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WILDLIFE BLOG
The search for “something else”….
Setting the correct pace for a photo safari is a tricky business. On the one hand, moving slowly, listening frequently and reading the bush is the surest way to find great sightings. Furthermore, when you find a subject in nice light, it’s perhaps a good idea to stay with it, taking the risk averse option. However, using this principle, you might well spend large amounts of time photographing lots of beautiful antelope, and similar common sightings, [...]
Photo Safari Report: Myers & Wilson | Kafunta, Lion Camp, Tena Tena & Nsefu | 22 Aug – 7 Sep 2018
Over the last 2 weeks, I have been guiding the longest single trip that I’ve ever put together in South Luangwa. During 17 days, we stayed at 4 lodges in some of the Luangwa’s best wildlife areas. From Kafunta River Lodge, Lion Camp, Tena Tena and Nsefu Camp we saw numerous elephant river crossings, wild dogs, 4 lion kills, leopards too numerous to count, eagles, stately antelope, lion cubs, leopard cubs, carmine bee-eaters, huge herds of [...]
Through the Lens: Don Marianos’s Leopard Kill
The following images were made during a photo safari in South Luangwa in July 2018. Don Marianos was behind the camera and he captured the action as a leopard emerged from a gully and caught an impala. To read the whole story, follow the links to Don's report and Edward's report of the trip.
Guest Report: Don Marianos, USA | Nsefu Camp, Lion Camp & Bushcamp Co | 16 – 30 July 2018
I had such a great trip with Don, Kathy, Mark & Lynne in July, and it's a pleasure to host Don and Kathy's write up (with Don's photos) of the events here on my website. Thank you Don for taking the time to write it up and I'm sure it will give future South Luangwa visitors something to think about! I encourage you to read Edward’s excellent trip report of our 16 – 30 July 2018 [...]
August in the South Luangwa
Once August arrives in the Luangwa, the dry season is really in full swing. There is very little water anywhere except in the river, and the ground vegetation is thinning dramatically thanks to very active termites and grazers. These conditions lead to excellent game viewing. All animals must visit the remaining waterholes to find water, grazers are concentrated along the remaining floodplains where grass can be found, and the lack of vegetation cover means that visibility [...]
Guest Report: Marlies Vermeesch | Track & Trail & Zikomo Safaris | 8 – 20 August 2018
Wil & Marlies returned for a 3rd time and write below about their trip in August 2018. It's always great to host guests' images and I'm really proud to share the ones from Wil & Marlies below. Dear Ed - for the third time we visited South Luangwa and Nsefu to enjoy a wildlife photography safari with you. And for the third time we had a great time thanks to your perfect and customized guiding and [...]
Photo Safari Skills: Photographing Luangwa’s leopards
People travel from across the world to enjoy Africa’s finest wildlife reserves. These wild areas are as diverse as they are numerous, supporting an extraordinary wealth of life from mega-mammals to colourful birds and incredible insects. But perhaps nothing inspires more excitement than the joy of tracking down and viewing a leopard, Africa’s most beautiful predator. My encounters with leopards usually begin with a feeling; I tend to notice the subtle behaviour of other animals which [...]
Photo Safari Report: Wil & Marlies Vermeesch | Mfuwe & Nsefu Sector | 8 – 20 August 2018
It was a pleasure to welcome back Wil and Marlies Vermeesch. This is their third trip, this time travelling privately with me. They are both keen and accomplished photographers, and Wil also makes great videos of their safari. They chose to travel as a couple, rather than a group since, fewer people in the vehicle reduces the work required to remove the shakes from Wil’s final film! They booked 12 nights with me - a wonderful [...]
Guest Report: Mike White, UK | Zikomo Safaris, Nsefu Sector | 7 – 14 July 2018
It's always a pleasure to host guests' images and reports from safaris with me in the Luangwa. Mike has been on safari with me 3 times; each year the sightings have been better, and his improved skill and technique has ensured he's made the best of each encounter. Have a read here for his story and a selection of his favourite images. I hope you enjoy reading about his trip. Trip 3 - The Year of [...]
Photo Safari Report: Marianos & Siegal | Nsefu Camp, Lion Camp & Bushcamp Co. | 16 – 30 July 2018
I knew that my mid-July safari with Don & Kathy Marianos and Mark & Lynne Siegal would be a wonderful wildlife experience. And having guided Don & Kathy in 2017, I knew that we would have a lot of fun. I hadn’t anticipated quite how good the sightings would be, or quite how much fun we would have! Lynne, Mark, Don & Kathy on photo safari with me and Kelvin in South Luangwa National Park We [...]
July in the South Luangwa
July is the first of the "prime" months of safari in the South Luangwa. These months offer the most reliable sightings and often the best light, though there are excellent sightings to be had outside this prime period too. The sightings are largely driven by the ever-decreasing water supply across the Valley. With water only found in the largest lagoons and at the main river, animals are to be found concentrated in these areas, not only [...]
Photo Safari Report: Mike White | Zikomo Safaris, Nsefu Sector | 7 – 14 July 2018
I am very fortunate to have a large number of repeat guests who have travelled with me many times over the last 10 years. Choosing to visit a safari area repeatedly, when there are so many places to visit in the world, speaks volumes about the South Luangwa and the fantastic opportunities it offers. It’s always a pleasure to welcome back these repeat guests, and to know that they have loved their previous experience (and want [...]
EDWARD SELFE
I organise & run photographic safaris in the finest wildlife areas on Earth since.
