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

If you shooting wildlife usually they can get u close. The 75-300 should surfice. I would also take the 12-40 for landscapes.

dbjazz Loc: Long Island, NY

I took a similar trip last year. You'll definitely need the 300mm for safari and the 12-40mm would be your best choice for everything else. The other lenses you mention would limit you. Enjoy!

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

I found this interesting since I will be going to Africa in September. My camera typically wears an 18-200VR2 zoom, and will do so on this trip as well. I had considered getting something with more range, but perhaps I'll just try to manage with the single lens.

Amaize

I’ve been on many safaris — just got back from 3 weeks. If you want, feel free to give me a call - 989-330-4547

AFPhoto Loc: Jamestown, RI, USA

Boberic I don’t understand your post!

wannabegood Loc: Connecticut

My wife and I went to the Serengeti in October, 2017. Spent 12 nights on safari in 4 different locations. Had the Land Cruiser to ourselves. We were way over our weight limit for the small plane flights. We had to purchase a child's seat to meet their restrictions. I think that cost us about 350.00 USD. As far as the camera equipment that we brought, My wife had all of her stuff in a Think Tank Airport Takeoff rolling bag. Weighed over 30 lbs. My Airport Takeoff weighed a little more. I also had a camera backpack that weighed approximately 20 lbs. In my bags, I carried two Nikon D750's, D7000, 14-24 2.8, 24-70 2.8, 80-400 4.5 and 600 4. I also had at least 4 extra batteries (same battery for the bodies) and a charger. Our guide had an inverter in the vehicle so we could charge our batteries while driving around. He also provided bean bags for resting our cameras/ lenses on. I brought too many SD cards, but you never know how many photos you'll be taking (especially in burst mode!). I did take at least 5000 shots. I never changed lenses in the vehicle as it was very dusty. I did bring a tripod to use for some night shots of the tents with the stars above. Had to be careful outside the tents at night with animals lurking about. The camps require a guide to get you from your tent to the dining tent after dark. Anyway, I used my 600 and 80-400 for a great majority of the wildlife photos. Sometimes you are very close (20 ft from lions) and other times you are looking past or through other vehicles. One time we were among 20 vehicles all looking at one leopard. That leopard started out being 200 ft away. It ended up walking by just 3 ft in front of our bumper. Have your camera(s) ready. Another day (after already seeing the "Big Five") we were in search of a better rhino sighting. We were by ourselves for over 4 hours. Finally found one! 500 + ft away. Soon, it came as close as 125 ft. Just reached down to make the switch from the 600 setup to the 80-400 setup. Never saw another vehicle. Word gets around fast though (all guides have radios and know one another)! After leaving that area, we started seeing others come in. After showing the others our shots, our guide became an instant hero! and nobody else saw the rhino. If you can carry it, I say bring it. I had everything covered, from 14mm to 900mm (600 on D7000). I also suggest bringing a couple of shower caps for both dust and rain (spray, splash, etc). Depending on the lens, you can cover the end of the lens and possibly the whole camera as well. Just being there is unbelievable! With your photos, you will have many great memories to view, and to print. We can't wait for our next trip to Tanzania. You will have an amazing time on yours! Have fun!!!

charlienow Loc: Hershey, PA

for me i would take an 18-300 zoom only. if i was headed to africa i might buy a 18-400 zoom for the little extra zoom...a zoom is not quite as sharp as the non zooms, but for me the photos are just for me....

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

I have shot three safaris. Surprisingly the longest lens I required was a 70-200 MM 2.8 for the "long" shots. The reality is the guides get your very up close and personal with the critters. When I go again, it will be with nothing loger and of course just what you have, 12-40 MM equivilent. Travel light and enjoy!
Cheers...

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

Pretty sure I took the same trip as you last October - OAT. It's a wonderful trip and you can't miss. I side completely with those who advise traveling light. While they do not weigh you when you get on the planes you will be spending from six to ten hours a day getting in and out of safari vehicles (climbing required) and hopping in and out of very small planes. The weight restrictions are as much for you as they are for the planes as you have no way to control your equipment throughout all that activity and cramped space.

Having said that one person with us took two bodies--one a crop frame with very long lens and the other a full frame with shorter zoom. It may have been him but I suspect his equipment played a big part in it but he was constantly the last getting in and out and he was a bit in everyone's way. To me that was a bit rude. Everyone else accommodated each other extremely well and one guy even got an award winning shot.

This trip--if it's the same one I took--is not a dedicated photography trip although it certainly caters to photographers--and there will be people with cell phones, point and shoots, DSLRs and mirrorless. I had a Nikon d7100 with a Tamron 18-400mm lens which worked extremely well. I would not have wanted to change lenses on the fly but it was much dustier in October than it will be on your trip--but even with that you're just moving and bouncing too much to safely and cleanly change lenses. I also took a 50mm 1.4 prime that I used on the night game drives. That was a good choice as there were some remarkable shots.

I agree with the advice not to stay too glued to your camera as there is much to experience on this trip although I must admit I did not take my own advice and I sort of worked as the trip chronicler getting pictures of most everything.

This is a wonderful trip and I'd do it again in a minute...

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Your CPAP should not be counted towards your total weight, if I'm not mistaken.

A friend of mine carries on a backpack that contains two Canon crop cameras and, in the past, a Sigma 50-500mm which he has now replaced with a 150-600mm. He also carries a shorter lens as well as a flash. He knows to the exact gram how much he can carry on. If you're doing a safari on a truck, you'll need a long zoom lens.

He skimps on clothing, knowing that he can wash while he is there, in order to keep his total weight down.

ELNikkor

If you can swing it, a 75-150 5.6 Panasonic is light-weight, inexpensive and will fill in between the 12-40 and 300 prime. My son uses one on his GH4 all the time.

Bill P

Wow, I just answered this to another post yesterday. I took a safari in Zambia a few years ago, and I prepared by guying a superzoom tele, a Sigma something to 500. Can't tell you which one cause it was such a dog that I sold it immediately on my return. I shot almost everything with my 70-200, just a few shots with that lens and the 1.7 extender. In my experience for every animal 1000 yards away, there are hundreds within 20 feet. My favorite photo is a bull elephant about 25 feet in front of my face.

I've only been once, but with my experience, I don't think those who say your 600 is essential have ever been there.

sharonmblais

I have been on three safaris. Sometimes the animals are close and sometimes they are far. Use two camera bodies and put two zooms (one on each) that go from short to at least 400, or longer if you can. Bring several batteries, battery chargers, bags to protect your cameras when not shooting and lots of memory cards. Do not change the lens in the field as it can be very dusty. You might want a small tripod and remote trigger to take photos at sunrise, sunset and at night with a small, fast prime lens. Africa sunsets are amazing! I usually back up my photos at night to either my iPhone or Ipad just for a backup with an adapter that Apple sells. And put down your camera and enjoy the experience! There is nothing that compares to seeing the animals in the wild and Africa keeps calling me back.

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

As for that CPAP machine you need to be aware that the airlines only accept certain brands and have rules that require you to take enough batteries for 1.5 X the scheduled flight time. Most airplane outlets will not work, so the machine will p[probably be on batteries for the entire journey. You may need to get a letter from your Dr. stating that the machine is required and submit it to the airline for advance approval. Check with your airline for other requirements. Right now, most airlines pressurize the cabin to 8000 ft. Most machines function at that level, some may not. My wife's portable machine, she only needs the O2 concentrator, not the full CPAP, will stop working at 10,000 ft. pressure. Be aware that there are different altitude restrictions on the different models of machines.

Any omissions or errors in this statement are mine alone, and I am proud to claim them.

rochephoto

When I go to Africa I take spare socks and underwear as well anything that wards off malaria. I also think that you should take something that plugs you up when you have the runs. Don't bring super short shorts or chaps with rear end cut out. They don't understand that aspect of American "culture". If you think that you might not be able to tolerate the local cuisine, load up on Kraft individually wrapped cheese slices, Cheerios, and Vienna Sausages. They travel well and never go bad. Don't drink the local water. Catch rainwater in a sanitary vessel like a coke bottle. My favorite camera and lens combo are a Canon 5D Sr with a Canon 18mm PC lens. Good luck and don't ever go anywhere without protection.