Welcome to Botswana!
If wildlife photography is a passion, or a new skill you’d like to add to your list, then this seven day safari is the perfect option. Your photographic safari host, who will be with you for the duration of your trip, will offer advice and ideas to assist with the perfect photographic shot. Accommodation will not only be at the award-winning Pangolin Chobe Hotel, but also on a houseboat, which sails on a long stretch of the Chobe River. If you are travelling without a camera, we can supply you with cameras and telephoto lenses to use for the duration of this tour, free of charge.
Destination: Botswana
| COST | FROM USD 2 450.00 per person sharing |
| INCLUDED | 3 Nights on the Pangolin Voyager Houseboat 3 Nights at the Pangolin Chobe Hotel Twice daily game activities Photo tuition from the Pangolin Photo Host Camera’s lenses and memory cards Daily photo review sessions (own laptop needed) All meals and drinks Airport transfers (Kasane) Park fees and tourism levies |
| NOT INCLUDED | Flights Travel insurance Laundry Gratuities Items of a personal nature Optional excursions Visa fees (where applicable) Airport taxes Souvenirs |
Days 1 - 4
Chobe, Namibia
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.
Days 4 - 6
Chobe, Botswana
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.
Day 7
Chobe, Botswana
After breakfast you will be transferred to Kasane Airport for your onward arrangements.
Pangolin Voyager
The Chobe River is the natural border between Namibia and Botswana and the Pangolin Voyager is actually based on the Namibian side of the river with the Chobe National Park as the opposite bank. The Chobe is unique in that it flows in both directions at different times of the year depending on the flood in the mighty Zambezi with which is converges a few kilometres further downstream. The houseboat has five cabins which can be configured as double or twin beds. Each has an ensuite shower and toilet as well as air conditioning. Please be aware that the aircon is controlled centrally to cool the cabins throughout the day and night when you are most likely to be in your room but cannot run 24/7 as we predominantly rely on solar generated battery power. The middle level is where you will find the living and dining areas where all the meals are served and a well-stocked bar is located. Large glass sliding doors offer a wonderful view of the river as we cruise between our three moorings. Most cruising takes place after the morning game activity and during brunch and the midday sun – which is best enjoyed on the partially shaded upper deck.
Pangolin Chobe Hotel ****
The Pangolin Chobe Hotel sits on the plateau overlooking The Chobe River and Namibia’s Caprivi floodplains which stretch out to the far horizon. The Chobe National Park boundary is a few hundred meters away meaning that with our proximity to the gate we are more often than not the first vehicle through the gate for game drives. Our boats are moored on the river directly below the Hotel and its a quick five minute transfer to get to them and then straight into the park. Each of the fourteen rooms have been designed to maximise the space and provide plenty of surfaces (for cameras and laptops etc) and charging points galore. They are all en-suite and air-conditioned with safes and tea/coffee making facilities and plenty of intriguing design features.
