Best safari and wildlife photography destinations

Undoubtedly one of the best countries for wildlife photography, Botswana makes for a rewarding safari holiday destination. Capture the moment the beady eyes of a crocodile gently break through the murky waterways of the Okavango Delta, and be ready to snap a pod of hippo bathing in the shallows.

For more iconic wildlife you can capture on camera, keep your eyes peeled for a pride of lion camouflaged in the golden grasses of Chobe National Park and watch herds of elephant traipsing through the bush. The fertile waterways of Moremi Game Reserve will reveal giraffe, zebra and ostrich and you may even get the chance to see an elusive leopard, too. 

The Galapagos Islands is one of the most iconic wildlife destinations in the world, and that means iconic wildlife photography to boot. There are great opportunities to photograph wildlife in movement, from sea lions playing in the warm topaz waters of Santa Fe to giant tortoises roaming the highlands of Santa Cruz.

Look out for the unique webbed feet of blue-footed boobies and capture the fiery-red feathers of frigatebird glowing like beacons along the rocky coastline. Discover more incredible Galapagos wildlife here.

Although sightings are never guaranteed, an India wildlife photography holiday may give you the chance to snap the endangered Bengal tiger. Join our India Tiger Safari to take a jeep safari through Kanha National Park, the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling's 'Jungle Book' and home to a significant number of these big regal cats.

Patience is key but it's a rewarding wait once you spot this majestic creature - you may also see Indian leopard, sloth bear, striped hyena, monkey, the rare Indian antelope (blackbuck), as well as over 300 species of bird. We go on early morning game drives as this time of day sees wildlife at their most active, creating a playground of photographs to take. 

Romania is rich with wildlife, and you can visit the wildlife sanctuary of the Danube Delta where you'll cruise along the flourishing river banks on a large houseboat to spot grebes, egret, kingfisher and cormorant from the water. Duck beneath the branches of ancient willow trees as you take snapshots of white pelican flapping their large fingered-wings to take off in a frenzied mass of black and white feathers. 

On land, spend two evenings in Transylvania and go bear watching. The Carpathian Mountains are home to almost half of all European bears; you'll capture much better photographs of these brown bears in the evening when they're out foraging, creating more active shots, compared to when they rest in dense woodland by day.

For a wildlife tour with a difference, travel to the vast wetlands of Senegal's Djoudj National Park. This is a popular water stop for migratory birds flying over the Sahara desert. Point your lens towards the sky snap pods of pelican flying towards the fertile waterways, and have your camera ready to shoot pink flamingo, purple heron, African hawk-eagle, grey kestrel and pygmy sunbird amongst the swampy islands of the Saloum Delta National Park too. 

With an abundance of birdlife to see, this makes the Senegal one of the best places for wildlife photography - not to mention sightings of crocodiles, wild hogs, monitor lizards and water pythons, too. Discover more highlights of West Africa here.

The intense, wide eyes and bold, stripy tails of lemur species make for unique and striking wildlife photography. Capture the playful character of these endemic creatures on a wildlife trip to the 'lost continent' of Madagascar and explore the dense jungles of Ranomafana National Park to uncover boa constrictor, chameleon and black parrot.

If you're interested in underwater wildlife photography, head to the golden-sand beaches of Anakao where you'll find wonderful displays of tropical fish and rich coral, and seek out the mangrove swamps to spot flamingo, parrot and Madagascar plover. Your camera roll will be a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours! Discover more highlights of Madagascar here.

You might not think it, but Indonesia is a wildlife haven - and with that, excellent wildlife photography potential! On Rinca Island, follow a trail into Komodo dragon territory where you might spot these giant lizards. This national park is also home to deer and water buffalo - which are prime prey for the Komodo dragons.

Join another safari walk on Komodo Islands where you'll learn more about these scaly beasts with the help of national park rangers. The best time to see Komodo dragons is between June and August, before and after their mating season.