Best Tripods For Wildlife Photography
We often get asked our recommendations for the best tripods for wildlife photography.
If you’re looking for a good tripod to add to your travel photography gear to photograph wildlife, it’s important to know and understand the features you’ll need in order to make the best comparisons.

You’ll find good wildlife photography tripods in all price ranges to suit any budget. Tripod size and weight are important to note if you’ll carrying it while traveling or hiking. Also note the load capacity to be sure the tripod can hold your heaviest camera and lens combination.
Below are the top 5 tripods we recommend for wildlife photography.
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Best Wildlife Photography Cameras
Check out our article detailing the best cameras for wildlife photography and the features you need to look for:
- Good burst mode
- Decent buffer depth
- Fast and efficient autofocus
- Lens or lens range
Nikon 500mm f5.6 Lens Review
Looking for an affordable lens for wildlife? Check out our review and why we LOVE the Nikon 500mm f5.6 lens for nature photography!
Best Tripods for Wildlife Photography
The Gitzo Systematic Series 5 Carbon Fiber Tripod works amazing for wildlife photography due to its sturdy construction and healthy load capacity. It provides great stability, even with heavy telephoto lenses, for sharp captures in the wild.
Key Features- Arca-Type Ball Head with Lever Release
- Load Capacity: 66 lb
- Maximum Height: 71.26"
- Minimum Height: 8.86"
- Folded Length: 28.54"
- Leg Sections: 4
- Weight: 8.2 lb
- 6X Carbon eXact Tubes
- G-Lock Ultra Twist Locks
- Arca-Type Compatible QR Plate Included
This Really Right Stuff tripod is a high performing medium weight tripod great for wildlife photography. It provides a very sturdy platform for cameras and large lenses with a high load capacity. It’s high quality, lightweight design folds down to under 26 inches.
Key Features- Load Capacity: 85 lb
- Max Height: 58.6"
- Min Height: 4.1"
- Folded Length: 25.6"
- Leg Sections: 3
- Weight: 4.3 lb
- Twist Locks with Integrated Wipers
- Rubber Ball Feet
- Variable Angle Stops
- Versa Apex with Multiple 1/4"-20 Sockets
We have found the Mefoto Globetrotter Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod to be versatile and dependable. It is lightweight and very compact when folded down making it ideal for travel and hiking. It is capable of handling moderate camera and lens combinations for wildlife photography.
Key Features- Load Capacity: 26.4 lb
- Max Height: 64.2"
- Min Height: 16.1"
- Folded Length: 16.1"
- Leg Sections: 5
- Weight: 3.8 lb
- Converts to Monopod
- Q2 Triple Action Arca-Type Ball Head
- Arca-Swiss Style QR Plate
- Separate Head and Pan Lock
We love our Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod. It is ideal for hiking due to a very compact fold down design that allows it to fit nicely into our camera backpack. It is a very strong and sturdy tripod despite its lightweight structure. We use this tripod for wildlife photography, and find it will handle all but the heaviest telephoto lenses. This tripod stabilizes my Nikon D850 and Nikon 500mm F5.6 Pf very well.
Key Features- Load Capacity: 20 lb
- Maximum Height: 60"
- Minimum Height: 5.5"
- Folded Length: 15.5"
- Leg Sections: 5
- Weight: 2.8 lb
- Single Adjustment and Locking Ring
- Peak Design Plate & Arca-Type Compatible
- Aluminum Leg Locking Cams
- Mobile Mount Stores Inside Center Column
The Three Legged Thing Winston 2.0 extends very tall, folds up small, and carries a heavy load so it's perfect for wildlife photography when you're out hiking! It is a great all-around tripod that performs well with larger lenses.
Key Features- Load Capacity: 88.0 lb
- Max Height: 72.9", Min Height: 5.7"
- Folded Length: 24.0"
- Leg Sections: 3, Weight: 3.8 lb
- Carbon Fiber Legs, Bubble Level
- Twist Locks, Rubber Feet
- 3-Position Leg Angle Locks
- Reversible, Rapid Column
- Monopod-Convertible Legs and Column
- Carry Case with Strap
Peak Design Travel Tripod Review
We love our Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod. It is ideal for hiking due to a very compact fold-down design that allows it to fit nicely into our camera backpack. It’s strong and sturdy despite its lightweight structure, and will handle all but the heaviest telephoto lenses. This tripod stabilizes my Nikon D850 and Nikon 500mm F5.6 lens very well – it’s a terrific tripod for wildlife photography.
If you also enjoy landscape photography in addition to wildlife photography, check out the gear we use and recommend.