Safari style

The common theme for our safaris is the focus on animal behaviour with empathy and respect for the environment; we do not chase after species just to ‘tick boxes’ of what we’ve seen. We do of course try our best to see and photograph key flora and fauna in the locations we visit, but first of all respect what nature brings in front of us every day.

Let’s say we get the lucky opportunity of observing a large pride of lions in our midst. We may stay with them for a few days and watch the dynamics within the pride from morning greetings and strategy of the hunt, to cubs playing around the termite mound. Every day in the wild is different and we need to embrace that some days will be more productive than others in sightings and actions, while each day will bring something to remember for years to come.

Our approach is to be with wildlife when they are active. Wake up before everyone else to greet the sunrise in the field with life buzzing around us – a fantastic opportunity for photographers to capture the soft morning light and for everyone to see animals being active. We never miss the evening’s golden hour and wave to the setting sun over a sundowner surrounded by unspoiled nature. We want you to leave fulfilled with a sense that you got to know animals, their behaviours and daily routines, experiencing the circle of life. Therefore, we spend time observing the creatures around us, waiting and anticipating what will happen, and ultimately being amongst the action.

We bring you close to the wildlife by carefully navigating animals’ moods, behaviours and movements on any given day. Keeping distance from hunting cheetahs or leopard looking for a safe river crossing may culminate in unbelievable moments that will forever be etched in your memory.

We want you to see wildlife from the vantage points of both land and water, by mixing activities between game drives and boat trips in some of locations we visit. Watching bathing elephants in the river from the boat, you can almost feel sensation of swimming with them. In order to accomplish our vision, we all need to be patient and respectful, being mindful that nature is dynamic, and we are privileged to be amid such inspiring animals.

We don’t like crowded areas and only few locations in Africa can provide a sense of solitude and exclusivity while watching local wildlife, and that’s why we are there.

Private concessions of Okavango and Linyanti in Botswana, with its sustainable, low-impact camps, provide uninterrupted access to nature with an overwhelming feel of harmony. The use of of these concessions assures a super low density of vehicles and ability to accompany animals off the beaten track as they roam around, are on the hunt or simply enjoy a stroll though the plains. Very often we will be alone for the majority of time observing lions on a kill, leopards wandering grasslands or elephants bathing in the waterhole.

The ability to leave the camp before sunrise and come back after sunset is another advantage to experience the best lighting conditions of dawn and dusk in the field surrounded by wildlife, a task not possible in national parks or reserves. The unique habitats provide opportunity for one-of-a-kind photos of cats in water environments, elephants bathing in water or night-time photography. That’s the only way to ensure you experience wilderness at its fullest.

In other locations such as the famed Serengeti, where one can’t avoid increasing tourist traffic, we will visit when the peak crowds are gone, yet the wildlife encounters are the same for our participants to admire. In each location we use the best guides who support the system, using trackers and vehicles dedicated only to our group. While we communicate between vehicles regarding sightings, we support the use of trackers, wherever possible, to follow and/or find predators as they move about. Many participants appreciate the opportunity to track and learn movements of cats and other animals within the concessions.

Safari types we offer

SAFARI STYLE

• Photographic Safaris – for enthusiasts of wildlife photography at any level of experience
• Wildlife Enthusiasts Safaris – Anyone who would like to see nature and wildlife through the wildlife photographers’ eyes but not necessarily carries a ‘heavy duty’ photo equipment
  
  

The main difference between the two forms of safaris we offer is in the number of participants per vehicle and the time spent in the field. In both cases, we leave well before sunrise after coffee and breakfast and come back to the camp after sunset in time for dinner, often enjoying sundowners in the field. The mid-day is often a ‘slow’ time where animals rest in the shade and sun is harsh, thus we may either come back to the camp for a siesta, stay somewhere in the shade waiting for cheetahs hunt, or utilize that time to track a leopard meandering through the bushes. The main point to remember is that flexibility is our guiding principle while in the field. We will make decisions based on sightings and animal behaviours, as well as participants’ wishes and the distance from the camp.

Up to 3 persons per vehicle

full row per photographer

Most of days in the field with packed lunches

Photo tutorial in the field

(as required from participants)

Photo reviews and post-processing in the camp

Up to 4 persons per vehicle or 6 in case of couples/partners

Mid-day spent in the camps for relaxation

(unless action in the field keeps us engaged)

Lunches in the camp with occasional full day in the field

Photography advice in the field

(as required)

Some of our itineraries naturally lend themselves to extensions. If you’d like to, for example, spend some time in Cape Town, or other locations prior to joining us in Botswana or would like to spend some time around Entebbe prior to the visit in Kibale, we will gladly recommend activities and accommodation suitable for your wishes to seamlessly link to our safari.