Pangolin Chobe Hotel

An amazing experience. Expert professional photography guides, our thanks to Charl, kind, thoughtful and attentive staff, particular thanks to Lilly. This holiday combined amazing experiences with terrific support and learning. Accommodation exceeded all expectations, the lodge is not only practical but is a real work of art.

We spent 3 nights on the Pangolin Voyager (Namibian Side) and 3 nights at the Pangolin Hotel (Botswana Side) mid March 2025. Whilst the annual flood and not yet arrived, water levels were high and the bush was in good condition. The advantage with Pangolin is access to the photo boats, specifically designed for photographers and access to a photo guide, particularly useful for novice and less experienced photographers. However the key advantage in my view is access to sites not easily available, especially from the Pangolin Voyager. Cruising into a channel covered in lilies with African Jacana and chicks, Lesser Jacana, Little Bittern, Chirping Cisticola, Allen's Gallinule, Black Crake, Weavers, Bee-eaters and more. You do not know where to focus first and truly a magical experience. The staff were all wonderful, friendly and knowledgeable and addressed immediately a concern that I had, good on them and good customer service. I would advise that you make sure that the guide understands your area of interest. Naturally the focus is on the Elephants, Hippo's, Crocodiles and other mammals. However the region is a birders paradise and if you are a birder make sure that they know this. I am considering returning, once the new Pangolin Voyager is ready later this year, as the access to excellent birding locations is unprecedented. I came away with some wonderful photos of birds that I had always dreamed about. Now I need to go back for the ones I missed.

The stay at Pangolin was the most amazing experience I’ve had. The boat and land safari’s were amazing. Guts and Richard, our guide, were dedicated to make sure we experienced the best of Chobe. They never gave up until we saw all the animals we wanted to see. Guts taught us so much about photography that I now have the desire to keep shooting for that perfect picture. Richard, our captain was so knowledgeable about the river and what an eagle eye he has. The staff was there for our comfort. The food was amazing. Thank you for an unforgettable experience.

What a perfect trip to the Chobe river in Botswana. Pangolin Photo Safari Hotel was the perfect location. Everything was excellent. Fantastic food, accomidations and staff. Richard was our guide and Nelis was our photo guide for the week. I couldn't believe the amount of birds and animals we saw during our stay. We did a combo of boat and game drives. We were lucky enough to see wild dogs and an African Fish Owl. We went in January when everything is lush and green and tends to rain a fair amount. Can't wait to go back in September of 2026 for the winter dry season. If photography is your thing then Pangolin is the company to use. Their photo guides will get the boat into the proper position and tell you the best settings to use for those shots of a lifetime. Craig S.

Quel endroit merveilleux, j'ai passé un séjour inoubliable, tout était parfait ! Je ne sais même pas par quoi commencer. L'hôtel est fantastique, vraiment bien pensé pour les photographes. La nourriture est excellente et abondante (trop, j'ai pris du poids...), les cocktails au top, le personnel adorable et à l'écoute. Les activités étaient vraiment super, nos 2 guides Dan et Jongman sont des stars, ils se sont démenés pour nous faire vivre des moments incroyables. Je n'avais pas vraiment d'attentes en venant en saison des pluies, j'étais surtout motivée par l'enseignement et l'accompagnement photo. Et pourtant on a été gâtés par les sightings, que ce soit sur le bateau ou en voiture, chaque journée était un pur émerveillement. Il y en a pour tous les niveaux, il ne faut pas hésiter, même si on n'est pas photographe, on apprend tellement de choses, et toujours avec bienveillance. Le rythme est très soutenu, donc il faut venir avec suffisamment d'énergie pour tenir le coup, mais c'est ce qui rend ce séjour si enrichissant. Etant venue en solo, j'appréhendais un peu de me retrouver dans un groupe (d'habitude je me débrouille seule) et de ne pas trouver ma place, mais mes craintes ont été très vite balayées, les groupes étaient bien pensés. Nous étions plusieurs solos mélangés avec des couples, dans un groupe très joyeux avec beaucoup d'entraide et de rigolade. Je reviendrai avec grand plaisir pour continuer à apprendre et à corriger mes erreurs, mais avant tout pour l'ambiance extraordinaire. Merci à toute l'équipe de Pangolin Safaris pour ces vacances de rêve !

Pangolin resort location, staff , food , and overall experience is something to be experienced to believe. The warm welcome and send off that we experience each and everytime we arrive or depart gives a positive vibe for the day. It has to be experienced and Words can’t describe