Sweat, Sand, and Shutter Speed: Getting Ready for Africa
Photo Safari Prep Isn’t Glamorous—But It’s Worth Every Ounce of Effort
What It Really Takes to Prep for a Photo Safari in Botswana, Namibia & South Africa
Planning a photo safari in Africa? Learn how a Canon photographer preps for a wildlife photography expedition through Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa—without bush planes, with hides, and backed-up gear.
This Time, I Want It to Work
I’ve been on safari before—with my Canon gear, my dreams, and my excitement. But I’ve also been that photographer who lost hundreds of images because a hard drive failed. Who didn’t pack quite right. Who underestimated the logistics.
Now I’m heading back—to Botswana, Namibia, and a private reserve (Zimanga) in South Africa—and this time, I want everything to work. No bush planes. No risky single backups. No missed shots from bad planning. Just smart choices, reliable gear, and a mission to capture Africa at its best.
Why No Bush Planes?
As a Canon photographer, I don’t travel light. Between two camera bodies, a 600mm lens, a mid-range zoom, batteries, hard drives, and a rugged laptop, I simply can’t fit my kit into the 15kg (33 lb) soft-luggage limit most bush flights enforce.
This time, I’m using standard commercial flights to retain control and keep my full setup with me—without compromise.
Lodges With Photo Hides: A Game-Changer
Instead of racing around hoping for sightings, I’ve chosen lodges with dedicated photographic hides—underground structures built near waterholes or game paths that let me shoot at eye level.
These hides:
Keep you close to the action, quietly and safely
Offer better, more natural animal behavior for photography
Remove the need for a vehicle or guide during golden hour
This makes all the difference between snapshots and real photographic opportunities.
Canon Gear I’m Bringing
As a Canon shooter, my gear choices are intentional. I’m bringing:
Two Canon R5 MarkII bodies
Canon RF 600mm f/4 for reach and sharpness
Canon RF 100-300 f/2.8
Canon 1.4 and 2.0 teleconverters
Canon RF 24–105mm for versatility
Plenty of fast cards (CFexpress + SD)
No tripod—just beanbags for stabilization in hides and game vehicles
Pro tip: Bring beanbags empty and fill them at the lodge to avoid extra weight in transit.
Data Protection: I Learned the Hard Way
Last safari, I brought one external drive. It died. I lost a huge chunk of my best work.
Now? I’m packing:
Two rugged external SSDs
A high-speed card reader
Daily backups to both drives using a MacBook Pro
Cloud sync whenever there’s Wi-Fi (which isn’t often, but it helps)
Redundancy is not optional in the bush.
Private Game Reserves = Photographer’s Paradise
Public parks limit you to roads. But private reserves? They let you:
Drive off-road for better angles and close tracking
Stay longer at sightings
Work closely with guides who understand photography
This flexibility is critical—especially for low-light and action shots.
Packing Strategy (Because Every Ounce Counts)
Even without bush flights, packing smart matters. Here’s my philosophy:
Prioritize gear and backups
Limit clothing to lightweight, neutral layers
Bring power adapters, USB-C hubs, and cleaning gear (dust is real!)
Pack printed itineraries and a gear inventory for customs
Want the full breakdown? Download my free checklist below.
Packing List
5 Safari Shirts
4 Long Pants
7 Underwear
4 Bras
7 Socks
2 Black pants for after
2 T-shirts
1 Rain Coat
1 Bathing Suit
Ditty Bag
Makeup, sunblock, toothpaste, gum, band aids, brush, earplugs, dental floss, deodorant, benadryl
Camera Gear (all Canon gear)
2 Camera Bodies
1 600mm lens f4
1 100-300mm lens
1 70-200
1 15-35 lens
1 1.4 Converter
2 Bean bags
Processing
1 Computer (MAC laptop)
6 Batteries & Chargers
All cards (I bring a lot) at least 10
2 Card readers with cables
2 Hard drives with cables
2 Plugs with converter & extension cord
All cords
Closing Thoughts
Planning a photo safari is not glamorous. It’s exhausting, stressful, and expensive. But when a lion walks past your hide at eye level, or you catch a leopard in perfect light, none of that matters.
This isn’t just a trip. It’s a photographic mission. And I’m going in ready—with the gear, the knowledge, and the respect that a place like Africa deserves.
