The perfect shot. Every photographer’s dream or worst nightmare? Our beginner’s wildlife photography guide is here to help you get ready before your next safari.
Wildlife photography requires patience, stillness, and a good eye. It is one of the most challenging but most rewarding forms of photography when you finally capture the moment you were hoping for.
Whether you are heading off on your first safari or already have hundreds of encounters behind the lens, these simple tips will help you get your safari photo framed and ready.
The best part? You do not need fancy gear. Your phone camera is more powerful than you think. Every beginner photographer and tour guest on safari deserves a chance to capture their perfect photo. Just look at these images, all taken by our guests on the Great Trans-African Lodge Safari.
Shooting with Your Phone
After you have finished packing, or even on your plane ride over, take a little time to get to know your phone’s camera. Use this beginner’s wildlife photography guide to make the most of your phone’s camera, even if you have no professional gear.
Step 1: File Types
- iPhone: Settings > Camera > Formats
- Android: Camera app > Settings
Options you will see:
- ‘High Efficiency’ (HEIF): Saves storage but may not work on older devices.
- ‘Most Compatible’ (JPEG): Larger files but works on all devices.
- ‘ProRAW‘: Available on iPhone Pro models, offers the most detail but uses more space.
Beginners Wildlife Photography Guide Recommendation: Use ‘High Efficiency’ if you want to fill a photo album and switch to ‘ProRAW’ (if applicable) for that once-in-a-lifetime shot.
Step 2: Resolution
Choose the right resolution for the moment.
- iPhone: Settings > Camera > Formats > Photo Capture. On iPhone 14 Pro and newer, you can go up to 48MP.
- Android: Camera app > Settings. Many models offer 48MP or 50MP for extra detail.
Beginners Wildlife Photography Guide Tip: Use 24MP for most daylight safaris. Switch to 12MP for low light conditions like night drives.
Step 3: Grid
Turn on the grid to help line up horizons and improve composition.
- iPhone: Settings > Camera > Grid
- Android: Camera Settings > Grid or Guides
Step 4: Burst Mode
Capture quick action with burst shots.
- iPhone: Hold the shutter button or swipe it left. In Settings > Camera, you can set the volume button to trigger bursts.
- Android: Hold the shutter button (or swipe, depending on the model).
Afterward, scroll through your shots and keep only the sharpest.
Beginners Wildlife Photography Guide Tip: Use live photos (iPhone) or motion photos (Android) as an alternative, but burst mode often works best for fast wildlife.
Step 5: Focus and Exposure Lock
Keep your subject sharp by locking focus and exposure.
- iPhone: Tap and hold until you see AE/AF lock.
- Android: Tap and hold on your subject until you see a lock icon.
Beginners Wildlife Photography Guide Bonus: On Android, turn on “Scene Optimizer” to let your phone adjust automatically for animals, sunsets, or low light.
Practice at Home
As always, practice makes perfect. And who better to practice on than your pets?
This part of our beginner’s wildlife photography guide helps you train your timing and focus before you meet Africa’s wildlife. Try capturing your cat chasing a laser or your dog catching a ball. The movement is the same: fast, unpredictable, and full of character. Whether it is a lion pouncing, hyena running or a springbok leaping, you will be ready to press the shutter at just the right moment.
Before Your Safari
A little preparation makes all the difference:
- Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a portable charger.
- Carry a soft cloth to wipe dust off your lens.
- Be ready at all times. The wild is unpredictable.
- Choose morning or evening game drives for more active sightings and golden hour light.
- Research the animals or events you want to see, and which parks are best for them. (Check our A–Z African Wildlife Calendar for event inspiration or our destination pages and UNESCO World Heritage for further research).
- Be respectful of people and animals. Always ask before photographing people or children, and keep a safe distance from wildlife.
Beyond the Frame
Everyone sees the world differently, and that is your photographer’s eye.
It is not just about the animal itself but what draws your attention. On safari, ask yourself: What do I notice first?
- A leopard’s shoulder mark?
- The sway of a springbok?
- The curve of an elephant’s tusks?
- A tower of giraffes?
There is no wrong answer. The more you see, the sharper your eye becomes.
Before lifting your camera, pause. Notice the animal’s movement, the setting, and how you feel in that moment. The story you capture is not only about the animal but also about you and how you felt when you saw it. Then frame your photo to tell that story.
Beginner’s Wildlife Photography Guide Tip: Next time you photograph your pet, ask yourself, “What caught my eye?”
Composition Cheat Sheet
Once your subject fills the frame, use these simple tools to bring your story to life:
- Rule of Thirds: Place the animal or its eye along one of the grid lines.
- Balance: Off-center shots look more natural.
- Space: Leave room in the frame where the animal is looking or moving.
- Movement: Capture action such as a springbok mid-leap.
- Framing: Avoid over-zooming. Try wide shots that show the animal’s environment.
- Background Check: Make sure trees or poles are not “growing” out of your subject’s head.
- Experiment: Try wide shots, close-ups, centered and off-center. Later, review which style you like best.
Our Biggest Tip
Do not stress. With an experienced guide, you have the best chance of seeing animals up close. Safari vehicles can reach remote, quiet spots where wildlife behaves naturally. From the higher seat of a 4×4, you will also have the perfect vantage point for that once-in-a-lifetime photo.
Share Your Safari Shots
We would love to see your favourite safari photos. Tag us on social media!
Facebook: Jenman African Safaris
Instagram: @jenmansafaris
•
Bookings: info@jenmansafaris.com
Talk To Us: +27 21 683 7826
Your Adventure. Our Expertise.
How can beginners take great wildlife photos on safari without professional gear?
You don’t need expensive cameras to capture amazing safari photos, your smartphone is more capable than you think.
- Use your grid lines for balanced composition, burst mode for moving animals, and focus/exposure lock to keep your subject sharp.
- Shoot in High Efficiency (HEIF) to save space or RAW for maximum detail.
- The best light is early morning and late afternoon, known as golden hour, when wildlife is most active.
- Avoid zooming too far, move closer if safe or crop later.
- Most importantly, observe first, anticipate behaviour, and tell a story with your image.
- The emotion behind the photo matters more than the lens you use.
What are the best times of day for wildlife photography on safari?
The best times to photograph wildlife are early morning (sunrise to 9 a.m.) and late afternoon (3:30 p.m. to sunset). These hours offer soft golden light, fewer harsh shadows, and more active animals.
Midday sun can create flat, overexposed images, so use that time for rest, editing, or macro shots in shade.
During night drives, reduce ISO noise by using night mode or ProRAW at 12MP and stabilising your phone on the vehicle frame.
For silhouettes and landscapes, sunrise mist or sunset dust adds drama, perfect for elephants, giraffes, or herds moving across the plains.
What are the best phone camera settings for safari photography?
Start with these safari-specific settings:
- Resolution: 24MP for bright daylight; 12MP for low light.
- Grid Lines: On, helps frame subjects with the Rule of Thirds.
- Focus/Exposure Lock: Hold tap on your subject (AE/AF lock).
- Burst Mode: Hold shutter to capture action sequences.
- Live/Action Photos: Great for birds or moving herds.
- Lens Wipe: Keep a microfiber cloth handy for dust.
Bonus: On Android, enable Scene Optimizer; on iPhone, try Smart HDR for balanced skies and fur details.
These settings ensure clear, well-lit photos even from a moving vehicle, ideal for beginners building confidence behind the lens.
How should I prepare for wildlife photography before going on safari?
Preparation starts before you arrive.
- Practice at home: Photograph pets or birds to master timing.
- Pack essentials: Power bank, lens cloth, waterproof phone pouch.
- Know your wildlife: Learn behaviours, lions stretch before hunting; elephants flap ears before moving.
- Be ready always: Safari sightings are unpredictable.
- Respect nature: Keep a safe distance, never use flash on animals, and ask before photographing people.
- Research your destination’s wildlife to know which animals are most active when you visit, and trust your guide for positioning and patience.
Can I join a Jenman safari that focuses on wildlife photography?
Absolutely. JENMAN African Safaris offers photography-friendly tours with patient guides who will do anything to help you get that perfect shot, ideal for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
For wildlife photography tours we recommend our Signature Journeys for an exclusive experience. Ensuring you get time, space, and expert insight.
Popular options include:
