Wildlife of Africa — Botswana Photo Safaris
Roy Toft of Toft Photo Safaris has been leading photo tours in Africa countries of Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zambia for over 10 years.
Botswana Photo Safaris
Join professional wildlife and conservation photographer Roy Toft as he leads small group photo safaris in Africa. Roy travels to Botswana and other African countries to photograph wildlife.
Toft Photo has partnered with African Destination Specialist, Piper & Heath Travel | Africa in bringing an exciting Botswana Photo Safari. Come join us in 2014.
2013 Botswana Photo Tours — Images by Roy Toft Photo Safaris
2014 Botswana Photo Tour Itinerary
March 16–27, 2014
Day 0 — Arrive in Johannesburg. Overnight at The Fairlawns Hotel & Spa. At the Hotel, enjoy a complimentary half hour massage to help recover from the flight and complimentary Sandton transfers for city exploration.
Day 1
Today you travel from Johannesburg to Maun and then transfer via light aircraft to Chitabe Camp (4 nights).
Day 1– 4
Located in the southeast corner of the Okavango Delta, Chitabe Camp is perched on an island, giving its trekkers breathtaking views of the delta’s floodplains, marshes, and grasslands. The wildlife seen here is especially diverse due to the copious varieties of habitats. Hop on board an open-air 4x4 vehicle and enjoy a game drive where you may see cheetahs, wild dogs, lions, elephants, impalas, and leopards, or venture out on a night drive to catch a glimpse of a genet, porcupine, serval, or aardwolf.
Situated between the Gomoti and Santantadibe river systems, Chitabe Camp hosts a myriad of bird species (most notably the African Hawk Eagle and the Hooded Vulture) that take advantage of the close proximity to both abundant water and plentiful vegetation. Palm trees and acacia woodlands reside almost side-by-side in this diverse topography.
Living quarters at Chitabe Camp can be described as nothing less than pure luxury. Eight tent rooms boast unique design and beautiful artwork. Enjoy a relaxing outdoor shower and a sumptuous meal, and if you’re feeling adventurous, sleep under the stars on one of two raised platforms just a short walk from camp.
Day 4
Morning game drive and afternoon air transfer to Vumbura Plains North Camp (4 nights).
Day 4 — 8
In the northern part of Botswana’s world-renowned Okavango Delta lies the luxurious Vumbura Plains Camp. Situated in a private concession leased from the neighboring community, the camp overlooks an expansive floodplain. Because of its location in the extreme north, the region encompasses a wide range of habitats that are home to nearly all the Okavango’s diverse wildlife species.
Vumbura Plains Camp attains a rare level of bush luxury. The resident tents are built on raised wooden decks, and in addition to the generously-sized bedroom, each tent has a lounge area, bathroom, outdoor shower, and plunge pool. Under the shady canopy of the surrounding trees, the camp’s two common areas each include a raised dining, lounge, and bar area, and all provide breathtaking views of the surrounding wetlands.
Like many Okavango camps, Vumbura offers both land and water excursions. From traditional game drives in custom-built 4x4s to nature walks and mokoro (dug-out canoe) rides, safaris in the surrounding landscape promise encounters with the diverse wildlife. Because of the wetlands, there is spectacular bird viewing both in variety and density. But more popular are the antelope, elephants, buffalo, cheetah, lion, and leopard.
Day 8
Morning game drive and afternoon air transfer to Kings Pool Camp (3 nights).
Day 8 — 12
Located in northern Botswana and forming the western border of Chobe National Park, the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve is home to the luxurious Kings Pool Camp. The camp overlooks Kings Pool Lagoon, which is named for a Scandinavian king who enjoyed camping on its banks long ago. The area is comprised of wetlands, grasslands, floodplains, and islands, and displays a variety of wildlife year-round.
Each of the nine canvas and thatch tents at Kings Pool Camp features a spacious bedroom with en-suite bathroom, outdoor shower, open-air pavilion and private plunge pool. The common area includes a quaint curio shop, pub, swimming pool, and both indoor and outdoor dining areas. Adventurers can embark on day or night game drives, as well as cruises on the Linyanti River as the water level allows.
Wildlife viewing here is excellent. Visitors can expect to see giraffe, lion, impala, cheetah, bushbuck, roan antelope, and the especially abundant elephant population. Kings Pool Camp offers two hides from which guests can view wildlife; one of these unique hides is underground, with the lagoon waters at eye level, allowing for an up-close-and-personal view of elephant feet and zebra stripes.
The forested island on which the camp sits is typical of those encountered throughout the vast 4 million acres of the Okavango Delta. At Kwara, you will discover why the Okavango is considered one of the ecological wonders of Africa and indeed the world. It is mysterious, calming, unpredictable and very wild.
Day 12
Morning game drive and air transfer to Maun and onto Johannesburg.
— 2014 Pricing —
Premier Photographer seat (window left side of vehicle)- 6 spots available: Because photographers press the camera shutter with our right hand, we find pivoting and shooting from the left side of the vehicle more natural. For this reason the vehicles will position themselves, when possible, so that the animals being photographed are on the left hand side of the parked safari vehicle (on a 45 degree angle). This allows for the best possible positioning and clear few to the subject for photography. $ TBD
Regular seat ( Window on right side of vehicle)- 6 spots available: These seats are exactly the same as above but are on the right side of the vehicle. These seats are perfectly fine for people not shooting a large lens (400/f2.8, 500mm, 600mm, or 800mm). Please keep in mind that not all the animal sightings will result in the vehicle being repositioned for subject on the left. We spend a good deal of time with animals on both sides of the vehicle and in some cases will not have the time or the space to reposition. On these safaris we often get a couple or traveling companions where one person is really into photography and the other is not so much.…or one person has a big lens and the other is happy with a hand-holdable rig…this is the perfect seat for that person. $ TBD
Note: all seats in the middle (3 in each vehicle) are open and allow people from adjacent window seats to share for camera gear.
INCLUDES:
- Complimentary travel planning services from Piper & Heath Travel
- All meals and safari activities
- All drinks except for premium brands
- Extra luggage allowance on charter aircraft to accommodate for photographic equipment
- Guaranteed window seat for each passenger with private vehicles for this group
- Max 6 guests per vehicle
- Gratuities
EXCLUDES:
- International flights, flight consolidation service available
- Flights to and from Maun (JNB — MUB return estimate = $560.00pp)
- Travel Insurance (Required)
- Items of a personal nature