The Ultimate Photographic Safari

Botswana: The Ultimate Photographic Safari – Photo Tour

Anette Mossbacher will lead a private group of six photographers into one of Africas’ last living Edens. This Unique Photograhic Safari covers three of Botswana’s premier Wildlife destinations. The Okavango Delta, Savute, and Chobe area. 

You arrive a day earlier in Maun, Botswana, our starting point for this photography tour. Meet me for dinner in Maun.

African lioness smelling or snarling. Beautiful animal captured in the Okavango Delta while on a safari photo tour.

About The Photo Tour Locations:

Okavango Delta

It is indeed an emerald oasis in the heart of Botswana. This life-giving water rises from its source in the Angolan highlands. It also dies in the scorching sands of the Kalahari desert. The Okavango delta during the dry season (Oct-Nov) has the highest concentrations of wildlife in Southern Africa. The delta fringes and flood plains attract tremendous numbers of grazers, which in turn attract large numbers of predators. Lions, Hyenas, Leopards also Wild Dogs we can encounter daily. 

Two African lionesses are fighting at the banks of a river in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Photographed on Ultimate Photographic Safari.

Photographic highlights include the vast herds of buffalo and breeding herds of Elephants. These herds as they trek daily to the deltas waters kick up clouds of dust. That is creating an ethereal glow in the last rays of an African sunset. The delta is also home to the indigenous Lechwe. That antelope makes spectacular photographic subjects as they leap through channels of clear waters. Not to forget the lion prides patrolling the areas and following the wildlife.

Lechwe is running, also jumping through the swamp in the Okavango Delta. We have captured it on Ultimate Photographic Safari.

Expect to see pods of Hippos in the lagoon areas of the delta. The shallow area is perfect for bird species, in particular, the waders, storks, herons, and egrets.

Accommodation:

Khwai River Lodge Day 1 -3:

The renowned Khwai River Lodge* will be host to our safari group on the deltas waterway. Of course, that lodge is home to luxury rooms seated on raised wooden platforms with traditional African roofs thatch. 

Each room has its private decks with comfortable chairs and hammocks. Undoubtedly entirely to relax after an action-filled photographic day. Four-poster beds with discreet air conditioning and an elegant bathroom will ensure a restful night’s sleep. 

(*Depending on availability, the Khwai River lodge could be changed for another lodge of the same standard.)

African leopard sitting in a tree at sunset. Photographed on a safari photo tour in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Wall art prints online are available.

Day 4 – 6 Savute:

Indeed it is a dry arid area within the Chobe National park. That creates the unpredictable water flow of the Savute channel. The animals are reliant on a few waterholes, some human-made. During the dry season, the wildlife congregates around these vital water sources. Late afternoons entire herds of different species we can see around the same waterhole. That can lead to too surprisingly action photography as tolerance levels of animals are to the limits. 

The Savute is renowned for its groups of spotted Hyenas and Lions. Furthermore, Derek and Beverly Joubert have created an excellent documentary called “Eternal Enemies.” 

Another wildlife phenomenon is the Lions killing Elephants of the Savute, also caught on camera by the BBC.

Accommodation in Savute:

The 5 Star Savute Elephant Camp* is in the heart of Chobe National park. This beautiful camp is in a genuinely remote and wild area. Indeed, it is offering guests the complete classic African safari experience. 

The lodge hosts a cluster of twelve rooms on raised platforms. Each room comes with its own outdoor lounge. Especially shaded by traditional African thatch. 

Rooms are luxurious with lavish ensuite bathrooms and dressing rooms with discreet air conditioning. 

(*Depending on availability the Savute Elephant Camp lodge could be changed for another lodge of the same standard.)

Saddle Billed Stork impaled a fish on its beak on an Ultimate Photographic Safari in Botswana.

Chobe River:

Day 7 – 11:

Undoubtedly, the Chobe river marks the boundary with the Caprivi strip in Namibia. Indeed, the Chobe is famed for its large populations of Buffalo and African elephants. Some 70,000 elephants we find in the Chobe National park. Therefore that is the highest density of Elephants in Africa.

Given that, they provide excellent photographic opportunities as they come to the river bank to drink and swim. What’s more? Late afternoon you can expect to see all the animals from the nearby forest coming to drink. 

Another point is that our small photographic safari group will be staying on Chobe’s premier houseboat*. We can take any time advantage of smaller boats. Specially adapted boats for the photographer’s needs. That allows us to get close and personal with Chobes wildlife. Photographing from a boat will enable photographers to get a unique photographic perspective of their subjects. 

Photographing on the Chobe River will bring a new and different feel to this “Ultimate Photographic Safari.”

Apart from the vast herds of Elephants, tremendous concentrations of Buffalo, Antelope as well as Predators, we will see. Indeed, the birdlife in Chobe is prolific with close to 390 species you can see from the boats alone. 

Two hippos fight in a river on a photographic safari in Botswana.

Chobe River Accommodation:

The luxurious houseboat contains three decks. The lower floor boasts five ensuite cabins tastefully decorated. The beautiful middle deck includes the lounge and dining room. The open-air top deck allows guests to chill also to relax on sun loungers and enjoy their sundowners with snacks.

(*Depending on availability the Chobe’s premier houseboat could be changed for another lodge of the same standard.”)

Arrival Day – Meeting for Dinner: in Maun, Botswana, for those arriving earlier.

Transfer back to Kasane.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Climate: Warm – Hot

Reserve your spot for this fantastic photography tour. Indeed you are accompanied by two professional wildlife photographers. After your booking, we will send you a list of all the details. Please, do not hesitate to contact us for any inquiries you may have.

Scheduling your arrival: Meet in Maun / Botswana. A day before your photographic safari tour starts. Meet me for dinner in Maun.

What Do You Need To Bring Along On Your Photographic Safari:

  • Patience and passion for wildlife, love to travel
  • Lenses for your camera bodies in the range from 16 – 600mm. The minimum requires around 300mm. If you do not own a telelens, therefore are shops that rent lenses and bodies for reasonable prices these days.
  • Camera body, two bodies we highly recommend. If one fails, you still have one body left in the bush!
  • Another key point is to bring your Hyperdrive or Laptop, external hard drives for your photographic files storage

Safari Highlights

  • Opportunity to photograph in one of the last real remaining wilderness areas. Where wildlife has no boundaries! 
  • Experienced and knowledgeable field guides will drive us in private open 4×4 vehicles. They are for our photography tour group only.
  • Private vehicles with one person per row (three Rows per Vehicle). As well as a seat by the driver is available for lower perspectives.

Is This The Ultimate Photographic Safari For You?

  • Photographers of all levels are welcome to this Photography Tour. 
  • The Photo Tour leaders are professional wildlife and landscape photographers. Their experience is with Canon, Nikon, DSLR. Of course also Mirrorless cameras from FujiFilm and Sony.
  • Photo Tour leaders will gladly answer any question as well as share their valuable experience and knowledge.
  • However, this Safari Photo Tour is all about Wildlife Photography. Indeed we will maximize our time whenever possible in the field.
  • One-to-one help is available at the lodge.
  • It is my goal that all participants have the most memorable photographic experience. Undoubtedly, they will do their best to ensure this happens. 
  • This “Ultimate Photographic Safari Photo Tour” is particularly for serious wildlife photography and game viewing. The locations chosen are indeed some of the best wildlife photography destinations anywhere.
  • Photography and digital workflow instruction from experienced professionals.
  • Although, the group size will be six guests only.

What Is Included In The Photographic Safari Photo Tour?:

  • All luxury accommodations, including all meals, local drinks, soft drinks, during the safari photo tour
  • Also, domestic flights in a small aircraft between each safari lodge. We have two extra fright seats for photography equipment on the flights between the safari lodges! Of course, it is a photography tour.
  • All safaris with private 4×4 vehicles and houseboat in Chobe for our photography tour group.
  • All park fees, also transfer from and to Kasane airport

What Insurance You Should Have For This Photographic Safari Photo Tour

  • Please, make sure to have insurance for your medical coverage over the full time for your photographic tour
  • Travel insurance is needed
  • Camera equipment insurance

Information for personal care on this Photography Tour:

  • On this photographic safari photo tour, we will be traveling in the African bush. Please, bring enough of any of your medication along you need for this time!
  • If you suffer from any health issues in hot environments, please seek medical advice before booking
  • Let us know if you need a special dietary.
  • Please, check that all your vaccinations are up to date for the Southern Part of Africa.
  • Motion sickness and seasickness medication, if needed! We will be on a boat for a few days. Furthermore, the transfer between camps will be with a small aircraft! Indeed in a small aircraft, it can be bumpy.

About Nature Photographer Anette
See more offers on Photo Tours with two expert photographer instructors, like discovering Greenland for beautiful nature and landscapes. More information about all Photographic tours and workshops offered. Why not take a private tour to follow the funny Meerkats in Botswana! Explore our safaris.

A Lion pictures black and white of a majestic male standing in the Savannah. (copyright Anette Mossbacher)

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