An African safari is an extraordinary experience, and having the right equipment can significantly enhance your wildlife viewing. Among the most essential items for any safari-goer is a good pair of binoculars. Whether you're a seasoned safari enthusiast or planning your first trip, understanding what to look for in binoculars can make all the difference. Binoculars are one of the most important pieces of equipment that a safari guide should have with them at all times.
So just why are binoculars so important to the enjoyment of your safari holiday? If this is going to be your first Safari experience then it is important to manage your expectations, the bush is not a zoo and for the most part you are not going to be sitting right next to the animal that you are viewing. Sure if you are lucky enough there will be times when you have a herd of elephants surround your safari vehicle or you may come up right close to a pride of lions sheltering from the midday heat in the shade of a tree. But there are all the other times where your guide may spot a leopard on the rocks in the distance or some giraffe on a far away plain where the right pair of binoculars will really make the difference.
Then there are the birds, Africa has some of the most interesting and diverse birds found anywhere in the world and any keen birder will tell you that a pair of binoculars is essential for bird spotting. You may think "I'm not going all the way to Africa to see birds!" Believe me I have heard that one before, but if you give them a chance, birds are every bit as interesting as the big 5 on Safari. Who knows, you may even get to see vultures feeding on the leftovers of a wild dog hunt, or a Snake Eagle swoop down to catch it's prey. Wouldn't it be a shame to miss out on that because you either don't have a pair of binoculars, or if the ones you do have are not up to the task? I use my binoculars even when I am sitting watching something like a rhino or even an elephant that is only 10 meters away. Sure they are some of Africa's largest mammals and I can see them perfectly well with my eyes, but there is so much more to see.
If it is a White Rhino, you can notice how square it's lips are, perfect for "hoovering" up it's staple food of grass. If it is a Black Rhino, look closely at it's pointed lips, perfect for reaching in amongst the branchlets of small bushes to find the sweetest shoots. With elephants, take a look at their eyes and eyelashes, so much like a humans. Binoculars can take you that one step further, from just seeing the animal, to observing their behavior. So you now know they are essential for your holiday, but not just any binocular will do, you need the right one to get the most out of it. A good safari binocular will need to be ideal for general wildlife observation, be above average for birding and be great for travel.
It is no secret that the African bush, it's wildlife and the people are very close to my heart. Before starting BBR, I used to and still do on occasions work as a Safari Guide (that's me on the right with the lovely Finley family who came on a safari holiday in South Africa). I would say that binoculars are one of the most important, if not the most important pieces of equipment that a safari guide should have with them at all times. So it stands to reason that if good safari binoculars are important to a professional, then they will also be as important to those wanting to get the most out of their safari holiday.
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No matter if all your wildlife viewing whilst on safari is conducted in a vehicle or if your going on a walking safari, it is really important that you don’t get to weighed down with gear. So if you already have a pair of binoculars, but they are not heavy or if you are still to get yours, here is my guide to the best lightweight binoculars for safari and travel. However you will notice that I placed an emphasis on the word best for my safari binoculars in the paragraph above.
Best Binoculars For Your Safari
Key Features to Consider
So you now know they are essential for your holiday, but not just any binocular will do, you need the right one to get the most out of it. Here are some key features to consider when choosing binoculars for your safari:
- Magnification: The main reason you have a pair of binoculars for safaris is to get closer to the wildlife, so you may be forgiven for thinking that the more powerful the magnification the better. So in my opinion binoculars with a magnification of between 8x and 10x will is ideal for most safari binoculars. If however you are going to be particularly far away from the action you could consider a 12x magnification which is still fairly easy to keep still without a tripod and has a decent FOV, but will get you just that bit closer to the action.
- Field of View (FOV): For observing large relatively slow moving animals, a fairly narrow field of view is not really an issue. A nice wide FOV is much more important when observing small and fast moving objects like birds as a wide picture will make it far easier to spot them in the first place and then keep them in view as they dart about a tree or bush. A binocular's FOV is usually expressed in feet at a distance of 1,000 yards, but is you also find it expressed in meters at 1,000 meters or it is sometimes displayed as an angle. I would say that for safaris a FOV of 315ft at 1,000 yards (105m at 1,000 meters / 6.0° ) should be fine for most people, but as I say, the wider the better, so if you are undecided between two models, check which has the widest FOV.
- Size and Weight: Obviously on these walks a compact binocular makes sense, but what you really need is one that can fold away small enough to fit into your shirt or jacket pocket, rather than have it dangling round your neck where it can get in the way when you are trying to photograph something. When it comes to size, not all compact binoculars are created equal - look out for roof prism compacts that have a duel hinge design that makes them far smaller than standard single hinge or porro prism compacts when folded. Unless you want to struggle around with tons of luggage everywhere you go, it only makes sense that the optics that you travel with are as compact as possible. An easy to carry and compact binocular is even more important if you are planning on going on walking safaris and is especially important if you want to carry your camera with you at the same time as well.
- Waterproofing: Waterproofing not only protects your optics from moisture, but in dry dusty conditions that you will often encounter on safari it will also prevent any dust and other small debris from entering them that could easily lead to your view being spoilt. A waterproof binocular is important especially if you are traveling in the rainy season (yes it does rain in Africa!) Most safari vehicles are not the most waterproof vehicles out there and sometimes some of the best game viewing experiences can happen when it is raining.
Even though the safari vehicles are pretty comfortable these days, you are bound to drop them or bash them Gaines something at some time during your holiday. Remember you are also going to be traveling about and so a flimsy pair could easily get damaged. If you are going to be walking about in the bush, another tip is to look for a pair that has their objective lenses set back quite deeply within the body. This will protect them from getting damaged or scratched when walking through and around thick bushes. Failing that make sure your optics come with some good objective lens caps that fit well and that can be tethered to the body so you can easily cover your lenses when required without having to look through your bag for them.
Image Stabilization
Image Stabilization Binoculars can really help if you definitely want or need a high powered binocular, or if you have particularly unsteady or shaky hands. Most work by using sensors that detect horizontal and vertical movement and a micro-pressor within the binocular that instantly adjusts the refraction angle of the incoming light on the prisms to cancel or smooth out the movement for a much steadier view. Do they work?
Top Binocular Recommendations
Here are some top binocular recommendations based on different needs and budgets:
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- Vortex Viper HD 8x42: Offering what we believe to be the perfect ratio of performance and price, the Vortex Viper HD 8x42 is the best choice for most people looking to invest in a quality pair of optics. Their high-quality glass resulted in some of the brightest and clearest images in our testing, giving us more reasons to stay out for prolonged wildlife viewings during dawn and dusk. The Viper HD is a great binocular for those seeking wildlife that moves around often and can be harder to pin down.
- Nikon Monarch M7 10x42: Placed among our top-ranked binoculars in the product test lineup, the Monarch M7 10x42 impresses as an exceptional performer across nearly all test metrics. This full-sized, general-purpose binocular stands out for its bright, crisp, and color-accurate viewing experience. Furthermore, the M7 excels in ease of adjustment and boasts an impressive close-focus range, making it a great tool for a wide range of distances you wish to view from.
- Zeiss Victory SF 10x42: The Zeiss Victory SF 10x42 stands out as superior among the binoculars our team evaluated, offering a notably distinct improvement in clarity and performance compared to most others in our lineup. The Zeiss stands out as the best among the other high price tags. It wasn't the brightest or clearest, but it had the highest combined score when considering all metrics. This pair was a favorite of our advanced testers because of its higher magnification and a beneficial balance point that allowed us to keep our eyes on the prize longer before taking a break.
- Vortex Diamondback HD 8x42: The Vortex Diamondback HD 8x42 provides a surprisingly good viewing experience for the price. We measure an impressive brightness level, approaching a level typical of premium binoculars like the Leica Noctivid 10x42. The Diamondback series is affordable yet delivers solid performance, making it ideal for birders or adventurers who want a wide field of view and enhanced brightness.
- Celestron Nature DX 8x42: If spending hundreds (or thousands) of dollars on a new hobby makes you nervous, the Celestron Nature DX 8x42 is the perfect way to dip your toe in the game without a huge price commitment. The image quality of the BAK-4 glass is the best we've seen in the budget-conscious range, rivaling models that cost more than twice as much. The supple focus knobs and easy eyecup adjustments continue the list of beginner-friendly features.
Below is a comparison table of the models mentioned above:
| Binocular Model | Magnification | Objective Lens Diameter (mm) | Field of View (ft @ 1000 yds) | Weight (oz) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vortex Viper HD 8x42 | 8x | 42 | 409 | 25.4 | High clarity and brightness, wide field of view |
| Nikon Monarch M7 10x42 | 10x | 42 | 362 | 25.5 | Bright, crisp images, smooth focus |
| Zeiss Victory SF 10x42 | 10x | 42 | Not specified | 28.2 | Incredible clarity, balanced design |
| Vortex Diamondback HD 8x42 | 8x | 42 | Not specified | 23.1 | Excellent brightness, wide field of view, great value |
| Celestron Nature DX 8x42 | 8x | 42 | Not specified | 22.8 | Inexpensive, good clarity and brightness |
In addition to the above, there are other models worth considering:
- Athlon Optics Midas ED 8x42: For less than $300, you can get a pair of binoculars that matches - that’s matches, not comes close to - models that cost hundreds, or even thousands, more. The Midas ED’s optics aren’t its only strong suit: These exceptionally durable binoculars easily withstood the humid, dusty, and hostile environment of the Mexican rainforest and the harsh sun of the Californian desert.
- Nikon Prostaff P7: Offering just-as-clear optics and solid construction, the Nikon Prostaff P7 is an excellent choice if the Athlon Optics Midas ED is sold out or you need a cheaper option.
- Pentax AD 8x25 WP: The low-cost Pentax AD 8x25 WP compact binoculars are great for day hikes or airplane travel, situations where you want good-quality optics in a small package.
Ultimately, the best binoculars for your African safari will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Consider what is most important to you - whether it's image quality, ease of use, durability, or price - and choose a pair that fits your criteria. With the right binoculars, you'll be able to fully appreciate the incredible wildlife and landscapes that Africa has to offer.
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