edhjr Loc: Needham, MA

I would suggest 500 to 600mm through some combination of lens and teleconverter (My choice Nikon 200-400 and plus 1.7 or 2.0 teleconverter. I took and used all three teleconverters.)

I used a ground pod with a small but very sturdy ballhead/wimberly sidekick combination that can be set on the edge of the vehicle roof and provide a very stable platform.

I would definitely suggest taking a second body with a shorter zoom for scenics, nearby animals, etc. and avoid changing lenses except at night in camp -- particularly in the dry season!!!

PaulB Loc: Alabama

Generally, the guides get you a lot closer to the animals than you would expect. So, lots of reach and the added weight may not be all that necessary. Sigma has a 18-300 mm 3.5 to 6.3 lens for about $500.00. That coupled with a 1.4 or 2.0 converter should do nicely. Also: Ditch the tripod/mono-pod! Either one is too cumbersome in a safari vehicle. I found a simple "beanbag" was much more useful to steady the camera and lens on on the vehicle's roof line.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I would recommend to take a good quality point and shoot camera as a backup. Something like a Canon SX60 which has a focal length of 1350mm. It has electronic viewfinder and can shoot RAW.That is, if it is convenient to bring along with your primary gear.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

There are 2 clear choices for Canon - 70-300 L and 100-400 L - either version I or II - both are compact and light weight.

mshiermd

I returned in Feb from Tanzania. You have been given some good advice so far. As far as a zoom is concerned I will give you my experience. I shot with 3 lenses during the trip. 1) Sigma 150-600 sport, 2) Tamron 70-200 2.8 and 3) Canon 24-105 f4. The Sigma lens is at the same price point as the Canon 100-400. The Canon is very sharp thru its range and apertures. The Sigma produce some marvelous pictures up to 600 mm (see attached).

By all means, a second body is a must. Imagine traveling 8-9K miles and having your body go south. Pillow cases work well for dust but garbage bags work better for moisture. Bean bags were sufficient for steadying my long lenses.

Batteries, batteries. You will shoot a lot more than you think. A 1.4 TE would be of use giving an effective range of 1344 mm with the 600 and 900 for the 100-400 using an APS-C sensor.

Type added for a presentation.


Type added for a presentation.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I agree with this type of trip the 100-400 is the ONLY way to go. Well built, weather sealed and over engineered in the strength department. Read up on the disassembly of this lens. Matches the EOS technology, sharp and incredibly fast to focus. It is also very light relatively speaking and compact.

Retired999 Loc: Miami Beach, FL

Renting is a great idea especially the Canon 100-400 LII and an extender.
But the lens is a bit heavy and limited on the short end.

If purchasing a lens, I have been using a Sigma 18-300 F3.5-6.3 DC macro OS HSM C on my 7DII and love it. On a crop camera, you're getting the equivalent of 480mm. Currently on sale at B&H for $499 and a close up lens is included. Here's a recent shot taken on a cloudy day in the Everglades.

stewmail

you can use a 1.4 extender with the Canon 100-400 mm lens.

gary northrop

I've been on three African photo safaris. The best telephoto pictures were taken with, in order: Canon SX 50 with 1200mm; Canon 70 -- 200mm, f2.8, with 2X teleconverter; Tamron 150 -- 600mm. Dust was never a problem -- but I use a lens cap at all times and keep equipment in a case or covered with a pillow case when not actively shooting.

If I go again, I'll probably take just the SX50 -- it impressed everyone in the groups!

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

On African Safaris more reach is better. One person who went with us used the Tamron 16-300 on her Canon and got very good results but her husband who used a much longer lens got those special pictures that none of us could reach. I'd say the advice to rent a longer lens is best unless you plan on doing a lot more wildlife photography and know you want to get started now. I now shoot a Nikon D7100 and when I return to Africa I will want at lens that goes up to at least 600mm.

Tripods are tricky. I would say that, unless you are on a specially designated photography safari you should leave the tripod at home. All the safari vehicles we used we setup so you could stand and brace your camera/lens on the roof. This proved to be enough for even the longest lenses and didn't get in anyone else's way.

The others are right about the dust--there is a lot of dust in the African savannah so do not plan on changing lenses when in the field.

Still the best trip we've ever done so hope you enjoy it half as much as we did.

Tigger1 Loc: Surrey, BC Canada

Your lady friend has a wonderful adventure ahead of her! I would agree with many if not all of the recommendations made by the numerous posts in reply to your question. However, IMO several important and basic questions need to be asked before relevant answers/suggestions can be given:
1) what is your lady friend's budget for a lens purchase?
2) what country or countries in Africa is she going to visit, i.e. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda in the rain forest, or rhino, elephant, lions on the plains of Tanzania?
Why you ask: because a 150-600mm is useless in a rainforest when your subject is sitting/standing ten feet away from you but is almost the perfect lens (if there is such a thing) when you are trying to get that elusive leopard in a tree shot at 150 yards or skittish rhino you have been stocking and unable to get closer than 300yards!
3) what lens or lenses does your lady friend currently own? If for example she currently owns the 18-55mm kit lens or something similar then one of the previously recommended 18-300 or 28-300mm zooms would work well for her. Some will say 300mm on a crop sensor body still does not have sufficient reach and there will be occasions on the open plains when that is true. But, re-read question #1!
If you could answer those three questions for us I know you will get some excellent recommendations more specific to your lady friend's needs and capabilities particularly as this is presumably her first safari. Just my opinion.

AHK Loc: Lakewood Ranch, Fl.

I was on an African photo shoot with nice results.

My most used lens was the Canon 100-400 (did not use an extender)...used on a cropped frame Canon 7-d. I really needed the reach for birds and animals in trees

My second most used lens for very sharp closer photos was the Canon 70-200 @ 2.8....many of the animals are pretty close....depending on budget & space you can do without.

Tuck away a wide angle for the magnificent panoramic views.

Saddle Billed Stork


Fish Eagle


Leopard

wotsmith Loc: Nashville TN

Well I have expensive tastes; no longer have the budget to match. I would have two suggestions; upgrade the 7D to a 7Dmk2 for better focusing, and then rent a Canon 200-400 with 1.4x built in; fabulous lens, lots of flexibility in reach, no need to take lens off and on for the extender in the commonly dusty environment, just flip a lever. regular is f4, with extender, f5.6 That is not bad.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You can, but a 70D cannot autofocus the resulting f/8 combination ....

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Canon EF 70-200/2.8L IS [/i]Mark II[/i] with Canon EF 2X Mark III is a combo that some people find gives acceptable image quality. DO NOT look for as good results with other 70-200/2.8 or earlier Canon 2X or any third party. I have the original 70-200/2.8 IS, 70-200/4 IS and the 2X Mark II and I WILL NOT use that teleconverter on those lenses. There is just too much loss of image quality. (Also, 70D will not autofocus an f4 lens with a 2X on it.)

Canon 70-200/2.8L IS II sells for $1949 ($150 off right now, normally $2099). Canon EF 2X II sells for $429.

A good alternative would be the Canon 100-400mm. This is only a little larger and heavier than a 70-200/2.8. The 100-400L Mark II is currently on sale for $2099 (normally $2199). This is a superb new zoom. The prior version is pretty decent too.... still available new some places for about $1300. Neither of these can be used with a teleconverter on a 70D.



No you can't on a 70D. It won't be able to autofocus and the viewfinder will be quite dim at 400mm + the teleconverter, making manual focus very difficult.

There also are several 70-300mm Canon lenses. The 70-300 IS USM sells for about $650 usually, but is on sale right now for $450. The the 70-300"L" IS USM usually costs $1350, but is on sale for $100 off right now. And the very compact 70-300 IS USM "DO" costs $1400.

I am a bit concerned that 300mm won't be "long enough" though, for African safari shooting. None of the 70-300s will work well with teleconverter, either.

They are larger and heavier, but the $1000 Tamron 150-600mm VC USD and $1100 Sigma 150-600mm OS HSM "Contemporary" are very popular for their high value. They won't have image quality or focus performance equal to the 100-400mm Mark II, though. The Sigma 150-600mm "Sport" is a better, sharper lens, but a lot bigger, heavier and closer to $2000. None of these will work with a teleconverter, but since they go to 600mm one is unlikely to be needed.

The best lens imaginable is the Canon 200-400mm f4L IS USM with built-in, matched 1.4X teleconverter that converts it to a superb 280-560mm f5.6 with the flip of a lever. However it's quite big, weighs 8 lb... and sells for around $11,000!



For a long, once-in-a-lifetime type trip I would personally always take at least a 2nd camera (actually I usually don't travel with less than 3, sometimes more).... I'd take a second, identical camera, if at all possible and hers is a 70D, not a 7D. It's easier to switch back and forth, and always best to use a camera you're familiar with and confident using.

Besides, the 70D's got pretty decent AF. It's a slightly dumbed down version of the original 7D's AF system. Over the course of 5 years I shot a quarter million sports photos with a pair of 7D... and 70D would be almost as capable. Yes, 7DII's AF system is slightly better... But it's also a whole lot more complex! You can fine tune it for best performance in a wide variety situations.... but just as easily can screw up the settings and end up with a lot of poorly focused shots, if unfamiliar with it.


Yeah, renting is a thought for any of the above... But many rental companies prohibit you from taking their gear outside the county. Check their websites for info.