How close do you get to the animals on a safari? (Page 2): We were in a safari vehicle with 5 people. The Land Rover had an open top to facilitate easy photography. Most of the animals...

PaulB Loc: Alabama

We were in a safari vehicle with 5 people. The Land Rover had an open top to facilitate easy photography. Most of the animals were very used to these vehicles and paid little attention to them---except if something unexpected occurred. While observing a bull elephant, one man in our group decided to boost himself on to the roof of the vehicle. The elephant was taken aback by this move, felt threatened, and went into full aggressive mode---trumpeting, ears flapping, making short charges, etc. Our driver quickly threw the Land Rover into reverse and got us the hell out of there! Needless to say, the guide gave the offending party a tongue lashing, explaining that there would be no more of that!

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

Some of them get quite close to the vehicles. Kenya has been anti-hunting since the 1970s, so the animals don't fear the vehicles, and pretty much ignore them. (It would be different if the humans dismounted, though.) I've got some (bad) pictures of elephants crossing the road just a few yards from us. And a female lion walked right by my vehicle (no picture). Giraffes and Wildebeest all walked around the vehicles and across the road near us.

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

CWGordon wrote:

I asked same question before I went. I found I rar... (show quote)

I largely agree, but I used my long lens a great deal on birds and small mammals, both of which are much harder to approach than the large creatures. My guide and drivers were most afraid of the Cape buffalo, and I took their word for it!
Landscapes were harder, as I use a normal lens (50mm +/-) and panorama software PP. Lots of beautiful vistas though.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

They look like nice kitties.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Arcadia1969 wrote:

I keep my safari photos on my iPad since people as... (show quote)

Yup! Definitely at least that close.We had lions on the track too close for me to get a shot even with my little P&S. Some idiot in the vehicle in front of us actually leaned out of his seat and was reaching down to PET!!!! the lion standing literally against the jeep he was in. Seriously, dude?

GrannyAnnie

jcs wrote:

Yup , lol

😱😱😱

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

MadMikeOne wrote:

Yup! Definitely at least that close.We had lions on the track too close for me to get a shot even with my little P&S. Some idiot in the vehicle in front of us actually leaned out of his seat and was reaching down to PET!!!! the lion standing literally against the jeep he was in. Seriously, dude?

Some people should not have progeny.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

David in Dallas wrote:

Some people should not have progeny.

You’ve got that one right, David. Pretty much exactly the comments of the 4 of us in our vehicle.

Hip Coyote

Those pics represented (mostly) of what I experienced in Africa. Very close to the animals for the most part. I carried 2 cameras...covering focal lengths from 24-800 mm (equivalent ff). I found the bulk of my shots were very close. One does not need, generally, super long focal lengths. If you take one camera and have a long zoom on there, you will most likely miss most shots.

Dangerous? Maybe a little. Elephants are the danger while on safari in a vehicle. We did a walking safari and got too close to a rhino which was not the best decision...we had an armed guide but why take the chance...wont do that again. Walking near our cottage along the Zambezi we were warned about hippos...the most dangerous animal out there.

For the most part felt safe and comfortable. it was a memorable experience. I will be back!

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

I had 2 Nikon D7100 cameras with me: my own with the Nikon 18-200VR2 and a rented one with the Nikon 200-500VR. The smaller lens was hung around my neck and the other was carried in a backpack and laid out ready for use in the 4x4 vehicle. On the game drives we did not exit the vehicles (4 of them for our tour group). Our drivers were very good at getting us close to the animals. As far as I know, none of them were armed. (There may have been a firearm in the vehicle, but I never saw one.) We didn't experience any close calls, either.

The animals mostly ignored the vehicles. They see them all the time and there is no hunting in Kenya so they don't feel threatened. It was not uncommon for them to cross the road (?) just in front of or behind a vehicle.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Kenya. If I were younger I would consider a return trip.

Bonnie Halsell Loc: Ocala, Florida USA

Arcadia1969 wrote:

I keep my safari photos on my iPad since people as... (show quote)

As usual a butt shot

Bonnie Halsell Loc: Ocala, Florida USA

jcs wrote:

Yup , lol

Didn't anyone tell her they prefer white meat?

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Arcadia1969 wrote:

I keep my safari photos on my iPad since people as... (show quote)

I usually pet them.

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

I haven't been on safari, but I have been within 15 feet of a couple of Kodiak bears. To be sure, I was with a very experienced licensed Alaska guide and the salmon run was at a peak. The Kodiak is the largest land predator on the planet.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

TheShoe wrote:

I haven't been on safari, but I have been within 15 feet of a couple of Kodiak bears. To be sure, I was with a very experienced licensed Alaska guide and the salmon run was at a peak. The Kodiak is the largest land predator on the planet.

Wow!!!!!!! Larger than a polar bear?
That is big!!!!