African Photo Safari - Packing Suggestions

[dburgess]

In a few weeks, my wife and I will be leaving for a trip to the African continent. A highlight of the trip will be a week long stay at a game lodge, where we'll be taken on twice daily excursions to nearby game preserves to photograph wildlife.

Because we'll be doing a good bit of touring besides the stay at the game lodge, I'm trying to strike a balance between traveling light and having all the essential gear I'll need. Here's a list of the basic gear I own:

Nikon D700 camera back
Nikon D90 camera back

• AF Nikkor 50mm 1.8
• AF Nikkor 24-70 F2
• AF Nikkor 70-200 F2 VRII
• Tokina AF ATX 12-24/4.0
• 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS
  
• Nikon SB 600 strobe
• Full size heavy duty Manfrotto tripod
• Manfrotto monopod

I obviously can't bring all of this stuff with me. Any suggestions from anyone who's been there and done that?

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by dburgess

In a few weeks, my wife and I will be leaving for a trip to the African continent. A highlight of the trip will be a week long stay at a game lodge, where we'll be taken on twice daily excursions to nearby game preserves to photograph wildlife.

Because we'll be doing a good bit of touring besides the stay at the game lodge, I'm trying to strike a balance between traveling light and having all the essential gear I'll need. Here's a list of the basic gear I own:

Nikon D700 camera back
Nikon D90 camera back

• AF Nikkor 50mm 1.8
• AF Nikkor 24-70 F2
• AF Nikkor 70-200 F2 VRII
• Tokina AF ATX 12-24/4.0
• 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS
  
• Nikon SB 600 strobe
• Full size heavy duty Manfrotto tripod
• Manfrotto monopod

I obviously can't bring all of this stuff with me. Any suggestions from anyone who's been there and done that?

Can you rent a 200-400? or even a 300 prime?

The 70-200 VR II (it's a 2.8 BTW) you have is going to be your best lens, but it's a little short. You could add a TC1.7 to it without breaking the bank.

I imagine most of your photography will be done from a vehicle without room for a tripod. A beanbag is a good alternative.

Honestly, you may want to ask this question over at NSN or BPN where the really experienced nature photographers hang out.

From what you have, obviously both bodies, the 70-200 and the 24-70. If you have the room and weight allowance (you may need to check on what you can travel with in country weight-wise), then add the 18-200 as a backup.

Another all-round great lens is the new 28-300, but I don't know if it will take a TC or not.
The 200-400 (which will take a TC, BTW) is THE safari lens of choice right now.

[Biomech]

Definately go longer if you can. I shot with a 70-300 and sometimes that wasn't close enough. Something with a fat aperture too, alot of animals come out in the evening when it cools down, the light fades and flash would be fail (and maybe get you eaten?).

I'd say ditch the mono, take the tripod - get some nice landscapes and sunset landscapes.

Watch out for dust!

[OsmosisStudios]

If you cant rent a 200-400 (PLEASE do, it's excellent), see about buying or renting one of the new TCx2 teleconverters for the 70-200 f/2.8. Then leave it on the D90 with the 24-70 on the D700. Toss the 50 into the bag for general stuff.

[gturner]

You need only 2 lenses for safari
1. Wide angle for landscapes / sunsets
2. A super zoom. 400mm is a must.

Which country are you going to visit?

I would take the monopod for use in and out of the vehicle. Make sure it folds small to go in checked baggage. Tripods are just too big.


LensRentals.com - Rent a Nikon 200-400mm f/4 VR
Get full insurance!!!

If you want to do it properly, the 400mm 2,8 is the very best.

I would not take converters, I find they focus far to slow and IQ is poor on moving animals unless you have pro level bodies. (1D or D3) If you are at a private camp, you will get pretty close to animals.

[gturner]

Just to add - if you are staying at a place that has tribal dancing etc, it might be worth packing the flash.

[fazekma]

If you can take all the gear - it's not that much and should all fit into one Lowepro Trekker backpack. Whatever you leave behind will be the item you most need!

As the other people have said - you will need a backup body and lens - I have had a lens and body seize on me in the Kruger Park and the Kgalagadi - it is dusty, gets hot and photo gear takes strain!

And you will need all the reach you can get so a teleconverter would be nice to add to your 70-200 f2.8 lens - not a necessity but good to have. I have, however, found that the 2X TC does not produce good results on the 70-200 so I would suggest a 1.4X or 1.7X TC.

Are you doing a self-drive safari or guided safari?

[ProPhoto]

Originally Posted by dburgess

In a few weeks, my wife and I will be leaving for a trip to the African continent. A highlight of the trip will be a week long stay at a game lodge, where we'll be taken on twice daily excursions to nearby game preserves to photograph wildlife.

Because we'll be doing a good bit of touring besides the stay at the game lodge, I'm trying to strike a balance between traveling light and having all the essential gear I'll need. Here's a list of the basic gear I own:

Nikon D700 camera back
Nikon D90 camera back

• AF Nikkor 50mm 1.8
• AF Nikkor 24-70 F2
• AF Nikkor 70-200 F2 VRII
• Tokina AF ATX 12-24/4.0
• 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS
  
• Nikon SB 600 strobe
• Full size heavy duty Manfrotto tripod
• Manfrotto monopod

I obviously can't bring all of this stuff with me. Any suggestions from anyone who's been there and done that?

Do not leave the monopod at home.

[Harpo63]

We were at Masai Mara last October on a safari - 2 trips out a day. No way to use a tripod because of the lions. Nobody got out of their vehicles. Everyone had the safari vehicles with the lift up roof. Most of the people I saw had real long lenses, handheld. 400's. Most of the animals were out at dawn and sunset, so low light needs to be considered.

However, many animals like elephants, zebras, some giraffes, even lions- we were real close to them (50 ft away?)

This is the trip that prompted us to buy the dlsr... we went there with a canon S3!. Makes me sick thinking of the lost opportunity!

[Weekend Warrior]

I want to use any and all items you listed so badly that I can't imagine leaving anything behind!

That said, I would think everything but....just tried to come up with a list but I can't.

Maybe keep the 18-200 mounted to the D90 at all times and just carefully swap the 24-70 & 70-200 on the D700?

The 50 f/1.8 is already covered in both Crop and FF set ups, but then again it doesn't take up much space.

The Tokina 12-24 can stay at home imo - 24mm on the FF D700 should be wide enough for just about everything.

Monopods can always come in handy..prop it on the hood of the jeep when you're shooting out of the roof (or something similar)

Tripod needed for those longer exposures during twilight..

Argh now I'm opening a new tab for Travelocity.com!

What part of Africa are you visiting?