Which regions offer the best photographic opportunities?

All of them! These are some of the most successfully preserved wilderness areas in the world, so you’ll find ample photographic opportunities across all regions. That said, the Okavango Delta is a bucket-list destination for most wildlife and nature photographers.

What's the best time of year for photography in Botswana?

That depends. November–February is a great time for dramatic skies and greenery, and spotting young animals born during the early summer rains.June–October offers easier wildlife spotting (due to thinned out vegetation), peak predator activity, and more opportunity for mokoro shots.

Are specialised photographic vehicles available?

All Wilderness vehicles offer ‘window seats,’ which on an open safari vehicle means you’ll have space to get the shot wherever you’re seated.Our guides are also happy to move the vehicle to adjust for the best light, or pull over if needed.

What unique wildlife photography opportunities exist in Botswana?

Ask about sleep-outs and hides; these aren’t available everywhere and usually need to be booked in advance.We have the legendary underground hide at Wilderness King’s Pool, as well as a lagoon-side sleep-out at Wilderness Savuti, and some of our elevated Star Beds are a good place to see wildlife from above.

Are drone photography permissions available?

Yes, via the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB). You’ll need to fill out an application for a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), pay a fee, and submit supporting documentation plus a copy of your passport for clearance.

What is respectful photography on safari?

On a safari with Wilderness, photographing Africa’s wildest subjects, the golden rule of wildlife photography is kept in mind; the comfort of the wildlife is more important than the ambitions of the photographer. Read more here.

What are the cultural guidelines involved when photographing local communities?

While on a safari with Wilderness, you may be presented with the chance to visit local communities who live in and around the conservation areas in which our camps are located. Ahead of time, your guide will brief you on the customs and etiquette of the culture, the dress code and the dos and don’ts.

PHOTOGRAPHY ON SAFARI

Why Botswana is so photogenic

With its remote, expansive tracts of protected wilderness, array of wildlife and stunning vistas, Botswana is known as one of the best places in Africa for photography.

Home Africa Botswana Why Botswana is so photogenic

Why the camera loves Botswana

Made for photography

Mega-herds of elephants, the largest inland delta in the world; Botswana’s wilderness areas are replete with biodiversity and natural beauty – and illuminated by a magical ‘golden hour’ twice a day. With the country’s limits on visitor numbers, in order to keep ecosystems pristine, you can home in on the moment without the distraction of big crowds, a rarity for any photographer or traveller.

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Wilderness

Plan your Botswana safari

Start planning your Botswana safari with expert guidance on when to go, what it costs, where to stay, and how to build the perfect itinerary across the Okavango Delta, Linyanti and beyond.

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Okavango Delta waterways with mokoro canoe safari in Botswana

Best time to visit

Discover when to visit Botswana for peak wildlife, green season beauty and water-based safaris.

Best time to visit

Flying over the Okavango Delta in a private helicopter

How to plan

A step-by-step guide to planning a Botswana safari, from destinations to logistics and timing.

How to plan

Wilderness game drive vehicles driver through the Okavango Delta channels

Safari costs

Understand Botswana safari pricing, what drives cost, and how to plan your budget.

Safari costs

Guests enjoying some down time on the private deck of their tent at Wilderness Savuti

Safari itineraries

Explore curated Botswana safari itineraries combining iconic regions and experiences.

Safari itineraries

Expand your senses at the Sanctuary at Mombo from the aromatherapy and beyond

Luxury safaris

Discover Botswana’s most exclusive safari experiences in private concessions and remote camps.

Most photogenic locations

The Okavango’s mosaic of habitats, the Linyanti’s elephants, and the Mababe’s wild predators: the areas where we operate in Botswana are some of the most photogenic in the country.

Jao flood plains during a high flood season means water and animals

Okavango Delta

Wild, vast, abundant. Botswana’s Okavango Delta teems with life, one of the last great sanctuaries for Africa’s wildlife.

Okavango Delta

Wilderness Linyanti Tented Camp Botswana Area

Linyanti Wildlife Reserve

Botswana’s premium safari destination you might never have heard of, and home to many elephants.

Linyanti region

Mababe

Discover a unique pulse and energy on the plains of Botswana, with a visceral safari unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.

Mababe region

Iconic photographic shots

Every frame you capture here will be memorable, but here are some typical shots that photographers keep high up on their Botswana bucket lists:

Wilderness Linyanti Tented Camp Botswana Wildlife Elephant

Elephants crossing

There’s intangible magic watching elephants submerged in water, crossing a lagoon as the sun sets.

Predators on the hunt

Predators’ interactions with their prey (and each other) are fascinating.

A composite image showing multiple Southern Carmine Bee-eaters in flight above green and brown riverine vegetation against a soft, light-colored sky.

Birds in flight

Carmine bee-eaters, kori bustards, and the coveted Pel’s fishing owl… birders love Botswana.

Mokoro perspectives

Get eye-to-eye and low-angle wildlife perspectives, plus great shots of antelopes in the water.

Starry skies

Kalahari & Mababe skies are often praised, but there are stunning stars across all Botswana’s wilds.

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Wildlife photography guide

The best advice for safari photography is more simple than you think: understand your equipment, practice with it before you arrive, and exercise patience. It’s all about coming prepared and hoping you’ll be in the right place at the right time.

Big cats

“Study and understand the behaviour of the animals” says ex National Geographic Instructor and photographer Andrew Ling. Impala give clear warning signs like snorting, stamping, or freezing while staring in one direction, often signalling lions or leopards nearby. Lean on your guide’s awareness of these cues so that you always have your camera ready.

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Birding

“Set the ISO to AUTO and set the camera to shutter priority using a fast shutter speed“ – Michaela Skovranova, National Geographic Contributor. To avoid frightening your subject, use a long telephoto lens to maintain a safe distance, a silent shutter, and keep that flash off at night. To capture birds in their stunning breeding plumage, try to visit during Botswana’s summer.

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Predator action

Reading animal behaviour is key here, too. Photographer and Videographer Joe Hanly recommends shooting in bursts: “Many systems allow you to shoot multiple frames when you squeeze the shutter, which will help you to ensure you capture a sharp image and to select the best frame… This nifty feature takes the pressure off you to react to the action, without worrying about missing the shot”.

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Landscapes

Most professional photographers will tell you that the best time for landscape photography is during the golden hours of the day – 15 to 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes to an hour after sunrise, and then 15 to 30 minutes before sunset up to 30 minutes after sunset. Make sure you have a wide-angle lens, too, and bring a bean bag for stability in place of a tripod.

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Wilderness

Explore Botswana safari experiences

Explore Botswana’s landscapes, wildlife and safari experiences, from the Okavango Delta’s waterways to Linyanti’s elephant herds, rich cultures and conservation success stories.

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Safari activities

Discover when to visit Botswana for peak wildlife, green season beauty and water-based safaris.

Safari activities

Wilderness Botswana Okavango Wildlife Pels Fishing Owl

Delta wildlife

A step-by-step guide to planning a Botswana safari, from destinations to logistics and timing.

Delta wildlife

Wildlife guide

A complete guide to Botswana’s wildlife and where to see key species.

Wildlife guide

Okavango camps

Explore safari camps in the Okavango Delta, from luxury lodges to intimate island stays.

Okavango camps

Linyanti camps

Discover safari camps in the Linyanti, known for elephants and predator encounters.

Linyanti camps

Conservation safaris

Learn how conservation tourism protects Botswana’s wildlife and communities.

Conservation safaris

Wilderness Botswana Culture Kalahari San

Cultural guide

Explore Botswana’s cultures, traditions and community experiences.

Cultural guide

Photographic safaris

Discover why Botswana is one of Africa’s most photogenic safari destinations.

Photographic safaris

Photography at Wilderness camps

Our sunken hides are strategically placed in front of areas frequented by wildlife, and our elevated Star Beds are also great places to take photographs from, with animals often drinking below and brilliant skies above. Chat to one of our Travel Designers and they’ll help you select a camp with one the above facilities. You’ll often see wildlife right from your suite, too.

Talk to us today

Photographic safari in Botswana

“If you wait at the underground hide near Wilderness King’s Pool, life suddenly emerges. One of the most remarkable couple of hours I’ve spent in the bush…” James Tyrrell, Private Guide & Photographer

Photographing predators

Prides of lions, packs of wild dogs, and a remarkable cheetah population hunt the Delta plains. “Truly remarkably, at Wilderness Chitabe alone, no fewer than 50 leopards have been recorded”, notes Dave Hamman, Wildlife Photographer & Chitabe Co-owner. “Every game drive brings new sightings and photo-ops”.

Drone use & ethical considerations

Drone use is highly regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB), especially in protected areas, so make sure you register and apply for certification long before you arrive. There are also separate applicable fees for private, commercial and corporate use.

Be sure to familiarise yourself with the latest CAAB regulations.

Photographing in wilderness areas comes with important ethical considerations, too. The golden rule? The comfort and safety of the wildlife are paramount.

Read more about the ethics of wildlife photography here.

Wilderness camps in Botswana

From the Okavango Delta to remote Linyanti and vast Mababe, discover Wilderness Botswana's camps — each set in a distinct ecosystem with its own wildlife, landscape and safari character.

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Botswana

Wilderness Mombo

Experience Wilderness Botswana’s flagship luxury safari camp – Mombo Camp, in arguably Southern Africa’s finest wildlife area.

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Botswana

Vumbura Plains

Wilderness Vumbura Plains epitomises the ultimate Okavango Delta luxury safari, offering both land and water experiences.

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Botswana

Chitabe

Discover Wilderness Chitabe and its prolific wildlife, for an out-of-this-world Okavango safari experience.

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Botswana

Wilderness Qorokwe

Spectacularly positioned, elegant Wilderness Qorokwe blends seamlessly into its vast, wildlife-rich corner of the Delta.

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Botswana

Chitabe Lediba

Small, intimate Chitabe Lediba promises extraordinary wildlife sightings and quality time with loved ones.

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Botswana

Little Mombo

Intimate Little Mombo in Botswana’s Okavango Delta beckons. Bring your loved ones for an unforgettable safari.

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Botswana

Savuti

The Savuti Channel occasionally flows past camp, a river so blatantly ephemeral, that it sums up the transience of time, the temporality of nature. It reminds us that this is the essence of survival

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