Botswana Photographic Safari

When you arrive in Chobe you will be met and briefed by your dedicated photo host who will be accompanying you throughout your trip. Generally, clients either arrive at Kasane Airport or are transferred from nearby Victoria Falls. You will meet up with the group and then make the short transfer across the river (to the Namibian side) to board the houseboat – The Pangolin Voyager.

The Pangolin Voyager cruises up and down a long stretch of the Chobe River with three dedicated mooring points at which you will spend one night. Water levels and conditions of the river influence the order that the boat visits the mooring points.

The rhythm of the animals in and around the Chobe River set the order of the day, so it’s usually very relaxed. An early morning, with some tea & coffee and a snack before heading out on a smaller boat. The 8-seater photo boat is especially designed and equipped for this sort of excursion. Everyone has their own seat which rotates 360 degrees and has a camera mount built into the chair. The boats are very wide and stable and this allows your guide to move between all the photographers on the boat, offering an interactive experience, so that everyone has the best opportunity to get some amazing images. Whether you are just getting started in wildlife photography or are more accomplished, your photo host is able to tailor his or her tuition to suit your requirements.

Brunch is served back on the houseboat, while it cruises to the next destination along the river. We recommend that you keep your camera close at hand as this is a wild destinations and you may have some amazing sightings to capture.

After brunch, you are free to relax in your cabin, the lounge, the sun deck or join the photo host at the dining table for an image review of the pictures you have taken so far. These sessions are less about post-production and editing and more about analysing your images and seeing how your host help you improve on your techniques. There are no computers or laptops on board, so please bring your own to join in these sessions.

The “golden hour” at the end of the day is not to be missed, so a couple of hours before sunset you’ll head out again to see what you can find to photograph. Refreshments are served on all the cruises and you’ll be sure to have some very special sundowner moments.

The dinner is a three-course meal taken around the dining table lovingly prepared by the galley staff from fresh local ingredients. With the National Park on the other bank you can often hear the call of lions and hyena at night.

On the fourth day, after brunch, we will disembark and head back into Botswana to The Pangolin Chobe Hotel for the next part of the safari.

Today, after brunch, you will disembark and be taken back into Botswana to The Pangolin Chobe Hotel for the next part of your safari.

Not only do you now have access to the Chobe National Park for game drives, but you are also able to cruise the Southern Channel of the Chobe River, which is not accessible from the Namibian side.

The same type of equipped photographic boat is used for the river cruising and photos as what were used the first three days. The vehicles that are used in The Chobe National Park also seat all eight guests with everyone having a window seat and camera rest to support the lenses.

In between the activities you can either relax at the eco-pool or make use of the air-conditioned editing room at the hotel.

Meals are enjoyed either out on the deck or in the inter-leading dining room and wholesome meals, using locally sources ingredients, and the pride of the chefs. The evening meals vary from Braai (Barbecue) Nights to gourmet pizzas cooked in wood-fired ovens.

The Pangolin bar on the upper floor of the hotel has spectacular views and the best cocktails in Kasane and is a great place to relax after dinner with your fellow travellers.

After breakfast you will be transferred to Kasane Airport for your onward arrangements.

Expert guides are not just wildlife enthusiasts, but also skilled photographers who understand the technical aspects and creative considerations of wildlife photography. They’ll share tips on camera settings, composition techniques, animal behaviour, and how to optimise camera settings for different lighting conditions.

Chobe National Park experiences a warm and wonderful subtropical climate with warm to hot days, especially during the summer months (November-March). Winters (June-August) are drier with comfortable daytime temperatures and cooler nights. The dry season (May-September) generally offers the best light for photography.

Absolutely! The Chobe National Park boasts stunning landscapes, from the mighty Chobe River to vast floodplains teeming with wildlife. Your guide will point out scenic locations and offer tips on capturing breathtaking landscape shots alongside your wildlife photography endeavours.

Respecting wildlife is most important. Guides on Botswana photo tours will ensure you maintain a safe distance from animals and avoid using flash photography that might disturb them. The focus will be on capturing natural behaviours and stunning imagery without causing stress to the wildlife.

 While specific software recommendations might be provided, most photographic guides will have a strong understanding of general photo editing principles applicable across various editing platforms, especially Lightroom.