On a serious safari? MF and an M8
Going to have a good time (not terribly worried about telephotos) maybe an M8
If you think you need a dslr, I have shot the Sony, Nikons, and Canons.
D700-D3 (I hated the files) although the handling is great and the ergo is wonderful at least for me D3X files are looking better, but waiting for a D700x wore me out
Sony, considered, but short but nice lens list, very limited rental base, limited software support, new entrant, (a very young, impetuous immature and undisciplined company by Japanese standards)
Canon 5DII, handles like a pig, needs gaffer's tape to keep the idiot dial from turning, files are very good (not like MF, but not bad) not too heavy, good rental base, wide line of good lenses, all the ZF lenses can be used. AF not as good as Nikon, but files much nicer. ISO 800 cleaner than Sony, ISO 400 "normal"
So I picked up one, a 24-105 , a 70-200 zoom and a 35mm f/1.4
on the scale, not much heavier than my M8 kit.
I like the M8 better for walk-about, but I like the Canon (or the Nikon, actually) if I have to bring home the shot.
-bob