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The Wildlife
Photo Safari Map
This wildlife photography safari begins in Johannesburg, South Africa, with a flight into Maun, the safari capital of Botswana. From here, we will set off on a 15-day photo adventure to explore the Okavango Delta, Savuti, and the mighty Chobe River.
On arrival in Maun, we are met by our bush pilot, who will fly 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.
Based at our private and remote campsite, set up for our group only, we will explore the central area of Moremi. Noted for its beautiful seasonal floodplains and many lagoons, this area is stunning and wild. We will spend three nights at this first location in the Okavango Delta.
Our next location will be in the northern part of Moremi, near the Khwai River. This area offers excellent wildlife concentrations. Elephants come from miles around to drink, pods of Hippos are common, and herds of semi-aquatic Red Lechwe antelope occupy the river's floodplains. Lion prides are regularly seen along the riverfront. It is also one of the best places to see and photograph Leopards and the African Wild Dog. We will spend three nights in this northern part of the Delta.
From the Khwai River, we travel away from the Delta and through the Mababe Depression to Savuti. This is a vast thirsty land known for its Lion and Hyaena densities. It is made famous by films such as "Eternal Enemies" and the BBC's "Planet Earth" series. Savuti is an area within the Chobe National Park. It is characterised by its low hills, dry Marsh and the Savuti Channel.
This is a good area for African Wild Dog and Cheetah.
San rock art dating back 4000 years can be seen on one of the hills. We will spend four nights in this area.
Our final destination on this tour is a three-night stay at the Chobe River, which we reach by plane. Here we will explore and photograph from a 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.
After a final morning boat ride on the river, we will fly back to Johannesburg, arriving in the mid-afternoon. There will be plenty of time to connect with your international flight home.
**PLEASE NOTE: Luggage for this safari needs to be in soft duffel-type bags, NOT hard cases. This is necessary for charter flights and travel by road.
At the end of this safari, there is an optional 2-night extension to view and photograph the magnificent Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
** View all details of this extension in the EXTENSION TAB
The Okavango Delta begins in Southern Angola and crosses Namibia's Caprivi Strip. It then spreads out over the Kalahari sands, forming a 15 000-square kilometre alluvial fan. The formation of the Delta dates back nearly two million years.
Moremi reserve covers about 40% of the Okavango Delta, one of the few Delta Systems in the world that does not flow into the sea.
Moremi was declared a Protected Game Reserve in 1963, after an initiative under Chief Moremi and his wife to save the area's wildlife from indiscriminate hunting.
This picturesque area of flood plains, islands, and riverine environments provides a fantastic habitat for carnivores, herbivores, omnivores, and over 400 bird species.
In 1967 the Chobe National Park was formed to preserve one of the greatest concentrations of game animals in Africa.
Within this National Park is an area known as Savuti. One of its dominant features is a large, usually dry marsh. The marsh is the remnant of a giant prehistoric lake that dried up after its water source was cut off by seismic events. However, these events still happen from time to time, enabling floodwaters to push down the Savuti Channel and empty into the great Savuti Marsh.
The stunning and life-giving Chobe River begins as a small mountain spring in Angola, where it is known as the Kwando River. When it reaches Botswana, it becomes the Linyanti River.
It finally becomes the Chobe River at the border post of Ngoma. This section is a broad, twisting mass of water that snakes through swampland and is interspersed by several lush, green islands. The Chobe then meets with the mighty Zambezi River and tumbles over the precipice at Victoria Falls.
This incredible river attracts an unbelievable density of game, including large herds of elephants (which can often be seen crossing the river) and buffalo, as well as countless hippos and crocodiles. The birdlife is extraordinary too. The wide banks and lush grass attract rare antelope such as red lechwe and puku.
There is no better way to explore this area than from the comfort of a specially designed photo boat.
This safari will have a maximum of 6 participants.
For the land-based section, we will use two safari vehicles (3 participants per vehicle). You will have plenty of space for equipment and guaranteed access to both sides.
For the river-based section, the whole group will easily fit onto one of the specially modified Pangolin Photo Boats, fitted with swivel chairs and gimbal mounts.
Stu Porter will lead this photo tour.
Photographic tuition and guidance will be offered, making it ideal for beginners. The informal and flexible nature of the tuition also makes it perfect for intermediate and advanced photographers who can choose to engage in as much or as little as they feel comfortable with.
We always use guides who are professional & experienced and who know how to use their local contacts and knowledge of the area to locate the wildlife.
The guides are fully aware of the needs of photographers. They will always do their utmost to position the safari vehicle (or boat) for the best photographic results.
You will have an excellent chance to see and photograph the following animals on this incredible photo safari to Botswana:
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.
Fly from Johannesburg (JNB) to Maun in Botswana (MUB). Charter flight into the Okavango Delta
If your international flight arrives this first day you need to make sure you can link with the regional flight (which we will book for you) to Maun in Botswana. This flight departs at around 11am.
If you are concerned you might miss the flight to Maun we recommend you arrive a day earlier and stay for one night in an airport hotel in Johannesburg. We can help arrange this for you.
On arrival in Maun, Botswana, the group will transfer via a charter flight with extra luggage allowance into the Okavango Delta.
You will stay for a total of 7 nights in the Okavango Delta camping in the wild at two different locations using a PRIVATE MOBILE TENTED CAMP - ** please view the accommodation pictures **
The first four nights will be spent in the central section of the MOREMI GAME RESERVE in a mobile expedition tent with your own drop-toilet and bucket shower.
(All meals included)
(Local drinks included)
(** Laundry services are available - but they are limited**)
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in the central section of Moremi Game Reserve
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography.
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in the central section of Moremi Game Reserve
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography.
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in the central section of Moremi Game Reserve
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography.
Move to the Northern part of Moremi and explore a different section of the Okavango Delta
While you enjoy another full day of photography the camp team dismantle the camp and relocate it to the northern part of Moremi Game Reserve. At the end of the day, you will find the camp set up in a beautiful new location, the campfire burning and delicious dinner waiting for you.
You will stay for 3 nights at this new location in the northern section of the MOREMI GAME RESERVE in a mobile expedition tent with your own drop-toilet and bucket shower.
(All meals included)
(Local drinks included)
(** Laundry services are available - but they are limited**)
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in the northern section of Moremi Game Reserve
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography.
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in the northern section of Moremi Game Reserve
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography.
Move camp to the Savuti area of the Chobe National Park
As the camp team starts to dismantle the camp you will head off again for a full day of photography stopping for lunch in the Mababe Depression. At the end of the day, you again arrive at your newly pitched camp in the stunning Savuti wilderness area. This dry arid region is in stark contrast to the lush lagoons of the Okavango Delta.
You will stay for 4 nights in SAVUTI in a mobile expedition tent with your own drop-toilet and bucket shower.
(All meals included)
(Local drinks included)
(** Laundry services are available - but they are limited**)
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in Savuti
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography.
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in Savuti
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography.
Morning & Afternoon photo game drives in Savuti
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography.
Final morning in Savuti. Charter flight to Kasane Airport (Chobe River)
Enjoy a final morning of photography in Savuti. Depart from the local airstrip on a charter flight to the Chobe River. This marks the end of the mobile camping section of this photo safari.
The group will be met at the airport in Kasane and transferred the short distance to your final location in time for lunch.
After lunch, you will prepare for your first 3-hour afternoon boat ride on the Chobe River in the specially designed Pangolin Photo Boat.
Return to the hotel after sunset.
You will stay for 2 nights at the PANGOLIN CHOBE HOTEL in an en-suite room.
(All meals included)
(Local drinks included)
(Laundry services included)
3hr Morning & 3hr Afternoon photo boat rides on the Chobe River
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography from the specially designed Pangolin Photo Boat.
3hr Morning & 3hr Afternoon photo boat rides on the Chobe River
Enjoy relaxed and flexible photography from the specially designed Pangolin Photo Boat.
3hr Morning boat ride. Breakfast. Fly back to Johannesburg - OR optional extension to VICTORIA FALLS
Enjoy your fourth and final photo boat ride on the Chobe River. Return to the hotel for a delicious breakfast and then depart for Kasane Airport for the flight back to Johannesburg.
This flight will arrive in Johannesburg in the mid-afternoon allowing you plenty of time to connect with your international flight home that same evening.
VICTORIA FALLS
If you choose to do the 2-night extension to see the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, we can arrange this for you. Instead of going to the airport with the rest of the group, you will take a road transfer across the border into Zimbabwe and you will arrive in Victoria Falls for lunch.
** View all details of this extension in the EXTENSION TAB
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.
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.
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
Botswana Photo Safari
Photo highlights from the June 2019 Photo tour to the Okavango Delta, Savuti & the Chobe River in Botswana.
Posted on 11th October, 2021
Botswana Photo Safari
Photo highlights from the May 2019 Photography safari to the Okavango Delta, Savuti & the Chobe River in Botswana.
Posted on 12th October, 2021
Botswana Photo Safari
Photo highlights from the May 2016 Photographic tour to the Okavango Delta, Savuti & the Chobe River in Botswana.
Posted on 17th September, 2021
