The itinerary begins in Chobe. The meeting point for the group is The Chobe Pangolin Hotel, a short drive from Kasane Airport (transfers can be arranged). For those interested in visiting Victoria Falls before the safari we will arrange a 1.5 hour road transfer.

Your Photograpic host will meet you at the hotel, where you will also be introduced to your fellow travelers and enjoy some light refreshments before you move to the Pangolin Voyager, your houseboat and home of the next 3 nights.

Because the Pangolin Voyager is moored on the Namibian side of the river you will have to clear immigration again before boarding the boat. This is a simple but memorable experience.

The Pangolin Voyager is specially designed to maximise your game viewing experience without compromising on comfort. The houseboat consists of five cabins, all en-suite, which can be configured as double or twin rooms. The houseboat is split over three levels, with most rooms on the lower deck, a dining area and lounge on the middle deck and an inviting top deck to relax and soak up the views at any time of day. The rooms are air-conditioned adding that extra comfort in summer.

The Pangolin Voyager has three different mooring spots along The Chobe River and will be visited over the course of the next three days. Alongside the houseboat is a specially designed eight seater photo boats which will be used use for our morning and afternoon activities out on the river looking for subjects to photograph.

Having met the team and settled into your rooms you will depart on your first boating safari later that afternoon.

For the next two days you will cruise along the Chobe River on the houseboat and enjoy boating safaris from the smaller specially designed motor boat in the morning and afternoon- the most productive time for game viewing.

The game viewing along the Chobe River varies greatly with the seasons. In the (African) Summer months between November and April you will have amazing birdlife everywhere as the “migrants” take up their annual residency. There will still be large mammals around such as elephant, buffalo and hippo as well as resident crocs and antelope, so all in all an excellent time to photograph, with lots of bright green backgrounds and newborn animals everywhere. The (African) winter months, between May and October, will see larger numbers of elephants as the water becomes more scarce inland and the river becomes more popular with all animals.

There is always something to photograph in Chobe, making it the ideal spot to start your safari. No matter when you decide to join this safari, throughout the year, you are sure to start with a bang and plenty of “keepers”!

In between game activities there will be hosted image review and group editing sessions. For this to be truly effective you will need to have your own laptop with you with the latest version of an editing programme installed and updated. Our software of choice is Adobe Lightroom and we have a free online course you can start before your arrival so that you are familiar with its functions if you haven’t used it before.

This morning you bid farewell to the Pangolin Voyager and Chobe as you return to Kasane for your flight to the Okavango. The exact time will be schedule the day before, this is usually around 11am and takes about 60 minutes.

Your base for this part of the journey is Shinde Footsteps, a refreshingly simple tented camp that focuses on what really matters: outstanding wildlife photography, a comfortable stay, and the freedom to explore. There’s no unnecessary luxury here – just a well-run, welcoming camp in a prime location.

Set on a private 10,000-hectare concession in the Okavango Delta, the camp offers exclusive access to a variety of habitats, including open plains, riverine forest, and the Moanachira River – a vital water source. This landscape supports an impressive array of wildlife, from lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dogs to elephants, buffalo, giraffe and herds of antelope. The birdlife is equally prolific, making it a dream location for photographers.

You’ll have the freedom to off-road at key sightings, spend as much time as needed, and head out on night drives. Your stay coincides with the new moon, perfect for astrophotography under the Delta’s dark, star-filled skies.

One morning, you’ll take to the skies on a doors-off helicopter flight over the Okavango. Each guest enjoys a 30-minute aerial session, accompanied by the photo host, who’ll help spot subjects and offer compositional advice along the way.

Shinde Footsteps is booked exclusively, so you’ll have the camp to yourselves. Accommodation is in five walk-in Meru-style tents, each with en-suite bathrooms, twin beds, and quality linen. There’s reliable electricity for charging gear, a relaxed lounge and dining area, an editing tent for image reviews, and a cosy fire to enjoy in the evenings.

All meals and drinks are included, with three delicious meals a day and the ability to cater to most dietary requirements.

On your final morning, you’ll head slowly to the airstrip – cameras ready – for your flight to the Central Kalahari.

After a week of early starts and photographic highs, the Central Kalahari offers a natural shift in pace – quieter, slower, and perfectly suited as the final stop on your safari. As a desert landscape, wildlife tends to gather around waterholes, making it ideal for hide photography. Dinaka, your base here, features an excellent sunken hide overlooking a busy waterhole, with more hides in development.

Set on a private reserve bordering the vast Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Dinaka introduces you to a very different ecosystem. The bush is thicker, thornier, and the species reflect this change – oryx, springbok, jackals, black-maned lions, brown hyena, cheetah, and wild dogs all thrive here. It’s a rewarding contrast to the Delta and Chobe.

Owned and run by Ker & Downey Botswana, Dinaka is the most luxurious camp of the three – and after long days in the bush, a little indulgence is well-earned. Spacious rooms with private decks overlook the waterhole, and the stylish communal spaces invite you to unwind. Game drives are limited to four guests per vehicle, with camera mounts provided and the photo host rotating between the vehicles.

The sunken waterhole hide allows you to shoot from eye level as animals come to drink – an intimate and immersive experience shared with your group and host. Dinaka is also flexible with activity times, so earlier starts or late returns are easily accommodated to take full advantage of photographic conditions.

A highlight not to miss is the guided walk with San Bushman trackers. You’ll learn about their traditional knowledge and skills, including fire-making and storytelling – a memorable way to connect with this seemingly stark yet rich environment.

If skies are clear and the timing is right, you’ll also have the chance to practise astrophotography and star trails under the incredible Kalahari night sky.

Daytimes bring a chance to catch up on editing, cool off in the pool, or relax on your deck with a book – always with your camera nearby in case something appears at the waterhole.

On your final day, you’ll transfer to Maun Airport and say your goodbyes to your fellow photographers and host – though your journey doesn’t have to end there. If you’d like to extend your trip, we’re happy to help with ideas.