You are going to want to have some excellent images when you are out on a safari. Of that, there is no doubt! How else will you show your friends back home what it’s like to come face to face with an African giant in the form of an elephant?
Well, preferably not face-to-face in the wild but if you go to the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage in Lang’ata, Nairobi, you can actually feed a baby elephant with a bottle. Imagine that!?
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Okay, back to the safari and pictures. What most people do is they use their phones to take these images that they will treasure forever.
The problem with this concept is that phones, despite how far they’ve come, just can’t do long-distance images justice and that is exactly what you will need if you are to capture some of the most elusive big game on camera.
The other option, ideally, would be to buy a camera that you can actually write home about. You know, something like a Canon 80D.
They, however, cost something close to 200,000 shillings ($2,000) and dropping them (something that you will most likely do when on safari) almost always means ruining them. That leaves you with one good option left: A GoPro camera!
GoPro for Travellers
There are a few very good and compelling reasons why you should absolutely consider getting yourself a GoPro camera as an avid traveller:
- They are easy to use.
- Compact.
- Budget-friendly.
- Take amazing pictures.
- Waterproof.
This is a camera built for worry-free safaris and if you know how to use one and what kind of accessories to add on to it, then you have the ultimate travelling camera for all the fun places you plan to go now and in the future.
Easy Tips on How to Take Full Advantage of Your GoPro when on Safari (Plus Great Accessories for Beginners)
The thing about getting yourself a GoPro camera is that the original package in which you buy it comes with almost everything you need:
- The camera itself.
- It’s waterproof housing.
- A few useful attachments.
Once you get your camera and decide on what kind of adventures you will be having, there is a good chance that there is already an accessory out there designed for that very purpose:
- Are you interested in going on a snorkelling or other underwater safaris? Buy yourself a floating stick.
- Are you thinking maybe you want to do a lot of mountain biking? How about you get yourself a head or chest strap for your camera?
- Maybe you just want to take a bunch of selfies that will drive your social media followers green with envy? You should absolutely get the selfie stick.
It all comes down to the kind of adventures you want to have and the kind of pictures you want to take while on adventures. That being said, here are some tips on how to make the most of your GoPro camera.
Tip No.1: Get Extra Batteries
Just as your phone keeps running out of juice so will your GoPro. This is especially true if you are going to be taking a lot of videos (GoPros can shoot videos in 4K by the way).
If you get no other accessory for your camera make sure you get extra batteries so you don’t miss out on all those picture-perfect moments in picturesque coastal towns like Inhambane because your camera ran out of power.
- Pro Tip: GoPro batteries can be very expensive but you can use cheaper off-brand options such as Wasabi batteries that work just as well and come with USB-powered chargers which allow you to charge two batteries at one go.
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Tip No.2: GoPro Remote Controller
Did you know that you could get a remote controller for your GoPro? While it is true that GoPro HERO5 comes with voice command which can work just as well when you want to get it to take pictures of you and your people remotely, the truth is that this voice command function can be rather awkward at times (who wants to be shouting commands when they should be flashing their most “rad” smile instead?)
An alternative to this would be to set your GoPro on time-lapse mode where it takes multiple pictures continuously and pray that at least one of them is good. Instead of going through all that, you can get a remote controller that allows you to take the pictures when you intend to take them and how you intend them to be taken.
Tip No.3: FLIP Dive Filters
Have you ever been scuba diving just off the coast of Diani? How about snorkelling at Watamu Marine National Park? These kinds of experiences can’t be described using words. You simply have to undertake them yourself to appreciate the unique view of the world that this kind of activity will give you.
Problem is, the deeper you dive the lower the colour intensity of your camera degrades. Your reds and yellows will be the first colours to go missing leaving you with strangely eerie images that have heavy tints of green or blue.
FLIP Dive Filters is a highly specialised accessory that helps you fix this during your dives. This accessory will help rebalance some of the missing colours even before you take the videos or images underwater.
Pro Tip: If you are going to buy this, don’t go for the cheaper knock-off options. Those just don’t work as well.
Tip No.4: GoPro Gorillapod Tripod
Are you going to be journeying in rugged locations? You know, like the great outdoors? Then you absolutely need to get a tripod of some sort. Something on which you can mount your camera as you try to get that perfect video or timed picture.
The Gorillapod Tripod is the kind of tripod that lets you mount your camera on just about any kind of surface without needing suction pads.
Tip No.5: Travel Case for Your GoPro Accessories
This one is self-explanatory. You will need a neat little, compact bag to carry all your accessories when you travel to all these wonderful destinations. It keeps things organised and safe. You won’t keep losing that selfie-stick among your clothes any more.
Of course, the kinds of accessories you need will change with the kind of travel you undertake. The best part is once you buy one accessory, you can use it in multiple scenarios.
Do you have any favourite GoPro accessories that you simply must bring on every safari? Share that information with us in the comment section below.