Tour Overview:

Duration: 8 days/9 nights

Spaces: 6 Spaces (max 8)

Join Tracey on this photography tour down the Chobe River. You’ll have the opportunity to photograph some of the world’s most amazing wildlife.

This is a 9 night trip which has been broken down into 3 nights on the Brand New Pangolin Voyager Houseboat and 6 nights in the Pangolin Chobe Hotel. This will give us more opportunities to travel along more of the Chobe River and it’s amazing wildlife.

For your activities, enjoy the custom-built, eight-seater photo boat that will pick you up. The Pangolin photo boats tend to go out at first light and a few hours before sunset, making it the perfect time to be able to photograph the stunning colours of the sky as the sun rises or sets over the Chobe River.

We will be guided through the magnificent river and help you capture the best shots of the beautiful wildlife and landscapes.

During your activities, you'll be treated to light refreshments, making for a truly enjoyable experience.

Additionally, you can rest assured that you're in good hands, as the boat is driven by an expert guide who grew up in the area and knows the river incredibly well.

Each Pangolin Photo Boat can accommodate up to eight guests seated at their own individual rotating chair with a fitted gimbal mount.

Each morning and afternoon the 8-seater boat will head out to explore the Chobe River for game viewing and photography. Generally, each of these activities last between three and four hours depending on what we encounter. The Chobe River is one of the easiest places in Africa to see large herds of elephants as they come down to the river to drink. If we are lucky you might even get to see them swimming across the river – always a very special sighting.

Along with the elephants there are plenty of other large mammals like Hippo and Buffalo along with very relaxed crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks. there are plenty of antelope species including Red Lechwe, Puku, Giraffe and on occasion Sable.

As to the predators we often have sightings of lions and wild dogs on the open plains and once in a while at a certain spot we have leopard. The houseboat works very well with destinations in The Okavango Delta where there is a higher density of predators.

In the mornings we will take a “hot box” with us containing tea, coffee, water and some snacks. In the afternoon your guide will pack a “cool box” with drinks of your choice.

Pangolin Voyager Houseboat

There is simply nothing more relaxing than cruising down one of Africa’s most iconic and game-filled rivers, and the Pangolin Voyager is the perfect vessel. The Chobe River is the natural border between Namibia and Botswana, and the Pangolin Voyager is actually based on the Namibian side of the river, with the Chobe National Park as the opposite bank. The houseboat has five cabins, which can be configured as double or twin beds. Each has an en-suite shower and toilet, as well as air conditioning.

The middle level is where you will find the living and dining areas, where all the meals are served and a well-stocked bar is located. Large glass sliding doors offer a wonderful view of the river as we cruise between our three moorings.

The Pangolin Voyager has three mooring points along The Chobe River and we like to spend one night at each on a cruise. This is why we recommend a minimum stay of three nights to make the most of this unique floating lodge experience!

Pangolin Chobe Hotel

The Pangolin Chobe Hotel sits on the plateau overlooking the Chobe River and Namibia’s Caprivi floodplains which stretch out to the far horizon. The Chobe National Park boundary is a few hundred meters away meaning that with our proximity to the gate we are more often than not the first vehicle through the gate for game drives. Our boats are moored on the river directly below the Hotel and it’s a quick five-minute transfer to get to them and then straight into the park.

Each of the fourteen rooms have been designed to maximise the space and provide plenty of surfaces (for cameras and laptops etc) and charging points galore. They are all en-suite and air-conditioned with safes and tea/coffee making facilities and plenty of intriguing design features.

At the hotel we have 9 king rooms and 5 twin rooms. You might have noticed from the room images the base of the beds is fashioned from concrete. This innovation means that we cant simply push two beds together to form a double. this however doesn’t matter as the twin beds themselves are both doubles meaning that each occupant of a shared room isn’t confined to a tiny single bed!

All of the rooms have a private balcony with chairs and a side table to relax and enjoy the view. The rooms are serviced daily by the hotel staff.

The centrepiece of the building is the wildlife photography gallery, off which all fourteen rooms lead. The gallery features an array of images from our resident photographic guides and other top wildlife photographers who visit us frequently with their guests to enjoy The Chobe. Each image has been chosen to showcase differing photographic styles and techniques to inspire budding (and seasoned) photographers to think differently about their compositions. At the end of the gallery you will find the editing suite for post-production sessions.

In the front of the hotel is our deck, where the majority of meals are served, which in turn leads to the sunken fire pit surrounded by our eco pool. The fire pit is large enough to seat a full house of guests and is a firm favourite before and after dinner. Overlooking the deck is the Pangolin Bar with arguably one of the best views of the Chobe River and Caprivi Floodplains in the region. The well-stocked bar serves up delicious cocktails, perfectly chilled wine, ice cold beers and a plethora of soft drinks and freshly ground coffees.

At the Pangolin Chobe Hotel we pride ourselves on our food and service and you can be assured that you will be presented with delicious fare throughout your stay lovingly prepared by our team in the Kitchen.

Pre-trip advice

1 month prior to travel you will receive a comprehensive document that provides packing advice so you are prepared for your trip

Tour language

This tour is an English-speaking tour.

Vaccinations \ Health

Wild Aperture are not qualified or legally allowed to provide vaccination or medical advice. You should consult your travel nurse or doctors for specific medical advise and up to date advise on vaccinations required. We suggest doing this at least 2-3months prior to travel or sooner if this allows.

Fitness Level Required

Although this is very much an outdoor trip in some remote places, they are all very accessible. The walking activities are not long or hard.

Camera Equipment

For this trip you ideally need a variety of lenses. Firstly the longest lens you have (300mm to 500mm). A 70-200mm or 100-400mm lens is great for flexibility. A wide angle lens would also be very useful as the wildlife can get pretty close

Further information on photography equipment will be supplied as part of your pre-trip advice.

Gratuities

Gratuities for the guides are not included in the cost of your trip. Your host will advise on the amount to take.

Wi-Fi Network Access

Broadband is available on both the boat and in the lodge

Travel Insurance

It’s strongly recommended to purchase your own travel insurance at the time of booking to cover any eventualities should you need to cancel your trip due to unforeseen circumstances as both the deposit and final balances are non-refundable. Guests travelling without their own travel insurance do so at their own risk.

Group Photo Workshop Cost: £TBA

*Single Supplement - £TBA

Secure your place with 25% non-refundable deposit of £TBA / £TBA (single occupancy) per person

Payments accepted by Bank Transfer

*Please see Terms & Conditions for payment details

What’s Included

● Kasane Airport (or Pangolin Chobe Hotel) meet and greet and transfer through immigration to The Pangolin Voyager Houseboat (Namibian side of The Chobe)

● Full board and accommodation in en-suite, air-conditioned rooms

● All meals (brunch, high tea and dinner) and selected drinks (wine, local beers, soft drinks and spirits).

● Morning and afternoon activities on the custom 8-seater boat (possible game drive alternative)

● Park fees and bed levies

● Services of a photographic host

Not Included

● International flights to/from Kasane

● Any other meals not mentioned above

● Any other overnight accommodation not mentioned above

● Any personal expense such as beverages / drinks bill at the hotels, snacks whilst travelling, telephone bills, airport tax etc

● Tips & gratuities. E.g. local guides/drivers

● Personal Travel insurance

● Any other services not stated in the itinerary or above costs.