Good info, DrewM. I hadn't read that mirrorless were battery eaters. I
Clark, Ive been a camera nut for over 10 years and have travelled much of the world, but not Africa (yet).
its great that you are undergoing hiking training, which tells me its most likely going to be a challenge with thinning air, etc at 19k feet. My recs, and feel free to question them, this is in lieu of a larger essay:
1. Get a light camera. Lugging a large, heavy DSL up the mountain with 3 large lenses will not make you happy, it will make you curse every name from this thread who encouraged you to do so.
2. You dont need a wide angle lens b/c of the ability of the most basic digital cameras this days which will allow you to take several panoramic pics and "stitch" them together, as if they were one pic. Also, a wide angle lens has more glass, and is inordinately heavy for the the pics you want.
3. the higher you go, the colder it is, the more your batteries will wear out. pack lots of extras. contact the tour guide ahead of time and ask how many batteries the hikers usually go through.
4. We are at the nexus of digital pic technology, you can spend under $500 for a digital camera that will do what you want, but will not be as robust for a hike and getting beat around during a safari. I would suggest spending about $1000 for a digital camera that has a built in lens with range 28mm-125mm or so.
5. some digital cams will do ok in travelling/extreme weather conditions, but are not guaranteed. And you dont want to lose your Africa pics. Many cameras are made these days that are "All-weather" cameras, with much better seals, and can even be submerged under water up to a meter or so. that wont happen on Kilaminjaro. but it will get wet from melted snow. Leica makes a great all weather camera, but it is TOTL, and expensive.
6. if you do get a DLSR, consider the Canon Rebel, it comes with one or two lenses, is lighter than other pro DSLRs, and makes excellent images. The film version of the Canon Rebel is/was one of the best selling SLRs of all time. I had one.
7. Take 2-3 smaller cameras might be another way to go. But bring at least A BACK UP camera for insurance.
8. I know this is controversial in this day and age, but bring a reliable small point and shoot FILM CAMERA". Color or black and white film, a few rolls. it can act as a back up camera, and many times the BATTERIES in the film camera will be more immune to dying than batteries in digital cameras, b/c of all the power the Digital camera requires.
9. Haul your stereo system to the top of Kilimanjaro and have a party!
let us know what you decide!
gary