I'm gong on safari with a bunch of friends in Kenya over New Years! I can't wait, but I want to get a good camera that will help the memories last.

Could anyone suggest a camera with a viewfinder, is good outdoors, and has high quality zoom for long-distance shots?

Sako 85 Carbonlight Bolt-Action Rifle with a Swarovski Z6 Rifle Scope and mount a Gopro video camera on it.

I recommend finding a store that also offers classes if you get a DSLR. You don't need a really expensive camera to get great shots. I've spent more money on lenses than my camera.

Ask someone at the store about the battery life and about upgrading your memory card too.

if you don't know how to use it, a DSLR will probably give you worse pictures than if you just bought some point and shoot camera with auto focus. Either use an Iphone 6, get a point and shoot, or learn everything about aperture, metering, lenses, ISO, WB, shutter speed, etc etc etc etc etc.

I found that actually enjoying a moment instead of worrying about taking pictures generally makes fond memories of said moment.

That's not the case for people with photographing ability. All the quality photos I've taken of my daughter growing up bring back fond memories when I see them on our apple tv screen saver, on my phone, and at my desk. I'm also eternally grateful for my mom who 'annoyingly' took so many damn pictures growing up, because those albums are priceless to me now.

I agree with your reasoning when it comes to videoing concerts for example. I also do have countless memories without photos to support them, so I think there's a balance.

I understand what your talking about, with the old slr Cameras you felt like you were disassociated with the event because you were trying to capture that event, but with the new digital cameras with an LCD panel - photography is much easier and any decent camera with a zoom is probably suitable.
People shouldn't try to be National Geographic photographers because those people take 1000s of photos every day for 20 years to get that good.

that is one issue with modern photog

so cheap to get into nowadays
you don't have to spend $20 to develop every roll of film, so you don't have to 'git gud' so to speak

@op buy a low end used digital body with af and a standard 18-55 lens, and then grab a cheap zoom like the 70-300 nikkor
play with it as much as you can until you leave
then just run it on whatever standard mode is