http://www.johnclassenphotography.com

THE FISH EAGLE SAFARI!

Days 1-2: Okavango Delta, camping mokoro excursion
Your adventure will take you in a north-westerly direction from Maun to the western side of the Okavango Delta, a special corner of paradise. Once you have reached the edge of the Delta, you will transfer your equipment to motorboats and cruise along the narrow papyrus-lined channels enjoying the exquisite birdlife of the region as well as the stunning landscape. Deeper in the Delta you will meet the local polers with their mokoro (a traditional dugout canoe) and enjoy a tranquil transfer to an island. You will spend two days exploring this beautiful area on mokoro excursions and taking guided walks on the islands and floodplains of the Okavango. You will camp wild with bush ablutions. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided)
Distance Covered: Maun – Okavango Delta: 200 miles, 4hrs

Day 3: Maun, camping
Inspired by the beauty of the Okavango, you will retrace your route to Maun. You will have the option of taking a scenic flight over the Delta to return to Maun (1hr scenic flight is EUR 100 per person, with a minimum of3 guests to guarantee the flight). This magical experience provides another perspective of the Okavango Delta’s unique water system and if you choose to take the flight, you will enjoy a leisurely afternoon in the Delta campsite writing postcards or reading a book while you wait for your afternoon flight. Your guide will travel back to Maun with the vehicle to resupply for the next stage of your adventure. After collecting you at the airport, you will shop for drinks and then spend the night at a campsite just outside Maun with permanent ablution facilities. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided)
Distance Covered: Okavango Delta – Maun: 200 miles, 4hrs

Days 4-6: Moremi Game Reserve, camping
From Maun you will drive through to Moremi Game Reserve, one of the best wilderness areas of Botswana which covers swamp and dry areas. The next three days will be spent searching for the wide variety of wildlife and birds that this area is renowned for while absorbing the sounds and beauty of this region. Game drives in the early morning as the sun rises and in the late afternoon as the sun sets will be the norm. After your morning game drive you will return to camp for lunch and a siesta. On Day 7 you will move campsites to explore a different area of this diverse park. Camping will be in private designated campsites with bush ablutions. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided)

Day 5: Distance Covered: Maun – Moremi Game Reserve:
93 miles, 6hrs (including game drive)

Days 7-9: Chobe National Park, camping
Chobe National Park, with its diverse and striking landscapes, will be your next destination. As you continue your search for wildlife, you will traverse the drier region of Savuti where bull elephants dot the plains. You will then head northwards to the Chobe River where your game drives will meander along the banks of the river and venture further into the park. Camping will be in private designated areas with bush ablutions. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided)
Distance Covered - Day 7: Moremi – Savuti: 75 miles, 5-6hrs
Distance Covered - Day 8: Savuti - Chobe River: 106 miles, 5hrs

Days 10–11: A night in a comfortable lodge in Livingstone, chalet accommodation
After a morning game drive you will cross the Zambezi River by ferry and then drive to Livingstone on the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls (Visa required), where you will spend the night at a comfortable lodge. In the afternoon there will be time to visit the thunderous Victoria Falls and shop for curios. Dinner will be at your own expense at the lodge. The safari officially ends at 10 AM on Day 11. Activities in Livingstone include White Water Rafting down the Zambezi Gorge, Canoeing on the upper Zambezi, Elephant rides and Helicopter Flights over the Victoria Falls, please ask your guide for further details. (Day 10 – Breakfast, Lunch & Day 11 Breakfast)
Distance Covered - Day 10: Chobe River – Livingstone: 62 miles, 2-3hrs

Important:
As we approach the time to make reservations etc, it will be important that we decide if we are going to arrange our OWN post-tour accommodations and activities or if you want me to do it as a group. Either way, I am happy to arrange post-tour accommodation, activities and transfers to Livingstone airport or lodges, Victoria Falls airport or lodges or Kasane, Botswana, at an additional cost.

Costs:
The 11-day safari, exluding airfare and transfers and accomodations outside of the safari will cost each person EUR 2050.00 with noted photographer Jamie Thom and I as your tour guides. The price includes:
Professional guide, all accommodation (spacious bow tents with mattresses), rooms at a comfortable lodge in Livingstone, all transfers and activities as per the itinerary, all meals that are indicated (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and tea/coffees, services of a Professional Guide and Camp Assistant, all Botswana park fees for activities included on itinerary and transport in specialised safari vehicles.

The price does NOT not include:
Restaurant meals (Livingstone, Zambia), entrance to the Falls, visas, airport transfers, tips, curios, optional excursions (scenic flight over the Delta and activities in Livingstone/Victoria Falls,), beverages (alcohol, soft drinks and bottled mineral water), Insurance to cover for cancellation and curtailment, medical, baggage, emergency evacuation, sleeping bag (and small pillow) on all camping sectors.

About Jamie Thom
Jamie has won the BBC/British Gas Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the most coveted title in wildlife photography internationally. He also won the Eric Hosking Award (Best portfolio) in the same competition for two years running as well as a number of Agfa Top50 awards. After 4 years of living in the MalaMala game reserve, he directed wildlife documentaries for National Geographic and the Discovery Channel. He filmed a documentary on man-eating lions and then filmed and directed two movies, one on cheetah and another on man-killers (large mammals that kill man). Ultimately he turned back to his passion - photography. He is now a full time professional photographer in his chosen fields of wildlife, landscapes and golf courses, and runs an exclusive safari business to his favourite destinations. His images have been widely published in magazines and books worldwide, and guess what, he is going to be our host! Not only will Jamie help you get the best animal photographs you will ever get (not just point at the rump of the lion hidden in the bush, but get around so you can see his/her eyes), but you will have an opportunity to learn and take better pictures. This is an experience with one of the world's greatest!

Airfare! Where do I have to fly to?
You will need to book your flight into Oliver Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa and catch a connecting flight to Maun, Botswana where you will meet up with Jamie, me and the rest of the group. before beginning our 11-day adventure. We will need to catch connecting flights back to Johannesburg from Livingstone Airport.

What is a wilderness experience?
Our experience will be a one where we get up close to, and experience as many animals as we can. Typically, animals shy away from where people live. Consequently, we are going to them. Yup, this will be an experience that will sometimes take us off roads, but we will practice safety at all times. Remember that this is NOT a "feather bed and room-service" type safari. We'll provide a comfortable mattress, and morning wake-up call for fresh coffee!

Equipment! What should I bring?
First off, you'll need a sleeping bag and pillow. You can beg or borrow this. Alternatively, we can arrange for you to rent one. Photographic equipment: A point-and-shoot isn't really going to work. At the very least you need a SLR camera (a camera where you can switch out lenses). Plan to bring lenses ranging from 24mm to 600mm. I have arranged for all people who go on this trip to get a 5% rental discount through LensRentals.com, my favourite lens rental company. Two bodies (in case one break down), spare charged batteries, lots of extra digital cards, bean bags (empty) to use on the dashboard of a car, monopods, dust-proof bags, plastic bags in case of rain, recharging equipment etc. I will give you a far more detailed list a little closer to the time

About Me
My name is John Classen. I was born in East London, South Africa, grew up in Johannesburg and emigrated to the United States on Thanksgiving Day in 1990 with my family. While I love my work as a photographer in Houston, TX the call of the African bush is never far from me. There are nights when I wake up thinking I just heard the call of African fish eagle or the roar of the lion or anyone of the number of birds such as the red-chested cuckoo ("Piet-my-vrou") or Loerie. While in South Africa, I had the opportunity to live in Nelspruit, about an hour from the Kruger National Park and traveled up and down the Park many times. As a young man, I patrolled the plains of the Etosha Game Reserve in Namibia. I've seen the great herds of kudu and oryx (gemsbok) and watched herds of elephant that few people had seen. I've slept under the Southern Cross and roamed the red-sands of Africa and something inside of me wants to, needs to, go back and show others the splendour and beauty that is Africa.

Invitation
I am inviting you to join me on this once-in-a-lifetime trip to experience the raw beauty that is Africa, to taste and smell and touch the continent and be forever changed. Take a moment to call or email me right now to put your name on the list of interested persons and for an anticipated itinerary. I will begin collecting deposits beginning October 2010. In the meantime, start saving for this life-changing opportunity.