Choosing Camera Gear for a Tanzania Safari

A satisfying photography safari doesn't call for professional-grade equipment, but a few choices make a real difference. A telephoto zoom in the 100-400mm range handles most wildlife photography without the weight and cost of the longest specialist lenses, and if you're bringing only one lens, it's the most useful piece of gear you can pack. Carry a second camera body, or at least backup memory cards. Repair and replacement options are very limited once you're in the field, and a failed card or a dropped camera could otherwise finish your photography for the rest of the trip. First-time safari photographers often underestimate dust, especially in the dry season, when fine dust works its way into gear more than you'd expect. Make a basic dust-protection routine, with lens cloths and a sealed bag for your gear between drives, part of your daily habits instead of an afterthought. Browse our photographic safari itineraries, which are built around getting the right light and positioning for serious photography.