Canon in the Wild: Field-Testing the EOS R1 & R5 Across Africa’s Greatest Photo Safari Destinations
- Nick Wigmore
- Apr 20
- 7 min read
Field Notes from the Wild: Why Gear Matters in African Safari Photography
When you spend most of your year tracking lions through the Okavango Delta, following wild dogs in Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools, or photographing elephants bathed in the golden light of Amboseli, your gear doesn’t just matter - it defines the shots you take and how you take them.
At Photo Safari Company, our safaris are built around intentional photography. We don’t rush from sighting to sighting - we slow down, consider the light, anticipate behavior, and wait for that moment that tells a story. That means we need camera systems that are fast, intuitive, durable, and consistently reliable in the wild.
After field-testing the Canon EOS R1 and both EOS R5 Mark I & II across multiple countries - including Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa - I can confidently say these cameras are not only up to the task, they elevate the experience.
Oh, and for the record - we’re not sponsored by Canon. (We’d love to be - Canon, call us!) Every lens, body, and spare battery we’ve purchased has come out of our own pockets. So when we say we trust this gear, it’s because it’s been tested in dust, rain, mud, extreme heat, and the unpredictable environments in the bush.
Our Core Safari Kit: What We Shoot With
We build our safari kit around a small set of flagship lenses that offer flexibility, image quality, and weather resilience. Most of our work is done with:
Canon EOS R1 – For speed, responsiveness, and durability in the field
Canon EOS R5 (Mark I & II) – For high resolution, flexibility, and portability
Canon RF 100–300mm f/2.8L IS – A powerhouse zoom with incredible low-light ability
Canon RF 24–105mm f/2.8L IS – Our go-to for landscapes, close-range wildlife, and cultural scenes
Canon RF 400mm f/2.8L IS – Ideal for big cats, birds, and isolating subjects in layered environments
Canon RF 15–35mm f/2.8L IS – For immersive landscapes, dramatic skies, videography and storytelling close-ups
From the vast salt pans of Botswana to the misty forests around Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater, this setup gives us the flexibility to shoot anything, anywhere, under almost any condition.
EOS R1 in the Wild - Speed, Precision, and Creative Freedom
When you're photographing a lion mid-yawn, or tracking wild dogs on the move in Zambia's South Luangwa, timing isn't just important - it's everything. This is where the Canon EOS R1 shines.
Speed You Can Feel
The Canon R1’s 40 frames per second RAW burst mode, combined with pre-capture, means we’re no longer at the mercy of our reflexes. That fleeting moment - a lion cub pouncing, an elephant flaring its ears - isn’t just a “hope I got it” scenario anymore. The camera sees it before you do, and records it before you click.
In Tanzania’s Serengeti, we used the R1 to photograph cheetahs at full sprint. With the electronic shutter and zero blackout, we could track fluidly, keep the subject framed, and later choose the exact frame where the dust hit just right.
Videography on the R1
While I’m still a stills-first kind of photographer, the video capabilities on the R1 have opened a new layer of storytelling. On safari, we often capture:
Behind-the-scenes clips of guests photographing in golden light
Dramatic 4K slow-motion sequences (perfect for elephant herds or hyena pups playing)
Short reels and transitions for social media or guest highlight videos
The camera’s subject tracking in video mode is razor-sharp. Even with subjects partially obscured in long grass or moving unpredictably - like baboons in the Okavango floodplains, the R1 holds focus beautifully.
Weather-sealing is equally important. We’ve used the R1 during Botswana’s green season, shooting in rain, dust storms, and misty sunrises. The body just shrugs it off.
Why the EOS R5 Still Rocks on Safari - Light, Sharp, and Versatile
While the R1 is our safari workhorse, the Canon EOS R5 (both Mark I and the newer Mark II) remains an essential tool in our kit, especially when we want high resolution without the bulk, or need a backup that performs just as beautifully in the field.
I reach for the R5 when we’re on walking safaris in Mana Pools, or in the back of a mokoro in the Okavango Delta, where portability matters just as much as performance. Paired with the RF 100–300mm f/2.8, it becomes a stealthy combo for capturing crisp detail at range - without weighing down around your neck for hours.
Resolution for the Win
With 45 megapixels, the R5 mark 2 (and mark 1) delivers stunning detail, from the individual hairs on a lion’s mane in Hwange, to the texture of cracked salt flats in Etosha. It gives us room to crop, which is great when the subject won’t come closer or when we’re composing fast in tricky conditions.
Stabilization + IBIS
The R5’s in-body image stabilization is a dream when shooting handheld from a vehicle, or when you want to lower your shutter speed for creative motion blur in herd scenes. Combine that with the fast lenses in our kit, and it opens up new options in low-light safari moments - like photographing elephants under a blood-orange sunset over the Chobe River in Botswana.
R5 for Hybrid Shooters
Video on the R5 is no afterthought. With 4K at 120fps, excellent dynamic range, and dual pixel autofocus, it’s ideal for:
Guest highlight reels
Camp walkthroughs or cinematic B-roll
Short form content for Instagram or YouTube
We often capture slow-motion dust kicks, leopard tail flicks, or the playful antics of lion cubs on the R5, the detail and fluidity are consistently impressive.
Where We've Tested It - From Delta Waters to Rift Valleys
From the floodplains to the highlands - tested in every light, terrain, and season.
We don’t test gear in labs. We test it in real wildlife scenarios, across many countries, dozens of ecosystems, and with everything from professional photographers to first-time safari-goers.
Here’s a glimpse of where our Canon setup has delivered:
Botswana - Okavango Delta & Linyanti
From water-level hippo encounters to golden elephant dust baths, the EOS R1’s weather sealing and pre-capture buffer shine in fast-changing scenes. And the R5’s high resolution means those Okavango floodplain reflections are frame-worthy.
Zimbabwe & Zambia - Mana Pools, Hwange & South Luangwa
Walking safaris require lightweight, responsive gear. The R5 + 24–105mm combo is our favorite for capturing close-range elephant behavior or painted dogs on the move. The R1 handles the intensity of action scenes, especially in overcast forest light.
South Africa - Kruger & Sabi Sands
Shooting big cats at close range? The R1’s subject tracking + RF 400mm offers tack-sharp portraits and cinematic video. The R5 excels here for video highlights and landscape storytelling at golden hour.
Kenya & Tanzania - Masai Mara, Serengeti, Amboseli, Ngorongoro
From wildebeest migrations to cheetah hunts, these are high-action, big-drama landscapes. The R1's 40 fps burst is invaluable. For wide-angle context - elephants below Kilimanjaro, for instance, we reach for the RF 15–35mm f/2.8 and sometimes shoot 4K video alongside stills.
Why Gear Matters - But Story Comes First
Whether you're a seasoned wildlife photographer or bringing your first mirrorless body to Africa, here's something we always remind our guests:
Gear doesn’t make the moment. But the right gear lets you be ready for it.
The Canon EOS R1 and R5 systems, paired with professional-grade RF glass, have helped us and our guests be more prepared, more creative, and more focused on storytelling than ever before. From stills to video, portraits to panos, early morning mist to harsh midday sun, this setup has proven itself in every corner of Africa we've explored.
And while the cameras are exceptional, they’re just part of the experience. What truly elevates your safari is being out there with intention - slowing down, tuning into animal behavior, and chasing the light with a curious mind and an open shutter.
If that sounds like your kind of adventure, we’d love to have you join us on safari.
Come Shoot With Us - 5 Inspiring Safaris to Join
Looking for your next photography adventure? These guided experiences are designed to maximize your creativity, expand your skills, and immerse you in Africa’s most iconic ecosystems.
Track big cats and elephants through the magical floodplains of the Okavango Delta. Ideal for wide-angle storytelling and action shots.
One of our favorite destinations for on-foot photography, especially for capturing elephants up close and personal with the R5’s video capabilities.
Cheetahs, crossings, and golden light - pair the R1’s frame rate with Serengeti drama, and you’ll walk away with portfolio-worthy images.
Shoot towering elephants beneath Mt. Kilimanjaro with the RF 15–35mm, and capture the soft dusty evenings that make this region magical.
Tailored for your skill level and creative goals. Perfect for beginners to pros, with gear advice and personal coaching in the field.
Want More Tips, Stories, and Safari Insights?
Check out our African Photo Safari Blog - where we share destination spotlights, gear guides, creative inspiration, and guest stories from the field.
Final Word
If you’ve made it this far, thank you - and keep chasing the light. Whether you're shooting on a Canon R1, an R5, or something entirely different, the most important thing is to get out there, slow down, and see the wild with intention.
Hope to see you out on safari soon.
Nick Wigmore
Co-founder & Photographic Guide
