There’s nothing like coming away from a vacation, knowing you’ve potentially captured a once-in-a-lifetime shot. For many people on safari, they too often write this off as sheer luck. Luck, however, is when preparedness meets opportunity. We’re here to share our top tips for being prepared to get the best shots when opportunity presents itself on your photographic safari in South Africa.
Tips for choosing the right camera:
- Choose a camera with a decent ‘fps’ or ‘frames per second’ rate. This will go a long way in helping you photograph birds and animals on the move. 5 or 6fps should be enough for just about anything you want to do.
- Choose a camera with a high ISO. ISO refers to the light sensitivity and most digital cameras typically have ISO settings between 100 (low sensitivity) to 12,800 (high sensitivity). If your subject is moving (as most animals are) and you’re trying freeze the motion for a still, a higher ISO will allow for a faster shutter speed and fewer blurry pics.
- Choose a camera with a good focusing system. Auto focus has come a long way in recent years and having one built into your camera will help to make sure you get crisp, clear images if your subject is moving or you are bouncing along in the game viewing vehicle.
Photography is an expensive hobby and while professional photographers might be able to travel with two cameras, for most of our international guests, one is absolutely more than enough. When capturing wildlife and nature on safari it does however help to have a decent zoom lens as well as a secondary wider lens. Both will allow you to zoom in close to the action and capture landscape more effectively. Lenses can be easily changed in the safari vehicle, as long as you are careful about getting dust inside your camera.
Extras to remember to pack in your camera bag:
- Extra batteries – there is nothing worse being in the centre of the action and your battery dies.
- Extra storage – make sure you always have an extra SD card or two on hand.
- Tripod – this can help tremendously when you are using a big zoom lens. Our vehicles are also equipped with cushioned arm rests which help with balance and movement.
- Binoculars – always helpful when an animal is first spotted.
- Small torch – this can be helpful when photographing on night drives, which are on offer at Kings Camp.
Guests planning a photographic safari at Kings Camp can look forward to twice daily game drives in custom designed safari vehicles, night drives with a spotlight in search of nocturnal creatures, guided bush walks and specialised bird watching safaris with expert guides. The Timbavati is especially well known for its frequent elephant sightings, as well as leopard and rare African wild dog. It is also home to over 350 bird species, making it a must-see destination for keen bird watchers.
Private safaris offer the ultimate flexibility and exclusivity for avid photographers. A private guide and vehicle is at your disposal, meaning you can stop where you please and explore parts of the reserve that pique your interest. Activities can be tailored to your interests without interfering with anyone else.
Whether you’re interested in capturing birds, the Big 5 or even the beautiful landscapes of the Timbavati, photographic safaris at Kings Camp offer a world-class experience behind the lens. Please don’t hesitate to enquire about our photographic safari offerings at book@kingscamp.com or+27 (0) 63 026 4041 / +27 (0) 82 675 6539.
Image credits:
Cathan Moore
Almero Klingenberg
Neil Coetzer
