Sunrise Landscape Picture - Kubu Island

I took this beautiful sunrise landscape picture from Kubu Island on the Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana, during June 2005. It was a cold winter morning, but that did not stop me from waiting at the top of the rocky outcrop for sunrise. Here is one of the better nature photography tips I can give you: Be in the field when the sun comes up!

The rocky outcrop called Kubu Island is situated on the Makgadikgadi Pans of Botswana. It is one of the best places to view the magnificent Baobab tree. Local people tell a story of these trees being planted upside down, as their branches look like the root system of a normal tree.

Kubu is not recommended for a long stay, but highly recommended as a stop-over destination when heading for the Moremi or Chobe, or for a one- or two-night stay. It is truly spectacular. There are fews sights that can stand next to a sunrise over the salty pans that make up the Makgadikgadi.

I often visit this magical island on my way to Northern Botswana. It is equally spectacular every time I visit. For anyone not too attached to the luxuries of running water and ablution facilities, a stopover here comes highly recommended.

On this particular visit, we stopped over for one night on our way to a 14-day stay in the Moremi and Chobi — one of the most memorable trips that I have undertaken. This part of Africa is an excellent destination for photography. Photography opportunities abound especially on the Chobe river floodplain in Northern Botswana.

If you would like opportunities to take pictures like this one, scratch around in my Africa Safaris section and start planning a trip! It won't happen unless you plan for it.