Recently Zambezi Grande had some incredible visitors. The group was an ordinary family, on a much needed vacation – but to our surprise, they had a skilled photographer amidst them. This special Guest decided to share their photos with us and we couldn’t be more delighted. As a thank-you, we wanted to feature her and her work, asking a few questions about the experience of shooting along the Lower Zambezi River.
“The area is so incredibly hard to explain – it is Africa in the wildest most majestic sense.
There is a reserve minutes away, which is unfenced, so there is no difference to the animals whether they are in the reserve or not. This means there are plenty of opportunities to photograph an array of wildlife.
Elephants cross the mighty Zambezi at all points between Zambia and Zimbabwe, this place knows no boundaries. So you’ll get the most fantastic shots of these wild animals in the water.
It’s jaw dropping to go in the dry season and see all the empty river beds. The area is unbelievably arid, but then you drive over a small hill and find a huge body of water that feeds everything during this dry time.
The dust is red and super fine – it gets everywhere while on Open Vehicle Safari!
This adds to some very dramatic effects when taking pics and the animals tend to stomp up dust.
The vegetation is like nothing you can imagine. Despite the dry climate, there are forests of Winterthorn trees where the elephants and buffalo love to graze.
You can park in the middle of these forests and watch hundreds of animals foraging and eating off the trees. Although you can’t capture it on camera – the crunching sound of the elephants chewing is one of the most incredible sounds I’ve ever heard.
The amount of baby elephants with their mothers is mind-blowing.
They are the cutest little characters to capture on camera. They have the most playful and curious interest in the vehicles on a game drive, but the mothers tend to be protective. The thrill of capturing some of these adorable characters in their playful and sometime shy states was so fulfilling.
I’ve never photographed wildlife before, and I wouldn’t consider myself a “wildlife photographer” by any means, but there are so many opportunities to get incredible shots of such a large variety of animals, in countless environments.
From those forests of Winterthorns, you get the alien Palm Frond Trees. These palms transport you to a more “colonial” time. It just reminds me of “olden days” especially the picture in black and white – it almost adds a vintage element with loads of texture and depth.
The Zambezi River itself is monstrous – the rate the current flows, and how fast the water moves is something you can only really believe when you see it.
It’s so dynamic and makes for the most beautiful shots.
The river is at its most beautiful during sunrise and sunset. The sun rises on the opposite side of the river (the Zimbabwean side) and shines right onto the patios of the rooms at Zambezi Grande. It reflects on the water and there is no way that the beauty of it could ever be captured on camera. There is no picture that does it justice, I tried… and tried… and tried again – but nothing ever came close to the real thing. Drinking a cup of tea/coffee on the veranda watching the sun come up is relaxation and raw African beauty at its finest.
The staff at Zambezi Grande are some of the friendliest and helpful people I have ever come across. They want everyone to be happy and will go out of their way to help if they can. Their smiles are constant and they make everyone feel super comfortable and at home.
Every time you look around you, whether you are in your room, by the pool, on a game drive, or fishing on the river – There is always a photo opportunity and a moment that you want to capture and remember forever. The moments and beauty are unrelenting and constant. It never ends.”
We loved reading this response and hope that all our guests experience the same wonderful opportunities. Would you like to capture the beauty of the great Zambezi for yourself?
Your Zambia awaits…
Happy World Photography Day!
