Call for Entries: Photographer of the Year 2024 (Africa)

Aims

• All their activities aim to benefit African ecosystems, biodiversity and people:
  • They safari with purpose and donate to worthy causes that they can trust;
  • They care about truth, transparency and accountability;
  • They research and debate complicated conservation issues with an open mind. No matter how widely their opinions might differ, they respect each other and the discussion process;
  • They realise that those who care deeply about Africa’s people and biodiversity have to distance themselves from the hate spectrum and chaos of the public online space to focus their energy, money and skills on doing good. They feel the need to step away from the extremists howling at the moon and the software that promotes misleading ideology over fact and considered opinion.

Categories

• Lion Research Collar Sponsorships Worth $7,500
  • Each of the three winners (the overall winner plus two runners-up) will become a personal sponsor of a wild Hwange lion research collar. Africa Geographic has paid for these sponsorships – to the value of $2,500 each.
  • This will provide each sponsor with feedback and updates on the lion that has been collared in their name.
  • During the safari prizes described below, the winners will participate in conservation activities in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe – guided by Southern African Conservation Trust (SACT) and WILDCRU researchers.
  • This unique prize will allow their winners to witness conservation in action first-hand and to understand the behind-the-scenes efforts going into conserving southern Africa’s lions. The group will visit the Longshields Guardian Programme and other relevant lion conservation activities. WILDCRU researchers will explain the conservation challenges, including the complexities of human-wildlife coexistence and how the mobile boma and early warning systems contribute to lion conservation around Hwange.
• Safari Prizes
  • On safari in Hwange National Park with their CEO
  • The overall winner (plus partner) and the two runners-up (plus their partners) will enjoy a group safari with their CEO Simon Espley, plus SACT Chairperson Brian Courtenay and a WILDCRU researcher.
  • This ultimate private safari will include 5 nights in the Hwange National Park area, Zimbabwe in two of Imvelo Safari Lodge’s camps: Bomani Tented Camp and Camelthorn Lodge.
  • Imvelo’s Bomani Tented Lodge is located on the vast and wildlife-rich Ngamo Plains in Hwange National Park. The camp is in a private concession bordering the park and provides the true African experience with the perfect blend of safari and authentic cultural immersions. Nestled in the woodlands, Camelthorn Lodge is located on the southern edge and adjacent to Hwange’s famed Ngamo Plains. The lodge’s location was chosen by the local community, and the intention is that it will help protect one of the last pristine camelthorn forests in the area.
  • In addition to exploring this stunning area on game drives and bush walks, and in the sunken photo hide, their winners will experience the Elephant Express rail car, community visits, and a tour of the rhino sanctuary headquarters. The emphasis will be on experiencing a safari like few others have the chance to. Expect a few surprises along the way.
  • This sojourn with other talented photographers will likely have winners reminiscing for the rest of their lives!
  • Dates (five nights): Arriving 1 October 2024 and departing 6 October 2024.
  • Transport: Winners must organise their own transport to and from Victoria Falls Airport (VFA), and overnight costs in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (if required). All transfers between VFA and Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe are covered by Africa Geographic.
  • Costs: Africa Geographic will cover all costs of the trip as described, excluding gratuities and items of a personal nature.

Eligibility Criteria

• Photographer of the Year entrants must be 18 years and older.
• Photos that have at any time before the finalisation of this competition won other photographic competition/s (including category winners) will not be considered.
• Previous winners of this competition may enter in subsequent years.
• Employees of Africa Geographic and their sponsors may not enter.

For more information, visit Africa Geographic.