Bags packed, lenses cleaned, batteries charged, the excitement builds as you count down the days to your long-awaited safari. To help you prepare, we’ve put together a list of essential gear that every wildlife photographer should have in their kit.

UV filter

A UV filter is a tool that serves a dual purpose. First, it helps protect your lens from dust, scratches, and potential damage from the elements. Second, it improves the clarity of your images by reducing ultraviolet light, ensuring that your wildlife shots are crisp and clear, especially in high-altitude or bright environments.

External hard drives

When it comes to wildlife photography, you’re bound to take hundreds (if not thousands) of photos on your trip. Keeping all that data on your camera’s memory card can quickly lead to space constraints, so having an external hard drive to back up your images is crucial. We’ve found that portable drives are quick and easy for transfers of large files, giving you peace of mind, knowing your images are safe.

Wildlife photography can be challenging, your gear should be a tool that allows you to capture with a peace of mind.
Wildlife photography can be challenging, your gear should be a tool that allows you to capture with a peace of mind.

Extra battery & memory card

You don’t always have the luxury of charging your batteries in the field, that’s why a spare is essential. Extra memory cards are just as important, it prevents you from missing the perfect shot.

LensCoats

To protect your gear in conditions like rain, dust or harsh sunlight, an added protective layer like LensCoat will reassure you. Lenscoats are designed to protect your expensive camera gear from the elements, whether you’re shooting in rain, dust, or harsh sunlight. Made from weather-resistant materials, Lenscoats offer a layer of protection against scratches, moisture, and environmental damage while providing a stealthy appearance for wildlife.

Wildlife photography can be challenging, your gear should be a tool that allows you to capture with a peace of mind.

Badger Gear snuggfit beanbag

We know the struggle of getting a low vantage point or trying to keep your lens steady when shooting out of a vehicle. Adding an item like the Badger Gear SnuggFit Beanbag, can offer a secure and stable surface for your camera. It removes unwanted vibrations while offering a more comfortable way to shoot.

Wildlife photography can be challenging, your gear should be a tool that allows you to capture with a peace of mind.

Tripod

It’s essential to have a tripod that can handle both stability and portability when shooting wildlife. The lightweight carbon fibre design of the Benro Rhino 3 Series CF Travel Tripod ensures you can easily carry it on long treks. The sturdy VX30 head offers smooth panning and tilting for those wide-angle landscape shots or precise animal portraits. The robust construction of the tripod can handle the weight of large lenses, ensuring that your images are still, even in windy conditions.

Wildlife photography can be challenging, your gear should be a tool that allows you to capture with a peace of mind.
Wildlife photography can be challenging, your gear should be a tool that allows you to capture with a peace of mind.

Zeiss cleaning kit

One of the biggest challenges in wildlife photography is keeping your gear clean in the field. Whether it’s dust or water splashes, cleaning your lenses is vital for sharp, clear images. The Zeiss Cleaning Kit is ideal for on-the-go maintenance. The kit includes a microfibre cloth, a cleaning solution, and a brush to gently remove dirt from your camera gear.

The right tools will give you peace of mind. If you’re not sure which gear you require, send us an email so that we can advise what would work best for you. If you are posting, you can tag us @outdoorphotoshop and #odpshutters so that we can see your amazing work.