Photography On Safari
Choosing Your Safari Photography Equipment
The following tips should help you capture truly memorable photographs on your African safari — whether you're shooting on a professional DSLR, a compact camera, or simply your smartphone.
Cameras, Lenses and Equipment for Every Style of Traveller
There are three broad types of camera to consider for a safari: smartphones, compact cameras, and mirrorless or DSLR cameras.
Smartphones: Modern smartphone cameras have improved enormously and are more than capable of capturing wonderful safari memories, wide landscape shots and photos of your group. Their limitation is zoom — even the best smartphone cameras struggle to get a genuinely close, sharp shot of wildlife at a distance. If a phone is your only camera, consider a clip-on telephoto lens attachment, or simply enjoy the moment through your own eyes and let your guide's expertise do the rest.
Compact Cameras: For travellers who want something more capable than a phone but don't want the bulk or complexity of an interchangeable-lens system, a modern "bridge" or superzoom compact is an excellent choice. Look for a model with a substantial optical zoom range — ideally covering wide-angle through to at least 400-600mm equivalent — good image stabilisation, and reliable autofocus for fast-moving subjects. These cameras are light, simple to use, and won't break the bank.
Mirrorless and DSLR Cameras: For the more serious photographer, a mirrorless or DSLR system remains the gold standard for safari photography. These cameras demand a working knowledge of aperture, ISO, white balance and depth of field — though nearly all offer excellent automatic modes if you'd rather let the camera do the thinking. Yes, you'll spend more on the body and lenses, but the results genuinely justify the investment. Photography, it must be said, is rarely a cheap hobby.
Our best piece of advice, regardless of type: try to handle a camera before you buy it, if you can. The one that feels right in your hands is very often the one you'll enjoy using most.
Lenses
- A good wide-angle lens (roughly 10-20mm or 17-55mm) for landscapes, sunrises and sunsets
- A good telephoto zoom (roughly 100-400mm or 150-600mm) for animals and birds that won't come close to the vehicle
- A macro lens (around 90-100mm), if you're keen on photographing insects and plants up close
Do not forget to bring plenty of memory cards — and ideally a portable hard drive or backup device if you're shooting for more than a few days, along with spare batteries and a charger with the correct plug adapter for your destination.
Filters & Batteries
Don't get too carried away with filters. A basic UV filter to protect the front element of your lens, and a polarising filter for cutting glare and deepening skies, are really all you need.
Batteries: Bring plenty of spares for your camera body and any flash units. Most lodges offer charging facilities, and some safari vehicles even have built-in charger points — but always carry a spare battery pack regardless, particularly on remote or multi-day itineraries where charging opportunities may be limited.
Protection and Insurance
Protecting your equipment is essential on safari — dust, moisture, rugged terrain and corrugated roads can all take their toll on a camera. A padded camera bag is the simplest solution, and wrapping individual items in a t-shirt, cloth or small towel inside your bag helps stop equipment from knocking against itself.
Always insure your camera equipment. Most standard home contents policies will cover it, though you'll usually need to declare the specific items to your insurer to have them added to your policy. It's also worth adding your camera gear to your travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
Cultural Interaction
Please be courteous and respectful when photographing people. We'd always suggest asking permission first — a far safer and more considerate approach than risking upsetting someone.
Never photograph police or army personnel, border posts, army barracks or police stations. This is one of the surest ways of finding yourself in serious trouble.
Binoculars
Binoculars are an absolute must on any safari and should be automatically packed for every walk, game drive, or simply driving between destinations — you never know what you might spot. It's always best to have your own pair rather than relying on a shared set.
10x magnification or higher is best for serious birding, while 7x or 8x is generally more than sufficient for wildlife viewing and scanning the wider bushveld or savannah.
Bring Home Photographs You'll Treasure Forever
Whatever equipment you choose, the real secret to great safari photography is patience, good light and an experienced guide who knows exactly where to position your vehicle. Tell us about the safari you're planning, and we'll match you with lodges and guides renowned for exceptional wildlife sightings and photographic opportunities.
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