Dewald Tromp’s striking photo of a gorilla’s beckoning gesture, directed at the viewer, invited a rare glimpse into the world of these sentient beings. By capturing a significant moment of intimacy between two great apes, Dewald also captured the attention of Africa Geographic’s judges for Photographer of the Year. Keeping his composure in the midst of an unnerving moment, Dewald managed to take this winning image, and was ultimately awarded the coveted title of Photographer of the Year 2024.
Dewald hoped to raise awareness on the plight of gorillas through the attention this photo received. “Conservation of the critically endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda is one of the rare success stories in Africa and serves as a beacon of hope for the rest of the continent. More than 1,000 individuals remain in the rainforests bordering Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC,” says Dewald.
Dewald is a passionate wildlife photographer. While he works in the medical field, he has been photographing nature for the past 20 years. Dewald and his wife have travelled extensively around the globe to photograph rare and exciting wildlife. Through his images, he wants to influence people to start thinking about conservation and protecting the last remaining wild places on Earth.
In celebration of Dewald’s work, we share some of his favourite photographers, captured during his travels through Africa. Below, be enthralled by Dewald’s unique pursuit of capturing wildlife on camera.
Walking hippos. Hippos wallow in crystal-clear waters during the annual flooding of the Okavango Delta. Botswana. Nikon D850, 70-200mm lens at 200mm, ISO 6400, f/5.6, 1/3200secPelican flight. A pelican hovers next to the boat, looking for its next meal. Walvis Bay, Namibia. Nikon D850, 14-24mm lens at 14mm, ISO 100, f/13, 1/250sec with flashPure bliss. With the summer temperatures soaring, cooling off is essential. But in the croc-infested waters of the Chobe River, danger always lurks. Staying close to Mom solves that problem. Botswana. Nikon Z8, 400mm lens, ISO 1800, f/8.0, 1/1000secTake-away. Just weeks after the first summer rains, the barren veld of Mashatu Game Reserve is transformed into a lush landscape by devil’s thorn flowers. A season of abundance awaits the predators. Botswana. Nikon Z8, 400mm lens at 560mm, ISO 640, f/5.6, 1/1250secAskari. The magnificent Craig is joined by his Askaris. As they accompany him on his journey, they learn all the skills he has acquired over his lifetime. Amboseli National Park, Kenya. Nikon Z9, 24-70mm lens at 70mm, ISO 200, f/11, 1/200 secDeadvlei nightscape. The skeletal remains of the long-dead camelthorn trees in Deadvlei are a stark reminder of a bygone era. Namibia. Nikon D850, 14-24mm lens at 14mm, ISO 640, f/2.8, 30.0secCheetah cubs. Two subadult cheetah cubs inspect a noise in a tree. Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana. Sony Alpha 7R, 16-35G lens, ISO 100, 30mm, f/5.6, 1/1250secGreeting a friend – Photographer of the Year 2024 winning photo. “While I was trekking for mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, the dominant silverback casually flopped down directly in front of me, observing his reflection in the lens of my camera. Surrounded by thick vegetation, I had nowhere else to go. I kept a submissive posture with my eyes downcast. He stretched out his hand to touch his reflection in the lens, and for the briefest moment, I imagined him extending his hand to greet me as an old friend. A moment in time that will stay with me for the rest of my life.” Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. Nikon Z9, 14-24mm lens at 14mm, ISO 1250, f/8.0, 1/320secChasing shadows. I’ve always dreamed of photographing Gemsbok on their own stage, the vast sand dunes of the Namib Desert. The weather wasn’t great with severe cross winds that made the helicopter flight that much more difficult. Namibia. Nikon D850, 70-200mm lens, ISO 500, f/5.6, 1/3200secBalancing act. Small and bullet-fast, a malachite kingfisher balances on the leaf of a water lily. Chobe National Park, Botswana. Nikon Z8, 800mm lens, ISO 320, f/6.3, 1/2000secBlack rhino reflection. A single black rhino lifts its head to smell the air as lions roar in the distance. Her reflection in the water is hazy and seems to reflect the uncertain future of her species. Namibia. Nikon D850, 400mm lens, ISO 1000, f/2,8, 1/1000sec, off-camera flashFollow the leader. These wild dog pups entertained us for hours by playing a game of tag with a lechwe hoof. Okavango Delta, Botswana. Nikon Z8, 400mm lens, ISO 2200, f/8.0, 1/2000secPredator and prey. An African bullfrog ignores the banquet of moths and insects around – today, the hormonal appetite for procreation is the only thing on its mind. Zimanga Private Game Reserve, South Africa. Nikon D4, 70-200mm lens at 140mm, ISO 2500, f/2.8, 1/50secMass action. The sodium compounds in the water and searing temperatures provide perfect conditions for the proliferation of algae. Lesser flamingos thrive in these waters due to the abundance of food. Lake Turkana, Kenya. Nikon D850, 70-200mm lens at 140mm, ISO 900, f/5.6, 1/3200secAmboseli icon. Once plentiful in Africa, less than 100 of these great tuskers walk the earth. At 50 years of age, Craig is in the twilight of his life, but still magnificent. Amboseli National Park, Kenya. Nikon Z9, 14-24mm lens at 20mm, ISO 100, f/11, 1/320secReaching for mom. At barely 4 weeks old with eyes not yet fully open, the younger and smaller of a litter of two desperately tries to get her mother’s attention. Okavango Delta, Botswana. Nikon Z8, 400mm lens, ISO 2000, f/5.6, 1/2000sec
About photographer Dewald Tromp
Originally from Windhoek, Namibia, Dewald grew up in the small rural town of Belfast, Mpumalanga. As a child, all his family holidays were spent camping or hiking in the Kruger National Park. This is where his love for nature was cultivated. Although he works in the medical field, wildlife photography has been his passion for the last 20 years. Dewald and his wife have travelled extensively around the globe to photograph rare and exciting wildlife. Through his images, he wants to influence people to start thinking about conservation and protecting the last remaining wild places on Earth.
Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early/late or a few kilometres off course, and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?
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Originally from Windhoek, Namibia, Dewald grew up in the small rural town of Belfast, Mpumalanga. As a child, all his family holidays were spent camping or hiking in the Kruger National Park. This is where his love for nature was cultivated. Although he works in the medical field, wildlife photography has been his passion for the last 20 years. Dewald and his wife have travelled extensively around the globe to photograph rare and exciting wildlife. Through his images, he wants to influence people to start thinking about conservation and protecting the last remaining wild places on Earth.
