Chobe – Hwange – Victoria Falls photo safari itinerary 2026
Dates: 8 October to 19 October 2026
This Chobe – Hwange – Victoria Falls itinerary is designed for wildlife photographers who want unhurried time in the field, strong guidance, and a beautiful mix of river, bush and one of the world’s great natural wonders.
Duration: 11 nights / 12 days
Start: Kasane, Botswana. End: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Group size: 4 – 6 guests
Locations: Chobe River, Hwange National Park, Victoria Falls
Internal travel: Road transfer from Chobe to Victoria Falls, flights Victoria Falls – Hwange – Victoria Falls
Accommodation and rooming 2026
Single supplement is available on this photo safari where camp layout allows.
That said, I will always do my best to pair solo travellers thoughtfully and comfortably, taking gender and preferences into account wherever possible. If you have any concerns about rooming, please contact me before booking so we can discuss the options together.
Day 1 – Arrival in Kasane and transfer to Pangolin Chobe Hotel
08/10
Accommodation: Pangolin Chobe Hotel
Meals: Lunch (depending on arrival time), dinner
You land in Kasane around noon, where a Pangolin representative meets you at the airport. After a short transfer you arrive at Pangolin Chobe Hotel, your base for the first two nights.
We start with a welcome lunch and time to settle into your room. Then we gather in the hotel lounge to go through your camera settings. I check your equipment, confirm your autofocus and exposure setup, and make sure you feel confident before our first session. This is also a chance to ask any technical questions before we head out.
In the late afternoon we head out on an afternoon game drive or river activity, depending on light and conditions. This is a gentle introduction to Chobe and your first chance to photograph wildlife in the golden hour.
In the evening we have dinner together, get to know each other and talk through what to expect over the next 11 days.
Day 2 – Chobe National Park game drives from Pangolin Chobe Hotel
09/10
Accommodation: Pangolin Chobe Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
We start before sunrise with coffee and head out on a game drive into Chobe National Park. The early morning light is soft, so we focus on predators and active behaviour while the bush is still cool.
After breakfast back at the hotel you have time to rest, download images or join an editing session in the editing room. In the afternoon we head out again on another game drive, staying with scenes as the light drops and the dust turns golden. We work on composition, anticipating behaviour and waiting for the right moment rather than rushing between sightings.
Day 3 – Move onto Pangolin Voyager houseboat and Namibia border crossing
10/10
Accommodation: Pangolin Voyager houseboat
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
After a final morning game drive from the hotel, we return for brunch and check out. We then begin our transfer to the Pangolin Voyager houseboat, which is moored on the Namibian side of the Chobe River. This transfer involves crossing the border into Namibia. It is a simple process, but please ensure you have applied for and received your Namibian visa online before the trip begins. Once we have cleared the border, a short boat ride takes us to the houseboat, our base for the next three nights.
Being based on the water means we are already in position for first and last light. In the afternoon, we head out on the custom‑built photo boats to explore quieter stretches of the river. We look for swimming elephants, hippos, kingfishers and fish eagles, taking advantage of the unique low‑angle perspectives the boats provide.
Day 4 – Chobe River from the houseboat
11/10
Accommodation: Pangolin Voyager houseboat
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
We follow a simple, photography‑friendly rhythm. Early coffee, then out on the boats while the water is calm and the light is soft. We work on panning, high key and low key images, and anticipating behaviour around the water’s edge.
Late morning and early afternoon are for resting, editing and image review on the houseboat. In the late afternoon we go out again, often focusing on backlit scenes, silhouettes and slow‑shutter creative work as the sun drops behind the riverbank.
Day 5 – Last full day on the Chobe River
12/10
Accommodation: Pangolin Voyager houseboat
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Our last full day on the Chobe River is flexible. We might spend more time with elephants crossing the channel, search for new angles on hippo pods, or focus on bird photography in the side channels. If the group wishes, we can dedicate one of the sessions to practising specific techniques such as intentional blur or very low‑angle work.
In the evening we enjoy a relaxed dinner on the deck as the houseboat settles for the night and the river quietens around us.
Day 6 – Road transfer to Victoria Falls and flight to Hwange
13/10
Accommodation: Inzila Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
After a final morning session on the river and breakfast on the houseboat, we pack up and say goodbye to the Chobe. We then drive by road from the Chobe area to Victoria Falls, a transfer of around one hour after the border crossing. Instead of heading into town, we go straight to Victoria Falls Airport for our flight into Hwange National Park. On arrival at the Hwange airstrip, we are met by our guide, Adam Jones. Adam is one of Hwange’s most respected professional guides and a passionate photographer, and he will be our host for the next four nights.
We drive into the park towards Inzila Camp, watching for wildlife along the way. After settling into camp and a safety briefing, we head out for our first afternoon game drive or walk. This is your first taste of Hwange’s open plains, teak woodlands and the waterholes that draw wildlife from across the landscape.
Days 7, 8 and 9 – Hwange: predators, elephants and open spaces
14/10 – 16/10
Accommodation: Inzila Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Our days at Inzila Camp follow a natural, photography‑friendly rhythm. We wake before sunrise for coffee around the fire, then head out into the bush with Adam. Depending on the movement of wildlife and the light, we may head out on a game drive or explore on foot. Walking with Adam offers a deeper, quieter connection to the wild and allows us to find unique angles that are impossible from a vehicle.
We focus on Hwange’s famous elephant herds at the waterholes, as well as lions, leopards and wild dogs. Dry season conditions often fill the air with dust, which turns into warm, glowing layers when the sun is low. We stay with scenes longer, waiting for light, mood and behaviour to come together.
Late morning and the heat of the day are for rest, image review and editing in camp. I share my own workflow and help you refine your images in Lightroom and Photoshop. In the afternoon we head out again, often staying at a productive waterhole as the sun drops. Evenings end around the fire with good food and the sounds of the night all around us.
Day 10 – Fly back to Victoria Falls and dinner at the Lookout Café
17/10
Accommodation: Insika Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
After a final morning game drive and breakfast at Inzila Camp, we say goodbye to Adam and the team. We then transfer to the airstrip for our short flight back to Victoria Falls. On arrival, we are transported to Insika Lodge to check in and settle into our rooms.
In the evening, we head out for dinner at the Lookout Café. Perched on the edge of the Batoka Gorge, the café offers spectacular views of the Victoria Falls Bridge and the Zambezi River rushing below. It is a beautiful setting to enjoy good food and watch the light fade over the gorge.
Day 11 – Photographing the Falls and dinner at The Boma
18/10
Accommodation: Insika Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
We head out early this morning to photograph Victoria Falls in the soft morning light. Walking the rainforest trails allows us to capture the scale of the Falls from different viewpoints. Depending on what the group prefers, we can return in the afternoon to see how the changing light and rainbows shift across the mist.
For our final evening together, we head to The Boma for a traditional dinner and drum show. This is a festive, high‑energy celebration of Zimbabwean culture and food, and it is the perfect way to mark the end of our 11‑night journey together.
Day 12 – Departure
19/10
Meals: Breakfast
Your final morning is free to spend as you wish. You can enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the lodge, do some last‑minute souvenir shopping in town or simply rest before your journey home. We then transfer you to Victoria Falls Airport in time for your international flight.
Booking and logistics
For availability and booking, use my safari booking form. If you have questions about travel days or extensions, contact me before you book flights.
Want to combine trips?
If you are considering my Mana Pools photo safari as well, ask me about back-to-back scheduling and logistics so you can comfortably combine both experiences.
Victoria Falls extension
Because this safari ends in Victoria Falls, it is easy to add a few extra days for rest, photography, or simply to let the experience land before flying home. If you would like suggestions and logistics support, please get in touch via my Contact page.
For full details and booking information, visit the main safari page: Chobe – Hwange – Victoria Falls Photo Safari. See all upcoming trips here: Safaris
If you’d like to support conservation while travelling, you can also read about the Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit
To secure your place, please contact me here: Contact
Please read my booking policy before paying a deposit: Booking Terms and Conditions