The opportunity to see and photograph wildlife at close quarters on foot is a definite asset of traveling to African photo safari and living in wildlife lodges. It is a great treat to see superb startlings and other gorgeous birds hopping around practically at arm’s length. If you are interested in watching the animals’ behavior and photograph wildlife, you want to get close enough to see and hear clearly, but not so close that you disturb them.
With binoculars, you can see anything bigger than a hare perfectly well from at least 100 yard. However, to get close-up pictures of anything smaller than a rhino, even with a 400-mm telephoto lens, you need to get closer than 100 yd. In fact, you can get and even stay within 100 yd of most wildlife without causing alarm if the animals are habituated to vehicles or to pedestrians.
Up to a point, the more cars animals see, the less they mind them. Animals are more approachable in places where they are exposed to the most vehicles. However, the process can go too far when there is a constant concession of vehicles that actually interferes with the animals’ normal routine. To make it worse, animals may undergo stress without any obvious outward signs. Since it is not obvious when animals are disturbed, give them the benefit of doubt and avoid crowding them.
Driving at speed straight toward the animal is not the way to make an approach. A slow, indirect approach is least disturbing. With animals that are blase about cars, you can move right to the desired location. Shy ones may have to be approached in stages, stopping if they act nervous or begin moving away.
Early morning and late afternoon appear to be the peak activity times for most animals. The transition from dark to light and light to dark – the most clearly defined events in the 24-hour cycle – triggers all kinds of action. Nocturn species are still active as the diurnal animals leave their night refuges and resting places to begin foraging.
During the heat of the day there is relatively little activity; many animals avoid overheating and water loss by resting, preferably in the shade. Watching animals coming to water is always interesting and vastly entertaining when elephants are involved, and sometimes dramatic when lions and crocodiles seize the opportunity to ambush prey when danger is least expected.
Most Tanzanian safari and African safari travel parks have rules about night driving. Otherwise, night would be one of the most rewarding times for viewing wildlife and some wildlife photography.
You may have a chance to take some great pictures if you stop and watch the animals you meet.