SPECIALIST
PHOTO GUIDE
When choosing a photographic safari in Africa, the range of options can be daunting. By landing on this site, you are already getting closer to choosing from world-class safari destinations, with many advantages over better-known safari parks.
You have also found a safari guide with many years’ experience both as a guide and a photographer. My safaris combine an authentic wildlife experience with excellent photographic guidance, tuition and opportunities.
I have been living year-round in the Luangwa Valley since 2009, so I see the seasons come and go, and watch the annual cycle of desperate dry and lush green. This also gives me a unique, long-term perspective on Zambia, its wildlife and its communities.
There are few photo-guides who know the areas where they work as well as I do; over my 15 years in the bush, I have a travelled repeatedly to most of my destination areas. As a result, I can identify potential opportunities, get to them in good time and then manage the sighting to create the best photo opportunities.
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A WINDOW INTO MY WORLD
“Zambia was the trip of a lifetime. Without doubt my best holiday ever. I still can’t believe what we saw. And the pictures I took. Those early (early early) mornings: where you switched off and we waited to hear something. The days when we thought maybe today there’s nothing much, but there always was. Your incredible bush knowledge. Just loved every moment”.
– Denise, RSA
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LATEST POSTS
Photo Safari Report: South Luangwa Bespoke | Zikomo & Kuyenda Camp | June 2024
I met Faith and Suzanne some years ago at Zikomo Camp and shared some time on photo safari. Faith always said she would come back again some day. This time, she did so, and [...]
Skills: Separating your subject from the background
When photographing wildlife, in most cases we want our subject to create an immediate impact on the viewer. Whether we are shooting portraits which contain close up views of an elephant, or wider 'animal-scapes', [...]
Wildlife: Wild dogs vs Eland – Sept 2019
I was recently talking to some of my guests about Mana Pools National Park since we could see it across the river when flying into the Lower Zambezi. While chatting about it, I was reminded [...]
Skills: Shooting into the Light, Backlight & Silhouettes
In a recent blog, I discussed the value of considering the background when positioning yourself for wildlife photography. Equally important to consider is the angle of the light. Sometimes the best position for the [...]
Photo Safari Report: Emerald Season Lower Zambezi | Anabezi Camp | May 2024
Some of Zambia's best light for wildlife photography occurs in the earlier part of the dry season -- there's enough dust in the air to create golden, angular light which is ideal for creating [...]
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MY TESTIMONIALS
Ed is truly an excellent teacher and guide. When on safari with him, expect to learn a lot. Certainly, photography approaches and techniques in various scenarios. But also, insightful observations about animal behavior, biology, ecology, conservation. A much more complete safari experience than merely going from sighting to sighting to sighting.
Ed is a keen observer. Distress calls, alert animal behaviors, spatial pattern breaks. And he’s a good teacher in articulating how these all fit together – he can predict what animals (lions, leopards, painted dogs, etc) might do next, where likely they will subsequently go, what behavior to expect. At minimum, he positions the safari jeep for taking good photos. More importantly, he lets you experience, just a little bit, what it feels like to be in that environment: predators, prey, flora, terrain all inter-connected.
Plus, Ed is such fun company. A truly nice person, easy to be with, the right kind of curious.
Anyone with any interest in wildlife photography or African animal sightings could not do any better than a trip with Ed. We have had four trips to Africa, three with him and all have been amazing. His expertise in finding the best spots for sightings/photography in various locations around Africa are second to none. Accommodation and staff at the camps was exceptional.
Edward Selfe is an excellent safari guide and photographer. He is dedicated to his craft and the country – indeed, he and his family live near the South Luangwa National Park. Edward has the skill to find the best photographic opportunities and coaches those who need assistance. The camps he chose for our trip were excellent and our animal sightings were wonderful, including elephants in one camp!
We had already for the third time a wunderfull and exited photosafari in Zambia with Ed. With his humor and experiences he takes, if you want, lots of time to help you out to make the right photos. Of course all based on your needs, equipment, position and situations.
I have been on safari several times in different African countries, but never on a bespoke photo safari, so after extensive research I decided to go on a photo safari in the South Luangwa National Park with Edward Selfe. Ed is both a great guide and photographer, with a wealth of knowledge and many years of experience. I was particularly impressed that he always knew how to provide us with special moments and photo opportunities and at the same time always made sure that nature and wildlife were respected and protected. We always had enough time to observe animals, take photos and wait and see how situations developed.
With a lot of patience and his skills as a guide, he tracked down leopards, for example, explored the birdlife of the Luangwa Valley with us and taught us new photographic techniques or the best camera setup. Even as an experienced (sports) photographer there was plenty to learn for me. I am very happy that I was able to go on this trip with Ed and will certainly go on safari with him again in the future.
In fact, the next trip is already being planned 🙂 I can’t wait to be back in Zambia and can’t recommend Ed highly enough as a photo safari guide. If you are planning a photo safari, then you should definitely consider doing it with Ed!
Edward Selfe is an amazing safari guide, photographer and host. He has an incredible understanding of the wildlife and their environment, then uses that knowledge to determine the best possible locations for both photography and game viewing. He assists with camera settings, composition and photographic techniques on sightings and then back at camp he makes himself available to review and critique photographs and provide tips on workflow and post processing.
Not only is Edward a pleasure to safari with, each safari is planned around his guests – the safari areas, the types of camps, comfort levels etc. He communicates with the camp operators to ensure we get the most out of our safari time, be it vehicles, early starts to make the best use of light and breaksfast in the bush.
I look forward to travelling on safari with Edward again in the future.