East Africa fans wanted to discover Southern Africa

An English couple who had visited Kenya and Tanzania approached us to design a safari focused on Southern Africa. Both were keen photographers and wanted to try to and catch at least some of the Big Five. He was also an avid birder and had a long list of species that he wanted to see, hear and photograph. This is how we packaged their adventure – taking our popular Chobe & Okavango Delta Photo Safari and tailoring elements to suit the couple’s additional requirements.

After arriving at the Kasane International Airport, the couple were transferred The Pangolin Chobe Hotel for 3 nights in one of the 14 spacious, air-conditioned en-suite rooms.  The activities included twice daily game viewing on custom-designed photo boats and game viewing vehicles (with a ratio of 3:1 on the boats), as well as photography guidance from a Pangolin Photo Host. All meals (brunch, high tea and dinner) and selected drinks were included. Each game viewing vehicle carried a maximum of 4 guests to ensure the best photographic and viewing opportunities. In between the activities, the couple spent time reviewing their photographs in the on-site editing suite with their Photo Host.

From The Chobe, a Mack Air charter flight took them into The Okavango Delta (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and 4 nights at Shinde Main Camp in luxury tented accommodation with all meals and selected drinks included. Shinde Tents are en-suite with indoor and outdoor showers, flushing toilets, ceiling fans and mosquito nets. Activities included mokoro excursions in the channels, day and night game drives, boat cruises and walking safaris, and the added highlight of a doors-off helicopter flight over the Delta. A private safari vehicle and expert guide ensured an wide variety of photographic assistance and opportunities.

Next was a 2-hour fight from Maun to Johannesburg with an overnight stay, before being flown the next morning to Madikwe Game Reserve, home to the Big Five. They stayed for 4 nights at Jaci’s Lodge on the banks of the Marico River, with its luxury accommodation and eco-friendly amenities as well as riverside dining boma, swimming pool, and a Terrapin photographic hide. Their Suite featured a sunken lounge, full en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, coffee and tea station, mini bar and private deck. Activities included twice-daily game drives (early morning and late afternoon), which were led by professional guides on a private vehicle and the couple also took advantage of going on a guided walking safari giving the yet another perspective for the photographs.  On the final morning, the couple flew back to Johannesburg, before embarking on their journey back home.