What camera gear should I take on safari?

I’ve never been on safari so I am the least qualified person to answer my second most often asked question (the first being, “Which camera should I buy?”).

However, the A Year With My Camera community is full of people happy to share their experiences. This is what their advice is:

Gear to take on safari

Your biggest zoom lens. Consider renting at least a 300mm lens if you don’t have one. However, if you don’t have a long lens don’t be put off: compact cameras with zooms work very well.
Don’t just take a long lens: take a 50mm or wide angle as well.
Many spare memory cards.
Many spare batteries (at least 3).
Lens wipes.
A bean bag to rest your camera/lens on the vehicle’s window. And/or a monopod that you can easily stabilise your camera on.
If you have it (or can rent it) a second body to save you having to change lenses.
A waistcoat/gilet with pockets so you can easily reach your spare battery, lens wipes and memory cards without reaching for your big bag.
If possible take some means of backing up your photos each day.
If you are travelling any leg by smaller plane, check the weight allowance (it may be only 15 or 20kg total).
Consider taking a field guide (eg The Kingdon Guide to African Mammals).

General advice for your first safari

Learn to use your camera before you go (you can do A Year With My Camera for free if you have time, or buy the first workbook for a crash course). Practice photographing birds and animals at home.
You really need to understand how shutter speed will affect camera shake unless you want very disappointing, blurred photos (lesson 3 of AYWMC).
Make sure the animal’s eyes are pin-sharp. Learn how to focus your lens properly to achieve this. And learn how depth of field affects how much of the animal is sharp (lesson 2 of AYWMC).
If you can afford it book a private vehicle, and a specialist photographic one if at all possible.
Some lodges offer gear to rent.
Check if your lodge has a photographic hide.
Get up for the early morning trips.
Check if you can recharge your batteries easily.
Don’t change lenses in the dust (you’ll get the sensor dirty). Learn how to clean your sensor and take whatever equipment you’ll need.
Check your settings every day before you go out: have you reset your ISO, turned image stabilisation on/off as needed, reset exposure compensation and dialled in the likely first settings you will need that day?
Don’t be afraid to take lots of photos (assuming you brought plenty of memory cards).
Remember to put the camera down from time to time and take in your surroundings.
Don’t forget that animals will probably be resting in the shade and your camera’s auto exposure will be fooled into exposing for the bright surroundings rather than the animals. Learn how your camera meters and be ready to override it if necessary (the first 5 weeks of AYWMC will teach you this).
Beware of monkeys stealing things (especially food).
You should only ever be an observer. Never interfere with the animals (eg. don’t whistle to wake them up).
If you shoot mirrorless consider switching the shutter sound off: it’s considerate to your fellow travellers.

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