Okavango, Savuti & Chobe River - Jul/Aug 2025

BEST OF BOTSWANA PHOTO SAFARI - JULY 2025

The legendary wilderness of the Okavango Delta and Chobe regions provided a spectacular backdrop for our Jul/Aug photographic expedition. Our journey began in Johannesburg, allowing the group to gather for an overnight stay before we flew to Maun and boarded our private charter into the heart of the Okavango..

MOREMI GAME RESERVE (3 NIGHTS)

Our 12-night adventure kicked off in Moremi with an immediate welcome; we were barely off the airstrip before encountering a massive elephant "roadblock." The sightings only intensified from there. We captured stunning images of a female leopard, some great birdlife and lions crossing a watercourse.

KHWAI COMMUNITY RESERVE (3 NIGHTS)

We then moved to the Khwai Community Reserve, a vibrant wildlife corridor bordering Moremi known for its diverse habitats and river-frontage. Khwai delivered sightings of two male cheetahs and lion cubs lounging by the river. Beyond the big cats, the general game was excellent. We spent time with waterbuck and inquisitive vervet monkeys, but the highlight was a stroke of luck: a Saddle-billed Stork successfully hunting and swallowing a frog right in front of our lenses.

SAVUTI, CHOBE NATIONAL PARK (4 NIGHTS)

Next, we headed to the raw, ancient landscapes of Savuti. Known for its dry channel and powerful predators, Savuti didn't disappoint. We were treated to a rare sighting of an African Wildcat and watched a pack of African Wild Dogs socializing and "rallying" before a hunt. The iconic Savuti elephants gathered in force at the waterholes with their calves, and we found a magnificent male leopard draped high in the branches of a Rain Tree.

CHOBE RIVER & PANGOLIN HOTEL (2 NIGHTS)

For our grand finale, we flew to the Chobe River, staying at the Pangolin Hotel. Utilizing their specialized photo boats, we drifted along the waterways to capture Chobe’s famous birdlife and elephants drinking at "Elephant Bay" in the golden afternoon glow. The undisputed highlight of the trip was an African Fish Eagle perched majestically atop a Cape Buffalo—a truly one-in-a-million sighting to end off our safari.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A massive thank you to the "Thru The Lens" camp staff and our incredible guides, Nkosi and Frank; your expertise in the field is unmatched. To Kelly, thank you for keeping us so well-fed with such delicious meals!

Finally, my deepest thanks to Moira, Charon, Debbie, and Armand for joining us on the safari adventure. A very special mention goes to my mum, Ann; sharing your 80th birthday with you in the middle of the African bush was a memory I will cherish forever.

Stu