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Chobe, February 2024, Day 7
All too soon, our last day at Pangolin Chobe Hotel arrived. We had one last early morning excursion on the river. The impalas seemed frisky this morning
White-breasted cormorants gave a flying display, taking off one at a time
A pair of African fish eagles were regally surveying their kingdom from their perch high above the river
We stopped at Elephant bay for our morning coffee, sharing the space with Impala, Crocodiles, and elephants
A Pied kingfisher gave a hovering display, which I tried to photograph at slow shutter speed, more practice needed
By this time we had to rush back to the hotel in order to catch our flights. Along the way, someone on the boat spotted a baby hippo and we had to make a quick U-turn to grab a few last minute photos. Mamma hippo didn’t seem too impressed with us.
At the airport, we were told that our flight was delayed by 30-40 minutes, which ended up being 90 minutes. While waiting, we started chatting to two brothers who had also been on our flight coming to Chobe. This turned out to be a very interesting and enlightening chat and their photography websites are certainly worth a visit. Dave does wildlife, while Peter is a master at black and white landscape photography.
Back home, lots of editing work awaited us, especially for Liana with her videos. A few quick ones below, with more to follow
Chobe 2024, Day 6
On our last full day, we once again had an early start, leaving the hotel at 5:30. We entered the park by a different route to the previous times. First stopping by a group of zebra for a few photos, we continued on to a watering hole, where we saw a Kori bustard, browsing in the tall grass, with beautiful golden light from the rising sun.
A long, sandy road followed, where the main attraction was a couple of squirrels in a tree stump, who kept us entertained for a while
We had heard the previous day that there were lions around a giraffe kill and went in search. Most of the lions had clearly already eaten their fill and departed. From the smell, it was clear that this was no fresh kill, but a lioness and her cubs were still hanging around, while all around, vultures were patiently waiting in the trees
After a coffee stop, I got to practice some more lilac-breasted roller shots. One day I will get the perfect one…
A chameleon showed unexpected speed and we just managed to grab a few quick shots before it disappeared into the vegetation
The afternoon session on the river started with a search for Jacanas. Along the way we also found another Malachite kingfisher
I can never get enough of the African fish eagles, such impressive birds
A Woodland kingfisher was a pleasant surprise
Red-billed oxpeckers were playing on the buffaloes
Once again, the Chobe sunset delivered, with elephants, crocodiles and hippos all playing their part
Chobe, February 2024, Day 5
Another day on which we could get an extra half hour sleep, with coffee at 5:30 and a 6:00am departure to the river.
On the boat, cameras mounted and everything ready (photo credit Tom Williams), we first went in search of the birds in the reeds.
We were greeted by a Malachite Kingfisher and multiple Blue-cheeked bee-eaters.
Next up, African Jacanas walking on the water lilies
Terns were giving a flying display
A Pygmy Goose was sitting on a tree stump, appearing to be having a discussion with an African Darter
A Red-billed oxpecker was doing its thing on a buffalo’s nose
Just to remind us that this was indeed World Hippo Day, a hippo decided to photobomb the elephants
In the afternoon we saw some more bee-eaters hunting
An African Darter was struggling with a fish it had caught
Elephants were clearly feeling the heat and cooling off in the river
The sunset was once again a spectacular affair
The dust kicked up by the elephants, combined with the light from the setting sun, created some interesting effects
The day ended with another excellent supper created by chef Robson and his team, enjoyed in the company of strangers from across the world who had, by now, become friends, sharing their day’s experiences.
Chobe, February 2024, Day 4
This is the day on which the lack of sleep finally caught up to me, thus the delayed blog post. Once again we had a very early start, coffee at 5: 00, with a 5:30 departure to the Chobe National Park entrance gate. Entering the park just before sunrise, we were greeted by the eerie silhouettes of Marabou storks sleeping high in the dead trees
Soon they started waking up and taking off. These birds, truly magnificent in their ugliness, are surprisingly elegant in flight
Up next, was a group of lions, lazing about in the middle of the road and causing a traffic congestion, which unfortunately made photography rather difficult
Driving along the river bank, we saw Little Bee-eaters hunting
Hippos were seen lazing about in the shallow water, where the water lilies could also be seen in the early morning light
Next up, was a very lazy lion, clearly having recently eaten his fill and now just lying under a tree, occasionally opening one eye to look at us, but otherwise barely moving
After a stop for morning coffee, we started making our way back, stopping to photograph White-fronted Bee-eaters hunting
Getting back to the hotel just in time for brunch, we then had a few hours available to look through our morning’s photos and video. As usual, I tried culling as many as possible of the unwanted photos immediately, in order to leave me with a manageable number to finally go through and select my favourites.
In the afternoon, after high tea, we were back on the river. An African darter, sitting on a log against a dark background, gave us opportunity to experiment with low key photography, before flying off, giving us further opportunity to photograph it in flight
Elephants and hippos are always interesting to observe and photograph.
As the sun was getting low on the horizon, a Fish Eagle came to the water’s edge for a drink, giving a smaller bird quite the fright when it decided to take off again
With the setting sun behind them, a herd of elephants also came down to the water’s edge to drink, with a lazy crocodile looking on
We arrived back at the hotel just in time for a quick shower before dinner. After dinner it was back to downloading and culling photos and charging batteries. At this point my own battery also needed some charging and I decided to get an extra hour sleep, rather than writing my blog post.
Chobe, February 2024, Day 3
If you thought that a visit to Pangolin Photo Safaris is a relaxing holiday, you are in for a big surprise. On day 3 we were allowed to sleep in: coffee at 5:30, depart for a photographic activity on the river at 6:00am. We started off with a sighting of a Half-collared Kingfisher
This was followed by some Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters, a Southern Red Bishop and a Malachite Kingfisher
Two otters popped their heads out, but we were too far and too slow to get any photos. Next up were a Coppery-tailed Coucal, a Goliath Heron, some Terns and Cormorants
No outing on the Chobe river is complete without crocodiles, but also don’t forget the Water Monitor lizard
My favourite, the African Fish Eagle, was seen in a tree, eating something, none of us able to figure out what exactly
A few others bird sightings followed: Squacco Heron and Open-billed Stork
What did the Egret say to the Buffalo? I guess only the dragonfly overheard, but he’s not telling.
On our way back for brunch, we saw a few Red Lechwe under the Botswana flag.
Brunch was followed by the usual camera battery charging, photos download and backup, an editing tutorial by Sabine and having to forego the planned afternoon nap. By 15:00 we were preparing to go back to the river for the afternoon session.
The afternoon started with excitement of watching an Egret having to repeatedly evade a Heron, which was trying to steal its lunch
We saw several kudu along the riverbank
However, the main focus of the afternoon, was elephants
By this time, it was almost dark and, while an impala was seen very nervously drinking at the water’s edge, carefully keeping an eye out for crocodiles, we had to rush to get back to our mooring before dark.
An excellent dinner was once again followed by downloading, culling, backup, editing and getting to bed way too late, but I just cannot help myself, I have to go through my day’s photos every evening to see what I managed to get.
Chobe February 2024 Day 2
Day 2 saw us making a very early start, awake at 4:15 in the morning, editing some photos and video from Day 1, coffee and a light breakfast at 5:00 and a 5:30 departure to Chobe National Park gate in the game drive vehicle.
Our first sighting of the day, was a group of Southern ground hornbills. It was still quite dark, but we did manage to get a shot or two
Next up, was a pretty grumpy looking lion, who wasn’t overly impressed with the vehicles filled with humans, crowding him and soon disappeared into the bush
We saw numerous Marabou storks, not the prettiest birds, probably best looked at in black & white
Various bee-eaters, lilac-breasted rollers and a few baboons made up the rest of the morning
In the afternoon, we were back to the river. Once again a rainstorm came through, delaying our departure. This time, though, we were also caught by a second rainstorm which caught us on the river, just as we were about to start. We quickly had to cover all our camera gear and ourselves with rainproof covers and ponchos (thanks Sabine for the photo). 
A malachite kingfisher was also taking shelter from the rain under a tree. 
Once the rainstorm passed, we proceeded with the afternoon’s photography activities on the river, again seeing an abundance of bird life, including bee-eaters, African darter, egrets and fish eagles
Baboons, as always, contributed to the afternoon’s entertainment
Crocodiles, dragonflies and hippo’s were not to be ignored
The afternoon ended with a spectacular sunset
Back at the hotel, Robson did not let us down and we had an excellent supper, before getting back to work, downloading, culling, selecting and editing our photos of the day.
Chobe Day 1
After our previous excellent experience with Pangolin Photo Safaris , we were excited to be able to do another photography trip to Chobe National Park with them. Unlike the previous visit, when we drove all the way from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and did a more extensive trip through Botswana (links: Nata & Maun, Pangolin Houseboat, Pangolin Hotel and Mashatu) , we chose to fly in this time, for a 6 day visit. Our flight took us over the edge of Makgadigadi Pan.
Due to a delayed flight departure from Johannesburg and a further delay on arrival at Kasane airport, while another group’s lost luggage was being traced, we arrived at Pangolin Hotel later than planned, just in time for afternoon high tea. Just as we were about to depart on our first photographic excursion, a rainstorm hit, further dealying us. Despite these delays, we still managed to get a decent amount of time and some great sightings on the river.
The rich bird life around Chobe river never disappoints:
Playing around with some high key photography of an African darter:
My personal favourite bird, the African Fish Eagle:
The hippos, as always, very entertaining:
A very relaxed Nile crocodile allowed us ample opportunity to photograph it:
On our way back, a Pied kingfisher against the setting sun allowed us a final photography opportunity for the day:
Botswana 2022 (Part 3): Pangolin Photo Safaris: Pangolin Chobe Hotel
Part 1 here
Part 2 here
After arriving at the hotel and settling into our rooms, Grant spent some time giving those of us who wanted some photo editing tips. I found this tremendously helpful and any editing mistakes you spot in my photos are purely due to my inexperience, certainly not his lack of teaching.
After tea, it was time for a game drive in Chobe National Park
Following the game drive, the group decided unanimously that we wanted to swop the next morning’s game drive for another photo boat excursion. The sightings from the boats seemed to be better and on the boats one could avoid the heat and dust encountered on the game drive vehicles.
A long time spent trying to photograph Carmine bee-eaters the next morning mainly taught me that I need a lot more practice with the small, fast moving birds.
Liana’s video gives an idea of the quick and unpredictable movements of the bee-eaters.
The afternoon brought elephants against a lovely sunset
The last morning at Pangolin for myself and Liana (we had to depart early the next morning and thus miss the last excursion), gave us more hippos, crocodiles, birds and a tigertail dragonfly. Thanks to Grant for showing me how to get rid of that irritating blade of grass over the croc’s mouth.
The elephants of Chobe never failed to keep us entertained and Liana had more than enough material for a few elephant videos (make sure you have sound on for the videos)
On our last afternoon we thought some elephants might join us in the photo boat,
spent some more time with the elephants, skimmers and an Openbill stork,
and watched another spectacular sunset with a bromance between two elephants, observed by us and some buffalo.
A spectacular end to a spectacular 6 days with Pangolin and Grant Atkinson. The next morning, while the rest of the group went on one last photo excusion, we departed for Francistown, on our way to Mashatu.
Etienne's Camera 