tips for safari

“When planning a first-time safari people often want to hit the highlights, like the first trip to Europe, but there is something to be said for visiting the lesser-known parks and getting away from the trodden tourist circuit...I see travelers wanting to replicate something their neighbors or friends did when traveling to Africa but trust your trip designer to design the right safari for you, which might differ from that of folks back home. We sometimes get so caught up in ticking boxes that we miss the point.” - Christine Tucker, Africa Expert,  Butterfield & Robinson

“Don’t feel the need to experience all of Africa the first time. Ideally, devote the experience to one country and immerse yourself in it.” -Alexander Mavros, Founder and Managing Director,  Mavros Safaris

How Long Should My First Safari Be:

“It’s important to know how long you actually want to be on safari. There are a number of factors to consider, but, of course, the longer on safari the bigger the budget required. Some people are unsure about safaris so would like an introduction as part of a longer trip. South Africa, for example, can work perfectly for this, as there are so many experiences available and areas within the country, so you could just do three-night safari as a taster...If wildlife is your passion, for a first timer, I would say a week on safari is sufficient. Focus on the 2 or 3 main areas within the country that are renowned for abundant game viewing, so you can maximize your time. This could be combined with a beach stay or cultural/city experience, if you want to stay for longer. Kenya works really well for a safari and beach holiday, whilst somewhere like Botswana links really well with Victoria Falls. If this is a lifelong bucket list dream and will most probably be the only time you get to do this then by all means consider longer, but I'd still say make 10-12 nights the maximum." -Jon Ruben, Owner, Signature Safaris

“The pace of safari can be exhausting for North American travelers. Allow yourself some time on the front end to recoup from the long trip over to Africa and build in a couple of nights to get caught up on rest, so that you go into your safari trip well-rested and ready to experience it all. I see so many people looking worn out by day four of their safari because they didn’t allow themselves time upon arrival to have a layover day to rest up, rehydrate and fully be present for their trip.” - Christine Tucker, Africa Expert,  Butterfield & Robinson

“The experience varies greatly from lodge to lodge, so I would recommend staying in at least two safari lodges for three nights each. It’s important not to rush a safari holiday either as the lodges—if you pick the right one—are beautiful and you’ll need some downtime after those long game drives.” -Tessa Robinson, Africa Travel Expert, Black Tomato

Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti is under the constant protection of local Maasai tribespeople.

Who Should I Book With: How To Choose The Right Africa Tour Operators For Your First Safari

If you’re wondering whether or not to book a safari via a professional travel designer the answer is yes. Especially if you’re planning on visiting more than one lodge or destination, it’s practically mandatory to use a knowledgeable, Africa-specialized travel tour operator who will listen to your needs and put together the ideal safari itinerary for you. Here’s how to choose:

“First and foremost, book with someone who is from Africa. When someone is selling their home, it's very different from selling just any destination and this will have a tremendous impact on your trip experience. -Deborah Calmeyer, CEO and Founder, Roar Africa

“If you receive the same itinerary from several operators (highly likely), you know you’re doing more of a package and nothing special. Try and ensure your operator creates a truly tailor-made package just for you.” -Rose Hipwood, Founder, The Luxury Safari Company  

“Choose a company that doesn’t just say it contributes to conservation and local communities—but has published responsible tourism policies and reports on their work. If they aren’t serious about this, don’t book.” -Justin Francis, Founder and CEO, Responsible Travel

Sabi Sabi Selati Camp in South Africa

Where Should I Stay On Safari: How to Choose The Right Safari Lodge

There are thousands of safari lodges and camps to choose from, while your tour operator will offer suggestions, it’s important to also do your own research and understand the difference between lodges and what they offer in terms of location. Here’s what to look for before making your choice:

“Know the size of the property you will be staying in. Whether it is 3,000 acres or 30,000 acres makes all the difference to your experience while out game viewing. To ensure you have a premier safari experience, find out what level of qualifications your guides will have.” -Deborah Calmeyer, CEO and Founder, Roar Africa

“Some of the camps and lodges you come across in your early research may have very good PR machines behind them; don’t overlook some of the smaller, lesser-known camps, which are often the jewels in the crown and offer the most magical African experience.” -Rose Hipwood, Founder, The Luxury Safari Company

“It’s worth considering what type of safari is most suitable for you, whilst many safaris are in 4x4s, there are also some fantastic walking, horseback and biking safaris available for a more active experience.” - Kgomotso Ramothea, Acting Hub Head of South African Tourism UK, South African Tourism

“Travelers should consider the exclusiveness and remoteness of an area. How many other lodges are located nearby? How many other game vehicles are driving their guests around? At a private game reserve (as opposed to a public reserve or national park), the sightings tend to be more intimate; you won’t end up in a scrum with dozens of other cars trying to spot a lone animal and you will get to spend real quality time observing the animal…Also, if you want to experience more than just your usual safari, chose a lodge near a river or a dam. This will allow you to get closer to hippos and crocodiles, instead of just seeing through binoculars. It also allows you to view the land animals from a different perspective.”  -Sean Jones, Ranger, Shambala Private Game Reserve

“An important factor you may want to consider is how the local people and area might benefit from your stay. Conservation and the way it is managed is a complex subject and we favor working with lodges who genuinely involve local communities and work with them towards long-term conservation goals, while also protecting the interests of indigenous landowners.” -Samantha Gee, Africa Specialist, Red Savannah

“Safaris can be pricey, so make sure you ask the questions to see where your money is going: Are you staying in a locally owned place? Are they employing local guides and staff? Are they supporting conservation?” -Nadja du Toit, Director of Africa Operations, G Adventures

“To make sure a safari is both fun and educational for kids, find a lodge with a kids program. For example, we offer a Mini Maasai Adventure program, where Maasai Warriors at the Kids’ Club guide children in activities from Tinga Tinga paintings to shield-making and sound safaris.” -Justin Stevens, General Manager, Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti

Lion spotting on a safari game drive at andBeyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge in Botswana

What Do I Need To Know About The Wildlife: Game Drive Rules, Etiquette and Advice

On safari, most wildlife viewings happen on twice-daily game drives in 4x4 vehicles with trained guides and trackers, though if you’re lucky, you’ll also spot game at your lodge—especially if it’s fence free, as many are. Game drives happen once in the morning and then again in the evenings, when the animals are most likely to be active and visible. Here’s what you need to know about viewing the Big Five and beyond:

“Don’t under estimate the benefit of having your own private vehicle. This allows for so much more flexibility and means you can tailor your safari and focus on the species of wildlife you love the most. If budgets are a little tight, [it’s better to] spend on the private vehicle and guide and stay somewhere a little more rustic.” -Rose Hipwood, Founder of The Luxury Safari Company

“Most private game reserve safaris are in open safari vehicles, allowing for vehicles to traverse off-road and navigate the bush terrain, which allows for close encounters with high-profile sightings. It also does not restrict the view of any guests regardless of where they are sitting on the vehicle. You will find covered vehicles mostly in the national parks, which are not private, as these vehicles stick to the structured road system and by law need to remain covered.” -Jacques Smit, Marketing Director, Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve

“Ensure the guiding experience is top notch. You will spend approximately eight hours a day on a vehicle with your guide, so you will want to ensure that he or she is knowledgeable, engaging, charismatic and, above all, sensitive to the wildlife and dedicated to the safety of his or her guests at all times. Also, you’ll definitely want to research what kind of safari vehicles your lodge/operator uses. For example, our fleet of safari vehicles in Botswana has recently been upgraded and redesigned to offer the ultimate in comfort and convenience with camera bean bags on clamps for the photographers and charging points for your camera batteries and cell phones, etc.” -Claire Trickett, Editor, andBeyond

“Never ask your driver to get closer to wildlife than they feel is right or the guidelines state.” -Justin Francis, Founder and CEO, Responsible Travel

“It’s your holiday. If you have a yen to see an aardvark or sit watching a family of bat-eared foxes at their burrow, let your driver-guide know.” -Richard Trillo, East Africa Manager, Expert Africa

“When you are with our guides, be sure to ask as many questions as you can...Our people are so proud to have you in their homes as many of them grew up close by and whatever they don’t know about the natural world here probably isn’t worth knowing!” - Joshua Tough, Marketing Executive, Desert & Delta Safaris

“Be captivated by the elephants, rhinos and prides of lion but also be thrilled by the smallest dik-dik, mob of mongoose or wide-eyed bush baby.” -Maggi Smit, Managing Director, Windows on the Wild

“Not every drive will be action packed. Enjoy the quiet moments in between.” -Alexander Mavros, Founder and Managing Director,  Mavros Safaris

"Consider trying a walking safaris: Walking safaris provide a wonderful opportunity to see and experience Africa at close range. They usually take place in the early morning when the sun is low and the air is fresh. I find it gives you a much more intimate appreciation of the Africa bush than you can ever get from a vehicle-based game-drive. The wildlife seen is typically on a smaller scale. Don't expect the Big Five, but then that is the very attraction of it. Africa is both major and minor, massive and modest, large and small. It's the variety that'll surprise you."  -Vivian McCarthy, Director and Safari Specialist, Acacia Africa

What Camera Equipment Should I Bring On Safari: Photography Tips And Tricks

“Do a quick course on how best to use your camera before you travel to make sure you get that special picture of your first game sighting or that magical African sunset. It might be as simple as spending some time playing with settings and taking photos around the house. You do not want to get to your first amazing sighting and be unable to capture the moment!” -Sean Jones, Ranger, Shambala Private Game Reserve

“Lugging around camera equipment can be avoided, as many lodges offer top quality cameras to rent. (And the guides are great at teaching you how to capture that perfect shot.)” - Tessa Robinson, Africa Travel Expert, Black Tomato

“ If your Safari lodge hires out photographic equipment, check ahead and book. Pack only your camera body with the standard lens and hire the zooms. Drones are banned in most reserves so leave them at home.” -Michelle Snaddon, Safari Concierge, Perfect Hideaways

“You’ll be surprised by how up close and personal you get with the wildlife, and often your long camera lens will be a nuisance. That’s when a mobile phone is most useful, but it’s often bumpy. There are some really cool compact gimbals and stabilizers that are awesome when you’re on a bumpy 4x4 vehicle.” -James Wilson, Marketing Director, Desert & Delta Safaris 

“Don’t forget extra memory cards.” -Jacques Smit, Marketing Director, Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve

“Take a portable battery pack for your smartphone—you’ll use it to take more photos and videos than you expect.” -Richard Trillo, East Africa Manager, Expert Africa

“The best time to take photos is in the early morning and late afternoon; this is when the natural light is best. Luckily, this is also the time of day when most game drives take place.” -Armand Steyn, General Manager, Morukuru Family Madikwe

“Refrain from using flash photography for close-up photographs of the animals. You don’t want to disturb or startle our wild friends.” -Grace Wright, Marketing Manager, Turquoise Holidays

“Allow yourself to disconnect and be in the moment. The pressure to click, post and share can detract from the experience.” -Alexander Mavros, Founder and Managing Director,  Mavros Safaris

Packing for your first safari? Stick with neutrals.

What Should I Wear On Safari: A Packing And Luggage Guide

‘What should I wear on safari?’ is probably the second most common questions (after ‘where should I go on safari?’). Here’s everything you need to know about what to pack and what to leave behind:

“Think earthy colors—gray, shades of green or khaki. No brights, spots or stripes. You won’t regret it—there’s nothing worse than arriving at a lodge and looking like you didn’t get the memo, but more importantly, you’ll be safer with predators around. Packing ahead of time gives you time to shop for that fold-up hat that won’t fly off your head (be warned: safari hats are deeply unsexy; you’ll need to search for the perfect washable, crushable hat); a UV-resistant shirt (try and find a long-sleeved, shapely one with air vents); and a pair of light, closed shoes that do double duty (day and night; snake and mosquito proof), plus flip flops and sandals. Leave your precious jewelry at home. Find a lightweight duffel bag with pockets inside [duffels or soft-sided bags are best, as some small safari aircrafts don’t allow for hard-framed suitcases]. Aim for three or four outfits. Lay it all out on your bed two weeks before, pack, and then remove at least 25-percent. I promise you won’t use everything.” -Michelle Snaddon, Safari Concierge, Perfect Hideaways

“Avoid black and white, and camouflage is a definite no-go [it’s prohibited for civilians to wear in some African countries].” -Grace Wright, Marketing Manager, Turquoise Holidays

“The dream of looking like Meryl Streep in Out of Africa has come to an abrupt stop: You’ve just noticed that many fly-in safaris come with the requirement to compress your entire wardrobe into a tiny bag weighing no more than 33 pounds!...But you’ll be surprised how little you need to take since you can generally get laundry done every day, and it’s often back with you by the evening, ironed and tidily folded. Many camps decline to wash ladies underwear for cultural reasons, but there’s no need to worry since you will find soap powder provided beside the basin in most camps.”  -Alice Gully, Co-Owner, Aardvark Safaris

“Though luggage restrictions are usually quite strictly enforced, if you’re on a longer trip and have additional luggage you can sometimes leave this at the terminal free of charge until you return. Check with your airline before departing.” -Wilson Odhiambo, General Manager, Mahali Mzuri

“First timers to Africa often imagine that it will be hot all the time but the dry season—when game viewing is at its best—tends also to be cooler, so layers are the key to comfort on safari. Game drives begin just as it is starting to get light, so driving around in an open-sided vehicle can get distinctly chilly. However, as the sun rises, you’ll find yourself warming up, even in winter, and will want to remove fleeces and scarves in favor of t-shirts and sun hats. Always pack sunglasses, a hat and sun cream, and remember that you’ll get hot and dusty, so there’s no need to look your best. Avoid jeans as they are usually too hot and avoid dark blue since this color attracts tsetse flies.” -Samantha Gee, Africa Specialist, Red Savannah

“Ensure you’re comfortable as you will be spending a lot of time in a vehicle traveling around.” -Phil Ellis, Product Manager, Africa, Titan Travel

“The African sun is strong when you’re so close to the equator, so you’re going to need a hat. Baseball caps will do, but a broad-brimmed version, such as the unisex elegant fedora is better. It will save you from a painful burnt neck on game drives.” -Alice Gully, Co-Owner, Aardvark Safaris

“Bring scarfs to dress up and rework outfits. They also help with dust if you’re traveling in the dry season.” - Christine Tucker, Africa Expert,  Butterfield & Robinson

And Don’t Forget To Bring...

“Nothing beats a great pair of binoculars. Go with a pair that offers at least 8x30 magnification—that way you’ll be able to comfortably view game from afar and the images will appear crisp and vivid.” -Lucille Sive, President, Lion World Travel

“Pack hemorrhoid cream—yup, you heard me right. This will be your best friend if you get an occasional tsetse fly bite. The anesthetic qualities will reduce any itch or soreness they give you.” - Mindy Roberts, CMO, Time + Tide

What Do I Need To Know About Traveling To Africa: Visa, Vaccinations, Insurance, Etc.

“Most countries require visas (a stamp in your passport to show you have been pre-cleared to enter the country). In practice and when available, it’s usually easiest to get these on arrival. Every country is different, but if you are advised to get a visa in advance from an online portal, be sure to use the country’s official website, and not a commercial site charging extra while offering no benefit to you.” -Richard Trillo, East Africa Manager, Expert Africa

“It's important to know about medical insurance ahead of planning your first safari trip. For example, AMREF, the flying doctors organization based in Nairobi, provides air evacuation services across East Africa, as well as air ambulance transfers between medical facilities. Their planes—some fitted with operating theaters and resuscitation rooms—can take you back to Nairobi and to its modern, efficient private hospitals in less than one hour. All you need to do is to subscribe to their insurance; it costs very little and whilst it’s highly unlikely you’ll need to use it, it gives you total peace of mind.” -Wilson Odhiambo, General Manager, Mahali Mzuri

“Take anti-malaria tablets—and other travel vaccinations—when advised. Check if you need a yellow fever vaccination and if so, you may need to present the certificate when arriving (this applies to some countries and some border and air crossings).” -Richard Trillo, East Africa Manager, Expert Africa

Shadreck Nkhoma (a.k.a. Uncle Shaddy) from Time + Tide. "This is a people business first and ... [+] foremost, not a lodge business...You’ll remember how your guides and the camp team made you feel." -Mindy Roberts, CMO, Time + Tide

And Finally, Don’t Forget…

“Going on safari is as much about the people as it is the wilderness. Remember it is you the traveler that provides us our jobs. Make the most of your time by getting to know the local staff and local people and their culture. Don’t feel shy, our staff really enjoy it when guests take an interest.” -James Wilson, Marketing Director, Desert & Delta Safaris

“Make sure you know a bit of the local lingo. A few of my favorite phrases in Tswana, the Bantu language spoken in many parts of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, are: ‘ dumela ’ (hello); ‘ lekae ’ (how are you); and ‘kaleboga ’ (thank you).” -Grace Wright, Marketing Manager, Turquoise Holidays

“Keep a diary, so that you remember all of the wonderful things you have seen and experienced, as you will never remember them all.” -Maggi Smit, Managing Director, Windows on the Wild

“Don’t wait until the kids are older: Go now and foster a sense of adventure, adversity and acceptance at a young age. When planning for a family trip, slow it down with longer stays, look for places with small pools, and private concessions where there are fewer rules than national parks. Allow kids to skip early morning game drives and spend time with the gracious and engaging camp staff who will undoubtedly get them in the kitchen or looking at the small things. Bottom line: take your kids to Africa; take them on safari, and take them back again and again as each time they will gain more appreciation and understanding of our natural (and unnatural) world.”   - Christine Tucker, Africa Expert,  Butterfield & Robinson

“Ask if there are any community conservation projects that you might visit, and what support they might need.” -Justin Francis, Founder and CEO, Responsible Travel

“If you can, always carry small notes. If you can get local currency then great, but USD is king in Africa. There will always be opportunity to tip staff and guides for service, and it’s really important to tip good service and good guiding as well as you can afford to." -Peter Fisher, Chief Operating Officer, True Luxury Travel

“Buy a stargazing app for your phone. You will never see stars like it and most apps work without internet. Sky Guide is an excellent one.” -James Wilson, Marketing Director, Desert & Delta Safaris

“A big mistake first-time safari-goers make is trying to pack too much in. Leave time for Mother Nature to do her thing.” -Marc Christensen, Founder & Operations Manager, Brilliant Ethiopia  and Brilliant Uganda

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15 important things that belong on your safari packing list

First things first – you’re going on safari? CONGRATULATIONS! Safari was easily the highlight of my trip to South Africa, and is bound to be a life-changing experience for you! Safari is an amazing opportunity to connect with nature, learn about our planet, educate yourself on the plants and animals of Africa, take some killer photos, and do a serious digital detox.

Sound amazing? Let’s dive into 15 important things that absolutely belong on your safari packing list . I’m going to cover what to wear on safari, what to bring on safari, what colors are appropriate for safari, as well as what you can probably leave behind at the game lodge.

Some links in this post are to affiliate sites. If you purchase something through them, I may earn a small comission — which costs you nothing! I am very grateful when you use my links to make a purchase.

TABLE OF CONTENTS – Here’s the complete list of things to pack for safari, feel free to read through the list or just jump down for details on why you need that item and specific recommendations.

General packing tips for safari

• Safari packing list (beyond clothing!)

What to wear on safari

Tips for assembling a safari outfit.

• What NOT to wear for safari

Do you need to bring malaria pills?

Before we go in depth, here are two things just to keep in mind when you are packing to go on safari.

• Your safari lodge most likely offers a laundry service , so don’t overpack! Depending on how fancy your game lodge is, the laundry service may even be complimentary.
• Domestic airlines in South Africa limit luggage weight strictly , and only accept soft-exterior luggage. If you’re going to be traveling to a national park by plane, make sure you’re not over the limit. I’m not sure how it works in other countries in Africa, but do be sure to double-check if you are taking such a flight.

And with that, let’s go into some specifics.

Safari packing list (beyond safari clothing!)

If you’re wondering what to wear on safari , you can jump down or first check out the important gear you’ll want to bring with you, no matter what you’re wearing.

Before going on safari, I had no idea that binoculars are SO COOL. Binoculars aren’t just about “zooming in”, but also about enhancing the detail of what you can see. It’s like zoom plus ultra-sharpening. We used our binoculars not only on safari, but also while observing penguins near Cape Town or looking for whales in Hermanus. You’ll find plenty of use-cases for your binoculars on a trip in Southern Africa.

In our safari group, people were constantly asking to borrow our binoculars to get a closer look at the animals. If there is one new piece of gear I would suggest you buy for your safari, it’s binoculars!

Here are two pairs of binoculars I have used and can recommend:

• Olympus 50 x 10 DPS-I Binoculars – These are the binoculars we bought and were really impressed with. Affordable price while still high quality. Comes with lens caps, neck strap, and a travel bag.
• Nikon 10 x 42 ProStaff Binoculars – These are the binoculars our safari guide had! Quite a bit more expensive, but also much more compact. Depends whether you are more budget- or space-conscious.

I find it interesting that camera lens companies are also making binoculars, but it makes a ton of sense that they are experts in the field!

If you’re worried you’ll buy binoculars once and use them once, I can promise that you’ll love safari so much you’ll want to do it again. So just enjoy 😄

Insect repellent

Insect repellent will serve you well, not only on safari but while traveling through Southern Africa. Even though I didn’t see a single mosquito in Kruger National Park , I was eaten to death in Knysna just a few days prior with over 15 mosquito bites. Any time you’re out around sunset, is a good time to apply insect repellent!

You can find travel-sized insect repellent on Amazon. Look for something with 30% deet or higher.

Glasses and Sunglasses

When you’re on safari, you want to make sure that you can see as good as you possibly can! If that means wearing glasses for you (or contacts), do make sure to bring them along. Similarly, bring your sunglasses. The bright and intense sun can be damaging for your eyes, and you’d better believe me what I tell you IT’S BRIGHT IN THE DESERT. If you need glasses and sunglasses, try prescription sunglasses. Whatever you need to stay sharp and to protect your eyes!

Sunscreen. No one loves to deal with it, but if you ignore it, you’re probably going to end up looking like a lobster depending on your skin pigmentation. If you take even ONE MORNING or ONE AFTERNOON off of wearing sunscreen, you’re toast. Don’t slack on sunscreen!

As you may know, not all sunscreen is created equal. While I can’t recommend a specific body sunscreen, I swear by this sunscreen for your face:

• Biore SPF 50 sunscreen – Amazing Japanese sunscreen, super powerful without being greasy or leaving a white cast. It’s especially formulated for your face and leaves your skin smooth. I wear this under my make up every day.

My little sister is big into Asian beauty products and has basically converted our whole family to using this sunscreen. Protect your precious skin when you are on safari!

Photography gear

The most important thing you need to take great pictures on safari is a zoom lens. There’s a good chance you need MORE zoom than you think you do. Here’s the gear I took with me on safari to take some great photos:

• Fujifilm X-T2 camera
• Fujifilm 50-140mm lens
• Fujifilm 2x Teleconverter
• High performance memory cards
• Lens cleaning wipes and Lens pen (for cleaning off dust)

Plus spare batteries and a battery charger. I brought more lenses and gear but this is the essential safari photography equipment! You can read my post dedicated to safari photography tips for more details on how to capture great photos on safari. You can leave the tripod in your room, but consider bringing a bean bag or a cloth in case you have a heavy telephoto lens you need to rest on something to stabilize it.

NOTE – Not only can you not capture good photos with a camera phone, but some safari lodges even ban camera phones on game drives because their information has been used by poachers (think: geolocation on that photo of a rhino you took). Bring a proper camera for the best of both worlds.

One of the first questions you think about after booking a safari is what camera is best for safari? Which safari photography equipment do I need? Here are my top tips and learnings from photographing my first safari!

Water bottle and snacks (if self-driving)

If you’re going on a game drive at a private safari lodge, there’s a good chance they’re going to have water taken care of for you in the vehicle.

But private game drives aren’t the only way to safari! We really enjoyed doing a self-drive safari , too, and for those you DEFINITELY want to bring extra water and snacks because there is basically nothing for miles around.

If you’re trying to avoid plastic, check out the S'well water bottle which is made of stainless steel. Tap water is perfectly drinkable in South Africa, and the main water restrictions are only in Cape Town so you can fill up from the tap without concern.

Going on safari is the number one item on top of many tourists' lists when visiting Africa. No matter what your budget is, there is a safari option that will fit your budget. Here are different ways you can get the safari experience and their pros and cons!

If you’re bringing camera gear with you, you probably need a small day bag to bring on the safari, containing things like lens cleaning equipment, spare lenses, batteries, and so on. Weight isn’t really an issue since you’ll be in the vehicle the whole time. I brought my bond street bag with me and it was just the right size to fit the essentials.

I would avoid bringing anything that is too sensitive (e.g. untreated, light-colored canvas or super sensitive leather) because it could get dirty! You don’t want to accidentally stomp on it with your dusty hiking boots.

Choosing a stylish camera bag for travel is not a simple task. Match your travel style to the best mirrorless camera bag for your situtation! Here are the qualities to look for in a camera bag and recommended brands to check out.

Bonus: Bring a book!

You have a lot of free time when you’re on safari. What better way is there to spend it than to educate yourself a bit about the place you’re visiting? Here are a couple of ideas of the kind of books you can bring with you to read between game drives:

• A Traveller's History Of... – This book series has condensed histories of numerous countries. While I was on safari (or rather, while I was by the pool), I read the Traveler's History Of South Africa . My boyfriend also bought a more academic history book, and we compared notes 🤓
• Complete Guide to African Safaris – Learn more about the animals you’re seeing! If you’re not a nature fanatic at the beginning of your safari stay, you’ll surely be by the end. This book can help you start your safari experience with more context.
• Lonely Planet's South Africa – If you’re going on safari at the beginning of your trip, why not study up on your guide book by the pool? I can barely think of a more relaxing way to plan a trip 😄

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Ok, enough about gear, let’s get down to the good stuff – safari fashion. Do these two words even go together?! You might be wondering, “What colors do you wear on a safari?" You probably already know that you’re supposed to wear neutral-colored clothing, but what exactly qualifies.

Here are a few general tips for picking what to wear on safari:

• Neutral-colored clothing – Tans, greens, greys, browns. AKA Earth tones!
• Avoid white or neon colors – Not as big a deal when you’re in a game drive vehicle, but certainly on bush walks you want to avoid bright colors.
• Light, breathable fabrics – You’re most likely going to be in an open-top Range Rover, in direct sun.
• Sweat-friendly clothing – After 6-8 hours in sun, you’re going to be sweaty. Wear clothes that’ll handle it.

With those as our guidelines, let’s talk about a few more specifics.

Comfortable walking shoes

While you won’t do a lot of walking while on safari, your game lodge might offer so-called “bush walks” where you basically do an on-foot safari focusing on the smaller creatures in the African bush. Make sure you wear shoes you don’t mind getting dirty.

Hiking boots are optional! That said, you might find them useful during your trip regardless. I personally liked being able to wear my hiking boots on all bush walks, and wore tennis shoes during the game drives. The extra grip on the hiking boots is great for the terrain in the bush.

Just make sure you don’t wear sandals on the game drive! The bush is dusty and you’ll inevitably get them dirty. Don’t forget to pack lightweight and breathable socks . You’ll want plenty of extras as you’re going to be wearing them in warm conditions.

Shorts and sleeveless shirts

As someone who spent half her life living in the desert, it can be very frustrating to decide what to wear – because the desert sees HUGE temperature swings , meaning your early-morning outfit might not be suitable for mid-morning.

Which naturally brings us to a critical question: Shorts or pants for safari? On the one hand, the mornings can be rather cool (we are starting at 5:30AM, right?!) but the mid-day can be scorching hot.

• If you’re going on safari in the Summer: In my experience, you’re always going to wish you were wearing shorts. It just gets so very hot that any extra clothing is unwanted! As soon as the sun is up, it’s time to cook.
• If you’re going on safari in the Winter: Bring gloves, a scarf, and a warm hat. Extra layers are handy because you can take them off and put them on as the temperature changes.

TIP – Most likely, your game drive vehicle will have blankets in case you do get cold. So if you’re going in Summer, just go for shorts and thank me later!

What about insects?

You might be thinking – well there are probably mosquitos, shouldn’t I be covering up? The reality is, it’s just too darn hot to wear pants and long sleeves. Instead, opt for insect repellent . That said, when I was in Kruger in December I didn’t see a single mosquito, though I did wear bug repellent every day and re-applied often!

Sports bras

Ladies, it might not be pretty but you can expect to SWEAT 💦 on safari in the Summer. Don’t wear clothing that is going to make you warmer than necessary, like unbreathable bras, or clothing you’re worried is going to be hard to get sweat out of. Sports bras are a life-saver. You and every other girl in the game drive vehicle will be sweaty so don’t worry about appearances too much.

Extra clothing to change into

Your average day on safari will look something like this:

• Wake up super early (around 5:30AM)
• Safari begins around 6AM
• Return to camp around 9-9:30AM
• Down time until afternoon safari around 4PM
• Afternoon safari until 7-7:30PM
• Dinner and drinks

Which means you have about 6 hours per day of pure relaxation. There’s also a good chance that you’ll want to shower AFTER your morning safari , so be sure to bring extra underwear and some clean clothing to wear during the middle of the day. You’ll be lounging by the pool, taking a nap, or just straight chillin’. You don’t want to wear your safari clothing during that time!

Wide-brimmed hat

A hat is obviously one of the best ways to keep sun off your face. Most of the safari guides wear baseball caps, but you can also wear a panama-style hat or a sun hat if you prefer.

No matter which hat you prefer, you need to make sure your hat won’t blow off in an open-top vehicle! Look for hats with optional under-chin straps, if you plan to buy something that could easily get lifted off by the wind!

Lightweight Jacket

What do you wear on a safari in the evening? The key to success here is bringing some light layers with you. While I was in Kruger (which is very, very hot) I didn’t need any additional clothing at night, in the evening, in December. However it was quite a bit cooler in Addo Elephant Park on the Garden Route and I would’ve liked a jacket for my sunset safari.

When in doubt, bring a packable jacket with you . Fleece is a good option. Your safari vehicle will usually have a blanket in it in case your legs get cold. Remember, you’re sitting in a safari vehicle, you won’t need to carry anything around so it’s OK to bring a tiny bit extra and leave it in the Range Rover.

There is a high probability your safari lodge is going to have a swimming pool! Don’t forget to pack a swimsuit for that mid-day downtime. You probably don’t need to worry about bringing a beach towel with you, because the safari lodge will provide it.

Be sure to also bring flip flops for walking too and from the pool and general lounging purposes 👌

It can be really hard to pick a safari lodge in South Africa with so many great options. Here is my incredible experience at Motswari, a private game reserve in part of the Greater Kruger National Park.

Your typical safari outfit is going to look something like this:

• Neutral-colored shorts
• Neutral-colored sleeveless shirt
• Breathable socks and sports bra
• Comfortable tennis shoes
• A hat, sunglasses, and a nice layer of sunscreen

It’s actually not that complicated, and most of the time you won’t need to buy any new clothing for safari. Just take the netural clothing you have and make sure it’s stuff that can be mixed and matched.

What NOT to wear on safari

Now, these are items you might want to bring with you to the safari lodge, but aren’t items you should think about wearing when you are on an actual game drive.

• Dresses (especially fancy ones). You’ll be climbing in and out of a tall vehicle. It pays to be practical. While dresses are nice for mid-day lounging, most evenings you may not have time to go back to your room to change for dinner so no need for anything fancy. That said, if you want to bring them along for some instagram photos, I’m the last to judge 😉
• Black or dark blue clothing. It’s supposed to attract tsetse flies that have a painful bite. Though I did it once and nothing happened 😏 Even so, black and dark colors can be very hot so it’s best to avoid them!
• Camouflage patterns. In some countries it’s illegal to wear camo as it’s associated with the military. Plus it looks a bit silly. Stick to your khaki.

Malaria is a serious illness, and what I’ll share with you does NOT constitute medical advice. Personally, as we spent only 3-4 days in Kruger National Park, we did not take malaria pills. However that’s mostly due to being disorganized rather than intention (you need to get malaria pills from a pharmacy, which may or may not have them in stock).

Kruger's malaria information page officially recommends that all travelers take malaria pills:

It is important to note that the risk of malaria…is usually low, even in the summer months…The highest risk period is between November and April - the end of the summer rainy season. Following the bite of an infected mosquito, an individual may remain asymptomatic for 12 – 35 days, depending on the species of malaria.

In short: If you start to experience malaria symptoms after your trip, it is CRITICAL for you to seek medical help and inform them about your trip.

Different people react differently to anti-malarial drugs. I know people who have had severe anxiety from being on anti-malarials, others who report bizarre and vivid dreams, and some who are just fine. The best thing you can do is talk to a doctor about it!

As a rule of thumb: The longer you’re in a malaria risk area, the higher your risk. If you’re a hypochondriac like me, you’ll want to find your nearest travel medicine clinic. If you just so happen to be in Berlin, I can recommend the Berlin Centre for Travel and Tropical Medicine . Whether you decide to take malaria pills or not, you’ll want to make sure you’re caught up on your vaccines. Take a look at the CDC health information for South Africa to understand what vaccines you should renew.

This two-week South Africa itinerary can show you some of the best of the country, from wine regions to urban life, from safari to city, and from the sparkling Indian Ocean to the deserts of the Karoo. Here is how to spend two weeks traveling South Africa.

Feeling prepared to go on safari?

In sum, packing for safari is not so different than packing for any other outdoorsy trip. You have a couple of extra things to keep in mind, but at least in terms of clothing you probably already have what you need.

HAVE AN AMAZING SAFARI! And if you have any questions about what to wear on safari or what to pack for safari, you are more than welcome to leave a comment with your questions and I’ll do my best to follow up quickly!

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About the author

Hi there! I'm Monica, an American expat living in Germany for over six years and using every opportunity to explore the world from my homebase in Berlin. My goal is to capture my memories in photos and posts that show how easy it is to start from scratch and travel the world by working abroad.

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9 Key Tips For Your First Tanzanian Safari According To Experts

• Activities and Interests
• Destinations
• Outdoor Activities

I thought I was prepared for my seven-day safari in Tanzania earlier this year. However, after extended conversations with our two guides, David and Joseph — along with other members of our safari team — I realized I could have come even better equipped.

For a little background, I traveled to Tanzania in September for a seven-day safari. All advanced arrangements were made through the travel agency, African Portfolio , while everything in Tanzania was handled by Ranger Safaris — I highly recommend both. Traveling with a group of thirteen, we began and ended our safari in Arusha and explored Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, and the Serengeti. The variety of wildlife we saw was stunning and included lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, and much more. 

A safari through the national parks of Tanzania might be the most memorable — and expensive — trip of my life. I enjoyed every minute of it, but considering the significant cost and effort it takes to get to East Africa, I hope to help those that follow me be even better prepared with these tips.

1. Bring A Camera And Binoculars

With ever-improving cell phone cameras, many people leave their actual cameras behind. I’ll admit that I often do this. However, as my guide, Joseph, pointed out, guests often regret this decision. If you own a camera, bring it, and be sure to purchase or rent a telephoto lens. If you don’t own a camera, consider purchasing or borrowing one. These will be some of the most memorable photos of your life.

Additionally, Joseph strongly encourages everyone to bring a high-quality pair of binoculars. While guides are always trying to get close to animals, sometimes that’s just not possible. 

Pro Tip: I learned during our trip that a high-powered telephoto lens can cost thousands of dollars. However, that same lens can be rented for a few hundred. I’ll definitely be renting one for my next safari.

2. Tanzania’s Natural Wonders 

Becoming a safari guide is no easy endeavor. In addition to educational requirements, each guide has many years of training and experience. Our entire traveling party was endlessly impressed by both David and Joseph’s knowledge of the animals, plants, and history. 

However, to fully appreciate what you’ll see while on safari, take some time in advance of your trip to learn about the specific places you’ll be visiting. After all, you are visiting one of the most biodiverse regions in the world and there’s no way one guide can impart all there is to know about the more than 70 animal species and more than 500 bird species to be found here.

Here are a few resources that may help to prepare you for your trip;

• Animals of the Serengeti
• Mara: River of Death
• The Serengeti Lion
• Birds of the Serengeti

3. Tanzania’s Culture And People 

While the animals are likely the reason you booked your trip to Tanzania, our guide, David, encourages guests to be open to learning about the local culture and people as well. Fortunately, this is pretty easy to do. Every Tanzanian I met was eager to share information about their country, so don’t hesitate to start a conversation with your guide, driver, or anyone else you meet.

Learning about the tribes of Tanzania is a great starting point for understanding the local culture. The best-known tribe is the Maasai but that’s just one of the 120 tribes residing in the country. Look for opportunities to learn about tribes through visits to local villages or craft demonstrations. We had the chance to watch a carving demonstration by a member of the Makonde tribe who mostly reside in Northern Tanzania. Their carvings — frequently made of ebony — are very intricate and can take many years to complete.

Pro Tip: The Cultural Heritage Center in Arusha is a great spot to learn more about the traditional arts of Tanzania’s tribes by watching demonstrations. I arrived early in Arusha and had the opportunity to spend a few hours here.

4. Don’t Pet The Animals

Before meeting our safari guides, our group gathered for a briefing given by our tour director, Naomi. After reviewing the itinerary, she reminded us about safety and instructed us not to pet the animals. I assumed she was joking. I couldn’t imagine anyone stupid enough to pet a wild animal. However, it turns out that most of the guides and staff I met during my seven days had at least one story about a guest attempting to pet an animal, including a lion.

A few days later we were parked in the Serengeti watching a lioness hunting a gazelle. She briefly passed between our two vehicles, using them as cover. With the vehicle windows open, she was close enough to reach out and touch. I now understood how someone could be tempted to pet a lion, but needless to say, don’t do it. 

5. Oldupai Gorge — The Cradle Of Mankind

On our third day of the safari, we drove from the Ngorongoro Crater to the Serengeti. Along the way, we stopped at the Oldupai Gorge and toured the museum. This isn’t on every safari itinerary, but I agree with our guides, David and Joseph, who told me it should be.

Oldupai (frequently misnamed as Olduvai) Gorge is arguably the most important fossil site in the world. It was here that Louis and Mary Leakey made several important discoveries, including the earliest signs of humans using stone tools.

6. When You Should Visit

If you’re going to make the journey to Tanzania, it’s really important to decide what time of year you do it. After speaking with our travel agent, tour director, and guides, I learned that there are many things to take into account when making this decision.

First of all, if you want to see the great migration of wildebeests, you’ll need to come between May and September. The animals cross the Grumeti River between May and July and the Mara River from July to September. Keep in mind that these are wild animals that can do what they please, so these months are just estimations. I had the chance to witness the wildebeests crossing the Mara and it was spectacular. However, this is the busiest and most expensive time of year as well. 

If you’re hoping for better pricing and fewer crowds, then the off seasons of January through March and November through December are good options. January through March is often a great time to see baby animals throughout the parks. This is also the rainy season. The rains can make the roads muddy, difficult to navigate, and may limit where your safari guide can go.

7. Prepare For Your Trip 

In a follow-up call with our travel agent, Victoria, I asked her what she wants future travelers to Tanzania to know. She said, “Read everything your tour company sends you and allow plenty of time to prepare for your trip.” I couldn’t agree more.

First, make sure your passport is current and will not expire less than six months from the date of your trip. Next, you’ll need to apply for and receive a visa from the government of Tanzania. This can take up to three weeks, so don’t wait until the last minute. Currently, the government requires tourists to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. However, you’ll also want to check with your doctor about other recommended vaccines. Your doctor is likely to prescribe anti-malarial pills and you may need to start taking these before your departure.

8. Purchase Local Crafts 

When it’s time to purchase souvenirs for family and friends, Joseph highly recommends seeking out handmade crafts. His personal favorites are the Makonde tribe carvings. However, if a sculpture isn’t for you, consider handcrafted leather goods, beaded jewelry, and woven baskets. To support a local NGO, visit Shanga , and purchase one of the items made by disabled artisans. 

Pro Tip: After three trips to East Africa, I’ve learned to bring along an extra bag to take home all of my souvenirs. I’ve found that the handmade items throughout this region are beautiful, high quality, and affordable. 

9. Listen To Your Guides

Okay, this tip comes from me, but that’s because David and Joseph were too polite to say it. Your guides want to do everything in their power to accommodate every request, but in reality, they know best. 

If your guide asks you to get up before the sun rises so you can get to the Mara River early enough to watch the wildebeests cross, then just do it. You can sleep back home. When they suggest you stop taking pictures of the gazelles because they’ve heard of a lion sighting, then put the camera away and let them drive on.

All day, every day, guides are balancing the requests (sometimes demands) of guests with their expertise and intuition about the animals. When we listened, we were rewarded with the sighting of mating lions, a lioness after the hunt, and a mother cheetah and her three cubs. In other words, things we didn’t even know were possible, but our guides did.

For more articles on safaris, check out these articles:

• 9 Mistakes To Avoid While On Safari
• 12 Luxurious Safari Lodges To Experience In Africa
• 16 Things I Learned On Safari With A Professional Wildlife Photographer

Wendy and Jason Lee are two passionate travelers based in Irvine, California. They set out to inspire couples 50+ to travel more by launching the blog, Empty Nesters Hit The Road . Often they travel internationally, but their own backyard, Southern California, also gives them ample opportunity for exploration.

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The Ultimate Safari Packing List

All the gear, accessories, and clothing that’s fit to pack for the perfect safari adventure.

Katherine Alex Beaven is a Los Angeles-based travel, food and drink, and culture writer.

• Packing Checklist
• What to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Kevin Liang

My first-ever safari was a three-day budget camping safari in Kruger National Park run by a hostel. I shared a small 5x5 tent with a friend. Since then, I’ve taken over 150 safaris, running the gamut from bare-bones camping to luxury lodges. I’ve gone from being underprepared to being over-prepared to knowing what safari essentials you should pack no matter where you’re headed or what type of safari experience you’ve booked.

To double-check my checklist, I also reached out to Koen Pretorius, a local safari guide in South Africa, for his expert input on what travelers should pack for a safari. Although his company, Tsala Trails, focuses on luxury walking safaris, his packing suggestions apply to all types of safaris.

For the most part, the products on this list are all items I’ve used (or wish I had), have seen other people use, or were recommended by our expert guide, who reminds you to “prepare for the worst, but go with the flow and enjoy” once you arrive.

Packing Checklist for a Safari

Whether you’re heading out on a walking safari, staying in a basic tented camp, or checking into a luxury lodge, these are the items you’ll want to make sure make it into your bag.

• Best Camera: Nikon Z50 Mirrorless Camera Two Lens Kit
• Best Binoculars: Zeiss 10x42 Terra ED Binoculars
• Best Sunscreen: Thinksport Kid’s Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+
• Best Bug Spray: Off! Familycare Smooth & Dry Aerosole Personal Repellents and Bug Spray
• Best Travel Adapter: Vintar Universal Travel Adaptor Kit
• Best Water Bottle: Brita Stainless Steel Premium Filtering Water Bottle
• Best First-aid Kit: Adventure Store Ultralight/Watertight Medical Kit  

Luggage and Accessories

• Best Suitcase: Osprey Sojourn Shuttle Bag
• Best Day Pack: Deuter Speed Lite 21 Pack
• Best Sunglasses for Men: Knockaround Premiums Sport Sunglasses
• Best Sunglasses for Women: Smith Caper 53mm ChromaPop Polarized Square Sunglasses
• Best Sun Hat: Tilly LTM6 Airflo Broad Brim Sun Hat
• Best Travel Pill Organizer: Auvon Weekly Pill Organizer

Shoes and Apparel

• Best Sun Shirt: Uniqlo Airism Mesh UV Protection Full-zip Hoodie
• Best Insulating Layer: Patagonia Better Sweater Fleece Jacket
• Best Waterproof Pants: REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants
• Best Walking Shoes: Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot
• Best Sandals: Teva Original Universal Sandal

The most important things you’ll pack for your safari aren’t clothing items, but your gear. I’ve included the essential items for most safaris here, but your exact needs will depend on your particular safari destination and the type of safari you’ll be embarking on (camping, walking, or luxury excursions will require different types of gear). Pretorius also says that no matter what type of safari you’re on, small travel towels can come in handy to clean your face from dirt, dust, sweat, or sunscreen. For anyone planning on using their phone to take pictures and videos, packing a portable power bank (like this fast-charging option ) will help make sure you don’t run out of juice and get you powered back up quickly so you don’t miss too many photo ops.

Best Camera

Nikon z50 mirrorless camera two lens kit.

For those who don’t want to rely on their smartphone, which can lose power, overheat, or glitch while on a safari, a handheld camera is a must. Pretorius suggests going for a mirrorless model. I agree and recommend the Nikon Z30 Mirrorless Camera with Two Lens Kit. Mirrorless cameras are much more lightweight than DSLRs and tend to have a faster shooting reaction speed that can make or break a wildlife shot. This Nikon Z50 has 20.9 megapixels, shoots 4K video, and comes with both a 16-50mm that’s good for portraits and a 50-250mm zoom lens that is perfect for wildlife safaris (and the maximum you’ll probably be able to shoot without the image becoming unstable). It can also shoot at a pushed 204800 ISO, which basically means it’s also great for night shots.

Best Binoculars

Zeiss 10x42 terra ed binoculars.

Binoculars are technically optional for a safari, but what’s the point of going on a bucket list trip experience and squinting to see the wildlife? That said, binoculars can be expensive, so you want to make sure to get the best bang for your buck. Pretorius suggests looking for binoculars with good quality lenses that are lightweight and durable with a strength of at least 8x32, 10x28, or 10x32. Our top pick are the Zeiss 10x42 Terra ED Binoculars, which are just over 1.5 pounds and compact. Zeiss glass is considered premium quality, and the 10x42 specs give you both a good depth of field and a steady view. Their weatherproof design keeps them working in temperatures ranging from 24-140 degrees, but they also have a waterproof body, so you don’t have to worry about ruining them if they get wet.

Best Sunscreen

Thinksport kid’s safe sunscreen spf 50+.

While many people remember to pack sunscreen for their safari, they often don’t think twice about how eco-friendly it will be since safaris are primarily a land-based activity. It’s still important to wear eco-friendly sunscreen like Thinksport since any residue will be washed off your body in the shower and eventually absorbed in the ground in the bush. I am a loyal Thinksport fan because their eco-friendly mineral sunscreens have broad-spectrum UV protection, don’t go on greasy (be sure to shake it before applying), and have a minimal white cast. The Kids’ formula is also non-toxic, biodegradable, unscented, and suitable for sensitive skin. Plus, it’s water-resistant and will last for 80 minutes.

Best Bug Spray

Off familycare smooth & dry aerosole personal repellents and bug spray.

Bug spray is available in most safari destinations, but the options may be limited. Bring your own to be safe. I recommend the Smooth and Dry version of Off! FamilyCare Insect & Mosquito Repellant. It comes in a convenient four-ounce size that is sure to last for your entire trip, but won’t take up unnecessary room in your day pack. This aerosol formula makes application effortless and even, and it dries without any sticky or greasy residue — there’s nothing worse than sitting in the heat and feeling like you have a coat of chemicals on you. It’s also unscented, which is ideal for heading into wildlife territory. The 15 percent DEET formulation covers a range of insects, from mosquitos to gnats and ticks. It can also safely be sprayed on clothes.

Best Travel Adapter

Vintar universal travel adaptor kit.

The Vintar Universal Travel Adaptor Kit is an essential buy that you can reuse for subsequent trips abroad. Not only is this adaptor beloved and well-priced, but it also stands out because it actually contains a plug adaptor configuration for South Africa. South Africa has a unique plug that is usually only available as its own clunky, pricey plug. I also love the streamlined design of this adaptor unit compared to other units and the fact that it has two two-prong plugs, two 5-volt USB-C ports, and one 5-volt USB-A port built right in.

Best Water Bottle

Brita stainless steel premium filtering water bottle.

While most lodges and safari companies will offer water bottles , Pretorius recommends bringing your own reusable water bottle to stay hydrated between game drives and walks, and during transfers and travel. I recommend the Brita Insulated Filtered Water Bottle because many lodges and camps in Africa use rainwater for drinking water, and while it is safe to drink, it may taste differently than you’re used to. This bottle has a replaceable carbon filter that helps to improve water taste and odor. It can also remove particulates in the water, but note that it is not a purifier. The stainless steel insulation will keep contents cool or warm for up to 24 hours, and the straw is ideal for taking sips inside a bumpy vehicle without spilling. One filter lasts up to two months or 40 gallons of water and replaces up to 300 plastic bottles of water.

Best First-aid Kit

Adventure medical kit ultralight watertight .5.

Any reputable safari operator or lodge will have a first-aid kit , but I still recommend packing this Adventure Medical Kit for peace of mind. It has all your essential medical needs covered, including an assortment of bandages and wound dressings, single doses of various generic pain and allergy medications, a splinter remover that can also remove ticks, and a collection of blister covers. Everything comes in a compact, double-layer waterproof bag that will easily fit into your day pack without taking up too much room. I particularly like having this on hand because it offers a quick way to deal with minor ailments on your own, using products you’re familiar with, and doesn’t require you to hunt down the lodge manager or interrupt the safari.

Best Luggage and Accessories

Your exact accessories and luggage needs will again vary depending on your specific trip, but I’ve compiled a basic list of items that function as universal needs. Regarding walking tours, Pretorius says a walking stick is a great addition, but only if you know you’ll use it. On the flip side, he says you’ll definitely want to pack a pair of ankle gaiters to strap onto your shoes to protect your lower legs and ankles from dirt, mud, debris, and errant branches or rocks.

Best Suitcase

Osprey sojourn shuttle bag 30 inch.

This eco-friendly, water-resistant wheeled duffel from Osprey ticks so many boxes, even ones you didn’t know you needed. On a basic level, it has a 108-liter capacity, several interior zippered organization pockets, a retractable handle, and is constructed with tough Bluesign-approved nylon. But the beauty of this bag is in the details. The duffel’s compression straps allow the bag to conform and snugly hold several different capacity levels — meaning you can pack it partially full, leaving room for souvenirs. Exterior storage includes a waterproof shoe compartment (key for muddy or dusty after-safari shoes) and a top easy-access compartment for toiletry bags or dirty clothes. It also has an extra-wide wheelbase and oversized 110mm wheels that maneuver beautifully over multiple surfaces, including rough terrain.

Best Day Pack

Deuter speed lite 21 pack.

Day packs are necessary for keeping your essentials with you while out on game drives or bush walks. The Deuter Speed Lite 21L Pack is made from 100 percent recycled materials and goes hard on the features while maintaining a simple and slim profile. Hikers and walkers will appreciate the bag’s minimal 15-ounce weight, padded and lined mesh backing, weight-balancing sternum and waist strap, and the side compression straps that help to prevent wobbling. You’ll get a side water bottle pocket (or you can slide a water bladder into the back sleeve and utilize the built-in hydration port and tube routing), a zippered top easy-access pocket, and accessory loops where you can thread things like your sunglasses. We also love that it’s made with Bluesign recycled materials.

Best Sunglasses for Men

Knockaround premiums sport sunglasses.

When it comes to sunglasses, Pretorius says you should pack a pair with polarized lenses and UVA and UVB protection to help protect your eyes while out on safari. These Knockaround Premiums Sport Sunglasses have a wide rectangular shape that will complement a variety of face shapes while also providing good coverage. These sunglasses are made from a strong but lightweight polycarbonate material and have comfortable nose cushions for those long outings. In particular, the polarized lenses are FDA-approved for their excellent impact resistance. They’re only available in one color and one size, but luckily it’s black and a size with a near-universal fit. These sunnies are also affordably priced, so you can leave your expensive sunglasses at home.

Best Sunglasses for Women

Smith caper sunglasses with chromapop.

These classically shaped square sunglasses offer 100 percent UV protection and the benefits of polarized lenses, plus a little extra that makes them a great safari pick. They have a proprietary ChromaPop component that enhances the view by further reducing glare and filtering out certain light wavelengths, resulting in superior clarity and natural color matching. Plus, they come in three color options, so you can find the pair that’s perfect for your look. Polymer materials makes them durable, and anti-slip nose cushions help keep them comfortable (and on your face during those windy game drives). They are an investment, however, so you might want to pick up a hard sided glasses case for storage.

Best Sun Hat

Tilley ltm6 airflo broad brim hat.

Pretorius says to stick with a brimmed hat since it will help keep your neck and shoulders protected from the sun, and he recommends investing in a hat from Tilly, the brand he himself uses. I like their LTM6 Airflo Sun Hat because it has the second-widest brim in the collection, comes in safari-friendly colors, and is made of Bluesign recycled materials. Where it shines, though, is its UPF 50+ sun protection rating and cooling mesh band around the crown that allows air to flow through (somehow while staying water-repelling). I love that it packs down flat and has the all-too-important adjustable wind strap, so it will stay in place in windy conditions. Oh, and Tilly guarantees all their hats for life.

Best Travel Pill Organizer

Auvon weekly pill organizer.

Use this travel pill organizer to pack your daily anti-malarial meds, regular prescriptions and supplements, or to ensure you have a stash of your trusted over-the-counter allergy or pain medicines. What I love about this seven-day pill organizer is that each day’s container can be removed separately and easily slipped into your pocket or day pack, giving you access to your daily dosage without having to cart around the entire case. Plus, the containers have a large capacity that can fit several larger-sized pills, and each day is a different color, a boon for visual folks like me. You’ll also get a water-resistant case with an easy-grab handle, and an interior pocket where you can store printed copies of your prescriptions (especially essential for any controlled prescriptions).

Best Shoes and Apparel

When it comes to clothing, Pretorius suggests leaning into performance tech items that are lightweight, breathable, and offer sun and water protection when possible. He says that waterproof pants and a waterproof jacket are “game-changers” during the rainy season since they fold up small and can make or break your experience in cold and rainy weather. For winter safaris, he warns that it can get cold and recommends packing a warming beanie and a pair of insulated gloves . These can also come in handy for early morning or nighttime game drives or walks during the shoulder season. The biggest tip is to pack layers, as temperatures can fluctuate from day to night and even throughout the day.

Best Sun Shirt

Uniqlo airism mesh uv protection full-zip hoodie.

Whether you’re walking or in a vehicle, be sure to pack at least one top that has UPF protection. UPF protection is like built-in sunscreen and the UPF number refers to the percentage of UV rays the fabric blocks. According to Pretorius, you should aim for easy-to-care-for materials such as polyester, cotton, or blends. Uniqlo’s recycled polyester-spandex Airism Mesh UV Protection Full Zip Hoodie provides a removable full-coverage layer that’s lightweight and breathable enough to wear in high temps without overheating. I love that it has hand pockets and thumbholes, too, so you can protect your hands as well. It also packs down into its own pocket, making it a cinch to toss into your day pack.

Best Insulating Layer

Patagonia better sweater fleece jacket.

An insulating layer is a must for keeping you cozy during morning or night walks, chilly nights in a tent , or during early or evening game drives. It’s amazing how quickly it can go from warm to chilly (or even freezing) when you’re zooming through the park in an open-air vehicle. I never got in the vehicle without my Patagonia fleece, a men’s version hand-me-down from a ranger friend after I failed to pack my own. I like this style in particular because it has a contoured cut that is easy to layer and features a full zipper that doesn’t require you to pull it over your head. The zippered hand pockets and sleeve stash pocket are also key for keeping items secure during bumpy rides or long hikes (they also help keep out sneaky bugs). Plus, it’s made from recycled material and is Fair Trade-certified.

Best Waterproof Pants

Rei co-op sahara convertible pants.

Waterproof and rainproof pants are essential for Safaris. Pretorius notes that they can help to keep your safari experience comfortable and pleasant in cold or inclement weather. These REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants ( also available for men ) are made from recycled polyester, spandex, and nylon, and have a special water-repellent coating that causes water to bead on contact. The cargo-style design includes six storage pockets to securely carry any essentials, and the drawstring elastic waist allows you to customize the fit for maximum comfort. The pants are lightweight and breathable but also feature vertical ankle zippers for extra airflow — or you can simply zip off the lower portion of the pants below the knee to convert them into shorts.

Best Walking Shoes

Merrell moab 3 mid waterproof hiking boots.

A durable and comfortable pair of sneakers is a must, even if you’re spending the majority of your time in a vehicle (you’ll likely have the chance to get out of the vehicle a few times to walk around or do a short bush walk). Heading out on a walking safari or staying in a ground-level tented camp? They’re a necessity. These Merrell Moab 3 Mid all-terrain boots get the job done by providing a supportive but comfortable fit with contoured footbeds, excellent shock absorption, high-traction soles, and outer heel and toe protection.

They’re also waterproof, which comes in handy for water crossings or downpours, and this mid-rise version has extra ankle support — highly recommended by Pretorius — for uneven ground and tiring trails. Several neutral colorways also mean you can pick the right combo for you while still blending into the bush.

Best Sandals

Teva women's original universal sandals.

Pretorius recommends packing a pair of sandals . While he is comfortable wearing flip-flops, I prefer a sturdier sandal like the Teva Original Universal. It’s a bit more rugged, with stabilizing traction in the sole and an adjustable heel strap to prevent them from sliding off. These sandals are also top-notch performers in wet conditions and have a molded sole with heel cushioning and arch support for long-wear comfort. Fitting with the theme of most of the items on this list, they are also made from recycled materials. Another bonus? They have an accessible price point, and there are a whopping 43 colors and patterns to choose from in women’s sizes and over 50 options in men’s sizes .

What to Know Before You Go on Safari

Avoid camouflage clothing.

If you’re visiting countries like Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ghana, and Uganda (to name a few), you’ll need to avoid packing anything with a camouflage design. In these countries, it is illegal for anyone outside of official law and military personnel to wear camouflage.

Consult your doctor about anti-malarial medications

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes. It is present in some safari destinations, but not all. For example, all game reserves in South Africa's Eastern Cape are in malaria-free zones, but malaria is still a risk in other provinces, including Mpumalanga, which is home to Kruger National Park. Likewise, popular safari countries like Tanzania and Kenya are high-risk malaria zones.

Get in touch with your doctor or local travel clinic several months before your trip to discuss antimalarial options, as some medicines require you to start taking them several weeks before you arrive — and/or several weeks after. It’s also a good idea to ask if your destination requires any vaccinations for entry. Many countries require proof of a yellow fever vaccination, while Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, and MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccinations are recommended prior to travel.

Prepare for the weather

Within the four global seasons of summer, spring, fall, and winter, you should pay attention to whether your visit coincides with the wet or dry season. In South Africa, the dry season is roughly between May and September, and the wet season is October through April with rains starting in November, Pretorius says.

“There is essentially no rain during the winter months,” he adds, which can make “spotting wildlife easier as the vegetation is less dense and the animals tend to stay around permanent water sources. Summer months are hot and humid, and storms can occur frequently, but rarely last very long. Rainy season means the return of migratory birds, and numerous antelope species also give birth during this time of year.”

Keep in mind, the majority of safari destinations are located below the equator in the southern hemisphere. Pretorius is quick to remind safari-goers that the winter and summer seasons occur at opposite times compared to locations above the equator. If you book a safari in most destinations during the months of June, July, and August, you’ll be hitting winter, not summer, and vice versa.

Everyone’s safari needs will differ, but check with your safari provider about what types of items will be available for free or to rent onsite so you don’t pack unnecessary items. For example, many providers offer simple ponchos during the rainy season but rarely offer waterproof pants. Focusing on the necessities will help keep your costs down, luggage lighter, and avoid product waste. Plus, you’ll have more room for souvenirs!

Additionally, avoid single-use and plastic products and instead try to stick to eco-friendly options when possible. Many lodges and camps operate with eco-friendly practices, and following suit during a safari is one way to be respectful of the natural areas, people, and wildlife you’ve come to see. Thin, plastic bags have also been banned in countries like Uganda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Kenya, making eco-friendly materials a must.

A soft-sided rolling duffel is the best luggage to bring on safari, particularly if part of your travels include a smaller airline or will take place on a smaller plane. Many smaller aircrafts and smaller airlines in African countries require soft-sided luggage. The last thing you’ll want to do after a long flight is purchase a new piece of luggage and repack before being let onto your intra-country flight. Since size, weight, shape, and luggage types can vary vastly between airlines, it’s a good idea to do research beforehand to make sure your luggage meets all restrictions.

Pretorius says to avoid “anything red, orange, yellow, fluorescent, and even white” since predators often associate these colors with prey. You want to blend in as much as possible with your surroundings, which is why natural, neutral-colors are best for safaris. This is even more important for walking safaris or camping as you’ll actually be on the ground. "Think earthy tones, like khaki, brown, beige, and even navy blue” when choosing your safari packing palette, Pretorius adds.

If you’re in a self-contained lodge, you can wear pretty much whatever you’d like while on the property. Just be sure to dress for the weather and remember that even luxury safari lodges have a fairly casual vibe (a.k.a you won’t need any formal or business attire).

When in doubt, opt for lightweight clothing that offers protection from the elements and environment — breathable, water-resistant/waterproof, and UPF fabrics in layers.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

K. Alex Beaven has had over 150 safari experiences, including budget camping, bush walks, game drives, river cruises, and luxury lodges in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. Additionally, Alex spent several months living onsite at two game reserves in the Eastern Cape, creating content for their conservation volunteer programs. She also interviewed Koen Pretorius, owner and guide at Tsala Trails , a safari company that offers all-inclusive walking safaris in Big 5 game reserves across South Africa, to get his best advice about preparing and packing for a safari.

Related Articles

21 Safari Photography Tips for Capturing Stunning Safari Photos

As a passionate ethical wildlife photographer and qualified safari guide, I've gathered some valuable safari photography tips to help you elevate your safari experience. Even if you've never held a professional camera, you can still capture the raw beauty of the wild with just a few tips and tricks.

Embarking on a safari in Africa is a magical journey, and capturing these moments through photography allows you to relive the excitement and share the beauty of the African wilderness with others. Photography on safari also encourages you to pay attention to other things that might have gone unnoticed. By actively seeking unique angles and observing moments to capture, you become more attuned to the intricate details of the wildlife and the breathtaking landscapes surrounding you. It helps you notice small details and appreciate nature even more.

Read my 21   safari photography tips for capturing stunning safari photos :

1. Immerse Yourself in the Experience

Each day on safari brings unique moments. Photography not only preserves memories but also encourages you to notice intricate details and appreciate nature. Seek unique angles and moments to capture, and let the beauty of the wild inspire you.

2. Be mindful of the Environment and Respect Wildlife

Patience is key to capturing natural behavior. Maintain a respectful distance, observe quietly, and avoid disrupting the animals' natural rhythm. Remember, you are a guest in their home and therefore this is one of the most important wildlife photography tips . Always respect local regulations, cultures, and environments. Your patience will be reflected in the authenticity of your safari photos.

If you approach an animal sighting, always be careful to not disturb the animal and minimize noise. How to show respect for the animals during wildlife photography? 

• Maintain a respectful distance
• Approach animals indirectly
• Avoid positioning yourself upwind from the animal
• Keep your voice extremely low
• Switch your camera to silent mode to avoid startling wildlife
• Don’t use your flash

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced photographer, adhering to a code of conduct ensures the well-being of wildlife, contributes to conservation efforts, and ensures a more authentic safari experience.

3. Utilize Your Guide's Knowledge

Collaborate with your local field guide who possesses invaluable knowledge of animal habits, territories, and behavior. Communicate your photography preferences, and leverage their expertise to position yourself for the perfect shot. Guides can anticipate lighting conditions and animal movements, enhancing your photography experience. For example, positioning the vehicle in a way that the sun is in your back instead of in your lens to have nice lighting on the animal or landscape you want to capture. However, on some occasions, it’s also great to photograph towards the sun to create a nice rim light around the animal.

As a nature and wildlife enthusiast, I encourage you to ask your safari guide lots of questions  to learn more about the behavior and habitats of the wildlife you encounter. This knowledge helps you anticipate movements and position yourself for the perfect shot.

4. Pay Attention to Composition

Crafting attractive compositions on safari is key to impactful photography. Be creative. Explore angles, perspectives, and framing techniques to create visually appealing images.

Rule of Thirds

Apply the rule of thirds by placing your subject off-center for dynamic images. Utilize paths, tracks, or natural elements like bushes, rocks or trees for depth and scale. These composition tips elevate your photos without requiring advanced technical skills. Most cameras also have a grid that helps you to better frame your subject. Also, always think of leaving an empty space in the direction the wildlife is heading or the direction the animal is looking. In some occasions, it's also a good idea to put your subject in the middle.

Shoot from a low angle

Shooting from a low angle (on the ground) can also make your composition more attractive. Safari in a game drive vehicle mostly doesn’t allow you to get out of the car to photograph wildlife, but on some occasions it might be possible. Another occasion could be if you’re on a walking safari . The advantage of getting low on the ground is that you are able to change the background in your scene. Being on eye-level with your animal also establishes a better connection.

Please consider the ethics of your framing – prioritize the well-being of the wildlife you encounter.

5. Show animals in their natural environment

Capturing close-ups of the Big Five is often popular among safari tourists, and wildlife photographers, but don’t forget the beautiful environment these animals live in.

Their natural environment is equally important as they form that bigger picture together. And it’s those areas that we need to protect to save wildlife from extinction.

Every part of the ecosystem is dependent on each other. That’s the beauty of nature, and it allows the viewer to understand where the animal lives and flourishes. As a conservation photographer, I also love to showcase the wildlife’s home that we need to protect.

6. Master the Exposure Triangle

Light is a fundamental element in photography, and understanding the exposure triangle is a fundamental part to master the art of safari photography. Understanding aperture , shutter speed , and ISO allows you to adapt to various lighting conditions. These three factors work together to determine how bright or dark your photos will turn out, as well as the level of sharpness and graininess.

Adjust aperture for light control and depth of field , use shutter speed to freeze or create motion of animals, and set ISO for sensitivity (lower during the day, higher when it’s getting darker).

7. Use Shutter Priority Mode for moving wildlife

If you’re used to photographing in automatic mode, it can feel like a puzzle if you want to photograph wildlife manually. Therefore, my best photography tip is to set your camera on shutter priority mode (S). It means that you only have to think about the shutter speed and the camera does the rest like your ISO and Aperture (semi)automatically.

This technique ensures sharp and clear images, especially when photographing animals in motion on your safari. Use a fast shutter speed to freeze fast-moving wildlife action, and try to practice with various settings between 1/250th of a second up to 1/2500s. Additionally, fast shutter speeds can help prevent camera shake, particularly when shooting handheld.

A rule of thumb: choose a minimum shutter speed based on the focal length you are shooting. An example: I often capture wildlife with a focal length of 400 mm, meaning my minimum shutter is 1/400s. If you are in a moving safari vehicle, boat or hot air balloon, and/or the animal you want to photograph is moving fast, then use a minimum of 2 times the focal length. So, shooting at 400 mm would mean a shutter speed of 1/800s. To capture moving birds in flight , you might want to practice choosing shutter speeds to up to 1/2000s.

8. Choose AI Servo (AF Continuous) Mode for moving wildlife

AI Servo  is the best mode to capture wildlife that is moving, to automatically keep track of and stay focussed on the moving animal.

9. Practice with Aperture Priority Mode for a ‘blurry’ background

Aperture Priority in safari photography allows you to set the desired aperture, controlling the depth of field in your wildlife shots. In situations where you want a blurred background to emphasize the subject, or conversely, a broader depth of field to capture more details.

Aperture Priority mode gives you this creative control. For example, when you want a close-up of a lion or a colorful bird with a blurred background effect, like the Lilac-breasted Roller in the above image. The more zoom and the lower the aperture number, the more you are able to eliminate the background in your image and create that nice compression.

On the other hand, if you want to photograph a group of animals like a herd of elephants, I recommend choosing an aperture of f/8 to get the whole group of animals in focus (and not only one).

10. Try Burst Shooting Mode in Safari Photography

Shooting in  burst mode is an important wildlife photography tip for safari enthusiasts, catering to both beginners and advanced photographers. Wildlife is unpredictable, and animals often move swiftly. Burst mode allows you to capture a series of rapid shots, increasing the chances of freezing dynamic moments, ensuring you don't miss critical actions or spontaneous behaviors.

Beginners benefit by having a safety net, capturing shots even if timing is a challenge. For advanced photographers, burst mode offers creative opportunities to select the perfect frame from a sequence.

11. Focus on the eyes of an animal

Always focus on the eyes of the animals ; that’s the cardinal rule of wildlife photography! This golden tip elevates your shots, creating a connection between the viewer and the wildlife subject. Instead of hastily snapping numerous wildlife images, wait for the moment when the animal turns its gaze towards you.

Focusing on the eyes provides viewers with a unique perspective. It creates a visual connection, as if the animals are looking directly through the photograph at the audience. This transformative approach adds depth and emotion, making your wildlife images more memorable and resonant, especially when capturing close-up shots of animals. This technique enhances the details in the eyes, showcasing the intricacies and expressions that might be missed in broader shots.

Aim for a shutter speed between 1/250s to 1/2500s, depending on the animal's movement, and an aperture between f/2 to f/6, depending on your lens. These settings ensure both eyes are in focus, capturing the essence of the wildlife subject.

Remember, the eyes are the windows to the soul , even in the animal kingdom. So when focusing on the animal’s eyes, you can create truly remarkable and memorable wildlife photographs.

12. Shoot in RAW if you can

Shooting in RAW format on a safari offers several advantages.

RAW images provide a higher dynamic range compared to JPEG, capturing more details in both shadows and highlights. This is crucial in the diverse and often challenging lighting conditions encountered during a safari.

RAW files contain more image data , allowing for extensive post-processing without compromising quality. This flexibility is valuable when adjusting exposure, contrast, color balance, and other elements during the editing process (I usually edit my wildlife images in Lightroom).

Shooting in RAW preserves the original quality and detail captured by the camera's sensor. This is especially important in wildlife photography, where preserving the authenticity of the scene is crucial.

13. Timing is Everything: The Golden Hour and Beyond

The golden hours of sunrise and sunset conveniently align with the typical timing of game drives during a safari when the animals are most active. The warm, soft light enhances the colors and textures of the African landscape, creating a captivating backdrop for your photos.

The advantage of photographing during the Golden Hour , sometimes called ‘Magical Hour’, is that the soft golden light reduces harsh shadows and creates a golden glow. Patience during these hours rewards you with captivating glimpses into the animals' daily lives.

14. Equip Yourself Wisely with the right camera gear

Ensure you have the right camera equipment for safari photography.

Bring a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera and zoom lenses with 200-600 mm range or a quality compact camera for versatile quality wildlife photos. Safari photography on a smartphone is not the best option to photograph wildlife, but it is, of course, a great option to create short videos, stories, and reels.

Zoom lenses for safari photography

I highly recommend a long lens with a minimum of 200 mm zoom to capture distant wildlife. A zoom lens allows you to effortlessly switch between photographing animals from a distance without disturbing them and capturing intricate details of flora and fauna up close.

More ideally, a zoom lens with a focal length of 300 mm+ is great for capturing wild animals or birds. If you’re using a full-frame camera, I would suggest a 400 mm zoom lens and if you are a keen birder a 600 mm long lens is perfect for bird photography on safari.

Wide-angle lens

Apart from zoom lenses, I always carry a wide-angle lens (for example 16-35 mm), great for capturing the beautiful African landscapes and its animals or magical sunsets.

Essential accessories

Don't forget essential accessories, such as memory cards, extra batteries, cleaning wipes, a charger, a camera bag, and a rain cover. Consider a beanbag for stability.

Hire photography gear for safari

Not having the right camera gear ? Nowadays, the quality of compact cameras is pretty good as well, and it’s also possible to hire photography gear .

15. Consider bringing a tripod and/or beanbag

Bringing a tripod and/or beanbag on safari is a crucial photography tip for the following reasons:

• Stability for Clear Shots: A tripod or beanbag provides stability, reducing camera shake and ensuring clear shots, especially when using longer lenses.
• Flexibility in Composition: Both tripods and beanbags allow photographers to compose shots with precision. A tripod is ideal for setting up shots in a fixed position, while a beanbag provides a more flexible option, allowing quick adjustments and movements.
• Support for Heavy Equipment: Professional camera gear, including telephoto lenses, can be heavy. A tripod and/or beanbag offers robust support for heavier equipment, preventing fatigue during extended periods of shooting.
• Long Exposure and Low Light Conditions: In low light or during sunrise/sunset safaris, a tripod is essential for capturing long-exposure shots without introducing motion blur. A tripod is also great to practice with star photography and photographing the milky way when you're back at the safari lodge .
• Silent Shooting with Beanbags: Beanbags are preferred for wildlife photography as they provide a stable base without the noise associated with adjusting tripod legs. This is especially important to avoid disturbing animals in their natural habitat.
• Versatility in Safari Vehicles: Safari vehicles often have limited space, and tripods may be cumbersome. Beanbags are more versatile, easily adapting to the contours of the vehicle and providing a stable platform for photography.

16. Make a back-up of your images on safari

I always back up my images while traveling. When my memory card is full, I back up my images onto an external hard drive. That is mostly enough, but for people who want to travel longer, I highly recommend backing up to a second external hard drive (kept in different locations). Hard drives I use are Lacie Rugged, Samsung, and Seagate.

If you are using your phone only, I also recommend backing up your images in the cloud, for example iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, Google Photos, you name it.

17. Keep it Simple and Be Patient

Wildlife photography requires patience . Allow yourself time to observe and wait for the right moment, focusing on mastering basic techniques. Don't be overwhelmed by settings; simplicity often reveals the raw beauty of wildlife.

18. Edit your photos

Editing your safari photos is not essential, but if you want to step up your safari photography game, I highly recommend learning how to edit your wildlife images in, for example Adobe Lightroom (for both desktop and smartphone) and Photoshop . Especially if you are planning to print your photos, post-processing is an important step.

Get in touch for a private workshop on how to edit your safari photos or join me on a photo safari where I will share editing tips to improve your wildlife photography.

19. Know Your Camera

If you're a beginner photographer, all the settings on your camera can be a bit overwhelming. When I first started photography, my camera was a puzzle to me. I kept using the automatic mode until I learned the basics of photography during a volunteer program in South Africa . Having two game drives per day in Thanda Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal was the perfect way to start practicing shooting in manual mode and learn more about the best settings for safari. I highly recommend to start learning more about your camera and camera settings before you go on safari. Go through your camera manual to find the buttons and settings of some of the technical photography tips I mentioned in this article.

20. Embrace Learning and Growth

Whether you're a beginner or experienced photographer, nurture your interest in learning photography. Books about photography, online photography courses, workshops and guided photo safari tours with photography experts offer opportunities to enhance your safari photography skills; including my small group photo safaris . To master a new skill, learning by doing is often the most effective approach to get to know your camera better. So please remember, anyone can learn photography, and the wonders of a safari in Africa can ignite your passion for capturing the mesmerizing beauty of our planet's wildlife.

21. Join me on a photo safari to Africa

Do you want to improve your photography skills on safari  and travel with like-minded travelers? Join me on a small group safari to Africa . As a professional wildlife photographer, I can help to improve your photography skills on safari by sharing hands-on experience and valuable tips. Instead of rushing to tick off the Big Five, we will spend our time carefully during the beautiful golden hours around sunrise (morning game drive) and sunset (afternoon game drive).

It doesn't matter if you're a beginner, intermediate, or professional photographer. Having an interest in photography and and being prepared to learn are the most important aspects.

Safari Photography Tips to take the best photos on safari

These tips, coupled with the expertise on my photographic safari trip to Africa , will undoubtedly enhance your safari photography journey. Capture the essence of Africa's breathtaking wildlife and create lasting memories with every click of your camera (or even your smartphone).

Pocket-lint

14 safari tips and tricks you absolutely need to know.

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It might come as quite a surprise to learn that Apple's Safari browser is more than 20 years old. It first made an appearance as the default browser on Mac back in January 2003 and it was intended to be a faster browser for the Mac than the other popular browsers at the time, like Internet Explorer and Netscape. In the two decades that followed, Safari has seen some big changes. It was one of the first apps to appear on the original iPhone, and then made its way to the iPad too when the first model appeared in 2010.

Today, Safari is still an excellent browser for Mac, iPhone , and iPad, and there are a lot of features that you may be totally unaware of. Here are some of the best Safari tips and tricks you should take advantage of.

Safari tips and tricks on Mac

Thanks to the power of iCloud , you can sync your browsing across all your Apple devices, from your iPhone to your Mac. If you set up tab groups on your iPhone or iPad, you can see those same groups on your Mac, and vice versa. However, each version of the browser has its own unique tricks, many of which are definitely worth knowing.

Turn any website into an app

A new feature in the latest version of Safari, is that it's now possible to take any website and turn it into an app that will appear in your dock. A Safari web app is a little different from a standard page in Safari, as it doesn't store any history, cookies, or other website data. It's also more streamlined, with just three buttons: back, forward, and share. If there's a streaming site you use that doesn't have its own app, for example, you can make one with just a few clicks.

• Open the website that you want turn into a web app.
• Click the Share icon in the top-right of the Safari window.
• Select Add to Dock .
• The web page is now turned into a web app that will appear in the dock of your Mac.

Use profiles to keep your browsing separated

Another new feature in the latest version of Safari is the ability to create different profiles. These profiles allow you to save completely different sets of Safari preferences. Your browsing history, bookmarks, cookies, and website data will only be saved within your profile so sites you visit in your Work profile for example, won't appear in the history for your Personal profile.

• Open Safari .
• Click the Safari menu in the menu bar.
• Select Settings .
• Click the Profiles tab.
• Click Start Using Profiles .
• Set up your first profile .
• You can add more at any time by clicking the + (plus) button in the Profiles tab.
• To switch between profiles, right-click the Safari icon in the dock and select the profile you want to use.

Create tab groups to make tabs easier to find

If you don't want to use profiles, you can use tab groups to keep your browsing more organised. Tab groups allow you to group collections of tabs together. When you open the group, you'll just see the tabs saved within that group. You can create as many different tab groups as you wish, and they will sync across your Apple devices.

• Open Safari and click the Show Sidebar icon at the top-left of the screen.
• Click the New Tab Group icon in the top-right corner of the sidebar.
• To create a new empty tab group, select New Empty Tab Group .
• To add the currently open tabs to a new group, select New Tab Group with X Tabs .
• You can add further tabs to tab groups by dragging them into the appropriate group in the sidebar.

Use picture-in-picture for better multitasking

If you're watching a video on a website, you might want to be able to keep browsing as you do so. Using the picture-in-picture feature in Safari allows you to break out the video from the webpage, so that you can keep watching it and carry on browsing, even in other tabs or apps.

• Open a webpage with a video you want to watch and start the video playing.
• Right-click the Speaker icon at the right-hand end of the URL bar.
• Select Open Picture in Picture .
• The video will pop out in a separate window.
• You can now carry on browsing, with the video still visible.

Quickly get back to search results using SnapBack

Have you ever fallen down a browsing rabbit hole? You do a web search, click one of the results, find an interesting link on that page and click it. Then you find an even more interesting link on that page. Before you know it, you're ten pages from where you first started.

Now you want to get back to your original search results. That's going to involve a lot of clicking the back button, right? Well, not if you use the clever SnapBack feature. It will take you right back to those search results, skipping all the pages in between.

• Do a web search in Safari.
• Follow some links within the same tab.
• Click the History menu.
• Select Search Results SnapBack .
• You'll be taken back to the original page of search results.

Quickly close multiple tabs

If you find that you've got too many tabs open, you may not like the thought of having to close each one manually. The good news is that you don't have to. You can quickly close multiple tabs in Safari in just a couple of clicks.

• Right-click a tab that you want to keep open.
• To close every other tab except the current one, select Close Other Tabs .
• To close all the tabs to the right of the current one, select Close Tabs to the Right .

Safari tips and tricks on iPad

Safari on the iPad also has some tricks of its own, some of which won't work on Mac or iPhone. Most of the tricks from the section below on iPhone tips and tricks will also work on iPad, however.

Use tabs in Split View

Split View is a useful iPad feature for working with multiple apps at once. It works by splitting the screen into two sections, with a different app running in each. However, it's also possible to use Split View for two different Safari tabs.

• Open the first page you want to use in Split View.
• Tap the Three Dots at the very top of the screen.
• Tap the Split View icon.
• Tap the Safari icon to open another Safari window.
• You can now navigate to the other web page you want to see in this new window.
• You can drag the central divider in either direction if you need one of the windows to be larger than the other.
• To return to the standard view, tap the Three Dots icon at the top of one of the windows and select the Full Screen icon.

Merge Safari windows back into tabs

If you've been working with multiple separate windows of Safari, rather than using tabs within the same window, it's possible to quickly merge all of your open Safari windows back into tabs.

• Tap and hold the Tab Overview icon in the top-right of one of your Safari windows.
• Select Merge All Windows .
• All open Safari windows will be collected together as tabs within a single window.

Bookmark multiple tabs at once

If you've got multiple tabs open, and you want to save all of them so that you can access them later, you might go through each one in turn and save it as a bookmark. However, there's a much quicker way which allows you to bookmark all of your currently open tabs.

• Open the tabs that you want to bookmark.
• Tap and hold the Bookmarks icon.
• To add a single bookmark, select Add Bookmark .
• To bookmark all of the currently open tabs, select Add Bookmarks for X Tabs .

Sort your tabs by title or website

The extra real estate on the iPad allows you to view a lot of tabs at once. However, finding the right tab can still be tricky if you have a lot of them open. It's possible to sort your tabs by title or by website to make it easier to find the one you want.

• Tap the Tab Overview icon in the top-right of the window.
• When the tabs appear, tap and hold one of them.
• Tap Arrange Tabs By .
• Select Arrange Tabs By Title or Arrange Tabs By Website .

Safari tips and tricks on iPhone

Mobile browsing is the common way that people access the internet these days, so knowing some useful iPhone Safari tricks can help.

Quickly scroll back to the top of the page

You've been engrossed in an interesting article and have scrolled a long way through as you read. You now want to go back to the top of the page so you can access the menu. That means a lot of scrolling to get back to the top, or you can simply tap somewhere around the top of your iPhone screen like the clock or the battery icon . This will automatically scroll the current web page back to the top.

Close all tabs at once

Do you find your iPhone gets filled with hundreds of tabs when you're browsing? If so, you might be too daunted to even think about closing them all. Thankfully, there is a quick way to close all of your tabs at once.

• Tap and hold the Tab Overview icon in the bottom-right of the screen.
• Select Close All X Tabs .
• All of your open tabs will close.

Set your tabs to close automatically

If even this seems like too much effort, you can get Safari to automatically close your tabs for you. You can have this happen every day, every week, or every month.

• Open the Settings app.
• Scroll down and select Safari .
• Under the Tabs section, tap Close Tabs .
• Select After One Day , After One Week , or After One Month to have Safari automatically close your tabs for you.
• If you don't want Safari to close your tabs, select Manually instead.

Open a new tab with a gesture

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Safari safety tips (not just for dummies)

Let's talk safari safety. This means pointing to the African nations that are safe to visit, how to stay safe in terms of the wildlife (it's not all obvious stuff), what to know for self-drive safaris, and the safety perks of organised safaris.

We all know that if you plop yourself down among a circle of baboons, you’re asking for trouble.

So we’re not going to use this blog post to talk about the importance of not feeding or petting the wildlife on safari. We assume you know that already. Instead, we’re going to offer you some solid safari safety tips that are actually worth your time.

An African safari is an unforgettable experience

There are two primary aspects to safari safety: 

• Ensuring you’re safe from the wildlife (both big and minute). 
• Avoiding any dangerous or unstable regions.

That said, there are some other points we're going to make that are more about comfort than outright danger, like not getting stuck in a muddy rut and spending the night camped out in your 4x4.

Enough preamble.

How to stay safe on a safari drive

Safaris aren’t dangerous by nature.

That said, a safari – like riding a bicycle or stepping out your front door – is not entirely risk free. We take our lives into our hands every day. But we’re happy to report that a safari isn’t dangerous if done right. 

Leopards are elusive, making spotting one on a game drive a real coup!

When it comes to African wildlife, there are many dangerous animals, both large and small. And many will happily bite, buck, sting or stomp you if you aggravate them. (And just being in their way can be aggravating to some.) But the good news is that you’re not in danger from the wildlife unless you act recklessly or stupidly.

Cheetahs don't hassle humans unless the humans hassle them first

So you want to be sensible in the manner you go about game viewing, whether you're doing a self-drive safari or an organised one.

The main thing for keeping safe is to stay inside your vehicle when in a game park (unless your safari guide says it's safe to get out). We repeat: your vehicle is your safety shield on safari. Stay inside of it!

If you spot some exciting wildlife, don't jump out of the vehicle to photograph it – stay where you are and take a pic from there! #Safety101

Even if you see a solitary, sweet, doe-eyed duiker next to your car, don't get out to snap a close up (use your zoom lens for that). You never know what else is lurking just beyond view. And even the animals that look super cute and cuddly can sometimes be dangerous under the right set of circumstances.

Always stay inside your vehicle unless your tour guide indicates it's safe to step out

Which are the most dangerous African animals?

It’s surprisingly difficult to pinpoint the most dangerous animal in Africa.

This is because danger comes in many forms. Some animals are hazardous because they have brute strength, others because of their immense size, and others because of their fearsomely strong jaws and sharp teeth.

Still others are highly dangerous because of their speed, wiliness, venom or camouflage. 

So is the most dangerous African animal the lion ? He’s the king of the jungle, after all. But what about the elephant , which can crush you like a petal? Or the giraffe , which can actually decapitate you with a kick? Or the hyena , which has the strongest jaws of any mammal?

We also mustn't forget to consider the hippo . In spite of its ungainly appearance, the hippo is surprisingly swift, and is also aggressive to boot. In fact, hippos kill more Africans on average than any other large land mammal. (But once again, they – like other animals – are only dangerous to safari-goers if you step out of your vehicle.)

Hippos are the most dangerous of Africa's large land mammals, not lions

But wait, we must consider some other gnarly creatures before crowning our Most Dangerous Animal winner ...

The Big Five

Colonial-era hunters coined the term ‘ the Big Five ’ to identify the large game that they found to be the most dangerous when hunted on foot.

This is because these animals ( lions, bush elephants, Cape buffaloes, leopards and black rhinos ) are very aggressive when aggravated or cornered. But we don’t, of course, advocate hunting the Big Five or any other animals for that matter. Spotting them is sport enough! 

Did you know that the Cape buffalo is actually considered the most dangerous of the Big Five? This is because they will actually pursue or ambush hunters when feeling under threat.

Lions are formidable predators, but they're far from being Africa's most dangerous animal

Other (surprising) contenders

But when we think of fearsome wildlife, we can't forget the terrible Nile crocodile ! These beasts have jaws almost four times stronger than those of hyenas. (Shudder.) And there's also the puff adde r, whose camouflaged skin and venom make an awful combination.

Another contender many might overlook is the honey badger . This small creature is one of the strongest, toughest and most ferocious creatures out there. In fact, a honey badger will take on pretty much any species if the need arises, from lion to leopard to hyena.

Looks can be deceiving – NEVER mess with a honey badger

Our pick for the winner  

But if the most dangerous creature were to be decided purely based on the number of human fatalities, then the tiny malaria-transmitting mosquito is the most dangerous of all African animals.

Malaria is the scourge of Africa. According to WHO, it killed over 400,000 Africans in 2019.    

Is malaria a problem on safari? 

Most people thinking of a safari want to know if they’re safe from animals, imagining irate lions and ticked-off rhinos.

But really, it’s the tiny mosquito that presents the biggest threat.

Female anopheles mosquitoes that are infected with the malaria parasite bite and transmit the disease to hundreds of thousands of people in Africa every year.  

Map of malaria distribution in Africa

As you can see from the map, many African nations sit squarely in the malaria zone. So this isn’t an issue you can ignore when planning a safari. Instead, it should form an integral part of your travel prep. 

How do you protect yourself against malaria?

There are two ways to protect yourself from malaria. Firstly, we recommend visiting your local GP to ask after anti-malaria meds.

Secondly, once in a malaria-risk area:

• Use insect repellent.
• Wear long pants and long sleeves, as well as closed shoes.
• Sleep under a mosquito net.

Fit for Travel has a nice page on malaria prevention that we can also recommend for learning more on this important topic. 

Long-sleeved shirts protect you from sunburn and mozzie bites

Which is the safest country for safari?

You also want to visit a safe country.

We discuss which African countries offer good game spotting while also being safe for tourists. We know you want to see the Big Five (elephants, lions, rhinos, buffaloes and leopards), so we highlight the safest countries containing these magnificent animals.  

The main way to be safe on safari is to know what you’re doing, or travel with someone who does.

The endangered rhino is a favourite among many safari-goers

Of the African countries that offer really good safari opportunities (and contain the Big Five), the following are the safest according to both the Global Peace Index and general consensus (in alphabetical order):

• Rwanda 

While some of these countries have had some security issues in recent years, those issues have been in areas far from the safari parks. In other words, they're all perfectly safe to visit when you're heading there on safari. Botswana is considered the safest of all African nations. And Zambia is ranked as the third safest nation.

We personally have no issue trotting off to any of the above-mentioned destinations. And we often do!

Botswana is Africa's safest country, while also being a seriously epic safari destination

6 self-drive safari tips

A big decision for would-be safari-goers is whether to do a self-drive safari or sign up for an organised one.

Some folks understandably enjoy the independence and thrill of a self-drive. That's totally fine. We just don't, however, advise going with this option unless you have done your homework thoroughly.

Some parks are better suited to self-drive safaris than others

You need to have a decent vehicle with high clearance to go on a game drive on your own. Depending on the terrain and condition of the roads or tracks, you might also need a four-wheel drive. Further to this, you need to know how to handle your vehicle really well in rough terrain or you could become unstuck ... by getting stuck.

Each park and reserve is different in terms of size, terrain and road conditions, so be sure to do your research first.

We recommend doing a self-drive safari only in smaller parks that have good signage and decently maintained tracks. Be really cautious of heading out on your own in wet or muddy conditions.

It's also better to do a self-drive safari only if you have GPS, or if the park has good cellphone coverage.

You should also think twice about a self-drive safari if you're heading into a very large park that isn't well-marked to help you navigate your way. Not all parks and reserves offer the same amenities, quality of roads, and so on. If you do on your own, be sure to never leave the demarcated road, not just because this usually isn't allowed, but also for your own safety.

If you get lost in one of the big parks, help could well be very, very far away

Ideally, you should do a first safari drive with a guide in the passenger seat before heading out on a self-drive. Use that initial drive to quiz your driver on how to stay safe and drive in a safe manner.

Here are some further tips for those looking to do a self-drive safari:

• Never get closer than 20 m (65 ft) to large game, especially Cape buffaloes, rhinos and elephants.
• Give a wide berth to injured animals and those with young.
• Don't hoot (honk) or shout at animals to try get them to turn, raise their heads, and so on. Similarly, don't wave wildly at the animals.
• Drive very cautiously around solitary elephants and buffaloes.
• Don't rev your engine loudly around the animals, as this could startle or alarm them.
• Don't bring smelly foods like fruits in the car with you. Many animals have an excellent sense of smell, and may want a taste of what you're having.

You need a 4x4 that can handle vast distances and rough terrain in order to go on safari safely

When on safari, please think of yourself as visitors in the animals' home; you should act respectfully and not make a nuisance of yourself. The less that humans interfere with the day-to-day lives of the wildlife, the better.

In fact, sometimes animals are put down after attacking people, even though it was actually the latter's fault for provoking them. Don't be the sort of human who comes on safari and leaves a legacy of death.

Most incidents in game parks occur when people grow overly confident. Respect the wildlife, remembering that it is indeed just that: wild.

Why organised safaris are safer than self-drives

Organised safaris offer many perks, such as providing you with an appropriate safari vehicle as well as a driver-cum-guide. (Safari tour operators usually organise your accommodation for you too.)

The vehicle used in a game drive is important in terms of comfort, safety and reliability

From a safety point of view, going on safari with a tour operator is a very good idea. Qualified tour guides have in-depth knowledge of how to keep you safe (in all respects).

Specifically, the safety advantages of going on safari with a trained tour guide are:

• They have the right sort of vehicle and training and so can safely and effectively navigate the often tough, muddy terrain. (Sitting in a broken-down 4x4 in a hot game park is no bueno .)
• Safari guides know which animals are dangerous, and in what ways, so they can act sensibly and advise you of what to do and not do in all situations.
• They know how close you can get to the different animals while staying safe and also not scaring them off.

Male elephants are more aggressive during musth, a period of heightened testosterone

Further to all this, safari guides also know about the different animals' life stages and patterns. For instance, male elephants are particularly aggressive during musth (a period of heightened testosterone). So one should drive extra judiciously when in the presence of such individuals to avoid being charged.

Other perks of organised safaris

Some of the other perks of going on safari with a trained guide but that aren't related to safety are:

• Safari guides are excellent at game spotting! They'll notice and point out animals you'd otherwise have missed.
• Your guide is in touch with fellow guides and rangers about where the best animal sightings are, as well as any problem areas like a flooded road.
• They have intimate knowledge of the animals you spot, so can really make what you're seeing that much more interesting.

Safari guides are often in touch to alert each other to issues as well as animal sightings

Safari guides help you avoid unwittingly disruptive behaviours

If you're interested in sustainable travel (which we hope you are!), a safari guide is also invaluable in helping you to reduce the impact of your visit. For instance, did you know that you shouldn't touch the vegetation?

It might seen harmless, but you shouldn't touch vegetation on a safari

There are a few reasons why your touch can be damaging to certain plants, including the fact that some plants release defensive chemicals or aromatic compounds when touched by humans. These may temporarily alter the mix of scents in the air, which could potentially affect the nearby wildlife's perception of the environment.

Who knew touching a petal or leaf could have such an impact? Well, of course, a trained safari guide knows this, and will help you to avoid such potentially harmful practices!

Kazi is one of our highly knowledgeable Tanzania safari guides

Don’t pay a tour company you haven’t researched

As with any industry, the safari tourism trade has its share of shysters.

There are tour operators who don’t train or pay staff properly, for instance, as well as full-on scammers and everything in between. Have nothing to do with them, both for your sake as well as for the sake of the tourism industry.

While a safari is a perfectly safe enterprise when done properly, it can quickly descend into something unpleasant, even dangerous, if not done right.

One of our FA vehicles on safari in the Serengeti

We advise that you thoroughly research any safari operator you’re considering using before forking out any money.

What does that research look like? Well, we suggest that you:

• Check some independent review platforms such as Trustpilot and look on sites like Facebook to see what past clients have to say.
• Look for a physical address on the website.
• Phone or email the company to assess their responsiveness and professionalism.
• Pay attention to your gut. Don't talk yourself into ignoring anything that doesn't feel right.

Never pay any money in advance to a company you’re not confident is fully legit. 

Witnessing the Great Migration, which takes place in Tanzania and Kenya, is arguably the very best African safari experience

If you're interested in perhaps doing a safari with Follow Alice, please check out our various exciting safari itineraries , which include safaris in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda! You can also take a look at our Trustpilot reviews .

How to Go on an African Safari for Less Money: Tips By Industry Experts

By Tamara Hinson

August 27, 2024

Bigger isn’t always better.

When it comes to safaris, certain destinations have an almost mythical status, but it’s worth remembering visiting these destinations can cost considerably more. “Fees charged by larger national parks can swallow a lot of your budget,” says James Haigh, head of sales at Lemala Camps and Lodges . “If seeing big-ticket destinations like the Serengeti or Maasai Mara isn’t essential, consider smaller parks [with lower entry fees] such as Tarangire, Manyara, Arusha in Tanzania [pictured above], or Tsavo, Meru, or the Aberdares in Kenya.”  

Spend money on what matters.

Yes, you might dream of sipping sundowners in an elegant lodge with a bar carved from Zambian granite before dozing off under cotton sheets with 3,000 thread counts in a décor of artfully stage-managed antique trunks. But will these things make those all-important animal sightings more likely? In reality, they’ll simply push up the price tag. “Think about it. You get up in the morning, go out on a game drive for most of the day, come back, have a shower, a sundowner, dinner, chit chat, and go to bed,” says Alan Feldstein at Infinite Safari Adventures . “How much time did you really spend at that expensive lodge? Camps and lodges with comfortable beds, hot showers, and toilets that flush are all that you need.” 

Understand national parks vs. wildlife reserves.

When it comes to safaris, wildlife reserves, which are mostly located in South Africa and can be privately owned, might well be cheaper due to their accessibility, but bear in mind that the overall experience is likely to be different. “Private reserves are primarily located in South Africa and they’re just that: private,” says Feldstein of Infinite Safari Adventures. “That means that there are no other vehicles in the reserve except for those owned or permitted by the reserve owners. But it also means that there are limits to what you will see. Reserves are typically fenced in and have limited amounts of wildlife. More vehicles are allowed inside national parks, but there’s more open space to view wildlife and you never know what you are going to see. Quite simply, [national parks] are wilder. And some of the great spectacles, like the Great Migration, are found only in national parks.”

Stay loyal.

Combining multiple lodges operated by different owners can quickly push up costs, so as you travel Africa in search of sightings, don’t be afraid to ask what perks might be available if you stick with lodges owned by the same company. “Always ask your agent if there are any long-stay discounts available if you book several properties from the same property brand,” says Haigh of Lemala Camps and Lodges. It’s also worth asking if your operator can access any “3-for-2 nights” deals. These are becoming increasingly common, because growing numbers of travelers are opting to combine multiple destinations in one trip and lodge owners are keen to hold onto customers.

Plan your trip far ahead.

Being an early bird reaps rewards when it comes to safaris. Bear in mind you’re not booking a hotel with hundreds of rooms. Most safari lodges and camps accommodate fewer than 30 people in a maximum of 10 or 11 tents, so they sell out quickly. “Booking early can provide access to early bird discounts, and you can save as much as 10 to 20 percent,” says Greg Fox, co-founder of Mahlatini Luxury Travel . “Booking early also guarantees you access to the most sought-after locations before the demand increases and pushes prices up even further.”

Always use an agent.

Booking directly with a hotel in Europe or the U.S. might reap rewards, but with safaris, a trusted travel agent can save you huge amounts of cash—and provide peace of mind, too. “Booking through a single source agent will save time and ultimately money, with another hidden benefit being that, while you’re enjoying your safari, the agency is monitoring your journey, anticipating cancelled flights, missed transfers and any other event that the direct booker wouldn’t be aware of,” says Warren Green, founder of Warren Green & Associates , which helps safari destinations market themselves to travelers. “Agents have your back.” On safari, you'll spend long periods in the bush without a phone signal, so it pays to have someone else minding the overall picture.

Choose your transfer carefully.

Yes, stepping out of the airport into an air-conditioned four-wheeled drive stocked with bottled water and snacks might be lovely, but it’s another perk which can push up the price. And light airplane journeys over the African savannah might provide the perfect opportunity selfies, but are they really worth the added cost? Bear in mind the cost of a chartered flight typically starts at around $450 for a two-hour transfer, so traveling via road or visiting lodges which are closer together, might be more affordable choices. Unless your lodge or camp is truly remote, always ask about the cost of a road transfer, and ask whether it's advisable to opt for a local taxi company rather than the lodge’s chauffeur-driven vehicle.

On a Budget? Not Botswana 

Botswana (pictured above) is a bucket list safari destination for many, and don’t get us wrong—its wetlands make it a truly spectacular place. But it’s also Africa’s most expensive safari destination. Numerous factors push up the cost of a safari here. Botswana has a small population and a high GDP per capita thanks to its mineral wealth, so it doesn’t need mass-market tourism as much as neighboring nations do. “Botswana has deliberately followed a low-volume, high-value model, which means they have an abundance of private concessions offering very exclusive stays,” says Mike Kelly, co-founder of  Coral Tree Travel , a tour operator specializing in Africa. “Safari operators have created expensive accommodation options to market to the super wealthy.”

Know each country's peak timing 

Always remember that the best time to visit one country isn’t necessarily the best time to visit another. Some examples? “Zimbabwe and Zambia offer excellent value from late October to May,” says Sunit Sanghrajka, founder and CEO of  Alluring Africa . “Kenya’s rainy Season [April to May] is also a winner.” A word of warning? “Botswana in peak season is now officially the most expensive destination between July and September,” says Sunit. “Many camps are now charging between $4,000 and $6,000 per person per night.”

Don’t dismiss rainy season.

Dry season is traditionally the most popular time to go on safari, but trust us: When you’ve spent three hours under the baking sun waiting for a lion to wake up from his afternoon nap (it’s not just humans who need siestas on hot days), you’ll realize why the dry time is not necessarily the best time for a safari.  Pauline Frommer  says that even though foliage tends to be thicker during the rainy season, which may require more effort from you to spot animals, the wet season also tends to be a good time to spot baby animals.

Assume everyone will pay the adult price.

Bear in mind that in terms of pricing, not all operators differentiate between children and adults, and when they do, there’s little common ground when it comes to the age when a child is deemed to be a grown-up. “As far as families are concerned, not all operators apply child rates to the same ages,” says Kelly of Coral Tree Travel. For this reason, never assume that your children will be entitled to reduced rates.

Avoid booking sites.

We’ve mentioned the advantages of using an agent, but a final word of warning: Be aware that safaris that are booked using mass-market travel websites are likely to be very different to ones booked with a specialist agent. “These sites are for people looking for budget options over a vetted experience,” says Jessica Parker, Travel Advisor at Trip Whisperer . “You have to be willing to go along with a bunch of other people, and it’s always a little riskier with the quality.” Finding out exactly who to contact if things go wrong can also be incredibly tricky, partly due to the way these companies often subcontract smaller operators.

Don’t rely on last-minute availability.

Years ago, bargain hunters could occasionally bag a great deal by simply turning up in cities such as Johannesburg or Cape Town (in the latter, Long Street was once lined with independent travel agents) and attempting to snap up a last-minute deal. Sadly, those days are over. Safaris simply became too popular. Several safari operators told us that camps and lodges typically sell out months in advance now, effectively eliminating the once-thriving market for last-minute spots. As one expert told us, the rules are different now: “It’s probably not a great idea to just try your luck.”

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Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

Safari Photography Tips – How to Get Great Photos on Safari

Last updated: July 16, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 4 Comments

A safari is a fantastic way to see a wide range of wildlife in its natural habitat. It’s also an opportunity to take lovely photos of that wildlife! However, there are some unique challenges to taking photos on safari. In this post, I’m going to share some safari photography tips to help ensure you get the best photos when you go on safari.

As a professional travel photographer, I’ve been lucky enough to take photos in a wide range of scenarios, including on a number of safaris in both Africa and Asia. Based on my experiences, I’m going to share with you everything you need to know to get great photos on safari.

Most of my examples used in the post are from taking photos while on safari in Africa; however, these tips will work for most safari destinations. as well as for wildlife photography in general. Many of these tips can help anyone looking to improve their wildlife photography and also for anyone wanting to take photos from a vehicle.

I’ll cover a few things in this post. I’m going to talk about some general tips and things to think about when going on safari from a photography perspective. I’ll also include ideas on suggested cameras and camera accessories for safari so you know what is important to bring along.

A safari is a big investment for many of us, and is often a once in a lifetime trip. So getting great photos to remember our experiences is important. Let’s get started with the tips!

Table of Contents:

Tips for Taking Better Photos on Safari

Plan where you want to go.

The first thing you are going to have to do is decide where you want to go on safari. It’s likely that you already have an idea as to what you want to see and photograph on your safari, be it specific animals or birds, or maybe you are interested in certain landscapes.

The main thing is that you pick a destination that will give you a good chance of seeing the things you really want to see and photograph. This is particularly the case with animals or birds that are rarer, like rhinos.

On a recent trip across East Africa, we knew that we wanted to see and photograph things like gorillas, chimpanzees, rhinos, and spoonbill storks. We picked the countries we visited as well as the time of year we travelled to ensure that we would have a good chance of seeing these particular animals.

We also wanted to see the Great Wildebeest Migration on that trip. This is always taking place, so it was just a question of researching where it would be at the time of year we would be visiting to ensure we would have the best chance to see and photograph it.

Planning your destination properly is definitely the first step to getting the photos you want to get on your safari.

Research Your Chosen Safari Location

Once you have chosen your safari destination, do some research to better understand your trip itinerary and the wildlife, landscape, and climate of the destination.

All of these things can affect how you will want to prepare for your safari and the type of camera equipment you might need.

For instance, if your main photography goal of the trip is take photos of lions, you will want to try to make sure that you spend a sufficient amount of time in places with healthy populations of lions to increase your chances of seeing and photographing them. Lions are often best seen in savanna areas.

However, if you are interested in malachite kingfishers, you’ll want to make sure that you spend enough time in wetland areas for a good chance to see these birds. These little birds are best spotted and photographed either from a boat or on foot.

This research will also help you decide on the equipment you will need to take with you. For photography of smaller birds for example, you’re likely going to need a longer lens. If you are more interested in landscapes, then a wide-angle lens will be an essential item.

Finally, check out the climate for the country you are visiting and the time of year you plan to visit. Having an idea of what to expect will ensure you bring the right clothing as well as any protective equipment like camera rain covers on your trip.

Choose the Right Camera for Safari

One of the main decisions you’ll have to make when planning your safari trip is what camera to take with you on your trip. This decision will have you weighing various factors, from your budget through to the size and weight of the camera.

When you are deciding how much to spend and how much you are willing to carry with you, consider what sort of images you want to get. If you are looking for amazing wildlife shots of fast action or in low light, then you will want to invest more money in a high-end set-up.

As an example, compare these two shots of a leopard taken in low light at the end of the day. Both are uncropped.

Both images are obviously of a leopard. However, the compact camera struggles to get a close up shot due to the maximum 70mm focal length, and even at ISO 800 the image ends up being quite noisy. The slow shutter speed, even with image stabilization, also means the shot is not too sharp.

The larger and more professional Canon EOS R5 mirrorless camera paired with a 100-400mm lens is still able to get a very usable image, even at 10,000 ISO.

If you are just happy to capture memories of your trip, then a compact camera or smartphone will likely do the job.

A good compromise for many users is a bridge camera , which offers a good balance between a long zoom, affordability, and image quality.

However, if you want the most flexibility and opportunity to get the best shots from your trip, then a higher end mirrorless camera would be my recommendation.

If money and size are no object, my recommended camera for safari would be a high-end mirrorless system. The latest mirrorless models feature excellent auto-tracking autofocus which can recognise and lock onto a subject very quickly, which can really help with fast moving subjects.

In this situation, I’d probably pick a Canon EOS R5, Sony Alpha a7r IV or a Nikon Z9. I’d pair it with a telephoto zoom in the range of 100-500 with stabilization and as wide an aperture as I could afford.

If you want something that offers a good balance between affordability, image quality, and zoom, then my suggestion would be a bridge camera.

I have a whole post on the best camera for safari which I would suggest reading if you don’t already have a camera you want to bring with you. It’s definitely important to choose the right camera for you.

In summary though, here are some recommended cameras that I suggest you take a look at, depending on the type of camera you would like to take on safari:

• Smartphone: either a Pixel 6 Pro or iPhone 13 .
• Compact camera Panasonic Lumix ZS70 or Sony RX100 VII
• Bridge camera:   Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 / FZ82 or Sony RX10 IV .
• Mirrorless camera: Sony a6100, Sony Alpha 7c , Canon EOS R6 Mark II , Nikon Z7II , Canon EOS R5 , or   Sony Alpha a7 IV
• DSLR camera:  Nikon D3500 or Canon EOS 6D Mark II

For more on choosing a camera in general, we also have guides to the best travel camera , best compact camera , best bridge camera , best mirrorless camera and best DSLR cameras .

If you have, or plan to buy, a mirrorless camera or DSLR camera, you may be wondering what kind of lens would be best for safari. It depends of course on your photography goals and what you want to photograph, but I would generally recommend a lens with a focal range of 100-400mm. See my safari camera post for lens recommendations.

Learn How to Use Your Camera

Once you have decided on which camera to take with you, it’s important that you learn how to use it properly. This applies to whatever kind of camera you are using, be it a smartphone camera or a high-end DSLR or mirrorless camera.

A camera is ultimately just a tool to help you take great photos, and like any tool, it will only do what you ask of it. Understanding the various features of your camera and how to access and adjust key settings is vital to ensure you don’t miss a shot.

When you are on safari, great photography opportunities can arise very quickly and be gone just as quickly. For example, for the shot of the leopard at the start of this post I had just a couple of seconds to frame the shot and ensure all the settings were correct before he decided to sit up and slink away out of sight.

Had I not been able to nail the focus or adjust ISO, aperture, and shutter speed appropriately in time, I would have missed the shot. I would recommend checking out my guide to the exposure triangle , as well as how to use a mirrorless camera for detailed advice.

Understanding how to adjust the settings and set up your camera properly means you’ll have more control over the final look of your shots. For example, you could learn how to manually change the shutter speed so as to capture movement in different ways.

Here are a couple of examples of different shutter speeds to show the difference.

In the first shot, even though the fighting zebra are moving quickly, the fast shutter speed freezes the action. In the second shot of the wildebeest crossing, they are just walking over the road. But in 1/5th of a second, they cover a small amount of ground, and so they become blurry. The single stationary wildebeest remains sharp as it isn’t moving.

There are many features of a camera which can be used to adjust how the final shot looks, and understanding how to control them will help ensure you get the shots you want.

If you feel you need help with using your camera and would like to improve your photography, there are a lot of photography courses, books, and workshops out there. I run an online photography course that teaches all the basics as well as more advanced skills, and have proudly helped thousands of people improve their photography skills.

Understand the Limitations of Your Camera

Every camera has limitations as to what it can do. These limitations will vary, and even high-end cameras will have some sort of limitation.

Examples of limitations are:

• The zoom isn’t very big, meaning you can’t capture animals which are far away and will have limitations capturing smaller animals like birds
• The camera sensor is small, and so will produce noisier images when there is less light
• The lens is big and heavy, so you need to use a fast shutter speed to avoid getting blurry images due to your hand motion when hand holding it
• Big and heavy equipment is more difficult to pack and travel with

The important thing is to understand the limitations of your camera so you can work around them, or at least, know what to expect before you go on safari.

The most common issue is probably not being able to take photos of animals that are further away. We saw a number of travelers frustrated by this on our recent trip in East Africa. All cameras will have their distance limitations, just be sure to have a good idea of yours so you can have realistic expectations of what kinds of photos you will be able to take. You can simply go outside and take photos of local animals or birds to get a good sense of this.

Another common issue I see from safari photos and wildlife photos in general are images that are not as sharp as they could be.

This is usually because the shutter speed is too low, and the user is hand holding a larger lens. A slow shutter speed means that any movement in your hand is translated into motion blur as you take the picture. You can fix this by increasing the shutter speed and/or resting the lens on a steady surface.

Some limitations can’t be overcome though, and are usually down to the actual hardware inside the camera. For example, the maximum zoom, the sensor size and maximum aperture size will be fixed.

However, if you know what the limitations of your equipment are, then you will be able to either accept them and work around them, or decide on upgrading to a different camera for your trip.

I’d also add at this point that you shouldn’t compare your photos to those you’ve seen on TV, online, and in wildlife magazines. You have no doubt seen some amazing wildlife photos and videos on sites like National Geographic or the BBC , and might wonder why you aren’t able to get the same sorts of shots.

Whilst it is of course possible to get images like those photographers do, they often have a lot of advantages over the average tourist. Not only do they typically travel as a crew with tons of high-end equipment, but they often take photos in locations that are hard to get to with limited public access.

They also often have paid for special press / filming permits to get off-road access or shoot in private areas outside of national parks. They also often spend weeks planning and trying to get the right shots, and only share the best shots with the public.

So don’t be too hard on your gear or yourself. Just be aware of the limitations of your photography equipment and know how to get the most out of it.

Understand What Causes Blurry Wildlife Images

It’s important that your images are sharp. Two things can cause an image not to be sharp.  The first is using too slow of a shutter speed for the situation you are shooting. The second is not focusing correctly.

A slow shutter speed can result in blurry images for a number of reasons. If you are hand holding your camera, then any movements in your hands can translate to blurry images. Movement of the subject can also translate to blur, as can movement due to you taking photos from a moving vehicle or boat.

You can resolve the slow shutter speed blur problem by using a faster shutter speed, and ensuring you are as still as possible when shooting. Ideally, you’ll want to rest your camera on something totally stable when shooting. Then all you have to think about is the motion blur that might result from the animal moving.

For focus, the main issue is likely to come about as a result of the camera’s autofocus system picking the wrong part of the scene to focus on, leaving your subject out of focus. I’ll cover that in my next tip.

Master Your Camera’s Focus System

An important aspect of wildlife photography is knowing how to use your camera’s focus system.

It is important to be able to focus on the animal or thing that you want the viewers’ eyes to go to in the image. This means that you will want to be able to use your camera’s manual focus system (if it has one) and/or learn how to change the focus if your cameras autofocus gets it wrong.

A shot can technically be in focus and sharp, but if you have focused on the wrong part of the scene your actual subject will be out of focus and so you won’t end up with the image you want.

Nearly every camera on the market today has an automatic focus, or autofocus system. As the name suggests this system automatically focuses for you when you point the camera at a scene.

There is however quite a difference in the capabilities of these systems. At the more basic end, an autofocus system will allow you to select an area of the scene to focus on, and then focus appropriately.

More advanced autofocus system will be able to identify specific types of subject like animals or people, and track them as they move so you can keep focus.

Many cameras and lenses also feature manual override, so you can manually adjust the focus if you need.

For the main camera I use for wildlife photography, the Canon EOS R5 , this has a very sophisticated autofocus system which is able to recognised and lock onto a wide range of subjects. If it can find an eye, it will lock focus on that. Otherwise it will try to track a torso or head. Additionally, it can continue to track the subject as it moves, switch between subjects, and I can override the focus selection if necessary.

It took me quite a while to get to grips with this system, and also to get used to its quirks and limitations. For example, on some occasions it would prefer to focus on the grass in front of the subject rather than the subject. Other times it might focus on a marking on an animal’s hide, rather than the eye.

Results like this are why it is so important to both understand the various focus modes of your camera, but also understand how to override them.

For example, on my Canon EOS R5 I have a separate button set up for centre spot focus. This allows me to point the centre of the frame at the area I want to focus on, and know I’ll get sharp focus in that area when I press the focus button. I can also entirely override the focus with the manual focus ring on the lens.

Whilst I can rely on the autofocus subject tracking 90% of the time, it also means I don’t miss focus in those edge cases where the camera doesn’t get it right. Technology can be smart, but it can’t read minds quite yet, so it’s usually working off a best guess as to what you want to take a photo of.

Whatever your camera is, my recommendation is to spend some time learning the various focus modes, what they are, and how to quickly override the focus if necessary, either manually or by selecting a different focus area.

Ideally you’ll want the camera to be in a continuous focus mode so it keeps tracking a moving subject. Try to find some subjects like wildlife in your garden or a moving pet that you can practice on before you go on safari to master your camera’s focus features.

Try Shooting in Burst Mode

Most cameras have a range of shooting modes, which may also be called drive modes. The choices normally vary, and will include single shot and burst shot modes. The drive mode menu on your camera is also where you’ll often find the camera’s self-timer mode.

For wildlife photography, a lot can happen in a short sequence of time. For this reason, shooting in burst mode is usually the way to go when you have a moving subject. This means that as you hold down the shutter button the camera will keep taking images.

Alternatively, in single shot mode, you have to keep pressing and depressing the shutter button. This loses you time and you may miss the shot.

Shooting in burst mode will let you take a sequence of images and then pick the best one. For example, here’s a sequence to show a yellow-billed stork landing.

The number of images the burst mode will take will depend on two main factors.

First, the camera’s burst speed, which is the number of images per second your camera can take. For instance, a camera with a burst speed of 10fps (frames per second) can take up to 10 photos per second.

Second, the speed that your camera can write to the memory card inside the camera as it takes pictures.

Most cameras will be able to take a certain number of images at the maximum burst speed for a few seconds, and then as the memory buffer fills up, this rate will slow down or even stop until the images have been written to your memory card. These details should be made clear on the specification sheet for your camera.

When you shoot in burst mode you will definitely also want to have continuous autofocus enabled. This will mean that if your subject moves as you are shooting it will hopefully stay in focus.

The main disadvantage of shooting in burst mode is that you will end up taking a lot more photos and using more memory card space. However, memory cards and memory in general are relatively inexpensive these days, so this shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Just be sure to always have an extra memory card with you.

Try to Shoot at the Best Times of Day

If you’ve ever read a photography guide, it will normally advise you that shooting in the earlier morning and later afternoon will give you better results. This is because the light at the start of the day and in the evening is softer and has that nice warm yellow glow.

In addition, the lower angle of the sun in the morning and evening produces shadows, resulting in images that have better contrast and depth compared to images shot in the overhead midday sun which can produce more flat images.

When it comes to safari, this advice is also true, but there are additional reasons to shoot earlier in the morning and later in the evening.

To start with, the majority of animals are going to be more active earlier in the morning and then towards the evening. The middle of the day tends to be hotter, and is a time when many animals are likely to be resting in a nice shady spot.

You will tend to see fewer animals in the hottest part of the day and those you see will tend to be less active during this time.

If you are looking for nocturnal species like genets, bushbabies, or aardvarks, your best chances to see them are on night drives or night walks, or to try to go as early in the morning as you can for a chance to spot them before they have gone off to sleep.

Just note nocturnal animals can be pretty tricky to see in most national parks given the hours that you are allowed to do a game drive. Getting good photos of them can be very difficult given they are often spotted at night.

We recommend trying to start your game drives as early as the park will allow. This will give you a better chance of seeing more wildlife, and also getting better images of that wildlife.

Another reason to avoid the middle of the day is that as the air heats up it gets more hazy. Think of the heat shimmer you see on a hot day—this is a real issue when shooting during hotter days and can negatively impact your images.

The haze will result in less sharp images, especially of further away subjects. In addition, as the day progresses, there will often be more dust in the air from vehicles driving around, which also reduces the clarity in the air.

Of course, I appreciate that I am talking about ideals. It isn’t always possible to pick the ideal time. Sometimes you will be out in the middle of the day. In these situations. Try to get as close as possible to your subject, which will let you avoid more of the heat haze. Where possible, shoot your subject so the sun is behind you rather than behind your subject.

The below two images are of the same black rhino mother and calf in Kenya. Both were shot in the middle of the day. In the first shot, the pair were quite far away and there was quite a lot of heat haze, meaning the shot ended up not being as sharp as I would have liked.

In the second shot, the pair moved much closer to us and the light was slightly improved, so there is some depth from the light and dark. It’s still not the ideal setup, but it’s definitely improved compared to the flat and slightly hazy look of the first shot.

See more on heat haze in photography here , including more tips for identifying and avoiding it.

This brings me on to my next tip for getting great photos on safari.

Any wildlife photographer will likely tell you that their most useful skill is patience. When doing landscape photography , I am certainly used to waiting for the right light, but wildlife photography definitely takes the need for patience to a new level.

Wild animals tend not to move to our schedules. They go where they want when they want. Being patient and quiet can reap huge rewards when it comes to photographing them in their natural habitat.

An example is of this leopard in a tree. When we arrived, it was asleep in the tree by its kill. However, we waited for around an hour and it decided to get up, eat more of its kill, descend from the tree and wander off. All these moments provided better photography opportunities than the initial one, and just required patience.

Another example would be a group of lion cubs we encountered in Tanzania. There were eight of them playing near the road, and as we watched two of them climbed up a tree. Shortly afterwards, one of their mothers returned, and we were rewarded by the sight of baby lions bounding across the grass to be reunited.

This is a story I could repeat multiple times across many wildlife encounters, but the overall message should be clear. Try to remember that a safari game drive is not an exercise in getting somewhere.

When you find an animal or bird you want to see, you will probably be rewarded if you spend some time just sitting and watching it rather than rushing on to try to find something else.

Prepare Your Equipment

If you already have a camera that you plan to take with you on safari, you want to make sure it’s in great working order before heading on safari. This is especially the case if you have older gear or gear that gets a lot of use.

Before you go, I recommend testing and cleaning the camera yourself to make sure it’s working. You’ll also want to make sure all the gear from your lenses to your camera straps are in good shape before your trip. Your trip is not a good time to learn about a preexisting scratch in your lens, a corrupted memory card, a fraying strap or a battery that doesn’t hold its charge!

You might also consider taking your camera to have a professional clean and check before your safari. Often you can do this at a local authorised dealer or repair shop for your camera brand, as they will have servicing options. Alternatively, your manufacturer might offer mail-in servicing options.

I try to get my cameras serviced every year or two, especially if I know I’ve been hard on them. As well as cleaning the sensor professionally, they check the camera over and make sure things like seals and screws are all in good working order. In my opinion this is well worth the investment, especially on high-end equipment.

Protect your Equipment on Safari

Safaris can be really hard on camera equipment. From dusty conditions to bumpy roads, there are all sorts of hazards that can either damage your equipment or cause it to function less effectively. In this section, I’m going to talk about common issues you can expect to encounter and how to overcome them.

Dust or Sand

When it’s hot and dry, the roads will be dusty. As your vehicle and other vehicles travel on the roads they kick the dust up, and it gets everywhere. If you have the top down or windows open, expect dust to get on your camera equipment.

If you are traveling to a place where sand is a concern, such as a desert or beach, be careful as blowing sand can get into your gear and can also leave scratches on your lens if you accidentally wipe them. Never put your camera down in the sand as it can easily work its way inside.

Cameras contain a lot of sensitive electronics as well as some moving parts, neither of which appreciate dust or sand. In addition, if dust gets onto your camera’s sensor it can cause unsightly spots to appear in your images.

There are a few things you can do to minimize the impact of dust or sand. First, a good camera bag that you can put your camera in between uses will help to prevent general dust getting in. So when you are not using your camera, I’d recommend securing it in a case or bag.

Also be careful about where you set your camera. Don’t place it on the ground or other dirty surfaces, and don’t leave it outside for any longer than it needs to be outside.

Next, remember to use a lens cap if your camera lens supports them as this will help to keep the front element dust free. Just keep the lens cap in your pocket and place it on the camera whenever you are not using it. If your lens supports it, then a lens hood and a UV filter can also provide much needed protection.

If you are using a camera where you can change lenses, try to change the lens in a dust-free location if possible, such as in your hotel or when stopped in a sheltered place. Try not to change your lenses more than you need to when in dusty situations.

In addition, I’d recommend packing a small camera cleaning kit so you can get accumulated dust off your gear as you travel. I’d particularly recommend having a lens cloth, a brush, and a blower with you.

Once you are done with your safari and you have gotten all the amazing photos you wanted, you might consider getting your camera professionally serviced and cleaned to get rid of any errant dust and to ensure it’s back to full working order for your next adventure.

Not all safaris take place whilst in a closed vehicle. Sometimes you might be on foot or trekking, or in an open top vehicle. In these situations, even when visiting a country in the dry season, there’s always a possibility of rain.

Whilst some cameras do offer a level of weather-proofing or rain resistance, the majority are not fully waterproof. So having a camera rain cover to keep your gear dry like this is a good option.

I’d also recommend having a good camera bag or backpack with a rain cover where you can put your camera in between shots.

If you have a smaller camera like a compact camera or smartphone, something like a resealable freezer bag or clear dry bag can also work well to keep it dry.

Bumpy Roads

As well as dust and rain, another issue you will have to contend with will be bumpy roads. Most roads in safari parks are unpaved, and some of them can be very bumpy.

You definitely don’t want your camera equipment flying around the inside of a vehicle as this can damage it, and could even cause injury to the other occupants. I have a few suggestions to help avoid this scenario.

First, I recommend bringing along a good camera bag or case. Camera bags are specially designed to provide padding and protection for your gear, and many of them also come with rain covers. This means that you have somewhere safe, protected, and padded to put your gear in between shoots.

Personally I use Vanguard photography bags and I’ve been an ambassador for Vanguard for many years now. If you see something on their store that works for your equipment, you can save money using our exclusive Vanguard discount code. This will give you 20% off everything in the  Vanguard store.

Just use the code  FindingTheUniverse for your discount! This code works in the Vanguard USA, UK, Australia, Spain, and Germany stores.

When you are actually using your equipment, I recommend having a strong and comfortable strap to keep it secure around your neck or shoulders. I use the Peak Design strap system which has reliably kept my camera gear comfortably slung at my hip for many years now. You’ll want to find one that is comfortable for you.

I left my DSLR camera on the seat of our Land Cruiser on a trip and it fell on the floor after hitting an unexpected bumpy patch in the road. I was lucky that nothing was damaged but it sure made me more careful about either putting gear away in my bag or keeping it around my neck.

I also recommend that if you are someone like me who enjoys standing up in a safari vehicle, that you sit down or at least put your camera in a camera bag when the roads gets really bumpy. If your guide tells you to hold on or you see that you are going to be crossing a river, it is probably best for both you and your gear to sit down. This way you’ll have a better grip on your gear and avoid banging your gear on something or falling.

Dress Appropriately

Packing appropriate clothing is going to ensure you are comfortable and ready for the weather during your trip. Whilst it might not directly help you get better photos, comfort is a really important factor. When you are comfortable you will be able to focus on getting great photos rather than the temperature or the insects.

When choosing clothes for your trip, consider the climate, weather, and insects of where you are going as well as the activities you plan to do. You are going to pack very differently for a cool weather destination than a tropical one. You also need to pack differently if visiting a country during its rainy season versus its dry season.

In terms of photography specific clothing, you might want to consider having lots of pockets so that you have plenty of places to store things when standing in a vehicle and when hiking. This will give you quick access to things like extra batteries, lens wipes, and your lens caps.

There are a range of different vests you can get, including specialised photography vests . I personally prefer something a bit more versatile that I can use in a variety in situations, and I like the Scottevest products which have a lot of pockets and are great for travel in general. I find them particularly useful for airport travel as they have so many handy pockets.

Generally though, on safari I wear the NosiLife long-sleeve shirts from Craghoppers . These have lots of pockets and also come with built in insect protection and sun protection. They also dry very quickly.

Jess and I mainly wore Craghoppers tops and bottoms throughout the days where we were either in the vehicles on safari or were doing treks. This is the most common brand we’ve seen people wearing for proper safari clothing throughout our travels. You can shop for them on their official store here , as well as on REI in the US here , and on Amazon here .

Depending on where you are going, you will probably also want to consider packing a hat, sunglasses, insect repellent , sunscreen, good practical shoes (we generally wear Scarpa or Merrell ), layers for warmth, and a rain jacket or poncho .

For more tips, check out our detailed guide to what to pack for safari , which has lots more tips and suggestions for your trip.

Pack a Photography Bean Bag

If you are traveling with a longer lens, I’d consider getting a safari photography bean bag or two for your safari trip.

For wildlife photography on safari, I find that a photography bean bag like this is one of the most useful photography accessories I have packed. Generally, I find I get a lot more use out of a bean bag on safari compared to a tripod or monopod.

This is because on safari you are often shooting from a vehicle, either from the window or via the pop-up top. And in both cases, setting up a tripod or even a monopod isn’t always going to be possible.

On the other hand, a bean bag can rest on the top of the vehicle or over a window, where you can then rest your lens or camera on it. If you are shooting with a larger camera and lens setup, you will definitely be thankful of having somewhere to steady it, as it’s unlikely to be practical to hold it up for prolonged periods of time. It also keeps you from putting your camera or lens directly on the metal edges of windows and roofs which could lead to damage.

Using a bean bag means you’ll be able to use slower shutter speeds for more stationary animals as well, so you don’t have to worry about camera shake so much. This is especially helpful when shooting with very big telephoto lenses from around 400mm and up.

Jess also found the bean bags useful for just using as armrests and for placing her elbows when using binoculars.

Bean bags are very light to travel with, and you can usually find inexpensive materials like dried beans to fill them with at your destination. My only tip is not to fill them with anything obviously edible, as some animals in some parks might sniff out the tasty treats within and decide to give them a nibble! Dried (obviously uncooked!) beans are a good option for this reason.

You can see more on bean bags for safari here , as well as in my guide to bean bags for photography here .

Be Specific About What You Want with your Guide

If you are doing a safari with a driver and/or guide, then being able to communicate about your goals and what you want to see is really important. It is also important for you to listen to your driver/guide for feedback and understand what is realistic based on their expertise. Doing this as early in the trip as possible is best.

If there’s a certain shot or composition that you want, it’s a good idea to let your guide know so you have a better chance of seeing it. Whilst there’s never a guarantee of seeing any wildlife on safari, if you specify that you want a shot of an elephant bathing for example, then your guide should have an idea of where the best places to get that shot might be on your trip.

If you aren’t clear on your interests, then you’ll be on more of a general safari and taken on the common safari drive circuits within the parks. Guides will almost always drive you to see things like lions or cheetahs if spotted, even without asking you. However, if you’d rather photograph elephants, eagles, or zebras, then you need to speak up so that you guide know what your wildlife sightseeing priorities are for the trip.

Whilst you will still likely get great photo opportunities (your guide is there to take you to see wildlife after all!), it might not be exactly the shot you want. So being specific will definitely help improve your chances of getting the shots you want if you have something specific in mind.

Another thing we discussed with our guide from the beginning was to have signals about stopping and when to leave after stopping for a wildlife sighting. So we asked our guide to just ask to make sure we wanted to leave an animal or we’d tell him, or he’d give us a head’s up if we needed to leave.

This not only helped make sure we felt we had enough time to get the photos we wanted, but it also made sure we were prepared for any sudden jerks from stopping and starting the vehicle.

Communicate with your Fellow Travelers

If you are traveling solo, then you will of course have a lot of autonomy in where you go and what you see on your trip. If you have a driver/guide then the two of you can set times and itineraries each day and be in sync about your wildlife spotting goals.

But, if like most safari goers, you are traveling with a partner, your family, friends, or as part of a group safari with other travelers, then you will likely have to be willing to compromise at times.

Common things you will likely need to decide on together will be what time to leave, how long to spend on game drives, whether to eat a hot lunch or a picnic lunch, and how long to spend watching each animal.

This can also affect your ability to get the photos you may want in terms of timing and views from the vehicle. With just one or two people in a vehicle, it is generally easy to find a good view, but once you have 4 or more people, it often becomes difficult for everyone to have a great view all at the same time, especially if an animal is not in an open area.

Generally, in these circumstances everyone will politely take turns and give everyone a bit of time and space to view the animal and take photos. But this does mean you will need to compromise and will sometimes miss the “best” view.

However, group safaris by far offer better value in terms of money compared to a private safari. But just note that they do come with some compromises.

I definitely recommend traveling with family or friends if that is an option, as sharing these experiences is probably worth more than taking a good photo. But it is worth talking about everyone’s goals and travel style before booking your trip to make sure everyone is likely to have a good trip.

Consider the Composition

As with any kind of photography, composition is key. Composition refers to how you place the various elements in your shot to create the final image.

It can be easy to get caught up in the moment when you see something exciting, and just to start shooting in an effort to get something shot. This excitement is very understandable!

However, if you are able to calm yourself down a bit and spend a fraction of time properly composing your shot, you will likely get better results.

There are a range of general composition rules in this post that you can read about, so I won’t rehash that. The main things I’d suggest just keeping in mind are the following.

• What’s in shot . When framing your shot, glance around the whole frame to see what is and what isn’t in the shot. For example, it can be very easy to frame an animal’s head, but accidentally crop out parts of their body or a tail. Whilst this might be the composition you are after, it might also end up looking a bit odd. Sometimes, zooming out a fraction and ensuring the whole animal is in the frame might be a better composition
• Eye contact . There are many different wildlife poses you can capture, but one of my favourites is when the animal is looking directly into the camera. In this pose, it will appear to be directly staring at the viewer. This is not always easy as animals tend to look all over the place. In these scenarios, burst mode and patience can be your friends.
• Animal Placement . When shooting from a vehicle, especially from the pop-up roof area, we can often end up above the animal. However, often animals look better when shot from eye level. So repositioning yourself to shoot from an open window lower down in the vehicle might give you a better shot, depending on the distance to the subject.
• Background and skyline . When putting your shot together, don’t forget to consider the background. For example, a deer against a brown rock face or tree will not stand out as well as one against a skyline. It’s not always possible to reposition yourself, but if there is the opportunity to wait for a better composition, or move the vehicle to a different location, take it.

Here are a couple of shots to illustrate my points above.

Don’t Forget the Landscapes

One of the main reasons people go on safari is to see the incredible wildlife of an area. However, it’s also very likely that you are going to be passing through some amazing natural landscapes.

Whilst it can be easy to get a bit single-minded about what we’re photographing, it’s important to step back and capture the landscapes as well as the wildlife.

If nothing else, this will serve as a reminder for you in the future as to where you were when you got the shots, and also the lovely scenery you witnessed. Capturing the wildlife with the landscape is also a good option, as it will give some depth and scale to your compositions.

Pack Spare Memory Cards and Batteries

The chances are that you are going to be taking a lot of photos when on safari. If you are shooting with anything other than a smartphone, your camera will likely have a battery you can change and a memory card slot.

It is definitely worth bringing at least one spare battery for your camera, and ideally two. In addition, bringing plenty of memory is also a good idea.

You don’t want to be half way through a busy day and run out of battery or memory card space, and then potentially miss some great shots. Modern mirrorless cameras in particular can eat through batteries, so a spare or two is definitely a must in my opinion.

Consider bringing a USB Powered Battery Charger and Power Pack

Accommodation options on safari can vary greatly, from simple campsites to high end luxury safari lodges. One thing we have found is that not every accommodation, especially the more remote and basic ones, will have AC power outlets. Or at least not one in your room (there is usually at least one public shared power outlet somewhere in a lodge or campsite).

If they have wall outlets, they will likely be 220V-240V, so you will want to check that all your equipment supports this if you are coming from a country like the USA, Japan, or Canada which has 110V-120V power. Many people will also need a travel adaptor to adapt your plugs, depending on where you are coming from and your travel destination.

However, rather than full power outlets, many locations offer USB outlets. These don’t use so much electricity, and are often powered by solar panels.

What this means is that if your camera only has a standard wall outlet charger for its batteries, you might not be able to charge them. Note that some cameras do charge via USB, so do check if that is the case.

So we recommend making sure that you are able to charge your batteries using both the local AC power outlets and via USB so you can take advantage of either charging option. We also recommend considering packing a power pack.

We personally travel with a USB battery charger for our Canon camera batteries. This is better than our standard charger in some respects, as it can charge two batteries at once, and charges over standard USB. There are a number of different models available , the main thing is to find the one that matches your camera battery.

As well as the USB battery charger, we also travel with a USB power pack . We can use this to charge all our USB powered devices, including our phones and the USB camera battery charger. This is helpful when we have periods of time without power.

Ask About Your Safari Vehicle

Before you go on safari, it’s a good idea to check with your safari company about the type of vehicle you will be in. There are a number of different models that companies use in different locations around the world, with Toyota Land Cruisers being the 4X4 vehicle of choice for many companies. However, there are many different models of Land Cruisers used for safaris so knowing the specific model can be very helpful.

The same vehicle model’s features can also be different across companies depending on the specific conversion. Probably the most important thing for most people is the number of seats, luggage space, and the configuration of the top.

We highly recommend a vehicle with a pop top. This means the top of the vehicle will pop up, allowing you to stand up inside the vehicle and get a better view, as well as better photos.

For the majority of these vehicles, the top pops up and remains over your head, providing much needed shade. However, in some vehicles, the tops actually come off completely, so you won’t have any shade.

We highly recommend a vehicle where the top doesn’t come off completely, as otherwise you are going to be in the sun a lot.

It’s also a good idea to check on the height. In some of the vehicles we have found that even when standing up, the lip is a little high for Jess to get a good view. So if you are shorter (or very tall) you should definitely check about this if you really want to be able to stand up for game viewing.

Another thing to check is whether or not the vehicle has charging points (some have standard wall outlets whilst others might have USB outlets). Some of our vehicles have had this, some didn’t, but it is becoming more common.

If you are planning a very photography focused safari, you can also ask if the vehicle has any photography specific features. Some of the vehicles we’ve travelled in came with photography bean bags for our use for example, which was very helpful.

Other special features might include special camera mounts, tripod mounts, the ability to fully open or remove windows, and even the ability to remove a door or two. I wouldn’t expect most of these features unless you are paying extra for a special photography trip.

Consider Doing Boat and Walking Safaris

Whilst most safaris are done from a 4×4 vehicle, there are other options depending on where you are travelling.

For example, in some locations you might be able to do a walking safari or a boat-based safari. These will give you some variety as well as present the opportunity to see different wildlife.

For instance, if you are interested in birds and small creatures (e.g., dung beetles, lizards), then walking safaris are often going to be better for getting close to these animals. Boat safaris are going to obviously be the best way to get closer to aquatic wildlife.

Of course, this isn’t always going to be possible depending on where you travel, but we definitely recommend signing up for at least a couple of these experiences if you have the option.

Shoot in RAW

If your camera supports it, and nearly all do these days, I highly recommend setting it up so it saves your image files in RAW format. Whilst this takes up more memory, and does require you to edit your photos, you will get a lot more latitude when it comes to editing your final image.

I go into a lot more detail in why to shoot in RAW in my guide to RAW in photography . For now, I recommend enabling it. Most cameras have the option to shoot in both RAW and JPG if you need a stepping stone, although this will take up more memory card space.

However, if you want to be able to share your photos instantly online during your trip, then you will probably want to also shoot in JPG/JPEG because you don’t need to edit them prior to uploading them.

Learn to Edit Your Photos

Photography involves a number of skills. The first two are in the field when you’re getting the shot, and require you to know how to compose a great photo and how to use your camera.

The third skill is photo editing. Photo editing is where you can get the most from the images you have captured. This doesn’t have to take a long time, even minor edits can make a big difference to an image.

Judicious cropping, adjustment of shadows and highlights, tweaks to saturation—these can all add up to really improve an image.

Of course, you can go a lot further with photo editing software. But as a starting point, loading up one of our favourite photo editors and learning how to use it can really help you get the most from your shots.

Keep Your Eyes Open

When you are on safari, the chances are that you will have a guide. Your guide will normally know what sort of wildlife you are likely to see in the areas you’re visiting, and they will of course be looking out for it as you drive or walk around.

However, the thing about wildlife is that you never know what you are going to see. And the more eyes that are looking for wildlife, the higher your chance that you will spot something. Your guide can’t look everywhere at once, and if they are driving, they are going to be at least a little distracted by operating the vehicle and keeping you safe.

In our most recent safari experience, we would often maximize what we could all see while on a game drive. So, generally our guide was seated in front in the driver’s seat, Jess would sit on the opposite side of vehicle from the driver, and I would stand at the back and scan for a different viewpoint. This way we were looking in many directions and had a better chance of spotting things. Although our guide was by far much better at spotting wildlife than we were, we still occasionally made some great spots that our driver had missed.

In my opinion, a safari should definitely not be a passive experience where you sit back and wait for something interesting to be pointed out to you. However, I have been surprised by the number of Land Cruises and Land Rovers full of bored-looking people who seemed to be spending more time on their phones or talking to one another than looking outside. They seem to simply wait for their driver to stop and point something out, take a photo, and then go back to their phones.

If you actively participate and spend your time searching for wildlife as well, you’re going to improve the chances of sightings and find more photo opportunities. You are also going to learn a lot more about the natural environment around you. And you are going to enjoy your trip a whole lot more!

Enjoy Yourself!

This might seem a bit counter intuitive in a guide to getting great photos on safari, but it’s important to remember. When on safari, it can be easy to become caught up in the need to capture every moment with our cameras, and not to miss a shot.

Whilst of course I want you to get those amazing shots, don’t forget that you came on safari also to witness wildlife in its natural habitat. So don’t forget to just step back from the camera every now and again and just take it all in. A safari is an incredible experience and you definitely want to try and enjoy it rather than being stressed over getting every shot on your memory card.

On our recent trip, Jess generally only took photos when animals came close, otherwise, she was content just watching them, either with a pair of binoculars (I definitely recommend packing a good pair of binoculars) or her naked eyes. She said she got much more enjoyment just watching them than when she was trying hard to get a good photo as she had in prior trips.

We highly recommend just sitting back and letting some moments go by unrecorded. I find you can often learn a lot more about animals if you just sit and watch them sometimes. Not every moment needs to be photographed!

Further Reading

That’s it for my guide to getting better photos on safari! If you found this useful, you might enjoy some of my other photography content. Here are some articles to get you started.

• We have a guide to the best safari camera , to help you choose the right gear for you and your budget. We also have a guide to photography bean bags for safari you might consider checking out.
• We have a detailed overview of gorilla trekking in Uganda as well as chimpanzee trekking in Uganda , both of which are an incredible experience
• We have a detailed guide to what to pack for safari , to help ensure you bring the right gear for your trip
• I have a guide to my favourite  photo editing applications , as well as the best  alternatives to Lightroom
• Wildlife photography can often result in noisy images. See my guide to the best noise reduction software for some ideas on how to get the best out of your photos even when they might be a bit noisy
• We have a guide to  how to use a compact camera ,  how to use a DSLR camera , and  how to use a mirrorless camera . We also have a guide to  how a DSLR works
• Knowing how to compose a great photo is a key photography skill. See our guide to  composition in photography  for lots of tips on this subject
• We have a guide to what  depth of field  is and when you would want to use it.
• We are big fans of getting the most out of your digital photo files, and do to that you will need to shoot in RAW. See our guide to  RAW in photography  to understand what RAW is, and why you should switch to RAW as soon as you can if your camera supports it.
• You’re going to need something to run your photo editing software on. See our guide to the best  laptops for photo editing  for some tips on what to look for.
• If you’re looking for more advice on specific tips for different scenarios, we also have you covered. See our guide to  Northern Lights photography ,  long exposure photography ,  fireworks photography ,  tips for taking photos of stars , and  cold weather photography .
• Color accuracy is important for photography – see our guide to  monitor calibration  to ensure your screen is set up correctly.
• If you’re looking for a great gift for a photography loving friend or family member (or yourself!), take a look at our  photography gift guide ,
• If you’re in the market for a new camera, we have a detailed guide to the  best travel cameras , as well as specific guides for the  best cameras for hiking and backpacking , the  best compact camera ,  best bridge camera ,  best mirrorless camera  and  best DSLR camera . We also have a guide to the  best camera lenses .
• If you want a camera or lens, but the prices are a bit high, see our guide to  where to buy used cameras and camera gear  for some budget savings options.
• We have a guide to  why you need a tripod , a guide to  choosing a travel tripod , and a round-up of our  favourite travel tripods

Looking to Improve Your Photography?

If you found this post helpful, and you want to improve your photography overall, you might want to check out my  online travel photography course .

Since launching the course in 2016, I’ve already helped over 2,000 students learn how to take better photos. The course covers pretty much everything you need to know, from the basics of how a camera works, through to composition, light, and photo editing.

It also covers more advanced topics, including astrophotography, long exposure photography, flash photography, and HDR photography.

You get feedback from me as you progress, access to webinars, interviews and videos, as well as exclusive membership of a Facebook group where you can get feedback on your work and take part in regular challenges.

It’s available for an amazing one-off price for lifetime access, and I think you should check it out. Which you can do by  clicking here .

And that’s it! I’d love to hear about your thoughts on wildlife photography on safari, and am happy to answer any questions you have. Just pop them in the comments below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

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There are 4 comments on this post

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Towab Muhammad Yusuf says

2nd April 2022 at 12:27 pm

Zebras is looking awesome, so natural looking

Laurence Norah says

3rd April 2022 at 10:28 am

Thanks Towab!

D. Hernandez says

26th March 2022 at 1:36 am

Hello Laurence,

Thanks for these wonderful photography tips and advice! I am not much of a photographer but found these tips very useful and will be keeping this page bookmarked to read again before my safari. My wife and I have a 2-week trip planned to South Africa in in the fall and about a week of that will be spent on safari.

I was given a Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR camera (used but barely used) last year but without any lenses. So my question for you would be what lens would you recommend I invest in if I was to choose to take just one for this trip? I would also of course want to use it around home and for taking photos of family events and future trips, but the main focus for now is getting some decent wildlife photos on our safari in South Africa. Would like to purchase it soon so can start practicing (as you recommend) now!

Thanks for all your time & help! D

26th March 2022 at 9:42 am

I’m glad you found the post helpful and I am sure you will have an amazing trip! So if you are looking at just one lens then you will want a lens that can go from quite wide to quite zoomed in. A lens like this is known as a walk around lens. I would probably recommend either the Tamron 18-400 f/3.5-6.3 or the Tamron 16-300 f/3.5-6.3 . These would both give you the versatility you would want in terms of range, from wide to zoomed in. The 16-300 gives you a slightly lighter lens that can take slightly wider angle shots, whilst the 18-400 is a bit heavier but you get more reach.

It is worth noting that of course if you zoom in at 100% and peer at the images produced by these lenses they won’t compare to a high-end lens costing thousands of dollars. However I think that for standard size prints and general use they are a good option at a reasonable price point.

Let me know if you need any further input, I’m happy to help. Otherwise, have a fantastic trip!

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5 Tips for Better Photos on Safari

Get the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Every year, flocks of eager tourists set out on safari in hopes of capturing the quintessential wildlife photo. Getting the perfect shot isn’t just about luck—you can improve your odds significantly with some careful planning. Here are a few tips for getting the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Choose Your Gear Wisely

Choose a camera setup that will get you close to the action without weighing you down. The easiest way to achieve this is with interchangeable lenses—preferably a zoom lens around 200-400mm and another lens for wide landscape shots. The optimal setup is two cameras: one with a long lens and one with a wide lens. You don’t want to miss the shot because you’re switching lenses right as the lion goes in for the kill, not to mention the dusty conditions that can wreak havoc on an exposed sensor. Avoid taking a tripod since they can be cumbersome and space is limited on the vehicle. Pack extra batteries and memory cards since you’ll have few chances to charge your camera and transfer photos throughout the day. Whatever gear you decide to take, it’s essential to know the ins and outs before your trip—if you’re busy tinkering with a new camera, you’re probably missing out on the action around you.

A guide from the Ol Donyo Lodge looks through his binoculars at sunset in the Chyulu Hills of Kenya. The Lodge offers incredible views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Go With a Pro

It’s tempting to try and save money by organizing a safari on your own, but it’s worth it to go with a travel specialist, like Safari Professionals . Quality travel advisors can offer small or private tours so you are not fighting for a good view or moving on before you get the shot. A good guide will also have the knowledge and experience with wildlife to ensure you’re in the right place at the right time to capture stunning images. Going at it alone or with an inexperienced operator may lead to missed opportunities and subpar photos.

Light is Key

The essence of good photography comes down to good light, and nature photography is no exception. It doesn’t matter how expensive your gear is, without good light, your photos will be flat and uninteresting. Getting the best possible photos from your trip might mean losing some sleep. Waking up before sunrise will provide the best light and more opportunities for active wildlife since many animals retreat to rest in the shade during the heat of the day. Similarly, dusk is an optimal time to capture animals waking up from their afternoon naps as the sun sets on the horizon.

It is tempting to move on from the herd of elephants after snapping a few photos, but patience pays off. In order to get spectacular images, you have to spend time watching the animals. Over time, you can better understand the animal’s behavior and relationships, which will lead to better photos.

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Get a Different Perspective

Game drives are by far the most common way people see wildlife in Africa but there a number of other options. Walking safaris provide opportunities to get on the ground and see things that might be overlooked in a vehicle. Biking tours are a great way to be more active while on safari but they are not ideal for photography since bikes and cameras don’t mix well together. For those looking to splurge, safari operators like Scenic Air Safaris will give you a whole new view of Africa. Unlike most safari companies, Scenic Air Safaris is one of the few operators that specializes in low level flying, giving you a unique view of the landscape and animals while on route to your destination. Scenic Air Safaris also offers access to leading endangered animal experts while you are on a trip. A variety of different animal experts, from cheetahs to African wild dogs, are on hand throughout your safari to provide priceless insight into each animal's behavior and what actions are being taken on the ground to preserve the species and its habitat.

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Related Topics

• WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
• PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS
• TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY
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A Complete Guide to an African Safari

Many adventurers and environmental lovers desire to go on an African safari. It's an amazing journey as it offers the opportunity to see magnificent animals in their natural habitat, beautiful scenery, and diverse cultural experiences.  

An African safari is an intensive experience that can forge a deep connection between you and nature. Africa has some of the most magnificent wildlife mammals that are really rare to see. Planning the right Africa Safari requires proper research to find the right guides. The continent is rich with many species and a wide variety of scenery and natural habitats, from the wide savannas of the Serengeti to the verdant deltas of the Okavango.  

Selecting a Safari Location 

There are multiple safari locations in Africa; they're all different and have their own unique traits. You can choose African safari according to your preferences and the creatures, views, and landscapes you want to spot. Among the most popular, favored ones are these: 

• Tanzania's Serengeti National Park: 

One of the most amazing animal spectacles in the world, the Great Migration, takes place in the Serengeti every year. Exotic wildlife can be easily seen. Over two million zebras, gazelles, and wildebeests travel across the plains yearly for new grazing areas.  

The Serengeti is home to the Big Five (elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion, and leopard), making it an excellent place to see these magnificent creatures. Open savannas, riverine forests, and woodlands are among the park's diverse landscapes, home to many animals and complement the vibe itself. 

• Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve: 

As a part of the Serengeti ecosystem, the Maasai Mara also is a part of the Great Migration. It is well-known for its spectacular Mara River crossings.  

Big cats (lions, leopards, and cheetahs) can be seen quite often in the reserve, offering fantastic chances for up-close encounters and photographs. If you want to witness the migratory range, then visiting this from July to October is the best time. For predator activity, December to February is most suitable. You can see a lot of different beautiful places just by walking safaris or hot air balloon drives and excursions to Maasai settlements. 

• South Africa's Kruger National Park  

With well-developed infrastructure, including asphalt roads, Kruger is one of Africa's most accessible parks, making it a good choice if you want to drive by yourself through it. Numerous bird species, wild canines, and the Big Five are among the many wildlife species that can be seen in the park. Through this experience , you can see rare species and learn more about them from experts, like their habits, food choice, food chain explanation, etc.  

There are a lot of endangered species that are on the verge of extinction, and you must embrace their existence and beauty by visiting places rich in wildlife.  

Kruger offers a range of lodging choices, including affordable campsites, self-catering rest camps, and opulent lodges. This way it will become easier for you to rest and look around Africa’s wildlife. The dry season runs from May to September, and it is considered the best chance to see wildlife. There are several ways to experience it, like night drives, birding, strolling safaris, and game drives. They will help you to catch up to everything that is possible to see during that particular season.  

• Botswana's Okavango Delta 

The enormous inland delta known as the Okavango Delta provides a rich and varied habitat for various forms of life. Seasonal flooding changes the terrain and provides experiences on a water-based safari unlike any other. There are different African safaris , and water-based safaris are one of them. With the help of safari experts and safety measures, you can see the beautiful sites in Okavango.  

Viewing wildlife from a new angle is possible when exploring the delta's rivers by mokoro (traditional dugout canoe), speedboat, or on foot. With more than 400 bird species, including kingfishers, herons, and African fish eagles, the delta is a birdwatcher's dream. It is a distinctive inland delta that provides excellent birdwatching opportunities and water-based safari experiences. 

• Botswana's Chobe National Park 

Chobe is well-known for having a sizable population of elephants, especially around the Chobe River, where herds gather in great quantities during the dry season.  

Boat safaris on the Chobe River give exceptional chances to see elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species up close. You can closely see the beauty of the bird species and other endangered species as well. Bird watching is definitely one of the activities that you must try while on Africa safaris. Also, you must know that Chobe is a convenient addition to a trip to Victoria Falls because of its proximity to the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. This way you can have a satisfactory and adventurous trip experience by visiting many places at once.  

Safari Types 

There are many types of African safaris, and each one of them offers a unique experience. You should know about the safaris better to experience Africa’s beauty in the best way possible.  

Game Drives:  

In these drives, skilled tour leaders with an in-depth understanding of the region's flora, fauna, and environment will guide you through. It takes place in open-top 4x4 vehicles that provide excellent visibility and access to diverse terrains. 

The guides give another insight and improve the educational component of the safari by tracking animals and deciphering their actions.  

It is considered the most suitable safari for seeing large mammals, birds, and reptiles, including the Big Five (elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, and rhino).  

Walking Safaris:  

It is also done by well-trained professionals and armed guides for your protection. The extensive guides include information on tracking methods, wildlife habits, and ecological relationships. This way you learn about biodiversity and how it coexists with nature. During these safaris, importance is given to the more minute details seen in nature, like spoor (animal traces) and flora. Through walking safaris, you can learn in a better way by being up close to nature. Walking safaris are good for learning more about plants and birds (flora and fauna) as you can be close to them and see them first hand.  

Boat Safaris: 

The water life of Africa is also very mesmerizing, and you should experience it during your visit. The boat safari is the perfect choice for a water wildlife experience and places that have big waters around. It is carried out on lakes, rivers, deltas, including the Okavango Delta and the Chobe River in Botswana. Some of the rarest species of aquatic life can be seen in the rivers and lakes. Perfect for spotting crocodiles and hippos and taking some photos.  

Other than the water wildlife, it's common to see elephants and other animals on the shore visiting the lake to drink and take baths. The boat safaris usually range from compact motorboats to huge pontoon boats depending on the amount of people on them.  

Balloon Safaris:  

It gives you a bird's-eye perspective of the land, enabling you to recognize its size and variety. Perfect for tracking huge herds and migratory patterns. They are usually planned for early in the morning; this offers breathtaking sunrise views and ideal lighting for photos.  

The overall view of the surrounding area and its population is unmatched and through balloon safaris, you can see it. You can spot predators hunting or herds of animals traveling across the plains. 

Safari Accommodations:  

While planning your trip and safaris, don’t forget to check the accommodation. It is as important as the experts during your safari drives. The range of lodging alternatives is extensive, ranging from affordable campsites to opulent resorts. You can check the nearby safe accommodation options during the safaris. Let’s check out some of the best options: 

It provides comfort and conveniences including eating areas, private rooms, and bathrooms with en suites. You can have gourmet dishes which will be made by experienced chefs. They often have seamless integration with the natural environment in mind, lending an air of tranquility and peace. 

Tented Camps:  

If you want to be well connected with nature, then you can go for permanent or semi-permanent tents furnished with basic conveniences; these locations offer a comfortable and adventurous experience. Tented campgrounds offer a special fusion of luxury and adventure, giving visitors the excitement of camping in the outdoors without compromising on necessities.  

Mobile Camps:  

They are usually located in isolated areas, providing a more natural and immersive experience. This allows you to have excellent animal viewing possibilities and lets visitors explore different areas of the safari region. As they are in a mobile area, they are more remote and undiscovered, offering a fully immersive experience. 

Low-cost campsites:  

Usually found inside or close to national parks, these sites offer basic amenities for guests on a tight budget. Budget campgrounds are more accessible to a wider variety of visitors since they don’t ask you to spend a lot on your accommodation. This way it will be easier to go on African safari with ease.  

Bottom Line 

If you plan to visit Africa and try an African safari, you must know some essential things like safari destinations, safari types and accommodation options. A safari in Africa is an adventure of a lifetime that offers unmatched opportunities to interact with wildlife and the natural world. You may guarantee a memorable and fulfilling vacation by meticulously organizing your trip, selecting the ideal location and time, packing sensibly, and placing a high priority on health and safety. 

I went on my first safari trip to South Africa. I won't make these 10 mistakes next time.

• I spent a week on safari in South Africa , visiting three different reserves.
• I found that planning was essential and that I always needed to have my camera ready.
• Next time I'd bring warmer clothing and a buff for dust control.

I spent a week on safari in South Africa, visiting three different reserves.

It was a thrilling adventure I'll never forget, and I got to see incredible creatures such as hyenas, elephants, and lions.

It's no wonder more travelers are looking to weave game reserves into their trips. According to the most recent data collected by the travel agency Go2Africa , interest in beach and safari combo trips was up 20% from 2022 to 2023 alone.

But although the trip was great, it wasn't always easy — and I had a few missteps from the planning phase to the wildlife observation.

Here are mistakes I made on my trip that that everyone should avoid on their first safari .

We booked our trip during a busy part of the year.

I try to avoid traveling during holidays , which often means more crowds. Unfortunately, we ended up booking during Easter break, which was the end of summer in the southern hemisphere.

The lodges were full and busy with lots of kids, and the prices were higher. We still had a great time, but if we'd booked different dates — maybe during a low season — we may have paid less for a more private experience.

The mornings were cold, even in summer.

Our morning game drives started before sunrise in an open-air jeep.

The safari guide was wearing shorts, so I thought I would be comfortable matching that. Wrong! I was so cold on our first ride.

I quickly learned that although it was summer, a beanie and down jacket would've been cozy on the drive.

I missed photo opportunities because my camera wasn't ready.

I knew I wanted to keep my camera out at all times when on a game drive. But after several hours of driving, we were approaching the gate and I tucked my phone away.

That's when we turned a corner and saw a large white rhino facing us in the middle of the road. It was a dramatic moment I captured in my head, but I didn't have time to snap a photo before it darted into the bushes.

Next time, I'd be better prepared for animals that might pop up near the exit.

I had no idea how dusty the roads were going to be.

The safari terrain changed based on where the guide drove each day, and some routes were quite dusty.

After a day of exploring, I felt as if I had dust in my ears, eyes, nose, and mouth. Sunglasses helped shield my eyes, but I wish I'd brought a buff to cover the rest of my face.

Driving between game reserves made me more tired than I'd expected.

Our safari adventure included visits to three different wildlife reserves, and we rented a car to get between them.

On each transition day, we had a morning game drive, then a drive to get to the next reserve, and then an evening game drive there.

That was a lot of sitting, and by the time I got to the evening game drive, I was tired. Next time, I may space my schedule out more.

I made the classic mistake of leaving the car door open when unloading the luggage.

At one point, I walked my bags inside my accommodations, leaving the door open behind me. When I came out, the neighbors were taking photos of a monkey inside my car.

He was quick because, fortunately, I didn't have any food in the car for him to run off with.

Now I know to stay on top of shutting and locking my car doors when at a game reserve.

We got too close to elephants.

Animals can be unpredictable and safaris are not like a zoo. I learned how quickly a situation can change while watching a herd of elephants eating in Kruger National Park.

They started crossing the road in front of my car, and a large one turned to look right at us and started shaking his head. It seemed clearly displeased with our presence.

I flipped the car into reverse faster than you can say "elephant," but it was a scary moment.

Consuming too much liquid can be risky.

Evening safari drives include a stop in the bush around sunset for a "sundowner" beverage. One of the nights, my drink proved to be too much liquid for my bladder.

The problem was that we were following a pride of lions, so there was no chance of hopping off the truck to relieve myself.

I was able to hold it, but next time I'll be more careful with the amount of liquid I consume before and during bush drives.

I was caught off guard by load shedding.

Load shedding is the name for scheduled power outages in South Africa that help prevent the power grid from being overloaded.

Some places have backup generators or solar panels to alleviate power disruptions, but I learned not to expect that to always be the case.

When the power turned off during our trip, I found myself sitting in complete darkness. I scrambled for my phone flashlight, but I could've avoided that panic by plugging in the emergency light that was provided.

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Travel Essentials: What to Pack for Your Zimbabwe Safari [VIDEO]

By: Grace Park

Grace Park is Mountain Travel Sobek's Marketing Coordinator. Her recent travels have taken her to Korea, Israel and Cambodia, where she helped teach Cambodian high school students as part of an international mission. Grace enjoys drinking boba & coffee, eating good food, hosting people at her home, playing board games, and trying out new cafes!

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August 26, 2024 | Adventure Experts , Pro Tips

Getting ready for an exciting safari in Zimbabwe and not sure what to pack each day of your adventure? You’re in luck! We’ve interviewed our very own MT Sobek Director of Sales & Guest Services, Emily, who has just returned from our Zimbabwe Victoria Falls & Hwange Multi-Adventure. These essential packing tips are perfect for any safari destination.

What to Pack for Your Zimbabwe Safari

Emily’s must-have packing list includes:

• Larger jacket
• A warm flannel long-sleeve
• Microfiber, athletic socks
• Tops (4-5 total)
• 2-3 long-sleeve shirts (incl. a thermal shirt)
• A pair of leggings (to easily throw on)
• 2 pairs of pants

Accessories

• Sandals with a backstrap (TEVA is a great brand)
• Baseball cap
• A small bandana or neck buff is useful, especially in Zimbabwe’s heat conditions
• A pair of sunglasses

Miscellaneous

• Storage organizers (with zippers)
• Waterbottle
• Extra battery (for electronics)
• A bag of cords/chargers

And there you have it – Emily’s packing list for what to bring on your Zimbabwe safari.

Join us on a thrilling Zimbabwe safari in 2025

Marvel at magical Victoria Falls, the world’s largest sheet of cascading water. Board the Elephant Express for a unique game-viewing experience by train and explore the waterholes of Hwange National Park to get up close to wildlife that includes giraffes, buffalo, and lions! Complement your overland safari with bush walks, a mountain bike ride, canoeing, and a relaxing cruise on the Zambezi River. 

Join MT Sobek on our safari adventure to Zimabwe with our seasoned local guides. Or browse our popular wildlife safaris and chat with a Mountain Travel Sobek trip consultant to kickstart your African safari today!

Further Reading…

• Photo Gallery: Middle Fork of the Salmon River in August
• Guests Say It Best: MT Sobek Guest Experiences 2024
• 10 Best Hikes in North America
• MT Sobek’s Six Popular Trips for Solo Adventurers

Ask an Expert

We want you to have the best adventure, so don’t hesitate to call our expert team of adventure specialists at 800-974-0300 to learn more. Or click the button to use our online contact form.

10 Best African Countries for Safari

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Google would never: 4 Safari features I'd love to have on Chrome

Published on August 25, 2024

Everyone has a favorite browser, whether it’s a standard pick like Firefox or a security-focused one like DuckDuckGo or Brave. And, when you settle on a good browser , you tend to stay there for a long time, perfecting your settings to make it feel like home. But when you get comfortable, you start to ignore the new features that might pop up on another browser, possibly making it a better option for you.

I know I’m guilty of that, sticking to Chrome as I bounce from one Android review to another. More recently, though, I’ve been trying out Apple’s Safari on an iPhone 15 to see how well it pairs with the MacBook Air I use every day, and I’ve noticed a few things. There’s definitely room for Google to add to its browser, and here are four things it should pull from Apple.

Make the Tab Bar easier to reach

The first thing that Google should pinch from Apple is obvious, if more than a bit controversial. With how large smartphone displays have become, copying Safari and shifting the address bar from top to bottom makes sense. I’m daily-driving the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and its massive 6.8-inch display, and I’m constantly struggling to reach all the way across to type out a search or enter a URL.

And yes, like I said, I know that Apple’s decision to relocate the Tab Bar in Safari when it launched iOS 15 was wildly unpopular at first, but I think people have gotten used to it over time. It’s a pretty big shift to train yourself out of reaching for the top of your screen, but it’s worth the one-handed convenience. I’ve since taught myself to look to the bottom of the Safari window for a website URL, and it doesn’t hurt that the controls are right there, too. My iPhone 15 has its share controls, access to tabs, and a quick look at my history along the bottom edge, and it’s begun to spoil me.

But, if Apple can implement that change to make life easier when it only has a few display sizes to worry about, I think that Google can do the same to simplify its Chrome controls across the entire Android family. Firefox even has a toggle to let you pick, which would make everyone happy. And don’t worry — I only think Chrome needs a bottom-mounted address bar on the mobile browser; the desktop browser can stay just how it is.

Adopt Apple’s Distraction Control

I’m also tired of opening a webpage only to have it jump around on me while ads populate and refresh faster than I can scroll past them. Thankfully, Apple is introducing a way to combat this as part of its upcoming iOS 18 launch . It’s called Distraction Control, and it’s the feature that inspired me to look deeper into what Safari has to offer.

Essentially, the idea is that you can tap Safari’s Hide Distracting Items button, which will then block out static elements like banners and sign-up boxes. It’s like an ad blocker that’s not really an ad blocker, making your browsing experience smoother without potentially breaking elements of a site. Unfortunately, since Distraction Control isn’t a true ad blocker, it has its limits, like the fact that it stops working as soon as an ad refreshes, but it’s still better than nothing. I could also see it leading to faster ad refreshes in the future as a way to get around the block, but it works nicely for now.

This, however, might be the toughest of my four recommendations for Chrome to grab from Safari. I think Google’s reliance on ads and personal data just might be too strong for it to start cleaning up banners and pop-ups in the way I’d like. And, as a writer at a site that relies on ad revenue, I can kind of understand that, but I’d still be happier with fewer ads.

Add mobile extensions

Moving on, did you know that you can’t use Chrome extensions on your mobile browser? I admit I hadn’t even thought of the idea until I learned you can do it on Safari. Now that I know it’s possible, it’s incredible that Google hasn’t added them to Chrome. Personally, I’ve always associated Chrome with being the leader when it comes to adding extensions, and it’s high time it made them pocket-sized.

Right now, Safari doesn’t have the biggest list of mobile extensions, but something is better than nothing. It’s as easy as heading to the app store, searching for Safari extensions, and downloading the one you want, no problem. Alright, not  no problem, since your options are limited outside of Grammarly, a few couponing extensions, and some ad blockers, but they’re still incredibly easy to add.

All I think Google has to do is make its Chrome extensions part of the Play Store, and they’ll be ready to go. It would give Google some oversight (we don’t need the Wild West out here) while also making it easier to find the extension you want.

Copy Safari’s Privacy Report

Finally, Chrome should copy Safari’s approach to the Privacy Report. Yes, it already has a version of a security report that you can examine, but I think Safari’s implementation is a bit better. Chrome, for its part, will happily show you what certificate a site is using and what version of encryption it’s using to reach your device. Both are important pieces of data, but they’re not ones that your average user will know what to do with.

Safari, on the other hand, gives you a simplified breakdown of who’s tracking you when you tap on the AA icon in its Tab Bar. Once you open that menu and tap on Privacy Report, you’ll get a quick count of where Safari prevents trackers from following you across the web. It’s a bit more of a reassurance than a useful way to clean up your online presence, but the Privacy Report also includes other metrics like preventing fingerprinting (not allowing sites to learn about your device) and Intelligent Tracking Prevention.

Which Safari feature would you like to see on Chrome?

Of course, you might disagree with me about whether or not any of these features belong in Chrome, but that’s what’s fun about having a favorite browser. There are still plenty of things that I prefer about using Chrome over Safari, but after spending time with both, I realize that neither is perfect.

What really matters is that there’s plenty for modern web browsers to learn from each other, and the few features that set each one apart are usually the best ones. Now, if only Apple would let me use Safari on an Android phone — just to see how well it works.