Edward Selfe Photo Safaris Avis 

For almost ten years I have been regularly visiting South Luangwa on photographic safaris with Ed Selfe. This time round we visited a less well known park located on the northern bank of the Zambezi. Based at the Anabezi Lodge we spent nine days in this beautiful park which is characterised by its forests. We had numerous sightings and as usual, under Ed's guidance, we, as photographic enthusiasts, were able to make the most of them. In a word it was wonderful. The lodge was excellent, the staff very obliging and friendly, but the highlight was certainly the park itself which is beautiful and I'd recommend it as an exceptional wildlife destination without hesitation. Ed Selfe, as a guide, ensures the experience is the very best standard.

Edward is a first class guide with a vast knowledge of wildlife. He is patient, understanding and with a very good nature. He’s an absolute gentleman and a pleasure to be on Safari with.

Ed is a fantastic guide and a great naturalist

Ed is truly an excellent teacher and guide. When on safari with him, expect to learn a lot. Certainly, photography approaches and techniques in various scenarios. But also, insightful observations about animal behavior, biology, ecology, conservation. A much more complete safari experience than merely going from sighting to sighting to sighting.

Ed is a keen observer. Distress calls, alert animal behaviors, spatial pattern breaks. And he’s a good teacher in articulating how these all fit together – he can predict what animals (lions, leopards, painted dogs, etc) might do next, where likely they will subsequently go, what behavior to expect. At minimum, he positions the safari jeep for taking good photos. More importantly, he lets you experience, just a little bit, what it feels like to be in that environment: predators, prey, flora, terrain all inter-connected.

Plus, Ed is such fun company. A truly nice person, easy to be with, the right kind of curious.

Edward Selfe is an excellent safari guide and photographer. He is dedicated to his craft and the country - indeed, he and his family live near the South Luangwa National Park. Edward has the skill to find the best photographic opportunities and coaches those who need assistance. The camps he chose for our trip were excellent and our animal sightings were wonderful, including elephants in one camp!

Edward was an amazing host with a wealth of knowledge on both photography and animals (and their behaviour)

We have been on several safaris to Africa and Ed’s stands out as one of the best. The camps and their staff were amazing locations chosen by Ed were magical. Sundowners by hippo ponds or overlooking a sunset painted river also added to the highlights of the trip.

Edward has the ability to locate and find animal encounters and then turn around to you and offer suggestions and support to get the best image to remember the moment by. As an intermediate photographer this was priceless.

Edward will also take the time to sit down with you and teach you a few tricks with your camera which is perfect for a beginner or intermediate camera user like myself. He has a wealth of camera knowledge and is very happy to share it with you and take the time to make sure you get the best images possible. (Even if this means Ed runs across the courtyard to teach motion blur 😉)

The lessons I learnt on this trip have allowed me to enhance my photography and use of my camera in other fields. We returned to Australia with photos that we would not have got with a standard safari and will definitely be booking with Ed in the future.

It was an epic safari.

We had already for the third time a wunderfull and exited photosafari in Zambia with Ed. With his humor and experiences he takes, if you want, lots of time to help you out to make the right photos. Of course all based on your needs, equipment, position and situations.

Anyone with any interest in wildlife photography or African animal sightings could not do any better than a trip with Ed. We have had four trips to Africa, three with him and all have been amazing. His expertise in finding the best spots for sightings/photography in various locations around Africa are second to none. Accommodation and staff at the camps was exceptional

Ed Selfe is one of the best safari guides I have used ever since I took my first African wildlife safari 52 years ago. Not only is he a wonderful companion, but his knowledge of the Zambian bush and its creatures is phenomenal. On top of all this, his knowledge of wildlife photography and his ability to get his clients into the perfect positions for each photo opportunity assures you that you will go home with many superb images. As an example, with his knowledge of a Leopard’s expected behavior and his experience as a wildlife photographer, he put us into a perfect position to get images of the exact moment a Leopard struck a Baboon, and then maneuvered so we could get follow-up shots as she took her prize to her cubs. Zambia has come a long way since I worked there at the American Embassy in the late 1980s. The lodges were excellent, the food superb, and the environment about as pristine as one can find in Africa today. And most importantly, there were no crowds like one experiences in many other game parks on the continent. Two vehicles on a Lion pride is a “crowd” in Zambia.

Edward is great, the best guide and photo instructor I ever had.

If you are considering going on safari to South Luangwa there is no-one else I would recommend more highly than Ed. Having lived and worked there for many years Ed really knows the area like the back of his hand and also has wonderful knowledge of all the lion prides and leopards which really adds to the experience (it's not just another leopard but he can tell you all about them). He is an excellent guide and tracker and is brilliant at finding those sometimes elusive leopards. He always strives to get you the best photographic positions (no matter how bumpy the terrain!) and is always open to questions and focussed on helping you to improve your photography. I have heard many horror stories about some photographic guides who are there to build their own portfolios and do their own photography so to travel with a photographer like Ed who has no ego and is just a lovely person to spend time with and who is dedicated to ensuring you have the BEST time is really refreshing. Go and book now!!

This was my sixth trip with Ed so this review covers around 6 weeks of safari with him in total. It goes without saying that Ed is an expert guide, naturalist and photographer, but there are two things that I think make his safari's so special. Firstly because Ed lives in the area he has an intimate knowledge that know "fly-in, fly-out" photographer could ever have, which is a real advantage. Secondly, Ed is a great guy who always puts his guests first and goes the extra mile to ensure they have the best experience possible. This is what keeps me going back time after time. What better endorsement is there than that!!

As a local resident, Edward intimately knows South Luangwa N.P. During our safari with Edward we learned so much about this beautiful ecosystem in Zambia from the birdlife to the outstanding predator populations. His eagerness to share the beauty of the park is contagious, each day of our trip was filled with adventure.

Edward is a very knowledgeable and experienced guide. This has resulted in us getting some amazing photos that a guide without Edward understanding of the animals and their habits would not have been able to deliver. Be prepared for early morning starts and occasionally missing sundowners in the pursuit of some magical photographic opportunities!! The small groups ensure that everyone has a great seat for all the action.

I am a photographer and I wanted to photograph the Carmine Bee Eaters in Zambia. I researched and found Edward Selfe Photography on line. After corresponding and speaking with his travel partner, Emma, we booked this tour in 2021. But Covid caused its postponement until 2023. My husband is not a photographer but he was eager to go as well. We had an absolutely splendid trip. I must say that this was one of our top trips ever, and I would not hesitate to recommend Edward Selfe. His knowledge of animal behavior, when combined with his photography skills, gave us so many opportunities to see and photograph wonderful wildlife encounters. In addition, he is a very jovial person and the other two guests that accompanied us were enjoyable as well. He could not do enough to make sure our needs were met.

We've gone on safari with Ed Selfe multiple times and he always provides an excellent safari all the way around. He just doesn't take guests out to see wildlife, he provides a wonderful wholistic experience that creates lasting memories. Ed is very accommodating to all guests needs, both in camp and on game drives. His guests always come first. It is just a joy to be on safari with Ed Selfe.

We have been going on safari once or twice a year since 2005.
My wife and myself (an amateur photographer) felt a year is not accomplished without a bush experience. We met Edward in 2018 at Bilimungwe camp in South Luangwa National Park and decided that we need to go together on safari as soon as possible. Well, Covid decided otherwise! Covid kept moving our 2020 Emerald Season safari with Edward in SL from year to year and now it’s scheduled for 2023. In 2022 I felt I cannot wait any longer and begged Edward to find me a spot at any safari, pronto! And he did – two weeks in Busanga Plains, Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa surpassed by far my expectations. I was alive again !!!

I have repeated the experience during the Emerald Season in 2023. Fantastic again!
A safari with Edward as a guide and photographic guru was a pure enchantment. Edward always looked for the best light, anticipated animals’ behaviour and knew perfectly the area and its resident fauna. And his advice and coaching were extremely helpful.
Thanks to him we saw some amazing scenes and actions and the memory cards were filled with some out of this world shots. Even more important than the memory cards, we recorded forever in our minds unforgettable memories.
And I will do it again, that's for sure !
André Erlich
Paris, France