Bean bag or not on safari in East Africa

C Sean wrote:

Can I ask you how many safaris you been on?

The reason why I'm asking you this because I do believe you're over complicating what could be a once in a life time trip. All you need for your trip is a few camera bodies, binoculars, a hat and sun glasses. Then there's the factor 50 suncream, bug spray etc.

To answer your question, you don't need sand bags and most people can get along without them. You can rest your elbows on your thighs and there's your tripod. You don't need all this support unless you're shooting with something like the 600mm 4.0 and my advice for you is good luck. Luckily most safari vehicles in East Africa often supply sand bags if anyone need them so you don't need to bring your own.

BTW sands bags don't effect your sightings and it doesn't effect how many people in your vehicle. Your main goal on day one is to find the right people to share the vehicle with or there will be tensions like in your typical Big Brother house. Here is an example, my last safari, the sightings of big cats were low and we had a lot of birders in our group. The birders stuck together in one vehicle and I made sure I stayed in the other.

A friend knows some people who went to Kruger for four days and they didn't see a single lion. It does happen and nothing is guaranteed except for your common herbivores. You might have some exciting sightings and you might have some animals eating grass.

Thank you for your comment C. This will be my first safari. I probably would not have any questions if it was my 2nd or 3rd, but I doubt that will happen.