LOCATION: Botswana

PLACES VISITED: Moremi Game Reserve (Okavango Delta)  /  Khwai Concession (Okavango Delta)  /  Savuti  (Chobe National Park)  /  Chobe River

SKILL LEVEL: Any level from beginner to advanced - photo tuition and guidance is offered on this safari
 

This 13-day photo safari begins in Johannesburg, South Africa. We then fly into Maun, the safari capital of Botswana. From here we will set off on a 13-day adventure to explore some of Botswana's best photographic locations—the Okavango Delta, Savuti, and the mighty Chobe River.

On arrival in Maun, we are met by our bush pilot, who will transfer us into the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve. A bird’s-eye view of the Okavango Delta is a great way to grasp the immense scale of this wildlife paradise, one of the last intact wilderness areas left in the world.

The delta begins in Southern Angola and crosses Namibia's Caprivi Strip. It then spreads out over the Kalahari sands, forming a 15 000-square kilometer alluvial fan. The formation of the delta dates back two million years.

Based at our private camp site, which is set up for our group only, we will explore the Xini area of Moremi. Noted for its beautiful seasonal floodplains and many lagoons, this area is very remote and wild.

Our next stop will be Khwai, the eastern-most river of the Okavango Delta. This area offers excellent wildlife concentrations and off-road driving is allowed. Elephants come from miles around to drink, pods of Hippos are common, and the semi-aquatic Red Lechwe occupy the river’s floodplains. Lion prides along the riverfront are regularly seen. It is also one of the best places to see and photograph Leopards and the African Wild Dog.

From Khwai we move north and east away from the Delta and into the Mababe depression. Savuti, a vast thirsty land known for its Lion and Hyena densities and made famous by films such as “Eternal Enemies” and the BBC's “Planet Earth” series, is an area within Chobe National Park. Here we will explore the Savuti Marsh and the Savuti Channel.

This is good country for African Wild Dog and Cheetah. San art dating back 4000 years can be seen on one of the hills.

Our final destination on the tour is the great Chobe River, which we reach by plane. Here we spend our photographic time on a private boat specially designed for photographers. Morning and afternoon sessions of 3 hours each will provide many great photo opportunities of birds and animals that come down to the river to drink.

The tour will end in Johannesburg, South Africa

This is an exclusive small-group photo safari with a maximum of 6 participants in 2 private vehicles (3 participants per vehicle). This will offer you plenty of space for equipment and guaranteed access to both sides of the safari vehicle.

Stu Porter will lead the tour and will alternate between the vehicles each day to offer photo tuition and guidance.

You will have a good chance to see and photograph the following animals:

Lion, Leopard, African Wild Dog, Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Hippo, Spotted Hyena, Jackal, Crocodile, Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Red Lechwe, Sable Antelope, Chacma Baboon, Vervet Monkey, Warthog, and an excellent variety of birdlife.

***NB: Luggage for this safari needs to be soft duffel-type bags, NOT hard cases. This is necessary for the road travel between the different destinations, as well as the short internal charter flights. The dust and waterproof NORTH FACE-type duffel bags are ideal.

Day 1 Depart from Johannesburg's OR Tambo International airport (mid morning) and fly to Maun in Botswana arriving around midday. Transfer immediately to our charter flight into the heart of the Okavango Delta - Moremi Game Reserve (approx 20 mins flight time) where we will be met by our guides and safari vehicles. Game drive with photography on the way to our private campsite. (overnight in Moremi for 3 nights)

Day 2 Morning & Afternoon game drives in Moremi

Day 3 Morning & Afternoon game drives in Moremi

Day 4 Depart Moremi for Khwai (by road), photographing as we go, arriving in Khwai in the late afternoon (overnight in Khwai for 4 nights)

Day 5 Morning & Afternoon game drives in Khwai

Day 6 Morning & Afternoon game drives in Khwai

Day 7 Morning & Afternoon game drives in Khwai

Day 8 Depart Khwai for Savuti (by road), photographing as we go, arriving in Savuti in the late afternoon (overnight in Savuti for 3 nights)

Day 9 Morning & Afternoon game drives in Savuti

Day 10 Morning & Afternoon game drives in Savuti

Day 11 Depart Savuti after a short morning drive for Chobe (by air), arriving in time for lunch at our Lodge on the Chobe River - 3hr Afternoon boat ride on the Chobe River (overnight in Chobe for 2 nights)

Day 12 3hr Morning & 3hr Afternoon boat ride on the Chobe River

Day 13 3hr Morning Boat ride on the Chobe River followed by breakfast and then depart from Kasane back to Johannesburg arriving in Johannesburg in the mid afternoon. Connect with your international flights home.

Included

• flight from JHB to Maun and from Kasane back to JHB

• all road transfers & charter flights within Botswana as detailed in the itinerary
• 3 nights Moremi
• 4 nights Khwai
• 3 nights Savuti
• 2 nights Chobe River
• all park entrance fees
• private use of 4x4 Landcruisers with qualified guides
• all meals
• all local drinks (water, sodas, fruit juice, beer & local wine)
• laundry whilst staying at the mobile expedition camps ** you must wash your own "smalls, ie underwear & socks"**
• professional photographic tuition

Excluded

• tips / gratuities for camp / lodge staff and for your driver / guide - see FAQ's
• personal medical, travel & equipment insurance
• visa fees
• INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
• Any extra nights of accommodation before or after the safari - we can arrange these for you and add it to your statement

MOREMI, KHWAI & SAVUTI - LODGING & TRANSPORT

Accommodation in Moremi, Khwai and Savuti will be in an expedition style mobile tented camp, specially set up for our group in a private campsite. This is the way the first explorers visited this vast wilderness and it is common to have elephants, hyaena and other nocturnal animals in the camp at night. You will drift off to sleep accompanied by the real sounds of the African Bush, Hyaena's whooping and Lions roaring !!

*** NB *** please make sure you watch the video in the VIDEO TAB, which shows the mobile camp in detail. This camp is comfortable, exciting and adventurous, but it is not luxurious.

We will have the exclusive use of 4x4 TOYOTA Land Cruiser safari vehicles with 3 photographers in each vehicle. Stu will be seated next to the driver / guide and will rotate between the two vehicles to offer photographic assistance. The safari vehicles are specially designed for photography with an adjustable platform and beanbag creating a stable shooting position for long lenses.

CHOBE RIVER - LODGING & TRANSPORT
For the two nights spent at the Chobe River we will be in a riverfront lodge with access to its own private Jetty where we will meet our specially designed Pangolin Photo Boat for all our boat rides. Boat rides which last 3 hours will be done in the early morning and the afternoon to make use of the best available light.

AEROPLANES
The flight from Johannesburg to Maun and from Kasane (or Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe) back to Johannesburg is approx 2hours

There will also be two short internal flights in smaller aircraft:
1) Maun to Moremi (20mins)
2) Savuti to Kasane (45 mins)

Specific FAQs

• What do you expect the weather to be like on this safari ?

  The weather in Botswana at this time of year (May / June) is very pleasant, cool evenings and mild warm days up to 28 C or 82 F. The skies are clear and the air is crisp and clean. It can be colder in June than in May especially in Savuti which has a more arid climate - colder nights and warmer days.

• What clothing & equipment would be relevant for this safari ?

  We would recommend a warm fleece as well as a wind breaker jacket, beanie / woollen hat , gloves, Long trousers / shorts.
  As far as camera equipment goes, we have a more detailed kit list which we will send out to you at time of registration.

• How do we recharge camera batteries and laptops on this safari ?

  For the first 10 nights of the safari whilst we stay at the expedition style camps, there is no main electricity power. The vehicles we use have inverters that can handle all our recharging needs as long as we are sensible about when and how much we re-charge. The recommended way is to charge up camera batteries, cell phones / iPads whilst we are out on game drives. We usually return to camp at midday and this is when we recommend laptops are charged (at the same time downloading can be done).

  We will run extension cords from the vehicles to a charging station. There is no option to recharge items in camp whilst we are out on Game Drive. The support team in camp can only cater for their own power needs (running their fridges etc). When we return in the evening, there will be another opportunity to recharge Laptops and download. Power is available but it is limited, as long as we are sensible with how we re-charge there will be no problems. The lodges in Chobe and at the Victoria Falls (if doing the extension) will have electric points in the rooms.

• What is a typical day "in the field" on this safari ?

  Days out in Moremi and Savuti look like this: wake up at 05:30, then meet up for a small breakfast at 06:00. We depart at 06:20. We will stop at a convenient time in the morning to stretch legs and have a cup of tea / coffee and some cookies. We will return to the camp at around midday for lunch and a short break. We head out again in the afternoon and return to camp at around 17:30. Dinner will be between 18:30 and 19:00

  In Khwai we are allowed to do a night drive on our way back to camp, where we will have dinner at around 19:30

  On the Chobe River, all our activities are on the Chobe River. The boat rides are 3hrs long. We start early, just before sunrise and return to the lodge at around 09:15 for breakfast. We depart again in the afternoon at 15:00 for our afternoon boat ride, arriving back at the lodge just after sunset. Dinner will be at 19:00

• Are we able to go off road to get closer to the animals on this safari ?

  In both the Moremi and Savuti areas there is NO OFF ROAD DRIVING allowed. In the Khwai concession area where we spend 5 days, there is off road driving allowed. You can be assured that your driver / guide wants to show you the animals and get you as close as possible but on some occasions we will have to use common sense and respect the environment and the comfort levels of the wildlife.

• What are the luggage restrictions on this safari ?

  On this safari it is ESSENTIAL that you bring a duffel type bag for your main luggage (not hard suitcases - they are not allowed on the internal flights within Botswana) We have managed to negotiate a total weight allowance of 30kgs per person (this includes your camera equipment)

  Please bare in mind that for the first 10 nights of the safari we will be in the Mobile Expedition camp and laundry is free of charge, so you do not need a lot of clothing for this safari, please keep it to a minimum. A normal Think Tank type camera bag (airport accelerator) should carry the amount of equipment you need.

• How long are the flight & road transfers on this safari ?

  The safari begins in Johannesburg with a flight to Maun in Botswana which is around 2hrs
  On arrival in Maun we will catch our charter flight into Moremi, this is a 25 min flight.
  From Savuti we fly to the Chobe River (Kasane), this is a 40 min flight
  From Kasane we fly back to Johannesburg this is a 2 hr flight

  If doing the extension to Victoria Falls, you will have a road transfer from Kasane to Victoria falls (approx 2 hrs 30 mins)
  The flight from Victoria Falls back to Johannesburg is a 2 hr flight

• Can I hire Camera Equipment from you on this safari ?

  If you are NOT doing the extension to Victoria Falls then it is possible to hire a Canon 500mm f4 IS lens, version 1 from me. When we meet in Johannesburg I will pass the lens to you before the flight, you would need to leave space for the lens in your camera bag so that you would carry it as part of your luggage allowance. At the end of the safari I will take the lens from you once we reach Johannesburg again. The same can go for a tripod and Wimberley Version 2 tripod head.

  The only hire item I can bring for you in my own luggage allowance is a Visual Echoes Panning plate. You can hire one of these from me even if you are going on the Victoria Falls extension - but I would still need to take it back from you at the end of the Chobe River section.

  The reason for this is because I do not always join the extension to Victoria Falls and therefore there would be no way to get the 500mm lens back to me, and I would not have enough luggage allowance to carry it as well as my own equipment.

  Please ask us for our up to date equipment hire rates.

• What "stable shooting platforms" do you offer on this safari ?

  I firmly believe that having a stable shooting platform on the safari vehicles is a crucial element to the success of a photo safari. You need to be comfortable when shooting so that you can concentrate on the image and not how to balance a telephoto lens on a wobbly monopod or on your knees !  We will often sit and wait patiently for long periods for a shot to present itself - being comfortable is paramount.

  The Vehicles we use in Botswana have been modified and offer a stable shooting platform in the form of an adjustable plate, complete with beanbags attached.

  The Boat we use on the Chobe River has also been specifically designed for photography and has very comfortable swivel chairs with an adjustable arm that accommodates a wimberley tripod head. Here we simply clip in our telephoto lenses and off we go. (see the photos in the "TRANSPORT & LODGING" tab)

• How early can we leave camp and how late can we return ?

  The general rule for all the locations is that you can leave just before sunrise (around 06:30) and return just after sunset (around 17:30)

• Is there a laundry service available on this safari ?

  Yes there is a laundry service available at all locations. Laundry whilst on the first 10 nights in our expedition style camps is included but you must wash your own "smalls" i.e. your underwear / socks. Whilst staying at the lodge in Chobe and in Victoria Falls on the extension, any laundry charges will be added to your room which you need to settle on the day of departure.

• Is there internet access / mobile phone reception on this safari ?

  There is wifi internet at the Lodge in Chobe. Cell phone reception is not very good at all

• What is the recommended Tipping Policy on this safari ?

  Tipping is a safari tradition in Africa. You are welcome to stick to your regular personal tipping policies but we politely recommend you try to follow our guidelines regarding tipping as it helps to set a standard.

  Firstly, even though it is expected, it is not compulsory. If you feel that you have not been given excellent service then you do not have to tip. I personally feel that if somebody goes above and beyond their job description then it is polite to tip them and I am more than happy to do so.
  
  We do our utmost to source quality safari companies / lodges and guides who have a similar work ethic and passion to us. The staff and guides work extremely hard to make sure we have a good time and they are incredibly patient and flexible.

  Please ask us to send you our detailed recommended tipping policy for this photo safari if you would like more details. It will also be in your Arrival Information Document, which will be sent to you 2 weeks before the start of your photo safari.

• Why is lunch not included at the lodge in Chobe on the second day ?

  When we depart from Savuti we will arrive in Kasane at lunch time and this lunch is included in the safari price. However on our full day at the lodge, we return from our morning boat trip and have a late breakfast / brunch. It really is not necessary to include lunch too. If you are still hungry and would like to have lunch then it will be for your own account. Both dinners at the lodge in Chobe are INCLUDED in the price.

General FAQs

• Are your safaris suitable for any level of photographer ?

  YES, any level from total beginner to experienced wildlife photographers can enjoy our photo safaris. Having a small group allows me to accommodate the different levels very easily. The amount of tuition and approach is tailored to the needs of individual clients on each trip.

  As far as equipment goes, this can make a difference in your overall enjoyment of the safari. If you are concerned you might not have the appropriate equipment then please contact me to discuss this in more detail.

• Do I need a visa for my safari ?

  It is best to contact the embassy of the country you will be travelling to; to double check and see what their latest policies are with regards to Visas and whether you should apply for them before you travel or if you can obtain them at the port of entry.

• Is smoking allowed on the safari ?

  Smoking is not allowed in the safari vehicle and generally it is not a very good idea to smoke in the bush as the grass is often tinder dry and bush fires can start easily. We do not take specific breaks for smoking either, but we will stop at relevant times for everyone to have a break and stretch their legs or have a cup of coffee. This would be your opportunity to have a smoke break. We ask you to respect the environment and carry your cigarette ends away with you.

• How do you deal with "comfort breaks" ?

  Spending long hours in the safari vehicles will inevitably end up in folks needed a bathroom stop. We have to respect the rules of the different parks when it comes to this and these rules will be explained before the start of each safari. Generally the safari saying of "any tree is a lavatree (lavatory)" goes. We will make sure we stop in a safe location for the comfort break.

  The Kruger National Park is the only location that has proper washroom facilities at designated picnic sites or in the camps, and as per the rules of the park we are required to stop at these specific places, not anywhere in the bush. Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania do not have such facilities, and stopping at an appropriate place in the bush is allowed.

• How do you deal with unexpected emergencies whilst out on safari ?

  All of our safaris have emergency procedures in place. We will have contact with the office via either radio, cell phone or satellite phone. The office would then dispatch the relevant help - be it medical or otherwise. In the case of medical assistance, the initial recovery from the field to the most relevant medical facility would be covered by our safari insurance. Your medical insurance would need to cover you for all other expenses.

• How do you present the "photo tuition" element on your photo safaris ?

  From a photo tuition perspective, we have two options available to potential clients.
  
  OPTION 1
  When I personally lead any photo safari, there will be photo tuition and guidance available. On some of our extensions and Bespoke Photo Safaris we really hit the photo tuition hard and work through as many elements of nature photography as we can in a "workshop" style. This is because it is at the request of the particular clients who have asked for a high level of tuition and because we have a good deal of time available to focus specifically on certain aspects.
  
  On our scheduled photo safaris you will soon find that the days are long and tiring, we get up early, return late and barely have time to download the days images before getting to bed at a sensible time only to do it all over again on the following day. The tuition format is therefore very informal, I like to approach topics as they become relevant and we will do these in the field in front of real live situations - this is the best way to learn. There will be times when we are waiting patiently at a sighting and can discuss any topic that you feel you would like help with. Siesta times at midday are usually well used for that exact reason, but I am personally available at any time of day or night. I have sat up until midnight on many occasions running through workflow, camera technique and doing night photography with those who are keen.

  I am on the safari so that you can pick my brain, ask questions, watch my workflow and teach me a new technique that you might like or find useful yourself !- there is always room to learn and I always learn a lot on each trip myself.

  I like to pick up on elements that would be relevant to each photographer. I adjust the level of tuition to the needs of each individual, again this is the beauty of having a small group. I like to talk my way through scenarios as they unfold in front of us and let you know what I am trying to achieve.
  
  OPTION 2
  If you are a more experienced wildlife photographer, this option would suit you better. During the past 14 years I have met and worked with many excellent safari guides who are not necessarily professional photographers. However they know what the needs of photographers are and how to position the vehicle and predict animal behaviour. They are also very keen photographers themselves and I can highly recommend them as specialist photographic guides. If you are a confident & experienced photographer you can confidently book a safari with one of our specialist guides in the knowledge that they will always be looking out for photographic opportunities, and not simply trying to show you african wildlife, which would be the case on a regular safari with a regular safari guide.
  
  In this option you would then not receive any specialist photo tuition or assistance with setting up your camera or which settings to use etc.., but you will be in very capable hands as far as getting photographs would be concerned. These safaris are also better priced compared with the scheduled trips that I personally lead as I do not have to build my own accommodation, travel and personal costs into the safari.
  
  Regardless of which safari you register for, I will also send you my own set of PDF Photo Tuition Documents which include a pre-safari Camera Set-up guide and my "Seven Top Tips". Reading these before the safari begins will help to prepare you for the types of things you will be doing on safari.

• Do you take your own photos on the safari ?

  Yes, myself and the guides I use do take photos and I feel that it is important for us to do this. We are constantly looking for the best angle for a good photograph. We have many years of experience in the African bush and can predict a lot of animal behaviour. Getting the vehicle into position where we feel it would make a good photo often helps others who are unsure of where to park, which lens to use, how to compose, which settings to use and what behaviour might follow.

  We all have an interest in photography but our passion is our business; which is guiding people on a photo safari. We want to make sure you achieve the best photos possible.

  Our main aim is not to sell our portfolios, it is to sell our photo safaris. We do need good photos of animals to do this, but more importantly we want our clients to go home with the best portfolio possible.

• I have special dietary requirements, can you cater for this ?

  Yes we can cater for special medical dietary requirements, but you need to inform us of these requirements when you register. We will then be able to inform the lodges / camps we will be staying at about your requests well in advance.

  Depending on what your special requirements are there may be a surcharge for this service.

• Will we have leisure time to sleep in or relax by the pool ?

  Your time on safari is YOURS, you can feel free to use it as you wish. However I can confidently say that very few people have ever opted to sleep in or spend time at the pool. This is a photo safari after all. Our main reason for being on the safari is to spend every possible minute doing photography so leisure time is not something people normally request.

  On occasion people have wanted to sleep in on one day or skip an afternoon game drive, this is entirely up to you. However please note that we will not change our usual schedule to accommodate "leisure time" If for example you decided to sleep in, you would not have the right to request the vehicle to come back and collect you at a more convenient time.

  The photographers who go out with the vehicle can decide when to return. If you have a private vehicle to yourself then you can do as you please.

• Credit Cards or cash - what should I bring ?

  Credit Cards are by far the most convenient  90% of the time. Bringing along some cash as a backup is also a good idea. US$ are readily accepted in most African Countries and can also be used  in some local shops (**Please note that there are some exceptions like South Africa and Namibia - both of these countries DO NOT ALLOW the use of US$
  
  ** If you are unsure please ASK us about which option is most suitable for the safari you are doing.

  As far as tipping goes (more on the tipping section) you could separate it into the following two scenarios:
  
  1) Your Local Driver / Guide / Ranger: - this can be done in US$ - CASH only
  
  2) Lodge / Camp staff
  > Kenya - this can be done in US$ - CASH or CARD
  > Tanzania - this can be done in US$ - CASH only
  > Botswana - this can be done in US$ - CASH only
  > South Africa - this can be done in US$ - CASH or CARD ** this depends on the actual accommodation used - please ask us for clarity **
  > Namibia - this can be done in US$ - CASH or CARD ** this depends on the actual accommodation used - please ask us for clarity **
  
  Any other major foreign currency will also be readily accepted (EURO, GBP)
  
  If you have any concerns please contact us and we will clarify it for you further.

• What fitness level is required on your safaris ?

  All of our scheduled photo safaris (except for Namibia) are vehicle based for the majority of the time. You will need to be in reasonable health but we will not undergo any long walks or hikes unless you personally choose to do so, or unless it is detailed in the safari description. Our extensions and custom safaris might warrant a different fitness level - please ask us for more details about the fitness level required for your specific custom photo safari or chosen extension.
  
  Our Landscape tours of Namibia do require a fairly good level of fitness to get the most out of them. There is a lot of sand in Namibia and walking in this sand and up sand dunes is part of the trip. If you have more questions about fitness levels PLEASE ask us before signing up on any of our safaris.

• Is there a risk of getting malaria ?

  On any trip to Africa there is a risk of getting Malaria. Some areas have a higher risk than others. As we are not medical doctors we cannot advise you about whether or not you should take malaria medication. Our advice is to consult your local doctor or travel clinic.

• What Vaccinations do I need ?

  This is also a question you would need to consult a doctor or travel clinic about as details of these change on an ongoing basis. Be sure to ask your doctor or clinic about YELLOW FEVER as it is relevant in some of the countries we visit.

• What is the best time of year to photograph the Big Cats and see their young ?

  Lions, Leopards and Cheetahs do not have a specific birthing season and give birth at anytime. The short answer to this question is "anytime" it really depends on your luck at the time of your visit.

• I really enjoy photographing birds, do you take time to stop for these too ?

  Yes we do spend time on photographing birds but we have two safaris which are truly dedicated to bird photography - the "BIRDS of KRUGER" photo safari and the "BIRDS of KENYA" photo safari, both of these usually run every November.

  On our other scheduled photo safaris we will be stopping for "the large and colourful birds". If you would like to try and cover the birds and the mammals in detail then we recommend you travel with a like minded photographer or that you book out a private safari vehicle so that you can go entirely at your own pace.

  The pace of a regular photo safari compared with a bird photo safari is very different. If you want to stop for every single bird no matter the distance or size, you will fall far behind the other vehicles who might find other sightings that you might not be able to get to in time. You would need to understand this and know that you cannot be everywhere at the same time.

• Can I drink the local water ?

  In general we would recommend that you stick to bottled drinking water on all the safaris. In Kenya and Tanzania this also includes brushing your teeth with bottled water. In South Africa it is possible to drink the local water and brush your teeth with it, so the risk of getting ill is small, however we still recommend you drink bottled water.

• Will our vehicles be in radio contact with other safari vehicles ?

  Yes the vehicles in our group are in radio contact with each other and we do pass on relevant information about photo opportunities to each other.

• What electrical system can I expect to find on safari ?

  Each country has its own electrical and plug system. After you have registered to do a safari with us, we will send out the "PLUG & VOLTAGE" document which will explain this topic in more detail

• Can I add on an extension to my safari ?

  YES it is possible to add on an extension to any of our safaris if you wanted to stay longer or visit a different place. There are some extension suggestions on the photo safari pages under the "EXTENSIONS" tab. Please ask us if you need help with this or if you would like to tailor a specific extension.

• Can you arrange for me to arrive a day early to acclimatize ?

  Yes this is possible to arrange for you - please ask at the time of registration

• I would like the exclusive use of a safari vehicle can you arrange this ?

  Yes this is possible to arrange, there will of course be a surcharge for the exclusive use of the safari vehicle, please ask us what this would be for the safari you are interested in.

• What is in your guides Training Manual ?

  Having worked with many different guides in different locations I have found that it is always nice and refreshing to have a guide with new ideas and suggestions and work together to achieve new images. It is also important though that the basics are understood by all the guides we use on our photo safaris which is why my training manual came to be.

  The manual covers the basics of how to guide photographers, looking at the light, the distance from the subject and parking in a position to predict the animals next move. The manual also illustrates "in the field examples" so that guides know what we photographers are talking about when we say "can we move 1 meter forward, my background is not good from this position, etc etc..." !!

  The manual has a big section on communication - this is the key to a successful safari. both guides and photographers need to know what is going on so that they can prepare for potential situations, never assume, always ask, it will allow you to achieve more successful images.

• What is a "Private Vehicle" ?

  We secure the use of "Private Safari Vehicles" on all of our safaris. This is a very important element of a successful  photographic safari. Essentially it means that you will not share the vehicle with other guests staying at the lodge / camp who are not part of our group. Regular safari clients and nature photographers do not mix very well. You will want to stay for extended periods at a sighting waiting for the best photo opportunities.

  Many regular safari clients just want to see an animal, take one picture and leave to go and look for more animals to tick off their list. We avoid this by securing private safari vehicles at all locations. Understandably there is a surcharge to hire these vehicles as the lodge or camp has to issue a specific vehicle and guide for our group and the vehicle is not filled with up to 9 people as it often is on regular safaris. In our case there will only be a maximum of 3 photographers per vehicle.

• What do I do if I have to cancel my safari ?

  We must receive a formal written notification of your cancellation.
  Deposits are non-refundable.

  All Photo Safaris:
  In the case of a cancellation, we must receive written notification, at which time the following fees will apply:
  * Deposit is non-refundable
  * 89 to 60 days before departure: 75% of tour fee
  * 59 or fewer days before departure: 100% of tour fee.
  We highly recommend that you take out travel insurance at the time of booking your tour with us to cover any eventualities relating to having to cancel your safari.

• Do you offer full day game drives on your safaris ?

  Authentic photo safaris, by their very nature have to be flexible. We do our utmost to accommodate our clients needs and requests which are often very different from a regular safari. We take each day as it comes and yes we are able to be flexible and stay out all day if a particular situation warrants it.

  If we are far from camp and are patiently waiting for a Leopard to descend a tree, a Cheetah to hunt or a group of Wildebeest to cross the Mara River then we most certainly stay out. It is always a good idea to bring along some snack bars or take a piece of fruit with you in case we do not return for lunch. On most occasions our packed breakfasts have enough food in them to last the full day anyway.

  If there is nothing to wait for and the day is particularly hot with animals resting in the shade, it would not be sensible to stay out and so we do return to camp on such occasions for a midday break, some lunch and then we head out again when the temperature drops and the animals become more active.

• What is your recommended Tipping Policy for camp staff and our driver / guide / ranger ?

  Tipping is a safari tradition in Africa. You are welcome to stick to your regular personal tipping policies but we politely recommend you try to follow our guidelines regarding tipping as it helps to set a standard.

  Firstly, even though it is expected, it is not compulsory. If you feel that you have not been given excellent service then you do not have to tip. I personally feel that if somebody goes above and beyond their job description then it is polite to tip them and I am more than happy to do so.
  
  We do our utmost to source quality safari companies and guides who have a similar work ethic and passion to us. The staff and guides work extremely hard to make sure we have a good time and they are incredibly patient and flexible.

  Please ask us to send you our detailed recommended tipping policy for the specific photo safari you are interested in joining. It will also be in your Arrival Information Document, which will be sent to you 2 weeks before the start of your photo safari.

Booking Procedure

• First contact us to confirm that there are spaces available on the photo safari that you are interested in - (please use the enquiry form on this page)
• Once we confirm with you that there is space available, and you would like to make a booking, these are the steps you would follow:

STEP 1

We will send you a link that will take you to the photo safari that you want to join. Along with the link we will send a detailed PDF document that will guide you though the booking process.

Payment Info

We only accept International Bank Transfer as method of payment / or PayPal **

** PayPal - please note that an additional 4% handling fee will be added to all payments made through PayPal

Please note that ALL bank charges are for your account

Your place on the safari is only guaranteed once we have received your completed booking form/s and deposit payment/s

Once this is complete, will update your "outstanding balance" amount which will be due 90 days before the start date of the safari.

Please note that it is recommended that you take out your own travel insurance to cover unexpected trip cancellation, medical, personal and photographic equipment. WILD4 will not be held responsible in any way for the loss of or damage to any photographic equipment or personal belongings, nor for any medical expenses. Our medical insurance will only cover you for evacuation from the field to the closest most appropriate medical facility, at which point your medical insurance would take over.

Cancellation Policy

• We must receive a formal written notification of your cancellation
• Deposits are non-refundable.
• Tour fees are not transferable.
• If for any reason a participant ends a tour early or does not make use of a service that has been included in the price of any scheduled tour, tailor-made tour or tour extension, no refund for this unused portion or service will be made.
• Full payment of the tour fee is due 90 days prior to the departure date. We must receive written notification of your cancellation, at which time the following cancellation fees apply:
• 89 to 60 days before departure: 75% of tour fee
• 59 or fewer days before departure: 100% of tour fee
• If due to circumstances out of our control, we are not able to run the photo safari, we are entitled to either cancel the trip, in which case clients will be entitled to a full re-fund. Or, with the clients permission and consent, we might modify the itinerary, which could also mean modifications to the price.

VICTORIA FALLS Extension - Zimbabwe
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.
Stu Porter sometimes accompanies the extension, but clients most often complete the extension on their own. We will arrange all the logistics for you.

DESCRIPTION:
One of the 7 natural Wonders of the world, Victoria Falls is only a couple of hours away from our final destination in Chobe.
After your final morning photo shoot on the boat & breakfast, we will arrange for you to have a road transfer from Kasane, to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
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.
After your two night stay, you will have a road transfer to Victoria Falls airport for your flight back to Johannesburg, arriving in the mid afternoon.

PRICE:
$ Please enquire

ITINERARY:
Day 1 - depart after breakfast from Chobe by road to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. You would arrive at your hotel in time for lunch - afternoon at leisure doing some of the activities on offer (overnight Victoria Falls)
Day 2 - Full day spent at Victoria falls, visiting the Falls and doing optional activities (overnight Victoria Falls)
Day 3 - 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.