by
Team Africa Geographic
Thursday, 9 May 2024
Our Photographer of the Year 2024 is open for submissions. Each of the three winners (the overall winner plus two runners-up) will become a personal sponsor of a wild Hwange lion research collar. Winners and their partners will also join our CEO Simon Espley on a conservation safari in Botswana. Read more about the Photographer of the Year 2024 prizes here .
Photographer of the Year is open for entries from 1 March 2024 to midnight on 31 May 2024. Judging will take place throughout those months and for the month of June 2024, and the winners will be announced in early July 2024.
Photographer of the Year is sponsored by Imvelo Safari Lodges . In association with Southern African Conservation Trust (SACT) and WILDCRU .
Here is Gallery 1 of the best Photographer of the Year submissions for this week. To see the other gallery, follow the link: Gallery 2
“I waited 19 years for this photo. Aardvarks are shy and nocturnal. Tracking one in the Kalahari grass, I could not believe it when the holy grail of creatures walked right past me.” Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa . © Greg du Toit “A youthful leopard emerges from a day-long slumber atop a mashatu tree. As it descends, the leopard seamlessly melds with the tree’s sinuous roots, becoming almost indiscernible from a distance.” Northern Tuli Game Reserve , Botswana. © Hannes Lochner Golden Craig: Amboseli’s most famous resident catches the sunset. Amboseli National Park, Kenya . © Amish Chhagan “A majestic Verreaux’s eagle gracefully transports a branch to its lofty nest – the act a symbol of dedication and anticipation for the upcoming breeding season.” Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, South Africa. © Ernest Porter A perfect arch. A young giraffe sniffs at a barren tree – no tasty morsels to be found here! Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa. © Helgardt Pretorius As the pride pauses for an early morning drink, something catches the large male’s eye – piquing a cub’s interest. Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana . © Lukas Walter “Amidst the swirling chaos of a relentless sandstorm, three hyenas, a lone jackal, and a pair of elephants find themselves ensconced in the heart of the desert’s tempest. The humid air hangs heavy with the promise of impending rain. As the wind intensifies – whipping up clouds of sand – tension mounts, signalling the imminent arrival of the long-awaited deluge.” Chobe National Park , Botswana. © Hannes Lochner An olive baboon carries its catch of a young impala lamb. While a rare occurrence, this behaviour has been observed in various troops across the continent. Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. © Patrice Quillard
In Chitake Springs, the thirst is real. Buffalos head down to drink from the springs in a billow of dust. Mana Pools National Park , Zimbabwe. © Liz Lane A four-striped grass mouse feasts on the seeds of a green tree pincushion. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, South Africa. © Braeme Holland “A young cheetah gracefully passes its mother, tenderly brushing her head with its tail. This intimate behaviour is a natural part of their interactions.” Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa. © Hannes Lochner Death stare. A lion peers out through the ravaged ribs of a buffalo carcass. Thornybush Private Game Reserve , South Africa. © Lourenco Afonso A black-collared barbet peers out from its nesting hole, keeping a watchful eye on its surroundings. Bwabwata National Park, Namibia. © Joost Meyer “I waited 10 hours to get this image! We knew the leopard Bahati had hidden her cubs in a den alongside a river. We parked in the river crossing about 70m from the den and waited. Seven hours passed, but Bahati never appeared. We had to return to camp as it was getting dark. We returned first thing the next morning and waited another three hours before Bahati arrived. After briefly nursing her cub, she picked it up and carried it across the river.” Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. © Ivan Glaser A small and bullet-fast lesser jacana pauses after an effortless run over the lilies of the Chobe River. Chobe National Park, Botswana . © Dewald Tromp To comment on this story: Login (or sign up) to our app here - it's a troll-free safe place 🙂.
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