The 8 Best Binoculars for Safari of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

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Upgrade your wildlife-viewing experience with these portable and durable binoculars.

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Travel + Leisure

My first taste of life on safari was a three-week camping trip through Botswana and Zimbabwe when I was 11 years old. I remember idolizing our guide, whose high-powered binoculars gave her the power of being able to conjure fantastic animals out of a seemingly empty savannah landscape. In the years since, I’ve invested in my own pair of binoculars, spent 10 years living in South Africa, and become a lover of wildlife-spotting and birding. I’ve been on safari across Southern Africa countless times, and have also been on wildlife holidays to India, the Arctic, the Yukon, and South America.

My Vortex Viper HD 8x42 binoculars are among my most prized possessions, and a good pair of binoculars is the first purchase I’d recommend for anyone heading out on safari. Binoculars come in an overwhelming array of different magnifications, lens diameters, fields of view, and sizes. Understanding these specifications is important when it comes to choosing the right pair for the type of safari you’re going on, the environments you’re likely to encounter, and the species you’re most interested in viewing.

These are our go-to binoculars for wildlife-viewing thanks to a crystal-clear image even in low-light conditions.

The textured metal of the focus wheel is rough enough to scratch soft fabrics, so be careful how you pack them.

The Maven B1.2 binoculars come in two models: the 8x42 and the 10x42. We tested the 8x42 and love that it gave enough field of view to allow us to scan a large area looking for wildlife, and to track fast-moving birds and animals when we find them. If you want maximum magnification, however, the 10x42 is the model for you. Either way, the Maven B1.2 binoculars are our model of choice for wildlife-focused trips and have brought them on trips all over the world from the Arctic and Antarctica to the Seychelles and the Galapagos. They are perhaps best for vehicle or boat-based excursions, though, since they’re the heaviest pair we tested. That’s not to say hiking with them is impossible — we’ve done it many times.

The binoculars use a Schmidt-Pechan prism for superior low-light performance and edge-to-edge quality. We think the image quality is stunning, even at night, making the binoculars ideal for stargazing, too. Phase correction coating prevents any loss of contrast, while fully multi-coated lenses eliminate glare and reflection. The binoculars are both tripod adaptable and impressively durable. We’ve toted them around unprotected on planes, trains, and safari vehicles, used them in the rain and snow, and even splashed them with seawater without an issue. Scratch- and oil-resistant coatings on the lenses make them easy to wipe clean, while an IPX7 rating and nitrogen-purged interiors make the binoculars water- and fog-proof as well.

These binoculars have survived more than 10 years of rough treatment virtually unscathed.

They’re not the lightest or most compact option.

My favorite binoculars for just about any weather condition are the Vortex Viper HD 8x42s, especially if you’re looking for a pair that can withstand almost constant use in rugged environments. I’ve used mine in the sand dunes of Namibia, the rainforests of Peru, the Arctic tundra, and on a 300-mile canoe trip across the Canadian wilderness. They’ve been dropped many times, used as a plaything by my small children, thrown in a backpack for mountaineering trips, and still the only damage they’ve sustained is a stuck eyecup due to sand in the thread. Vortex’s Lifetime Warranty would take care of this, if only I could bear to be separated from them long enough to send them off.

This durability comes from the ArmorTek scratch-resistant coating on the exterior lenses, a rubber non-slip grip for added impact protection, and O-rings to keep out water, dust, and debris. The binoculars have also been purged with argon, the most expensive and effective form of fog-proofing available. Durability aside, they offer an HD optical system with premium anti-reflective coatings for superior resolution, sharpness, color fidelity, and low light performance (useful for the prime safari times of dawn and dusk). I find the 8x magnification and 7.8-degree field of view ideal for scanning wide areas quickly and keeping up with fast-moving birds and animals.

These are the ideal "Goldilocks" choice when you want the lightness of a smaller pair of binoculars without sacrificing optics quality.

We found the strap a little tricky to attach.

The Nocs Provisions Field Issue 8x32 Binoculars offer top-of-the-range internals with high-density BaK-4 prism glass for the best quality image and HiFi fully multi-coated optics for anti-reflective coating on all sides of the lenses. We find their 8x magnification effective for viewing birds, deer, and other wildlife and the wide field of view allows you to locate animals quickly, while the mid-size 32-millimeter lens diameter lets in more light than compact binoculars for a clearer, brighter image while still being lighter than larger models.

Simply put, we reach for our Nocs when we want solid optics without the heft of a larger pair of binoculars. Other features include an oversized focus wheel and twist-up eyecups to accommodate glasses wearers. Above all, these binoculars stand out for their durability, which is backed by the brand’s No Matter What Lifetime Warranty. They’re IPX7 rated for full waterproofness in up to 3.3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes (we’ve used them in heavy rain with no problems). They’re also nitrogen filled to prevent the internal lens surfaces from fogging up when the temperature changes. Finally, the rugged, wave-grip rubber coating makes us confident they’d be fine if we ever dropped them.

These binoculars are significantly smaller and lighter than most others, making them an obvious choice when weight is an issue.

There is inevitably some sacrifice in magnification and field of view in a model this small.

Weighing in at 12.4 ounces and measuring just 4.6 inches in length, the Maven C.2 7x28 binoculars are our go-to for walking safaris, hikes, and any other situation that requires you to prioritize compactness. They fit easily into a backpack or vest pocket, and can even squeeze into a fanny pack if necessary. With 7x magnification, a 28-millimeter lens diameter, and a 6.5-degree field of view, they can’t offer as much detail or cover as much area as full-size binoculars. Instead, they’re great for general-purpose travel and wildlife viewing at a price that’s considerably more affordable than larger alternatives.

That’s not to say that the optics are poor. You’ll still benefit from optimal anti-reflection with fully multi-coated lenses, while phase correction coating increases image clarity, contrast, and color fidelity. Multi-position eyecups with an eye relief of 16 millimeters cater to glasses wearers, while the overall build is impressively durable. Expect nitrogen-purged fog-proofing and an IPX6 rating that protects against powerful jets of water. We’ve put ours through the ringer on wildlife expeditions as far afield as Antarctica and the Galapagos Islands, where they’ve been exposed to rain, snow, and saltwater splashes with no signs of damage.

These binoculars weigh less than half as much as some of the larger options we tested.

They are a budget buy and image quality is therefore not the best.

One of the main drawbacks to a full-size pair of safari binoculars is the neck and arm strain you can experience if using them all day, every day. The Occer 12x25 binoculars get around this issue by using plastic construction to cut their weight down to just 7.2 ounces. They’re also only 3.9 inches in length, making them easy to keep in a pocket for those hours when you’re relaxing at camp and don’t want to carry your full bag around with you. We were also impressed with how well they held up to rough treatment despite their lightweight construction.

The binoculars offer 12x magnification, which is more than I would usually recommend in a safari model because the narrower view makes it difficult to locate animals in a wide area or to track fast-moving wildlife. That being said, we found these binoculars to be useful for getting a close look at stationary animals, and particularly enjoyed using them to look at the details on small birds. The optics give impressive bang for their buck (think BaK-4 prism and fully multi-coated lenses for image clarity and anti-reflection), while the 20-millimeter eye relief is ideal for glasses wearers.

We used these binoculars on a safari and whale-watching combo trip and felt they performed well in both scenarios.

They’re a little on the heavy side and are not fully waterproof.

If you’re looking for full-size binoculars in a similar price range to the Occers listed above, the Binoteck 10x42 model could be a good fit for you. We used ours on a trip to South Africa that involved a whale-watching component and a safari adventure, and found them equally easy to use for both. The 10x magnification allowed for a close-up view of large animals while the fully multi-coated lenses and BaK-4 prism provided a crisp, clear picture that was noticeably better than other, similarly priced, binoculars that we tested in the same environments.

With a 42-millimeter lens diameter, these are not compact binoculars and their weight reflects that. However, we felt that the increased amount of light let in by the bigger lenses made a real difference when spotting crepuscular critters on early morning and late afternoon game drives. We did note that they provide a relatively limited field of view (5.5 degrees) and the 10-millimeter eye relief may cause black circles to appear at the edge of your vision if you wear glasses. In terms of durability, these binoculars are not waterproof, but held up fine in light drizzle, and seem durable enough with a shock and slip-resistant rubber finish.

Combining Nikon’s famous optics with a reliably rugged build, these binoculars are high-quality without breaking the bank.

They’re one of the heavier options we tested.

For the perfect balance of performance and affordability, check out the Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42 binoculars. The brand is synonymous with quality optics and the image is as clear as expected with good contrast and color accuracy, while the fully multi-coated lenses eliminate glare and reflection. The specifications are ideal for use on safari, too. The 8x magnification and 7.2-degree field of view allow you to see details well while also allowing you to scan a larger area of the landscape to look for and find wildlife yourself.

We tested ours in many places including South Africa and found them easier to keep steady than models with a greater magnification. The 42-millimeter lens diameter lets in maximum light at dawn and dusk, and while they’re heavier than most, we were able to carry them with us on a Machu Picchu hike with ease. Other highlights include twist-up eyecups with 20 millimeters of eye relief for comfortable viewing with or without glasses; drop-resistant rubber armor; and a claim to waterproofness that we can confirm after testing them in the snow and on Zodiac rides in Antarctica. Finally, they’re nitrogen purged to prevent fogging.

Considering their cost and compactness, we were impressed with the binoculars’ image quality.

The rim of one of the eyecups warped during testing.

The Aurosports 10x25 binoculars are the perfect choice for anyone going on safari once and want their own binoculars without having to make a serious investment. Although the image quality can’t compare to that of professional binoculars from brands like Maven and Vortex, we were impressed with how much you get for your money including a BaK-4 prism and fully multi-coated lenses. The binoculars have twist-up eyecups offering almost 15 millimeters of eye relief, allowing comfortable viewing for most.

We found that the 10x magnification and 6.9-degree field of view were not ideally suited to whale-watching, giving too narrow a field of view to allow us to scan easily for blows and tail flukes. But, they were great for giving a close-up, detailed view of slow-moving animals at the waterhole or grazing on the savannah. The binoculars are waterproof and have a durable anti-slip grip. They’re also very compact, at just 3.7 inches in length and 8.8 ounces, making them ideal for a safari to South Africa when luggage real estate was limited. They also fit easily in a purse or backpack pocket.

We've tested 18 pairs of binoculars on various vacations ranging from Antarctica to the Galapagos Islands and over 10 pairs accompanied us on safari expeditions to destinations across Southern and East Africa. Most pairs have been tested in multiple countries over an extended period of several years.

We tested each pair’s packability by storing them in various bags and luggage pieces and made notes on durability, weight, and weatherproofing. We tested each pair of binoculars on multiple safaris to test their effectiveness in viewing different types and sizes of wildlife at a range of distances and in different environments and light conditions. In each scenario we considered the sufficiency of the magnification and field of view provided as well as image brightness and clarity. We also noted their water-resistance in foggy and wet conditions.

Travel + Leisure

Binoculars are usually a significant investment, so in my mind it’s worth paying extra for a pair that offer at least some level of weather protection. My pair (the Vortex Viper HD 8x42) use O-rings to seal out moisture and are therefore fully waterproof — although they don’t float, so I would still be careful about dropping them in water. I chose them specifically for a long-distance canoe expedition through the Yukon where the likelihood of them getting wet was significant.

Similarly, you should consider the conditions at your destination before deciding on the level of weatherproofing you require. Many binocular models are water-resistant, which means they can handle exposure to light rain. This is often sufficient for an arid safari destination, although bear in mind that the O-rings that protect waterproof models are also useful for keeping out fine sand and dust in the desert.

If you’re headed to an area with high humidity (the jungles of Rwanda, for example), fog-proof binoculars are essential. They replace the air inside the binoculars with nitrogen or argon to eliminate moisture content, which prevents the internal surface of the lens from fogging up as you move from a cold environment (your fan-cooled room) to a hot one (the rainforest under the midday sun). Internal fog is both annoying and damaging to the binoculars over time.

When purchasing a pair of binoculars, it’s essential to have an understanding of the specifications used to describe different models:

Take it from someone who once went on a spontaneous self-drive safari through Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa and didn’t have binoculars in the car — a safari without binoculars is like eating a luxury meal without taste buds. There’s nothing more frustrating than seeing dark dots on the horizon that could be an interesting animal or bird and not having the equipment to view them properly. I would always recommend investing in a pair of binoculars for a safari; however, you should also bear in mind that if you’re going on a guided trip, your guide will almost definitely have a pair that you can borrow as long as you don’t mind waiting your turn to see whatever animal they have found.

It’s generally accepted that the best binocular magnification for a safari adventure is either 8x or 10x. Both offer a good balance between magnification and field of view, although a 10x pair offers superior magnification while an 8x pair offers a wider field of view. The best choice for you depends on the animals you’re most likely to see (or most interested in looking for) and the environment. Choose 10x for larger animals in open savannah, where you’re likely to be able to spot them from a far distance. Choose 8x for closer viewing in woodland or rocky outcrops, and for smaller or fast-moving animals and birds. A wider field of view also tends to let in more light, which may make the 8x a better choice for frequent low light conditions.

Usually, choosing compact binoculars (those with a lens diameter of 30 millimeters or less) involves sacrificing some image quality due to the fact that they let in less light. Therefore, I’d only choose these models when lightweight portability is a priority, for example on a walking safari where you’ll be carrying gear for an extended period of time or if you have mobility issues that make holding heavier binoculars problematic. For vehicle-based safaris, choose full-size binoculars with a lens diameter of 40+ millimeters for the best image quality. Alternatively, mid-size models (30-40 millimeters) could be a good compromise for those that are worried about suitcase space and weight.

Jessica Macdonald lived in South Africa for 10 years where she spent her weekends exploring the country’s self-drive national parks. She’s also used her trusty Vortex Vipers on safari expeditions to Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and India as well as on nature-viewing, whale-watching, and birding trips across six continents.

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The 8 Best Binoculars for Safari of 2025, Tested and Reviewed