BOTSWANA

DELTA & MAKGADIGADI PANS

aerial photographic workshop

INTRODUCTION

Botswana has some of the most diverse and beautiful landscapes on earth. In this unique seven day aerial workshop we offer photographers the opportunity to photograph both the Okavango Delta and the vast Makgadikgadi Pans from above.

Nestled in the far north western section of Botswana, lies a unique place of unparalleled natural beauty; The Okavango Delta is the only significant surface water in the whole country and boasts some of the most spectacular concentrations of wildlife on earth.

Endless vistas, vast herds of elephant and buffalo, graceful lechwe bounding across the marshlands, regal kudu and the illusive sitatunga all set on an enormous canvas of the largest inland delta on earth.

The vast and pristine desert reserves of the Makgadikgadi and the Kalahari are home to the second largest migration of wildebeest and zebra in Africa and are home to tribes of Zu/'hoasi Bushmen. This is a place sculpted by water, wind and time and offers endless horizons and expansive wildlife populations.

It is beautiful in its simplicity, a place made up more of sky than land and an incredible place to capture those illusive shadow shots of zebra, wildebeest and elephant meandering the stark surface of the pans. During rainy season expect to see huge flocks of Flamingo scattered across the pans, as well as pelican and a host of other migratory birds.

Botswana is a photographer’s dream with an endless variety of photographic potential. Join professional aerial photographers Jan and Jay Roode on an intensive seven-day aerial photographic workshop, where you will experience first-hand the mind-boggling beauty of the Okavango delta ecosystem and the vast horizons of the Makgadikgadi.

Desert and delta and some of the best wildlife viewing on the planet, Botswana is one of Africa's ultimate safari destinations.

Main Features:

Professional aerial photographic tuition and guiding
Small private groups ensuring one on one tuition
Specialized aircraft that will allow you to get the best shots
Experience the Okavango and the Makgadikgadi in a way that few people can
Access to some of the most unique and beautiful locations Botswana has to offer from a bird’s eye perspective
Superlative exploratory ground-based experiences where photographers will also have the opportunity to photograph landscapes, wildlife, night skies, and get up close and personal to some Africa’s most iconic wildlife from the seat of a game drive vehicle or mokoro.
One on one post processing tuition each day

DOWNLOAD ITINERARY

PHOTOGRAPHIC HIGHLIGHTS

Exclusive use of a private helicopter
Take to the air and embark on a captivating 7-day photographic adventure through the beauty of the Okavango Delta and the Makgadikgadi Pans in a private helicopter. Immerse yourself in the wild and explore one of southern Africa’s greatest wildernesses from above.
With many of Botswana’s very remote areas being generally inaccessible, an aerial perspective is one of the best ways to get a true feeling and to photograph this country's vast open spaces.
Be in the unique position to capture wandering herds of elephant, red lechwe and buffalo on the verdant green floodplains of the Okavango.
Enjoy one of the most incredible game viewing experiences on earth from the seat of a helicopter. The Okavango holds one of Africa’s highest concentration of elephant and a profusion of other wildlife including African wild dog, leopard, lion, giraffe, plains game and the illusive sitatunga antelope.
The vast and pristine desert reserves of the Makgadikgadi and the Kalahari are home to the second largest migration of wildebeest and zebra in Africa
Desert, delta and some of the best wildlife viewing on the planet, Botswana is one of Africa's ultimate photographic safari destinations.
Revel in landscapes that defy description in one of the most pristine areas left on earth; a world of vast open spaces, endless horizons, dramatic waterscapes and spectacular otherworldly vistas

DAY 1 : MAUN | OKAVANGO DELTA

Day 1: We arrive at the small frontier town of Maun situated on the south eastern edge of the Okavango Delta. From here we transfer to our accommodation for the next five nights; Tshilli Farm.

Situated in the southern section of the Okavango Delta on a magnificent island surrounded by gallery forest and flood plains, this magical working farm and eco-lodge borders an unspoilt concession boasting the big five, offers mokoro trips on the doorstep (in season), amazing views of the sun kissed floodplains, tasteful décor and accommodation, great food and of course unforgettable evenings around the campfire exchanging safari stories!

Everything at the lodge is created with thought and sustainability in mind with an abundance of wildlife and birds around every corner… a perfect location from which to host our aerial photographic workshops.

Arriving at the farm you will be given space to settle in and enjoy a scrumptious lunch and explore the farm before retiring for sundowners on the deck overlooking the floodplains for a debrief of what the next few days have to offer.

Accommodation options: Tshilli Farm*

Included: Full Board

* depending on availability. All accommodation will be confirmed before bookings are finalized.

1/1

DAYS 2-3 : MAUN | OKAVANGO DELTA

MORNING FLIGHT: After a cup of coffee we wander down to the flood plains where our Bell Jet Ranger or Robinson 44 helicopter and crew will be waiting to fly us over the Okavango Delta. Making the most of the early morning light we set out to discover and photograph the changing landscapes and abundant wildlife of this incredible place.

Returning for breakfast we will then have time to review the images we have taken, sedately enjoy the lodge and surroundings or for the more adventurous partake in a myriad of activities on offer including game drives, mokoro trips, cycling, walking and cultural experiences.

AFTERNOON FLIGHT: We again take the skies in the late afternoon to capture golden hour over the Delta. Included is a champaign sundowners in the middle of the wilderness. The helicopter will land on a sandbar or a private island where we can enjoy the tranquillity and abundance of wildlife the Okavango brings before returning home for a debrief and dinner under the stars.

Each day we will widely explore different sectors of the Delta, each with its own unique character and flare. Our expert local knowledge of the Delta will ensure that seasonality is taken into account and that we focus on areas of greatest wildlife abundance.

Accommodation options: Tshilli Farm*

Included: Full Board

* depending on availability. All accommodation will be confirmed before bookings are finalized.

1/1

DAYS 4 : MAKGADIGADI PANS

Departing after breakfast for the Maun airport we board a charter flight where we leave the lush green of the Okavango behind us and enter the world of the Kalahari and to our accommodation for the next few evenings, the desert oasis of Planet Baobab.

The lodge is set on the boundless lunar landscape of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, an area bigger than Switzerland, which was once the largest expanse of fresh water on the planet. Today it is a vast salt pan desert of shimmering and surreal landscapes so vast you can see the curvature of the earth. It is here, perhaps more than anywhere else in the world, you will be struck by a feeling of utter and marvellous isolation.

You will find Planet Baobab nestled between 17 ancient Baobabs. Here we will live cheek to tusk with old elephants, sleep in Afro-chic Bakalanga huts, swim in the largest and coolest pool in the Kalahari, eat the finest pan-African cuisine and drink something cold with hunters and vagabonds, travellers and locals in one of the quirkiest bars in Africa. A perfect launch pad for our aerial photographic forays over the sparkling white sands of the Makgadikgadi.

Arriving at Planet Baobab you will be given space to settle in, tuck into a delicious lunch and explore the lodge and surrounds. There are a variety of activities to fill the afternoon before sundowners, dinner, and a star trail photographic workshop in the evening.

Accommodation options: Plant Baobab*

Included: Full Board

* depending on availability. All accommodation will be confirmed before bookings are finalized.

1/1

DAYS 5 - 7 : MAKGADIGADI PANS

MORNING FLIGHT: After a cup of coffee we wander down to the pans where our Bell Jet Ranger helicopter and crew will be waiting to fly us over the Makgadikgadi. Making the most of the early morning light we set out to discover and photograph the changing landscapes and abundant wildlife of this incredible place.

Returning for breakfast we will then have time to review the images we have taken, sedately enjoy the lodge and surroundings or for the more adventurous partake in a myriad of activities on offer including game drives, quad bike excursions, Baobab nature walks, meeting Kalahari meerkats up close and personal, cultural experiences at the local Batwana village.

AFTERNOON FLIGHT: We again take the skies in the late afternoon to capture golden hour over the Pans. Included is a champaign sundowners in the middle of the wilderness. The helicopter will land in the middle of nowhere where we can enjoy the pulsing silence and endless horizons before returning home for a debrief and dinner under the stars.

Each day we will widely explore different sectors of the Makgadikgadi. Our expert local knowledge of the pans will ensure that seasonality is taken into account and that we focus on areas of greatest wildlife abundance.

On our last day at the lodge, guests can opt for a lazy breakfast followed by a morning activity before being transferred back to Maun or alternately guests can extend their safari.

Accommodation options: Plant Baobab*

Included: Full Board

* depending on availability. All accommodation will be confirmed before bookings are finalized.