Anyone had the chance to use it on safari yet? I was thinking of asking for one for Christmas. I like the 35x optical zoom that the Canon SX30 IS has. If I get it I'll take it with me to Africa next year.

I've tried the one down SX 20 ?
12 meg rather than 14, great camera, really good video as well.
Only thing with the really long zoom bridge cameras, it's hard to fit various filters.

On the cannon S3 my girl has or my FZ 18 with an adapter you can use Cokin filters.
You can photoshop most effects or corrections bit I don't think it's the same for some things.

Also I think the SX 30 won't save in RAW.

I'd recommend the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28
or the ones up from that,
but Saeed did say he was not happy with some shots with the FZ 100.
They may have pushed it too far really.

Tough to go to Africa with just one camera
I'd really want ...

Cannon G9 for carrying while hunting.

Lumix FZ 18 or FZ 28 for sightseeing or photographing other hunters.

Nikon DSLR with the usual selection of Lenses, Flash gun, Graduated ND, Polarizing and colored filters and a good solid tripod.
For when I wanted to get seriously creative.

Also I guess it depends as well where your going what camera gear is going to be most suitable.

My suggestion is to stay away from any camera that has a longer zoom than 20X.

People tend to use it at the longer zoom range, and end up with fuzzy photos.

For a general camera from the super zooms, I would highly recommend Sony's HX1.

It is the best of the bunch I have tried, and takes respectable video as well.

For a pocket carry camera, there is nothing like the Panasonic TZ10.

I took several with me this year to Tanzania, and gave them to my friends to take lots of photos with.

Most of the photos you see on my hunt report were taken by these cameras.

I suggest you take a spare battery or two, and a few large capcity SD cards.

We used 64 GB cards, and as some were taking video clips with them, that capacity came in handy.