Safari Advice

Hey all,

I'm booking a safari today to Tanzania for end last 2 weeks in Feb, 06. It's a custom trip where 2 of us will be in a jeep of our own followed by another jeep with camping gear, etc. 2/3 of time will be camping and 1/3 in lodges (for recharges of batteries and ourselves!).

I'm using a 350D, the kit lens, Sigma 75-300 (the cheap one) and a 100-400 IS L, have 2*Ultra II Sandisk 1GB cards and a 40GB Epson P2000, Polariser, Cokin ND and ND Grad, BG-E3 grip and extra pair of NB-2LH's. Thinking hard about the 17-40L.

Anti-everything shots and good quality boots are next on order. I want to be equipped both skill-wise and technically to make the most of this trip. It's going to be an adventure of a lifetime thanks to a large redundancy package from my last job.... but I want to make sure I don't come back thinking... "what if?"

Places we're going include Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Lake Myanara. Most of our time will be in the crater and the Serengeti.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Aidan F.

Hi Aidan....sounds like the trip of a lifetime!

For what its worth, I would get another (1 or 2) CF cards (redundancy is always good) and in order to reduce the lens' you are taking consider leaving the two Sigmas and replacing with the 24-105 f4 IS and a 1.4 TC for the 100-400. That way you are covered from 15-560mm with three lenses.

check out https://photography-on-the.net …?t=119110&highl​ight=wagon you will find a wealth of good info on the long zooms and the use of different TC's.

Have fun planning!

Scott

Hi Adrian,

We did a self drive camping safari in Botswana about 2 years ago for our honeymoon and had a great time.

An extra couple of cards is a good idea. I would also suggest taking another camera body if you have one. I took my 300D and my film SLR and a point and shoot and ended up using all three.
I also bought a spare camera battery and a battery charger that could use the cigarette lighter socket in the Land Rover. Also a good pair of binoculars.

Read up as much as you can about wildlife photography, techniques and composition. Also learn about the animals you will be looking for, how they behave, when they are active etc.

Don't worry too much about boots 90% of your time will be spent in your vehicle. The normal routine is to get up at daybreak and head out on a game drive until about 10 o'clock. Then back to camp/lodge for something to eat and relax until about 3pm when you go out again until it gets dark.
Take some head torches. They are great for keeping your hands free around camp once the sun has gone down.

Take your time driving, we were rarely out of 1st gear on most drives, and be vigilant.

Make sure you shut off the engine before you start shooting to avoid vibration. You might want a bean bag to rest your lens on out the window.
Watch your shutter speed and ISO. The light can change quickly as it approaches dusk.

The trails can be rough and equipment bounces around so make sure it is safely secured or held by the passenger.

Watch out for the dust, especially when changing lenses, it gets everywhere.
I bet the 100-400 hardly ever comes off the camera anyway.

I'm sure you will be well briefed when you get there but it doesn't hurt to say it now..NEVER get out of your vehicle on a game drive!

And ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS have a camera loaded, on and at hand because you never know what might wander out of the bush in front of you.

Carl