sharonmblais

I have been to Africa several times. Africa keeps drawing me back. I take 2 camera bodies (in the same "family" so I can interchange lens if needed), a 50MM prime lens (just in case), and 2 zooms that cover a wide range from about 18mm to at least 400mm, if possible. If you have a longer lens, so much the better (or a teleconvertor) or rent one. Last time I went, I wished I had longer than a 400mm lens because many animals were very far away but sometimes they are quite close. I put the shorter zoom on one camera body and the longer zoom on the other camera body (in my room or some place that is not dusty) and leave the lens on the camera bodies while outside. Do not change your lens in the field because it can be very, very dusty. I can not overemphasize the dusty conditions. Cover your cameras (or put them in large plastic bags, backpacks, etc) when you are not actively shooting and when you are moving. Quite a few in our small group did not and had camera problems, cameras stopped working, probably due to the dust (another reason you need two camera bodies). If one of your camera bodies fails, use the other one with your most-used lens on it (maybe I should bring a pillow case in the backpack in case I absolutely have to change lenses in the field). Take several batteries, more memory cards than you think you will need, chargers and a way to back up your photos every evening. Recharge your batteries every day or evening. An African Safari is a truly amazing experience. Seing animals in the wild is life-changing. Have a wonderful time! I can't wait to return to Africa next year!

AFZ

Great advice. Good thing is we're not going until next July. Plenty of time to plan ahead!

Auerbach Loc: Chappaqua, New York

And pair it with an RX 100 MV and call it a day.

AFZ

Thanks. Will do some research on this camera.

photojet Loc: TX/CO

Love the elephant shot. Very good!

Russ1700

I've on an African safari and from my experience a 300mm is too short. Go as long as you can afford the cost and weight.

fecraly

I have been on 2 safaris. Great photo ops in all countries, but ops strongly depend on experience of the tour company and the local guide/driver. I used Nikon D80 with 55-300mm zoom and a Panasonic ZS6 (25mm w/12.5 optical zoom). Used the Panasonic to gain back the wide angle I gave up with the Nikon 55-300 and as a back up. The 300 zoom is OK for 90% of the shots, but you need a 500/600 reach for some shots (e.g. rhinos, not common to see and very skittish). A 150-600 zoom is very heavy and awkward (rented one to take pics of grandsons soccer game from the stands. You need a mono-pod to comfortably hold that). It would be OK for a safari, since many shots are made with vehicle stopped and you could also support the camera/lens with a bag/cushion. Don't even think about changing a lens during the game drive--very dusty!!!. My daughter had a high-end point/shoot with a 25X optical zoom. She got long-range shots that I could not. Bottom line:
1. have a long-range capability for those "once in a lifetime shots"
2. carry a back up with wide angle and tele capability (at least 25x, 40 is better)
3. never change lens in the vehicle
4. carry plastic baggies to cover the camera from rain/spray/dust
5. carry at least 3 batteries for each camera. Bring a voltage converter with you, so you can use your 115 volt charger on the local 220 volt outlets.

For tBragg Guy Loc: Fort Bragg Ca

I don't know if were mentioned yet but it is a good idea to have something for those super close photos even a point and shoot where a big gun just is too much. I remember at one stop where the hyena pups were trying to climb in with use and had to be ushered away.

Base_fiddle

I can't add much to the advice that you've been given - I too recommend two camera bodies for close-up shots and distance. I was in Sabi Sabi, which I assume is close to Sabi Sands. One of the nice features of Sabi Sabi was that it was a privately owned game reserve and animals from Kruger migrated to Sabi Babi to get away from the tourist in Kruger. That meant more animals to shot. Another aspect was that the Range Rovers drove close to the animals, so while it would be nice to have a 400mm lens, I found that most of the time, my 300mm Canon lens was fine. The exception would be a cheetah stalking impala - it's impossible to drive close to a cheetah that is focused on its prey. So a 400mm lens would be great, but I was limited on weight and baggage for the plane to Sabi Sabi, so that's another consideration you need to consider.