Duba Plains is like no other place on this planet. Located in the northern segment of the renowned Okavango Delta, inaccessible for 11 months of the year by any other means other than flying, this private 30 000 hectare game reserve is truly set in the heart of wildest Africa. You are overcome by the power of true natural beauty and remoteness from the second you arrive on the Island. The camp is set on the banks of one of the many permanent waterways that complement this unique wilderness. On our recent photographic safari to Duba Plains our guests had the opportunity to experience this fantastic paradise. We landed at Duba in the early afternoon in time for a late lunch after all had settled into their rooms. After lunch we headed out on our first excursion to explore the surrounding area and go in search of the lions and...
Brendon was born and raised in Zimbabwe. He was exposed to wildlife and the outdoors form a young age, he could hardly be kept in doors, nature already had a big place in his heart and life. Brendon went to school a Peter House in Zimbabwe, where he built on his passion for nature, he was involved in and eventually headed up the Falconry club as well as being very much involved in the conservation and research of the school own game reserve. Brendon work in the kariba area and in matusadona national park during his school holidays, building on his knowledge of wildlife.
After Brendon completed his school he went to work in matusadona national park where he studied all aspects of wildlife and the African bush, from plants to insects, birds and mammals. After completing his apprenticeship and becoming a professional guide Brendon worked for a company that conducted walking trails in the matusadona national park, tracking and stalking big game and learning animal behaviour was a big aspect of his day to day activities. After spending a few years guiding in some well known areas and reserves in Zimbabwe such as mana pools national park, lower Zambezi and hwange national park as well as in Zambia and Botswana, Brendon eventually settled in Victoria falls where he worked in the kazangula area along the Upper Zambezi and in chobe national park, conducting big game walking trails as well as birding and fishing safaris. It was here that Brendon started his photographic obsession, never wasting any opportunity to be out photographing
On the onset of political strife and the collapse of the Zimbabwean economy Brendon returned to his families native land South Africa. Here he met his lovely wife Michelle. Brendon and his wife went to work as a Lodge managers in the world renowned sabi sand game reserve, Brendon spent 4 years in the game reserve capturing on camera everything the reserve has to offer, but paid special and close attention to the big cats of the reserve, Brendon has an extensive knowledge and understanding of big cats, their habits, and habitats and is one of Brendon's big passions.
Today Brendon is an adventurer, conservationist, tour leader and wildlife photographer, based in Nelspruit. As well as hosting photographic safaris for ODP, Brendon offers photographic workshops in Nelspruit and personalized photographic tuition. Brendon's photography has been published in a number of prestigious outdoor and wildlife magazines.
After Brendon completed his school he went to work in matusadona national park where he studied all aspects of wildlife and the African bush, from plants to insects, birds and mammals. After completing his apprenticeship and becoming a professional guide Brendon worked for a company that conducted walking trails in the matusadona national park, tracking and stalking big game and learning animal behaviour was a big aspect of his day to day activities. After spending a few years guiding in some well known areas and reserves in Zimbabwe such as mana pools national park, lower Zambezi and hwange national park as well as in Zambia and Botswana, Brendon eventually settled in Victoria falls where he worked in the kazangula area along the Upper Zambezi and in chobe national park, conducting big game walking trails as well as birding and fishing safaris. It was here that Brendon started his photographic obsession, never wasting any opportunity to be out photographing
On the onset of political strife and the collapse of the Zimbabwean economy Brendon returned to his families native land South Africa. Here he met his lovely wife Michelle. Brendon and his wife went to work as a Lodge managers in the world renowned sabi sand game reserve, Brendon spent 4 years in the game reserve capturing on camera everything the reserve has to offer, but paid special and close attention to the big cats of the reserve, Brendon has an extensive knowledge and understanding of big cats, their habits, and habitats and is one of Brendon's big passions.
Today Brendon is an adventurer, conservationist, tour leader and wildlife photographer, based in Nelspruit. As well as hosting photographic safaris for ODP, Brendon offers photographic workshops in Nelspruit and personalized photographic tuition. Brendon's photography has been published in a number of prestigious outdoor and wildlife magazines.
Duba Plains is like no other place on this planet. Located in the northern segment of the renowned Okavango Delta, inaccessible for 11 months of the year by any other means other than flying, this private 30 000 hectare game reserve is truly set in the heart of wildest Africa. You are overcome by the power of true natural beauty and remoteness from the second you arrive on the Island. The camp is set on the banks of one of the many permanent waterways that complement this unique wilderness. On our recent photographic safari to Duba Plains our guests had the opportunity to experience this fantastic paradise. We landed at Duba in the early afternoon in time for a late lunch after all had settled into their rooms. After lunch we headed out on our first excursion to explore the surrounding area and go in search of the lions and...
ODP Safaris offers exclusive photographic safaris at the luxurious Elephant Plains Game Lodge Situated In the World renowned Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve. Elephant Plains is situated on the dry Manyaleti riverbed, overlooking a large open area and popular water hole, this prime location within the unspoilt Sabi Sands Game Reserve, boasts one of the most bio dirverse wildlife populations in Africa, including no fewer than 500 bird species and 145 mammal species, this provides second to none wildlife viewing and unequaled photographic opportunities to photograph the "Big 5" and other wildlife. One of the main attractions on this safari are the big cats but specifically the leopards, the Sabi Sand Game Reserve is arguably the best location in the world to view these elusive animals. The Safari Includes Private Photographic Vehicle No more than 6 people per vehicle Two game drives daily 4 nights accommodation Three meals per day A professional photographic host per...
We kicked off our ODP Chobe river safari, aboard the Nguni Voyager being based at Kasika. The area really has been good to us in the past and once again we were not disappointed. We spent the first 2 mornings concentrating on birds so the Kasai channel and the Impalila rapids is where we spent that time. We managed to get some great images in the channel, the kingfishers were out in force as were most of the herons, goliath, squacco, black, and the purple. The Jacanas are also always a winner and made for some great photography. The rapids were also productive, with the heronry still in full swing, storks, herons and comorants in and out of the nests collecting food for the chicks, its like birds in flight heaven! One of the other major attractions of the rapids at this time of the year are the breeding Rock...
This morning was the final morning of the safari, so all of us left a little earlier to maximize the time we had. Some went in search or the elephant and buffalo herds in search of that last great image, we headed up to the Kasai channel one last time, and once again it was fantastic. We managed to get some great images of the skimmers flying around protecting their chicks from the storks, malachites were on form as usual and we spent some time with a Jacana and his 2 small chicks feeding on a lilly bank. We also apotted a rather special and very colourful bird, Allens Gallinule, although we didn't manage any great shots of this secretive bird it was great to see! Well that's all for this safari, all the guests had a great time and all are leaving with some great images! Until the next...
Well over night the tables had turned on us, the wind was blowing gails and it had brought in some heavy cloud cover. But with a high level of optimisim we all headed out early. Unfortunately the conditiond were just not conducive to photography and there just wasn't much happening out there. We were all back at the boat earlier than normal, where we sat and went though some editing techniques with some of the guests. The plan was to stay up here at Serondela for 2 nights but later decedid to head back to Kasika as everyone wanted to capture the action around the Impalila rapids before they went home, the action around the kasika area and the Kasai channel both from a wildlife and Birding perspective it just fantastic at the moment. this afternoons activities were great, the sun had broken the clouds and there was some great...
Today was once again a great day on the river. The various parties headed out on their boats just as the sun rose, all very keen to see what the morning had in store for them. We were lucky enough to see the 2 lioness and their cubs again having a drink from the river, by the smell in the area it was now evident that they had a kill close by. The birdlife was great too as always and some great shots were capturedof the storks, herons and comorants flying in and out of the. Breading grounds at the impalila rapids. After brunch, we left Kasika Island and headed up river to Serondela the cruise up there was fantastic, the wildlife spotted from the boat and the numbers were un believable, hundreds upon hundreds of elephants and a few large herds of buffalo covered the flood plains, it was...
Well once again we come to the end of a safari, the second group left this morning after a great mornings photography up in the Kasai channel. Its been a great couple of days with some fantastic photography of both wildlife and bird life, all are leaving with some great images. This afternoon, the 3rd group had arrived and once again all were very keen to get out on the water, so shortly after lunch we headed out a few in their own boats and some on the bigger boat, well all got some great images of skimmers and fish eagles and spent some time with a herd of elephants crossing the river, quite a sight to see. Later we managed some shots of elephants throwing sand on themselves just a sunset which created a great mood. Cheers Brendon...
Well once again we come to the end of a safari, the second group left this morning after a great mornings photography up in the Kasai channel. Its been a great couple of days with some fantastic photography of both wildlife and bird life, all are leaving very happy with some great images. This afternoon, the 3rd group had arrived and once again all were very keen to get out on the water, so shortly after lunch we headed out a few in their own boats and some on the bigger boat, well all got some great images of skimmers and fish eagles and spent some time with a herd of elephants crossing the river, quite a sight to see. Later we managed some shots of elephants throwing sand on themselves just at sunset which created a great mood with all the dust. Cheers Brendon...
This morning we decided to concentrate a little more on wildlife, and well it turned out fantastic and much better than one could have expected. We got some lovely shots of buffalo and elephant in early morning light as we left the boat. Shortly after that we fortunate is see some great interaction between to fish eagles fighting over territory, the aerial action and aerobatics was so incredible and something not witnessed very often. After leaving the fish eagles and thinking the morning can't get any better we came across a small pod of hippo fighting in the shallows presumably for the best spot to lie, such a scene is always impressive to see with water flying everywhere and plenty of big teeth been shown. While sitting with the hippos we spotted the highlight of the morning, two leopard, a mother and cub coming down to drink from the river,...
Well this morning we decided to do something a little different. A short distance up river from our mooring spot here at Serondela is a small fishing village, we decided to go visit there for a bit of a cultural experience and some to get some village life shots. All the guests enjoyed it tremendously and all got some lovely images of the children playing and posing for the cameras. Once again after a fantastic brunch we decided to move the boat back down river again to Kasika Island. While the boat was moving we all sat and compared notes and went through some lightroom techniques, so all in all it was a great morning. Our afternoon cruise was very productive with some great wildlife and birding photography, we spent quite some time with a herd of Elephants in great golden light, as well as a couple of giant king...
