General Interest Safaris vs Photography Centric Safaris
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 or guided photography tours. Africa is one such destination that can be experienced as a wildlife photographic adventure or just as a resort destination with cultural experiences and activities.
On a photo safari you will most likely have a a professional photographer guiding your adventure, applying their experience to present the most and best photo opportunities, and provide knowledge and advice about photography. The small group will be comprised of serious and 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 but not necessarily the main focus. The itinerary will include time for relaxing, shopping, and luxury offerings. 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 taking the time to photograph the perfect fireball sunset. This can be frustrating for those willing to put in the patience for great images. Some general safari operators only allow small point and shoot cameras (no large lenses allowed!) 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. Many large lodges only want to show you as many species as they can on short game drives 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.
You do not have to have a camera to enjoy a Photo Safari : these wildlife intensive adventures are perfect for Wildlife Lovers and those interested in Conservation.
Learn about photo safaris with Africa Wild Safaris hosted by Gregory Sweeney
Advantages of a Photographic Safari
- The focus will be on finding and spending time with all of Africa’s charismatic species – not just the high profile ones. A photographer group leader can also design the game drives to suit special interests such as birds or wildlife you have not yet seen.
- The small groups and exclusive locations will afford the opportunity for bush walks and other special opportunities not allowed in other parks and reserves.
- Photo safaris utilize smaller lodges on private reserves where the staff are dedicated to good wildlife encounters and providing a personal experience.
- An experienced wildlife photographer guide has spent loads of time observing animals and knows an amazing amount about the animals you will see. The rangers and guides are also very knowledgeable and ready to pass on what they know.
- 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
- Your photographer host will mentor you in photography topics that interest you and help increase your skills in taking pictures and processing them.
- You will come back with more and better pictures than on a general tour
Disadvantages
- Photo safaris are not for everyone because of the concentration on photography and the more active pace of your days together with the patience and tenacity necessary to find and photograph wildlife.
- 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 luxury tour operators and probably will not have 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
Photo Safaris are really Wildlife Intense Safaris and are great for all levels of photographers and non photographer wildlife lovers
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.
