The Greatest Wildlife Photographer – Kenya competition has returned with its March 2025 selections, spotlighting striking images of Kenya’s biodiversity while raising funds for conservation organisations.
Proceeds from the initiative support key conservation partners including the Elephant Queen Trust, Ewaso Lions, Grevy’s Zebra Trust, Kenya Bird of Prey Trust, Mara Elephant Project and the Pangolin Project.
The competition continues monthly, offering a platform for amateur and professional photographers to contribute to wildlife protection through visual storytelling.
Here are the finalists for March 2025:
“In the middle of the night, this family of six lions emerged out of the darkness. Like in a dream, they all positioned themselves in a perfect line in front of us. I hope that this image reflects the exact feeling that I have every time that a lion looks straight into my eyes: time stops and you can hear your heartbeat.”
“On our last evening, we heard there was a leopard sleeping in a tree. We raced to the spot and parked. He was directly across a huge field, and it was darkening, about 17h15. Not only was there a leopard but the yellow-barked acacia he chose to sleep in was the most glorious tree I had ever seen in the park!”
“On a foggy morning, we encountered a dazzle of zebras along the safari vehicle’s path. Two males were fighting for dominance for a good 30 minutes. We were able to sit and watch them in the fog. This is my favourite capture – when their hooves touched.”
“This photo was taken early in the morning at Lake Nakuru, just as the first sunlight hit the mist rising off the lake. The light was golden, soft and absolutely breathtaking. Birds were everywhere, moving through the haze, and the whole scene felt like it had been painted with light. I spotted the pelican gliding through the mist and managed to capture it mid-fight. It was one of those moments where nature did all the work – there was barely any post-processing needed. It truly looked just like this. As a photographer, it’s moments like these that remind me why I do this – chasing light, waiting for those quiet, fleeting scenes. I hope this image invites viewers to slow down and notice the magic that exists here in Kenya. Sometimes, all it takes is morning light and an open eye.”
“As storm clouds began to build over Solio Game Reserve, we felt a rush of excitement. That kind of sky adds so much drama to a scene and we knew we had to get out onto the plains quickly. That’s when we came across this group of rhinos. We positioned ourselves low and waited. To our surprise, they started walking toward us slowly and steadily. Then, almost like they planned it, they formed this perfect line. It felt magical, almost surreal. The moment was calm, powerful and full of atmosphere.”
“We sat by the waterhole, watching this white rhino and her calf in a quiet moment together. The calf mirrored its mother’s stance, a small but meaningful reminder of how young animals learn. Seeing them up close was a powerful experience – rhinos are built for strength yet their future remains uncertain. Moments like this make you appreciate just how much is at stake.”
“An African elephant in Tsavo East National Park takes a mud bath to cool off and protect its sensitive skin from the sun and insects. The iron-rich sand from a previous dust bath also adds a reddish-orange colour, which can be seen on the head and ear. We were on foot near this water hole and I was watching this elephant spray itself with mud. I moved to the side so I could catch the light on the elephant and spray of mud in the air.”
“Osupaat (left) suddenly stood and approached Nyekundu whose shocked expression hinted at the clash to come. With mouths wide open, Osupaat placed his front legs on Nyekundu’s head. Though furious, Nyekundu dodged without fighting back. In just three seconds, he retreated across the field.”
“While in Samburu, the doum palms stole my heart and, during my five-night stay, I really hoped for some wildlife on them. I was delighted when we found a lonesome baboon on a particularly architectural doum palm. When composing the shot, I wanted to showcase the interesting structure of the interweaving branches and the graphic geometry alongside a very peaceful baboon.”
“I wanted to capture the drama of the savannah. The lone tree, the distant fire and the leopard moving silently amidst it all. The scene felt like a story unfolding where patience rewarded me with a perfect moment of stillness and power against a dramatic backdrop. The toughest part was the wait. Six hours for a few fleeting seconds. As the fire grew in the distance, we carefully planned the angle to frame the landscape and the tree. When the leopard silently emerged and climbed, the scene came together in an instant. The leopard’s quiet elegance stood out. It was a rare glimpse of her natural grace, heightened by the eerie calm of the smoky savannah.”
