Okavango Delta & MalaMala Photo Safari - Jul/Aug 2026
OVERVIEW
Your photo safari adventure begins with an overnight stay in Johannesburg before flying to Maun, Botswana’s safari gateway. Over nine days, you will immerse yourself in the iconic Okavango Delta, exploring two distinct, wildlife-rich regions: Moremi Game Reserve and the Khwai Community Wildlife Area, with four unforgettable nights in each.
Experience breathtaking aerial views as we charter into the Okavango, landing directly in the wilderness. Our stay features private, authentic expedition-style rustic camps, each tent boasting an en-suite with a traditional safari bucket shower. Dedicated staff will ensure your comfort with amazing meals, and evenings promise the magic of campfires under starry skies.
In Moremi, discover picturesque floodplains teeming with life. Then, journey by road to Khwai where elephants, hippos, and vast herds of Red Lechwe roam. Here, frequent sightings of lions, leopards, and African wild dogs create unparalleled photographic moments.
After returning to Maun and a 1 night stop over in Johannesburg, the adventure culminates with three luxurious nights at South Africa's world-renowned MalaMala Private Game Reserve. A true haven for the Big Five, MalaMala guarantees incredibly close and intimate encounters, especially with its famous lions and leopards.
This is your chance to witness Africa's untamed beauty up close and with very few other vehicles.
MOREMI GAME RESERVE - OKAVANGO DELTA
The Okavango Delta, originating in Angola and flowing through Namibia, forms a vast alluvial fan over the Kalahari sands, uniquely not reaching the sea. Covering 40% of the Delta, Moremi Game Reserve was designated a Protected Game Reserve in 1963 by Chief Moremi to safeguard its wildlife from hunting.
This captivating region, with its floodplains and islands, provides an ideal habitat for diverse carnivores, herbivores, and over 400 bird species.
KHWAI COMMUNITY WILDLIFE RESERVE - OKAVANGO DELTA
The Khwai Community Area in Botswana is a wildlife-rich concession situated along the Khwai River, the easternmost major river of the Okavango Delta.
A significant advantage of this area is that it permits off-road driving, offering exceptional access to diverse habitats and wildlife, leading to outstanding photographic opportunities and close encounters with animals.
MALA MALA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
MalaMala Game Reserve is South Africa's oldest and largest private reserve, globally renowned for its consistent Big Five sightings across 13,200 hectares.
Its unfenced 19km boundary with Kruger National Park, combined with 20km of Sand River frontage, acts as a natural magnet for wildlife, especially during the dry winter months.
This ensures unparalleled game viewing and intimate encounters.
Enjoy luxury accommodations, warm hospitality, fantastic dining, and incredible wildlife sightings in this pristine wilderness.
IMPORTANT DETAILS
This intimate photo safari is limited to three photographers and one non-photographer partner, ensuring ample space for equipment and unobstructed views from our private safari vehicles at both locations.
Stu Porter will lead the tour, providing expert photographic tuition and guidance. Our professional guides, leveraging their local knowledge and contacts, guarantee exceptional wildlife tracking.
The safari begins and ends in Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA.
**PLEASE NOTE: For this safari, luggage must be in soft duffel bags, not hard cases, due to charter flight and road travel requirements. A TOTAL allowance of 35kg (80lb) per person is included.
You will have an excellent chance to see and photograph the following animals on this incredible photo safari to Botswana and MalaMala:
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 astounding variety of birdlife.
DAY 1 - Arrive in Johannesburg & overnight
Arrive in Johannesburg at OR TAMBO International Airport, meet & greet and escorted to hotel for an overnight stay
To accommodate a morning departure on Day 2, the group must gather in Johannesburg the day before to allow for any flight delays.
Upon arrival, our meet & greet representative will be waiting in the arrivals hall to meet you and will escort you to the hotel, which is within walking distance
Your accommodation for the night will be provided at the OR Tambo City Lodge Hotel, inclusive of bed and breakfast.
DAY 2 - Fly to Botswana and into the Okavango Delta
Fly from Johannesburg (JNB) to Maun in Botswana (MUB). Charter flight into the Okavango Delta
Our late morning flight to Maun, Botswana, ensures we have plenty of time for breakfast and a quick briefing.
Afterward, we'll head to the airport for check-in. Once in Maun, we'll connect with a charter flight that will take us directly into the heart of the Okavango Delta.
Our 8-night adventure takes us to two incredible destinations, with 4 nights at each. We'll begin with four nights immersing ourselves in the wilderness from our private mobile tented camp in the central Moremi Game Reserve, complete with your own en-suite and authentic bucket shower (please see accommodation photographs). The remaining four nights will be spent in our private mobile tented camp in the Khwai Community Concession, also in the Okavango Delta.
(All meals included)
(Local drinks included)
(** Laundry services are available - but they are limited**)
DAY 3 - Okavango Delta - Moremi
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in the Moremi Game Reserve
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography exploring the Okavango Delta in our private safari vehicle.
DAY 4 - Okavango Delta - Moremi
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in the Moremi Game Reserve
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography exploring the Okavango Delta in our private safari vehicle.
DAY 5 - Okavango Delta - Moremi
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in the Moremi Game Reserve
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography exploring the Okavango Delta in our private safari vehicle.
DAY 6 - Move to second location in the Okavango - Khwai
Move to the Khwai Community Wildlife Concession and explore a different section of the Okavango Delta
As you enjoy another full day of photography, our camp team will be busy moving the entire setup to a captivating new location in the Khwai Community Wildlife Concession.
By day's end, you'll arrive to find your camp expertly reassembled, complete with a warm campfire and a delicious dinner.
You'll spend four nights here, staying in the same comfortable mobile expedition tents.
(All meals included)
(Local drinks included)
(** Laundry services are available - but they are limited**)
DAY 7 - Okavango Delta - Khwai
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in the Khwai Wildlife concession
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography exploring more of the Okavango Delta in our private safari vehicle.
DAY 8 - Okavango Delta - Khwai
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in the Khwai Wildlife concession
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography exploring more of the Okavango Delta in our private safari vehicle.
DAY 9 - Okavango Delta - Khwai
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in the Khwai Wildlife concession
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography exploring more of the Okavango Delta in our private safari vehicle.
DAY 10 - Fly to Maun, then back to Johannesburg - overnight
Final morning in Khwai. Charter flight to Maun Airport & fly back to Johannesburg
Enjoy a last morning of photography in Khwai before embarking on a charter flight from the local airstrip, back to Maun, with great views of the Okavango from the air.
We connect with the flight back to Johannesburg, where we will spend one night in the same City Lodge Hotel right at the airport.
(All meals included)
(Local drinks included)
DAY 11 - Fly to Skukuza and then road transfer to Malamala
Fly from Johannesburg (JNB) to Skukuza (SZK). Road transfer to MalaMala Main Camp
After breakfast, we'll take the 11 am domestic flight directly to Skukuza Airport, located inside Kruger National Park.
Our group will be met there and transferred by road to MalaMala Main Camp, arriving in time for lunch.
You'll spend four nights here, enjoying a luxury en-suite room.
(All meals included)
(Local drinks included)
(Laundry included)
DAY 12 - MalaMala Game Reserve
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives at Malamala
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography exploring the MalaMala Game Reserve in our private safari vehicle.
DAY 13 - MalaMala Game Reserve
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives at Malamala
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography exploring the MalaMala Game Reserve in our private safari vehicle.
DAY 14 - Fly back to Johannesburg and depart
Short morning game drive. Road transfer to Skukuza Airport and fly to Johannesburg
Enjoy your final morning game drive at MalaMala. Afterward, we'll take a road transfer to Skukuza Airport for a midday flight back to Johannesburg.
We'll arrive mid-afternoon, giving you ample time to connect with your international flight home that same evening.
STEP 1 - PLEASE READ OUR BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS
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.
STEP 2 - GET IN TOUCH
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.
STEP 3 - AWAIT A REPLY FROM US & THEN CREATE YOUR CLIENT ACCOUNT
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.
STEP 4 - COMPLETE A 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.
STEP 5 - SEND YOUR DEPOSIT
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.
STEP 6 - FINAL BALANCE 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.