As we wandered the path up through the village of Nosy Komba, we chatted with our guides while we eagerly awaited what was in store.
Nadia did most of the translating from French into English while I spoke Italian to one guide who worked with frequent visitors from Italy.
After a brief walk past the stalls selling souvenirs, we reached what we came for: the lemurs.
The lemurs are well trained. Cat like and observant, they are willing to give attention for as long as the bananas are flowing. They’re friendly and will let you pet them but quickly brush your hand away and leave your shoulder once the treats are finished.
The island is home to other species including boas and tortoises. One of the many reasons Madagascar is so special is the biodiversity. Many of the species of animals and fauna can only be found there.
We had a beer by the ocean before sailing to our next destination: Nosy Tanikelu ⛵️
#film #filmphotography #madagascar #nosykomba #lemur #tortoise #travelphotography #shotonfilm #ektar100
Arriving at Nosy Komba
We arrived at the island and within minutes walked into a small village, with bars and restaurants on the sea. The smoke from cooking fires wafted into the air. There were artisans selling crafts. Children played. We walked up a small path with our guides, who spoke a mixture of French, Malagasy, and Italian. On our way to the lemurs.
#nosybe #nosykomba #madagascar #film #filmphotography #filmphoto #ektar100 #travelphotography #travelphoto
I credit Nadia for opening my eyes to Madagascar. A Malagasy native, she grew up in Antananarivo. But like so many Americans, the majority of what I knew about the country was from the Pixar movies.
Instead, she taught me about the country’s rich (and complex) history, biodiversity, and delicious food.
It was a privilege for us to be there with her, meet her family, and experience the magical islands together.
#madagascar #nosybe #nosykomba #film #filmphotography #travelphotography #travelphoto #ektar100
On approach to Nosy Komba
Visiting Madagascar was a dream 10 years in the making. On one of our first days we chartered a boat to take us around the islands off Madagascar‘s coast.
The first stop: Nosy Komba, or Lemur Island.
#film #filmphotography #ektar100 #madagascar #travelphotography
Our final day at Kapama. After leaving Jabulani, our guides took us on our final game drive. It did not disappoint.
First we saw two elephants in the bush, and then the lioness before the real prize was revealed: the two brothers from the night before, lazily resting in the bush.
We probably spent 30 minutes watching them. They remained still but were clearly aware of our presence. Being that close to a lion, seeing the emerald eyes shimmering in the daylight is not something I’ll ever forget.
We continued onward and even got a glimpse of how the game would tear the bark off the trees.
And then it was onto the next adventure.
#portra400 #film #filmphotography #safari #southafrica
Our final day included a trip to Camp Jabulani, an elephant sanctuary where we got to learn and interact with these incredible animals.
In 1997, Jabulani the elephant was abandoned by his mother and heard after being stuck in the mud from a silt dam.
He was rescued and nursed back to health. The sanctuary was founded when 12 Zimbabwean elephants were rescued and the matriarch adopted Jabulani.
They offer tours and interactions with the elephants as a way to safely engage and learn about them. We spent the morning feeding them oranges and hay.
🎞️ Lomography 800
#safari #elephant #southafrica #jabulani #kapama #film #filmphotography #heylomography
The trip nears its end. We see giraffes as the night darkens around us, the next morning brings us rhinos, buffalo, and a rare pack of wild dogs.
Unlike the other animals, we could smell the wild dogs from the car. They barked, turned, and ran off down the road.
🎞️ lomography 800
#heylomography #film #filmphotography #safari #southafrica #canon
We saw the big five while on safari - and we were fortunate to see a herd of elephants cross in front of us.
Swipe to see the cutest baby.
#filmphotography #heylomography #safari #elephant
On the evening game drives at sunset, the guides pull over.
They unload the car and suddenly, a bar appears. Bush Bar they call it.
We have wine, maybe some biltong, and chat with the other passengers about what we’ve seen, where we’re from, and where we’re headed after this magical experience ends.
With the sun fading on another day, I open the aperture and click the shutter.
#filmphotography #portra400 #safari
