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Pangolin Photographic Hosted Tour

A brilliant safari for keen photographers, this is a hosted group tour run by Pangolin Safaris who have led the way in photographic group tours in Botswana. Novice or Pro photographers are welcome, and cameras and memory cards can even be provided free of charge. This superb safari features 3 nights cruising the Chobe riverfront in an exclusive houseboat, 3 nights in an authentic bush camp in prime game viewing areas of the Okavango and finally 3 nights in a luxury camp in the Kalahari. With a maximum of 8 guests and a specialist photographic host for guidance, this an intimate and exclusive safari not to be missed.

Staying in game rich locations in small intimate camps and with a professional host on hand to assist with all your photographic needs, this is one of the best value specialist safaris in Botswana. Hosts will be available on all activities and will be able to assist with all the technicalities and lighting aspects of wildlife and landscape photography. If you don’t have a camera of your own, Pangolin are able to supply you with one free of charge for the duration of the safari at no additional cost whatsoever  along with as many memory cards as you require.

With the group restricted to only eight people, it’s ideal for novice and pro photographers alike as the photo host is able to attend to each guest in equal measure, especially on the photographic boat excursions. If you are a complete novice then we recommend arriving a few nights early and staying at the Pangolin Chobe Hotel for a couple of days beforehand to learn the basics before you join the group. This is also advisable for more experienced photographers who might not have been in the field for a while just to get your “eye back in” and the muscle memory functioning!

In between game activities there will be hosted image review and group editing sessions. For this to be truly effective you will need to have your own laptop with you with the latest version of an editing programme installed and updated. The software of choice is Adobe Lightroom and there will be a free online course you can start before your arrival so that you are familiar with its functions if you haven’t used it before.

• 1-10 Nov 2021 – low season
• 1-10 Dec 2021 – low season
• 3-12 Apr 2022 – high season
• 23 May – 1 Jun 2022 – high season
• 29 Jun –  8 Juy 2022 – high season
• 22 -31 Jul 2022 – high season
• 24 Aug – 2 Sept 2022 – high season
• 25 Sep – 3 Oct 2022 – high season
• 22 -31 Oct 2022 -high season
• 21-30 Nov 2022 – low season

The rate is $6,995 in low season + $1,000 single supplement The rate is $9,995 in high season + $2,455 single supplement

Please speak to us for extensions to Victoria Falls and beyond.

Day 1 - Pangolin Voyager Houseboat

The itinerary begins in Chobe. The meeting point for the group is The Chobe Pangolin Hotel, a short drive from Kasane Airport (transfers can be arranged). For those interested in visiting Victoria Falls before the safari we will arrange a 1.5 hour road transfer.

Your Photograpic host will meet you at the hotel, where you will also be introduced to your fellow travelers and enjoy some light refreshments before you move to the Pangolin Voyager, your houseboat and home of the next 3 nights.

Because the Pangolin Voyager is moored on the Namibian side of the river you will have to clear immigration again before boarding the boat. This is a simple but memorable experience.

The Pangolin Voyager is specially designed to maximise your game viewing experience without compromising on comfort. The houseboat consists of five cabins, all en-suite, which can be configured as double or twin rooms. The houseboat is split over three levels, with most rooms on the lower deck, a dining area and lounge on the middle deck and an inviting top deck to relax and soak up the views at any time of day. The rooms are air-conditioned adding that extra comfort in summer.

The Pangolin Voyager has three different mooring spots along The Chobe River and will be visited over the course of the next three days. Alongside the houseboat is a specially designed eight seater photo boats which will be used use for our morning and afternoon activities out on the river looking for subjects to photograph.

Having met the team and settled into your rooms you will depart on your first boating safari later that afternoon.

Day 2 and 3 - Pangolin Voyager Houseboat

For the next two days you will cruise along the Chobe River on the houseboat and enjoy boating safaris from the smaller specially designed motor boat in the morning and afternoon- the most productive time for game viewing.

The game viewing along the Chobe River varies greatly with the seasons. In the (African) Summer months between November and April you will have amazing birdlife everywhere as the “migrants” take up their annual residency. There will still be large mammals around such as elephant, buffalo and hippo as well as resident crocs and antelope, so all in all an excellent time to photograph, with lots of bright green backgrounds and newborn animals everywhere. The (African) winter months, between May and October, will see larger numbers of elephants as the water becomes more scarce inland and the river becomes more popular with all animals.

There is always something to photograph in Chobe, making it the ideal spot to start your safari. No matter when you decide to join this safari, throughout the year, you are sure to start with a bang and plenty of “keepers”!

In between game activities there will be hosted image review and group editing sessions. For this to be truly effective you will need to have your own laptop with you with the latest version of an editing programme installed and updated. Our software of choice is Adobe Lightroom and we have a free online course you can start before your arrival so that you are familiar with its functions if you haven’t used it before.

Day 4 - Pangolin Photo Camp

This morning you bid farewell to the Pangolin Voyager and Chobe as you return to Kasane for your flight to the Okavango. The exact time will be schedule the day before, this is usually around 11am and takes about 60 minutes.

This is a very scenic flight. You will follow the river for a while before turning south west over the southern reaches of Chobe, to Savute and eventually to the Selinda Reserve - which lies between the Okavango and Chobe Reserve. On arrival your guide will be waiting to meet you. You safari begins on landing – so keep your eyes out!

Pangolin Photo Camp is a simple tented camp. This is a semi-mobile camp, moving regularly between seven sites on the western NG16 private concession – in southern Selinda. The camp will be moved between guest visits, not during. With this mobile nature in mind the tents and interiors are simple and lightweight in design, but very comfortable with everything you will need during your stay.

This is an authentic bush camp, with a simple design allowing you to experiencing the true essence of the wilderness around you. The ethos here is to forego luxuries of many Okavango Delta camps in favour of spending more time in the field with photographic experts. It’s all about the wildlife here!

Each large meru-style tent features a small outdoor veranda with a seating area as well as en-suite bathrooms with a flushing toilet and a hot water bucket shower. There are twin raised steel beds with mattresses and quality linen as well as solar power units to charge all camera batteries, electronic devices as well as lighting and fans during the warner months.

As a semi-permanent camp Pangolin Photo Camp will have the ability to move regularly making the most of sightings and animal movements in different parts of the concession. At this stage, seven locations have been identified as ideal camp locations. This mobility allows the camp to relocate to be close to exciting animal activities such as lion kills, resident leopards, and wild dog dens. Spending less time in camp and more time at relevant sightings is the goal, and essential for successful wildlife photography. Guests will have the opportunity to be in the right place at the right time during the best light.

Having met the team and settled into your rooms you will enjoy some light refreshments as you discuss the area and wildlife movements with your guide. You will then set out on your first afternoon game drive, stopping as the sun begins to set to soak up the stunning skies and enjoy the traditional sundowner drink.

Returning to camp a roaring fire awaits, followed by dinner under the stars.

Day 5 and 6 - Pangolin Photo Camp

The next morning starts early, with an early morning wake-up call and light breakfast. As the sun comes up you are off, tracking the movements of the predators from during the night and looking for signs of any wildlife action. This is when predators are most active and you have your greatest chance of catching those special sightings. Your drives will last around 4 hours, depending on sightings, and will include a coffee stop with snacks for a chance to stretch your legs. Returning to camp around mid-morning you will enjoy a hearty brunch and then have some time to relax in camp before setting out in the late afternoon, as the day cools, for your afternoon game drive.

Pangolin Photo Camp is located on the private NG16 concession (known as Selinda) in the remote western sector of the Okavango Delta. This is a beautiful area of varied terrain and wildlife. The camp has traversing rights to approximately 30,000 hectares (100,000 acres) over an area crossed by the famous Selinda Spillway linking the Okavango to the Linyanti. Being on a private concession allows off-roading for productive tracking and optimising the position of the vehicle- important factors for wildlife photography.

The Selinda Reserve is a rich and varied ecosystem, and home to a fantastic variety of animals. The landscapes are very similar to those in the Okavango Delta. Open grass plains are dotted with palm trees and teem with plains game such as zebra, wildebeest and giraffe. Shady riverine forests are the perfect habitats for browsers like kudu, roan and sable and leopard too. In the dry season elephants and buffalo are found in good numbers. Predators include lion, wild dog, leopard, hyena and cheetah.

In between drives your Pangolin Photo Host will assist with editing sessions in the editing tent. You will also have some down time to enjoy being in this pristine part of the world.

Day 7 - Dinaka Camp

Today you depart the Okavango for the Kalahari. You will bid a fond farewell to the team and perhaps enjoy one last morning drive before you fly south west to the Central Kalahari. A flight of about 60 minutes. On arrival your guide will be waiting to transfer you to camp, a short game drive of about 5 minutes.

Dinaka Camp lies on a private reserve bordering the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and delivers a fantastic desert safari experience, showcasing very different animals to those found in the Okavango. Dinaka is a beautiful camp and the most luxurious on your itinerary – you will certainly be ending your safari in style. The rooms are very spaciously and beautifully designed and the main areas under the high thatch are airy and inviting and look out on the busy waterhole.

Activities include morning, afternoon and night drives, bushman walks, photographic hide, viewing deck, guided walks. The vehicles all have beanbag camera mounts and again is maximum four per vehicle for the game drives with the photo host alternating between the two game viewers.

Having settled in and had lunch you will have some time to rest before you depart on your first activity. This is a very different landscape and the wildlife is different too. Desert adapted species include the Kalahari Black Maned Lion, brown hyena, aardwolf, cheetah, oryx, springbok and more. Rhino are commonly seen here. Birding is superb. A fantastic contrast to the Okavango.

Due to the dry nature of the environment here the animals tend to gather at the waterholes, making for a slightly more relaxed safari and superb photo opportunities. The photo hides in particular are ideal for capturing those special shots.

The sunsets in the Kalahari are particularly dramatic and the raised viewing deck makes the perfect spot for capturing those stunning images.

Day 8 and 9- Dinaka Camp

For the next two days you explore the reserve, with morning and afternoon activities.

As a camp Dinaka is very flexible with their timings and earlier starts or later finishes to game activities are all accommodated for to make the most of our time there. One activity not to be missed is a walk through the bush with the resident bushman guides where you will learn about their traditional subsistence way of life from what at first sight appears to be such a stark environment culminating in a demonstration of traditional fire making techniques and some story telling as the sun sets.

The waterhole hide at Dinaka is a sunken “bunker type” hide and can seat the whole group together with the host. You will be photographing out at water level as the animals arrive, to slake their thirst right in front of you. It’s a very special place to be and photograph from.

The night sky of the Kalahari is breath-taking especially at certain times of the month, when there is a new moon, and if the conditions are right we will take the opportunity to practice some astro and star trails photography.

Again during the day there will be editing sessions but also the opportunity to have some downtime by the pool or on a snooze with a good book on the deck…..with your camera close at hand in case something appears at the camp’s waterhole of course!

Day 10- End of Safari

This morning you depart to Maun airport, a flight of about 30 minutes, where you bid farewell to your fellow photographers and host and continue with your onward arrangements.

The Pangolin Voyager

Pangolin photo camp, dinaka camp.

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Extensions to this safari

Batonka guest lodge.

Batonka Guest Lodge is an upmarket but well priced and friendly boutique hotel just 2km from Victoria Falls. This smart owner run hotel offers a quiet and calming haven away from the hustle and bustle of town yet easy access to the endless activities offered in the area. Spacious and modern rooms are set in lush gardens and facilities include a lovely swimming pool and lively restaurant with delicious meals. A little gem.

Old Drift Lodge

Old world charm meets modern day safari sanctuary at Old Drift Lodge - fourteen elegant tents adorn the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, just 7 km from Victoria Falls. An idyllic bush paradise awaits at Old Drift Lodge. An 1898 settlement, “Old Drift” was the platform for the building of this luxury lodge offering a tranquil space and safari experiences away from the hustle and bustle of Vic Falls town. The best of both worlds.

• Duration 9 Nights
• Rates Apr 2022 USD 9,995 May 2022 USD 9,995 Jun 2022 USD 9,995 Jul 2022 USD 9,995 Aug 2022 USD 9,995 Sep 2022 USD 9,995 Oct 2022 USD 9,995 Nov 2022 USD 6,995

Featured Properties

The Pangolin Voyager is a delightful houseboat offering boat safaris on the Chobe River. Small but perfectly formed, with 5 rooms, this lovely houseboat is available on an exclusive use only, making it ideal for families and groups. Boating safaris take place on the specially designed motorboat which accompanies the Voyager. Take advantage of the opportunity to explore the Chobe river in your own floating home away from the crowds on land.

Pangolin Photo Camp is a simple tented camp aimed at wildlife photographers looking to improve their photographic skills and enhance their portfolio. This is a semi-mobile camp, moving locations on a private concession in the pretty Selinda region, west of the Okavango. Photo tuition, cameras, SD cards and lenses are available in camp free of charge. The camp is hosted by a Pangolin Photo Host to provide photographic advice and features an editing tent for group post-production sessions.

Dinaka is a classic luxury tented camp set on a large private reserve on the border of the stunning Central Kalahari Game Reserve offering an exciting range of activities. The game viewing here makes for a fantastic contrast to that of an Okavango safari and really showcases the variety of Botswana's wildlife. Dinaka is a smart, well -run camp offering game drives, san bushman walks, a photo hide and sleepout options thereby ensuring a complete and well-rounded desert safari experience.

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Pangolin Photo Safaris in Chobe National Park, Botswana

 Chobe National Park, Botswana is well known as one of the best safari destinations in the world, known for one of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in all of Africa. Located near Kasane, Botswana, Chobe National Park is home to the largest elephant population in Africa. However, its diverse landscape of grasslands, marsh, and woods play host to a great number of animals. 

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Visiting Chobe was at the top of our travel wish list, but having just been on some amazing safaris in South Africa , we were looking for a different kind of experience. We no longer felt the need to speed through the park, ticking off wildlife encounters from our wish list. Having already seen the Big Five (more than once), we now found ourselves more interested in slowing things down. 

Our research led us to Pangolin Photo Safaris , a safari operator based out of Kasane in Botswana, with a unique focus on Africa photo safari tours. 

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Excited about a chance to spend dedicated time photographic wildlife, we jumped on the opportunity and joined the Pangolin Photo Safaris team for a 4-day Chobe River Safari. 

About Pangolin Photo Safaris

Pangolin Photo Safaris was born from the belief that in today’s day and age “ E veryone Is A Photographer” . Pangolin caters to photographers of all levels of experience , starting from complete newbies with a point and shoot camera, to professional photographers with their own $10,000 camera set up. 

The founders, Guts and Toby, chose Chobe National Park as the first destination for their African photo safari tours because in their words “it is the best year-round wildlife photography destination in Africa”. Since then, Pangolin Photo Safaris have expanded their operations to offer Africa photography safaris in Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and other parts of Botswana.

The Pangolin Difference

As one would expect, Pangolin safari cars and riverboats are equipped with sandbags and gimbals to stabilize cameras and their Botswana safari drivers are trained to move slowly, avoiding fast or jerky movements on Chobe riverboat cruises or while driving.

But the set up goes even further, as Pangolin provides every guest with high-end camera equipment (Canon 7D with Sigma 150-600 lens). 

In addition to the fancy equipment, every group is accompanied by a Pangolin Photo Host, an expert in wildlife photography who knows Chobe National Park, its wildlife and its landscapes like the back of their hand. They assess the expertise and interest level of every guest and tailor their tips and advice to their unique needs. 

It didn’t take us long to let down our guards, admit our shortcomings and to allow our Photo Hosts, Charl and Danielle to teach us a thing or two about wildlife photography. And boy, did we learn a lot! 

Check out some of our favourite shots from our Africa photography safari with Pangolin. 

Why we Loved our Safari with Pangolin 

Focus on photography.

Pangolin Photo Safaris are really made for photographers by photographers . Pangolin Chobe National Park tours are not about chasing the big game, although we see many of them, they are about taking things slowly, spending time observing the animals, looking for the best light, and focusing on photographing the big picture as well as the small details of every animal. 

We loved that our photography education wasn’t limited to our time on safaris and neither was our interaction with the Photo Hosts. They spent lots of time with us outside of the game drives, giving us plenty of opportunities to get to know them, to ask them questions, and to learn more about their experience photographing wildlife in Africa.

Our photo host, Charl, also offered Lightroom sessions and was happy to provide image reviews and suggestions for improvement. They were with us, every step of the way! 

Suitable for any Level

Despite the fact that we consider ourselves to be experienced photographers, we still learned so much from our Photo Hosts, Charl and Danielle. Since we already had a good grasp of the basic camera settings, we focused our training on shooting in difficult light conditions. 

Other guests that joined us on this Africa photo safari, had their own individualized training. For some, it was more about the basics: learning how to shoot in manual mode and how to frame better shots. 

No matter what your level of experience is, Pangolin Photo Hosts will adjust to deliver you the information and training you need, offering the best safari in Africa for photographers of all levels. 

Family Feel

At Pangolin, they often say that their clients “come as guests and leave as family” and we can truly attest to that feeling. It didn’t take us long to get to know not just our photo hosts, Charl and Danielle, but the other photo hosts, Janine and Sabine as well as the co-founders, Guts and Toby and the rest of the staff at the Pangolin Chobe Hotel in Kasane. Everyone was incredibly welcoming, friendly, and within a matter of hours, knew us by name.

Our favourite bonding time was definitely the communal dinners, “hosted” by different staff on a daily basis. Sharing a meal with fellow guests, guides and photo hosts was a great way to get to know everyone in a very unique way. Being outside of game drives, everyone was more relaxed and chatty! 

Conservation

Aside from their focus on Africa photography tours, Pangolin Photo Safaris demonstrate strong commitment to conservation. On our African photo safari and throughout our stay, it became clear that the staff respected the wildlife in Chobe National Park and that they were eager to share it with guests which we really appreciated. 

Pangolin Photo Safaris is the founding partner of a new non-profit organization, Pangolin Africa , committed to the conservation of the Pangolin, the most trafficked wildlife species on the continent. The NGO is aimed at increasing awareness, gathering data on the species, and implementing protection and rehabilitation projects. 

Read Next: Best Safari Destinations In The World

Where We Stayed: Pangolin Chobe Hotel

Our Pangolin Photo Safari included an all-inclusive stay at Pangolin Chobe Hotel , located in Kasane. The hotel is modern, offering a refreshing difference from other Chobe safari lodges, and is ideally located, overlooking the Chobe River and Caprivi Floodplains. 

There are only 14 rooms at Pangolin Chobe Hotel, giving guests an intimate feeling and personalized service. The rooms are well equipped with a comfortable King or Queen bed, a modern loft-style ensuite bathroom, and have lots of desk space and charging points for photography equipment and laptops. 

The lobby is large, open concept and features a photography gallery and a “photography suite” to edit images from your Botswana photo safari. Outside, there is an eco pool and fireplace where guests gathered before and after dinner with a drink.

However, the bar is an equally nice place to relax after a day out and it was our favourite hang out spot in the evenings. It has incredible views of the national park where our Chobe photo safari took place every day. 

Of all the Chobe National Park accommodation options, Pangolin Chobe Hotel was by far the most unique, the most modern and the most suitable accommodation for photographers on a safari in Botswana.

Where We Ate: Food on Pangolin Photo Safaris 

We never went hungry while on Pangolin Photo Safari. Our days typically started at 5-6am with a continental breakfast available before game drives. Brunch was served after the morning drive, around 11am and consisted of a selection of healthy dishes, like salads, quiches, and a selection of snacks. 

High tea was served around 3pm, just before the afternoon safari, followed by a communal dinner around 7pm. Dinners were prepared African style, meals featuring local ingredients with a Western twist served on the pool deck “family style”. 

All drinks were included in the stay and we were happy to see some great craft beer, cocktails and wines on offer at the Pangolin hotel bar. 

Pangolin Photo Safaris Destinations

During our safari, Botswana’s Chobe National Park and specifically the Chobe River section of the park was the base of all our game drives and Chobe river cruise adventures. We interchanged going out on the Pangolin river cruise boats with taking a few game drives in the safari vehicles. 

Aside from the hotel, the company also has a Chobe River houseboat called, the Pangolin Voyager . The houseboat is best suited to groups of friends or families and is perfectly suited to the needs of photographers and non-photographers who are looking for a more exclusive experience. 

There is also an opportunity to join a Pangolin Mobile Camp photo safari that goes beyond the Chobe River and deep in the Northwesterly section of the Chobe National Park. We heard lots of stories during our time with the Pangolin crew about this amazing camp. It sounds like a proper bush experience but with a healthy dose of “glamping”!

Read Next: Guide to Visiting Chobe National Park in Botswana

The Bottom Line

Our time in Chobe National Park on a photo safari with Pangolin exceeded all fo our expectations. We fell in love with photographing wildlife from a whole new perspective and walked away with some great new skills and a strong desire to get back into the bush! What an experience!

Disclaimer: Our stay at Pangolin Chobe Hotel and our photo safari were provided courtesy of Pangolin Photo Safaris, but as always all opinions in this article are our own. 

About The Author

Oksana & Max St John

1 thought on “pangolin photo safaris in chobe national park, botswana”.

Despite the name of the safari company that led me to expect photos of pangolins, almost no mention is made of this animal in your write-up. Are there pangolins in Chobe National Park, and do safari participants ever get to see them or photograph them? Chris Bennett

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Our Photographic Safari in Botswana with Pangolin Photo Safaris

May 14, 2019 | Safaris

Last month we travelled to the beautiful country of Botswana for a fantastic wildlife photo safari. Without a doubt this was one of the best trips we’ve ever done, and we’re already planning our return!

Not only were we taught a new skill, but we also got to practice it right then and there, in one of the world’s most beautiful settings. From waiting for hippos to raise their nostrils above water level, to capturing birds in flight as they darted around the reeds, we witnessed some of Africa’s most majestic wildlife, and were perfectly equipped to capture the moment.

Read more about our amazing time at Pangolin Chobe Hotel with Pangolin Photo Safaris .

If you don’t know what a pangolin is, read our collection of interesting animal facts about the pangolin .

Four-Day Photographic Tour with Pangolin Photo Safaris

Day 1, arrival.

We flew from Johannesburg to Botswana, arriving at the recently renovated Kasane International Airport. Upon arrival, we were greeted by our driver, Moss, who was absolute delight form the word go. A bit off of the itinerary, we begged Moss to take us on a short orientation of the town of Kasane.

Here, we saw more of the town, the stores and few restaurants, as well as plenty of baboons and warthog that roamed the streets. While baboons are best avoided, the warthogs are very placid and are happy to mosey about their business.

After the short introduction to the town of Kasane, we arrived at Pangolin Chobe Hotel. As we arrived, we met more members of the team, including Penyo, Guts, the co-founder and Buhle (or Miss B). After a light refreshment and orientation, we met Janine who would be our guide and photographic teacher for the next few days.

On this particular day, there was unusual rainfall, and due to low visibility of animals, we decided to skip the boat ride and relax at the lodge. A stunning building, the exterior of Pangolin Chobe Hotel has been designed to include a really unique feature: a collection of multi-coloured checkered glass panels, constructed to resemble the shape and appearance of a pangolin.

One of the most beautiful features of the lodge is the pool. Built around a sunken boma and seating area the pool uses a number of water plants to filter the water. This negates the use of chemicals such as chlorine or salt for the system, ensuring that the water is soft. Not only enjoyed by the guests, local elephants, who have been known to visit the pool and both drink the fresh, filtered water, and snack on the plants. Measures have been put in place to discourage the elephants from drinking from the lodge pool, and to use the waterhole nearby instead.

After the sunset, we enjoyed a lovely dinner at the lodge. Dinner services are completely different each night. About two to three mains are served with a collection of sides, vegetables, salads and various breads. Deserts are always a pleasure, and guests can enjoy plenty of delicious South African wines.

Day 2, Chobe River, Lightroom tutorial

With an early start, our second day at Chobe Pangolin Lodge began with a light breakfast and coffee before heading in a minibus to the Chobe River. The lodge is a short five-minute drive from the river where, upon arrival, a quick footpath leads to the Pangolin Photo Safaris dock. Here, we met Dan, an expert bird spotter, perfect shot chaser and unpredictable-hippo avoider.

Each of Pangolin’s boats are fitted with eight seats and a photographic rig. The rig swivels a full revolution, allowing you to capture a shot from any angle in the boat. The arm of the rig is designed with three axes, this allows the camera to be moved and adjusted to capture images in any position. There are also adjustable nuts on each of the arms that can be tightened for when you’d like to stabilize the camera completely, or loosened for when you’d like to adjust your position.

We spent the morning on the river learning plenty from Janine, who started us off shooting in AV, Aperture Priority.

As well as static shots, Janine introduced the group to a technique called ‘panning’. Here, the idea is to keep the camera in motion, following on the same axis as a subject as it moves. We spent some time following an egret as it flew around the banks of the river. Another technique we learned during this session – the push and pull technique – taught us how to create a radial blur using the camera alone. At one point, we found the perfect subject; an enormous crocodile lazing on the banks of the river. We set our focus on the eye of the croc and practiced this new and interesting technique.

After roughly three hours on the water, we returned to the lodge for a delicious brunch. Following brunch, we all gathered in one of the rooms for a Lightroom tutorial. For the next three hours, Janine showed the group the ins and outs of the popular image editing program, including how to download and install Lightroom, image organisation with Lightroom and editing techniques.

With only a few moments to grab a quick refreshment and some warm jackets, it was back down to the river for the days’ second activity. Again, we hopped into the boat and sped off on the Chobe searching for Botswana’s beautiful birds and animals.

Along with the incredible sightings of elephant, a plethora of birds, buffalo and more, we enjoyed our first sunset on the Chobe; one of the most marvellous sights to witness in the world. We returned to the lodge for dinner and enjoyed a wonderful feast.

Day 3, Chobe National Park Safari, CARACAL , Chobe River

Another early start saw us up and ready for another morning photographic safari. After a quick breakfast, we all jumped into a safari vehicle nicknamed The Beast and headed to the Chobe National Park.

An old army vehicle, The Beast has been specially designed and engineered for photographic safaris. Extremely roomy, the vehicle is high and wide enough for safari goers to stand and move around inside with comfort. Large windows on either side of the vehicle have two padded posts stacked on top of each other. These posts allow for two people to rest and stabilise their cameras and capture the same subject matter at the same time.

Our journey into the Chobe National Park started with a bang, with us spotting a male lion roaming through the shrub, roaring as he called for his brothers. Another fantastic sighting was a pack of four African jackals.

We spent the morning ambling through the park, searching for wild and refining our photographic skills. At one point, we stopped for a bush breakfast, coffee and freshly baked biscuits, and took a wonderful group photograph!

After returning to the lodge and enjoying brunch, a few people decided to visit CARACAL , an animal rescue and rehabilitation centre five minutes from the lodge. At CARACAL, animals, birds and reptiles that have been harmed or injured are rehabilitated to the point where they either can be released into the wild or if they are too severely injured can live in a place of peace where they will have all of their needs met.

We opted for a guided tour of the centre (highly recommended), which began with the reptile enclosure. CARACAL hosts a number of snakes, some of which can be removed from their enclosure and handled, such as the venomless garden snakes and python. Other snakes on display are some of Southern Africa’s most deadly serpents, whose venom is so lethal it can kill a human within minutes. As well as snakes, there are several other reptiles including a few tortoises and a giant chameleon.

The star of CARACAL is, without a doubt, a honey badger named Molly, found abandoned on the side of the road. Molly was brought to CARACAL for safekeeping where she has since been raised by humans. Full of life and energy, Molly is a ball of fun and is always ready to play. She has an affinity for toes, should you decide to visit CARACAL, wear closed shoes. Even so, her nibbles are playful, not painful.

Some of the animals require constant care. They have deeply moving stories, such as a steppe eagle who has lost a wing after being fatally wounded by a car, and another bird of prey who became blind from eating fish from a poisoned water source.

There are plenty of animals stationed at CARACAL, including various birds of prey, owls, bushbabies, mongeese, warthog, serval and an actual caracal.

After a deeply informative afternoon at the centre, we returned to the lodge for a quick bite to eat before heading down to the river. While basking in the sunlight during another beautiful afternoon on the Chobe, we learnt even more from Janine, this time shooting in full Manual mode.

One of the most challenging tasks we were set was to try and capture birds in flight. At some point in the afternoon, we spotted a collection of carmine bee-eaters and little bee-eaters that would fly back and forth between their nests and the surface of the water where they’d snatch insects in their beaks. Our task was to capture an image of the birds at the exact moment that they’d touch the water, not an easy feat, but a really fun exercise.

Following another information-packed afternoon, we returned to the lodge, revelling in another awe-inspiring sunset in Africa.

Day 4, Chobe River

Our final day at Pangolin Cobe Lodge saw an 11 AM departure. Thankfully, we had just enough time to enjoy one last morning activity; a final lesson with Janine on the river.

As well as plenty of birds, we were able to see and capture several elephant and buffalo. Most surprisingly was the number of hippos we saw during this session. At one point, a male and female hippopotamus were mating in the shallow water surrounded by a few of their calves. At the exact same time, a few meters away in the opposite direction, two male hippos were in the middle of a fight. Thrashing around so intensely, that when they’d break the surface of the water and would spray in all directions, these two set the stage for the perfect picture.

Another technique we were taught was how to capture a high key image. Here, we were shown how to set our camera settings to overexpose our subject matter intentionally. The result is a stark and highly contrasted image that creates an incredibly captivating and dramatic visual effect. On more than one occasion, we practiced this technique on hippos and crocodiles.

As another morning on the beautiful Chobe River came to a close, we returned to the lodge for a delicious brunch, before departing Botswana for Zambia.

We left Pangolin Chobe Hotel filled to the brim with plenty of incredible memories, new friendships, a world of information about camera setup, photographic techniques and animal facts, and last but not least, gigabytes of amazing photographs.

Our time with Pangolin Photo Safaris was one of the best experiences we’ve had to date. Embarking on a general safari, be it on land in a game vehicle or on water in a boat, is an incredible experience on its own, however, the photographic element offered by Pangolin certain is a few notches above the average safari.

Not only are you supplied with the best camera equipment, specifically selected for wildlife photography, but you’re also given a world-class education. As well as learning how to set up a camera, how to interpret and anticipate light, and how to position a camera for subject matter, you’re also taught a number of photographic techniques (such as push and pull, high key, panning etc.) that are a step out of the realm of beginner photography.

Pangolin Photo Safaris employs top-quality photographers as guides. While it’s one thing to be proficient in a skill, it’s a whole other ball game to be able to explain and teach this skill to a novice. Our guide Janine was both an expert photographer and an excellent teacher. One thing that stood out the most about her instruction, is her unwavering patience for answering questions, even when we’d ask the same questions over and over again.

While not every traveller enjoys photography, those who do would really have a fantastic experience with Pangolin. As well as photographic experiences on the Chobe River , based from their lodge in Kasane, Pangolin Photo Safaris also offers a range of alternative photographic safaris including:

• Botswana (Chobe River and Okavango Delta)
• Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa
• Namibia with Rovos Rail
• and many more!

If you’re interested in venturing to Africa for a wildlife photographic safari, and would like to learn this skill in one of Africa’s most beautiful destinations with some of the best photographers and teachers in the business, contact African Travel Canvas for a bespoke itinerary.

We want to thank the entire team at Pangolin Photo Safaris who made our time in Botswana so memorable and enjoyable. Beyond the photographic instruction, fascinating discussions about wildlife conservation and our time both inside the park and on the river, we loved the kind hospitality and ‘family’ dinners, and left with the heart-warming feeling that we’d return in the future to spend time with our friends . Our stay at Pangolin Chobe Hotel was, as chef Robson says, ‘so lovely.’

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Pangolin Photo Safari – Botswana in Focus

The Pangolin Photo Safari, Botswana in Focus , takes guests on a 10-Day journey through the Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta. As you will be accompanied by a Pangolin Photo Safari Host, this is the ideal Botswana photographic safari. You can use your own equipment or the cameras and lenses supplied.

On this safari, you can experience seeing African wildlife up-close. Frequent sightings include elephants, lions, hippos, and many bird species like the fish eagle. The safari is available in 2020 for set departure dates (see rates info).

The Botswana in Focus Safari combines The Best of Chobe Safari with a visit to Bushman Plains Camp in the Okavango Delta. The one-hour plane ride is included. Here, guests can learn more about Bushmen culture, plant medicine and survival skills.

Join this Amazing Pangolin Photo Safari

One Safari, Three Unforgettable Places

Pangolin Mobile Camp in Chobe National Park

Guests will stay in the very comfortable Pangolin Mobile Camp in the north-west of the Chobe National Park. This area of the park promises an abundance of wildlife, including the rarely spotted big cats like leopard and lion. The grazing animals like elephants, zebra and buffalo walk past the camp throughout the day.

Guests can enjoy their tent’s quality beds and linen, en-suite bathrooms, delicious meals prepared by a chef, and photo editing facilities. Also, the game drives with guaranteed window seats mean that you won’t miss out on anything!

Pangolin Chobe Hotel on the Chobe River

Next up, we visit the Pangolin Chobe Hotel and enjoy the luxury of an eco-pool and amazing river views from the hotel.

The chefs prepare wholesome meals and use local ingredients as far as possible. Guests can dine on the deck or in the dining room. Guests love the barbecue nights and gourmet pizzas cooked in a wood fire oven. They can cater to the majority of dietary requirements. To say nothing of the bar upstairs, which has breathtaking views, and the most delicious cocktails in Kasane.

Here, you will enjoy cruises on an eight-seater photo boat where you can further hone your photography skills with the help of your Pangolin Photo Safari Host. The chairs can turn 360 degrees, allowing you a lot of comfort while admiring the wildlife around the Chobe River.

Bushman Plains Camp in the Okavango Delta

The last three days are spent in the untouched Okavango Delta at Bushman Plains Camp . Here there are permanent water channels and the camp focuses on an authentic wildlife experience without the trimmings. Local Bushmen are the majority of the owners of the camp and they teach visitors about their culture.

Guests stay in spacious tents with en-suite bathrooms, and enjoy delicious meals in the dining and lounge areas.

The game drives here are accompanied by a tracker who sits out on the front of the vehicle to spot the animal tracks, scats and other signs of wildlife. Their expert knowledge of animal behavior mean that we can be at the right place at the right time!

There’s also a Bushman Experience walking safari to look forward to, with a guide dressed in traditional garments. The guide can explain how the Bushmen see the world and uses the plants for medicine.

The Botswana in Focus Safari is an unforgettable experience. After this safari you will head home with a better understanding of African wildlife, photography and Bushmen culture. You will also have a fistful of memory cards to reminisce about your time in the bush! What’s more, being in unspoiled nature and so close to these amazing animals is a priceless experience.

• All your accommodation
• Two game activities per day
• Charter flights: Kasane - Kadizora - Maun
• Cameras, lenses and memory cards
• Pangolin Photo Host
• Daily photo review sessions (own laptop required)
• Bushman Experience walking safari
• Park fees and tourism levies
• Airport transfers, if required

• Personal items
• Visa fees, if applicable

tour INFORMATION

Botswana in Focus Safari Rates

tour SCHEDULE

DISCLAIMER: We reserve the right to cancel any activity due to weather or unsafe conditions. An alternative activity will be provided wherever possible.

Zahn, thank you very much :-)))) we are so happy!! You Made my day ;-))

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Pangolin Photo Safaris - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Botswana – Best of Chobe Wildlife Photography Tour [2025]

BREAKING NEWS – Our Botswana Best of Chobe Wildlife Photography Tour is back again in 2025 and applications are opening very soon. We are only accepting 8 people for this incredible experience so don’t forget to complete the form if you are interested.

If you’ve ever dreamt about travelling on safari in Africa, coming face to face with elephants and learning all about wildlife photography, our new photography adventure tour in Botswana will make your bucket list wishes come true!

Imagine drifting silently down the Chobe River at the corner of 4 African nations, wild elephants lapping at the river’s edge while giraffes meander on the horizon behind a powerful setting sun.

Lions creep across the plains with herds of buffalo keeping a watchful eye between grazes.

A snort of a hippo blasts nearby as you cheers your fellow adventurers with a sparkling wine, enjoying an African sundowner with camera in hand.

This is the Land of Giants, Chobe National Park in Botswana, home to 120,000 elephants, 400 different bird species, and the latest NOMADasaurus Tour!

In September 2025 we will be bringing a very small group of just 8 people to experience Africa’s best wildlife photo safari with us.

Our group of intrepid explorers will be treated to the unique opportunity of spending a few nights on a luxury houseboat right on the Chobe River, with hippos, crocodiles, elephants and buffalo as our neighbours.

We’ll then move to our new base camp, the iconic 4-star lodge owned by Pangolin Photo Safaris, where we’ll enjoy world-class meals and boutique drinks beneath the stars.

The wildlife is the highlight of course, and we’ll be enjoying two safaris every single day, either by boat or truck.

This newest NOMADasaurus itinerary is what wildlife photography lovers dreams are made of, and we’re beyond thrilled to open this adventure up to 8 lucky people.

Why join this tour?

• Experience the Chobe National Park, one of Africa’s most abundant wildlife safari destinations, on an exclusive small group tour.
• Travel at the end of the dry season for enormous wildlife viewing opportunities.
• Take part in a dedicated wildlife photo tour with two professional photographers, with workshops and hands-on guidance.
• Venture out on two safaris every day, choosing between river and land-based excursions.
• Have up to 14 safari excursions total during the tour!
• Our guests cruise the river on custom-built photo boats carrying 8 people, with fully articulating camera mounts and swivel seats.
• The timings of each excursion are structured to be out on safari during the best light.
• Spend two nights onboard a luxury private houseboat right on the Chobe River.
• Spend four nights in the legendary 4-star Pangolin Safari Lodge in Kasane, Botswana.
• Enjoy an all-inclusive stay in Botswana with meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
• Start the tour in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, one of the world’s 7 Natural Wonders.
• Travel in a small group of only 8 people maximum.
• Alesha and Jarryd, founders of NOMADasaurus, will be your personal tour leaders, and we have a very special guest joining us on the photo tours.

NOMADasaurus Tours was born out of a mission to bring adventurous travellers on the world’s most epic bucket list experiences.

From Antarctica to Kyrgyzstan, we’ve led intrepid explorers to the far-flung reaches of the globe in search of landscapes, culture and wildlife, with a purpose of connection and creating great imagery.

This brand new and personalised 8-day Botswana photography tour is the latest adventure in our range, and if you’ve always wanted to go on a safari in Africa with a small group of friends it doesn’t get much better than this.

We will start off in the beautiful Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, giving guests the chance to explore one of the world’s 7 Natural Wonders.

After an evening of dinner and drinks we are picked up the following morning by our private transfer and taken across the border to Kasane, Botswana.

We’ll then head straight to the pier where we’ll load up our boat and drive to our incredible, luxurious houseboat located on the Chobe River.

The houseboat will be our home for the next two nights, and our group will have the entire place to ourselves.

Starting that afternoon we’ll go out on our first wildlife safari, using a custom-built photography boat to position ourselves in the best possible places to take incredible images of African animals.

The next day we start early with a coffee and light breakfast on the houseboat before hitting the water before sunrise to see what animals we can find.

We’ll have a few hours of wildlife photography with optimum light before heading back to the houseboat for an early lunch and a siesta.

In the afternoon we go out for another boat drive, staying out past sunset to ensure we get the best views on the Chobe with the wildlife.

Dinner and drinks will be had under the stars while floating gently up the Chobe.

Check out our recent experience in the Chobe National Park here:

The next morning we have another boat safari on the river then make our way back to Kasane.

We’ll leave the houseboat and check in to the legendary  Pangolin Safari Lodge  on the edge of the national park.

The 4-star luxury accommodation will be our base for the next 4 nights, and our activities will be a variety of boat safaris and game drives.

During our time at the lodge we’ll also have a series of Adobe Lightroom editing workshops and will provide photo assistance throughout the entire itinerary.

This tour is all-inclusive once we enter Botswana, and you will be treated to world-class meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and 4-star accommodation.

You will be accompanied by the founders of NOMADasaurus, Alesha and Jarryd, throughout your adventure, and we’ll have licensed local guides and drivers to look after us and search for wildlife while out on safari.

In addition we’ll also have a very special guest joining us to provide incredible wildlife photography tips and insights from life in Botswana.

While this is an African safari tour, there is a major focus on photography, and rather than rushing through the park day by day trying to tick off as many animals as we can see, this trip is about slowing down and really studying each animal’s behaviour.

This not only provides greater photography opportunities, but also allows us to really enjoy every moment with these beautiful creatures.

The boats we use for our river safaris are also designed with photographers in mind, with special articulating tripod mounts and swivel chairs so everybody gets the best seat in the house.

Being a photographer is not mandatory for this tour, but at least a basic interest in wildlife photography would greatly enhance your experience.

General wildlife lovers will still thoroughly enjoy this itinerary.

This is going to be an incredible adventure to discover the highlights of the Chobe National Park in Botswana – truly one of the most sensational wildlife destinations in the world.

• 2025 Botswana Tour Dates: 6th to 13th September
• Duration:  8 days, 7 nights
• Start:  Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
• Finish:  Kasane, Botswana
• Maximum Group Size:  8 people
• Fitness Level:  Low

• THE ITINERARY
• What’s Included

2025 BEST OF CHOBE BOTSWANA PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR

This is the very exciting, custom itinerary that we have put together for our first ever wildlife photo safari tour of Botswana.

Here are some of the incredible things we will see and do over the 8 days:

Large Animals

Some of the animals we may encounter are:

• African elephants

Some of the birds we may encounter are:

• African fish eagle
• African skimmer
• Long-toed lapwing
• African spoonbill
• Malachite kingfisher
• Southern carmine bee eater
• Lilac breasted roller
• African jacana
• Pied kingfisher

River Safaris

Explore the Chobe River on a custom-built photography boat designed for optimum viewing.

Game Drives

Enjoy the Chobe National Park in an open-top safari vehicle, providing uninterrupted views of wildlife.

Photography Workshops

Take part in daily workshops on photography held by Alesha and Jarryd, as well as our very special guest.

Group Meals and Experiences

Come as strangers and leave as family – our group will have private use of the entire houseboat and special dinners together.

Here is the complete day-by-day itinerary for our amazing Botswana photography tour.

Legend:  B (Breakfast), L (Lunch), D (Dinner)

6th September – Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Accommodation – 3-star hotel.

Our tour starts in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, with the meeting point being our beautiful 3-star hotel just 400m from the legendary falls. We will have a welcome dinner that evening to meet our fellow guests and get to know each other.

If you have not been to Victoria Falls before we recommend arriving a day or two early to make the most of all the activities you can do here. Airport transfers to the hotel are not included but can be arranged.

• Meals Included:  None

7th September – Victoria Falls to Our Chobe Houseboat, Botswana

Accommodation – luxury houseboat.

We’ll have breakfast at our hotel before leaving mid-morning to cross the border to Botswana. After a short 1.5 hour drive we will arrive in Kasane, where we’ll meet our local guide and jump in a boat to be transferred to our floating base for the next two nights, a stunning luxury houseboat that sits over the border in Namibia. We’ll enjoy lunch on the houseboat and then get ready for our first afternoon river safari on the Chobe. Loading into the boat we’ll spend the next few hours searching for the big and small wildlife that calls the Chobe home. Dinner will be had on the houseboat after the safari.

• Meals Included:  B, L, D
• Activities:  Afternoon river safari

8th September – Chobe Houseboat

We’ll wake before sunrise to have a light breakfast and coffee before jumping in the boat and heading out for another river safari. The goal is to be on the river well before the sun comes up to allow for the best light for photography. We’ll cruise around looking for all kinds of animals, big and small, and morning is a perfect time for birdwatching here too. We’ll have tea and coffee on the river then come back to the houseboat for an early lunch and relaxation time.

In the afternoon we’ll have another light snack and then head out for another boat safari. Enjoying sunset on the river, we’ll return to our houseboat for an evening cocktail and dinner.

• Activities:  Morning and afternoon river safari

9th September – Kasane, Botswana

Accommodation – pangolin safari lodge.

We’ll start the day with another pre-sunrise boat safari, focusing on getting better photos and different experiences from the day before, and then will head back to the houseboat to pack our bags and move to the mainland.

After transferring to Kasane down the river we’ll head to our new accommodation for the next 4 nights, the splendid and luxurious Pangolin Safari Lodge. Once you’re settled in your room we’ll have a light snack here then jump in the open-top game vehicles for a land-based safari in search of different wildlife experiences.

Returning just after sunset we’ll have dinner and drinks at the lodge before calling it a night.

• Activities:  Morning river safari and afternoon game drive.

10th, 11th and 12th September – Kasane, Botswana

While the structure of the next 3 days is the same, the experiences will likely be quite different depending on what we find in the park. We can opt for river or land safaris in the morning and afternoon, searching for more big mammals and colourful birdlife.

In the few hours between safaris we’ll conduct personalised photo editing workshops where you’ll learn how we use Adobe Lightroom to bring our creative images to life, and we can also help you editing your own images if you’d like.

At night we’ll have drinks and dinner under the stars.

• Activities:  Morning and afternoon river or land safaris, Lightroom editing workshops

13th September – Kasane, Botswana

It’s our last day together and depending on your flight out of Kasane you can either enjoy one final safari or relax at the lodge. You will be transferred to the Kasane Airport in time for your departure, or if you would like to return to Victoria Falls we can arrange a transfer for you.

If you would like to continue your safari adventures in Africa we can help book a very exclusive fly-in fly-out 5-star luxury safari experience in either the Okavango Delta or Kalahari Desert as an optional add-on to your Chobe tour.

It’s not good bye but see you later, and as we part ways in Kasane our group will now be fantastic friends.

• Meals Included:  B
• Activities:  Morning safari if you have time before your flight

Wildlife Photography on Our Botswana Tour

This tour is very much a photo safari, meaning that during our twice-daily river and game drives we will put a large focus on capturing fantastic and unique imagery of wildlife.

The boats we use for the river safaris have been custom-built by the team at Pangolin to cater for photographers, and there are fully articulating tripods mounted to the floor and swivel seats to allow for optimum wildlife viewing on any angle.

The boats also sit very low to the water, allowing for incredible eye-level photography and low angles.

When we encounter an animal we will position the boats, and the game vehicles, to allow for the best angles for photography without interfering with the wildlife.

We will also spend a much longer amount of time with each animal than most other tour companies offer. This is so we can study the animal’s behaviour and maximise the opportunities for unique photography.

This isn’t a  ‘tick the animal off my list and move on’  type of safari. This is designed for people who genuinely want to leave Botswana with fantastic photos and for those who love observing animals in their native habitat.

There will be a minimum of two professional photographers on each boat, and one per vehicle, to assist guests with using their cameras, dialling in correct settings and providing photography guidance at all times.

We’ll also be conducting photography workshops at the safari lodge.

Being a wildlife photographer is not mandatory to join this tour, and on our recent scouting mission to test out this product we met a number of people who were happy just observing the wildlife up close and through binoculars.

Before booking this tour though do keep in mind that it is a photo safari, making it more in-depth and at a slower pace when compared to a standard African safari.

• Accommodation: Twin share in a 3-star hotel in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, twin share in a luxury private houseboat on the Chobe River and twin share in a 4-star safari lodge in Kasane, Botswana.
• All meals mentioned in the itinerary.
• Transfers: Our group will be transferred from our hotel in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe to our houseboat in Chobe, Botswana. Transfers to the hotel after our houseboat stay is also included.
• Airport transfer: A transfer to the Kasane airport is included on the day our tour ends. Transfers to and from Victoria Falls Airport can be organised at an additional cost.
• All activities included in the itinerary.
• English-speaking, certified and experienced local guides.
• Photography workshops and advice.
• Two trip leaders (Jarryd and Alesha from NOMADasaurus)
• All alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included as part of the package once we arrive to our lodging in Botswana.
• All national park fees and permits.

What’s Not Included

• International airfares to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and from Kasane, Botswana.
• Travel insurance  (mandatory to join our tour) . We recommend  CoverMore  for Australians and New Zealanders, and  World Nomads  for other nationalities, but please do your own research on travel insurance providers.
• Dinner at our accommodation in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
• Optional activities in Victoria Falls.
• Tips for drivers and local guide  (Optional)

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Botswana is one of the safest countries in Africa, and we will be staying at a very secure lodge on the outskirts of town.

Wildlife is a concern anywhere in Kasane, especially when it comes to baboons, so take normal precautions when walking around. We will discuss this with our guests when we meet in Victoria Falls.

Yes, vegetarians, vegans and all dietary requirements are fully catered for at the Victoria Falls hotel, houseboat and safari lodge.

All of the rooms on our tour are twin share, and if you are travelling on your own we will pair you with another guest of the same gender.

A single supplement may be available in Victoria Falls and at the safari lodge, but is not guaranteed. There are no single supplements available on the houseboat as it only has 5 rooms and we are occupying all of them.

If you would like a single supplement after booking your position please email us and we will check availability at the hotel and lodge for you.

There is wifi and cell service in Victoria Falls and at our safari lodge in Kasane. We do not have wifi onboard the houseboat, and cell service may be patchy as we travel deep into the national park.

The tour guide, leader and drivers will have access to phones in case of emergency. If you would like to purchase a local SIM card we recommend you do so on the day of arrival in Kasane.

Personally  we use an eSim in Botswana  without any issues.

We will provide a transfer for you from our hotel in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe to Kasane, Botswana at the beginning of the tour. When the tour ends we will include a transfer to Kasane International Airport.

Transfers to and from Victoria Falls International Airport can be arranged for an additional fee.

Victoria Falls has an international airport, servicing daily flights to capital cities such as Nairobi, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Windhoek.

October is coming to an end of the dry season in Botswana and the weather is quite hot, and we expect temperatures to be above 35 degrees and sometimes above 40 degrees.

While the temperatures are high though the water sources are at their driest, which means a huge abundance of wildlife gather by the Chobe River to drink, resulting in fantastic wildlife viewing.

It is also an excellent time to enjoy birdwatching in the Chobe National Park.

While you do not need to be a photographer to join the tour, there is a large photography element built into the itinerary and safari design.

Having at least a minor interest in wildlife photography, while not mandatory, will help ensure you thoroughly enjoy every aspect of the tour.

A low level of fitness is required to join this tour. Weather will be hot during the day however and you will be required to climb in and out of boats and safari vehicles, so a moderate amount of mobility is necessary.

There is a minimum age of 18 to join this tour. There is no maximum age limit to join, but please keep in mind the fitness levels as specified above.

Botswana Tour Cost – USD$5,200

(maximum 8 people).

• A non-refundable deposit of USD$800 is required to secure your position on this tour.
• The remainder of the cost is required by 8th of June, 2025
• Payment can be made via bank transfer in USD, AUD or EUR.

Cancellation Policy

• Before 31st March 2025 – 100% of total trip cost (minus deposit)
• Between 1st April and 30th April 2025 — 70% of total trip cost (minus deposit)
• Between 1st May and 22nd June 2025 – 50% of total trip cost (minus deposit)
• After 23rd June 2025 – No refund available.

September 2025 Tour – 8 Places Remaining

Botswana safari: best of chobe wildlife photography tour.

SOLD OUT! All spots for our brand new 2024 NOMADasaurus Botswana Tour have now been filled. If you would like to join the wait list in case of cancellations you can find the forms below.

Product Brand: NOMADasaurus Tours

Product Currency: USD

Product Price: $3950

Product In-Stock: SoldOut

• Professional photography instruction
• Small group of 8 people
• Luxury safari lodge and houseboat
• Epic wildlife encounters
• 8 days, 7 nights
• Max: 8 People

• #Luxury travel
• #Unusual Moscow
• #Jewish Heritage
• #Russian traditions

Best spots in Moscow for photo maniacs

• #Special Interest
• #Photospots
• Capturing the Kremlin and central Moscow: the higher, the better

Of course, pictures of the Kremlin shot from the Red Square are no doubt iconic and must-have, but they are taken by thousands of tourists every day and can hardly make a wow-effect on your friends on Instagram and other social networks.

Another problem with shooting from Red Square is that the photos do not fully represent the scale of the medieval fortress of Kremlin. So, you need to make some steps further and higher to catch the right shot. You’ll be surprised by the fact that the panoramic views of the Kremlin are pretty easy to get. We have four hints for you: Zaryadie, Ritz Carlton, Patriarch bridge, and Radisson riverboat.

If you want to not only make beautiful photos but also to learn something interesting about the history of Russia, we recommend an individual tour of the Kremlin. You can order it online here .

First, go to Zaryadye, which is located right next to the Red Square, behind the St Basil’s Cathedral, on the closest Moscow river bank. The most impressive views over the Kremlin are unfolded from the so-called Flying bridge of Zaryadye and Glass Dome building in the back part of the park.

Zaryadye is the new place of attraction in Moscow. It’s a landscape park, opened in September 2017 by the Moscow government on the hill where the giant soviet hotel ‘Rossiya’ located before its demolition in the early 2000-s. As a bonus, you’ll get an incredible view over one of Stalin’s skyscrapers, located on the opposite bank of Moscow river — the so-called Vysotka at Kotelnicheskaya, used as a residence of many Russian famous people and officials.

• The roof of the Ritz Carlton Hotel

This option is ok only in case if you’re ready to pay the average bar bill of over 2500 rubles (about $40). Visit the O2 Lounge Bar on the roof of the Ritz Carlton Hotel, where all the global celebrities take their Moscow pictures, from Angelina Jolie to Robert Downey Jr.

But such photo investments seem to pay off immediately. The deck of the bar makes an excellent panorama point for the Kremlin walls and towers, the Historical Museum, the Great Kremlin Palace, and the Kremlin cathedrals. All these landmarks are not too far away, which makes them perfectly recognizable, even in the background.

• The Radisson riverboat

This hint will be useful in case you’re traveling to Moscow in the cold season. River transportation in Moscow doesn't stop in winter. Many enclosed and heated tourist yachts with panoramic windows and ice-breaking equipment can be found in the Moscow River. For instance, one of the most recognizable is the flotilla Radisson.

Their route goes past all the main sights of pre-revolutionary and Soviet Moscow – from Stalin's skyscrapers (Ukraina hotel and Vysotka at Kotelnicheskaya) to the Kremlin and the Novodevichy Convent. It is possible to go out to the open deck and take photos of you and your family or friends against a backdrop of the city’s lights and their reflection in the river. The cruise lasts 2.5 hours. You can book a tour with a car roundtrip transfer from your hotel to the pier and back: book online here

• Patriarch bridge

The bridge is located further from the Kremlin, than Zaryadye or Ritz Carlton, so the Kremlin walls on your photos will look smaller. The brighter side of walking through the bridge is that you can do more fabulous pics of the Moscow river and city center landscapes. The Moscow river and the pretty recognizable giant statue of Peter the Great are ideally viewed from the bridge. Be prepared that it’s a famous and popular pedestrian area for tourists all over the world so the bridge may be crowded.

Also, the bridge is a part of a long promenade which leads from the Christ the Saviour Cathedral through the Balchug island to the opposite bank of the Moscow River, where another pedestrian area — Museon embankment — is ready to joy you with its cafes, cozy lawns and impressive views over the river flow, ducks and boats.

• Moscow City

The best spot to shoot the famous Moscow business downtown is located on the Taras Shevchenko embankment. To get there you need to come to the metro stations Vystavochnaya or Delovoi Tsentr, then go to the Bagration bridge (use the metro navigation, the path is tricky), cross the bridge — and voilà! You’ve reached the best spot for shooting, posing, sending selfies, and Instagramming.

• Ponds and orangeries

There are two ponds in Moscow, that deserve your attention in summer: the Chistye ponds (actually there is only one pond, but it’s worth it) and the pond in Gorky Park, which is full of small boats and catamarans. Both lakes are lost between the green alleys and are drowning in all the shades of green. Those are the perfect spots to catch the moment of peace amid the madness of big city life.

• Banya: Russian steam bath read
• Luxurious travel to Moscow: best places to visit read
• 7 Top Things to Do in Karelia Region read
• Russian Souvenir: what to bring home from a trip to Russia read
• The Top 10 Unusual Things to Do in Moscow read
• Christmas Festival in Moscow read

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Project Description

Chobe, Delta and Kalahari Photo Safari

From $12,650

Botswana, Namibia

March to November

In 2021 we added the amazing Central Kalahari to our other iconic photographic destinations – The Chobe and Okavango Delta – for a 10-day hosted wildlife photography safari. Led by one of our resident photo hosts you will spend three nights in each destination photographing in a group of no more than eight guests. Starting on The Pangolin Voyager Houseboat, on The Chobe River, you will then fly into the Okavango Delta for some more land-based photography in this incredible photo safari destination and World Heritage Site.

The final destination is the Central Kalahari and three more nights at Dinaka where you will find the rarer less photographed species as well as enjoy some hide, night drive and star photography sessions.

Wherever you are arriving from on the first day (whether it’s across the border from Victoria Falls or off the flight from Johannesburg) you will be met at The Pangolin Chobe Hotel by your photographic host who will accompanying throughout this epic photographic safari.

The Pangolin Voyager is actually moored on the Namibian side of the river so you will exit Botswana again and enter Namibia which is a very straightforward, simple but definitely unforgettable border experience.

The Pangolin Voyager has five cabins which mirrors the five tents at the camp in the Okavango Delta so the group will have both exclusively for the first week of the safari. We have three different mooring spots along The Chobe River and we will visit them all while onboard. Alongside the houseboat is one of our eight-seater photo boats which we will use for our morning and afternoon activities out on the river looking for subjects to photograph.

As this safari operates throughout the year The Chobe River offers up different subject matter from month to month. In the (African) Summer months between November and April you will have amazing birdlife everywhere as the “migrants” take up their annual residency. There will still be large mammals around such as elephant, buffalo and hippo as well as resident crocs and antelope, so all in all an excellent time to photograph, with lots of bright green backgrounds and baby animals everywhere. The (African) winter months, between May and October, will see larger numbers of elephants as the water becomes more scarce inland and the river becomes more popular.

The reason we chose to start Pangolin in the Chobe is there is always something to photograph in The Chobe. No matter when you decide to join this safari, throughout the year, you are sure to start with a bang and plenty of “keepers”.

Each Pangolin Photo Host has been allocated a number of groups throughout the year at different times of the year. They will be on hand during every morning and afternoon cruise on the photo boat to help you with your photography. If you don’t have a camera of your own we are able to supply you with one free of charge for the duration of the safari included in the price along with as many memory cards as you require.

With the group restricted to only eight people, it’s ideal for novice and pro photographers alike as the photo host is able to attend to each guest in equal measure, especially on the photo boat. If you are a complete novice then we recommend perhaps coming to the Pangolin Chobe Hotel for a couple of days before to learn the basics before you join the group. This is also advisable for more experienced photographers who might not have been in the field for a while just to get your “eye back in” and the muscle memory functioning!

In-between game activities there will be hosted image review and group editing sessions. For this to be truly effective you will need to have your own laptop with you with the latest version of an editing programme installed and updated. Our software of choice is Adobe Lightroom and we have a free online course you can start before your arrival so that you are familiar with its functions if you haven’t used it before.

Other than that you will be well fed and watered on the houseboat with all the meals and drinks (soft and alcoholic) included in the package – and that goes for the whole itinerary.

The cabins onboard are all en-suite and air-conditioned and can be configured as double or twin beds.

On day four we will make our way back into Botswana to meet our charter flight into The Okavango Delta. The flights usually depart at around 11am.

The flight from The Chobe takes just over an hour and is in itself a beautiful scenic flight from both sides of the aircraft. We land at our private airstrip and will be driven to our private camp in our two customised game viewers (maximum four photographers per vehicle).

Our camp of choice forgoes unnecessary and frivolous luxuries in exchange for a good old fashioned tented camp focussing on what is most important – great photo opportunities, a comfy camp and plenty of exclusive space to explore and photograph. The camp has all the necessary amenities such as large tents, comfy beds, great electricity supply and superb staff to take good care if us…not to mention the delicious food!

The camp sits on a private concession of around 10,000ha in size and we have the freedom to explore and spend as much time as each sighting as we require. We are able to off-road at special sightings and also conduct night drives. The Chobe Delta and Kalahari dates have been scheduled to coincide with the new moon increasing the chances of having perfect conditions for astrophotography sessions.

The concession is bisected by the Moanachira River which is a significant water source. The open plains across the area lend themselves to large herds of herbivores and their pursuant predators – lions, wild dogs, leopards and cheetah. Being the Okavango Delta the birdlife is prolific.

There are healthy populations of big cats on this concession most of whom are very habituated and make for excellent subjects. Wild dogs are frequently seen in the area too along with other large predators like hyenas. All the other larger fauna are present in good numbers such as giraffe, wildebeest, topi, hartebeest, buffalo as well as several herds of elephants.

As with the houseboat, you will have the camp to yourselves and your photo host will divide his or her time between the vehicles to assist you with your photography.

The camp comprises five walk-in Meru-style tents with en-suite showers and toilets. The tents have a good electricity supply and twin steel beds with nice mattresses and quality linen. The communal areas of the camp feature a lounge and dining tent, an editing tent for afternoon image review sessions as well as a fire to enjoy before and after dinner.

The meals and drinks at the camp are all included and the camp can cater for most dietary restrictions and allergies. You will be well fed at the camp with three delicious meals a day prepared by the expert chefs in the camp kitchen.

On the final morning, we make our way to the airstrip slowly, photographing along the way, to meet the next charter flight to The Central Kalahari.

Days 8 – 10

After one week of early starts and over-excitement, The Kalahari by its very nature tends to be a slightly more relaxed environment and the perfect third destination for this safari. As a desert, the animals tend to congregate more around the waterholes which makes it the perfect location for some hide photography. Dinaka, the camp that we have chosen to partner with, has an excellent waterhole hide with more in the planning phase.

Dinaka sits on a private reserve, bordering the massive Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Here you will find an environment very different from what you have experienced in The Chobe and Delta before. The bush is slightly thicker and thornier and the animals seem to be a little different too as you would expect based on the ecosystem. Oryx, springbok, brown hyena, black-maned lions, jackals as well as cheetah and wild dogs do well here.

The camp is owned and managed by safari legends Ker and Downey Botswana and is certainly the most luxurious of the three, but by now you will have earned a little pampering. The communal areas of the camp are fantastic and the rooms are spacious with private verandas looking towards a busy waterhole. The vehicles all have beanbag camera mounts and again is maximum of four per vehicle for the game drives with the photo host alternating between the two game viewers.

The waterhole hide at Dinaka is a sunken “bunker type” hide and can seat the whole group together with the host. You will be photographing out at water level as the animals arrive, to slake their thirst right in front of you. It’s a very special place to be and photograph from.

As a camp, Dinaka is very flexible with their timings and earlier starts or later finishes to game activities are all accommodated to make the most of our time there. One activity not to be missed is a walk through the bush with the resident bushman guides where you will learn about their traditional subsistence way of life from what at first sight appears to be such a stark environment culminating in a demonstration of traditional fire-making techniques and some storytelling as the sun sets.

The night sky of the Kalahari is breathtaking especially at certain times of the month when there is a new moon, and if the conditions are right we will take the opportunity to practice some astro and star trails photography.

Again during the day, there will be editing sessions but also the opportunity to have some downtime by the pool or on a snooze with a good book on the deck…..with your camera close at hand in case something appears at the camp’s waterhole of course!

On the last day, you will depart to Maun airport and bid farewell to your fellow photographers and the host but that need not be the end of your safari. There are daily flights between Maun and Cape Town and even Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, from where it’s a short transfer across the border to South Africa and the wonderful Jaci’s Tree Lodge in Madikwe!

• $4,500 Single Supplement
• $4,950 Single Supplement

Airport meet and greet

Photographic tuition, advice and editing assistance throughout by Pangolin Photo Host

Use of a Canon DSLR camera and telephoto lens (if required) incl memory cards

3 nights onboard the Pangolin Voyager Houseboat (Full board)

Twice daily activities on the Chobe river on a Pangolin Photo Boat

Charter flight from Kasane to the Pangolin Photo Camp, Okavango Delta

4 nights at the Pangolin Photo Camp at Ker and Downey’s Footsteps (full board)

Twice daily game drives (maximum four per vehicle)

Charter flight to Dinaka, Central Kalahari

2 nights at Dinaka (Full board)

Twice daily game drives and use of the Dinaka bunker hide

Afternoon image review and editing sessions.

Charter flight from Dinaka to Maun

All park, landing and concession contributions

All meals and drinks

Gratuities, laundry and items of a personal nature

Visa fees for Botswana and Namibia (if required)

As we are a group pf eight clients plus a photo host we use private charters wherever we can which allows for a little more luggage weight than the normal 20kgs. This means that you are able to slip in a couple of extra lenses should you wish to do so without the worry of being over the limit for the charter flights we will be taking. Please chat to one of our travel planners for more details.

Enquire Now!

Alternative photo safaris that we offer:.

Chobe and Okavango Delta

When: Mar-Nov Duration: 8 Days Price from: USD8,950

The Best of The Chobe

When: Mar - Nov Duration: 7 Days Price from: USD4,595

South Luangwa

When: June 2025 Duration: 7 Days Price from: USD7,950

Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

• Patriarch’s Pond
• Old Arbat Street
• Maroseyka Street
• Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography. 

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita. 

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

• Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
• Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
• Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
• Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
• After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
• To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

• Novoslobodskaya
• Mayakovskaya
• Elektrozavodskaya
• Komsomolskaya
• Ploschad Revolyutsii
• Dostoyevskaya
• Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem. 

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions. 

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev  and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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(A New Guide Posted Every Other Wednesday)

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We create high-quality stabilized video having 8k and 4k resolution, 48 or 24 frames per second together with high-quality post-processing. Videos are supported by the most advanced technologies, such as virtual reality headsets (including Samsung Gear VR), different electronic devices and YouTube channels.

We use different types of moving and fixed objects (tripods, monopods, cars, helicopters, building cranes, etc.) to record videos. For aerial shooting we usually use drones with fully gyro-stabilized unique suspension. Panoramic video covers up all the space around the camera 360x180 degrees without black spots at both nadir and zenith viewing angle.

360° videos are available in any format you choose: .mp4, .avi, .mov, etc. All the videos are made and kept in frames, making it possible to encode them into any available format and bitrate with the resolution up to 8k.

360° PHOTOGRAPHY

Our team creates high-quality 360° photo-panoramas with 35000x17500 pixels resolution (in the equidistant projection) and carries out professional post-processing and corrections of any complexity. We develop virtual tours which are suitable for all browsers, support both Flash and HTML5 technologies and are compatible with different mobile devices and virtual reality headsets (including Samsung Gear VR).

We use different types of moving and fixed objects (tripods, monopods, cars, helicopters, building cranes, etc.) to record videos. For aerial shooting we usually use drones with the fully gyro-stabilized unique suspension. Panoramic video covers up all the space around the camera 360x180 degrees without black spots at both nadir and zenith viewing angle.

Ready 360° photo-panoramas cover up all the space around the camera 360x180 degrees without black spots at both nadir and zenith viewing angle.

Info-points (description buttons that can be placed in the panorama), embedded pictures, video and audio can be added to the virtual tour.

360° GIGAPANORAMA

Our team creates high-quality 360° photo-panoramas with resolution from 1 to 3 gigapixel and carries out professional post-processing and corrections of any complexity. We develop virtual tours which are suitable for all browsers, support both Flash and HTML5 technologies and are compatible with different mobile devices and virtual reality glasses (including Samsung Gear VR).

Info-points (description buttons that can be placed in the panorama), embedded pictures, video and audio can be added to the ready virtual tour.

360° TIMELAPSE

We can make panoramic timelapses with the given viewing angle and resolution up to 12k with professional post-processing and without black spots at both nadir and zenith viewing angle. 360° timelapses are supported by the most advanced technologies, such as virtual reality glasses (including Samsung Gear VR), different electronic devices and YouTube channels.

360° timelapses are available in any format you choose: .mp4, .avi, .mov, etc. All the timelapses are made and kept in frames, making it possible to encode them into any available format and bitrate with the resolution up to 12K.

Content sales:

VIRTUAL TOURS

On the basis of 360° panoramas we create virtual tours of any complexity, branded with logos and design elements of the company’s website together with embedding interactive elements, such as photos, slideshows, videos, descriptions, switch-points to other panoramas, audio descriptions, 3D sounds.

Our clients receive a fully functional virtual tour developed in HTML5 and supported by any computer or mobile device (iOS, Android, Windows Phone).

360° Photo    Price List

STOCK PHOTOS

For almost 10 years of travelling around the world our team has gathered an extensive stock of pictures, taken from both flying devices and the ground.

Any picture presented at our stock can be licensed for any kind of possible use. We can also offer the photos of ultra-high quality (the longer side up to 103,000 pixels).

You can also take a look at the spherical panoramas published on the website www.airpano.ru . Any of the 360° panoramas represented on the website can be converted into a printed image of very high quality.

Photogallery    Price List

STOCK 360° VIDEOS

By filming 360° video since 2011, our team has gathered an extensive stock of clips, taken from both flying devices and the ground.

Any video presented on our website can be licensed for any kind of possible use.

360° videos are available in any format you choose: .mp4, .avi, .mov, etc. All the videos are made and kept in frames, making it possible to encode them into any available format and bitrate.

360° Video    Price List

APPLICATIONS

We are one of the software developers of applications based on 360° photos and videos. Currently, there are 7 applications in our portfolio. One of them was top-rated in 84 countries and listed among the best applications of the year 2014 according to App Store.

These applications can also be used for demonstration of panoramic content with the help of virtual reality devices, such as Samsung Gear VR, Google Cardboard and analogues.

Exhibition installations:

EXHIBITION INSTALLATIONS

AirPano team has the experience of creating panoramic cinemas and video-walls, making it possible to demonstrate our panoramic content at different kinds of events, exhibitions and in museums. The size is only defined by the premises, the quality of projector and the dimensions of plasma screens. Such solutions usually make a deep impression on visitors.

The control is carried out by a tablet or Kinect devices.

TOUCH SCREENS

We are ready to create applications with panoramic content working on touch screens of any size. Both AirPano panoramas and the client’s material can be the basis for this kind of software.

We create virtual tours of any complexity, branded with logos and design elements of the company’s website together with embedding interactive elements, such as photos, slideshows, videos, descriptions, switch-points to other panoramas, audio descriptions, 3D sounds.

VR HEADSETS

Our virtual tours and 360° videos are supported by all the types of virtual reality headsets (VR): Google Cardboard, Oculus Rift, Samsung Gear VR, Sony Morpheus and others.

We can also develop special software for operating on Samsung Gear VR, if required.

AirPano in cooperation with Polden Studio carries out the installation of the binocular usage of the client’s or our own content. With the help of binoculars, the client can present the panoramic content at different kinds of events, exhibitions and in museums. This kind of devices usually attract a lot of visitors and leave a deep impression on them.