Gear & Tips - Pack Like a Wildlife Photographer
Bring two camera bodies so you never change lenses in the dust. Equip yourself with a telephoto zoom (100-400mm or 150-600mm) as your workhorse, a long prime (500/600mm) for birds and distant cats (optional, rental is fine), a mid zoom (24-70mm or 70-200mm) for animals close to the vehicle and environment shots, and a wide angle (16-35mm) for landscapes, skies and Maasai portraits. Add a 1.4x teleconverter, plenty of batteries and memory cards to shoot 1,500-3,000 frames per day, a laptop with two backup drives, rain/dust covers, a blower, lens cloths, and a headlamp. We provide beanbags in every vehicle, but feel free to bring an empty beanbag cover if you prefer your own.
Clothing
Pack neutral colours including khaki, beige, olive, and brown. Avoid white, bright colours, and dark blue or black which attract tsetse flies. Bring layers such as a fleece or light down jacket for cold dawn drives, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable closed shoes, and a light rain jacket.
Luggage
Soft duffel bags only are permitted on bush flights, typically restricted to 15 kg total including hand luggage (extra camera allowance can be booked in advance). Always keep your camera backpack as your carry-on.
1. Shoot in the first and last two hours of light. 2. Use shutter priority or manual with auto ISO for action. 3. Keep at least 1/2000s for running animals and birds in flight. 4. Get low - eye level makes the image. 5. Leave space in the frame in the direction the animal moves. 6. Watch the background, not only the subject. 7. Use continuous AF with animal eye detection. 8. Try slow panning at 1/30s for creative motion. 9. Shoot environmental portraits - animals small in a big landscape. 10. Turn the engine off and be patient - behaviour comes to those who wait.
Power & connectivity
Most camps charge batteries in rooms or the main area, with some relying on solar power. Safari vehicles feature USB and inverter charging capabilities, while Wi-Fi remains limited in remote camps.