If you want to capture amazing photos of wild predators in action, head over to South Africa. The favorite filming destination for wildlife photographers, the southern regions of the Dark Continent are home to some of the world’s rarest animal species such as cheetahs, leopards and rhinos and if you are daring enough, you may get a chance to see them during a safari in one of the continent’s picturesque national parks. But before you close the door and set out on your wild African adventure, make sure you have all the essentials for the trip safely packed and ready for use. Here are top five tips on how to capture Africa’s wildlife during a safari and create pictures worthy of the title of a photography masterpiece.

Bring along tons of digital storage

As you will probably be busy filming fascinating creatures during the safari, ample storage space for your images is a must-have. Africa is known for sluggish internet service, so do not rely on cloud storage or fast network posting, and pack multiple microSD cards which you will be able to swap on the fly. Or better still, bring along an external storage device with a fail-safe backup system that will enable you to transfer the files without the need for a PC and minimize card replacement hassle. Another option is to have your laptop always at hand as it will allow you to transfer images faster, organize them on the spot, upload them to an online photography platform such as EyeEm and minimize the risk of data loss.

Go for long lens shots

When filming animals on a safari, you probably will not always be able to get close enough for a good shot. This is why bringing along a set of different lens is not only recommendable but also necessary for capturing quality pictures. If you intend to use prime lens only, go for 300mm lens and above – but if you want sheer photography eye candy, bring along a 100mm telephoto zoom lens just to be on the safe side.

Pack lots of power

An often neglected aspect on photography tours, additional power for your electronics can be a major problem in wild Africa. To avoid battery drain on the go, pack a power inverter or solar panel to charge your gear in areas with no stable electricity supply. Also, make sure you bring along tons of extra batteries – a hefty power brick stock will have all your bases covered in case other charging options go awry.

Make notes at the end of the day

In order to keep you pictures organized and remember every detail of the trip, take notes about the experience at the end of each day or during breaks of the safari. A notebook and a pen are a convenient way to capture the names of animals, locations and other details about the trip you consider important – and the good old-fashioned ink and paper also allow you to capture your own thoughts and emotions about the adventure.

Hire a pop-top vehicle

Though roll-tops are a great ride for people looking to film birds and sky, most photographers prefer pop-tops for filming animals and the surrounding scenery. Pop-tops do have a limited filming area, but they provide ample shade during the ride, and this can be a precious asset on a long safari day of a hot African summer. Check with your operator which types of vehicles they have on offer, compare the prices and pick the one that suits your budget and photography style best.

Africa’s national parks are the best destination for an exciting photography tour. If you want to capture fascinating wild creatures on film, consider embarking on a safari across the untamed landscapes of South Africa – it is an experience you will remember for the rest of your life.

Author bio:

Oliver Hyde is an experienced business consultant from the UK. His job allows him to travel, which also happens to be one of his greatest passions. Recently, he discovered the truth behind the saying “The only man I truly envy is the one who has not yet been to Africa… he has so much to look forward to.” Being a wanderer, he rarely stays at the same place for a long time, but Africa stole his heart. He had been travelling through the continent for more than a year. You can follow his travel adventures on Twitter.

Travel Photo of the Week: Stunning canola fields in the Goulburn Valley, Australia

A Facebook friend was recently in the Goulburn Valley region to do a video gig, that’s his thing. That evening he shared this image and others on Facebook from his trip to north/central Victoria and this one in particular caught my eye. I just love it. A simple scenery comprising of 3 elements only but so effective. I cheekily asked if it was OK to share the image and was happily given permission. I hope you enjoy the photo of ‘big sky’ country as much me!

Photo courtesy of Mick Russell from Linchpin Studios

Concrete jungles may have their monumental sky-scraping beauty, their ever-changing culture, and as life bustles between the streets of a city, day and night, this cultivated environment can eventually feed up and bore its citizens, because what we truly feel connected to is nature and all her wilderness. So if you want to unwind, get yourself in tune with your senses and surroundings, an open road can get you anywhere, and Australia is full of places to visit, landscapes to behold. All you need is a good car, a spare tire and, let’s face it, a decent amount of fuel, because this continent is vast. Since travelling cleanses the soul, here are some of the most rewarding driving experiences Australia can offer…

The Great Ocean Road, Victoria

This coastal route lives up to the reputation as one of the greatest areas to drive by and relish the natural scene. The 12 Apostles stand like sculptured static giants, as they stick out from the coast to greet the passers-by. Alongside beautiful beaches, there are also countless historic shipwrecks, magnificent rainforests and places to grab some good food and relax.

Road from Sydney to Melbourne

Simply follow the ocean between these two populated urban zones and you will find yourself passing through a string of coastal towns, rich with turquoise colored lagoons on one side of the road and lush preserved national parks on the other. This region is full of fishing spots, birdlife, Aboriginal culture, camping spots and wild scenery, as kangaroos pose for photographing, especially at Pebbly Beach.

The Nullarbor Plain, Western Australia

You will definitely need a four-wheel-drive vehicle for this adventure if you plan on abandoning the highway, because the road to Perth, or should I say – all the way to the shores of the Indian Ocean, is an expanse that’s dry and harsh for newly-bred adventurers. Bear in mind, this is not entirely a desert, but series of plateaus covered with bluebush and wedge-tailed eagles that soar the skies.

The Heritage Highway, Tasmania

Way down south, on the island of Tasmania, between Hobart and Launceston are a series of stone villages, emitting an old atmosphere in the lovely green countryside. Excellent local food can be found here, even though, historically speaking, this region was established and built by convicted gangs and criminals who preyed and looted on these highways.

The Alpine Way, New South Wales

If you ever wanted to camp among wombats and wallabies near the Snowy River, this is the place! The hills of Corryong in Victoria are an alpine sight to behold, especially when the snow melts and spring awakens nature from its slumber. Then you can ride mountain bikes to hurtle through the scenery, or grab a good walking stick to explore the forest trails by foot.

Kangaroo Island, South Australia

You can board a ferry with your car from Adelaide to reach this island full of wild animals – kangaroos (obviously), fur seals, penguins, koalas, etc. Alongside remarkable flora and fauna in Flinders Chase National Park, you can also visit rock formations which have been sculpted by wind-erosion. This is where nature is kept in its most pristine state, so explore its beauty at your leisure.

Great Alpine Road, Victoria

From Wangaratta you can embark this trip on a previously used railway track, which is now a haven for bicyclists and reach valleys full of wineries and alpacas. Up on Mount Buffalo you can mount a horse to witness the specific rock formations and waterfalls, while at the bottom, along Ovens Rover you can find many local breweries.

Uluru to Kings Canyon, Northern Territory

Now this is a real treat, because if you want to cross this red earth with your car, you should supply yourself for a multi-day drive. Make sure to choose from wide variety of tyres if you ever wish to challenge yourself on the road. This journey starts off at Alice Springs, in the middle of the continent, and for five days you can stop at old towns and ancient sites where Aboriginal art is displayed on the rock walls. Also, watch out for wild camels, because they can pop out of nowhere along the route.

Grand Pacific Drive, New South Wales

Not far from Sydney, you can find the Royal National Park if you follow this route. Beautiful beaches, white sands, blooming blowholes at Kiama, cliffs and mesmerising lookouts. Nothing could be more perfect, since this raw nature is really close to an urban jungle and doesn’t require much strain and preparation to get there.

I’m sure you’re pretty much familiar with all of these locations, but words can never fully describe what eyes can witness. So prepare your car, or rent an appropriate one if terrain requires such conditions and go get your lifetime experience. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy the natural beauty Australia possesses, since it’s undisputedly, without much needed discussion, one of the leading continents in terms of biodiversity and uniqueness.

Oman has been on my bucket-list for quite some time. It seems to be one of the more relatively peaceful countries in the middle east and offers a feast of cultural experiences, landscapes, historic castles and forts. I recently tracked down a long lost cousin and turns out he has a placement in Muscat. We connected in the social media space including Facebook and I am being tempted with his gorgeous photos of the region. It’s so good to see him taking the opportunity to get out and explore and mix with the locals, Bedouins and all!

So when I spied this magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Oman, I had to beg him (not really) to allow me to share it here. I’m a sucker for the middle east, deserts and a stunning sunset!

Photo courtesy of Dale Bode who is currently working in Muscat. Lucky, lucky man!