Wow, what a day. I have been running in circles all day, capturing outstanding footage. Even yesterday was an excellent and exciting day but today was just absolutely mad.

The original idea was to make my way to Northern Luangwa National Park. That was the sentiment for today as I was hoping to leave around mid-morning.

The weather forecast was hot but cloudy for the morning, and wet and windy for the afternoon. A perfect day to track Zimba through bone-dry land.

But hey, not today. Flexibility is the key to my travels. Flexibility means no plans.

By 2 pm I had not even driven a kilometer from the campsite, taking photos of the local lion pride, lion in the shade. I am not getting anywhere today, I admit defeat.

It was a debacle I happily accepted. I had a lot of fun and taken some outstanding photos. In my opinion.

The signs were ominous whilst cooking dinner last night. A herd of elephants passed through the campground towards the muddy waterhole next to my camp. One young bull stood right next to Zimba until he realized that this zebra wasn’t the furry kind. It was thrilling watching him only a few meters away whilst the rest of the herd passed us by on the other side of the bungalow.

He seemed confused about the stripy appearance but eventually moved on to join his herd. That’s how we roll here at this wildlife camp, wild and wicked.

It is an adrenaline boost being so close to giants, feeling helpless and small.

The hippos joined the concert during the night, their grunting sounds are unmistakable. The camp was alive.

Early mornings saw a small herd of elephants quenching their thirst next door.

This muddy waterhole is surprisingly popular with animals, considering the free-flowing river not far away.

Those ant-nest tree-islands remind me of those in the Okavango Delta. They appear to be a popular point of interest in the dry season just as well.

Calm and cloudy conditions opted for perfect lighting conditions for close-up photography.

I just can’t get enough of elephant photos. Any angle, and distance, any background.

It’s always different. Elephants always move and groove and hardly ever stand still, unlike the lion kind.

Their interactions and sentiments with one another are most definitely photo-worthy.

These tranquil weather ailments are perfect for my aerial photography.

Even more so because this herd of elephants made their way to the river.

I was hoping to capture them crossing the tranquil waters. Seems that the grass is greener on this side. It was eerie calm and quiet as storm clouds built up over Malawi to the west.

I wanted to make the most of this possibility before setting off in the northern direction.

After the usual safety precautions, Rick flew over the river taking some more fantastic photos and videos. Thunderstorms threatened the night before but emptied their moisture on the eastern flanks.

The camera rolled over a flat and reflected an oversized natural mirror.

Washed-up and washed-out trees line the steep riverbanks from previous seasons’ torrential floods. The contrast from dry to wet season is at its lowest point.

Different colored sand on the dry riverbed added perfectly in contrast.

Footprints of various animals are stamped on soft ground. The build-up season is well on its way as the dramatic skies suggest.

It was mid-morning already and I still had to pack in and around Zimba like I every mornings before setting off. Coffee and breakfast saw me catching my breath and lowering my blood pressure. Another refreshing dip in the pool did the rest. Just as I got back, a smaller herd of elephants scattered the muddy waters.

I hid just on ground level with a sole elephant presenting his behind, left next to me.

To close for my tele lens but ideal for close-ups. I could see straight into her eyes.

Other elephants were right in line with my lens, only on the other side of the pond.

A cooling shower was needed as temperatures were at least in the late thirties.

The hippos had the coolest spot reserved for themselves. Some days are like that.

As the herd disappeared east through the green forest, I was on my mission to head out. I just purchased some vegetables and fruits from Thomas, who cycles this way every day with plastic bags full of locally grown goodies. The mobile veggie and fruit market is quickly spotted by monkeys near and far.

The baboon army knew exactly the contents of those bags and followed him not far behind. I doubt that Thomas found it as amusing as I did.

‘There is a pride of lions near the reception area, resting under shady scrubs’ the Dutch folk declared as I was to say ‘Goodbye’. This pride was seen on previous days not far from here and distinctly heard during the night.

If a lion roar doesn’t give you the shivers, I don’t know what will. Today it was a snore.

Lions are highly priced photo objects for majestic reasons, but like most royals, movement is minimal.

They had eaten overnight as big bellies faced the sandy ground.

I faced the fact, that today I won’t be going anywhere. I was near the reception and paid for an extra two nights.

This camp is just too exciting to exit prematurely.

A lone stranger bull passed the restaurant by the river which wasn’t unusual.

But he kept on feeling his ears with his trunk, maybe they were itchy.

‘I admit defeat’ I said on my return to the camp.

‘This time I camp by the river’. Many travellers moved on early this morning, another reason to stay on. It appeared that my Dutch friends weren’t overly surprised to see my return. I am glad I did.

It wasn’t long after when a matriarch led her herd of mothers and teenagers to the waterhole by the hide.

Elephants were scattered all around the pond making it hard to aim for.

It was touch and go.

Dumbo of the Luangwa Shire appeared again.

He was as cute as he was curious.

He had to lower his head much further than others but his beams were on smiley alert.

The hippos were out of sorts as well. The two were always relatively close to each other on a familiar basis. Not today.

Once the elephants moved on, it was time to relax.

The sun was sinking lower over the horizon and the clouds reflected nicely.

This was my last tool change for today as a spectacular sunset ended an outstanding, exciting, and exhausting day behind the camera. I have taken some outstanding footage today and relived the day, sitting by the river.

‘You look like you need a beer’ Lucky Luke said as I joined my friendly Dutch neighbors at the bar.

‘That is exactly what I need’!