The landscapes that we enjoy on a safari in the Luangwa are mind-blowing. While we always enjoy them, there is somehow little time to photograph them as we move between exciting wildlife sightings.
It was therefore a treat to take a landscape photographer on safari who placed as much value on great scenery photography as he did on the wildlife side of things! Here is a small selection of the scenery on offer in the Nsefu Sector and a short explanation of the thinking behind each photo.
Starting very early each morning meant that we could choose a spot to enjoy each sunrise. Here, Lunga lagoon forms the foreground, with elephant footprints at the water’s edge giving some detail to the muddy soil.
Common throughout Luangwa, the fig trees in Nsefu seem to have an extra special something – this monster tree had beautiful buttresses which we spent time photographing late in the morning on an overcast day.
Post-sunrise, the early light that peeks over the horizon is simply magic. For a few minutes, there is also no breeze, so the reflections on the water are perfect.
Nile Cabbage is found on the surface of most lagoons, making a living in the muddy water. But a patch of clear water, and a blue sky above gave this little scene beautiful colours.
The Nsefu Sector’s Salt Pans are an unusual habitat in the middle of the otherwise barren Mtanda plain. The water contains salts and minerals but is drinkable, so it becomes a mecca as the inland water sources dry.
Perhaps the best of all, the sunrise on our last morning! Some cloud is always useful to give a more interesting sky.
Sunset on our last evening – we waited for around 30 minutes after the sun had set for the colours to develop and the wind to drop.
