We’re puttering past a patch of water lilies, water splashing on the sides of the boat, mist spray on our arms. From a small jetty in Kasane, Botswana, we’d sped downstream to Impalila Island for immigration formalities. Now we’re going back upstream to join the Pangolin Voyager for a taste of houseboat life on the Chobe River, photography on our minds.
By Roxanne Reid
We’re puttering past a patch of water lilies, water splashing on the sides of the boat, mist spray on our arms. From a small jetty in Kasane, Botswana, we’d sped downstream to Impalila Island for immigration formalities. Now we’re going back upstream to join the Pangolin Voyager for a taste of houseboat life on the Chobe River, photography on our minds.
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By Roxanne Reid ‘Incoming on the right! Here it comes.’ Six people swivelled on their chairs and pointed their cameras in the same direction, trying to find the bird in flight. A seventh peered through his binoculars. We were on a tutored photo safari on the Chobe River, something a little different from the usual game drive or sunset cruise. By Roxanne Reid If you’re really keen on wildlife photography, especially in Botswana, you may have heard of Wilderness Safaris guide and photographer Ona Basimane. His photos have appeared in publications like Peolwane, Discover Botswana and Travel Ideas, and he was a guest speaker at the Wild Shots Wildlife Photography Symposium in South Africa in 2013 and 2015. By Roxanne Reid Chobe National Park in northern Botswana is famous for its large elephant population and its beautiful riverfront drive in the Serondela section. Although Chobe encompasses other ecosystems like the Savuti Marsh and Linyanti Swamps, I’ve concentrated here on the section from Ngoma Gate in the west, hugging the Chobe River to the Sedudu Gate near Kasane in the east. By Roxanne Reid Skin of reddish hue, elaborate hair extensions, handmade skirts, and metal, shell and leather accessories, these are part of what makes Himba women so beautiful. There’s a grace and ease of movement too, making the Himba the supermodels of Kunene district in northwestern Namibia. Ever been to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park? Well, then you know that it’s addictive – the chance to see the wildlife, recharge your batteries, hear the silence, feel the red sand between your toes. After 27 years and multiple visits, amateur photographer Madelene Silbernagl is still hooked. She shares some shots of Kgalagadi creatures in this photo blog. By Roxanne Reid Cape Town is a remarkable destination that offers everything from mountains, beaches and different cultures to forest, fynbos and fabulous food. And when the Cape Town carnival hits the streets in January each year, it’s a photographer’s delight. Take a look at this portfolio of street photography in Cape Town and you’ll understand why. By Roxanne Reid A bout of cerebral malaria 18 years ago made Heinrich van den Berg reconsider his life as a civil engineer and decide to live his passion – photography. Now, with some 20 photography books already published, he’s bringing out a new one called Reflection. It’s a deeply personal book in which, he says, he has used ‘something deeper inside me than just sight, hearing and touch’. In this Q&A with photographer Heinrich van den Berg, he shares some insights and some of the photos from the book. By Roxanne Reid The Klein Karoo town of Oudtshoorn is best known for the Cango Caves nearby and its heyday during the ostrich feather boom of 1900–1914. Feathers were high-fashion items that fetched enormous prices, bringing wealth that was reflected in the sandstone buildings of the era. Discover some of Oudtshoorn’s buildings in this photo blog. By Roxanne Reid Fynbos, flamingos on the lagoon and a forest spa sounded so romantic. My kind of place. So when I was invited to stay at the Mosaic Private Sanctuary near Stanford in the Overberg while I researched an article about things to do and places to eat in Stanford, I was there boots and all. Through this photo essay you can get a taste too. |
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AboutI'm an independent travel writer and book editor with a passion for Africa - anything from African travel, people, safari and wildlife to adventure, heritage, road-tripping and slow travel. Categories
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