Join us for an epic 11-night adventure through Botswana, enjoying private mobile camping to get you away from the crowds and closer to action, plus time on both land and water for stellar wildlife and wilderness shots.

We'll start the adventure with a doors-off scenic helicopter flight over the Okavango Delta for 45 unforgettable minutes. Then you'll be off on the adventure of a lifetime, on a private mobile safari through Botswana's Moremi National Park, Khwai Concession and Savute National Park.

The finale to your photo voyage in Botswana will be Chobe National Park, where you'll stay at a safari lodge with superb facilities for editing and presenting photos – all part of the workshopping component of this exceptional voyage.

“Dumela / Hello! Welcome to Botswana!” We will be there to give you a warm Botswana welcome when you land at Maun Airport.

There will be a welcome night briefing with Michael Snedic and possibly meeting researchers from Elephants for Africa (pending availability)

Spend 1 night at Thamalakane River Lodge in a standard room with dinner and breakfast included. Tonight as a group you will catch up for a briefing and meet the wonderful team from Elephants for Africa, a local charity doing brilliant work with the giants of the bush.

DAY 2: After an early breakfast, it's time to pack up and head to the helipad! You're off on a wonderful scenic adventure over the Okavango Delta. With the doors off, you get the ultimate aerial perspective of this water wonderland.

You'll return to Maun and then together head over to the airport.

You will meet your pilot for your stunning light aircraft scenic light aircraft flight over the Okavango Delta and Chief’s Island. This flight gives you a fish eagle’s eye view of this amazing ecosystem with the doors on this time!

When you land at your remote bush airstrip within the Moremi Game Reserve, your guide will provide you with a snack pack on arrival and will be waiting to transfer you to your mobile camp with a game drive en-route. The friendly, attentive staff will help you feel immediately at home and brief you on what to look forward to on your safari. The magic of a mobile camp becomes apparent as the sun sets and you enjoy drinks around the fire before a starlit dinner and a great night’s rest after falling asleep to the sounds of the African bush.

Spending our first two nights camping in the Xakanaxa / Third Bridge area, we explore the surrounding wilderness on game drives during the day. The Moremi Game Reserve protects around a third of the entire Okavango Delta ecosystem – some 5 000km2 (1 930 square miles).

DAY 4: Following an early breakfast, we pack up the camp and continue our journey to Khwai, stopping for a bush picnic lunch en route. The Khwai River forms the boundary between the reserve and the local Khwai Community Area. We spend the next three nights camping at a campsite in Khwai area of Moremi Game Reserve. You will also experience a 2½-hour mokoro trip (water level dependent), discovering channels and lagoons at a relaxed pace in a traditional dug-out canoe.

Leaving this parched landscape, we continue our journey north to the contrasting Chobe region of the park. We spend the last two nights at the brilliant Chobe Pangolin Hotel. This place is geared for people like us - wildlife photographers and enthusiasts! We explore the Chobe River by custom built boat with awesome camera tripods and swivel chairs for 360 degree views. We will also have 1 game drive inside Chobe National Park - but the focus is the river!

After breakfast and morning safari activity, it's time to pack up and check out. We will transfer you to Kasane airport in time for your onward flight out.

Ethiopian cultural treasures include the UNESCO World Heritage site, Lalibela, with its incredible rock-hewn churches and the unchanged tribes of the Omo River region in the deep south. Ethiopia was one of the first countries to officially adopt Christianity as its religion back in the 4th century, and it’s awash with fascinating religious history and Orthodox Christian churches.

It’s also full of natural wonders. Ethiopia’s diverse landscapes will take you by surprise on this tour as we trek more than 3,000m above sea level, in the Simien and Bale mountains. There’s also incredibly underrated wildlife, including rare and endemic species we will photograph such as the Ethiopian wolf, the gelada monkey, and the Walia ibex, plus some of the best birdwatching in Africa.

We will take a scheduled flight to Gondar this morning. Upon arrival, our private vehicles will take us to explore Gondar so we can photograph the castles complex. We then head to the Simien Mountains National Park. After settling in to the lodge, the highest lodge in Africa at 10,700 feet [3260 metres], we will spend the next two days photographing the stunning landscapes of the park and the Gelada monkeys. It is also home to the Ethiopian wolf, Walia ibex, caracals and more than 50 species of birds with the impressive bearded vulture a favourite to photograph.

On day 3 we explore the Simiens getting great shots of the Gelada Monkeys. This fascinating primate will capture your attention and heart as they forage on the mountainside for food.

We'll enjoy two nights at Simien Mountain Lodge with meals included.

After breakfast, we drive back to Gondar and then fly over to the ancient city of Lalibela. Here we photograph the remarkable rock-hewn churches built in the 11th century. This place has been a pilgrimage for the Coptic Christians for 800 years. We will be able to go inside the churches as well as photograph priests in their colorful garb. Wide-angle lenses are perfect for capturing the amazing human effort and dedication it took built these impressive structures.

On day 5 after breakfast, we have another day photogrpaing the wonders of Lalibela. If time permits we will try to get out to the famed cave church called Yemrehana Cristos. This is the area of active churches and nothing beats getting involved in one of the services.

We will spend two nights in Mezena Lodge.

After breakfast, we'll pack up and checkout. Then it's time to we transfer to the Lalibela airport to take a flight back to Addis Ababa. From here we connect with a charter flight to the Bale Mountains.

This is the first of two locations where we are going to be in a private mobile luxury camp to afford the very best experience away from crowds.

On day 7 we explore the wilderness of Bale Mountains and photograph its endemic wildlife. We can focus on Ethiopian wolf pups if we are travelling in January/February.

On day 8 another day exploring!

We transfer to camp and enjoy three nights at Webb Valley Tented Camp with all meals included.

After breakfast, we head to the airstrip and fly on our charter flight down to the Omo Valley. We've got three nights here in our own private mobile camp away from the crowds once again.

This part of Ethiopia offers incredible photography that captures a moment in time in the ancient world of people who live peacefully and close to nature in one of the most far-flung and spectacular stretches of the world. If only we could return to this basic beauty ourselves... you'll have the priviledge of photogrpahing their daily lives and capturing epic and enthralling portraits of local people.

If time allows, we may have one last early morning photo opportunity before driving to the airport for our charter flight to Addis Ababa. This flight avoids 2 long days of driving over extremely rough dirt roads.

We arrive into Addis Ababa where all arrangements end. Depending on your flight times, we can assist with a day room in a hotel or another night or two if you need.

On this 20-day photographic adventure we will explore the wildlife paradises of South Georgia and the Falkland Islands before visiting the amazing Antarctic Peninsula.

There will be a maximum of 9 photographers on this expedition, being led by professional nature photographer and tutor, Michael Snedic. Photographers of all experience levels are welcome. Michael will be guiding you and supporting your photography during the expedition. Not just in taking photographs in the field, but also in reviewing and critiquing your photos along the way.

The Ocean Adventurer is the perfect ship for people who enjoy soft adventure with creature comforts. It comfortably holds a maximum of 132 passengers, plus crew.

This sturdy expedition ship was built in 1975 and underwent an $8 million refurbishment in 2017 which included new engines and refurbished cabins and public spaces. All her cabins are ensuite with exterior views.

Ship Amenities

• Bar staffed by a professional bar tender (drinks added to ship board account)
• 24 hour tea and coffee available
• Theatre style auditorium for presentations
• Polar library
• Clinic with licensed Doctor
• Wifi in certain public areas (data usage charges apply)
• Optional webmail account for email (charges apply)
• Ship to Shore telephone communications (charges apply)
• Polar boutique selling essentials, souvenirs and clothing
• On board laundry service (charges apply)
• Gym with a selection of fitness equipment

The ship will also have non-photographer passengers. While we will be mingling with them and sharing the ship and the general Arctic experience, the photographic advice/instruction will be for our group. On outings we will usually operate as a group, with Michael in one zodiac with his photography participant.  WildNature Photo Expeditions works closely with the Quark Expedition Team throughout (and before) the voyage to optimise operations on both sides to help everyone.

Your Spitsbergen adventure begins when you board your ship in Longyearbyen, the island’s largest settlement. As you embark, you’ll get great views of the mountainous landscape that serves as a backdrop to this seaside settlement.

Explore western Spitsbergen as well as stunning fjords and outlying islands to the north. From polar deserts to immense glaciers, the natural landscape here is just as varied as the wildlife. You’ll cruise around this magical island located above the Arctic Circle, and your Expedition Team will be constantly searching for wildlife.

Each expedition presents new opportunities, so we have no fixed itinerary; however, we do hope to visit some of our favorite destinations, including the 14th of July Glacier, Smeerenburg, Phippsøya, Alkhornet and the Hinlopen Straight.

The destinations visited will be selected for optimum wildlife viewing and appreciation of the history and geology of Spitsbergen. Polar bear viewing is almost guaranteed, with Phippsøya being one of their preferred hunting areas, since the towering cliffs of Alkefjellet provide many free bird egg meals for both them and the arctic fox. Torellneset and Phippsøya are great places for walrus photography. Coming across a walrus haul-out is a moment you won’t soon forget. These giant pinnipeds of the Arctic create quite a noisy scene as each walrus vies for a choice spot of coastline.

If you’re itching to get a little closer to the action, you can book the kayaking option and take an excursion to the more isolated pockets of Spitsbergen. Smeerenburg is a great place for snowshoeing (optional and complimentary on select voyages), where you can visit a memorial erected in 1906. This historic site honors the whalers who lost their lives in the 17th and 18th centuries while working in extreme arctic conditions.

There is no shortage of natural beauty in Spitsbergen. The tundra can be surprisingly colorful in summer, with wildflowers bursting for a taste of sunshine. Each day, you’ll see something new, whether it is a rare bird species or an abandoned site from centuries ago.

In some areas we will explore the stunning scenery from aboard the ship, but we will often transfer into the inflatable Zodiacs to explore bays, islands, icebergs, and to land at most sites.

Michael will present both group and one-on-one photography sessions and with continuous daylight during this time of year, photo ops abound. You’ll have ample time to linger and photograph any bears we find hunting on the ice edge, but they’re not the only wildlife we hope to encounter. The food-rich waters attract walrus, whales and seabirds, so you’ll want to keep your binoculars nearby while cruising. Arctic fox and the indigenous Svalbard reindeer may also be spotted on Zodiac excursions to shore.

A haven for present-day explorers, Spitsbergen and the surrounding area offer unforgettable polar experiences that will keep you and your camera active all expedition long. Although 60 percent of the landscape is covered in glaciers and much of the terrain is mountainous, Spitsbergen (which means “pointed mountains”) surprises with stretches of colorful tundra, bursting with wildflowers in summer. Optional hiking activities get you up close and personal with the abundant wildlife. At day’s end, you’ll have plenty of prized photographs and exciting stories to share with your shipmates!

There’s a huge range of environments around Svalbard, and every day will present new subjects. Sometimes the sky is clear and blue, sometimes it’s overcast and grey, sometimes we will see parhelion and “sun-dogs”, but the sun will never actually set (unless it’s behind a mountain). You may even end up photographing some wildlife under a midnight sun. The days will be busy, often with several off-ship expeditions per day.

Michael will be conducting a series of group and individual lessons along the way, including giving you feedback on your work. We want you to come back with the best images you can, as well as with new skills.

The time to say goodbye has come. Your adventure ends as it began, in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here we’ll transfer you to the airport for your flight home.

Anyone in normal good health can join us on this adventure. There are no special fitness requirements, although we will be often climbing into and out of the inflatable Zodiac boats, and walking on shore. Living on the ship sailing in unfrozen water, the outside temperatures are sometimes close to freezing. But it is summer and at times in the sun it can be quite warm.

The ship has a doctor and basic medical facilities on board. If you have specific health concerns or dietary requirements the staff at Peregrine will be able to advise you. There’s also a gym on board if you feel the need to get extra workouts. Actually, with the excellent meals provided on these trips it’s not hard to put weight on, so some people like this option.

We will be travelling on a ship but while we can occasionally be exposed to storms and heavy seas, most of the time the coast and ice provides a lot of protection. We’re not on the open ocean!

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The trip is being put together with our partners at Intrepid Travel and they take care of the travel arrangements for us, while we are running the photography program and will be your local contacts on the trip.