Project Description
Ultimate Pangolin Photo Safari
This safari package has been designed to offer you the most comprehensive photographic experience across some of the major highlights of Southern Africa in a simple, easy and affordable itinerary.
From the mighty Victoria Falls, through The Chobe and onwards to The Okavango Delta and finally to Cape Town you will be hard pressed to experience such a unique photo safari experience anywhere else.
Please note that with the new direct flights from New York to Cape Town on United Airlines this package works just as well in reverse: Cape Town – Okavango Delta – The Chobe – Victoria Falls. Please speak to one of our travel planners about this option.
Your first destination is the mighty Victoria Falls, regarded as one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Here you will be met at the airport and taken to the charming Ilala Lodge, your home for the first two days. For international travellers, this is a great way to start your safari as it gives you time to relax after your flight and take in the magnificent spectacle of the Falls not only on a guided tour along the edge of the canyon but also from the sky on a 25-minute helicopter flight. The helicopter gives you the best opportunity to photograph the falls in their entirety and the rainbow that often appears in the mist that gives The Falls their local name Mosi Oa Tunya – The Smoke that Thunders.
The journey from Victoria Falls across the border to Botswana takes about an hour in a comfortable private vehicle and you will be met in Kasane by one of our guides who will take you The Pangolin Chobe Hotel. The Chobe River is the only constant water source in the Northern Section of the Chobe National Park and attracts huge herds of elephants and plains game to its banks. The river is also home to plenty of hippo and crocodiles and hundreds of species birds including one of the healthiest populations of Fish Eagles in Africa. The Pangolin Chobe Hotel offers morning and afternoon game drives and boat cruises in the Chobe National Park. On these activities, you will be accompanied by a Pangolin Photo Host who will be on hand to make sure you make the most of the photo opportunities that present themselves. If you don’t have your own camera gear then we will supply you with a DSLR camera and telephoto lens free of charge along with plenty of memory cards to fill.
Each of the fourteen rooms in the hotel is ensuite, air-conditioned and with a private balcony. They all lead onto the centrepiece of the hotel which is a wildlife gallery filled with images taken by our guides and fellow wildlife photographers. Prepare to be inspired. During the day there is a darkened editing suite for post production sessions and also the pool deck where you can relax with a good book and a cold drink from our well-stocked bar. The Pangolin Chobe Hotel is offered on an all inclusive basis.
You will leave the Pangolin Chobe Hotel after brunch on day 6 up to Kasane Airport which is close by. From here you will take a charter flight down to The Okavango Delta.
As a company, we work with several exceptional safari operators and thus we have plenty of options in the Okavango Delta to choose from. The advantage here is that we can send you to the destination that we think is going to be more productive at that specific time of year.
When the Okavango Delta floods in April and May it can drastically change the game viewing experience in certain parts. Lots of the roads become impassable and areas, where we could access a month or two before, are unreachable.
We have several camps that we like to send guests to, and they are interchangeable as far as price points are concerned. They are all of the same standards of comfort, service and elegance and we work with the guides at these specific camps to help them better understand the specific needs of wildlife photographers – lighting, anticipation, positioning etc.
Every camp we work with is on a private concession and has a policy of no more than 4 guests per vehicle and off-roading and night drives are permitted.
The majority of the time we use Shinde or Kanana which are owned and managed by our preferred partner Ker and Downey Botswana.
As this safari is available throughout the year, we can also customise it and even add extra nights in The Delta (or neighbouring areas like Savute, Khwai or The Kalahari) should you wish to see and photograph in multiple Botswana locations.
If you let us know when you are wanting to travel with us your dedicated safari planner can give you the camp options for that time of year. Rest assured we will always send you to the best place for that time of year.
On Day Nine you will head for the airstrip once again for the short hop to Maun which has daily direct flights to The Mother City – Cape Town. Cape Town is probably one of the most picturesque and photo-friendly cities on the planet and is home to the Pangolin Photo Safaris reservations office. From the staggering immensity (not to mention breathtaking views) of Table Mountain to the rocky shores of Cape Point and the rolling vineyards of the Cape Winelands there is almost too much to see and do in this amazing city. We have selected three fascinating private day tours for you to enjoy that will take you to all the highlights.
We use several hotels in Cape Town with which we combine the tours of the itinerary. They are handpicked for their locations and service excellence and all offer something a little different. Your travel planner can give you all the options as well as details of the day tours that we include to fully customise the end of your safari with us.
The exact cost of this safari will depend upon the time of year that you want to travel and the choice of accommodation in
Victoria Falls, The Okavango Delta and Cape Town.
As a guideline this photo safari package in 2023 would normally be between $9,500 and $12,500 per person sharing a room.
(In 2024 this will be $10,500 and $14,500)
If you are travelling alone or want your own room, then there would be a single supplement of around $3,500 – $4,500.
Please contact one of our safari planners using the form below and they will send you back a more accurate price as soon as possible.
Meet and Greet at Victoria Falls Airport
2 nights at Ilala Lodge (or similar, Bed and Breakfast included)
Guided tour of the Falls
25 min Helicopter flight over the Falls
Private transfer to The Chobe
3 nights at the Pangolin Chobe Hotel
Transfer to Kasane Airport
Charter Flight from Kasane to The Okavango Delta
3 nights at Shinde or Kanana (Full Board)
All game activities as per itinerary
Park Fees and Bed Levies
Meet and Greet at Cape Town International Airport
5 nights at the The Commodore Hotel (or similar, Bed and Breakfast included)
3 Full day Private Cape Town Day Tours
Airport Transfer to Cape Town Airport
Visas if applicable
Gratuities
Laundry and items of a personal nature
All International flights
Suggested Add-ons
If you are interested in any of the below add-ons, chat to your travel planner or mention it in the enquiry form below.
Masai Mara
Africa’s most iconic Game Reserve is spectacular all year round but especially during the Great Migration. Easy accessibility from Victoria Falls and Cape Town too makes it an amazing add-on.
Uganda for Gorillas
Uganda is a wonderful country that is one of the best places in the world for primate encounters, namely gorillas and chimpanzees. There is spectacular birdlife too as well as the chance to see the incredible shoebill stork.
Madikwe
South Africa’s best kept safari secret. Madikwe is home to good populations of Rhino, big cats and wild dogs. There we have a fantastic partner property – Jacis. Option on the way to Cape Town.
When travelling with camera gear we find that there is a great range of camera backpacks available on the market capable of carrying sizeable “glass”. Using a backpack rather than a hard case is often easier when you are on the move like this. They also often have slim pockets for laptops which you will want to bring along perhaps to get on top of your editing during your trip and saves bringing another carry on bag in the form of a laptop bag.
Enquire Now!