PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS

AFRICA SAFARI IN BOTSWANA - 2027 WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

AFRICA WILDLIFE SAFARI IN BOTSWANA

Feel the call of the wild on this photography workshop and safari through the Nxai Pan, Okavango Delta and Kwando Reserve

A DESTINATION EARTH PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

DATES: FEBRUARY 21 - MARCH 1, 2027 * SOLD OUT *

Botswana is a photographer's dream with unparalleled wildlife and sheer natural beauty. From the Baobab trees of the Nxai Pan to the labyrinth of waterways in the Okavango Delta, the backdrops here to capture stunning wildlife portraits in their environment are second to none. With the first light of golden hour spilling across the vast, open pans and floodplains to create magic the day begins and the region comes alive. And at night the Kwando Private Reserve becomes a whole other world with a dizzying array of stars and animal activity.

On this 9 day, 8 night Botswana workshop you will be able to hone your wildlife photography skills with me by your side providing tips and guidance on our game drives in these wildlife rich areas. During our time here the second largest animal migration in the world will take place as the Zebra herd head across the Nxai Pan in search of such grasslands to graze upon. Throughout our time we will be scouring for wildlife whether that be by boat with elephants drinking at lagoons or in our jeep with lion, leopard and cheetah wandering in the bush. All of which gives you the opportunity to explore creative storytelling through your lens as we enjoy exclusive use of two private vehicles in all camps, ensuring the best view and positioning for photography.

INSTRUCTOR: CHRIS BYRNE

GROUP SIZE: 6 Participants

COST: $10,750 (Double Occupancy) / $2000 Single Supplement

INCLUDES: All meals, transportation, in-country flights, game drives

DEPOSIT: A 50% deposit is required to secure a spot, with the balance due 90 days prior to workshop.

ITINERARY

Day 1, February 21

Arrive Maun - Nxai Pan. Upon arrival into Maun International Airport you will need to clear immigration before being met and assisted to your onward light aircraft flight to Nxai Pan. Similar to Makgadikgadi Pans, Nxai Pan National Park is part of the Kalahari ecosystem, yet so different to the game reserve. Grassy plains are peppered with fossil beds and smaller pans, growing sweet grasses that attract a diverse range of hungry animals. Overnight: Nxai Pan Camp (D)

Day 2 - 3, February 22 - 23

On safari at Nxai Pan. Nxai Pan is the only permanent camp in the Nxai Pan National Park and is located on the western edge of the fossil pan from which it takes name, facing open grasslands. The biggest draw to the park is the zebras that migrate by the thousands to the area to drop their young - the second largest land animal migration in Southern Africa, during the summer after the rains have fallen. The pan is also known for its huge springbok population, wildebeest, elephants and large groups of giraffes. Activities include a day trip to Baines’ Baobabs, which have changed little in the 150 years since Thomas Baines immortalized them in his paintings. Another favourite is the San Bushman Cultural Walk. Conducted close to the camp area, the walk is conducted at a slow pace designed to allow engagement and question asking so that guests may better understand the nature of the bushman to the environment around them. Knowledge about how they would hunt, trap animals, and the way they use the flora and fauna in their environment to help them survive are all shared with guests. Apart from these, game drives take place in the mornings and afternoons. Being in a National Park, off road and night drives are prohibited. Overnight: Nxai Pan Camp (B,L,D)

Day 4, February 24

Nxai Pan - Kwando Concession. This morning you will be driven to the Nxai Pan Airstrip in time to board your flight north to the Kwando Concession. You’ll likely divert through Maun to refuel and pick up passengers before beginning your flight up north over and to the spectacular Okavango Delta. Your guide from Splash Camp will be waiting for your arrival and will drive you through to camp. Settle in before lunch and later in the afternoon head out on a game drive in this incredibly rich wildlife area. Overnight: Kwando Splash Camp (B,L,D)

Day 5 - 6, February 25 - 26

On safari at Kwando Splash. You will be able to enjoy twice-daily safari experiences during your stay in the Kwara Concession. Choose from 4x4 game drives with a guide and tracker, night drives, boat safaris, and walking safaris. Should you wish for complete flexibility and a more private experience we recommend asking your Destination Specialist about the possibility of booking a private guide and vehicle. The 175,000 hectare Kwara Concession shares a 30km water boundary with the renowned Moremi Game Reserve, guaranteeing both seasonal and permanent water which attract a plethora of game including a variety of plains game and the predators that hunt them. Overnight: Kwando Splash Camp (B,L,D)

Day 7, February 27

Kwando Splash - Kwando Lebala. This morning you will be driven to the Kwara Airstrip in time to board your flight north to the Kwando Private Reserve. Keep your camera ready as you fly low over the river channels and floodplains below littered with herds of antelope, elephants, and buffalos. Keep an eye out for the hippos gentle gliding below the water’s surface along the hippo paths. Your guide from Lebala Camp will be waiting for your arrival and will drive you through to camp. Settle in and relax before lunch and later going out to explore this new area. Overnight: Kwando Lebala Camp (B,L,D)

Day 8, February 28

On safari at Kwando Lebala. Today you will explore one of Botswana’s premier predator-rich regions. Set in the southern reaches of the Kwando Private Concession - an area shared with just one other camp - Lebala offers access to over 230,000 hectares of unspoilt wilderness. This is true big game country, where lions, wild dogs, and leopards are often seen. With no crowds, you enjoy an authentic, close-to-nature experience. Activities are led by Kwando’s expert guide and tracker teams, ensuring flexible outings shaped by the season, wildlife movements, and guest preferences, whether exploring on foot, or venturing out on a game drive day or night. Overnight: Kwando Lebala Camp (B,L,D)

Day 9, March 1

Kwando Lebala - Depart Maun. Today, at a time to be advised locally, you will be driven to the Lebala Airstrip in time for your light aircraft flight to Maun. On arrival into Maun you will bid farewell to Chris and the group before you head for your departing international flight international flight. Marking the end of your time in Botswana - until next time!

USEFUL INFO / PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY

The sun rises at approximately 5:40am and sets at 8:40pm during this time of the year. Add in driving time to and from locations and this will make for very early mornings and late nights. Temperatures typically range from the 50’s to 70’s but can be colder, windy and rainy. Prepare for variable weather.

Physical difficulty of the locations will be easy to moderate. It is important for participants to be in good physical health. While many locations will be a short distance from a parking lot, there won’t be any long hikes but there may be some short steep sections to get down to beach areas.

FLIGHTS & MEALS

Participants should fly into Maun on February 21 and plan to depart on March 1. It is highly recommended to arrive a day early to get acclimated and make flight connections easier. Specific flight times and details will be sent out as the trip nears. All meals are included as well as flights in country between camps.

OUR ACCOMMODATIONS

Nxai Pan Camp | Nxai Pan Camp offers a unique safari experience with its spectacular view of a permanent waterhole. Named after the ancient fossil pan it overlooks, the camp boasts eight charming thatched rooms. Guests can choose from seven en-suite twin rooms or a spacious family suite, which accommodates up to four guests. Each room, powered by solar energy, is equipped with a fan, an outdoor shower, and a private viewing deck. Connected by raised walkways, the main area features a dining room, a comfortable lounge, and an expansive viewing deck. All the accommodations provide panoramic views of an active waterhole frequented by elephants and cheetahs. Additionally, from late December to early April, the camp offers an ideal location to witness the remarkable zebra migration, adding to the allure of this unique safari destination.

Kwando Splash Camp | Set within the private Kwara Reserve in the heart of the Okavango Delta, Kwando Splash Camp offers a tranquil retreat in the wilderness. The camp features 12 en-suite rooms, each equipped with indoor and outdoor showers, as well as a private deck that overlooks a pan, attracting game year-round. Kwando Splash Camp seamlessly combines contemporary elegance with an authentic safari experience. Its main area includes a bar and lounge, providing an ideal setting for relaxation between activities. Guests can also take a refreshing dip in the communal pool during the heat of the day. The camp's design and location make it an excellent base for exploring the rich wildlife and diverse landscapes of the Okavango Delta.

Kwando Lebala Camp | Lebala Camp enjoys a privileged location overlooking the picturesque Linyanti Wetlands, where the Kwando River transitions into the Linyanti River after meandering through expansive marshlands. The camp offers eight generously appointed en-suite tents elevated on teak decks, providing sweeping views of the surrounding wilderness. Each tent boasts an entrance foyer with a reading and writing area, as well as en-suite bathrooms featuring Victorian claw-foot bathtubs,"his and hers"" washbasins, flush toilets, and an open-air reed-enclosed shower. The main lodge, nestled under a thatched roof, comprises a welcoming bar, dining area, and an open lounge. These spaces are interconnected by wooden walkways that lead to a plunge pool on an elevated deck and an inviting boma area. Lebala Camp's natural setting, luxurious accommodations, and scenic views make it an ideal base for exploring the diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes of this unique region.

FIELD & CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION WILL INCLUDE:

Expert guiding and instruction
Creating compelling compositions and storytelling through images
Controlling your camera in manual mode
Understanding and using the Histogram
Best settings for wildlife photography
Techniques for telephoto lenses
Understanding and using light
Capturing Difficult Scenes (getting all the pieces in the field to put together in post processing)
Lightroom - importing and organizing
Lightroom development tools
Cleaning up images - cloning tools, warping and stretching, eliminating distractions
Blending images in Photoshop
Dodging and burning
Using layers and masks
Mindful sharpening (depending on the output)
Image Critiques