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Photographing Your Safari with a Smartphone

What if the only camera you own is an iPhone, Samsung of Google Pixel smartphone and you want to take safari photos? You might not see a smartphone on the best camera for wildlife photography lists, but does that mean you can’t capture great wildlife photography? Does it mean you should not go on a photo safari? Absolutely not.

With these smartphone photography tips, I’ll show you how it’s possible to photograph a safari with a smartphone. You’ll come home from your African safari trip with images you love, are proud to share and want to print.

BEST CAMERA FOR SAFARI?

An elephant on safari with Toro Yaka Safari Lodge. Shot on iPhone 11 Pro Max.

You might be thinking that great safari photography can only be achieved with bulky and heavy dedicated cameras, long lenses, f-stop this and aperture that.

I’m here to say that the best camera for your safari is the one that is with you. Please don’t miss out on one of the most incredible experiences because you don’t have what some might consider a safari camera or wildlife photography camera or worse, don’t know how to use it.

 

Photographing my first South African safari

On safari with Naledi Game Lodge in South Africa. Shot on iPhone 4s.

The first time I went on a safari in 2012, I photographed the wildlife, nature, and landscapes of the Greater Kruger National Park in South Africa with an iPhone 4s. True story.

As a professional portrait photographer that worked mostly in the studio back then, I didn’t have a telephoto lens for my Nikon cameras, and I didn’t want to invest thousands of dollars for a once-in-a-lifetime experience as I wasn’t a professional wildlife photographer. The photos were only for my memories. Some of those photos are featured in this article.

Although I travel with an Olympus OM-D e-m1 mark III mirrorless camera and 40-150 mm M.Zuiko 2.8 pro lens with a teleconverter on safari these days, I always, always take photos with my iPhone too. Some of my most cherished wildlife photos have been taken with my smartphone.

Tips to photograph the wildlife, landscapes, and nature with the phone in your pocket, your smartphone.

On safari with Tours de Mornay in Kruger National Park. Shot on iPhone 11 Pro Max.

ON THIS PAGE I DISCUSS: (click on the link below to jump to the topic)

SMARTPHONE PHOTOGRAPHY BASICS

First, let’s start with some things to think about before you take the shot.

  • Make sure the lens on the smartphone is clean. Consider carrying a small lens cleaning cloth.
  • Tap your finger on the screen where you want to focus to activate the yellow square for focus and exposure (iPhone). The yellow sun icon will appear, drag up and down to adjust. For Android, tap the yellow sun icon and use the slider to change. ProTip: Purchase the ProCamera app as it will allow you to separate the focus and exposure. Tap the blue square for focus and the yellow circle for exposure.
  • The shutter trips after you lift your finger off (white circle button on the iPhone).
  • Keep steady. For sharper photos, slightly tuck in your elbows or lean against something.
  • Keep level and watch your horizon.
  • Photograph horizontally for a wider scene, photograph vertically for tall buildings, trees and close portraits (headshots). These rules can be broken.
  • If possible, use your feet to get closer. Zoom if you have a dual-lens (2x or 3x on iPhone) smartphone or an add-on telephoto lens for your iPhone or Android phone (see below).

ProTip: Use the + (up) volume button on your iPhone (some Android phones) to trigger the shutter.

WHAT TO PHOTOGRAPHY ON SAFARI WITH A SMARTPHONE?

Go beyond the animal mug shot: Capture the Details

Remember to capture your unique, safari story. The safari lodge you choose for your South Africa safari holiday might be one of the most luxurious accommodations you’ve ever stayed at. It certainly has been the case for me.

Photograph your room and the view, the environment and all the luxurious details – the bed, the decor, the grounds, and the surrounding area.

Photograph beyond the animal mug shot, show wildlife in their habitat and surroundings. This is something that should you do whether you use an iPhone, Samsung, Google Pixel, Sony, Nikon, Canon, Fuji or Olympus camera for your wildlife photography. Focus on telling the animal’s story.

Capture the sunrises and sunsets, the landscapes, trees, flowers, insects, and silhouettes.

The natural beauty of South Africa is some of the best I’ve experienced anywhere. The Kruger National Park has one of the most diverse wildlife, landscapes, and fauna. It truly is a special park and is one of my favourite places in the entire world. For many, a safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and every detail deserves to be captured.

SAFARI PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS AND THE BEST COMPOSITIONS

  • FRAMING

Use literal, structural, architectural or environmental elements to bring focus to your subject.

When on safari with your smartphone, think of trees, the landscape, the sky,  and other animals to frame your main subject. Use the side view mirrors if you are self-driving in Kruger National Park or any other self-drive national park.

iPhone wildlife photography, an elephant in South Africa. Shot on iPhone 6s by Andrea Rees.
African elephant framed by the trees in Greater Kruger National Park, shot on iPhone 6s.
photographing animals in their surroundings on safari, shot on iPhone 5s
The buffalo that surround the buffalo in the foreground help to “frame” the closest buffalo. The tree and grass also frame it. Shot on iPhone 5s.
  • LEADING LINES

Leading lines help to guide a viewer through a photograph. They can also direct the viewer to the subject or focal point of the image. They can be straight, diagonal, curved or suggested lines.

iPhone photography, Shot on iPhone 5s by Andrea Rees in Addo Elephant Park
The line of the road leads to the tree. Shot on iPhone 5s.
  • RULE OF THIRDS

The rule of thirds is used to produce a balanced image. Imagine dividing this photo into 3 lines across and 3 lines down. The idea is to place the essential elements along the gridlines or at the intersections where the lines meet.

Make sure you have your grid activated on your smartphone to help you see it.

The rule of thirds works well with the idea of leaving space for the subject to look to or move into. Place the horizon along the top or bottom 1/3 for a strong compositional mobile photo.

Wild Dog on the hunt in Kruger National Park. Family travel in South Africa. Photographed with an iPod by my son DRH.
Wild Dog on the hunt in Kruger Park was shot on iPod by my oldest son, DRH. The wild dog is along the bottom 1/3 of the photo with space to move into. If you cannot achieve the rule of thirds when photographing, think about how you could do it when you crop.
Safari photos, composition in smartphone photography, shot on iPhone 4s by Andrea Rees.
Considering using multiple compositional elements in a single photo for a stronger image. The horizon is along the top 1/3 of the photo (rule of thirds). The road leads to the mountains (leading lines). The vehicle and trees frame the tracker (sitting at the front, framing). Shot on iPhone 4s.

FIND THE LIGHT

Light is an essential part of photography and is often overlooked. Light can make or break an image. It can also help tell a story. Use light to create the mood and feel of your image. Pay attention to the sun and where it is in the sky. The light within an hour after sunrise or an hour before sunset is when the sun is lower in the sky and creates a beautifully soft and warm light for photography.

Natural light is fleeting and ever-changing so don’t hesitate to take that shot.

The harsh, shadow-creating light of midday can create some interesting effects. Don’t be afraid of it.

iPhone nature photography, shot on iPhone 7 plus in Kruger National Park. Mobile photography workshops in Toronto or on location.
Sunrise in Kruger National Park. Shot on iPhone 7+

SILHOUETTES

Silhouettes are a great way to capture images when the light has faded or to create anonymity in a photo. Take advantage of the opportunity to create a silhouette image. Look for animals or trees/dead trees with the light behind them. Shoot towards the sun. You may have to get lower and point upwards to separate the subject from the horizon.

iPhone wildlife photography, shot on iPhone 6 plus in Kruger National Park, South Africa by Andrea Rees.
A giraffe silhouette in Kruger National Park. Shot on iPhone 6+.
iPhone travel photography, sundowners in silhouette in the Greater Kruger Park. Shot on iPhone 6 plus by Andrea Rees.
Sundowners in the Greater Kruger on safari with Elephant Plains. Shot on iPhone 6s.

 

WHAT’S YOUR ANGLE?

Unless an animal is nearby, it’s difficult to capture the details with a smartphone. Tell the whole story and include the animal’s environment. Try a different angle, don’t be afraid to experiment. Look in the side-view mirror and capture what’s behind you. Capture the wildlife, road, trees, and mountains using the side view mirror.

iPhone wildlife photography, mobile photography workshops. Shot on iPhone 7 plus by Andrea Rees.
Zebra in Kruger National Park shot on iPhone 7+.
iPhone travel photography, mobile travel photography workshops. Shot on iPhone 7 plus by Andrea Rees.
Giraffe in the side view mirror, Kruger National Park. Shot on iPhone 7+.

 

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS: DETAILS

Capture the details of nature and your surroundings.

iPhone macro photography, shot on iPhone 6 plus by Andrea Rees. iPhone nature photography
Preying Mantis in macro. Shot on iPhone 6 + Olloclip 21x macro in Kruger.
iPhone bird photography, starling bird in Kruger national park on iPhone 6s by Andrea Rees.
A Burchells Starling at Lower Sabie Rest Camp in Kruger. Shot on iPhone 6s.
Breakfast at a hide on safari with Naledi Lodges in Balule Nature Reserve. Shot on iPhone 6plus.
My room at Naledi Lodges in Balule Nature Reserve. Shot on iPhone 4s.
South african photo safari with your smartphone, shot on iPhone 5s by Andrea Rees. African safari with family.
My oldest son on safari with Naledi Lodges in the Balule Nature Reserve. Shot on iPhone 5s.
My youngest son at the infinity pool at Naledi Lodges in the Balule Nature Reserve. Shot on iPhone 5s.

 

GO WIDE AND SHOOT A PANORAMA WITH YOUR SMARTPHONE

Check to see if your smartphone has a panorama option. You’ll find it in the native camera app on the iPhone. Hold steady and keep the arrow on the line. Tip: Tap the photo square to change directions.

Capture the view with a panorama. Taken at the luxurious Naledi Bushcamp lodge in Balule Nature Reserve. Shot on iPhone 6+.
iphone panorama photography. Shot on iPhone 6.
A panoramic view from a Naledi Lodges hide. Shot on iPhone 6

 

CAPTURE VIDEO WITH YOUR SMARTPHONE

Things to Consider:  

  • Put your phone in airplane mode when recording
  • Lock the exposure to avoid a change in brightness
  • Use a gimbal or mini tripod for stabilization.
  • Timelapses are a great way to show a busy environment – clouds, sunset/sunrises
  • Film close and wide shots, telling details, different angles
  • Film in motion (pan up/down, left/right) to move the story along
  • Film more video than you need, and cut (split) when editing.
  • Keep scenes to 2-5 seconds depending on how fast you want to cut to the next scene.

AN ENCOUNTER WITH A WILD AFRICAN ELEPHANT PHOTOGRAPHED ON IPHONE

An elephant encounter in Greater Kruger National Park. Shot on iPhone by Andrea Rees.

Sometimes the animals come to you, and you have to capture the moment with your iPhone. This elephant was too close to photograph it with my Olympus OM-D E-M1 mirrorless camera and M. Zuiko 40-150mm 2.8 pro lens (the full-frame equivalent of 80-300mm).

For the full elephant encounter story and video, visit here.

Read: Tips for Family Travel to South Africa

Disclosure:  This article may contain affiliate links for Moment products. It means that if you click on a link to purchase a product I recommend I earn a small commission. It is no additional cost to you. For more information,  read my full disclosure and privacy page. If you have any questions about the Moment lenses or cases, please do not hesitate to contact me.

SOME OF MY FAVOURITE ACCESSORIES

Did you know that you can get a telephoto lens for iPhone or Android phones?

In 2012, I had a telephoto lens for my iPhone 4s, and it looked ridiculous, but aesthetics do not matter if it does the job, right? I took it on safari with me and I did capture a few images with it. Unfortunately, the photos weren’t of good quality. The lens didn’t fit well so there was a lot of vignetting. I didn’t recommend that lens to anyone and never used it again.

I had the macro and wide-angle Olloclip lenses when I had the iPhone 4s and iPhone 6. Their lenses are okay, but not as good as I hoped they would be. The 2 things that bothered me about the Olloclip system are 1. I had to remove my case and 2. if I upgraded my iPhone, I had to buy new lenses.

I had been keeping an eye on a few different smartphone lens companies for a few years, and in 2017, I decided to invest in Moment lenses. I didn’t invest in the Moment system until I heard that they offered cases that the lenses could be attached to (around the time I had an iPhone 6s). I never use my iPhone without a case on it.

MOMENT ADD-ON LENSES AND CASES

There is no loss of quality with Moment lenses and the wide lens (1x). The best part is that if you upgrade your smartphone, you only have to purchase a new compatible case and not a new set of lenses like you have to with Olloclip lenses. The lenses rotate into the case and fit perfectly. With Olloclip or other clip-on lenses, you have to line it up and hope it stays. Moment cases are available for iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Note, Google Pixel and One Plus smartphones too.

Moment add-on lenses for iPhone

photographing with a moment lens
Shot on iPhone XSmax at 1x, 2x (dual lens) and 4x with a Moment telephoto lens.

Click on the text below for more info on Moment Phone lenses and cases.

Moment Cases for add-on lenses

THE BEST ACCESSORIES FOR SMARTPHONE PHOTOGRAPHY AND SMARTPHONE VIDEO

I personally use these products listed below.

READ: Seeing the Light: Tips for Mobile Photography Portraits

St James Beach Cape Town
Dusk at St. James Beach in Cape Town, South Africa.

MOBILE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS

I’ve been a professional photographer since 2003 and a mobile photography educator since 2013. I offer live virtual smartphone photography workshops on Zoom and in-person workshops in Toronto, Canada.

Take Your Smartphone Photography to the Next Level and create photographs of your travels, landscapes, nature, wildlife, and people with your smartphone.

I offer a public and private group 60-minute virtual workshop through Airbnb Online Experiences or for a private series of workshops (2 or 3 workshops), check here.

TO LEARN MORE, VISIT: MOBILE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS

AIRBNB ANIMAL EXPERIENCES

If you’re in Toronto or visiting the area and are into nature, birding and wildlife photography, I offer a birding/nature walk + photography lesson through Airbnb experiences Toronto.

I hope these tips will help you create cherished photos of your safari. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

SUBSCRIBE to wanderingiPhone.com for staying in the loop – exclusive opportunities, photo tours, workshops, webinars, and subscriber discounts on mobile photography workshops, consulting and more.

Photographing your safari with a smartphone. Safari photos with moment lens | wanderingiphone.com
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Africa, Destinations, safari, Solo Travel, South Africa, Stories, travel photography, wildlife

My close encounter with an elephant in South Africa

Arriving back at Naledi Game Lodge in South Africa for my third time, I had only one wish — to be surrounded by elephants and have an memorable and of course ethical elephant encounter. I was yearning to have more time with my favourite animal, observing it in its natural habitat.

I had already gone on the morning game drive and decided to spend 3 hours at a hide. I was finishing breakfast when I noticed an elephant on the television screen mounted on the wall. I soon realized that it was the webcam feed from the hide I was planning to visit.

The bull elephant was still at the waterhole when we arrived. After an okay from Sipho, a tracker at Naledi, I quickly moved from the game drive vehicle, up the stairs to the hide. The elephant was on the other side of the hide, off-camera.

All of a sudden, he emitted a rumbling sound. Sipho explained that he was communicating. Sure enough, three more male elephants came by for a drink. One by one they arrived at the waterhole and went to the far side of the waterhole.

Then an elephant that Sipho called “Flopsy” (because of his floppy right ear) was the last of the five elephants to appear. He passed by in front of the hide and nodded his head as if to say hello and joined the others for a drink. They hung around for about 45 minutes. I couldn’t believe all the time I had with them, alone, as Sipho had left just after Flopsy arrived.

The next day while on a game drive, Mike (guide) heard breaking branches and followed the sound into the bush. We came upon 12-13 male elephants. I immediately thought some of the elephants were from the day before.

While we were watching the elephants in front of us, we suddenly heard branches breaking behind us. After a few minutes, an elephant came out from behind the tree and continued to eat nearby. It was Flopsy.

He was so close to the vehicle that I switched to my iPhone to get a few shots and record video. I giggled because I couldn’t believe how close he was and that I had to use my iPhone.

The Hide at Naledi Game Lodge.
Sipho, a tracker at Naledi Game Lodge, South Africa after dropping me off at the hide.
The bull elephant that rumbled
The bull elephant that was at the hide when I arrived
The three elephants that arrived after the bull elephant made a rumbling sound.
2EleNaledi2015web
3 African elephants at a waterhole
Three wild African elephants at a waterhole, including “Flopsy”. My view from the hide above the waterhole.
elephants in South Africa

My guide Mike taking a photo of the elephants with his smartphone

Then, this happened.

I was alone in the back of the game drive vehicle that day, and our vehicle had the sighting to ourselves. The only way to describe this 2-day experience is, magical.

I have always believed that elephants were magical. Now I know it’s true. Thanks to the expert guiding of Mike and the fantastic tracking of Sipho, this experience will long live in my heart. I was calm and felt safe.

More –

elephant walking down the road
We left the elephant sighting and found that one of the males had gone for a walk. Another Naledi Game Lodge vehicle is pictured.
  • Naledi Game Lodges – a luxury, family-friendly and relatively affordable lodge in the Greater Kruger area.
  • Africam – web cameras that stream 24 hours a day, three are located at Naledi Game Lodge.
  • Safari Live – For live streaming game drives from South Africa, check out Wild Earth’s Safari Live. It’s as if you’re in the back of the vehicle on a 3-hour drive, searching for wildlife. The drives are twice a day.
  • If you love elephants don’t ever ride them, ride in a game drive vehicle instead. Read this –  https://www.thedodo.com/elephant-rides-trek-1132645600.html

For ethical elephant encounters in Thailand, visit Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand. 

Africa, Destinations, mirrorless, nature, Photography, safari, South Africa, travel photography, wildlife

Animal mothers and a 1 hour old giraffe

This Mother’s Day I’m honouring animal mothers and their babies. This series of animals were photographed in 2014, 2015 and 2016 in Kruger National Park and the greater Kruger area in South Africa.

Mother's Day, Mom and baby baboon
One of my favourite animal mothers to watch is baboons.

 

mothers day elephant mom and baby
This little one couldn’t have been more than a month old. I first found it napping with mom standing over it.

 

mother's day newborn giraffe and mom
Mama giraffe cleans her newborn. This giraffe was about an hour old. When we arrived at the sighting, we found it surrounded by eight hyenas. Mom stood on guard until the baby giraffe stood up. Happy to report that hyena did not attack. See video below.

 

mothers day black rhino and baby
Mom and baby black rhino

 

mothers day lioness and 3 cubs
These cubs are part of a pride of 9 lions and were about three months old in this photo. This kill was one of their first meat based meals.

 

mother's day baby zebra
This baby giraffe just finished suckling from its mom.

 

mothers day mom baboon carrying its baby
Watched this pair of baboons for a while as they walked through an open area with their troop. The baby would hitch a ride then climb down to suckle and return to its spot on mom’s back.

 

 

Bonus: 

fathers day lion and cub
With Father’s Day around the corner, I couldn’t resist this one of this lion cub and his father. This cub is one of the cubs from the photo above of the lioness and her three cubs. In this image; he’s about nine months old.

 

 

On safari with the Olympus mirrorless camera and 75-300mm lens

In 2013, I kept hearing the term mirrorless and micro 4/3 but wasn’t sure exactly what it was. After some research and a visit to a camera store, I was sold on the Olympus mirrorless camera system and specifically the OM-D em5. I wanted a travel-friendly camera that uses interchangeable lenses that could eventually replace my heavy and cumbersome DSLR as well as compliment my iPhone photography.

My initial impressions were based on the way it felt in my hands, the solid build and how lightweight and compact it was in comparison to my Nikon camera body and lenses. One of the things I liked about the Olympus camera system was that they had a greater selection of lenses than any other mirrorless system as Panasonic lenses work on the Olympus camera bodies.

As you know, I advocate for the iPhone as a capable and fantastic camera and even made a case for photographing your safari with a smartphone.  While I recommend taking photos with your iPhone, the camera in your pocket, sometimes you need more of a reach while on safari or photographing wildlife in the distance.

Hello Olympus.

The male sub-adult lion at 300mm

SWITCHING TO OLYMPUS

In the Autumn of 2013 was the OM-D e-m5 camera body, the 12-42mm 3.5-5.6, 45mm 1.8 and the 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 lenses. Then came the OM-D em-1, a contender for making a switch from DSLR to a mirrorless system for my photography business.

I purchased it and some prime lenses, a 17mm 1.8, 45mm 1.8 and 75mm 1.8 lenses. The em-5 became my backup camera and the 75mm 1.8 quickly became my favourite portrait lens out of the studio and the 45mm 1.8 lens became my favourite portrait lens in the studio.

I was impressed with what I was achieving with the Olympus system, even with ‘straight out of the camera’ images. It had been some time since I touched my Nikon camera, so I made the switch from DSLR to a mirrorless micro 4/3 system and haven’t looked back since. I travel everywhere with my Olympus camera and use it in the studio with my studio flash units and pocket wizard flash triggers; it works perfectly.

In 2014, the M. Zuiko 40-150 mm 2.8 pro lens made its debut and I could hardly wait. I received it just in time for a November 2014 trip to South Africa for a project I was working on there and also planning some time for a safari. One of my favourite captures with the lens is of a leopard in the Sabi Sands private game reserve.

THE OLYMPUS MIRRORLESS CAMERA SYSTEM ON SAFARI

The photo below is of a much-loved leopard known as Karula, and she was on the move. She was also travelling with a companion, a male leopard known as Tingana. They were mating so any chance of a shot, you had to be quick. Here’s the shot I captured of her as she looked my way for a second, literally.

African safari pictures, Karula the leopard in Sabi Sands game reserve

When on safari in a private game reserve, you get fairly close to the animals. The M. Zuiko 40-150mm 2.8 pro lens is a fantastic lens for the situation. It is fast, incredibly sharp and gives you an equivalent focal length of 80-300mm on a full-frame camera. Add the mc-14 teleconverter and it’s a fantastic combination. Keep in mind you lose 1 full stop with the teleconverter.

When on a self-drive or guided game drive in the Kruger National Park, the animals may not be as close and you must stay on the paved or dirt roads. In a private game reserve such as Sabi Sand, your guide can drive off-road if you’re tracking an animal. I’ve often needed a further reach in Kruger.

I read about the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 ED II, a super-telephoto lens that is equivalent to a focal length of a 150-600mm lens on a full-frame camera. It is much smaller and lighter than the comparable focal length reach with a Nikon or Canon. Fortunately, I was able to get the lens on loan from Olympus, and I took it with me to South Africa for some wildlife photography testing.

ON SAFARI WITH THE OLYMPUS M. ZUIKO 75-300MM LENS

Here are some images using the lens while on safari in South Africa.

Lions109
The Tsalala Breakaway pride of 13 lions at 109mm. The lone male at the back, photographed in the Sabi Sands game reserve.

safari photos
A close up of a lioness with the male sub-adult lion in the background, at 300mm and, cropped and photographed in the Sabi Sands game reserve.

The male sub-adult lion at 300mm
The male sub-adult lion at 300mm and cropped. Photographed in the Sabi Sands game reserve.

I was impressed especially considering these were handheld shots and I was in a safari game viewer with seven other passengers, not the stillest of conditions.

An African bull elephant at 208mm
An African bull elephant at 208mm. It is taken in the Balule nature reserve.

African bull elephant at 300mm
A close up of an African bull elephant at 300mm and cropped. Photographed in the Balule nature reserve.

A stork at 300mm
A heron at 300mm, photographed in Kruger National Park.

African safari photos
A hippo surfaces, 300mm and cropped, photographed in Kruger National Park.

A yellow billed hornbill at 300mm
A yellow-billed hornbill at 300mm, photographed in Kruger National Park.

A giraffe at 300mm
A giraffe at 300mm, photographed in the Balule Nature Reserve.

The quality you get for the price, the reach, the size, and weight make this lens one to add to the camera bag for anyone that is looking for a super-telephoto glass that travels well and doesn’t break the bank. It’s a great option for safari.

UPDATE AUGUST 2019

Olympus has since released an M. Zuiko 300mm F/4 IS pro lens and a 2x teleconverter that works with the M. Zuiko 40-150mm 2.8 pro lens and 300mm pro lens. I haven’t invested in the 300mm pro lens because I need the flexibility of a zoom lens as I do not want to travel with 2 camera bodies. I do however get to borrow the 300 mm F/4 pro lens from time to time for my Spring and Fall bird-watching activities.

In case you haven’t heard, Olympus announced a 150-400mm f/4.5 lens. I’m waiting to hear more about it, but I suspect it will be out of my budget. I’d like to test the Olympus M.Zuiko 12-200mm F3.5-6.3 lens. This could be in consideration for the one perfect travel lens, although I do love my 40-150mm f/2.8 lens.

Birding with the Olympus M.Zuiko 300mm F/4 IS pro lens.
Birding with the Olympus M.Zuiko 300mm F/4 IS pro lens.

In October I’ll be leading a 7-day Cape Town photo tour. While in South Africa, I’ll once again be visiting  Kruger National Park and the Greater Kruger area for safari. Stay tuned for a report on the new 2x teleconverter that I recently purchased.

Note:  All Olympus camera bodies and lenses I own have been purchased by myself and have not been sponsored by Olympus. The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 ED II was temporarily on loan to me from Olympus. All opinions, as always, are my own. I will only ever share reviews of products I find worthy of telling my readers.

Best camera and lenses for safari:

Other lenses I use and love and are great for travel: 

Note: Some posts on this site may contain affiliate links to products and sites I recommend. Should you click through and purchase or book something through the link, I may earn a small commission. It is of no extra cost to you. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to connect with me. For the full disclosure policy, visit here.