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Botswana Photo-Safari Questions


ty_smedes1

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I would like to plan/book a serious photo-safari to Botswana's

Okavango Delta, and possibly Chobe Park, Moremi, or other

recommended sites in that area. Looking for advice from anyone who

has accomplished serious photography in those parks and can

recommend parks, camps, and how to shoot from vehicles that appear

to be open-sided, instead of roof-hatch type. I have made two trips

to Kenya & Tanzania, so am experienced in Africa, but not

Botswana.. Any & all help or recommendations would be appreciated!

 

Ty Smedes

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have a look at my folders - I did a 10 day Okavanga / Moremi / Chobe camping safari 2 years ago - it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. They ofen go out of Maun, and we went with Phakawe Safaris - a google will turn them up. Simply cannot recommend it highly enough. Shows Kruger etc up to be the zoo that it is.
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Ty:

 

I did a similiar trip two years ago, Okavango and Chobe, from South Africa. Yes, the vehicles are open sided. I took a Manfroto super clamp with a small ball head and an empty bean bag, which I filled with local bean products. I don't recommend the super clamp, every time someone in the vehicle moves, your camera moves. The bean bag works out ok though.

 

I think a gun stock would also be a good alternative.

 

Turned out it wasn't really necessary to take anything, each of the tour operators had bean bags available, one even had some monopods, all you had to do was ask for them the night before.

 

One thing though, with the exception of the elephants in Chobe, I found the wild life more "skittish" than in Kenya and Tanzania- they aren't as used to tourists, so you'll probably need a longer lens than you used previously in Africa. I took a 1.4 X converter (and my favourite 60-300) and that worked quite well.

 

Have a good time.

 

LGH

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Ty,

some 10 years ago I went to Botswana with Penduka Safaris (twice) into the Delta, Chobe, Moremi and Savuti. They have lots of experience in this area. They run real trucks, so one can either sit on top or shoot thru the window. You will love Botswana!

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Thanks to everyone who responded to my questions about serious wildlife photography in Botswana! I believe we are going to book 3 camps, including Chobe Game Lodge, Savuti, and Camp Moremi.. Have been researching the issues of flying to/from Johannesburg to Botswana, and the need to carry-on fragile camera gear, laptop, external drive, etc. Does anyone have recommendations for an airline that accomodates the serious photographer and his extra carry-on gear? Don't mind paying for extra weight and carry-on privledge to insure the gear makes it safely to Botswana. Also would like to hear more about how to successfully shoot a long telephoto (400-500mm) out of the open-sided vehicles.. I have also considered the bogen super-clamp w/ballhead, although a bean-bag would be better, if there is a place to rest one and support a big lens.. Thanks again! Ty
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