Joe Misika Photography

Joe Misika Photography Wildlife & Safari Photography
Specializing in wildlife photography and safari hosting. All my images are available as prints: A3, A2, A1, or A0.

Explore breathtaking moments from Botswana and beyond.

đź“Ť Safari Host & Nature Guide | Photo Hides & Expeditions
đź“© DM for bookings & collaborations I am a wildlife & landscape photographer based out of Kasane, Nothern Botswana. I started my photography journey in late 2018 after spending more than a decade in IT as a developer. I have always had an interest in photography especially being from a c

ultural & wildlife-rich area that Chobe is but never got started, maybe staying in Johannesburg, South Africa might have played a part. I finally took the plunge in 2018, bought my first camera, and started shooting people, wildlife & landscapes but my interest has always been nature photography - wildlife & landscapes. I don’t have any formal training so most of the stuff I knew at the beginning of my journey was from watching YouTube tutorials. Early December 2019, I approached the director of Pangolin Photo Safaris about joining them as a photo host intern and he agreed. I would join the photo hosts & guests when they go out for activities - boat cruise & game drives. This is where my photography grew in leaps & bounds as I got to really learn more about photography & different techniques. My goal is to showcase the beauty of Botswana’s fauna & flora, culture, people, and at the same time inspire other people to appreciate nature & art. Hopefully after browsing my galleries, you're inspired to get outdoors to find your own adventures, explore nature, seek out the creatures we share the planet with, and most of all, advocate for their protection. The photographs you see here on my website represent my experiences in the field. Thus they have not been significantly altered, with no elements removed or added during post-production. In order to retain the natural quality and authenticity, minor adjustments to color, contrast, and sharpness have been made.

Meet Motswiri, affectionately known as MmaCulvert — a name with a tale behind it. Her son earned the nickname "Culvert" ...
22/03/2026

Meet Motswiri, affectionately known as MmaCulvert — a name with a tale behind it. Her son earned the nickname "Culvert" after she cleverly denned him beneath a culvert near the reserve's bridges. A seasoned and devoted mother, Motswiri has raised generation after generation at Mashatu. And it seems she's at it again! We're almost certain she has new cubs hidden somewhere — her maternal instincts are sharp as ever, keeping her denning spot completely out of sight. The only giveaway? She's lactating.

09/03/2026

As the sun sets over Mashatu Game Reserve, a cheetah mother carefully leads her five cubs to safety. Cheetahs are among the most endangered big cats, so every sighting in Mashatu is truly special. Raising cubs alone is no easy task — the mother must hunt, protect, and guide them through the dangers of the wild, providing both food and safety as they grow.

Dark clouds, beautiful afternoon light — and suddenly even a simple impala becomes extraordinary.This is Mashatu in the ...
28/02/2026

Dark clouds, beautiful afternoon light — and suddenly even a simple impala becomes extraordinary.

This is Mashatu in the green season. A yellow carpet of devil’s thorn stretches across the landscape, but every now and then nature pauses… and gives you a moment like this.

Storm behind. Light in front.
Who says ordinary isn’t powerful?

They don’t call Mashatu the Land of the Leopard for nothing.With one of the highest densities of leopards in Africa, Mas...
11/02/2026

They don’t call Mashatu the Land of the Leopard for nothing.

With one of the highest densities of leopards in Africa, Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana is a place where seeing a leopard isn’t just luck… it’s an experience you can almost count on.

Here, these spotted ghosts of the bush rule the riverbeds, rocky outcrops and towering Mashatu trees. You’re not just likely to see one — you’re likely to see different individuals, each with their own territory, personality and story.

And because the leopards here are relaxed and accustomed to safari vehicles, they allow for incredibly intimate sightings. Whether it’s a female draped over a leadwood branch, a dominant male scent-marking along the river, or a young leopard learning the art of the hunt — Mashatu gives photographers and wildlife lovers rare, extended moments.

If you stay long enough… you might witness the magic:
a stalk through golden grass,
a lightning-fast chase,
or the powerful sight of a kill being hoisted into a tree.

For anyone who dreams of photographing or simply locking eyes with a wild leopard — Mashatu is not just a destination.

It’s the leopard capital.

And if you want to see them in action or dive deeper into their story, catch Mashatu: Land of Leopards on National Geographic Wild.

From the 22nd–25th, I joined the BWsFinest team in Sua Town at the kind invitation of Botash Mine. I was excited to fina...
04/02/2026

From the 22nd–25th, I joined the BWsFinest team in Sua Town at the kind invitation of Botash Mine. I was excited to finally chase a bird that has avoided my lens for years, especially after hearing that large numbers were seen here in December 2025.

With above-average rainfall and flooding across northern Botswana, many birds had moved inland into the pans, leaving fewer around the Sua salt pans. Fewer numbers, but still a meaningful experience shaped by nature doing what it does best.

06/01/2026

Fresh Start

New year, same bush wisdom.
First a drink, then a good mud wallow — the warthog’s way of resetting before moving on.
As the year begins, may we all find our own waterhole… take what we need, shake off the old, and step forward refreshed.

The Bush Cleaning CrewHyenas, jackals, and vultures doing what they do best: cleaning the wilderness by consuming every ...
21/11/2025

The Bush Cleaning Crew

Hyenas, jackals, and vultures doing what they do best: cleaning the wilderness by consuming every last bit of carrion. Nature’s built-in sanitation team, keeping the bush healthy and disease-free. July 2023

20/11/2025

You will know summer is here when this happens...

A red-billed hornbill gathers mud to seal the entrance of a tree cavity — the nest where the female will remain for the next month or so. They usually begin this behaviour after the first good rains, from September through to March, with a peak in activity between October and December. It’s one of the most fascinating breeding strategies in the bush.

Young Bull elephants leave their family herds in their mid-teens and often form loose bachelor groups. Moments like this...
18/11/2025

Young Bull elephants leave their family herds in their mid-teens and often form loose bachelor groups. Moments like this, drinking almost in sync, show how they learn from and mirror each other’s behaviour.

Panning ActionEver wondered how photographers show movement in a still image? This shot of elands on the run was capture...
17/09/2025

Panning Action

Ever wondered how photographers show movement in a still image? This shot of elands on the run was captured using a technique called panning.

By slowing down the shutter speed and moving the camera along with the animals, the background blurs while the subject stays sharp — creating a feeling of speed and energy.

It’s not just about freezing the moment… it’s about creating a sense of motion and speed in the photo.

Would you try panning on your next wildlife or action shot?

The Ultimate Bush SurvivorPhiri o rile ga bose gangwe 🌅“The hyena said: dawn doesn’t come only once.”This Setswana prove...
13/09/2025

The Ultimate Bush Survivor

Phiri o rile ga bose gangwe 🌅

“The hyena said: dawn doesn’t come only once.”

This Setswana proverb reminds us that no matter how hard today may seem, a new day always brings new opportunities. Just like the hyena—nature’s ultimate survivor—who thrives in the harshest conditions, we too can endure, adapt, and rise again.

✨ Hope. Perseverance. A new beginning.

Mothaba, the young leopard of MashatuCaptured in June 2025, this playful leopard cub already carried the confidence and ...
08/09/2025

Mothaba, the young leopard of Mashatu

Captured in June 2025, this playful leopard cub already carried the confidence and charisma that makes these cats so iconic. Resting high up in the branches, Mothaba was full of curiosity, charm, and a hint of mischief.

What’s the most memorable leopard sighting you’ve ever had?

Address

Kasane

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00
Saturday 09:00 - 17:00
Sunday 09:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+26774545431

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Joe Misika Photography posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Joe Misika Photography:

Shortcuts

Share

Category