The Boss of the Chobe River
It was 4th of Nov in 2017, we were travelling through Southern Africa on a road-trip with TIVA travels through Namibia and Botswana. It was not our first African adventure but this journey certainly had stretched my comfort zone.
We were coming from the Caprivi strip in Namibia through Moremi in the Okavango delta further down to the Chobe NP. We had a few days of unfenced camping in Moremi being in the middle of the African bush, elephants just next to the tent, hyena passing through the campsite…the real thing.
There is a significant difference having your feet on the floor of the Troopy versus walking the same ground as these magnificent animals, only then you realise how small we are as human beings. Having respect for nature helps to keep you safe…
So after an intense week in the bush we relaxed in the Chobe River lodge and decided to take a sundowner cruise in an aluminium flat-bottom boat on the Chobe river. Our Botswana guide Rodgers brought us to the most beautiful sightings. I think you get a different perspective observing the animals from within a boat and you have the opportunity to come really close.
When the sun started to set, the soft light hit the African scenery and as a photographer you know this is the time that it needs to happen… and it did for me.
We ran into a little bay and saw a huge hippo walking along the shore. I started thinking would be great to get a headshot of this guy in this light. I guess he heard me thinking or maybe he was just annoyed with the presence of our boat because he came into the water and walked up to us slowly. I already named him “The boss” in my thoughts. Our guide Rodgers was prepared to back-out. I had the extender on and knew that I needed to be quick, everything needed to come together. Then you know this is the moment, you feel to be alive and you take the picture…
A moment in Africa I will never forget.
Canon 1DxMk2 EF100-400mm+1.4xIII (140mm) 1/2500 f9 ISO1250
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