EXPEDITION
BOTSWANA
ITINERARY
Thank you for your interest in Jack Swynnerton’s 2027 “Expedition Botswana”!
Prepare for an unforgettable journey into the heart of Botswana’s most iconic wilderness, from the shimmering waterways of the Okavango Delta to the vast, otherworldly Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. This is a land of striking contrasts, where lush floodplains teem with life and endless horizons stretch beneath golden skies.
Expect extraordinary wildlife encounters, from elephants moving through delta channels to giraffes crossing open plains and curious meerkats emerging in the desert. Experiences range from quad biking across the salt pans to scenic helicopter flights over untouched landscapes.
This is more than a safari, it is a true expedition, offering exceptional photographic opportunities and rare, immersive moments. Open to all with a passion for nature and adventure, the journey also includes photography guidance from Jack Swynnerton, who will share techniques for capturing and refining compelling visual content.
Location: Botswana - Africa
Expedition Dates: 30th September - 5th October 2027
Length: 7 Nights (4 nights Okavango Delta, 3 Nights Makgadikgadi Salt Pans)
Price: $10,700 per person sharing (No single supplement available)
Payment Terms: 30% deposit to secure seat then final amount due 60 days before trip starts.
Internal Transfers included: Helicopters + Aircrafts
Guides: Jack Swynnerton + Driver guides
Group Size: Min 4 pax Max 6 pax
Private Open Game drive vehicles: 2x Vehicles (3 pax in each vehicle)
Activities included: Game Drives, Mokoro boat Experience, Meerkat colony visits, Quad Biking, and culture visits + a few surprises along the way.
Activities not included: Horse Riding, extra helicopter scenic flights
The important information:
Day-By-Day Breakdown
Day 1:
Upon arrival at Maun International Airport, guests will clear immigration and collect their luggage before making their way into the arrivals hall, where they will be met by Jack Swynnerton. He will assist with check-in for the helicopter transfer into the Okavango Delta.
On arrival in the Delta, guests will be met by two vehicles and driver-guides, who will transfer them back to base camp. Before heading out on the first short game drive, there will be time to ensure all camera equipment is fully set up for the days ahead, ensuring everything is ready to make the most of every moment.
Days 2– 4: Okavango Delta
Over the next four days, guests settle into the rhythm of the Okavango Delta, unpredictable, immersive, and deeply rewarding.
Each morning begins with coffee around the fire before heading out in open safari vehicles. With no fixed agenda, the day unfolds according to the movement of wildlife, with packed breakfasts allowing for longer, more exploratory drives. The Mokolwane area is renowned for exceptional game viewing, particularly its high density of leopards. Lions roam the plains, often heard before they are seen, while elephant and buffalo move steadily through the floodplains. Red lechwe bound through shallow waters, and, on rare occasions, wild dogs may appear, fleeting yet unforgettable.
The landscape itself is ever-changing, from open grasslands to palm-fringed islands and reflective waterways, creating a constant sense of discovery. Mid-morning breakfasts are enjoyed in the bush before a gradual return to camp as the day warms.
Afternoons are spent reviewing images and discussing photography with Jack Swynnerton. As the heat fades, the Delta comes alive once more, with predators stirring and the landscape glowing in the evening light. Sundowners are taken in the bush before continuing into the night and returning to camp for a well-deserved meal.
On the final morning, a scenic helicopter flight offers a breathtaking aerial perspective of the Delta’s winding channels and scattered islands, before returning to Maun and continuing onward.
Days 4 - 7: The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
From the lush waterways of the Okavango Delta, guests journey into the stark, otherworldly landscape of the Makgadikgadi, often referred to as “the great big nothing.” Vast and seemingly empty at first glance, this environment reveals a quiet drama and surprising abundance of life.
This is also a place steeped in personal history. It was here that Jack Bousfield, after whom Jack Swynnerton is named, spent many years exploring the pans. His time here, navigating this remote and often unforgiving terrain, adds a deeper sense of legacy and connection to the experience.
Big cats move across the pans and surrounding grasslands, while elephants wander between islands of scrub. Bat-eared foxes emerge in the soft light of dawn and dusk, and meerkat colonies provide some of the most intimate wildlife encounters in Africa, often approaching guests with remarkable curiosity. With luck, more elusive species such as brown hyena or even aardvark may be encountered.
Experiences here extend beyond traditional game drives. Quad bike excursions venture deep into the endless salt pans, where the horizon stretches uninterrupted in every direction. For photographers, the Makgadikgadi offers a unique creative canvas, minimalist compositions, vast negative space, and a striking sense of isolation. As night falls, the skies reveal extraordinary clarity, with the Milky Way arching overhead, offering exceptional opportunities for astrophotography.
While the landscapes and wildlife are remarkable in their own right, a few additional surprises along the way add to the sense of adventure, ensuring a rich and memorable experience.
Day 7: Makgadikgadi Salt Pans - Maun Airport
After the final game activity, guests will be transferred to the airstrip in time to connect with their scheduled flight back to Maun.
On arrival, they will bid farewell to Jack Swynnerton before checking in for their onward international departure, marking the end of their journey through Botswana.
What to expect on this Expedition.
Join Jack on an unforgettable journey through Botswana, from the lush waterways of the Okavango Delta to the vast, otherworldly Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. Carefully curated for its diversity and raw beauty, this expedition offers extraordinary wildlife encounters and endless opportunities to capture truly unique imagery.
Beyond photography, you’ll share the experience with like-minded adventurers, explore some of Africa’s most iconic and contrasting landscapes, and immerse yourself in moments that go far beyond the traditional safari, from close encounters with wildlife to unforgettable adventures under open African skies.
Meet your photographic guide
Jack, a passionate photographer, was born in Australia, raised in the foothills of Kilimanjaro, and is now based in Nairobi, Kenya. As a fourth-generation living in East Africa, he comes from a long line of naturalists, hunters, conservationists, and pilots, making his deep connection to the wild instinctive. Jack loves an adventure and is always looking for the next best thing, having summited Kilimanjaro, bungeed jumped off Victoria Falls bridge there’s always an adventurous plan on the horizon.
His great-grandfather, C.F.M. Swynnerton, arrived in Africa in the early 1900s and became Tanganyika’s (Tanzania today) first head game warden. He played a pivotal role in eradicating the tsetse fly, helping shape the safari tourism industry as we know it today. After C.F.M.'s tragic plane accident en route to Dar es Salaam, Jack’s grandfather, Gerry Swynnerton, took over later as head of the game department in Arusha, Tanzania. Gerry was instrumental in managing wardens and protecting iconic wildlife areas such as the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
Jack was named after his great-uncle, Jack Bousfield, a legendary figure in African safaris and roamed freely where now the iconic Jack’s Camp in Botswana is situated. His family’s legacy extends even further—his grandfather, Peter Whitehead, was the lion handler for the classic film Born Free, while his great-grandfather, Alex "Fatty" Pearson, was Ernest Hemingway’s bush pilot. Pearson famously rescued Hemingway after a plane crash, a story immortalised in The Snows of Kilimanjaro, where he appears as "Compton."
Joining a safari with Jack is more than just a wildlife adventure; it’s a chance to immerse yourself in a rich history, hear legendary stories, and gain invaluable photography and social media insights.
FAQs
Photography Expedition in Botswana – FAQs
1. What makes this expedition unique?
This is more than just a safari - it's a photography-focused adventure led by Jack Swynnerton, who will take you to his favourite locations in Botswana. You'll have exclusive access to prime wildlife viewing spots, expert guidance, and opportunities to refine your photography skills in the field.
2. Do I need to be a professional photographer to join?
Not at all! This expedition is open to all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned photographers. Whether you're shooting with a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or even a smartphone, you'll receive guidance tailored to your experience.
3. What kind of photography will we focus on?
The main focus is wildlife photography, but you’ll also have opportunities for landscape, cultural, and night photography. We’ll cover techniques like composition, lighting, action shots, and post-processing tips.
4. What equipment should I bring?
A DSLR or mirrorless camera with telephoto and wide-angle lenses
Extra batteries & memory cards
A sturdy tripod
A laptop or tablet for editing (optional)
Binoculars (highly recommended for spotting wildlife) Use “jack10” for 10% discount on all Swaroski Optik products.
A detailed packing list will be provided upon booking.
5. What kind of wildlife can I expect to see?
Botswana, is home to an extraordinary diversity of wildlife — From Wild dog, Brown hyena, Aardvark, Lions, Leopards, Cheetah, the locations we are visiting has it all!
N.B. Please note that Wildlife is never guaranteed and we will see what we see, however Jack and the driver guides will do their best in locating some incredible sightings.
6. What’s included in the expedition package?
Expert photography guidance
All beverages
All internal Helicopter and aeroplane transfers
All accommodation in Botswana.
All meals
Private safari vehicles with ample space for photography
Park & conservation fees
7. What’s not included?
International flights
Visa fees
Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Personal expenses & gratuities
Extra activities such as horse riding.
8. What type of accommodation can I expect?
You’ll stay in great lodges and hotels, offering comfort, great hospitality, and prime access to wildlife areas. Accommodation details will be shared upon booking.
9. How physically demanding is this expedition?
This is a relaxed safari experience with minimal physical exertion. Most photography will be done from safari vehicles, but there may be optional short walks for landscape or cultural photography.
10. How do I book, and what’s the payment process?
To secure your spot, a 30% non-refundable deposit is required, with the balance due 60 days before departure. Payment plans and cancellation policies will be outlined in your booking confirmation.
11. What should I wear?
Comfortable, neutral-coloured clothing is best for safaris. Layers are recommended for cool mornings and warm afternoons. A detailed packing guide will be provided before the trip.
12. Will there be internet and charging facilities?
Most lodges/camps have Wi-Fi, though it can be limited in remote areas. Charging facilities are available, but bringing a power bank or extra batteries is advised.
13. Can non-photographers join?
Absolutely! While the focus is on photography, the experience is immersive and enjoyable for anyone who loves wildlife and adventure.
14. What would a typical day look like?
5:00am - 5:30am - Wake up call along with a coffee
5:30am - 10:00am - Search for our next photography opportunity in the best light.
9:30am - Packed breakfast or head back to camp for a hot breakfast.
11:00am - 12:00pm - Focus on different forms of photography
12:00pm - 14:00pm - Head back to camp for a hot lunch / transfer morning photos / Editing with Jack
14:00pm - 16:00pm - Relax and get ready for afternoon shoot
16:00pm - 18:00pm - Afternoon activity maximising best light.
18:00pm - 18:30pm - Sundowner
18:30pm - 21:00pm - Dinner/ spend time around the campfire chatting about another incredible day on safari.
End of Day.