Botswana photo safari with Jonathan Scott

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Hosted throughout by distinguished photographer and naturalist, Jonathan Scott.
• Spend 4 nights each at luxurious Duba Plains and Zarafa Camps, which are synonymous with outstanding game watching and hospitality.
• Zarafa is renowned for vast buffalo and elephant herds, leopard and lion sightings, and even African wild dogs.
• Duba Reserve is home to extraordinary lion versus buffalo interactions, which are often witnessed during daylight.
• November is prime time for photography with dramatic light caused by the build-up of thunder clouds.
• Jonathan will be with you at all times on safari, imparting his impressive knowledge on animal behaviour and helping you to take memorable photographs of Botswana’s legendary big game.
• Whether a keen wildlife photographer or just somebody that wants an unbeatable wildlife holiday in the warm company of an African expert, this trip is for you.

In association with: 

TRIP OVERVIEW

Join naturalist and photographer Jonathan Scott for a holiday of a lifetime in Botswana’s Okavango Delta.

Spend nine glorious days exploring one of Africa’s greatest wildernesses and honing your photography skills – with Jonathan as your personal guide, host and tutor.

The adventure starts at Duba Plains Camp. Small and intimate, it is renowned as a key location for photographing battles between lions and buffalos, and as a hotspot for elephants, hippos, red lechwe, spotted hyenas, tsessebe, slaty egrets and wattled cranes.

Then, at luxurious Zarafa Camp, you’ll photograph vast herds of elephants and buffalos forging through shallow waters. Watch for the resident lions – known for their penchant for hunting hippos – and try to spot roan and sable antelope, aardwolf and even wild dogs.

With a group of just eight guests you’ll enjoy daily game drives alongside Jonathan, whose talent for sharing his exceptional knowledge will help you improve your shots of Botswana’s big game.

Each evening you’ll discuss the day’s encounters and your images – so, whatever your level, you are sure to learn new skills and master familiar ones.

Whether you’re a keen photographer or just looking to experience the best of Africa, it’s sure to be an unforgettable holiday.

A WORD FROM JONATHAN SCOTT

My philosophy for hosting trips is to get the maximum out of each location. At times this means being up before dawn, thermoses of hot coffee, tea and biscuits stowed safely in the picnic box, allowing plenty of time to photograph the sunrise and to savour the exquisite early morning light as we search for predators.

I make no apologies for the fact that I like to travel as comfortably as possible without compromising my objective of being in the right place at the right time to make the most of the natural and cultural highlights of the region we are visiting.

Where possible I like to spend extended time in a place to avoid becoming travel-weary.

Both Angie and I love to take photographs, but when hosting a group we try to ensure that this adds to your experience rather than detracts from it. Fulfilling your expectations is my priority. I firmly believe that staying at first class hotels or lodges will allow you to relax and forget about your worries – even if only for a few precious days.

Best regards Jonathan

TIME WITH JONATHAN 

Jonathan Scott will be joining the group in Botswana as your host. He will join you on each game drive/activity taken and will endeavour to switch between vehicles on each drive so clients have equal exposure to him.

In addition there will be local guides to interpret the wildlife’s behaviour and to give added perspective on your safari.

The priority is to spend as much time out in the field as possible where Jonathan will give insight on what is being seen and where practical, will give advice on how best to photograph what is in front of you.

This means that time spent on giving tuition back at camp will be limited, however if time allows for it, Jonathan will be happy to critique your images. To make this possible, Jonathan recommends you bring with you a lap top or a hard drive with a screen on which to view your images. 

Jonathan will join you when lunch or dinner is served at camp and will generally make himself accessible over pre dinner drinks round the fire.

During your stay Jonathan will give two presentations as follows:

• An Introduction to Wildlife Photography in the Digital Age.
• Seeing the Light: The Art of Wildlife and Travel Photography

It would be short sighted to pigeon-hole Jonathan Scott as merely a wildlife photographer when his knowledge of all things Africa is so comprehensive.

A safari in his company is a privilege and so Steppes is delighted to be working with such a respected African expert.

READ A FULL TRIP DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY.