Botswana - The Wild Eden. A wildlife filmmakers journey.

Filming in one of the wildest, most unpredictable places on Earth. This trip was a proper adventure from the start. I headed out with my son Ethan, working alongside Letaka Safaris, for what was meant to be a classic Okavango Delta wildlife shoot. But after biblical amounts of rain, everything changed. The Delta shut down. Routes flooded, plans shifted, and we had to adapt quickly. What followed was a completely reworked journey across Botswana, starting in Maun, flying into Lhwai Private Reserve, then moving through Mababe and into Savuti in Chobe National Park before heading back out to Maun. And honestly… it made the trip. Filming in constant rain, stuck in the back of a truck, battling light, mud and conditions that don’t wait for you, this was real wildlife filmmaking. No setups, no second chances, just being there and ready. We were rewarded with some unbelievable encounters: Lions, leopards, elephants, hyenas, wild dogs and an incredible amount of birdlife and other mammals along the way. I filmed the entire two weeks and turned it into a full-length documentary, showing not just the wildlife but the reality of the journey, the challenges, the unpredictability, and everything in between. Massive thanks to everyone involved in making this happen, and especially to Ethan for sharing the whole experience with me. #WildlifeFilmmaking #Botswana #AfricanSafari ✅ Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 01:14 How we got here 03:57 And so it begins 06:46 Bush bound 11:48 Game days 17:37 The thick of it 22:13 On the move 24:10 Dry land 30:34 New camp 38:23 Moving on 42:00 my camera gear 45:51 The elusive 53:46 Another tick 59:17 All good things 01:01:57 Recommendations 🎥 Locations: Maun Lhwai Private Reserve Mababe Savuti, Chobe National Park 🤝 Partners: Big thanks to the brands that made this trip possible: Letaka Safaris – https://www.letakasafaris.com Viking Optical – https://www.vikingoptical.com Sigma – https://www.sigma-global.com/en/ Snugpak – https://snugpak.com RidgeMonkey Outdoors – https://www.ridgemonkeyoutdoors.co.uk ============================= 🔔 Hit Subscribe & never miss the inspiring wildlife footage, cinematic nature visuals, stunning nature photography, & epic outdoor adventures with expert filmmaking skills!    / @simonmccabe   🔗 Stay Connected With Me. 👉 Facebook:   / s.j.mccabe   👉 Instagram:   / simonjmccabe   👉 Linkedin:   / simonjmccabe   👉 Website: https://simonmccabe.co.uk/ 📩 For Business Inquiries: [email protected] ============================= 🎬 Recommended Playlists 👉 Travel & Adventure    • Travel & Adventure   👉 How to get closer to nature    • How to get closer to nature   ============================= ✅ About Simon McCabe. Welcome to my channel, where the wild comes alive through the lens of a passionate wildlife filmmaker! Join me, Simon McCabe, as I document my adventures from the UK to International destinations, capturing the breathtaking beauty of nature and wildlife. With over 30 years of experience in media direction, videography, and digital marketing, I bring creativity and expertise to every video. I edit, narrate, and write each piece, immersing myself in the wonders of the wild. Stay tuned for the untamed beauty of wildlife with me as we embark on thrilling outdoor adventures, uncover hidden gems, and share the knowledge and experiences that shape my journey. For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: 📩 Email: [email protected] 🔔 Hit subscribe now to experience captivating wildlife adventures, breathtaking wild photography, & cinematic nature storytelling with professional filmmaking expertise!    / @simonmccabe   ================================= ADD HASHTAG HERE ⚠️ Disclaimer: I do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred from you acting or not acting as a result of watching any of my publications. You acknowledge that you use the information I provide at your own risk. Do your research. ✖️ Copyright Notice: This video and my YouTube channel contain dialogue, music, and images that are the property of Simon McCabe. You are authorised to share the video link and channel and embed this video in your website or others as long as a link back to my YouTube channel is provided. © Simon McCabe