5 Essential Tips for Photographers on Safari

I recently went on a trip to Akagera National Park in Rwanda. This was my first trip solely focused on wildlife photography, and it was an eye-opening experience. I learned a great deal from this adventure, and I'm excited to share five essential tips for photographers planning to go on safari. These tips will help you capture stunning wildlife shots while ensuring that both you and your gear are prepared for the unique challenges of safari photography. 1. Have Your Settings Ready When you're on safari, you'll encounter various types of animals in different lighting conditions. It's crucial to have your camera settings ready to adapt quickly to these changing scenarios. One of the most important settings to consider is the shutter speed. Wildlife, especially birds and fast-moving animals, can appear suddenly, giving you a brief window to capture the shot. Always have your camera set to a high shutter speed just in case one of these animals suddenly appears and you only have seconds to get the shot. Remember, you can always lower your shutter speed if you need to, but you might not always have time to raise it in those time-sensitive situations.

I will probably get in trouble for this one, but if you're a beginner don't be afraid of the dreaded "auto" setting. While it is very important to learn and know your settings, there is nothing wrong with switching to auto in fast situation to make sure you get the shot. Once you know you have something you can go into your manual settings and make more intentional decisions.

I only had a couple seconds to get this mother and baby walking by our jeep

2. Protect Against Dust The environment on safari is often dusty, and this fine dust can get all over you and your gear. Protecting your equipment from dust is vital to ensure it functions properly and lasts longer. I used a rain cover from on my old backpacks to wrap my camera when it wasn't in use. This helped shield it from the dust. Although, it is nearly impossible to protect from it entirely. It is for this reason that is is crucial to clean your gear every night to remove any accumulated dust, so make sure to pack a blower and a microfiber cloth. If possible, use lenses with internal zoom mechanisms and some kind of weather proofing. For instance, I shot with the Sony 200-600mm lens, and it really took some stress away not having to worry about the dust every time I wanted to zoom in or out. 3. Be Patient Patience is crucial when photographing any wildlife. In the midst of a safari's excitement it's tempting to snap away and move on, but the secret is to wait. Not every creature is camera-ready immediately; some require time to grow comfortable with your presence. Wildlife is smart; they can discern something pointed their way, even if it's harmless. Allow them a moment to get acquainted with your presence and give you the perfect shot. Consider my encounter with a leopard... His tail had been spotted in the brush by another Jeep. We stopped next to them to see if we would have any luck spotting it ourselves. Even just being 15 or so feet away, the camouflage of a leopard is so effective we couldn't see anything. The other Jeep gave up on the search and left the area. It was my guide Nshuti who suggested we turn the car off and wait another 10-20 minutes. After about ten minutes of waiting I head a faint crunch in the distance and briefly saw a flash of a Leopard face through the trees. We both rushed to our feet and looked out the roof for any other signs, but we saw nothing. Not losing hope we stood there silently and waited. Suddenly, to our surprise, the Leopard walked out from the cover of the trees and walked directly across the road in front of us. As he reached the other side he stopped for a moment and looked directly at us. The moment captured on camera, before disappearing again for good.

Without patience this shot would never have been possible

4. Stability is Key Most safaris involve spending a lot of time in a jeep, which can be quite shaky, even on smooth roads. Stabilizing your camera is essential for sharp photos, especially when using long lenses. Some safari tours provide bean bags that you can rest your camera on to absorb vibrations. Make sure to ask them ahead of time if this is an option and prepare accordingly. If not, you can use a rolled-up sweatshirt or shirt to help steady your camera. Don't hesitate to ask your guide to cut the engine when you're trying to take a shot. Even if the car is parked and you don't feel like it is shaking a lot, the vibrations from the engine can blur your photos considerably.

The engine was off here, so I did not need a bag or clothing to stabilize, but you can see where it would go

5. Burst Shooting

Wildlife can move quickly, and you won't always have time to compose the perfect shot. Using your camera's burst shooting mode increases your chances of capturing the perfect moment. This method also means you will need to bring plenty of storage on your trip, Conclusion

Photography on safari presents unique challenges, but with the right preparation and mindset, you can capture incredible wildlife shots. By having your settings ready, protecting against dust, being patient, stabilizing your camera, and using burst shooting, you'll be well-equipped to make the most of your safari photography experience. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or a beginner, these tips will help you create stunning images that tell the story of your adventure. Happy Shooting! Have you been on safari before? Let me know your thoughts on these tips in the comments below!