FOCUS, THE HUNT BEGINS, SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK, ZAMBIA
During this journey, I collaborated with the leadership team at the Bushcamp Company, a pioneer in the safari and lodging industry. 
INNER BLISS, JACKLINE (6) BY HER HOME, NYACHOTA VILLAGE, MFUWE, ZAMBIA
You may be familiar with the company's hub, Mfuwe Lodge. It's known for its service and the unique wilderness experience provided to guests. I will touch on a historical highlight from Mfuwe Lodge you may enjoy ... several times each year, wild elephants make a pilgrimage from open spaces in the nearby national park through Mfuwe Lodge's lobby to reach mango trees in the courtyard that hold attractive fruit. It's a remarkable event. The Lodge staff calmly greet their floppy-eared guests and patiently watch the parade. As you might guess, the elephants do not follow the Lodge's check-in procedures - they are on a mission. Click here for a view.
The Bushcamp Company was built with a long-term view toward sustainable tourism and support for the environment and local communities. I was fortunate to view diverse wildlife throughout the national park and spend memorable time with local families during my trip. Each day and night brought unfolding adventure.
It's rare to be this near wild space. During my trip, I awoke twice from a deep sleep to the loud sound of hippos snorting aggressively as they fought for command of territory in nearby rivers. Several other times, while sleeping in a tented cabin about a four-hour drive from the main lodge, I awoke to the crashing sound of elephants tromping through a forest just a dozen feet from my head. There were lions, zebras, hyenas, leopards, crocodiles, gazelles, a version of the cape buffalo, wild dogs, beautiful birds, and many other animals in the daily mix. South Luangwa National Park held up its reputation as one of the world's great game parks.
 PATTERNS OF LIFE, GIRAFFE, SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK, ZAMBIA
My documentary work for the Bushcamp Company and daily travel in the park produced colorful stories.
One evening, I finished taking pictures as the sun set and the pale orange light faded to black. I stood on a thin ridge of hard dirt above a wide river and reflected on the scene. A large herd of elephants strolled in shallow water covering the landscape below my perch. I was captivated. As the darkness evolved, a series of unexpected events unfolded. The short story: Two large elephants came quietly from the trees behind me and walked up a small canyon toward my back. Tusks and trunks were extended. I was almost pushed by one curious male into the river to join the rest of his herd with a group of hungry crocodiles. Hmm. That outcome got my attention.
 AN EARFUL, ELEPHANT HERD, SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK, ZAMBIA
In the end, I was lucky. I must have smelled and looked far from interesting or threatening. I remained rock solid in my crouched position. My legs ached from the effort. Perhaps, the elephants closest to me sensed I was "friend not foe." After a long pause, these strong, beautiful creatures turned around and walked slowly back toward the forest. I gasped for breath. As the outline of their large, dimly lit bodies faded into the dark trees, a calm set in.
The longer version of the story is available upon request. A soldier and a guide were hiding nearby in a large bush with a gun. They too almost hit the panic button. They waited out the encounter and told a big tale that evening with other guides and guests: "The elephant's tusks were within several feet of Jeff's back and coming strong, crocodiles were below his feet ..."
Yes. I was fortunate. After all, it's the elephants' sandbox, not mine. I was just a grateful visitor. Smile.  DEBBORA (6) ROCKING THE COMMUNITY WELL, KEFA VILLAGE, MFUWE, ZAMBIA
During my trips outside the national park, I stopped within villages, at wells and community service programs, and several school sites.
On the professional front, I completed a series of documentary assignments to support fundraising and advocacy projects for the Bushcamp Company's clean water, education, health care, sustainable development, and other community programs.
Each step of discovery during the journey was fascinating.
"To get lost is to learn the way." African Proverb
 MANAGING THE CORNER STORE, MFUWE, ZAMBIA
The Zambians I spent time with were warm, open, entrepreneurial, engaged, curious, and generous. The difficulty, uncertainty, complexity, and joy in their lives were often clear.
Life can be hard for many Zambians. Challenges associated with scarcity, a lack of infrastructure, a lack of financial capital, health issues, and sustained poverty are broadly experienced - access to clean water, food, a stable job, electricity, and a safe, dry home can be very difficult for many individuals and families. Simply gathering water can take three to five hours a day for many women and girls. Thus, addressing basic needs are often primary goals.
I was impressed by the sense of shared struggle, hope, resiliency and celebration. I was encouraged to see the Bushcamp Company's ongoing commitment to community partnership.
"Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable" Bondei Proverb
 PARADE OF STRIPES, SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK, ZAMBIA
From early morning through the night, village life flows with a natural rhythm.
My positive reflections from these communities linger. I smile when I think of the children and adults I met.
NAFTALI'S (20), TIGER FISH CAUGHT IN THE LUANGWA RIVER, MFUWE, ZAMBIA
The images throughout this missive share a bit of my experience.
I hope the connections and quick view of the wildlife and documentary expeditions uplift your spirit and encourage you to consider a trip to Africa as well. The continent is filled with warmth, layers of rich history, culture, wildlife, raw beauty, promise, and much magic. I hope to return. Often.
Jeff
PS: If you are contemplating a journey and feel I can be of some assistance, please feel free to call or write. I am delighted to help.
SPOTS ON THE RUN, LEOPARD, SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK, ZAMBIA
LEVISON, VILLAGE CHIEF, AND HIS WIFE, AGNES, MALAMA, MFUWE REGION, ZAMBIA
 TRIO, SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK, ZAMBIA 
ELIZABETH (31), GATHERING WATER FROM A TRADITIONAL SAND PIT WELL NEAR A RIVER, WATER BORN BACTERIA AND OTHER DISEASE THREATS ARE ISSUES BUT HER VILLAGE HAS NO CURRENT ALTERNATIVE, MALAMA, MFUWE, ZAMBIA
CURIOSITY WITH FOUR PAWS, LION CUB, SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK, ZAMBIA
EVENING TRAFFIC JAM, GATHERING WATER, VILLAGE WELL, KEFA VILLAGE, MFUWE, ZAMBIA
GRACE (2) LEARNS TO CARRY WATER WITH HER SISTER, JACKLINE (6), NYACHOTA VILLAGE, MFUWE, ZAMBIA
WOMEN AND CHILDREN ON THE PATH HOME WITH WATER FOR THEIR FAMILIES, KEFA VILLAGE, MFUWE, ZAMBIA
A FLASH OF COLOR AND SONG, CARMINE BEE-EATERS, SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK, ZAMBIA
DETERMINATION, CHANDA (8), CHIWATALA PRIMARY SCHOOL, MFUWE, ZAMBIA
A SERENE SUNSET, PINK LIGHT, SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK, ZAMBIA
SIMON, LEAD TEACHER, CELEBRATES A NEW DORM FOR FEMALE STUDENTS, FUNDING FROM BUSHCAMP FOUNDATION, MFUWE HIGH SCHOOL, ZAMBIA
GRAZING IN THE SUNSET LIGHT, HIPPO PATROL, SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK, ZAMBIA
MATH IN MOTION, IMURAN (11), CHIWATALA PRIMARY SCHOOL, MFUWE, ZAMBIA
BWALYA (18), MONICA (16), AND TRYNESS (15), BUSHCAMP'S SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM, MFUWE, ZAMBIA
SHADRECK, MY WONDERFUL GUIDE, SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK, ZAMBIA
EVENING CALM, SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK, ZAMBIA
BOTTLE CAPS AND CHECKERS IN MOTION, MFUWE, ZAMBIA
MILITARY PROTECTION FOR OUR BUSH WALKING AND 4X4 ROLLING, SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK, ZAMBIA
THE UNIVERSAL, UNIFYING POWER OF PLAY, LWISHA VILLAGE, MFUWE, ZAMBIA
ELEPHANT CHAIN, RIVER CROSSING, SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK, ZAMBIA
SOLAR PANELS USED TO CHARGE AN OLD CAR BATTERY TO SUPPLY ELECTRICITY TO A FAMILY'S PRECIOUS RADIO AND LIGHTS, MFUWE, ZAMBIA
NIGHTLIFE, HYENA PARENTS AND CUBS COME OUT TO PLAY, SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK, ZAMBIA
STANDING TALL, BAOBAB TREE, SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK, ZAMBIA
ELEPHANTS WALK AND SLIDE ON THEIR KNEES IN THE SLIPPERY MUD TO ENTER AND DEPART FROM A SWIMMING HOLE, SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK, ZAMBIA
WONDER AND POSSIBILITY, MASTER OF THE WELL, KEFA VILLAGE, MFUWE, ZAMBIA
 THE HUNT, SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK, ZAMBIA I close with an African proverb ...
"If you think you are too small to make a difference,
you haven't spent a night with a mosquito."
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