What’s the Best Camera Gear to Take on Safari?
From our favorite photographer, Rachael!
Leopard Cub (Canon R5, f2.0 300mm)
There’s nothing quite like the thrill of preparing for your first (or tenth!) African safari. The early morning game drives, golden savannah sunsets, and spontaneous wildlife sightings - these are the moments that stay with you. And if you’re anything like most travelers, there’s one question that keeps circling:
“What camera gear should I bring?”
Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or just hoping to document your once-in-a-lifetime adventure beautifully, we’ve got you covered - with tips from Wander Africa’s go-to photographer, Rachael McIntosh.
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Rachael’s number one rule? Put the practice in and get to know your gear.
“No matter what gear you have, the most important thing is knowing how to use it. You don’t want to miss that once-in-a-lifetime lion yawn because you’re fumbling with your settings.”
Whether you’re working with a new DSLR or just your phone, get familiar before you go. Learn how to adjust ISO, aperture, and the shutter speed quickly. Practice on fast-moving pets or birds. Safari moments doesn’t come with do-overs.
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Don’t underestimate your phone - especially today’s newer models.
“I love using my i-phone 16 pro to stay present in the moment. It’s great for snapshots, quick videos, or that unexpected elephant that strolls past your tent.”
Rachael’s advice? Keep it charged and within reach. You’ll use it more than you think - for behind-the-scenes footage, landscapes, and all those spontaneous moments.
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If you’re going all in on photography, here’s what’s in Rachael’s safari bag:
📷 1. Wide-Angle Lens (Canon f2.0 24–70mm)
Great for storytelling—landscapes, camp scenes, and life inside the vehicle.“This is my daily go-to. I use it for everything from coffee around the fire to capturing the full scene from the back of the Land Cruiser.”
📷 2. Telephoto Zoom (Canon 2.8 70–200mm)
Essential for wildlife and a perfect mid-range option that’s not too heavy.“You’ll use this constantly—for lion portraits, elephant close-ups, and action in the bush. And it’s easier to travel with than the massive pro lenses. It’s also a great portrait lens for people”.
📷 3. Canon RF 100–300mm f/2.0
For those who want the dream setup.“This was the lens I took on my first Kenya trip, and it completely blew me away. That shallow depth of field? Stunning. I rented it from BorrowLenses.com and did not regret it for a second.”
Putting that on the R5 camera body with the full-frame 45 megapixel allowed me to really crop into the images during post without loosing any quality. So fast, sharp and so much detail.
Of course the lower the f-stop the more expensive the glass becomes. I wouldn’t use anything that starts higher than f4 so you have lots of flexibility in low light situations but having said that cameras are becoming more and more sophisticated at shooting at higher ISO’s and photoshop is getting better at dealing with grain when you’re editing so …
The Canon f2.0 100-300mm came with its own bag and was pretty heavy so look up the weight and size specifications too before you rent or buy.
Giraffe in the golden dust, Kenya (Canon R5 mirrorless, f2.0 70-200mm)
Final thoughts
Whether you’re snapping with a smartphone or shooting full-frame mirrorless, the key to great safari photography is simple:
Be present. Be ready. Know your gear.
Because the moment a lion locks eyes with you through tall grass or a baby elephant charges the vehicle in play—those are moments you’ll want to remember forever.
What’s in your safari bag?
We’d love to hear from you - share your favorite gear or questions in the comments. And if you ever want to travel with one of our photographers or need help planning a photography-focused safari, you know where to find us.
Happy adventurers.
– The Wander Africa Team