Overview

We bring the big telephotos so you don’t have to.

Etosha – Chobe – Victoria Falls, and more…

Over the last year, we have packaged a unique wildlife photography safari for a small group of five passionate photographers, visiting Etosha National Park in Namibia, Victoria Falls, and Chobe National Park in Botswana. Scheduled for June 3-20, 2013, in the early part of the winter dry season, we will enjoy comfortable temperatures and dramatic concentrations of diverse wildlife at the watering holes of Etosha. Black rhinos, giraffes, lions, elephants, and numerous antelope species are common here, and cheetahs and leopards are often seen as well.

At Chobe, animals congregate along the river in the dry season to drink and feed on the lush greenery on the banks and flood plain. In addition to Chobe’s population of over 50,000 Kalahari elephants, opportunities include hippos (with young at this time of year), Nile crocs, buffalo, waterbuck, kudu, impala, giraffes, fish eagles, lions, hyenas, African wild dog, baboons, and numerous bird species.

At both locations we have arranged use of new photo safari vehicles with innovative custom features that deliver an ideal photographic experience. The two 4WD vehicles we will use at Etosha seat three photographers each, and the custom-built photo boat at Chobe comfortably accommodates our whole group. Both on land and on the water, each photographer will have his or her own photographer’s chair with fully adjustable Wimberley-equiped telephoto lens mount.  Included at no additional cost is loan of Nikon super-telephoto lenses (600mm f/4, 500mm f/4, and 200-400mm f/4 plus teleconverters) and pro camera bodies, so there is no need to carry big glass to Africa.

Click “read more” below right for the itinerary, photo gallery from Chobe and Etosha, and more information…

Our itinerary makes the most of the photographic opportunities, and offers excellent lodging and amenities, attentive photographic instruction, and expert guiding throughout:

Day 1: June 3rd

Arrive at O.R. Tambo International Airport. You will be met at the airport and transferred to Chez Coetzer Guest House to rest and de-jetlag after flight.

AV presentation on Etosha and Chobe safaris. South African dinner at Guest House.

Overnight at Chez Coetzer Guest House.

Day 2: June 4th

Early morning breakfast at Guest House. Photography at the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre.

Afternoon safari orientation. Traditional South African Braai dinner and overnight at Chez Coetzer.

Day 3: June 5th

Transfer to O.R. Tambo and depart for Windhoek International Airport. Arrive in Windhoek and transfer to Okonjima Lodge. Afternoon leopard photography. Dinner and overnight at Okonjima Lodge.

Day 4: June 6th

Early morning game drive and African Wild Dog photography session. Breakfast at Okonjima. Transfer to Etosha National Park, Namutoni Lodge. Afternoon photography session in Etosha. Overnight at Namutoni Lodge.

Days 5–8: June 7th–10th

Daily photography in Etosha National Park and overnight at Namutoni Lodge.

Day 9: June 11th

Early morning photography session in Etosha. Breakfast at Lodge and depart for Windhoek. Afternoon at leisure in Windhoek. Dinner and overnight in Windhoek at Safari Court Hotel.

Day 10: June 12th

Breakfast in Windhoek and transfer to Windhoek International Airport. Depart for Victoria Falls. Arrive at VFI and transfer to Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. Dinner and overnight at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Day 11: June 13th

Early morning photography at Victoria Falls and breakfast. Transfer to Chobe Marina Lodge. Afternoon photography on the boat. Dinner and overnight at Chobe Marina Lodge.

Days 12–18: June 14th–20th

Stay at Chobe Marina Lodge. Two daily photography sessions on the Chobe River. Dinner and breakfast at the Lodge.

Day 19: June 21st

Early morning photography session on the Chobe River. Breakfast at Lodge.

Option A (applies to most participants): Depart for Kasane Airport and fly Air Botswana to Johannesburg for outbound flight.

Option B (applies to those staying on for Namibia Landscape Safari): Afternoon transfer to Vic Falls Airport for flight to Windhoek.

This package is designed to deliver a superb overall experience, and includes all lodging, meals, beverages, expert guides, photographic instruction, loaner Nikon telephotos and cameras, park entry fees, ground transfers, and three flights during the itinerary (Johannesburg – Windhoek; Windhoek – Victoria Falls; Chobe – Johannesburg).

Not included are international flights from your point of origin to Johannesburg, South Africa (currently between $1,700 to $2,300 for economy class from the US), and incidental personal expenses.

The single-occupancy rate for this all-inclusive package is $18,750. Double-occupancy is $17,960 per person. 25% deposit required upon booking, 25% due in January 2013, and balance due in March 2013.
For more information, please contact Justin at justin@visionarywild.com or 202-302-9030.