Going on an African safari can be the adventure of a lifetime. You need to know what to take with you, what to leave behind you, how to pack and how to ensure that you’re going to have a great experience. A safari may offer unique moments. It is up to you to make the most out of these opportunities to admire giraffes, lions, zebras, and other wildlife in their natural habitat.
While a good DSLR or mirrorless camera with a tele lens will allow you to capture magnificent shots of various animals, a solid pair of binoculars for safari will enable you to live in the moment and to enjoy seamless wildlife viewing.
The best binoculars for safari require a magnification of 8x or 10x to be easy to hold without shaking, a relatively higher lens size (minimum 32mm or even 42mm) to allow more light to enter the binocular, and waterproof and fog-proof treatments to protect the device in rough weather conditions.
Many people ask themselves “should I take binoculars on safari?” Although it is not an absolute must, a lightweight and compact safari binocular is nice to have. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to get too close to leopards, lions, elephants or other wildlife. Binoculars are the right tools to bring these animals closer to your eyes. This isn’t too different from game viewing (if you are a hunting passionate, you know what I mean).
In Ireland, for instance, if you go on a boat trip to see the seals, you’ll need binoculars to see the details of these lovely animals. The boats don’t get too close to the shore, in order to avoid disturbing the seals. Fortunately, the organizers of such trips hand binoculars to everyone on board, so you don’t need to bring yours. On the contrary, if you book a boat ride with one of the locals in the harbor, you’ll need to bring your own binoculars to enjoy some birding and wildlife viewing.
How To Choose the Best Binoculars for Safari
Going for the cheapest binocular out there won’t work. I fell for this myself long time ago when I paid about $30 US for what I thought to be an awesome binocular for safari and for watching birds. I was surprised to see that the image was dark and soft, there was no stabilization in the binocular’s body and the device was quite heavy and bulky.
Now I know better – decent binoculars start from $100 and go up to thousands. Even when shopping around for binoculars for kids you should pay attention to the quality of the glass among other things, if you want to get the best bang for your buck.
A walking safari calls for a lightweight binocular. However, if you really want a high magnification to be able to see more details, you have to be willing to carry around a heavy binocular that may prevent you from enjoying your safari experience.
At the same time, a very high magnification leads to a narrower field of view, so you may have a difficult time at pointing your binocular to the animal to watch. This is a skill you’ll acquire after some practice, but it will frustrate you in the beginning.
Top Binoculars for Safari & Travel in 2021
Quick Comparison of Our Top Binoculars for Safari & Travel
| Image | Model | Magnification | Objective Lens Size (mm) | Weight | Price & Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Celestron 71332 Nature DX 8x42 Binocular | 8x | 42 | 800 g | Check price |
  | Nikon 7577 Monarch 5 10×42 Binocular | 10x | 42 | 600 g | Check price |
  | Steiner Safari Ultrasharp 10×26 | 10x | 26 | 300 g | Check price |
Here are a few details about each of these binocular brands and models.
Celestron 71332 Nature DX 8×42 Binocular
The Celestron Nature DX binoculars have everything a traveler and an outdoor lover would want. The high-quality multi-coated lenses provide bright images even in low light conditions. At 1.75 pounds, it isn’t exactly lightweight, but its durability and its grit recommend this Celestron binocular as one of the best options for safari, game viewing, outdoor trips and mountain hiking.
The binocular comes with a detailed instructions manual, a neck strap and a carrying case. The lens caps and the eyepiece rainguard will prove very useful, should you get caught by a rain. The waterproof rubber casing and the lens caps will prove useful for kayaking adventures, as they would protect your device from the inevitable water splashes. This is also what recommends these binoculars for bird watching.
Although awesome for viewing details, the combination between the 8x magnification and the 42mm objective lens will make it hard to keep the binocular steady. You may need a fair amount of practice to do it right. Even so, if you’re on a safari, in a moving vehicle, you won’t be able to use it. However, when you stop the car and you use a tripod with your binoculars, you’ll enjoy the viewing.
Although this isn’t a cheap binocular for safari, the Celestron Nature DX is still less expensive than the Vortex Viper or Zeiss Conquest HD, On a safari or on any other type of outdoor adventure, it can provide a good viewing experience at a fair price.
The drawback is that the relatively lower price comes with some limitations in terms of image quality. If you want top notch image clarity and sharpness, take a look into more expensive binocular brands and models. Also, if you want a light and compact device, you should check out some compact binoculars.
Buy the Celestron Nature DX Binoculars 8×42 here
Nikon 7577 MONARCH 5 10×42 Binocular
The new Nikon Monarch 5 is a great choice of travel and safari binocular. The rugged body, the O-ring sealing, and the fully multicoated Eco glass lenses make these binoculars convenient for safari, birding, and other such outdoor activities that require a firm grip, weatherproof properties and a sharp and clear image with accurate colors and excellent brightness.
Available in three magnification variants, 8x, 10x and 12x, and featuring an objective lens diameter of 42mm, the Nikon Monarch 5 binoculars range caters to a wide range of consumers. For wildlife watching, I’d pick the 10x magnification. However, any of them would do just fine, so make sure you compare their features side by side before buying yours.
Buy the Nikon Monarch 5 Binoculars here
Steiner Safari Ultrasharp 10×26
The Steiner Safari Ultrasharp 10×26 binoculars feature high contrast coatings on all lenses and a fast Close-Focus feature that ensures a sharp and bright image. Even though the objective lens diameter is only 26mm, these binoculars qualify among the best binoculars for safari and travel,thanks to their reduced weight and compact size.
The rugged armoring and the waterproof construction are two more details that recommend the Steiner Safari Ultrasharp 10×26 as a great choice for travel and outdoor trips.
Buy the Steiner Safari Ultrasharp 10×26 Binoculars 8×42 here
