Tuli Block: A Photographer’s Guide to Botswana’s Wildlife Gem

Why the Tuli Block is a Gem for Wildlife Photography

You’ve finally climbed the summit of Eagle Rock in the Tuli Block. You find yourself overlooking the Land of the Giants. Stretching out into the distance lies the expansive Limpopo River. Enormous nyala trees line its banks like sentinels. Otherworldly rock formations dominate the surrounding landscape. High above lies nothing but a blanket of cloudless blue, as a pair of Verreaux eagles sails by. You zoom in at just the right time, predicting their flight path. Voila. Magic comes to those who wait.

Explore why the Tuli Block is your golden opportunity to capture some African magic. We chatted to wildlife photographer Alan Hewitt, who guides our Botswana photo safaris, to give you an idea of what to expect from this experience. 

1. A Vast Wilderness

Described by Lonely Planet as ‘Botswana’s best kept secret’, the Tuli Block is a striking canvas. Vast lunar landscapes of rocky plains, wide river beds lined with giant trees, and stark blue skies, offer an incredible backdrop for wildlife photography – and a true wilderness experience. 

“The first thing that struck me about the Tuli Block was the low tourist numbers. Last year, we only saw one other vehicle a couple of times and it was the vehicle from our sister camp!” said Alan, highlighting the private nature of this experience offered by these photo safaris in Botswana. 

2. Tuli’s Photographic Opportunities 

Taking next level photos is why you are here. And Tuli delivers. Game drives and walking safaris will take you to the action. Photography workshops and post-production tuition will keep you busy back at camp. Photograph lions, leopards, large herds of elephants, hippos and cheetahs, all A-list stars that call this home. A supporting cast of smaller species tread the reserve with lighter feet. You may spot hyenas, wild dogs, jackals, honey badgers, various antelope and with an ounce of luck, enjoy a rare cameo from the elusive bat-eared fox. The Tuli Block is also a paradise for birding enthusiasts. Meyer’s Parrot, African Scops Owl, Southern Black Tit, Little Sparrowhawk, and of course, the Verreaux Eagles command the stark blue skies.

When you’re not improving your photography, the creature comforts of our camp at Tuli Game Reserve, promise a haven for some well earned R&R.

When Do We Go and Why Do We Go There?

The best time to visit Botswana is during the dry winter months of May to August, when game viewing is at its peak. During these months, animals are concentrated in ever increasing numbers at water sources as the dry season wears on. 

“In August it is winter which means it’s very dry,” says Alan. “This makes movement easy for the animals. The nearby Limpopo River is teeming with birds and other wildlife. There’s also a watering hole near the camp that attracts elephants, birds, baboons and impala throughout the day.” 

Our new tour in May 2025 comes after the summer rains have left their mark. Everything is green. The weather is pleasantly warm during the day, but not hot. During the dry season, it’s prime game-viewing with exceptionally clear nights opening up an unimpeded window to the stars. Astrophotography is an added bonus of a dry winter visit.

Photographic Tutoring by Alan Hewitt 

Our photo safari in Botswana caters for every level. Get as much, or as little, guidance as you would like, covering everything from camera settings, exposure and aperture to creative techniques and post-processing. Our program is flexible and adaptable to everyone’s needs. It’s a small group tour, with the crowds left in your wake at the airport lounge of O.R. Tambo International. Perfect!

Alan Hewitt knows a thing or two about African wildlife photography and like any experienced guide, is willing to share his knowledge freely. But Alan’s rise to prominence as the UK Ambassador for Fujifilm, didn’t happen overnight. The spark was lit many years ago photographing elephants and lions in the Maasai Mara. “I love learning about behavior so I can capture it to try and tell a natural history story,” he says. “Observing and photographing these immense animals in their wild habitat was a truly inspiring moment. That’s when I first realized I wanted to be a wildlife photographer.”

Back in the day of developing negatives in a dark room, there was an air of mystique about photography. Creating exceptional images was out of reach for the average camera owner. But with the introduction of the modern SLR, the art of photography is no longer a smoke and mirrors routine, where only experienced magicians with a trick or two up their sleeve can truly excel. “There are no trade secrets,” says Alan. “Not anymore.”

Interestingly, Alan’s number one tip for amateur photographers learning how to take great wildlife images, is not so much a camera-specific skill or technique, but rather a word of instinctual advice that appears to have its roots in his early Maasai Mara experience. “If you can read an animal’s behavior it can help your photography enormously. Being able to predict what might happen, can help you get your camera and lens pointing in the right direction, capturing action that you may otherwise only react to.” 

Spending a week in the company of a professional like Alan will not only sharpen your photographic instincts, but also teach you about the personal safety and ethics involved.

“Understanding the behavior of wildlife can help keep you safe when working with megafauna in places like Botswana,” says Alan, no stranger to close encounters with the heavyweights of Africa’s game.

And What About the Ethics of a Botswana Photo Safari?

Given how important the larger animals are to Botswana’s health as a tourism destination, Alan Hewitt will also teach you how to work ethically from behind the lens. As he explains, being able to tread lightly around lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and hippos can make all the difference to the quality of your experience, and theirs too.

In this regard, Botswana remains a beacon of light. A 2017 study by Oxford University’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit ranked Botswana number 1 from 152 countries for its efforts to preserve its largest animals, the megafauna. Hats off Botswana.

This obviously sits well with Alan, a renowned conservationist both abroad and in his English homeland. Alan’s images are often used in conservation efforts; “My photography has been used by conservation organizations to identify individual animals, often contributing to ID kits. My images help provide evidence of animals being present in certain areas, thereby helping us manage human-wildlife conflict.”

Alan is quick to point out that conservation is not just the domain of the professional photographer – you can help too. “The groups I have taken on photography safaris have also enjoyed making a contribution to a worthwhile cause, using their own photos to give a little back.” 

If top shelf photography tuition, incredible wildlife, unique landscapes and starry, starry nights tick all of your experiential travel boxes, then a Botswana photo safari should be on your bucket list. Your portfolio will love you for it. Your soul will too.

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This blog was written by Cathy Park Kelly.