Although a good 35mm SLR (single lens reflex) camera body is recommended for the serious amateur and definitely for the professional, it isn’t a prerequisite for the course.  Even your compact camera will be able to capture stunning landscapes and wildlife that is within close range. 
So, bring what you've got, join the fun and enjoy expanding your horizons!

For students who wish to shoot with higher end equipment, the following information is designed to guide you in your selection.

Camera Bodies
Your SLR body and separate lenses will be a distinct advantage, especially if you have a longer, preferably zoom, lens.  This will mean that you have a higher chance of capturing that winning shot, both in terms of flexibility of exposure (light), and focal length (distance to subject).
If you do have an automatic SLR body, you’ll also be at an advantage if it can shoot a few frames per second, so that you don’t miss the action and have more images to select from.   Compact cameras usually have a delay so test this before purchasing a camera. 
There are many brands; Canon is excellent for speed and well renowned and Nikon are known for their great lenses. Later SLR models offer excellent low-light features, which would extend your photographic opportunities from dawn to dusk.

Suggested Lens Selection
You will get extremely close to some wildlife, but others will be in the distance.  Although not vital, a good zoom lens is your best option and will offer best flexibility for that fantastic shot.  You’ll need to have a steady hand when zooming in subjects that are far away, so consider a tripod.

Multi Purpose Lenses
Most SLR bodies come with a standard lens; otherwise a lens with a 24-70mm range would be ideal to take landscape shots, general travel and people shots.  Your standard one will most likely be used during your sunset river shoot and boma fire shoot. 

Zoom Lenses
Fabulous all purpose lenses in this range are the 70-200mm f2.8,  200-400mm f4  or  100-400mm f5.6 lenses.   Fast lenses with an f stop of F4 through to F2.8 are best.   If you are able to bring a lens that goes to 400mm  or more, this would also be the one to use for shooting the stars in the evening sky. During the day, you’ll zoom back and forth as you spot the action.

Prime or Fixed Lenses
Lenses with a fixed length (ie they don’t have a zoom) offer optimum quality, are very fast, perform well in low light conditions and offer shallow depths of field where your subject is pin sharp and the background is blurred.  They are however very expensive, heavy (need a tripod or support for lens shake), aren’t always necessary and don’t yield the flexibility that zoom lenses do.  Sometimes you may spot a zebra next to you, then a lion in action much further back.  Capturing both animals is possible when you can simply turn your zoom really quickly and shoot away.
Typically, fixed lengths start from 200mm and go up to 600mm.

Converters
A 1.4 or 2 x converter will be a distinct advantage, especially if you don’t have a really long lens.