zambia Once in a Lifetime

A few months ago I was on a photo assignment in Zambia and stayed atan amazing bush camp. It was located right on the banks of the Zambeziriver, unfenced and in the middle of the wilderness. Contrary to themore well-known safari destinations like Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana andSouth Africa, Zambia is still truly wild - a rough diamond.

During the dry season, this area is full of wildlife as all animalsvisit the river several times a day. As a result, all kinds ofwildlife were constantly walking through our camp, particularlyelephants. They were not only interested in the water, but also in thenutritious pods that fell down from the trees - they just loved them.

One afternoon my wife Daniëlla and the lodge manager had a relaxedchat on the verandah, watching an elephant feeding from a tree in thedistance. It moved from tree to tree and slowly got closer and closerto the camp. Then it just walked to the verandah where they weresitting, and briefly stopped to check them both out. They sat theremotionless without making a sound to not to disturb the animal in anyway, and after a few seconds it moved away again. It was a once in alifetime experience that we will never forget. To get this close to awild elephant - on it's own initiative - is truly amazing.

I'll be leading a photo safari to this incredible place in September - if you're interested in joining me, please check out the Beyond the Great Rivers photo tour on my website: squiver.com

This is a really cool shot, Marcel.

 

Great work.

Marsel, Definitely a good shot..The scary part is being close to the elephant either trained or domesticated, I don't take a chance.. Good image.

Must say the ladies are brave. Beautiful and well timed capture.

Excellent unusual capture. Great composition and lighting. Congrats.

This is an Amazing capture ....................... Excellent

Really impressive! I would liked to be there. Fantastic Marsel.

like all of your photographe truly magical.

 

And for those that havent been there check out is Website

 

http://www.squiver.com/squiver_def.html

Incredible shot Marsel! Definitely not the kind of opportunity you get every day. Beautifully photographed as always.

All the best,
Neil

Wonderful. And you say this elephant is wild? Wow.

This must have been one of those special times when you knew "in the moment" that this was a very special time. Best regards. 

Impressive scene with beautiful tones

Pretty amazing, what can I say...

Marsel, I love this shot, in fact I shared it with a friend of mine that grew up in Zambia. All you need is a bottle of Corona in it and you would have a valuabe add! Thanks for sharing this one.  Charles

seeing only as a picture it looks like pet elephant.. But when going thru the story and seeing the picture puts me thrilled  the way 2 ladies are sitting casually. "BRAVE WIFE".

I can feel the thrilling sensation these two women are undergoing! Great capture! +++

!!!!!

Love the story and the picture too!

Thank you for sharing and provide such a great clear explanation. Congrats to you and the brave ladies! Warm regards. This image made my day!

Striking and immediately engaging. 

My eyes are tearing up! What an amazing experience for all of you; to be that close to nature and that magnificent creature would be thrilling to say the least. Great capture! Thank you for sharing the photo and the story behind it! :)