A Wildlife Photographer’s Gear Guide for African Safaris
Planning your first (or fifth) African photo safari? Choosing the right gear is one of the biggest factors in whether you come home with just memories or jaw-dropping images. In this guide, we’ll break down my professional safari camera kit built for serious wildlife work in 2025.
This list reflects current best-in-class Canon gear, trusted accessories, and field-tested choices optimized for safari conditions, power limitations, and airline weight restrictions.
Safari along the Chobe River, Botswana
Camera Bodies: What I Still Trust in 2025
Let’s start with the core: the camera bodies. In 2025, Canon’s R3, R5, and R5C remain incredibly capable—even with newer models like the R1 and R5 Mark II entering the scene. While the newer models are indeed more powerful, these “old” bodies still deliver all the image quality, autofocus performance, and reliability you need on safari.
Canon R3: My go-to for fast action and low light situations. It provides incredible AF system and low light handling, and the built-in vertical grip make it ideal for long days shooting wildlife on the move.
Canon R5: A perfect all-rounder. Lightweight, high-res (45MP), and great dynamic range. It usually stays on my 100-500mm.
Canon R5C: If you shoot video as well, this hybrid body handles 8K RAW and gives full manual video control with active cooling—perfect for BTS safari content or cinematic work. These days I am pairing it with the new Canon 100-300mm f2.8. I can make the most of this lens when filming in S35 crop mode, that gives me a 150-450mm f2.8 equivalent, or even add in a 1.4 TC resulting in an impressive 210-630mm f4 equivalent. A total beast for wildlife filming.
So no, you don't need the latest bodies to produce great work. These three still cover 99% of pro-level needs, at least for me.
Canon Powershot V1: I just added this new compact camera that seems to be a very capable piece of tech. Of course it’s not a great fit when it comes to wildlife but I think it will fit well in my equipment lineup to film more BTS during self drives and guided safaris, allowing me to share more content with you. During and after my upcoming trip to Botswana and Zambia I’ll be sharing a lot of “from the field” content, so make sure you follow me on Instagram and subscribe to my Youtube channel. Detailed field review coming soon!
Lenses: Covering Every Focal Range
Africa’s varied terrain demands a flexible lens lineup. From dusty open plains to dense forests, choosing the right focal length can make or break a shot. Here’s what goes in the bag:
RF 600mm f/4: The staple for long-range wildlife. Especially critical in open areas like CKGR and Etosha, where getting close is rarely possible. I still prefer this one to the 400mm f2.8 as, forcing me to stay a bit further away from the subject, I often get a better angle and a cleaner background.
RF 100-500mm: A flexible workhorse. Great for self-drives where you must always be ready for unexpected action. Lightweight, versatile, perfect for subjects on the move.
RF 70-200mm f/2.8: One of my go-to in places like South Luangwa, where I’m often closer to the action in lush surroundings. Great for both portrait-style animal shots and bigger shots that show the habitat.
RF 24-70mm f/2.8: Always useful for general storytelling, vehicle shots, landscapes and camp life. Essential for giving context to your wildlife subjects.
NEW: RF 100-300mm f/2.8: During my upcoming trips I will test this new beast that will hopefully replace the 70-200 + 100-500 mm. Constant 2.8 is great for low light, and early tests suggest phenomenal sharpness. Plus I can pair it with a 1.4x TC getting a powerful 140-420mm f4. A full field review is coming soon.
A shot from back in my Nikon days. Nikon D850, 500mm f4. Etosha NP, Namibia.
➡️ Planning to photograph in Namibia’s open desert landscapes? Check out the Complete Namibia Photo Guide to see how different focal lengths perform in extreme terrain.
Accessories That Make Life Easier in the Field
Accessories might not be flashy, but they’re what keep your kit running smoothly day after day.
Canon RF 1.4x Teleconverter: Perfect for boosting reach on the 600mm or 100-300mm when you need it. Minimal quality loss, especially in good light.
Angelbird CFexpress Cards: Fast, reliable, and tough. When you’re recording 8K or rapid bursts of action, these cards won’t choke.
Electronic Blower: Dust is inevitable in Africa. This is safer than canned air and more effective than manual blowers. Use it at camp or mid-drive when changing lenses.
Goal Zero Sherpa 100 Power Bank: On self-drives or multi-day bush camps without power, this keeps everything charged—bodies, phones, even laptops. Compact enough to bring as carry-on.
Off the grid in the Kalahari region.
Big Lenses: Pros and Cons for Safari Travel
There’s a constant debate in the field: bring the big glass or not?
Pros of Big Lenses (like 600mm f/4):
Sharpness and subject isolation are unmatched.
Allows you to shoot tighter from farther away—essential for shy species.
Pairs beautifully with teleconverters without killing image quality.
Cons:
Heavy and bulky—harder to travel with, especially on small aircraft.
Not as flexible when shooting in tight or fast-paced environments.
Requires a solid monopod or beanbag setup for best results.
If you’re traveling by charter or bush planes with strict carry-on limits, consider shipping gear ahead with your operator or swapping the 600mm for a more versatile and compact zoom like the 100-300mm f/2.8, paired with a 1.4x extender.
Tips for Safari Carry-On & Packing
Always carry your camera bodies and lenses onboard. Never check them in, especially if flying through hubs like Johannesburg or Addis Ababa.
Use a modular camera backpack, like an F-Stop Tilopa (my go-to) and keep weight under the stated limit.
Bring a small shoulder camera bag as your “personal item” to distribute weight.
If questioned at check-in, calmly explain the value of your gear and your need to keep it protected. In most cases, airline staff will allow exceptions.
Crossing the Namib desert on a small bush plane.
Packing for a safari is about knowing your destination, planning for the unexpected, and bringing only what helps you create your best work in the field. The gear above has been tested across deserts, forests, wetlands, and remote tracks—and it's built to perform when the action happens fast.
🎒 Want to see how this gear performs in real conditions—and learn how to use it in the wild? Join one of my upcoming wildlife photography workshops. From Namibia’s dunes to Botswana’s wild rivers and the predator-rich South Luangwa, every trip is handcrafted for photographers who want to improve their craft and walk away with shots that matter.
