Transportation and Lodging

• All airport shuttles in Johannesburg
• 2 hotel nights near OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg
• Group dinner at the hotel
• Flights from Johannesburg to Botswana and return
• 10 nights of safari accommodation (9 nights mobile camp, 1 lodge night at Chobe)

On Safari

• Morning and afternoon game drives with professional safari guides
• Mokoro canoe excursion in the Okavango Delta (water depth permitting)
• Sunset river cruise on the Chobe River
• All meals and drinks prepared by a private bush chef
• In-camp laundry service
• All park, landing, and concession fees

Photography

• Field instruction and guidance from David Mazur and Andy Brown
• One-on-one online camera setup session before the trip
• One-on-one online editing session after the trip

Not Included

• International flights to and from Johannesburg
• Alcoholic beverages in Johannesburg
• Travel insurance (required)
• Gratuities

Rather than staying in a fixed lodge, we move with the wildlife through a series of private campsites. Our camps are set up and broken down by the safari company between locations. Each site is exclusive to our group. You stay in spacious Meru-style canvas tents with real camp beds, quality bedding, and an ensuite bush bathroom with a bucket shower and private toilet. Hot water is available on request. Meals are prepared by a private bush chef. This style of safari puts you inside the wilderness in a way that no fixed lodge can match.

 South Africa and Botswana are currently visa-free for most US, EU, UK, and Canadian citizens.

For South Africa, your passport must have at least 6 months of validity remaining and a minimum of four consecutive blank pages upon each entry. We enter South Africa twice on this trip, so four blank consecutive pages total are required. Please check your passport well before you travel.

For Botswana, you will need at least 6 months of validity and 3 unused visa pages.

If you plan to extend your trip to other countries, check their individual entry requirements. Zimbabwe, for example, currently requires a visa available online, along with six months of validity and four or more blank pages.

Yes. Travel insurance is required for all guests and must at minimum cover the full cost of medical care and evacuation. Additional coverage for trip cancellation, lost luggage, and other scenarios is also strongly recommended. Plans are easy to compare and purchase online. We recommend comparing options at Squaremouth.com.

All mobile safaris carry satellite communicators reserved exclusively for true emergencies, including arranging medical assistance or evacuation. If something happens on safari, we will use the satellite communicator to contact emergency services and your emergency contact. If a serious emergency happens at home, your contact can call the mobile safari office, who will reach us through the satellite system so we can call back.

Any cost for medical care or evacuation is your responsibility. Sufficient travel insurance is required. See the travel insurance question below.

We recommend consulting your doctor or a travel medicine specialist. The CDC currently recommends prescription antimalarial medication for travelers to parts of Botswana, including the Okavango Delta. Depending on the medication you choose, you may need to start taking it several days before departure and continue during and after the trip.

Our dates fall at the end of the wet season, when mosquito numbers are typically lower than peak.

What medications should I pack?

A prescription for a broad-spectrum antibiotic suitable for treating traveler's illness is a smart addition. If you are prone to motion sickness, prescription or over-the-counter anti-nausea medication is worth including. Other recommended items: cold medications, anti-diarrheal medications, pain relievers such as ibuprofen, and a basic first-aid kit.

We will send a full recommended gear list before the trip. If you shoot with a mirrorless or DSLR camera, two bodies are strongly recommended so you do not need to swap lenses in the field. Renting a long lens or a second body is a smart option if you do not already own one. That said, guests on previous photo safaris have produced outstanding work with high-end point-and-shoot cameras.

Yes. Batteries, laptops, tablets, and phones can be charged in the vehicles while on the road and in camp via generator.

On a mobile camp safari, internet access is not available. You may pick up occasional service near population centers, but it is not something to count on. One of the genuine pleasures of a mobile safari is being fully unplugged.

If you have an international calling plan, you should have coverage in Maun, Kasane, and Johannesburg. The hotel in Johannesburg will have reliable wifi.

Currencies:

South Africa uses the South African Rand (approximately 18 Rand to 1 USD). Credit cards are widely accepted in South Africa, though using Rand will generally get you a better rate than paying in dollars.

Botswana uses the Pula (approximately 13 Pula to 1 USD). Unlike South Africa, the US dollar is widely accepted in Botswana and you will likely not need to exchange currency during our time there. Outside the major cities, credit cards are rarely accepted and ATMs are scarce. Bring sufficient cash for tips, any souvenirs, and personal purchases.

Tipping:

Guiding is a highly respected profession in Botswana. Tipping is never required but is genuinely appreciated. Suggested amounts are $10 to $20 per person per day for guides, trackers, and mokoro polers, and $10 to $20 per person per day for camp staff. We collect tips in a single envelope at the end of the trip and present it to the lead guide. US dollars in cash and small bills are preferred. Please bring clean, crisp bills, as worn notes are often not accepted.

What currencies do I need?

South Africa uses the South African Rand (approximately 18 Rand to 1 USD). Credit cards are widely accepted in South Africa, though using Rand will generally get you a better rate than paying in dollars.

Botswana uses the Pula (approximately 13 Pula to 1 USD). Unlike South Africa, the US dollar is widely accepted in Botswana and you will likely not need to exchange currency during our time there. Outside the major cities, credit cards are rarely accepted and ATMs are scarce. Bring sufficient cash for tips, any souvenirs, and personal purchases.

Need info about weight limits and package sizes

We will provide a complete packing list before the trip. The short version: plan for comfort, practicality, and layering. Neutral colors work best. Camouflage is prohibited in some areas of Botswana. Bright white picks up dust quickly and red can unsettle animals. Khaki, olive, and beige are the standard for good reason.

Mornings start cool and warm up quickly, so layers are essential. Closed-toe walking shoes or boots are a must. Sandals that fasten securely are also worth packing. A sun hat is essential. A headlamp is required for moving around camp before sunrise and after sunset. Andy recommends a light winter hat for early mornings.