WILDLIFE - Overland Travel & Transit

South America : Asia : Africa : Middle East

Get Inspired Into the Wild

Observing wildlife within their natural habitat has to be one of the most satisfying and inspiring experiences where ever it is. Most countries through all the continents have a mixed variety of different national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to visit. A quick research online will quickly show endless amounts of safari wildlife oriented websites, and photographic wildlife workshops who compete with one another. This is excellent for those who plan a quick two week trip for the soul purpose of doing a wildlife safari, as it caters for different budget levels. However, this is unnecessary if you are travelling overland through a continent, thus picking up much cheaper deals en route. 

It's easier and cheaper when arriving at any particular wildlife location to contact locals who offer their services as a guide or as a driver. There's never an issue finding these guys in villages bordering close to sanctuaries and national parks. Negotiating a price is like bartering on steroids - especially when locals are trying to cut a deal all at the same time. The outcome generally results in an offer that can't be refused.

Another alternative is to hire some wheels yourself, and to share the cost of the rental between one or two other visitors for a few days. If sharing a vehicle as a passenger, then ensure any itinerary planned journey is agreed on beforehand - like arriving at certain locations as early as possible, and returning to home base when it becomes dark. Personally, on a few occasions, it would of been easier to rent my own vehicle so that  I could stop at random locations for as long as necessary before speeding off elsewhere. Whatever deals are made - don't rush into any agreement unless you're totally satisfied that it works in your favour.

---

Isolated Wildlife Parks - Grab a Map  

Some wildlife national parks issue good maps with a complete layout of roads, watering holes with an identification chart of animals. Don't rely on cell phone coverage in isolated national parks. A Red List of threatened species can be researched here at IUNC (Int. Union of Conversation and Nature)

​You wouldn't believe how many idiots, who hop out of vehicles ignoring warning signs staring right in front of them. Lions, leopard, and other carnivore eating animals have no issues devouring humans. It happens to those who think nothing will happen to them taking quick selfie snaps, or in need of a piss. If you need to piss - do it in a bottle inside the vehicle. Basic Rules:  Don't leave the car : Don't leave roads : Get out where everyone else does : Don't feed wildlife : Don't honk horns : Don't free camp just anywhere

Wildlife Tourism Blissfulness 

Global travel blogging influencers have a habit of selling themselves off around the planet as if everything is
pure dream state blissfulness. The truth - it isn't!  You'll rarely never see, if ever, fluffy travel influencers posing themselves together with elephants chained up. The dark side of controlled wildlife tourism has been around for decades. Don't become a part of it, or support it.
​At least the Wuhan virus has done one positive - it's kept the majority of global travel influencers down in their basements of those who take snaps like above (sic). I won't mention where I took the shot of the chained up elephant, but let's just say it was within a tourism ghetto where travel blogger influencers hang out promoting themselves in fake blissfulness images.       

Capturing wildlife images, and then enlarging them into canvas is usually rewarding, but don't expect smart phone cameras to give the quality one's looking for, especially if enlarged to poster size. Almost any brand DSLR camera body with a quality zoom or tele-lens will guarantee satisfaction. For example, the below image was taken with a Nikon D3 body and AFS Nikon 200-400mm f/4 VRII lens. 

Getting up close to any wildlife depends on the region and season. The migration runs are spectacular, but to fully appreciate something like this can only be seen from the air. Renting a chopper - with no door, or a fixed wing isn't cheap, but if it's a one time splurge - then go for it, and don't hesitate. The best locations on the ground are always at watering holes or near a freshly killed carcass during the early morning or late afternoons. These spots will almost guarantee many different types of wildlife. There are usually more animals sharing watering holes at sun rise or just before dusk. 
There's no guarantee of capturing close up shots of wildlife in certain game parks. For example, Kruger national park in South Africa is so vast that one needs to have plenty of time and patience to track down wildlife - which can amount from days to weeks of monitoring where herds are located. The bigger the park, the more time it takes to spot wildlife. Watering holes are always the best location - animals need a daily intake of water.
A local guide can pay off big time with their experience and knowledge of animal movements and locations from their daily movements. Spotting animals within small game parks is much easier, and are generally accustomed to the 1000's of visitors driving in close range everyday, which will get you up close. Many wildlife sanctuaries and parks prohibit private vehicles for all different reasons which I personally avoid - good luck.       Overland Photo Gear   

---

Wildlife Safety & Risks 

How many times have you heard of tourists being injured and mauled by wildlife? This scenario certainly goes both ways when certain wildlife become startled by those wanting to photograph subjects as close as possible. Keeping space and having enough distance should be adhered to for both wildlife and visitors to lesson the chances of injury. For example, the sea lion above may look docile, but they hold their territory and will attack if provoked. Deb, who at the time was holding on to most of our photo-gear kept a safe distance just incase this critter was going to move in her direction.

Thieving Primates

Just like human thieves, primates have a tendency to take what ever there is of value. Loose items, like smart phones, necklaces or lightweight cameras that are not properly secured will quickly be snatched and taken within seconds. Primates doing such acts like this will normally head straight up a nearby tree, and then begin to slowly rip, pull apart, and destroy whatever items they have in front of their victim with a smile. Watching a primate rip a cell phone apart is something that maybe humorous, if it's not yours - which I've seen happen more than once.  

Capturing Wildlife Images In The Wilderness

On countless occasions, I've witnessed tourists through Africa, Asia, and South America, trying their hardest to capture wildlife in the wilderness with smart phone cameras or point & shoots. The end result is always the same - dissapointing! Taking wildlife captures in wilderness locations are normally from long distance, even though it may look close, smart phone cameras and most point & shoots will fail to get close-ups like the image above. This snap was taken from approximately 100 metres using DSLR photo-gear.
​Those out there, who want satisfaction, a collection of wildlife images that surpasses the limitations of smaller lens optics of cell phone cameras, and point & shoots, should think seriously to upgrade to DSLR photo-gear.    

A Jackal Buzzard commonly spotted in rugged bushland regions through Southern Africa.

Capturing images of Alpha male Baboons requires lenses of at least 600mm plus. Alpha males like the one captured above are usually evasive keeping well away from any human activity. Baboon troops can be spotted through southern Africa. Wherever there's free food handouts -  excluding Alpha males, baboons will be there in droves. They have a habit of taking anything faster than a loaded bullet. Keping car windows half up, doors closed, and accommodation locked will ensure items won't be stolen.  Feeding wild primates and baboons should be avoided unless it's at a zoo.    

Capturing images of spotted Owls in daylight is possible within forested marshlands through southern Asia

Africa's a huge continent, all different types of wildlife in abundance can be easily spotted and captured with DSLR photo-gear through the following countries. Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, DRC, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia  South Africa.  

Egrets, easily photographed up-close, and commonly spotted in swampy marshland, rivers, and wetlands through most continents.  

South Asian seasonal migratory birds during November thru February include painted storks & spoonbill.

Nothing beats watching and photographing eagles devouring carcasses in isolated regions

White Rhino, captured within the Hluhluwe wildlife game reserve  - KwaZulu Natal

An Egyptian vulture ignores how close I am, too busy feeding on a carcass.

Probably the most easiest wildlife of all within national game reserves to photograph are zebra.  

Most wildlife lovers have one or two favourite isolated locations they always return too, to view, or capture wildlife. Being a raptor watcher, I came across - by accident, an isolated location where literally hundreds of birds of prey return each year during the cold months. Vultures and different kinds of eagles perching together scattered on trees is something that is rarely seen anywhere else on the planet.

Guanaco within their lush habitat in Torres el Paine national park - Patagonia, Chile 

A wolf rearing his canines as a threat and warning before attacking or defending itself.

In the tree tops, young Grey Herons waiting anxiously for the return of their mother with a food supply. 

Capturing close-up snaps of Duiker in the wilderness is easier than trying to photograph wild deer.   

Black Vulture, commonly spotted in large flocks throughout the Amazon and Andean region. 

Personally, I have to say, reaching certain isolated wildlife locations carrying photo-gear can be a mission, but the rewards outweigh the hassles of getting to them.   

An alpha male Baboon captured in the wilderness in the Criags region - Western Cape

A greater Coucal from the family of cuckoos and roadrunners - Asia  

Zebra, commonly spotted throughout Africa in the majority of wildlife parks and reserves. 

Asian Jackals are normally spotted in pairs or groups. Getting up close to photograph these guys can be outright dangerous - if on foot, they're known to attack humans. Don't ask me how I know this!

Literally, thousands of Flamingo can be seen scouring mud flats on the Bolivain Altiplano  

High in the tree tops, a female black kite captured preparing a nest - Assam state

Nervous black backed Jackals feeding on the remains of a zebra carcass, the lion that originally killed the zebra was probably taking a nap somewhere close-by. I waited for an hour or two for the lion to return, or for other hungry big cats wanting a snack, but no luck on this day. 

When is it the best time to photograph Snow leopards? During mid-winter in sub-zero temps wading through virgin snow. For more, a recently completed 2020 extreme overland road trip reaching snow leopard territory can be viewed here.  

Many people today think smart phone cameras will get the desired shot within wildlife parks, if you're one that thinks like this - it's a Big Mistake. Any brand DSLR camera using lenses that can reach out to distant wildlife is required to capture reasonably good images that can then be enlarged keeping quality & sharpness.  

Probably one of my favourite image captures of Steppe Eagles. The capture, even though it looks very close, was actually taken from long distance not to disturb them. A Nikon Nikkor 800mm f/5,6 manual focus lens mounted to a 12 MP D3 body on DX mode took this shot... Who says classic photo-gear doesn't perform? The optics of the Nikon Nikkor 800mm - first produced in 1986 till 2005 (2972 units) is still a good lens in 2020.  

Vervet primates clashing with one another is basic hierarchy principles keeping the troop in check.

Guanaco A Sea Lion within its own natural habitat captured in the deep south in the Catlins.

Sarus Cranes are normally spotted in pairs, and remain together for life hanging out doing thier thing within marsh flatland environments in India and Nepal. 

A female Hippo and cub captured in an estuary on the northern coast close to the Mozambique - South african border. Hippos are extremely alert to humans who venture to close to them. Don't even think to stroll along any hippo track, especially if cubs are wandering around - it will be your last day of life as you know it!  

A vertical sheet of water quickly materialises caused by a sudden dive from this white Heron. 

If there's once location to revisit countless times, it has to be the red desert environments of Namibia. Springbok and other wildlife are easily spotted grazing along the flatlands of this arid region. DSLR photo-gear is a must, if you want to capture images like above. 

Open bill storks captured within their wildlife habitat  - West Bengal  

Among dried out smelly rotten carcasses, a juvenile Egyptian vulture, who was totally camouflaged was spotted. One can be lucky enough at certain locations around the planet, especially in the Middle East, Africa and Asia to capture images like the above. Rubbish dumps just out of towns and cities are a good start.

A Rhesus primate, commonly spotted and seen throughout the Asian continent

Photographing kites in flight using DSLR photo-gear with a reasonable length zoom or tele lens captures these birds with ease. This kite was approximately @ 200 metres distance using a full frame body on DX mode with a 400mm lens.

A long shot capture of a Sarus Crane, together with a brown deer feeding in harmony

King of the jungle, a lion waking up from an afternoon nap. Local African photographers are so lucky to be able to capture wildlife within a quick drive to anyone of the numerous game parks in their region. Mating season, and when newly born cubs are abundantly spotted is probably the best time to visit game parks.   

During migration season, open bill storks can be easily photographed using DSLR photo-gear . 

Strolling around on foot through African jungle and savannah isn't recommended unless one is aware of what's in it. It's not just big cats to be worried about. Snakes, poisonous spiders, scorpions, and other creeping crawlies will freely give a painful expierance, if bitten. The Amazon rainforest is relatively the same, including dense forest regions in Venezuela and Guyana.     

Marabou can be easily found and photographed fossicking near dump sites just out of towns and cities.  

Water Buffalo are regarded as one of the big five dangerous wildlife in Africa, but in Asia, Buffalo are regarded as a docile beast, and managed, farmed and moved to different feeding locations by local children. 

Tui, a native bird to New Zealand, searching for berries on Podocarpus Totara trees. 

This particular black backed Jackal wasn't roaming together in a pack as they usually do hunting for prey.

​A huge Chameleon relaxing capturing afternoon sunlight @3800 metres altitude - Himalaya highlands 

​A pied kingfisher in flight hunting for lunch, captured with a Nikon D3 & AF-S 200-400mm f/4 VRII  

A fully grown predator, showing-off a very healthy set of K9's and thick fur, wolves can still be spotted roaming freely in certain regions in Ethiopia. 

Even the smallest common birds landing nearby during travel journeys make great image captures   

Getting close-up images of wart hogs is easily accomplished within most wildlife parks through Africa.

Alpaca, feeding on highland Altiplano grass @3400 metres altitude - Bolivia 

Himalaya Griffon vultures normally span their wings to air dry them when damp or wet.

A shaggy long coat Bald Uakari photographed within its natural habitat - Amazon jungle 

Long-shot of a deer (spiker) captured from 400+ metres distance 

Take-off mode, a Grey Heron elegantly lifting off in slow motion. 

After dusk, Hyena come out, and can be spotted roaming in large packs.   

Jackal Buzzard, commonly seen and spotted in bushland and savannah perching on treetops through the southern regions of Africa. Long reach prime lenses are normally required to capture close-up images of them. 

Large Elephant can be seen in Krugar and Addo national park sanctuaries. The shot above, is probably the largest elephant I've seen and photographed. Keeping distance from these guys is recommended!

Simple close-up snap of a Marabou near a trash dump in Uganda

Early morning capture of Spotted Owl in south Asia 

Another favourite snap, Amazon primates within their natural habitat - Peruvian Amazon region. 

Using classic photo-gear still works in 2020, it's all about quality optics - not the camera body!

Reaching wildlife parks through Africa can be a mission in itself, this includes renting or sharing a vehicle plus entry and accommodation costs. Once inside a park, it then takes time to explore in and around the park to find wildlife to photograph. It's here when DSLR photo-gear pays-off capturing images. Don't expect any model or brand smart phone camera to capture the same quality images that DSKR camera equipment has been recognised for through the decades. If you plan on visiting numerous wildlife and national parks, DSLR camera-gear should be the first items ready and packed too go before any departure. When the time comes to enlarge wildlife images into poster sized canvases, the quality from DSLR photo-gear wins hands down.       

Feeding animals in a zoo is normally not a problem, but within wildlife parks or in the wild, feeding animals is a no-brainer. This automatically creates a dependancy for some wildlife, like primate and baboon troops expecting a constant free for all food source in a particular area. Feeding wild troops and other wildlife causes all types of issues among the primate hierarchy, including erratic, sometimes violent behaviour to other visitors at the same location. The above signage was actually designed and erected by me within a bushland region to stop people feeding baboons and primates.     

I personally use Nikon photo-gear which 99% of the images through this website were captured with. I don't promote any camera brand and would have to say that most mid range DSLR camera bodies and lenses are all on par with each other. The only thing worth mentioning here are lenses. If a 20 year old lens can do the job satisfactorily - why update it?  Most of the lenses I'm using are over ten years old. One favourite lens, a manual focus Nikon 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF AI-S was first produced in 1986. Its 5.5Kg weight is cumbersome at times, but this lens still captures most long distant shots. If I was doing wildlife photography for a living, I certainly wouldn't hesitate purchasing the updated version - AFS 800 f/5.6 lens. As the saying goes, be happy with what photo-gear one uses, and don't stop capturing images until anything needs replacing.          

Wildlife On Canvas 

Those who use minimal camera-gear using point and shoots, 3/4 cameras, or who rely on smart phone cameras to capture distant wildlife will be bitterly disappointed when the time comes to enlarge their images onto canvas. Most enlargements increased 4-8 times the original size will automatically decrease sharpness ending-up as a blob on the wall. As mentioned through this website, it will depend on what type of lens optics are used  - not just how many megapixels camera bodies have. Cheap coated lenses with minimal glass no-matter the brand should be avoided if quality is the end result one is looking for. Wildlife images taken with anything with a lens on it may look good until it's re-cropped and enlarged. Good images begin with quality made optics. Before leaving home-base, think about investing in DSLR-gear with a few lenses.            

Both images were captured only using a 12 megapixel body - it's the lens that counts!