Don’t Forget the Camera

Like any respectable holiday, a luxury safari requires proper gear. No one wants to stumble upon mating lions, for instance, without the right camera. Advanced point-and-shoot digital cameras are compact and convenient, but the most important factor is zoom capability. The 12.1-megapixel Nikon Coolpix P90 has a powerful 24x wide-angle optical zoom and vibration reduction. The Canon PowerShot SX1 IS features 20x zoom capability. However, DSLR cameras tend to work better in low light, with higher image quality and faster response time. Be prepared to spend more and carry a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens with at least 250mm of zoom. Among the best options: the Canon EOS 5D Mark II camera with 21.1 megapixels and Sony's 24.6-megapixel Alpha A900.

Binoculars are also a must. The Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42 is waterproof, fogproof and comes with precision-aligned optics for extended viewing. The Zeiss Victory T FL 8x42 is lightweight, with a large field of view.

Clothing should be neutral-colored and lightweight, preferably with sun and bug protection. Tilley makes a lightweight, crushable, waterproof hat that blocks UV rays. ExOfficio has Insect Shield travelwear that repels mosquitoes and offers SPF protection. Lightweight safari vests with lots of pockets are available from Orvis, Magellan's and Tag Safari.

Luggage needs to be compact, lightweight and flexible to fit on small planes. REI Cargo Adventure has adjustable backpack-style shoulder straps and pockets on each end for shoes or dirty clothes. Pack light, but don't forget a jacket or sweater for cool nights and early mornings.