evertdoorn
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Ok, some more advice here. Gearwise I think you're good. I use R5's, 70-200, 100-500 and a 500 II. Plus the compact 16mm.
I've been doing quite a lot of trips in the past few year (mostly Africa; Kenya, Zambia, Botswana, SA, but also India for tigers and Brasil next year for jaguars). If you want to get an idea of my work look up @thewildsite on insta.
With the budget you can do a lot. You definitely would not need to spend the budget you have, but of course you could.
What I found out is this: if you're photography-oriented (and obiviously you are) high-end camps are not necessarily the most important. You might end up in vehicles with, say, the too-much-money-and-iphone crowd, so to say. They go out when it's almost light and are back in camp around 9.30. And they certainly are not willing to invest in spending time for photo's. I've had plenty of occasions where we invested in hours of waiting, and often it paid off in terms of a leopard getting out of a tree and starting walking, lion cubs on the move, etc.
So, going to photography-oriented places, or where you can get your own private vehicle (and make sure it's a vehicle suited for photography), is a must. And of course, the guide who is probably the most important element contributing to you getting good shots and having a good time.
My favourite places are Kenya, Botswana, Zambia. Last november we did an 18-day trip to Kenya, and the budget was way lower than the budget you have.
I used an operator that focusess on photography, we got our private vehicle and guide for the whole trip and did everything by road; that saves a lot of money (you do have to get used to Kenian traffic which can be a bit hectic and nerve wrecking at times). Because we brought our own photography vehicle + guide (all the camps allow and cater for guest guides), this also saves a lot of money. And the guide we had was one of the best, maybe even the best, we've ever had (that also includes the high end camps in Kenya and Botswana). He knew most places very well and also had good contacts with the local guides so he was informed of anything interesting going on.
If you want the details of the operator, hit me up (they're called Wow Safaris). It was started by a really nice guy I know who is a passionate photographer himself (the whole team is), and actually does a lot of stuff for the local Canon branch (he's been shooting the R3 for months now).
Good thing is, Kenya is very versatile in terms of climate, and therefore area's and places to go (the difference in altitudes attributes to this a lot).The variety is maybe the best you'll get on the continent in terms of different biotopes.
The Masai Mara is big cat heaven. The National Reserve can be busy at times (I'd never would go there during migration season), but you can always do some of the Mara Conservancies which are more exclusive, allow off road, etc. Amboseli NP is a photographer's dream in general. Samburu NP in the north is very, very different as well. If you want something unique, Lentorre lodge has a hide that's quickly becoming famous (leopards, caracal, striped hyena often seen at night). And so many smaller places (many of them privately owned/conservancy style); there's really a ton of optoins. Ol Pejeta, very cool as well (we stayed in Porini Rhino Camp; loved the lionesses stalking a buffalo about 70 meters away from our campfire)
Drones are not allowed practically anywhere unless you have a permit. And for a permit you'd need to be a researcher or member of a professional film crew.
Clothing for Kenya can wildly vary. If you go Samburu in the north (been there on our nov trip as well) you're looking at hot desert climate; the Mara can be quite cool in the mornings. Layer up is the advice. We didn't do malaria pills this time; most area's in Kenya don't really need them.
Another great place is Botswana of course. You can do high end fly in camps, but mobile camping can be a lot of fun too. Go take a look at Unlimited Tours, operating out of Maun who can organise a private fully serviced camping tour for you. Top guides as well. Nice thing is you can do a circuit like Moremi - Khwai - Savuti - Chobe. Zambia's South Luangwa is a treat as well (tip: do the Nsefu area here as well; it's the national park but feels like a private concession)
EDIT: I see many of the things I've said have been addressed already; sorry for the overkill on info! The bit about sundowners is very recognizable; when we stayed at Porini Rhino Camp in Ol Pejeta, we got a spotter to go with us from the camp. They're in a private area of Ol Pejeta so that's why. But they also asked what we'd like for sundowners. We had a good laugh about that with our own guide and kindly explained we'll take some drinks, but don't waste time with sundowners  . Also, to add, in the Mara our guide suggested that we'd do full days out and ask the camp to give us picnic lunch boxes. Mara's a big place so if you can stay out all day it saves you a lot of time. Usually you'll head back for lunch, but I loved that having a private guide and vehicle allowed us to do this
Edited on Dec 29, 2021 at 03:49 AM · View previous versions
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I also carried my G1X3 which was excellent for landscapes and villages. Our granddaughter joined us and used an SL1 + 55-250 and got excellent photos as well. It really helped combining the images from three photographers. 
