Kilimanjaro Safaris: seating & photography?

[jeegyar]

From your experience, do you think there is a better side to sit on for Kilimanjaro Safaris to see more animals? I know that at different times of day the animals you see can change, but overall do you prefer sitting on the left or right-hand side of the vehicle? I read somewhere that the left side is better, but not sure to the validity of that.

Also, I feel like a good zoom lens would be great for this attraction for photography. I have a 55-250mm lens I plan to use, but I wonder if that will be good enough to get some wide shots during the safari as well. I also have an 18-55mm lens but don't want to have to keep switching lenses during the ride. Would be an unnecessary distraction. Thoughts?

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

My family likes the back seat... This way if there is something on the right or left all you after to do is turn around to get a GREAT unobstructed shot..

But keep in mind its VERY bumpy back there!

 

[Magic3forme]

it depends on what animals you want to see?

for my one daughter it is the giraffes... I would say left side , and for the elephants.. the right side. ( of course it didnt always work out this way.)

 

[jeegyar]

Good points. I'm not sure how much the bumpiness would effect our enjoyment, but I like the idea of being about to turn around and taking a look/picture (though the bumpiness may effect the quality of photos too). Maybe we will ride once on either side if we have enough time to see as much as we can. I think we are going to try once for the morning and once for later in the afternoon.

 

[ktlm]

The left side (meaning your left side is at the edge of the vehicle) is the side where the hippo pool is and does have a better view of some of the exhibits, but you never know what you are going to run across. Our last ride, a giraffe came right up to the vehicle on the right side. Our driver paused to let us get a good look at him...or him get a good look at us! After he looked at us and we passed him, he stood right in the middle of the path of the next vehicle and I don't know how long it took before he moved and they got to move forward. They might have been stuck there a while!

 

[davedmaine]

Ask for the last row and then sit on the far left. You'll be in a better position for the elephants, hippos, lions, etc.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

From your experience, do you think there is a better side to sit on for Kilimanjaro Safaris to see more animals? I know that at different times of day the animals you see can change, but overall do you prefer sitting on the left or right-hand side of the vehicle? I read somewhere that the left side is better, but not sure to the validity of that.

Also, I feel like a good zoom lens would be great for this attraction for photography. I have a 55-250mm lens I plan to use, but I wonder if that will be good enough to get some wide shots during the safari as well. I also have an 18-55mm lens but don't want to have to keep switching lenses during the ride. Would be an unnecessary distraction. Thoughts?

Dh (photographer) says -the only time you'll need the wide angle lens is if the giraffes come very close to the truck. He tends to use a zoom lens when on safari.

Also do sit in the back - it's bumpy but really not bad unless the driver takes off! We always ask for and wait (if necessary) for the back row

Don't forget image stablization in the lens or camera. Also use sport or no flash mode.

 

[jeegyar]

Dh (photographer) says -the only time you'll need the wide angle lens is if the giraffes come very close to the truck. He tends to use a zoom lens when on safari.

Also do sit in the back - it's bumpy but really not bad unless the driver takes off! We always ask for and wait (if necessary) for the back row

Don't forget image stablization in the lens or camera. Also use sport or no flash mode.

Sounds great! Thanks for the tips!! We will definitely try to sit in the back. I think it will be worth it overall

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

We like the back row for the view, but that seems to be the bumpiest row and is not always ideal for photos.

 

[bentley72]

I think the back can be too bumpy for getting good pictures. Plus depending on the driver, when they stop you might not be able to have a very good view of what animal you are stopping to see, and then they drive off before any good picture opportunities.

I would shoot for middle drivers side. You can get pictures from in front and turn to get pictures behind and it will be less bumpy.

 

[PrincessMe]

Where to sit is really a gamble. You need an edfe but the animals do what the animals do. It's way too bumpy to switch lenses. I usually go with my longest lens on AK day (I'm a one lens a day girl) but have gotten a few great safari pictures with my 35mm prime once I cropped.

 

[DizzDoll]

My daughter and I are both photographers, and on the Safari we use my Canon. She'll sit on the left side, my son in the middle, and me on the right. That camera gets a lot of mileage passing between us, but we get everything there is to photograph.

 

[DSLRuser]

I preffer the wide angle option, sitting in the middle of the truck.

many many ways to compose a picture. My reasoning for the 10-20mm wide angle is that most of the ride, with the exception of the savaha is usualy some kinf of scene. from the croc pits, to the hippo pool and others. I like to get a nice wide shot to show the entire set up.

Now the savanah, if i was to go for shots there i would use my 55-300mm.

but again, right now in my photography, i am partial to wides.

 

[LisaTN]

The bumpiness will also affect the photos. Set your iso higher and use a higher shutter speed to counteract the movement. I bought a great 18-200 lens just for vacationing that i love so I can go wide or zoom I sat on the left side last time and had great luck getting the animals on my side but it's just luck of the draw

 

[Disnut4925]

Definitely the left side is better. And definitely definitely no time and way too bumpy to switch lenses!!!!

 

[mikegood2]

Hey jeegyar great post! I was planning on creating a very similar thread tomorrow, so you beat me too it.

I've only done the safari once and didn't have the best of luck so every bit of advice helps. I'm definitely going to try the left side this time, was on the right last time, and may try to get he back. I knew about the bumpyness before our ride, but I wasn't prepared for it to ba as bumpy as it seemed. From a photography standpoint I would love it if the ride was much smoother.

Any advice on getting the best way to shoot the Zebras? They are my nieces favorite animals so I'd like to be able to get here seated somewhere that will give here the best view.

 

[heathere3]

Always remember to make your elbows be the tripod. It helps with the bumpiness, at least a bit. Most of all, I'd recommend riding several different times. What you see will be different each time, but at least after the first trip you'll have a better idea who is where we got REALLY lucky 2 years ago and were seated in the last row when we had to stop for some rhinos on the road. Two of them came and nudged the back of the bus. I was in photographer heaven!

 

[jeegyar]

So I guess the consensus is that the left side is best! I'm a bit concerned about the bumpiness with photographs as well, so I guess we will see about where we sit. Maybe somewhere in the middle. Either way, all this advice is much appreciated!! I really hope I can get some great shots of the animals!