Remembering '24

Sat gazing over the beautiful landscapes of Nakuru National Park, I soak in one of the last sunsets of 2024, and in those moments of fleeting beauty, the many memories of the past year come back to me, and I’m suddenly filled with a deep feeling of ambivalence as I realise just how fast it slipped away. At the same time, a flood of nostalgic memories sweeps over me, a reminder of all the unforgettable and very special moments I have been privileged enough to both experience and capture in the past year.

At the beginning of the year, I never would’ve imagined myself crossing an icy Himalayan river without shoes, but I found myself doing just that during the unforgettable week I spent in one of the most remote parts of the world. Or that I would finally be able to explore the underwater world in a way that I would never have thought possible, swimming with the most graceful underwater creatures and arming myself with skills that I will use forever. My time spent crouched at Craig’s feet with my camera freezing the special and unforgettable moments I had with him was undoubtedly one of my most memorable photographic opportunities, leaving me with some of my favourite pictures to date. And indeed, falling asleep to the unmistakable echoes of roaring black maned kings of the Mara, or the resilient queens of Loisaba never got old, but became even more special.

From waking up at 4.30 to find a perfect spot at “Luluka’s Tree” at sunrise, to be at the very same spot even after sunset taught me what it really takes to finally capture a bucket list shot. And spending two weeks helping research on the cheetahs of Loisaba made me realise just how much work and effort goes into the conservation and protection of these fragile creatures and ecosystems I have come to love so much, making me think harder about how badly I want to make a positive mark on wildlife conservation.

So, to everyone who made my 2024 the wild one it has been, THANK YOU!