Text and photos copyright Rene de Heer, all rights reserved

It was that time of the year again. Where would this year’s annual bird photography trip take me? For the last 8 years, my trips have taken me up north to Finland and always in the depths of winter. There is something compelling about Finland or, I should say, Northern Scandinavia. Perhaps it’s the light, the vast, empty spaces, the sheer beauty of the countryside in the depths of winter. It’s all of that and, of course, the beautiful birds. I have never been disappointed, always coming home with good images: Pine Grosbeak, Cedar Waxwing, mating Golden Eagle, Crested Tit and Northern Bullfinch, just to name a few.

Text and photos copyright Joe McDonald, all rights reserved

I travel a lot as a wildlife photographer and to me there’s no place like Africa for the absolute best in wildlife photography. Indeed, Africa gets in your blood, not as a malarial parasite but as a burning obsession, because for most, one visit simply isn’t enough. Most folks, before they’ve even completed their first visit, are already planning on when and how they’ll be able to return. It simply is that good!

Text and photos copyright Marijn Heuts, all rights reserved

In 2006, I wrote an article for NSN about a photographic safari to Zambia, more specifically on some of the wonderful national parks this south central African country boasts. As I enjoyed Zambia so much, I decided to go back this year and combine a revisit to the exquisite South Luangwa National Park with two weeks of non-safari traveling through the unknown (at least to me) neighboring country, Malawi. In this article, I will delve a bit deeper into the safari to South Luangwa.