Photographic Field Notes / Douglas Portz

Sidelines to Savannahs

A sports photographer's first safari.

An eleven-day expedition through Victoria Falls, the Chobe River, and the Okavango Delta. Photographs, video clips, and notes from the field — published as the journey unfolds.

The ItineraryFirst Stop: Victoria Falls / Aug 17
Hand-painted illustration of Douglas crouched with a large white telephoto lens, photographing an elephant and a kudu in golden savanna light, with ghosted stadium floodlights fading into the background and Victoria Falls in the distance

The Route

From the thunder of Victoria Falls, across the Chobe by road, then a bush plane into the heart of the Okavango.

  • 01Victoria Falls
  • 02Chobe River
  • 03Okavango Delta
Travel routeWinnipeg → Toronto → Addis Ababa → Victoria Falls → Kasane (Chobe) → Okavango Delta → Maun, and return.
Winnipeg
Toronto
Addis Ababa
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls
Kasane / Chobe
Okavango Delta
Maun
Victoria Falls illustrated badge
01 · ZIMBABWE

The Smoke That Thunders

Aug 17 – 19, 2026

Three days at Mosi-oa-Tunya — long-exposure mist, basalt cliffs, and rainbow spray over the gorge.

Chobe River illustrated badge
02 · BOTSWANA

The River Giants

Aug 19 – 22, 2026

Boat-based photography along the Chobe — eye-level encounters with bathing elephants and golden-hour hippos.

Okavango Delta illustrated badge
03 · BOTSWANA

The Painted Labyrinth

Aug 22 – 26, 2026

Shinde Footsteps camp — mokoro canoes through papyrus channels, aerial views over the inland delta.

Latest Field Notes

All Notes

The first entry will be posted from the field on August 17.