The Okavango Delta in Botswana is one of the world’s largest inland water systems. This has created a unique system of water ways that now supports a vast array of animal and plant life that would have otherwise been a dry Kalahari savanna.
Safari activities by water are the primary speciality of the Okavango and is the best way to experience the Delta which also includes a large number of animal populations that are otherwise rare, such as crocodile, red lechwe, sitatunga, elephant, wild dogs, buffalo, wattled crane as well as the other more common mammals and bird life. The best time for game viewing in the delta is during the May to October period, as the animal life is concentrated along the flooded areas and the vegetation has dried out.
Join Photo-Africa from 7 to 13 August 2011 as we set out to experience and photograph the waterways of the Okavango Delta on comfortable, custom designed aluminium game viewing boats with accommodation in classic tented camps on remote islands along the way.
Traveling on these remote waterways offers unique and special encounters with a variety of wild animals. Even though vast distances are covered on the Okavango delta, most of the day is spent drifting downstream while photographic Africa’s multitude of wildlife, birding, or just relaxing onboard taking in the magnificent palm-framed views of the delta. The safari will be led by Gerry van der Walt. Gerry is a wildlife photographer, lodge manager and field guide who combines a passion for photography with an in depth knowledge of African wildlife.
Our river guides for this safari have over 25 year’s of guiding experience in the Okavango Delta and its waterways so with their extensive knowledge of the many channels and the great variety of fauna and flora will be able to assist in making sure we get into the best possible positions to capture the magic of the Okavango Delta. In order to ensure your personal attention and comfort, this photographic safari will be limited to 8 participants accompanied but two photo guides.
Photographic Goals
The main goal of this photographic safari is to immerse ourselves in one of Africa’s prime wildlife destinations in order to not only photograph the mammals, birds and landscapes along the way, but also experience a true African wilderness. Above and beyond that we will also focus on a number of photographic subjects and scenes which include:
• Mammals and Birds of the Okavango Delta.
• Elephants and Hippos.
• Landscapes along the waterways.
• Stars and star trails.
• African sunrises and sunsets
During the day on the boats and in the evenings at camp we will have ample opportunity to discuss photographic techniques, the technical aspects of wildlife photography and do informal photo crit sessions.
Our goal is to do our utmost to help photographers attain their own personal photographic goals during the trip.
Safari Itinerary
Day 1 (7 August 2010)
Flights from Johannesburg arrive in Maun between 12:00 or 15:00. Should you choose to drive yourself, Johannesburg to Maun is 1 100km (±11 hours), we will supply you a map to your lodge. our guides will meet us at the boat landing at your lodge. After boarding our boats we start our photographic journey of the Okavango Delta. At around 16h00, we will arrive at our first nights tented camp nestled between dense trees on a small island in the Okavango Delta. At the camp you will find your comfortable private classic tent with bedding and bathroom facilities. After stretching our legs we head out for a sundowner cruise on a palm framed lagoon in front of our camp. This will afford us the perfect opportunity to photograph the African sunset and enjoy a drink together. A sit-down three course dinner is served around the campfire.
Day 2 (8 August)
After breakfast at the lodge our guides will meet us at the boat landing at your lodge. After boarding our boats we start our photographic journey of the Okavango Delta. Lunch will be served on one of the many islands along the way. At around 16h00, we will arrive at our first nights tented camp nestled between dense trees on a small island in the Okavango Delta. At the camp you will find your comfortable private classic tent with bedding and bathroom facilities. After stretching our legs we head out for a sundowner cruise on a palm framed lagoon in front of our camp. This will afford us the perfect opportunity to photograph the African sunset and enjoy a drink together. A sit-down three course dinner is served around the campfire.
Day 3 (9 August)
A cup of coffee, rusks and cereal will get us ready to go and explore the island on foot. Should you rather choose to stay at the camp to photograph the birdlife around camp that is also perfect. At around 09h00 we will enjoy a cooked breakfast before boarding our boats. As we head to our next camps, in one of the most spectacular parts of the Okavango Delta, we will pass vast open plains with a lot of opportunities of spotting and photographing wildlife. Lunch will again be served on one of the many islands along the way. A sundowner cruise will follow a quick stop at out new camp after which we will enjoy dinner around the campfire.
Day 4: (10 August)
A cup of coffee, rusks and cereal will get us ready to go and explore the island on foot. Should you rather choose to stay at the camp to photograph the birdlife around camp that is also perfect. At around 09h00 we will enjoy a cooked breakfast before boarding our boats. The rest of the day will be spent doing game drives by boat only returning to camp for lunch. A sundowner cruise will follow a quick stop at out new camp after which we will enjoy dinner around the campfire.
Day 5 (11 August)
Early morning coffee, rusks and cereals will be ready before exploring the island on foot follow by a cooked breakfast. After breakfast we will do a game drive by boat, from time to time stopping off on islands along the way to explore them on foot and stretch your legs. This will give you the chance to photograph some of the smaller subjects found in and around the Okavango Delta. At around 13h00 lunch will be served back at camp. A game drive and sundowner cruise on the Okavango Delta will get us ready for our 3 course sit down dinner around the campfire.
Day 6 (12 August)
Early morning coffee, rusks and cereals will be ready before exploring the island on foot follow by a cooked breakfast. We will then board the boats and set off on a day trip to photograph and enjoy the diversity of the upper section of the Okavango Delta – a very different experience from the previous days. A lunch picnic will be served on one of the many islands along the way. After a sundowner cruise we return back to camp where we will enjoy dinner around the campfire.
Day 7 (13 August)
Breakfast will be served around 08h00 after which we board our boats. Today we start making our way back towards Maun. We will arrive back in time for the late flights leaving Maun.
Included
• Comfortable classic tented camp, with private bathroom facilities per tent.
• All meals (full breakfast, lunch and 3 course dinner)
• Moremi Game Reserve Park fees, camp fees & levies.
• Game cruises & exploring the diversity of the Okavango Delta by boat.
• Services of professional guides, camp staff and chef.
• Tea, coffee, alcoholic & soft drinks.
• Airport transfers.
• Comfortable 22ft passenger boats with sun canopy.
• Supply boats and all fuel.
• 220V charging facilities for cameras, laptops, etc.
Not Included
• Flight to and from Maun.
• Items of a personal nature.
• Staff Gratuities (at your discretion).
• Travel Insurance.
• Visas.
• Equipment hire (if applicable).
• Services not specified.
Photo-Africa will be booking flights from Johannesburg, South Africa to Maun so please contact us if you would like us to include you in our travel arrangements.
Cost
• Safari Cost: ZAR 22,500 per person.
• Deposit: A 25% deposit is payable to confirm your booking.
• Balance is payable 30 days before safari.
• Rates are based on double occupancy so please contact us for details on single supplements.
We look forward to hosting you in the Okavango Delta!
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