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The Wildlife
Accommodation
Transport
Photo Safari Map
Are you planning ahead? This is one of our signature photo safaris, offered each year - book and pay your deposit for the 2028 departure before 31 Dec 2026 to receive a USD $250 per person discount.
This 14-day Botswana photo safari begins and ends in Johannesburg, taking you deep into three of the country’s most rewarding wildlife regions — the Okavango Delta, Savuti, and the Chobe River. The journey starts with light aircraft access into the Delta, followed by 10 nights in private mobile expedition camps, where you are fully immersed in the wild, with wildlife moving through camp at night and the sounds of the bush all around you.
Each location offers a distinct photographic experience — the waterways of the Delta, the dry, predator-rich Savuti, and the wildlife-lined banks of the Chobe River. With just six guests across two private vehicles, you’ll have space and time at sightings.
The safari concludes with two nights at Pangolin Lodge and exclusive use of specialised photo boats. Led by Stu Porter, the focus throughout is on light, behaviour, and creating meaningful images.
* There is a Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) extension available - click on the EXTENSION TAB for more details
Stu Porter is the founder of Wild4 Photo Safaris and has over 20 years of guiding wildlife photography safaris across Africa.
He focuses on patience, light, behaviour, and positioning, offering practical, in-field guidance on camera settings, composition, and technique.
Learn more about Stu on the Tour Leaders Page → HERE
OKAVANGO DELTA – BOTSWANA
The Okavango Delta is a unique inland wetland of channels, floodplains, and islands, attracting elephants, hippos, and lechwe. Water-based scenes offer reflections, softer light, and a constantly changing environment.
SAVUTI – CHOBE NATIONAL PARK
Savuti is known for its dry, open landscapes and strong predator presence, including lions, leopards, hyenas, and the possibility of wild dogs. Dust, light, and behaviour combine to create powerful photographic opportunities.
CHOBE RIVER – CHOBE NATIONAL PARK
The Chobe River supports large numbers of elephants, buffalo, and crocodiles, along with an incredible diversity of easily approachable birdlife. Its wide riverbanks attract constant wildlife activity, while boat-based photography allows for low angles and clean, uncluttered backgrounds.
SAFARI VEHICLES
PHOTO BOAT - CHOBE RIVER
OKAVANGO & SAVUTI
PHOTO BOAT - CHOBE RIVER
MOBILE EXPEDITION CAMP – OKAVANGO DELTA & SAVUTI
Private mobile camps are set up exclusively for our group in remote wilderness areas, allowing us to stay close to wildlife activity. This is a fully immersive experience, with animals often moving through camp at night and the sounds of the bush all around you.
PANGOLIN CHOBE HOTEL – CHOBE RIVER
Pangolin Chobe Hotel is a photography-focused property located just minutes from the Chobe River. Known for its excellent food, welcoming staff, and strong photographic setup, it provides a comfortable and well-equipped base for the final stage of the safari.
July and August in the Okavango Delta are dry, clear, and ideal for photography, with high water levels attracting wildlife to the floodplains and channels. Mornings are cold with soft, clean light, while afternoons are warm and comfortable with low humidity.
Savuti in July and August is dry and open, with dusty conditions and strong predator activity around water sources. Early mornings are cold with crisp air and beautiful low-angle light, while afternoons warm up quickly and remain dry.
Along the Chobe River, July and August bring stable, dry weather with clear skies and excellent visibility. Wildlife gathers along the riverbanks, with mornings on the water often cold due to wind chill, and afternoons warm with soft, golden light.
OKAVANGO DELTA & SAVUTI
CHOBE RIVER
CAMERA BODY:
LENSES:
ACCESSORIES:
For more in-depth guidance on what to bring we are happy to discuss your setup via Zoom or email.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have or know about the relevant VISAS you require for this safari.
Regulations can change, so we recommend checking official government websites prior to travel.
❖ Passport must be valid for 6 months after travel with a minimum of 4 blank pages.
❖ We will provide an official itinerary and booking confirmation to support any VISA application.
It is your responsibility to check current requirements before travel as these are subject to change without notice.
No. This safari is suitable for enthusiastic beginners through to advanced photographers. Stu provides guidance tailored to your experience level, from camera setup through to composition and field technique.
Light aircraft flights typically have strict luggage limits, however we have arranged extra weight allowance. Each person can bring a maximum of 35kg (77 lbs).
** Please note that you MUST bring a soft duffle or roller bag (NO HARD SUITCASES)
Yes, but the safari is designed with photographers in mind. Non-photographers are welcome, but should be comfortable with the slower pace and focus on photography.
Yes. This safari is designed specifically for photographers, with a strong focus on spending time at quality sightings rather than rushing between locations. Positioning, light, and behaviour are prioritised.
Yes, limited laundry is available while in camp. A maximum of 2 items per day per person can be washed (no socks or underwear). Detergent can also be provided if you prefer to do laundry yourself.
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• Lion
• Leopard
• Spotted Hyena
• African Wild Dog
• Elephant
• Hippopotamus
• Red Lechwe
• Sitatunga
• Plains Zebra
• Giraffe
• Warthog
• Impala
• African Fish Eagle
• Pel’s Fishing Owl
• Malachite Kingfisher
• Pied Kingfisher
• African Jacana
• Slaty Egret
• Wattled Crane
• African Openbill
• Squacco Heron
• Little Bee-eater
• Coppery-tailed Coucal
• Black Crake
• Lion
• Leopard
• Cheetah
• Spotted Hyena
• African Wild Dog
• Honey Badger
• Elephant
• Cape Buffalo
• Greater Kudu
• Blue Wildebeest
• Burchell’s Zebra
• Steenbok
• Kori Bustard
• Secretarybird
• Martial Eagle
• Tawny Eagle
• Bateleur
• Southern Ground Hornbill
• Lilac-breasted Roller
• White-backed Vulture
• Lappet-faced Vulture
• Bradfields' Hornbill
• Red-billed Spurfowl
• Double-banded Sandgrouse
• Lion
• Leopard
• Elephant
• Cape Buffalo
• Hippopotamus
• Chacma Baboon
• Vervet Monkey
• Chobe Bushbuck
• Waterbuck
• Impala
• Puku Antelope
• Greater Kudu
• African Skimmer
• Collared Pratincole
• Goliath Heron
• Grey Heron
• Purple Heron
• Saddle-billed Stork
• Yellow-billed Stork
• African Darter
• Great White Pelican
• Reed Cormorant
• White-fronted Bee-eater
• Pied Wagtail
This Botswana photo safari is a small-group wildlife photography tour exploring the Okavango Delta, Savuti, and the Chobe River over 14 days, led by professional wildlife photographer Stu Porter.
Designed for photographers who value light, behaviour, and positioning, it combines immersive mobile expedition camping in wild, remote areas with a comfortable final two nights at Pangolin Hotel, and a mix of game drives and photographic boat sessions for excellent variety.
You will be met at OR Tambo International Airport and escorted to your airport hotel for overnight accommodation
1 night in JHB at CITY LODGE HOTEL
→ 19:00pm group dinner & drinks included
→ Laundry NOT included
Fly from Johannesburg to Maun and onwards into the heart of the Okavango Delta. Explore the floodplains and woodlands of the Moremi Game Reserve from a private mobile expedition camp. Photo highlights can include: elephants, wild dogs, lions, leopards, hippos, buffalo, and prolific birdlife.
6 nights, split between two locations (3 nights at each) in MOBILE EXPEDITION CAMPS
→ All meals included
→ Drinks included
→ Laundry included * Basic laundry - 2 items per day per person (no socks or underwear). Detergent can be provided.
Travel through the Mababe Depression to the legendary Savuti region of Chobe National Park. Known for its arid landscapes and high predator densities, Savuti can offer lions, hyenas, wild dogs, zebra, wildebeest and excellent birdlife.
4 nights in a MOBILE EXPEDITION CAMP
→ All meals included
→ Drinks included
→ Laundry included * Basic laundry - 2 items per day per person (no socks or underwear). Detergent can be provided.
Transfer to the Chobe River region and spend two full days photographing wildlife from a custom-designed Pangolin Photo Boat. With swivel seating and gimbal mounts, you’ll capture elephants, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife from water-level perspectives during morning and afternoon boat sessions. (we have a total of 4 sessions)
2 nights at the PANGOLIN HOTEL
→ All meals included
→ Drinks included
→ Laundry included
After a final morning photo excursion, fly back to Johannesburg for your international departure. OR - if you wanted to add a 2 night stay at the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, this can be arranged.. please let us know at the time of your booking. MORE info in the EXTENSIONS TAB.
→ Breakfast & lunch included
This video shows the daily rhythm of our Botswana photo safaris, based around private mobile camps set deep in the wilderness. Using the same tented setup across locations such as Moremi, Khwai, Savuti, and the Central Kalahari, the experience is immersive and authentic, with life centred around the campfire, bush dining under the stars, and the sounds of wildlife moving through camp at night, offering a true connection to the African bush.
Botswana is wild. This trip report captures the experience of our mobile camping photo safaris through the Okavango Delta, Khwai, and Savuti, from sleeping under canvas in remote wilderness to capturing eye-level images from a photo boat on the Chobe River. It offers a real insight into what a WILD4 Botswana photographic safari looks and feels like in the field.
With one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World only 3 hours away by road, this is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of our 2-night extension to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
After your final morning photoshoot on the boat & breakfast, we will arrange for you to take a road transfer from Kasane, through the Kazangula border crossing and into Zimbabwe. You will arrive at your lodge in Victoria Falls in time for lunch.
You will have the opportunity to visit this famous waterfall as well as partake in the many activities that are on offer at the Falls, such as helicopter rides, white water rafting, sunset cruises, game drives, night drives, walk with Lions, elephant rides and more. All of these can be arranged on arrival by the lodge reception staff.
After your two night stay, you will have a road transfer to the Victoria Falls airport for your flight back to Johannesburg, arriving in the mid-afternoon.
If you are interested in doing this 2-night extension to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, then please let us know at the time of your enquiry.
PRICE:
$ Please enquire
David Livingstone, the Scottish missionary and explorer, is believed to have been the first European to view the falls on 16 November 1855. Livingstone named his sighting in honour of Queen Victoria, but the Sotho language name, Mosi-oa-Tunya "The Smoke That Thunders", continues in common usage. The World Heritage List officially recognises both names.
While it is neither the highest nor the widest waterfall in the world, the Victoria Falls are classified the largest, based on its combined width of 1,708 metres (5,604 ft) and height of 108 metres (354 ft), resulting in the world's largest sheet of falling water. The Victoria Falls are roughly twice the height of North America's Niagara Falls and well over twice its width.
The river that flows over the falls is the Zambezi. This is Africa's 4th longest river with its source in Zambia. It flows through 6 different countries before it empties into the Indian Ocean on Africa's East Coast.
Road transfer from Chobe River across the border into Zimbabwe. Reach Victoria Falls for lunch
Depart after breakfast from Chobe by road to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. You would arrive at your hotel in time for lunch - visit the falls in the afternoon (overnight Victoria Falls)
You will stay for 2 nights in Victoria Falls at ILALA LODGE
(Bed & Breakfast only)
Full day to explore the area
Full day spent at Victoria Falls, visiting the Falls and doing optional activities.
(Bed & Breakfast only)
Final morning activity then depart for Johannesburg from Victoria Falls Airport
Depart after a final morning activity and breakfast for Victoria Falls airport - fly back to Johannesburg arriving in the mid-afternoon. Connect with your international flight home.
(Bed & Breakfast only)
Road Transfers
2 nights in Victoria Falls
Visa fees
Laundry not indicated
Meals & drinks not indicated
Entrance fees to view the Falls
All other activities
Tips for hotel staff, drivers/guides
We first recommend that you read and become familiar with our booking terms & conditions, which can be found on this page, under the PRICES box.
Get in touch with us to confirm that there are still spaces available on the photo safari that you are interested in. Click on the “ENQUIRE NOW” button above.
Once we confirm with you that there is space available, and you would like to join the safari, we will send you a direct link via email. Follow this unique link to sign up to our CLIENT AREA. After you have registered with your name, email address and a password of your choice, you will then be asked to complete our online booking form.
As soon as we receive your completed booking form/s (1 per participant) then you will be required to send us the deposit to secure your place on the safari.
Deposits can be paid via credit card, PayPal or international bank transfer. We will notify you as soon as your deposit arrives. Places on the safari will only be confirmed once we have received both a completed booking form and deposit payment.
As soon as your booking form and deposit are with us, we will update your CLIENT AREA to display the outstanding balance amount. This amount will be due 90 days before the start date of the safari.
Stu Porter
Jul/Aug 2025 | Photo Safari Trip Report | Botswana
A collection of photos from the Jul/Aug 2025 Okavango, Savuti & Chobe 14 day photographic safari to Botswana.
Posted on 24th February, 2026
Aug 2025 | Photo Safari Trip Report | Botswana
A collection of photos from the Aug 2025 Okavango, Savuti & Chobe 14 day photographic safari to Botswana.
Posted on 28th February, 2026
Experience what our 12 day safari is like
12 nights of raw African wilderness. The Okavango Delta, Savuti and the mighty Chobe River.
Posted on 10th March, 2026
A fully immersive experience in the wilderness
En-suite tents and open-fire dining: a fully immersive, unfenced Botswana wilderness experience
Posted on 2nd March, 2026
