Abdul's Blog

When someone says “safari”, what most often comes to mind is wide open African savannahs, dusty rides in old jeeps and nature in its purest form. Photographers can go on any Wildlife Photography Tour and capture the majesty of the big cats on the open plains, the giraffe against the backdrop of the sunsets, and the drama at the watering holes.

But the best Wildlife Photography Tour is a feast for a nature enthusiast armed with a camera. There is more involved than just driving the group around so they can take pictures of the local fauna. The focus is on the animals doing what they do naturally but as close-up as possible.

The guide will know how to use time efficiently. Because he is familiar with the behaviors of the animals, he will know the prime time to get the best shots. Getting those shots means leaving the camp well before the sun is up so the photographers are in position just after sunrise. Mid-afternoons can be used for catching up on sleep, proofing pictures, planning the next day’s shoot, or attending lectures. A Wildlife Photography Tour needs to be well-balanced in the agenda.

Also, if there is more than one photographer, make sure the Wildlife Photography Tour is small, ideally no more than 6-8. No matter how careful the guide or the group is, there will be noise that is different than the natural environment, and too much man-made noise will spook the animals. A zebra herd in motion can make for a spectacular picture, but is better if it is not trying to run down the jeep in the process.

A Wildlife Photography Tour can be the most rewarding experience of a lifetime. Take at least one and let the pictures tell the story.