February 2018

During an unforgettable safari in Nairobi National Park, I captured a hilarious yet majestic photograph of a secretary bird crossing the road like it owned it.

In the early 1990s, armed with nothing more than an inexpensive Instamatic pocket camera, my trekking companion captured a silhouette of me atop the highest hill we could scale, surrounded by tropical foliage outside the Jos area of Plateau State, Nigeria. Perched at an altitude of approximately 1,300 meters on the Jos Plateau, the summit revealed a sweeping panoramic view that awakened something within me—a growing passion for nature conservation and a deepening appreciation for the environment’s beauty and vulnerability. The crisp, cool dusk air, untouched by pollution, offered

Eye to Eye with Daisy: A Giraffe Encounter in Post-Covid Kenya After months of global travel restrictions, Kenya opened its borders in late 2020, and like many eager travelers, I found myself embracing the concept of “revenge travel.” Revenge travel refers to the surge in tourism fueled by people eager to make up for missed trips and experiences after prolonged travel restrictions, especially post-pandemic. My destination? The Giraffe Centre in Nairobi—home to the majestic Rothschild’s giraffes, including the friendly and food-motivated Daisy. Armed with a mask secured over one ear (because

"Where wild dreams began"—as a young African boy living in the big city, I couldn't always venture into the wild as much as I wished. Instead, I wrestled with my pet puppies at home, imagining himself as Tarzan deep in the wild. "Adventures start at home," and with each playful tussle, my passion for nature grew. What began as "puppy play" has now evolved into a lifelong "safari passion," turning childhood fantasies into real-world adventures across some of Africa’s most breathtaking landscapes.

Exploring the Early Years: Adventures as a Tyke on the Road Captured forever in the still frames of 8mm film reels, Dad’s home movies tell the story of our family’s earliest explorations—magical moments that feel as vivid today as they did over half a century ago. These reels, now cherished family heirlooms, transport us to a time and place of curiosity, adventure, and joy. Each image is a portal to the past, sparking conversations that reconnect us to shared experiences unique to our family’s journey. In this particular photograph, I

During a community development outreach tour in the Sahel region as part of a solar power awareness campaign I captured a remarkable photograph that perfectly symbolizes the intersection of my work with solar power and passion. The photograph features a curious camel gazing straight into my lens, exuding an inquisitive charm that encapsulates the spirit of the vast, arid landscapes just south of the Sahara Desert. While the campaign aimed to raise awareness for solar power among off-grid communities moments like these felt like an impromptu safari, with

Aquila Private Game Reserve: A Top Safari Day Trip from Cape Town If you’re short on time but still want to experience a South African safari, **Aquila Private Game Reserve** is an ideal choice. Located just 2 to 2.5 hours from Cape Town, this 10,000-hectare reserve offers the perfect opportunity for a **Cape Town safari day trip**. With safaris running three times daily, visitors have plenty of flexibility to choose a tour that suits their schedule. Whether you prefer a **guided game drive**, a **horseback safari**, or a **quad