Camera Safety - Zambia

Hi folks,
I've seen & read a lot of the posts on general camera safety...but wanted to see if anyone might be able to offer something more specific on Zambia. My wife will be working in Zambia for 6 weeks, after which we'll be traveling through Lusaka, Livingston, and one of the parks.

My gear is professional and, when out, not exactly discreet (Canon 5D / 7D with usual 24-70 / 70-200 / 16-35 if you know Canon gear). I usually follow the keep it hidden until you want it rule, unless the area seems very safe (even then, wrapped around my wrist). But I also don't know if having everything in a backpack that I can't see is any better of an idea.

Have any photographers with similar type gear been through this area, and if so, can you comment on whether it is a wise idea to a) carry it out in the open, b) have it all in a backpack (doesn't look like a camera bag), or c) just leave it at home (and try not to be too irritated at missing all those shots)...?

Thanks in advance for any help.
jplphoto

I would recommend the back pack option. Zambia isn't an unsafe place. Actually quite the opposite. If anything, it would be stolen when you aren't watching. But the usual warnings. Don't walk around at night with it, be careful in markets and such and such. I would recommend getting a Pac Safe which is a wire mesh bag that envelops your backpack and can be attached to nearly anything non movable. Will stop people from getting into your bag when you aren't there and also will stop them walking away with it. I would not worry too much about your camera. Just use your wits.

I currently shoot with a 7D, and I typically take my 100-400L, 17-55 IS, 10-22 and other assorted gear. I use a Lowepro computer/photo backpack. There's no reason to be excessively paranoid. At game parks not only will people be shooting with your equivalents but others will have gear so fab you'll immediately succumb to gear envy. When not in game parks I usually leave the 100-400 in my room (in its case and discreetly buried in my stuff, or in a safe if available) as it's so heavy. It's simply not feasible to carry all your gear with you at all times. I wouldn't leave it sitting out on a cafe table and walk away for five minutes, but common sense and a dash of rational caution should suit you fine.

Only time in travels to 48 countries we have ever been 'pickpocketed' (attempt failed) was on a busy pedestrian path along a major boulevard in Lusaka near the cross street the bus pitch is on. I was walking a little ahead of my wife and she felt her daypack be pulled on. It was a lightening quick attempt, unzipped her pack but there was nothing in the compartment unzipped. No other probs on the three month bus trip except rechargeable battery charger stolen from wash room in Kruger, but kept the point and shoots with us on our persons all the time.

Have seen photogs with high end cameras mainly on game drives in parks, rarely anywhere else. We carried our 7d to Costa Rica on a six week trip recently and did fine with it in an APE backpack which holds camera, lens, laptop, etc, but I held that monsta in my lap on buses. We only camped for 6 nights out of six weeks, but were fine. Carried in in a should bag when walking in towns . Will also be carrying 7D this 3 mo trip which begins next week traveling mainly by bus around four countries in southern Africa. At hostels, lodges, and some bush camps they usually have a lockup room, but at national parks will be more troublesome locking it in our tent unless have a rental car like we plan hire to again for Kruger. Sure to feel that the point and shoots carried on five previous trips in our pockets were less trouble, but taking them anyway.

Helpful advice above, planning to check out the