As soon as we stepped on the Chobe houseboat and saw the comfy lounge and dining area we thought it would be a great place to host a group of wildlife photographers. Coming back to a ‘base’ where we’d have exclusive use after going out on the small photo boats, swapping tales of what we’d all seen and captured over a cold beer or G&T before dinner, watching the stars from one of the decks, listening to the rumble of lions in Chobe National Park and snuggling down for the night in well-appointed, hotel-style cabins. Well that would be perfect.

Except for the problem that at the time the boat wasn’t geared up for photo trips.

So we were really excited when we heard that the specialist photo safari company we work with on the ground in southern Africa had thought exactly the same as us and had taken over the running of the boat – refurbishing it and making it completely photographer-friendly. Our floating, ‘boutique’ photo hotel dream had suddenly become a reality.

We could now sail up and down the Chobe admiring the wildlife, enjoying a spot of birding or a snooze as we cruised and relaxed between photo sessions, then go out from the boat and photograph it up close again in the best light and at the best time for action. We could explore more and wouldn’t ever have to leave the water after our photo sessions because we could live, sleep, eat, chat and edit our photos while totally wrapped around by the superb African wildlife – morning, noon and night – totally in tune to the rhythms of this mighty African river.

Which is why we’re pleased to announce that for 2017 the Chobe section of our two centre African wildlife photographic safari will see us based for four nights on this smart, five-cabin houseboat complete with resident chefs to cook all our meals. Life on the water won’t mean sacrificing creature comforts so we’ll be as charged up as our cameras each morning when we head off to see what’s out there waiting for us…

Why not join us – it could be quite a houseboat party!