My thoughts on getting more African wildlife images

What can be more exciting than having just booked an African safari and dreaming of all those African wildlife photos that are just waiting to be taken. However from the outset going on safari can be a daunting task if you are like me, 'getting on a bit' and not fully fit, but it need not be.
Getting the right information is the difficult part, so here is some info that may help you get more African wildlife photos

There is one thing to remember, once you are in Africa, it is all happening around you, but you may not realise it. If you look in my African photos gallery, less than half of my photos shown are taken while on safari. My gripe with safaris is that you are above eye level with the subject (except gifarres) thus looking down, as any professional will tell you, eye level is what one aims for. So you bounce around for several days taking shots that have been done a thousand  of times before.
The grounds of the hotels are wildlife sanctuaries in themselves, providing wonderful opportunities for butterfly photos, dragonfly photos, reptile photos and if you get up early, bird photos. So while the rest are on their sunbeds, have a stroll around and you may be surprised.

There are specialist companies who cater for photographic safaris, these unfortunately were out of my budget. Plus I cannot go alone as I rely on my good wife to assist with my back problems (carrying my stuff).
The option I chose was a beach holiday with an add on safari.  There are companies who operate from outside the hotel complex and have salesmen patrolling the beach which we thought could be dodgy. However after speaking to several people who have taken a safari this way, they appeared to have had a better deal, so it's a matter of personal choice.

The majority of safaris offered are either a 2 day 'taster' or a 3 day one, with options to add extra days.

The options are: -

1. Coach/bus/4WD safari both ways
2. Coach/bus/4WD one way and fly the other
3. Fly both ways

The main game parks are:-

1. Tsavo East --- nearest
2. Tsavo West -  second nearest
3. Ambroseli ----Near to Mt. Kilimanjaro
4. Maasi Mara --the furthest.

Kenya Map and more information

The most dense animal population area is the Maasi Mara as is it the destination of the migration from the Serengeti. So you need to check when the animals are here so do not think of going out of season as most of the animals will be back in Tanzania. As it is the furthest from the coast flying both ways is the only sensible option for a few days safari.

The cheapest options go to Tsavo, however it is not wall to wall animals like the Mara and a drive of 20 minutes between seeing groups of animals is not uncommon, so photographic opportunities are far less.

I have no experience of Ambroseli, other than from others who have been and it seems that Mt. Kilimanjaro is covered in cloud most of the time, while one group reported that it had no animals so they booked a second safari to the Masai Mara.

The one week safaris seem to be that they are a one-way drive through the 4 game parks in the order as listed above, with a flight back.

Conclusion To see the most animals in the shortest amount of time take a flying safari to the Maasi Mara.
Also if you are like me and suffer from a back problem be prepared to stand in the 4WD vehicle for he duration of the safari. The vehicles in the Mara are mainly open top Land Rovers, while the other safaris seem to have the minibus type with a push up roof. These are not for me! Furthermore I cannot see these being suitable for serious photography.
Remember to take a blower brush with you, I took 2! The Maasi Mara is one and a half times higher altitude than Ben Nevis and it can get windy and very dusty so take a sleeve from an old shirt with you to keep your camera and lens inside. The photo opportunities present themselves frequently and messing around with a camera bag will result in missed shots.

One area that seems to be overlooked is Shimba Hills, which is only a short drive from Mombasa.
 I have been in pouring rain, which however appears to be the best time as the animals seem to like it and come out of the bush. Also I have been when it was hot and sunny and being a rainforest, there are lots of trees providing shelter from the sun. Therefore to do this successfully you need an evening session and an early morning one which means an overnight stay there.  By the time you have costed this up, a fly out to the Mara is a better deal for more animals. However at Shimba, if you go alone in a car, yes you can as you cannot get off the tracks, you need to hire a ranger who will let you get out of the car, result better pictures. It is quality over quantity here. If you like Eagles you should see some. Around Shimba Lodge there are Hornbills but you have to be quick to get a good shot as they have flown past before you realise it.

I hope that you have found this information beneficial, if so, please leave any feedback in the Guest Book.

Good luck with your African wildlife photos.