ANIMALS KINGDOM

It is the perfect trip for all the serious amateur and future professional wildlife photographers that want to rub shoulders with a professional wildlife photographer operating in Africa. If you choose the correct trip, you will also go back home with a decent African wildlife portfolio (although a truly professional portfolio only comes with years of hard work and payience…).

Lion Cubs Playing - Cubitje Quap waterhole,
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa
Copyright © Dries Cronje

So why should you choose African Photographic Safaris over general African Safaris? I try to answer this question below.

African Photographic Safaris are not for everyone, but if you are reading the content of this website, you might be a good candidate for such a specialised safari. I give some of the advantages and disadvantages of photographic safaris below. This should help you make up your mind.

Advantages of African Photographic Safaris

Photographic safaris are aimed at wildlife photographers. On such trips special attention is given to wildlife photography. As photography is the name of the game, there will be a strong focus on finding and spending time with the big five. You will be in the field at the right hours for photography. Decent lighting is what makes or breaks wildlife photographs. One of the main aims will be to find animals, so you will spend time with highly trained guides and trackers. This will add to your experience in a number of ways. There are normally opportunities for you to go on a guided bush walk with an armed ranger for up close experiences with Africa’s wildlife. It is not a standard feature of general safaris and, in fact, it is not allowed in most reserves. It makes for some exciting encounters and excellent photographic opportunities. All you will take back home from Africa is your photographs. On a photographic safari, your photographs will be of a much higher standard than those you took on a general safari. Blue Wildebeest Chase - Kwang waterhole, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa Copyright © Dries Cronje Disadvantages of African Photographic Safaris Photographic safaris are more expensive. You will have a professional wildlife photographer, ranger and tracker with you on all excursions. This increases costs. You will be up and in the field before sunrise. You will also most probably go on a guided walk every day. After that you will have a sunset game drive. At night you will be listening to interesting stories around a camp fire and having a couple of drinks. Therefore, you will not be getting too much sleep. General safaris are conducted at a much less tiring pace. Conclusion There are both pros and cons to African Photographic Safaris, and I will be the first to admit that such specialised trips are not for everyone.     Gibbon Apes - Sharing Breakfast from Wildlife Safari Photography by Faye Pekas Isn't it sweet how this gibbon ape was sharing a breakfast banana with his mate? :) NOT! He handed it to her and when she reached for it he pulled it back.. twice! The third time he did it to her, she turned her back on him and wouldn't even look at him. these mates have been together on their island as long as I've been going to the Safari. The female had a baby at one time that was fun to watch. Add starLikeShareShare with noteEmailAdd tags Aug 12, 2009 7:01 AM Sika Deer from Wildlife Safari Photography by Faye Pekas The male sika deer get pretty scruffy looking at times. This one is looking quite cool with his fancy earring though. Add starLikeShareShare with noteEmailAdd tags Aug 5, 2009 8:27 AM Teddy Bear from Wildlife Safari Photography by Faye Pekas Just a big ol Teddy Bear