As an avid photographer, Botswana exceeded our expectations with its abundant opportunities. Despite initial delays due to work commitments and then two years of Covid concerns, we finally had three full weeks and numerous safari camps almost entirely to ourselves. It was an unforgettable experience, one we can relive and share through the images we captured. However, a word of caution: Africa can be addictive. Since then, we’ve returned twice and have two more safaris in the planning stages.
After a long day in the field, we reluctantly headed our Land Rover back to the Lodge, not ready for another day of our Botswana trip to end. As we drove, we noticed a surging dust cloud ahead and eagerly made our way toward it, grateful for any diversion that extended our time in the field. To our amazement, the dust was from a herd of elephants moving swiftly through a low grassy area. When our guide asked if we wanted to stop, our answer was a resounding YES! I couldn’t believe he even had to ask. Quickly, we adjusted our camera settings, exited our vehicle, lay prone on the ground, and started capturing images of the young stragglers trailing the rapidly disappearing herd. We adjusted our settings again as the light changed rapidly, checking our histograms to ensure optimal exposure.
After the herd passed and the light became too low and ISO too high, I asked our guide why this particular herd seemed unusually skittish about our presence. During our stay, we had photographed several herds, all of which seemed unconcerned about us. However, this herd quickly and decisively moved away from us. Our guide suggested that the elephants may have been harassed by farmers before the land became protected. Despite efforts to isolate farmers and wildlife, deterrents are not always effective, and herds occasionally wander into farm fields. It seems the old adage that “An elephant never forgets” holds true.