We will lead a small group of photographers to Botswana's  Okavango Delta, one of the continent’s natural, unspoiled and sparsely populated parts of southern Africa for twelve days to photograph panoramic landscapes with elephants, leopards, African fish eagles, lechwe antelope and wild dogs.

We fly out from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe for a sighting of the Victoria Falls, surrounded by the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a helicopter flight over the Victoria Falls and head out to the Chobe, where huge elephant herds roam freely on the plains, and hippos and crocodiles crowd the river's marshy channels. Spend a morning photographing wildlife from a pontoon on the Zambezi River and later get an array of land animals, sable antelope, lions and leopards with your long lens.

The next day, head off to Xaranna on a charter flight for a three day stay. This camp offers excellent game viewing and includes hippo, elephant, lion, reedbuck and the perennial impala. This is a ‘mostly’ land camp on the Delta which consistently provides, probably, the best game viewing in the whole of Delta. We head out to the South of the Moremi Game Reserve part of the delta into Nxabega by charter flight and use land and water craft to explore the unspoiled habitat. The maze of channels, lined by reeds and surrounded by wetlands, support herds of elephant and buffalo. The open flat marshy wetlands, untainted by human settlements, provide unparalleled panoramic vistas of a place in Africa where animals roam unperturbed. After four nights we fly to start our homeward bound journey, first on a charter flight to Maun, Botswana and then onto Johannesburg International from where each guest heads back to their destination that same evening.

 STARTING LOCATION   /   ENDING LOCATION

The expedition starts and ends in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Guests can arrange their homeward flights to depart on the end date after 18:00.

ABOUT THE SAFARI TOUR

The tour accommodates a maximum of 6 photographers. All photographic activity is performed from the safety of the safari vehicle. Within the camp, some walking will be necessary. This photo safari experience is suitable for amateur, enthusiast and semi-pro photographers with reasonable knowledge of the camera functions.

The techniques and explanations, adapted to the situation at hand, provided from time to time can be put into practice and immediately experienced in the field. In addition to the technical knowledge, you will gain a greater appreciation for, and understanding of, the magnificent animals we’ll encounter.

The experienced game rangers on game drives will explain the behavior and lifestyle of the animals as we encounter them, enabling you to take meaningful images depicting the nature of your fascinating subjects.  Each vehicle carries a dedicated tracker constantly on the lookout for clues pointing to animal activity in the vicinity.

WHY YOU SHOULD COME WITH US TO BOTSWANA

WHAT WE DO (AND WHAT WE WANT YOU TO GET FROM THIS EXPEDITION)

We want to take you to the best places to experience our passion for nature, wildlife and photography; to get you to wildlife-rich locations and give you every opportunity to make great images of your subjects while offering suggestions on how to improve your technique. We will identify your photographic skills level and what you’d like to focus on, and then provide specific guidance throughout the safari.  

We carefully select the dates of our workshops to ensure we are in each location at the best time of year. The Angolan rains flood the Delta from April onwards - in September / October the deeper waters support photographing birds on the banks and mammals crossing the channels. The milder temperatures and reduced foliage on trees enable spotting and getting better images of the animals.

Our aim is to make your experience in the wide open spaces of Botswana an unforgettable and memorable one and an expedition from which, as well as getting some great images of magnificent animals, you’ll also go home having had a true adventure with great company in a very special place.

SERVICES AND FACILITIES

From your arrival at the starting location until your departure all regular expenses are covered. This includes

• One night’s stay OR Tambo International airport

• One night at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe

• Two nights in the Chobe Game Reserve

• Six nights’ accommodation, local alcoholic beverages and all meals at Xaranna and Nxabega lodges in the Okavango Delta

• Technical guidance of a professional photographer

• Post-processing assistance using Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom

• Radio linked vehicles to report animal sightings as they happen

• Air flights between Johannesburg, Victoria Falls, Maun, Xaranna and Nxabega airports

• All airport transfers and relevant park fees

• Ground transportation of luggage

• Laundry at the lodges

• Fees, tourism taxes and levies

EXCLUDED

• International flights to and from Johannesburg, South Africa, Visas and insurances

• Medical inoculations, vaccinations, travel medicines and prophylactics

• Premium alcoholic beverages

• Optional personal purchases, tips, gratuities, tours and extra activities

FEES AND TERMS OF PAYMENT
 

COST & TERMS OF PAYMENT

The 11 day (10 nights) all-inclusive photographic safari tour requires a payment of $16,250 per person.

Costs are per person sharing.

There are no hidden costs on this photo safari - from the arrival in Johannesburg to the departure all costs are included in the fees except for excluded items.

A deposit of $4,000 per guest is required at the time of booking. Balance is payable, by check or wire transfer, no later than 90 days before the start of the tour. Cancellations more than 90 days prior to departure will be refunded in full (less the processing fee of $250). Cancellations within 90 days prior to departure will be refunded in full (less the processing fee) provided we can find another guest to take your place.

As a limited number of spaces are available, if a guest is unwilling to share with another guest of the same gender, then a single supplement will be charged. Although we will try to accommodate requests for single occupancy, this cannot be guaranteed.

We reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary if circumstances warrant such an action. We will attempt to notify participants of changes with as much notice as possible. Changes having an impact on the schedule or on costs will be borne by the participants.

TERMS AND CONSIDERATIONS

 PHYSICAL HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

This is a great opportunity for you to take pictures of the environment and observe animals in the wild. Most travelling is undertaken in air-conditioned vehicles but some images are best taken away from the vehicle and involve moderate walking. Climbing the dunes is optional – you should be able to climb into and out of a safari vehicle and walk unaided for short distances. Guests must complete a standard liability waiver before participating in this safari.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This safari tour visits two luxurious and well appointed lodges on the Okavango Delta in Botswana. The safari departs from Johannesburg International airport (OR Tambo) to Maun, Botswana and returns to OR Tambo from Maun, Botswana on commercial flights. This has been determined as the most convenient and cost-effective manner to visit the region. Please note that minor changes to the itinerary and/or flight schedules may occur due to local conditions and to better accommodate our group. You will be informed, to the extent possible, in advance of any such changes.

MANDATORY MEDICAL EVACUATION INSURANCE

Some of the areas we visit are wild and at a distance from major cities; it is a condition of this booking for guests to carry their own medical evacuation insurance. You will be asked to provide independent documentary evidence of such cover, failing which cover will be provided for you at your cost and added to your account.

Please provide the office with the insurance company’s name, contact number and your individual policy number. Thank you for understanding that this policy exists in the interest of our guests’ safety.

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS TO AND FROM THE STARTING LOCATION

This safari starts and ends in Johannesburg, South Africa. Your travel arrangements must ensure that you arrive in Johannesburg no later than 6pm on the first day of the tour. That evening the group will meet for a group introduction and welcome cocktails offered by the organizers. This tour ends at 4pm on the last day – please arrange departures from OR Tambo International Airport no earlier than after 6 pm on the final day. If you plan to participate in any add-on side trip, the routing will determine the itinerary at the time of reservation.