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. Final judging will take place during the month of May 2025, and the winners of Photographer of the Year will be announced in June 2025.
This is Gallery 1 of the Top 109. To see the other Photographer of the Year Top 109 galleries, click here: Gallery 2 ; Gallery 3 ; Gallery 4
A lion cub and older male glow in the golden light of Maasai Mara National Reserve , Kenya. © Amy Martinez Deep in Kibale, a chimpanzee contemplates the symphony of the forest. Kibale National Park , Uganda. © Eduardo del Alamo 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 A swirling storm of red-billed queleas rises, moving as one. Behind them, wildebeest graze, unphased by the passing feathered tempest. Kruger National Park , South Africa. © Benjamin Loon A touch of kinship. Two elephants reaffirm their bond in a moment of quiet camaraderie, their trunks weaving an unspoken language. Tsavo East National Park, Kenya . © Ansley Kynes A moment of peace as the rising moon silhouettes a crowned crane in Busanga Plains. Kafue National Park , Zambia. © Andrew Macdonald 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 As clouds encircle Kilimanjaro, the snow-capped summit hovers above. Then, a Masai giraffe enters the frame, its ossicones nudging the cloud line. Kimana Conservancy, Kenya . © Vicki Santello A brief clash at the waterhole. Two gemsbok lock horns, testing strength and stance in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa . © Abrie Du Plessis Perched on their rocky throne, the lionesses and cubs of the Black Rock Pride survey their kingdom. Maasai Mara National Reserve , Kenya. © Ivan Glaser Breakfast is shaken, not stirred, in Jao Concession in Botswana’s pulsing delta. This elephant bull is captured shaking aquatic plants loose in the golden glow. Okavango Delta, Botswana . © Jordan Fry Dawn breaks as the river trembles. A surge of thousands of hooves crossing the Mara River breaks the morning silence. Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya . © Charlie Wemyss-Dunn Perfecting the pounce. Leopard mother and cub in Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. © Boone Thomson Hitching a ride on the back of the beast: locals ride the Iron Train across the Sahara – 2.5km of steel and iron ore. Zouérat, Mauritania. © Daniel Rodrigues A bateleur bathes on a bridge over a drainage line, wings raised in theatrical flair as it enjoys the cool waters of a quiet pool. Kruger National Park , South Africa. © Mac Stevenson Portrait of a beauty. Scarred, blind in one eye and cloaked in Serengeti grit, this hyena is no regular pin-up. But few portraits capture the resilience of survival quite like this. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania . © Daniel Wallis On the edge of the plains, a lone cheetah watches the tide of wildebeest arriving. The time of plenty has arrived. Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya . © Liz Hart “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 Two bull elephants churn the water in a boisterous rumpus of tusks and splashes. Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, South Africa . © Michael Raddall 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 Snatched from its mother’s side, a lifeless warthog piglet hangs in the jaws of a determined leopardess. This hard-earned kill ensures another vital meal for her growing cub, who waits eagerly nearby. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia . © Michael Stavrakakis A miracle on wobbly legs. From a breathtaking drop into the world, to a tentative first stand – guided by a mother’s gentle nudge. This newborn reticulated giraffe’s journey began with a few stumbles, an affectionate lick from mom, a helping hoof for added balance, and a triumph. Laikipia Plateau , Kenya. © Greg du Toit A lioness takes cover in an empty water trough – the perfect spot for launching an ambush. Tsavo East National Park, Kenya. © Roan Carr-Hartley In the cool silence of Lalibela’s stone-hewn churches, a priest lingers with scripture. Lalibela, Ethiopia . © Kevin Dooley 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 A split-second before splashdown, an African fish eagle fixes its stare and arcs into the delta, talons poised for precision, as tiny fish try to escape. Okavango Delta, Botswana . © Mateusz Piesiak A soaked leopard emerges from slumber, casting off the night’s rain. Kruger National Park, South Africa . © Christina Schwenck A young pronking springbok dances across the rain-soaked plateau. “The animals were all full of energy and enjoying themselves after the rain subsided.” Mountain Zebra National Park, South Africa . © Charmaine Joubert To comment on this story: Login (or sign up) to our app here - it's a troll-free safe place 🙂.
