I always hope a new photo safari is an efficient, productive photography experience for all who participate. Nearly two years ago, my partner in life and Van Os Photo Safari leader, Melissa Scott, and I had the opportunity to visit Zambia on a scouting tour, hoping to organize a new photo safari to a quieter, well-deserved area of Africa. Melissa and I are no strangers to safaris, and we were looking for a photo destination that would add to the repertoire of amazing itineraries we at Van Os already had on the books. With small, quiet camps, no crowds, and plenty of wildlife, we soon realized Zambia could be the photo safari away from the crowds and a return to the classic African safari so difficult to find today.
Skip to this year, I can say that my goals for this photography safari, as well as those of the photo travelers attending, were far exceeded. The locations of our three camps, along with the wildlife experiences, complemented and enhanced each other. Our camps were small, with only five to six well-appointed tents set deep within a wilderness location and close to the game. So close that we had occasions when the wildlife would visit us in camp. Whether it was hippos, elephants, monkeys, lions, hyenas, or even leopards, the wildlife sometimes came to us. Game drives often led us to more photographic subjects just a short ride from camp. Besides game drives, we photographed from boats on two of the area’s rivers, and even, on one occasion, from canoes to get closer to some of the area’s wildlife.
The photographic highlights of this safari are the abundance of wildlife, especially big cats. I can comfortably say I quit counting the sightings and photographic opportunities with both lions and leopards over the course of our time in Zambia. Elephants and antelope abound, and it seemed there was always a hippopotamus close by wherever we stopped. From eagles to bee-eaters and kingfishers, birds added much of the color to our diverse images and were always close by to photograph.
Our camp locations provided dramatic backdrops for photography. From the picturesque glow of the Lower Zambezi River’s winter thorn forests to the slanting sunlight over the wide, open Busanga Plains, the lighting only added to the high-quality images of this photo safari experience. Add to this the excellent wildlife action we experienced, watching and photographing lions hunting or at play. Leopard’s mating, or one of my favorites: a portion of one morning spent photographing a pack of African wild dogs playing and cavorting in the golden low-angle sunlight and dust.
I believe the small camps, the abundance of wildlife, and the lack of fences or walls separating us from Africa’s nature were a great way to forget the world we left behind and focus on our photography. With chilly mornings and evenings spent sharing the day’s safari experiences by the warmth of a leadwood campfire, camaraderie came easily, making the beds at the end of the day even more comfortable. I think I can say that this photo safari was successful in providing an immersive and rewarding photo tour worth remembering for all.
