Going on a self-guided safari is an incredible way to get up close to wildlife from around the world in Evant, Texas. Our self-guided safari at Buena Vista Wildlife Safari & RV Park gives you the perfect opportunity to make some lifelong memories.
Bringing your camera gear along is essential to capture those once-in-a-lifetime moments as you travel our 250-acre property. However, photographing animals in the wild brings its own challenges. Follow these tips to get the most out of your safari photography experience.
Choosing the Right Camera Equipment
While our safari doesn’t take place on the rough roads of Africa, we still try to give the animals you’ll meet on the tour as close to their usual habitat as possible.
A safari’s dusty, sometimes shaky road conditions mean you’ll want a sturdy, rugged camera. If you want perfection, shooting with the latest phone camera won’t make the muster.
A DSLR is ideal for its versatility and ability to swap out lenses.
Bring a telephoto zoom lens in the 200-400mm range so you can get close shots of distant animals. Prime lenses like 50mm are great for portraits and wider scenic images.
Pack a camera with strong autofocus capabilities to capture fast, erratic movements.
Don’t forget essential accessories like extra batteries and memory cards. Our safari is a travel-at-your-own-pace experience, allowing you to take your time and grab the perfect memory of your favorite animal on the safari.
Protecting Your Gear from the Evant Dust
The fine dust that can kick up during your drive through our Evant, TX safari can easily wear down your expensive gear. Use ziplock bags or a waterproof camera cover to protect your camera when not in use.
You may find you want to change lenses when the right moment arises. In order to keep your lenses in pristine condition, we recommend changing them quickly and keeping dust out by facing away from the wind.
You also want to keep your valuable camera lenses clean while on the safari trail. Bring lens wipes, a soft brush, and microfiber cloths to remove dust from your gear during the trip before it can scratch your lenses. Taking basic precautions will ensure your equipment survives the conditions.
Photographing from Your Vehicle
Most self-guided safaris require you to shoot from inside your personal vehicle. This provides safety from wild animals but makes getting clear wildlife shots tricky.
Use bean bags or a monopod attached to your vehicle’s open windows or roof to stabilize long lenses. Bean bags allow you to rest the lens on the door or window sill for steadier shots.
Sit near open windows and rotate around the vehicle so you can shoot in either direction. Ask your travel companions for help spotting animals coming from the opposite side. Good communication ensures you don’t miss anything.
Types of Photos to Take
Aim for a variety of safari images to capture the experience:
Portraits
Get frame-filling shots of individual animals from elephants to big cats to small birds. Focus on their faces and eyes.
Environmentals
Place the animals in context within the African landscape. Include habitat like trees, riverbeds, termite mounds, and brush.
Behaviors
Photograph animals interacting like a mother nursing cubs or predators on a hunt. Show authentic moments.
Wide Scenes
Pull back for vista shots showcasing sweeping savannas to rolling dunes and mountain backdrops. Watch for herds grazing at golden hour.
Details
Zoom in on textures like weathered skin, fur patterns, feathers, scales, horns and more. These make for striking abstract images.
Tips for Better Composition
Planning the elements of your photo composition is equally as important as planning your first trip on a safari. If this trip is your first time shooting photos in the wild, apply some basic photographic composition techniques:
- Frame animals creatively, like through foliage, under trees, or behind bushes.
- Compose horizontally for sweeping landscapes and vertically for portrait shots.
- Include leading lines like river bends, roads, and dune peaks to draw the eye.
- Watch for elements like dust kicked up to show action and movement.
- Capture animals walking directly towards you or in triangular arrangements.
- Shoot from low angles for unusual perspectives and higher impact.
Be Prepared and Patient, Book Your Safari Today!
Patience is also key. Animals can be unpredictable and you may go long stretches without lots of action or only have distant sightings. Stay vigilant and ready to shoot at any time.
At Buena Vista Wildlife Safari & RV Park, we believe we give budding photographers the ultimate opportunity to capture the perfect images of animals in the wild.
Ready to set out on your next big adventure? Reserve your spot today!