The Chobe River, located in northern Botswana, is a bird photographer’s paradise. Teeming with diverse avian species, the river’s lush riverbanks and floodplains provide an abundance of opportunities to capture stunning images of a wide range of birds, from majestic raptors to vibrant waterfowl and wading birds.
In August, I co-facilitated a photographic expedition and spent 4 days on the river accompanied by several highly engaged guests. As is typical, the Chobe river presented us with an abundance of photographic subjects, but for me, the birds were the most remarkable aspect of the 4-night stay.
The diverse habitats along this section of the river provide a range of opportunities for wildlife observation. You may encounter various bird species, including herons, egrets, geese, and storks, as you explore the floodplains and papyrus stands. Additionally, the islands in the area are known to be highly productive for observing kingfishers and bee-eaters.
Downstream from the boat launch jetties, there are several beautiful rapids areas and a substantial amount of riverine forest. This setting produced the most remarkable bird sighting of the safari – a Pels fishing owl perched in the riverine vegetation, allowing us an impressive 45 minutes of excellent photographic opportunities. Other noteworthy species observed include the Slaty egret, Rufous-bellied heron, and Half-collared Kingfisher. The photographic highlights were undoubtedly the Pels fishing owl, the White-fronted Bee-eaters at their nesting colony, Malachite Kingfishers, Pied Kingfishers, and the African Fish Eagles, which were frequently perched on the large trees along the riverbank, providing unique photographic angles.
From here we travelled south to the Mashatu Game Reserve for a very different safari experience, but we left the Chobe area with satisfied smiles and a trove of fantastic bird photographs. The sheer abundance and diversity of avian life we encountered on this successful expedition definitely left an indelible mark.
