Banjobob1023

I just got back from Africa. My Full Frame Nikon had a 200 - 500mm F 5.6 lens. I used an 18 - 300 mm lens for my Cropped Frame Nikon. For me, it was a perfect combination, and I got some amazing shots with both cameras. You should check with your outfitter about the type of vehicles you’ll be in. We had little bean bags in our Land Cruiser, which worked well for my big lens. When we didn’t have that option, I used a monopod. I never felt the need for a full tripod. If this trip is a gift, you might consider renting a long lens for the trip.

wetreed

I don’t think light should be too much of a problem in Africa on a safari. Just saying. The Tamron 18-400 is the best choice for the OP I am positive.

Moondoggie Loc: Southern California

I went to Africa for a month in 2018. I took my Nikon 5300 and my Tamron 18-400 for the crop camera. It worked very well for taking pictures of the animals. We were in Land Cruisers, so you could potentially brace your camera against a seat or metal rail of the vehicle. I did not find the camera and lens combination too heavy at all for me. I did take a mono pod but never used it. Have a great trip and share some of your pictures on your return.

Bill P

Wow! What a broad spectrum of experiences. I did a week in Zambia about 8 years ago, here's mine. First of all, without fail find the best infectious disease MD in your area, and get the shots. Get every one you can. On cameras, I took a D3 and a D300, lenses from 17-35 to 150-500, and a Nikon 1.7 extender. Too much gear. I could have done it all with the 17-30, and my 20-120 and 70-200. I often wished I had not gone too much on long lenses. But the guides were willing to get right there by the animals, and the animals were bored by our presence. And don't think it's all going to be sunny. If your safari is halfway decent there will be twilight and night drives. The D3 sure nailed that.

But I'm in my 70's now. I would take all m4/3's gear.

Zooman 1

Lots of different ideas here, but what ever you take, give yourself time to learn it well, test all the lenses, be familiar with your gear. More than anything enjoy the trip!

rcbind

No doubt you will get higher resolution with the full frame. If weight is an issue, suggest you buy a monopod. They are light, compact and will assist in holding your camera steady, but if you are not in an open vehicle then the next best thing is a bean bag, that you can rest on the roof of a pop top range rover. You might want to look into renting an even longer lens for the full frame. I shoot wild life with a Nikon D7500 and a 200-500mm lens, since I do not print over 10 by 12, there is no problem with noise.

BigRedRex

If you are going to be in the Kruger National Park you will probably be in a closed vehicle and remain on the road. For that you will need a very different lens than if you are on some of the private game reserves in the greater Kruger area. I think that is the first question you need answered. I would consider one camera with a longer lens and one camera without if you are in an open vehicle. The last time I was there I had the Canon 100 - 400 on one body and frequently animals were to close for it but it was great for the birds. I would definitely take a backup camera.

Amaize

Here are some issues : malarone common antibiotic for malaria prevention. 1 tab per day, start before leaving and continue for a wk after. Capro nice to carry for trav diarrhea — some tale 250mg daily as prevention; or carry 250 or 500s — I will hit 2 or 3 tans and all clears up. 400mm with full frame will also give you additional reach when you crop in the lab. 100-400 is a good range. One shorter lens is good, for city scenes and when the lions walk around your Jeep. 2 kind of jeeps — opentop — you stand with a cover over head. Much preferred ! 3 is a nice number in the Jeep — you can move about easily. 4 ok — above that is really not fun. Any kind of prop — sweatshirt, seat cushion, sandbag will work. Keep in mind you need to move side to side/front to back, too. Very important — and easy to forget — do not, I repeat — do not forget to get down and sit on floor and shoot thru windows at “ground level.” You get great shots compared to 10 feet up. My recommendations — only chase cats ! Don’t worry about anything else — you will see plenty of stuff - but only the cats are where the action is. I will sit for an hour on a lazy cat — when they come to life — oh my ! Consider avoiding monkeys — they are easy to get hooked on, and you waste important cat time ! Somehow, fit in a visit to Cape Town — mainly to fit in a trip to wine country — fabulous country. In town I like to use flip screen so I can hold camera at waist and take people pictures — where the camera is not so obvious. If you have reliable connections, pick up a diamond in Cape T !

NCMtnMan Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC

Why don't you inquire of the guide in that case.

gary northrop

We've been to Africa six times, always with a Canon full frame and crop camera and wide angle to 400 mm
lenses and tele-extenders. On our last three safaris my wife took her trusty Canon SX50 or SSX60 cameras that
will go up to plus 1200mm.

If I were to take just one camera outfit -- it would be the Canon SX50 or SX60!

Josephschmaeling

My wife and I went to Kenya and Tanzania in February, 2018. We were primarily interested in wildlife photos. She carried an Canon 80D with a Tamron 150-600 G2 and I carried a Canon 7D II with a Canon 100-400L and a 1.4 TC. We both got great shots. You will be frustrated with anything less than 400mm.

jdub82 Loc: Northern California

My advice is to travel light. You will want to carry all the equipment you take with you at all times while in country. It is not safe to leave anything of value in a hotel room or vehicle at any time. (Even for meals) The suggestion of taking your crop sensor camera with a Tamron 18-400mm is good advice. Because I was also doing humanitarian/missions work in Kenya for an extended stay, I opted for a bridge camera, my Canon SX50 with a 50X zoom. I was able to get some great shots. You will not be sorry taking a relatively lightweight crop camera (Your 70D) with one zoom lens. I would leave the rest at home.

whwiden

About carrying with you: yes, do that. I use an old Domke photo vest and an f1x little bit bigger canvas bag in all my third world travels. I typically carry two bodies and select 3 or 4 lenses. I carry only what is comfortable for me to carry all day. My comment about the 150-600mm is an asterisk on that--i find it gets heavy. Other than on safari, I don't carry it.

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

Thank you all for the valuable advice. I do appreciate your feedback. I have time to think about what to take and will consider everything you've contributed.
Deb

Danapar

Many vehicles have sand bags in them to rest your camera on the edge of a part of the vehicle. Maybe a monopod would be handy too if you get the longer lens.