Victoria Falls – Hwange – Chobe Photo Safari itinerary 2027
Dates: 15 October to 27 October 2027
This Victoria Falls – Hwange – Chobe itinerary is designed for wildlife photographers who want a spacious rhythm in the field, expert guidance, and a beautiful mix of falls, bush and river.
Duration: 12 nights / 13 days
Start: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. End: Kasane, Botswana (or Victoria Falls, depending on flights)
Group size: 4 – 6 guests
Locations: Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Chobe River
Internal travel: flights Victoria Falls – Hwange – Victoria Falls, road transfer Victoria Falls – Chobe
Accommodation and rooming 2027
Single supplement is available on this photo safari where camp layout allows.
However, I will always do my best to pair solo travellers thoughtfully and comfortably. I consider gender and preferences wherever possible. If you have any concerns about rooming, please contact me before booking so we can discuss the options together.
Luggage and camera gear
Internal bush flights have strict weight limits. This is normal on small aircraft. Therefore, I secure extra luggage capacity for this safari whenever possible. It makes travel easier for photographers. Please travel with soft bags only. If you plan to bring more than the standard allowance, contact me in advance. Then we can arrange additional weight or an extra luggage option.
Day 1 – Arrival in Victoria Falls
15/10
Accommodation: Insika Lodge
Meals: Dinner
Arrive in Victoria Falls and transfer to Insika Lodge. Settle into your room and rest after travel. In the late afternoon we meet as a group to go through the plan for the days ahead. We also check camera settings if needed.
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 2 – Victoria Falls photography and dinner at The Boma
16/10
Accommodation: Insika Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Early morning light is soft and perfect for photographing Victoria Falls. Walking the rainforest trails gives you access to several viewpoints. Focus on exposure and shutter choices in the misty conditions. After the morning session, there is time for rest and image review. If you would like to add activities like a helicopter flight above the falls, contact me in advance.
For our final evening in town before heading into the bush, The Boma awaits. This traditional dinner venue offers a festive, high-energy celebration of Zimbabwean culture and food, complete with a drum show.
Day 3 – Fly to Hwange National Park and first afternoon in the bush
17/10
Accommodation: Inzila Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Following breakfast, transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for your flight into Hwange National Park. On arrival, Adam Jones meets the group. One of Hwange’s most respected professional guides and a keen photographer, Adam will be your host for the next five nights. The drive into the park towards Inzila Camp offers chances to spot wildlife along the way. Once settled in camp and briefed on safety, your first afternoon game drive or walk begins. This is your first taste of Hwange’s open plains, teak woodlands and busy waterholes.
Days 4-7 – Hwange: predators, elephants and waterholes
18/10 – 21/10
Accommodation: Inzila Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Our days follow a natural, immersive rhythm. We are out early and late for the best light. Depending on conditions, we explore by vehicle or on foot. Walking allows a quieter, closer connection to the bush. It also gives unique angles.
We focus on elephants, lions, wild dogs and the smaller stories in between. Dry season dust often creates warm, glowing layers when the sun is low. We stay longer with good scenes. We wait for behaviour, mood and light to come together.
Midday is for rest in camp. It is also time for image review and editing support. In the afternoon we go out again. Evenings end around the fire.
Day 8 – Fly back to Victoria Falls and transfer to the Chobe River houseboat
22/10
Accommodation: Pangolin Voyager houseboat
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
After a final morning session in Hwange, we transfer to the airstrip. We fly back to Victoria Falls. Then we continue by road towards the Chobe.
The Pangolin Voyager is moored on the Namibian side of the Chobe River. A Namibia border crossing is required. Visa requirements depend on nationality and can change. I will advise you in advance on the correct process and what you need to prepare. Once we reach the river, we transfer onto the houseboat and settle in.
In the afternoon we head out on the custom-built photo boats. We look for elephants in the water, hippos, crocodiles and river birds. We work at water level in soft light.
Day 9 – Chobe River photography from the houseboat
23/10
Accommodation: Pangolin Voyager houseboat
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Early morning sessions take advantage of the calm, glassy water. This is the perfect time to focus on reflections, motion, and achieving clean backgrounds for your subjects. You can also practice specific techniques like panning and slow-shutter creative work. After the morning cruise, the heat of the day is reserved for rest and downloading your latest files. As the sun begins to drop, the boats head out again to capture the classic Chobe golden hour and dramatic silhouettes.
Day 10 – Last full day on the Chobe River houseboat
24/10
Accommodation: Pangolin Voyager houseboat
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
The final full day on the river remains flexible to follow the best action. This might mean spending extended time with elephant herds crossing the channel or exploring side channels for bird life. If the group is interested, one session can be dedicated to a specific creative challenge or technique. Evening brings a relaxed dinner on the deck as the river quietens and the houseboat settles for the night.
Day 11 – Move to Pangolin Chobe Hotel and Chobe activities
25/10
Accommodation: Pangolin Chobe Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Following a final morning session on the river, the group disembarks from the houseboat and transfers to the Pangolin Chobe Hotel. Once checked in, the midday break offers a chance to rest and download images. This is also the ideal time for a focused review of your work from the houseboat days. The afternoon brings a fresh perspective with either a game drive or a river session, depending on the best wildlife conditions at the time.
Day 12 – Chobe National Park and final image review
26/10
Accommodation: Pangolin Chobe Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
The day begins before sunrise to catch the peak of wildlife activity in the park. These early hours are perfect for capturing animal behavior, backlit dust, and thoughtful compositions in the soft light. After returning for lunch, the group moves to the editing room for a final image review session. During this time, I will demonstrate a simple workflow for selecting and finishing your standout images. The afternoon brings a final golden hour session on the river or in the park, depending on conditions.
Day 13 – Final sunrise game drive and departure
27/10
Accommodation: Pangolin Chobe Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
The final morning begins with a sunrise game drive to catch the last of the Chobe action. After returning to the hotel for breakfast, the group prepares for departure. A transfer is provided to Kasane Airport for those heading home. Guests who have chosen to extend their stay in Victoria Falls will be transported back across the border to the Falls.
Booking and logistics for Wilderness & River Magic 2027
For availability and booking, use my safari booking form. If you have questions about travel days, visas, luggage, 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.
Extensions and Combinations
You can add extra nights in Victoria Falls before the safari begins. You can also extend after the safari, depending on your onward flights from Kasane. If you want more time for photography, rest, or family travel, tell me your preferred dates. Then I will suggest the simplest plan.
For full details and booking information, visit the main safari page: Wilderness & River Magic
See all upcoming trips here: Safaris
If you’d like to support conservation while travelling, you can also read about the projects I support in Victoria Falls, on my conservation page. I can arrange for you to meet the rescue dogs for wildlife
Please read my booking policy before paying a deposit: Booking Terms and Conditions