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WEEKLY SELECTION 12 - GALLERY 1 - 2025 PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

Thursday, 8 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. 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.

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

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 — Dune. A lone tree in Sossusvlei framed by the striking orange dunes. Sossusvlei, Namibia. © Joost Meyer

Photographer of the Year 2025 — A lioness takes cover in an empty water trough – the perfect spot for launching an ambush. Tsavo East National Park, Kenya. © Roan Carr-Hartley

Africa Geographic African safari — A moment borrowed. “As we walked through the rice paddies that separate the villages outside of Fianarantsoa, locals could be seen popping their heads out of the windows of their homes. In broken French, I called up to the second-floor window to ask permission to take their photo. The ladies nodded, smiled, and then carried on their conversation while taking in the views.” Madagascar. © Effy Varley

Photographer of the Year 2025 — A feathered explosion. Red-billed queleas take flight as one, leaving nothing but the buzzing sound of thousands of flapping wings. Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe. © Christopher Scott

Africa Geographic Travel

Africa Geographic African safari — Glorious dust. Elephants revel in their own earthy celebration at Umani Springs. Chyulu Hills National Park, Kenya. © Ana Zinger

Photographer of the Year 2025 — “Lying on the ground, I watched a magnificent white rhino, its mighty horn a symbol of strength and grace… In that moment, the fragile beauty of biodiversity felt more vital than ever, humbling and unforgettable.” Kenya. © Sandra Risi

Photographer of the Year 2025 — “A juvenile eastern green mamba samples the air with a rapid tongue flick, using its highly developed Jacobson’s organ to interpret scent trails. Photographed moments after release at Bonamanzi Game Reserve.” KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. © Wiki West

Africa Geographic African safari — “We had the great pleasure of sharing in the lives of chimpanzees for three days in Budongo Forest, during a habituation exercise. It was an extraordinary experience to spend the whole day with them, watching them eat, rest, move around in search of fruit, communicate, and exchange glances so close to us. An indelible mark on my memory.” Budongo Central Forest Reserve, Uganda. © Patrice Quillard

Photographer of the Year 2025 — Namib Desert sunrise. Light spills over Sesriem and a small herd of gemsbok. Namibia. © Dewald Tromp

Africa Geographic Travel

Photographer of the Year 2025 — A flash of red and rust. Two red-breasted swallows displaying courtship behaviour – flirting and fluttering while fashioning a nest beneath the road between Satara Rest Camp and Tshokwane Picnic Site. Kruger National Park, South Africa. © Erhard Kruger

Photographer of the Year 2025 — A San elder engages in the age-old tradition of smoking a pipe. Namibia. © Marcio Lisa

Photographer of the Year 2025 — A pre-flight stretch worthy of a stage. A southern ground-hornbill prepares for lift-off. Kruger National Park, South Africa. © Sharlene Cathro

Photographer of the Year 2025 — Oxpecker convention in session at the buffalo-hide breakfast table. Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa. © Benjamin Loon

Photographer of the Year 2025 — Two bull elephants churn the water in a boisterous rumpus of tusks and splashes. Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, South Africa. © Michael Raddall

Africa Geographic Travel

Photographer of the Year 2025 — Half dinosaur, half enigma. Shoebill in Mabamba Swamp, Uganda. © Andrieux Michel

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 — The sun rises over Chilojo Cliffs, adding depth and shadow to the colourful layers of oxide-rich sandstone. Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe. © Christopher Scott

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