imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Most of the Tamron lens is f6.3 with f8 better .... but you should be in good light most of the time except for deeper shade ...
I would be using a SHORT monopod braced in the vehicle seat to hold the weight ....there could be some vibration, so you may want higher shutter - depending .

I hope you are taking a back-up camera/lens .....
.

Hip Coyote

Good question.

I asked the question about location because it does matter on focal length. People think they are going on safari and will generally deploy a very long tele lens. Some safari locations allow the drivers/guides to drive across the terrain and approach the animals. Some do not. In instances where the vehicles can approach the animals, generally in private reserves, the shots are going to be very very close. As in you could step from the vehicle, take two steps and pat the animal on the head. (I tried to convince my wife to do that but she declined.) So a wide to normal lens is appropriate unless one wants a photo of a lion's eye. In places where the safari vehicle is limited to the road, then it is likely that longer lenses will be needed.

It fleetingly crossed my mind that the OP might be doing a Congo thing or Rwanda (I think?) to see gorillas. Ive not done that, but one of my friends did and said it was low low light and was difficult to hike to. I would think that shooting environment would be very challenging for a lot of reasons.

I did a rough analysis of the focal lengths I used in Africa and will try find it and post it here. I also did a longer write up on going to Africa and will also try to find it and post here to save my thumbs.

Happy shooting to all.

ronichas Loc: Long Island

I hope you are taking another camera with a shorter lens. Sometimes the animals are just too close!!

Hip Coyote

Exactly!

As mentioned in a prior response to the OP, here are my responses from prior discussions on Africa.

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-724800-1.html#12835738

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-716145-1.html

Hip Coyote

I forgot a few other ideas: I had a friend who handed over her iPad to some village kids to take photos. An absolutely amazing collection of shots. When I go back I am thinking of taking a little (old) Canon point and shoot I have from years ago and just letting kids take shots. If it gets damaged no biggie.

I cannot say enough about the newer smart phones. One may find ones self with too long a lens or at dinner or something and the iPhone may just save the photo moment. It would be my third camera for sure.

JBRIII

As mentioned above, good low light camera. Watched a leopard hollow out a antelope one evening, got pretty dark.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'm glad you asked. : )

https://www.safaribookings.com/blog/15-african-safari-photography-tips
https://digital-photography-school.com/10-tips-to-photograph-an-african-photographic-safari/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/lists/activities/photography-tips-africa-safari/
https://www.porini.com/blog/essential-photography-tips-african-safari/
https://www.gadventures.com/blog/tips-photos-african-safari/
https://www.tripsavvy.com/taking-great-photos-on-safari-1454103

photoman43

I prefer Aperture Priority as you will likely be changing it for added depth of field or to minimize it as much as possible. If you have a bean bag to stabilize the lens an camera, and if the vehicle is stopped, you can shoot at a lower shutter speeds and therefore shoot at a lower ISOs. Just make sure the shutter speed is fast enough for your shooting and lens stabilizing situations. Do not be afraid to shoot at 1/125 or even lower. Experiment.

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

When I was there last I was literally close enough to Rhinos and Hippos to have touched them. WIDE is needed for that, and normal (around 50mm) for landscapes and panoramas. The long lens is great for birds and animals in the distance. If you have a late model Galaxy (S21) or Apple (13) cell phone, it will work really well for the closer shots.

JBRIII

Did get to touch a rhino.

gunflint Loc: Rocky Mountain High, Colorado

I don't think anyone mentioned it yet, but you absolutely should have a second camera body. Primarily for backup but I found it convenient to have the long lens on one body and a medium lens on the other body. You never know how close animals will be plus you don't have to change the lens very often. As others mentioned the dust will be terrible.

factsbob Loc: London, Ontario

Our Safari trip was in August last year. Using the Nikon 200-500, the default settings were: 1/2,500, F5.6 and auto ISO. This was our guides recommendations. Worked well. You were always ready for the birds and there are plenty of them! For the still or slow moving animals, I dropped the shutter speed, but had to remember to get back to the default setting...the preset buttons come in handy! Have BIG Fun on your adventure!

factsbob Loc: London, Ontario

Oh, and I had 2 D850 camera bodies, never changed lenses in the field...the dust is brutal!

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I was going to suggest a monopod, but you beat me to it!

KenProspero

I'd also think about some kind of beanbag. Top of the van is usually open, so standing up, putting a beanbag on the roof and resting your lens on the beanbag will work most of the time.