You do not need professional gear to take great safari photos. Most good wildlife pictures come from a few simple habits: fast shutter speeds, sharp eyes, good light and patience. These tips come from our guides, who spend every day helping guests get the shot.
Choosing your camera and lens
The most important piece of kit is a zoom lens. Animals are often 30 to 100 metres away, and vehicles must stay on tracks.
| Gear | Good for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Smartphone | Landscapes, camp, close sightings | Struggles with distant animals |
| Bridge camera (long zoom) | All-round wildlife | Light, affordable, one lens |
| Camera with 100–400 mm lens | Most wildlife | The best balance for most guests |
| Camera with 150–600 mm lens | Birds, distant animals | Heavier, needs support |
| Wide lens (24–70 mm) | Landscapes, big herds | Useful second lens |
Changing lenses in the dust is risky. If you have two bodies, keep a zoom on one and a wider lens on the other.
Simple settings that work
- Mode: use shutter priority or manual with auto ISO.
- Shutter speed: at least 1/1000 s for moving animals, 1/2000 s for birds in flight, 1/250–1/500 s for still animals.
- Aperture: wide open (f/5.6–f/6.3 on most zooms) to blur the background.
- ISO: auto, with a limit that your camera handles cleanly.
- Focus: continuous autofocus (AF-C or AI Servo), with animal eye detection if your camera has it.
- Drive: burst mode. Take several frames and choose the best later.
Focus on the eyes
A photo feels sharp when the eyes are sharp. Place your focus point on the nearest eye. If the animal’s head is turned away, wait. A small head turn towards you makes a much stronger picture.
Keep the camera steady
Tripods do not work well in a vehicle. Instead:
- Rest the lens on a bean bag on the window frame or roof hatch.
- Ask the guide to turn off the engine to stop vibration.
- Ask others in the vehicle to stay still while you shoot.
Use the best light
The first two hours after sunrise and the last two before sunset give warm, soft light and long shadows. Animals are also more active then. At midday, light is harsh, so look for shade, close portraits or black-and-white images.
Composition tips
- Shoot at eye level where you can. Sitting lower in the vehicle often gives a better angle than standing.
- Leave space in the direction the animal is looking or moving.
- Include the habitat. A lion on a kopje or elephants under a baobab tells more of a story than a tight crop.
- Watch the background for branches and other vehicles.
- Look for behaviour: yawning, playing, grooming and hunting make the most memorable photos.
Protect your gear from dust
Northern Tanzania is dusty in the dry season. Bring a rain cover or a cloth to cover the camera while driving, a blower and lens cloths, and keep spare memory cards and batteries in a sealed bag. Back up your photos every evening if you can.
Photographing people
Always ask permission before photographing people, especially in Maasai villages and markets. Some people will say no, and some may ask for a small payment. Your guide can help with language and etiquette.
Best places for photos in Tanzania
- Ngorongoro Crater: dense wildlife and a dramatic backdrop.
- Tarangire: elephants and baobab trees.
- Central Serengeti: big cats and open plains.
- Northern Serengeti: Mara River crossings from July to October.
Our River Crossing Season safari gives you several days by the river, and The Northern Loop covers the classic northern parks.
Put the camera down sometimes
The best advice our guides give is also the simplest. Take a few frames, then lower the camera and watch. Some moments are better remembered than photographed. For more on the rhythm of a safari day, read what to expect on safari in Tanzania. If you were hoping to fly a drone, read our guide to drone rules in Tanzania first.
Frequently asked questions
A zoom lens that reaches 300–400 mm covers most wildlife. A 100–400 mm or 150–600 mm lens is popular. A wider lens is useful for landscapes and close animals.
Yes, for landscapes, close sightings and camp life. For distant animals and birds, a camera with a long zoom gives much better results.
Use at least 1/1000 s for moving animals and 1/2000 s or faster for birds in flight. For still animals, 1/250 s to 1/500 s is usually enough.
