safari bean bag

7 Best Bean Bags for Safari Photography

As a Safari photographer, are you looking for the best bean bags for Safari photography for your projection as you explore your photography? Do not fret; all are covered in this post.

Table of Contents

7 Top Bean Bags for Safari Photography

In a hurry to check the details? Here are my 5 best bean bags to check and buy.

But first, some may wonder what a beanbag is. Well, a beanbag is a camera accessory used to support the camera and lens system. It usually comes without beans or stuffing, with only an empty bag would be delivered. You can fill it with rice, corn, or polystyrene beans.

Now, let’s take a deep dive into the details of the best bean bags for Safari photography.

Movo Camera Lens Bean Bag

CHECK PRICE

• Integrated detachable metal mounting plate with 3/8″ thread to mount gimbals & ball heads
• For Irregular Surfaces such as Car Windows or Branches
• “Deep Woods” Pattern; With Dimensions (LxWxH): 8.5″ x 6.5″ x 8″
• Water-Resistant
• Very simple to take along anywhere you go to
• Excellent bag for taking camera shots from the car.
• This bean bag will hold any super-telephoto lens when filled, Monster!
• The straps and internal mount plate are great additions that increase the versatility.
•  Stitching coming loose within two months and very few uses (Not all cases)
• Fabric is light

Specifications:

• Product Dimensions: 8.98 x 7.95 x 2.28 inches
• Item Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Item model number: THB01
• Manufacturer: Movo

The Movo-Photo Camera beanbag is a handy holder to carry anywhere for your camera or camcorder. Our advanced camouflage pattern makes this bag perfect for finding a stable base when you’re out in the wild.

Designed for use with or without a built-in 3/8 “tripod or head mount. The Puf Movo Photo THB03 is designed for digital SLR cameras with lenses less than 800mm.

The unique U shape makes it precise for mounting on narrow or round surfaces like a car door, fence, or tree branch. The “U” interior is made with a high-grip surface that helps you maintain stability no matter where you set up.

The pouf has easy access, and a protected zipper removes the liner material in any situation. The bag’s interior is reinforced with a high-quality aluminum plate measuring 1/2 “, 3/8” screws – 16.

The plate is removable, enabling you to use the pouf as a traditional pouf and smooth bag holder.

Find out now on Amazon.

Rolanpro Pillow Photographic Bean Bag

• Aerial photogrammetry Bean Bag
• Windows with a telephoto lens pillow gun
• This empty bag is open with a zipper
• Nylon material
• Light enough to carry when filled
• Excellent finish and very well made.
• The materials are environmentally pleasant and have no smell.
• Very easy to put on the lens, plus it grips the lens very well.
• Heavy enough to stay on the door
• Zipper malfunction.
• Brand: Rolanpro
• Manufacturer: Rolanpro
• Model: BB01
• Has Package Dimensions of 22.1 x 11.18 x 4.32 cm; 100 Grams
• Use: Lensx2, Lensx3, LENS
• Origin: CN(Origin)
• Style: Triangle package
• Type: Waterproof Bag
• Model Number: WP
• Material: Cotton Yarn

Pistol window for telephoto / aerial photogrammetry cushion Powder bag This empty bag is open in a zipper. In a way, the open position is hidden, and the zipper is covered with a protective pouch, preventing the zipper’s accidental opening.

Also, due to the larger size of full bags, and the stuffing can sometimes be considered a hint of contraband, empty bags are more suitable for overseas travel.

Check out now on Amazon .

LensCoat Camera Bean Bag Support

• Heavy-duty water-resistant Codura
• Detachable lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum mounting plate with 3/8″ -16 mounting screw for a gimbal or ball head
• Non-slip grip fabric on the bottom (in the “U”)
• 2 locking zippers for simple filling and emptying
• Proudly made in the USA
• Works well and easily mounts while photographing from a car.
• Great size and quality
• About 5lbs of Buckwheat Hulls pack it nicely
• Package Dimensions: 7.5 x 6.5 x 7 inches
• Item Weight: 9 ounces
• Manufacturer: LensCoat

LensSack Pro Jr series, our U-shaped lens bag is with removable mounting plate. The mounting plate is made of a lightweight aluminum aircraft with a 3/8″ -16 mounting bolt that allows you to mount the PTO or ball joint.

The mounting plate can be removed, allowing LensSack Pro Jr. to use as a standard camera/lens platform for carrying bags. LensSack Pro Jr. offers outstanding stability for cameras with lenses up to 500mm.

Whether you’re shooting from the ground, fences, car doors, slippery surfaces, or safari vehicles, the LensSack Pro Jr. will provide a stable and reliable platform.

Our lens bags are made from the same heavyweight, waterproof Codura as our long bags and hood extension bags. The Lens Sack Pro detaches, and its two high-quality YKK zippers prevent leakage and allow you to add loads of your choice easily.

Check out on Amazon

The Pod Red Bean Bag for Compact Cameras

•  Beanbag pole for compact cameras, advanced point and shoot cameras, camcorders, microphones, DSLRs with a short focal length lens, etc
• Built-in 1/4″ camera mount
• An excellent idea for you, well-made yet straightforward, and elementary to use and carry.
• It’s also suitable for small camera video cameras, i.e., ideal for mobile phones.
• It has a stable tripod you can pack and use anywhere.
• Great for full-size cameras too.
• A little on the small size for the lenses you want to use it with
• The disadvantage of its tripod over a regular one is you can’t angle your camera for vertical photos.
• Quite expensive
• Package Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.9 x 1.9 inches
• Item Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Item model number: Camera Platform
• Manufacturer: The POD

Red Pod from Pod is an ottoman that serves as a camera platform for DSLR cameras with zoom lenses up to 200mm long. The red pod is made of strong nylon and filled with plastic bullets, removed and added to adapt the capsule to your camera/lens and a particular shot’s requirements.

The stable camera platform is excellent for shooting outdoors from unpredictable surfaces. The red floor has a 1/4 “-20 screw-on edge, which allows you to mount the camera with a zoom lens. The included adjustable strap can be threaded through the buckles on the capsule to secure the lens.

The 0.75kg bag is small and easy to carry with your daily gear, ready for any occasion to keep the camera in. The red capsule is closed with a strong Velcro closure that can be opened and closed as many times as needed.

You can replace the plastic granules with any other filling. With a green vinyl with a waterproof nylon bottom and cover, the Red Pod is suitable for use in rainy conditions and is strong enough that an adult can walk on it without causing harm.

NatureScapes SkimmerSackII Bean Bag

•  Beanbag support for DSLR and video cameras
• Constructed of tough 500-denier Cordura nylon fabric
• Inside fabric is made from rubber-like Toughtek.
• Double-stitched seams for durability
• Two-year warranty against flaws in materials and workmanship
• Excellently stable for automobile-based Safari photography
• Lightweight and perfect for shooting from a car.
• It’s small but has excellent support for cameras.
• The package comes with no filler
• Package Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.5 x 1.4 inches
• Item Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Item model number: 3216621696
• Manufacturer: NatureScapes.Net

This SkimmerSack II is a stable “grain bag” holder for DSLRs and video cameras. It can be placed on a door, window, or top of a vehicle or simply placed on any stable surface.

It is as well explicitly designed to be used in conjunction with the Skimmer II ground module. Visit our website for usage photos and more information. Features SkimmerSack II has a compartment that is made of strong 500 denier Cordura nylon fabric.

The interior material is Toughtek, similar to rubber. The seams are double for added strength with nylon thread. On one end, there is a zipper opening, including a protective cover (so that the zipper doesn’t scratch your camera or vehicle).

There is a wrist strap at each end of the bag. The round tip is designed to hold the Skimmer II ground pod with a camera and lens on top. At the bottom of the bag, a pair of straps are attached to the door handles or a luggage rack in the vehicle.

Specifications Dimensions filled: 26 “high x 17 x 20 cm (10.25” x 6.7 “x 8”) Blank weight: 139 g (4.9 oz) Weight with polyethylene filling (includes bag weight ) 5.2 kg (11 lb 8 oz) Weight of stuffed buckwheat carcasses (includes bag weight): 1.3 kg (2 lb 13 oz)

Find out now on Amazon .

Kinesis SafariSack 4.2 (Khaki/No Fill)

• You are offered a choice of fill. Polyethylene beads are the most stable but more decadent than the buckwheat hulls. For lenses up to 200mm, the buckwheat is adequate.
• The 4.2 features a side gusset, enabling a thicker volume of filler when in half saddlebag style.
• The ends are slightly rounded for easier handling.
• D-rings on the extremes for carrying over the shoulder with a shoulder strap (# Y215 is alterable, unpadded & 1″ / 25 mm wide).
• With the sewn-in strap, it can be securely attached to the rack on the top of a Land Rover, which is regular on safari… or your mini-van or SUV! If you want a lengthier strap, get the # Y208.
• You can add sand, water, or pebbles to use as a ballast to uphold a tripod or light stand in the wind. We recommend using an optional liner for sand (R107) or choosing the R425 SafariSack II for a more straightforward, less expensive ballast bag; use the R106 water bladder with it.
• It works exceptionally and can handle uneven surfaces, and doesn’t take up a tripod’s space.
• Build quality is good.
• Ideal for those places where tripods are inappropriate.
• It is one of the most functional pieces of photographic accessories you can purchase.
• It’s a cheaper alternative.
• It provides good stability.
• Product Dimensions: 14 x 11.5 x 0.5 inches
• Item Weight: 3.98 ounces
• Department: unisex-adult (luggage only)
• Manufacturer: Kinesis Photo Gear

Are we speaking of its design? This sturdy bean bag is used to hold a DSLR camera, mirror, or video camera in the vehicle, car window, chair, table, tree branch, fence post, or ground. It is swifter to use than a tripod.

The bag has a zipped compartment; fillers can be added, such as polyethylene balls, buckwheat husks, rice, beans, etc. no shirt is needed. *** Safari bags with polyethylene filling are HEAVY. Polyphill 4.2 weighs almost 6 kilograms, and 1.4 weighs 2 kilograms. Order buckwheat for a lighter bag.

It can be made use of in two ways: 1) camera mount or 2) ballast mode – hang on a tripod or light to stabilize it against the wind or use super-telephoto lenses. The support of the crowd is also within reach.

It is made with a combination of durable 400 and 420 denier ripstop nylon fabrics. Additionally, the bottom has a rubberized fabric that keeps the bag in place when placed on a vehicle or other slippery surface. It is double stitched and reinforced at the belt attachment points.

When traveling overseas, take the blank version and fill it locally with rice, beans, or birdseed. Then after check-in, empty the contents and go home with an empty compact bag.

Find out now on Amazon

Grizzly Camera Bean Bag

• Large-Black and Large Poly Bead Fill
• Photography Bean Bag
• African Safari
• Video Bean Bag, Camera Support
• Camera Sandbag
• Photography Tours.
• It’s a fantastic product: high quality and just the right size for you.
• The material is so sturdy for use on areas such as windows frame, tree branch, etc.
• Easy to fill
• Not At All Flexible; And You Still Have To Purchase The Beads
• Tear Along Seem after 2 Weeks
• Product Dimensions: 6 x1 x 8 inches
• Item Weight: 5 ounces
• ASIN: B08NLZZ9V2
• Manufacturer: Wild Grizzly Products LLC

It’s a high-quality bean bag that’s empty, by the way! You need to buy 4 pounds of pinto beans and put them inside, which should work well.

You could put many suggestions inside, but we recommend pinto beans, aquarium pebbles, or any other type of packaging, like peanut packaging. Keep in mind that anything you put in the camera in the bag will affect its performance.

However, I still put this to the test when I think the investment is worth it. Highly recommend choosing this if you’re a serious photographer on the go and can’t always bring a tripod or take the time to set it up.

Why you need a bean bag for Safari photography

You might wonder why you need a beanbag to photograph wildlife. Under certain conditions, we may not be able to use a tripod, so I prepared my Top Bean bag with the Safari photographer in mind. The bag is a handy accessory in such conditions.

Wildlife photography in Safari Vehicle

If you are photographing wildlife in a safari vehicle, you will not be able to place a tripod in the vehicle. You can set the tripod head on the vehicle grilles. But it would not be easy to move your head. Here, an ottoman is the best choice for a photographer.

Traveling Abroad for Wildlife Safari

When you go abroad to photograph wildlife, it is best to bring a bean bag with you. It is the best replacement for a tripod in this situation. By carrying an empty bean bag, you can also save a certain amount of luggage. You can later fill it with rice or any grain and turn the grains on your return.

Compared to tripods, a bean bag is a cost-effective and economical solution. You’ll get a good bean bag for $ 30 to $ 50. Quality tripods are expensive; tripod feet and heads will need to be purchased separately.

Better Picture Quality in Low Light Conditions

It has the same purpose as a tripod and ensures the camera and lens system’s stability. In this way, you can get better image sharpness compared to manual shooting. You can shoot blur-free images in low light.

Many companies produce bean bags. It is, therefore, a challenging job to choose the best among them. I will list things to check before buying and choosing a bean bag for wildlife photography.

Best Bean Bag for Safari Photography: Buyer’s Guide

This is an essential factor. Don’t buy shoddy products. Check what fabric the bag is made of. You should have a slight catch. Otherwise, your lens would slip out of position. If you buy cheap, you might end up repairing or changing it regularly. Make sure the zippers and velcro are of good quality.

Since you are buying it for wildlife or bird photography, make sure you buy it in soft colors like black, dull green, or brown. The best color option would be camouflage. I prefer camouflage paint because I use a camouflage lens layer on the camera lens. So it fits my team well.

Waterproofing

It would be nice if the fabric were waterproof. I would keep it on the vehicle door. Thus, when it rains or it is dewy, the bag is wet if it is not waterproof. Later, because of the humidity, it may start to stink.

If stored with a camera, it can even cause fungal growth inside the camera and lens. Cleaning the cameras and lenses affected by fungus is an expensive operation that also affects the lens’s quality.

Weight balance

Don’t buy where you need to stuff a lot of beans or rice. It’s good for stability. However, it can be a burden to transport and install. You will also need more beans for the filling.

So, choose one that won’t get heavy or bulky. That way, it would be easy to use in the field. Never buy an ultralight; it will never serve a real purpose. Do not fill it with light materials. It will affect the stability of the camera and the lens system.

Pouf with mounting plate

There are premium ottomans that come with mounting plates. You can place the PTO head on this plate and attach the camera and photo lens. This will make it easier to move the camera system.

In my opinion, I do not recommend this option because it makes it more expensive and more complex. Could you keep it simple? Concentrate on image composition and photography.

The dimension of the flat top surface

The dimension of the flat surface at the top should be large enough to hold the larger lens. Some companies produce smaller lightweight bean bags for use with zoom telephoto lens holders. Therefore, always make sure that the flat surface is large enough.

Check online reviews

Before buying an ottoman, it is good to check out the online reviews of that model. This will give you a better idea. Sometimes the cheaper ones would be better than the high-quality ones.

So if you haven’t tried it yet, start using an ottoman for wildlife photography. You can see some differences in your photos. I have been using it for two years. Now, I prefer a beanbag for photographing wild animals from a vehicle. This is a big plus for my photographic trips.

Many companies produce personalized bean bags. So, if you are looking for the best-personalized gifts for a photographer, this is a good option.

Final thoughts

The camera bean bag is perhaps one of the cheapest and most valuable camera equipment you need for better Safari photos.

On any surface, the camera’s grain bags provide support and reduce camera shake. This allows you to use longer lenses and long exposures without a tripod.

LIVING THE DREAM

Don’t Take a Tripod on Safari – Take a Bean Bag Instead

Published by Jeremy . Last Updated on March 9, 2023.

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Before heading out on safari in Tanzania, I upgraded my camera gear to include a new telephoto lens ( 150-600mm ) to get the best animal photos possible. As I quickly realized after a few days of testing, when wielding a big lens like this, stability becomes a problem as any minor camera movement can result in huge swings of what you see on screen- especially at the 600mm focal length.

As such, when shooting on lenses like these, you'll often see photographers using a tripod- not to stabilize the camera, but to stabilize the lens first and foremost. So, naturally, I immediately upgraded my tripod as my former one was not rated for the ~10-pound weight of my new setup. 

I thought I was ready to go to Africa, but then I talked to travel photography friends like Green Global Travel and Finding the Universe .

In these discussions, it was  very strongly recommended not to bother taking a tripod to Africa but instead take a camera bean bag. These simple devices latch onto any surface that a strap can wrap around, such as a metal frame at the top of a safari vehicle. Your camera lens can rest on the bag, providing stability, while not being fully locked down to allow for quick movement as needed.

After buying one, and taking both it and my tripod to Africa, I can safely say that I never used my tripod once (except for one instance where I used the monopod detachment). As such, I thought it would be good to share why a bean bag was such an important purchase for this trip!

Camera Bean Bags Are More Flexible Than Tripods

Camera bean bags are a lot like what you would expect from the name- bags, filled with beans or other bean-like material, that can be strapped down to a surface like a metal railing. While some companies can go crazy with the design, particularly with built-in contours for your camera lens, most just tend to be form-fitting bags outright. 

The reason these work on safari better than a tripod is simply because to get a good photo, sometimes you have to act fast.

Animals, as we all know, are often not stationary. They could be on the move slowly, or they could be on the move quickly. Even sleeping lions may pop their heads up and look right at you for only a fraction of a second. Or your vehicle may be on the go on a fast pursuit of a hunt. Therein lies the problem(s). 

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In a somewhat cramped space, to capture these with your camera on a tripod you would have set the tripod up, adjust the horizontal angle, adjust the vertical angle, lock it all down, and then start working on your camera settings to capture the scene. Ignoring that there is barely any room for the three legs of a tripod to be stable in a safari vehicle outright (I can't fathom a tripod working at all, to be honest), adjusting all these settings via a tripod would take so much time that you may lose most quick scenes outright.

A bean bag, on the other hand, simply has to be strapped down to a surface, and the added stability allows you to gracefully move your camera as needed. Want to pan up? The bag will adjust its contour as you move the camera. Want to pan horizontally? The same applies. You are ready to take a photo as fast as it takes to rest the lens on the bean bag- no other setting changes necessary.

The only real downside is picking the side of your vehicle to latch the bean bag onto outright (if you travel with only one bag). I always had my bag attached to one side of our vehicle as a default and then would survey vehicles we were approaching to see what direction passengers were looking at to decide if I wanted to switch sides. In many cases, I had the bag set up and ready to go well before we could even spot any animals with this method- insofar as our driver parked at the same angle as everyone else at least.

Still, swapping a bean bag from one side of the car to the other is a much easier experience than dealing with a tripod, and allowed me to get some truly epic wildlife shots with ease!

• Note : Even with a bean bag I always had my camera strap attached and around my neck as a safety net when moving my camera. This worked out a bit easier with my Black Rapid strap over more conventional options.

A Monopod May Be a Compromise for Some

Ultimately, while I took my tripod with me just in case (primarily for astrophotography that never quite panned out due to clouds), I did end up using my tripod's detachable monopod on one occasion and think it could be an alternative for those who do not want to buy a bean bag.

For me, the only instance that the monopod was even remotely more useful than a bean bag was on a night safari. This was because you have to be so fast in snapping a photo of an animal before it runs away that you wouldn't even have time to move the bean bag at all. The amount of time from your spotter finding an animal to it running out of view can be seconds at best, and you will likely have no advanced warning in the form of other cars nearby to give you a heads up something is coming in the event you need to switch sides.

So, at best, a single bean bag would only work well here insofar as you had it on the correct side of the car by chance. As it were, I simply never used mine in this outing. 

When using my monopod on the night safari, instead of adjusting horizontal and vertical settings on the tripod itself, I simply leaned it in the direction I needed. It wasn't great , and only worked because our vehicle was fairly empty and I had an entire row of seats to myself. But even with that, I only got about five or six good photos from that setup. Short of having two bean bags and  the entire row to myself, this was a suitable compromise. 

For daytime shots, a monopod could solve the space issues for setting up as the three legs of a tripod likely won't be able to spread out enough to provide that great of stability on the vehicle's floor. That being said, monopods are also significantly less stable, so you could be introducing more movement into your lens over what a bean bag would provide, too. 

I won't go as far as saying that I recommend a monopod for a safari in the slightest, but I will say it may be better than nothing. I still go back to the bean bags as the best option 99% of the time- with a night safari outing maybe being the only caveat.

Tips for Using a Camera Bean Bag

Before ending this one, we would be remiss if we didn't discuss a few more tips on buying and using a camera bean bag.

First , and perhaps most importantly, most bean bags you buy are delivered empty and without beans. Some producers will sell polystyrene beads that you can use to fill the bean bags and those who want to fill yours for cheaper may simply use dried beans or even old clothes like socks if only because the polystyrene beads marketed for this use are absurdly expensive.

I purchased the recommended polystyrene beads just to see how they work. While they were indeed quite functional for the bean bag, especially for allowing contour of the camera, it is worth noting that the polystyrene beads pick up a lot of static charge in their original packaging. So when you open them do not, under any circumstance , open the bag entirely. Simply cut open a small corner (~1-2″), and use that as a spout to pour the beads into your bag- otherwise, you may have a fairly big mess on your hands as they can fly all over the place. (Read some of the reviews on Amazon , trust me.)

If I were to do it over again, I would probably test the bag with old socks first and see if that would be good enough.

Second , I found that I liked to have my bag filled almost as stuffed as it could go. Originally I had thought a partial fill (~80%) would give more flexibility in locking onto surfaces on our safari vehicle. But in practice, I found I liked the bag almost full (~95%) as the beads do seem to get compressed a bit after repeated use. So in a pinch, I shoved a few more socks in the bag mid-safari to plump it back up. When in doubt, I'd fill closer to the full side assuming the one you buy has a long enough strap.

You may have to adjust this one after your first day or two on safari (or a solid test before you travel), as ensuring a good strap onto your vehicle will depend on several factors. You may want to plump yours up or make it less full based on your preference. 

Finally , while these are somewhat easy to hook onto railings on a safari vehicle, it still takes time to move the bags (think seconds not minutes). You may not be able to move it to the opposite side of your vehicle in the event of, say, a lion running across the road. For those who are extremely into photography and have enough space in a private safari vehicle, having two could allow for a bean bag to be permanently attached to each side of your vehicle on daily outings, but even for me this would have been simply a slight convenience as opposed to being necessary. I could probably count on one hand the number of shots I missed because of having to change sides.

Overall, I am elated to have purchased a camera bean bag before heading out on safari. This simple tool worked wonders in helping me get some great photographs on my monster telephoto lens and ensured I never touched my tripod for the entire trip.

So while I would still likely always pack my tripod just in case , I really found I never used it at all- especially on game drives. Don't leave home without a bean bag (or two)!

To pick up a camera bean bag before your next trip, click here .

About Jeremy

About the Author: Jeremy is a full-time travel writer based in Pittsburgh and primary author of this site. He has been to 70+ countries on five continents and seeks out new food, adventure activities, and off-the-beaten-path experiences wherever he travels.

3 thoughts on “Don’t Take a Tripod on Safari – Take a Bean Bag Instead”

Hi Jeremy, When using a beanbag what do you set your image stabillisation to? Wout

I generally turn off internal stabilization just like I would if I was shooting on a tripod. However, I do think it is best to test this at home first so you aren’t testing it in the middle of a safari with an animal nearby. I wouldn’t be surprised if some cameras behave differently with this combo.

Thanks Jeremy!!

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Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

What to Pack for Safari – A Detailed Safari Packing List

Last updated: February 14, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 4 Comments

So you’re going on safari. Awesome! We love safaris, and Jess and I have been lucky enough to take many safaris together. But now you might be wondering what to actually pack for safari.

Well, we’re here to help. We’ve taken safaris on a number of occasions in a variety of countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. From those trips, we’ve learned what items are essential for your safari packing list, and what you probably won’t need.

We’ll also share some tips on what to consider when packing and a detailed safari packing checklist for your reference.

What to Consider when Packing for Safari

Before you start putting your safari packing list together, you are going to need to know the answers to a few questions. These questions will help inform you as to what you need to pack.

There are many different types of safari across a range of destinations and accommodation types, so there is no “one size fits all” safari packing list.

Here are some questions that we think will help you figure out more clearly what you need to bring.

Where are you going?

The first question of course is where you are going on safari. Whilst many people will instantly think of the African continent when thinking of a safari trip, you can take a safari in destinations around the world.

Once you know where you are going, then you can start to research the answers to some of the other questions that are important to your safari trip planning.

What will the weather be like during your safari?

When it comes to packing clothes and travel gear, having an idea of the weather is definitely going to make a big difference. Whilst we often think of safaris as taking place in hot and dry places, this is certainly not always the case.

If you are visiting Africa, this is obviously a huge continent, with very variable weather. If you are visiting the more southern countries like South Africa, these have a weather pattern similar to Europe or the USA, with cool winters and hot summers. Although of course being in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed.

If you are visiting countries closer to the equator, like Kenya or Tanzania, then their proximity to the equator means that they tend to be quite warm year-round, and their seasons are instead divided into dry seasons and wet seasons.

The wet season, as the name suggests, is when you are more likely to get a lot more rain, whilst the dry season will be, well, drier. Of course, rain is theoretically possible at any time, but it is much less common in the dry season.

In some areas, it can get pretty cold, especially at higher elevations or when next to water. For example, if you are visiting Tanzania to hike Kilimanjaro , then even if it is hot in the plains, it is likely to be very cold near the summit.

So be sure to check into that, especially if you are visiting during the winter season of that country. You may be surprised to know you might need to bring a coat, gloves, hats, etc.

So take a look at the average temperatures, humidity, and rainfall in the places you plan to go at the time of the year you plan to visit. Also note that some countries may have very different climates across regions so be sure to take that into account as well.

One good website for checking average temperatures, precipitation, and humidity for the destinations on your trip is the “Climate (averages)” section of timeanddate.com . It allows for you to check the historical averages by month as well as the current weather.

How long is your safari?

The duration of your safari will definitely make an impact on how much you pack.

If you are traveling for a few days, then you will likely need fewer items of clothing compared to a safari lasting for a few weeks or even months. For longer safaris, you’ll want to consider how to handle laundry, which we cover in a different section.

What types of transport will you be using?

It’s important to have an understanding of the transport you will be using when you are on safari, as this will often make a big difference in terms of what you can bring with you, and also the sort of luggage you can bring.

For example, if you are going on safari in an African country, many airlines flying to and from these destinations will have very generous luggage allowances, so it can be tempting to pack a lot in a big suitcase just in case.

However, once you are actually in the country, your local transport might not have quite so much room. If you are taking a group safari especially, with multiple people, there will be limited space available for each person.

Another big restricting factor is if you are taking any domestic flights on smaller aircraft. These are often used in-country to get to and from safari parks, and can skip long drives.

Smaller aircraft tend to be particularly restrictive when it comes to luggage allowances, both in terms of weight and also volume. The small holds mean they can only carry so much, and larger hard sided luggage for example might not even fit through the hatch. So many don’t allow you to bring any kind of hard-sided luggage.

If you are doing a multi-day hike, such as up Mt. Kilimanjaro or Mt. Kenya, your trekking guide and company will generally set size and weight restrictions on what can be carried.

Generally, you are allowed one duffel bag (carried by a porter) and then one personal backpack that you have on you at all times. Most companies (or hotels if staying at the same one before and after) will have somewhere you can store additional luggage before your hike if needed but you will need to check and make arrangements.

You will definitely want to talk to your safari organizer prior to packing. They should be able to give you clear instructions regarding luggage limits and restrictions. If you are flying on smaller aircraft, you will generally find that soft luggage is going to be preferable.

What activities will you be doing on your safari trip?

Every safari is different, and it’s important that you pack according to what you will be doing.

For example, a safari where you are going to spend the majority of your time in a vehicle looking at wildlife in game reserves will probably pack a bit differently than someone going on a safari which includes gorilla trekking , long hikes, climbing a mountain, fishing, cycling, camping, or spending a lot of time birdwatching on foot in swampy areas.

So it is good to have an idea of those activities. How much time will be spent in vehicles, walking, hiking, boating, biking, etc.? Will you be spending any time in cities doing activities like visiting museums, shopping, visiting restaurants, etc. Will you be going to a beach or spending a bit of time in swimming pools?

You should have a full itinerary for your safari so you should know what to bring, and a good tour operator should also give some suggestions as to essential items to bring.

What sort of accommodation will you be staying in during your safari?

Safari accommodation varies wildly, from very simple budget camping options through to high end 5-star luxury lodges.

Whilst the majority of accommodation options that we have stayed at on safari have a fairly relaxed dress code, even at the luxury end, it is worth checking to see what the dress code is, if any. Sometimes evening attire might require a button up shirt for men for example or close toed shoes.

On the other end of the scale, if you are staying in a tent then you might need to consider things like shower shoes or nightwear that is suitable for midnight bathroom breaks at shared toilet blocks.

General Tips when Packing for Safari

Before we go through the packing list, we wanted to share some tips to help you pick what to bring with you on safari.

Clothing Color for Safari

Perhaps one of the more important things to consider when packing for safari is the color of the clothes you bring with you.

Generally, brown and green colors, or variants thereof, are regarded as the best. They generally blend into the surroundings, and have the bonus that they don’t show dirt quite as well, which is a benefit on dusty drives.

Bright primary colors are discouraged as they make you stand out more.

Blue, dark purple, and black colors should also be avoided. These colors are known to attract Tsetse flies, which have a very nasty bite and which can carry disease.

How Easy is it to Wash?

When putting your clothing list together, especially on a trip longer than a week or so, you will want to think about how easy each item of clothing is to wash. You might also want to consider how long it might take to dry.

A safari can be both a dusty and sweaty environment, meaning that unless you want to carry a lot of clothes, you will have to plan to do some laundry as you go on a longer trip. Most lodges will likely offer laundry, or you can do your own hand laundry easily enough.

With this in mind, high-end clothing which requires dry-cleaning or a careful delicate cycle might be best left at home if you don’t want it ruined. We’d suggest sticking to clothes that wash easily in hot or cold water, and which air-dry quickly (the majority of locations we’ve visited do not have electric driers).

Versatility

When it comes to choosing clothing and putting outfits together, we’d suggest giving priority to clothing that can be worn in multiple situations or in multiple outfits, to avoid having to bring too much clothing.

So a top that works as well on a safari as at an evening meal would definitely be a better choice if possible, compared to bringing multiple options for different occasions.

Safari Packing List

We’ll now go through a guide to what we think are essentials for safari, which is based on multiple safaris we have taken, some of which have been over quite prolonged multi-week trips.

Of course, there is no definitive list, and you should adjust this list based on what you feel you need to take with you. But this should give you a good starting point.

Shirts for Safari

Wherever you are going on safari, and whatever the weather, you will need a number of shirts or tops. We usually travel with a number of layers, because even in hot countries our experience is that it can be cooler at night.

So for us, we normally pack a bunch of t-shirts, some long sleeve button-up safari style shirts, and a couple of fleece outer layers.

For t-shirts, we prefer these made of wicking material, which is cool and fast drying. So something like this for Laurence and these for Jess . We also travel with a few cotton t-shirts as well, but note that these tend to hold sweat and not dry as fast.

Next, we also like to travel with button-up shirts that are specifically designed for safari, and for that we like the Craghoppers brand of clothing. We mostly wear long-sleeved ones as these protect against both the sun and insect bites.

Craghoppers make a whole range of clothes which are excellent for all sorts of outdoor activities, but we think they are particularly suited to safari. If you spend time on safari, you’ll likely recognize that this is probably the most common brand worn by more experienced travelers, especially those from Europe.

Their clothes are fast drying, very lightweight, durable, usually have multiple handy pockets, and many of them have built-in insect repellent as well!

For shirts, we both like the Craghoppers Adventure II style, available for men here and for women here . We’ve worn them on safari all across East Africa and they have proven to be very capable items of clothing.

Of course, there are many more options out there, and you can see a range of moisture-wicking fast-drying button up shirts on Amazon here .

Finally, when it comes to general top layers, we usually also pack at least one warmer top which can go over everything else. This can be handy for those cooler early morning safaris or evenings in the camp, when temperatures can drop, especially if you are at higher elevations.

Generally, we prefer a top with a full zip down the front as it allows us to control our temperatures a bit more by zipping or unzipping the front, but this is a personal choice.

For tops, we love clothes from Patagonia . Their sustainable ethos and approach to rewearability is something we really appreciate, plus their clothing happens to be fantastic quality. It is definitely a little on the more expensive side, but it should last you a long time!

Jess in particular really likes her Patagonia full-zip better sweater , and there’s a men’s version as well . We’ve also had good experiences with the North Face range of fleeces, which is my current fleece, and you can see a full range of those here .

If you are on a budget, we have had good luck getting secondhand high quality fleeces and pullovers secondhand from thrift stores or online secondhand clothing websites.

Trousers / Pants / Dresses for Safari

Generally we both prefer to wear long pants for safari, even on hotter days. We like lightweight hiking style pants that offer good sun protection, as well as some protection from biting insects and branches. Jeans generally are a bit too heavy and hot in our experience.

When it comes to specific brands, we again like Craghoppers for their range of pants. Their Insect Shield technology helps keep biting insects away and they have a range of hiking pants with this technology built in. Their products are also very lightweight and fast drying.

When it comes to specific products that we have used, Laurence likes these more baggy cargo style trousers , whilst Jess prefers these slightly more fitted pants .

Again, there are multiple brands offering high quality pants, including these options from Patagonia , and this extensive selection on Amazon .

Jess also likes to travel with some easy wear lightweight dresses which are good for wearing in the evening for dinner and non-safari days.

Shoes for Safari

Choosing the right footwear for safari will of course depend on the kind of activities you are going to be doing.

If you will be doing any hiking, including game walks, chimpanzee trekking or gorilla trekking , then we highly recommend a good pair of waterproof hiking boots.

We both have a pair of Scarpa hiking boots , Laurence has these ones and Jess has these .

Of course, there are lot of other great brands . We’ve had various pairs, Jess in particular liked her Merrell hiking boots and she hiked Mt. Kilimanjaro in those.

If your trip doesn’t involve a lot of hiking, then you can probably skip proper hiking boots. They are quite heavy and take up a fair bit of space, so will save you some luggage space if not required.

We just recommend you bring one good pair of comfortable closed-toed shoes. A pair of lightweight flip flops or sandals is also likely a good idea if you plan to spend time relaxing at the pool, resort, or going to the beach.

For more tips on shoes for travel, see our guide to the best travel shoes for men , and the best travel shoes for women .

Hats for Safari

Many safari destinations tend to be quite hot and sunny, and you’re going to be spending a lot of time outdoors. So a good hat is going to be essential for your trip. You just want to make sure that the hat you choose has a wide enough brim to shade your entire face. Some may also want one with a neck flap.

We personally love our Tilley hats . They are well constructed, easy to pack, lightweight, machine washable, and come with a very solid guarantee. For safari, we’d recommend the LTM6 Airflo hat , which is what Laurence uses, or for even more cooling, the LTM8 Airflo hat .

We have also had other hats of course. In addition to a Tilley Airflo hat, Jess also has a hat with a foldable neck flap like this one , which keeps the sun off her neck as well as her head. My parents both took hats with sunflaps with them on safari to be able to protect their necks. So that is also a great option.

Swimwear for Safari

Whilst you are unlikely to be going for a swim whilst out on safari, what with the risk of crocodiles and hippos, that doesn’t mean you should leave your swimwear at home.

Many safari lodges and camps have absolutely wonderful pool areas, and if you have downtime between game drives on a hot day, then a dip in the pool can be a wonderful way to relax and cool down. Many safaris might also include some relaxation time on a beach or island.

We always pack swimwear when we go on safari for just this reason, and we’ve had some lovely swimming experiences as a result.

You can search for swimwear for men on Amazon here , and for women here .

Socks and Underwear for Safari

This one will be a brief entry. Obviously, you’re going to need undergarments and socks for safari!

Our main tips are to be sure to pack enough to last either your trip (if a week or less) or the longest stretch of your trip you plan to go without doing laundry. Ideally pick lightweight and quick-drying underwear and socks that can be easily washed on the go. We tended to handwash these types of items every 4-5 days so we never ran out of them.

If you are looking for a brand, ExOfficio (nylon) or Smartwool (merino wool) are a couple of brands you might check out for travel-friendly quick-drying undergarments.

If hiking or planning to do a lot of walking, be sure to bring good quality hiking socks along. You want good socks that will provide a bit of cushion, wick away moisture, and help prevent blisters. A few brands we like are Smartwool , Darn Tough , and Farm to Feet .

Also, for women, it is a good idea to bring along a supportive sports bra or two. Jess says these are a must-have for bumpy roads and climbing.

Raingear for Safari

Whatever time of year you are planning on going on safari, and whatever activities you will be doing, we still recommend packing some sort of raingear just in case.

This might be a lightweight breathable rain jacket that you can wear over your clothes, or a pack away rain poncho . Just make sure whatever you bring has a hood.

We always travel with rain protection of some kind, just in case.

Camera Gear for Safari

I’ve already written a very comprehensive guide to the best camera for safari , as well as the best bean bag for safari , so I would definitely recommend reading those if you want to get some great images on your trip.

In summary though, if you want to get great images of wildlife, you will need a couple of things. First, a camera with a good zoom lens. Second, a bean bag to stabilize your gear.

When it comes to specific camera suggestions, many folks find that a bridge camera like the Sony RX10 IV  is a good option. At the higher end of the budget and size spectrum, you’ll want a high end dedicated mirrorless camera with at least a 400mm zoom lens.

A camera can be a huge investment, so we also suggest renting as an option to consider. A company like  Lens Rentals will allow you to rent a lens and a camera body at a much lower cost than buying it outright.

They also give you the option to purchase the gear rather than return it, so if you love the experience then you can invest having tested the gear out.

If you decide to rent through Lens Rentals , you can save 15% on any rental by using our discount code, LAURENCE15. Just enter it at checkout.

We also highly recommend a photography bean bag if you will mainly be shooting from inside vehicle. We use these extensively on safari trips, and they are really an invaluable item.

We have a guide to some of the best options photography bean bags here , but recommend checking out either the  Kinesis SafariSack 4.2  or  LensCoat LensSack Pro Jr  as a starting point.

Finally, don’t forget a good camera bag to keep your gear safe, lots of spare batteries , memory cards , your chargers, and ideally a waterproof camera cover to protect your gear in case it rains.

Binoculars for Safari

We can highly recommend taking a good pair of binoculars with you when on safari. Not every bird or animal is going to conveniently place itself within easy viewing range, and a pair of binoculars will let you get a much better view of the wildlife.

You don’t need to spend a massive amount to get a reasonable pair of binoculars, but we’d suggest setting a minimum budget of around $80 USD. Below this price point build and image quality will likely suffer.

We’d suggest looking for a pair with around an 8x to 10x magnification.

Some recommended options include:

• Vanguard Vesta 8×25 . a great entry level option if don’t want to spend a fortune. They are very light and offer both waterproofing and fogproofing. These are a great value option, plus you can save 20% on the price by using our exclusive discount code FindingTheUniverse at checkout on the Vanguard store.
• Celestron Nature DX 8×42 . This is a well-regarded and popular budget option. Fog and waterproof with a tough construction.
• Vanguard VEO HD2 8×42 binoculars – an excellent, well priced and still reasonably compact pair of binoculars featuring extra low dispersion glass carbon-composite construction, waterproofing and fogproofing. We use a pair like this.
• Nikon 8×42 Monarch M5 – lightweight, durable, waterproof and fogproof. Nikon make quite a few binoculars, and these are a popular mid-range option.
• Swarokvski 8.5×42 – we had a pair of Swarovski binoculars loaned to us for several months, and they are magnificent, with wonderful bright and sharp images. This pair offers excellent performance, but are definitely at the premium end of the price spectrum!

As you can see, there’s no shortage of choice across a range of price points. If you are interested in bird watching on safari, or getting into birding, see our beginners’ guide to birdwatching for some tips.

Electronics for Safari

You don’t really need a lot of electronics for safari, however there are a few things you might find useful.

First, a USB battery pack . These will let you charge your phone on the go, as well as any other device that uses USB.

Whilst the majority of accommodation options we’ve stayed at on safari have had had power, even the most remote, this isn’t always guaranteed. So a USB battery pack is a great fallback option.

The second thing we recommend, if your camera has removable batteries, is to see if you can get a USB powered battery charger for it.

This is because sometimes, more remote lodges don’t have regular plug sockets. However, they do often have USB outputs. While some cameras support direct charging by USB, this is by no means the standard.

We personally travel with a USB charger which is compatible with our DSLR and mirrorless Canon cameras, which both use the same type of battery. You will need to search for a USB battery charger that is compatible with the batteries your camera uses.

You can see some examples for a range of brands on Amazon here .

Insect Repellent for Safari

One slightly less exciting aspect of safari is the potential for biting insects. Mosquitoes are the obvious one, but there are a range of other insects that can bite you.

Ideally, you want to avoid being bitten if you can help it. Many insects carry various diseases, including malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, and so on. Whilst you can take medication or vaccines to help prevent some of these diseases like malaria (definitely recommend considering taking antimalarials), prevention is also a really important step.

With this in mind, a good insect repellent like this is a must for safari. Most experts recommend products with DEET in, which are generally regarded as the most effective against most biting insects, including mosquitoes. However, there are also some DEET free options out there for those who want to avoid it, just note they may not be as effective.

Also for those planning to do much trekking, hiking, or walking, depending on your destination, you will also want to think more about crawling insects like safari ants, leeches, stinging caterpillars, ticks, etc.  Generally insect repellent along with long sleeves, long pants, and pulling hiking socks up over your pants are fine to avoid these for most people.

Those going to wetter areas and jungles might also want to consider leech socks or gaiters for those going into wetter areas like jungles where leeches are common.

We own these leech socks and they work great, but they are probably overkill for most people on safari trips. But if you have gaiters for hiking anyway to keep out dirt and stones, these can generally also work to help guard against leeches and ticks.

Toiletries / Medicines for Safari

You will want to bring a range of toiletries and medicines with you, some of which should be fairly obvious, and some which may be less obvious.

Falling into the latter camp, we always travel with and recommend rehydration salts . Dehydration is no joke, and drinking plenty of water is really important. However, as you sweat you can lose salt, and rehydration salts can help replace what you lose.

It’s also important to remember that you may be in some pretty remote places and it is good to be prepared to be able to tend to minor health issues such as cuts, scrapes, blisters, bug bites, headache, common stomach complaints, etc.

Here’s a quick list of things to think about packing in your toiletry / medicine kit for safari:

• High SPF (30+) sun cream or sunscreen
• Lip-balm with SPF
• Rehydration salts
• Basic meds like pain relievers, anti-diarrheal tablets , and antacids
• Mini first aid kit with bandages, blister covers, antiseptic wipes, etc.
• Toothpaste / toothbrush
• Sanitary items (in our experience tampons are not always available in country, depending on where you are going)
• Anti-malarial / other required medication
• Razor / spare blades
• Ear plugs / eye mask
• Hand sanitizer
• Moisturizer / lotion

Of course, your list may vary somewhat but we think the above should be a good starting point.

Laundry on Safari

Depending on how long your safari trip is, it’s possible that you might need to do a little laundry as you travel. We’ve done a couple of five-week safari trips, and we had to do laundry a few times on both of those trips.

Whilst many lodges and hotels will do your laundry for you if you stay more than 1 night, you can also normally just handwash a few items yourself, which is what we often end up doing. In hot countries it can often dry in an afternoon.

The main things you will need are going to be some form of travel wash, a sink stopper, and a portable clothesline to hang your clothes.

For laundry wash in a travel sized bottle or tube we like the Dr. Beckmanns travel wash , Sink Suds , or the Sea to Summit Wash , all of which we have used to do laundry whilst traveling all around the world. Or just put your favorite liquid laundry detergent in a reusable plastic or silicone bottle and pack it along.

For a clothesline, there are lots of portable clotheslines on Amazon . We particularly like this one as it packs away small and you don’t need to pack pegs. For a sink stopper, Jess has been using this one for over 10 years.

For more tips on laundry, see our complete guide to laundry when you travel .

Luggage for Safari

When it comes to choosing what to pack all your belongings into for your safari trip, a lot will come down to the type of trip you are taking, especially around the transport.

If you’re going to be using small planes for example, this will have a big impact, and you will like find a sturdy duffle travel bag like this might be the best option.

You might be wondering if wheeled luggage makes sense for safari. In our experience, the majority of accommodation options don’t really suit wheeled luggage as the ground is simply too rough. So whilst it will be nice at the airport, beyond that you’re likely going to have to carry the bag (or rely on the enthusiastic hotel staff).

However, if you already have wheeled luggage and won’t be taking small planes, then by all means don’t feel you need to purchase new bags. We’ve taken a number of safaris with hard sided wheeled luggage and it worked out great.

As well as larger luggage, we highly recommend bringing a small backpack or shoulder bag that you can use on a day-to-day basis. This can be used to carry things like your water bottle, battery charger, guide books, suncream and insect repellent, for example.

We use a small Osprey day pack as well as a larger Vanguard camera bag for our camera gear on a day-to-day basis.

If you’re looking for a new bag anyway, we have no hesitation recommending Eagle Creek or  Osprey specifically for safari.

For hard sided luggage with wheels, we use and can recommend Level8 or Delsey , both of which we have used on trips around the world including safaris (without domestic flights).

For camera gear, we use Vanguard for our camera bags, they offer a great mix of high quality and great value. Laurence has been a Vanguard ambassador since 2014 and is always happy to recommend their gear.

Books for Safari

When you go on safari you are going to be seeing a lot of new animals and birds.

Your guide will normally be very knowledgeable to help you identify what you are seeing, but it is also nice to be able to develop your own recognition skills.

We’d also often see birds or animals around our hotel when we were not with our guide and want to know what they were.

For this reason, we recommend bringing along a guidebook or two to the likely animals and birds you might see. Whilst your guide will probably have a giant and super comprehensive book, we suggest that a smaller book that covers the most common animals and birds will be more practical for packing.

We particularly like the Pocket Guide books, which we have used on various trips. For example, there’s the Pocket Guide to the Birds of East Africa , the Pocket Guide to the Mammals of East Africa , and the Pocket Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa .

We have found that having a small reference guide can definitely make the safari experience a lot more fun and hands on, and well worth the small investment.

Reusable Water Bottle / Water Filter

You will definitely need to drink a lot of water on safari. Unfortunately, most safari destinations do not have safe drinking water, meaning you need to either drink bottled water, or figure out a way to purify it yourself.

We prefer the latter option as it means we can cut down on plastic waste. Depending on your safari operator, they may also purchase a large refillable water bottle that you can refill your own bottle from. Some hotels also filter their own water on site.

In either case, we highly recommend travelling with at least one refillable water bottle per person on your trip. Just make sure to get one with a lid that seals and doesn’t drip and one that will fit into a standard cup holder or can be placed in the back of a vehicle seat pouch.

For water bottles, we use and love the Klean Kanteen range , and they have a range of bottles to choose from. Jess uses the classic , whilst Laurence likes the wide mouth version .

If you decide to go down the route of filtering your own water, we recommend reading our guide to safe drinking water when travelling , as well as the best water filters for travel , which contain lots of useful advice and information to help you pick the right product for your trip.

If you have questions or want advice based on our experience, just ask in the comments section of this post or in either of those water related articles.

Entertainment Items

Whilst a safari is very entertaining in of itself, there will be periods of downtime, such as long drives between game reserves, flights, or afternoon and evening periods between game drives.

For these periods, you may want to bring some entertainment. We always like to travel with a pack of playing cards for example, as well as some books to read.

Many hotels and safari lodges will have a small book swap service, so you can often swap books as you go. A Kindle or similar eBook reader can also be a good investment if you read a lot.

Another thing we love to do when we travel is to keep a travel journal. On safari this can serve as a reminder of what we have seen and done each day, and it makes for a lovely keepsake.

See our guide to the best travel journals for some of our favourites.

Safari Packing Checklist

Here’s a full safari packing checklist to help you remember what to bring on your trip for reference.

• T-shirts / tops
• Button down shirts
• Sweater / fleeces for layering
• Trousers / Pants / Shorts
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Hiking boots (if needed)
• Sandals (if needed)
• Nicer outfit for evening wear if required
• Wide-brimmed hat
• Raincoat or poncho
• Coat (if needed)
• Hat / gloves (if needed)
• Reusable water bottle / water filter
• Skincare items (cleansers/soap/creams etc.)
• Chapstick with SPF
• Sun cream / Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
• Insect repellent
• Basic Medications and first aid items (incl. anti-malarials and prescriptions)
• Hygiene Products
• Hair care items (shampoo/comb/hair ties, etc.)
• Razor / tweezers / nail clippers
• Eye mask / ear plugs
• Other __________________
• Camera and lenses
• Photography bean bag
• Memory cards
• Spare batteries / chargers
• Camera accessories
• Headphones / ear buds
• Portable power pack
• Travel adaptor
• Cables / chargers
• hiking day bag, duffel bag (if needed for porter), gaiters or leech socks / hiking poles / hiking clothing, reusable water bottle or hydration pack (like Camelbak), head lamp or flashlight, any camping gear like sleeping bag etc. (if not provided), Other
• Checked bag
• Carry-on bag
• Visa / proof of onward travel etc (if required)
• Vaccination records
• Jewelry / watch
• Laundry supplies
• Travel journal
• Mini sewing kit
• Reading materials
• Cards / games / puzzle books
• Other ___________________

Further Reading

That’s it for our guide to what to pack on safari! We hope you found it useful. We do have some more content that we also think you might find handy when planning your safari.

• Our guide to getting better photos on safari , as well as choosing the best camera for safari
• We also have a guide to the best photography bean bags for safari
• If you are keen on seeing primates, we have a guide to gorilla trekking as well as a guide to chimpanzee trekking
• We have a guide to  getting online when travelling , to help you stay connected on the go
• You’re going to need to power all your devices when you travel – see our guide to the  best travel adapters so you can choose the right one for your trip

And that’s it! As always, we are happy to try to answer any questions you may have about planning your own safari. Just pop them in the comments below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Or if you have been on safari and want to share your own experiences or advice about packing for a safari, feel free to share it below!

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25th March 2024 at 12:26 pm

Hello there, I am wondering about packing jackets or coats for an upcoming safari trip to South Africa? It will be myself, a friend, and my teenage daughter. We have never been and will be visiting during the country’s winter season (July). We’ll be in both north and south parts of the country and we’ve been told to prepare for cool weather and rain, as well as warm sunny weather, but not too much else. Going on a 10 day planned safari tour and need to keep our packing to a minimum as I think there are size/weight requirements for parts of the journey. Wondering how you would decide about what to bring for warmth and rain given the time of year?

Also, if the 3 of us share a photo beanbag, which one might you suggest for someone who has little space?

Appreciative of any advice you can share with me and thanks for such a great article on packing for a safari – it has been a great help for us as we come up with what we need to buy for our trip to South Africa!

Laurence Norah says

25th March 2024 at 6:41 pm

Sounds like you have a wonderful trip coming up!

Having visited South Africa in July I can confirm that it definitely gets pretty cold, especially at higher elevations. In July in Johannesburg it’s not unusual to have temperatures close to freezing for example. So you are definitely going to want warm clothes for your trip.

I would recommend packing a number of layers so you can take them on and off as the day warms and cools, and you can also then mix and match to suit. If you are particularly sensitive to the cold you might consider thermal baselayers, but the challenge with those is that as it gets warmer you will likely find they are too hot and removing a base layer in the middle of a safari is going to be more challenging.

So a good warm coat as your outer layer is probably going to be your best bet, and then a long sleeve mid-layer fleece followed by a baselayer. You might also appreciate a warm hat and gloves. A lot of safari time takes place early in the morning and in the evening, when temperatures are going to be lower. I would personally bring a lightweight rain jacket or poncho and a warmer jacket. Then if it’s warmer in the day and raining I can still wear the rain jacket, rather than having a heavy waterproof jacket that might be too warm.

A good down (or down style) jacket will be fairly lightweight and still warm, so that might be the best option. Fleece is also a light material.

For a photo bean bag I’d probably recommend the smaller Kinesis Safari Sack 1.4 which is pretty small. If you get buckwheat that is very light, or you can buy something like kidney beans when you arrive in country. If you have larger camera gear then the Kinesis 4.2 is also a great pick, I own of these and it works great. It’s also worth noting that most bean bags are very light and small when empty, they only start to take up weight and space when they’re full.

I hope this helps, have an amazing time on safari and let me know if you have any more questions!

Glenn M. says

9th September 2023 at 6:32 pm

Just wanted to stop by and say that this is such a wonderful post for anyone packing for a safari for the first time (or second time!). We have been lucky to do a couple of African safaris in our life and it was fun to read over this and remember them even if our safari days have probably come to an end. Definitely second the recommendations for Craghoppers (if you know, you know!) and for bringing soft sided luggage, hard wearing clothes, comfortable high-top hiking shoes/boots, lots of sun cream & insect repellent, a hat, earbuds, and some physical things to do (books, cards, journals, etc.) in the evenings and on long driving days.

Also woudl add for those who wear glasses like myself, those eye glass things that attach to your glasses with a cord and keep your glasses from coming off. Can also be useful for sunglasses as my wife and son wore them as well. They saved my glasses a couple of times and they are very cheap to buy. Maybe somethign to add to your otherwise great safari packing list here?

Also my wife always brought a few little souvenirs or useful items from home for our main driver and guide on the trips to give them as a small token of our appreication.

10th September 2023 at 2:57 pm

Thanks so much! Your tip on a sunglasses holder is a good one, Jess does actually normally travel with one and also finds it invaluable. I will definitely add that to our post. I also like your idea of bringing things from home as gifts for your guide, that’s a lovely idea.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts! I’m actually hiking in Wales in my Craghoppers at the moment. Such great pants 🙂

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How to prepare for a safari or wildlife photography trip

From the Kalahari and the Kruger to the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti, the Big Five demand more than just a zoom lens

Are you ready for your once-in-a-lifetime safari? From photographing the Big Five – that's lion, leopard, rhinoceros elephant, and Cape buffalo – to the equally fabulous cheetah, zebra and hippopotamus, venturing into rural Africa brings some environmental challenges that you’d do well to prepare for. 

Plenty of spare batteries and high-capacity SD cards aside, when you’re after that killer photo of Africa’s apex predators, you'd better be on your game. Here's what you need to know.

What's the best kind of lens for safari trips?

Do you need a zoom lens on a safari? If you don't want to miss out on an opportunity of a lifetime, absolutely. 

The focal length you're going to need if you want close-up photographs is something in the 300mm region (or the equivalent if you're not using a full-frame system). Many professionals will use much longer lenses, but something that can reach 300mm provides a good balance between suitability, affordability and practicality. Besides, a good safari guide will get you surprisingly close to your targets, particularly in private game reserves. 

You do still need significant magnification in national parks because they often restrict or exclude off-road driving. If you're planning to take photographs of birds, such as fish-eagles, Kingfishers and owls, then all of this is moot; the longer your zoom lens, the better.

• See also Best camera for wildlife

Do I need a wide-angle lens for safari?

Your priority is likely to be a close-up shot of one of the big five, and that's understandable, but don't forget that some animals comes very close, and also that you'll be travelling through some wonderful natural environments. 

From the Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania to Kenya's Maasai Mara, the Okavango Delta in Botswana and Namibia’s rugged Damaraland, where there is big game there are always big opportunities for dramatic landscape photography. So pack a reasonably wide-angle lens as well as a zoom lens, which will allow you to capture both animals and big landscapes. 

If you’re really tight on space, consider packing a compact camera or a pocket-sized action camera for wide-angle snapshots. 

Should I pack a tripod?

What kind of landscape or nature photographer leaves home without a tripod? Although you should definitely take some kind of support with you, it's unlikely you'll use it very much while out in national parks and game reserves because you're likely to be inside a vehicle most of the time. 

Does that sound restrictive? In lots of ways it is. Drivers are often busy plotting where to go next, and how to extract their vehicle from a traffic jam, and setting one up inside a vehicle is either impossible or just impractical.

So, instead of packing a regular tripod, consider taking a malleable tripod like the Joby GorillaPod SLR-Zoom or Shoot Flexible Sponge Tripod Stand for DSLR , which you can attach to the safety bars along safari vehicles, or at least use them to stabilise your camera. A monopod may also be used where a tripod wouldn't be realistic.

Also pack a wired or wireless camera remote shutter release, which you can use to help you reduce judder and camera shake when taking shots with the zoom full extended. Every little helps. 

What about a bean-bag support?

On a guided safari you won't be let out of the vehicle at any time. So arguably more useful than a tripod is a basic bean-bag support . These can travel with you completely empty; all you have to do is find some rice, or sand, and it becomes a handy support for your camera's long lens.

These are practical for general wildlife photography, but if you're on a self-drive safari, getting out of your car is not only potentially dangerous, but also counterproductive because animals will notice you immediately and scarper. 

Instead, treat your car like bird hide by winding down the window and rest your lens on a U-shaped bean-bag like the Stealth Gear Ultimate Freedom Double Fox or the Grappler , which both hook over a car door. A more lo-fi approach is to turn your wound-down window into a safe-zone for your camera by adapting a simple swimming pool noodle to fit over it. 

If you’ve got a few walking safaris planned, consider a harness or sling like the Joby UltraFit Sling Strap or Lowepro Topload Chest Harness , which can make a quick-draw easier.  

How to protect your camera

Dust and sand gets everywhere when you're on a safari, and that can spell trouble for your camera. It depends on exactly where you're going, of course, but expect that your camera will get filthy every day. 

Firstly, get some protective filters for your lenses (as well as some polarising filters). You can then protect your camera bodies from both dust and from bashed or dropped by using something like the easyCover , a silicone rubber case that includes an LCD screen cover, and which is available for most models of DSLR camera. 

Just as important is to use a camera bag you know well and have used many times before; there's nothing more annoying that grabbling a new camera bag only for your camera to fall out because you've forgotten to zip it up properly.

Of course, your camera is most at risk when you're changing lenses. The best advice is not to change lenses in dusty or sandy locations, which will limit how much dust and grime gets on your camera's sensor. However, that could mean bringing two bodies, which may not be practical. 

However, even when you're back at camp or in your safari tent, a simple air-blower like the Giottos GTAA1900 Rocket Air Blower or Ultra-Power Hurricane Air Blower is really useful for making sure your camera is dust-free before swapping lenses. Lastly, make sure you had double protection for your memory cards; something like the Beeway or Kupton K020 cases make sense.

What to wear in the bush

This might seem like a strange thing to think about when you're on a photography trip, but what you wear can drastically affect what kind of photographs you get. 

Neutral colours are always better than anything remotely brightly coloured. Anything that makes you stand out from the background will make you easily noticeable by wild animals, who will likely either back away or run away very quickly. That's no good for close-up photography; the answer is to wear something in safari-favourite khaki, though olive-green, grey or brown works just as well.

There are a few other clothing considerations to take into account. You're likely to be sitting on the back of an open vehicle in early morning, which can be quite cold, at least for an hour or two. So bring a beanie hat, a light jacket or hoodie, and a scarf or Buff to keep warm. Something you can stash in your camera bag is perfect. Either way, long sleeve shirts and trousers are essential in the bush, where mosquitoes and biting tsetse are a constant nuisance. Hiking boots and a wide-brimmed hat are also advisable.

How to travel light

Be very careful about hard-sided luggage. It's likely that you keep a soft camera bag near you, but don't be tempted to take rolling luggage without first checking your itinerary. 

Read more: The 8 best camera backpacks for photographers

If you'll be traveling in light aircraft, expect there to be tight restrictions on weight. For photographers, that can be tricky, but packing your clothes and non-photographic gear in a duffel bags is a wise move. 

Firstly, know the rules and restrictions on all of your flights – including scenic flights – before you leave home. Secondly, know exactly what you have by using something like the Beurer Travelmeister LS-50 , a digital luggage scale that also has an integrated LED torch and 5,000mAh portable charger.

That may sound like a lot to pack, but don't overdo the non-essentials. Going on a safari is often about extracting as much as you can from a well-planned and well-packed camera bag. 

Read more: The best travel cameras right now

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Jamie has been writing about all aspects of technology for over 14 years, producing content for sites like TechRadar, T3, Forbes, Mashable, MSN, South China Morning Post , and BBC Wildlife , BBC Focus and BBC Sky At Night magazines. 

As the editor for www.WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com, he has a wealth of enthusiasm and expertise for all things astrophotography, from capturing the Perseid Meteor Shower, lunar eclipses and ring of fire eclipses, photographing the moon and blood moon and more.

He also brings a great deal of knowledge on action cameras, 360 cameras, AI cameras, camera backpacks, telescopes, gimbals, tripods and all manner of photography equipment. 

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Safari Camera Bean Bag

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Use this Safari Camera Bean Bag and your vehicle as a blind to photograph birds and wildlife. This Safari Camera Bean Bag is a great alternative to a tripod since going from grabbing your camera gear to set up only takes a few seconds. The Safari Camera Bean Bag is lightweight yet sturdy enough to keep your camera steady. Comes standard with non-slip material on top and bottom. The bag is available in a variety of sizes and colors, is made to order, and (like all our products) is backed for a lifetime workmanship warranty.

** Note: The Safari Camera Bean Bag comes empty.**

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6 Piece Jungle Safari 3m x 2.4m Wall Mural

by Walltastic

Rated 5 out of 5 stars 13 total votes

Transform your room with this jungle safari mural. This mural comes in 6 panels which makes it easily applicable and flexible according to how much space needs covering and comes in a gift box rolled similar to wallpaper.

• Covers a wall area up to 8ft high x 10ft wide.
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• Transforms any bedroom, playroom, or nursery.

Great product very easy to put up. Anonymous. Anonymous. 2023-12-15 07:10:51

Safari Jungle Adventure - Wrapped Canvas Art Prints

by ClassicLiving

Rated 1 out of 5 stars 1 total vote

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Safari Jungle Adventure canvas, printed on coated polyester canvas. Mounted on to a 44mm box frame, ready to hang.

• Ready to hang from the box
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Safari Jungle Adventure - Single Picture Frame Art Prints

by 17 Stories

Safari Jungle Adventure Framed Print. Ready to hang from the box and handmade in the United Kingdom.

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by Latitude Vive

Safari Jungle Adventure Framed Print, in a gunmetal frame colours. Ready to hang from the box and handmade in the United Kingdom.

Safari Jungle Adventure framed print. Ready to hang from the box and handmade in the United Kingdom.

• Vibrant coloured frame

Safari Animals Lined Up - Single Picture Frame Art Prints

by Isabelle & Max

Safari animals lined up Framed Print. Ready to hang from the box and handmade in the United Kingdom.

Safari animals lined up Framed Print, available in a gunmetal frame colours. Ready to hang from the box and handmade in the United Kingdom.

Twilight Safari I by Grace Popp - Wrapped Canvas Art Prints

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Safari Animal Friends 1 - Single Picture Frame Print

Safari Animal Friends 1 Framed Print. Ready to hang from the box and handmade in the United Kingdom.

Safari Animal Pattern Painting - Wrapped Canvas Painting

• Product Type: Painting

Safari Animal Friends 2 - Single Picture Frame Art Prints

Safari Animal Friends 2 Framed Print. Ready to hang from the box and handmade in the United Kingdom.

Safari Animal Friends 2 framed print. Ready to hang from the box and handmade in the United Kingdom.

Step into a world of refined beauty with this exquisite framed wall art. Each piece boasts a timeless wooden frame delicately adorned with genuine gold leaf, adding a touch of regal brilliance to your space. The pristine perspex front protects the artwork while preserving its vibrant clarity, ready to elevate any room with its sophisticated charm.

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by Bright Star

Twilight Safari IV by Grace Popp - Wrapped Canvas Art Prints

Twilight safari ii by grace popp - wrapped canvas art prints.

by Ebern Designs

• Crystal-clear perspex protects your artwork while ensuring vibrant colours and sharp details shine through.

by Bloomsbury Market

Animals Non-Wall Damaging Wall Decal

by East Urban Home

This 3D wall decoration is the perfect addition in any room. Bring your walls to life with this colourful and impressive decoration. Whether in the kitchen, living room, office or hallway, this piece goes anywhere in your home. The designs are printed using high-quality inks on wall tattoo stickers. This gives a wonderful colour contrast. The wall sticker is easy to attach to the wall and can be removed without leaving any mess. Surfaces must be dust free before installation and cleaned of anything that will prevent the stickers holding properly.

• Country of Origin: Germany
• Overall Product Weight: 0.2kg

Animals Non-Wall Damaging Wall Sticker

Delight your senses with new wall decorations! This 3D wall decoration is the perfect addition to any room. Bring your walls to life with this colourful and impressive wall sticker. Whether in the kitchen, bedroom, office, guest room, hallway, bathroom, children's room, or in the kitchen - this decorative piece goes well anywhere in your home. The designs are printed on wall sticker material using high-quality ink. This gives a wonderful colour contrast. The wall sticker applies easily to the wall. Installation instructions are included in the delivery. The wall sticker is made 100% in Germany. It can be removed from smooth surfaces without leaving any residue. Adhesion is not optimal on rough surfaces and when placed under subpar conditions sticking strength cannot be guaranteed. Surfaces must be dust free before installation and cleaned of anything that would prevent the sticker from holding properly. The wall sticker is safely packaged and marked with a red warning sticker to guarantee optimal protection during delivery.

Safari Party IV by June Erica Vess - Wrapped Canvas Painting

• UV and fade-resistant archival inks
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Rotherham Print

Bringing some cartoon cuteness to the safari the three prints featuring a giraffe, an elephant and a lion are a perfect way to bring these majestic animals in with a child friendly style. This piece is printed on high quality archive paper and professionally hand-framed. With wall-mounting hooks included, this artful accent is ready to hang up as soon as it reaches your front door.

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Jungle Safari I by Megan Gallagher - Wrapped Canvas Painting

by Rosalind Wheeler

• This is a flat print of the original artwork and is not embellished

Safari Party II by June Erica Vess - Wrapped Canvas Painting

Elephant ii by mike koubou - wrapped canvas gallery-wrapped canvas giclée.

Great Art Deserves to be on Canvas! Unlike thin posters and paper prints, Giclée canvas artwork offers the texture, look and feel of fine-art paintings. This artwork is crafted in the United Kingdom with artist-grade canvas, professionally hand-stretched, and stapled over pine-wood bars in Gallery Wrap style; a method utilized by artists to present artwork in galleries. Fade-resistant archival inks guarantee perfect color reproduction that remains vibrant for decades even when exposed to strong light. Add brilliance in color and exceptional detail to your space with this contemporary and uncompromising style!

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Safari Portrait III by Grace Popp - Painting

by Marlow Home Co.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 7 total votes

Vivid brushstrokes and gentle watercolours bring this giraffe to life, adding a dash of creative energy to your home. The painting print is available in a range of sizes to suit your space, making it easy to mix and match with your existing décor.

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Jungle Safari II by Megan Gallagher - Wrapped Canvas Painting

Party safari giraffe by shari warren - wrapped canvas art prints.

Great art deserves to be on canvas! Unlike thin posters and paper prints, Giclee canvas artwork offers the texture, look and feel of fine-art paintings. This artwork is crafted in the United Kingdom with artist-grade canvas, professionally hand-stretched, and stapled over pine-wood bars in gallery wrap style; a method utilized by artists to present artwork in galleries. Fade-resistant archival inks guarantee perfect colour reproduction that remains vibrant even when exposed to strong light for decades. Add brilliance in colour and exceptional detail to your space with this contemporary and uncompromising style!

• Please note, this is a flat print of the original artwork and is not embellished
• Fade-resistant Epson ultra-chrome archival inks
• Ready to hang right out of the box. Absolutely no assembly is needed.

Safari Animals Lined Up Canvas Watercolour

by House of Hampton

Safari animals lined up canvas, printed on coated polyester canvas. Mounted on to a 44mm box frame, ready to hang

• Easy to clean and maintain

Wild Safari II by Grace Popp - Wrapped Canvas Art Prints

by Blue Elephant

Rated 5 out of 5 stars 5 total votes

• Country of Origin: United States
• Total Number of Pieces Included: 1

Safari Elephant, Giraffe, Lion, And Zebra - 4 Piece No Frame Art Prints Set

by Zoomie Kids

Zoomie Kids delivers prints with eye-popping colour and detail. We've pioneered state-of-the-art in-house digital printing technology that uses 100+ year fade-resistant pigment ink. That means you can cherish all your memories, and put them on display for everyone to see.Our posters and prints are printed on premium-quality semi-matte 210 gsm paper with premium coating to resist scratching.All our materials come from sustainable sources so we have less impact on our environment. All products are made in the UK by skilled workers and come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.The right poster print can transform the look of your room, and make it more inviting. A beautiful photo, colourful graphics, or a collage can work as a focal point in any room. Let us help you make your home a place that reflects your unique style.

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Safari Party III by June Erica Vess - Wrapped Canvas Painting

Sunset safari - wrapped canvas art prints.

by Latitude Run

Sunset Safari canvas, printed on coated polyester canvas. Mounted on to a 44mm box frame, ready to hang

Safari Party I by June Erica Vess - Wrapped Canvas Painting

by August Grove

Safari Jungle Adventure - Single Picture Frame Painting on Canvas

Our framed prints are made with high-quality materials and craftsmanship. We use minimal, basic frames that give your print a professional look and feel. Plus, the frame protects your print from damage over time. Display your favourite memories or moments with our framed prints. They make great gifts, too! Order your framed print today!

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Safari Life - Wrapped Canvas Art Prints

Sunset safari - single picture frame art prints.

Sunset Safari Framed Print. Ready to hang from the box and handmade in the United Kingdom.

Safari Portrait IV by Grace Popp - Wrapped Canvas Painting

Rated 4 out of 5 stars 5 total votes

Calling all art lovers and animal lovers: this painting print adds a dash of contemporary creativity to the home! Available in a range of sizes to suit your space, the print depicts an elephant against a minimalist background. Wall mounting hardware is included, making it easy to install.

Party Safari Tiger by Shari Warren - Wrapped Canvas Art Prints

Great art deserves to be on canvas! Unlike thin posters and paper prints, Giclee canvas artwork offers the texture, look and feel of fine-art paintings. This artwork is crafted in the United Kingdom with artist-grade canvas, professionally hand-stretched, and stapled over pine-wood bars in gallery wrap style; a method utilized by artists to present artwork in galleries. Fade-resistant archival inks guarantee perfect colour reproduction that remains vibrant for decades even when exposed to strong light. Add brilliance in colour and exceptional detail to your space with this contemporary and uncompromising style!

• Fade-resistant Epson UltraChrome archival inks.
• Hand-assembled by highly trained craftsmen.

Safari Animals Lined Up - Single Picture Frame Art Prints on Canvas

• Premium chunky wooden frame

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Best Safari Beanbag

We love the ease of using a beanbag when photographing from a vehicle. You just slap it onto the vehicle window frame and you're ready to shoot!

If you are travelling on a plane you empty it out and fill it will rice, seeds or beans when you arrive at your destination - no weight issues.

In our quest to find the best safari beanbag we tried most types of bean bags from the simple bank bag filled with beans to the more modern Kinesis safari sack that can be folded and has non-slip rubber on the bottom.

After the Kinesis I progressed to the Badger bean bag and then to the molar bag.

The molar was my best safari bean bag but it sometimes slipped forward or backwards on the window as it did not have non-slip rubber on the U-shaped part. The other problem was that I could not leave my camera-lens-panning-plate setup mounted on the molar bag while driving.

And a further problem was that I could not shoot long exposures as the camera and lens has to be perfectly still for up to a second or two and this was not possible with just a panning plate.

Gimbal Heads

Gimbal heads are a must for big lenses. They enable you to effortlessly track moving subjects but to use them in a vehicle you need a window pod / window bracket. I started with the Kirk window mount and also used the Groofwin pod, Badger and the Camstedi window mounts.

The biggest plus was that I could mount my gimbal or ball heads and so leave my lens in position for long periods of time.

The biggest problem was that most of these window pods simply rested on the window and were not stable when driving. I preferred the Kirk as it clamped onto the window and was therefore safer, allowing me to drive with my camera and lens mounted and ready to shoot but it still was not the ideal solution.

The Kirk, however, had the problem of being designed with a 'Z' shape so the head is mounted lower that where it clamps onto the window. Some people didn't like this low position so they, like I, inserted a metal or wood block between the head and the bracket.

A ballhead works fine with it but the version two Wimberly or Benro gimbal heads produced a problem - the pan locking knob sticks out and if you turn the head too far the knob may hit your window.

If only there was something that combined the pros of the molar bag and a gimbal head to provide a best safari beanbag / perfect window mount...

Enter the Apex beanbag - the best safari beanbag for self-drive safaris...

In January 2011 I saw an advert for the Apex bean bag so I ordered one and it does provide the best advantages of both bean bags and gimbal heads/window-pods.

The Apex Bean Bag comes with an aluminum plate that can be inserted into the top pocket of the bag as a tripod head for you to mount your gimbal head.

This is when you would need to use a Remote Cord in order to ensure sharp photographs and to not move the lens off the subject!

The aluminum plate can be removed when desired to use the Apex as a regular beanbag...

The U shaped portion is covered in a high-tack material so no more slipping bag!

The attachment loop provides a convenient place to add pouches and bags - no more fumbling for my accessories like tele-converters, flash, extra batteries and flash cards. It also has a large side pocket that provides additional storage capacity for items.

The new Apex Bean Bag solves a lot of the problems we mentioned at the beginning and I especially enjoy the fact that I can now leave my lens in position for long periods of time.

The only potential issue is that when the gimbal head is mounted the camera is raised a bit higher than normal - this is good for subjects that are high (in trees, on hills etc.) but not good if you want to shoot a subject lower than you.

This problem isn't unique to the Apex as the molar and badger bags have a similar issue. All I do is take the camera off the molar bag and rest it on the window frame for low shots.

EP Gear, who make the Apex, realised that all vehicles have different size windows and that people are different heights so they now make the Apex in three sizes.

The normal Apex...

a Low-profile Apex that is four inches shorter...

Overall I really like the Apex and think it currently is the best safari beanbag for self-drive safaris due its three different sizes and ability to add gimbal and ball-heads.

For guided safaris we would suggest using any simple beanbag as each vehicle has a different layout so you never know whether you will get high/low sides, a bar in front of you etc. Generally we use the Badger beanbag for guided safaris but you could also use the Apex mini.

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How to Use a Photography Bean Bag, and What Is the Best Bean Bag Fill?

I wanted to write this post because it’s something I wish I’d read myself a few years ago when I started getting into wildlife photography. The answer to the question “What is the best photography bean bag fill?” seems obvious to me now with experience, but I was getting it all wrong for a while! In this post, we will discuss the various fill types that can be used in a photography bean bag, and as a bonus, I’ll also tell you which are my favourite bean bags to put the fill in.

Table of Contents

What is a photography bean bag for.

• Pro Tip: Turn Off Full-Time Manual Focus Override

Types of Photography Bean Bag

• The Best Photography Bean Bag Fill

What Is the Best Photography Bean Bag?

Let’s start with the basics. A bean bag is the simplest form of lens support and can create a safe, soft resting place for a telephoto lens. Wildlife photographers find bean bags especially useful as they can hold heavy lenses while waiting for wildlife to appear. When the animals appear, a bean bag can help you get sharper images by cradling the lens and removing the wobble and vibration you would have if the lens were resting directly on a thinner, sharper-edged surface like a car door. For those who want to maintain the most resale value in their gear, a bean bag protects the lens from abrasive surfaces or sharp edges.

Pro Tip: Turn Off Full-Time Manual Focus Override!

If you’re resting your telephoto lens directly on a bean bag, you must be aware that you are likely resting it right on the focus ring. If you have your camera set up for full-time manual focus, i.e., when you move the focus ring, the lens’ focus changes, even if you are in autofocus mode, you should disable this. Failing to do so will result in occasional out-of-focus images, as the focus ring will get moved accidentally as you reposition the camera angle.

Suppose you still want the ability to tweak focus manually occasionally. In that case, the best solution is to assign full-time manual focus to the custom button on the side of the lens. This is possible with Canon, Nikon, and Sony, although the exact naming of the focus modes is slightly different in all three. Once this has been set, manual focus override will only work when holding the custom function button on the lens.

Bean bags for photography come in two main forms. The first is a u-shaped bag that sits over your car door when the window is down. It provides a partly mouldable platform to rest your camera and lens. Usually, this kind of setup is used for wildlife photography , so the bags are generally quite large to accommodate lenses like a 500mm or a 600mm. Sometimes these u-shaped bags have a metal plate on top with a 3/8″ 16 threaded stud so that a ball head or gimbal can be attached.

The second type of photography bean bag is smaller and flatter. With care, they can still be used on a car window, but their more mouldable shape also makes them great for supporting your camera while lying on the ground or resting on the hood of a car. This type of bean bag often includes a strap that allows you to hang it beneath a tripod or attach it to a light stand for added stability.

The Best Fill for Your Photography Bean Bag

When I got my first u-shaped photography bean bag, I filled it with rice, which was a mistake. Rice is far too dense and heavy. In a pinch, it works, but it’s not easy to adjust the bag’s shape to conform with your lens or the shape of the object you are resting on. If you are traveling on safari with a bean bag, you’ll remove the fill before you travel and purchase something on location. Rice might be your only option in certain places, but hopefully, you can find something else. I do still use rice in my smaller bags that are designed for weighing down light stands, where the weight does makes sense!

In my main wildlife photography bean bag, I now use buckwheat hulls for the fill. This is substantially lighter than rice, and its more irregular shape prevents the bean bag from hardening and becoming too hard to conform to differently shaped surfaces. I can’t tell you just how much better this setup is to use than when I was using rice! I feel like an idiot for persevering with the rice for so long, so I’m writing this post hoping people don’t make the same mistake I did.

Another option is to use styrofoam balls, although this has some environmental concerns that I’m not comfortable with myself. On the more natural side, sunflower seeds (bird feed) are also popular. They sit somewhere between the rice and buckwheat hulls in terms of weight and density. If you don’t plan to move your bean bag around too much – many people leave them in their car – this is another option. That said, seeds are a rodent attractant, so I still far prefer the buckwheat hull option.

I got my buckwheat hulls in a 2 lb bag from Amazon , and it was enough to fill a small-medium-sized u-shaped bag. There are many different sizes of a bean bag though, with many different volumes. Some, like the larger LensCoat LensSack Pro, will likely require more than 2 lbs. Thankfully, you can get anything up to a 10 lb bag from Amazon.

In the last ten years, I have used a range of bean bags for my wildlife photography. These three are the best options on the market right now, and the only ones that remain in my gear closet today.

LensCoat LensSack Pro

The LensSack Pro provides a stable platform for the largest super telephoto lenses such as a 400mm f/2.8, 500mm, 600mm, 800mm or 1200mm. The LensSack Pro can be configured with the included metal 3/8″ 16 studded plate should you wish to use a gimbal or a ball head on the bean bag.

LensCoat LensSack Pro Price Check:

LensCoat LensSack Pro Jr.

As the name suggests, the LensSack Pro Jr. is simply a smaller version of the regular LensSack Pro. The Jr. size is best suited to smaller telephoto lenses, such as 300mm f/2.8, 100-400mm, 100-500mm, 200-600mm, 400mm f/4.5, or a 400mm f/4.

LensCoat LensSack Pro Jr. Price Check:

Gura Gear Anansi Sack

I recommend the Gura Gear Anansi if you want a small, highly portable photography bean bag. I have had my Anansi sack for over ten years, and it is still going strong! Like my larger u-shaped bean bag, I keep the Anansi in my car and use it for all sorts of things, like adding stability to my tripod or supporting my camera on the ground when I’m not carrying my ground pod . The Anansi sack is much smaller than my larger LensCoat LensSacks, so that you can get much closer to the ground.

Gura Gear has offered Shutter Muse readers a 10% discount on anything purchased in their online store. Just use the discount code SHUTTERMUSE10 after clicking here to access their store.

Gura Gear Anansi Price Check:

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21 thoughts on “How to Use a Photography Bean Bag, and What Is the Best Bean Bag Fill?”

Thanks for the info on rice. I was considering between rice and buckwheat in a newly purchased Skimmer Sack Mini for a trip to the Galapagos but was undecided. I was not sure how much to buy of the buckwheat.

No problem! Glad it helped 🙂

Hey Dan, I live in Thornhill Ontario. I use light nuts in their shell – pistachios, small peanuts, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, small Iranian almonds. And best you can enjoy them when hungry. I also found chopped Vetiver Grass – highly fragrant and cooling – a good material. And I made a DIY 9 inch Triangle Bean Bag with a removable Mounting Plate for my camera for INR 350 (CAD 7). Waterproof fabric used – sandwich between vinyl foam / rexine & flannel cotton. The flannel goes inside.

PS: How do I become a member?

Hi Bipin! Greetings from the Canadian West. Thanks for sharing your setup. I like the idea of having a snack haha! At the moment, you can sign up to our monthly newsletter here: https://shuttermuse.com/newsletter You’ll get one or two emails a month with the latest top stuff from the site, and occasional special things for newsletter members. Deals from partners etc. Cheers!

…and reward some of the more timid wildlife. 😁

I’m leaning toward sunflower seeds but concerned about customs declarations crossing from US into Canada – any experience on that?

Interesting! Actually I don’t have any experience with that, or maybe I’ve never paid it a second thought. Is there something specific about sunflower seeds and border crossings?

It is generally a god idea NOT to transport biological material across borders. The US- officers Can be rather mean. And so the Australian and canadian. Use an empty Bean bag and fil it locally. It should be safe. By the Way: WHy do you Think it is Called a ‘bean’ bag?

Easier to spell than buckwheat hull bag!

And actually – lentils (whatever color) is a perfect filling material – they pack perfect because of their lense-shape. They are ‘heavy’ which can be an advantage (and the opposite) – use as a weight for stabilizing the tripod. And after use – make a nice dahl and enjoy your meal

Haha they do make a good dahl, you’re not wrong there!

Yes and maybe pulses too.

I’ll probably raid the pantry for chickpeas, soy or kidney beans.

How much fill do you use. Seems like my Len pro isn’t quite full enough. TIA

I don’t recall exactly, but it’s pretty full.

Hi, I don’t know how old this article is, but I came across it in search for the perfect bean bag filling.

– Preferrably I don’t want it to be food – Nor do I want it to be plastic in case of leaks and accidents – It needs to as perfectly formfitting as possible, not too soft, not too hard – And I taking into account it may get wet

I’ve seen several suggestions, but I think few from people with hands-on experiences. I like how you don’t recommend rice (in Dutch the name for the bean bag is rice bag), but I suspect your buckwheat hulls have similar problems to rice when it comes to getting wet.

So any recommendations for wet circumstances?

Some of the suggestions I’m researching are gravel for aquariums, (biodegradable) airsoft pellets, kinetic sand, and hydrogranules. If all else fails I may try buckwheat hulls in a ziplock bag.

How would small plastic pellet be for this.

They would be heavier. And let’s not encourage more use of plastic where easy alternatives are available.

Thank you for the ideas for filler. I used sunflower seeds, which was a mistake. I left it in my car because that is where I’d use it, and when I picked it up to use it it left a trail of seeds from the hole that a mouse made to get a free lunch. I would avoid food products if you leave it in a vehicle. For now I have it in a popcorn tin because they ate through the plastic bin I had been using before. Weighted beads are too heavy, so I’m leaning towards switching to buckwheat hulls.

That’s unfortunate, but a good tip!

I fill mine with the small pillows offered on international flights. Pretty useful when I travel to safari locations. The bean bag doubles as a neck pillow during the flight 🙂 I first tried rice and it spilled + wasn’t good to mold to the lenses, as you said. Lentils in a ziploc could help if you’re buying stuff locally.

Hah! In-flight pillows are a great tip. I have a flight tomorrow, so I might give this one a go. I have never heard of this before. Thanks for sharing.

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The Greatest Images Bean Baggage for Safari + What to Look For

If you’re planning a safari, the possibilities are good that you’re excited about taking a bigger digicam and lens with you. These can produce great wildlife photographs, however in addition they include a draw back, which is that they are often heavy and arduous to carry for extended intervals of time.

Usually the answer to a heavy lens and digicam is a tripod or monopod. Nonetheless, most safaris have you ever observing wildlife from inside a car, the place it’s usually not potential to simply arrange and use both a tripod or monopod. That is particularly the case when there are a number of folks within the car vying for viewing house!

Nonetheless, you don’t need to miss an amazing shot of a lion or an elephant as a result of your arms are drained from holding your gear up. As a substitute, it’s best to think about investing in a images bean bag.

On this article, I’ll inform you how they work, why you may want one, necessary options to search for in a images bean bag, and provides some suggestions on among the greatest images bean luggage for safari.

I like to recommend studying this publish together with my information to  getting nice photographs on safari , in addition to my information to the greatest safari digicam and lenses , so that you’re absolutely ready to your journey.

Causes to Use a Images Bean Bag 

A images bean bag, because the title suggests, is a bag full of beans (or related materials) which is used to assist a digicam when taking footage.

These may be positioned both over a window body or on the highest of the car in case you are standing up and looking of a pop-up prime, and can let you maintain your digicam pointing in the suitable path with out tiring your arms out.

It is going to additionally let you use slower shutter speeds if required, relying on the out there gentle and the way a lot your topic is transferring.

Basically a images bean bag provides related advantages to a tripod or monopod, however in a smaller and extra versatile package deal. Some key advantages of a images bean bag embrace:

• You don’t have to carry up your lens and digicam
• It gives a spot to relaxation and regular longer lenses or recognizing scope
• They shield your gear from having to relaxation on the customarily soiled and uneven surfaces of the edges of the car
• It will probably additionally shield your gear and provides stabilization if capturing from the bottom 
• It’s extra versatile to be used in lots of conditions in comparison with a tripod or monopod

After all, these images bean luggage are usually not simply helpful for safari however for all kinds of nature and outside associated images situations. So it’s nice if you may get a bag that additionally, you will be capable of use elsewhere.

Listed here are a few photographs of me on safari with and with no bean bag to present you an concept of the distinction. I’ve used a variety of these bean luggage on numerous safaris throughout a variety of African nations.

What to Search for in a Images Bean Bag for Safari

Earlier than offering some prompt bean luggage, I wished to share my recommendations for what to search for in a bean bag for safari images. This may assist you to to determine which bean bag goes to be greatest for you.

The very first thing you’ll want to take into consideration is the form of the bean bag. Images bean luggage are usually not simply shapeless spherical blobs, they have a tendency to have a selected type which permits them to work extra successfully.

There are three foremost shapes of images bean luggage. First, there’s a cushion-like flatter form which is the best choice. Then, there’s the double cushion, which is successfully two cushions sewn collectively.

Lastly, there’s a model which appears a bit like a decrease case “n” (or an inverted “u”). This form has two “legs” with a cushion half on the prime. It’s successfully a saddlebag form, and is the preferred choice.

Under are some pictures exhibiting a few of these completely different designs.

Which form will give you the results you want will rely a bit on the place you might be prone to be capturing. I discover the saddlebag model provides an excellent little bit of versatility as it may be tailored to suit a wide range of areas, from capturing over a window body to balancing on the sting of a car roof when capturing by way of a pop-up prime.

It additionally has the benefit you could invert it when capturing on a flatter floor to supply a form of cradle to your digicam.

The easy flatter cushion-like form can show to be fairly versatile, particularly when capturing on the roof of a car or from the ground. Personally I discover it a bit much less sensible for safari use because it doesn’t mould to a car window or door space in addition to the opposite choices.

Measurement

Images bean luggage are available a wide range of sizes. The principle factor is to make sure that the bean bag you select is giant sufficient so your digicam and lens will comfortably match on it, while not being so massive that it’s impractical to make use of and carry.

Filler Kind

Many bean luggage include the choice to buy them with a filling or with out. We usually discover it’s simpler to journey with an empty bean bag after which fill it with an applicable filling at your vacation spot, reminiscent of buckwheat (hulls), fowl seed, or dried beans. This reduces the journey weight and bulk of the bean bag.

Nonetheless, it’s also possible to decide to buy a bean bag with a filling, which is usually one thing like polystyrene balls to maintain delivery weight down. This may undoubtedly work and provides you with a light-weight choice, though it received’t be as steady as a heavier choice.

Word that many forms of uncooked and dried beans may be toxic to wildlife so in case you use them to fill your bag you’ll need to take additional care to maintain your bag away from animals and maintain them secured contained in the car while you go away it.

We now have had monkeys, notably baboons, attempt to snatch the luggage from the automobiles, as they’ve learnt that the fillings typically comprise tasty treats!

While the fabric the images bean bag is manufactured from could have some influence on its weight, the primary factor that impacts its weight is what it’s full of.

If it’s full of a light-weight materials like polystyrene balls for instance, then will probably be very gentle. If it’s full of dried beans or seeds, then it should naturally be heavier. The bigger the bean bag, the heavier will probably be.

We’d usually advocate utilizing a heavier filling like beans or seeds because the bag will maintain its form higher when arrange and supply a extra steady base. Nonetheless, now we have additionally used a images bean bag full of polystyrene balls with good outcomes.

On our final journey, we stuffed our bag with a mixture of dried beans and a few pillow stuffing which was an excellent combine .

A safari may be fairly a difficult setting, with numerous bumpy roads in addition to automobiles containing arduous edges.

It’s necessary that you just use a images bean bag which goes to resist the rigours of this setting. You undoubtedly don’t need to be in a state of affairs the place the bean bag develops a gap and bursts open half approach by way of your journey!

A well-made bean bag that has good stitching and which is constructed from a sturdy materials reminiscent of canvas or one other thick hard-wearing materials can be greatest. Evaluating the 2 pictures under, the bean bag on the suitable is created from a harder canvas like materials which can seemingly last more.

On safari you usually need pretty impartial colours that don’t stand out. You additionally need to keep away from blues and blacks which might appeal to tsetse flies.

Most images bean luggage we’re conscious of are available shades of inexperienced or beige, or are in a form of camouflage sample of greens and beige colours, which works properly.

Refillable?

One of many extra necessary options of a images bean bag is whether or not or not it may be refilled. I’d argue that having the ability to empty and fill your bean bag is admittedly necessary.

That is so you possibly can change the contents to fit your wants. For instance, in case you are travelling gentle or need to scale back bulk, you would possibly need to empty out your bean bag and fold it up. Then, while you arrive in your vacation spot you possibly can pop to a market and purchase some dried beans, rice, or buckwheat to fill it with.

Most images bean luggage are refillable. Some open with a zipper while others open with velcro. I’d personally advocate a system that closes with a zipper as it’s far safer and there’s much less threat of it coming open by mistake.

You’ll in fact need to take into consideration value when buying a images bean bag. The excellent news is that the majority bean luggage are properly priced, usually coming in at round $25 – $85 USD.

After all, you possibly can pay extra (and fewer!), however in comparison with the worth of many images equipment in the marketplace as we speak we predict that is undoubtedly one of many extra reasonably priced choices you should purchase to enhance your photographs and make your images expertise simpler whereas on safari.

Different Options

In addition to the above options, some images bean luggage produce other options you would possibly discover helpful. These embrace straps or pockets, or issues like being water-resistant.

A strap or twine can undoubtedly be useful as you should utilize it to safe the bean bag when in use. Water proofing will also be useful in case you assume you may be capturing in moist environments.

Some have shoulder straps to make them simpler to hold if capturing on foot – these straps will also be used to safe to the automotive. As well as, among the flat luggage will also be used as ballasts to your tripod.

Talking of tripods, some images bean luggage even have the choice to connect a ball or pan head to the bean bag, supplying you with a better of each worlds choice.

The Greatest Images Bean Baggage for Safari

I’m now going to undergo what I believe are among the greatest choices for images bean luggage for safari. These are ordered by value, though pricing can range so do examine.

You’ll discover this isn’t an enormous listing. That’s as a result of there are just a few manufacturers who give attention to this form of product. Nonetheless, these manufacturers do know what they’re doing and the result’s a strong product.

Moreover, with Kinesis and LensCoat, they provide a spread of choices at completely different sizes and value factors to go well with most digicam setups.

Personally, from the listing under I’d advocate both the Kinesis SafariSack 4.2 or the LensCoat LensSack Professional Jr as my favorite choices to be used on safari.

Kinesis SafariSack 1.4

Kinesis have been making images bean luggage for safari for a few years, designing their bean bag merchandise particularly for photographers heading on safari in Africa. What we like about them is that clearly Kinesis have put some thought into what’s necessary for this form of product.

They’ve a spread of safari bean luggage, however we propose testing the SafariSack 1.4 as an excellent choice in case you would like a flatter bean bag choice.

This bag is created from rip-stop 400-dernier nylon. It has a zippered compartment so you possibly can simply fill and empty it. It has D-rings on the ends so you possibly can match a strap, and there’s additionally a small sewn-in strap which can be utilized to safe it to a car.

This may work for smaller and bigger cameras alike. If in case you have a smaller setup particularly then this could be a nice choice.

Test value on Amazon right here and on B&H Photograph right here .

Kinesis SafariSack 4.2

My favorite choice from Kinesis is the SafariSack 4.2, which is designed for these of you with bigger lenses and cameras.

The SafariSack 4.2 is double-stitched for sturdiness and constructed from powerful rip-stop Nylon. You get a rubberized backside to stop it from slipping, and there’s an non-compulsory shoulder strap in addition to a hand strap.

Maybe the perfect characteristic although is the 2 built-in quick-release straps. These permit the SafariSack for use in two foremost modes when on safari. With the straps undone, you should utilize it as a flat sack, which is extra suited to use when capturing on the highest of a car or different flatter floor.

You possibly can alternatively join the straps to create the basic saddlebag form, permitting it for use over a window. Basically you get the perfect of each worlds, making this a contender for the perfect images bean bag in the marketplace.

The bag is on the market with or with no fill, and there’s even a selection of filler materials.

NatureScapes SkimmerSack II Mini Beanbag

The NatureScapes SkimmerSack II beanbag was developed by a full-time nature photographer who wished a bean bag that will meet his wants. The excellent news is that this has resulted in an exquisite product that’s excellent for safari images.

The SkimmerSack II is created from powerful 500 dernier nylon cordura, with a non-slip rubbererized coating beneath to assist stop it from transferring round when in place.

The inside is constructed from a rubber-like materials, giving it some water-resistance. It’s double-stitched for energy and has a zipper opening for including your individual fill. There’s additionally a hand-grab loop strap on every finish of the bag, and there are a pair of straps on the base to let you safe it to a door deal with or roof rack for security.

LensCoat LensSack Professional Jr

One other well-known model within the images bean bag world is LensCoat, who make a spread of bean luggage that may accommodate a variety of lenses. They’re additionally out there in a number of colours.

We’d advocate having a look on the LensCoat LensSack Professional Jr. This saddlebag formed bag can deal with lenses as much as 500mm in size (variations are additionally out there with assist as much as 800mm).

There’s a non-slip coating and it’s created from sturdy water resistant Cordura with bolstered seams. It additionally has two storage pockets, MOLLE webbing straps, and two locking YKK zips that make it straightforward to fill and empty.

Maybe probably the most attention-grabbing characteristic of this bean bag although is the truth that it comes with a detachable mounting plate with a 3/8″-16 thread. This can be utilized to connect a gimbal or ball head, that means you possibly can seemingly use it along with your present tripod head. This offers you the perfect of each worlds – the compact and transportable advantages of a bean bag, with the flexibleness of a head, making it simpler to trace transferring topics with out having to regulate the bean bag.

Make Your Personal Images Bean Bag

As a result of a last-minute baggage mix-up previous to a latest African safari, I used to be left with out my images bean bag simply earlier than the journey began. Fortunately, my mum is an skilled with a stitching machine, and occurred to have some good high quality thick linen materials at hand.

Between us we got here up with a design for a u-shaped bean bag with a zipper. My mum made it with a heavy calico cloth and a zipper. We then dyed it inexperienced. As soon as in Uganda, we stuffed it with dried beans and a few pillow stuffing.

It labored nice, and goes to point out that in case you are a bit artistic, you possibly can undoubtedly make your individual bean bag resolution.  Nonetheless, this feature might be greatest for these with a stitching machine and a few primary stitching expertise!

Suggestions for Utilizing a Images Bean Bag

Now that you’ve got chosen your images bean bag, I wished to share a number of tricks to get probably the most out of it, primarily based on my experiences.

• Invert your tripod collar. If in case you have a digicam with a tripod collar, rotate this so it’s on the prime of the digicam moderately than the underside, as in any other case it’s going to get in the way in which of the digicam resting absolutely on the bean bag
• Fill it in vacation spot. If you’re touring, as you seemingly shall be for safari, it can save you your baggage house by filling the bag in vacation spot moderately than travelling with an already full bag
• Select your filling properly. There are a number of choices for a filling. I discover buckwheat, sunflower seeds, or bigger dried beans works properly. The form of rice means that’s can compact a bit an excessive amount of and means you possibly can lose among the versatile form advantages of a bean bag. Polystyrene balls can work however I discover them to be a bit too gentle and noisy, to not point out environmentally unfriendly.
• If you’re utilizing an natural product to fill your bean bag you’ll want to take care that it doesn’t get moist, and bear in mind that it would have to be changed now and again.

Additional Studying

That’s it for my information to the perfect bean bag for safari images. Should you discovered this convenient, you would possibly get pleasure from a few of my different images content material. Listed here are some articles to get you began.

• I’ve an in depth information filled with  safari images suggestions  that can assist you get nice photographs no matter your digicam is
• A even have a information to the greatest cameras and lenses for safari , that can assist you determine what to take in your journey of a lifetime
• I’ve a information to my favorite  photograph enhancing purposes , in addition to the perfect  options to Lightroom
• When you’ve taken all of your photographs you don’t need to lose them! Learn our information to  backing up your photographs  for an concept of find out how to maintain all of them secure.
• Wildlife images can typically lead to noisy pictures. See my information to the  greatest noise discount software program  for some concepts on find out how to get the perfect out of your photographs even once they could be a bit noisy
• We now have a information to  find out how to use a compact digicam ,  find out how to use a DSLR digicam , and  find out how to use a mirrorless digicam . We even have a information to  how a DSLR works
• Realizing find out how to compose an amazing photograph is a key images ability. See our information to  composition in images  for plenty of recommendations on this topic
• We now have a information to what  depth of area  is and while you would need to use it.
• We’re massive followers of getting probably the most out of your digital photograph information, and do to that you will want to shoot in RAW. See our information to  RAW in images  to know what RAW is, and why it’s best to change to RAW as quickly as you possibly can in case your digicam helps it.
• You’re going to wish one thing to run your photograph enhancing software program on. See our information to the perfect  laptops for photograph enhancing  for some recommendations on what to search for.
• Should you’re searching for extra recommendation on particular suggestions for various situations, we additionally have you ever lined. See our information to  Northern Lights images ,  lengthy publicity images ,  fireworks images ,  suggestions for taking photographs of stars , and  chilly climate images .
• Coloration accuracy is necessary for images – see our information to  monitor calibration  to make sure your display is ready up accurately.
• Should you’re searching for an amazing present for a images loving pal or member of the family (or your self!), check out our  images present information ,
• Should you’re out there for a brand new digicam, now we have an in depth information to the  greatest journey cameras , in addition to particular guides for the  greatest cameras for climbing and backpacking , the  greatest compact digicam ,  greatest bridge digicam ,  greatest mirrorless digicam  and  greatest DSLR digicam . We even have a information to the  greatest digicam lenses .
• In order for you a digicam or lens, however the costs are a bit excessive, see our information to  the place to purchase used cameras and digicam gear  for some finances financial savings choices.
• We now have a information to  why you want a tripod , a information to  selecting a journey tripod , and a round-up of our  favorite journey tripods

Trying to Enhance Your Images?

Should you discovered this publish useful, and also you need to enhance your images total, you would possibly need to take a look at my  on-line journey images course .

Since launching the course in 2016, I’ve already helped over 2,000 college students discover ways to take higher photographs. The course covers just about every thing you want to know, from the fundamentals of how a digicam works, by way of to composition, gentle, and photograph enhancing.

It additionally covers extra superior subjects, together with astrophotography, lengthy publicity images, flash images, and HDR images.

You get suggestions from me as you progress, entry to webinars, interviews and movies, in addition to unique membership of a Fb group the place you may get suggestions in your work and participate in common challenges.

It’s out there for an incredible one-off value for lifetime entry, and I believe it’s best to test it out. Which you are able to do by  clicking right here .

And that’s it! I’d love to listen to about your ideas on wildlife images on safari, and am completely happy to reply any questions you might have. Simply pop them within the feedback under and I’ll get again to you as quickly as I can.

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Jungle Safari Animals Bean Bag Toss Games with 3 Bean Bags Jungle Safari Theme Party Games Decoration Monkey Toss Bean Toss Games for Children Baby Shower Family Jungle Animals Theme Party Favor Suppl

Purchase options and add-ons, about this item.

• Jungle safari animals themed bean bag toss game: comes with 55.9 x 33.8 inch/ 142 x 86 cm gamepad and 3 bean bags, bean bags size is 2.36 x 2.36 inch/ 6 x 6 cm
• Create a suitable Jungle animals vibe: suitable for jungle safari theme party, play these fun games that are good for teenagers and adults, good for Jungle safari animals party indoor or outdoor activity
• Material: safari animal bean bag toss banner is made of polyester fabric; Design with cute monkey pattern; Hanging it up on the trees in your backyard, outdoor or indoor, themed party
• Come with long ribbon: 6 meter ribbon; Each corner has a grommet, it's easy to make the ribbon go through the grommet and tie the game pad to any place where holding the party
• Can use repeatedly: convenient for storage, easy to fold them up; Carry easily: take them when travelling and having a picnic outdoor with friends and family

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Jungle animal theme party bean bag toss game: Vibrant design toss game pack will delight you during Jungle animals party day; Great for Jungle animals event festival. Jungle safari party games Apply to: Suitable for jungle party decoration; Hanging it up in the trees in your backyard, outdoor or indoor; Perfect for Jungle animals event, festival or party favor supplies. Cute design: Safari animal bean bag toss Design with several cute monkeys, each one has different emotion or gesture, classic forest background, cute animal toss game for people to play. Monkey toss game Function: Spend some game times with your friends and family in the Jungle animals festival; Have fun in this monkey bean bag games. How to use jungle animal bean bag toss: 1. Player stands some distance in front of the hanging game banner and with bean bags in hand. 2. Toss the bean bags through the open holes in the banner, each player gets three chances. 3. 3 Points are awarded for the top hole, 2 points for the second hole, 1 point for the lowest hole. 4. Player with most points wins. Package includes: 1 x Jungle animals toss gamepad 3 x bag toss bean bags Jungle animal theme party bean bag toss game: Vibrant design toss game pack will delight you during Jungle animals party day; Great for Jungle animals event festival. Jungle safari party games Apply to: Suitable for jungle party decoration; Hanging it up in the trees in your backyard, outdoor or indoor; Perfect for Jungle animals event, festival or party favor supplies. Cute design: Safari animal bean bag toss Design with several cute monkeys, each one has different emotion or gesture, classic forest background, cute animal toss game for people to play. Monkey toss game Function: Spend some game times with your friends and family in the Jungle animals festival; Have fun in this monkey bean bag games.

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Customers like the quality and image of the tossing game. They mention that it's a great product for the price and that it matches perfectly with their decor. However, some customers differ on durability.

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Customers like the image on the tossing game. They mention it's perfect and matches their decor.

"...It comes with string to tight it up as well as bean bags. The picture is perfect , not blurry or anything...." Read more

"...I ordered this ross game for my son bday party .. it matched perfectly with my decor and we still use it !’n" Read more

"This was real cute but no bean bags came with the item" Read more

Customers are satisfied with the quality of the tossing game. They mention that it is a great product for the price.

"... Great for the price though!" Read more

"It is cloth material. I like how it’s reusable. Definitely worth the money !!" Read more

" Great product ..." Read more

Customers have mixed opinions about the durability of the tossing game. Some mention it's a good quality, heavy material that will last, while others say it'll break easily.

"We were surprised by the good quality !! I thought this was a one & done item but it will survive many parties!!" Read more

"...However, it did not last long after that. If you plan to use more than once, just take care because it is not particularly durable...." Read more

"Its a good quality , & I'm not missing any bags like some people have experienced. However, it doesnt come with any way of hanging it up...." Read more

"It’s a heavy material that will last" Read more

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Safari Bean Bag Toss Game

Kids, grandkids and even adults will enjoy testing their skill. The top is decorated with jungle animals. Standard 3-1/2 inch bean bags are thrown into the holes. Full size patterns of each animal are provided along with all necessary drawings and instructions to build the board. Cutting the animal bodies from 1/4 inch thick plywood simplifies painting. Young children can stand closer, making the game suitable for all ages. All patterns drawn are full size. Measures approx. 24 x 24 inches.

Tracing Paper Options

The 19 series (products that start with 19-) are full size and printed on large sheets of paper created by Meisel Wood Hobby. Meisel closed their business on Oct 31, 2022. Their plans will continue to be sold on our web site. Any mention of hardware kits or related hardware supplies in their woodworking plans are no longer available. For items you cannot find locally in your hardware store, there are companies online that may carry similar product. These companies include CaseysWood.com, RonellClock.com, Klockit.com, WoodParts.ca, Rockler.com and Woodcraft.com.

The designers of the 19 series of project plans have copyright statements provided on their individual plans. Please respect the designers copyrights.

You Might Also Like...

This project provides a home for you to store and display a bean bag toys. The project can be hung on the wall, or because the bottom is flat, it can stand along or the bottom can be screwed to a shelf to prevent it from tipping over. This woodworking plan provides full size illustrations.

This wooden train set is a great way to display those bean bag toys. This action toy carries lots of animals around the living room or play area. An ideal scrap wood project. This woodworking plan provides full size illustrations.

This bean bag furniture is scaled to be used with the most popular size bean bag toys and collectibles. Although children enjoy the furniture for its play value, adults might choose to use it to display their prized collectibles.

This house is made from plywood that fits together like a simple puzzle. Children can easily put the pieces together and take them apart for storage. Once apart, the house requires little space, perfect for under the bed storage.

Kids, grandkids and even adults will enjoy testing their skill. The top is decorated with jungle animals. Standard 3-1/2 inch bean bags are thrown into the holes. Full size patterns of each animal are provided along with all necessary drawings and instructions to build the board.

Known as cornhole, baggo, bags, beanbag toss, and other names, this game is so easy, you can play it without spilling your drink. That may be what makes it so popular at tailgaters and backyard partie...

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FEIG ELECTRONIC: Moscow-City Skyscrapers Streamline Parking Access and Control with Secure RFID

Feig electronic partners with isbc group to deploy ucode dna rfid security and parking access control solution in moscow business district.

Weilburg, Germany  — December 3,  2019  —  FEIG ELECTRONIC , a leading global supplier of radio frequency identification (RFID) readers and antennas with fifty years of industry experience, announces deployment of the UCODE DNA RFID security and parking contactless identification solution in the Moscow International Business Center, known as Moscow-City, one of the world’s largest business district projects.

The management of Moscow-City not only selected long-range, passive UHF RFID to implement in its controlled parking areas, it also chose to implement UCODE DNA , the highest form of secure RAIN RFID technology, developed by NXP Semiconductors.

Panoramic view of Moscow city and Moskva River at sunset. New modern futuristic skyscrapers of Moscow-City – International Business Center, toned

“Underscoring NXP’s innovation and leadership in developing advanced RAIN RFID technologies, our UCODE DNA was chosen to be incorporated with the FEIG and ISBC implementation of the contactless identification system in the prestigious Moscow-City,” said Mahdi Mekic, marketing director for RAIN RFID with NXP Semiconductors. “This exciting project represents yet another successful deployment of NXP’s contactless portfolio, and showcases our continued ability to meet the high-security requirements of highly demanding applications without compromising user convenience.”

“UCODE DNA is considered the only identification technology to match the physical protection of a barrier with the cybersecurity necessary to truly protect entrances from unauthorized access,” said Manuel Haertlé, senior product manager for FEIG Electronic. “As a respected contactless payment technology company, FEIG applies security know-how from its payment terminals, which are fully certified according to the latest high-class security standards, into our RFID systems. FEIG vehicle access control RFID readers incorporate advanced secure key storage elements, supporting various methods for secure key injection.”

FEIG’s partner ISBC Group provided the knowledge and support for this successful implementation using  FEIG’s long-range UHF RFID . The resulting system enables authorized vehicle entry into areas reserved for private residential use or corporate tenants, while also allowing availability of temporary, fee-based visitor parking. Thanks to the cryptographic authentication of UCODE DNA, both the tag and reader must go through an authentication procedure before the reader will validate the data from the tag, which is transmitted wirelessly. This level of authentication is typically used in the most secure data communication networks.

“The system’s two-step authentication means that only authorized equipment can handle the secure protocol and the data exchange with the UCODE DNA based tag. Without the required cryptographic secrets, other readers would query the tag in vain, because the tag’s response cannot be interpreted or understood,” said Andrey Krasovskiy, director of the RFID department at ISBC Group. “On top of this, each data exchange in the authentication process is unique, so even if a malicious actor were to intercept the communication, the transmission is only good for a single exchange and the tag’s unique identity is protected from cloning.”

Established in 1992 and still growing, Moscow-City is the revitalization and transformation of an industrial riverfront into a new, modern, vibrant and upscale business and residential district. A mix of residential, hotel, office, retail and entertainment facilities, it is located about four kilometers west of Red Square along the Moscow River. Twelve of the twenty-three planned facilities have already been completed, with seven currently under construction. Six skyscrapers in Moscow-City reach a height of at least 300 meters, including Europe’s tallest building, Federation Tower, which rises more than 100 stories.

Partnering with ISBC and deploying FEIG Electronic RFID solutions, the Moscow International Business Center is delivering security and access control to its city center today, as it grows into the city of tomorrow.

About FEIG ELECTRONIC

FEIG ELECTRONIC GmbH, a leading global supplier of RFID readers and antennas is one of the few suppliers worldwide offering RFID readers and antennas for all standard operating frequencies: LF (125 kHz), HF (13.56 MHz), UHF (860-960 MHz). A trusted pioneer in RFID with more than 50 years of industry experience, FEIG ELECTRONIC delivers unrivaled data collection, authentication, and identification solutions, as well as secure contactless payment systems. Readers from FEIG ELECTRONIC, which are available for plug-in, desktop, and handheld applications, support next-generation contactless credit cards, debit cards, smart cards, NFC and access control credentials to enable fast, accurate, reliable and secure transactions. For more information, visit:  www.feig.de/en

Founded in Moscow in 2002, ISBC Group provides knowledge and support to integrators for their successful implementation of RFID and smart card-based solutions. The company specializes in the distribution of smart card equipment, contact and contactless card manufacturing, smart card and RFID personalization services, and information security.  Its Research and Design Center is focused specifically on RFID, primarily HF and UHF solutions with NXP tags, and software development for the smart card industry. For more information visit:  https://isbc-cards.com/

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Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

• Patriarch’s Pond
• Old Arbat Street
• Maroseyka Street
• Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography. 

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita. 

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

• Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
• Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
• Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
• Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
• After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
• To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

• Novoslobodskaya
• Mayakovskaya
• Elektrozavodskaya
• Komsomolskaya
• Ploschad Revolyutsii
• Dostoyevskaya
• Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem. 

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions. 

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev  and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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In Transit: Notes from the Underground

Jun 06 2018.

Spend some time in one of Moscow’s finest museums.

Subterranean commuting might not be anyone’s idea of a good time, but even in a city packing the war-games treasures and priceless bejeweled eggs of the Kremlin Armoury and the colossal Soviet pavilions of the VDNKh , the Metro holds up as one of Moscow’s finest museums. Just avoid rush hour.

The Metro is stunning and provides an unrivaled insight into the city’s psyche, past and present, but it also happens to be the best way to get around. Moscow has Uber, and the Russian version called Yandex Taxi , but also some nasty traffic. Metro trains come around every 90 seconds or so, at a more than 99 percent on-time rate. It’s also reasonably priced, with a single ride at 55 cents (and cheaper in bulk). From history to tickets to rules — official and not — here’s what you need to know to get started.

A Brief Introduction Buying Tickets Know Before You Go (Down) Rules An Easy Tour

A Brief Introduction

Moscow’s Metro was a long time coming. Plans for rapid transit to relieve the city’s beleaguered tram system date back to the Imperial era, but a couple of wars and a revolution held up its development. Stalin revived it as part of his grand plan to modernize the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 30s. The first lines and tunnels were constructed with help from engineers from the London Underground, although Stalin’s secret police decided that they had learned too much about Moscow’s layout and had them arrested on espionage charges and deported.

The beauty of its stations (if not its trains) is well-documented, and certainly no accident. In its illustrious first phases and particularly after the Second World War, the greatest architects of Soviet era were recruited to create gleaming temples celebrating the Revolution, the USSR, and the war triumph. No two stations are exactly alike, and each of the classic showpieces has a theme. There are world-famous shrines to Futurist architecture, a celebration of electricity, tributes to individuals and regions of the former Soviet Union. Each marble slab, mosaic tile, or light fixture was placed with intent, all in service to a station’s aesthetic; each element, f rom the smallest brass ear of corn to a large blood-spattered sword on a World War II mural, is an essential part of the whole.

The Metro is a monument to the Soviet propaganda project it was intended to be when it opened in 1935 with the slogan “Building a Palace for the People”. It brought the grand interiors of Imperial Russia to ordinary Muscovites, celebrated the Soviet Union’s past achievements while promising its citizens a bright Soviet future, and of course, it was a show-piece for the world to witness the might and sophistication of life in the Soviet Union.

It may be a museum, but it’s no relic. U p to nine million people use it daily, more than the London Underground and New York Subway combined. (Along with, at one time, about 20 stray dogs that learned to commute on the Metro.)

In its 80+ year history, the Metro has expanded in phases and fits and starts, in step with the fortunes of Moscow and Russia. Now, partly in preparation for the World Cup 2018, it’s also modernizing. New trains allow passengers to walk the entire length of the train without having to change carriages. The system is becoming more visitor-friendly. (There are helpful stickers on the floor marking out the best selfie spots .) But there’s a price to modernity: it’s phasing out one of its beloved institutions, the escalator attendants. Often they are middle-aged or elderly women—“ escalator grandmas ” in news accounts—who have held the post for decades, sitting in their tiny kiosks, scolding commuters for bad escalator etiquette or even bad posture, or telling jokes . They are slated to be replaced, when at all, by members of the escalator maintenance staff.

For all its achievements, the Metro lags behind Moscow’s above-ground growth, as Russia’s capital sprawls ever outwards, generating some of the world’s worst traffic jams . But since 2011, the Metro has been in the middle of an ambitious and long-overdue enlargement; 60 new stations are opening by 2020. If all goes to plan, the 2011-2020 period will have brought 125 miles of new tracks and over 100 new stations — a 40 percent increase — the fastest and largest expansion phase in any period in the Metro’s history.

Facts: 14 lines Opening hours: 5 a.m-1 a.m. Rush hour(s): 8-10 a.m, 4-8 p.m. Single ride: 55₽ (about 85 cents) Wi-Fi network-wide

Buying Tickets

• Ticket machines have a button to switch to English.
• You can buy specific numbers of rides: 1, 2, 5, 11, 20, or 60. Hold up fingers to show how many rides you want to buy.
• There is also a 90-minute ticket , which gets you 1 trip on the metro plus an unlimited number of transfers on other transport (bus, tram, etc) within 90 minutes.
• Or, you can buy day tickets with unlimited rides: one day (218₽/ US$4), three days (415₽/US$7) or seven days (830₽/US$15). Check the rates here to stay up-to-date.
• If you’re going to be using the Metro regularly over a few days, it’s worth getting a Troika card , a contactless, refillable card you can use on all public transport. Using the Metro is cheaper with one of these: a single ride is 36₽, not 55₽. Buy them and refill them in the Metro stations, and they’re valid for 5 years, so you can keep it for next time. Or, if you have a lot of cash left on it when you leave, you can get it refunded at the Metro Service Centers at Ulitsa 1905 Goda, 25 or at Staraya Basmannaya 20, Building 1.
• You can also buy silicone bracelets and keychains with built-in transport chips that you can use as a Troika card. (A Moscow Metro Fitbit!) So far, you can only get these at the Pushkinskaya metro station Live Helpdesk and souvenir shops in the Mayakovskaya and Trubnaya metro stations. The fare is the same as for the Troika card.
• You can also use Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

Rules, spoken and unspoken

No smoking, no drinking, no filming, no littering. Photography is allowed, although it used to be banned.

Stand to the right on the escalator. Break this rule and you risk the wrath of the legendary escalator attendants. (No shenanigans on the escalators in general.)

Get out of the way. Find an empty corner to hide in when you get off a train and need to stare at your phone. Watch out getting out of the train in general; when your train doors open, people tend to appear from nowhere or from behind ornate marble columns, walking full-speed.

Always offer your seat to elderly ladies (what are you, a monster?).

An Easy Tour

This is no Metro Marathon ( 199 stations in 20 hours ). It’s an easy tour, taking in most—though not all—of the notable stations, the bulk of it going clockwise along the Circle line, with a couple of short detours. These stations are within minutes of one another, and the whole tour should take about 1-2 hours.

Start at Mayakovskaya Metro station , at the corner of Tverskaya and Garden Ring,  Triumfalnaya Square, Moskva, Russia, 125047.

1. Mayakovskaya.  Named for Russian Futurist Movement poet Vladimir Mayakovsky and an attempt to bring to life the future he imagined in his poems. (The Futurist Movement, natch, was all about a rejecting the past and celebrating all things speed, industry, modern machines, youth, modernity.) The result: an Art Deco masterpiece that won the National Grand Prix for architecture at the New York World’s Fair in 1939. It’s all smooth, rounded shine and light, and gentle arches supported by columns of dark pink marble and stainless aircraft steel. Each of its 34 ceiling niches has a mosaic. During World War II, the station was used as an air-raid shelter and, at one point, a bunker for Stalin. He gave a subdued but rousing speech here in Nov. 6, 1941 as the Nazis bombed the city above.

Take the 3/Green line one station to:

2. Belorusskaya. Opened in 1952, named after the connected Belarussky Rail Terminal, which runs trains between Moscow and Belarus. This is a light marble affair with a white, cake-like ceiling, lined with Belorussian patterns and 12 Florentine ceiling mosaics depicting life in Belarussia when it was built.

Transfer onto the 1/Brown line. Then, one stop (clockwise) t o:

3. Novoslobodskaya.  This station was designed around the stained-glass panels, which were made in Latvia, because Alexey Dushkin, the Soviet starchitect who dreamed it up (and also designed Mayakovskaya station) couldn’t find the glass and craft locally. The stained glass is the same used for Riga’s Cathedral, and the panels feature plants, flowers, members of the Soviet intelligentsia (musician, artist, architect) and geometric shapes.

Go two stops east on the 1/Circle line to:

4. Komsomolskaya. Named after the Komsomol, or the Young Communist League, this might just be peak Stalin Metro style. Underneath the hub for three regional railways, it was intended to be a grand gateway to Moscow and is today its busiest station. It has chandeliers; a yellow ceiling with Baroque embellishments; and in the main hall, a colossal red star overlaid on golden, shimmering tiles. Designer Alexey Shchusev designed it as an homage to the speech Stalin gave at Red Square on Nov. 7, 1941, in which he invoked Russia’s illustrious military leaders as a pep talk to Soviet soldiers through the first catastrophic year of the war.   The station’s eight large mosaics are of the leaders referenced in the speech, such as Alexander Nevsky, a 13th-century prince and military commander who bested German and Swedish invading armies.

One more stop clockwise to Kurskaya station,  and change onto the 3/Blue  line, and go one stop to:

5. Baumanskaya.   Opened in 1944. Named for the Bolshevik Revolutionary Nikolai Bauman , whose monument and namesake district are aboveground here. Though he seemed like a nasty piece of work (he apparently once publicly mocked a woman he had impregnated, who later hung herself), he became a Revolutionary martyr when he was killed in 1905 in a skirmish with a monarchist, who hit him on the head with part of a steel pipe. The station is in Art Deco style with atmospherically dim lighting, and a series of bronze sculptures of soldiers and homefront heroes during the War. At one end, there is a large mosaic portrait of Lenin.

Stay on that train direction one more east to:

6. Elektrozavodskaya. As you may have guessed from the name, this station is the Metro’s tribute to all thing electrical, built in 1944 and named after a nearby lightbulb factory. It has marble bas-relief sculptures of important figures in electrical engineering, and others illustrating the Soviet Union’s war-time struggles at home. The ceiling’s recurring rows of circular lamps give the station’s main tunnel a comforting glow, and a pleasing visual effect.

Double back two stops to Kurskaya station , and change back to the 1/Circle line. Sit tight for six stations to:

7. Kiyevskaya. This was the last station on the Circle line to be built, in 1954, completed under Nikita Khrushchev’ s guidance, as a tribute to his homeland, Ukraine. Its three large station halls feature images celebrating Ukraine’s contributions to the Soviet Union and Russo-Ukrainian unity, depicting musicians, textile-working, soldiers, farmers. (One hall has frescoes, one mosaics, and the third murals.) Shortly after it was completed, Khrushchev condemned the architectural excesses and unnecessary luxury of the Stalin era, which ushered in an epoch of more austere Metro stations. According to the legend at least, he timed the policy in part to ensure no Metro station built after could outshine Kiyevskaya.

Change to the 3/Blue line and go one stop west.

8. Park Pobedy. This is the deepest station on the Metro, with one of the world’s longest escalators, at 413 feet. If you stand still, the escalator ride to the surface takes about three minutes .) Opened in 2003 at Victory Park, the station celebrates two of Russia’s great military victories. Each end has a mural by Georgian artist Zurab Tsereteli, who also designed the “ Good Defeats Evil ” statue at the UN headquarters in New York. One mural depicts the Russian generals’ victory over the French in 1812 and the other, the German surrender of 1945. The latter is particularly striking; equal parts dramatic, triumphant, and gruesome. To the side, Red Army soldiers trample Nazi flags, and if you look closely there’s some blood spatter among the detail. Still, the biggest impressions here are the marble shine of the chessboard floor pattern and the pleasingly geometric effect if you view from one end to the other.

Keep going one more stop west to:

9. Slavyansky Bulvar.  One of the Metro’s youngest stations, it opened in 2008. With far higher ceilings than many other stations—which tend to have covered central tunnels on the platforms—it has an “open-air” feel (or as close to it as you can get, one hundred feet under). It’s an homage to French architect Hector Guimard, he of the Art Nouveau entrances for the Paris M é tro, and that’s precisely what this looks like: A Moscow homage to the Paris M é tro, with an additional forest theme. A Cyrillic twist on Guimard’s Metro-style lettering over the benches, furnished with t rees and branch motifs, including creeping vines as towering lamp-posts.

Stay on the 3/Blue line and double back four stations to:

10. Arbatskaya. Its first iteration, Arbatskaya-Smolenskaya station, was damaged by German bombs in 1941. It was rebuilt in 1953, and designed to double as a bomb shelter in the event of nuclear war, although unusually for stations built in the post-war phase, this one doesn’t have a war theme. It may also be one of the system’s most elegant: Baroque, but toned down a little, with red marble floors and white ceilings with gilded bronze c handeliers.

Jump back on the 3/Blue line  in the same direction and take it one more stop:

11. Ploshchad Revolyutsii (Revolution Square). Opened in 1938, and serving Red Square and the Kremlin . Its renowned central hall has marble columns flanked by 76 bronze statues of Soviet heroes: soldiers, students, farmers, athletes, writers, parents. Some of these statues’ appendages have a yellow sheen from decades of Moscow’s commuters rubbing them for good luck. Among the most popular for a superstitious walk-by rub: the snout of a frontier guard’s dog, a soldier’s gun (where the touch of millions of human hands have tapered the gun barrel into a fine, pointy blade), a baby’s foot, and a woman’s knee. (A brass rooster also sports the telltale gold sheen, though I am told that rubbing the rooster is thought to bring bad luck. )

Now take the escalator up, and get some fresh air.

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