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Best safari and wildlife photography destinations

Keep memories alive with spectacular photos of your safari and wildlife adventures. This is our guide to the best safari and wildlife photography destinations in the world.

Updated by: Aimee White - Travel Copywriter at Explore Worldwide
Updated: 1 May 2025

 

Capturing the wild: How wildlife photography inspires us

Wildlife endlessly inspires us - and wildlife photography captures these extraordinary moments, from a lion's fierce roar to the delicate wings of a butterfly. You'll gain an authentic insight into the raw beauty, diversity and power of the natural world, leaving us with a deep sense of wonder and appreciation for our world.

 

Joining wildlife photography trips gives you the chance to capture the most enthralling shots that happen in fleeting moments, whether it's a bird in mid-flight or a predator stalking its prey.

 

Wildlife photography 101: Why patience is key

Wildlife photography takes a lot of patience, but it's well worth the wait! Ultimately, you're tracking wild animals who are following their own instincts and routines. More often than not, you'll need to wait for that perfect shot. Observe without disturbing and you'll be rewarded with an authentic photograph. 

 

Another important aspect is the weather and climate; many of our safari game drives in Africa take place early in the morning, when animals like the Big Five are at their most active, compared to the heat of the day when they tend to rest and preserve their energy. Spending time observing animal behaviour teaches you the skill of when and where to anticipate a great shot.

 

Read on to discover the best wildlife and safari photography destinations, from Botswana to Romania:

Botswana

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. 

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Costa Rica

With one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world, Costa Rica should be on the wish-list of every wildlife photographer. Our dedicated Costa Rica tour will allow you to focus in on the emerald-green feathers of the resplendent quetzal, get up close with sloths draped over mossy branches in the Monteverde Cloudforest and get a shot of white-faced capuchin monkeys playing on the tropical beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park. Visit between June and September to photograph sea turtle nesting on the sandy shores of Tortuguero. 

 

Our wildlife holidays to Costa Rica encompass lush rainforests, jungle waterways, cloud forest reserves, golden-hued beaches and shimmering-blue waters. Make sure you pack protective camera equipment to ensure you get the perfect shot in the perfect moment.

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Galapagos

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.

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Sri Lanka

Elephants are some of the most photogenic creatures in the wild and the beauty of these slow-moving gentle giants can be photographed with ease on a Sri Lanka wildlife tour. From the safety of a safari jeep on the grassy plains of Udawalawe National Park, you sit patiently and let the elephants come to you.

 

Zoom in on the gigantic creases of their thick leathery skin for incredible close-ups and experiment with black and white photos for dramatic compositions. Discover more highlights of Sri Lanka here.

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India

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. 

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Spitsbergen

One of the most epic photography destinations in the world, Spitsbergen offers a wildlife tour like no other. Join our Realm of the Polar Bear Expedition to sail around the frost-bitten shores, where seals rest on giant ice floes and arctic fox roam the bleak, snowy tundras in the remote polar region of the Arctic.

 

Home to the 'King of the Arctic,' we also hope to spot an elusive polar bear down our telephoto lenses. Hold your breath as one glances in your direction and stay calm as you capture the beauty of its piercing dark eyes peeping out of its fluffy white coat like holes in the snow. Read our guide to photography in the Polar regions here.

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Romania

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.

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South Africa

For the chance to photograph the Big Five, join a South Africa safari holiday in the game reserves of South Africa and Eswatini. You'll take amazing wildlife photographs here as you zoom in on buffalo drinking from the waterholes, or perhaps snap a shot of rare black rhino roaming the vast grasslands.

 

Follow dusty paw prints to track down a pride of lion sleeping in the shade of a large Baobab tree and stay hopeful that you'll be able to capture the iconic spots of a leopard against the warm glow of a South African safari sunrise. When it comes to wildlife photographic holidays, these game reserves deserve a place on your list. Discover the best safari destinations to spot the Big 5 here.

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Senegal

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.

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Uganda

If taking photos of gorilla is on your bucket list, Uganda is one of the best places to come face to face with our largest living primates. Getting up before sunrise on our Uganda wildlife tour, you scale steep paths and trek through muddy ravines in the damp and humid jungle.

 

Treading carefully through the dense undergrowth your camera is set up and ready to go. Then, as if out of nowhere, you see them; a family of gorilla sat in a small clearing, chewing on bamboo shoots. You'll capture an unforgettable memory of watching mountain gorilla in their natural habitat. Discover more reasons to visit Uganda here.

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Madagascar

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.

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Zimbabwe

To capture the essence of Africa, Zimbabwe is one of the best places for wildlife photography. Head into the country's largest national park at Hwange, and you'll take remarkable photographs of elephants, birds, giraffes, zebras and even a wild dog or two. 

 

The best time of year to photograph wildlife on safari is between October and November, and during our safaris you'll travel in open-sided land cruisers which provide optimised game viewing. Finally, head into Matobo National Park on a walking safari for a likely chance of seeing Southern White Rhino and leopards.

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Indonesia

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. 

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Don't just travel, Explore!

Photograph wildlife with us! Check out our Wildlife tours to find your next thrilling photography adventure. Our small group tours are perfect for photography enthuiasts, as our itineraries take you into the heart of a destination where you'll learn all about the wildlife and their habitats, with the help of your expert tour leader.
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