We greatly value the art of storytelling here at Londolozi, and photography and storytelling are deeply intertwined. Not only is photography a powerful tool for storytelling, but it is also a means for us to connect with the surrounding fauna and flora that inhabits the land with us. There’s magic in being able to photograph animals in their natural habitat.

If you’re thinking about pursuing photography during your stay with us, here are a few simple tips to help you capture stunning photographs that will encapsulate the essence of your safari experience at Londolozi.

1. Use natural light:

Lighting is an essential aspect of mastering the art of photography. The “golden hours” before and after sunrise and sunset, is undoubtedly the best lighting for taking photographs. This ties in perfectly with your early morning and late afternoon game drives where you’ll be able to snap beautifully lit shots in the soft glow of the sunrise/sunset.

2. Choose the right gear:

There are so many options to choose from when it comes to deciding what type of camera equipment to use on safari. It’s all dependent on your desired photography outcome.

I’m a big advocate for iPhone photography as you can’t beat its convenience, mobility, and ease of sharing. While you certainly do not need more than your iPhone camera to capture beautiful memories on safari, making use of professional camera gear is a wonderful way to get fantastic wildlife shots, as it generally offers higher-quality output.

Practicality-wise,  we’re aware that traveling with heavy camera equipment can pose a burden, not to mention can take up valuable packing space. If this is the case, our onsite Photographic Studio offers a wide range of professional-grade camera bodies and lenses for rental, as well as any camera accessory you may need to snap the perfect shot during your stay with us.

3. Don’t just focus on photographing predators:

While capturing photographs of predators and the big five are usually on top of the priority list when on safari, don’t forget to keep your eyes and lenses open to all the amazing wildlife around you that often gets overlooked. While predators are exciting animals to photograph, it’s crucial to remember that they’re just a small part of the diverse natural world. There are plenty of picturesque landscapes and smaller creatures around Londolozi that will make fascinating subjects for your photographs.

4. Experiment with textures:

The texture of a leopard’s fur, the roughness of the bark on a tree, or the pattern of a giraffe’s skin. Capturing these small details out in nature is a wonderful way to get creative and add depth to your shots. Another reason why I love highlighting texture in my photographs is that it has a magical way of engaging the viewer’s senses more deeply, by allowing them to imagine what something feels like.

Here are a few ways to bring out different textures in your photographs:

1. Experiment with lighting:  Shadows and highlights created by lighting will amplify the texture of an object. Side lighting is especially effective in bringing out the texture as the contrast between light and dark areas can make the textured areas more pronounced. 
2. Camera settings: Set your camera to a high aperture (at least f/6). This ensures a sharp focus on just the subject, leaving the background elements of the image blurred.
3. Shoot Macro: A macro lens allows you to take close-up, highly detailed photographs. This is the perfect tool for taking sharp images and emphasizing texture. The African wilderness offers an abundance of textures, so when you’re out on a game drive, be sure to keep an eye out for endless photographic opportunities.

5. Don’t underestimate the power of editing your photographs:

Editing your wildlife images is a wonderful way to bring out the best features in your shot, as well as improve its overall quality. Whether it’s enhancing the quality of the photo, highlighting the subject, or correcting imperfections – these adjustments will help give the photographs that you take on safari that professional touch.

Editing photographs is one of my favourite creative outlets. It’s incredible to see how much your images can transform. There is an art to editing wildlife photography as you want to enhance the image without making it look too artificial or heavily edited. We’ve made the editing process extremely simple with the help of our Photographic Studio. With the assistance of a qualified Lightroom instructor, you’ll be able to showcase the best features of your images. You’ll also have the option to have your favourite images printed out on a canvas to display in your home.

Whether it’s to capture memories, take aesthetically beautiful wildlife shots,  or to convey a powerful story – photography is a wonderful tool to make use of while you’re on safari with us. I’m curious to know whether you bring your own photographic equipment on safari or if you prefer to rent?