Been to Africa twice. Nikon D80 and 28-300 worked great. BUT, there a many times I wish I had longer reach. Going again next summer, but now have D500; will likely buy a Nikon 200-500 for that. By all means take a back up camera, and DO NOT changes lenses in the bush--dust like you have never seen it!!! Forget the tripod/or monopod--no room for it on safari vehicles. Get a small "bean bag" for a rest on vehicle If you can't hand-hold. Have a great trip.

I have been to Africa twice. Used Nikon 28-300 on a D80. Good results but not enough reach. You need at least 500 mm to get those last few "once in a lifetime" shots. Since most animals are "habituated" and used to humans (in vehicles), they can be really close (e.g. elephants,lions sometimes 10 feet away!). Long reach is needed maybe 30% of the time. Will go to Africa again in 2020, but now with my D500 and a new lens (150-600, or 200-500) and the D80 as back up. I take mostly animals and street scenes, little landscape, so no real wide angle needed. Also, NEVER change lenses in the field--way too much dust in Africa. Also, best to keep camera/lens in a large baggie, when not shooting, to keep dust off the equipment, especially the zoom lens barrel. You will have a great trip. Enjoy the moments!

In addition to shots, get your doc to prescribe some Imodium to counter "Montezuma's Revenge", or whatever it is called in Africa. Far more effective for severe cases that OTC stuff can't handle. Don't drink anything but bottled water (with a cap whose integrity can't be compromised), and brush teeth only with bottled water. Also beware of ice cubes unless verified made with bottled water.

Yes, you need yellow fever shot for Tanzania if you enter from a country other than US/Europe. We entered from Kenya, so needed it (at least as of 2016). Did not need for entry to Kenya. Need to show valid proof of shot (the intn'l shot record). Get before you leave US. Get visas before you leave US. There are companies that do it for you. I used one in Arlington, VA (PVI? PVS?)--who go into DC directly to the embassies. Takes about 3-4 weeks.

Been to Africa twice. Serengeti/Masa Mara in June 2016. Local winter so was relatively cool, dry and dusty. I used D80 and Nikon 28-300. (Since upgraded to D500 ). 28-300 did not have enough range. Take the 150-600 but leave 1.4 TC. Second body with wide angle zoom is good if you want scenery and close ups. DO NOT change lens in field, and take a plastic baggie to cover/protect while riding in safari vehicle. Be prepared for animals (baboons, lions!!) up close; within 10 feet of vehicle. Both my trips had severe weight limits due to capacity of the "bush planes" (33 pounds max for everything you have). No issues with international carriers. It will be a great trip. Enjoy.

What about "Army Intelligence" the best oxymoron yet!

I was there too. The Lancaster was owned by a Canadian Heritage group. Not the same exact model as the Dam Busters--but impressive. I also was sad that the Spitfire could not make it. Local talk was that the P-51 or the Spitfire had a landing gear problem. Other than the B-25, the remaining A/C were WWII vintage trainers--including a Royal Navy Stearman bi-plane. Horrible weather!!

I have been to southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia) and to East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania). Went with OAT both times--fantastic trips. Will likely use them again for a second trip to Tanzania/Serengeti. Not just photo trips, but OAT includes some cultural stuff too. You have opportunities for addition pre- and post- trip add ons, such as to Cape Town, Zanzibar, Kruger Park). Get OAT's brochure to see trip details. Just plan to go during local winter, to avoid humidity and insects (I went in June--great weather, warm and dry; but cool nights in South Africa tented camps). Price was about 8K per person including air.

I had great success with D500 and Nikon 28-300 for outdoor night football. Bought the D500 specifically for its 10 fps burst mode and high ISO capabilities. Also worked well indoors at Lucas Oil Stadium (for IN state HS football championship games). So far, shooting at aperature priority and raising ISO to allow 1/600 or better worked fine. I found that you need at least 300mm to "get close" when restricted to shooting from the stands (the Nikon 200-500 would be on my "to buy" list)

I noticed this same effect shooting outdoors at night football games. Field lights were incandescent type and subject to 60 cycle AC power. Its not just an indoor phenomena. I was using D500 at high burst mode. About 1 of 3 shots was pinkish.

I have been to Masai Mara as part of a trip to Kenya/Tanzania. Travelled in June 2016. Check the weather forecasts for the time you want to go. Late May-early June is after wet season--best time to travel. Include Serengeti in your plans. May-June is time to see northern migration. I used Overseas Adventure Travel. Not strictly a photo safari, but unlimited opportunities for photos, with some cultural stuff included (visit to Masai tribe, etc). Small groups, 12-14 typical. Take a telephoto lens with long reach. I had only 28-300 mm zoom, 600 would have been much better (200-500 zoom, or 150-600 zoom would be best). Still need another lens for "close-ups"--yes the lions and elephants get within 10 feet of the safari vehicles!! Interesting observation in Masai Mara--out in middle of absolute nowhere, at a rest break, the native guide in native dress pulled out a cell phone and checked with other guides on what animals were where. Could see no towers; he said look for trees with very straight trunks--sure enough, could see the antennas in well disguised towers. Great 2 week trip. I plan to go back to Serengeti again soon.

My first DSLR was a Nikon D80. Worked fine, but lacked good low light performance. Bought the D500 for high ISO capability and its 10 frame/sec burst mode that I wanted for indoor sports photography (grandson is HS placekicker; great for getting the right shot in fast moving play)

I have used it for night football with a Nikon 28-300 zoom. Shot in A priority mode, f/6.3, and ISO 5000 to get shutter speed to 1/640; mostly at max zoom. Great shots last Friday at Indianapolis Lucas Oil Stadium (dome) for HS state championship game. Motion frozen, no blur!

Not yet tried it for other photo ops. Fantastic performance and results so far. Great camera--everything I could ever need. Highly recommend it.

I have been on 2 safaris: to South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe; then recently to Kenya and Tanzania. I used a Nikon D80 with Nikon 28-300. Also had a backup Panasonic Lumix Z6 to get back some wide angle capability and as emergency back-up. On both safaris, I wish I had a longer reach, out to at least 500mm. Lots of good advice on earlier responses. But I will add 2 I have not seen posted. Also, depending on the safari company, you may be SEVERELY weight limited. On my first trip, it was 44 pounds; last trip in 2016 was 33 pounds. Pack and weigh well ahead of departure so you have time to shed.
1. Take a voltage converter in case your charger does not work on local 240 volts
2. Take a set of split ND filters. These are essential for any sunrise/sunset photos
Keep your tent/cabin locked; the baboons are clever, almost tame and know how to open doors--hate to see them wearing your undies around camp!!
Have a great trip!!!

Depends on what country you visit. Kenya/Tanzania will not allow drivers to leave the tracks. So, need a long lens for some shots. I used Nikon 28-300 on a D80; most shots in 150+ range. Great for 95% of shots. Need at least 500 for others and the once-in-a-lifetime shot that is almost too far away (e.g. rhinos; which I missed with the 300). Zimbabwe and Zambia are more flexible with where drivers can go (at least this was case 5 years ago). All the safari vehicles I have been on where all open. Room for bean bags or foam as others have suggested, but not monopods Most important, take a voltage converter (and plug converter) so you can charge batteries on the 240 volt systems in Africa. (some chargers my work on both 120/240, but plan ahead). Nest time I will take a 150-600 for my new D500. I carry a Panasonic Z7 as a back up and for the few wide angle needs. Whatever you do, do not changes lenses in the field--lots of dust!!

I had both eyes done. Not at same time; 2 weeks apart. Was not offered choice. Got the distance vision. Now almost 20/20. Need glasses for reading and close work. Somewhat annoying, because prior to surgery, very close vision in dominant eye was excellent; would take off glasses to thread needle, etc. but needed for reading. I continue to wear progressive lenses, but not now really needed for driving. Since most vision is at distance, opt for the distance version if there is a choice--and wear glasses for close work. I have no problem working camera controls and focusing my D80 and D500 while wearing glasses.