Packing For An African Photo Safari 2024 - What Gear Am I Bringing for Wildlife Photography?

Nikon Z9 bhpho.to/3qKZ7C0
Nikon Z8 bhpho.to/3qJUYhA
Nikon Z 400mm bhpho.to/3KQhZ9e
Nikon Z 180-600mm bhpho.to/3Pb6Kep
Tamron 35-150mm bhpho.to/3PdViPa
Nikon Z 24-120mm bhpho.to/47LhiIs
Nikon Z Teleconverter 2x bhpho.to/45rBzRO
Gura Gear Kiboko 30L Backpack bhpho.to/3QOLBYC
Vortex Binoculars bhpho.to/3vTc6Up
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[@tjnicol]

Thanks for sharing Steve, have a great trip. I can not wait to see all the fantastic images that you are going to get! :)

[@dominiquemartin9323]

Great stuff !

[@joncothranphotography9375]

Awesome! I can't wait until I get to go myself! Thanks for sharing!

[@earldeterly]

Have fun, looking forward to seeing some of your pics.

[@markattardo]

Nice tips and tricks you have there. Have a fantastic trip!

[@alexandermavrogordato6495]

Bon voyage Steve and happy shooting! Your low-level rig is ingenuous! Look forward to your sharing the details and results.

[@NikCan66]

Always great to know

[@richierich9759]

Great video, Steve. Love your creativity in a new handle design. Thanks for sharing!

[@SteveMattheis]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@blakecook7469]

Fun stuff! have a safe and fun trip Steve.

[@SteveMattheis]

Thanks Blake!

[@antonoat]

Have a fantastic trip Steve, looking forward to seeing your images and any video you manage to create! 👏😀👍

[@SteveMattheis]

Thanks 👍

[@alexg0742]

Africa time zone! Great tip. Wish I would have done that the last 2 times!

[@timwmoore2133]

Safe travels and I hope photo opportunities abound in Africa! See you this fall!

[@georgecarpenter4126]

Have a great trip, Steve. Bring back some great images and great memories. Stay safe !

[@SteveMattheis]

Thank you, I will do my best!

[@brucegraner5901]

Always fun to see what another photographer packs. Good luck with your trip and trip grip and I look forward to seeing your images when you return.

[@SteveMattheis]

Thanks!

[@nickcucchiara]

I like that handle you made to provide yourself with another option. That's a nice improvement to suit what you're after.

[@RichAdamsFineArt]

Congrats on the trip and for your life developments as well! Have fun in Africa!

[@SteveMattheis]

Thanks!

[@boblacourse1430]

Safe travels Steve. Get lots of great photos!

[@SteveMattheis]

Thanks 👍

[@Marek.Synowiec.PhotoAdventures]

Awesome! I keep my fingers crossed for you that you will bring back as many good photos as from any other trip. Greetings from Poland! 🇵🇱

[@SteveMattheis]

Thank you very much!

[@iralakritz9746]

Great video as usual Steve.

[@SteveMattheis]

Thanks 👍

[@KevinNordstrom]

Have fun, Steve.

[@SteveMattheis]

👍

[@stevewaycott]

Looks great, Steve. I enjoy these types of videos. One thing I am interested to learn more about is your image/storage management gear and process while you're on a remote trip like this. I'm sure those memory cards fill up pretty quick and you have to do something with those files every day. You mentioned bringing a laptop and some hard drives. Perhaps a future video can be about what you use and how you use it. Good luck and have fun!

[@JenRitchiePhotography]

Sweeeeet! Have a great trip!

[@SteveMattheis]

Thanks! Will do!

[@cesarm8811]

Steve have an awesome trip to Africa/Safari. Looking forward to following you in instagram.

[@propoxyphene]

Awesome video Steve! I’m headed to Africa in a few months and would love to see how your “handle” worked out and a list of items to make. I’d also love to hear other non photography items as well as clothing you would suggest for Africa. Thanks for the great content.

[@cameraman763]

Gear question for Africa safari. Most of us don’t have access to those long fast primes. So would you prioritize long lens(100-400/150-600) or faster aperture (70-200 f2.8 and 1.4 converter). Thanks!

[@samm8135]

Have a safe trip Steve..

[@SteveMattheis]

Thanks!

[@isoawe1888]

Thanks Steve. Have a trip to Africa coming up. Made me think a couple things. 1). I don’t have a 400 with TC. Want it… just don’t have it. Side note: thought it was interesting that you brought a 2x to put on a lens that had a 1.4 built in. Anyway, didn’t consider my Tamron ( and I do LOVE this lens ) and was planning on 24-120 for better wide. Also bringing 70-200 with 2x tele, and then a 800 mm. Cameras will be Z8 and Z9. Same backpack. Other case will have laptop and Fuji ZFX 100ii with a couple zoom lenses. I don’t need to bring a bunch of clothes… if I stink, too bad for them. 😂 I’ll wash them out in a sink. Have fun. Waiting for the video.

[@btscott1]

Astro photography? Some amazing skies in Africa. Even your wide angle 2.8 would be okay. Always good the see what other people are bringing. Doing self-drive through Botswana in May/June. Working on finding a Great Grey Owl. May have to visit you in Wyoming.

[@wendytodd9673]

Safe travels

[@SteveMattheis]

Thanks!

[@nogroove3819]

Good point about disconnecting your lens from camera body. Security in yyz decided my camera with 209-600 attached needed extra scrutiny to my dismay.

[@GeoffCooper]

The low level handle looks cool - I guess you’re in an open safari vehicle if you can keep it on all the time? Otherwise it be worried you’d bump it all the time if you kept it on for normal shooting… Will be interesting to see your thoughts on it afterwards..

[@ian-nz-2000]

Great selection, I used to use a 300 2.8 as my standard safari lens and my best shots were taken hanging out of the back of a truck! Where did you get the handle for your monopod?

[@user-fd7ml6ch1n]

I’ve heard photographer getting their rocket blowers confiscated at the customs just before boarding the plane so maybe best to pack that in your suitcase! I've had Lee filter screwdriver taken by the custom in the past lol Love your channel, hope you have a great trip!

[@dsutor]

Very informative, Steve, thank you. You mentioned you'll bring the 2xTC along with the 400 2.8 to get to 800mm. Can you please share your experience compared to the 1,4xTC combined with the internal flip in TC? And how is the quality of the combination 2xTC plus internal 1,4xTC?

[@dmf7162]

Enjoyed the video, thx. How do you focus the camera when you souped the camera out of the vehicle?

[@jss27560]

I like how you said that you would use the 400mm f/2.8 if you had to.

[@andrewweathers2938]

I would love to go back to East Africa for something other than work and with better camera equipment. Looking forward to see what you capture on the trip. Kenya was like a second home to me for a long time. The people and animals are near and dear. I am also very interested to see what you capture with the Tamron.

[@RogerZoul]

Steve - thanks for this video. Your monopod trick has stuck in my mind as a way to get lower, eye-levels shots from the safari vehicle. Did you ever make that follow-up video discussing how your second design (the lighter one) worked? I’d be very interested to know more. Thanks.

[@dbv11]

Hi Steve, I would also be very interested in the parts you used for this mono pod mod. Thanks

[@MSchumacherfan]

I wish I had that gear

[@EugeneMaynard]

Steve, you could possibly rig the MC-N10 on to your monopod as the handle or use it as a dual handle, then you would have complete control of the camera for your low shots out the car! 👍🏾🙏🏾. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇸🇪🇹🇹

[@SteveMattheis]

I considered it but that is very expensive and adds a fair amount of weight.

[@eljayr4669]

No mention of chargers and charging adaptors for your batteries and lap top. Essential.

[@SteveMattheis]

I'm not bringing chargers, I charge the batteries in camera. But yes I have power adapters. Needless to say, this video wasn't a list of everything you need...

[@Nickkettt]

Matt great video, good luck in your trip to Africa ! what’s the name of the vinyl you have installed in the lenses?

[@SteveMattheis]

Thanks, it's made by alphagvrd.com

[@briantooze3415]

Can you make a video on how to keep your equipment clean when on safari.

[@phillipespinasse4937]

Thank you for this review, Steve - do you carry the Tamron 35-150mm with a sling? If so, curious as to what mount ring you use or would recommend?

[@jamesgolando8862]

Thanks Steve another informative video. I like the monopod idea, but curious how you focus if you're using back button - does the remote handle that?

[@SteveMattheis]

I turn off back button AF. Or more accurately, I turn on shutter button AF.

[@jamesgolando8862]

Thanks, I assumed that, but you know what they say... Have a great trip@@SteveMattheis

[@srraja83]

Hi Steve, how did the gadget you put together for lowering your camera work. Can you tell me what parts you used. I was also curious what you did for the monopod to attach the top handle to the bottom leg. Thanks

[@Atrangi_chhap]

I suggest you to keep the 400mm f2.8 with the z9 on top, so that the pressure on the z mount is minimum & and I would like to see your successful African safari vlog 😊

[@SteveMattheis]

Seems reasonable...

[@Jerseymikephoto]

"people love to fight about gear" - Truer words have never been spoken. - P.S. Sweet Vans!

[@SteveMattheis]

Thank you sir!

[@jenniferbellon4327]

Thanks for a great video. How do you carry the extra 2 lenses on the vehicle?

[@SteveMattheis]

In the bakcpack because I have the 400 2.8 ready at all times.

[@JFANDAPMFung-wp4jp]

Hi Steve, how do you protect your gear in your checked bag?

[@dzuppi]

How heavy is your carry-on ? I usually have the 600mm 4.0 in my carry-on, my camera with the 24-105 or 15-30 is around my shoulder and spare batteries are in my jacket pocket. This way I stick to the 8kg carry on allowance. The 100-400 and sometimes the 100 macro as well as the second body goes into the hold. Same for the flashes and all the small items such as remote trigger etc.

[@SteveMattheis]

I didn’t weigh it and neither did the airlines

[@williamryan3254]

I'm heading to Serengeti National Park in late Aug. Cant wait. I just want to find out how do you deal with the short flights in the caravans. Do you pay extra for the camera bag?

[@SteveMattheis]

We charter our flights so it’s not a problem

[@haroldklein8556]

Be aware...upon arrival into Jo'Burg, our group experienced 3 stolen cameras & 2 stolen lenses from locked hard cases. Arrivals were over a 3 day period from ATL to Jo'Burg...Ours was the Delta flight from ATL direct to Jo'Berg. It appears the thefts occured in the Jo'berg airport baggage area. Police indicated there has been a serious problem lately on multiple airlines. Recommend DO NOT check your gear if at all possible. Hard cases were no match for these thugs!! All the thefts occured with items/hard cases shown as fragile and going to a delivery door near the main baggage claim. Have a great time, but be careful!!!!

[@jerjaws]

I never check any gear. Even in the USA.

[@colourboost]

Which company monopod you are using pls mention

[@MeAMuse]

Question for you Steve - how well do you think the new Sony 300mm F2.8 with 1.4x and 2x TCs work for Safari / wildlife? Would you miss the option of 800mm too much? It’s tempting because it is soo light, small, and soo much cheaper than a 400mm F2.8 (btw I am just an enthusiast that is outgrowing a 100-400mm and looking to step up a bit)

[@SteveMattheis]

I haven’t used that lens yet, but I imagine it would be a really great Safari lens

[@timnichols3795]

Have fun! Is Thomas Mangelsen joining you on this one?

[@SteveMattheis]

Not this year

[@gosman949]

What is the wireless remote you are using? I need something for my Z6 for the upcoming total eclipse here in Texas.

[@SteveMattheis]

Link is in the description but yours will be different for Z6

[@tomwilliams5215]

fascinating…..I’m taking my daughter, leaving in a week, for 3 weeks in Botswana. Packing is the biggest issue because of the weight restrictions - how do you manage to haul so much with you camera gear wise on the bush flights?

[@SteveMattheis]

We charter our flights so we don’t have a problem

[@davidmurphy7847]

When you use the tripod, you can’t use back button focus, correct?

[@SteveMattheis]

Correct

[@janweld9266]

don't forget your battery chargers

[@SteveMattheis]

I charge batteries in the camera so no chargers necessary

[@FamousPixs]

Do you know the Adorama links for the gear used in this video?

[@SteveMattheis]

nope

[@robvandenbrink9006]

You trust the lenses in the bag without a lens cap? You’re braver than me! Also don’t forget chargers, a USB bank or 2 are also great for travel

[@SteveMattheis]

I’m very Brave 😂 And I didn’t bring chargers, I just charge batteries in camera via USB.

[@robvandenbrink9006]

@@SteveMattheis Nice, got that USB-C charging option with just one of my cameras. Enjoy the trip!

[@markjensen663]

Hey Steve, Do you pre-focus or do you turn off BBF before you dangle?

[@mmmcewen1]

Yes...I have the same question. How do you get focus when you dangle your camera?

[@SteveMattheis]

I turn off back button AF, or more accurately - I turn on shutter button AF

[@chipsrafferty8362]

There are two types of luggage….carry on….and lost.

[@billfriedel1045]

18:25 Steve, I looked at the requirements for going to Africa with you several months ago and noticed that the Covid fully vaccinated requirement was on there. I that still a requirement? Thank-you!

[@SteveMattheis]

Both Kenya and Tanzania have lifted the requirement

[@donalde1517]

Hello I noticed you didn’t say chargers. Find the filters. 😁

[@SteveMattheis]

I found the filters and I don't bring chargers, I charge the batteries in camera.

[@donalde1517]

Excellent. Have an amazing trip.

[@Bikerbeest]

No protection for your front lens of the Nikon Z 400 mm 2.8 ??

[@SteveMattheis]

Yes, I have the standard lens 'cap' from Nikon

[@williamryan3254]

was just about to ask that@@SteveMattheis :)

[@FamousPixs]

How many "I Shoot RAW" T-Shirts did you pack in you bag?

[@SteveMattheis]

zero point zero

[@stripes_in_raw]

Why not the 70-200 f2.8 ?

[@SteveMattheis]

Because I like the 35-150 f2-2.8 better for this trip.

[@stripes_in_raw]

Maasai Mara ?

[@ivedoneit70]

Then tell us what's the percentage of your gear you used during your trip. Good luck!

[@SteveMattheis]

All of it…

[@user-xu3tl9zm9i]

Cautionary note: i was in the Galapagos with a friend and his bag was knocked over. it fell down the hatch, and his 500mm/f4, 2x, and 1Dx were all wrecked. Rained on his parade. I never, ever, travel with the body and lens connected.

[@SteveMattheis]

Yep, accidents can happen, no matter how careful you are.

[@danjafilms]

What Country in Africa?

[@SteveMattheis]

Kenya and Tanzania

[@dmf7162]

suspend not souped...

[@Mr09260]

I hope you are coming to South Africa instead of the 'Normal' East Africa

[@SteveMattheis]

Why do you hope that?

[@techguyml]

Damn must be sweet to be rich AF

[@SteveMattheis]

Rich AF is relative of course. Keep in mind that this is my business and these are tools that I use while doing my work.

[@imagesbirds5066]

Hey Steve. Thanks for the great roundup. I can't help but feeling it's a little disrespectul only to refer to your trip as to "Africa". Its an entire continent 30 times as large as the USA with 54 different nations and such diverse culture, languages, landscapes, wildlife and all that. So where in Africa are you going? Which country, which region or national park?

[@SteveMattheis]

Disrepectful? Ummmm, no. I'm going to multiple countries and multiple areas.