Africa’s predators hold a special allure for wildlife photographers.
There’s something primal and electrifying about capturing lions on the prowl, cheetahs in full sprint, or leopards dragging their kill up a tree.
These majestic creatures give photographers an adrenaline-filled challenge.
But getting that perfect shot, one that reflects the raw power and intensity of Africa’s apex predators requires more than luck. It demands skill, patience, and a deep understanding of both animal behaviour and your camera’s technical settings.
In this guide, we’re going to be sharing all of the techniques that you need to know to photograph Africa’s top predators, whether they’re hunting, resting, or interacting with their surroundings.
Capturing the swift movements of Africa’s predators requires a solid command of your camera’s shutter speed. When photographing a cheetah in full sprint, reaching speeds up to 100 km/h, you’ll need a high shutter speed (1/1000s or faster) to freeze the motion without blurring the image. The same goes for lions or hyenas during the chase. Use burst mode to capture multiple frames per second, as action sequences unfold quickly and unpredictably.
But not all shots need to freeze motion completely. Sometimes, allowing a bit of motion blur can add drama to the scene, think of a cheetah’s paw just brushing the ground or dust rising as a lion charges. Experimenting with slower shutter speeds (1/250s to 1/500s) can result in dynamic images that convey speed and power, especially when panning with the predator’s movement.
Success in photographing predators often comes down to anticipating their movements, and this requires a deep understanding of animal behaviour. Lions, for instance, tend to hunt early in the morning or late in the afternoon when temperatures are cooler. They stalk their prey low to the ground, with their eyes fixed forward, an important clue for photographers to prepare for the chase.
Cheetahs, on the other hand, rely on their incredible speed and will often position themselves on elevated ground to scan for prey before sprinting. By observing a cheetah’s body language, such as crouching and tensing muscles, you can predict the exact moment they’ll explode into action.
Hyenas are opportunistic and often follow other predators or scavengers. Their behaviours are social and complex, offering excellent opportunities to capture them interacting with other animals or their clan. Understanding when and how these predators move allows you to be ready when the action starts.
Positioning and Framing
When photographing predators, positioning is key. If you’re too far away, you lose the intimacy of the moment. Too close, and you risk disturbing the animals or putting yourself in danger. Your goal is to maintain a respectful distance while getting close enough to capture the intensity of the scene.
Framing is equally important. Wide shots work well to show the predator in its environment, such as a lion stalking through tall grasses or a cheetah standing on a termite mound. However, the tight framing on a predator’s eyes, or the tension in its muscles, adds drama and intimacy to the shot. Remember to keep your focus on the eyes, they are the window to the animal’s intent and often make the difference between an average photo and a truly captivating one.
Resting and Interaction
While action shots of hunts are thrilling, some of the most intimate predator photography comes from capturing their quieter moments. A lion pride lounging under a tree or a leopard grooming itself on a branch offers the opportunity for more relaxed, yet equally powerful, images.
These moments allow for more creative compositions, where you can experiment with light, shadows, and angles. Early morning and late afternoon light, the golden hours, are particularly flattering, casting a warm glow over your subjects. Pay attention to the surroundings, as they can add texture and context to the shot. A leopard resting in a tree with its kill in the background, for example, tells a powerful story without the need for action.
Don’t Disturb the Natural Flow
Above all, respect the wildlife and their environment. The goal is to document the lives of these incredible predators without interfering. Keep noise and movements to a minimum, and maintain a safe distance at all times. Use a telephoto lens to get close-up shots without intruding on the animals’ space. Your patience and unobtrusiveness will not only protect the wildlife but will also allow you to capture more authentic moments.
There is nothing quite like the rush of capturing Africa’s top predators in action, from the stealthy approach of a leopard to the lightning sprint of a cheetah. Each shot is a testament to the power and grace of these magnificent animals, and with the right techniques and a deep understanding of their behaviour, you’ll come away with images that tell the true story of life in the wild.
So, pack your gear, study your subjects, and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime. Africa’s predators await, and the perfect shot is just one moment of patience and anticipation away.
One of the best ways to take some exceptional shots of predators, is to book a guided photo safari. At Wild Photo Africa, we have a selection of photo safari packages to choose from and we’ll help you take some pretty incredible images.