Africa’s Photographer of the Year is the most prestigious photography competition on the continent and is proudly brought to you by Rhino Africa. It was created to inspire travel to Africa and showcase the continent’s incomparable beauty. Drawing on entries from around the world and focusing on the iconic destinations, the competition celebrates the beauty of Africa’s wildlife, landscapes and people.
The 2021 Grand Prize
Africa’s Photographer of the Year is the biggest photography competition of its kind. It also has an incredible Grand Prize of an ultra-luxurious African safari valued at $40,000. This prize consists of all expenses paid journey for two through some of Southern Africa’s most pristine destinations.
Starting off with a 3 night safari at Tswalu. As the largest private reserve in South Africa, Tswalu offers a level of exclusivity unknown in this modern world. With no other vehicles around, the reserve is your own private oasis filled with intriguing animals like meerkats, pangolins, black-maned Kalahari lions, brown hyena and cheetah.
Then it’s off to Cape Town for a 4 night stay at Ellerman House. Offering striking views of the Atlantic Ocean, world-class service, delightful decor and culinary masterpieces. This opulent boutique hotel has much to offer, from its famous art collection and winery to its spa and swimming. Ellerman House is also the perfect springboard from which to explore Table Mountain, the Cape of Good Hope, beautiful beaches and the vibrant V&A Waterfront
After this, it’s a quick flight up to the Kruger National Park, thanks to our friends at Airlink, for a 3 night stay at Silvan Safari. Awarded the World’s Leading Luxury Safari Lodge, Silvan Safari is the crème de la crème of the African safari experience. Located in the famous Sabi Sand Private Game reserve, which shares an unfenced border to the Kruger National Park, this is the premier game viewing destination in South Africa. With only six luxury suites, privacy and exclusivity is guaranteed at Silvan Safari.
Your final stop in this whirlwind trip is at Matetsi River Lodge at the Victoria Falls. This luxury lodge is located in a private concession along the mighty Zambezi River and is situated just 40km downstream from the Victoria Falls. The secluded location provides guests with the space to indulge and discover the precious natural wonders of Zimbabwe.
Each quarterly winner will also receive a pair of Swarovski Optik binoculars valued at over $2 400.
How does the competition work?
Africa’s Photographer of the Year is a year-long competition which is split into four quarterly themes. Every 3 months, a new theme opens allowing photographers to enter different images for each theme. The first theme is for the 2021 competition is New Beginnings and is open until 31 March. The remaining themes for the competition are: Colourful Africa, Mighty & Miniscule and The Road not Taken.
Once one theme closes, another will open, each with a duration of three months. Our judges will select 5 quarterly winners from each theme who will then go into a public vote to decide who wins the grand prize of a once-in-a-lifetime 14-Day African holiday for two.
What images should I enter for New Beginnings?
Each theme is open to interpretation from the photographer. The judges, when evaluating each image, take into account the extent to which a photographer captures the essence of the category as well as originality and creativity.
For New Beginnings, the possibilities are endless. From the dawn of a new day overlooking the Serengeti to the first tentative steps of a newborn elephant surrounded by the anxious herd, the theme of New Beginnings could be interpreted in so many ways.
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Main Image Photo Credit: Lakshitha Karunarathna
Congrats on this wonderful photo contest, which is virtually a treat for the eyes showcasing the best of Wild Africa.