Getting lost in Africa on a photo safari!

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My name is Simon d'Entremont and I'm a professional wildlife and nature photographer from Eastern Canada. In this video I'll share with you my amazing experience on a photo safari in Botswana.

I use Topaz Labs software for noise reduction, sharpening and upscaling:

Music in intro: "Nicer", by Houses on the Hill. Find that, and other sound effects at Epidemic Sounds

My equipment:

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[PangolinWildlife]

Wow wow wow!! Thank you Simon for such an amazing video. It was a real pleasure having you stay with us and we can't wait to see you again with your first group in Botswana next year!!

[kabirasafaris]

Africa is mystic, its wild, its sweltering and its a photographers paradise

[MrBoomatt]

Have you ever considered doing a full-on wildlife photography docu-series. Part about the animals and part about photographing them? Visiting various worldwide locations?

[ricoman]

I’ve been extremely fortunate to have travelled all over Africa several times, overlanding, backpacking, one organized photographic safari in Kenya and even hitchhiking from Zim through Botswana and down into South Africa. It was long ago, mid 1980’s to mid 1990’s. No digital cameras back then, just two Minolta bodies, a few lenses, a tripod and loads of slide film. Unlike today, I had to wait months sometimes, to get home and have the slides processed, never knowing if I got good shots or not. Of course I didn’t get pictures like Simon’s but I can guarantee people, you don’t need to be a professional to get great shots that you will cherish for a lifetime. I had a 28-200mm lens and there is no other feeling quite as exhilarating as sitting in the back of Land Rover, sometimes as close as 20 or 30 feet from a pride of lions or an elephant and taking as many shots as you can. Floating in small boats on the Lake Kariba Dam we were able to get so close to elephants I could get a full frame of an elephant’s eye and huge eyelash without zooming in very much. I once sat so close to 550 pound silverback gorilla that again, I filled the frame with just his head without zooming in much. In Chobe we had fantastic, beautiful sunsets every night. Unreal memories even all these years later. To this day I tell people those trips were worth every sacrifice made to save the money to go. If you get the chance to go, or can make the opportunity to go, do it, you will never regret it. And you don’t have to be a photography enthusiast to enjoy your trip of a lifetime. One piece of advice though, don’t live the whole trip with your camera at your eye. Take lots of time just sitting back and enjoying the moment, soak it all in. You will get great pictures, don’t worry about that.

[rosemckergow]

Hi Simon, I have just come back from my African safari, and I also got lost in the sights and smells of Africa. I still wake up early in the morning and have a craving to go on a safari drive. I am a hobby photographer, but I watched all your wonderful and informative youtubes and it made a huge difference to my ability to get some wonderful photos. So thank you so much. You are incredibly generous with your expertise, and I loved this youtube as it brought back so many memories. 🙏

[chrischerbas]

You NEVER cease to amaze me. You truly have a gift! Coming from a 53 year teacher.

[IanMSpencer]

Just to say, an amazing YouTube video - ought to be a TV series - it competes with the presentation and editing of the best of BBC and your presentation is spot on (even with the frown!).

[michaelb]

Great video. I lived in Malawi, went there intending to stay 6 months, fell in love with the place and ended up staying 6 years. Unfortunately I wasn't into photography then and despite seeing hippo, croc, hyenas, elephants, giraffes, small dear, etc. I've no record. Thanks for the video.

[SafferCA]

I'm born and raised in South Africa and now live in Calgary. Once Africa is in your soul it never leaves you. The people, the sights, the sounds, just lovely. I go back to photograph the wildlife too. It is my place to unwind and breathe. I see you were lucky enough to have the vehicle to yourself. That is rare and makes working with a lot of equipment next to impossible.

[thebullyforge]

The bee eater photos are my absolute favorite.

[larrycitra]

An absolutely amazing place and the people are wonderful (as you said “all those smiling faces” greeting you every morning) … “you can visit Africa, but in your mind, you can never leave”!

[Zipattack]

0:52 that shot of the black-backed jackal is absolutely stunning! phenomenal video Simon!

[manabendragogoi]

This was absolutely breathtaking! I totally transcended to a different world. You have amazing storytelling skills and undoubtedly the best of photography skills. Thank you and God bless you! Keep up the good work!

[giorgioincani]

A beautiful video a feast for our eyes compliments Simon!

[HUMZMIC]

WOW....what a journey awesome photos of the wild and congratulations on experiencing going to AFRICA!!!

[fandangofandango]

This is Indina Anna Jones here behind the Camera in Africa

Best Tutor on Youtube all round Nice Guy Most Interesting.

[DanielRodriguez-fgll]

loved the black/whites, very David Yarrow

[kurtmanderbach]

Wow! I am very jealous. Video is very well done. Great story. My favorite were the painted dogs. What a treat. Thanks

[btalluri]

Going to Masai Mara in two weeks. Can’t wait. This video is so good thank you

[mvubu]

Man, im so glad to see this.

I posted in your pretrip video that Toby, Guts and Pangolin would blow your mind. Im so glad they did.
I met them when they first started and its beem great to see them grow.

I highly recommend people travel with them.