We spent 5 days with Pangolin Photo Safaris in Chobe. We picked them because of their reputation and their focus on photography. We were very pleased to discover their reputation was well deserved, and that their hospitality was also excellent. Everything we experienced with them was better than expected. The room, the service and the food were all excellent. Our stay with them was exactly what we wanted with a total focus on photography. The equipment, guides and photography experts are all top notch. I am attaching just a few of the many pictures we got during our brief stay. Please remember these are just a few of the hundreds of pictures we took during our stay. These are not from 'The Best Of' a years worth of visits. These pictures are the result of the knowledge and care of the Pangolin guides. When we took this trip, we considered it a once in a lifetime trip. Now that we've been, we can't wait to return.

I had a great time with Pangolin. All the staff were so warm and welcoming. They took care of lodging, meals, laundry, etc. so that all I had to do was concentrate on my photography. I loved their boats with the swivel seats and attached gimbals which allow you to follow the action on either side of the boat. Our guide and captain got us to the best photo ops and made sure that everyone was ready before we moved on to the next location.The food was wonderful! It was fun to experiment with some of the equipment they had available.

My 2 nights stay with Pangolin Photo Safaris was fantastic. The staff from our first day was welcoming and friendly and the food was out of this world. Our photo guides were extremely helpful and knowledgeable and they definitely improved my craft.

What ever superlatives you have heard or read about Pangolin will not do it justice. The team take customer service and friendliness to new levels. From the moment you arrive and are greeted by everyone to the cheery wave-off for every Safari, this place is like one huge family. The magnificently equipped boats are a dream for any photographer with amazing gimbals and swivel seats so you always get your shot. They offer a unique view of the amazing wildlife around the Chobe River. More than that, the Photo Hosts and the guides will get the boats into the right position for the best photographs. The best light. The best background. They’ll offer advice on camera settings. They do editing tutorials. Honestly, the place is amazing. Oh, and the food is great too!! We were only there for 2 nights as part of a longer safari, but we will be back and for longer. Whether you are a seasoned photographer or a newbie who wants to learn you cannot do better than Pangolin.

The Pangolin Chobe Hotel caters primarily to people interested in wildlife photography, and they deliver an incredible experience in this unique niche market. Pangolin is an all-inclusive hotel that revolves around its photo-centric safaris. If you are a photographer or want to improve your wildlife photography skills, this is THE place to visit. We truly can’t say enough good things about this place or our visit. A short, 5-minute drive from the Chobe River, two daily game drives are included in cost of the stay. Most of these game drives take place on Pangolin’s custom photography boats which seat 8 photographers in a single row, all on gimbal-mounted seats. When doing game drives in the park (in 5 days, we did 8 boat trips and 2 game drives), the land cruisers have 4 rows of 2, meaning that no one is ever stuck in a middle seat! You’re welcome to bring your own photography gear, but if you don’t have it, Pangolin will provide you with a camera and long lens to use during your visit (and instruction, too!). The true highlight though, is that in addition to your field guide/driver a Pangolin Photo Host joins you on each trip, ensuring that you’re getting the most out of your visit. We were privileged to have Janine as our host for the 5-nights we stayed with Pangolin, and she was both a wonderful person and excellent teacher/host/guide. 100% game drive and 100% photography bootcamp, each trip is spent looking for various wildlife and finding opportunities to practice various wildlife techniques like low-key, high-key, rim light, panning, and more. Distinctive from most safaris, Pangolin Photo Safaris prioritize quality photographic encounters, positioning the boat according to the light and subject to ensure the best opportunities for good photographs. We certainly saw a lot of ‘big’ wildlife like lions, hippos, elephants, and buffalo but equally spent time with bee-eaters, kingfishers, storks, impala, and baboons when good photographic opportunities popped up. Beyond the game drives, we also spent time several afternoons with Janine working on our photos in Lightroom and took an evening trip to a nearby farm for astrophotography. It was photography overload in the best way possible. We spent one night here in July 2019 while on a self-drive itinerary, and then almost immediately turned around and booked a longer, 5-night trip at the Pangolin Chobe Hotel which finally happened in July 2022. After 5-nights at Pangolin, both my wife and I have walked away better photographers, with new skills and an increased passion for both wildlife and wildlife photography. As an important side note, the process leading up to our time at Pangolin was extremely long and complicated due to COVID delays, however, their team was amazing at reorganizing, rescheduling, and reassuring us throughout the process. While the highlight of Pangolin Chobe Hotel is the photographic safaris, the hotel itself is great, too. Built in an industrial design, the hotel is well furnished including a beautiful art gallery of wildlife photography from around the world. The upstairs bar has a beautiful view and is well stocked. As an all-inclusive hotel, the food is great and caters to many different tastes. The house staff is wonderful, and really goes above and beyond to make sure all your needs are met while there. Pangolin is a uniquely wonderful place, and we hope we have the opportunity to return soon!

Our stay was amazing, the lodge was brilliant with comfortable accommodation, fabulous food and most importantly friendly and helpful staff. However what truly set this location apart from others was the high quality photo safaris in purpose built boat and excellent photography support. I was new to wildlife photography and the time spent with Charl improved my wildlife photography tenfold. He enhanced my ability hugely which gave me a great base for the rest of our safari trip and improved my skills for ever. I have already recommended them to others and I can’t praise them highly enough. Looking forward to going back.

Wow! Just wow! Pangolin Photo Safaris exceed my expectations in every way. And I had high expectations. From the moment you arrive, you feel like you have walked into somewhere special. All of the staff are extremely helpful, friendly, knowledgeable, and focused on making sure you have a great experience. Janine and Sabine were our two photo guides/leaders during our visit and they helped make me a better photographer in just a few days. I've done other photo workshops in the past and they just don't compare to the guidance and help you receive with Pangolin. Aside from the reason I went, to shoot photos of the wildlife in Botswana, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the amazing food, great atmosphere, and accommodations. If you are wondering if you should book at trip with Pangolin, don't hesitate. I know their trips sell out fast and I highly recommend it to any level photographer who is interested in improving their skills.

Our first time to Africa and our first safari exceeded all expectations! Everyone at Pangolin went above and beyond to ensure that we enjoyed our stay. Extremely knowledgeable, friendly and genuine … one and all. This started right from the outset when booking our trip with Sam C., to the wonderful staff at the Chobe Hotel, the excellent food and well appointed common areas and guest rooms. Our photo host (Danielle) made everyone feel very comfortable with their gear and we all left as better photographers (whether a beginner or experienced). Also, thanks to our wonderful guide, Richard. He can spot anything, anywhere and, we learned so much about the animals we saw, their behaviour and environment. Have already booked gain for 2023!

Five stars plus for the folks at Pangolin Chobe Hotel. This is a first rate organization with fantastic ownership, management and staff. If you want to up your photography game, the photo hosts will be happy to help you learn new techniques and apply them in the field. The wildlife is abundant, the River is amazing, and Botswana now has a special place in my heart.

All I can say is WOW! What an amazing experience staying at The Pangolin Chobe Hotel was, I didn't want to leave. Myself and my husband are total novices in photography and were delighted that this didn't matter at all. We were among seriously good photographers and felt incredibly looked after by the delightful Danielle, our photography host. After already been on a land safari, this was a new and exciting challenge and one we'll never forget. So many beautiful birds and other animals to photograph, it was truly breathtaking. The staff couldn't have been more welcoming and friendly especially Dan, Ndina and all the crew. Our expert Richard was also a star, his knowledge was limitless. The food every evening was delicious and plentiful and the evening meals a lovely way to finish the day. Thank you all at Pangolin, keep up the good work, you guys are all awesome. SAVE THE WONDERFUL PANGOLINS

Incredible trip!! Everything was to perfection. The staff is amazing- warm, welcoming, enthusiastic, attentive! Sabine was our photo host and she was beyond Amazing!! So helpful to all levels of photographers. Her knowledge of photography and the equipment is second to none. I can't say enough great things about her. The drivers were amazing as well. We saw everything and then some - wild dogs, leopard, lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, etc eyc. The list goes on. This company won't disappoint. Everyday was a new adventure even if seeing the same animals. There was always something new to photograph. Don't wait - book this trip!!

I have been to the Pangolin Chobe hotel before so it was a no brainer to go there again and it will definitely be on my itinerary for my next visit to Botswana. I am an avid photographer. Pangolin is magic for photography. The Chobe River is paradise and to be able to access it from a boat set up to get the best shot is perfect. Chairs that rotate 360 degrees. A gimble tripod to keep everything stable. A limited number of people so that everyone gets the perfect view. The boat is positioned so everyone gets the shot. Although I have my own gear it is nice that those that don't are given a camera and lens and memory cards so they too can take special images. Every outing is accompanied by a photo host to assist with settings and suggestions as required. It is nice to return after time on the river to be greeted with so many smiling faces. The Pangolin staff are brilliant. Always happy and helpful. The accommodation is great and so comfortable. Plus plenty of workspace and power points in your room so you can look at the many images you capture. And if food and drink is important both are in abundant supply and unfortunately they are always delicious. I always come home with a few extra kilos. When planning your next visit to Africa spoil yourself and add a stay at Pangolin on the beautiful Chobe River in Botswana.

We chose Pangolin Photo Safaris for our first visit to Africa from the US and we can't say enough good things about the trip and the company. From our stay at the Pangolin Hotel in Kasane, Botswana to the Great Migration in the Masai Mara in Kenya, the experience was incredible. The photo hosts were very helpful and the guides in the jeeps and boats knew all about the area as well as the natural and human history. They could find us wildlife and get us to a vantage point where were were able to have great views of the animals. As a birder, I was very pleased that the guides could always come up with an identification for what we saw. The accommodations in both places were extremely comfortable and we were very well taken care of by the staff. The food was some of the best that I've ever tasted. We have absolutely no complaints about our trip and many, many thanks to give to those that work for Pangolin Photo Safaris.

Absolutely fantastic. Starting from the transfer from Kasane Airport till being dropped off at the airport after 7 incredible days both at the lodge as well as on the Voyager. The staff was in every possible way helpful, friendly and co-operative. We learned everything about wildlive photography. that one can learn in 7 days. The accommodation is excellent (genuine 5 Star quality) , the food is outstanding (7 Star quality) and everything the staff does is very pro-active and helpful. We enjoyed our trip very much and will definitely come back

Pangolin have a wonderful staff of experts in photography and hospitality. They go the extra mile to ensure a fun and rewarding experience. The facilities are well suited to safari and the meals they prepare are unique to the local market. I highly recommend Pangolin Photo Safaris.

Fantastic!!!! If you are a photographer and want the BEST photo experience you can have. Book a Pangolin Photo Safari now. The staff did everything as promised. Hotel was great-- Photo guide was great!! I'd do it again tomorrow.