Should I Update My Camera Firmware Before Going on Safari? Here’s Why It Could Make or Break Your Best Shot
- Eric van Staden
- May 11
- 4 min read
You’re packing for a photographic safari in Africa. You’re headed to Botswana’s Okavango Delta, where elephants wade through flooded plains lit by golden afternoon sun. Or perhaps it’s Kenya’s Maasai Mara, where lions doze in the tall grass and the Great Migration thunders across the horizon. Maybe you’re bound for Tanzania’s Serengeti, where endless savannah meets a sky so wide it seems to swallow time. Your mind is abuzz with the adventures awaiting you, and your camera’s firmware is probably the last thing on your checklist or indeed your mind. But overlooking it could cost you the best shot of your life.
What Is Firmware and Why Does It Matter on Safari?
Firmware is the internal software that controls your camera’s core functions: Autofocus, image stabilization, lens compatibility, and performance under pressure. It’s not the same as the menu settings you adjust daily. Instead, firmware operates at a deeper level, influencing how your camera reacts in fast-paced environments, exactly like those you'll find on safari.
Updating it could possibly unlock faster focusing, animal eye detection, improved burst rates, and even bug fixes for issues you might not realize your camera has. If you’ve never updated yours, you're probably not getting the most out of your gear.
Risks of Updating to New Firmware Too Soon
However, proceed with caution! Not all firmware updates are flawless. Occasionally, camera brands release updates that introduce bugs like autofocus glitches, corrupted image files or battery drain. These problems often surface only after real-world use, meaning the first few weeks after release can be risky.
As a rule of thumb, avoid installing firmware released within say the last 30 days unless it fixes a major issue you're experiencing and has positive feedback from other photographers.
What to Do Instead
If your current firmware is significantly outdated, upgrade to the latest stable version that's at least a month old.
Check forums like DPReview, Reddit (r/photography), or your brand’s official communities to see if the latest update is causing issues.
Stick to firmware available on official manufacturer websites. Never download from third-party sources.
Camera firmware update for safari
Of course, firmware matters wherever you and your camera may find yourself, not just on safari.. We take guests on photographic safaris across:
Kenya: Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu
Tanzania: Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Ruaha
South Africa: Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands
Botswana: Chobe, Okavango Delta, Savute
Namibia: Etosha, Skeleton Coast, Sossusvlei
Zambia & Zimbabwe: Mana Pools, Lower Zambezi, Hwange
Each region presents different challenges to your equipment. With the potential for fast moving wildlife, dim pre dawn light, extreme dust, or long-range telephoto shots If your camera’s latest firmware offers even a small edge in autofocus, stability, or compatibility, it’s worth having. Out here, you don’t get second chances. Staying up to date isn’t just smart — it’s essential. We therefore highly recommend a camera firmware update for safari
What Firmware Updates Can Improve
Animal Eye Autofocus (Sony, Canon, Nikon): Essential for accurate focus on moving wildlife.
Improved lens communication: Especially important when using third-party lenses like Tamron or Sigma.
Better video performance: Updates can enhance stabilization or unlock higher frame rates for safari video work.
Memory card and buffer improvements: Crucial for burst shooting when predators are on the move.
How to Check and Install Updates
Check your current firmware version via the camera’s menu system.
Visit your manufacturer’s support page (here are just a few of the camera manufacturers web pages.):
Read the release notes to ensure the update is relevant and well-tested.
Charge your battery fully before starting the update.
Follow update instructions exactly — interruptions can disable your camera.
What About Lens Firmware?
Modern lenses, especially third-party brands like Tamron and Sigma, have firmware too. These updates can improve focus accuracy, lens stabilization, and video performance. Tamron offers a USB tool called the Tap-In Console to manage this easily.
Don’t Leave It to the Last Minute
Do your firmware prep at least a few weeks before your safari. This gives you time to install, test your gear, and get familiar with any new settings or performance changes.
Final Checklist
✅ Update your firmware to a stable release, not necessarily a brand-new one.
✅ Confirm compatibility with your lenses and memory cards.
✅ Test your autofocus, video, and burst speed after updating.
Your safari moments can’t be recreated. Don’t let a missed firmware update be the reason a leopard in golden light turns into a blurry regret. A little prep now means peace of mind and more magnificent images when it counts.
Final Word
Wherever you want to go on Safari in Africa, be it to Chobe, the Serengeti, or the Mara, our team at Photo Safari Company is here to help you get the most out of your safari photography — before, during, and after your trip. Browse our upcoming photo safaris for guided adventures across Africa's most iconic locations, or explore our African photo safari blog for expert gear advice, destination insights, and real field stories to help you prepare.
We hope you join us on safari soon
Eric Van Staden
Co-founder & Photographic Guide
