Wildlife Photography in BotswanaWith Thom Hogan — August 18 to 31, 2014

Wilderness Travel • 1102 Ninth Street • Berkeley, CA 94710 • 800-368-2794

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Photography in BotswanaOur destinations on this mostly tent-based photography workshop and safari are all wildlife-related. We’rehere to learn about and photograph the African animals, with lions and elephants being the most abundant,but also everything from monitor lizards to cheetah for us to pursue with our lenses.

We’ll start our trip with a two-day workshop taught by photography instructor Thom Hogan and his assistantAnthony Medici. This workshop takes place just outside Maun, at a small lodge that also has some captivegame. During the workshop portion our goal is to get you ready for the challenges that happen with wildlifephotography. We’ll help you understand how to keep a stable platform, when and when not to useconverters, how to select focus (and optimize it), how to best expose when the animals can be light or darkcolored, and much more. We’ll also get you thinking about how to capture the African environment in yourphotos; after all, if all you want is a close up photo of an exotic animal, you could just go to your local zoo.

While there are no prerequisites for this workshop and tour, we think that it will be of most interest tophotographers who are already comfortable with their basic equipment and wish to get some specializededucation in wildlife photography. That said, we welcome students at all skill levels on either trip.

After completing our orientation and getting individual feedback on our techniques, we’ll head into theOkavango Delta and begin our primary pursuit: multiple daily wildlife safari sessions in a variety of terrainsand seeking a wide variety of animals. Most of our trip will feature accommodations in a very comfortabletent camp that we move with us as we sample the Botswana parks.

Because Botswana is so flat, so large, and so hot, the river flowing into it never makes it to the sea. Instead, itpans out into a delta that eventually peters out into a near-desert. This unique environment is even moreexciting because the delta’s “floods” are seasonal, so the land itself is changing constantly. This forces theanimals to move within the area as the water levels change. Botswana protected much of the land we’ll betraveling through with National Parks (and in some cases, private parks), so we’ll be entering an ecosystemthat is relatively healthy, and, while not the site of the huge masses of animals you see in the Masai Mara orSerengeti, it is still home to very large groups of the African mammals you came to see and photograph,most notably elephants.

If you haven’t looked at Frans Lantings’ book, Okavango, it’s worthwhile to take a look at it to get an ideafor what to expect. Frans captured the uniqueness of Botswana in a way that few have managed since, eventraveling to some of the same places we will. Botswana may be one of the most scenic “flat” countries in theworld, and the animal population is healthy, easily found, and very diverse. Likewise, you can look at theblog from my last workshop in Botswana, which you’ll find at this Web page:www.bythom.com/photographic-travel/africa/botswana-2013-workshop-blog

Your primary goal on this tour should be to experience a wild and remote place, and to photograph wildanimals of all kinds on an intensely personal level. A key secondary goal that will be emphasized in theworkshop that begins the trip is to improve your photographic ability when faced with challenging sceneryand elusive animals. You’ll certainly come back from this trip with shots of exotic places and wild animalsthat you’ll want to show off to your friends and colleagues.

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Spouses are quite welcome on this trip, however it should be noted that this trip is not a casual, relaxingvacation at five-star resorts with pools and room service. Spouses should expect to participate in multipledaily game drives that are focused on finding and photographing animals in their natural settings. Aphotography group like ours can and will detour, spending long periods of time at one location whenconditions are right. The vehicles we use on safari can and do get quite dusty at times, and there will be dayswhen the only way to get that dust off is with a quick trip to the tent shower. Still, the sensory rewards arehigh, and we try to make the living arrangements as comfortable as you’ll ever find in such a remote place.

Finally, Botswana covers a large area and access is mostly via poorly maintained dirt roads. Actually, someof the roads seem like nothing other than long mounds of sand placed between ubiquitous bushes. And whenwe’re after wildlife, we sometimes simply abandon the roads and go cross-country. You need to be capableof handling as much as six hours a day of travel on winding, bumpy, dusty roads. Fortunately, there’s usuallysomething just outside the window that will divert your attention. We have a maximum of threephotographers (plus instructors) per vehicle on this trip, so everyone should have plenty of space for theirequipment and to shoot in any direction when necessary.

Detailed ItineraryWe strongly encourage you to arrive a day or two early to rest up from the long flight from the States andenjoy at least an extra relaxing afternoon and evening in Johannesburg, South Africa, or perhaps Maun,Botswana. This not only allows you to start the workshop and tour rested, but also gives you a buffer in caseyou have flight delays. Optional tours of other nearby exotic African destinations can be arranged for theperiod prior to the start or at the end of the photo tour. In general, you’ll spend a great deal of time andmoney just getting to and from Africa, so it often pays to piggyback other destinations onto a trip like this.

Leave the US no later than the afternoon of August 17th as your flight needs to arrive by 7:00 am inJohannesburg (airport code JNB) on August 18th. This gives you at least at 3-4 hours connection time for theAir Botswana or South African Airways flight to Maun (airport code MUB). Otherwise, due to internationalflight schedules, an overnight in Johannesburg may be required. You should book the Air Botswana or SAAflight that departs Johannesburg in the morning at approximately 11:45 am (time subject to change), witharrival in Maun at 1:00 pm on Day 1. A complimentary transfer from the Maun airport to the group hotel willbe provided for trip members arriving on Day 1. There is a welcome dinner and orientation in the evening inMaun. If you have booked extra services for early arrival, a voucher for your transfer and extra hotel nightswill be sent with your final documents.

Days 1-2 (Aug 18-19) Photo Workshop at Tree LodgeUpon arrival in Maun, we are met by the Trip Leader and transferred to Tree Lodge, a game farm wherewe’ll hold our short skills workshop. We have our workshop orientation meeting in the late afternoonfollowed by a welcome dinner the first evening. There will also be lectures and demonstrations by ourPhotographic Leader, Thom Hogan, and his assistant, Anthony Medici. This continues the next day, and wecan have some easy walks around the game farm to supplement the instruction with some basic practice.Overnight at Tree Lodge...D, Day 1; BLD, Day 2 with evening ending photo session on Day 2.

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Day 3 (Aug 20) Drive to Khwai River camp Off we go into the wilds, heading toward the southeastern portion of the Moremi reserve. This is an excellentbird-photography area, as there are abundant, permanent water pools in this area that have good vehicleaccess. Overnight in our comfortable moving tent camp...BLD

Our Moving Tent Camp offers relaxing solitude and an authentic bush atmosphere that no safari lodge orpermanent tented camp can offer. The camp crew, complete with chefs and waiters, goes ahead in a 4x4supply truck and sets up the camp at each new site before our arrival, then takes camp down after we leave,always working towards minimal impact on the fragile environment. We sleep in high-roofed canvas tents(two to a tent), approximately 10 by 14 feet, furnished with beds, duvets, pillows, and a small bedside table.At each tent's rear door are a separate warm-water shower and toilet tent, and at the front is a small verandawith two wooden chairs, a small table, and a washbasin. Solar charged battery-powered lights provideillumination. The entire tent is covered by an extended nylon rainfly to provide protection from sun and rain.Laundry service is available at most locations (except for women’s undergarments, due to cultural reasons).Our camp is fully catered, with three-course meals, including wine and soft drinks, freshly prepared daily byour camp chef. We have an AC generator with us, but we only run it for a limited time each day to chargebatteries and do image review with our projector.

Day 4-5 (Aug 21-22) Khwai River camp We continue with our exploration of the area with multiple daily safari rides. Our expert local guides willhelp us find the right animals and help position us for the best shots. Overnight in our comfortable movingtent camp…BLD each day

Days 6-7 (Aug 23-24) Xugana Lodge We arrive at Xugana Lodge, where we spend two nights. Xugana is the perfect base for exploration ofOkavango’s “water” side. We have two very active days of exploration, with both motorboat and mokoroexcursions. This deluxe lodge features comfortable en suite chalets and a beautiful bar and dining areaoverlooking the Xugana lagoon. It’s the perfect base for exploring the Okavango on foot and by motorboatand mokoro. The emphasis here is on birdlife and exploring this quintessential delta setting. During ourmokoro and walking excursions, we should see bushbuck, a plethora of birds, lechwe (a semi-aquaticantelope) and perhaps even buffalo, elephant, and the shy sitatunga, another antelope adapted to this wateryrealm...BLD each day

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Day 8 (Aug 25) Short flight to Savuti Today we take another short plane hop, this time to the area known as the Savuti channel. In the past coupleof years, the Savuti channel has once again filled with water, which forced the animals to adapt to a newenvironment for the first time in decades. This has made the area a prime target for great wildlife shooting, asterritories are still being carved out and fought over. We’ll catch up with our moving tent camp, which asbeen positioned at Savuti, where we have three days of exploration within yet another ecosystem of the delta.Located to the eastern side of the Delta, the Savuti is a slightly different terrain than we’ve explored up tothis point. The area has a wide variety of birds and game, which we explore by off-road vehicles. Overnightin our mobile tent camp...BLD

Days 9-10 (Aug 26-27) Savuti We continue our exploration of this part of the delta with multiple daily excursions in our Land Cruisers.Overnights in our mobile tent camp...BLD each day

Day 11 (Aug 28) Drive to Chobe River We depart the Okavango ecosystem and make a game and scenic drive (with picnic) to the Chobe River,where we’ll put our mobile tent camp near the river in yet another unique photographic environment, thistime in the midst of elephant country. Chobe is known for the large populations of herd animals, and iswhere we get the most Serengeti-like experience of the trip. In the Chobe park we’re not allowed out of thevehicles or off road, but this rarely proves to be an issue, as there are plenty of paths we can travel and theanimals are everywhere. Overnight in our mobile tent camp...BLD Day 12 (Aug 29) Chobe RiverWe complete the safari portion of our trip with more exploration of the Chobe River area, including a trip upthe river by boat at sunset, where we usually see the elephants and other animals coming down to the water.The perspective from the water gives us a unique view on these animals and their relationship with the river.No swimming, though, as crocs inhabit this area. Overnight in our mobile tent camp...BLD

Day 13 (Aug 30) Victoria Falls Crossing the border at the point where Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana meet, our safari concludes with aferry ride across the river to Livingstone, Zambia and Victoria Falls, one of the world's most magnificentnatural wonders. The afternoon’s activities at Victoria Falls are on your own (we’re on the top side of thefalls here in Zambia). Optional activities include walking along the edge of the chasm opposite the falls amid

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lush vegetation, bush duikers, and vervet monkeys. Other optional activities include the “flight of theAngels” over the falls, bungee jumping, and elephant rides. We gather for a farewell dinner and finalphotographic presentation in the evening. Overnight at Royal Livingstone Hotel...BLD

The Royal Livingstone Hotel is one of the finest in Southern Africa. Situated amidst lovely grounds andtropical greenery at the edge of the Zambezi River, the hotel is just a short walk from both the falls and town.With excellent public facilities, restaurants, and international standard rooms, the "Livingstone" offers a trulyelegant way to end your southern Africa safari!

Day 14 (Aug 31) Livingstone / Depart After a morning of additional free exploration, afternoon transfer to airport for departure on homeboundflights...B

Thom generally recommends you stay for an extra day at the Livingstone. There’s plenty to do in the area,and you’ll be rushed to do everything you want to if you just spend the one night. Wilderness Travel will behappy to book that extra time for you, and you’ll still get your transfer to the airport.

Extend Your Adventure!To help you make the most of your adventure, we’ve created several exciting trip extensions. Detailedinformation, including full itineraries and pricing, are on our website at www.wildernesstravel.com.

South Africa: Cape TownThe town where modern South Africa was born has a glorious location on the mountainous Cape Peninsulaalong the blue waters of Table Bay. There is much to see, from Table Mountain, one of the most spectacularurban geographic features in the world, to the famous gardens at Kirstenbosch, where 10,000 botanicalspecies are cultivated on 1,000 acres. Close by is Stellenbosch and Franschhoek wine country and the CapePoint Nature Reserve, the tip of the African continent. 4 days. From $1995.

South Africa: Cape WinelandsEast of Cape Town lie the Winelands, an area of scenic valleys with beautiful old vineyards and graciousCape Dutch farmsteads nestled in rugged lofty mountains. This is the heart of South Africa’s wine industryand home to its oldest wineries (most of the original vines were brought here more than 300 years ago).Enjoy a private winery tour and taste some of the region’s best wines while staying at a magnificent countrymanor house. The region is also noted for its excellent restaurants. 3 days. From $1495.

Johannesburg: Cradle of Humankind, Soweto & the Apartheid Museum Due to airline schedules, many travelers on our Southern Africa trips find themselves on a forced layover inJohannesburg. Make the most of your time on this special extension that explores South Africa’s dramaticpast, from the hominid remains found in the Cradle of Humankind, one of the world’s richest fossil bearingsites, to the present-day culturally rich township of Soweto and the noted Apartheid Museum, with itsexhibits chronicling the story of 20th century apartheid in South Africa. Overnights are at The Grace Hotel, aboutique hotel located in a quiet enclave of Johannesburg’s Rosebank district. 3 days. From $1895.

Namibia: Sossusvlei DunesThe Namib Desert, utterly unlike any other place on earth, is the oldest on the planet, a sea of red sandsculpted into fantastic dunes. Your days are filled with early morning 4WD excursions to the magnificentSossusvlei dunes and the vlei itself, the dry riverbed of the Tsauchab River, along with afternoon excursionsto explore the desert landscape and its unique flora and fauna. Accommodations are at Little Kulala, aluxurious desert wilderness retreat with a magical atmosphere. 4 days. From $5395.

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Tour CostsThe exact costs are dependent upon how many participants we have, though we expect this trip to book fully.Costs are subject to change, unfortunately, in particular the park costs. Botswana is currently revising theirpark entrance fee structures dramatically upward; we’ve made our best estimate of what those will be for2014 in the costs listed below.

We’ll detail each of the possible costs in the following sections.

Basic Land Cost (subject to change, as noted above)$8295 (11-14 participants)$8595 (8-10 participants)Plus $330 park fees (subject to change)Plus $420 internal airfareYou’ll be charged a basic price depending upon the number of participants in the tour. As noted, we expectthis trip to fill fully, however sometimes late cancellations are difficult to replace and might impact your finalcost.

The land cost includes:* All accommodations in comfortable lodging, before, after, and during safari* Welcome and farewell dinners* Services of the Trip Leader and local guides* Meals indicated in the itinerary* All land transportation, airport transfers, and baggage handling

What isn’t included is:* Airfare to the starting point (Maun, Botswana) from your home and from the ending point (Livingstone,Zambia) to your home* Other fees indicated in sections below* Airport departure taxes * Tipping and gratuities to trip leader and drivers (see below)* Photographic instruction (see below)* Personal expenses (liquor, sodas, laundry, etc.)* Trip insurance (highly recommended)

Single Supplement$1495We can accommodate only two requests for single rooms in this trip. It is also possible that someonetraveling alone might have a “forced single supplement” imposed upon them, though we try our best tomatch you with a roommate if you are willing to share accommodations.

Workshop Fee$1299 ($999 for past byThom workshop participants. Please let us know upon signing up if you have been aworkshop participant with Thom in the past.)This fee is only imposed upon the photographic participants (i.e. not on spouses of the photographicparticipants), and pays for the photographic instruction during both the workshop and tour portions of thetrip. It also pays for incidental expenses associated with the workshop, such as the generator, and for thephoto assistant who teaches with Thom. Note that Thom hasn’t raised his workshop fee in five years, butcosts will force this to change soon.

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Expected and Typical Cost$8295 11- to 14-person land cost $330 park fees (subject to change)$420 internal airfare$1299 photo workshop fee (photo students only)$10,344 Total due to Wilderness Travel

$350 Tips and gratuities$100 incidentals (liquor, sodas, laundry at Livingstone, etc.)$500 trip insurance (may be more depending upon what you insure)$11,294 Total cost of trip from our meeting spot and back

Yes, this is not an inexpensive trip when you consider all costs. However, this is a comfortable, once-in-a-lifetime type of trip to a place that is still wild and remote, and one of the most rewarding places on theplanet to photograph. I also believe that you can’t find as much photographic time in such exotic locales witha knowledgeable wildlife shooter as instructor for anything close to this price. I’ve seen shorter workshops inthe area charge 50% higher or more. Wilderness Travel is proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeattravelers. We are happy to put you directly in touch with a past client that has traveled with us to Botswana.The photo instructor is also proud of the quality of his workshops and instruction, and can put you in touchwith someone that has taken previous workshops from him.

Payment Schedule$500 at time of reservation20% of the lowest tier cost is due 120 days prior to departureBalance 60 days prior to departure

Travel Insurance Travelers to Botswana are highly recommended to purchase full medical, emergency evacuation, andrepatriation insurance that covers you for at least $25,000, plus Trip Cancellation Insurance. Due to the lackof advanced medical facilities in Botswana, you may need to be evacuated to Johannesburg or even back tothe US in case of serious illness or injury. Evacuation by air may or may not be possible, depending on thelocation. If you require evacuation from a trip, you are responsible for payment of all evacuation costs. Youmust pay evacuation costs directly to the evacuation service prior to the evacuation. Acceptable forms ofpayment are typically cash or credit cards (if using a credit card, please be aware that a service charge will beassessed in addition to the actual cost of the evacuation). You must bring one of these forms of payment withyou in case of emergency. You will need to contact your insurance company for procedures andreimbursement policy.

Trip cancellation insurance reimburses you for non-refundable payments should you need to cancel your tripdue to a covered sickness or injury to yourself, a traveling companion, or family member, or for certain otherunforeseen circumstances. For details, see the Description of Coverage brochure and enrollment formsincluded with your confirmation packet. Travel insurance must be paid for before final payment for the trip.If you purchase your own insurance elsewhere, please provide us with proof of coverage, policy number, andthe contact phone number for your insurance carrier.

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Local Trip LeaderAdam Hedges is an expat who has been running tented tours through Botswana and other countries in theregion for over 30 years. He’s the owner of the local company we use, and as knowledgeable as anyoneyou’ll find in Africa about photographic opportunities. Adam sometimes does some shooting himself onthese trips (he’s a Nikon shooter like Thom and Tony), but his main goal is to make sure you have the bestsafari experience possible.

Photography InstructorsThom Hogan has been teaching photography since leaving Backpacker magazine in 2000, where he was theeditor. Formally trained as a filmmaker, Thom taught film and television courses at Indiana University, andhas developed coursework in many of the visual arts. While primarily known as a writer and instructor,Thom’s imagery has appeared in a number of magazines, including Backpacker, Outdoor Photography,Digital Foto, and Photographer’s i. “Botswana is in some ways better than the traditional African safarilocation. You’re less likely to find other vehicles in your framing, and the elephants are more easilyapproached.” This will be Thom’s fourth trip to Botswana, ninth to Africa. Thom currently lives in Emmaus,Pennsylvania. Thom’s assistant, Anthony Medici, will also be teaching on this trip. Tony is a wildlife shooterwho specializes in birds.

Top Reasons to Enroll in this Photo Workshop and Tour8. We respect the environment when we travel. As much as is possible, we try to reduce our impact on theplaces we visit. We practice Leave No Trace. We’ll be eco-savvy on our hikes and explorations. We act inways to make sure that the next photographer or adventurer to visit the area has the same opportunity you’llhave.7. Great food, comfortable lodging. You shouldn’t have to worry about eating and sleeping (other than tryingnot to get too much of either!). And you won’t. We’ve picked places that are among the finest you’ll find inthe region, and our tented camp is very comfortable. In other words, the accommodations live up to thescenery. 6. Relaxed and informal. No need to get dressed up or put on airs. Our tour is designed to be informal,relaxed, and as worry free as we can make it. We’ll take the time to stop and smell—well, okay, shoot—theflowers.5. Logistically easy. Seeing as many places in the Okavango as we’ll visit is logistically complex, but fromthe time you reach Maun to the end of the tour, you’ll find that we’ve dealt with the complexities and made iteasy for you to take in such a variety of experiences as this tour provides. Even our short plane trips arephotographic opportunities. 4. The staff is top-notch. From start to finish, you’ll be stewarded by the best leaders in the business, and bylocal staff that is knowledgeable, engaging, and interested in seeing that your trip is as good as it can be.3. Small group. While 12 people doesn’t at first sound like a small group, you’ll feel like it is by the end ofthis trip, especially since most of the time we’ll have our tent camp to ourselves. You’ll meet new people andmake new friends.2. Serious photographic instruction. Our photo instructor is well known for teaching. He’s picked locales forthe workshop portion of the tour to give you a full wildlife workout, from small critters to the big animals towider-than-you-can-see landscapes, and is prepared to teach you how to approach and shoot them to producephotos your friends will long admire.1. Botswana is one of the most target-rich environments in the world for wildlife photographers. Botswanahas long had a record of conserving and protecting their wildlife, and it shows.

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How Do You Enroll?Reserving your spot on this trip is simple: call Ally Tong at Wilderness Travel (800-368-2794 in the US,510-558-2488 for international callers). She’ll help you reserve your spot by putting the US$500 reservationdeposit on your credit card and sending you a trip application form to fill out and return.

This is a first-come, first-served operation. We expect this trip to completely fill up, so we urge you to notdelay in reserving your spot. On the other hand, don’t reserve a spot unless and until you’re sure that you willtake and can manage this trip, as you’ll almost certainly be depriving someone else from snagging one of thefew openings. The photo instructor does not expect to offer a repeat of this tour.

Ally can answer all your Africa and logistical questions, and even suggest and book possible itineraryextensions if you’re interested. Ally manages the African trips for Wilderness Travel and has visited most ofthe places listed on the itinerary, thus she can speak to specific needs or requests, or just give you a betteridea of the facilities, staff, and activities at any of the places we’ll visit. If you have photographic concerns orquestions, you can email them to the Photo Instructor at thom_hogan@msn.com.

Important NotesLodging. While we’ve identified the places we intend to book, this is subject to change. Equal or betterlodging may be substituted when we can’t obtain our choice.

Meals. We’ve indicated which meals are provided each day with a B, L, and D (Breakfast, Lunch, andDinner, respectively) at the end of each day’s description. Some lunches will be sack lunches so that we canstay mobile during the day. Breakfasts generally have both hot and cold options and are European style, forthe most part. Our dinners are full sit-downs that often turn out to be a mini-gourmet opportunity (yes, evenour mobile camp chef is that good). Expect lots of meat and cheese, as that’s the primary cuisine in the area,but vegetarians and other food restrictions can be accommodated if we know in advance. Wines, drinks, andsodas other than water, coffee, and tea, are available, though sometimes at your own expense (at theLivingstone, for example).

Laundry Service. Due to our constant travel and remote locations, formal laundry service isn’t available allthe time; be sure to bring clothing that can be washed in camp. We’ll have one laundry day at each camplocation at no extra charge. Note that for cultural reasons, the staff will not wash women’s underwear,though. A suggested packing list is enclosed.

Electricity. In Botswana, we’ll normally not have full time availability of electricity while in our safari tentcamps. The normal method of dealing with this is twofold: bring a roll-up solar panel you leave in campduring the day charging your spare batteries, or run your chargers off the vehicle’s electrical system. Ourphoto leader recommends the Brunton 14 solar panel and the appropriate accessories (the output connector ofthe Brunton is the same as the DC outlet in vehicles; B&H sells low-cost chargers that have DC In for mostbattery systems, though not the D3 or D4 [ask Thom for advice on that]). All vehicles we’re using have a12V to 110V inverter. Remember, however, that you’ll be sharing a vehicle with two other people (andsometimes Thom or Tony), so you may not always have immediate access to charging via this route. Most ofAfrica uses European style electrical connections, so you’ll also want to bring the appropriate adapters forthose times when you do have access to AC. We will bring a generator along with us at our mobile tentcamp, but we try to run it for as short a time as possible each day, usually over lunch and again just beforedinner. Overall, you should bring more (and fully charged) batteries than usual, just in case you can’trecharge at some point along the route.

Flights. We start in Maun, Botswana and end in Livingstone, Zambia, so you’ll probably end up bookingshort one-way flights from the main airport you fly into. The most logical place to fly into from the United

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States (and most other countries) is Johannesburg, South Africa. That means you’ll need a short one-wayfrom Johannesburg to Maun at the start of the trip, and a short one-way from Livingstone to Johannesburg atthe end. You’ll be faced with a lot of choices of how to get to and from the workshop. You can fly to Europeand then down to Africa, for instance. Or you can use one of the two carriers that fly directly toJohannesburg, South Africa from the States (Delta, plus United via a code share with South AfricanAirways). If you need help figuring out how to get to Africa, ask Wilderness Travel, they are happy todiscuss the possible options, though they no longer book international airfares for you.

When you book any flight independently, make sure Wilderness Travel gets a copy of your flight itinerary sothat they can double check that the connections work and schedule the appropriate airport to hotel transfersyou’ll want.

Late Arrival. If you miss your flight or are otherwise delayed, contact the airlines immediately to rearrangeyour flight schedule. Once rescheduled, please contact our office at (800) 368-2794 or (510) 558-2488(Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Pacific time, or leave a message after hours). A hotel contact list isincluded on the lodging page of your departure notes. If you reach our office after hours, please leave amessage for the Wilderness Travel Trip Leader at your first hotel as well. Detailed information with localcontacts will be included in your Final Bulletin.

Emergency Contact. Should you wish to give family and friends an emergency contact number, please havethem call our office. As it may be difficult, expensive, or even impossible to contact you for short periods(especially when you are traveling in remote regions), this should only be used in cases requiring your earlyreturn or an immediate phone call. Wilderness Travel: (800) 368-2794 or (510) 558-2488.

Weight. Internal flights in some portions of Africa now have very severe weight limits in place for checkedbaggage. Please make sure that you’re within those weight limits or be prepared to pay a weight penalty oneach flight. As long as your carry-on backpack fits in the overhead of an MD-80 or 737, you can usually loadup the heavy photographic items in that. However, really large and heavy photo backpacks (e.g. LoweproPhoto Trekker) may be asked to be gate checked by the airline. Make sure you have a lock for your photobackpack, just in case. Tripods of the size we would be using can’t be hand-carried onto planes in Africa.Note that weight limits won’t be a problem for our internal flights, as we’ve chartered the aircraft we use.

Passport. A valid passport is required for your trip. Be sure to check the expiration date. Your passport mustbe valid for six months after your date of exit from Africa. We recommend your passport have at least twocompletely blank visa pages for every country you will be visiting. In addition, to enter South Africa (even ifyou are only in transit through a South African airport), your passport must contain at least six completelyblank visa pages. This is an important official requirement, and you can be denied entry to South Africa orother southern African countries if you do not have the correct number and type of passport pages. It is veryimportant that the blank pages say “Visas” at the top. The last few pages of your passport, which say“Amendments and Endorsements,” and the final page of your passport, which may not have a page number,are not considered to be legitimate visa pages. You can request a new passport or have extra pages inserted inyour current passport through a visa service agency or the US Passport Services Office(http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html). Be sure to allow sufficient time to acquire this beforeyour trip.

It is a good idea to carry a photocopy of the photo page and the entry stamp page of your passport as anadditional piece of identification, as well as two extra passport photos.

Visas. US citizens do not need a visa for Botswana, but do need a visa for Zambia. You may contact theZambia Consulate to purchase your visa, or our recommended passport and visa processing service, Passport

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Visas Express (PVE), through the Toucan Club/Helpful Links section on Wilderness Travel’s website atwww.wildernesstravel.com/toucan/links. On the PVE website, purchase the Zambia Tourist Single Visa(valid for 3 years). PVE can also be reached by phone at 888-596-6028. Let them know you are booked on aWilderness Travel trip. Although you can purchase a less expensive visa at the Livingstone InternationalAirport, it is always safer to travel with your visas already secure in your passport.

US citizens do not need a visa for South Africa, but please see strict passport requirements underPASSPORT, above. If you are a citizen of any country other than the US, check with a local consulate forentry requirements.

International Health Card. Proof of a Yellow Fever inoculation is currently required for the followingcountries: Rwanda, South Africa (if traveling from Zambia), Tanzania (if traveling to Zanzibar or fromKenya), and Uganda. Have the shot recorded in your International Health Card and carry the card with yourpassport as proof.

Money. US cash is the best currency to bring to Botswana. Bring your funds in new small bills (no $100sbecause of the prevalence of counterfeit currency). Travelers checks are rarely accepted and are NOTrecommended. Visa and MasterCard are usually accepted in all but the more remote areas. Diners andAmerican Express are often not accepted.

You will need to budget spending money for gratuities, airport taxes, any meals not included in the tripitinerary, and for personal items such as snacks, phone calls, etc. Beer, wine, spirits, and sodas arecomplimentary at our private campsites but not at the hotels.

To use an ATM internationally, you must have a four-digit PIN. If you plan to use your credit cards abroad,inform your credit card company before your departure that you will be using the card in a foreign country.

Tips and Gratuities. The local trip leader and our Land Cruiser drivers and guides work hard to make yourtrip enjoyable and safe. Due to the nature of their work, they also only work portions of the year, and do sofor long hours and doing difficult jobs. It is customary, but entirely at your option, to tip the local trip leader(usually in the realm of $150+), the driver/guides (US$100+), and camp crew who are with us on the trip($100). The photography instructor has asked that no tips be given to him—if you wish to express yourpleasure with his efforts during the trip, he’s asked that you make a small donation to a non-profitorganization that benefits Africa and its residents. The photographic leader will also take care of any gratuityto the assistant photographic instructor.

Victoria Falls Extras. At Victoria Falls, your meals, drinks, and extra services can be charged to your roomand paid for with a credit card (the hotel adds a surcharge to any credit card sale). For shopping in marketsand shops at Victoria Falls, US dollars are strongly preferred. Some shops will take credit cards, but no shopsaccept traveler’s checks. Optional activities at Victoria Falls are typically paid for in US cash (although someactivities can be paid by credit card, you should be prepared to pay in US cash). Cost of activities rangesfrom $50 to $200 per activity per person.

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Packing SuggestionsDocuments

ÿ Air tickets (or E-tickets)

ÿ Passport

ÿ One other picture ID, such as a driver’s license

ÿ Expense money

Luggage

ÿ Medium-sized duffel bag or soft-sided roller bag, with small padlock (must be unlocked for travel). Bemindful of baggage weight limits. Due to limited space on safari vehicles, all your clothing and gear must fitinto one bag, without exception.

ÿ Daypack for camera gear, water bottle, and personal items needed during the day.

Luggage Storage. There is a left luggage storage facility at the Johannesburg airport, located in the basementlevel below the International Arrivals Terminal 2. It costs approximately $10 per 24-hour period to store abag of any size. If you use this facility, give yourself plenty of time at the airport to collect your bag (at leasttwo hours is recommended) as you will have to wait for your bags on the carousel as well as stand in thepassport line on arrival.

Notes on Clothing. On safari, most people wear shorts and a T-shirt during the day and long-sleeved shirtsand long pants in the evening. If you are sensitive to the cold, bring a warm layer for early morning and late-night game drives, when riding in an open vehicle can feel cold. It is preferable that your daytime clothing bein neutral colors such as khaki, bush green, and darker colors to blend in with the surroundings. White andbright colors tend to scare away the animals. For city and hotel attire, we suggest skirts or slacks for women,slacks and shirts for men. No jackets are required for men.

Clothing. The clothing list below is provided as a guideline only; we encourage you to pack as lightly aspossible.

ÿ Sturdy walking shorts

ÿ Light cotton or quick-drying synthetic pants

ÿ Long-sleeved shirts

ÿ T-shirts

ÿ Fleece jacket for cool evenings

ÿ Gore-Tex jacket/windbreaker for cold morning and early evening game drives

ÿ Underwear/socks; synthetics dry faster

ÿ Sports bra for women (for bumpy game drives)

ÿ Sleepwear or lightweight long underwear

ÿ Shade hat with wide brim, preferably with chinstrap

ÿ Warm hat/gloves for early morning and early evening game drives

ÿ Walking or running shoes

ÿ Tevas or rubber thongs (for showers and boats)

ÿ Bathing suit

ÿ City/hotel attire

Safari Equipment

ÿ Strong flashlight or headlamp, with spare batteries

ÿ Binoculars

ÿ Field guides

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ÿ Good quality sunglasses with case

ÿ Plastic bags to organize items within duffel and protect them against dust

ÿ Personal toiletries

Personal First Aid Supplies. Every trip member must bring a small kit for personal use. Your own experiencewill influence your choices.

ÿ Soap and shampoo

ÿ Sunscreen of SPF #30 or higher

ÿ Lip balm with sunscreen

ÿ Aspirin, ibuprofen, or Tylenol, Tylenol PM for sleeping

ÿ Topical antibiotic (such as Neosporin) for cuts, bites, or sores

ÿ Insect repellent. Repellents with DEET are recommended. DEET content of about 30-35 percent is ideal(higher DEET content is not recommended). Wipe DEET off your hands before touching plastic surfaces(such as binoculars) because it can damage plastic.

ÿ Anti-bacterial gel for hand washing (at least 60% alcohol to be effective)

ÿ Post-insect bite cream (antihistamine)

ÿ Blister kit. Look for the long-lasting gel-type bandages that you can apply directly on blisters, such asBand-Aid Advanced Healing Bandages or Curad Gel Multi-Day Bandages. “Liquid band-aids,” such asNew-Skin, are useful because they dry rapidly to form a tough protective cover over a blister.

ÿ Antihistamine such as Benedryl and cold remedy such as Sudafed

ÿ Imodium for diarrhea. If you wish to bring an antibiotic for diarrhea prophylaxis, please consult yourphysician.

ÿ Pepto-Bismol tablets for diarrhea, heartburn, indigestion

ÿ Prescription medications properly labeled

ÿ Spare contact lenses or spare prescription glasses

ÿ Feminine protection (not always available for purchase)

Optional Items

ÿ Converter and plug adaptor kit for using small appliance (hairdryers, etc.)

ÿ Reading/writing material

ÿ Travel clock

ÿ Money belt or neck pouch. Always carry your passport, credit cards, and cash with you in a money belt orneck pouch tucked down inside your shirt or blouse.

Photography EquipmentThis trip provides us just about every photographic opportunity we’ll ever encounter. Scenic vistas andwildlife are the big two. Almost ever other type of photography you can think of also is there if you lookhard enough. Thus, you need to be prepared for almost anything. At a minimum you should considerbringing the following:

* Wide angle lens for scenic work; often a compact or mirrorless camera is sufficient* Mid-range zoom or compact camera for grab photography * Telephoto that reaches to at least 400mm, preferably with VR/IS for wildlife* Back-up body with 70-200mm on it* Macro capability for small flowers and detail around camp* Monopod, beanbags or windowpods for the vehicle, perhaps tripod for night work* Filters: graduated NDs for scenics, polarizer for skies, ND for water work* All weather carrying system for your photo equipment

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* Protective layers from dust (I often travel with my camera bag wrapped in a plastic garbage bagbetween locations)

The photo instructor will send a more detailed discussion of an appropriate equipment list and carryingsuggestions to each workshop participant prior to departure, but here’s a quick summary of the camera/lenseshe intends to bring:

Two D800 bodies70-200mm f/2.8 and 200-400mm f/4 primary lenses24mm, 58mm, and 85mm fast lenses for night workNikon V1 body with 10-30mm, 30-110mm lenses for casual grab photographyFT1 adapter and perhaps another long lens for the V1

About photography from a vehicle: we use traditional Land Cruisers whose tops open. We put three studentsto a vehicle. When Thom or Tony is in your vehicle, which happens about half the time, there are four peoplein the vehicle (Thom and Tony take the front seat in that case, which is the worst seat in the house). Becausewe carry a lot of gear and extra stuff with us (every vehicle has a refrigerator stocked with cold drinks), itisn’t completely spacious inside, but there’s enough room for everyone to spread out and shoot, and plenty ofroom for gear as long as you’re not someone who wants to spread everything out (not recommended in thedirty/dusty African conditions, anyway). Some tours put six or seven people in these vehicles. We restrict itto 3 (or 4 with Thom or Tony).

Often the best place to be is just sitting up top (obviously not while we’re driving, but when we’re stoppedand shooting the animals). Beanbags work quite well on the edge of the roof, but probably the best shootingis done by standing on the seat or sitting on the roof and using a monopod. We’ve got windows you canshoot through that open if you want to get lower, but it’s difficult for more than two people to shoot throughthe windows at a time. If you’re interested in what the vehicle looks like and what it looks like to shoot fromit, you can see photos on the blog I did from the last Botswana workshop.

Communications Time ZoneBotswana and Zambia are 2 hours ahead of GMT, or 7 hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time.

TelephoneThe international dialing code for Botswana is 267, for Zambia 260. Please contact your cell phone companyfor specific instructions for international use.

Email & Internet AccessAlthough it can be spotty at times, email access is available at our lodges and hotels, but not at camps.

Medical Information. The following recommendations should be used as a guideline only; consult yourphysician for medical advice. It is vital that you let Wilderness Travel know of any medical problems,allergies, or physical limitations you may have. Please fill out and return the personal medical questionnaire,and feel free to consult us if you have any questions about your ability to undertake a particular trip.

Wilderness Travel is not a medical facility and has no expertise or responsibility regarding what medicationsor inoculations you and your physician decide are necessary for your safe participation in the tour.

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Traveler’s health information is available from the Centers for Disease Control atwww.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm. Medical travel products are available from Travel Health Medicine atwww.travmed.com and from Magellan’s Travel Supplies at www.magellans.com.

Inoculations. Entry requirements are subject to change; check with the Centers for Disease Control forupdates. All shots should be entered on your International Health Card (yellow card), which is provided bythe facility giving the shots. Keep it with your passport while traveling. It provides an important personalrecord for you to refer to when making future travel plans. We recommend you discuss the following withyour physician:

Yellow Fever. Proof of a Yellow Fever inoculation is currently required for the following countries: Rwanda,South Africa (if traveling from Zambia), Tanzania (if traveling to Zanzibar or from Kenya), and Uganda.Have the shot recorded in your International Health Card and carry the card with your passport as proof.Health officials at borders often (but not always) request proof of the shot. The vaccination is good for 10years. For more information, refer to the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm.

Polio. People who have received the primary series of at least three doses of polio vaccine are consideredfully immunized. People who are unsure of their status should receive the vaccine (three doses spaced atintervals).

Hepatitis. The vaccines HAVRIX and VAQTA (two injections, six to 18 months apart) give long-termprotection against Hepatitis A and are worthwhile if you travel regularly to developing countries.

Tetanus Booster. A booster is strongly recommended (effective for 10 years).

Typhoid. The CDC recommends the shot or the oral vaccine, Vivotif Berna, a course of four capsules, oneevery other day for a week, with full effectiveness reached in a week. You may not be able to take the oralvaccine simultaneously with mefloquine (for malaria prevention).

Malaria Prevention. Malaria is a serious but preventable disease spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.All travelers are urged to take antimalarial medications, available only by prescription. Please discussantimalarial medication with your doctor, who will explain various antimalarials and their side effects andrecommend a regimen for you. In addition to medication, a further precaution against malaria is to wear longsleeves and long pants at dusk. Thin clothing should be sprayed with insect repellent, especially around theelbows and ankles. Use repellent containing DEET.

If, after returning from your trip, you have a persistent fever with chills, muscle aches, and headache, reportto your doctor the possibility of exposure to malaria.

For further malaria information, consult your doctor or the CDC Malaria Hotline: 888-232-3228.http://www.cdc.gov/travel/malinfo.htm

Climate and Weather. We’ll be traveling during the cool, dry season. Average daytime temperature shouldbe in the 60’s (F) and doesn’t normally get to 80°F. Nighttime temperatures are generally in the high 40’s orlow 50’s, but can drop below freezing. It does not normally rain during the month of August, but it can.

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Recommended ReadingHere’s a selection of favorite new and hard-to-find books for your journey, prepared by our partners atLongitude, a specialty mail-order book service.

Longitude Books, (800) 342-2164, info@longitudebooks.com, www.longitudebooks.com

ESSENTIALThese 5 items are available as a set for $104 including shipping, 15% off the retail price (Item EXSAF170).Free shipping on any additional books ordered.

Chris McIntyreBradt Safari Guide Botswana2010, PAPER, 518 PAGES, $26.99Covering the history, culture and wildlife of Botswana in absorbing detail, this superb guide focuses on theOkavango, Chobe, Kalahari and other popular destinations. (Item BOT18)

Richard EstesThe Safari Companion, A Guide to Watching African Mammals1999, PAPER, 459 PAGES, $30.00An invaluable encyclopedic guide to Africa’s mammals by a noted scientist. Written with the typical safari-goer in mind, it includes black-and-white drawings, an overview of each group and in-depth information onthe behavior, habits and diet of 100 large African mammals. (Item AFR06)

Vincent Carruthers (Editor), Kenneth Newman (Illustrator)The Wildlife of Southern Africa, A Field Guide to the Animals and Plants of the Region2008, PAPER, 320 PAGES, $29.95The fully revised guide to the birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, fish and plants of SouthernAfrica, all in one compact volume. With 1,200 illustrations by a range of experts. (Item SAF59)

Mark Owens, Delia OwensCry of the Kalahari, Seven Years in Africa’s Last Great Wilderness1985, PAPER, 352 PAGES, $16.00The story of a family thrown out of Botswana for its stance on conservation. While their approach toconservation is controversial, there’s no doubt that the Owens are dedicated to the wildlife of southern Africa– and are very good writers. (Item SAF13)

GlobetrotterBotswana MapMAP, $10.95A detailed map of Botswana at a scale of 1:1,600,000 with inset maps of Chobe and other national parks onthe reverse. (Item SAF07)

MAPS & GUIDEBOOKSMichael MainCulture Smart! Botswana2007, PAPER, 168 PAGES, $9.95A concise, well-illustrated and practical guide to local customs, etiquette and culture. (Item SAF178)

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Ian MichlerVictoria Falls & Surrounds, The Insider’s Guide2009, PAPER, 160 PAGES, $25.95Dr. Livingstone I presume? This gorgeously illustrated guide covers the history, culture and nature of theZambezi, with suggested excursions from rivers to ropes and rafting in nearby Zimbabwe, Zambia andBotswana. (Item SAF247)

HISTORY & CULTUREThomas PakenhamThe Scramble for Africa1992, PAPER, 738 PAGES, $23.99A well-written, meticulously researched history of the Victorian land grab in Africa. The book includesexcellent portraits of the egomaniacal personalities that overran the continent. (Item AFR26)

John ReaderAfrica, A Biography of the Continent1999, PAPER, 816 PAGES, $18.95With the ease of a practiced journalist, Reader weaves a lively and masterful tale of the continent fromancient cultures to modern times. Both authoritative and informal, this is a splendid introduction to all ofAfrica. (Item AFR49)

Elizabeth Marshall ThomasThe Harmless People1989, PAPER, 303 PAGES, $15.95A classic study of the Bushmen of the Kalahari, novelistic in its detail. Based on the author’s fieldwork, theaccount is direct, informative, and strong on the character of the people and land. (Item SAF60)

Laurens van der PostLost World of the Kalahari1986, PAPER, 279 PAGES, $21.95Originally published in 1958, this poetic book is the story of a quest to find the San people in the remotedesert. It has become a classic romanticized tale of an encounter between the literate European and “noblesavage”: mystical, captivating and a useful record of a time. (Item SAF24)

TRAVEL, MEMOIR & LITERATUREAlexander McCall SmithThe Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party2011, HARD COVER, 256 PAGES, $24.95The twelfth installment in the best-selling No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series follows more of theadventures of Precious Ramotswe and Grace Makutsi in Botswana. (Item BOT40) The series begins with McCall Smith’s The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency (Item BOT10, $13.95).

Peter AllisonWhatever You Do, Don’t Run, Confessions of a Botswana Safari Guide2007, PAPER, 224 PAGES, $16.95Anecdotes of wildlife and misadventure in the Okavango, the Kalahari and other destinations from a razor-witted conservationist and safari guide. (Item BOT29)

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Robyn ScottTwenty Chickens for a Saddle2009, PAPER, 464 PAGES, $15.00Haphazardly schooled by her free-spirited mother and left to roam the bush, Robyn Scott writes with warmthand candor of her unconventional upbringing in Botswana, including her Grandpa Ivor (personal pilot to thefirst president of Botswana), physician father’s work, unfortunate pets, siblings and adventures. (ItemSAF203)

Michael StanleyA Carrion Death2009, PAPER, 464 PAGES, $14.99The debut of Detective David “Kubu” Bengu of the Botswana Criminal Investigation Department. (ItemBOT37)

Norman RushMating1992, PAPER, 480 PAGES, $15.95This comic novel evokes daily life in Botswana and skewers the notion of well-intentioned academics atlarge in the developing world. The description of a trek from Gaborone to the Kalahari is terrific. (ItemBOT03)

NATURAL HISTORY & FIELD GUIDESGerald HindeAfrica’s Big Five2005, HARD COVER, 144 PAGES, $39.95Hinde teamed up with colleagues William Taylor and Richard du Toit for this informative, oversized portraitof the lion, elephant, leopard, rhino and buffalo. With hundreds of color photographs by the accomplishedtrio. (Item AFR178)

Karen RossOkavango, Jewel of the Kalahari2003, HARD COVER, 216 PAGES, $27.95Ecologist Karen Ross introduces the many faces of the Delta, its wildlife and woodland and desert surroundsin 170 color photographs and excellent accompanying essays. (Item BOT39)

Dereck & Beverly JoubertThe Last Lions2011, HARD COVER, 176 PAGES, $24.00Dereck and Beverly Joubert track Ma di Tau (Mother of Lions) and her three newborns in the Okavango inthis companion book to the film, which premiered in movie theaters across the United States on February 18.The book, like the film, was photographed around Duba Plains Camp, in northern Botswana. (Item BOT41)

Jonathan KingdonKingdon Pocket Guide to African Mammals2004, PAPER, 272 PAGES, $24.95Take it along. An artist and biologist, Kingdon provides both delightful full-color illustrations andinformative text for this great guide. (Item EAF128)

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Kenneth NewmanNewman’s Birds of Southern Africa2002, PAPER, 527 PAGES, $28.00The eighth edition of the compact field guide, our favorite for anywhere south of the Zambezi. (Item SAF29)

Alain PonsBotswana Safari Companion2007, PAPER, 80 PAGES, $14.95A colorful illustrated guide to wildlife, photographic opportunities and travel. There are beautifulphotographs on every page, each accompanied by a caption with photography tips for travellers looking toget the most out of their cameras. (Item BOT28)

Mike UnwinSouthern African Wildlife, A Visitor’s Guide2003, PAPER, 284 PAGES, $24.95A popular photographic guide to the mammals, birds, reptiles and habitats south of the Zambezi. With 300color photographs and illuminating text. (Item SAF131)

Please note that this is not a regular Wilderness Travel trip and thus does not adhere to the same exact Termsand Conditions as you find in the Wilderness Travel catalog or Web site.

Please be advised that California has established a Travel Consumer Restitution Fund under the California Seller of Travel

Law, which took effect January 1, 1996. This fund is designed to protect consumers from unscrupulous practices by discount

airfare ticket sellers or air charter operators. Unfortunately, this law does not cover non-California residents and, even in the

case of California residents, it does not cover any foreign travel where the foreign “providers of transportation or travel

services” are not in compliance with the Sellers of Travel Law (compliance being defined as registered as a Seller of Travel

in California and a participant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund). Thus none of Wilderness Travel’s tours quality and

we are required by law to advise each client that they are not covered by the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund.

California law requires sellers of travel to maintain a trust account or bond. This business has a trust account. California

Seller of Travel #1007696-40.

While as accurate as possible at the time of printing, this itinerary should be considered an approximate indication of the

schedule and scope of activities and trip routing, rather than an inflexible schedule of events; it is subject to change due to

circumstances beyond our control. This trip is subject to the Limitation of Liability and all the terms and conditions as

detailed in the General Information section of the Wilderness Travel catalog.

Printed November 21, 2013