Botswana Photo Safaris
Wilderness, Light, and the Creative Space to Capture It All
Why Botswana Is One of Africa’s Finest Photographic Safari Destinations
In Botswana, space and silence rule, and for wildlife photographers, that’s everything.
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Here, you’re not just spotting animals. You’re following light. Watching the scene unfold. Waiting for a lion to lift its head just as golden dust filters through the grass.
From mokoro-based moments in the Okavango Delta, to riverfront elephant herds in Chobe, Botswana gives you time, privacy, and creative control, the things every wildlife photographer needs most.
Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or just picking up a camera, this is where your portfolio finds its soul.
For those passionate about wildlife photography, Botswana offers some of the best opportunities to capture stunning shots of Africa’s big game, making it an ideal destination for a photo safari.
Its varied ecosystems and exclusive, low-impact tourism model ensure an intimate and immersive African safari experience like no other.
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The best times to visit Botswana are between May to the end of September for best game viewing.
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Capital City - Gaborone
International Airport/s - Sir Seretse Khama International Airport
Economic Stability - Stable
Crime - Low
Currency - Botswana Pula (BWP). *US Dollar is accepted
Health Care - Private Hospitals are well equipped
Malaria - Yes (all areas our safaris visit)
Vaccinations - Recommended (consult your medical professional)
Medivac Available - Yes
Best Time To Go - May to November
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Botswana’s Best Regions for Wildlife Photography
From the watery channels of the Okavango to the open skies of the Kalahari, Botswana is home to some of the most visually diverse landscapes in Africa. Each region offers something different, from predator-packed floodplains to surreal salt pans and reflective rivers.
Below, we highlight the best safari regions in Botswana for photographers, with insight into the light, wildlife behaviour, and photographic opportunities that make each one a standout.
Our Safari Partners
Trusted Safari Partners Committed to Photography, Conservation & Authenticity
We proudly work with a handpicked network of safari camps, conservation organisations, and locally owned operators across Africa. Every partner we choose reflects our values, ethical guiding, sustainability, photographic access, and deep respect for wildlife and local communities.
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Our safari partners aren’t just service providers, they’re part of our extended family.
Moremi / Okavango Delta - The Lush Canvas
The Okavango Delta is one of the largest inland deltas in the world, covering up to 15,000 km² during peak flood. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it supports an incredible range of biodiversity, including elephant, wild dogs, hippo, lion, and over 400 species of birds. With seasonal floodwaters shaping the landscape, photographers can shoot from mokoros, on foot, or in open vehicles, all within one of the most unique ecosystems in Africa.
Located in northern Botswana, the Delta offers photographers a dreamscape of floodplains, reflections, and dynamic wildlife encounters. From elephants crossing mirrored channels to wild dogs weaving through reeds, every frame is layered with movement and mood. The Delta’s mix of mokoro safaris, off-road drives, and walking experiences gives photographers the flexibility to explore both water-based scenes and predator-filled islands, all in the rhythm of natural light.
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Covering around 5,000 km², Moremi Game Reserve protects nearly one-third of the Okavango Delta and is considered one of the most wildlife-dense areas in southern Africa. It's home to elephants, leopards, wild dogs, and prolific birdlife, all within a landscape of floodplains, mopane forests, and seasonal lagoons. The contrasting habitats offer incredible flexibility for diverse photographic styles and wildlife encounters.
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Photographic Highlights:
African wild dogs hunting at eye level
Elephants crossing floodwaters at sunset
Mokoro (canoe) angles that bring you inches from birds and frogs
Over 400 species of birds for creative compositions
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Recommended Camps:
Khwai Leadwood – mokoro access, night drives, walking safaris
Karangoma Camp – traditional San cultural experiences + wildlife access
Atzaro Okavango Camp – great predator density & exclusivity
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Best time to visit:
May–October - for dry season concentration and peak predator activity
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Photographic Safari Experiences in Botswana
Botswana offers a variety of safari experiences, allowing visitors to tailor their adventure:
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Mokoro Canoe Safaris: Traditional canoe trips in the Okavango Delta, offering a serene way to explore the waterways. Close, quiet, and low-angle opportunities
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Walking Safaris: Get up close to wildlife while exploring Botswana’s bush on foot. Shoot from ground level, track behaviour
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Game Drives: Morning and afternoon golden light sessions - guided vehicle safaris through national parks and reserves, offering close encounters with wildlife.
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Photographic Safaris: Led by our professional guides, these safaris are designed to help photographers capture Botswana’s wildlife and landscapes in perfect light.
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Boat Safaris – unbeatable angles for aquatic life
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Photographic Workshops – led by pros, designed for learning + creating
Chobe National Park – Big Herds, Big Drama
Covering over 11,700 km², Chobe National Park is known for its massive elephant population, estimated at over 50,000 individuals, and thriving predator populations. The park’s northern boundary runs along the Chobe River, offering unique opportunities for water-based wildlife photography. From dry woodland to riverine forest, the changing landscapes support an incredible range of species and angles for storytelling.
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Renowned for its massive elephant populations and Chobe River access, this region delivers close-up photography of big game like nowhere else in Botswana.
While central Chobe can be busy, strategic use of riverboat photography and private camp positioning helps you avoid crowds and capture intimate water-based sightings. Think hippos at eye level, herds drinking at dusk, and birds in flight against glowing skies, all from the low-angle perspective your camera loves.
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Photographic Highlights:
Close-range elephant encounters by boat
Hippos in golden hour light
Leopard in the trees
Buffalo herds kicking up sunset dust
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Recommended Camps:
Camp Kuzuma – mokoro access, night drives, walking safaris
Linyati Bush Camp – traditional San cultural experiences + wildlife access
Chobe River Lodge – boat access, close to key sightings
Zambezi Queen – Luxury river-based safari with tender boat photography access
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Best time to visit:
June–October for dramatic concentrations and dry-season sightings
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Linyanti Wildlife Reserve - Seclusion, Predators, and Golden Light
​The Linyanti region, bordering Chobe in northern Botswana, comprises several private concessions totalling over 1,200 km². Known for its elephant concentrations, lion prides, and African wild dogs, it offers an off-the-beaten-path experience with exceptional photographic freedom. With no crowds and off-road access, it's one of Botswana’s best areas for intentional, slow-paced wildlife storytelling.
Far from the well-travelled roads of central Chobe, Linyanti offers a private photographic playground with open vehicles, flexible drives, and virtually no crowds. Known for its strong predator population and reliable elephant sightings, this region is perfect for photographers looking to go deeper and slower in their craft.
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Photographic Highlights:
Lions in golden light
Elephants at waterholes
Wild dogs on the hunt
Raptor silhouettes in the late afternoon
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Recommended Camps:
Linyanti Bush Camp – photographer friendly, remote feel
Linyanti Ebony - ideal for private or small group safaris
Camp Kuzuma – on the edge of Chobe Forest Reserve, strong light + luxury
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Best time to visit:
July–October - when wildlife concentrates near water and visibility is excellent
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Unique Wildlife of Botswana
Botswana is a haven for wildlife lovers, with many iconic African species and rare animals that thrive in its vast protected areas. Expect to see:
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Elephants: Chobe National Park hosts one of the largest concentrations of elephants in Africa.
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Big Cats: Lions, leopards, and cheetahs can be spotted across various parks.
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Birdlife: Botswana is a paradise for bird watchers, with over 500 bird species, including fish eagles and pelicans.
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Endangered Species: Wild dogs and rhinos are among the protected species in Botswana’s national parks.
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Aquatic Life: The Okavango Delta supports rich aquatic ecosystems, with hippos, crocodiles, and numerous fish species.
Makgadikgadi Salt Pans – Silence, Space, and Surreal Light
The Makgadikgadi Pans form part of the largest salt flat system in the world, covering more than 12,000 km². Despite its stark appearance, it supports zebra migrations, flamingos, meerkats, and desert-adapted wildlife during the wet season. Its minimal landscapes offer clean lines, wide horizons, and abstract opportunities that are rarely found elsewhere in Africa, ideal for creative wildlife and landscape photography.
For photographers who seek atmosphere and abstraction, the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans offer a surreal, minimalist playground. Here, meerkats pose at sunrise, flamingos dot reflective pools, and lone baobabs stand like sculptures in a sea of salt.
With wide horizons and few distractions, this region is ideal for low-contrast compositions, silhouettes, star trails, and storytelling that bends the rules.
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Photographic Highlights:
Flamingos in shallow water
Meerkats at sunrise
Silhouettes on endless salt crust
Star trails and long exposures under pristine night skies
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Recommended Camps:
Jack’s Camp – iconic luxury camp with desert-style décor
Camp Kalahari – great value + meerkat tracking
San Camp – for astro photography and San cultural connection
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Best time to visit:
Nov–April for green season wildlife, flamingos, and zebra migration
May–October for drier, high-contrast landscapes and quad biking
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Photo Tips for Shooting in Botswana
To make the most of your photo safari in Botswana, follow these expert tips:
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Camera Gear: Bring a DSLR or mirrorless camera with telephoto lenses (200-600mm) for wildlife and a wide-angle lens for landscapes.
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Best Times for Photography: Early morning and late afternoon (golden hours) provide the best lighting conditions. Golden hour is short, plan for pre-dawn departures and late light returns. Don’t underestimate low-light capability, especially for Chobe boat shots
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Patience and Preparedness: Wildlife photography requires patience. Ensure your camera settings are ready for spontaneous wildlife movements. Patience wins. The best shots happen when you sit longer than the other vehicles.
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Respect for Wildlife: Keep a safe distance from animals and avoid disturbing them for a photo.
Central Kalahari - Wild, Remote, and Rare
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) is one of the largest protected areas in the world, spanning 52,800 km². Despite its arid reputation, it bursts to life during the green season, attracting cheetahs, black-maned lions, and herds of springbok and oryx. Its remoteness, clear light, and scarcity of vehicles create a sense of solitude that allows photographers to work without distraction or competition.
In the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, the light is harsher, the predators more elusive, and the rewards deeper for those who wait.
Known for its black-maned lions, cheetahs, and desert specialists, the Kalahari offers a tougher canvas, but one with photographic power. Off-grid and uncrowded, it’s a place where stillness becomes your creative advantage, and where a single sighting in the dust can define your entire story.
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Photographic Highlights:
Black-maned Kalahari lions in red sand
Cheetahs hunting in open plains
Aardvark, bat-eared fox, and honey badger (rare)
San bushmen walks for cultural storytelling
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Recommended Camps:
Kalahari Plains Camp – prime predator location
Haina Kalahari Lodge – walking and night drive access
Tau Pan Camp – remote, elevated views and waterholes
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Best time to visit:
Nov–March (green season), when wildlife is drawn to seasonal rains
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