WINNERS © Steve Toon / Mkapa Awards

Above: The 2021 Mkapa Photo Awards were exhibited at the Nairobi National Museum in Kenya. The display traveled through Africa, first appearing in Harare's National Gallery of Zimbabwe, then onto the Cultural Heritage Centre in Tanzania (see below). Finalists are published in the 2022 special edition of Nature's Best Photography.

INAUGURAL MKAPA AWARDS FINALISTS

GRAND PRIZE

"Utopia," Gelada and Baby, Simien Mountains, Ethiopia by Riccardo Marchegiani of Ancona, Italy

Sony α7R III; 16-35mm ƒ/2.8 GM lens at 22mm; 1/200 sec at ƒ/7.1; ISO 320; hand-held.

WINNER

COEXISTENCE AND CONFLICT

Elephant Orphans of Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, Samburu, Kenya by James Lewin of Nanyuki, Kenya

Fuijifilm GFX 50S; 45-100mm ƒ/4 R LM OIS WR lens at 45mm; 1/500 sec at ƒ/7.1; ISO 500; hand-held.

COEXISTENCE AND CONFLICT HIGHLY HONORED

Elephant Trunk, Kasungu National Park, Malawi by Gunther De Bruyne of Bonheiden, Belgium

Ivory Burning, Manyani, Kenya by Katsumi Howard of Hokuto, Yamanashi, Japan

White Rhinos, Nairobi National Park, Kenya by Jose Fragozo of Tavira, Portugal and Nairobi, Kenya

Boscia Tree and Guide, Mara North Conservancy, Kenya by Paul Goldstein of London, England, UK

Cape Gannets, Bird Island, Algoa Bay, South Africa by Peter Chadwick of Bredasdorp, South Africa

African Grey Parrots, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo by Robert J. Ross of Basalt, Colorado, USA.

WINNER

AFRICAN CONSERVATION HEROES

Wildlife Veterinarian Mércia Ângela and Pangolin, Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique by Jen Guyton of Mainz, Germany

Sony α7R III; 24–105mm ƒ/4 G OSS lens at 46mm; 1/160 sec at ƒ/8; ISO 250; Godox flash with XProS trigger; hand-held.

AFRICAN CONSERVATION HEROES HIGHLY HONORED

Pangolin Rangers, Rombo Conservancy, Amboseli, Kenya by Anthony Ochieng Onyango of Nairobi, Kenya

Caregiver, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Uganda by Anthony Ochieng Onyango of Nairobi, Kenya

Game Rangers and Tracker Dog, Mara Triangle, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya by Go Yamagata of Yokosuka, Japan

Vets and Rangers, White Rhino Dehorning, Thanda Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa by Gunther De Bruyne of Bonheiden, Belgium

Elephant Keeper and Orphan, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT), Nairobi, Kenya by Kathy Karn of London, Ontario, Canada

Tracker and Mountain Gorilla, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda by Kurt Jay Bertels of Johannesburg, South Africa

Caretaker André Bauma and Ndakasi (2007-2021), Senkwekwe Gorilla Sanctuary, Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo by Marcus Westberg of Stockholm, Sweden

Veterinarian Team, Senkwekwe Gorilla Sanctuary, Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo by Marcus Westberg of Stockholm, Sweden

Celebrate Nyathi Photo of White Rhino, Islington, Mpumalanga, South Africa by Mike Kendrick of Hoedspruit, Limpopo, South Africa

Wildlife Rangers, Tusk Removal, Mara Naboisho Conservancy, Kenya by Paul Goldstein of London, England, UK

WINNER

AFRICAN WILDLIFE AT RISK

"Battle of the Giants," White Rhinoceros, Solio Game Reserve, Mount Kenya, Kenya by Ingrid Vekemans of Wakkerzeel, Belgium

Nikon D810; 500mm ƒ/4 lens; 1/1000 sec at ƒ/5; ISO 1000; bean bag from vehicle.

AFRICAN WILDLIFE AT RISK HIGHLY HONORED

Cheetah and Lilac-breasted Roller, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya by Ben Cranke of Pretoria, South Africa

Masai Giraffe and Red-billed Oxpeckers, Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya by Hong Chen of Hong Kong

African Savanna Elephants, Amboseli National Park, Kenya by Kathy Karn of London, Ontario, Canada

White-backed Vultures, Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana by Kevin Dooley of Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Mountain Gorilla, Uganda by Majed AL Za’abi of Sulaibikhat, Kuwait City, Kuwait

African Lions, Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya by Neelutpaul Barua of Mumbai, India

African Wild Dogs and Wildebeest, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania by Pierluigi Rizzato of Borgoricco, Italy

Ethiopian Wolf, Sanetti Plateau, Bale Mountain, Ethiopia by Roberto Marchegiani of Ancona, Italy

African Savanna Elephants, Chobe National Park, Botswana by Steve Toon of Tarset, Northumberland, UK

WINNER

FRAGILE WILDERNESS

Ruacana Falls and Baobab, Namibia by Anette Mossbacher of Bergdietikon, Switzerland

Fuijifilm X-H1; 100-400mm ƒ/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR lens at 306.2mm; 28 secs at ƒ/22; ISO 100; Formatt Hitech Firecrest ND filter; Gitzo tripod; RRS ball head.

FRAGILE WILDERNESS HIGHLY HONORED

Gemsbok, Sossusvlei, Namibia by Ben Cranke of Pretoria, South Africa

African Savanna Elephant, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya by Chandrashekar Kalyanasundaram of Bangalore, India

Lesser Flamingos, Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli National Park, Kenya by Gurcharan Roopra of Nairobi, Kenya

Sunset, Chimanimani National Park, Mozambique by Jen Guyton of Mainz, Germany

Sunset, Epupa Falls, Namibia by Paolo Mignosa of Parma, Italy

Springboks, Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia by Vittorio Ricci of Genoa, Liguria, Italy

WINNER

AFRICAN WILDLIFE PORTRAITS

African Savanna Elephants, Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa by Kevin Dooley of Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Canon 1D X Mark II; Sigma 150-600mm ƒ/5-6.3 DG OS HSM lens at 600mm; 1/1000 sec at ƒ/8; ISO 800; hand-held.

AFRICAN WILDLIFE PORTRAITS HIGHLY HONORED

Leopard, Mashatu Game Reserve, Limpopo, Botswana by Anette Mossbacher of Bergdietikon, Switzerland

Chimpanzee, Gombe National Park, Tanzania by Anup Shah of Chippenham, England, UK

Malachite Kingfishers, Chobe National Park, Botswana by Carol Grenier of Carson City, Nevada, USA

Impala and Red-billed Oxpecker, Timbavati Game Reserve, Greater Kruger, South Africa by Chad Cocking of Hoedspruit, South Africa

Meerkats, Makgadikgadi Pans, Kalahari Desert, Botswana by Daisy Gilardini of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

African Lion and Lioness, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Botswana by Ernest Porter of Johannesburg, South Africa

White Rhinoceros, Solio Ranch, Laikipia County, Kenya by Gurcharan Roopra of Nairobi, Kenya

Mandrill, Lopé National Park, Gabon by Hans-Otto Thomashoff of Vienna, Austria

Shoebill, Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda by Hans-Otto Thomashoff of Vienna, Austria

African Lion, Serengeti, Tanzania by Hong Chen of Hong Kong

Cheetah Cubs, Serengeti, Tanzania by Hung Tsui of Hong Kong

African Savanna Elephant, Amboseli National Park, Kenya by James Lewin of Nanyuki, Kenya

Walia Ibex, Simien Mountains, Ethiopia by Kevin Dooley of Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Cheetahs, Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana by Kevin Dooley of Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

African Wild Dog, Nyerere National Park, Selous, Tanzania by Mark Cale of London, England, UK

African Lion, Okavango Delta, Botswana by Panos Laskarakis of Ioannina, Greece

Gelada Family, Simien Mountain, Ethiopia by Roberto Marchegiani of Arcona, Italy

Masai Giraffes, Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania by Robert J. Ross of Basalt, Colorado, USA

Hippopotamus, Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania by Robert J. Ross of Basalt, Colorado, USA

Yellow-billed Stork, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania by Russ Burden of Parker, Colorado, USA

Bateleur, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya by Yonatan Stern of Raanana, Israel

WINNER

AFRICAN WILDLIFE BEHAVIOR

"A Turbulent Swim," Cheetahs in Talek River, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya by Buddhilini de Soyza of Sydney, Australia

Canon 5D Mark IV; 100-400mm ƒ/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens at 400mm; 1/2000 sec at ƒ/5.6; ISO 640; hand-held.

AFRICAN WILDLIFE BEHAVIOR HIGHLY HONORED

Mountain Gorillas, Virunga Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda by Andy Rouse of Wales, UK

Western White[bearded Wildebeest, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania by Artur Stankiewicz Jerzmanki, Poland

Black-faced Impala, Etosha National Park, Namibia by Barbara Fleming of Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA

Southern Lechwes, Chobe River, Botswana by Carol Grenier of Carson City, Nevada, USA

Ethiopian Wolves, Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia by Carol Grenier of Carson City, Nevada, USA

Leopard and Nyala, Timbavati Game Reserve, Greater Kruger, South Africa by Chad Cocking of Hoedspruit, South Africa

African Wild Dogs and Spotted Hyenas, Timbavati Game Reserve, Greater Kruger, South Africa by Chad Cocking of Hoedspruit, South Africa

African Savanna Elephants, Chobe National Park, Botswana by Charl Stols of Kasane, Botswana

Knob-billed Ducks, Little Vumbura Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana by George D. Lepp of Bend, Oregon, USA

Weaver Bird, Ndutu, Tanzania by Hung Tsui of Hong Kong

Leopard and Plains Zebra, Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana by Kevin Dooley of Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

African Lions, Serengeti, Tanzania by Paul Bruce of Dayton, Ohio, USA

Fallen Elephant and Baobab Tree, African Lions, Ruaha National Park, Tanzania by Robert J. Ross of Basalt, Colorado, USA

African Lion and Warthog, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya by Thomas Vijayan of Ontario, Canada

Southern Pale Chanting Goshawks, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa and Botswana by Willem Kruger of Bloemfontein, South Africa

WINNER

AFRICA'S BACKYARD WILDLIFE

“Hand in Hand with Conservation,” Douliot’s Bright-eyed Frog, Anja, Madagascar by Javier Lobón-Rovira of Madrid, Spain

Nikon D800; 60mm ƒ/2.8 lens; 1/160 sec at ƒ/20; ISO 100; Yongnuo VI flashlight; LumiQuest SoftBox; hand-held.

AFRICA'S BACKYARD WILDLIFE HIGHLY HONORED

Mwanza Flat-headed Agama, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania by Cezary Raczko, Falls Church, Virginia, USA

Adanson’s House Jumper, Newlands Forest, Capetown, South Africa by Christian Brockes of Essen, Germany

Oustalet’s Chameleon, Anja Community, Madagascar by Javier Lobón-Rovira of Madrid, Spain

Eastern Black-and-white Colobus, Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge, Tanzania by Mike Cristina of Killingly, Connecticut, USA

Malachite Sunbird, Balgowan, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa by Richard Flack of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

WINNER

ART IN NATURE

"Galaxy, " Lesser Flamingos, Lake Natron, Tanzania by Paul Mckenzie of Hong Kong

Canon 5D Mark IV; 24-105mm ƒ/4L IS II USM lens at 105mm; 1/3200 sec at ƒ/4; ISO 500; hand-held from light aircraft.

ART IN NATURE HIGHLY HONORED

Elephant at Sunrise, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya by Gabriela Staebler of Schondorf, Germany

Plains Zebras, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania by Gene Hollander of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, USA

Lesser Flamingos, Lake Magadi, Kenya by Jie Fischer of Weehawken, New Jersey, USA

Springbok and Plains Zebra, Etosha National Park, Namibia by Kevin Dooley of Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

African Leopard, Chobe National Park, Botswana by Panos Laskarakis of Ioannina, Greece

Lesser Flamingos, Lake Bogoria National Park, Kenya by Paul Mckenzie of Hong Kong

Lesser Flamingos, Lake Bogoria National Park, Kenya by Paul Mckenzie of Hong Kong

Plains Zebras, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania by Pierluigi Rizzato of Borgoricco, Italy

African Savanna Elephant, Thornybush Game Reserve, South Africa by Rudi Hulshof of Hoedspruit, Limpopo, South Africa

WINNER

YOUTH IN AFRICA

Wildebeest, Timbavati Nature Reserve, South Africa by Cathan Moore, at age 17 of Hoedspruit, South Africa

Canon 7D Mark II; Sigma 150-600mm ƒ/5-6.3 DG OS HSM lens at 150mm; 1/1600 sec at ƒ/5.6; ISO 640; hand-held.

YOUTH IN AFRICA HIGHLY HONORED

Cape Cormorant, Cape Town, South Africa by Ruben Jenkins-Bate, at age 17 of Cape Town, South Africa

African Leopard and Savanna Hare, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya By Tanay Malde, at age 17 of Mombasa, Kenya

WINNER

YOUTH INTERNATIONAL

Mountain Gorilla Baby, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda by Zander Galli, at age 15 of Miami, Florida, USA

Nikon D850; 70-200mm ƒ/2.8 ED VR II lens at 200mm; 1/160 sec at ƒ/4.5; ISO 4000; hand-held.

YOUTH INTERNATIONAL HIGHLY HONORED

Kori Bustard and Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Ethiopia by Carlos Pérez Naval, at age 13 of Calamocha, Spain

African Lioness and Cubs, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya By Hannah Vijayan, at age 14 of Ontario, Canada

WINNER

AFRICA IN MOTION | VIDEO

"Magical Maasai Mara," Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Kenya by Olli Teirilä of Helsinki, Finland

AFRICA IN MOTION | VIDEO HIGHLY HONORED

“Rhino Lover and Hero” Kenya Wildlife Service Ranger, Rhino Conservation, Meru National Park, Kenya by Anthony Ochieng Onyango (Tony Wild) of Nairobi, Kenya

“Gardeners of the Ecosystem” Selenkay Conservancy, Kajiado County, Kenya by Feisal Malik, Visual Africa Films Ltd. of Nairobi, Kenya

“Invitation To Play” Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa by Lee-Anne Robertson of Sunland, Eastern Cape, South Africa

CLICK BELOW TO LEARN MORE about the Mkapa Photo Awards, Benjamin Mkapa, the descriptions of the categories, and the Judging Panel. The complete collection of Top 100 finalists are published in the 2022 Mkapa Awards special edition of Nature's Best Photography magazine, along with a feature on the 60-year history of African Wildlife Foundation's conservation leadership programs. Learn more at awf.org.

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