10 Pro Tips for Capturing Breath-taking Wildlife Photos on Safari

Nick Wigmore
Jul 5
5 min read

Introduction

Picture this: golden light filtering through acacia branches, a leopard stretches, and for one breathless moment, the world is still, until your shutter clicks...

Safari photography is about more than gear and technique; it’s about presence, patience, and storytelling. These ten field-tested tips will help you capture images that are as breath-taking as the experience itself.

Whether you're joining one of our luxury African safaris or traveling with a camera in hand for the first time, these insights apply to every experience.

Want to see what a dedicated photographic journey looks like? Explore our signature photo safaris designed for passionate storytellers.

Lioness at sunrise with her cubs on a fallen tree branch in the African savannah, captured on a photo safari — Sunrise magic - timing is everything on a wildlife photo safari.

1. Use the Right Equipment for the Job

You don’t need to own the most expensive camera on the market, but you do need the right tools. A DSLR or mirrorless camera with a decent telephoto lens (something like 100–400mm or more) will let you get close to the action without invading the animal’s space.

Don’t forget a wide-angle lens too; sometimes, the bigger story isn’t the lion’s face, but the stormy sky above or the expanse of grassland stretching to the horizon. Pack extra batteries, large memory cards, and a bean bag for stabilizing your camera on the safari vehicle window. You won’t find charging stations in the middle of the Serengeti!

2. Know Your Camera Settings Before You Go

The last place you want to learn your gear is on a game drive. Know your camera inside out. Understand how to adjust shutter speed to freeze motion, 1/1000 or faster for running animals or birds in flight. Learn how aperture affects depth of field and how ISO can help you adapt to early morning or twilight conditions.

If you’re new to manual settings, try practicing at home with moving pets or birds in the backyard. That way, when the real action begins, your muscle memory kicks in.

Professional wildlife photography gear laid out on safari — Your gear is your storytelling toolkit. We help our guests get it just right.

3. Embrace the Golden Hours

The magic of safari light happens twice a day, early morning and late afternoon. This is when the African bush glows. Warm, soft, directional light brings out textures in fur, dust in the air, and depth in the landscape that harsh midday sun simply flattens.

Animals also tend to be more active during these hours. So not only are you getting better light, you’re getting more authentic behaviour. Always plan your drives around sunrise and sunset. Those are the moments where memories, and masterpieces are made.

4. Tell a Story with Composition

A powerful photo isn’t just about what's in it, it’s about how it’s framed. Good composition invites the viewer to stay with your image, to feel something. One of the easiest ways to start?

The rule of thirds. Instead of centering your subject, place it in the left or right third of the frame. This simple shift creates tension, movement, and interest.

Look for natural lines, like a trail leading into the bush or a horizon that splits the frame, to draw the eye. Think about balance and space. A single elephant against the vast emptiness of the plains? That tells a story of isolation and scale. Two zebras leaning into each other? That’s connection. Don’t just photograph what you see, photograph what you feel.

5. Capture Wildlife Behaviour, Not Just Presence

It’s easy to take a snapshot of an animal standing still. But the photos that stay with you, and your audience, are the ones that show life in motion. A giraffe drinking awkwardly from a waterhole. A lioness nuzzling her cub. A hippo charging into the river, water flying everywhere.

Behaviour tells a deeper story. It shows personality, struggle, instinct, connection. Be patient. Wait for the moment. Watch body language. Learn to anticipate what might come next. That’s when you stop taking pictures, and start capturing magic.

Elephants showing bonding behavior on a guided photo safari — Capturing behaviour, not just presence - emotion makes the moment memorable.

6. Focus on the Eyes

If there’s one rule that works almost every time in wildlife photography, it’s this: focus on the eyes. They’re the emotional anchor of your image. Whether it’s the piercing stare of a leopard or the gentle gaze of an elephant, sharp, expressive eyes will instantly draw viewers into your photo.

Most cameras allow you to move your focus point, use it. And if you’re working with a shallow depth of field, make sure the eyes are tack-sharp. Everything else can blur, but the eyes must be crystal clear.

It’s where emotion lives. It’s where the story begins.

7. Patience Pays Off

Safari is a waiting game. That unforgettable moment may take minutes or hours. The key is stillness, in your body and mind. Use the downtime to study light, animal patterns, or adjust your frame. Let the bush dictate the pace. The best shots are often rewards for those who didn’t rush.

8. Include the Environment

A lion is beautiful. A lion silhouetted against a stormy sky on the savannah? That’s breath-taking.

Pull back to give context. Show the ecosystem. Include trees, dust trails, distant herds. These details make your image feel like Africa, not just an animal.

Giraffes on the savannah captured with a wide-angle lens during an African photo safari. — Zoom out - sometimes the land tells the story just as powerfully as the wildlife.

9. Keep a Low Profile

Minimize noise, movement, and disruption. The more invisible you are, the more authentic your images become. Stay seated, avoid quick gestures, and respect the animal’s space. When they relax, you’ll capture behavior that’s honest and uninfluenced.

10. Edit with Intention, Not Excess

Post-processing should elevate, not overwhelm. Focus on clarity, contrast, and colour balance. Avoid heavy filters, Africa’s palette needs no exaggeration. Let your edit reflect how the moment felt.

Natural. Raw. Real.

Conclusion

Safari photography is a dance between instinct and technique, a way to tell stories that words can’t hold.

It asks for your presence, your patience, and your passion. Whether you return with one perfect frame or a full card, the magic is in the connection: to nature, to the moment, and to yourself.

Photographers in a safari vehicle capturing wildlife on a luxury African photo safari — Join us in Africa - and come home with stories that live beyond the frame.

FAQs

1. What camera is best for wildlife photography on safari?

A mirrorless or DSLR camera with fast autofocus and a versatile zoom lens (like 100–400mm or 200–600mm) is ideal. Look for weather-sealing and strong ISO performance.

2. What time of day is best for photographing wildlife in Africa?

Golden hours, early morning and late afternoon, offer soft light and active wildlife. Midday can be harsh, but it's still possible with the right settings.

3. How do I stabilize my camera while on a safari vehicle?

Use a bean bag or monopod. Vehicle edges, window frames, and your lap (with elbows anchored) can also help. Image stabilization in-camera or in-lens is useful too.

4. Can I take great safari photos with a smartphone?

Yes, especially for landscapes and wide shots. But for distant wildlife or action scenes, a dedicated camera with zoom and faster shutter speeds performs better.

5. How should I prepare for photographing fast-moving animals?

Use burst mode, a fast shutter speed (1/1000+), and continuous autofocus. Pre-focus where the action might occur and shoot in RAW to allow for flexibility in post.