How to Take the Perfect Picture on Safari: Smartphone Special

16/05/2025

Let’s be real—you didn’t fly halfway across the world on one of the best touring holidays just to come home with blurry lion blobs and half-cropped giraffe necks. But here’s the good news: you don’t need a huge zoom lens, a tripod, and a degree in wildlife photography to take jaw-dropping safari snaps. You just need a few easy tricks, a steady(ish) hand, and a little bit of patience.

No fancy camera? No problem. Your smartphone is about to go wild.

Meet Jonah - Our iPhone Icon

“Before my safari, I never really considered going to Africa - now I think it should be on everyone’s list! You also don’t need a fancy camera for your safari, all I took was my iPhone 14 Pro… and as much storage as possible.”

📷 Take a Look at Jonah's Top 3 Tips

1) Change Your Default Settings

Before you head out on your next adventure, take a quick peek at your camera settings—especially if you're snapping pics with your iPhone. They’re not always set to the best quality by default (sneaky, right?), so bump them up to high-res, turn on your grid function, and let your photos shine!

2) Live life in Burst Mode

There’s a reason they say, “Never work with animals.” Who knows when they're going to make an appearance and steal the show. Cue Burst Mode. With one tap you can snap 10 photos a second, making it easier to capture those hiding hippos. Simply slide your iPhone shutter button to the left and hold.

3) Share, Share & Share Some More!

On a tour, you’ll see some familiar faces throughout your adventure (safari jeeps are a great spot to strike up a convo - trust us). So, get chatting, create a group and share all your photographs with each other! That way, everyone’s even more likely to have a fantastic set of photos at the end.

Meet Natalie - Our Samsung Snapper

"My safari adventure opened my eyes to touring holidays. How much we got to see, do and experience in ONE holiday, it was like having five mini breaks in one experience. Each stay over offered something unique, meaning we came home with a holiday jam-packed with memories and special moments. All captured on my handy Samsung!"

📷 Take a Look at Natalie's Top 3 Tips

1) Golden Hour Is Your Best Friend

Light matters. And when you're on safari, it really, really matters. Aim to shoot during the “golden hours” just after sunrise and before sunset. Everything looks softer, warmer, and just that little bit more magical—especially if there’s a herd of elephants casually strolling past in the background. Early game drives = early Insta wins.

2) Get Clever with Framing

Okay, so your phone won’t zoom in like a pro lens. But no stress—some of the best photos come from getting creative. Use your surroundings! Frame your lion sighting between tree branches or catch the reflection of a zebra in a waterhole. If you’re using digital zoom, don’t go overboard—it can blur the details faster than a cheetah on caffeine.

3) Snap Fast, Snap Safe

Wildlife doesn’t wait for you to fumble through your backpack or look for your smartphone between the jeep seats (don't worry we've all been there). Solution? Grab a phone lanyard! It keeps your phone secure and within arm’s reach, so you're always ready when that surprise animal moment happens. And trust me, they will happen! My moment— hippos popping out of the water!

Meet Carly - Our Camera Queen

"I always thought safaris were for honeymoons or those golden years of retirement—I'm so glad we took the leap and just booked it. It was one of my favourite holidays ever; now I only want to safari! I decided to take my handy Canon EOS with Lens Canon EF 75-300mm to capture my photos. And the results where amazing."

📷 Take a Look at Carly's Top 3 Tips

1) Ditch the Flash. Forever

Nothing ruins the moment (or spooks the wildlife) quite like a flash going off mid-sighting. Your phone or camera’s flash won’t help at a distance anyway—and it’s basically just a way to get the side-eye from both animals and your ranger. Embrace natural light, boost your brightness settings if you need to, and keep things low-key.

2) Clean Your Camera Lens

Don’t let dust or condensation ruin your shots. A simple glasses lens cloth is my holy grail! Light, small, and pocket-friendly, it’s perfect for keeping your camera lens clean in the dusty safari air or during morning temperature swings. Trust me, it’s the easiest way to avoid blurry regrets and get those Insta-worthy photos!

3) Binoculars Over Backbreaking Cameras

If you do want to get closer, try a clip-on smartphone zoom lens—they’re lightweight, cheap, and can give your photos a real boost without lugging a DSLR the size of a loaf of bread. But honestly? A solid pair of binoculars for viewing and your phone or little camera for snapping is more than enough for most travellers on safari.

So... Can You Take Amazing Safari Photos Without a Fancy Camera?

Absolutely. Touring holidays in South Africa are about being there, not just photographing it like you’re on assignment for National Geographic. Use your eyes, enjoy the moment, and let your camera be the bonus, not the focus. Because when you’re watching the sun rise over the savannah with wildebeest on the horizon, trust us—you’ve already captured something unforgettable.