Magic Mountain Productions : location scouting at the White Pearl Beach Luxury Resort in Mozambique and on a green mission for the Trees for Zambia Project

Sabina and Annika’s Magic Mountain Team is spending the winter season scouting for new shooting locations and on an environmental mission for South Africa…

'The office is bustling with preparations and quoting for the season ahead and Sabina took the time for a scouting trip to the White Pearl Beach Resort in Ponta Mamoli, Mozambique. Accessible only by helicopter or 4x4 this stunning resort combines tropical charm and world class luxury. The beach - of course in sight from the private bungalows - is clean, white and endless and dolphins like to play at the shoreline.

The whole resort is a beautiful mix of modern chic and whitewashed seaside charm and offers an ideal background for lingerie and wellness shoots. The beaches are pristine and thanks to the water not only being crystal clear, but also warm, they make an excellent location for swimwear and fashion pictures. For more images or to get a quotation to shoot at this truly magical location please contact Sabina.

Annika continued on Magic Mountain’s mission of making Africa a little bit greener and spent part of her winter holidays with Greenpop on their Trees for Zambia project. Zambia made it into the top 10 list of most deforested countries in the world mainly due to its charcoal burning. Greenpop’s goal was therefore not only to plant 5000 trees in three weeks, but to meet with local communities, educate, and to show new ways of using trees more efficiently and beneficial to all.

A sunny Livingstone welcomed Greenpop, Annika and 80 volunteers and they set up camp at beautiful Maramba River Lodge, sharing with hippos and elephants to the roaring sound of the Victoria Falls. On most days tree planting was combined with educational programmes for kids at the local schools. Nshima meals were shared, songs were sung, and little trees saplings were named after finding them new homes around the schoolground – preferably where the elephants wouldn’t be able to steal any future fruits of labour. Another day was designated to plant fruit orchards at a farm as well as the nurturing Faidherbia Albida, dubbed appropriately magic tree by the locals, next to the maize fields.

Long days and hard work were sweetened by Annika’s yoga classes, S’mores around the camp fire, talks and movie nights, and a friendly soccer tournament at the Livingstone club. That Greenpoppers could dig deep and still have a jol was proven on Friday when they planted at NSongwe village under the watchful eyes of his Royal Highness Chief Mukuni. 755 trees later everybody gathered back at camp and danced through the night to the tunes of the Chickenbus Band, Jeremy Loops, and Touch Wood. Have a look !

The final weekend flew by with a lion encounter, a “shower” by the Falls, and a Zambezi sunset cruise.

Back in Cape Town Annika is nurturing her green tree cravings by planting at the Ikhaya LeThemba Children’s home on Mandela Day as well as bringing trees to the upcoming Newkidz programme....'