What to take on a Africa Photo Safari

In one month I have had three people e-mail me about what to bring to an Africa Photo trip. So I have made a list below-

Have a back up camera. I would have at least two batteries per camera and bring an extra battery charger too. Also you need to have separate drives to back up your photos (I use three drives), I usually buy Western Digital.

Memory cards are now cheap check to see the max your camera can take. At the very least I would have two 16gig cards or four 8gig cards or more, (that is assuming you will down load at lunch time) sometimes cards fail.

Two most important things to bring is a bean bag to place on the open window or open top of the Land-rover truck. The second most important thing is pillow cases long enough to cover your lens and camera, one bag for each camera. Dust is a huge issue you might be in an open land rover if your lucky, while driving I would place the camera in the pillow case. If you come upon some action you can quickly pull out your camera. You must must get a rocket blower for the dust, but don’t get a small one.

For the bean bag I got two inch REI drawstring bags double them up. You can pack the pinto beans or see if you can get the in Africa ask your tour person. You can also buy expensive bean bags from camera stores. Perhaps you can give someone the beans before you leave.

http://www.rei.com/product/795017/rei-stuff-sack

get a pack of these of lens cleaning tissue.

Also don’t sleep in the morning the Animals can be the most active, and sun rises and sunsets can be amazing. Don’t pack it in if it starts raining I have taken some of my most dramatic and moody photos then.

keep one battery charger in your carry on and anything else you have to have. You can learn allot from the Land Rover drivers they know allot of about the wildlife. And don’t forget the birds are amazing there too.

Don’t get distracted in the airport security in Africa keep an eye on your camera stuff.