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Photographer of the Year 2025: Finalists - Gallery 2

Tuesday, 27 May 2025

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Our Photographer of the Year 2025 is underway. The overall winners, runners up and their partners will enjoy a teamAG safari to explore the primal forests of Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the remote north of Congo-Brazzaville – in search of lowland gorillas, forest elephants, forest buffaloes, bongos and much more. Read more about the Photographer of the Year 2025 prizes here. Photographer of the Year is held in association with Ukuri and African Parks.

Photographer of the Year is now closed for entries. Winners of Photographer of the Year will be announced in June 2025.

This is Photographer of the Year 2025 Finalists Gallery 2. To see the other Photographer of the Year Finalists gallery, click here: Gallery 1.

Photographer of the Year 2025 — Lion’s-eye view. “This large male walked so close to our game drive vehicle I had to stop down to f10 to get the whole eye in focus.” Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa. © Benjamin Loon

Photographer of the Year 2025 — A soaked leopard emerges from slumber, casting off the night’s rain. Kruger National Park, South Africa. © Christina Schwenck

Photographer of the Year 2025 — A windblown ember in a desert village. A young woman clothed in orange smiles through her veil. Nouakchott, Mauritania. © Daniel Rodrigues

Photographer of the Year 2025 — The dominant silverback mountain gorilla and one of his female companions attempt to relax in a clearing in the forest. Their peace is upended by a restless youngster, a tangle of limbs, nips, and mischief. He bites, pulls legs and arms, and tries to evoke playtime – to no avail. Giving up, he sits in between his guardians for a sulk. Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. © Dewald Tromp

Photographer of the Year 2025 — After hours lying in wait in the marsh, a lion erupts from the mud, claws first, onto the back of a buffalo. Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. © Eric Coiffier

Africa Geographic Travel

Photographer of the Year 2025 — A bull elephant pauses mid-journey to test the air, Mt Kilimanjaro looming behind him. Amboseli National Park, Kenya. © Nili Gudhka

Photographer of the Year 2025 — Half reptile, half illusionist. The Namaqua chameleon pauses beside a rusted relic of desert life, its skin mirroring the metal’s mottled hues. Namibia. © Marcio Lisa

Photographer of the Year 2025 — Braving the muddy Khwai River, a lioness wades through the currents. Driven by her desire to reach a kill on the opposite bank, she is undeterred by the waters. Khwai Community Concession, Botswana. © Jannes Drotsky

Photographer of the Year 2025 — Like brushstrokes on a living canvas, a dazzle of Grevy’s zebras gathers to eat supplementary food provided in the midst of drought, forming a monochrome masterpiece. Samburu National Reserve, Kenya. © Janis Hurley

Photographer of the Year 2025 — “I photographed this young female eastern lowland gorilla (Grauer’s gorilla) a few years ago. I can’t help but wonder what is happening to her now as the major battle between the rebels and government forces in Bukavu happened just a few kilometres from where I took this photograph.” Kahuzi-Biega National Park, DRC. © Hesté de Beer

Africa Geographic Travel

Photographer of the Year 2025 — “A lioness growls in defiance at the dominant pride male, signalling she is not yet ready to mate. Despite her protests, he remains persistently at her side, shadowing her every move with unwavering determination.” Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana. © Hannes Lochner

Africa Geographic African safari — Swathed in smoke, a young Mundari herder stands watch over his livestock. The Mundari rub ash from burnt cow dung onto their skin, and onto their livestock, to ward off insect bites and sunburn. South Sudan. © Romain Miot

Africa Geographic African safari — Silent travellers in the deep. A bull shark glides through the watery abyss. Suctioned to its frame, remoras hitch a free ride – ghostly passengers in the ocean current. Aliwal Shoal, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. © Rómeó Bodolai

Africa Geographic African safari — A pre-flight stretch worthy of a stage. A southern ground-hornbill prepares for lift-off. Kruger National Park, South Africa. © Sharlene Cathro

Africa Geographic African safari — A dance of water and light. An African spoonbill sends droplets scattering like tiny jewels as it enjoys a refreshing bath. Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa. © Tania Cholwich

Africa Geographic Travel

Africa Geographic African safari — Between the boughs. A Wahlberg’s epauletted fruit bat chooses a tree near camp to snooze through the day. With cheeks that inflate for courtship and a role in reforestation through seed dispersal, this is no ordinary bat. Okavango Delta, Botswana. © Tomasz Szpila

Africa Geographic African safari — In the tangled forests of Gabon, a forest elephant mock charges – a display more warning than attack. Then, just as suddenly, she melts back into the forest. Loango National Park, Gabon. © Turgay Uzer

Africa Geographic African safari — An adult cheetah lies in recovery after veterinary sedation for a health assessment. “Translocated from Australia to South Africa to diversify the gene pool, this female had just reopened her eyes post-check-up when this photo was captured. She was released to Mziki Game Reserve.” South Africa. © Wiki West

Africa Geographic African safari — Safely huddled in its mother’s frame, a milk-drunk young lion cub peers out with wide-eyed curiosity. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. © Roderick Jongschaap

Africa Geographic African safari — As the Chobe dry season is drawing to its gritty end, this herd breaks into a run towards the river – thirst driving urgency. As they reach the river, the sky splits open with a fierce thunderstorm, the elephants relishing the downpour. Chobe National Park, Botswana. © Wim van den Heever

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