African Photographic Safaris – The Right Choice for You?

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African Photographic Safaris – The Right Choice for You?

What exactly is African Photographic Safaris? You have made up your mind. You are visiting Africa… Should you go on a general African Safari, or should you go on one of the specialised African Photographic Safaris?

A photographic safari can have two different meanings. It could be a collection of photos that evoke an emotion within you, and make you feel as if you are on safari. Or, and this is the meaning we refer to here, it is a safari with photography in mind. Also, the word safari is usually used in conjunction with a wildlife experience.

Therefore, I define African Photographic Safaris, as safaris to Africa on which you will get ample opportunity to take wildlife photos. A professional wildlife photographer will give you wildlife photography lessons on such a trip, and (preferably) spend lots of time with you to answer all your questions.

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

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

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.

However, it is an excellent choice for budding wildlife photographers!

Not sure yet? If you think you want further information on this subject, go to photo-safaris.net. The site is still young and small (started May 2006), but I will pour all of my energy into it over the next couple of months and hope to establish it as one of the prime sources of photographic safari information over the next year.

I will also be marketing my personal photo safaris on this website. Bookings for these safaris will open 1 November 2006 with the first trip planned for March 2007. It is exciting stuff, so go check it out...

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