70D for Africa Safari?

First post folks and an Aussie so don't be to hard on me!
We are off to Southern Africa next August and I am looking at updating my current gear.
Wife will be taking a Panasonic FZ200 super zoom.
I currently have a EOS 600D, EFS 15-85, EFS 55-250, 430EX II, which I used in Africa Aug 2012.
Got some great photos then but found the little EFS 55-250 just did not have the length I wanted at times. I purchased this budget kit before the trip and as my interest has grown, I purchased the EFS 15-85 and the speedlite.
Now I am really enjoying my photography and looking at upgrading from the 600D.
I am going to hand over the 600D and 18-55 lens to a nephew interested in photography after Africa where I am thinking of using it as a second body.
I feel the 5D mark3 is far more camera then I need and too serious a tool for me at this point although I am temped.
Looked at the 6D but it does not seem to get particularly good reviews for wildlife and sports type photography, so perhaps not a FF body just yet?
So thinking about the 70D with a 100-400IS lens, looked at the much cheaper and smaller 70-300 IS USM lens also.
With the 70D I can still utilise the EFS 15-85 lens which I am very happy with.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts or feedback!

I think the 70d and 100-400 would be an excellent combo for safari.

HARTE wrote in post #16491140
First post folks and an Aussie so don't be to hard on me!
We are off to Southern Africa next August and I am looking at updating my current gear.
Wife will be taking a Panasonic FZ200 super zoom.
I currently have a EOS 600D, EFS 15-85, EFS 55-250, 430EX II, which I used in Africa Aug 2012.
Got some great photos then but found the little EFS 55-250 just did not have the length I wanted at times. I purchased this budget kit before the trip and as my interest has grown, I purchased the EFS 15-85 and the speedlite.
Now I am really enjoying my photography and looking at upgrading from the 600D.
I am going to hand over the 600D and 18-55 lens to a nephew interested in photography after Africa where I am thinking of using it as a second body.
I feel the 5D mark3 is far more camera then I need and too serious a tool for me at this point although I am temped.
Looked at the 6D but it does not seem to get particularly good reviews for wildlife and sports type photography, so perhaps not a FF body just yet?
So thinking about the 70D with a 100-400IS lens, looked at the much cheaper and smaller 70-300 IS USM lens also.
With the 70D I can still utilise the EFS 15-85 lens which I am very happy with.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts or feedback!

If the FF temptation is there get the 5D III you won't regret it, especially for the outstanding focusing system. Maybe u can pick up a used xxd series camera for the crop factor for a second body. btw I think it's great your handing over the 600D to your nephew

I went to Africa in June. I had the T4i with the 15-85 and I bought a 70-300L.

Very happy with the results. I just sold the T4i and bought the 70D. Wish I had it in Africa.

The 70-300L is a great lens and I found it had plenty of reach when I was in Africa. Sure there were a few times i wished I had a little more reach but to be honest the size and weight of the smaller lens was a good idea for me. There were also times when I was too close to wildlife to use much more than 70mm on the 70-300L. I had also considered the 100-400L but didn't want to lug it around for three weeks. Worked for me.

Thank you for the replies!
I am very temped with the 5D3, just think it is much better then I am!
I will have a good look at the 70-300L as well, sounds good.
Appreciate the feedback.

A crop camera with a 100-400 is my trusted setup for a safari. Even with that, there will be times you wish you had a bit more reach. A second camera for animals right next to you is a must with that setup though....

Go for the 100-400. I'll guarantee that the times you'll wish for something between 300 and 400 will far outweigh the times you'll wish for something between 70 and 100mm. I've not used a 70D but, from what I've read, it would make an excellent safari camera.

Here's a (simulated) example to show how much difference there is between your current 250mm and 300mm - not much - and 400mm.

Frank...the middle photo is perfect.

kram wrote in post #16492028
A crop camera with a 100-400 is my trusted setup for a safari. Even with that, there will be times you wish you had a bit more reach.

I would also think 400mm + is necessary for wildlife African Safari trips but I've seen photos where you can get closer to the animals

watt100 wrote in post #16492509
I would also think 400mm + is necessary for wildlife African Safari trips but I've seen photos where you can get closer to the animals

Indeed, but it's not often that you need something shorter than 100mm. That's why the 100-400 is preferred over the 400f5.6. Unless you use a 2-body setup. Nowadays I prefer a 300f2.8 (with a 1.4x TC most of the time) on one body and a 70-200 f4 on t'other.

Thanks guys!
Appreciate the help.
I think I will go for the 100-400L and the 70D, although still thinking about the 5D3.