FIGURE C


A giraffe is eating acacia in the Tarangire National Park. Roll over picture for a larger image.

My point is "shoot always". Make sure you pack as many memory cards or rolls of film that you can and just take pictures. Sometimes, when you're caught up in the moment of shooting, not so worried about light or aperture or rules, you will come out with some of your best or at least most memorable shots. Don't treat each click of the shutter as a National Geographic hopeful.

If it's your first trip to Africa, make sure you're seeing it with your eyes and not just your lens, because you will see so much more and maybe catch the photos you weren't even looking for.

Some practical advice
Depending on the time of year and the countries in Africa you choose to visit, your camera gear may be facing a few challenges. Humidity is high in the coastal lands, dust flies just about everywhere in the dry season, sand gets everywhere on the beaches or in the desert. If you're there in the rainy seasons, you will need moisture protection for everything.

Be sure you take your proper cleaning equipment. Make sure your camera bag has a raincoat to keep your gear dry and the dust out. Pause to check out your lens from time to time. After spending hours in the Ngorongoro Crater, or watching the great herds cross the mighty Serengeti, you will most definitely be facing a build up of dust and spots on your lens that can ruin all those great and awe-inspiring photos you've been taking.

Who wants to spend hours in front of the computer when you get back home, meticulously cloning out dust spots on over 1000 photos?

Don't just shoot the animals
There is so much more to photograph in Africa aside from the Big Five creatures. Birders will have unlimited photograph opportunities to see amazing feathered creatures like flamingos, secretary birds, marabou storks, pelicans and all the different types of smaller birds in every beautiful color. Figure D shows a gathering of flamingos.

FIGURE D


Here's a gathering of flamingos on the edge of Lake Nakuru. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Landscape lovers will also find the views both amazing and diverse. Dense green jungles, red earth, white sands, grey rocks and never-ending plains. From the river valleys and ocean's edges to the rocky and snowy peaks of Kilimanjaro, some of the landscapes, like the one in Figure E, will blow you away and fill your memory card fast.

FIGURE E


Here, you can see barren mountains of Ethiopia. Roll over picture for a larger image.

However, don't forget to enjoy the culture and the people as well. Among them are the colourful tribal Massai people shown in Figure F, the friendly and bead-wearing Samburu people shown in Figure G, the strange and distinct traditions of the people of the Omo Valley in Ethiopia. Their cultures are fascinating, and the photographs will be amazing.

FIGURE F


Massai children climbing on a camel makes for a great photo. Roll over picture for a larger image.

FIGURE G


Colourful Samburu women singing and dancing can showcase some of their wonderful craftwork as well. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Be sure to compensate your subjects for each photo you take. This will be expected. They will pose for you, but you must pay them a small amount for taking their photo in certain areas. In other areas, you will be welcomed with open arms &and friendly smiles right into their villages, surrounded by excited children, each one eager to pose for the camera.