Pangolin

What Pangolin does

Pangolin Photo Safaris is a South Africa-based specialty tour operator offering photo-led wildlife safaris across Africa and select international destinations. Founded by Toby Jermyn and Gerhard "Guts" Swanepoel, the company designs all-inclusive photo safari packages that pair travelers with dedicated photo hosts and provide custom-built photo boats, vehicles, and a lending library of high-end camera equipment (notably Canon systems). It serves primarily international leisure travelers seeking guided photographic experiences rather than conventional game drives.

The company owns and operates two physical assets: the 14-room Pangolin Chobe Hotel in Botswana and the Pangolin Voyager, a photographic houseboat on the Chobe River with capacity for up to eight guests on exclusive charter. Beyond these assets, Pangolin maintains a partner camp network across Southern and East Africa, enabling hosted group departures and bespoke itineraries across multiple ecosystems, with announced expansions into Patagonia (2027), the Arctic (April 2027), the Pantanal (August 2026), and the Snow Leopard Himalayas (January 2027). Pricing per traveler ranges from approximately USD 2,450 to USD 14,500 per safari, depending on destination, duration, and exclusivity (e.g., private Voyager charter).

Revenue is generated through direct bookings and partner referrals, with ancillary revenue from camera rentals, photo-host services, and conservation-linked activities. The business is privately held by the two founders with no disclosed external funding, and operates with an estimated 11–50 employees split between Johannesburg (head office), Cape Town (reservations), and on-the-ground lodge and boat staff in Botswana and Namibia. The 2023 launch of the Pangolin Photo Camp concept and a July 2025 launch of a new Voyager houseboat indicate ongoing product innovation alongside the broader geographic expansion.

Name

Pangolin

Legal name

Pangolin International Limited

Website

https://pangolinphoto.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pangolin Photo Safaris is a South Africa-based tour operator offering all-inclusive photo-led wildlife safaris across Africa and select international destinations, with custom photo boats, owned lodge and houseboat assets, and dedicated photo hosts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Photo Safari Tourism

NAICS

Tour Operators (56152), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land (48711)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife & Safari Tour Operators (THAKADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Safari Lodges (Big Five/Game Reserves) (THAGAIAA), Wildlife Safaris & Game Drives (THAJAIAB), Safari & Overland Wildlife Adventures (4x4/Jeep) (THAJABAD)

Keywords

• Photo safari tours
• Wildlife photography
• Safari accommodation
• Photography workshops
• Conservation tourism

Headquarters

HQ city

Johannesburg

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. All-Inclusive Photo Safari Packages: Pangolin generates revenue primarily through all-inclusive safari packages that bundle accommodation, meals, activities, expert photo host guidance, and camera equipment into a per-person rate. Packages range from short 7-day hosted trips to extended 10+ day multi-destination safaris across Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and beyond.
2. Pangolin Voyager Exclusive Charter: The Pangolin Voyager houseboat is available for exclusive private charter, priced based on group size, season, and duration (minimum 3 nights). The all-inclusive charter covers accommodation, all drinks, activities on the photo boat, airport transfers, and bed levies.
3. Camera and Photo Host Add-Ons: Optional add-on services including private photographic host accompaniment on houseboat charters and Canon camera/lens rental for houseboat guests (included at the Pangolin Chobe Hotel but available at extra cost for charter guests).
4. Conservation Donation Contributions: A USD 10 per bed night contribution to Pangolin.Africa is included in charter rates, supporting the company's pangolin conservation NGO mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Pangolin Photo Safaris designs and operates all-inclusive wildlife photography safari experiences across Southern and East Africa (Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Namibia) and select global destinations (Patagonia, Pantanal, Arctic, Himalayas). The company owns and operates the 14-room Pangolin Chobe Hotel overlooking the Chobe River and the Pangolin Voyager houseboat (5 cabins, max 8 guests), and pairs purpose-built photo boats, camera-mount-equipped vehicles, Canon camera lending, and dedicated editing suites with resident expert Pangolin Photo Hosts. Bespoke and hosted safari packages are sold per person or as exclusive charters, bundled with accommodation, meals, activities, guiding, and in most cases beverages.

Product overview

Pangolin Photo Safaris is Africa's premier photo safari operator and lodge owner, offering a portfolio of wildlife photography safari experiences across African destinations. The company operates two proprietary accommodations—the 14-room Pangolin Chobe Hotel (all-inclusive) and the Pangolin Voyager houseboat (5 cabins, exclusive charter for up to 8 guests)—alongside a network of partner lodges. Core offerings include hosted photo safaris to destinations including Chobe, Okavango Delta, Kalahari, Victoria Falls, Sabi Sands, Patagonia, the Pantanal, Arctic, and Himalayas. The company provides camera equipment lending (Canon), on-the-ground photography tuition from resident Photo Hosts, and post-production editing support. Additional services include the Photo Academy, weekly Friday Focus newsletter, podcast series, and the Pangolin Photo Challenge competition. The company also runs the Pangolin Photo Camps concept utilizing strategically located partner camps across Southern and East Africa.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pangolin Chobe Hotel: 14-room boutique hotel perched on a plateau overlooking the Chobe River and Caprivi Floodplains, designed around a wildlife photography gallery.
• Pangolin Voyager
• Pangolin Photo Camp
• Photo Academy
• Pangolin Photo Challenge
• Pangolin Photo Hub
• Pangolin Podcast

Products and services

• Chobe & Okavango Delta Safari All-inclusive 8-day photo safari combining a stay at the Pangolin Chobe Hotel with a private-camp stay in the Okavango Delta, led by a Pangolin Photo Host and targeted at intermediate to advanced wildlife photography enthusiasts.
• The Best of the Chobe All-inclusive 7-day photo safari across the Pangolin Voyager houseboat and the Pangolin Chobe Hotel with expert photography guidance and the option to book as a private group.
• Chobe, Delta & Kalahari 10-Day Hosted Photo Safari All-inclusive 10-day hosted workshop spanning three iconic Botswana wildlife photography destinations, led by a Pangolin Photo Host and including camera and lens provision.
• Victoria Falls & Chobe Safari All-inclusive 7-day safari combining Victoria Falls sightseeing with guided game drives at the Pangolin Chobe Hotel.
• Sabi Sands Photo Safari All-inclusive 6-day photo safari to the Sabi Sands Game Reserve in South Africa targeting high-end wildlife photography clients, with year-round departures.
• Pumas of Patagonia Photo Tour 9-day / 8-night global wildlife photo tour in Patagonia, Argentina targeting puma photography.
• Snow Leopard Photo Safari 12-day wildlife photography expedition in the Himalayas focused on snow leopard photography.
• Pantanal Photo Safari 11-day wildlife photo safari to the Brazilian Pantanal targeting jaguar photography.
• Arctic Photo Safari Global wildlife photo safari to the Arctic region with an April 2027 scheduled departure.
• Pangolin Voyager Exclusive Charter Exclusive private charter of the Pangolin Voyager houseboat on the Chobe River for small groups of up to 8 guests, marketed as a fully all-inclusive buy-out including use of the custom 8-seater photo boat and conservation contributions to Pangolin.Africa.
• Chobe & Delta Private Group Safari Year-round private group photo safari to Chobe and the Okavango Delta for small private parties seeking bespoke scheduling.
• Pangolin Chobe Hotel 14-room boutique lodge owned and operated by Pangolin Photo Safaris on the Chobe River, designed around a wildlife photography gallery and offered on an all-inclusive basis with Canon camera lending.
• Pangolin Voyager Houseboat Owned floating lodge of 5 cabins accommodating up to 8 guests on the Chobe River, available for exclusive private charter.
• Pangolin Photo Camps Portfolio of strategically located partner camps across Southern and East Africa that meet Pangolin's photography standards (off-roading permissions, night drives, photo-friendly vehicle modifications), used to provide year-round optimal wildlife photography conditions.
• Photo Academy Educational arm offering wildlife photography tutorials, camera lending, and post-production editing sessions delivered as part of the safari experience and via online Photo Hub content.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% of guests at the Pangolin Chobe Hotel arrive without a camera and go on to develop photography skills using supplied Canon equipment and tuition.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wild Shots OutreachcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 May 2026Wild Shots Outreach (WSO) is a non-profit connecting young Africans from disadvantaged communities with their natural heritage through photography. Pangolin hosts WSO workshops at the Pangolin Chobe Hotel in Kasane, recruiting local youth for intensive photography workshops led by WSO Programme Leader Rifumo Mathebula. Pangolin junior photo guides join students on game drives. The partnership aims to build pathways for personal growth and future employment in the tourism sector.
• Pangolin.AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPangolin Photo Safaris is the founding partner of Pangolin.Africa, a non-profit organisation dedicated to African pangolin conservation. The NGO uses a three-pronged approach of Publicity, Participation and Protection, working with tourism, conservation, and corporate partners to raise awareness, gather research data, and implement on-ground protection. Pangolin Voyager charter rates include a USD 10 per bed night contribution to Pangolin.Africa.
• Remembering WildlifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPangolin has supported the Remembering Wildlife series (created by Margot Raggett) for 5 years, donating wildlife images and safari stays to the campaign. Supported Remembering African Wild Dogs (6th book, 2021) by donating images and a 4-night stay at the Pangolin Chobe Hotel (raising USD 2,500). Supported Remembering Giraffes (2026) by donating two solo 7-day safaris to the Kickstarter and silent auction. 100% of book profits support frontline conservation projects.
• Ker and Downey BotswanacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPangolin partners with Ker & Downey's key properties in the Kalahari (Dinaka) and Okavango Delta (Shinde Footsteps, Kanana Camp) as part of the Pangolin Photo Camp concept. These camps are at their game viewing and photography peak at different times of year, allowing Pangolin to offer year-round optimal wildlife photography experiences. Ker & Downey has operated safaris for 75 years.
• Jaci's Tree LodgecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJaci's Tree Lodge in Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa, is a partner property for Pangolin Photo Safaris. Owned and managed by Jaci and Jan van Heteren, the lodge offers wildlife photography experiences in Madikwe, where Pangolin's co-founder Gerhard 'Guts' Swanepoel designed the Terrapin Hide waterhole viewing structure. Madikwe offers species not commonly seen in Botswana including white and black rhino, aardwolf, brown hyena, and wild dog.
• DinakacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDinaka is a luxury tented camp on a 35,000-hectare private concession bordering the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, operated by Ker & Downey. Pangolin clients benefit from off-roading permissions, night drives, a bunker-style photographic hide seating eight photographers at water level, and a sky deck. The camp is photo-friendly with beanbag mounts in vehicles and charging stations.
• Mara Bush CampminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMara Bush Camp is located inside the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, close to river crossing points and lion leopard territories. Pangolin sets up an editing area on group trips and the camp provides great packed lunches for full-day excursions. Chosen for its location and elegant simplicity.
• The Grand Daddy HotelminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Grand Daddy Hotel on Long Street, Cape Town (built 1895) is owned by Jaci and Jan van Heteren, the same owners as Jaci's Lodges. It serves as Pangolin's Cape Town partner property, offering city accommodation for pre- or post-safari stays with rooftop Airstream trailer suites and a vibrant city centre location.
• Soroi Mara Bush CampminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner camp in the Masai Mara, Kenya, used for Pangolin Photo Camp itineraries in East Africa alongside Mara Bush Camp.
• Escape and ExploreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorA partner travel operator listed among Pangolin's partner properties, providing additional travel services to Pangolin clients.
• BBC / Planet Earth III Production TeamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe BBC Planet Earth III production team filmed a Jacana segment aboard the Pangolin Voyager houseboat in April 2021, spending a month on the vessel. The crew discovered Pangolin through their YouTube channel. Pangolin Voyager crew were paid throughout COVID thanks to the advance booking payment. This placement generated significant international brand exposure.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• &Beyond: &Beyond is a long-established luxury safari and travel operator across Africa and beyond, with owned lodges and a strong brand. While it offers a much broader portfolio, it competes with Pangolin for high-end African wildlife travellers and is comparable in business model and target customer.
• Wilderness Safaris: Wilderness Safaris is one of Africa's largest luxury safari operators with extensive camp portfolios in Botswana, Namibia, and elsewhere. It overlaps directly with Pangolin in the Chobe/Okavango region and serves similar high-end travellers, though it does not specialise in photography infrastructure.
• Singita: Singita operates ultra-luxury safari lodges and conservation experiences across Africa, including photographic safaris in the Sabi Sands region. It competes with Pangolin for the same premium wildlife photography guest, with comparable pricing, but at greater scale.
• Asilia Africa: Asilia Africa operates a portfolio of camps across East and Southern Africa, including in the Okavango Delta and Masai Mara—two of Pangolin's key destinations. It targets a similar mid-to-upper tier wildlife traveller and has comparable product offerings.

Direct peers

• Great Plains Conservation: Great Plains Conservation is a luxury safari operator with strong photography positioning (Botswana, Kenya, Zimbabwe), founded by conservation-focused operators. It is closely comparable to Pangolin in niche (high-end photo safaris), geography, and conservation-aligned brand.
• Natural Selection: Natural Selection runs unique-design safari camps in Southern Africa with a focus on wildlife and nature-based experiences. It competes with Pangolin's Pangolin Photo Camp portfolio in the Okavango Delta and Kalahari regions and targets similar adventurous, high-spend travellers.
• Wild Eye: Wild Eye is a South Africa-based operator running hosted photographic safaris across Africa with professional photographer guides. It is one of the closest direct competitors to Pangolin in the specialist photographic safari niche.
• Tusk Photo Safaris: Tusk Photo Safaris is a photography-focused safari operator offering hosted trips across Southern and East Africa. It is a direct peer in business model, target customer, and use of professional photographer hosts.

Emerging players

• Capture Africa Safaris: Capture Africa Safaris is a smaller photographic safari operator with overlap to Pangolin in destinations (Chobe, Okavango, Masai Mara). It is comparable in product offering and customer base but at smaller scale and brand presence.

Others

• Ker & Downey Botswana: Ker & Downey is both a partner (Dinaka, Shinde Footsteps, Kanana Camp) and a peer of Pangolin in the Botswana luxury safari space. It is comparable as a long-established safari operator with overlapping geography and customer segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PangolinPhoto

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pangolin