Best camera settings for safari photography: How to shoot wildlife like a pro

Capturing incredible images on safari requires more than a good eye—it also demands the right camera settings. Wildlife moves fast, lighting conditions change constantly, and your window for the perfect shot is often just seconds long. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best camera settings for safari photography so you can return home with truly breathtaking wildlife shots.

Choosing the right shooting mode

Aperture Priority (A or Av mode)

Aperture priority is ideal when you’re dealing with unpredictable lighting or need to quickly adjust your depth of field. It allows you to control how much of the scene is in focus, while the camera automatically selects the appropriate shutter speed.

• Use for: Portraits of animals, big cats in soft light, elephants against blurred backgrounds
• Suggested aperture: f/4 to f/5.6 for wildlife isolation

Shutter Priority (S or Tv mode)

If you’re tracking fast-moving animals like birds or predators on the move, shutter priority gives you control over motion blur.

• Use for: Birds in flight, galloping zebras, running cheetahs
• Suggested shutter speed: 1/1000 sec or faster

Manual mode

Advanced users often prefer full manual control, especially with consistent lighting or when shooting with a fixed ISO.

• Use for: Professional shots, low light scenes, creative exposure control

Recommended settings for key safari scenarios

Scenario	Shutter Speed	Aperture	ISO	Notes
Big cats resting	1/500	f/4 – f/5.6	100–400	Emphasize detail and sharpness
Birds in flight	1/2000	f/5.6 – f/8	800–1600	Fast shutter essential
Herds on the move	1/1000	f/6.3	400–800	Balance sharpness and depth
Sunrise/sunset silhouettes	1/250	f/8	100–400	Expose for the sky
Night safari with spotlight	1/125	f/2.8	1600–3200+	Use a monopod or image stabilizer

Focus settings that make a difference

Continuous autofocus (AI-Servo / AF-C)

Wildlife rarely stays still. Continuous AF tracks movement and helps keep fast subjects in focus.

Back-button focus

Separating focus from the shutter allows for better control when recomposing or tracking subjects.

Focus area mode

• Single-point AF: For precision focus on the eyes of an animal
• Zone AF: Better for moving subjects or when tracking unpredictable wildlife

Getting your exposure right

Use exposure compensation

When photographing animals against bright skies or in harsh sunlight, use exposure compensation (+/-) to prevent overexposure or underexposure.

• Tip: Dial +0.3 to +1 when animals are backlit
• Tip: Use -0.3 to -1 when photographing bright or white animals in sunlight

Check your histogram

Don’t rely solely on the LCD screen. The histogram shows whether you’re losing detail in shadows or highlights and helps fine-tune exposure.

ISO settings for different lighting conditions

• Bright daylight: ISO 100–400
• Overcast days or golden hour: ISO 400–800
• Low light or shade: ISO 800–1600
• Night safari: ISO 1600–6400+

Use Auto ISO with limits if your camera allows, to balance exposure and reduce noise.

White balance tips for safari

• Daylight: For consistent colors under the African sun
• Cloudy: Adds warmth during overcast or early morning scenes
• Custom white balance: Use a gray card or neutral surface if you’re shooting in RAW and need high accuracy

Shoot in RAW format

Always shoot in RAW to preserve maximum detail and allow for better post-processing. JPEGs compress image data and leave little room for correcting exposure or color.

Additional tips to level up your shots

Use burst mode

Wildlife moments are fleeting. Set your camera to high-speed continuous shooting to capture a sequence and choose the best frame later.

Stabilize your gear

• Use a bean bag on vehicle windows for stability
• A monopod or image-stabilized lens helps during handheld shots

Compose with intention

• Eye contact creates emotional impact
• Leave space for movement when an animal is in motion
• Use the rule of thirds, but don’t be afraid to break it when the scene calls for it

Frequently asked questions