OVERVIEW
Join us for a once in a life time Africa safari throughout the Botswana desert & river delta! Spend 9 nights, 10 days, at Savute Safari Lodge’s luxury all inclusive camps, guided by Alex Perez and Marc Van der Aa. We have partnered with Africa Dynamics to provide you one of the best safari packages available! See full details here
Departure date of June 19-28th 2021. Spots remaining: 10
The total price of the photo trip is $7,400 USD p.p. Confirmation price of $1,500 USD, non refundable, is only a deposit and reservation.
The number of participants is limited to two groups of 5 persons.
This photo experience workshop is for all photography enthusiasts who want to travel and experience landscape and nature at its best. You visit and photograph the most beautiful places and animals in Africa at sunrise, sunset and during the day. On the journey you will learn everything related to the landscape and nature photography from the theory and thought process of image taking, planning to post-processing. We cover technical basics and apply them in the breathtaking Deserts & Deltas of Botswana. We discuss the photos together and go over examples of post-processing. The goal of the trip is to return home with beautiful memories and excellent shots.
ITINERARY
19-Jun-21 Mack Air – Maun to Savute
19-Jun-21 3 x nights Savute Camp, All meals, scheduled activities, laundry, refreshments, local spirits and wines, National park fees, all government levies/taxes and airport transfers to/from scheduled/charter flights
22-Jun-21 Mack Air – Savute Safari Lodge – Camp Okavango
22-Jun-21 2 x nights Camp Okavango, All meals, scheduled activities, laundry, refreshments, local spirits and wines, National park fees, all government levies/taxes and airport transfers to/from scheduled/charter flights
24-Jun-21 Mack Air – Camp Okavango to Xakanaxa Camp
24-Jun-21 2 x nights Xakanaxa Camp, All meals, scheduled activities, laundry, refreshments, local spirits and wines, National park fees, all government levies/taxes and airport transfers to/from scheduled/charter flights
26-Jun-21 Mack Air – Xakanaxa to Leroo La Tau
26-Jun-21 2 x nights Leroo La Tau, All meals, scheduled activities, laundry, refreshments, local spirits and wines, National park fees, all government levies/taxes and airport transfers to/from scheduled/charter flights,
28-Jun-21 Mack Air – Leroo La Tau to Maun
PHOTO TOUR PROGRAM
DAY 01 – 03
Savuti, also known as Savute lies in the heart of Botswana’s beautiful Chobe National Park. This dynamic wilderness is a sweeping expanse of savannah brooded over by several rocky outcrops which guard a relic marsh and the dry channel that was once its lifeline. The Savute goes through wet and dry cycles, where wild dogs hunt in the dry river channel where crocodiles swam only twenty years ago. Visitors to this spectacular area can spot abundant wildlife including: a variety of birds, elephants, antelope, lion prides, black-backed jackal, bat-eared foxes, tsessebe, kudu, hyena, cheetah Cape buffalo herds, and thousands of migrating zebra and wildebeest.
DAY 03 – 05
The Okavango Delta is one of Africa’s most amazing destinations. This vast inland delta, the largest in the world, is nearly 6000 sq. miles of wonderful wetlands – lagoons, sinuous channels, lakes, flooded grasslands, and thousands of islands. This incredible oasis, which lies in the middle of an enormous desert, is appropriately nicknamed the ‘jewel’ of the Kalahari. This wetland paradise supports a staggering amount and diversity of animals, including 122 species of mammals, 71 species of fish, 444 species of birds, 64 species of reptiles and 1300 species of flowering plants. Visitors can explore the Delta on land and water – by land rover, on foot, and in “mokoros”, small traditional boats used to travel in the shallow waters. It is a very memorable, iconic activity that the Okavango is famous for – a “must do” for any visitor.
DAY 06 – 08
Situated in the east of the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve ranks as one of the most beautiful reserves in Africa. It covers more than 4871 square kilometres of pristine wilderness, and the varied terrain includes savannah, winding waterways, and dense forest. This diverse ecosystem supports an incredibly wide spectrum of wildlife, ranging from large herds of buffalo, wildebeest and zebra, to the rare sitatunga and lechwe antelope, lion, cheetah and packs of wild dog in the open grasslands. The birdlife is prolific and includes most of the 550 bird species recorded on Botswana’s national bird list. A range of luxury lodges in the reserve offers visitors the perfect base to experience this corner of paradise.
DAY 08 – 10
On the western boundary of the renowned Makgadikgadi Pans National Park lies the Boteti River. Owing to the arid nature of the park, the river and the nutrient-rich western grasslands supply the essential water and sustenance for the wildlife that inhabit the region. The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is home to the second largest zebra migration in the world, where thousands of zebra migrate to the Boteti River in the dry winter months (May to Oct) from their summer grazing ground further inside the park. The fascinating contrast between the Boteti River and arid national park makes it a fascinating region to include in any Botswana safari.
PARTICIPATION
In order to offer the best care, the maximum number of participants is limited to two groups of 5. The minimum number of participants for the tour is 4 people. The trip is organized by the travel guide and photographer Alex Perez and guest photographer guide Marc van der Aa.
SO WHAT ARE YOU GETTING
• Two persons per room (i.e. shared double occupancy), unless single supplement option is exercised and secured at the time of payment of deposit.
• Ground transport for the entire duration of the tour.
• All tourism taxes and park entry fees.
• All meals commencing with dinner and finishing with breakfast while at the camps
• All beverages, including standard wines and liquors.
• Maximum Guide to client ratio of 1:5
• All accommodation/ lodging costs.
• Continuous assistance with your photography and image processing by the guide.
• The services of a highly experienced local guide and driver.
• A highly experienced tour leader with great knowledge and experience of landscape and nature photography.
Not Included
• International Airfare
• Flights from Johannesburg to Maun and Maun to Johannesburg (or onward destination) – we are happy to assist with these flights
• Covid-19 PCR testing, accommodation, and / or quarantine
• Gratuities (guidelines will be provided)
• Personal extras – e.g. internet, bar, laundry, additional services (unless indicated in the itinerary)
• Emergency medical evacuation insurance is MANDATORY – we can provide quotations
• Visas
• Credit Card surcharges
• Any purchases of a personal nature, such as tips and optional extra activities
• Travel Insurance
IMPORTANT NOTES
Visas are not required for US citizens to enter Botswana
Passports must be valid for 6 months from date of departure from Africa and must have at least 2 adjacent blank pages in the visa section
Currency: USD is accepted in Botswana, as long as the notes / bills are newer than 2009 and are in good condition.
Anti-Malaria medication is recommended – or at the very least, diligent use of mosquito repellent
Travel Insurance – we highly recommend travel insurance. Emergency medical evacuation insurance is obligatory – please let us know if we can provide quotations or information. Note that pre-existing medical conditions will only be covered if insurance is purchased within 14 days of making your first deposit for most policies (including airfare). Cancellation coverage due to Covid-19 is not a benefit provided by most insurance companies unless a Cancel for Any Reason policy is added at the time of purchase.
Luggage on Light Aircraft Flights is not to exceed (total, per person) 20 kg (44 lbs) in southern Africa. Only soft bags will be accepted – no frames or rigid structures. Wheels permitted only if not part of a solid frame or rigid structure. Maximum dimensions are 10 in x 12 in x 24 in. Please be aware that safari bags checked in at OR Tambo International Airport may be required to be baggage wrapped at the discretion of the airline agent. Please be sure to secure the straps together to minimize the chances of this being required.
Cancellation terms & conditions apply
EQUIPMENT
Landscape
The landscapes on this trip mostly require wide and mid focal lengths. Expect to use your wide-range lens to capture breathtaking landscapes.
Nature
This trip has been planned to fall perfectly around the Great Migration. Africa Safaris are a great way to get close to the wild animals, but sometimes its not possible to get as close as wanted. For this reason is highly recommend to bring telephoto lenses ranging from 70mm – 600mm.
Keeping Your Gear Clean
Expect a some rain and wind – keeping your gear clean in this environment can be challenging. Weather sealed bodies and lens are preferred.