Ideas for photography holidays in Botswana
Areas protected for wildlife conservation form almost 40% of the country and in the north of Botswana, the game roams freely between the huge national parks and the enormous private reserves. In all you'll find great photographic opportunities, but the private reserves offer the best because:
- The guides can drive off-road in most of these, and so position you in the right light and at a good angle for the best pictures.
- 4WD drives continue into dusk and night drives, and so allow you to make the most of the twilight to photograph those sought-after crepuscular animals. This time is especially productive if you’re looking for images of big cats hunting.
Aside from its game, parts of Botswana are stunning: very photogenic. The Okavango Delta stands out for its patchwork of papyrus swamps, reed-beds, floodplains and small palm-fringed islands which all go to make it such a beautiful destination for a photography holiday. Botswana's Makgadikgadi Pans: the residues from an ancient lake, these vast salt-flats offer a complete contrast, forming the starkly beautiful backdrop to stands of swaying, feathery palms.
Cultural experiences attract some visitors to Botswana, and often their focus is the groups of the San / Bushmen people. Photographers are often fascinated by these hunter-gatherers, who live such different lives from our own, and in such a different environment. Meanwhile, at the Tsodilo Hills you can see ancient images carved and painted millennia ago: it is of the one of the greatest collections of San / Bushmen rock art in Africa. These stark hills, rising out of the flat desert, and adorned with ancient rock art are a great location for photographers.
As you look through some ideas of trips that might suit photographers, below, bear in mind that few are group trips led by photographers – but most are great safaris shared with others who love wildlife, and love to capture it on film.
Best camps & lodges for Photography holidays in Botswana
Savuti Camp
Two guides at Savuti (Grant and Kani) are both highly talented photographers in their own right (they were featured in the December / January 2010/11 issue of National Geographic). For keen photographers, being guided by two experts will be a real draw to Savuti.
Kwara Camp
The safari vehicles at Kwara have a roof-removal option, offering almost unobscured views and are ideal for a photographic safari in Botswana. Avid photographers can take a private vehicle/guide (at additional cost) for ultimate flexibility on activities.
Selinda Camp
Part-owned by renowned film-makers and photographers Dereck and Beverly Joubert, Selinda Camp is a great spot for photography in Botswana. The guides position vehicles to find the best angles and light, some will even give a little instruction if asked.
Zarafa Camp
Co-owned by wildlife filmmakers and photographers Dereck and Beverly Joubert, Zarafa is one of the best camps for photographers in Botswana. A number of Canon 5D cameras are available for guests’ use and the guides are great at positioning for pictures.
Mombo Camp
The game densities, varied birdlife, fertile soils and classic Delta environments make Mombo an excellent place for photographers. Private vehicles are also available (at additional cost) allowing complete flexibility on where and when you want to go.
DumaTau
The safari vehicles used by DumaTau are open-sided, which is handy for wildlife photography. With a maximum of six guests per vehicle, all guests have a 'window' seat for a clearer view and the guides are usually adept at positioning the vehicle.
Vumbura Plains
Vumbura Plains is located on Botswana’s Kwedi Concession. The range of environments here are not only attractive in their own right but also draw large numbers of wildlife and birdlife. All this makes Vumbura a fantastic stop for photographers.
Shinde Footsteps
With the diversity of activities in camp, and varied wildlife and environments, plus a dedicated photo-editing suite, Shinde Footsteps is a brilliant option for a safari with a focus on photography in Botswana’s Okavango Delta.
Shinde Camp
With four people per vehicle as standard, Shinde is ideal for both budding and more experienced photographers on safari in Botswana. Private vehicles are also available at an additional cost.
Meno A Kwena
Standing high above the Boteti River, Meno A Kwena has a cool and well-situated hide which makes a good spot for keen photographers to take unobtrusive pictures of busy wildlife scenes.
Lagoon Camp
A private vehicle and guide is relatively inexpensive at Lagoon Camp, allowing avid photographers in Botswana the ultimate flexibility in focus and pace of game drives.
Photography holidays elsewhere in Africa
Our top ideas and inspiration for Photography holidays in other countries.
Where to photograph African wildlife
Maximise your chances of being ably to photograph your favourite species using sightings reports from the field.
Lion
Panthera leo
Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.
81% SUCCESS
3,438 sightings from 4,247 observations
Leopard
Panthera pardus
The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.
47% SUCCESS
2,220 sightings from 4,721 observations
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.
33% SUCCESS
1,176 sightings from 3,580 observations
Wild dog
Lycaon pictus
African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.
32% SUCCESS
997 sightings from 3,116 observations
Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.
55% SUCCESS
2,457 sightings from 4,496 observations
Brown Hyena
Parahyaena brunnea
This largely solitary scavenger is one of the more elusive and little-known of Africa’s carnivores. Shaggier than its spotted cousin, it occurs only in the arid southwest of the continent.
16% SUCCESS
277 sightings from 1,756 observations
Meerkat
Suricata suricatta
These highly sociable little mammals have an endearing appearance and comical antics. Found in the drier areas of Southern Africa, close encounters are a sought-after experience.
20% SUCCESS
95 sightings from 468 observations
Elephant
Loxodonta africana
By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.
91% SUCCESS
4,153 sightings from 4,563 observations
Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.
83% SUCCESS
2,909 sightings from 3,496 observations
Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.
86% SUCCESS
3,998 sightings from 4,657 observations
Hippo
Hippopotamus amphibius
The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.
90% SUCCESS
3,028 sightings from 3,383 observations
Black Rhino
Diceros bicornis
The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.
30% SUCCESS
702 sightings from 2,314 observations
White Rhino
Ceratotherium simum
The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.
43% SUCCESS
565 sightings from 1,312 observations
Oryx
Oryx sp.
Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.
70% SUCCESS
1,526 sightings from 2,187 observations
Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.
49% SUCCESS
1,646 sightings from 3,358 observations
Roan antelope
Hippotragus equinus
Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.
25% SUCCESS
570 sightings from 2,321 observations
Sable antelope
Hippotragus niger
Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.
23% SUCCESS
545 sightings from 2,337 observations
Sitatunga
Tragelaphus spekii
The sitatunga is the most aquatic of Africa’s antelopes and specially adapted to its swampy habitats. Though widespread across Africa, only a handful of places offer reliable sightings.
19% SUCCESS
70 sightings from 376 observations
Wildebeest
Connochaetes sp.
Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.
67% SUCCESS
2,798 sightings from 4,168 observations
Zebra
Equus sp.
The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.
84% SUCCESS
4,367 sightings from 5,189 observations
Pangolin
Smutsia sp.
Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.
2% SUCCESS
64 sightings from 3,780 observations
Aardvark
Orycteropus afer
The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.
2% SUCCESS
81 sightings from 3,741 observations
Other styles of holiday in Botswana
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