Botswana Chobe & Okavango Photo Safari, June 2027
In June 2027 Andy will lead a private group of into two regions of Botswana: the Okavango Delta, one of Africa's best and most remote wildlife areas, and the Chobe River. This small group safari combines some of the finest wildlife photography anywhere and at two of Botswana's best safari areas. We have selected specific camps in Botswana's Okavango Delta and Linyanti regions to create a private safari geared specifically toward serious photography and game viewing.
Safari Highlights
We have private vehicles for the first part of the trip and exclusive use of a house boat on the Chobe River for the second part of the trip
Knowledgeable and passionate safari guides in Botswana will drive and guide us in open vehicles to help us get the images we are after.
This safari offers superb game viewing and photographic opportunities in some of the best areas in Africa.
This itinerary focuses on a real wildlife experiences.
Is This Safari For You?
Here are some key points to help you decide:
1. We welcome photographers of all levels. This safari will be conducive to learning from one another and include instruction that will suit everyone’s photographic needs. No question is off limits, no inquiry too basic.
2. We love photographing in the field. We spend most our time and effort on safari activity and making images. We do meet daily to review images and discuss technique, but this is not a “classroom-intensive” trip. Our "classroom sessions" are optional (although the review sessions are valuable and there is not a more beautiful classroom).
3. Non-photographer or videographer spouses / travel companions will love these safaris. We have specialist guides leading all safari activities and optional activities (boating, walks, etc.) are also available at any time.
The Schedule
Days 1-5 (4 Nights) - June 18-22
On Safari in the Okavango Delta
Today you will fly from the city of your choice (typically either Johannesburg or Capetown, with our assistance) and will be met in the Maun, Botswana when you arrive. You will then gather and take a short air transfer to the Okavango Delta.
Our camp is situated within a private concession in the Okavango Delta, where we will spend the next four nights. Our days will be filled with game drive and in a remote setting, giving us the time to track our sightings and spend as much time as we want with them.
Days 5-9 (3 nights) - June 22-25
Houseboat on the Chobe River, Linyanti region of Botswana
Our flight from our safari camp will take us to Kasane, where our next guides will greet us and take us out onto the Chobe River, where we will be staying on a house boat for the next three nights.
Mornings on the Chobe River are quite simply stunning. Very few boats venture out onto the river until later, so it seems like you have the whole area to yourself. Keen photographers will want to be up and onto the photo boat for first light, so we arrange for coffees and light breakfast snacks to be available 30 minutes before sunrise. Your guide will pack coffee, tea and “rusks” into the hotbox for the morning cruise, and then you will set off in search of photographic subjects in beautiful early morning light.
On these morning cruises, you will see plenty of hippo grazing out of the water, crocs hauling themselves out onto the banks, a multitude of bird species and even some larger mammals like buffalo and elephant grazing on the softer grasses along the river banks.
We usually return from the morning photo boat excursion mid-morning to enjoy a hearty cooked breakfast as we set off to cruise to our next mooring point along the river.
We have well-spaced mooring points along the river and intend to spend each night at a different location. Note that in the event that the river water levels are too high or too low, some of our mooring spots may become inaccessible. The time between the mooring points can take several hours of relaxed cruising, especially if we encounter something that we need to stop and see. The beauty of a private charter is that the 8-seater photo boat is on call for you to use throughout the day, especially if you chance upon a sighting that you want to get closer to. Otherwise, the deck and lounge (with floor-to-ceiling glass on three sides) make for great vantage points to relax and enjoy the world go by during the heat of the day.
Later in the afternoon we will set off in the photo boat for the afternoon game viewing and photography session. For guests travelling with larger lenses with lens collars, you will be supplied with a base plate to attach your camera to the custom photo mounts on your chair. If you are just general game viewing without a big camera this mounting system can be removed from the rotating chairs on the boat to give you more room to relax.
The afternoons on The Chobe are very special, and you tend to see more of the larger herds of elephants coming to the river to drink from the river. It is also the time that we tend to see more big cats as they arise from their slumber to prepare for the night’s hunting.
Day 8 - June 25
We will have a flight back to Maun, Botswana after the morning safari activity and connect onward with your scheduled flight back to either Johannesburg or Capetown. International flights may be scheduled to depart that evening (if feasible) to home destinations or an additional night hotel stay can be arranged for you upon request (recommended). See note below regarding travel extensions.
The Cost
The cost of this all-inclusive safari is $11,990 per person. The same rate applies for each participant regardless of whether they are doing photography or not. This fee includes everything from when you arrive in Botswana until you leave.
Due to the limited number of spaces available (only 7), if a solo guest is willing to share a room and we can match with another guest of the same gender, we will do so. If a solo guest is unwilling to share, then a single supplement of $1,900 will be charged.
Please note: We will attempt to adhere to this itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, cultural, or wildlife migrations) may necessitate changes in the itinerary. We reserves the right to alter any itinerary at any time, if necessary. We will attempt to notify participants of changes as far in advance as possible. Costs incurred by such changes will be the responsibility of the participant.
What Do I Do Next?
Our groups are small, so space is limited. If this exciting trip has your name on it; if you're excited by the thought of becoming a member of this trip, then now is the time to register. Remember, there will be limited space available for this workshop. When they're spoken for, that's it. If you have any questions before registering, send us an e-mail with any inquiries to hello@andybiggs.com.
Trip Details
Safari Leader: Andy Biggs
Dates: June 18-25, 2027
Cost: $11,990
Single supplement: $1,900
What's Included?
All accommodation, meals and drinks
All internal flights within Botswana
Additional luggage allowance on the flights / air charters within Botswana
All safari and boating activities
Services of the lodge guides & staff
Relevant conservation fees
Daily laundry
What is Not Included?
International airfare and/or other transportation between your home and Maun, Botswana (we assist with these, depending on where you would like to begin your journey)
International airfare from Capetown or Johannesburg to Botswana
Visas (if applicable)
Travel Insurance
Gratuities