Beautiful Botswana
Photography Safari

Day 1 – Arrive and Meet & Greet

We’ll meet in Kasane, Botswana, with incoming flights scheduled to arrive no later than 2 PM. Upon your arrival, you’ll be warmly greeted and transferred on a short five-minute drive to our first lodge, perfectly positioned along the banks of the Chobe River. After settling into your room and taking a moment to unwind, we’ll gather for afternoon tea—considered the fourth meal of the day here in Botswana—before embarking on our first sunset photography session on the Chobe. It’s the perfect introduction to the river’s vibrant wildlife and the golden light that makes this region so spectacular.

​

Day 2/3/4 – Full Day Chobe River/Chobe National Park

Before the sun rises, we’ll start the day with a hot cup of coffee or tea and a light breakfast, fueling up for our morning on the water. We’ll then board our custom-built photography boats, designed specifically with photographers in mind. Each boat comfortably accommodates up to eight guests, offering plenty of space to move about and access gear with ease. Every seat features a custom camera mount and rotates a full 360 degrees, making it effortless to track subjects and compose shots from any angle. Riding low to the water, these boats provide an exceptional below-eye-level perspective—perfect for creating dramatic, intimate images—and allow for quiet, unobtrusive approaches to more skittish species. We’ll stay out on the river as long as the light and activity reward us before returning to camp for a hearty brunch and a midday break or image review session. After teatime, we’ll head back out for an afternoon photo cruise, staying on the water through golden hour and sunset to capture the river at its most enchanting.

​

Potential species that can often be seen and photographed while we are on the river include: elephants (doing pretty much everything from enthusiastic mud bathing to almost meditative drinking), impalas, giraffes, hippos (aplenty), Nile crocodiles, Cape buffalo, potentially some big cats such as lions and leopards, and than there are the birds - from tiny malachite kingfishers to various species of bee-eaters,  African fish eagles to yellow-billed storks in breeding plumage.     

​

Day 5 – Chobe to the Okavango Delta

Depending on the departure time of our flight from Kasane into the heart of the Okavango Delta, we’ll seize the opportunity for one final pre-dawn outing on the Chobe River. It’s a last chance to photograph the river’s abundant life before we board our small bush plane for a scenic flight over the sprawling wilderness below. From there, we’ll land deep within the Okavango Delta to begin the next chapter of our adventure, settling into the first of two exclusive lodges that each offer unique ecosystems, wildlife encounters, and photographic opportunities.

​

Upon arrival, we’ll have time to settle in and enjoy a refreshing afternoon tea before heading out for our first game drive in the Delta. Situated on the edge of the world-renowned Moremi Game Reserve, we’ll explore the surrounding wilderness in specially designed safari vehicles equipped with wide, open viewing spaces, USB charging ports, and adjustable camera mounts—perfect for capturing the action from every angle. That night, far removed from any trace of urban life, you’ll drift to sleep to the gentle peeps of reed frogs, punctuated by the deep, resonant chuffs of hippos as they patrol the Maunachira River just beyond camp—an unforgettable soundtrack to the wild.

​

Day 6/7 – Okavango Delta: Moremi Game Reserve​

As the first light breaks across the Okavango Delta, we set out in our open safari vehicles, venturing into the Moremi Game Reserve’s diverse habitats of floodplains, woodlands, and savannas in search of iconic wildlife like lions, leopards, wild dogs, and herds of plains zebra. The soft morning light provides ideal conditions for capturing dramatic scenes and intimate portraits. After several hours of exploration, we return to camp for a hearty brunch and a midday break to rest, recharge camera batteries, or review images. As the afternoon cools, we gather for tea before heading back out on an evening game drive, chasing golden hour light and the heightened activity of predators as dusk approaches. After sunset, we return to camp for a delicious dinner, often accompanied by stories shared under the stars and the distant calls of the African night.

​

During one of our sessions we will get a chance to enjoy photographing on the Maunachira River from mokoro—a traditional dugout canoe— which offers a uniquely intimate and tranquil experience. Gliding silently through narrow, reed-lined channels and glassy lagoons, you’re at water level, creating a low, immersive perspective perfect for capturing the Delta’s serene beauty and its wildlife up close. With each gentle push from your poler, the world feels hushed, interrupted only by the splash of a distant fish or the rustle of birds hidden in the reeds. Along the way, you may encounter elephants crossing the channels, tiny painted reed frogs clinging to papyrus stalks, and vividly colored kingfishers darting just above the surface. The mokoro’s quiet approach allows for close encounters without disturbing the wildlife, while reflections in the still waters and the ever-changing play of light offer endless creative opportunities for compelling compositions.

​​​

Day 8 – Okavango Delta: Moremi Game Reserve to Kanana Camp

Our morning begins with an early wake-up and a warm cup of coffee or tea before heading out on our final game drive in search of last memorable sightings in this part of the Delta. After the drive, we’ll return to camp for a hearty brunch and time to freshen up before our transfer to the airstrip. From there, we’ll board our scenic bush flight to Kanana Camp, soaring over the patchwork of floodplains, channels, and islands that define the Okavango Delta. The aerial perspective provides a breathtaking overview of this remarkable ecosystem, and upon landing, we’ll settle into Kanana, ready to explore its rich wildlife and unique waterways in the days ahead.

​

Tucked within a private concession in the southwest Okavango Delta, along the tranquil channels of the Xudum River, Kanana Camp is a secluded oasis surrounded by palm-studded islands and lush riverine woodlands. The area offers exceptional wildlife encounters, with frequent sightings of lion, leopard, hyena, elephant, red lechwe, zebra, and the elusive wild dog. Recently revitalized with eco-conscious enhancements and awarded five-star status, this solar-powered camp blends refined, understated luxury with intimate access to wildlife and an authentic immersion in the timeless beauty of the Okavango Delta. 

​​​

Day 9/10 – Okavango Delta: Kanana Camp

Our typical photography safari day at Kanana Camp begins in the pre-dawn hush, with coffee, tea, and a light breakfast served as the first hints of daylight touch the horizon. We set out early in open safari vehicles, specially adapted for photography with wide viewing spaces, camera mounts, and the flexibility to go off-road—an advantage of being in a private concession. This freedom allows us to follow wildlife closely, whether tracking a pride of lions through the floodplains, shadowing a leopard weaving through woodland, or positioning for the perfect angle as red lechwe wade through shimmering water channels. We return to camp mid-morning for a hearty brunch, followed by downtime to rest, review images, or participate in informal editing sessions.

​

In the afternoon, after tea, we head out again for an extended game drive. The off-road access enables us to stay with wildlife longer and maneuver for optimal light and composition, especially as the golden hour casts a magical glow across the landscape. Back at camp, a delicious dinner is served under the stars, with time to relax by the firepit and share stories, before drifting off to the sounds of the Delta’s wildlife.

​

Day 11 – Okavango Delta to Maun

As the first golden light filters through the palm-dotted landscape of the Okavango Delta, the air at Kanana Camp is crisp and alive with birdsong. We savor steaming cups of coffee while hippos grunt in the distance and the reeds shimmer with dew, cameras already in hand to capture the last magical moments in this wild paradise. After a final game drive through floodplains glowing in the early sun—perhaps spotting a fishing heron or a lion stretching in the morning light—we return to camp for a quick breakfast. Then, it's a short, scenic bush flight back to Maun, soaring above winding channels and glinting lagoons, with memory cards full and the spirit of the delta etched into our souls.

​

After an exhilarating safari, we unwind together in comfort at Gray’s Eden in Maun — our tranquil haven before the long journey home. Nestled in a peaceful garden setting, this charming guesthouse offers a warm welcome, cozy rooms, and thoughtful touches that let us relax, recharge, and reflect on our shared adventures one last time before we disperse for our respective homes. Here we will enjoy one last evening of phenomenal food and Botswanan hospitality along with time for a final image review session.  

​​

Day 12 – Farewell

The soft light of dawn casts a gentle glow over the town as we prepare to say goodbye to Botswana. The calm air carries the distant sounds of birdsong and the faint scent of the bush. Over a relaxed breakfast at our lodge, we share our last cup of rich African coffee or ribose tea for this safari. Wit bags packs, cameras stowed, we bid you farewell and safe travels as the safari concludes when we transport you to Maun International Airport for your departure flights. Departing flights should not be scheduled for take-off before 11am on this day.

​

*Locations and bush flights are weather dependent and daily itinerary may be adjusted as needed for best results and group safety.

​​

​