Africa Advice?

[Wreck96]

Going to Kenya and Tanzania for about 2 weeks in March. Although photography isnt the main objective of the trip (am going with family to visit my sister there) we'll be going on safari for several days in the Serengetti and to Ngorongoro Crater. Planning on bringing my 5D (mark II if the Canon Gods are willing, Mark I otherwise), my 40D, 16-35, 24-105, and 100-400. May bring a tripod, not sure yet. Anything else I should be thinking about? Any advice on the selection of gear I am bringing, thoughts either way on it? Thanks!

[betebete]

You'r Lucky, i want to go aswell :)
My parents want to travel somewhere during christmas instead of staying at home.
They want a "beach" vacation but im trying to convince them to travel to africa instead.

Anyways, instead of a tripod, bring a Monopod that you can angle up and down.

[Matty777]

Anything else I should be thinking about? Any advice on the selection of gear I am bringing, thoughts either way on it? Thanks!

Rocket blower, Rocket blower and a Rocket blower. :)

Sensor Cleaner, Sensor Cleaner, and Sensor Cleaner, :)

and some cleaning cloths!

Safari dust gets every - kin - where!! That 100-400 will suck it in. Very red too, shows up on everything!

Last went to Kenya 18 years ago! Before the digi' age.

Agree with the monopod, Safari nights normally spent at the bar, wouldn't want to be out of any compound, so not a lot of night shots!! Though if you have a lightweight travel t'pod then take one. Ie a Velbon Maxi/Luxi

[bluefox9er]

take 2 bodies and DONT CHange lenses AS THERE IS A lot OF DUST!!! It would be insane to leave the dust pumping 100-400 mm IS L lens at home ( who ever designed the retarded push-pull nonsensical system should be fired).

what you really should take in ABUNDANCE is as much memory as you can... i shot 180gb in 10 days and the hyperdrive space was invaluable, it downloads 100gb per battery charge. also, you need power...kenya and tanzania are extremly hit and miss when it comes to electrical power reliability...take every opportunity you get to charge your gear. dont waste weight and space with tripods and monopods, you wont be able to use them in jeeps, but take a bean bag or a thick sweathirt instead to use as a makeshift tripod. rocket blower would be a good idea,but i wouldn't attempyt any sensor cleaning whilst im in africa unless it was life or death...you really dont want to accidentally destroy one of your cameras. also take lots of 'small' denominations of paper shillings to give to people in exchange for photographing them...the masai are extremly persisitant for money and under no circumstances take pictures of them without permission, the cosnequences could be very violent indeed. instead, settle for the toursit masai village with fake villagers , but you can take pictures in peace.

lastly...dont do what most poeple do in kenya/tanazania...and thats see the country,people and wildlife though a viewfinder. shoot shots with just your eyes too from time to time :)

safari njema!