xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

In my three safaris I never needed more than a 200 and often used much less. Any top notch game park will make sure you get so close to the Big Five that you don’t require the heavy gear at all. Hope this helps…

Cheers!

FredCM Loc: Central Illinois

About tipping -- some of the people are really poor, I'm thinking of Zimbabwe. A $20 bill is of little value because what they need costs so much less and who can make change? Take a wad of 1s and 5s for tips. You can still tip $20, just use smaller bills.

Trust the rangers, the guys driving the vehicles. They know the animals, and they will have firearms. Our ranger said the only animals he did not trust were the elephants. We had lions alongside our Land Rover, no issues once we got one skittish member of our group to shut up.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

If your asking for advice, only take the D750 and D850, put the 200-500 on one and the 70-200 on the other. That is all you will ever need. Besides extra battery, battery's, memory cards, shoot RAW, and manual.

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

Out of what you own, only take 2 bodies. Mount a different lens on each. You do not want to be changing lenses whilst out on safari. Too much dust and not enough time because wildlife doesn't wait while you fiddle with your equipment.

Opsafari Loc: Roodepoort South Africa

Bil, three parks, where and for how long in each park? Take your two bodies, one with wide to mid zoom and the other one mid to far zoom. I will add a polarize filter on the short zoom as light in Africa's wilderness is very harsh and to cut out glare! A quick idea to make a cover for your gear while on game drives is a modified pillow case but made from light brown cloth. It does not create static and is light!

kc48girl

I am planning a trip for next Spring. I learned a lot today. Just remember the weight limit is usually around 30 to 40 pounds per person. That is total ,camera and all clothing. I have a Tamron 18 -400, I will put on my D500, if there is enough weight space, will have to choose between my 35mm, (love it for landscape), and my new11 -24mm wide angle for my older D3100 . I have 2 kit lenses, 55 to 200, 70 to 300, which I never use. Remember extra sticks, batteries, and don't take time to review, you might miss something. Any suggestions from anyone else? Have a great journey!!

kc48girl

Wow, great information, thankyou. I was stressing what lens to bring myself next Spring. I posted separate, but Tamron 18 to 400 is my general purpose lens on my D500. I have a D3100, for this camera would you take the 11 -24, or 35mm. I also have an 85mm, which for some reason I am lousy with.. My hubby takes blurry pics, so I have to bring a backup.

al lehman Loc: San jose, ca.

Greetings:
I did a three country trip to South Africa, Botswana and Zambia in 2019 before Covid. I brought two cameras, a cropped and full frame canon 7DMII and 5DMIV. I lugged my 600, and although it was a bit of a lug, I am so thankful I brought it, especially for small game such as birds. The bird photography is awesome. The 600 allowed me to get some awesome shots without getting too close and spooking the birds. I primarily used my F2.8, 70 to 200mm lens. Also brought a F2.8 24-70mm. I paid for a private jeep just for the wife and I so that I would not be bothersome to other guests with my requests to stop and sit to observe. I went with the attitude, "Id rather have it and not need it then to need it and not have it." You may need to pay for an extra seat on the small aircraft due to weight restrictions which I did do. I also requested a guide that has a good photography background and he was a great asset for the trip, especially with the bird photography. He would always get me in locations taking into account the direction of the sun. If you have more questions please contact me through my web site http://allehman.photoshelter.com and I will be happy to answer all your questions.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Jerry Coupe Loc: Kent, WA

I would recommend taking your two Nikons so you have a good back up if your 850 fails. In 2019 I was in Tanzania for 14 days, actually 12 days out in the countryside. Using Olympus gear I had a 12-100 (24-200) on one body and a 100-400 (200-800) on my main body. I think I shot about 70% with the 100-400 generally at 300 mm or more and about 30% with the 12-100. I shot a lot of landscape/scenery images as I found the Acacia Tree fascinating and also for sunrise and sunset images.

Have a great trip. Africa is amazing.

Hip Coyote

That is great advice...seriously.

kcooke Loc: Alabama

I think I would take a 460 weatherby magnum 😀 I’d want all the power I could get

Hip Coyote

Jerry, I took the same set up and used the exact opposite ratio...mostly the 12-100. I think it has to do with driving off road or not....and perhaps the location. For example, we did not see the wonderful Acacia trees and am hoping to go to Kenya/Tanzania to do so. Great set up for safari however! I totally agree.

mundy-F2 Loc: Chicago suburban area

Thank you for the information.
Mundy