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BOTSWANA PHOTO SAFARIS

MARCH 10-21, 2024

OPEN

OKAVANGO DELTA

BOTSWANA

Join professional wildlife and conservation photographer Roy Toft, in partnership with African Destination Specialist, Piper & Heath Travel, as he leads another Botswana Photo Safari!

On this ultimate Botswana photo tour we offer extraordinary opportunities to photograph abundant wildlife in Botswana’s Linyanti region.

Embark on a 12 day/11 night small-group photographic safari through the legendary Okavango Delta with celebrated wildlife photographer Roy Toft. Roy has been making this pilgrimage for over a decade. His itinerary offers the phenomenal opportunities in the photographic mecca of Botswana during the “secret” season of March, when babies abound and the lush green vegetation brings color to every image.

Watch the Interactive Visual Itinerary!

Linyanti

Like so many of Botswana’s regions, the Linyanti boasts an astounding concentration and diversity of wildlife. The Linyanti River (downstream called the Chobe River) forms a natural border between Botswana and Namibia, and on its southern side (in Botswana) are the picturesque lagoons, flowing rivers, open grasslands, riverine forests, and inland forests of the Linyanti—an environment where wildlife abounds. Especially in Botswana’s dry winter months, herds of Africa’s large land mammals congregate at the Linyanti’s rivers and lagoons. Zebra, antelope, red lechwe, and sitatunga migrated through these wetlands, always followed closely by lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, and hyena. Hippo and elephant also roam these lands but are in no danger from the predators. And of course, this oasis is also home to hundreds of bird species, announcing the dawn with their magnificent chorus. The last stretches of Africa’s Great Rift Valley here divide the forests from the river floodplains, and it is these ridges that provide not only breathtaking vistas but also unmatched wildlife observation opportunities. The unique landscape distinguishes it from the nearby Okavango Delta and Chobe River areas, and requires that the serious visitor include this region in their tour of Botswana in order to fully appreciate the country’s diversity.

Okavango Delta

As the largest inland river delta on earth, Botswana’s Okavango Delta is surely one of the seven wonders of the natural world. The delta is formed as the seasonal flooding of the Okavango River, flowing from the Angola highlands, empties into the Kalahari Desert basin. The flood waters cover an area of over 35,000 square kilometers and rise and fall as the intense heat of the region cause rapid evaporation only to have the delta resupplied by newly arriving flood waters. Landlocked and surrounded by higher altitudes, Botswana is a dry country, so the Okavango Delta truly is an oasis. However, contrary to what the foliage might indicate, this is not a tropical paradise. Rainfall is sparse most of the year and temperatures soar to about 40C during the summer. However, the winter floods (that peak from June to August) are sufficient to make permanent large swathes of lakes, channels, and lagoons. Not surprisingly, this oasis attracts some of the world’s highest concentrations of wildlife, including all the quintessential African mammals from lion to elephant to hippo to giraffe to rhino to zebra. The delta is also the permanent or seasonal home of hundreds of bird species as well. This diversity and concentration of wildlife make the Okavango Delta an absolute must-see for any serious African visitor!

Length of Safari

10 Days/11 Nights

March 10-21, 2024

Group Max

16 Participants

OPEN

Price

Photographer: $13,950 USD
Single-Supplement: $2,190 USD

Register Now!

At Piper & Heath

ITINERARY

  • Day 1

    JOHANNESBURG - THE RESIDENCE HOTEL

    Upon arrival at O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, you will be met immediately off your flight by a Piper & Heath representative for special assistance through immigration and for your private road transfer to The Residence Boutique Hotel.

  • Day 2

    JOBURG-LEBALA CAMP

    Upon arrival at Maun Airport (MUB) and after clearing immigration, you will be met by a Piper & Heath representative for your light aircraft flight to Lebala Camp in a private concession within northern Botswana’s Linyanti region.

    Commercial Flight: JNB – MUB (Commercial flights are not included in quote costs).

    * Luggage is normally limited to 20kg/44lbs per person in soft sided bags, however for this group expanded luggage capacity has been included (around 30kg/66lbs per person). There may be stops en route.

    Day 2

  • Day 2-4

    LEBALA CAMP

    3 nights at Lebala Camp. Accommodations include tented room, all meals, private daily activities, park fees, house drinks (excluding some premium brands), and laundry.

  • Day 5

    LEBALA CAMP to SPLASH CAMP

    Today you will have a light aircraft flight to Splash Camp in the heart of the legendary Okavango Delta.
    * Luggage is normally limited to 20kg/44lbs per person in soft sided bags, however for this group
    expanded luggage capacity has been included (around 30kg/66lbs per person). There may be
    stops en route.

    Day 5

  • Day 5-8

    SPLASH CAMP

    4 nights at Splash Camp. Accommodations include tented rooms, all meals, private daily activities, park fees, house drinks (excluding some premium brands), and laundry.

  • Day 9

    SPLASH CAMP - CHITABE CAMP

    Today you will have a light aircraft flight to Chitabe Camp in the southern reaches of the delta.

    * Luggage is normally limited to 20kg/44lbs per person in soft sided bags, however for this group
    expanded luggage capacity has been included (around 30kg/66lbs per person). There may be
    stops en route.

    Day 9

  • Day 9-11

    CHITABE CAMP

    3 nights at Chitabe Camp. Accommodations include tented rooms, all meals, private daily activities, park fees, house drinks (excluding some premium brands), and laundry.

  • Day 12

    CHITABE CAMP-MAUN-JOBURG

    Today you will have a light aircraft flight back to Maun (MUB) where you will connect to your commercial flight back to Johannesburg (JNB).

    * Luggage is normally limited to 20kg/44lbs per person in soft sided bags, however for this group expanded luggage capacity has been included (around 30kg/66lbs per person). There may be stops en route.

    Day 12

1
2
3
4
Botswana Google Map
1

Johannesburg – start and end of photo tour

2

Lebala Camp – 3 nights.

3

Splash Camp – 4 nights.

4

Chitabe Camp – 3 nights.

LODGING

Residence Boutique Hotel

The Residence Boutique Hotel is a luxury estate that is conveniently situated in the suburb of Houghton, allowing access to the city of Johannesburg within a reasonable drive from the airport. With its location in a peaceful garden setting, it is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Expect understated luxury, offering all the amenities you would expect from the best hotels in the world.

The hotel has eighteen rooms, all with unique charm. Options range from a Luxury Room, which features an en-suite bathroom with additional outdoor shower and bath, up to the Luxury Suites which have private balcony or patio with jacuzzi and pool loungers.

The Residence Boutique Hotel is the perfect place to recover after long international flights, and also the perfect place to catch your breath after safari. Travelers are often grateful for these kinds of “recovery days” at the beginning and end of their trip. You simply cannot go wrong by adding a day at The Residence for the simple pleasure of relaxing. Find yourself by the pool, at the tennis court, or in one of the numerous lounges around the estate.

Lebala Camp

Lebala Camp, along with its sister, Lagoon Camp, are the only two camps to share the vast Kwando Concession in Botswana. Lebala Camp is situated in the south of the Kwando concession, adjacent to the head waters of the Linyanti marshes that form the boundary between Botswana and Namibia.

Lebala Camp has nine large tented chalets constructed on elevated decks including a two-bedroom family room perched on the banks of the Linyanti marshes. Large twin three-quarter-size beds are provided but can be converted to doubles. Each unit has a balcony with deck chairs as well as a small inside sitting area. A canvas wall divides the bedroom from the bathroom, which features a luxurious claw-footed bath, twin washbasins, and a separate cubicle with flushing toilet. Sliding doors at the back of the chalet lead to an outside double shower. While sandy pathways connect the chalets to the camp’s main area.

Lodge Highlights Include

  • Nine luxury tents that are built on raised wooden platforms
  • Each tent comes with a bathroom featuring double sinks and both an indoor and outdoor shower
  • Dining, library, and lounge areas are on raised decks and offer views across the floodplain
  • Refreshing pool raised above the bush

Splash Camp

Splash Camp is situated in the heart of the Okavango Delta, within the Private Kwara Reserve.

The area has long been known as Splash due to the huge water crossings that had to be negotiated to access the camp area. The concession shares a 30km water boundary with the famous Moremi Game Reserve and its unique location boasts both permanent water and seasonal flood plains as well as extensive dry bush wilderness. Favored by labyrinths of permanent water channels and secret islands this area offers the perfect delta experience, and is considered to be amongst the best in Botswana for game viewing and activities.

Located around a pan, each of the 12 rooms is situated on a deck overlooking the pan which attracts game year-round. All are en-suite with a flush toilet, double sinks and both an indoor and an outdoor shower. In addition, each room has a private veranda with outdoor lounge chairs, the perfect place to relax and take in the magnificent views and soak up the atmosphere. The rooms and main area will be simply and elegantly decorated with contemporary furniture which will complement the atmosphere of the camp. The main area has a plunge pool, bar, and lounge as well as an orientation center and a curio shop. Just in front, towards the pan is the fire pit where a light breakfast is served each day before heading off on activities, and stories are told after supper in the evenings.

Lodge Highlights Include

  • 12 tented canvas rooms sit on raised decks.
  • Indoor and outdoor shower
  • Private veranda fitted with comfy lounge chairs
  • Refreshing plunge pool

Chitabe Camp

Chitabe Camp is located in the southeast corner of the Okavango Delta. Chitabe Camp is perched on an island, giving its trekkers breathtaking views of the delta’s floodplains, marshes, and grasslands. The wildlife seen here is especially diverse due to the copious varieties of habitats. Hop on board an open-air 4×4 vehicle and enjoy a game drive where you may see cheetahs, wild dogs, lions, elephants, impalas, and leopards, or venture out on a night drive to catch a glimpse of a genet, porcupine, serval, or aardwolf.

Situated between the Gomoti and Santantadibe river systems, Chitabe Camp hosts a myriad of bird species (most notable the African Hawk Eagle and the Hooded Vulture) that take advantage of the close proxmity to both abundant water and plentiful vegetation. Palm trees and acacia woodlands reside almost side-by-side in this diverse topography.

Lodge Highlights Include

  • 8 tented canvas rooms sit on raised decks.
  • Indoor and outdoor shower
  • Private veranda fitted with comfy lounge chairs
  • Refreshing plunge pool

LEADER

Roy Toft

Meet Roy Toft! Roy has been leading photographers and nature lovers to Botswana for the last 18 years.

The endangered African Wild Hunting Dog (Painted Wolves) and their stronghold in Botswana was the initial incentive to visit Botswana. On average, the “Dogs” are seen at several of the Camps on Roy’s itinerary. The concession system in Botswana with the ability to follow the dogs off the main roads as they hunt and move through their environment, makes it one of the best places in Africa to spend quality time with this most interesting and endangered predator.

In addition to being an award-winning professional wildlife photographer, Roy Toft is also a biologist, natural-history educator, and a Senior Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP).

Piper and Heath Travel

Piper & Heath

Piper & Heath is the brainchild and passion of safari veteran, Chris Liebenberg. With African roots going back more than three centuries, Chris is the heir of a safari knowledge and commitment honed over many generations.

Born and raised in Namibia, his experience spans the breadth of conservation and ecotourism, including anti-poaching, game relocation, camp management, and safari guiding. As a result, Chris boasts a depth and authenticity of experience in Africa that is unmatched within the American travel industry.

The combination of intimate destination knowledge, long-term personal relationships with many African suppliers, and innate cultural understanding is what makes Piper & Heath one of the United States’ premiere sources for custom African travel.

GALLERY

Wild zebra - Toft Photo Safaris in Botswana
leopard and his kill

I had naively thought that this would be like a zoo without cages.  Instead, we got to be a part of these animals lives for hours and days at a time. Having Roy’s direction and the  guide’s expertise (and lack of crowds) allowed us to spend so much time just being with the animals, watching their lives unfold. This experience happened over and over, such that we felt like we were a part of the rhythm of the bush, integrated into their routines, their stories and their world. Made coming home to the city seem a lot less interesting.

The person that made this trip go from amazing to a life-changing, deeply impactful journey that connected us to the animals was Roy. It was his touch, personality and commitment to the wildlife (and our interactions with it) that made this trip so spectacular. Whether it was working with the staff to get us up super early and into the bush to maximize good light, telling the guides to shut up so that we could enjoy a quiet moment with the animals or just making sure that everyone was having a good time, he made this trip unforgettable, and I will definitely be heading out with him again in the future.

Cory J.

PRICING

2024 Tour Price – MARCH 10-21 (FULL)

*Photographer: $13,950
*Single-Supplement: $2,190

Tour Includes:

  • Maximum 4 guests per photographic vehicle
  • Increased luggage capacity for camera gear
  • Gratuities for all safari camp staff and local guides

Tour Excludes:

  • Air travel (we can assist)
  • Visa fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Premium beverages
  • Pre & post safari nights

Registration

To register for 2024 Botswana Photo Safaris, you will be redirected to Piper & Heath Travel where you can contact directly to complete the your booking.

Travel Insurance Recommended

Please consider obtaining Trip or Travel Insurance to cover eventualities which may cause travel difficulties or losses you may incur, of which neither Piper and Heath nor Toft Photo Safaris are responsible. We strongly suggest Trip or Travel Insurance to all our guests to cover any unseen situations occurring prior to or during the trip which would cause losses not covered by our policy.

PACKING LIST

PACKING LIST FOR BOTSWANA EXPEDITIONS

PACKING SUGGESTIONS

Before you spend hundreds of dollars on a new wardrobe, please talk with us for some perspective on safari attire as well as what might be best for your specific trip. Below are some general suggestions that can serve as guidelines for your planning. Please bear in mind that, as mentioned above, there are luggage restrictions of between 15 kg (33 lbs.) and 20 kg (44 lbs.), in a soft bag with no wheels, frames or rigid structures.

CLOTHING

The weather in Africa is generally pleasant throughout the year – warm to hot days, and cool to warm nights – with summer (September to April) being the hotter months. During our winter months however (May to August), it can get really cold at night and in the early morning, particularly when on safari, so we would like to suggest that you pack accordingly.

In central and east Africa, the temperature variation is generally less – in the summer months it can be quite hot and/or humid and the winters usually do not get as cold. We recommend:

  • Sun hat/bush hat.
  • Headscarf/bandanna/buff – particularly for dusty dry regions.
  • Golf shirts and/or T-shirts – preferably with a sleeve to protect your shoulders from the sun.
  • Long-sleeved cotton shirts.
  • Shorts and/or skirts – really short skirts are not practical for getting in and out of game drive vehicles.
  • Long trousers/slacks. (The zip-off kind are most practical.) Long trousers are especially recommend if your itinerary includes a walking-oriented safari or primate trekking.
  • Track suit.
  • Pajamas – lightweight for summer and warm/thermal for winter.
  • Underwear – on game drives the roads can be bumpy and uneven so a suitable bra may be required.
  • Socks – thermal options are recommended for the winter months.
  • Quality walking shoes with heavy soles; if your itinerary specifically includes a walking-oriented safari, consider heavier shoes or boots for added support and protection.
  • Gators are highly recommended for walking safaris and for primate trekking.
  • Sandals – preferably low heeled or flat if you are going on safari.
  • Swimsuit
  • Lightweight jersey or fleece in summer.
  • Light rain gear or jacket for summer months.
  • Warm jersey or fleece plus warmer jacket in winter.
  • Additionally, a scarf, gloves and beanies/woolen hats for the cold winter months.
  • More formal attire for your stay at prestigious city hotels.
  • We recommend only bringing quick-dry synthetic fabrics if possible. Many sports stores sell lightweight practical outdoor wear ideal for safari.

EQUIPMENT/OTHER

  • Good quality sunglasses, UV protected, preferably polarized. Tinted fashion glasses are not good in strong light.
  • If you wear contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along a pair of glasses in case you get irritation from the dust.
  • Flashlight. A headlamp is especially practical.
  • Personal toiletries (basic amenities are supplied by most establishments).
  • Malaria tablets (if applicable).
  • Antihistamine tablets if you suffer from any allergies.
  • Anti-nausea tablets if you suffer from motion sickness.
  • Moisturizing cream and suntan lotion – SPF 30 or higher recommended.
  • Insect repellent for body application, e.g. Tabard, Rid, Jungle Juice, etc.
  • Basic medical kit (aspirins, plasters, Imodium, antiseptic cream and antihistamine cream, etc.)
  • Tissues/Wet Wipes.
  • Visas, tickets, passports, money, credit cards, insurance details, etc.
  • Camera equipment including spare batteries, chargers, film, flash cards, memory sticks, etc.
  • Waterproof/dustproof bag or cover for your camera.
  • We highly recommend that you bring your own pair of binoculars for viewing both wildlife and birds. The recommended general purpose binocular specifications are 8×40 or 10×42.

NOTE 1: Bright colors and white are not advisable whilst on safari. Bright blue will attract Tsetse flies in endemic countries. Camouflage clothing is not recommended for travel in African countries (camouflage or military-inspired clothing is prohibited when traveling in Zimbabwe).

NOTE 2: There may be a restriction on luggage limits on your safari – please ensure that you have the details from your agent according to your itinerary and ask your agent ahead of time if you would like details on the feasibility and costs of taking excess luggage with you on any of these restricted luggage safaris.

CAMERA GEAR

  • 2 DSLR bodies (that you know well and work)
  • 500mm or 600mm long lens
  • 300 or 400mm medium lens
  • 24mm (or under) wide lens
  • Sturdy tripod with gimbal head and mount that fits camera bodies
  • Polarizer filter(s)
  • Batteries and charger, memory cards, USB drive/stick to transfer image to free up memory cards. Bring owner’s manuals!
  • Seriously-good binoculars (think Zeiss, Leica, or Swarovski)
  • Waterproof bag to cover camera & bodies when it rains