CHOBE RIVER & OKAVANGO DELTA SAFARI

MAY 14 - MAY 22 2025

WHERE: CHOBE RIVER & OKAVANGO DELTA

WHEN: MAY 14 - MAY 22 2025

GROUP SIZE: MINIMUM 4 TO PROCEED MAXIMUM 8

SUITABILITY: ALL LEVELS OF PHOTOGRAPHERS

NON PHOTOGRAPHERS & PARTNERS ARE WELCOME

ALL INCLUSIVE INVESTMENT: $9,500 USD

Embark on a mesmerizing African River and Land Photography Safari, where the untamed beauty of nature unfolds before your lens. This extraordinary journey begins with three enchanting days aboard a private houseboat along the meandering Chobe River, immersing you in a world inaccessible to many. Glide through secluded waterways, experiencing the pulse of the river in a way only a privileged few have.

As the sun paints the Chobe in hues of gold, embark on morning or afternoon river cruises aboard purpose-built, flat-bottom boats. Equipped with gimbals and 360-degree swivel seats, these vessels ensure that every angle, every moment, is captured in its purest form. Drift silently along the riverbanks, where elephants frolic, hippos bask, and crocodiles silently patrol. It's an intimate dance with nature, as your lens captures the essence of life along the Chobe.

Cheetah-Close-Up-Photography-Workshop-African-Safari

ITINERARY

Day 1 Arrival day.

We arrive in Johannesburg and meet for a welcome dinner at our accommodation. This gives us the opportunity to chat about some of the opportunities that will be coming our way, along with the arrangements for the following day’s travel.

Days 2 – 5 Pangolin Chobe Hotel

The Pangolin Chobe Hotel is also a short transfer from Kasane International Airport and the Zimbabwe and Zambian Borders. The 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. The boats we use are moored on the river directly below the Hotel and it's a quick five-minute transfer to get to them and then straight into the park. Each of the fourteen rooms has been designed to maximise the space and provide plenty of surfaces (for cameras and laptops etc) and charging points galore. They are all ensuite and air-conditioned with safes and tea/coffee-making facilities and plenty of intriguing design features. At the hotel, there are 9 king rooms and 5 twin rooms.

Pangolin-Chobe-Hotel-Photography-Workshop
Pangolin-Chobe-Hotel-Pool-Photography-Workshop-Tour

In the included images you can see that the base of the beds is fashioned from concrete. This innovation means that two beds cannot be simply pushed together to form a double. This however doesn’t matter as the twin beds themselves are both doubles meaning that each occupant of a shared room isn’t confined to a tiny single bed! All of the rooms have a private balcony with chairs and a side table to relax and enjoy the view. The rooms are serviced daily by the hotel staff. In the front of the hotel is the deck, where the majority of meals are served, which in turn leads to the sunken fire pit surrounded by the eco pool. The fire pit is large enough to seat a full house of guests and is a firm favourite before and after dinner. Overlooking the deck is the Pangolin Bar with arguably one of the best views of the Chobe River and Caprivi Floodplains in the region. The well-stocked bar serves up delicious cocktails, perfectly chilled wine, ice-cold beers and a plethora of soft drinks and freshly ground coffees. Normally around this time, you will have the opportunity to disperse to relax in your rooms or common areas – lounge, bar, etc. Some may prefer to go through their images from the morning. The well-stocked bar is always available for you to grab a cold drink throughout the day or you can ask a member of the staff who will be more than happy to help. Just before we head out in the afternoon for more game viewing and photography there will be a high tea served with a sweet and savoury option and a cooler box of soft and alcoholic drinks for consumption on the boat. Upon your return, you have time to freshen up and enjoy the last few moments of the day before you are invited for dinner around the table. Dinner is normally three courses served at the table with a fantastic selection of South African wines followed by a nightcap of your choice before retiring to your room for a good night's rest.

Professional-Photographers-Boat-Tour-African-Safari

Days 6 - 8 Shinde Footsteps

After our morning game activity on the river, we will head off on our charter flight to Shinde, nestled within the Okavango Delta. Shinde Footsteps is a charming andtimeless camp located on the northern edge of the Okavango Delta, situated in the Shinde Private Concession. After being rebuilt and rebranded at the end of 2022, the camp officially opened its doors to guests in May 2023. The camp has retained its endearing character while offering an exceptional safari experience. Whilst in the Delta we will once again have the pleasure of morning and afternoon game drives. The camp's diverse habitat provides a haven for numerous bird species and a range of animals, including elephants, red lechwes, wild dogs, lions, leopards, hyenas, tsessebe, kudu, zebras, and giraffes. The camp’s game-drive vehicles include a camera mount for each window seat, a padded armrest that moves up and down, an open roof, and a folded-down windscreen. Each row has a compartment to store camera equipment, binoculars, and personal items. Bean bags, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, tissues, toilet paper, paper bags, and mints are also available on the vehicle. Shinde Footsteps' main area includes a dining tent and lounge that offer captivating views over a permanent hippo pool. The camp also boasts a photo editing suite, fully furnished with desks and chairs, charging ports, and storage cabinets to ensure the safekeeping of camera equipment. Evenings are spent winding down around the fire on the Kalahari sand after days of exploring the wilderness areas. The four simple yet comfortable canvas tents on decks each comprise an ensuite bathroom, indoor and outdoor showers, a porcelain washbasin, and wifi. Please note that Shinde Footsteps has limited electricity generated by solar power. However, the use of lights and cameras is possible, provided the appropriate adapter is brought by the guest.

hippopotamus-Water-Safari-Photography-African-Safari
Professional-Cameras-Photographers-Boat-Safari-Tour