Camera settings for jungle safari in pre dawn light

Self along with family & friends have booked for safari in ‘GIR forest’ in Western India. GIR is famous for Asiatic lion. Literature on GIR recommends 6AM time for high probability to site lions. Accordingly I have booked 6to9 AM slot.

Sun rises here only around 6.30 these days and I expect poor light between 6-7 AM and made worse by shrubs and trees. I am expecting ISO to be > 10000 and made worse by being in moving vehicle.

I will have 6D & 70-300 combination around neck. Will crop in pp, since lions will be sighted at distance. We will be in safari provided vehicle & guide.

Camera settings:
- Manual, RAW, Standard mode
- Auto ISO
- Lens @ 300mm and f8. If I find that ISO > 12000 under field conditions, will come down to f5.6.
- Shutter 1/400 if vehicle is moving. Will come down to 1/150 if vehicle is stopped. Assuming lions wont be moving at fast pace (Am assuming that with all excitement around will be able to adjust aperture & shutter at site)
- Centre point focus, AI Servo, continuous shooting
- All other settings to camera default, ie WB at auto

Will appreciate any comments. Anything different you will do and do’s & don’ts.

That all sounds well thought out and reasonable.
What about hiring a longer lens, maybe a 100-400 or one of the zooms that go to 500? The latter are a bit slow, but that high ISO performance on the 6D is outstanding.

Based on my experience in Kruger this year, I think you will need to be at 5.6. Also, just because the vehicle is stopped, doesn't mean you should drop the shutter speed. Keep it high to freeze any movement by the animal

William

Thanks for the comments