Southern Africa Photo Safari Overview
This Southern Africa Photo Safari travels through the heart of Africa’s most prolific wildlife viewing areas in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.
The Okavango Delta is one of the most extensive wild wetlands on earth. You’ll feel like you have found the Garden of Eden as we glide along lily covered waterways with a dizzying array of flora and fauna. The “Delta” provides you a classic African Safari and one you must experience to believe!
Why Chobe? Chobe is among the highest in wildlife density in all of Africa. The water-based “game drives” offer unique views of the wildlife and up-close encounters.
We are in Zimbabwe for something big, massive really- Victoria Falls! The falls are considered to be the world’s largest due to its width of 1,708 meters (5,604 ft) and its 108 m (355 ft) high. Well, there is also some incredible wildlife to attract our attention.
Zambia has become the darling of the safari trade over the last few years with an abundance of accessible wildlife and equally stunning lodges. The top location in Zambia is the South Luangwa NP. It is home to the Big Five and perhaps more attractive to the cat lovers, a considerable population of leopards.
Highlights Southern Africa Photo Safari
- 12 Nights and 13 Days
- Small Group of 5 Clients
- Local Guides/Drivers
- Includes All Meals, All Lodging
- Expert Wildlife Photographer
Itinerary
May 22, 2021
Arrange your flights so that you arrive in Johannesburg (JNB) on May 22, and we will overnight there before taking the trip to Botswana.
You’ll spend the night at the Southern Sun JNB, a Trip Advisor 4 Star hotel. It’s very comfortable, and it’s got a great location.
May 23 and 24, 2021
After our flight to Maun, Botswana, we will meet the guides and make our way to our first Lodge, Stanley’s Camp.
I chose this camp because it is very nice, but not pretentious. Stanley’s is intimate, well run, and each ensuite bathroom has running water! The game viewing is excellent, with a big emphasis on their vast herds of elephants.
From the Camp
Stanleys Camp Overview
Sanctuary Stanley’s is a classic tented camp with just eight tents built under an imposing African Ebony tree on a private concession overlooking the Okavango floodplains. Sanctuary Stanley’s Camp is built on a 260,000-acre private concession in the renowned Okavango Delta. This traditional safari camp has a large lounge area and dining area with incredible views over the floodplains in front of the camp. The main area features a bar from where refreshing drinks are always served with a smile, a small library area, and a curio shop. From the swimming pool – a real treat after a hot day of game viewing – guests can watch giraffe and other plains game march across the savannah and sometimes catch a glimpse of rare wild dogs. Everything about Sanctuary Stanley’s Camp is built to the highest ecological standards so that we don’t damage this highly sensitive area. The intimate camp features only eight safari canvas tents, each individually designed, furnished with African antiques that exude a classic and understated elegance that harks back to the explorers and colonialists of the 19th century. Each tent has a large wooden deck providing private areas where you can relax in a hammock while soaking in the surrounding sights and sounds or enjoy cocktails before dinner is served in the spectacular dining mess.
We will explore the Delta for 2 days by open vehicle and by boat. The animals are very relaxed, and we’ll get great looks when we are out on the boat.
May 25 to 27, 2021
Today we game-drive on our way to the airstrip for the quick flight from the Okavango to Chobe. Our hosts from Ngoma Lodge will greet us and take us for lunch and a rest.
I chose Ngoma not just for its comfort and style, but it’s location. The camp is a bit further Noth than most of the lodges, so we will have fewer tourists around as we spend time on the Chobe River.
The Trip Advisor 5-Star Lodge is open-air with spectacular views of the Chobe flood plain. Each chalet has full ensuite bathrooms and ups that with a private plunge pool. Be aware elephants do drink from them!
From the Camp
Ngoma Safari Lodge
Ngoma Safari Lodge is a 5 star bush property located in Northern Botswana within the Chobe Forest Reserve. Accommodation available includes 8 luxury suites that overlook the Chobe River and Caprivi floodplain. Designed with an emphasis on space, peace, and luxury, from here you will experience the abundance of wildlife in Chobe and relax in your own secluded sanctuary, or dine al fresco on our elevated deck with panoramic views.
Most of our time will be spent on the Chobe River. Photographing from the boat offers a great perspective, and the wildlife is not phased by our presence.
May 28 to 29, 2021
We make our way across the Chobe River today for Gorges Lodge. It’s another dreary and dull lodge perched high on the ridge over-looking the Zambezi…it has terrible views and lousy food. Just kidding, I was checking to make sure you were still reading!
I chose Gorges for its location and the birds that nest in the cliffs! The lodge has arguably the best views of any lodge in Africa, and it is away from the traffic and crime that is now associated with Victoria Falls. We have a 20KM drive to see — Mosi-oa-Tunya, “the smoke that thunders,” aka Victoria Falls. Since the JuJU Jacket will be present, I am “sure” that we will get great looks at the largest waterfall in the world. I was mostly kidding about the nesting birds.
From the Camp
Gorges Lodge
Gorges and Little Gorges is a mere 30-minute drive from Victoria Falls town and offers a unique Victoria Falls experience from a peaceful and idyllic base on the edge of the Batoka Gorge – a perfect choice for your Victoria Falls safari adventure! At Gorges, you can relax away from the hustle and bustle of Victoria Falls town. In essence, our peaceful guest accommodation is nestled in a landscaped garden that makes walking to your room a joy, and our staff is renowned for their warm hospitality. Little Gorges is perched on the edge of the Batoka Gorge next to main Gorges. This tented extension of Gorges overlooks the dramatic junction of the Dibu Dibu River and the Zambezi, where Black Eagles and Lanner Falcons nest in the sheer cliff faces.
With day trips to the falls, hikes along the gorge, and sundowners on the river, your memory cards will be full of images!
May 30 to June 2, 2021
Today we fly from Livingstone to Lusaka and then from Lusaka to our finale and Kainga Lodge. I always try to close a safari with a bang, and this lodge has that in spades. The game viewing in Zambia’s South Luangwa N.P. is unsurpassed. In addition to the traditional driving safari, the lodge boasts multiple hides for intimate ground-level photography, each specializing in different wildlife. Plus, they have a 1000-year-old bar!
From the Camp
Kaingo Camp
Overlooking the Luangwa River deep within the prime area of the South Luangwa National Park, Kaingo’s relaxed, personal and friendly atmosphere offers its guests fantastic game-viewing opportunities within an area of incredible beauty and varied terrain. Everything at Kaingo has been handpicked by the Shenton family, from the camps stylish design and practical layout to the choice of local produce grown on the Shenton Plot.
Kaingo’s chalets were designed with the sole purpose of transporting you safely into the world of the Luangwa without a single distraction, nestled discretely apart on the banks of the river. The large, centrally located, open-sided “Chitenge” includes a dining area, library, and Kaingo’s renowned thousand-year-old lead-wood bar. Kaingo’s five standard chalets and one exclusive deluxe suite all have an incredible and private view of the Luangwa River.
We will be here for 4 days that are jam-packed with photography unlike anyplace else on the safari.
June 3, 2021
Today we make our flights back to JNB via Lusaka (LUN)
Included on the Safari
- All food and beverages are included.
- All pickups and transfers, as well as flights not excluded below.
- A Private Vehicle at all Camps
- Traveling with the JuJu Jacket and me too!
Not Included on the Safari
- Flight home to Johannesburg is not included
- Flight from Johannesburg to Maun is not included (about $184 – $254pp)
- Elephant Encounter at Stanley’s is not included but can be added dependent on availability at time of booking ($450pp)
- Flight Livingstone (LVI) to Lusaka (LUN) not included (about $278pp)
- Flight departing Lusaka (LUN) at the end of safari is not included
- All other safari flights and camp transfers are included,
- Gratuities
- Activities not listed as included
- Premium Liquor is not included.
I will share the kind of wildlife photography that comes from years of practice and experience. With approximately 600 game drives in Africa under my belt, test assured I can help you make images you’ll be proud of. You will learn about planning shots, reading the light and making the correct camera adjustments, and wildlife photography techniques. I will share mypost processing work flow and help you create a workflow that is best suited to your needs.
My goal is to not merely setup your camera for you, but to give you the knowledge so that you can get the same results at home.
The tour size is limited to 6 photographers so you can count on minimal interruption from too many tripods and so you can get a ton of one on one attention and education.
What Should I Bring?
- You’ll need at least one SLR or mirrorless camera, ideally two to give you the opportunity to shoot with multiple lenses simultaneously, and also as a backup
- Lenses from wide-angle up to around 400mm (or the 35mm equivalent)
- A tripod and cable release if you want to try some night sky photography.
It’s almost impossible to list everything that you’ll need, you will be sent some recommendations and then this will be covered again before your trip on a one on one phone discussion we will have with you.
At any point feel free to reach out to either of us and we’ll talk you off of the ledge!
US Citizens Traveling To Namibia*
Passport
Valid for a full six months after your scheduled departure.
Blank Passport Pages
Six blank pages required
Visa Requirements
Yes, planeside visa available for tourists up to 90 days.
Vaccination Recommendations
Yellow fever, if traveling from a yellow fever endemic country.
Arrival and Departure Airport
Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) is the ultimate destination airport in Namibia’s capital city, Windhoek. Our drivers will meet us at the airport after we clear customs and immigration and re-claimed our luggage.
Note: the easiest way to get to Windhoek is to fly to Johannesburg (South Africa) where the group can meet, and take the same flight to Windhoek together. We will forward the flight specifics in a future email.
Early Arrival
Let us know if you need help with accommodations if you plan to arrive early.
Departures
We will drop you off at the airport after our last adventures in Windhoek.
Lodging & Transportation
The workshop includes all lodging and local transportation as described in your itinerary. You may be liable for any changes to that itinerary.
Trip Insurance
We always use trip insurance. It’s so much easier and with so many more benefits when you compare it with your insurance. I’ve found the costs to be reasonable given the benefits. I use Travel Guard when I travel and even though; I’ve not had a claim they were helpful and easy to deal with on the phone.
*Information for US citizens travel to Namibia was obtained from the US Department of State and was valid as of April 2018. If you are going to Namibia from another country, please check with your embassy to check the travel requirements for your country.
All of the bookings for the safari are being handled by my partner in Africa. When you are ready to register just message me with the button at the bottom of the page, and I will walk you through the process.
Payments
My safari partner Gamewatchers will handle all payment and as such Gamewatchers’s Terms and Conditions apply.
The deposit for this workshop is 25% per person. The deposit can be paid by PayPal, Credit Card, or Wire Transfer.
The balance of the workshop tuition will be due March 23, 2021 (60 days prior) and unlike the deposit, there is a 3% convenience fee to pay via PayPal or Credit Card. There is no surcharge to pay your balance by Wire Transfer.
Cancellation Policy
Please note the cancellations policy is different than the standard Wildlife Workshops policy.
Our cancellation charges are determined by the fact that once we have booked with hotels and safari camps/lodges and with local airlines, they will charge us a cancellation fee if we cancel a booking. We try to keep such charges to a minimum, and they are as follows: ·
Bookings canceled or amended up to 120 days before commencement of the safari incur a 10% cancellation charge.
Cancellation or amendment less than 120 days and up to 60 days before the commencement of the safari: 20% cancellation charge.
Cancellation or amendment less than 60 days but up to 30 days before commencement of the safari 50% refund, 50% cancellation charge.
Cancellation or amendment less than 30 days but up to 15 days before the commencement of the safari: 25% refund, 75% cancellation charge.
Cancellation or amendment less than 15 days or more than 3 days before the commencement of the safari: 10% refund and 90% cancellation charge.
Cancellation or amendment 3 days or less before the commencement of the safari – nil refund, 100% cancellation charge.
Please note that any refunds due to you in the event of cancellation can be credited only to the original card used for making the initial payment. Credit card payments: Please note that your payment will show as a charge from I&M Bank, LTD (on behalf of Gamewatchers Safaris). Gamewatchers does not charge credit card processing fees on the deposit even for international transactions however your credit card company may have fees for international transactions. A 3% credit card fee will be charged for credit cards used for the final payment. It reimburses us for the cost we are charged by the credit card company. If you would prefer, we can also accept direct bank wire transactions instead in which case you can avoid any charges your own credit card company may impose. Note: camp managers or guides may change the daily activities or daily scheduled activities
Note: “delayed departure” options with a later flight back from the camps still require checking out of your tent at the regular time.
I’ve been very passively advising my clients to purchase travel insurance for a while, but lately it seems like there have been multiple people having travel issues. Some have lost their deposits and sometimes even the cost of the entire trip!
Based on my client’s experience, I cannot stress more strongly how crucial it is to purchase travel insurance. Like I said before, and here it comes again, there is never a way to predict what is going to happen when you are booking trips months and years into the future.
You can read more about my thoughts about the importance of travel insurance in this blog post.
Or you can go get a free quote and book your vital travel insurance.
Registration Information
Tuition
The tuition for the Southern Africa Photo Safari is $15,097 USD single occupancy or $13,627 USD if you share the accommodations.
Deposit
The deposit for this workshop is 25% per person. The deposit can be paid by PayPal, Credit Card, or Wire Transfer.
The balance of the workshop tuition will be due March 23, 2021 (60 days prior)
Ready to Go?
The Southern Africa Photo Safari is the best of the best in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. With my help you’ll also make your best images and we’ll have a wonderful safari together too! So go head click it and we’ll go safari!
By submitting you agree to Wildlife Workshops Terms and Conditions.