Cindy, I never did get the idea that Benno was rolling in hay. At one time I told Benno he could shoot for Nat. Geo., but he replied that he couldn't afford the cameras they use. His equipment, for instance, was a couple of Canon crop sensor cameras, a 50mm lens, a mid range lens and a Sigma 60-600mm. With these he was able to take some tremendous photos, and he packed them all in a backpack. He'd use his vacations to travel not only to Africa but to Costa Rica (where he took awesome photos of the wildlife), Bora Bora, etc. I'd love to know how he did it, but I have an idea that he knew how to travel on the cheap, but also to the best places. As it is, he died with his boots on, on one of his trip to the east. I'm not sure how or of what.

Other Changes

• When [AF-area mode] is set to [3D-tracking] and the human subject is large relative to the frame and multiple eyes are detected near the tracking focus point, the camera will assign priority for focusing to the eye closer to the point.
• The time the shooting display goes dark after shutter is released when [ON] is selected for [Photo flicker reduction] in the [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU] has become shorter.
• The RGB histogram is now easier to view when [Mode 1] or [Mode 2] is selected for d12 [Warm display colors] in [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
• [SETUP MENU] > [Firmware version] now shows GNSS module firmware “G”.
• GNSS module firmware update is now available.
Note: The second update is not necessary if the GNSS module's firmware “G” is already 0.17, as with which version, the improvement has already been made.
Note: Refer to “GNSS Module Firmware Update” for updating procedures.
• The firmware for the GNSS module has been updated.
- Improved acquisition performance when used in certain areas where the quasi-zenith satellite “QZSS” can be acquired.
• Fixed the following issues:
- Fine-tuning values set in [AF fine-tuning options] in the setup menu did not apply while the subject is detected with [Wide-area AF (S)], [Wide-area AF (L)], [Wide-area AF (C1)], or [Wide-area AF (C2)] selected for [AF-area mode].
- Switching to the playback display and attempting to operate the sub-selector did not result as intended while the memory card access lamp was lit after burst shooting when [Series playback] > [Sub-selector displays first shot] in [PLAYBACK MENU] was enabled.
- Optimal exposure could sometimes not be achieved in burst or focus shift shooting.
- Shutter release was sometimes disabled when “Bulb” was selected for shutter speed.
- Subjects could sometimes not be detected in the correct position when repeatedly shooting airplanes.

Tanzania can meet all of your requirements or at least the majority of them. Check out Africa Nature Photography. They led the safari I took in 2019 and it was terrific. Three days in the Ngorongoro Crater and then 8 or o days in different areas of the Serengeti. We saw all of the big 5 plus many other animals and many bird species.

Photo gear should include two bodies, one with a telephoto and one with a wider field of view. Our guides provided sand bags, so tripods and monopods were no needed.

I suspect just about anywhere in Africa would be amazing. Also check he website for Pangolin Photo as they have a wide variety of options.