I realized my first lesson about safari images the onerous means. There I used to be, at a small airstrip in Botswana, shopping for an additional airplane ticket for my digital camera bag. I’d uncared for to think about the strict baggage weight restrictions on most bush planes, and I used to be over the restrict. (It was fortunate that the airplane may accommodate the additional bag in any respect.) 

By the top of the journey, I hadn’t touched the wide-angle lens I packed; the tripod in my bag was unused. Over 10 days, I additionally obtained a real-world training in digital camera settings, working in dusty circumstances, and with the very actual menace of working out of house on my reminiscence playing cards. And to suppose that I had already been doing this for a dwelling for a number of years. 

Since that fateful first journey, I’ve gone on a number of different, extra profitable safaris—throughout which I’ve honed the next methods for maximizing my time within the subject.

Select properly. 

Whereas I’m cautious about overpacking, one factor I received’t compromise on is touring with two digital camera our bodies. I carry two Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras, an Alpha 7R III and an Alpha 7R V. I match each with a special lens so I don’t should swap lenses in the course of no matter motion I’m making an attempt to seize. I sometimes use a 24-70 mm for wider pictures of the panorama, animal herds, and creatures that come shut, and a 200-600 mm tremendous telephoto for tighter pictures. I additionally carry alongside a 70-200 mm, simply in case. 

Be ready.

On the subject of uncommon sightings—a cheetah feasting on a contemporary kill, a hyena, a sable antelope—you may solely have a cut up second to seize the second. “Too typically, visitors arrive in Africa with brand-new digital camera tools they’ve by no means used,” says Shaun Stanley, the founding father of Stanley Safaris. “Follow previous to your arrival and contemplate investing in a images course.”

Hold it clear.

I at all times carry Zeiss lens wipes, microfiber cleansing cloths, and a rocket air blaster for eradicating mud with out the chance of scratches. My lenses are additionally fitted with UV filters, which shield them from scratches and harsh sunshine.

Keep regular.

For sharp photographs, stability is vital—however a standard tripod is cumbersome contained in the confines of a safari automobile. I’ve realized to like the Kinesis SafariSack, a beanbag-style pouch you’ll be able to relaxation on the facet of a Land Rover or over a seat. “Many lodges and camps have them, however you’ll be able to by no means make certain, so I at all times carry my very own,” says Ian Proctor, a member of the T+L A-Listing and president of Final Africa Safaris. “I pack it empty after which ask the lodge for some beans to fill it after I arrive.”

Convey further reminiscence.

I’ve gotten the dreaded “SD card full” message many occasions, and it at all times appears to occur after I’m capturing some thrilling second. “It’s not out of the norm to shoot upwards of a thousand photographs per day,” says Julian Harrison, one other A-Listing advisor and the CEO of Premier Excursions. Many lodges inventory further reminiscence playing cards, however I’ve but to discover a strong digital camera store within the bush—and also you don’t need to run in need of house mid-game drive. 

Know your settings.

Each safari is totally different, however I are inclined to depend on a number of widespread settings. To seize fast-moving wildlife, I exploit fast shutter speeds, sometimes 1/1000 or quicker. Burst mode, which takes a collection of rapid-fire pictures, can also be important. Quick shutter speeds typically name for greater ISO settings, however an excessive amount of sensitivity can create “noise,” so I attempt to keep at 1600 or decrease. When taking close-up or zoomed-in photographs, I at all times deal with the animal’s eyes, utilizing an f-stop between f/2.8 and f/6.3 to provide a shallow depth of subject that makes for an exquisite blurred background. 

Insure your rig.

Whether or not your tools value $2,000 or $20,000, you’ll need to shield that funding: camera-specific plans from Lemonade, Progressive, and State Farm cowl your gear virtually anyplace on this planet. Some house owner’s insurance policies additionally embody protection.

Go it alone.

“When you’re severe about images, I counsel paying further for a non-public safari automobile,” Stanley says. “That means you’ll be able to carry all of your tools with out imposing on different visitors.” 

Choose the correct vacation spot.

With their plentiful sport and spectacular surroundings, big-name nationwide parks are well-known for a motive—but in addition draw bigger crowds. “Photographers ought to search out non-public concessions, the place not more than three autos can collect round a specific animal sighting,” Stanley says. These additionally are inclined to have fewer restrictions on entry, which means you’ll be able to arrive earlier than dawn or keep out after sundown to seize wildlife within the dreamy mild of daybreak or nightfall.

Be current.

I’m actually responsible of spending an excessive amount of time behind the lens, so I’ve made a degree of, now and again, merely placing down my digital camera and soaking all of it in.

A model of this story first appeared within the July 2025 problem of Journey + Leisure underneath the headline “Animal Magic.”