With the advent of digital and cell phone cameras, photography has become more affordable for the masses. Nowadays, almost anyone can be a photographer. And, of course, there is no better place to try your skills than on a safari in Botswana, Africa.
A stay at Pangolin Chobe Hotel is designed around photographer needs and is guaranteed to provide you with priceless opportunities to capture amazing wildlife images. Plus, you will find your photographic skills will improve under the expert guidance of photo instructors.
Pangolin Photo Safaris and Pangolin hotels and partner camps were born out of the principle that these days, “Everyone Is A Photographer”.
Pangolin Chobe Hotel in Kasane
Pangolin Chobe Hotel overlooks the Chobe River and Namibia’s Caprivi floodplains. A relatively small, modern and comfortably functional hotel in Kasane, Botswana, the hotel is uniquely exceptional because of its focus on wildlife photography on the Chobe River and the Chobe National Park.
For beginners and even for professionals, this is a place any wildlife photographer must visit at least once in a lifetime. “It’s a bucket list place,” proclaimed my roommate Kat from Pennsylvania.
The Chobe National Park boundary is only a few hundred meters away. That means that usually you are the first or close to the first vehicle through the gate for game drives. Boats are moored on the river directly below the Hotel.
While the river boat tours were by far my favorite, nevertheless, it is important to experience both as photographic opportunities will be different.
The Pangolin Chobe Hotel is also a short transfer from Kasane International Airport and the Zimbabwe and Zambian Borders.
The reception desk is open 24 hours a day. Expect the entire staff to come out and greet you upon arrival time and upon returning from safari. It truly is a homecoming experience that makes you feel truly welcome at your home away from home.
As one of the smallest of the 4-star establishments in the region, the hotel excels in exceptional hospitality, understated luxury as well as the best game viewing experience. Their safari boats are state-of-the-art and have swivel gimbals that allow you maximum range for photography. It really doesn’t get any easier than this to produce award-winning photographs.
Just know that the hotel caters to wildlife enthusiasts and photographers of all levels of experience and all camera and lens rental is included in the room rate if you don’t have your own gear. Many guests are new to wildlife photography but they need not fear as they are accompanied by a Pangolin Photo Host who will show you the tricks of the trade.
In some cases, like my situation, I came as part of Aarons Photo Tours so my instructor accompanied our small group on all excursions, both by river and by land. (The Chobe River was by far by favorite and gave us more elephant sightings than I have ever encountered before, even though I have been to Kenya and Tanzania several times before.)
The Rooms at Pangolin Chobe
With only 14 rooms available at this boutique hotel, it is an intimate property that serves as the base for iconic photo safari experiences. Each of the 14 rooms are designed to maximize space and provide plenty of surfaces for cameras, battery charging, and laptops. They are all en-suite and air-conditioned with safes and tea/coffee-making facilities. WiFi is complimentary.
All of the rooms have a private balcony to enjoy the outside view. Plus, the rooms are serviced daily.
Take advantage of a special blind built on the property. If lucky, you can capture many species at very close range coming to drink from the waters.
Dining Options
Before your early morning boat cruise or game drive, a light breakfast is served with tea, coffee, juices, cereals, and toast.
After returning mid-morning, expect a hearty brunch with variations each day and eggs cooked to order. This brunch should see you through to dinner. But if it doesn’t, don’t fret as there is also high tea in the afternoon served with sweet and savory snacks.
Upon returning to the hotel after a sundowner in the field, join fellow travelers in The Pangolin Bar. All drinks at the hotel are included in your stay. Expect a great selection of regional wines and spirits and a daily pre-dinner cocktail.
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Whenever possible, dinner is served out on the pool deck under the African night sky. The menu varies from night to night, but choices are presented on the meats and also for vegetarians. All meals are flavorful and filling.
Making a Reservation
Pangolin Chobe Hotel is a Travelers’ Choice 2023 awardee and is considered in many search engines as the #1 of 20 lodges in Kasane – gateway to the Chobe. There is a reason for this as everything is top-notch.
As an all-inclusive, it means the price includes meals, drinks, laundry, and twice-daily wildlife experiences. The lead-in rate for the Chobe Hotel is listed as from USD $595 per person sharing per night.
Other included services include airport transfer in Kasane, park fees and bed levies, cameras, lenses, tuition by resident photo host, and supplied memory card to keep.
Just keep in mind that the cost of photographic safaris is very much dependent on when you want to travel, where you want to visit for photographing wildlife, and what level of luxury you would like on your African safari. Visiting outside of the dry season, May – October, can be a much better value for your money. And believe it or not, your wildlife photography opportunities will be just as amazing. If you are traveling solo, the savings can be substantial.
For a review on another African property in Johannesburg, check out the following on the airport hotel.
For more information and booking, head to the official hotel website.
You can also explore other lodges in Chobe National Park at Hotels.com or Expedia.
The author stayed 3 nights at Pangolin Chobe Hotel as part of a paid photographic tour with Aaron’s Photo Tours. She received no subsidies or discounts, paying full fare. As always, all opinions are those of the author. All photos are courtesy of writer/photographer Karin Pezo.
