Your Ultimate Guide to Photograph Big Cats of the Serengeti
- Mark Fernley
- Nov 17
- 17 min read
Why the Serengeti?
The Central Serengeti has been a place I return to again and again, not only for its big cats but for the story the landscape tells each day. It is your ultimate guide to photograph big cats of the Serengeti, a region that has shaped my approach as a wildlife photographer more than any other location in Africa. The heart of the ecosystem sits in these rolling plains and granite kopjes, and spending long stretches in this area has taught me how to work with light, movement, and behaviour in a way that feels almost instinctive now.
Most mornings begin long before first light. The air is cold and the grass holds a thin layer of dew that clings to your boots as you step out for the day. This early window is when the Serengeti feels most honest. Lions return from night patrols, cheetahs rise from the cover of low grass, and leopards slip back toward the scattered kopjes that hide them from the daylight pressure of hyenas. It is also the time when the famous rock-climbing lions begin their slow ascent up the granite outcrops, choosing the highest points to warm themselves and survey the plains below. Watching a pride scale the smooth edges of a kopje is one of those moments that feels uniquely Central Serengeti. It reveals both their strength and their surprising agility.
I learned quickly that success in the Central Serengeti depends on patience and consistency. You cannot chase sightings here. You must allow the rhythm of the landscape to guide you.
The photographic opportunities in this region revolve heavily around behaviour. I often spend entire days with one pride of lions or a single cheetah family. By working this way, I begin to see patterns. A lioness favouring a certain shaded mound in the late afternoon. A male cheetah coalition choosing the same fallen log as a vantage point every second day. A leopard that prefers the eastern slope of a kopje because it warms faster in the morning. And the lions that return to the same cluster of rocks day after day, climbing to the top with a calm confidence that photographers rarely see outside the Serengeti. These small details become the backbone of strong photography, and Central Serengeti offers them every day if you slow down enough to notice.
The light in this area is also a powerful teacher. Harsh midday sun demands clean compositions and subjects separated from the background. Late afternoon light brings the warm tones that many photographers chase, but it also challenges you to work fast as behaviour often spikes just before sunset. I learned to anticipate these moments. A pride becoming restless. A cheetah scanning the horizon a little longer than usual. A leopard’s tail flicking with slow concentration. Lions repositioning themselves across the boulders as the rock cools. Central Serengeti rewards those who read these signals.
I have photographed many ecosystems across East Africa, but the Central Serengeti continues to stand out for its reliability and depth. There are quiet days, of course. There are days when the wind feels too strong and the predators disappear into the grass. But even on those slow days, something shifts if you keep looking. A young lion greeting its mother with soft head rubs. A cheetah stretching awake after a long rest. A leopard moving through grass that catches the last light of the day. A lion silhouetted on a kopje, framed perfectly against a burning sunset.
The Central Serengeti is not just a place to photograph big cats. It is a place that teaches you how to see. My years here have shaped the way I guide others, the way I plan each photographic session, and the way I understand animal behaviour in a deeper and more respectful way. Every return visit reinforces the same truth. If you give the Central Serengeti your time, it gives you far more in return.
(Lions) - Your Ultimate Guide to Photograph Big Cats of the Serengeti
Lions are one of the great rewards of the Serengeti, and photographing them well requires far more than simply finding a pride. The Central Serengeti in particular offers opportunities to create powerful images, but only if you approach the lions with patience, respect, and a clear understanding of the light and composition that bring these animals to life through the lens.
The first thing I teach guests is to slow everything down. Lions often appear relaxed, but their behaviour can shift in seconds. A simple yawn might turn into a stretch, which might turn into the start of a morning movement. When you stay calm and observant, you begin to anticipate these transitions. You are not chasing moments. You are preparing for them.
Light shapes lion photography more than anything else. Early morning and late evening remain the most rewarding times to work in the Serengeti. The light is low, warm, and soft, which brings out the depth in their eyes, the texture of their coats, and the shape of the surrounding grass. This is when portrait work becomes strong. Instead of overpowering the cat, the light supports it. When lions rise at first light or settle into a soft patch of grass in the evening, you have the conditions for intimate, detailed images.
Composition plays a huge role in how lion photographs feel. I often work with the rule of thirds to give the animal space to move into the frame. If a lion is looking to the right, I place it on the left side of the frame, creating room for the viewer’s eye to follow. This simple choice adds direction, emotion, and a sense of storytelling. I also look for lines in the grass, raised mounds, or low angles that guide the viewer toward the lion.
Getting low is one of the most effective ways to elevate lion photography. A lower angle creates intimacy and places the viewer at eye level, which gives the final image a grounded, immersive feel. Even from a vehicle, you can work lower by resting your lens near the open door or window frame. The Central Serengeti’s terrain allows for this kind of work without disturbing the lion. What matters most is keeping distance and respecting the space the animal chooses. A good photograph is never worth stress or interference.
One moment photographers often dream of is when a lion walks directly toward the vehicle. If this happens, the most important thing you can do is remain completely still. Lions are not approaching you. They are simply moving through their landscape. Sudden movement can break their confidence. Instead of pulling your camera suddenly to your face as they approach, switch quickly and quietly to a wider lens such as a 24 to 105. Hold it upside down outside the vehicle and use your external screen to frame the shot. This keeps your presence subtle and maintains continuity for the lion while giving you a dramatic low-angle walking portrait.
Type of shots matter as well. Strong portrait work captures the eyes, whiskers, and structure of the face. Behavioural shots highlight interactions, stretches, yawns, and the social bonds within a pride. Movement shots, especially lions walking through golden grass, create atmosphere and context. Each type of photograph tells a different part of the Serengeti story. The goal is not to collect random images. The goal is to build a complete narrative.
Lions of the Serengeti reward patience, respect, and understanding. When you work with these principles, the landscape offers you extraordinary opportunities that stay with you long after you leave the plains.
(Cheetahs) - Your Ultimate Guide to Photograph Big Cats of the Serengeti
Photographing cheetahs in the Serengeti requires a completely different mindset from working with lions. Cheetahs are lighter, quicker, and far more sensitive to movement and distance. Their behaviour is shaped by caution, awareness, and the need to avoid conflict with larger predators. When you understand this, your photography becomes calmer, more considerate, and far more successful.
The Serengeti’s open plains suit cheetahs perfectly. These cats rely on visibility. They often select termite mounds, fallen logs, or slight rises in the ground as vantage points. From these elevated perches, they scan for prey, threats, and other cheetahs moving through their territory. Whenever I come across a cheetah on a mound, I treat the moment slowly. A sudden stop or loud adjustment inside the vehicle can unsettle them. Remaining still and allowing the cheetah to relax in your presence is the first step toward strong images.
Cheetahs offer excellent opportunities for clean, minimal compositions. Because the landscape around them is open, small adjustments to your angle and position make a big difference. Whenever possible, I work low to the ground, even when I cannot physically lower myself. Dropping the lens to the base of the vehicle helps create that low perspective which makes the cheetah feel taller, more elegant, and more connected to the horizon.
Their speed is what makes cheetahs iconic, but fast action is also the most challenging part of photographing them. When a cheetah begins to focus intensely on a herd of gazelle or impala, the posture changes. The head lowers, the tail becomes still, and the body aligns forward. This is the moment to prepare. I switch to continuous autofocus, increase shutter speed, and leave extra space ahead of the cheetah in the frame. Cheetahs rarely run in a straight line, so you must be ready to recompose quickly. If you try to track the entire sprint from start to finish, you will often lose the subject. Instead, aim for shorter bursts, focusing on the cleanest segment of the chase.
The quiet moments are just as important. When a cheetah settles on a mound with warm evening light behind it, you have one of the most elegant portrait opportunities in the Serengeti. The rule of thirds works well with cheetahs because they often look across long distances. Place them to one side of the frame and give them room to gaze into the open landscape. Their facial markings, tear lines, and fine fur texture are beautifully revealed in the soft morning and evening light.
Respecting distance is essential. Cheetahs are easily unsettled by vehicles that approach too quickly or try to reposition without thinking. If a cheetah is walking toward the road, stay still and silent. Allow it to choose its path. If it passes close, switch to a versatile lens like a 24 to 105, hold it low outside the vehicle, and use an external screen for a clean low-angle walking shot. This approach keeps your presence non-disruptive and maintains the cheetah’s comfort.
Patience is often the key with cheetahs. They can spend hours resting, scanning, repositioning, and choosing when to hunt. When you invest time and allow the behaviour to unfold naturally, the Serengeti rewards you with moments that feel graceful, calm, and deeply authentic. Photographing cheetahs is not about chasing the action. It is about creating a quiet space for it to reveal itself.
Big Cat Photography - Shutter Speed, ISO & F-Stop
Understanding how to balance shutter speed, ISO, and aperture is what separates a good wildlife photographer from a reliable one. The Serengeti changes fast. Light changes, behaviour changes, and your subjects rarely wait for you to experiment. Over the years, I have developed a set of dependable settings for different situations, especially when working with big cats. These examples are built around the lenses I use most often: a 500 mm f4 prime and a 100 to 500 mm variable aperture zoom.
1. Early Mornings with Walking Lions in Low Light
This is based of A Fixed and zoom lens such as the 500 mm f4 prime and the 100 to 500 mm f4 to 7.1
Early morning is one of the most beautiful but challenging times to work. Light is soft and warm, but not bright. Lions often start moving as soon as the sun rises, so you must find the balance between speed and noise.
Recommended starting settings:
Shutter speed: 1/800 to 1/1000.Walking lions are slow, but the head and shoulders sway subtly. Anything below 1/800 risks motion blur.
Aperture: f4 on the 500 mm prime or the lowest possible f stop on the 100 to 500 mm (usually f5 to 6.3).You want maximum light.
ISO: Between 2,000 and 6,400 depending on the cloud cover and direction of light. Modern full-frame cameras handle these ISO levels very well.
I often underexpose by one third to half a stop to keep the shutter speed high. This protects detail in the highlights of the mane and sky. You can recover shadows later.
2. Action Photography: Running, Fighting, Hunting, Pouncing
Big cat action requires fast reactions and fast shutter speeds. Whether it is lions interacting, cheetahs chasing, or leopards jumping between rocks, you want crisp detail.
Recommended settings for both lenses:
Shutter speed: 1/2000 as a minimum. For cheetah action, I push to 1/3200 or even 1/4000.
Aperture: f4 to f5.6 for primes, f5.6 to f7.1 for zooms. Wide open allows maximum shutter speed, but if I have strong light I close down slightly to gain depth of field.
ISO: Usually between 800 and 3,200 depending on the light. It is better to accept a slightly noisy image than a blurred one.
For action, use Servo AF with Eye Tracking when possible, and shoot short controlled bursts rather than long continuous sprays.
3. Sprinting Cheetahs
Photographing a cheetah at full sprint is one of the hardest technical challenges in wildlife photography. These cats accelerate faster than any land animal, and their direction changes are sharp, unpredictable, and often influenced by the movement of the prey rather than any pattern you can predict. To capture clean, sharp images of a sprinting cheetah, you must prepare before the chase begins and lock in your exposure and autofocus settings ahead of time.
The most important phase happens before the run. When a cheetah begins to stalk, the body becomes low, the tail steadies, and the head aligns directly toward the intended prey. This is when I switch my camera to the settings I rely on for high-speed action.
Recommended settings for sprinting cheetahs:
Shutter speed: 1/3200 to 1/4000Cheetah acceleration and stride cycles are incredibly fast. Anything slower risks losing the fine details in the legs, tail, and facial features.
Aperture: f5.6 on a prime lens, or f6.3 to f7.1 on a zoomYou need enough depth of field to keep the face sharp as the body moves forward and up and down through the run.
ISO: 800 to 2,500 depending on the available lightI never hesitate to raise ISO for cheetahs. A sharp, slightly noisy image is far more valuable than a perfectly exposed blurred one.
Focus mode is even more critical than exposure. Eye Tracking in Servo AF is essential. One Shot will fail instantly the moment the cheetah begins to move. Servo keeps the focus locked as the cat accelerates, changes direction, and crosses through uneven light.
There will be moments when Eye Tracking struggles, especially when grass blades pass between the camera and the subject. In these situations, I switch quickly to a flexible small zone and track the cheetah by following the chest. The chest moves more consistently than the head and produces cleaner focus.
Burst shooting is necessary, but control is important. Instead of holding the shutter down for the entire chase, I shoot in fast, short bursts that match the rhythm of the movement. Cheetahs rarely sprint in long straight lines. They curve, dip, leap, and lose speed before accelerating again. Short bursts allow you to isolate the strongest posture, the cleanest background, and the most expressive moments within the chase.
Positioning matters. If possible, work from an angle where the cheetah is running slightly toward you rather than directly across the frame. This reduces motion blur across the sensor and improves the chances of consistent focus. If the cheetah runs parallel to you, increase shutter speed toward the higher end of the range.
After the chase ends, remain ready. Cheetahs often scan, pant, or climb a mound immediately after exertion. This creates beautiful post-action portrait opportunities.
Photographing a sprinting cheetah is an experience few places on Earth can provide, and the Serengeti delivers it with unmatched authenticity. Success comes from anticipation, respect for the cat’s behaviour, and the ability to prepare the moment the posture shifts from calm to focused. When the chase begins, you must already be ready.
4. Close-Up Photography That Tests Minimum Focusing Distance
Ideal for lion paws, noses, eyes, whiskers, textures, and environmental close-ups
When an animal is close to the vehicle, or when you want intimate details, minimum focusing distance becomes a limitation for large lenses. A 500 mm prime often cannot focus close enough to shoot intimate portraits if the cat is immediately beside the vehicle.
This is when you switch to the 24 to 105 mm or the lower end of the 100 to 500 mm.
Recommended settings for close-up work:
Shutter speed: 1/500 to 1/800Even though the animal may be still, close-up movement becomes exaggerated.
Aperture: f5.6 to f8A slightly narrower aperture gives more detail on whiskers, fur texture, and the curve of the nose.
ISO: 200 to 1,000 depending on the light
For close work, hold the camera low outside the vehicle and use an external screen. This keeps your movements subtle and avoids breaking the animal’s confidence.
Final Thoughts
These scenarios create a dependable foundation, but the Serengeti will always surprise you. The most important skill is learning to adjust fast, trust your understanding of the light, and use settings that protect both sharpness and behaviour. Once you know these foundations by heart, you spend less time thinking about the camera and more time watching the animals, which is where the strongest photographs always begin.
Shooting From Spot - Eye Tracker & One Shot - Servo (Canon)
Working in the Serengeti has taught me that the right camera setup is just as important as fieldcraft and knowledge of animal behaviour. Photographing lions, leopards, and cheetahs demands a combination of fast autofocus, strong tracking performance, and lenses that let you work both at a respectful distance and in close when moments happen near the vehicle. Choosing the right focus mode and understanding when to switch from still-subject techniques to tracking settings is one of the most important skills a wildlife photographer can develop.
My main setup always includes a super-telephoto lens for behaviour, portraits, and distant subjects. A 500 mm or 600 mm prime gives the cleanest results, especially when isolating big cats through tall grass. If you prefer flexibility, a 100 to 400 or 200 to 600 is also excellent in the Serengeti because scenes change fast and cats often move through mixed terrain. I pair this with a mid-range zoom like a 24 to 105 for close encounters, walking shots, and environmental compositions that show the vast scale of the plains.
The lens choice sets the stage, but autofocus choice determines whether the images you hope for actually lock onto the subject. When a big cat is still, resting, or settled on a mound or kopje, I rely on Spot Focus. This is the most precise setting and gives full control over where the camera locks onto the animal. With cheetahs and leopards, the eyes are often partially hidden behind grass, so placing Spot Focus carefully through a small gap ensures a sharp, intentional image. With lions, especially in early morning and evening light, Spot Focus lets you capture the fine detail in the eyes and mane without the camera shifting to the nose or background grass.
When the subject begins to move, everything changes. This is where Eye Tracker becomes essential. Modern eye detection systems are incredibly powerful for Serengeti big cats, but they must be paired with the correct drive mode. If Eye Tracker is active, you must switch from One Shot to Servo. One Shot will lock focus only once. Servo will continually track the animal as it moves forward, turns its head, or shifts through uneven terrain. Missing this switch is one of the most common mistakes I see on safari.
Lions approaching the vehicle, leopards weaving through rocks, and cheetahs beginning to stalk require Servo with Eye Tracker active. This combination keeps the subject sharp even if the cat steps into brighter or darker patches of light or if it partially disappears behind grass stems. With cheetahs especially, the difference is enormous. Their movement is fluid, quick, and unpredictable. Eye Tracker in Servo maintains focus far better than any manual adjustment could.
There are also moments when I turn Eye Tracker off, even with a moving subject. When a leopard is partially hidden in long grass, or when a lion is walking behind another member of the pride, the camera might pick the wrong target. In these moments, I switch back to a flexible small zone and track the chest or shoulder instead. The chest moves less erratically than the head, so the focus remains stable. Once the face becomes clear again, I reactivate Eye Tracker.
Burst mode is another tool worth using carefully. For fast action, such as cheetahs changing direction or lions interacting aggressively, a high burst rate captures fine variations in posture and expression. But not every moment requires maximum speed. Slower bursts often yield stronger images of walking lions, stretching cheetahs, or leopards descending from a rock, because the timing feels more deliberate and you waste less time sorting identical frames later.
Whatever setup you choose, keep your workflow simple. Big cats in the Serengeti move through light and landscape quickly, and the fewer buttons you need to adjust, the more ready you are for the moment that matters. Your camera is only as good as your ability to use it efficiently.
Editing in Lightroom and Why It Matters in Wildlife Photography
Editing is one of the most important steps in wildlife photography. It is not about changing the scene or forcing a dramatic look. Instead, it is about bringing the image back to the way it truly felt in the moment. The Serengeti is full of subtle tones, soft morning light, warm afternoon contrast, and textured shadows that the camera does not always capture accurately. Lightroom allows you to restore this natural depth and refine the story you want the photograph to tell.
When I teach clients how to edit, the first thing I explain is that post-processing is an extension of fieldcraft. The stronger your original file, the more naturally it will edit. Lightroom simply allows you to guide the viewer’s eye and highlight the elements that matter. This might be the catchlight in a lion’s eye, the warm glow of a cheetah at sunset, or the fine detail in a leopard’s whiskers.
Basic adjustments such as exposure, contrast, white balance, and shadow recovery are often enough to transform a flat RAW file into a natural, balanced image. Wildlife scenes often involve tricky lighting, especially when working at dawn or dusk. Lightroom helps correct these challenges without altering the authenticity of the moment. Gentle colour adjustments can bring warmth back into an early morning scene, and subtle clarity can enhance fine textures without making the image look artificial.
Selective adjustments are another powerful tool. With big cats, I often work with a light brush to lift the eyes slightly or soften a distracting highlight behind the subject. These edits are small, but they make an enormous difference in how the final photograph feels. Wildlife photography is about emotion and presence, and Lightroom helps you reveal those qualities without overprocessing.
Noise reduction and sharpening are also essential, especially when working in low light. Early mornings and late evenings often require higher ISO values. Lightroom allows you to control noise carefully while keeping important detail intact. Sharpening can then be applied in a targeted way so the subject remains crisp and the background stays soft and clean.
Finally, the editing process teaches you to see your work more clearly. When you spend time reviewing and refining your images, you start recognising patterns: which compositions work, which angles feel strongest, and how light interacts with different behaviours. This awareness improves your photography long before you return to the field.
Editing in Lightroom is not a shortcut. It is a skill that completes the photographic process. It allows you to respect the integrity of the scene while bringing your images to their full potential. For wildlife photographers, especially those working with fast-moving big cats, it is one of the most valuable tools you can learn.
Joining Me on a Photographic Safari in the Serengeti
A photographic safari is far more than a trip into the African wilderness. It is an opportunity to slow down, understand behaviour, read light, and create images that carry a genuine sense of place. When guests join me in the Serengeti, my goal is to share the methods and instincts I have gained through years of working with big cats across East Africa.
My approach is simple. I teach in the field, directly beside you, while the moments unfold. Whether we are working with lions in early morning light, following a leopard through the rocks, or preparing for a cheetah to sprint across the plains, I explain the decisions I am making in real time. This includes how to position the vehicle, how to read subtle behaviour changes, and how to adjust your settings quickly so you are always prepared for the moment when it happens.
Every photographer learns differently, so I tailor my guidance to your style, your skill level, and your goals. If you want to master fast action, we focus on shutter speed, tracking, and anticipation. If you want stronger portraits, we work on composition, low angles, and clean backgrounds. If you want to understand behaviour deeply, we spend time with a single pride or cheetah family and learn to predict the small movements that lead to bigger moments.
My safaris are built around patience and respect. We give animals space, avoid pressure, and let behaviour reveal itself naturally. This approach not only produces better photographs, it creates a more meaningful connection with the wildlife and the landscape.
A photographic safari with me is also a chance to develop confidence in your gear. I guide you through autofocus choices, lens selection, exposure in changing light, and the techniques needed for sharp, consistent results. Many guests tell me that they return home not only with the strongest images they have ever taken, but with a new understanding of how to use their camera in any environment.
The Serengeti offers some of the finest big cat photography on Earth. When you combine that with dedicated photographic guidance, comfortable camps, and a clear focus on learning, the experience becomes unforgettable. If you are looking to take your photography to the next level and want to work alongside a professional wildlife photographer who lives and breathes the East African ecosystem, I welcome you to join me on safari.
Together, we create the time, space, and understanding needed for powerful images. The Serengeti provides the wildlife. You bring the passion. My role is to guide you to the moments that matter and help you capture them with clarity, creativity, and purpose.
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