Tour Highlights

  • Trip led by renowned wildlife photographers - Mateusz Piesiak and Artur Stankiewicz
  • All inclusive itinerary (luxury accommodation, excellent food, drinks, laundry, internal flights and drives)
  • Okavango at the start of green season - one concession for the in-depth experience
  • Very rich predator area - leopards, prides of lions, wild dogs and cheetahs
  • Elephant and buffalo herds, elusive sable and roan antelopes
  • Nocturnal species during night drives
  • Private, wilderness experience with off-road access and few vehicles around
  • Maximum 4 photographers per vehicle
  • Photo tutorials during game drives and review of your work in the evenings
  • Countless opportunities to capture unbelievable photos

Who should consider?

Wildlife photographers of all skills, as well as enthusiasts of photography who would like to capture incredible wildlife moments on camera and media to share and remember for years to come.

Anyone who would like to experience a bespoke, wildlife behaviour-focused safari with carefully selected, proven and comfortable accommodations led by passionate, and excellent wildlife photographers.

Everyone who is looking for a very low density of visitors and vehicles, and expects to experience an unspoiled wilderness.

Anyone who would like to spend time learning animal behaviors, getting to know species and individuals, stay in one area rather than traveling, designing their dream photographs.

 

What to Expect?

Understated luxury during the time back in the camp with tasteful food and always helpful staff.

Sunny, warm days (up 30-38C) with possible thunderstorms – it will be start of a green season so, changing weather may be a desired factor providing dramatic settings for our photography.

We plan to spend a maximum amount of time in the field, looking for great sightings, understanding animal behaviour, spending time with wildlife rather than ‘chasing’ species.

Focus on one, wildlife-rich concession in the Delta will allow for the in-depth understanding of individual species behaviour and well thought-through photography.

We will leave our camp before sunrise, after coffee, and may return for lunch or as needed – flexibility in our schedule will be a key. We will come back well after sunset and a sundowner in the field. It is not a bootcamp, but we also don’t won’t to miss amazing sightings.

We will ensure that both, novice and advanced fans of photography, as well as the ‘iPhone shooters’ will have opportunities to capture amazing pictures and video clips.

Both photo-guides, Mateusz and Artur, will rotate between 2 vehicles ensuring everyone will receive support needed during game drives.

Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusion

  • All local air transfers from Maun to the camp
  • Accommodation on shared basis (limited single supplements available)
  • All meals, drinks (incl. alcoholic) and laundry
  • Safari activities - road and water
  • Two vehicles exclusive for our group (max 4 persons per vehicle)
  • All tourism levies, relevant taxes, park fees
  • Professional guiding and photography tutoring by renowned Mateusz Piesiak and Artur Stankiewicz
  • Online support, travel and preparation advice ahead of the trip

Exclusion

  • International flights from home to Maun, Botswana
  • Visas
  • Travel insurance
  • Gratuities and tips

Destinations and Wildlife at a Glance

We will stay in one of the best wildlife concession in the vast Okavango Delta.  It will be all about getting familiar with the area, learning animals and their behaviours, getting to know individual predators, thinking about photo opportunities, designing and executing our photos.

The key species that we focus on include big cats (lions, especially leopards, cheetah), buffalos and elephants. However, these are also areas where we often see shy antelopes such as Sable, Roan or Eland. Large herds of red lechwe grace marsh areas, while the general games such as giraffes, zebras, impala and wildebeest are found behind ‘every corner’. Nocturnal ’regulars’ that are spotted during evening drives include civet, genet or African wildcat. Spending quality time with elephants or looking for a photo opportunities around hippo pools will also be on our agenda.

Your guide

Artur Stankiewicz

Is a seasoned organizer of bespoke nature and wildlife adventures, with a solid knowledge of the African continent and wild animal behaviors that he will share during the trip. He is also a passionate wildlife photographer who’s work has been recognized in many international wildlife photo contests and published in various media. Artur offers photo tutorials during the trip on as required basis which he adjusts to everyone’s needs and desires.

Read more about Your Team Leader

Accommodations and Vehicles

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Camp

We will stay in the camp operated by the Kwando Safaris - our favorite group of camps in Botswana. All the camps we utilize are in private concession areas where off-road driving allows for the highest quality game-viewing and ensures that diversity of species can be seen. While this concession is not particularly extensive, it still offers an unprecedented low guest density providing a truly unspoiled experience. Guest tents are usually canvas-walled but raised off the ground with hardwood flooring, housing real beds and other furniture, and featuring ensuite bathrooms with full plumbing. All camps have small pools, lavish central lounges and high quality of food and service.

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Okavango

In Okavango we will stay in a concession known for its amazing leopards sighting. The location remains far superior to many other Okavango areas, and provides excellent opportunities to see large mammals such as elephants and buffalo, hippos from the water level all the way to predators such as leopards, lions, wild dogs and cheetahs.

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Vehicles

Vehicles that we will be using are open offering a full, unobstructed viewing. On our photographic safaris we allow max. 4 person in vehicle.

Read more about Acomodation and Vehicles

Itinerary

Arrival Maun, Botswana and transfer to the airstrip via local plane (30 min flight).  Check into the camp and the afternoon game drive.  Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.
Breakfast before sunrise following exploration of the area from a very early morning to late evenings.  Lunches in the field or in the camp, depending on the action and proximity to the camp.  We will be following big cats, especially leopards, lions or wild dogs in their daily activities hoping to witness hunts.  We plan to spend some time with elephants and other large mammals. Evenings drives in search of nocturnal species. We will work on designing dream shots and executing them in the field - weather/animals permitting. We will also practice astrophotography during clear sky nights. Dinners at the camp.
After a final early breakfast, we will go on our last morning drive, after which we will depart to Maun on a local flight (ca. 30 minutes) to catch our 2pm return flights to Johannesburg or Cape Town.

Price list

Price per person sharing (6 clients-8 clients) / per person sharing
Deposit:
$2750

Testimonials

“I like rituals – porridge in the morning close to the campfire, a ‘bush baby’ in the vehicle before sunrise, a cold beer on a hot afternoon or a comfortable bed when I am tired. Everything was well organized and nicely timed. Nature was unforeseeable – every day something surprising happened. It was a great privilege to see variety of animals in their natural environment and spend hours with them observing their behaviours and daily routines. Unforgettable days were with painted dogs when many things took place – from their greetings to hunting. This trip requires reflection – some images are still fresh in my mind… and I miss them. It was a mix of a very well organized and planned trip, and astonishing nature. Thank You Artur.”

Ryszard & Jarka Brozyna

Orlowo, Poland

“My wife and I wanted to thank you for the experience of a lifetime we have had in our recent trip with Wild Encounter Safaris to Botswana and Zimbabwe. It was an absolute joy to observe the wildlife that up-close and get an insight on animal behavior within their natural habitat. The encounters just kept getting better and better; from a wild dogs’ hunt followed by a standoff between a cheetah and a leopard, to being literally surrounded by over 50 elephants taking a mud bath, and the list goes on with unforgettable encounters that were truly epic. Your knowledge and guidance on animal behavior truly made the difference in ensuring we were always in the right place and the right time. This was our first ever wildlife Safari and we had multiple questions and concerns prior to going to Africa; but you were always there to provide a detailed and thorough response that made the trip completely hassle and stress free.”

Khalifa Al-Qanaee & Nasimah Al-Sane

Kuwait (September 2019)

“We took our first guided African safari in Botswana with Wild Encounter Safaris and experienced the true “trip of a lifetime” that we are all trying to plan and participate in.  Artur was attentive from the moment we decided to join, offering answers to all of our questions, even the most trivial. We never spent a moment worrying about transport, transfers, or trip logistics....Artur showed us a part of Africa and the local wildlife that few likely ever truly experience.  We saw, yes – but the true joy was the interactive experience with the animals that we enjoyed, where Artur demonstrated his true skills as a trusted and personal guide for everyone on the safari. ...  The priceless value that Artur brings when he guides is that you are on a private tour, where he has command of the vehicles and all logistics, and the results are truly unforgettable – wildlife encounters in their natural habitat, not chased or tormented, but a respectful and responsible interaction that will leave incredible memories.  Before the trip Artur provided support and guidance on field gear, binoculars, and camera options....The photos I came home with are a lasting testament to the care and coaching shared with a novice and attention to detail as a guide.  We would joyfully and without reservation recommend Artur to anyone looking to go on the safari and wildlife encounter of a lifetime – you will not be disappointed!”

Mark & Thaimar

Houston, TX, USA (June 2019)

“How carefree it was to be able to go on a trip where all of the logistics have been meticulously sorted for us down to the very last detail by a perfectionist like Artur. We had the most incredible time on safari. If we had made a list of all we’d hoped to see and to experience, the list would have been exceeded in all respects. This was not, however, “tick it off the list” safari where just spotting the animals was the goal. Instead, we were able to take time to follow magnificent wild creatures like lions, cheetahs, wild painted dogs, elephants and leopards and observe their behaviour. It was very much an emotional investment. With an expert photographer’s eye, Artur was always careful to ensure we all had the best possible vantage for viewing and for photography. Last but certainly not least the camp accommodations including the food were superb, thanks to the attentive staff. Great work Artur! Many thanks.”

Evelyn & Peter Audretsch

Calgary, Canada (June 2019)

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