The best time to photograph wildlife is during the morning and evening hours, when the animals are particularly active. For this reason, guided safaris are usually conducted before sunrise or in the late afternoon until after sunset.
The right destinations are crucial for impressive wildlife photography. A true natural spectacle awaits you in Africa: the Ngorongoro Crater is the largest uninterrupted crater caldera in the world, while in the Serengeti National Park millions of wildebeest migrate through the park every year in search of food and water. The wildebeest and zebra crossings of the Mara River are also particularly spectacular. Thanks to specially built observation hides at waterholes or along well-known wildlife corridors, you can capture unique perspectives on your nature photography trip.
The Great Migration, when millions of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles cross the plains every year, is one of the most incredible events for safari photographers. Lake Nakuru with its dense flocks of pink flamingos also offers extraordinary photo opportunities. Such photo trips have particular advantages for photographers, as the day is planned according to the light – exactly what you need for perfect shots.
- Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
- Satpura National Park, India
- Khao Yai National Park, Thailand
- Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy
- Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria
- Around the Everglades, Florida
- Norway – fjords and wilderness
- At home – wildlife photography in your own garden
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
The endless plains of the Serengeti, which cover a massive 14,763 km², offer one of the world’s most impressive settings for wildlife photography. With its golden savannahs dotted with acacia trees, the Serengeti provides the perfect backdrop for classic safari shots.
I was traveling alone by car in the Serengeti – click here for the travel report.
Wildlife in the Serengeti
The Serengeti is home to the highest concentration of savannah animals in the world. Here you will find everything from various antelope species to giraffes, elephants and impressive predators. The density of predators in particular makes the Serengeti a dream destination for photographers – nowhere else in East Africa are your chances of photographing lions, leopards and cheetahs on the hunt so good.
In some areas, the wildlife is so concentrated that the scenes are reminiscent of hidden object pictures – there is something new to discover in every corner. During a safari, you can encounter herds of elephants, lions, giraffes, hippos and crocodiles in large numbers every day.
Landscape and lighting conditions
The seemingly endless expanse of the Serengeti offers you a variety of landscapes: from open savannahs and dense acacia forests to striking rocky outcrops known as kopjes. However, landscapes without a specific focus become monotonous after a while. So pay attention to the small details that give a particular place its character.
For optimum lighting conditions, split your day in half. Take advantage of the warm, golden light during dawn and sunset – these “golden hours” provide the best conditions for stunning shots. Between 10-11am and 3-4pm, the sun burns relentlessly from the sky, resulting in less favorable lighting conditions. Nevertheless, even the dry season in the Serengeti offers exciting cloud formations that will definitely enhance your photos.
Photo tips for the Serengeti
A few basic rules are crucial for successful Serengeti photography:
Water means action: where there is water, there is movement. The Grumeti River is a prime example, especially during the river crossings of the Great Migration.
Correct camera settings: For moving animals, select “Aperture Priority” or “Action Shot” mode. A shutter speed of 1/50 to 1/320 sec is sufficient for calmly grazing buffalo, while hunting cheetahs require 1/1000 to 1/1250 sec.
Apply the rule of thirds: Don’t place your main subjects in the center of the image, but on the left or right side for more visually appealing compositions.
Focus on the eyes: The most important and simplest tip – always focus on the eyes when shooting animals. Wait patiently until the animal is looking towards you before you pull the trigger.
Always have your camera to hand and switched on, as encounters with wild animals often happen unexpectedly. A zoom lens is also essential for the Serengeti in order to bridge the sometimes great distance to the animals.
Special experiences during migration
The Great Migration is undoubtedly the Serengeti’s most spectacular natural event. Every year, over 1.5 million wildebeest, 250,000 zebras and numerous Thomson’s gazelles migrate through the park in search of fresh grass and water.
The river crossings offer the most dramatic photo opportunities. When thousands of wildebeest plunge into the waters of the Grumeti or Mara River at the risk of their lives, a chaotic fight for survival ensues. These crossings can be experienced as early as July, although no one can predict exactly where the herds will cross the river.
The time of migration varies depending on the season:
January-February: The wildebeest herds are in the southern Serengeti during calving season – ideal for shots of young animals and predators on the hunt.
May-July: The herds move west and cross the Grumeti River.
August-October: The animals reach the north and cross the Mara River towards the Masai Mara.
For the best photo safari experience, we recommend a visit during the dry season between June and October, when the animals are concentrated at the remaining waterholes and visibility is optimal.
Satpura National Park, India
Satpura National Park is hidden in the heart of central India, a photographic gem that was only opened up in 2000 by merging the three adjacent forests of Satpura, Bori and Pachmari. The name “Satpura” translates as “seven hills” and aptly describes the striking mountain landscape of the park.
Animal species in Satpura
The Satpura National Park impresses with its extraordinary biodiversity with more than 50 mammal species, over 300 bird species and numerous reptiles and butterflies. Although around 50 to 80 tigers live here, they are not among the most common sightings. Thanks to intensive conservation measures, the tiger population has nevertheless recovered significantly – from less than 40 to an estimated 80 specimens at present.
What makes the Satpura special: Nowhere else are your chances better of photographing the shy sloth bear in the wild. The park is considered one of the best places in the world for encounters with this fascinating bear species. The reserve also offers excellent opportunities to photograph leopards and wild dogs (dholes).
The photographic highlights also include:
The majestic Indian Gaur (Indian Bison)
The endangered Indian giant squirrel
Various species of deer and langurs
The impressive birdlife, especially during boat safaris
Also noteworthy is the successful reintroduction of the endangered Barasingha deer, whose population has doubled from 114 to over 240 animals within a decade.
Photographing away from the crowds
In contrast to the better-known national parks in India, Satpura receives only a few visitors. For you as a photographer, this means decisive advantages:
Firstly, you don’t have to reckon with vehicle convoys of animal sightings, which gives you time to compose your shots in peace. Secondly, you’ll experience undisturbed animal encounters for more authentic wildlife photos. Thirdly, you enjoy more flexibility in positioning for the perfect shot.
The combination of different exploration methods is particularly valuable: The classic jeep safaris are complemented by walking safaris for unique perspectives – Satpura is the only tiger reserve in India where you can also go on safari on foot. There are also boat safaris on the Denwa River and night jeep safaris for rare insights into the nocturnal wildlife.
Photographic expeditions take place in small, exclusive groups (max. 6-8 people), with several experienced nature experts from the lodges accompanying all activities. They share their knowledge of wild animals and their behavior – essential for successful shots.
Safety and behavior in the park
For a safe and respectful photo trip, you need to follow a few important rules:
First of all, you may only enter the reserve when accompanied by an official nature guide. Leaving the vehicles during the safari is strictly prohibited. Make sure you always keep a sufficient distance from the animals and avoid abrupt movements.
In terms of clothing, we recommend muted colors such as khaki or olive green that harmonize with the natural environment [101]. Wear light, breathable materials with long sleeves to protect you from the sun and insects, as well as sturdy hiking boots for walking safaris. Avoid strong perfumes or deodorants as animals can be sensitive to odors.
Photographically important: The use of flash is prohibited in the park. In addition, you should neither feed nor disturb the animals – always follow the instructions of your guide, whose experience will help him to better assess the animals’ movements.
Khao Yai National Park, Thailand
As Thailand’s oldest national park, Khao Yai offers a fascinating alternative to African safaris. The dense rainforest is home to extraordinary wildlife, which, however, presents completely different photographic challenges than the open savannah landscapes.
Elephants and gibbons
Khao Yai National Park is home to around 300 wild Asian elephants. These majestic animals often use the roads as migration routes, occasionally causing traffic jams. However, photographing these pachyderms is not always easy – in the dense forest you can often only locate them by listening carefully, while in open areas you have to look very closely to spot their grey backs in bushes up to two meters high.
The white-handed gibbons are one of the photographic highlights in the park. Although this ape species is frequently encountered, it presents you with one of the most difficult photographic tasks. The reason: the apes are mainly found in the highest treetops, where the bright white sky creates extreme contrasts. In addition, there are almost always distracting twigs, leaves or branches between you and the animals. Nevertheless, it is a special experience to be woken up in the morning by the characteristic calls of the gibbons, which echo through the forest.
Indian muntjac and sambar deer graze on the open areas of the park, which you can observe individually or in pairs. Depending on the location, their behavior varies between relatively tame and extremely shy.
Reptiles and the herpetofauna
Khao Yai offers an impressive variety of reptiles and amphibians. Herpetological highlights include green whipsnakes (Ahaetulla prasina), which come in several color variations – usually green, but surprisingly also in shades of grey and brown. During a tour, you may also come across the relatively newly described neck spiny lizard (Acanthosaura cardamomensis), various skinks and the gecko Cyrtodactylus intermedius, which typically spends the day under dead wood.
Special care should be taken when encountering the green pit viper, which is one of the three venomous snake species in the region alongside the cobra and king cobra. These inconspicuous but highly venomous snakes often snooze in trees along the hiking trails.
The hot season from March to April is particularly recommended for reptile watching. During this time, the animals are at their most active and the probability of an encounter is higher than at any other time of year.
Light conditions in the rainforest
The photographic challenges in the rainforest differ fundamentally from those in open savannahs. The dense canopy of leaves filters the sunlight and creates a complex interplay of light and shadow. This leads to difficult contrasts, especially with birds such as hornbills – a black bird against a white sky poses problems even for experienced photographers.
For optimal results in the rainforest, you need to adapt your equipment. The combination of high humidity, variable light conditions and limited space often makes a large tripod impractical. In fact, experienced photographers recommend a decent zoom lens (80-400mm) on a monopod for this terrain, while the longer optics are better left in the car.
For the best wildlife viewing, you should visit the national park on weekdays, as it is often crowded on weekends and public holidays. The Nong Pak Chi Wildlife Observation Tower also provides an excellent starting point for wildlife spotting in the open grasslands and is a short 10-minute walk from the nearest road. For a special experience, you can also take part in a night safari, which starts at 19:00 and 20:00 and lasts 45 minutes.
Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy
In 1922, the Gran Paradiso was declared Italy’s first national park – an alpine jewel with a special history for wildlife photographers. As early as 1856, King Victor Emmanuel II declared the area a royal hunting ground in order to protect the endangered Alpine ibex. This early protective measure laid the foundation for an extraordinary location for nature photography.
Alpine wildlife in the Gran Paradiso
The Alpine ibex is the proud heraldic animal of the park and offers spectacular photo opportunities. While the population once dwindled to just a few hundred animals, today more than 3,000 of these majestic mountain dwellers live in the protected area. Male ibex with their imposing horns are surprisingly easy to photograph, especially in early summer when they gather in small groups.
However, the wildlife is by no means limited to ibex. Lynx, wolves, foxes and deer also live in the more than 70,000 square kilometers. In total, the national park is home to more than 50 species of mammals and over 100 species of birds. The mighty bearded vulture, which circles between the striking peaks, is particularly impressive. For birdwatching, it is worth taking a look at the mountain huts (rifugios), where alpine choughs often gather.
While female ibex tend to be shy and stay in small groups, you can get surprisingly close to the males with a little patience. Chamois, on the other hand, require more luck and skill – they are much shyer and need a longer lens for good shots.
Best time of year for wildlife photography
For optimal wildlife photography in the Gran Paradiso, the period from June to September is particularly recommended. During this time, you will not only find the greatest animal activity, but also an impressive variety of alpine flowers and insects. However, winter is also very exciting when the park is covered in a high blanket of snow.
In June, male ibex often stay at lower altitudes before ascending further into the mountains – a good opportunity for close-up shots. The deep valleys run predominantly north-south, which means that some areas only receive a few hours of direct sunlight at midday. It is therefore advisable to use the early morning hours for the ascent and only get your camera equipment out in the sunlit areas.
Photography in the mountains
Mountain photography in the Gran Paradiso presents you with special challenges. You need different lenses for different subjects:
A medium zoom lens (70-210mm or 75-300mm) is often sufficient for ibex that are in the vicinity
For shy chamois and smaller animals such as marmots, a 400-500mm lens or a teleconverter is indispensable
A wide-angle lens is ideal for landscape shots and alpine flowers
The lighting conditions in the mountains require special attention. The often bluish light at higher altitudes can be balanced out with a warm filter. You should also be careful with a polarizing filter – it can make the sky appear too dark at high altitudes.
Correct behavior is also crucial for successful wildlife photography in the Alps. Sharpen your eye for special image details, develop a feeling for the right moment and observe the animals patiently.
With backlighting in the early morning or late evening, you can photograph impressive silhouettes against the sky – measure the exposure in a central area of the sky. For plant shots, it can be challenging to get sharp images due to the often windy weather.
Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria
The famous Grossglockner High Alpine Road winds 48 kilometers through the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park and offers breathtaking views of Austria’s highest mountain, the 3,798-meter-high Grossglockner, as well as its majestic glacier, the Pasterze.
Wildlife in the Alps
Along the High Alpine Road, you can discover the alpine “High Five” – five special animal species that have made this high alpine region their home. The ibex, the “royal” heraldic animal, lives at altitudes between 1,700 and 3,500 meters. Males reach a shoulder height of almost one meter and weigh up to 110 kg, while the females are much more petite at a maximum of 80 cm and 45 kg.
The majestic golden eagle dominates the skies above the national park with its “territory” of 50 to 150 km². Its nests are mainly located in rocky niches between 1,100 and 2,100 meters above sea level. However, marmots are one of the most common animal encounters in the area. These furry rodents can often be heard before you see them thanks to their characteristic whistles. Especially in the morning and evening, when there are fewer visitors, the marmots can be seen at certain vantage points.
Chamois and bearded vultures are less frequently observed, but do occur in the park.
Photo spots along the High Alpine Road
The Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe at 2,369 meters offers a spectacular vantage point with views of the Grossglockner, the Pasterzen glacier and Lake Sandersee. From here, a 10-minute walk takes you to the Wilhelm Swarovski Observatory, where you can observe the ibexes living there from inside the glass cabin using high-precision optical equipment.
Another highlight is the Edelweissspitze at 2,571 meters – the highest passable point on the road. A narrow, cobbled road leads to this vantage point, from where you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view on a clear day.
Also worthwhile:
The Hochmais viewpoint (1,850 m), which offers an unobstructed view of the mountains and valleys
The Upper Nassfeld with a view of the surrounding scree fields
An inconspicuous waterfall right by the road, which is suitable for both close-ups and landscape shots
Nature photography in alpine surroundings
Nature photography on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road offers a wide range of motifs: beautiful mountain landscapes, rare alpine plants, trusting marmots, mighty glacier ice and the starry skies of a clear mountain night.
A zoom lens (100-500mm) is recommended for wildlife photography, as it allows you to photograph even shy animals from a reasonable distance. The marmots in particular can be photographed excellently in this area – there is hardly a better place in the Alps for this.
For best results, you should use the golden hours after sunrise and just before sunset, when the light is at its softest. In fact, early morning sessions before sunrise and late evening tours are worthwhile to capture the best light moods.
Nature photography also requires respect for the environment: observe wild animals from a distance, do not feed them and support nature conservation measures. Stay on the designated paths and keep a respectful distance from the animals to avoid stress and capture authentic behavior.
With a bit of luck, you might not only see marmots and ibexes, but also the rare bearded vulture, golden eagle, chamois and, on a clear day, even the majestic Grossglockner – a true paradise for nature photographers who want to experience Alpine wildlife in its natural habitat.
Around the Everglades, Florida
The Everglades form a unique wetland area of swamps, lakes, rivers and islands that is home to countless wild animals. For nature photographers, this diverse ecosystem offers motifs that are very different from other safari destinations.
Alligators and ospreys
The Everglades are particularly known for their high concentration of Mississippi alligators. In fact, you almost have to be careful not to step on an alligator’s paw, especially at popular observation points. You can easily photograph these reptiles along the Anhinga Trail in the southern part of the park and in northern Shark Valley. The animals show little shyness and glide leisurely through the water or sunbathe on the shore.
Numerous bird species can also be found among the towering cypress trees. Ospreys, herons, ibises and pelicans offer excellent photo opportunities, especially during the 10,000 Islands Tour, where you can sometimes also get dolphins in front of your lens as well as birds of prey.
Manatees in Florida
With a little patience, you can also spot manatees (sea cows) in the Everglades marinas. These cute marine mammals suddenly appear on the surface of the water to catch their breath before diving down again. However, they are not easy to photograph as they often only remain visible for a short time.
These gentle giants weigh between 360 and 540 kg and can grow up to 3 meters long. During the winter months, when the water temperature in the open waters drops, they seek out the warmer areas of rivers and marinas. Despite their size, manatees are endangered animals and protected by state and federal laws.
Boardwalks into the swamp
For the best results, we recommend visiting in the early morning or late afternoon. There are fewer visitors at these times and the light creates atmospheric contrasts between the silhouettes of the trees and the water.
When photographing in the Everglades, always respect the animals and keep your distance. Although alligators do not normally regard humans as prey, you should not get too close to them. Feeding wild animals is strictly prohibited and can be punished with fines of up to 500 US dollars.
The two boardwalks HP Williams Roadside Park and Big Cypress Oasis are particularly recommended for observing and photographing alligators, turtles and birds in their natural habitat.
Norway – fjords and wilderness
Norway’s untouched wilderness beckons with extraordinary wild animals that you can photograph in their natural environment. The combination of dramatic fjords, endless mountain ridges and the special light of the north makes the country a paradise for nature photographers.
Animal photography in Norway
Norway offers an impressive variety of unique wildlife photos: from whales and musk oxen to white-tailed eagles. To observe these animals safely, we recommend guided wildlife safaris, whose guides know exactly where the best sighting opportunities are.
The UNESCO-protected Vega Islands off the coast of Helgeland are an insider tip for birdwatchers with more than 230 different bird species. If you want to photograph Arctic species such as the Steller’s eider, black eider or guillemot, the Varangerfjord in Finnmark is one of the best and most easily accessible destinations for Arctic birdwatching.
Along the Norwegian coast, you can also catch sight of sea eagles, with the largest population being found in the northernmost part of the country. On a boat tour through a fjord, you occasionally have the chance to photograph these mighty birds of prey in flight.
Nature photography in Dovrefjell
Dovrefjell National Park is home to one of the few European populations of musk oxen – pristine animals that seem like relics from a bygone era. These impressive animals were successfully reintroduced to Dovrefjell National Park in 1947 after earlier attempts had failed.
Autumn, around September, is the best time to photograph the majestic musk oxen in their natural environment. However, extreme caution is required when photographing these animals: Although not aggressive, you should always keep a minimum distance of 200 meters. Bear in mind that despite their massive appearance, musk oxen are surprisingly fast and can accelerate to 60 km/h within 3 seconds.
Patience is particularly important for successful shots. Take your time, let the animals get used to your presence, and prefer to walk further to be alone with the animals.
Lighting conditions in the north
Northern Norway impresses with its unique light conditions – a particular advantage for photo trips. During the midnight sun, you can enjoy hours of golden light, which adds a special atmosphere to your shots.
To benefit from the best light, it is advisable to shift the time of day by a few hours during the trip. This not only maximizes the photographic opportunities, but also increases the chances of particularly good animal encounters.
The changing light conditions in autumn require appropriate clothing, as rain and temperatures around freezing point are the order of the day. For photo tours in winter, temperatures down to -30°C must be taken into account, which makes special equipment such as thermal pads and suitable photo gloves necessary.
At home – wildlife photography in your own garden
Unlike expensive long-distance trips, your own garden offers a thriving mini nature reserve for wildlife photography right on your doorstep. Here you can photograph unobserved and achieve impressive results with minimal equipment.
Observing birds and small animals
Your garden is an ideal place to observe birds, squirrels, beetles and other small animals. To attract the animals, you should create natural structures with various shrubs. Selectively place one or two feeders and remove the others so that the birds only have a few places to go.
Natural-looking seating is crucial for photogenic shots:
Drill holes in branches and hide small seeds in them
Use rotten wood with recesses for sunflower seeds
- Place feeding poles on thin tree trunks for woodpeckers
Also make sure you have a calm, non-distracting background without geometric structures such as fences or houses.
Advantages of photography at home
In fact, photographing animals in your own garden offers numerous advantages. First of all, you know the habits of your animal visitors and can better assess their reactions. In addition, the animals get used to your presence and can therefore be photographed more authentically.
You don’t need complicated equipment or long journeys to take the perfect photo. Observe how the light glides through your garden during the day – an area that looks flat in the morning can appear magical in the afternoon.
Patience and timing in everyday life
The most important aspect of animal photography is patience. Sometimes you have to wait for hours until the perfect moment arrives. Through regular observation, you will learn to predict the behavior of the animals.
Birds, for example, are particularly active and hungry in the morning and evening. With this knowledge, you can position yourself in the right place at the right time. Observe calmly at first and only take a targeted shot when you understand what the animal is doing. This is the only way to create authentic, lively shots that capture the animal’s character.
