Every tour operator or agency will tell you that a camera and binoculars are essential equipment to have while traveling on safari in Africa, however some people do not see enough evidence to support this recommendation. This post will explain why you actually need them, provide you with the finest advice for selecting one, list the top binoculars and cameras to bring on safari, and explain how to take care of them.

Does an Africa Safari require binoculars?

“Do I really need binoculars?” is the question that every traveler wonders when getting ready for an African safari. And the response is in the affirmative. Even if you are not going to be bird watching on your safari, you will still need binoculars. Binoculars make it easier to spot animals like the Big Five that don’t typically walk down the roadsides of the various parks. If you want to go birdwatching, you must bring binoculars with you because they make it easier to see birds that have blended in with their surroundings.

Does an Africa Safari Require a Camera?

Along with binoculars, you’ll also need cameras for this amazing excursion to take the greatest pictures of the various animals and birds you observe on your safari in Africa. However, because the creatures are constantly moving, it might be challenging to get good pictures. We’ll examine the top cameras for safaris and the factors to take into account before making a purchase.

Now, before we examine the various binoculars you require and the things you should know before buying them, we must examine the meanings of the various components and the reasons they are crucial when making a binocular purchase.

Important things to think about when selecting safari binoculars

A prism

Rather than carrying many lens types for a single camera, a prism functions similarly to a lens by aiding in image magnification. These also make it easier to carry the binoculars around throughout the safari by lowering their weight.

There are two types of prisms: roof prisms and porro prisms. The roof prism is considered the best because it is streamlined and makes the binoculars easy to carry, despite the fact that it is somewhat pricey. If you are on a tighter budget, you can carry the porro prism, though they are always heavy to carry around.

What do the numbers on binoculars mean?

The numbers indicate the lens size and magnification of the particular binoculars you wish to purchase. For instance, a 10×50 figure indicates that the creatures you will be observing will be ten times larger with your binoculars and that the lens is 50mm in size. Additionally, you should be aware that if you use a larger lens, more light will enter.

The element of eye relief

The distance between the eyes and the eye piece is referred to as the eye relief. 16mm is ideal if you use glasses, and 12mm is acceptable if you don’t. Keep in mind that the more eye relief, the less strain there is.

The coating on the lens

The best lenses are multi-coated ones, which are pricey but well worth the investment because of the coating that keeps them strong.

Increasing the size

Although the size of the lens affects magnification, a larger magnification does not necessarily translate into a better view. The optimum magnifications are 10 or 8, as you will need to reduce your field of view if the magnification is high, usually 12 and above.

The binoculars’ dimensions and mass

During your safari, you will need to get binoculars that are portable.

The lens’s dimensions
Allowing light to enter the binoculars is crucial, and for low light conditions, larger lens diameters are always preferable. You will need large lens size binoculars because most game is best viewed at dawn and twilight. If you purchase small lenses, you will not be able to see the animals clearly.

Water- and fog-proof
You should purchase binoculars that are less likely to splash and that can survive the morning fog that most African nations suffer.

The Top 5 Best Binocular Types for Safaris in Africa
After discussing the factors to take into account when selecting the best binoculars for a safari, it’s time to examine the actual binoculars. The following are some of the top binoculars to bring on safaris in Africa for wildlife and bird watching.

The 10×42 Bunshell H20 Waterproof

For a safari, these are regarded as the most resilient binoculars. They are of excellent quality and are renowned to be waterproof. Their Bak-4 prism guarantees sharp and clear seeing. Their 42mm lens diameter makes them perfect for bird viewing, and they perform exceptionally well in low light. They are quite light to handle and have a soft grip feel that will help you hold them even when your hands are wet. At over $100, these binoculars are regarded as among of the best available, making them the ideal accessory for an African safari.

The Celestron 72347 10×25 Outlandx

These are small, lightweight, fog- and water-resistant binoculars. They have a 25mm lens and a Bak-4 prism. They are additionally shielded from any damage by an armor made of rubber. The device is lightweight and convenient to carry in your pocket.

The 8 x 42 Prostaff 3s binoculars

The Prostaff 3s binoculars perform exceptionally well in low light conditions. Because of the multi-coated optics that come with the Prostaff, their 42mm lens lets in an abundance of light while blocking out glare and reflections. It should be noted that they cannot be carried in pockets, but they are small and light enough to be carried around the neck while on safari.

An 8×32 Wingspan Optics Spectator

These binoculars are small but renowned for their strength and power, making them excellent for bird watching. They are suitable for an African safari because of the following.

Because you don’t strain when using them, their 14.8mm diameter lessens eye strain.

With only 15.2 ounces, they are incredibly light to carry on a safari and excellent for long-distance viewing.

They are handy to carry for sudden and unexpected game viewing because of their non-sling grip.

The 8×22 BRY&BVL Bingo

If you are taking your kids on the safari, these are excellent. With their 8×22 magnification, children can see their third favorite animals from a distance and feel as though they are right next to them. They are incredibly sturdy and made to fit into small hands. Get these for your kids and take them on a safari to foster strong family ties because they are also less expensive than the other binoculars.

Cameras for your safari in Africa

The guidelines you should adhere to when selecting cameras

You must purchase a camera that is lightweight enough to carry about without feeling heavy.

Be mindful of your spending while purchasing a camera. Although high-quality ones are costly, you can still find one that suits your needs on a budget.

You should purchase a camera that focuses quickly and captures images as soon as you press the shutter. You will be able to take more pictures of Africa’s wildlife in this technique, and the digital SRL is the best.

The best lens camera to purchase is a telephoto zoom lens, which will make it simple to photograph wildlife that is quite distant from you and give the impression that it is close by.

Purchase a camera with a wider lens so you may capture images of landscapes, which also have some amazing creatures.

The top 12 safari cameras for a safari in Africa

Although there are many different types of cameras available for safaris, I have compiled a list of the top twelve (12) options that will ensure your African safari is a success.

The Canon 80D
When on an African wildlife safari, this waterproof camera is the best option to use as you travel through this stunning nation, which has dusty roads in the far-flung countryside and sees rain. It has a crop sensor with a dynamic range that provides excellent focal length and powerful processing to produce high-quality images.

You can utilize a wide range of lenses on it because it is an EF-mount Canon. For videos and low-angle or ground shots, it features a flip screen. Because the camera supports Wi-Fi, users can shoot pictures straight from their phone. Its touch screen makes it simple to adjust the focus and modify the settings. It costs roughly $890 on B&H Photo and Amazon.

The RX10 IV from Sony

The finest camera to bring on a safari is thought to be the Sony RX10 IV. It has a 25xzoom camera, so you can capture clear pictures, and it is weather sealed, so even if you replace the lens, the pictures still turn out well. Although they are somewhat pricey, they are well worth the investment.

The D7500 Nikon

The Nikon D7500 series offers 8 frames per second high-speed image shooting, a touch screen, a very responsive autofocus feature, and a tilt screen—a feature that sets it apart from other D7000 models. Its 4K high definition video shooting and 1080p video stability make this mirrorless camera a favorite among bloggers and reasonably priced at about $1,199. On the down side, it only has one SD card slot.

 

The Linux DMC F1000 from Panasonic
This incredible camera features a digital and optical zoom in addition to its fixed lens, which allows it to provide high-quality images. Compared to other bridge cameras, it has a larger sensor and can record 4K videos with its built-in lens, which ranges from 25mm to 400mm.

Its sturdy and pleasant body makes it comfortable to hold in your hands. The Panasonic Lumix DMC F1000 is a bridge camera that is a great option for both novice and expert photographers, offering incredibly high-quality images and user-friendly features.

 

The Canon 1dx MkIII
This all-around, incredibly fast, full-frame camera produces a very beautiful image quality and can output up to 20 frames per second of Raw images. Because of its exceptional qualities, many people who record wildlife documentaries, such as National Geographic, use this camera today.

It has a touch screen that allows you to adjust all the settings, including the focus while you’re filming, and its rear LCD is very useful for viewing the shots you’ve taken, even in the bright African sun. It can shoot up to 60 frames per second of 5.5k Raw with 1080 at 120 frames per second, which enables you to take slow motion and high definition shots. However, this amazing camera is very expensive, and can cost up to $6,500 on some online retailers; check out Amazon and B&H Photo for comparable prices.

 

The X-T3 from Fujifilm

This mirrorless camera is the best ASP-C camera on the market, weatherproof, and reasonably priced at around US $1700 on B&H Photo, Amazon, and other online retailers. Its advanced CMOS 4 sensor and X Processor provide a high-sensitivity auto focus function, and its electronic shutter can capture up to 30 frames per second (30 fps). It can also shoot videos at 4K 200mbps (120 fps video at 1080p).

The Alpha a6000 from Sony

Because of its useful face identification feature, which aids in object detection, this auto-focus camera works well for both still and video photography. It features 24.3 MP sensors and a BIONZ X image processing. The benefit of this camera is that it has interchangeable lenses, allowing for shooting in various settings.

The camera is quite easy to use, and all you need is a set of lenses to get started on your Africa Safari and capture a number of images and movies. The Sony Alpha a6000, which retails for approximately $499, is currently available on Amazon and B&P Photo.

The Rx100 III-VA from Sony
There are several Sony cameras available, and which one you choose will depend on your budget. Right now, we’re concentrating on the RX100 model, which has a 1-inch sensor, records 4K films, and boasts one of the quickest still image frames per second in the world, with an output of 24 images per second. The Rx100 includes an integrated lens and provides picture stabilization, particularly for videos.

It doesn’t require many accessories, but you will need memory cards and possibly a lightweight tripod, depending on the type of photography you do. This edition ranges in price from $350 to $1,200 from various reliable internet retailers like Amazon or B&H Photo. Considering its drawbacks, its size may make it uncomfortable to use all day, its 70mm zoom is limited, and its battery life is insufficient to last you the whole day.

The Lumix LX10 II from Panasonic
Both seasoned and inexperienced photographers will find this point-and-shoot small camera to be a fantastic choice. Its multifunctional UI makes it easy for novice photographers to operate, and its sophisticated manual settings let more seasoned photographers alter their shots however they like.

Its lens has an aperture of 1.7 to 2.8, which is perfect for macro photography or working in low light. It records in 4K high quality. Although it features an electronic viewfinder, I should caution you that this will quickly deplete the battery. It costs between $750 and $819.

The Fuji X-T30
This is the ideal camera for stylish vacationers who want to maintain their stylish appearance while on an African safari. It is a sophisticated, lovely model with a pop-up flash, a metallic body, and a vintage vibe. Because the Fuji X-T30 produces some of the best jpeg files and has flawless color output, its photos require very little retouching.

This is the ideal camera for bloggers who don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to editing. Although this camera’s drawbacks include its limited lens, lack of waterproofing, and short battery life (perhaps due to its high internal power), having a few additional batteries on hand will undoubtedly be useful.

The Sony A7 III
With its full-frame sensor, full-screen focusing, and outstanding high ISO quality, this incredible camera is among the best professional cameras available. It records 4K full-frame videos, however the sensor output is cropped. However, I should note that, like its inconsistent battery life, its concentrate feature needs to be improved. The cost of this breathtaking beauty is over US $2,000, which could be too much for a typical safari traveler who wants to shoot simple wildlife shots.

The cameras on the bridge

Although bridge cameras are very substantial, they are ideal for people who don’t want to carry extra gear like a camera body and additional lenses. If you don’t mind the weight, you can use these on your safari because they are smaller than DSLRs and have longer lenses and more shooting settings all in one.

How can I keep my binoculars and camera safe when I’m traveling?

Place them in cases that are well-padded.
While on the plain, let them be in your hand luggage and use a shoulder bag instead of a backpack.
By hiding the brand of your camera or binoculars, you can prevent burglars from knowing how much that item costs.

Always wear the camera strap to prevent it from falling and to ensure you have a firm hold in case someone snatches it.
Keep your camera and any associated equipment hidden, especially when you’re out in public. Retrieve it only when necessary. Leave your camera locked in your hotel room instead of taking it with you when you are exploring the bustling “down town” or other popular regions of big cities.
How to keep your binoculars and camera in good condition while on an African safari

Stay away from dirt and sand.

Because the majority of Africa’s safari sites are found in isolated, typically dusty regions, or on windy, sandy beaches, stay away from dusty areas and make sure your case locks securely. Instead of utilizing compressed air, just softly blow away any debris or sand that may have gotten on your equipment.

Avoid touching the lens and LCD.

The oil on your skin will cause lasting harm to the lens and LCD if you continue to touch them. Always use a fresh microfiber towel to wipe your finger prints off the lens and LCD.

Steer clear of liquids;
As a general rule, unless your camera or binoculars are protected by a waterproof case, you should never place them near liquids.

Keep the lens out of direct sunlight:
Since DSLR cameras are especially sensitive, it is well known that the lens and camera never contact. In addition to harming the picture sensor, the sun can cause an interior fire.

Make use of a vacuum bag;
Keeping your equipment in a vacuum bag is a great idea. Even the dirty sand and dirt that might have entered the case will be kept out thanks to this.