6 Best Binoculars For Safari of 2024

By Bryan ListorLast update: 2024-04-16

To see breathtaking landscapes and observe nature more accurately, packing the best binocular for safari is the first thing on your checklist.

We’ve prepared the following list of 6 top-rated models, picked according to 6 common categories in case somebody who needs to buy a new one. Read on!

Here are the best binoculars for safari (Apr 2024 Update):

  • Best Overall: Bushnell Binocular
  • Top Rated: Adorrgon Binocular
  • Most Compact: Occer Binocular
  • Best For Photo-Enthusiasts: Gosky Binocular
  • Best For Beginners: Celestron 71332
  • Best For Eyeglass Wearers: Nikon 7576 MONARCH 5
Top 6 Best Binoculars For Safari
Best Overall
Bushnell Binocular
    Read Our Review
    Top Rated
    Adorrgon Binocular
      Read Our Review
      Most Compact
      Occer Binocular
        Read Our Review
        Best For Photo-Enthusiasts
        Gosky Binocular
          Read Our Review
          Best For Beginners
          Celestron 71332
            Read Our Review
            Best For Eyeglass Wearers
            Nikon 7576 MONARCH 5
              Read Our Review

              Best Overall: Bushnell Binocular

              Top Pick
              Bushnell Binocular
              Bushnell Binocular
              Pros
              • Give better grip than the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD's

              • Can be focused sharply with less color aberration

              • Well-collimated, durable, and fog-proof while keeping the price low

              Cons
              • A bit heavy compared to its size

              • The rubber eyepiece collars are hard

              Roofs are more durable than Porros, which is the reason I pick this Bushnell binocular. It has a rugged, well-constructed body with high magnification, BaK-4 prisms, fog- and waterproof features.

              But what we impress the most is its good collimation, especially under direct sunlight, they can be quickly focused, edge to edge image quality with less color aberration. We appreciate the added strap, case, and 4 rubber end caps to secure the binocular’s lens better.

              Compared to the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD's, this comes in a softer and thicker grip to give an edge on friendliness.

              Bushnell Binocular Specifications

              Magnification

              10x

              Field of View (feet @ 1000yds)

              305/102

              Prism

              BaK-4 Roof

              Eye Relief (mm)

              17

              Weight

              25 oz.

              Highlight Features

              100 percent waterproof

              O ring sealed and nitrogen purged for reliable

              Fog-free performance

              Large center focus

              If you are looking for a budget-friendly safari binocular, the Bushnell with many characteristics of high-end binoculars while priced under $80 will be your best bet.

              Top Rated: Adorrgon Binocular

              Adorrgon Binocular
              Adorrgon Binocular
              Pros
              • Cheaper to buy

              • Lightweight

              • 12x magnification to see animals from a farther distance

              Cons
              • Take more time to focus then Bushnell H2O

              • Hard to spot animals hidden in bushy areas

              If you usually walk for miles in wildlife areas, getting a lightweight binocular will give a big relief for your neck and this Adorrgon is just 1.2 pounds in weight to be a good option to try.

              Aside from its decent lightness, this model is priced about half the Bushnell H2O while there are still full accessories (like strap, case, wiping cloth, and lens cover). Importantly, it delivers similar image quality – bright and clear optics to help you capture animals from distance in detail.

              However, due to the 12x magnification, it’s a bit unstable when you zoom it more. Narrow field of view might be a bit struggling to spot animals hiding in bushy areas.

              Adorrgon Binocular Specifications

              Magnification

              12x

              Field of View (feet @ 1000yds)

              367

              Prism

              16.5 BAK-4

              Eye Relief (mm)

              10

              Weight

              1.1 pounds

              Highlight Features

              Lightweight

              Portable

              Durable and Anti-slip Grip

              At low price range, the Adorrgon with emphasis on lightness and quality image gives a great value for the money.

              Most Compact: Occer Binocular

              Occer Binocular
              Occer Binocular
              Pros
              • Super lightweight – 0.65 pounds – with a compact design

              • Shockproof features for steadier image

              • Both lenses are adjustable for clearer vision

              Cons
              • No strap included

              For under $35, the Occer Binocular is an exceptional bargain that you could make with shockproof and life waterproof features, smooth center, and large eyepiece.

              Within what we have expected, it highlights good image sharpness and color acuity. Besides, the design is rather compact and lightweight to hold – only 0.65 pounds that even a customer on Amazon thought it was a “children’s toy”.

              It’s easy to hold by one hand while the other can be used for adjusting the lens sight for better vision. No tint on the lens, by the way.

              Occer Binocular Specifications

              Magnification

              12x

              Field of View (feet @ 1000yds)

              273

              Prism

              Premium BAK4

              Eye Relief (mm)

              15

              Weight

              0.65 pounds

              Highlight Features

              Large eyepiece

              Smooth center, and right eye focus knob

              Life waterproof

              Shockproof

              Weighing just 0.65 pounds, your neck will thank you if you choose the Occer Binocular.

              Best For Photo-Enthusiasts: Gosky Binocular

              Gosky Binocular
              Gosky Binocular
              Pros
              • Smartphone adapter to let the user view everything on their smartphone screen

              • 50% to 75% less expensive than other binoculars with same-same specs

              • Adjustable eye-cups for eyeglasses wearer

              • Large 326 ft/1000 yds field of view

              Cons
              • Not waterproof

              • 1” to 1.5” longer than other counterparts

              The Gosky Binocular looks quite similar to Nikon 10x42 in the physical aspect while priced about 1/3. It’s not really lightweight compared to the Occer or Adorrgon above but rather compact that you can easily handle.

              The biggest selling point of this binocular is the Gosky Newest Smartphone Mount, which you can view every footage via your mobile phone screen. We appreciate this user-friendly feature, especially if you’re a photo-enthusiasts.

              A bonus is that it can be compatible with a wide range of smartphones, from Apple’s, Samsung’s to Sony’s and LG’s.

              Gosky Binocular Specifications

              Magnification

              10x

              Field of View (feet @ 1000yds)

              326

              Prism

              Large smart phrase BAK4

              Eye Relief (mm)

              18

              Weight

              1.54 pounds

              Highlight Features

              Smartphone adapter

              Compact

              Lightweight and very easy to handle

              With quick focusing, sharp image quality, and practical smartphone adapter, the Gosky binoculars will make a good gift for a photo-enthusiast.

              Best For Beginners: Celestron 71332

              Celestron 71332
              Celestron 71332
              Pros
              • The lowest price at 8x magnification binoculars

              • Fully multi-coated for decently brighter and clearer image quality

              • Large field of view

              Cons
              • A bit heavier and larger than other binocular at the same price

              • The diopter adjustment ring is tight to adjust

              At 8x magnification, the Celestron Nature DX highlights a larger field of view so that beginners can easily track birds, deer, or other animals hiding in large bushy areas.

              It feels sturdy, reasonably heavy and easy to adjust once calibrating. There is also a strap, case, and lens cover. Plus, easy to grip surfaces and waterproof design.

              The binocular particularly comes with twist-up eyecups, which partly makes it the Top Pick under $200 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

              Celestron 71332 Specifications

              Magnification

              8x

              Field of View (feet @ 1000yds)

              388

              Prism

              Phase coated BaK 4

              Eye Relief (mm)

              17.5

              Weight

              1.75 pounds

              Highlight Features

              Fully multi-coated optics and BaK-4 prisms

              Lightweight

              Eyeglass friendly

              For those novices who want to step up from crappy $15 binoculars for expanded nature viewing ability, the Celestron 71322 is a great investment.

              Best For Eyeglass Wearers: Nikon 7576 MONARCH 5

              Nikon 7576 MONARCH 5
              Nikon 7576 MONARCH 5
              Pros
              • Superior clarity

              • Longer eye relief to be friendly for people wearing glasses

              • Packed with user friendly features

              Cons
              • A bit time-taking to understand how to use it

              For eyeglasses wearers, the Nikon 7576 MONARCH 5 will be a life-saver for you. It highlights turn and slide rubber eyecups with extra-long eye relief to ensure your comfort when watching it with your glasses.

              Regardless, we found a huge difference in the lens quality between Monarch 3 and Monarch 5, which is the reason we picked this.

              Superior clarity is the most well-worth feature – quite similar to the Bushnell Legend 8x42 but way lighter and more compact.

              It also gives a crisper focus.

              Nikon 7576 MONARCH 5 Specifications

              Magnification

              8x

              Field of View (feet @ 1000yds)

              288

              Prism

              Dielectric High-Reflective Multilayer

              Eye Relief (mm)

              19

              Weight

              1.3 pounds

              Highlight Features

              User-friendly features such as Turn and Slide Rubber Eyecups

              A Smooth Central Focus Knob and Flip Down Lens Caps

              Waterproof

              Fog proof

              With longer eye relief and excellent clarity, the Nikon 7576 MONARCH 5 provides the most “bang-for-buck” piece of optics that any eyeglasses wearer desires to have.

              How To Choose The Best Binocular For Safari?

              Lens Size

              • The two most common times of a day for people to head out in safari are dusk and early morning. In such cases, the light conditions are usually low so you should choose bigger lenses to receive the moderately bright image.

              • The recommended range of lens size is 32mm to 42mm.

              • Don’t go any bigger because your binoculars will be very bulky and heavy, which means they are much more difficult to carry or observe animals stably.

              Magnification

              • When opting for a binocular for safari, you shouldn’t choose the one with high magnification for two reasons:

              • Safari binocular will be used for spotting hidden animals around giant bushy areas, meaning you need an expanded field of view. Not to say that the more zoom you make, the less stable of your image while there’s no place (and even no chance) in safari for you to set up a tripod.

              • Instead, let choose a binocular featuring 10x or 8x.

              Additional Features

              • Using binoculars on safari means they will be exposed under high temperatures and through dust, humidity, rough roads, and frequent movements. Therefore, it needs to be under higher protection.

              • Shockproof and waterproof features, in this case, are very essential to have in your binocular.

              Which Brands Make The Best Binocular For Safari?

              Bushnell

              • With over 65 years in the industry, Bushnell binoculars are unbeatable in terms of light transmission, clarity, and ruggedness. There is a wide range of models, types and even stores around the world that you can come and try directly.

              Gosky

              • Gosky is a US-registered brand specialized in the field of optics that highlights not only high-quality binoculars but also providing cost efficiency. Fans of Gosky also comment on their caring customer services.

              Celestron

              • In the optics industry, Celestron is like a senior with decades of experience. Their biggest inspiration is Tom Johnson and what makes their binoculars outstanding is leading revolutionary technologies.

              Nikon

              • A bit differing from other brands, Nikon Inc. is actually a company involved in a wide spectrum of business relating to imaging products. But that doesn’t make their binocular lines inferior. With over 100 years of establishing, Nikon never disappoints its customers no matter what.

              FAQs

              Should you wear glasses with binoculars?

              If your eyes are myopic or farsightedness, choose binoculars with longer eye optic will let you use them more comfortable while wearing glasses.

              Do I need binoculars that are coated?

              If you want to improve light transmission and reduce reflective loss while using binoculars, choose a pair with a thin chemical coating.

              This addition is considered to add up 5% the light passing through it while multi-coating can level up to 10%.

              Are 10x42 binoculars better than 8x42?

              The first number indicates the binocular’s power or magnification, which means 10x42 will deliver higher magnification than the 8x42 binoculars. However, depending on the specific situations to determine whether it delivers better than the 8x42 or not.

              For example, for safari, the 8x42 will be a bit superior to the 10x42 because of its wider field of view, helping users to spot animals quicker.

              Which is better roof prism or Porro prism?

              To identify which is better between roof prism and Porro prism, take a peek at this table:

              Roof Prism

              Porro Prism

              Pros

              Best for more serious users who want to get out and get dirty

              Better durability

              Can handle impacts efficiently to be ideal for travel

              Comfortable, lightweight, and compact to hold

              Simpler in construction

              Higher light efficiency

              The image gives better contrast

              Affordable

              Cons

              Expensive due to the higher requirements during the manufacturing process

              Not appealing design

              Conclusion

              The best binocular for safari should satisfy three things based on your personal determination – lightweight to hold, easy to focus, and clear to see the wildlife. With the additional buying guide and FAQs section, we hope to provide more helpful pieces of information to you.

              Thanks for reading!


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