Choose a Photographic Safari over a traditional wildlife experience for better photographs, encounters, and improved skills
Wildlife travel is a very popular niche and many destinations offer both general tours and those with a skill based focus such as wildlife viewing while kayaking or guided photography tours. Africa is one such destination that can be experienced as a wildlife photographic adventure. A professional photographer will guide your adventure, provide the most and best photo opportunities, and provide knowledge and advice. The small group will be comprised of professional, semi-professional, and serious amateur photographers. Is a photographic safari right for you? Your decision to choose this route to Africa will depend on your goals and interests.
A general safari is designed for all types of guests. The tour operators plan a wide range of activities as part of the whole of experiencing Africa. The game drives and wildlife will only be one of many activities scheduled and not necessarily the main focus. The other guests are probably not serious about photography and may be only passively interested in wildlife; they might be more interested in getting to the hot tub than getting to the perfect spot for a fireball sunset which may leave you frustrated. Some general safari operators only allow small point and shoot cameras on their vehicles and the vehicles might be entirely enclosed and you will have to shoot through glass.
On a photography specific adventure photo opportunities are the goal, not relaxation, entertainment, or shopping. Some safaris only want to show you as many species as they can in the time allotted with no pause to watch the animal and wait for an excellent shot. A photographic safari will spend more time with each animal and teach you about the animal so as to anticipate a good shot and return you home safely with the best photographs and memories possible.
Advantages of a Photographic Safari
The focus will be on finding and spending time with the most dramatic animals; Africa’s Big Five. The leader can also design the game drives to suit special interests such as birds or flowers
The small groups and exclusive locations will afford the opportunity for bush walks and other special opportunities not allowed in other parks and reserves
You will have discussion, comparison, and collaboration with the other photographer guests in an open learning environment
Being at the right place at the right time in order to catch the optimal lighting will be the driving force behind your daily schedule
Photographers use open vehicles, and travel at the optimal times of the year such as when grass is short or animals are courting
On a photography specific adventure, amateur photographers and professionals will improve their wildlife skills, exchange ideas, and learn new techniques
The leader will employ a highly trained tracker to add to the experience
You will come back with better pictures than on a general tour
Wildlife photography is the goal versus cultural photography
Disdvantages
Photo safaris are not for everyone because of the concentration on photography and the more active pace of your days
You will stay in small, family owned, exclusive and comfortable lodges with lots of character and close to the best animals, but they will not be the large 5 –star resorts of the big tour operators with spas and extensive luxury facilities
You will not get much sleep. To get the best lighting and animal encounters requires you to operate on the animal’s schedule so morning departures are early.
You will have many photos to process so some “homework” time is required
Photographic safaris are a bigger adventure than your standard African Safari and provide serious fun and learning for both professionals and amateur photographers. Your photos will tell the exciting stories of your life-changing adventure.
