Best camera bag for a safari

Hi guys,

I've just joined this forum and this is my first post. I've searched through a few threads already but couldn't find an answer to my question but apologies if the info has already been posted.

I'm an absolute beginner when it comes to SLR photography so am currently in the process of buying my first pieces of equipment (so far I've been using a borrowed equipment).

I'm off on safari to Tanzania in August so I'm trying to get the right equipment together. I will have a EOS 600d, a Sigma 18-250 OS, a borrowed EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM, a x2 extender and a few other bits and pieces.

I'm now looking for recommendations for the right bag to store the gear. I'm torn between a holster bag in which the 600d + 100-400 will fit, which I *think* might be better whilst in the vehicles due to restricted space, and a rucksack, which would be better for transporting the kit. I've looked at the Lowepro Outback 200 and the Flipside.

If i was going for a backpack, I'd prefer one where i can access the camera without removing it, and also one where i can store other stuff for a day trip. If going for a holster bag, it must be able to fit the 600d + 100-400 lens and one extra lens. So what do the experts recommend?

this is a by truck safari or a backpacking trip your taking?

Last year we used our Lowepro Proroller 200s on our trip to Kruger SA. They rolled in/out of airports, planes. lodges...etc. They were in the back of the trucks on game drives as we loaded our benches and storage compartments with the 2 bodies, lenses, batteries for the day's shooting. There was not time or space for messing with a bag in the seat or under your feet.

If you want a WELL SEALED backpack, look at the Lowepro Vertex line.

Welcome to POTN!,

Africa is very dusty. I would rent another body such as the 5D2 for your Sigma short zoom lens, and put the 100-400 on your crop body. This way, you won't have to change lenses in the middle of dust and get it all over the inside of your camera and lenses. And you'll see a bird far away and then a lion coming along the Rover, and rather than try and switch lenses, you'll have a long setup and a short one.

The cropped body and the long zoom plus extender will give you incredible reach for the bird, and the landscape use of the 5D2 and the short zoom will give you incredible wide shots and the lion.

You will keep all your gear on the seat next to you or on the floorboard of the Rover, so you don't so much need the bag for outings. What you do need is one for travel on the plane. If it were I and things will get banged around in the plane, on Rovers, I would get a Pelican 1514 hardcase roll-on carryon. You can take whatever you need out of it and carry that gear for an outing in any number of Lowepro or other bags. I like the Stealth Reporter series myself. Use that bag on the plane for books, food, etc.

Take a tripod. You'll see some fantastic sunsets which you won't be able to capture otherwise. They will stop the Rover at a clearning so you can get out and get shots.

Take a LOT of cards, or get a portable harddrive such as the Hyperdrive to download your daily shots, then reuse the card.

If you possibly can, get an extra body. It is a great insurance policy to ensure you don't miss out on photos on safari due to a down camera.

I broke a 40D climbing a slippery Alaskan slope but my 30D saved the trip photographically. My friend broke his Nikon falling on the city street in Xi'an, Chins but, had no back-up camera. Result was that he depended on my images of the Terracotta Warriors and other sights...

It also keeps your camera clean and reduces lens changing in dusty areas.

tvphotog wrote in post #12673525
The cropped body and the long zoom plus extender will give you incredible reach for the bird, and the landscape use of the 5D2 and the short zoom will give you incredible wide shots and the lion.

Though remember the 100-400 will not auto focus with a 2X extender on a 600D without taping the pins.

Indeed, you want two camera bodies!!!! Consider a refurbished one from Canon. You can trade in an old Canon body (film, digitial) for a newer refurbed one.On our trip we had 7D with the 100-400. We rented 500 lenses for our 40Ds. The vast majority of wildlife shots from the trucks were using the 100-400. At least in Kruger and surrounds, much of the wildlife is relatively up close. In east Africa, that might not be the case.

BurBunny beat me to it... but...

the canon 100-400 will not autofocus with the 2x extender. I recommend not using it. When your at 400mm, your aperture will be around f8... not too good, lol.

thanks for the replies!

cost is a bit of an issue at the moment as I am just starting out with SLR photography, so I currently need to prioritise what I buy. I'll see if i can rent or borrow a second body, otherwise I will take my Canon Powershot SX for the scenary shots and keep the 100-400 on the 600d. I'm not going to try changing lenses in the land rover.

Thanks for the tip on the extender. I'm going to try the first day without it and see how it goes.

I did also look at the Vertex but decided against it as a back-pack and considered the Lowepro Primus AW instead as it has more room for other items and my current stock of equipment isn't too big. I'm still thinking of a holster.

It sounds like you are on the right track.

BurBunny wrote in post #12673648
Though remember the 100-400 will not auto focus with a 2X extender on a 600D without taping the pins.

Even with taped pins it won't AF.

took the plunge and ordered the Lowepro Primus AW, which I'll use as a carry-on and for hiking etc. Still waiting for it to arrive, though (ordered in the US and a friend is bringing back to Germany for me). I'm wondering if i should get another, smaller bag; something like a Lowepro Toploader 70AW or an Inverse 100AW.

My main priority is to be able to have my 600d with the Sigma 18-250mm at the ready, but it would be nice if the bag would also accomodate the 600d with the 100-400mm, lens down. Does anyone know if either of these bags would accommodate this?

My experience with safari is that the bag is needed for getting from home to Africa, and from lodge to lodge, but isn't needed at all when actually going out on safari. When we're out looking for the animals my cameras are on the seat next to me, round my neck, or in my hand.

Stuff like extra lenses, TCs, filters, spare batteries, etc. all go in a lightweight, unpadded, bag like this- which also has waterproof bags inside for toiletries (anti-sun, wet-wipes, hand washing gunk).

How was the primus bag once you got it. As you both have seen In my own safari thread I'm heading on safari next year and I am now looking for a rucksack type bag that will take both body's, all lenses, chargers etc etc etc which will be used as a carry on bag for the plane and throughout the trip daily lodge to lodge and out in the rovers.

I think you should get a Pelican rollon such as the 1514 for travel on the plane, from lodge to lodge. If you have two bodies, I agree with Franks that you don't have to carry much more in the Rovers than extra batteries and CF cards, and a monopod to use for the long lens.

A travel tripod is essential if you want to get sunsets and shots at dusk.