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Know your African Wildlife: Puku
Puku are a medium-sized, stocky antelope which make a living in the grassy dambos across Zambia and into the margins of Zambia’s neighbours. As with many of Africa’s antelope, they live in herds of females, youngsters and immature males, headed by a dominant territorial male. Being predominantly grazers, they thrive along the waterways in Luangwa where the best grass can be found. Puku are an elegant and engaging antelope which thrive in grassland areas. Males carry [...]
Through the Lens: Coming to Drink
This image is one of my favourite images from my 10 years in the Luangwa. We had spent a long time with this particular buffalo herd as the crossed a dusty plain on their way to the river. We knew they were heading to drink, but that it would take some time before they got there. We enjoyed taking low-level photos of dusty feet, and we also tried some creative shots; I remember well suggesting that [...]
Photo Safari Report: Double Luangwa | Flatdogs Camp & Zikomo Safaris | 2 – 9 October 2017
I have just finished my last group photographic safari of the season. I still have a couple more short safaris in October - so there will be more updates from the increasingly dry Luangwa - but the main part of the 2017 season has passed! Having had such great trips throughout the year, I was nervous about whether the final trip would match up. As always, I start each safari with slight apprehension, hoping that I [...]
Know your African Wildlife: Wild Dogs
Sightings of Wild Dogs are among the most sought-after by safari visitors. This is partly because they are interesting, charismatic and extremely beautiful, and largely because declining numbers have turned them into a rarity in many areas. Some of the 9 pups from the Hot Springs Pack eye me up from their resting place with the rest of the pack. If there is one characteristic that embodies Wild Dogs, it is their ability to run! Their [...]
Photo Safari Skills: Animalscapes
Generating images of animals in their environment can be done in two ways; by using a wide-angle lens from very close to your subject or by using a telephoto lens (zoomed to between 100mm and 500mm) and keeping a large distance from your subject. In both cases, you will include large amounts of the habitat and create an image where the subject has a place in its surroundings...an image which tells a story of the animal's [...]
Photo Safari Report: Philip Theo | Nsefu Sector | 18 – 24 September 2017
I occasionally run private safaris for individual photographers hoping to enjoy the best chance of working on their skills. Africa Geographic Travel have recently arranged two such safaris with me, based in the fantastic Nsefu Sector of the South Luangwa National Park. Philip Theo and I have been in touch for some months, and I knew from our first emails that we were going to have a great trip. It was immediately clear to me that [...]
Through the Lens: Rim-lit Hyaena
I was recently leading a photo safari in the Nsefu Sector of the South Luangwa National Park. 3 lions had killed a buffalo the previous day. We had enjoyed all the drama of this sighting the previous morning and afternoon. By the time we returned on the second morning, the lions had moved away and the hyaenas were making short work of the left-overs. It was interesting to watch and photograph the hyaenas at work, fighting [...]
Photo Safari Report: Peter Sandyford | Nsefu Sector | 12 – 18 September 2017
I occasionally lead private safaris for individual photographers in South Luangwa. This gives them time to practice their skills and enjoy one-to-one photographic tuition. Peter came to me via Africa Geographic Travel who run a wide range of specialist safaris throughout the region. But AGT seem to have a soft spot for South Luangwa, with its stunning scenery and excellent game, as they keep sending great bookings to me! I had a fantastic week with Peter, [...]
Photo Safari Skills: Preparing for your Photo-Safari
So you've booked your photo-safari - many congratulations! You are in for an outstanding photographic experience alongside a wonderful wildlife safari. But.....it's probably as much as a year away?! How should you best prepare in the intervening time so that you are ready to make the best of the experience? I've put together a summary of some of the ways you can get ready for the experience. I hope you enjoy reading. 1. Your kitPhotographic safaris [...]
Photo Safari Report: Double Luangwa | Flatdogs Camp & Nsefu Camp | 3 – 10 Sep 2017
Even though I have lead many safaris this year, and in many years past, I look forward to each one intensely. The chance to meet new people and to explore outstanding wild areas with the Luangwa guarantee of stunning sightings. And of course, there is always the beguiling attraction that each safari might be the one where you find something truly unusual. Nick & Caroline Gill joined me for a week at Flatdogs Camp and Nsefu [...]
Wildlife: Luangwa’s Leopards compete with the best
We have seen images from Savute of leopards leaping into the mud to pull catfish from the sticky channel, and we've seen footage of jaguars catching caimans in the backwaters of the South American rainforests. Now Luangwa's leopards are vying for their own place in the lime-light....by taking on crocodiles! More on this story later, but for now, have a look at these images and short video! We found this large leopard resting on a fallen [...]
Photo Safari Report: Kathy Phipps’ group | Marula Lodge | 29 August – 1 Sep 2017
Safari season is in full-swing here in Luangwa, with the best months of the year split evenly behind us and still to come. I am just back from a safari in the central area of the South Luangwa National Park with a great group of 6 from the USA. Here follows a brief report from the trip as I begin again tomorrow with a new group from England. We will be staying at Flatdogs Camp and [...]
EDWARD SELFE
I organise & run photographic safaris in the finest wildlife areas on Earth.
