Bringing the Wild into Focus

Photography is one of the most rewarding ways to experience a luxury wildlife holiday. It encourages you to slow down and notice the world around you in all its subtle detail—the golden hue of sunset on the plains of the Serengeti, the gleaming sheen of a seal’s wet fur as it basks on a floating iceberg or the playful tumble of lion cubs rolling in the dust at sunrise. By capturing these precious moments, you not only get to relive the excitement, but you can also share the beauty of the wild with others.

To help you return home with images that truly capture the essence of your wildlife holiday, we’re sharing our top tips for snapping that perfect shot, so you can preserve those once-in-a-lifetime encounters forever in all their wild and breathtaking glory.

Capturing a wildlife image of print-quality requires some technical finesse. Here are some basic parameters to help you get started:

• For APS-C cameras, do not go above ISO 640, and for full-frame cameras, avoid exceeding ISO 1200 to maintain high-quality images.
• Always focus on the eyes of the animal. Wait for the moment when they turn your gaze towards you and snap that golden shot.
• Set your camera to burst mode, ensuring continuous sharp focus on moving animals.
• Shoot in RAW format to maximise post-processing flexibility. Remember to pack extra SD cards and battery packs if you have them.
• Adjust your aperture to F5.6 or higher for a deep focus range, depending on the type of shot and subject.
• For dramatic animal silhouettes, use a shutter speed of 1/160, aperture F5.6, and ISO 800, shooting during sunrise or sunset.
• For wide shots, use shutter speeds around 1/500 or faster to avoid motion blur, while keeping your aperture at F5.6.
• On a hot air balloon, set a shutter speed of 1/1250 or lower since the balloon moves at 10 km/h. To maintain image clarity, open your lens fully if possible.

The guides we work with in destinations like Tanzania are expertly trained in photography. From understanding light and angles to tracking predators in action, they have refined their skills to help you capture the raw beauty of Tanzania like never before. Be sure to communicate your photography preferences and leverage their expertise to position yourself for the perfect shot.

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 soft, golden light at these times reduces harsh shadows and highlights the colours and textures of the landscape, rewarding you with mesmerising backdrops for your photos.

Wildlife photography is about more than just capturing the perfect moment, it’s about presenting your subject in a visually compelling way. Experiment with different compositions to add variety and interest to your shots, shooting from unique angles to highlight the subject’s environment or if permitted, getting low to the ground for a more intimate perspective.

Patience is an essential virtue in wildlife photography, especially if you want to capture the raw and natural behaviour of animals. Maintaining a respectful distance, observing quietly and allowing them to go about their natural activities ensures that you don’t disrupt their rhythm. Always respect local regulations and environments, as the most powerful images are often the result of a calm and responsible approach to the wild.