Botswana Green Season Photo Expedition

Smaller groups are the best context in which to experience nature, and this is especially true for our photography expeditions. With no more than 8 travelers, divided in 2 vehicles, you’re assured plenty of space and personalized attention when you need it. As a small group, we maintain the flexibility to adapt to changing conditions in a way that maximizes photo opportunities. Our Expedition Leader, an expert naturalist and accomplished photographer, is always available to answer your questions, provide tips and techniques, and to help you better understand and photograph the amazing landscapes and wildlife of Botswana.

An essential element of this safari is our use of specialized 4x4 vehicles, facilitating unmatched wildlife viewing opportunities. Typically, we use open 4x4 Land Rovers, with a unique suspension system and an open-top, open-sided, tiered seating arrangement designed to maximize wildlife viewing opportunities and comfort. On occasion, we will use 4x4 Stretch Land Cruisers with a similar design. During the green season, it is common to have a shade net over the vehicle to provide sun protection and cover during the rains. This protective net comes off during the cooler summer months in Botswana to allow the sun to warm us on morning and afternoon drives.

Vehicles have 10 cushioned passenger seats—one in front next to the driver, followed by three rows of three seats each—though we limit our capacity to seven travelers per vehicle during wildlife drives on this safari, to optimize comfort, viewing and photo opportunities. Our special photo departures are capped at a maximum of four travelers per vehicle during our wildlife drives.  Vehicles have a mini-fridge stocked with cold drinks, a small library with reference books and field guides, and ponchos for each traveler in case of rain. Each custom-built vehicle sports front bull bars and runner boards, as well as a full recovery kit, including spare tires and a high-lift jack. Vehicles are updated or replaced regularly and meticulously maintained to provide our guests with an outstanding safari experience.

• Trip price includes: Accommodations in luxury safari camps, services of Nat Hab's professional Expedition Leader, local guides and camp staff, premier open-sided 4-wheel drive Land Cruisers or Rovers, private Chobe boat cruise, visit with predator researcher at Gomoti Camp, all meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on final day, some alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, airport transfers on Day 1 and final day, all activities and entrance fees, all taxes, permits and service fees.

• Private helicopter flight over the Okavango Delta, plus extra luggage allowance.
  

• Internal air cost includes: All light aircraft flights within the itinerary (this will be listed separately on our invoicing).

Travel to and from the start and end point of your trip, some alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, passport and visa fees (if any), optional activities, items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry and internet, etc.), airline baggage fees, airport and departure taxes (if any), required medical evacuation insurance, optional travel protection insurance.

Easy to Moderate
To participate in this trip, you must be able to walk unassisted at a steady pace for at least one mile over uneven terrain, climb steps to get into and out of our raised safari vehicles, and be able to tolerate daily outdoor excursions that may last 4-5 hours or even a full day at a time, sometimes in hot, windy and/or dusty conditions. Wildlife drives pose a particular type of physical demand on the body, as they require long hours of sitting and take place over terrain that is often very rough and bumpy, including dirt roads with many ruts and potholes. Travelers with back or neck problems, or other health issues that could be exacerbated by such conditions, should take this into consideration. While any walking safaris are considered optional, travelers must be able to walk unassisted to and from the vehicle to our camp accommodations, sometimes walking over uneven ground or on boardwalks. Days spent on safari are often long, as mornings typically start before daybreak and evening meals are served after sundown. Safari accommodations and vehicles are not climate-controlled and, depending on the season, temperatures can range from quite cold to extremely hot, so it is critical that travelers come prepared.

On custom or private departures with smaller groups, our ability to accommodate varying levels of physical abilities or interests is limited, since these trips are staffed with a single Expedition Leader who may be assisted, pending availability, by local guides.

During Botswana’s green season, photography and game viewing offer a unique experience, as mother ungulates give birth at this time and the lush landscape provides a spectacular backdrop against which to observe the animals. To maximize access to the most exciting and remote areas, we stay in luxury tented camps (all amenities en suite) to provide comfort while enhancing the total safari experience. Changes to the itinerary may occur on these trips in order to take advantage of conditions unique to the season. Depending upon availability, itineraries may run in a different order from what is designated.

Plan to arrive in Livingstone, Zambia before 1 pm on Day 1 and you may depart Maun, Botswana anytime after 1:30 pm on the final day.

We can best serve you if our Natural Habitat Adventures Travel Desk makes your reservations, as our staff is intimately familiar with the special requirements of these programs and can arrange the most efficient travel. Please call us at 800-543-8917. Note that while we offer you the best possible rates available to us on airfare and additional nights' accommodations, you may find special web rates or better fares online.