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  • Destinations
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Experience the Out Islands of the Bahamas

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Travel Tips: 4 days in Marrakech

How to spend 4 perfect days in Morocco's magical red city

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marionpayr

Travel photographer and storyteller. šŸ“·šŸ–‹Empowering womxn to explore & create. Engaging in acts of travel, photography & conservation. Vienna based. Member of @bellcollective. Co-Founder of @printsforwildlife.

Return to wonderland šŸ‡æšŸ‡² Tonight Iā€™m leaving for m Return to wonderland šŸ‡æšŸ‡² Tonight Iā€™m leaving for my annual Zambia expedition. Excitement has been rising the last weeks and while Iā€˜m packing my bags I canā€™t wait to see the first moments of wonder and astonishment in the faces of the people joining me this year. Thereā€™s something uniquely exciting about sharing a place you love dearly with people who have never been there before. To experience and rediscover it in a way for yourself through their eyes. And while leaving Austria Iā€™m already planning the 2027 edition of the Zambia trip (which will happen in May again), so if youā€™re keen on joining me next year let me knowā€”places tend to fill quickly! See you soon @classiczambiasafaris @pintoafrica @luke_zambia @kylebranchprivateguiding @classicztyrone @kafuephil_photo!
FEMALE PHOTOGRAPHERS, this is for you: #NikonFemal FEMALE PHOTOGRAPHERS, this is for you: #NikonFemaleFacets 2026 is here! šŸ“· (@nikondach Advertisement) Six years and countingā€¦ ā™„ļø Since the launch in 2021 thousands of female photographers have joined Nikon Female Facets, the female photo contest and womenā€™s mentorship program by @nikondach. Tens of thousands of images were carefully reviewed, selected, seen & feltā€”by female photographers and jurors alike. Itā€™s fair to say Nikon Female Facets has grown into one of my most favorite projects on the calendarā€”and Iā€™m glad that itā€™s back again this year with the sixth edition. It doesnā€™t matter if youā€™re a hobby photographer or professional, you can enter your photos free of charge until the 28th of September 2026 in the following categories: ā€¢ Architecture & Street ā€¢ Landscape & Travel ā€¢ Macro & Still Life ā€¢ People & Portrait ā€¢ Animals & Wildlife ā€¢ Sports & Action All the entries will be showcased on the Nikon website and the prizes are incredible as well: šŸ„‡ 1st place in each category: Nikon gear worth ā‚¬ 2,500 šŸ„ˆ2nd place in each category: Nikon gear worth ā‚¬ 500 šŸ„‰3rd place in each category: Nikon gear worth ā‚¬ 500 Additionally we introduced 2 special awards last year, that grew into new favoritesā€”so they will also be awarded in this edition: šŸ†ā€žBest perspectiveā€œ from all categories: wins Nikon gear worth ā‚¬ 2,500 šŸ† ā€žYoung perspectiveā€œ from all entries of photographers below 25 years old: wins Nikon gear worth ā‚¬ 2,500 All the details about the photo contest and mentoring program can be found on the @nikondach website! And if youā€™re active on Facebook you can also join the ā€žNikon Female Facetsā€œ Facebook Group for personal tips from @nikondach & the mentors. We are truly excited about this opportunity for female photographers and canā€™t wait to see all your entries to the photo contest. From us, the 6 mentors: @kathrinschafbauer @rrrudya @tanja_brandt @alexandra.evang @heike_jasper_farbgetreu @marionpayr #NikonCreator #nikondach
Safari under the winterthorns āœØšŸ‡æšŸ‡² At the bank of Safari under the winterthorns āœØšŸ‡æšŸ‡² At the bank of the Zambezi River in the Lower Zambezi National Park, Kutali Camp sits in the shade of a canopy of ancient Acacia winterthorn trees, capturing the essence of what a safari used to be. Think bucket showers and open air bathrooms and elephants casually munching right next to you while you brush your teeth (or sit on the toilet for that matter šŸ˜‰). The campā€™s location is a magnet for the parkā€™s legendary elephants, but also a perfect entryway to the more elusive predators. Kutali offers perfect access to some of the most game-rich sectors of the park, putting us right in the center of the action. This area is a true stronghold for the Lower Zambeziā€™s famous predators; the density of leopards here is staggering, and itā€™s one of the best places in the valley to track wild dogs. I always love how Kutali makes you feel like a part of nature in the best way possible. The Kutali experience entails: āœØ Pure bush soul: Sleeping under canvas in a stylishly simple seasonal camp, where luxury is defined by being immersed in nature. šŸ˜ Elephant encounters: The elephants of the Lower Zambezi love coming into the camp (and sometimes they even stand on their hind legs to reach the high branches). šŸ† Predator Territory: Prime access to a high-density wilderness where leopard sightings are common and wild dogs roam the floodplains. Itā€™s just us, the forest, and the wild heart of the Zambeziā€”and I canā€™t wait to be back here soon! šŸ‡æšŸ‡²šŸ˜ @classiczambiasafaris @givenjack8 @luke_zambia @kylebranchprivateguiding
Zambia, or where the transfer is part of the show Zambia, or where the transfer is part of the show āœØšŸ˜ Whenever I stay at Lower Zambezi National Park I always try to turn the transfers into this: A little adventure! That day we took the boat instead of the vehicles to transfer upstream from Kutali to Chula camp and encountered a small group of male elephants on an island in the Zambezi River. Slowly we made our way towards them. They mustered us on our boats and decided toā€”join us in the water! This came completely unexpected. We had anticipated that they would either keep on munching grass on the island or simply ignore us and walk off, but no. Something about us and our little boat intrigued them. All three made their way into the river and started practicing mating rituals right next to our boat. Needless to say we arrived in camp a little later than expected while we enjoyed this incredible dance in the water. I canā€™t wait to be back soon! T-8 days before the Zambia adventure of 2026 kicks off with my group. @classiczambiasafaris @pintoafrica @luke_zambia @kylebranchprivateguiding
NEW TRAVEL GUIDE: Lower Zambezi National Park, Zam NEW TRAVEL GUIDE: Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia šŸ‡æšŸ‡² šŸ“Save this guide for your next Zambia trip! Since my first visit here in 2019 Iā€™ve been back multiple times and the park never ceases to amaze me from the moment I step off the bush plane. The open plains with views of the escarpment, the mystical Winterthorn forest, the magic morning light, the density of leopards, abundance of elephants, the variety of activities. Thereā€™s truly nothing to be missed here āœØ ļ漚Ÿ† What to expect Expect a stay defined by authenticity. A classic African safari with the rhythm dictated by nature, the river and the sun. Most camps are located directly on the banks of the Zambezi, so youā€™ll fall asleep to the sounds of grunting hippos and elephants might come to visit you in camp. šŸ›¶ Range of Activities Next to the stunning landscape and density of wildlife, the diversity of activities is one of the main reasons to visit this park. Thereā€™s not too many places where you can do game drives, night drives, walking safaris, canoe and boat safarisā€“all in the same area. šŸ—“ļø When to visit The main season runs from June to October, when itā€™s dry in Zambia. Personally I love to visit in the quiet shoulder season (April, May) for lower prices and stunning emerald green landscapes. November is a good option too for low season rates and ultra dry (but hot) weather. ā›ŗļøWhere to stay Since the park is relatively undeveloped and focused on exclusive, low-impact tourism, thereā€™s only two handful of camps inside the parkā€“but at a great range from ultra luxury lodges to authentic bush camps to choose from. Personally I love authentic bush camps like the ones from @classiczambiasafaris. Both Kutali and Chula island Camp are located in prime areas of the park and offer comfortable tents with ensuite open-air bathrooms. Think having your bucket shower next to elephants. šŸ›©ļø How to get there There areĀ twoĀ primary airstrips that serve the Lower Zambezi National Parkā€“Jeki and Royal Airstrip. Proflight ZambiaĀ is the primary commercial airline, that offers flights from Lusaka, Livingstone and Mfuwe (South Luangwa), but thereā€™s also the option of charter flights. #lowerzambezi #zambia
This was the first Earth Month without Jane Goodal This was the first Earth Month without Jane Goodall here to guide us šŸŒ Jane spent her life giving a voice to nature and inspiring hope. And now, we have to be that voice. Iā€™m humbled to be a part of @vital.impactā€™s ā€šThe Nature of Hopeā€˜ā€”a global print fundraiser dedicated to Janeā€™s legacy. My contribution is this image titled ā€šFlora & Fauna.ā€˜ I captured two young mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. They were holding on to a branch with one hand, while collecting drinking water with their other hand. To me, this image represents the beautiful, but fragile balance that exists everywhere on our planet. And that Jane spent her life fighting for. Itā€™s my love letter to a world she taught us to see with our hearts. The print sale is now open on https://vitalimpacts.org and proceeds support Janeā€™s Roots & Shoots program (@janegoodallinst). If you live in Austria like myself you can also support @janegoodall_austria with their incredible #BeJane program, with just 8 Euros per month you can help to continue Janeā€™s vision. You can find more info on https://janegoodall.at/aktiv-werden/bejane. Letā€™s keep her hope alive, together. #natureofhope #earthmonth Video: @martinatrepczyk
The most tranquil safari activity: Canoe riding on The most tranquil safari activity: Canoe riding on the Discovery channel, Zambia šŸ‡æšŸ‡² A specialty in the Lower Zambezi National Park are the canoe rides in the side channels of the Zambezi river. There is something deeply spiritual about drifting down the waterways, nothing but the dip of the paddle and the soft whoosh of water to be heard āœØ The added magic of a canoe safari is also the perspective. You arenā€™t looking down from a vehicle; you are at eye level with the wildlifeā€”be it monitor lizards at the riverside, elephants crossing the channels or hippos surfacing nearby. While it feels effortless, itā€™s not just casual row. To guide these waters, professionals undergo rigorous training. The canoe guideā€™s job is to read the river and the mood of the wildlife, especially the resident hipposā€”and this requires the highest level of guiding grades in Zambia. And Zambia is famous in the safari world for having some of the most rigorous guiding standards on the continent! To become a Level 1 Guide in Zambia, it typically takes about seven years of intense preparation. This includes years of apprenticeship, hundreds of hours out in the field, and mastery of animal behavior. So you know youā€™re in safe hands when out canoeing here! šŸ“ø What to Bring: ā€¢ Your Camera: Donā€™t be afraid to bring your gear! These canoes are designed for stability, and since there is no water sitting in the bottom of the boat, your electronics stay dry. ā€¢ The Essentials: The Zambian sun is no joke. You definitely need a hat, plenty of sunscreen and a bottle of water. I canā€™t wait to be back! No engines, no noise, just the sound of the river and the African bush breathing šŸ™ŒšŸ¼ @classiczambia @luke_zambia @pintoafrica @kylebranchprivateguiding
Sleeping under canvas āœØ (Or my favorite way to sle Sleeping under canvas āœØ (Or my favorite way to sleep) Deep in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park, Chula camp was the first place I ever stayed at in Zambia, when it was just newly opened many years ago. Run by Classic Zambia, Chula Camp is the only footprint on an otherwise entirely uninhabited island in the Zambezi River. The island is home to resident leopards and a favorite among elephantsā€”staying here means sharing this untamed place with wildlife every day. Whether youā€™re arriving by boat via the mighty Zambezi or you cross a hidden channel in a traditional mokoro, the transition to remote wilderness hits deeplyā€”I always love arriving on the island and feeling completely secluded from everything in an instant. The Chula experience entails: ā€¢ Bushcamp feeling: Sleeping under canvas with nothing but the sounds of the bush between you and the stars. ā€¢ Front-row seats: Watching elephants from camp while you sip your afternoon coffee. ā€¢ Nighttime visitors: Falling asleep to the rhythmic saw-call of a leopard patrolling the island close to camp. Itā€™s just us, the river, and the spirits of the Zambezi. šŸ‡æšŸ‡²šŸ›¶ #ChulaCamp #LowerZambezi #ClassicZambia #ZambiaSafari Zambia @classiczambiasafaris @luke_zambia
Elephants of Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia šŸ‡æ Elephants of Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia šŸ‡æšŸ‡² While elephant populations across the Zambezi Valley have faced immense pressureā€”losing nearly 40% of their numbers over the last decadeā€”the tide is turning. The Lower Zambezi has one of the highest concentrations of elephants per square kilometer in Zambia, largely because they congregate along the valley floor and the Zambezi riverā€™s edge during the dry season. While the park is 4,092 km2, the elephants spend almost all their time in the roughly 500 km2 strip of riverfront forest, making daily sightings (and camp visits) the norm. In 2026, conservation is also more high-tech and community-focused than ever. Organizations like Conservation Lower Zambezi (@conservation_lower_zambezi ) are working tirelessly through dedicated anti-poaching efforts and coexistence programs to protect the parks wildlife and ecosystem. By staying at @classiczambiasafaris camps weā€˜re actively supporting these efforts. As silver members of CLZ the camps pay a significant annual membership fee and a per-guest conservation levy that goes directly into CLZā€™s core operating funds. And thats just one of the reasons why I love staying there! āœØ #LowerZambezi #Zambia #ElephantConservation #WildlifePhotography #ConservationLowerZambezi
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