An African safari is the ultimate experience for wildlife photographers—one filled with incredible sightings, dramatic landscapes, and thrilling adventures. But capturing Africa’s stunning wildlife and vast landscapes requires thoughtful preparation as we have to travel through international airports and often reach our final location via small charter planes where space is limited or with long 4x4 transfers, where we must be careful not to damage our precious gear. As a consequence we cannot bring all the gear we want to on a safari; on the opposite, we have to be very selective so that we carry all we need and nothing more.
Over the years I've refined my gear choices balancing quality, versatility, and portability, ending with a gear kit that allows me to cover all situations while still keep it minimal.
Below, you'll find the exact gear list I rely on plus practical advice and scenarios illustrating why each item is essential. With the right equipment you’ll be ready to create stunning images under any condition on your next African adventure.
Shooting with R5 + Canon 100-500 somewhere in Damaraland, Namibia
📷 Cameras
Canon EOS R5
The Canon R5 is my primary choice for landscape photography and detailed wildlife portraits due to its exceptional 45-megapixel resolution and superb image quality. The R5’s advanced autofocus tracking system is incredibly reliable, ensuring your subjects are always perfectly sharp. The image quality is incredible and even in 2025 I don’t really feel the need to upgrade to the R5mk2. The 15 fps of the R5 are good for most situations and the autofocus is already incredible, and if I miss any photos with the R5 it certainly won’t be a camera’s fault. In terms of ISO, if properly exposed the R5 files are fully usable till 12.500 iso and, if careful, even up to 20.000.
When I’m using it mostly:
Landscapes
Adventure reportage
Wildlife scenes without a lot of action
Situations requiring heavy cropping without losing quality
Canon EOS R3
The R3 has a 24 mp sensor, shining in low light situations and in fast-paced wildlife photography, where animals often move unpredictably and rapidly. The autofocus is lightning-fast, even more than the already excellent R5, and when paired with the high frame rate of up to 30fps makes for an incredible tool that rarely (if ever) misses a shot. It’s also the best low-light performing camera on the market (together with the R1 that seems to be just matching the R3 low light capabilities), allowing me to go for fast shutter speeds even at dusk and opening new creative possibilities. I am confident shooting well above ISO 20.000, with usable files even at iso 50.000.
When it's most useful:
Action photography (running mammals, birds in flight)
Early morning or dusk photography when lighting conditions are challenging
Tracking fast-moving animals with absolute precision
Canon EOS R5C
With the same photo capabilities as the R5 (it doesn’t have IBIS - in body image stabilization - that doesn’t really matter when shooting wildlife with faster shutter speeds), the R5C features a video mode with the same operating system of Canon cinema line (C70, C80 etc.). This not only allow for a higher dynamic range than the R5 or the R3, but also makes the camera much more usable and the controls much more efficient when in video mode. Also the R5C has a built in cooling system, very handy to prevent the camera from overheating in the often hot safari days. I did some testing against the more recent R5mk2 but the R5C still looks a better option to me when it comes to video. It still has a slight advantage in dynamic range and the customizable controls make it for the perfect tool if you want the best quality in both photos and video.
When I’m using it mostly:
When I want to alternate still photos and videos while getting the top quality in both
Pro Tip:
An additional benefit of carrying two camera bodies is that you always have two different lenses ready to use without switching, that would cause exposing your sensor to dust—a constant concern on safari.
Friend and fellow photographer Jandre Germishuizen with a R5 and 400mm 2.8
📸 Lenses
Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8
It’s one of my favorite lenses. It’s too short for wildlife but is always useful to have it around, allowing me to cover landscapes and documenting the adventure behind the scenes. Reaching 15mm in the wider range allows to get big scenes all into a photo, as well as shooting in tight spaces like a safari vehicle or inside a photo hide. If zoomed at 24mm or 35mm it becomes an excellent lens for environmental portraits. The aperture of 2.8 also plays a role as it’s just enough to use it for astrophotography as well.
When it's most useful:
Wide-angle landscape shots
Capturing environmental portraits, including your safari vehicle or camp life
Starry skies and astrophotography at remote African lodges
General reportage images
Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1
My go-to lens for flexibility and responsiveness. It allows me to zoom quickly from mid-range wildlife portraits to distant action scenes, reducing the need to constantly reposition the vehicle and allowing me to include more or less of the habitat in my compositions. Of course the aperture is a bit of a limit, especially at dusk, but the flexibility given by the zoom range and the compact building makes it for an incredible tool that I always bring along; it often stays on my R5 or R5C.
When it's most useful:
Versatile for wildlife photography
Quickly adapting to changing wildlife scenarios without changing lenses
Capturing unexpected wildlife encounters that unfold rapidly as you can keep it always at hand and ready to shoot
Canon RF 400mm f/2.8 or 600mm f/4
The ultimate tools for dedicated wildlife photography, these lenses excels at isolating subjects and producing beautiful background blur. The price doesn't make them for everyone but the exceptional sharpness and large aperture ensure clear, dramatic wildlife portraits, even in low-light situations. While I own both I usually go for a 600mm on a safari, with some exceptions for the situations where I know I’ll be able to get really close to my subjects and also where I won’t be photographing very small subjects. In fact the bigger aperture of the 400m is an advantage only if we don’t need to crop the image in post processing. If we crop the relative noise will increase and we will loose that one-stop advantage, plus we loose some of the image resolution. For this reason my go-to for safari situations is still the 600 f/4.
When it's most useful:
Photographing shy or elusive animals like leopards, which require significant reach
Capturing animals at dawn or dusk with limited natural light
High-quality, intimate wildlife portraits with gorgeous bokeh
Pro Tip:
Using teleconverters like a 1.4x extender can extend the reach of your 600mm lens even further, providing unparalleled opportunities to photograph distant wildlife clearly.
Bee eaters. Canon R3, 600mm f/4 + 1.4x for an equivalent of 840mm f5.6
🔋 Essential Accessories
Extra Batteries:
We usually have regular access to electricity even in the most remote safaris, but it’s always a good idea to carry enough batteries to last at least a full day of shooting. During safari drives charging isn’t available and you'll be shooting thousands (sometimes tens of thousands) of images. You surely don’t want to find yourself trying to save battery in front of some amazing wildlife encounters.High-Speed Memory Cards:
Fast cards (such as CFexpress or high-speed SD cards) ensure your camera keeps up with rapid-fire sequences without filling the buffer. This is essential for action photography. Another benefit of high performing memory cards is that they tend to be more reliable and less prone to failure. Bring at least double the cards you expect to use on a full day - again, you don’t want to be in a situation where you can’t shoot because of a card. Cards are cheap compared to your cameras and lenses or even compared to the cost of being on a safari, so buy big and reliable cards. My choice is Angelbirds AV PRO CFexpress Type B; I carry 6x 256GB cards, that ensures me a couple days of shooting before I have to download them.Reliable Tripod:
It’s not mandatory for a safari, but if you plan on photographing also sunrise/sunset landscapes, low-light wildlife shots, astrophotography, and long-exposure photography then a light carbon fiber tripod will be very handy.Camera Cleaning Kit:
African safaris are notoriously dusty, especially during dry seasons (that tend to be the best for wildlife viewing). Regularly cleaning your gear prevents sensor dust spots and maintains image quality. I bring several brushes, a kit for cleaning lenses, a battery powered blower to dust off the gear and a classic manual blower. I also have with me a sensor cleaning kit with wet wipes; I rarely have to use it but I always have it in my bag.Laptop and Portable SSD Drives:
You can’t bring enough memory cards for a whole safari, and even if you can, it’s not recommended to leave your valuable files there without backing up your photos daily. To do that you will need a laptop and some hard drives. SSD drives offer fast, reliable file management and ensure your images remain safe throughout your trip. I usually bring my MacBook Pro 13’’ and 2x 4TB ssd hard drives; this will allow me to save 2 copies of everything, protecting my files from a possible disk failure.Binoculars:
Crucial for spotting wildlife from a distance before setting up your camera. They enhance your safari experience, giving you ample time to anticipate and capture unique behaviors.
🧢 Safari Apparel
Comfort and practicality are crucial during an African safari. Here’s a comprehensive clothing list to stay comfortable and safe:
Neutral-colored Clothing (khaki, olive, brown):
Helps blend into the environment. Avoid bright vivid and bright colors that stand out too much.Long-sleeve Shirts and Pants:
Provide sun and insect protection while remaining breathable and lightweight.
Wide-brimmed Hat:
Essential sun protection during long game drives.Fleece or Light Jacket:
Early mornings and late evenings can be surprisingly cold out in the savannah. Always bring a light insulated and windproof jacket. If you are going in the winter season (May to August in Southern Africa) consider also some light gloves and a beanie for morning game drives.Waterproof Jacket:
During rainy seasons unexpected downpours can occur quickly and having a waterproof layer will prove very handy. If you are traveling during the dry season you can leave it home.Buff or Scarf:
Shields you from dust and provides sun protection.
Pro Tip:
Avoid dark colors, especially blue or black, as they attract biting insects like tsetse flies.
👞 Footwear
Comfortable Hiking Boots or Trail Shoes:
Ideal for walking safaris, camps, and uneven terrains. These are very specific situations and you won't need it in most cases.Closed-toe Shoes:
Your main safari shoes must offer protection from insects, thorns, and rough terrain. While you won't be spending much time out of your safari vehicle you want something that will allow you to move comfortably on the rough savannah and bush, protecting your feet from rocks, vegetations and insects.Sandals or Flip-flops:
Great for downtime around lodges or camps.
Pro Tip:
Ensure all shoes are well-broken-in to prevent discomfort during your adventure.
🎒 Additional Safari Accessories
Insect Repellent: Vital, especially at dawn and dusk, in humid areas or during rainy season.
Sunscreen and Lip Balm: African sun is intense, even on cloudy days.
Headlamp or Flashlight: Essential at camps, especially at night.
Reusable Water Bottle: Hydration is crucial throughout safari days. While you can always get single-use plastic bottles, having a personal steel bottle is a much better option. You can fill it up anytime at the lodge or camp. If you can, bring an insulated bottle to prevent your water from getting boiling hot.
Dry Bags: Protect gear from dust, sand, and unexpected rain.
First Aid Kit: Include basics like antiseptic, painkillers, bandages, and any personal medications, a good first aid kit is essential if you are on a self drive safari adventure, where you must be able to solve any problem you might encounter. Not necessary if you are joining a guided safari tour.
📅 Join Me on an Exclusive African Safari!
Put these gear recommendations into action on one of my exclusive guided photography trips. We’ll explore stunning wildlife destinations like Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and South Africa, where you'll have the chance to refine your skills and create unforgettable images.
