Crocodile at Grumeti River

Crocodiles are found all over the world. These prehistoric creatures are survivors, so perfectly adapted for their environment that they have hardly changed since the extinction of the dinosaurs. Here’s a brief guide to this ultimate predator.

Crocodile Facts

Although the Saltwater Crocodile in Australasia is the biggest of the 15 crocodile species, growing up to an immense seven metres in length, it is the Nile Crocodile of Africa that is the most feared. This is because Nile Crocodiles are sometimes responsible for human deaths across the continent in locations where villagers and crocodiles are forced to live side by side. As well as killing humans, they also kill livestock, making them a menace for many people.

The Nile Crocodile can grow up to 5.5 metres in length, although there are reports of some growing over 6 metres. They can weigh up to 1,000 kg, and in the wild they generally live up to 47 years of age.

Crocodiles have an incredible ability to stave off infections. Even though they are regularly injured in dirty water, they are often able to survive their injuries in a way that humans could not possibly manage. This is one of the key reasons behind their incredible survival abilities.

Crocodile Behaviour

Crocodiles are stealthy hunters. Most of the time they hunt in the cool of the evenings, swimming right up close to their prey on the riverbanks without being seen. They wait patiently and then ambush their prey with a lightening reaction, dragging animals into the water and drowning them. However, despite what you see on the TV, most of their diet is made up of fish rather than wildebeest and other large mammals.

The Best Places to See Nile Crocodiles

Africa has three species of crocodile – the Nile Crocodile, the Slender Snouted Crocodile and the African Dwarf Crocodile. However, you are most likely to come across the Nile Crocodile. This is found all over Sub-Saharan Africa, but is most common in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Madagascar and Botswana.

One of the best places to see crocodiles when you go on a photo safari is in the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya. During the Great Migration, they pick off large mammals as they try to cross the Grumeti river and Mara river, providing one of the best and most reliable opportunities to watch them hunting in the wild. Getting up close and personal with a mighty killer such as this is definitely an experience and one of the highlights of any safari in Africa,

Alternatively, head to the wetlands of the Okavango Delta in Botswana where crocodiles are present in large numbers and you may get to see them from the safety of your boat.

Crocodile Conservation

Up to the 1960s the Nile Crocodile was heavily hunted, almost to extinction, for its meat and leather. However, a lot more has been done since then to protect them, and now there are up to half a million living in the wild.

Despite these efforts, the Nile Crocodile is still threatened by bad fishing practices, hunting and pollution all across the continent, which continues to cause concern for conservationists. Crocodiles control certain populations of fish and clean up the waterways by eating dead animals that would otherwise decay, meaning they are hugely important to the overall picture.

For more information on crocodiles and their plight, visit International Crocodile Specialist Group.

And of course you get the whole experience to yourself. A balloon safari is a very personal experience, and you will get a viewpoint that simply can’t be beaten. For photographers, the option of a balloon safari opens up the possibility of unique photo opportunities, and is therefore highly recommended for anyone who wants to get the most out of their safari.

Serengeti Balloon Safari

How it Works

Anyone can go on a balloon safari but it is imperative to book in advance. Balloon safaris take place during the early hours of the morning, before you head out on your day of game viewing. You will be picked up in your lodge and driven to the departure point where you can see the whole team including the captain set-up the hot air balloon. Seeing all of these will certainly make you even more excited and you will be guaranteed amazing photo opportunities. You and your group will be up in the air by the time the sun rises, the best time of the day for game viewing when activity is at its height.

You’ll usually be in the air for about an hour, which is plenty of time to admire the view and take some amazing shots. You’ll be carried on the air in complete silence and will observe the animals below as they begin their day. You may even be able to get lower to the animals for a close-up experience that cannot be beaten. The views are spectacular and it will surely leave you breathless. Being up on the hot air balloon across the plains of the Serengeti National Park just brings the excitement and appreciation to a different level and you will love every minute of it.

After the balloon safari, you will be served champagne breakfast in the most amazing setting you can ever imagine!! I will not go through much detail and let you experience it yourself.

Photography Considerations

Balloon Safari Photography

A balloon safari clearly introduces new problems when it comes to taking photographs. One thing you will have to remember is that you cannot simply stop the balloon like you can a vehicle. So although the movement will be a lot smoother, you will still be constantly moving. You will therefore need to be aware of your shutter speed to prevent blurring. Also remember that a balloon safari typically begins at dawn and therefore the initial part of your flight will be under fairly dim lighting conditions.

A good telephoto lens (400mm to 500mm) sounds like a good idea to get in on the action but be aware of camera shake from the movement. Also there are opportunities for spectacular panoramic and wider angle shots from up above hence we would recommend having a wider zoom lens on a balloon safari. We found that a 70-200mm F2.8 works very well and have a second camera equipped with an even wider 24-70mm.

Clothing Considerations

Balloon Safari

To make the whole experience even more fun and comfortable, we highly recommend you bring the following with you when you go on a balloon safari:-

• Hat – there will be hot air blowing on top of you so make sure to bring a hat to protect your head and hair from the heat.
• Light Jacket or fleece – it can be really chilly in the morning so make sure you dress up warm

Selous Game Reserve

Getting its name from Frederick Courteney Selous, the British explorer who inspired the fictional character Allan Quartermain, Selous Game Reserve is one of the biggest in the world. Situated in the south of Tanzania, it is a rugged, isolated wilderness that was granted the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 for its stunning array of wildlife. Here you will find more African wild dogs, elephants, hippos and crocodiles than anywhere else in Africa.

Compared to the frequently visited northern parks, the Selous is truly wild. You are unlikely to bump into anyone else on your photo safari, and if you take a walking safari here then you’ll get an experience like no other. Highlights include the 100-metre-deep Stiegler canyon, and the mighty river Rufiji.

Mikumi National Park

Situated near Morogoro, Mikumi is the fourth-largest national park in Tanzania. It borders Selous Game Reserve, and together the two form one giant ecosystem. With a similar savannah landscape to the Serengeti, you will find incredible rock formations here as well as huge amount wildlife. Lions, giraffes, zebras, elephants and buffalos are present in large numbers, as well as over 400 species of bird. Between May and November is the best time of the year to head here on your photographic safari.

Ruaha National Park

The Ruaha is the biggest national park in the country, and is situated right next to the Selous. It is home to the Great Ruaha River, which provides excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing. There are a huge number of elephants here, about 10,000 in all, and well over 400 species of bird, including kingfishers, sunbirds and white storks, making it a fantastic destination for photo safaris.

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire is only the sixth biggest national park in Tanzania, but it offers some superb game -viewing opportunities. Situated near to Lake Manyara, it is easily accessed from major towns like Arusha. It is divided in half by the Tarangire River, which provides great opportunities for game viewing as it becomes the only source of water for animals during the dry season, attracting them in huge numbers. A massive elephant population is another huge draw for visitors going on a photo safari. Its terrain comprises floodplains, hills and wide, open grassland dotted with acacias and baobab trees.

Walking Safaris in Tanzania

Many people dream about going on a safari one day. Heading out to the open plains of Africa and seeing wild animals in their natural environments is one of those experiences that is hard to beat. But there are many different types of safari. Most of them involve travelling in a 4×4, which allows you to get right up to the action and cover great distances. But for the ultimate experience you should consider taking a walking safari.

Walking safaris in Tanzania provide a unique way to see Africa’s landscape and wildlife. Without being restricted by the confines of a vehicle, you are totally exposed to the elements. 4×4 safaris are great, and they allow you to see and do so much. But walking really places you right into the middle of the experience and increases the atmosphere of your surroundings. Simply put, there is no other way to get to see nature so close up. You are suddenly at their level, walking the earth as they do, and it can be a thrilling experience.

There can be something quite unsettling about walking across the African bush with the knowledge that nearby you are surrounded by wild animals. But this is one of the thrills of the experience. Of course, there is also that little element of danger involved, but you will be accompanied by a qualified, armed ranger at all times. And besides, most animals will not come too close during your walking safari and will give you plenty of room. So although it may feel dangerous, you’ll be completely safe

Of course, you have to be reasonably fit and healthy to go on a walking safari in Tanzania as you can’t just sit down and be carried. It may be hard going, and sometimes a minimum age of 16 is imposed. But you’ll travel at a comfortable speed, and you’ll be able to spend time stopping to enjoy the smaller points of interest on the plains. In a vehicle you could never get close enough to watch the ants and the dung beetles going about their business, but on foot not only will you be travelling at a slower pace to allow you to notice all these things, but you can get right up close to the action.

Tanzania Walking Safaris

One of the main attractions of a walking safari in Africa is the personal nature of the experience. You won’t bump into other tourists during your adventure, which can sometimes be frustrating. Instead, you’ll get the whole place to yourself, and it will feel like you are the only people there. The quietness can be incredible, and there will be no sounds of machines to spoil the trip – just you and the natural surroundings.

And when you see the animals it will be an experience like no other. It is difficult to describe the thrill of coming across a giraffe ambling through the forest, or a herd of elephants bathing in a watering hole just twenty metres away. Watch, observe, and take your time to appreciate the fact that you are here in their territory now, far away from the comforts of civilisation.

The best places for walking safaris are in the quieter parks of Tanzania where you are less likely to come across other tourists. These could include the mighty Selous Game Reserve or the remote Ruaha in the south of the country. Here you will likely be the only group for miles, enjoying your own special experience of one of the most magical safari trips that you can imagine.