dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

There are places I have been where expensive equipment might cost you your life, if lucky just the equipment. Back up camera is my suggestion, one that looks not expensive and will fit into your pocket. Super-zooms take from Macro to 1200 mm and if you get one like the Sony with a 1" sensor, you get quality images.

The old clunky DSLR are on their way out... a carry over from the film days. Consider the great quality of the advanced Cell Phones.. amazing.

Jerrin1 Loc: Wolverhampton, England

For many years I have carried two cameras side by side. Canon EOS 600 + 650, EOS 5 + EOS 10, 7D mark II + 70D, Nikon D500 + Olympus EM1 mark II. I have now changed to a single Sony A7III: and after 3 weeks still trying to get used to changing lenses - which is a pain in the bum. If this is a trip in a lifetime for you, I would recommend two camera bodies so as not to miss a shot due to a lens change. I think a 7D mark II would be a cracking choice, mine worked beautifully with my 100 - 400mm f4.5/5.6L IS II.

tandemrider

Having a back up camera for any important trip is always a good idea although it can certainly make for more fumbling. I am going on safari to Botswana the last two weeks in June. Way more important was the fact that several people and many articles have strongly suggested using two cameras with two different focal length lenses because the last thing you want to do is change lenses in the field. Supposedly there is a lot of very fine red dust that will get inside your camera and on the sensor if it is exposed. I am travelling with two Fujifilm X-T2's. One will have the 100-400 lens with 1.4 tc glued to it while the second will have the 50-140mm lens. These are crop cameras. I will also take along my 16-55mm lens depending on the day but I probably will not change lenses while riding in the vehicle. I might try using it for astrophotography back at camp. Take along your Giotto rocket blower - it will get plenty of use.

So with the advice of others who have made this incredible trip, it sounds like two cameras and two different focal length lenses are a must. Just remember your baggage weight allowance on any regional flights you might be taking.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I seldom have taken two cameras in any of my trips. I make sure the camera and battery are fully operational before I go. I never had a camera to quit during a trip in my lifetime.
The lens is important and more so if traveling to Africa. As I am sure you know the 100-400 with the tele converter will give you at the 400mm focal length around 600mm reach that that should be pretty good for a majority of subjects. I have a friend who travels often to Africa and he takes a Tamron 150-600 and he tells me he is practically at 600mm more often than not. You will loose a stop of light with the tele converter.

Gatorcoach Loc: New Jersey

Since your criteria is either a backup camera or a lens my question to you is: If you only have one camera body and it goes south, which lens will you use for the rest of your trip?? It really should be a no-brainer.

Fotomacher Loc: Toronto

i went to Iceland in July 2015 with a D300s (1:1.5) and D700 (1:1) and a bag of FX (full frame) lenses. It was convenient but a PITA to carry two bodies. In September 2016 I went to Botswana with only a D810 any longest lens was a AFS 300mm f/4. That worked better for me even though I had to change lenses a few times.

Sidebar - I dropped my camera with the 300mm lens attached and broke the metal mount off the body rendering it useless. We were with Pangolin at the time and I bought a used D7000 from their loaner pool. Same battery as my D810 and Charl (our guide) gave me some SD cards. I was back in business in 15 minutes!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I would get the second body and put a second lens on it. If there is a problem with the one camera you brought, all the lenses in the world won't help. A bit of cropping can make up the difference between the 300mm and the 400mm. I always have a backup camera when I travel. Batteries and card, too.

Haymaker

Having a selection of lenses does you no good if your only camera body fails, just my opinion.

ppkwhat Loc: Gibsonton, FL

BarbB, I normally travel with my Nikon D-750 and carry my "old" D-300 as a back up camera. On my D-750 I use the 24-120 Nikon lens and the D-300 with the Nikon 60 mm macro. In the bag I keep the Nikon 70-300. This way I can go from landscape to medium zoom with the main camera and the back up with the macro lens - if I know I'm taking long shots I place the 70-300 on the D-750 and the 24-120 on the back up. These set ups have served me well so far.
In your case, I would agree with your second choice, buying a backup camera.
Heve a Great Trip and have fun!

gwilliams6

Absolutely a backup camera. Otherwise if your sole camera goes down you have NO photos at all from your trip. It does happen. Four decades as a pro shooter all around the world has taught me that. Cheers. (just get a compatible quality extender for your current longest lens).

Red Sky At Night

Absolutely love that zebra. I’m sold on the lens.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Lens. Get an inexpensive pocket camera or have a smart phone with a good camera for peace of mind. However, those won’t help in telephoto scenarios if your body goes down.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

This should be an easy decision. How much are you spending on the trip? No need to answer here, but put it in proportion.

My suggestion would be get the lens, and a used or refurb Rebel as back up. They can be very affordable, and you can always sell it later.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

A super zoom might be a good option for a second body/ insurance. Check out the Panasonic FZ 1000. Lighter weight, good IQ

PaulB Loc: Alabama

I have been to Africa twice (Kenya the first time and Zimbabwe and Botswana the second). My recommendation is to go with the 70-300mm lens on your 5DM4 and pickup a point and shot or bridge camera with a decent zoom lens. Rational: On safaris, you will get surprisingly close to the animals and 300mm may be adequate. The point and shoot/bridge camera will give you the added reach you might occasionally need and would help you avoid having to change lens in dusty conditions.