#10 Best Binoculars for Safari 2023
Don't miss out on the exhilarating experience of spotting a wide variety of wildlife with the best binoculars for safari. So, check out our recommendations below!
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When you go on safari, there’s one tool you can’t forget: binoculars. Not only are they great for Alaska cruises and whale watching, but a pair of binoculars is also great to have with you when you go on safari. With the best binoculars for safari, you can capture every view of wildlife in vivid detail, from a group of elephants in a pond, a tiger sitting on a rock, or a variety of birds perched on a tree. This small equipment will give you a wonderful and unforgettable safari experience.
And to help you in your search for the best binoculars for safari, we have compiled a list of the ten best binoculars available. So without further ado, read on and find the best one for you!
Table of contents
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1.Celestron Nature DX 8x42 Binoculars: Best Overall
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2.Steiner 10x26 Safari UltraSharp Binoculars: Best Performance
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3.Athlon Optics 8x42 Midas Binoculars: Best Value
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4.Celestron TrailSeeker 8x42 Binoculars: Best Durable
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5.Bushnell 10x42 Engage EDX Binoculars: Best Waterproof
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6.Nikon Monarch M5 10x42 Binoculars: Best Comfortable Grip
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7.Swarovski 8.5x42 EL Binoculars: Best Premium
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8.Opticron Savanna R PC 10x33 Binoculars: Best Lightweight
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9.Burris 8x42 Droptine Binoculars: Best Reasonable Price
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10.Zeiss 8x32 Conquest HD Binoculars: Best All-Rounder
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Cant find the answer you’re looking for? Reach out to our Q&A community.
Do I need the best binoculars on safari?
In our opinion, yes, you need a pair of binoculars when you travel on safari. Because the animals you want to see may be far away from the tourist car, binoculars are a very important tool to bring with you on safari. You don’t want to miss out on the excitement of seeing a herd of giraffes eating leaves, a lion hanging out on a rock, and so on. So, if you want to increase your fun on safari, you need a pair of binoculars.
What factor should I consider before purchasing the best safari binoculars?
- Size: Because you will be adventuring in the wild in Africa. Having lightweight binoculars will help you as they won’t add to your luggage’s weight and are easy for you to carry.
- Magnification: This factor depends on you and the large object you want to see. For example, 8×42 binoculars, then the first number is the magnification. So, 8x means that the binoculars magnify 8 times the object as what you see with the naked eye.
- Objective Lens: If magnification is the number on the front, the objective lens is the number on the back. And the bigger the number, the lighter you can gather, so this would be suitable for night safaris.
- Weatherproof: Binoculars with a weatherproof feature will be handy as they will give you durability in any weather. Especially if you are traveling during the early morning in Africa, this can fog up the lenses of your binoculars. So binoculars with waterproof and fog-proof features are a good choice.
How much should I spend on the best binoculars for safari?
To get a pair of binoculars for a safari, you will probably spend around $100 to $300. At this price, you can already get a good pair of binoculars to take with you on your adventures in Africa. But if you want to invest in binoculars, you might be able to have binoculars that cost above $1000, such as Zeiss Conquest HD Binoculars and Swarovski EL Binoculars.
What magnification do I need for a pair of safari binoculars?
Bigger is not always better, and neither is magnification. The larger the magnification of the binoculars, the harder it will be for you to focus the binoculars for wildlife viewing. Therefore, we recommend looking for safari binoculars with 8x or 10x magnification. And our recommendations below are all binoculars that have 8x and 10x magnification. So choose the best one!
Name | Rank | Check Prices |
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Celestron
Nature DX 8x42 Binoculars | #1 | Amazon Celestron.com eBay |
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Steiner
10x26 Safari UltraSharp Binoculars | #2 | Amazon Steiner-optics.com eBay |
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Athlon Optics
8x42 Midas Binoculars | #3 | Amazon Athlonoptics.com eBay |
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Celestron
TrailSeeker 8x42 Binoculars | #4 | Amazon Celestron.com eBay |
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Bushnell
10x42 Engage EDX Binoculars | #5 | Amazon Bushnell.com eBay |
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Nikon
Monarch M5 10x42 Binoculars | #6 | Amazon Nikonusa.com eBay |
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Swarovski
8.5x42 EL Binoculars | #7 | Amazon Swarovskioptik.com eBay |
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Opticron
Savanna R PC 10x33 Binoculars | #8 | Amazon Opticronusa.com eBay |
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Burris
8x42 Droptine Binoculars | #9 | Amazon Bhphotovideo.com eBay |
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Zeiss
8x32 Conquest HD Binoculars | #10 | Amazon Bhphotovideo.com eBay |
10 List of Best Binoculars for Safari
- Have a problem
with this product?#1Celestron Nature DX 8x42 Binoculars
Best Overall
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:Coming with a rating of over 3,000+ on Amazon, these Celestron Nature DX 8×42 Binoculars are top-rated binoculars that you can use in various outdoor activities. They are also suitable for beginners to mid-range outdoor and safari enthusiasts. On top of that, these binoculars feature multi-coated lenses combined with BAK4 prisms to produce bright, high-resolution images.
Besides, these safari binoculars are constructed with waterproof, fog-proof, and polycarbonate housing to withstand any conditions. They also come with 8x magnification and a 42mm objective lens, which is great for viewing wildlife clearly.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Top-rated binoculars
Suitable for beginners and mid-range outdoor enthusiasts
Features multi-coated lenses combined with BAK4 prisms
Waterproof and fog-proof
8x magnification and a 42mm objective lensCons (reasons to avoid)
Mediocre low-light performanceWhat other experts liked
These binoculars provide a great birdwatching experience at a bargain price, treating you to an impressively sharp image, fast and easy focus adjustment, and comfort in hand.What other experts didn't like
The carrying case and neck strap that comes with the binoculars are not of the best quality. - Have a problem
with this product?#2Steiner 10x26 Safari UltraSharp Binoculars
Best Performance
1 readers vote1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:Every traveler will need a pair of binoculars to capture the various wildlife sights during your safari. So, these Steiner 10×26 Safari UltraSharp Binoculars are designed for you. Moreover, this pair will provide accurate colors, low-light capabilities, and durability suitable for safari use in Africa. That’s because these binoculars are equipped with durable polycarbonate with NBR long-life rubber armoring to deliver durable performance. In addition, these UltraSharp binoculars feature high-contrast coatings and close focus for bright and sharp images.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Provide accurate colors and low-light capabilities
Equipped with durable polycarbonate with NBR long-life rubber armoring
Features high-contrast coatings and close focus
10x magnification and a 26mm objective lensCons (reasons to avoid)
There is no tripod connectivity optionWhat other experts liked
The Steiner Safari Ultrasharp 10x26 are very compact and portable binoculars suitable for a broad range of observational uses.What other experts didn't like
The only rub is the eyepieces which have taken some time and commitment to adapt to and use effectively. - Have a problem
with this product?#3Athlon Optics 8x42 Midas Binoculars
Best Value
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:Suppose you’re looking for binoculars with excellent value on the market. In that case, these Athlon Optics 8×42 Midas Binoculars are a great choice. These binoculars are equipped with UHD glass lenses, advanced fully multi-coated optics, and BAK4 prisms to collect optimum light and produce excellent color fidelity. Moreover, these Midas binoculars feature a non-slip soft texture grip to prevent them from falling when safari. They also have Argon purged to give excellent waterproofing, fog-proofing, and thermal stability in harsh conditions.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Equipped with UHD glass lenses, advanced fully multi-coated optics, and BAK4 prisms
Features a non-slip soft texture grip
Comes with Argon purged
Waterproof and fog-proofCons (reasons to avoid)
Lack of a side strapWhat other experts liked
Athlon Optics did really well in scarifying the expensive factors yet remaining a great acceptable performance.What other experts didn't like
It is tough handling binoculars at times due to the absence of a side strap. - Have a problem
with this product?#4Celestron TrailSeeker 8x42 Binoculars
Best Durable
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:Celestron TrailSeeker 8×42 Binoculars are constructed with a sturdy magnesium alloy frame that makes these binoculars lightweight, so you can carry them easily on safari. They are also waterproof and ergonomic in design, allowing you to withstand any conditions. In addition, these safari binoculars feature BAK4 prisms with phase and dielectric coatings that provide bright and sharp images. Also, these TrailSeeker binoculars have 8x magnification and a 42mm objective lens for easy wildlife viewing without the need to move the binoculars.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Constructed with a sturdy magnesium alloy frame
Waterproof and ergonomic design
Features BAK4 prisms with phase and dielectric coatings
8x magnification and a 42mm objective lensCons (reasons to avoid)
The rubber is a bit stickyWhat other experts liked
The Celestron TrailSeeker 8x42 binocular is ideal for those after a compact binocular for Astro-travel and all-round use.What other experts didn't like
Additionally, the rubber feels slightly sticky. Particularly on hot days, this can feel a bit odd. - Have a problem
with this product?#5Bushnell 10x42 Engage EDX Binoculars
Best Waterproof
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:Bushnell 10×42 Engage EDX Binoculars are equipped with EXO barrier lens coating that repels water, debris, oil, and fog. With this feature, you can use this pair in any weather, whether hot or rainy. Furthermore, these binoculars are also ideal for safari use as they have fully multi-coated optics to provide exceptionally bright and crisp images.
Moreover, they also feature ED prime glass to provide great color, high-resolution images, and low-light performance. These safari binoculars also come with a lightweight and rugged magnesium chassis to be fully waterproof.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Equipped with EXO barrier lens coating
Features fully multi-coated optics
High-resolution and low-light performance
WaterproofCons (reasons to avoid)
HeavyWhat other experts liked
Resolving power is exceptional. I can see minute detail that is hard to make out with most other binoculars in this price range.What other experts didn't like
It’s a bit heavier than I expected, but the quality is great. - Have a problem
with this product?#6Nikon Monarch M5 10x42 Binoculars
Best Comfortable Grip
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:Nikon Monarch M5 10×42 Binoculars come with a modern rubber armored exterior design that will give shock resistance and a comfortable grip. And they feature 10x magnification and a 42mm objective lens to provide bright and sharp images. Moreover, these binoculars are equipped with ED glass lenses for excellent low-light performance. They also have locking diopter control to preserve your personal setting. On top of that, these binoculars are constructed with waterproof and nitrogen-purged to give a fog-proof performance.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Comes with a modern rubber armored exterior design
Features 10x magnification and a 42mm objective lens
Excellent low-light performance
Equipped with locking diopter control
Waterproof and fog-proofCons (reasons to avoid)
The eyepiece is a bit looseWhat other experts liked
These Nikons have a larger field of view, which makes it easier to find and center on a bird, and they are much brighter and crisper, making details much more visible.What other experts didn't like
The eyepiece cover is very loose. - Have a problem
with this product?#8Opticron Savanna R PC 10x33 Binoculars
Best Lightweight
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:Opticron Savanna R PC 10×33 Binoculars are equipped with a compact roof prism optical design that will provide sharp and bright images while on safari. In addition, these binoculars have a nitrogen waterproof construction that will be able to hold these binoculars for use in all kinds of weather. They also feature textured rubber armor that allows you to grip the pair steadily. In addition, these safari binoculars also have PC phase-corrected prisms to provide extra clarity to the objects you see.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Provide sharp and bright images
Features nitrogen waterproof construction
Have textured rubber armor
Comes with PC phase-corrected prismsCons (reasons to avoid)
Bulky designWhat other experts liked
Good optics quality considering the lightweight and the light price range.What other experts didn't like
There's a slight bit of chromatic aberration, but no more than can be expected at this price point. - Have a problem
with this product?#9Burris 8x42 Droptine Binoculars
Best Reasonable Price
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:If you’re seeking a pair of binoculars at a reasonable price, then these Burris 8×42 Droptine Binoculars are for you. They also come in a compact and lightweight design for easy carrying on your safari holiday. Moreover, these compact binoculars feature nitrogen filled to provide excellent waterproof and fog-proof performance in extreme weather conditions. They also have rubber armored for extra protection and a non-slip grip. Besides, these binoculars combine HD lenses and roof prisms to deliver sharp images and excellent clarity.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Reasonable-price
Compact and lightweight
Features nitrogen filled
Equipped with rubber armored
Come with HD lenses and roof prisms to deliver bright imagesCons (reasons to avoid)
Provide little squeak noise when adjusting the focusing wheelWhat other experts liked
They were light, and the rubber felt great when I grabbed for them to use.What other experts didn't like
At a certain adjustment position, the focusing wheel produces a small squeak noise. - Have a problem
with this product?#10Zeiss 8x32 Conquest HD Binoculars
Best All-Rounder
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:Zeiss 8×32 Conquest HD Binoculars are an excellent option for those seeking all-rounder binoculars for extended use. Why? Because these binoculars come with a compact size and durable body construction that will ensure readiness to be used in various weather conditions when you go on an adventure.
In addition, these all-rounder binoculars feature Zeiss LotuTec coating that will give you a clear view in any weather condition. They also have a Zeiss T coating designed to ensure these binoculars have great and high-contrast images under different lighting conditions.
Pros (reasons to buy)
All-rounder binoculars
Comes with a compact size and durable body construction
Features Zeiss LotuTec coating
Equipped with Zeiss T coatingCons (reasons to avoid)
HeavyWhat other experts liked
If you’re looking to get unmatched design and optical features as well as more value for money when buying binoculars today, the Zeiss Conquest 8×32 is your best bet.What other experts didn't like
Clear, great magnification, but a bit heavy.
Conclusion: Best Binoculars for Safari
The experience of spotting a wide variety of wildlife in real-time will be a memorable one that you will never forget with your family or partner. And the best binoculars for safari will amplify the pleasure of this activity. So, if you plan to go to Africa and go on a safari, you will need a pair of binoculars. To conclude, we hope you can find the best binoculars for safari from our recommendations above.