Capturing your safari - Top tips from Ulusaba's Rangers

If you’re looking to capture unforgettable memories, and an envy-inducing Instagram post or two, then look no further than Ulusaba Private Game Reserve. The team of Rangers and Trackers are trained to help guests spot Africa’s incredible wildlife as well as sharing their own photographic expertise. Ulusaba’s Conservation Manager, Trevor Savage, has rounded up his tips for superior safari shots:

1. Your guides will be experts in animal behaviour so spend the first day of your trip listening to their tips and observing the animals. Soon, you’ll start to recognise the tell-tale signs of a yawn or roar and be ready to snap the local wildlife in all their natural glory.

2. The endless plains are perfect for capturing photographs of sunrises and sunsets. If you’re using your iPhone the best way to truly illustrate the extraordinary colours and shapes in the sky is to frame your photograph to show one third ground and two thirds sky. When using a camera the settings I recommend at these times of day are a low ISO and a F stop of F8.

3. Think about the animals you’re photographing; the bigger animals like Elephants can be challenging because you need to decide between capturing detail using a very tight crop or a wide angle so that you can capture natural behaviour like drinking at a waterhole.

4. Make the most of your game drives during the soft morning and evening light as at this time of day, the light falls directly on your subject and backgrounds are softer. Beginners can create amazing quality photographs at this time of day as the neutral back round makes the animals appear even more vibrant and alert in their natural habitat. During the daytime, the sun creates shadows and bright backgrounds which can lead to images being over exposed.

5. If you’re looking to capture the night sky then I recommend visiting in the winter months; the clear skies offer unrivalled opportunities for some stunning photography. I recommend using a wide angle lens on a tripod; set your focus to infinity and leave your shutter open for approximately 25-30 seconds. Be prepared though as this really requires patience!

For an extra chance to experience those picture-perfect moments at Ulusaba, stay 4 nights or more before 30th September and receive your final night for free.

For bookings please call 0800 716 919 (toll free) or +44 (0) 208 600 0430 alternatively visit www.virginlimitededition.com for more details.

For further information and images, please contact:
Charlotte Dollin
charlotte.dollin@virginlimitededition.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 8600 0468