If you're travelling as a couple, take two pairs. Sharing binoculars on safari is the quickest route to divorce! 10X25 work well - compact - inexpensive - Nikon and Minolta go for about $100. The "second" number is a parallel to a camera's lens speed, the f number - is a measurement of light transmission. I use Zeiss 10X30 - nice combination of comact size and quality - about $350 at B&H photo.
