THE BEST CAMERAS + GADGETS FOR YOUR RIDING SAFARI
You’ve booked the trip. Now you want to make sure you capture the most epic photos and videos possible for memories of a lifetime. We’ve tried all of these cameras on multiple rides and each has it’s pros and cons.
CAMERAS
GOPRO HERO 11
Starting strong with the best stabilisation in the game, incredible quality and surprisingly good sound. We have dropped this camera in the snow, hit it against every surface you can image, carried it on almost every ride we’ve tested over the last two years and made countless reels from the great footage it captures. Apart from your phone this is probably the best camera to have on a riding holiday.
PROS
+ Incredible stabliasation
+ Great sound quality
+ Fits easily into your pocket while riding
+ Easy to edit on the Quik App on your phone
+ Quick charging batteries + affordable extra batteries
CONS
+ The wide framing means you miss a lot of the action
+ No real zoom (you can fix it at 2x but it’s impossible to use while riding. The action will look further away from you than it felt in real life
GoPro MAX — Waterproof 360 + Traditional Camera with Touch Screen
This 360 camera has a camera on each side of the body and magically stitches it together to show your world in 360. This gives you endless options of cutting your videos. In one video you can cut to POV view over your horses ears or swivel the view to face yourself. You will never miss a shot again!
PROS
+ So many video angle options
+ Incredible stabliasation
+ Great sound quality
+ Fits easily into your pocket while riding
CONS
+ Difficult to edit the footage. You need a laptop and special software. With so many barriers to actually getting it done so your footage might never be seen.
+ No real zoom (you can fix it at 2x but it’s impossible to use while riding. The action will look further away from you than it felt in real life
IPHONE PRO (11 - 14)
Every version of the iPhone with the three cameras on the back, and even the newer ones with only two, have incredible stabilisation. Smooth video is key when you’re filming from horseback and your phone is hands down the best camera to take on a riding safari. Just don’t drop it!
PROS
+ Easily accessible
+ More likely to use and share the content as it’s RIGHT THERE ON YOUR PHONE
+ Creating iPhone and iPhone Share Album that everyone adds their photos too makes it so easy to share photos!
+ Battery life lasts forever these days
+ Airdrop is so good for sharing with other guests
CONS
+ Not great in lowlight but you should be enjoying your sundowner drink and talking to the other guests then anyawy
+ Doesn’t work well in cold temperatures. The battery drains quickly and it might switch off randomly. Keep it in an internal pocket and bring a small battery pack.
RAY BAN STORIES
Ray-Ban® Stories, the new collection of smart glasses realised in collaboration with Facebook. Explore all the features including camera, audio and you can even receive your WhatsApp messages on these things! The camera is voice operated so you can still have two hands on the reins while you gallop across a savannah somewhere. PERFECT FOR SAFARIS! Definitely get some. RRP £299.
PROS
+ Easily accessible hands free photo and video
+ Easy to sync to your phone with an app
+ Listen to podcasts while on horseback!
+ Great POV filming
+ Film and still be in the moment
CONS
+ Resolution less than 4K
+ The case that charges them is bulky
+ Doesn’t film in 9:18 so you will need to zoom in and reduce resolution for stories and reels
+ This doesn’t replace your phone or DSLR but they’re so fun!
KODAK EKTAR H35 Half Frame Film Camera, 35mm, Reusable, Focus-Free, Lightweight
Get old school vibes with this £50 reusable film camera. Give yourself the extra pleasure of discovering a second round of memories 6 months after the trip when you finally get around to getting the film developed. She’s cute, she’s special, she’s worth it. You’ll need some film and some AAA batteries to get her going.
PROS
+ Old school cool
+ She’s pretty
CONS
+ None, it’s perfect
GADGETS
POWER BANK: You must take a power bank on every riding holiday. This one is powerful and will charge your phone for a week - it can even charge your laptop.
If you just need a power bank to have in your pocket for day ride then this one will do the trick.
SOLAR PANEL CHARGER: This solar panel charger fits in any saddle bag and will give you endless energy for charging your phone, drone batteries, go-pros, usb headlamps and any other gadget you bought with you. Perfect for truly off-grid experiences like in Kyrgyzstan or New Zealand.
