I would be very interested in researching this further. Is there any chance you can come up with more details or any other leads besides the Merve Griffen show? Your reply would be very appreciated.

The advise given here already is very good (no surprise). I spent 2 weeks last September and witnessed the migration at the Mara River at different times of day. I agree that two bodies are appropriate and sufficient. I never took out my 35 mm equiv. lens and quickly ditched the 100 - 400 lens! The vast majority of my shots were taken with a 150 - 600 mm 5-6.3 lens and the balance with a 28-75 mm 2.8 lens.
Ask your tour company in advance if they provide sand bags. If not can they provide beans to fill an empty bag that you bring. I have never used a clamp but you are likely to want to shoot in all directions. I used a Black Rapid rig that supported both bodies at once. When seated in the truck and moving I kept lens covers on and covered the end of the lens with a rag to keep dust out. In addition to extra batteries bring extra memory cards. Do put the camera down from time to time and just take it all in.

[quote=tonyjag]Thanks to jno and Jacqui Burke for the NEXTO DI recommendations. It does sound like a good choice. I found another You Tube by Alistar Chapman, who observed a copy speed of about 304 MB/Sec from an XQD card. I have some questions for NEXTO, but perhaps you could answer them:
1. Can you charge it’s battery while it is operating? Yes
2. Can you run it with only an external SSD, e.g. 2TB Sandisk Extreme Portable USB3.1, which I already own? Yes, absolutely.
6. Is there a way to EJECT the drive(s) when done? I didn't try until I returned home and then just disconnected the drive- no formal eject process needed.
7. Will it accept firmware updates? Yes

Here is a review that I posted at B&H for the Nexto DI: Ididn't want to lug a laptop on a recent two week safari but wanted a backup solution for photos. Some people bring extra memory cards but that's not a back up - it's still only one copy (unless your camera has two card slots and you use one strictly for a second copy). There are a couple of small, inexpensive, wi-fi based solutions that work through a phone app but the one I tried was slow and wholly unsatisfying. This product is expensive - you can buy a chrome book in this price range and do the same thing. But this product is smaller and lighter than a subcompact computer. More importantly it does precisely what it is designed to do! I did not install an SSD into the box as I had an external SSD which worked the same way via cable. Backup speeds were very quick though it takes a few minutes if you have many large (raw) files and choose the option to Verify each file. There is only one control to be used. It is a combination wheel / button. Wheel for scrolling among options on the screen and the button (long hold or short hold) to choose the options as indicated or shut down. Easy to use. The unit has its own battery and I was able to perform at least 10 backups (with Verification) before it needed to be recharged. In a two week trip I only needed to recharge it once. It is convenient to be able to insert multiple memory cards at one time and it will back them up sequentially and properly (appending previous backups if appropriate). The back up file structure appears to be a separate folder for each memory card. You drill down in each folder to find the files / photos. Not a problem. The battery strength indicator is a little deceiving as it appeared to have two (of three) bars and then ran out of juice. At least it told me that the back up was not successful so I was able to perform it again after recharging. Price aside this product did exactly what it's designed to do and made me very happy I had it.

We just returned from two weeks in Tanzania. I brought three lenses and really used only two: Sigma 150-600 and Tamron 28-75 (should have left the third one home to minimize weight). Used the 150-600 for 90%+ of my shots. Used the 28-75 for animals that were too close and scenery shots. I don’t know the fine points of your lenses / bodies but I think that either the 8-200 OR the 28-300 plus the 200-500mm will serve you well. I agree with previous suggestions that you not change lenses in the bush if at all possible as well as a Black Rapid (or similar) strap to keep cameras close at hand and from bouncing around the trucks.

While riding I used a small cloth over the lens to minimize dust (this is the dry season - lots of dust if you're at all near other trucks). Tripod / monopod are not practical in the trucks in Tanzania (my monopod never came out of the suitcase - should have left it home to minimize weight). Agree that you should check on weight restrictions on small bush planes that you may be taking and plan accordingly. Our group of 12 (with several photographers) paid for an extra seat / weight on the small plane. I'm not sure the airline checked too carefully as they didn't weigh my carry on which had most of my camera gear.

Unlike other comments there is no issue standing in the trucks in Tanzania (mostly raised-roof Toyota Land Cruisers). Our tour company (Uniquesafaris.com) suggested we bring a sandal type of shoe (ie Teva's) for the trucks. These are easy on / off and Unique allowed us to stand on the seats in socks. It seems they use a different type of truck in S. Africa so the monopod issue / rules for standing may be different there.
I brought an empty bean bag and Unique Safaris brought beans to fill it. They also had several bean bags available so check with your tour operator.

I brought a combination power converter / strip that has three US type plugs, four usb ports and four international plugs. This was sufficient for all of our devices (chargers, phones, tablet). NOTE: Tanzania has recently instituted severe restrictions on plastic bags so don’t bring them! That said we learned at the Arusha airport that reusable zip lock type bags are allowed (wish we had known this before the trip)! Bring small paper bags (not plastic) and toilet paper or wipes for the ‘bush bathroom’.

Visit a Travel MD facility to make sure you have the proper shots and medications. Also bring more memory cards than you think you will need. Most importantly – enjoy the trip!

We returned just yesterday from a two week safari in Tanzania. This was our only trip so far to the continent but recommend it highly! Our trip was booked with Unique Safaris (https://uniquesafaris.com/) and they were outstanding from before the trip to the end. They provided a Planning Guide before hand which answered many questions and they had the most superb guides! I still don't know how one of them spotted a leopard on the ground while looking into a setting sun over 400 yards away. They understood the impact of lighting and distance and maneuvered the vehicles for the best viewing / photos. Each area you visit may have different rules for the drivers. For example in National Parks they had to stay on the 'roads' but in conservation areas or private properties the requirements are looser. I also learned that one way tour operators keep costs / prices down is they limit the number of miles the drivers can cover per day (not normally divulged in marketing materials). Unique does not have such a limit. Our group of 12 was spread across three trucks. This likely upped the cost per person as the standard truck can hold 6 tourists in three rows of two each (7 with one in the front seat) and many other groups were packed this way. Having only 4 per truck left lots of room especially for those of us with lots of gear. Very civilized way to go and relatively comfortable.

We learned that the time of year of your trip matters quite a lot. Others in our group had been to Tanzania in the rainy season (February) and they traveled to different regions. Now is the dry season so we spent time in the north and witnessed multiple migration crossings across the Mara river. This doesn't happen in the rainy season. My point is this - wherever you plan to travel you should learn about what the animals are doing, and where, at the time you plan to go. Or learn about what you might see in the different seasons first and then plan the timing of your trip. The general migration of animals is fairly predictable though the guide companies will probably not guarantee what you will see. Unique downplayed the probability of our seeing the migration cross the Mara river and other groups didn't see it just before we were there. We watched four crossings in three days - unbelievable.

Also suggest a visit to a Travel MD facility (our County Health Department has one). They will advise you what medicine / shots are needed depending on your destination(s). A minimum number of shots were needed for Tanzania. Not only were the guides hospitable (as you would expect) but all of the Tanzanian people we encountered were lovely toward us. Even at the airport (!).

Another enthusiastic endorsement for Lindblad / Nat Geo. We took the last cruise of the season which was two weeks in September from Sitka to Seattle. First half is focused on scenery but our hope was to see bears feeding- and we did! Watched for a couple of hours about 300 yards away. Also saw bubble feeding whales for hours too!
The second half had a cultural focus on the natives of Haida Gwai (Princess Charlotte Islands). It was our first of 3 Lindblad/ Nat Geo trips and we're planning more.
The Nat Geo photographers will help you to take better pix even if you use a phone (and on up of course).

I also plan to use an SSD for back up during travel. There are a couple of options that do not require a laptop. Those I have found so far include: RavPower File Hub (https://www.ravpower.com/c/router.html), NEXTO DI Portable All In 1 Backup Storage (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1481553-REG/nexto_di_nps_10_cf_portable_all_in_1.html) and Gnarbox (https://www.gnarbox.com/).

I tried the RavPower File Hub as it is the most cost effective of these options. The unit is controlled by a phone app. Unfortunately the instructions are not as easy as I would prefer and I don't want to have to refer to a manual while traveling. I just ordered the Nexto DI and will be trying it in the coming week. It's pricey (you can get a cheap laptop / chromebook for the same price) but size and weight are important factors for me.

Thanks for the memories! I grew up in Verona (one town over) and it was a regular visit as a kid (not revealing just how many decades ago). I just visited our local zoo to practice shooting animals. This brought me to think about Turtle Back and was wondering how it has aged. Glad to hear it's still very active and popular. You should think about going back after school starts and during the week if possible.

Has anyone tried either of these products: Monument Photo Management Device or NEXTO DI Portable All In 1 Backup Storage (NPS-10)? If yes what has been your experience and would you recommend the device? I have read reviews on the Monument but don't find any yet on the Nexto product.

Having read previous threads I know that many people suggest bringing a handful of memory cards and backing up when you get home but I'm too paranoid to rely on that as a solution. I would also prefer not to have to carry a laptop abroad. If you have not tried these products but have another solution (other than more cards or a laptop) I'd appreciate your advice.

Thank you!

Thanks all for this feedback - both to my post and a similar one on the same day (what are the odds). I truly appreciate all of the information provided.

Hi all - I have been mostly lurking and have come to appreciate the level of expertise here at UHH. I am preparing for my first safari in Tanzania (Sept) and have a question about recommendations for camera / lens combinations. I will be taking two Sony bodies - A-5000 (APS-C) and my most recent purchase of an A-7iii (full frame). From what I have read there are many suggestions for lenses including what some call a wide zoom and a telephoto zoom. I have a Tamron 18-200 APS-C lens and a full frame Canon 100-400 adapted to Sony e-mount.

I want to use the A-7 as much as possible to take advantage of the eye auto focus feature but I don't know if that will call for the longer or shorter lens. I can always put the full frame lens on the APS-C body knowing there will be cropping as a result. I'm willing to get a new wide zoom full frame lens if that's appropriate.

I know that many of you have been on safari (or similar trips) and hope you can share your experience / wisdom / suggestions. Thanks!

I called the bank back as suggested and they again reiterated, without explanation, that for security reasons I would have to wait for the card to physically arrive prior to use. They originally said that it would take 7-10 days for delivery and then advise that delivery is expected as much as 16 days after I was approved. Ironically it arrived exactly 10 days after approval. I told the bank that I was not impressed with their level of customer service - both for holding up availability of the card and poor performance on delivery.

Fortunately B&H has far superior customer service and I still really like this plan! Too bad that their bank partner isn't up to their level of service.

I applaud B&H for their creativity with this program! I applied for and was approved for the card. Unfortunately the bank said that I could NOT use it immediately - as advertised by B&H. They said for security reasons I have to wait 7-10 days to receive the card. So long as my upcoming purchase doesn't go on sale in the interim no big deal. But there seems to be a miscommunication between B&H and the card issuer which seems to be an 'unforced error'.

It seems that the Android version of TPE is not nearly as robust as the iOS version (which the developers admit when they state that it is accordingly priced lower). So my question is what app do members recommend for Android?

I have also spoken with a NG pro on one of their expeditions. In addition to the image they submit they must include the original raw image so they editors can identify the changes made.
On another trip two NG pros 'lost' about $30,000 of equipment before the trip started (I think it was stolen at an airport)! They still had enough gear for standard and underwater shooting. I hope the other gear was insured.