Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Binoculars for Safari

When packing for a safari, binoculars are easily one of the most important items you can bring.

You’ve likely invested a lot of time and money into your trip, so having a proper pair of binoculars ensures you don’t miss out on those once-in-a-lifetime sightings. Whether it’s a lion resting under a tree, a leopard hidden in the grass, or elephants moving across the plains, binoculars allow you to truly experience the detail.

While you might occasionally get close to wildlife, most sightings happen at a distance. Guides are incredibly skilled at spotting animals you’d never notice on your own, but without binoculars, you may struggle to see what they’ve found.

So, what should you actually look for when choosing safari binoculars?

Choosing the Best Binoculars for Safari

The two most important factors are magnification and objective lens size.

Magnification

It’s tempting to go for the highest magnification possible, but more isn’t always better.

Higher magnification does bring you closer to the subject, but it also introduces a few downsides:

• Image shake – Small hand movements are amplified, especially in a moving vehicle.
• Narrower field of view – You see less of the landscape at once.
• Harder to locate animals – Finding your subject can become frustrating.

For safari use, balance is key.

We’d suggest sticking with 8x or 10x magnification.

• 8x binoculars are easier to hold steady and give you a wider field of view, which is ideal for scanning the landscape and locating animals quickly.
• 10x binoculars give you a little more reach, which can be useful on open plains, but they do require steadier hands.

Objective Lens Size

The objective lens size is the second number in a binocular specification, such as the 42 in 8x42. This determines how much light the binoculars let in.

Larger objective lenses such as 42mm or 50mm produce brighter images and perform better in low light.

Smaller objective lenses such as 25mm or 32mm are more compact and lightweight, but they won’t be quite as bright.

On safari, early mornings and evenings are often the best times for wildlife viewing, so brightness matters. At the same time, you don’t necessarily want something too bulky hanging around your neck all day.

That’s why we’d usually recommend either 32mm or 42mm objective lenses for safari binoculars.

Best Binocular Specifications for Safari

For most people, the best safari binoculars will be one of the following:

• 8x42 – A great all-round choice with a bright image and a wide field of view.
• 10x42 – Ideal if you want a little more magnification without sacrificing too much brightness.
• 8x32 – A lighter, more compact option that is still very capable.
• 10x32 – A nice middle ground for those wanting a compact binocular with a bit more reach.

Other Important Features for Safari Binoculars

Waterproof and Fogproof Construction

Safari conditions can be dusty, hot, and unpredictable. A good pair of safari binoculars should be tough enough to handle the outdoors.

Look for binoculars that are fully waterproof, nitrogen or argon purged to prevent internal fogging, and protected by a durable rubber armour finish.

Long Eye Relief

If you wear glasses or sunglasses, eye relief is an important feature to consider.

Eye relief refers to how far your eyes can be from the eyepieces while still seeing the full image properly. Binoculars with longer eye relief are much more comfortable for glasses wearers.

As a guide, look for binoculars with an eye relief of around 17mm or more.

Weight and Comfort

You may be carrying your binoculars for long periods, so comfort matters. Full sized binoculars often give the best viewing experience, but compact models can be a better option if you want to travel light.

If you do go for a larger pair, a binocular harness can make them much more comfortable to carry throughout the day.

How Much Should You Spend on Safari Binoculars?

As with most optics, you generally get what you pay for.

Cheaper binoculars can be perfectly usable, but they often fall short in image clarity, low light performance, and overall build quality. If you’re planning a safari, even if it’s a once in a lifetime trip, it’s worth choosing a decent mid-range pair rather than the cheapest option available.

Better quality binoculars will make wildlife easier to spot, more enjoyable to view, and ultimately help you get more from your safari experience.

Final Thoughts

For safari, the best binoculars are the ones that strike a balance between magnification, brightness, field of view, and comfort.

For most travellers, an 8x42 will be the best all-round choice, while 8x32, 10x32, and 10x42 can also be excellent options depending on your priorities.

To browse suitable options, check out all of our 8x32 binoculars, 10x32 binoculars, 10x42 binoculars, and 8x42 binoculars.