1. Scotte 237D // Ernest Hemingway meets Bill Gates. With 33 pockets, this weather-shedding convertible jacket/vest stows binos, camera, field guides, iPod, GPS, multitool . . . you get the picture. $160; scottevest.com

2. Royal Robbins Extreme Expedition Long-Sleeve Shirt // With its ventilated back and 40+ UPF sun protection, this ripstop nylon shirt is perfect for Africa's intense heat. $60; royalrobbins.com

3. Brunton Eterna High Power Binoculars // Because these 15x51-power glasses have lightweight alloy frames, you get lion-size magnification in a two-pound package. $599; brunton.com

4. Red Oxx Safari Beanos Bag PR5.5 // This duffel's 2,400-cubic-inch size is compact enough to pass the strict restrictions of small bush planes, and the overbuilt bag won't crumple when it gets kicked around camp. $185; redoxx.com

5. Marmot PreCip Safari Hat // A wide brim protects from the sun, while waterproof-breathable PreCip fabric means you don't need to pull a hood on—and obstruct your view—in the rain. $38; marmot.com

6. UK 4AA eLED Zoom // A protective rubber sheath makes this high-intensity (and focusable) LED nearly indestructible in a fall. A mounting clip gives it hands-free utility. $59; ukinternational.com

7. Trek-Tech TrekPod // Thanks to a magnetic quick-release mounting system, this adjustable aluminum walking staff converts in seconds to a monopod or tripod for cameras and binoculars. $140; trek-tech.com

8. Gramicci Venture Q.D. Kick It Zip-Off Pant // Lots of pants are made with quick-dry nylon. These convertibles pass muster because they work well as shorts or pants, and the cuffs can also be rolled up and snapped at the knees. $70; gramicci.com

9. Samsung Pro815 // Take more dramatic (read: close-up) wildlife pics with the Pro815. Its 15x lens—equivalent to a 28–420mm telephoto lens—is one of the world's longest built-in optical zooms. $650; samsungcamerausa.com