Digital Photographic Workshop
South Luangwa National Park
7 night itinerary combining
- Nkwali Camp 3 nights and
- Nsefu Camp 4 nights
The Luangwa Valley, which marks the end of the Great Rift Valley, is one of the last unspoilt wilderness areas and possibly the finest wildlife sanctuary in Africa. It covers an area of over 9000 sq. km. through which the meandering Luangwa River runs. The oxbow lagoons, woodland and plains of the valley host huge concentrations of game - including elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion, giraffe, hippo - and over 400 species of birds.
Join David Rogers, the well known wildlife photographer, for a photographic workshop you will never forget. David is the author of several books, including the new Zambia Safari in Style. David will accompany you on all game drives, give advice, analyze results, and also look at how best to use Adobe Lightroom. In addition to wildlife, you will also look at landscapes, macro work, birds, insects, and people. This is a unique opportunity to benefit from the knowledge of a leading wildlife photographer and see the South Luangwa at its most colourful. Bring your own digital camera!!!!!!
Itinerary
Day 1 to 3 After meeting you at the airport your guide will drive you to Nkwali Camp through colourful local scenes of villages, agriculture as well as bush. Nkwali Camp overlooks a wide bend of the Luangwa River into the South Luangwa National Park. All rooms have a view of the river and open air bathrooms. The game in this area is excellent - and includes many family herds of elephants and the endemic Thornicroft Giraffe.
David likes to get his troops up before dawn so you're in the park in time for the fantastic dawn light - luckily Nkwali has access to the park by boat ride so it takes only a few swift minutes. You'll maximise your time in the park finding many subjects to photograph from the very small to the very big. After enjoying a delicious lunch by the lagoon you can choose to relax during siesta or sort through your photographs and come to grips with Adobe Lightroom. After a refreshing cup of tea or coffee and scrumptious cake you go back to park to find even more in the afternoon and evening, returning to Nkwali for dinner around 20h30. Most evenings there will be a slideshow where David will illustrate some of the points he made throughout the day, and you'll also have a chance to show off your best shots.
Nkwali Camp
Day 4 to 7 You'll transfer to Nsefu by game viewer, crossing into the Park over the main bridge and along the river through Wafwa and Puku Plains area where there is plenty of game and fantastic landscapes, so there will be a lot of stopping and starting to advantage of all the photo opportunities. David is on hand to fine tune your skills and turn an ordinary composition into a stunning one. Nsefu is located within the Nsefu Sector, on the eastern side of the Luangwa River where you will be poled across in a banana boat before driving through the only part of the park on the eastern side. This area is recognised as a phenomenal game viewing area and has different habitats (and therefore different photographic subjects) to keep you interested. The ebony groves and salt pans in particular provide a great contrast to the scenes found at Nkwali and many applications of digital photography will be covered.
The day will hold a similar structure at Nkwali, with predawn breakfasts before heading out in different directions each day and learning about digital photography and wildlife the entire time. Afternoons can be spent relaxing and soaking in the view, taking photos of the visitors to the lagoon or practicing with Adobe Lightroom. Visiting the Kawaza Cultural Village is a wonderful experience - getting to know the local community and learning about village life. The community members are keen to be photographed and love to see what your photos look like, great for perfecting your people shots!
On the final night at Nsefu there is a slide show that shows everyone's best photos - you will be able to see how much you've improved is seven short days.
Nsefu Camp
Day 8 Depending on the time of your flight you may do a morning activity before being transferred to Mfuwe Airport for your flight back to Lusaka.
