Explore the unimaginable // 2019

Botswana Photo Tour | Explore your wild side


Botswana, where elephants and buffalo roam the plains, hunting lions rule the bush and swamps and rivers are full of crocodiles and hippos… Chobe & the Okavango Delta have it all! During this ‘off the grid’ Botswana photo tour with a luxury touch we will explore all of this and more by 4×4, boat, makoro and plane!

 
Map-botswana-photo-tour

This short, but adventurous Botswana Photo Tour sees us staying in mobile safari camps, completely off the grid. The location of the camps is flexible, and is adapted to the time of the year and weather conditions. In this way you’ll always stay at the best locations, which brings you even closer to nature! You’ll really feel like an explorer of the early days. No electricity in the camps allow us to completely switch off. Your camera and laptops can of course be charged in the vehicles!

Wake up to the sounds of nature, whilst enjoying the comfort of your mobile safari tent. However, mobile camping or not, you can of course expect the best hospitality, including the most delicious fresh, healthy & local meals.

Every second night we will move to another location, from where we will explore the area. You will come face to face with large herds of elephants, hunting lions, hundreds of impalas and springboks, crocodiles, hippos and of course all members of the famous big 5 family (elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard and lion).

We will teach you all about the behavior of animals, to ensure sure you will take the best pictures possible. You can expect daily 1-on-1 instructions in photography, and together with your fellow travelers you can participate in photography workshops and masterclasses.

 

November 2019 / 7 days – 6 nights

5 to 6 guests   +   1 photographic guide

t.b.c.

All Co2 is offset by us!

19ᵒC – 33ᵒC  (66ᵒF – 91ᵒF)

4×4’s, makoro, boat & plane

Chobe National Park & Okavango Delta.

Luxury mobile tents +  all meals & drinks included.

Daily workshops and  masterclasses.

  Enjoy Botswana 'off the grid'. Travel with a mobile camp through the wildest areas of Botswana, only to see and photography the very best Botswana has to offer!

  Wake up to the sounds of nature from the comfort of your mobile (but luxury) safari tent. Stay in the depths of Chobe National Park, and on the banks of the Okavango Delta.

  Visit area's like Savute, Linyanti, Moremi and the Okavango Delta, depending on weather conditions and rainfall.

  Spend daily one-on-one time with your photographic guide, for ultimate photographic instructions. You will be amazed how quickly your photography skills improve!

  Expect close encounters with large herds of elephant, prides of lions, leopard, buffalo and many other amazing animals. You are sure to tick off all the members of the big-5 and more!

  A short flight in a small plane will take us high above the Okavango Delta, allowing for amazing views of this natural wonder!

  Daily workshops & masterclasses: from basic wildlife and nature photography to taking nighttime photos of the milky-way and star-trails, and from photo editing to mastering your photo organization!

  Feel small when we photograph the milky-way & star-trails. The African continent is one of the best places in the world for astro photography. Almost zero light pollution allows for the brightest stars!

  See spectacular African sunrises and sunsets, and photograph the deep orange skies framed with the silhouettes of trees, giraffes or elephants!

  The best hospitality: indulge in sensational food, fabulous wines and smiles wherever you look, and be surprised by amazing dinner locations!

Included:

  All accommodation (based on twin-share tents) in mobile but luxury safari tents from the day you arrive until the day you leave

  All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks)

  All drinks, both alcoholic (basic beers, wines and spirits) and non-alcoholic

  1 flight over the Okavango Delta back to Maun

  VAT, bed levies, tourist taxes & landing rights (subject to change as per our T&C’s)

 Private photography guide, with daily one-on-one instructions, masterclasses and workshops

  The Krijn van der Giessen photography “Guide to Utimate Wildlife & Nature Photography"

Not included:

  International flights to and from Botswana

  Visa

  Tips for guides & lodge staff

  Spending money for personal expenses

  Premium wines, beers & spirits. All basic wines, beers & spirits are included.

  Travel insurance (compulsory for all tour guests) and vaccinations

  Photography equipment (we have some loan equipment - first come, first serve)

  €15 p.p. guarantee fund scheme

  No hidden fees!

Price:

t.b.c.

Today, on day 1, you will arrive in Kasane, in the north-east of Botswana. You will be met by your safari guide and photography guide, who will accompany you throughout this photo tour. We will board the safari 4x4, and head straight towards  Chobe National park.  Through the rugged wilderness, we head for the location for our first overnight camp, at which location we will stay for 2 nights. Your first game drive is a fact! During this first game drive you will be eye-to-eye with large numbers of wild animals. This stunning trip leads us along breathtaking views over the Chobe and Zambezi river and the wetlands, the preferred grazing lands for hunderds of large animals like elephant and buffalo.

Just before darkness we will arrive at the camp, where a delicious meal is waiting for us. With a glass of wine we enjoy a real African sunset. From day 2 you will be wake up to the sounds of nature: hear the roar of lions, the beautiful sounds of birds and perhaps some curious monkeys, looking for something to eat around your tent. Before we leave on the morning game drive, you can enjoy some small and healthy breakfast snacks, after which we head out in our 4x4, ready for another great safari!

You will be back at the camp between 9 and 10 am and will enjoy a delicious breakfast. The time between morning and afternoon game drives will be jam-packed with workshops and masterclasses, and ofcourse you will enjoy a tasty and extensive lunch.

The daily masterclasses and workshops are designed to ensure you will improve your photography skills at a rapid pace. Your photography guide is there to review your photos taken that day, to help you edit your photos and to give you tips to improve your photography whilst out in the field.

The third and fourth night of this Photo Tour we will move even deeper into Chobe National Park, and will spend the days and nights in the wild Savute area. Well known for its very active prides of lions, we will spent our time following these prides, as well as focusing on the other animals in this area.

At night it is all about a glass of wine, a campfire and a great atmosphere but  we will head for our beds relatively early, since the wake-up call will sound before sunrise. However, some nights we will head out to photograph the stars! We have selected some prime locations to experiment with shooting the milky way and star trails.

The last 2 days we will spend our time on the edge of the Okavango Delta; a true paradise. The many channels and rivers between the reeds and papyrus plants form the perfect habitat for birds and water animals such as crocodiles. This area is also elephant paradise. Whilst peddling around in a traditional wooden dug-out canoe (makoro), you will see the elephants cross the rivers, using their trunk as snorkel. A spectacle to never forget!

While the kingfishers dive all around you, the buffalo graze amongst the reeds and the sun slowly begins to sink, we paddle back to the camp.

On the last day we will be picked up by a small plane, and whilst enjoying the beautiful views over the Delta, we fly to Maun, the final destination of this unforgettable journey!

How experienced do I need to be?

It doesn’t matter! Our tours are all about the nature, wildlife and photography, and we travel with guests of all skill-levels. Whether you are a pro or just a beginner, we would love to have you on one of our Photo Tours!

We take the necessary time to teach you how to take the perfect wildlife and nature photos. We only start taking snaps ourselves when all of our guests are happy and comfortable with their own cameras. Until that moment, we are there to support you and give you advice!

When you book your Photo Tour with us, you will receive our “Guide to Ultimate Wildlife & Nature Photography", which will help you prepare for the trip of a lifetime. On the first night of the actual trip we will issue the same in a hard copy version – it’ll come in handy when we are out in the bush!

My partner doesn't take photos. Can he/she come along?

Although our Photo Tours are, as the name suggests, centred around photography, we would absolutely love to welcome your partner if he or she would like to join us.

However, it is important to note that the focus of our tour guides will be on those who are taking photos. That said, with the stunning surroundings in which we’ll be immersed, the tours are just as enjoyable for those who don’t want to take photos all the time.

Besides this, we will have the loan equipment with us as well. If it’s not already in use, we can guarantee you that your partner won’t be able to resist the temptation of trying to take some shots him/herself as well!

What do I need to bring?

There are some key items you have to bring, such as your camera gear, clothing suitable for the season of the tour, and some other basic items. When you book your Photo Tour with us, we will send you a packing list based on the specific tour, which will help you prepare and ensure nothing is left behind.

I don't have my own camera gear.

You don’t need professional camera gear to join our Photo Tour. However, a DSLR camera with zoom lens will come in very handy.

Remember, you can use our loan equipment (a canon DSLR body, free of charge!) and play with our professional lenses on our tours. Please let us know before you book if you would like to borrow a camera, since we only have limited availability and don’t want to disappoint anybody.

Last but not least, we also have guests joining our tours who don’t take photos at all. They just join us for the amazing nature, fabulous atmosphere and once-in-a-lifetime experience!

How do I book my Photo Tour?

Simply contact us via one of the options below:

– Send an email to info@krijnvandergiessen.com

– Call us on +791 5 66 263 831 (I’m a Dubai-based photographer, so the number calls out to Dubai. Please feel free to use FaceTime if you want to avoid the call fees)

– Fill out this contact form

Once you’ve let us know you are interested, we will send you all the information you need to book your Photo Tour!

Are Photo Tours safe?

Absolutely. Photo Tours are safe as long as you listen to the professional guides and rangers. They are in charge on our tours. Keep in mind that we are in nature and animals can always behave in an unpredictable way, but risks are kept to a minimum wherever possible.

If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact us so we can personally answer any questions you may have about safety.

I travel alone. Do I have to share a room?

You don’t have to share a room, but it is the standard option for our tours. If you’d prefer a room to yourself, this will come at an additional cost. Please refer to the pricing section of each specific Photo Tour for full details.

We do recommend sharing a room with someone else. We’ve learnt from experience that people sharing a room develop a very special friendship. Sharing such an amazing trip with someone you don’t know creates a bond you won’t experience if you opt to stay by yourself.

Room-mates are always chosen based primarily on gender, but we can’t guarantee same-sex sharing as this depends on the mix of guests with which we will travel.

When do I have to pay for my Photo Tour?

To secure your spot on one of our Photo Tours, an initial payment of 20% is due. A further 30% is due 180 days prior to the tour, and the remaining 50% is due 90 days prior to departure. Paid amounts are non-refundable.

What brands of camera do you support?

We make use of Canon camera gear ourselves, but we welcome all brands of cameras on our tours. CanonNikonSony or any other brand – they’re all welcome with us!

Which languages do you speak?


English is the main language of our tours. Since we travel with people from all over the world, it is important to have a basic understanding of the English language (it is the most universal and easily accepted for this type of adventure). Since Krijn is from a Dutch heritage, he is fluent in Dutch as well.

We start where others stop:

The reasons why you should join one of our Photo Tours are endless. When you travel with us, you are guaranteed loads of once-in-a-lifetime experiences. We focus fully on photography, and pride ourselves on the fact that we start where others stop.

Personal:

We travel in small groups (8 people maximum, though smaller) of like-minded photographers. This ensures plenty of focus on you as an individual, and gives us the opportunity to ensure you’ll always have a window seat in our vehicles. We book small and exclusive accommodation which allows for uninterrupted views and plenty of candid photography opportunities.

Superb hospitality:

We absolutely love great food and luxury accommodation, so our Photo Tours are filled with it! Your personal photographic guide Krijn doesn’t have the title of the best photo tour operator for nothing. Although he has over 15 years experience as a nature, wildlife and culture photographer, Krijn also has over a decade of international hospitality management under his belt.

For these reasons combined we go the extra mile to ensure we stay in unique lodges and serve up something delicious and, where possible, local. Picture seafood buffets on the beach, spit grills in the bush, home-made breads and some great bottles of wine and you’ll get an idea of the food we usually enjoy. We also cater to any dietary needs and requirements you may have.

Experienced:

We always travel with local and highly experienced guides and rangers. This not only ensures you will be treated to the finest and ‘off the beaten track’ locations, but it also gives us the opportunity to customise the experience for you.

Learn from Krijn's experience as travel photographer. In the past years he travelled through over 50 countries, in search of the perfect photos and exciting new locations for our photo tours.

Professional:

At the end of each day, we will share our opinion about the photos taken that day. Professional advice is given to help you improve your skills, or just to help you get that second pair of eyes to encourage a different angle. How much advice you’d like to receive, as well as how in-depth you’d like to go is completely up to you.

Fun:

Our tours are mainly focused on photography, but what is life without a bit of fun? It’s one of the most important reasons we want you to travel with us! Together we will share our experiences around a bonfire, we’ll shoot star trails, engage in light painting, fly in open-door helicopters and, once the day is done, unwind with a hot beverage and a board game or two.

Sustainable & ethical:

Sustainable travel is key: wherever we go, we only leave our footprints. As much as possible, we try to offset carbon emissions and work together with local specialists. Besides that, we believe in ethical travel: we never feed animals to lure them in our direction, but rather go to areas with naturally high animal populations.

All skill levels:

We love to travel with all levels of photographers, from beginners to experts. At the end of the day it is all about the overall experience, and not about how good your photography skills may be. We encourage the group to assist each other in attempting and experimenting with new techniques. Krijn will personally help you become a more confident photographer – building on your strengths and helping you improve your weak points.

Jam packed:

We understand it’s not every day you embark on a journey like this: so lets make most of it! We jam pack our tours with interesting content, and don’t waste any time with irrelevant gaps in the program. We will fly you where possible from location to location, to not waste time driving. We have a well though-through itinerary from early morning until bedtime, to offer you only the very best the destination has to offer! Guaranteed no hidden fees gives you peace of mind when it comes to the financial side of things!

REGISTER INTEREST

Register your interest for this Photo Tour now! As this is a very popular Photo Tour, spaces fill up fast once the dates are announced. By registering your interest you will be the first to know when bookings open. Please note there will be NO obligation to book this tour by registering your interest.

 
 
  • Krijn taught me (I am at beginners level) the basics of photography, which I now apply to every photo that I take. This resulted in amazing Safari photos! Especially knowledge of the composition is something that pays off immediately when you’re an inexperienced photographer. I can’t recommend him enough: excellent hospitality, great company and you’ll learn a lot!
    David Lange
  • Last week we went to Swedish Lapland with Krijn van der Giessen. WOW what an amazing experience it was. All was very well organised and the expertise of Krijn teaching us how to make photo's in special circumstances was perfect. I highly recommend everyone to go on one of his great photo tours.
    Mario Wagenaar
  • Well where shall I start... I booked a trip to Sweden with Krijn. What an adventure that was! Well arranged, good accommodation and great local guide. Krijn takes the time and answers all questions about different settings of your camera. A lot of variation in the days, with day and night photography. Just a journey with the emphasis on experience, tranquility, purity of nature and not to forget all your photo highlights in places others can't just visit!
    Dennis Versteeg
 
 

Do you want to explore your wild side?

Register Your Interest!