Chobe Bee-Eater Photo Safari

Join me for an unforgettable 7-night adventure following the spectacular bee-eater migration along two of Southern Africa’s greatest rivers. We’ll spend 3 nights on the Chobe River in Botswana and 4 nights on the Zambezi River in Namibia, all aboard specially designed photographic river boats that bring you closer to the action than ever before.

This unique experience offers world-class opportunities to photograph not only the bee-eaters but also an incredible variety of wildlife. Expect encounters with the Big Five, vast herds of elephants, crocodiles, hippos, and over 350 bird species that call this region home.

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THE IMPORTANT STUFF

Trip Summary

DATES: 5-12 October 2026

The trip begins at Kasane Airport in Botswana with arrival around midday on 5 October. We’ll spend the first 3 nights at the Chobe Safari Lodge before transferring across the river to Namibia for 4 nights at the beautiful Zambezi Mubala Lodge. Each day includes twice-daily boat outings on specially designed photographic boats, perfectly set up for wildlife and bird photography. The adventure concludes back at Kasane Airport, with departure in the early afternoon on 12 October.

PRICE: R69 700 (SADC) | $4700 (INT) - 3 SPOTS LEFT

The cost of this exclusive workshop is R69,700 per person sharing for SADC residents, with a single supplement available at an additional R12,000. For international guests, the price is USD $4,700 per person sharing, with a single supplement of USD $850.

LOCATION: Chobe & Zambezi Rivers

The annual bee-eater migration along the Chobe and Zambezi rivers is one of the most spectacular birding and photographic events in Africa. Thousands of vibrant carmine bee-eaters gather to nest in colonies along the sandy riverbanks, creating an explosion of color and activity that is simply breathtaking to witness through the lens. On the Chobe, our specialized photographic boats allow us to work low and close to the water for striking angles of both birds and wildlife. Over on the Zambezi side, we have the rare opportunity to step out onto the riverbanks themselves, positioning ourselves right at the colonies for intimate and dramatic perspectives as the bee-eaters swoop and dive around us. Combined with the incredible diversity of wildlife that thrives along these waterways, this trip offers an unrivaled photographic experience.

PAX: 6 GUESTS

This trip is limited to just 6 photographers, ensuring an intimate experience and plenty of personal space. Each participant will have their own seat and gimbal on the specially designed photographic boats, giving you complete freedom of movement and the best possible angles. With this setup, you’ll never miss an opportunity to capture the incredible moments that unfold on the Chobe and Zambezi rivers.

INCLUDES

Airport transfers · All meals · Luxury Accommodation · twice daily photo excursions on private photographic boat · transfers between lodges · Photographic instruction & Editing Sessions

EXCLUDES

Flights to/from Kasane Airport · Drinks · Gratuities · Travel insurance · Personal expenses · Visas

Luxury Private Camp

Chobe Safari Lodge
Nestled along the banks of the legendary Chobe River, Chobe Safari Lodge offers an immersive riverside experience with stunning views and easy access to the rich wildlife of Chobe National Park. The lodge combines comfort and convenience with spacious rooms, excellent dining, and attentive service, making it the perfect base for morning and afternoon photography sessions. From the lodge, you can enjoy spectacular river views, watch elephants and hippos from the comfort of your room or deck, and step out onto the river for unforgettable photographic opportunities.

Zambezi Mubala Lodge
Located on the Namibian side of the Zambezi River, Zambezi Mubala Lodge is a tranquil riverside retreat designed with photographers in mind. The lodge sits in a prime location to witness the incredible bee-eater migration, allowing guests to step onto the riverbanks for close-up shots of the nesting colonies. Comfortable accommodations, attentive staff, and a peaceful setting make it an ideal place to relax between morning and afternoon photography sessions. The lodge also provides easy access to the diverse wildlife of the surrounding floodplains, offering countless opportunities to capture elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and a wealth of bird species.

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Photographic Boats

This workshop uses specially designed photographic boats that provide the perfect platform for capturing wildlife and birdlife along the Chobe and Zambezi rivers. Each participant has their own swivel seat and gimbal, allowing full 360-degree rotation to follow the action without obstruction. The gimbals are fully adjustable in height, making it easy to shoot while sitting or standing, giving you complete freedom to frame every shot exactly as you envision it. This setup ensures that every moment, whether a swooping bee-eater or a herd of elephants crossing the river, is within reach for exceptional photography.

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Daily Program

Our adventure begins with your arrival at Kasane International Airport on 5 October. After a road transfer, we’ll settle in at Chobe Safari Lodge for 3 nights. Each day is built around twice-daily photography sessions on the Chobe River, with mornings and afternoons spent on the water and downtime at the lodge for meals, rest, or post-processing sessions.

On Day 4, we transfer across the river into Namibia to the beautiful Zambezi Mubala Lodge, where we’ll spend 4 nights. This section of the trip is all about the carmine bee-eater migration, with the unique opportunity to step onto the riverbanks for eye-level photography of the colonies. As before, our days follow the rhythm of morning and afternoon photo sessions, with time for relaxation and meals in between.

The workshop concludes on 12 October, with a final morning shoot before returning to Kasane Airport in time for your flight back home.

Adventure Through Photography

Adventure Through Photography is built around a deep respect for wildlife and wild places. These workshops are designed to offer ethical, immersive encounters with Africa’s iconic animals, creating space for powerful images and meaningful moments. With expert guidance, small groups, and a photographer-first approach, every experience is about more than just a shot, it’s about connecting with wildlife in a way that’s thoughtful, responsible, and creatively fulfilling.

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