Tanzania Photography Guide 2026
Tanzania is a photographer's paradise - from the dramatic landscapes of the Serengeti and Kilimanjaro to intimate wildlife encounters and vibrant cultural scenes. Here is how to capture the best images.
Recommended Camera Gear
Essential
- Camera body: Any DSLR or mirrorless with good autofocus (Sony A7 series, Canon R series, Nikon Z series all excellent)
- Telephoto lens: 100-400mm or 200-600mm is ideal for wildlife. Minimum 200mm.
- Wide-angle lens: 16-35mm or 24-70mm for landscapes, sunsets, and camp scenes
- Memory cards: Bring plenty - you will shoot thousands of images (64GB+ recommended)
- Spare batteries: At least 2-3 spare batteries. Charging opportunities may be limited.
Recommended Extras
- Bean bag: For stabilising your lens on the vehicle window/roof (better than a tripod on safari)
- Lens cleaning kit: Dust is constant on safari drives
- Dust-proof camera bag: Protect gear from red Serengeti dust
- Power bank: For charging devices between drives
- Smartphone: Modern phones take excellent wide-angle and video
Camera Settings for Safari
| Scenario | Mode | Settings |
|---|---|---|
| Animals in motion | Shutter Priority | 1/1000s minimum, Auto ISO (max 6400), continuous AF, burst mode |
| Birds in flight | Shutter Priority | 1/2000s+, Auto ISO, tracking AF, high-speed burst |
| Stationary animals | Aperture Priority | f/5.6-f/8, lowest ISO possible, single-point AF on the eye |
| Landscapes | Aperture Priority | f/8-f/11, ISO 100-400, focus one-third into scene |
| Sunrise/sunset | Manual | f/8, ISO 200, bracket exposures, underexpose slightly for rich colours |
| Night sky / stars | Manual | f/2.8, ISO 3200-6400, 15-25 second exposure, manual focus to infinity |
Top Photography Tips
- Golden hours are everything: The best light is 6-8am and 4-6pm. Game drives at these times produce the most dramatic images.
- Focus on the eyes: Sharp eyes make or break a wildlife photo. Use single-point AF on the nearest eye.
- Get low: Eye-level shots of animals are far more engaging than shooting down from above.
- Tell a story: Do not just shoot close-ups. Include the environment, behaviour, and interactions between animals.
- Be patient: The best shots come from waiting for the right moment - a yawn, a kill, a tender interaction.
- Shoot in RAW: RAW files give you far more flexibility in post-processing, especially for recovering shadows and highlights.
- Protect from dust: Change lenses inside a bag. Keep a lens cloth handy. Dust is the enemy on safari.
- Charge every night: Charge all batteries whenever you have the opportunity.
Drone Rules
- Drones are strictly banned in all national parks and game reserves
- You need a permit from the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) to fly a drone anywhere in Tanzania
- Permits take weeks to process and require registration
- Drones can be confiscated at customs without a permit
- Fines and prosecution are possible for unauthorised drone use
- Recommendation: Leave your drone at home unless you have pre-arranged permits for specific non-park locations
FAQ
Modern smartphones take excellent photos for social media and memories. However, for serious wildlife photography, you need a camera with a telephoto lens (200mm+). Smartphones excel at wide landscapes, camp scenes, and cultural portraits. Consider a clip-on telephoto lens adapter for smartphones as a compromise.
Tell your guide upfront that photography is important to you. Good guides will position the vehicle for optimal light and angles. A generous tip at the end is appropriate if your guide went above and beyond for your photography needs.
Gear Checklist
- Lens: 100-400mm minimum
- Cards: 64GB+ (bring extras)
- Batteries: 2-3 spares
- Bean bag: For stability
- Drones: Banned in parks
- Best light: 6-8am, 4-6pm