What is African Safari Group?

African Safari Group (ASG) is a luxury inbound safari travel specialist based in South Africa, founded in 2016. We plan bespoke safari experiences across Southern and East Africa for high-net-worth travellers from the UK, Europe, USA, and Australia, covering destinations including Sabi Sand, Kruger, Okavango Delta, Masai Mara, and the Serengeti.

Which safari destinations does African Safari Group cover?

African Safari Group covers all major safari destinations in Southern and East Africa, including Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Kruger National Park, Okavango Delta (Botswana), Masai Mara (Kenya), Serengeti National Park (Tanzania), Chobe National Park, Amakhala Game Reserve, and many more across South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Tanzania.

How does African Safari Group work?

African Safari Group provides a done-for-you safari experience. Our specialist consultants work with you from initial enquiry through to departure — advising on destinations, lodges, and timing, booking accommodation and flights, and supporting you throughout your trip. There is no obligation to book and no upfront costs for planning.

Is African Safari Group a licensed travel company?

Yes. African Safari Group is a registered inbound tour operator based in South Africa. Client holidays are protected under supplier-default insurance, ensuring bookings and payments are safeguarded in the unlikely event of a supplier becoming insolvent.

Who founded African Safari Group?

African Safari Group was founded in 2016 by Riaan Aggenbag, a South African entrepreneur and safari travel specialist. The company is co-founded and co-led with Dom Meulemans.

Safari Photography Guide: How to Photograph African Wildlife

June 10, 2026

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Great safari photography starts with understanding your camera, working with the light and anticipating wildlife behaviour. This guide covers cameras, lenses, useful settings and practical tips to help you capture memorable images of African wildlife.

What Camera Do You Need for a Safari?

For serious safari photography, a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a telephoto lens of at least 300mm (ideally 400–600mm) is the standard recommendation. Canon’s R-series and Nikon’s Z-series mirrorless bodies offer excellent autofocus tracking for fast-moving wildlife. Sony’s A9 and A1 bodies are widely used by professional wildlife photographers for their tracking speed. That said, modern smartphone cameras with telephoto capabilities (iPhone Pro Max, Samsung Ultra) produce impressive results for close-range encounters. The best camera is the one you have with you and know how to use.

What Lens Should You Use on Safari?

A 100–500mm zoom lens offers the most versatile range for safari photography — Useful for wildlife portraits and tighter landscape compositions, powerful enough for distant subjects at 500mm. The Canon RF 100-500mm and Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm are popular choices. A 70–200mm f/2.8 is excellent for vehicle-based photography in close proximity to wildlife and for portraits in lodges and camps. If you can only bring one lens, a 100–400mm or 100–500mm zoom is the most practical choice.

Best Lighting for Safari Photography

The golden hours — the first 1–2 hours after sunrise and the last 1–2 hours before sunset — produce the most beautiful light in Africa. This coincides perfectly with game drive timing: morning drives typically leave at 6:00–6:30am and afternoon/evening drives depart around 3:30–4:00pm. The low-angle golden light illuminates animal fur, brings out colour, and creates dramatic shadows. Avoid shooting in harsh midday light (10am–3pm) when possible; use this time to rest, review images, and plan your next drive.

Camera Settings for Wildlife Photography

Shutter speed is your priority: for moving subjects, use a minimum of 1/1000s to freeze motion; 1/2000s or faster for running animals or birds in flight. Use your camera’s continuous autofocus mode with animal/eye-detection tracking enabled. Set ISO to auto with a ceiling of ISO 6400 (Higher ISO performance varies by camera and shooting conditions). Shoot in RAW format for maximum editing latitude. Aperture priority (Av) mode with exposure compensation works well for experienced photographers; shutter priority (Tv) is more intuitive for beginners.

Best Safari Destinations for Photography

Sabi Sands, South Africa: The world’s best destination for leopard photography. Off-road access, low vehicle limits, and trackers on foot create close encounters with habituated cats.

Masai Mara, Kenya (July–October): The Great Migration river crossings deliver the most dramatic action photography in Africa.

Okavango Delta, Botswana: Unique photography from water level by mokoro, and aerial photography from small aircraft.

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania: The crater’s compressed wildlife — including large lion prides — in a bowl of golden grass against volcanic walls is visually spectacular.

Practical Tips for Game Drive Photography

Use a beanbag on the vehicle door frame for a stable shooting platform — it is more effective than a tripod on a moving vehicle. Communicate with your ranger about shooting angles; experienced rangers actively position vehicles for the best light. Charge your batteries and ensure your memory cards have enough free space. Bring a rain cover for unexpected afternoon downpours. And remember: occasionally, put the camera down and simply watch. Some moments are worth experiencing rather than shooting.

Enquire Now to design a photography-focused safari itinerary — we know which camps, guides, and reserves deliver the best photographic opportunities.

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