11 Best Binoculars for Safari in Africa

Are you getting your gear packed for a safari and looking for the best binoculars for a safari? Fantastic! You’re sure to observe fascinating African wildlife and create incredible memories. Outside the African savannah, a pair of binoculars is a powerful tool for birding, wildlife viewing, hiking, hunting, and astronomy.

Many people ask if they need safari binoculars in Africa, and all I can say is YES. Seriously picture this – you spot the elusive cheetah over yonder in the Savannah. The guide points to a dot in the distance, but you can’t even see the big cat because you lack compact binoculars. Talk about a disappointing – not to mention an anticlimactic animal sighting.

After countless safaris, we want to prevent that disappointment. Not all wildlife binoculars are the same in quality and price. This post covers the critical points for compact binoculars so shoppers get the best binoculars for their money.

---

The Best Binoculars for Safari

---

Quick Comparison Table

Safari Binoculars	Magnification	Rating	Average Price
Nikon Monarch 5 8×42	42	4.8*	$275
Bushnell 10×42 Engage X Binoculars	42	4.5*	$150
Celestron 71336 Nature DX	56	4.5*	$160
Wingspan Optics Thunderbird 8×42 Ultra HD	42	4.5*	$260
Steiner AZ830	30	4.5*	$130
Leupold Bx-1 McKenzie 12×50	50	4.5*	$180
Snypex Knight D-ED 8×32	32	4.5*	$199
Avalon 8×32 Mini HD	32	4.5*	$125
Avalon 10×42 PRO HD	42	4.5*	$160
Opticron Traveller BGA ED 10×32	32	4*	$470
Swarovski Optik EL 10×42	42	4*	$2,000

---

Nikon Monarch 5 8×42

Another phenomenal mid-range option for your safari viewing is the Nikon Monarch 5. Nikon has long been a reputable name in binocular manufacturing, and the Monarch is an excellent example. Its popular design suits various uses such as birding, star gazing, hunting, wildlife viewing, or safari.

The 42mm lens diameter allows for excellent low-light viewing, while the body is built for extreme use – perfect for a safari. Rubber-armored body and entirely waterproof, this pair will hold up to the elements as you dive into the wilderness.

In addition, the Monarch offers a very long eye relief (the distance from the viewing lens to your eye), which maximizes eye comfort for extended viewing and is perfect if you wear glasses. In contrast, these binoculars are one of the more expensive options for compact binoculars. They’re considered the gold standard due to their exceptional optics and build.

---

Bushnell 10×42 Engage X Binoculars

The Bushnell 10×42 Engage X Binoculars take our pick for the best budget binoculars for safari. Bushnell has long been making great binoculars for all price ranges. The Bushnell 10×42 Engage X Binoculars have amazing HD clarity and quality optics for less than $200.

The low light and clarity of the optics are very good. However, the clarity does diminish a little on the edges with a slight vignette. It’s unlikely most hobby users would ever notice, but compared to a higher-end pair of binoculars side by side, it is noticeable. Like all Bushnell products, they are durable and have an O ring sealed for fog-free viewing.

The nonslip rubber provides a firm grip, and the center focus knob is large enough for easy and seamless adjustments. It’s the perfect pair of binoculars for first-time safari-goers seeking value over top-of-the-line performance. Overall, we’d rate these as the best budget binoculars on the market.

---

Celestron 71336 Nature DX

When you’re determined not to let any darkness, nook, or cranny stand between you and viewing wildlife, then the Celestron 71336 is your tool of choice. With a whopping 56mm objective lens diameter option, this pair of safari binoculars capture more light than its smaller counterparts to give a very bright and clear image.

The massive objective lens size does come with a couple of drawbacks. However, that comes in the form of size and weight. These are bulky binoculars. Yes, you’ll get a phenomenal image while using them, but trying to tote them around your neck and hold them up to your eyes all day will get very tiring. We recommend you utilize a tripod if you plan on extended viewing times.

---

Steiner 8×42 Safari Binocular

These binoculars are marketed toward the birdwatchers amongst us. The Steiner Safari Binocular is an exceptional pair of binoculars for birding with clear and bright wildlife viewing. Steiner invested a lot of time into their prism technology to optimize the colors and details you’d expect to see on a bird’s plumage, vividly revealing the most minute details of any animal you’re watching.

A 42mm objective lens diameter also provides ample brightness for low-light situations. While we would be interested to see a model with increased magnification, the waterproofing, rugged rubber armoring, and fog-proofing collectively help propel these binoculars into our list of top safari binoculars. I loved how these feel in hand yet remain compact enough for travel.

---

Steiner Optics Predator Series Binoculars

For a blend of porro-prism image quality and compactness at an affordable price, the Steiner Predator Series is the ideal port of call. The compact design allows the binoculars to be stored almost anywhere, and the rugged design will keep them in good condition for the duration of your trip.

These binoculars are slightly heavier for their small size, however. So, if you’re planning on viewing them for hours at a time, it may be wise to look into lighter options. Weight aside, these are a solid choice for a pair of travel/safari binoculars without the steep cost of high-grade binoculars.

---

Leupold Bx-1 McKenzie 12×50

As we slowly creep upwards in price and quality, we have the Leupold Bx-1. These safari binoculars are built with extreme magnification in low-light situations in mind and are at the very cusp of what we would recommend for handheld safari binoculars.

With a 12x magnification value, this pair can bring even the farthest animals into sharp focus. This holds true even when they’re in shade or darkness, thanks to the 50mm objective lens diameter. Remember, however, that 12x is right around the point where any handshaking will be highlighted greatly and can potentially interfere with your viewing.

If you’ve had trouble with wobbly images before or are planning on extended viewing, we recommend considering a tripod for optimal use. As with any pair of safari binoculars worth their salt, this model is fully waterproof and built with a rugged casing for full adventure mode.

---

Snypex Knight D-ED 8×32

The Snypex Knight does an excellent job of blending the high-quality images of a full-sized pair of binoculars with a compact and rugged design that is easiest for traveling. The travel aspect of the binoculars is also accentuated by the fully waterproof design and water-repellent coatings on the exterior lenses.

The exceptional craftsmanship and addition of dielectric mirror coatings make these roof-prism binoculars a force to be reckoned with. While a little pricey, you’re putting yourself on the right track for phenomenal animal sightings during your safari. These are among the best safari binoculars for birders especially.

---

ZEISS 8×32 Conquest HD Binoculars

As we continue our trend of high-power compact binoculars, we have the Zeiss 8×32. This pair is small enough to fit into a jacket pocket or a small daypack but will still deliver powerful images for your enjoyment. We tend to recommend these binoculars for those of you who value a compact, rugged, great design above all else.

The roof-prism design keeps them nice and slim, while the waterproofing allows you to use them in all conditions on your travels. However, that means they fail to deliver crisp images similar to the bulkier designs with increased magnification and lens diameters. Nevertheless, this is an exceptional pair of binoculars.

---

Meopta MeoPro 10×42 HD Binocular

If you’re looking for a pair of safari binoculars that are a step up from the lower grade, compact versions but still won’t break the bank, these Meopta MeoPro HD binoculars are an excellent midway compromise.

The PRO HD improves upon its compact cousin, the mini HD, by bumping the magnification from 8x to 10x and increasing the objective lens diameter from 32mm to 42mm. These improvements allow for much better wildlife viewing at greater distances and in lower light conditions.

Coupled with excellent rubber armoring, a fully waterproof design, and fog-proofing, these safari binoculars are an excellent purchase for those looking for a solid pair of binoculars for a trip. Still, they don’t want the serious investment of a professional pair.

---

Opticron Traveller BGA ED 10×32

Those of you looking for the image quality of higher-end binoculars but don’t want to sacrifice compactness. The Opticron Traveller are some of the best binoculars for safari. Built with a high-quality multi-coated optics system, the Traveller delivers crystal clear images while clocking in at only 16oz (1lb).

As always, this pair is fully waterproof and well armored, making it the perfect small binocular to stash away in your bag and not worry about damage. The exceptional quality comes at a high price, as you may well expect. But when you’re looking for a high-quality, packable, and manageable pair of binoculars, it is well worth the price.

---

Swarovski Optik EL 10×42

When looking for the absolute best for your wildlife viewing adventures, look no further than the Swarovski EL. Swarovski has been the binocular brand of choice amongst many wildlife guides for years, and the EL is amongst the company’s top models.

The materials, lenses, and prism systems are all manufactured to exceptionally high standards, which shows in the crystal clear and bright images that the binoculars yield. Excellent in low-light conditions and adverse weather, these binoculars deliver the best. But please be sure you’ll use them to their full potential before you make such a large investment!

---

What to Consider for Safari Binoculars

---

Binocular Type

Unless you’ve taken a close look at binoculars in the past, you may not even be aware that there are two distinct variations on the market for you to consider – porro-prism and roof-prism. The porro-prism type is the classic design where the larger objective lenses (those that face what you’re looking at) are offset significantly from the eyepiece lenses.

The roof-prism type is the more modern style, where the objective lenses are directly in line with the eyepiece lenses, resulting in a much slimmer and compact design. These two designs feature different methods of reflecting light from the objective lens all the way to your eyeball, the specifics of which we won’t get into here. Still, you should be aware of significant differences in image quality.

The roof-prism concept requires significant precision and craftsmanship to produce high-quality images while keeping the primary lenses in line. The porro-prism, on the other hand, have an easier time producing a more robust image for the same price.

Bottom line. Lower-priced porro-prism designs tend to offer better image quality than roof-prism designs of the same price. Therefore, the porro-prism is well worth a look if you are on a budget.

However, be aware that technology and processes are constantly improving and producing exceptional roof-prism designs. This is especially true as your price range increases. This, combined with their sleek, ergonomic design, make them your best bet when you’re willing to pay for the best binoculars on the market.

---

Magnification

One of the first specifications you’ll see for a pair of binoculars is a pair of numbers, such as 10×25. The first of these numbers represents the magnification of the binoculars. In this case, the ten means that the pair of binoculars will make an object appear ten times closer than it is.

It’s easy to immediately conclude that the higher the magnification, the better the binoculars will be for wildlife viewing, but this is not necessarily true. If you’re planning on using just your hands to hold the binoculars and not a tripod, then look for binoculars with a magnification rating of around 10.

Magnifications higher than 12 tend to highlight hand-shake when trying to focus, reduce the image’s overall brightness, and reduce the depth of field (meaning more of the object will be out of focus).

Conversely, magnifications less than eight tend to reduce all these problems and have a shorter range and decreased image quality. Just for clarification, magnification of 8x or 10x is ideal. Anything under 8x or greater than 10x should be avoided.

---

Objective Lens Diameter

The second number in the specification refers to the objective lens diameter in millimeters. Returning to the 10×25 we used above. The 25 indicates a 25mm objective lens diameter.

Remember, the objective lens is the large lens on the end of the binoculars that you point towards what you want to view. The size of this particular lens correlates directly to how much light your binoculars can gather; larger lenses produce brighter images in dark conditions than their smaller counterparts.

Naturally, larger lenses spawn larger and more cumbersome binoculars. The trick is to find the right size for your purposes and consider what conditions you’ll use your binoculars. If you’re planning on only using your binoculars in bright conditions during the day, then a 32mm will likely suit your needs.

Planning for some early morning or late evening viewing? Then consider 42mm binoculars to make sure you get a brighter image.

---

General Considerations

Any binocular that’s intended for serious outdoor use is likely to meet rough conditions – not to mention rain – along the way. It’s prudent to consider the binocular casing when researching. Keep an eye out for an all-encompassing rubber armor. This provides improved grip during use and will help protect the sensitive materials inside from accidental falls.

Additionally, we highly recommend that you invest in waterproofing. This will help protect the delicate optics inside from fogging with quick temperature changes and defend against dust and/or sand intrusion, which can significantly affect your viewing quality.

---

Weight

Assuming you don’t live in the place, you will be on safari and have to travel to Africa. You’ll want to pick a pair of binoculars that don’t weigh too much. The smaller and lighter your safari binoculars are, the easier they will be to travel with.

If you’re on a walking safari, the lighter binoculars will for sure be less taxing. Smaller binoculars are actually easier to hold and grip too. I would suggest staying under 3 pounds for your binoculars.

---

Advice on Buying Safari Binoculars

There you go, folks! We’ve covered the basic points to consider when purchasing safari binoculars for your next wildlife viewing adventure and introduced you to our list of the top safari binoculars on the market.

You’re all set to pick the pair that will perfectly complement your adventures! Remember that you don’t need binoculars to enjoy your African safari. We went on quite a few safaris without any and still had a fantastic time. If you are passionate about wildlife and getting a good glimpse at the African wildlife

I highly suggest bringing at least one pair for your travel group. I should also mention that many African lodges won’t provide you with safari binocular rentals. However, most guides will have a pair and will let you borrow them!

---

Plan Your Trip to Africa

Traditionally if you wanted to book a safari, you’d have to go to a travel agent and have them book your safari for you. They suggest camps and lodges then present you with a large bill. Most of the industry still operates in this fashion.

However, Timbuktu is a new platform that allows you to select the lodges you’d like and see the pricing per day that way you can select the best itinerary for yourself. They will then contact the lodges and help you through booking your safari. Experts on staff can also provide suggestions and arrange the little details like a travel agent. Safari Bookings is another platform that offers slightly cheaper safari options that are fantastic.

---

What to Wear for an African Safari

Packing the right safari clothes is always a good idea, but it’s never essential because you can wear whatever you want. We also go in-depth on the best women’s safari clothes!

---

---