2026 Okavango Delta Wildlife Immersion

On this amazing, one-of-a-kind journey, we travel to the untouched parts of Botswana’s Okavango Delta to a private National Geographic concession that’s dense with leopards and devoid of tourists, a magical elephant oasis, and a river migration corridor for maximum “splash” imagery. For photographers, we use photo blinds at water level to get gallery-worthy angles and action of elephants (hundreds so close you may get sprayed) and predators, as well as giraffes, wild dogs, crocodiles, buffalo, hippos, and zebras. In fact, we make sure that every place we stay is located right next to a watering hole, so you’ll never miss a single moment. We’ll bring the animals right to you (it’s kinda what we’re known for at Wild Departures).

We arrive just prior to high season, with the water in the Delta rising, and the only sounds coming from the birds and wildlife. Our vehicle will likely be the only one tracking a hunting lion or sitting beneath a leopard draped overhead on a tree limb. Botswana promises exclusive signings and solitude and delivers action: cubs playing, zebra herds running, more elephants than you thought possible, giraffes with legs splayed to drink from reflective ponds, wild dogs hunting in packs, lions mating, and hundreds of species of birds, some found only in this part of the world. This place is truly teeming with life. Even if you’ve been to other parts of Africa on safari, you’ve never seen or experienced anything like the Okavango Delta, which is also a famous World Heritage Site.

WHERE WE STAY

At every location, you’ll enjoy the privacy of a stand-alone, spacious platform tent (twin-shared or king) with an ensuite bathroom and shower, hot running water, electricity, and modern amenities. Your private deck at each site overlooks all the action with birds, monkeys, elephants and other wildlife just outside your door. A swimming pool provides a refreshing cooldown as will a cool beverage before gourmet meals.

ITINERARY*

May 13: Arrive in Maun, Botswana, Drive to Kalahari / Meno
-You’ll be greeted upon arrival at the Maun Airport, and we’ll enjoy a private road transfer to our lodge on a rocky clifftop overlooking the Boteti River. Our location sits above the only water source for miles around, which provides simply unparalleled game viewing.
-We’ll get situated before enjoying our first game drive into the lunar-like landscape of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, where towering baobab trees rise from shimmering expanses of crusted salt pans creating a setting for wildlife like no other on earth.

May 14-15: Kalahari / Meno
-We’ll enjoy photographing the wildlife at our camp in our own floating photo blind on the river. This hide provides exceptionally intimate images with low angle, close proximity shots that are impossible in safari vehicles.
-Local Bushmen provide opportunities for portrait and cultural photography as we go on walking safaris.
-A cruise by boat along the Boteti River (water-level permitting) gives us a chance to explore the wildlife from a new angle and to observe them drinking from the water while facing toward the camera from the banks. We’ll also practice birds in flight shots off the water as we glide by.
-In the field, you’ll get hands-on photography lessons (if desired), and back at camp during breaks, we’ll review images, discuss editing techniques, and adjust settings for the next outing.

May 15: Helicopter Transfer to Mokolwane
-A scenic helicopter ride over the Okavango Delta provides some of our first aerial image opportunities. We’ll be on the lookout for migrating animals creating trails through grasses and herds of elephants at watering holes, running giraffes, and zebra congregations.
-Our camp is situated on the Matsebi River with dramatic views of the open plains and a watering hole directly in front of all of the decks and boardwalks. This camp is one of the most remote in the Delta (the only camp on 500,000 acres), and is one of the best places to view leopards and lions. National Geographic filmmakers are stationed within the concession and radio us with sightings and locations of big cats and wild dogs, allowing us to get exceptional images and maximize our time.
-We stay in luxury-appointed treehouses that are 6-feet off the ground, creating a haven for us and for the elephants.

May 15-19: Mokolwane
-Morning and afternoon game drives afford sightings of creatures big and small. Thousands of elephants, zebras, giraffes, and wildebeest live here, as well as one of the highest densities of leopards in Africa, and strong populations of cheetah, lions, wild dogs, and hyenas. On the smaller side, we’ll search for bat-eared fox, jackal, African wild cats, honey badgers, meerkat, civet, aardwolf, aardvark, and mongoose. If you’re a birder, there are too many species to count. We’ll provide a checklist!
-During breaks we’ll have small workshops and tutorials for photographers or those interested in learning more. Image review, editing, and composition will be discussed.
-Breakfast, lunch, dinner and teatime provide exceptional gourmet fare with an unbeatable view. Bring your camera with you to every meal, because the wildlife puts on a show like no other.

May 19: Khwai Private Reserve
-Hooray for us! We enjoy another helicopter transfer over the Delta providing us aerial views of the grasslands and rivers with wildlife gathered and migrating below.
-Upon arrival, we’ll check into our lodging which sits is located on an elephant route between Savuti in the Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE ELEPHANT IMMERSION. If you love elephants, you will see them in a way others only dream about, and if you don’t love elephants, after this, you will.

May 20: Khwai Private Reserve
-We’ll spend the day in search of a resident lion pride with cubs, as well as other animals, focusing on two permanent watering holes that attract wildlife by the hundreds. But the grand finale of the trip is still to come!
-Before sunset, we’ll make our way to the elephant photo blind, for a spectacle like no other. Hundreds of elephants including small babies visit this watering hole, where you’ll want a small / wider lens to capture it all. You’ll be so close to the action that you can hear the footfalls and splashes and slurping of the most majestic, soulful, and intelligent beasts on the planet. This intimate, close encounter will leave you breathless and with memories that can’t be measured in time or money or miles. That night, we’ll transfer to new accommodations on the reserve…the famous Skybeds.

May 20: Skybeds
-We will spend the night at our most rustic camp (still with modern amenities) beneath the stars in three-story raised platforms overlooking one of the main elephant watering holes (also frequented by giraffes, lions, and other wildlife). In fact, in a single night we’ve seen wild dogs, lions, elephants, and hyenas! You might not sleep, but you’ll spend your last evening in Botswana in a dreamscape like no other.
-Before night falls, we’ll discuss night sky photography to get settings right for the evening.

May 21: Skybeds to Maun
-After breakfast and morning photography at our favorite watering holes, we’ll catch our charter flight over the Delta to Maun, giving us one last opportunity for aerial images before heading home.

WATCH A HIGHLIGHT REEL

*Note: Itinerary subject to change due to weather, delays, or availability.

INCLUSIONS
-Just get yourself to Maun, Botswana and we’ll take it from there. Meals, lodging, charter flights between camps, helicopters, beverages, English speaking guides and naturalists, most activities, photo instruction, and logistics are included in the fees. Excluded items are: staff and lodge tips, personal purchases, excess weight baggage fees, optional requested activities, travel insurance.