paradise.
The sheer wealth of wildlife diversity makes for an excellent photographic safari, where participants can capture epic shots of a range of big cats, buffalo, zebra and elephants.
However, a feature of many wildlife photographers’ bucket-list is a trip to the annual Great Migration across the Masai Mara and Serengeti. During this awe-inspiring wildlife spectacle, over one million wildebeest, zebra, and antelope migrate across the plains between July and October in search of new grazing.
This breath-taking sight is a life-changing experience for all who witness it, with the many-hooved thundering of passing animals as they make their journey towards greener pastures.
For many photographers who come to photograph the Great Migration, one of the highlights is the opportunity to photograph the thrilling events that surround the many predators who come to take advantage of the passing herds of prey animals, making it one of the most sought-after events for most wildlife photographers.
Photographic safaris to the Great Migration often bring participants right to the heart of the action, affording the opportunity to capture up to 1.9 million wildebeest as well as massive herds of zebra, all moving with single-minded determination towards their destination.
During this event there is a wealth of other diverse wildlife, allowing photographers to capture stalking carnivores and foraging prey animals, and many photographers enjoy the thrilling opportunity to capture the Mara lions with their distinctive black manes.
Other wildlife sightings include topi, kongoni, Thompson’s and Grant’s gazelle, waterbuck and primates, which provide a diverse photographic canvas. Added to this, there is also an abundance of colourful birdlife, including such distinctive and elusive species as Ruppell’s griffon, and a variety of vulture species such as the lappet-faced vulture.
Making for especially enthralling viewing is the fact that many of these photographic safaris take you to the Mara River when the herds make their crossing of these often dangerous waters, an event which attracts a wide variety of predators such as lions, leopard, cheetah an hyena, all making a bid for this fast-paced crossing.
These prey animals are driven by an overriding instinct to keep crossing the river, so that it remains an action packed and enthralling visual feast. The result is the opportunity to photograph an intense struggle of life and death between thousands of animals.
These photographic safaris are accompanied by highly expert and adept photographic guides who will be able to direct you towards the action and ensure that you are perfectly positioned to capture this life-changing spectacle of the wild.
Some of these photographic safaris are also led by true Maasai driver guides who have an instrumental insight into the complex workings of animal behaviour, and are able to place photographers at a distinct advantage.
As such, the skill of capturing wildlife shots during this highly fast-paced and complex natural event remains with the insight and understanding of animal behaviour, which these photographic guides are dedicated to sharing with every participant for unprecedented action shots.
All in all, the Maasai Mara is one of the most enthralling photographic safari destinations in the world, an event which is fully enhanced by an excursion on a specialist safari, often in customized vehicles.
These specially designed vehicles feature swivel chairs and unobstructed views, and some of them also come with air conditioning and a selection of beverages and refreshments.
Photographers can also book a specialist photographic guide who will share expert tips and tricks on how to make the most out of this truly unforgettable wildlife experience.