Tour dates: 28 June 2027 - 5 July 2027
Covering the incredible Chobe River and the stunningly beautiful northern Okavango Delta, this photo safari is a fantastic opportunity to see two of Botswana’s top wildlife and photographic destinations in one.
From amazing water-based photography on the Chobe from the customised Pangolin photographic boats to to land-based (and aerial) photography in the heart of the flooded Okavango Delta, this photographic safari promises wildlife photography experiences like few others.
The safari takes in 3 nights at the award-winning Pangolin Chobe Hotel in Kasane along the Chobe River and 4 nights at Kerr & Downey’s Shinde Footsteps camp in a private concession in the Northern Okavango Delta.
Tour Date Notes
June/July: Temperatures are cooler and in the mornings and evenings extra layers are definitely needed, particularly when cruising on the Chobe River. This is peak season in Botswana. The Chobe will be drying out with the river level falling allowing nesting kingfishers and skimmers to begin breeding. It also means elephants will be coming for water regularly as the river becomes the only source.
The Okavango is probably at its most beautiful during this time as the grass has died down a bit since the rains of December to April and the animals enjoy the bounty that the annual flood brings. With such abundance, wildlife is flourishing and everything from mokoro journeys to boating, and helicopter flights is at its aesthetic apex. Photographically, the landscape is incredible and the light is lingering and golden through these winter months.
Chobe/ Pangolin - Our Focus
Whilst here we will focus on the Chobe River and photography from the boat as there will be plenty of game drives at the next camp. On the river, you will usually see plenty of elephants, buffalo, crocodiles, water birds, fish eagles, plenty of plains game and on occasion a big cat sneaking down to the river to slake its thirst! Big cats are more regularly seen in the Delta – our next destination – but we have had some incredible sightings of lions and leopards from the photo boats too, which is very special. Kingfishers are very prolific along this stretch of river with many of the Southern African species being found daily. Skimmers and white-fronted bee-eaters should also be nesting along the banks making it an inspirational area for bird photography,
Our group will have a boat to ourselves which means there will be plenty of space, as each boat has capacity for 8 guests so we will be able to move around freely with our gear. The boats are custom-designed for photography and come rigged out with support for your kit and are weighted to ensure maximum stability on the water.
We will do one morning and one afternoon activity with an optional image review and editing session in between where Laura will be on hand to provide personal assistance and help you learn to edit your photos, or discuss new skills or techniques learnt or practiced during the morning activity.
Shinde Footsteps - Our Focus
The concession is an excellent environment for big cats such as lions and leopards and occasionally, a pack of wild dogs will spend time in the area, as well. There are also lots of plains game like wildebeest, red lechwe and giraffes, as well as several hundred bird species that call The Okavango Delta home.
Being on a private concession means we are able to off-road at special sightings allowing us to manoeuvre into the best positions for photography. The Shinde guides are well-versed in photography and understand the needs of photographers on the vehicle.
There is also opportunity for a 30 minute helicopter flight in the morning on one day of your stay where two guests at a time will be able to get up in the air for some incredible aerial photographic opportunities.
Discount Applied Successfully!
Your savings have been added to the cart.
