Elephants and Ndunas, a photo from Matabeleland North, West

Photographer's Note

Since we started organising the African tour, an elephant back safari was one of the activities always present in our minds. Going to Zimbabwe was not part of our plans due to the current country political conditions but, when we were told that it was the only chance for the elephant safari, we looked at each other and decided to go.

After leaving behind the Zambian border cross we passed through the beautiful centenary Victoria Falls Bridge, seen here and here, and after picking up a few more people in the town of Victoria Falls we went straight to the Woodlands Elephant Camp for the safari.

An elephant back safari is not just a ride on the largest animal in Africa; it is also an unforgettable experience. The trips are lead by a professional guide, who is armed and carries a first aid kit and handheld radio. Each elephant has its own trainer called Nduna or Induna. These Ndunas have a great affinity and affection for the individual elephants in their care, as well as for the environment that supports these incredible creatures.

The elephants used in this camp have been brought in when they became orphans in early age because they would not survive the wild on their own. These gentle creatures are extremely intelligent and at the camp all training is implemented by using a reward system. At present, the camp has 7 adult elephants of different ages and two babies, one of them still being fed with milk formula.

The main post is a picture of four of the seven elephants and Ndunas before the trip started.

In WS1 you can see the baby elephant being fed by his trainer. Note the elephant trunk around the trainer’s head.

The WS2 is a close up view of the elephant little eye and skin around.

Jeppo, Didi, rigoletto, ben4321, Vato_Law, anes_lc, dareco, jurarafal, macondo, Bluejeans, syd1946, manatee, bostankorkulugu, Zelanda, paura, papagolf21, chrisnet, MLINES, vinicio, Docarmo, lucasgalodoido, cfreire, xuaxo, hispic, kiwi_explorer, cherryripe, alvaraalto, happypoppeye, josepmarin, Clementi, alentejo, Wanda1, siolaw, devimeuxbe, bakes888, Photo65Net, mcenteesalas, Flavia, ChrisJ, stego, keribar, atus, brevbrev14, riclopes, faubry, jaywalker, ilvao, Charo, blagov58 ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

Jeppo (17645) 2007-10-06 2:34

Matabele, Ndunas and Elephants?? A picture directly from a Wilbur Smith book!
Nice colours and subjects...furthermore I look at the red earth...and my Sehnsucht for Africa starts again!

Didi (61589) 2007-10-06 2:34

Hello Antonio
Is this really Hannibal modern army ?
Well done for this interesting scene with a nice comment.
Cheers.

partha (14023) 2007-10-06 2:35

Hi Antonio,
Like NG shots.U have used the lighting condition wonderfully. very good shot.
Partha

TheG1 (1509) 2007-10-06 2:38

Hi Antonio
This looks like an elephant reunion photo!! I once ride an elephant in Thailand, but for an hour only.
The picture is sharp and i like the warm colors of the ground and the combination with the green riders.

This safari sound great, maybe one day...
Amir

xavshot (69835) 2007-10-06 2:41

Bonjour Antonio
excellente photo. j'aime beaucoup le cadrage de fac de ces gros pachydermes. Une très belle lumière. Bravo.
Xavier

rigoletto (34279) 2007-10-06 2:44

Ola Mr. Ribeiro,
In the gallery, it was really attractive for any eye! The light and colors are really good, but the concept and story itself are already winners. I like it a lot, your note as well. TFS,
Deniz

ben4321 (9875) 2007-10-06 3:24

I like the balance across the frame Antonio, although I think if you'd taken a step or two to the left you'd have been able to take the shot from directly in front of the elephants instead of shooting them from an angle. I just think that with the elephants lined up like that, as if they're on parade, the direct framing might have worked better.
I like this shot though - simple effective composition, and the elephants (and riders) make charming subjects.

Cheers,
Ben

ohe (2334) 2007-10-06 3:25

Dear Antonio,
Very nice colors for this composition.
Wrokshop are also excellent !!
Thanks for sharing,
- Olivier -

Vato_Law (12732) 2007-10-06 3:40

Bom dia António,
Esta faz me lembrar de certa forma a serie que andei a fazer em volta dos bancos de jardim ou de rua com estes senhores lá no alto a terem umas expressões bem curiosas.
Mas o que realmente ressalta é a forma como estes elefantes parecem estar ligados aos seus Ndunas, obviamente que haverá sempre o perigo de reacções inesperadas mas por esta foto e pelas que colocas em WS é inegável que eles mantêm uma ligação muito próxima. Imagino que tenha sido mais uma experiência inesquecivel.
A foto do pequenote a ser alimentado com a tromba à volta do pescoço do Nduna é deliciosa.
Um abraço.
Paulo

anes_lc (14968) 2007-10-06 4:52

hi antonio
for sure one unforgettable experience...for me is fantastic even to look at your picture :)
thanks share,usefull note and great picture
regards,anes

dareco (17136) 2007-10-06 5:13

It sounds like you had an incredible time!! I fell in love with elephants when I visited Thailand. This is very nice, and I always like that red African soil. TFS

jurarafal (265) 2007-10-06 5:59

Thanx either for the photo and for the info.
I thought the only possibility for elephat sfari has been "out of reach" as it was oferred by the, currently inaccesible, national park de la garamba at the Kongo/Sudan border. Would U be so kind and estimate the cost of such safari (whats included, lenght and whatever comes to Ur mind)

macondo (20449) 2007-10-06 7:07

Wonderful shot, Antonio. The way the elephants stand in the light, while the trees' shadows fall around them on the ground, is marvellous. And the angled line of the four elephants adds to the sense of depth, so to me your pov is perfect. And then there's the colour of the soil and of the riders' uniforms. A really impressive photo and a great note.
Regards,
Andrew

Bluejeans (64251) 2007-10-06 8:03

Oi amigo ,
Uma foto bem africana , muito bonitos estes elefantes com as suas grandes orelhas , como e montar um elefante ?
Gostei muito das cores e das sombras , a cor da terra e muito bonita , bom enquadramento da foto , parabens!!!
Gostei muito das fotos do Ws

Um abraço Gonçalo
Bom fim de semana

syd1946 (1167) 2007-10-06 8:56

Hello Antonio,
I like your composition very much!The elephants seem standing at right place,to the limit between light and shadow,and gives you the opportunity to compose very well the scene.Interesting note too!

Nice weekend,
Thomas

maria (3288) 2007-10-06 11:13

Well framed pic with amazing light.
Tfs.
Regards,
Maria

manatee (4668) 2007-10-06 12:01

Exelent work Antonio, I like it the whole note and the picture, very interesting, I really ejoy it this picture.

Very good

Have a nice weekend

hay_kes (31439) 2007-10-06 13:55

Merhaba Antonio,
Very nice composition.Great lighting and colours.TFS.
Regards.

hAyAti

bostankorkulugu (42866) 2007-10-06 15:24

africa wouldnt have been africa without the elephants so this shot was needed:)... a well balanced compo with the four couple in beautiful natural colours... and an informative note as well...

cheers antonio

korkut

bucanas (2218) 2007-10-06 17:53 [Comment]

Show Comment

paura (25802) 2007-10-06 18:55

António,
bela fotografia, com assunto muito interessante e excelente definição. Está com uma boa idéia de profundidade, aparentando uma terceira dimensão.

Abraços

Paulo

leo61 (0) 2007-10-06 22:03

Hi Antonio!
Great shot,I like how they pose for you.The soft colors are nice,especially the orange sand in the foreground.
Regards,Leo
You asked for my Myanmar travel.
I`ll go to Thailand and Cambodia on 30.11. and on 31.12.i wanted to visit Myanmar for 3 weeks.But now with all the trouble in the country I tend not to go.Maybe I `ll visit Laos instead.

chrisnet (23062) 2007-10-07 1:41

Hello Antonio,
A typical view of Africa, good framing and nice comment.
Regards
Christian

Zelanda (5692) 2007-10-07 1:55

Hola Antonio,
Buena composición con estupendos detalles y colores. Ya veo que disfrutaste de tu estancia por esas tierras.
Un abrazo amigo
Ros

MLINES (12516) 2007-10-07 2:49

Hi Antonio. I like this composition a lot. The four elephants lined up with a trainer on eack. It seems a long way to fall off. Excellent clarity and notes. TFS. Murray.

captainsgirl (3450) 2007-10-07 5:19

Hello Antonio,
A. It wonderful to read your comments on how these big animals are cared for so well, its great to hear that all across the globe we "humans" are making efforts the best we can to preserve and protect our world.

B, the photo is beautiful, the natual colors and crisp details. The elephants do look so very good, or at least to me with an untrained "elephant eye" :o) TFS
Donna:o)

isabela_sor (47748) 2007-10-07 8:35

A perfect image for National Geography !!!!!Excellent capture,all my admiration and thanks for your note
Hugs

PixelTerror (0) 2007-10-07 8:43

Ola Antonio,
A nice double-quatuor, it's good at least 3 of them are in good light and all in good focus, so they catch the viewer's attention and it helps forgetting about the not too attractive sky.
Have a nice day JY

vinicio (23423) 2007-10-07 10:56

Hello Antonio,

this group is very interesting and beautiful, the feeling of Africa comes well from your photo.

The photo is really well done, with excellent colors, light and deep shadows, compliments.

Have a nice week
Ciao
Vinicio

Docarmo (9767) 2007-10-07 11:11

Olá António,
Excelente foto, cores muito boas e um ótimo jogo de sombras.
Eu sou encantada com os elefantes, acho que eles é que deveriam ser chamados os reis dos animais. Naqueles documentários sobre os animais da África, eu me regozijo quando vejo o elefante, com toda a sua potência afastando os leões que querem atacar os elefantinhos (usar diminutivo para elefante é puramente afetivo :-).
Uma graça o WS com o filhotinho "abraçando" o treinador.
Excelente post!
Obrigada por partilhar.
Maria do Carmo

lucasgalodoido (27698) 2007-10-07 11:20

Olá Antônio!
Deve ser bem interessante viajar de elefante, um meo de tranporte qua não experimentei ainda! A foto está ótima, mostrando bem a cultura local!
Parabéns e Abraço!

vincz (19113) 2007-10-07 12:27

Nice "pose". It is quite funning to see how they all pose for you. The giants and their "Ndunas". Very nice tones, very pleasant.

cfreire (11741) 2007-10-07 12:41

Olá, Antônio.
Que foto! Tá fera demais! Ótima captura com boa profundidade. A sua nota está ótima, eu não tinha idéia sobre o assunto. O enquadramento está muito bom e as sombras, simplesmente, adorei; elas dão vida, movimento e contraste à foto. Um abraço, Consuelo.

xuaxo (6854) 2007-10-07 13:03

Olá António,
Esta foto está tão interessante que até parece mal apontar-lhe alguns defeitos (mas acho que não és completamente responsável por eles). Mas aqui vai: é o céu esbranquiçado ao meio e o elefante (e homem) da direita à sombra. Enfim, nada de grave comparado com a curiosidade documental da foto.
Um abraço,
F

leonorkuhn (16237) 2007-10-07 20:50

Meu corajoso amigo,

Agora enfrentando os elefantes africanos. Mesmo "domados", eles não são para brincadeiras, pelo menos é o que vejo no National Geographics. A imagem está muito boa, belas cores e excelentes detalhes.

Abraços
Leonor

papagolf21 (152607) 2007-10-08 0:49

Bonjour, mon ami Antonio,
Ce n'est pas la charge de la cavalerie légère ici ! c'est la charge lourde !!! ;o)
Euh ! c'est particulièrement inquiétant de voir surgir de tels pachydermes (il vaut mieux utiliser un téléobjectif).
Plaisanterie à part, la réalisation est stupéfiante !
Amitiés.
Philippe
P.S. : Un grand merci pour ces photographies particulièrement réussies.

hispic (9658) 2007-10-08 1:59

Impressive shot of these gentle creatures. I am surprised to see this photo because I heard that African elephant's
nature is rough.
Your note is also very useful.
Thanks for sharing.
Regards,
Hisashi

prumod (8300) 2007-10-08 2:55

hi antonio...
very beautiful group photo! wonderful clarity and details... a neat image!
greetings...

agbonavita (0) 2007-10-08 7:59

Engraçado, a roupa dos homens lembram a dos lixeiros aqui do rio de Janeiro. Fiquei imaginando como seria ver lixeiros montados em elefantes pelas ruas cheias de Copacabana, uma cena um tanto indusitada, não?
Gostei do enquadramento, mas pena a luz do lado direito ter ficando um tanto estranha, há sombras fortes e o céu é mais azul que o resto da paisagem.
Boa nota sobre o uso dos elefantes.
Abraço
Andre

AiresSantos (56155) 2007-10-08 8:13

Ola Antonio
Excelente imagem do Zimbabwe antiga Rodesia.
Quatro grandes elefantes e Ndunas. A respectiva e as cores estao magnificas
Um abraço Amigo
Aires

philsim (1914) 2007-10-08 8:18

HI ANTONIO
It is 13 years since I was last in Zimbabwe. I hate to think what is happening there. Anyway this is a great shot, well composed and beautiful colours
Phil

cherryripe (21033) 2007-10-08 11:09

Hi Antonio
I'm attracted by these elephants having seen 5 have a swim in Lake Geneva this morning. They're the circus elephants. Anyway, you were very brave going to Zimbabwe and it's great you returned safely to share shots such as these with us. I really like how the guys are posing.
Regards
Nikki

Cara (2059) 2007-10-08 14:07

Olá António,
Impressionante a quase quadruplicação do elefante com o tratador apenas diferenciandos em tamanho e postura.
Muito boa a qualidade de imagem, isso é que é passear a máquina :)
Cumprimentos, Daniel

alvaraalto (42804) 2007-10-08 14:53

Hi Antonio,
Excellent info and an even excellent and suitable picture.
I hope that soon the situation in Zimbabwe will improve and we feel free to visit this beautiful and “rich” country without restrictions.
Groet Rob

rbcy1974 (20758) 2007-10-08 15:43

HellO Antonio
Very great alignment of the elephants and their masters here
excellent ligt conditions, the coulour of the soil is very well captured
very nicely done
Regards
Daniel

happypoppeye (4819) 2007-10-08 15:48

I like it Antonio!!!

Lighting isn't perfect, with the one horse and rider on the right being shaded. Not as sharp as it could be. Really nothing of interest in the background...all that said, a great shot. I only wish I had a chance to get a shot like this, let alone have a chance to see these majestic animals so close, not to mention riding one. I wouldn't change a thing - A photo like this isn't just about the technicals. Great workshops also. TFS

Great work
John

archimatica (20648) 2007-10-09 8:04

Four elephants! All together!
Fantastic colors and sharpness; I particulary like the red ground.
Best regards
Renzo

josepmarin (59385) 2007-10-09 11:13

Olá António,
bonita imagen de estos elefantes y sus conductores posando para tu foto, en un paisaje africano con una maravillosa luz y unas elegantes sombras. Es un tiro muy interesante gráficamente. Me gusta especialmente el WS con el bebé elefante tomando su biberón. Adorable!
Bello trabajo, amigo.
Un saludo,
Josep

Clementi (52514) 2007-10-09 13:57

ciao Antonio ,
bellissima questa riunione di elefanti , mi piace molto ,
colori molto intensi e una bella nitidezza .
ottimo lavoro
Giorgio

alentejo (1954) 2007-10-09 15:23

Ola Antonio !
Esta foto esta genial !
Atè parece ser o mesmo elefante com a mesma pessoa em posiçoes diferentes :-)))
Nao fazia parte do plano mas resultou muito bem. Gostei tambem do "close up" mostrando a pele do animal e do pequenito...
Belo trabalho

Um abraço.

Wanda1 (15142) 2007-10-09 22:25

Hi Antonio,
A lovely image of these magnificent creatures and their trainers. I like their different poses, and you have good clarity in your shot. It must have been an amazing experience.
Regards
Wanda

siolaw (38294) 2007-10-10 0:04

Hi Antonio,
Great light giving superb colors to this funny scene.... Nice group of elephants and their respective Ndunas... Nice workshops too. A memorable trip for sure!
Laurent

barrufeto_77 (28888) 2007-10-10 0:43

Hi Antonio.

Nice compo with something typical from Africa...the elephants.

Excellent introduction with the african atmosphere in the background.

Well done!

pboehringer (770) 2007-10-10 19:10

Antonio,
looking into the WS shot with the aby elephant's trunk around the trainers neck gives a pretty clear idea why the ndunas get so attached to their elephants. I would got attached too! The main post with the four elephants and their guides is a very impressive shot although the composition is certainly nothing refined but the exotic view makes it a very special shot!
I love it!
Regards, Peter

fayeulle (27827) 2007-10-10 23:44

Salut Antonio
Autant j'ai pu voir en Asie, des éléphants monté par l'homme autant en Afrique je n'ai rien vu de tel. Je croyais que les éléphants africains ne pouvaient être domestiqués. Une photo d'ans l'esprit de TE.
Amicalement
JP

trekks (14348) 2007-10-11 1:51

Hi Antonio

Very dramatic photo, nicely framed, good colors, contrast, shadow. You stand too close to the big fellas?

TFS
Bill

devimeuxbe (58557) 2007-10-11 13:34

Hi Antonio
increbible vision.
It's like a polo team !
Beautifull light and colors and interesting picture
BErtrand

bakes888 (18499) 2007-10-12 1:01

Hi Antonio. Excellent photo. The angle of the elephants adds strength to the composition. Good colour and sharpness. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

pablominto (53746) 2007-10-12 3:08

Hello Antonio,
A great pose indeed!
Not often you get four this impressive model to pose for a photograph...
Good details and attractive cololurs!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Photo65Net (43144) 2007-10-12 11:57

Antonio,
What can I write about this one ?
Amazing one, with great framing of these animals...
Beautiful, impressive,
Regards,
JB.

Flavia (10352) 2007-10-13 16:02

Oi Antonio,

Que fot epetacular. O tema e excelente, so os 4 belos animais alinhados assim ja daria uma otima foto, mas a luz esta p la de especial, a sombra das arvores convergindo p o centro cria uma otima profundidade alem de guar os olhos. Os 4 treinadores do parque em posturas diferentes e naturais adicionam ainda mais interesse a foto. Excellente trabalho.

Abracos,

Flavia

ChrisJ (172378) 2007-10-15 0:28

Ola Antonio

Good lineup of the 4 elephants & their riders. Good to have the man at right in shadow & breaking the pattern. Excellent colour & sharpness. Tfs!

donluicu (24741) 2007-10-15 13:42

hi Antonio
impressive image with those 4 monsters!!

i guess this safari was just amazing!!

congrats

loic

marietom (34611) 2007-10-18 2:14

Bonjour Antonio,

Je monterais bien là-haut, moi aussi.
Belle image originale.
Marie

stego (24132) 2007-10-18 16:49

Olá António,

Um belo "retrato de família", digo eu! :-)
Os auto-pullmans da selva à espera de passageiros...

Gosto como consegues mostrar muito bem não só os animais e os tratadores, mas tb. a paisagem envolvente.

Já tinha ouvido falar que já estavam a tentar domesticar elefantes africanos, mas não sabia que tinham tido tal sucesso que já os usam para passear turistas.

Concordo contigo que um passeio de elefante é uma experiência única. Há anos que sonho levar o meu filho a ver rinocerontes do cimo de um elefante, no Nepal, mas não estou a ver a coisa fácil.

Um abraço, José.

sebinho342 (19329) 2007-10-19 3:54

Hi Antonio, there are few pictures like this, few pictures with such majesty, of the most amazing animal specie, i will call you elephant man as i saw also your last upload ;)
This one is just GREAT, technically perfectly worked and in service of a beautiful subject / compo.
There is almost a little vigneting that please my eyes and permits to focus on center.
Excellent

testmaniac (13508) 2007-10-22 4:30

Hello Antonio, this is not everyday view photo.TFS and regards!

Philip

keribar (43841) 2007-10-22 21:44

Hello Antonio,
With my back problems I am not sore I'll ever be able to try such an experience: But I am surprised to find out that thay actually ride on African elephants which are supposedly wild and not like their Asian cousins which we know are more docile: Your picture is just letting me know this new fact for me.
Good picture too - Izzet

atus (15878) 2007-10-23 13:48

Hello Antonio,
the technical quality of the shot is very good and what I appreciate more is the very useful information regarding the possibility of the elephant back safari. In pure TE spirit!
Was the ride safe enough?
Tfs and best wishes.
Attila

brevbrev14 (140) 2007-11-13 0:56

Hi Antonio, very good image with the typical animals..
intersting scene and note too!
ciao!
Valeria

riclopes (35577) 2007-11-14 8:30

Esta está estupenda, António. O efeito de repetição em que não dá para distinguir as diferenças entre cada par elefante/tratador, é espectacular. A luz está bonita e bem exposta, mesmo com a dificuldade do par da direita estar à sombra. A textura no pormenor em WS também está muito boa e o abraço na outra é engraçado. Os paquidermes são de facto gigantescos. Como não fui à Tailândia, já não vi elefantes...
Ricardo

faubry (35447) 2007-11-21 1:53

wonderful image from Africa with a very nice light, great shot
francine

jaywalker (16105) 2007-12-12 11:32

Hi Antonio, I love Elephants & this photo is a beauty, the four powerful animals lined up as if to charge, one thing I fine most appealing about them, is the fact that they can also be so gentle & caring towards there own family, the light & soft colours work well here, great note, TFS, kind regards Wilson.

Matthew-Watt (5934) 2008-02-05 16:19

Hello Antonio,

This is without a doubt one of your best photos (in a gallery full of supreme shots). The elephants and their riders are a wonderful subject to have in this fitting landscape. The lighting was working well in your favor here, 3/4 of the riders are illuminated, and it good to have some imbalance with the rider on the right not lit. Elephants are incredible animals, I have not encountered the African variety yet apart from Dubbo Zoo, but it must be very memorable to see them in their natural environment. The photo quality is excellent, no problems there. Thanks for this upload.

Matt

Charo (51290) 2008-07-26 0:51

Olá Antonio,
Ele tinha visto várias vezes esta foto e pensei que já tinha comentado. Eu adoro é grande e muito boa com cores e detalhes. Eu gosto do fato de que é entre sol e sombra.
Boa semana
Abraços,
Charo

aofl (1088) 2008-08-09 7:00 [Comment]

Show Comment

jmdias (116341) 2008-09-14 8:38

antonio

esta com os elefantes perfilados e os "motoristas" no alto das máquinas ficou muito boa. Gostei da luz e da faixa de sombra que quebra a monotonia, a tira de céu e de chão ficaram boas aqui como molduras ao assunto principal. belo trabalho

abraços

jorge

Haymotion (2761) 2008-09-17 1:40

Très belle composition !!

Couleur magnifique... Impressionant cette alignement d'éléphant !!

Bravo

Vince

edal (6804) 2008-10-05 22:11

Hi again Antonio,
No doubt this is such hi-score photo - IT IS SO UNUSUAL AND SO WELL DONE - colors, focus, compo!
With compliments,
Anton

giorgimer (35017) 2008-10-12 22:50

Hi Antonio,

very nice shot, good composition and choice of the frontal POV.

TFS

Gio

JoNoCarmo (291) 2009-02-19 0:17

Olá António
Uma foto fantástica, não só técnicamente mas tambem pela oportunidade de juntar este quarteto e respectivos acompanhantes. Good job, Rgds - JCarmo

coco (30439) 2009-02-19 0:21

Hola Antonio.

What amazing moment and picture!
You did a very nice and gfun work.

Regards.

blagov58 (331) 2009-05-13 19:37

Antonio, have recently (in April) done camel safari in Northern Territories we can really now look on the elephant one in Afrika or Asia. Your picture really inspiring us to complete this one soon.

Niellu (22) 2010-05-11 10:31 [Comment]

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tenretin (3275) 2014-02-26 4:47

Hello Antonio,
This is an interesting scene, full of color and ausi a well-composed photograph and natural colors.
Well done!.
Regards,
Tenretin.