Which lenses should you take on a MASAI MARA Safari?

Charl took some time out during our 2021 Great Migration Photo safari to gather up all the lenses that our clients brought with them. Using plenty of images as examples Charl will outline which types of lens he thinks you need to bring with you on a Masai Mara Safari to get the shots!
Our clients shoot with all the brands (Canon, Nikon, Sigma, Olympus, Tamron, Fuji) and when you have 12 people on a Great Migration safari you have a whole load of gear that they bring with them. The subjects that they saw and photographed were plenty of wildebeest (obviously) as well as cheetah, lions, leopards, elephants, zebra and even some of the rarer cats like serval. It was an epic trip!
Charl explains the benefits as well as the pros and cons of each type of lens that you might need on a Masai Mara Photo Safari and of course, he will share plenty of the images that you could take.
If you are interested in joining us on safari then please have a look at our photo safari packages: www.pangolinphoto.com/photo-s... including our annual trip to Kenya for the migration which you can find here www.pangolinphoto.com/safaris...
If you would like to know about the vehicles we use then please watch this film here: • Our Masai Mara Photo S...
Timestamps:
00:10 Intro from Mara Bush Camp, Kenya
00:30 Telephoto lenses 70-200
01:35 Super Telephoto lenses
02:30 Prime lenses up to 500mm
03:20 Lens combinations
04:05 600mm Prime lenses
We are Pangolin Wildlife Photography based in The Chobe, Northern Botswana. When we are not making videos for our channel we host our guests and clients from all over the world on our Wildlife Photography safaris throughout Botswana and the rest of Africa..and beyond sometimes too!
If you would like to be kept informed of our new videos releases as well as online tutorials, gear reviews and special offers on safaris then please join our community by clicking here: www.pangolinphoto.com/community
#wildlifephotography #masaimara #Greatmigration

[@PangolinWildlife]

Have you been to the Masai Mara? If so what lenses worked for you? Please share.

[@cameraprepper7938]

No, I have not been to Masai Mare, but I would take my Sony A7RIV and A7RIVA with the Lenses Sony 14mm 1.8 GM, Sony 24mm 1,4 GM, Sony Zeiss Sonnar 55mm 1.8, Sony 135mm 1.8 GM and Sony 200-600mm 5.6-6.3 G. Maybe also my Voigtländer APO-Lanthar 35mm 2.0 Aspherical and Voigtländer Macro APO-Lanthar 65mm 2.0.

[@joerghummerjohann4854]

It's a fantastic place, especially for cats. Also, I liked Amboseli for elephants and water birds and Lake Naivasha boat trip for king fishers 2 Olympus OM-D E-M1ii bodies with 14-150mm/2.8 and 300mm/4.0 (crop factor 2). 1.4x TC and for landscape 12-40mm/2.8 I'm super happy with it and the images 😃

[@briantony175]

Sony 200-600mm and 70-200m Paired to sony a9 really worked out very well for me at masai mara cant wait to have a taste on the sony 600m

[@SwanSycorax]

I think the anmswer is very simple - 1) you do NOT want top be switching lenses as there can be a lot of dust in the air. 2) you want both a flexible all round telephoto lens for wilkdlife 3) you want a good general purpose lens for landscapes and, if possible, low light conditions. I recently enjoyed a two week safari holiday out there and took two camera bodies and two lenses and they gave me everything I needed. My bodies were the Nikon Z9 and Z8 and the lenses - the Nikon Z 24-70 f/2.8 and the Nikon Z 100-400 f/4.5-5.60. I did take a 1.4xTC but barely used it. If I had been able to get one, I possibly would have taken the Nikon Z 180-600 in place of the 100-400 but would very rarely have required the extra reach whereas I often need to zoom back to the 100mm focal length.

[@joncothranphotography9375]

I'm so looking forward to coming to join you guys! I purchased the Sigma 150-600 C and now I want a 80D or 90D to replace my old T6, but with the economy like it is everything is on hold for me! Thanks for keeping my dreams alive!

[@PangolinWildlife]

Sounds great! Great lens and camera combo! Dont forget that in the Chobe we can lend you an 80D during your stay. We also have some 90D and 7D2 knocking around...as well as whatever we are testing at the time!

[@ChrisSummers]

I've made 5 trips to South Africa and Namibia over the past few years and carried a lot of gear. I shoot with Canon DSLRs both full frame and crop sensor and now the R and M mirrorless. I always have a Canon 70-200mm, right now the RF f/4 lens. I also really like the Tamron 150-600mm G2 version, it is very sharp and not too big for air travel. On one trip I brought a Sigma 800mm which had it's on little metal case, luckily the airlines had not moved to the stricter rules for carry on! On that trip our guide and driver let me sit in the front passenger seat and lowered the front windshield so I had an unobstructed view. One lens I quite like if I bring my Canon M5 is the Tamron 18=400mm. With the APS-c sensor it becomes a 640mm and delivers good images.

[@wwkropp]

The animals many times will follow the roads and you can’t underestimate at all that one of the best cameras will be your phone for video and quick shots

[@MrPetebuster1]

Was there in March i had the sigma 100-400, did a grand job to be honest though next time ill be taking the sony 200-600

[@nicolaslavergne7757]

Great and informative video! That exactly what I needed to hear. I'm planning a trip in the Mara and you pretty much seal the deal concerning the purchase of a Sony 400mm f2.8. If you could chose between a 600mm f4 and a 400mm f2.8, which one would you pick? I also have a 24mm f1.4, 50mm f1.2, 135mm f1.8 and a 1.4x tc. Thank you

[@framingthewild]

I haven't been to Masai Mara yet, but am planning to in the future. I will be taking the R3s with RF 400mm f2.8 and 1.4x teleconverter, along with a wide angle lens and RF 100mm f2.8 Macro. The 400mm is really the sweet spot for me in terms of reach and low light capability. Here in New Zealand, the f2.8 aperture under the dark canopies of local bush is a huge help and the background separation is fantastic. With 1.4x teleconverter it's 560mm f4 without any tangible loss of image quality or autofocus performance so I have the ability to extend my reach if I need to. Love your videos!

[@PangolinWildlife]

Thank you so much...yep that lens combo will be perfect!

[@mikevaneck.]

On my bucketlist...thanks for the great videos Pangolin Photo Safaris

[@charlstols7161]

Fantastic place hope to see you there one day

[@margaretm9028]

Just found you guys through Sailing Zatara - look forward to checking out your channel.

[@NikCan66]

excellent video yet again. flights cancelled where I live and missing 🧳 luggage

[@wilduntamedphotography1260]

Great video as usual and thanks for the feature ;-) LOL

[@charl-pangolinphotohost970]

No problem great photos why not.

[@guyjackson4143]

While the chances of me ever getting to experience one of your safaris is a bit below O having you mention several of the lenses I have tells me I did good with my purchases. I bought the Sigma 150-600 C new and love it. I was also able to purchase the Sigma 120-300 2.8 and the Sigma 500mm f4 both used but in excellent condition. I also purchased the Sigma 1.4 and 2x teleconverters. Thanks for reaffirming my choice of equipment. As always an amazing video.

[@PangolinWildlife]

Great to hear Guy...enjoy the kit!

[@AndrzejZalewskiYT]

sigma 500/4 is fantastic lens

[@SanoyNimbus]

I have been there twice. First time December 1993 ... Actually I do not remember what lenses I used, my cameras was one Nikon F501 and one Nikon F90. I think the longest lens I had was a 80-200mm (variable f-stop so it was not a 2.8). Second time was Mars 2018. With a D500 and a D850. And in Masai Mara I used my Nikkor 70-200 2.8 plus my Nikkor 200-500 5.6. Today I have two Z6II and one Zfc camera. I still have my 200-500 F-mount and one 300 F4 PF and one TC14 III. But on a trip to Malawi in May I left the 200-500 at home. On the one day safari (4 hours) I Majete I used the 300 F4 PF + TC14 on one Z6II and a Nikkor Z 24-200 on the other. The later was a borrowed lens, but since then I have bought my own version of that lens. The purpose for the trip to Malawi was not to go on safari but to shoot videos for my employer ... That was the reason why I did not bring my 200-500 (I needed to carry a lot of other gear) ... I would ad to your list with I think is good, where you say two cameras one with a 70-200 and a longer one 500-/+ reach zoom or prime ... I think a good prime 50mm 1.8 or faster and if possible a wide angle lens ... to shoot when it is dark. The sky, stars or just the campfire is a good advice.

[@charl-pangolinphotohost970]

Thank you Sanoy great advice and great gear you have. The nikon 200-500 is also a great option and a good lens. Have to say i love that PF lenses from nikon i wish Canon had something like that, small light and super sharp.

[@dragonredlodge]

I have booked the 'best of the Chobe' photo safari. I plan on bringing the canon R5 with EF 100-400mm zoom and 1.4 extender and EF 24-70mm. Question: I also have the canon RF 800 F11 but suspect that it may not add enough value. I would appreciate your opinion. Thanks.

[@stevematadobra6117]

Thank you for the information. I am planning a 12 day February 2024 trip to watch the migration and a various assortment of trips throughout east Africa, Serengeti, etc. I own a Nikon D850, 200-500 Nikon lens, 70-200 f2.8 and 24-70 f2.8. Is this too much to bring? I am very much interested in the wildlife, silhouettes and some bird photography. Thank you kindly for your advice.

[@wwkropp]

During the rainy season, the animals won’t be coming down they usual riverbanks and they can stay much further away so I’d go for the longest lens possible and even an extender I used a 600+ a 1.5 most of the time last November when it was raining.

[@SliverCreations]

So how about the new RF 100-300F2.8 instead of the 70-200? And perhaps the 600F4 if you need more reach

[@joerghummerjohann4854]

The Mara is fantastic! I did it last year with Olympus gear: 2 bodies, 3 lenses covering 24-600mm FF equivalent , And 1 laptop with less than 8 kg in total in my handlugage

[@bamsemh1]

Ruling om-1 with the 100-400mm here 💪

[@charl-pangolinphotohost970]

For weight and size the Olympus is the best.

[@charl-pangolinphotohost970]

@@bamsemh1 Nice combo there

[@joerghummerjohann4854]

@@charl-pangolinphotohost970 yes, indeed. And the new OM-1 combined with the 150-400/4.5 is a dreamteam for wildlife and bird photography. Enjoy the Mara, dear Charl🙌🏽

[@joerghummerjohann4854]

@@bamsemh1 Enjoy it. I've got the OM-1 now, too. Absolutely great. Enjoy the Mara

[@dimitristsagdis7340]

These are all the long lenses that exist, rather than what to bring :-))

[@davidkravitz6893]

I'd appreciate advice for my forthcoming visit - mostly on the Chobe River, but with some time in the Okavanga Delta and Kalahari Desert. I shoot OM Digital systems (OM-1) and can bring 2 bodies to avoid changing lenses. Possible zoom lenses are 12-40mm (full frame equivalent is 24-80mm), 40-150mm (FFE 80-300mm) and 150-400mm (FFE 300-800mm, with a build-in .25 tele-extender). I also have a 60mm (FFE 120mm) MACRO and a fast 45mm (FFE 90MM). This is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, so I'd hate to get it wrong. THANKS for any advice.

[@vivekdhillion7855]

Just curious about why no one ever mentions 14mm lens for landscape shots. Does anyone know why we might use 70mm vs 14mm for a wide landscape shots at the Mara?

[@christophertalavera900]

Question,for sports,I have nikon 750. Wich is better. ? Nikon 200 /500 Sigma sports or contemporary 150 /600 Tamron 600

[@dangernba]

What you guys think of a Sony RX10 IV?

[@frodoOG]

I’m thinking brining two bodies with 35-150mm f2-2.8 and 300mm f2.8 with a tele converter if needed, do you think this set is enough?

[@jeremymalley-smith7241]

Hi Charl, I thought you might have mentioned the 1.4x and 2x extenders. I’ve coupled them up to my RF400f2.8 on the R3 and this gives me a 560f4 and 800f5.6. It’s a shame that they don’t fit on the RF70-200f/2.8 to get a 300mm too. Regards, Jeremy

[@charl-pangolinphotohost970]

Hi Jeremy good to hear from you. To be truly honest i rarely needed them i have a 1.4x extender and maybe used it 4 times in the 2 weeks i was there. its small so why not pack them. Most cases we were close enough not to need them but the 1.4x extender might come in handy if you have a 400mm. Maybe next time it would be different and need them a lot more. Yes i saw that the extenders don't really work with the 70-200mm like with the EF lenses, what a pity. Regards charl

[@jeremymalley-smith7241]

Not sure if you’ve got the 70-200!but it’s so compact compared to the EF version. What a bones when packing that lens 👍🏻

[@alankefauver6187]

Charl, any use for a 24-70 f/2.8. I'll see you on 9/12. Canon R5, RF 70-200 f/2.8, and my Olympus OM-1 with the M.Zuiko 150-400 f/4.5 + 1.25TC. Leaving my RF 100-500 at home I think Really can't fir my 100-500 in the bag. I do have a RF24-70 f/2.8 in there and a little 16mm.

[@firpofutbol]

Going with the Tamron 150-500 for Sony. Compact, good AF, good image quality.

[@TMG08002]

Taking my Sony a7iv in two months as my only camera body. How did the Tamron 150-500 work out for you?

[@saopaulosoul8714]

Surprised the 200-500 nikon 5.6 wasn’t mentioned. That’s a solid option too. Especially if you pack it with a 1.4 tc .. ooof. It’s a hell of a reach and it costs fraction of the prime lenses shown here. Image quality is superb on it. (Don’t forget the tc 1.4 does bring your min aperture to f8. But it’s still a good option)

[@charl-pangolinphotohost970]

Yes you are right that's a fantastic lens and it would work perfectly in the Mara. Thank you for your input.

[@Freebee61]

I used the 200-500 on my D850 in the Mara two years ago. It's a perfect combo for wildlife. Going again next week and will bring it again, of course. I also have a D750 with 70-200 for wider shots.

[@andylewis750]

These are fantastic lenses to bring…. But with cabin baggage restricted in weight to 7kg typically, how do you recommend to fly with them? I am really unhappy with the idea of putting expensive camera gear in the hold….

[@jakecook716]

I just went to the Mara for the first time 2 weeks ago on fly in safari on light aircraft that only allowed for 15kgs for both carry on and checked baggage combined. I managed to meet the restrictions but I never once had my carry on bag weighed, that included the overseas flight. If your unlucky and they weigh it, the worst outcome is you will be charged abit extra

[@PangolinWildlife]

We never really have problems. often when we take groups to The Mara we will charter a plane too so that gives us more.

[@sportsshooter2574]

I was in Masai Mara 2 weeks ago for 5 days. the 24-105/100-400/1.4TC covered everything from birds to lions

[@jakecook716]

Same as me 2 weeks ago, same lenses also just minus the TC

[@PangolinWildlife]

Awesome...mara is brilliant this time of year! Its not just about the crossings is it???

[@PangolinWildlife]

Great minds eh?

[@sportsshooter2574]

@@PangolinWildlife I'd say the 'crossings' is a bit of a cliche , if I dare say. It's crazy busy. But in June after the heavy rains the landscape is beautiful. The vegetation is like painting with green, brown colours. I was lucky enough to take photos of lions with a rainbow on the background. We found a pride and waited/photographed for 2.5 hours. Just me and my guide during the golden hour on the last day of the trip😀

[@sportsshooter2574]

@@jakecook716 I also took a Canon ex 430 which came handy taking photos of lions in the shade under trees. Fill in flash to lift up the shadow.

[@michaeldande]

i have a question 1 Soon am I Will be Booking a atrip With You to Chobe For now 1 Question I have telephoto lenses 600 f4 70-200 mm f2.8 canon 7d canon R3 AND 80 d Will i have Trouble exiting the airport with all these Gear, dO I need ANY permit TO PASS AT THE EXIT GATE AT THE AIRPORT ON THE KENYAN CUSTOMS

[@PangolinWildlife]

No issue carrying the gear as its yours and you are not importing for resale. They are used to people arriving with loads of gear.

[@nsbhagwat]

Beautiful photos. Between a 100 400 EF L lens and EF 70 200 F2.8 with a 2x TC which lens combination will you recommend?

[@PangolinWildlife]

We love the 100-400mm. Super versatile!

[@JohnDoe-fp1tv]

Do you mean the Version 1 of the 100-400? The V2 is no contest, its way better than a 70-200 with a 2x tc. The V1, maybe not so much.

[@charlstols7161]

@@JohnDoe-fp1tv Agree with John V2 is fantastic. Both option will work 100-400mm V2 or the 70-200mm f2.8 V2 or V3

[@michaelstav4161]

Thoughts on bringing a 24-70 or even a 16-35?

[@charl-pangolinphotohost970]

Even that both is fantastic lenses i would go for the 24-70mm, still wide enough with a little bit of zoom with it.

[@anonrandomsshit]

you should make a video on the gear you lend guests

[@charl-pangolinphotohost970]

Thank you for the suggestion will keep this in mind

[@christascholtz6750]

Hi Charl! We’re from Namibia, joining this Safari later this year. Where can we buy that lens portable hood?

[@charl-pangolinphotohost970]

Hi Christa don't know if there is any good camera stores in Namibia that can order it for you but you should be able to get it from ORMS in Cape town or ODP in Pretoria. Other option is to order it yourself from B and H in New York.

[@christascholtz6750]

Thanks Charl!

[@kewal91]

I'm coming to Pangoline in mid july! I was thinking about bringing my Nikkor 200mm-500mm F/5 & Tamron 35-150 F/2-2.8. I was thinking about bringing a 14-24mm but it feels like it might be useless based on the video with everything being far away. Think i should just chuck it into my bag "in case" or it would just be dead weight

[@charlstols7161]

Hi Kewal great combination of lenses remember this video is made in Kenya Masai Mara, so if you join us in mid July that means you will be in Botswana where its a lot different. Not sure your hole itinerary but I would bring all lenses that you mention if you can.

[@kewal91]

@@charlstols7161 that sounds perfect thank you

[@AlexFBuchholzPhoto]

The A1 paired with the 400mm f2.8, many timers used with the 1.4x Teleconverter, plus the A7iv with the 70-200mm f2.8 and the 24-105mm, and finally the FX3 with the 200-600mm for video. If I could only travel with one lens I would definitively go for the 200-600mm. It is outstanding for both, photo and video.

[@charlstols7161]

Nice set of gear you have Alex and have to agree with you that 200-600mm is such a good lens.

[@bamsemh1]

Nifty fifty and a Tele macro 💪

[@charl-pangolinphotohost970]

Very interesting choice, I think if you can get the off road permit to get a little bit closer you will get amazing shots.

[@bamsemh1]

@@charl-pangolinphotohost970 be one with the nature 😊

[@AndrzejZalewskiYT]

RF 500/4 with built-in tc x1.4, canon please :)

[@PangolinWildlife]

Very nice!

[@boonesafaris]

I think you missed a great lens for the Mara...the Sigma 60-600mm. I take 3 lenses for the Mara: Nikkor 24-70mm, Nikkor 400mm f2.8 and the Sigma. I could get by with only the Sigma 60-600.

[@PangolinWildlife]

Indeed we did. Great lens!

[@allenahale1]

@@PangolinWildlife If it doesn't malfunction on the first day! Mine failed after 400 shots on day 1 and 900 total shots on my 2 year old lens. Faulty fo-cussing motor. Thanks to Pangolin for their loaner camera with lens for saving the trip!!

[@marximus4]

My thoughts exactly. I have a 500 f/4 with TCs, and I love it, but the 60-600 compacts down to about 11 inches, and it's incredibly versatile. It also adapts well on my Canon RF bodies, something I can't say for the other 150-600 class lenses.

[@allenahale1]

Update - I returned to Botswana 6 months after my first trip with Pangolin with my "repaired" Sigma 60-600 lens. As before, it failed one hour into my first game drive with Pangolin. Just as before Pangolin saved the day as well as my tour with a loaner of a Canon EOS 90D with Canon EF 400 F4 DO IS ii USM lens.

[@bluejays5660]

I’m surprised the canon 100-500 wasn’t mentioned.

[@wilduntamedphotography1260]

Charl was basically just mentioning & talking about the lenses brought by the customers. Of course the 100-500 is an almost perfect lens for the Masai Mara, no question about that.

[@wilduntamedphotography1260]

Based on my experience, next time I would only bring my A1/A7SIII + 70-200 F2.8 GM + 400 F2.8 GM and maybe a 16-35 for Video

[@charl-pangolinphotohost970]

Agree good combo for sure. That 400mm f2.8 is a must, love that lens.

[@ABF47]

I have nikon d850 and 200-500.

[@charl-pangolinphotohost970]

Perfect combination.

[@Arghyadip1000]

Charl, all I have is an old 150-600. Am I qualified to visit Masai Mara? 😅😅😅

[@charl-pangolinphotohost970]

Sigma or Tamron, both perfect for Masai Mara. you will enjoy that lens there.

[@aircooledGR]

nice video but all this equipment cost more than my car my kidney and my house compined. i would love to see a more realistic video about casual photographers and tourists that visit africa

[@ericaceous1652]

Do you have any thoughts on M43 cameras/lenses?

[@andrear9500]

my little experience… in some parks you cannot drive off the track so if a leopard is 70 metres away then you’ll enjoy having a 150-600 on a m43 body. Fast af speed is not a must when shooting large mammals

[@PangolinWildlife]

And in the Mara you cant off road...only in the conservancies. In Botswana you can off road in the private concessions.

[@cameraprepper7938]

You only show long Lenses ! I would take my Sony A7RIV and A7RIVA with the Lenses Sony 14mm 1.8 GM, Sony 24mm 1,4 GM, Sony Zeiss Sonnar 55mm 1.8, Sony 135mm 1.8 GM and Sony 200-600mm 5.6-6.3 G. Maybe also my Voigtländer APO-Lanthar 35mm 2.0 Aspherical and Voigtländer Macro APO-Lanthar 65mm 2.0.

[@charl-pangolinphotohost970]

Good gear and great choice of equipment.

[@wilduntamedphotography1260]

Bring a 24-70mm, 70-200mm and your 200-600mm, that's more than enough. It's usually not the place where people do a lot of stargazing so I am not sure how often I would use something

[@cameraprepper7938]

@@wilduntamedphotography1260 In general I do NOT like zoom Lenses ! That is why I only have the 200-600 which should have only been 300-600, I never use mine at 200mm, the 200-600 will be replaced by a prime tele Lens at some point. I use my 14mm pretty often, though not that often as the 24mm or my 35mm Lenses.

[@vivekdhillion7855]

I was starting to wonder if anyone else besides me thinks a 14mm is a good idea for the wide landscape shots. Could you share your experience with the 14mm GM lens at the Mara? I’m considering bringing 14mm f1.8 135mm f1.8 and a 200-600 5.6-6.3

[@cameraprepper7938]

@@vivekdhillion7855 I use mine 14mm Lens when I want a very wide shot of a large scenery with large clouds, if there is no large clouds I often crop the top off and getting a panorama look, set the aperture at 5.6 and you will get nice shots. I must admit that I only rarely use the 14mm Lens, but I do often use my Zeiss Loxia Distagon 21mm 2.8 !

[@PaPaMoSSi]

I would love to visit you guys and rent your 600mm with my R5. Is that possible?

[@charl-pangolinphotohost970]

Hi, at this moment we don't have 600mm fix lenses for rent, but we do have sigma 150-600 lenses that we can offer you during your stay.

[@MrPetebuster1]

All very well if you have a few grand to spare otherwise this viseo is pointless and if you have all those lenses your a pro anyway, there are cheaper and smaller options not covered