The Greatest Wildlife Photographer Kenya competition is back with its picks for February 2025, providing a platform for photographers to showcase Kenya’s diverse wildlife while supporting conservation efforts.

The competition, initially launched in the Maasai Mara in 2018, had a successful six-year run before temporary closure. Now independently relaunched, it extends its reach beyond the Mara, featuring Kenya’s national parks and conservancies.

The competition aims to raise funds for 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.

Here are the finalists in February 2025:

“Our last morning game drive in Solio. Two male rhinos started to lock in a fierce battle. The dominant one has forced the other into the mud, its sheer strength evident as they struggle. The mud splashes around them, emphasising the intensity of the fight. These two mighty creatures engage in a primal struggle for dominance.”

“As the sun set for the day and the darkness arrived, a large herd of buffalo cautiously wandered in. With minimal light, no flash and dust swirling around, capturing this image of the buffalo drinking in unison with sharp focus felt like a huge achievement, especially since the herd was already on edge with a leopard nearby. Any sudden movement could’ve sent them running. It was a matter of patience – and a little luck on my side.”

“Watching elephants parade across the dry lake bed is one of the iconic Amboseli images. This image was taken in January 2025 when the rains started to come in just as the sun was setting. The clouds obscured the sun so we didn’t get the classic golden hour shot but, with the light shining through and illuminating the rain clouds, you get something dramatic instead.”

“This guy was trying to find Giza. When he could not, he came hopping back across the river.”

“On February 21, 2025, Solio Ranch suffered an out-of-control bush fire. Eventually contained, the scenes from this blaze, and the lone white southern rhino watching its home burn, are a poignant reminder of what we all have to lose in the face of global climate change, especially in areas increasingly prone to drought.”

“This black-and-white photograph captures a lone rhino in motion, set against a dramatic sky. The low-angle perspective gives the rhino a monumental presence with its massive horn taking centre stage.”

“Light was dim and I boosted ISO to 10 000 to get a reasonable fast shutter to freeze the action. It took nearly 20 minutes for rain to slow down a bit and the lion obliged with this beautiful frame spreading the water all across the frame.”

“The morning was filled with atmosphere as dramatic skies and clouds kept you guessing if the rain would truly arrive. Amid the tempestuous skies, we spotted a group of giraffes, standing like majestic pillars beneath the tense heavens. Their graceful necks reached toward the stormy sky while gentle winds swirled around them. Yet their serene majesty remained untouched, poised and unwavering against the impending storm, symbolising resilience and elegance in the face of nature’s fury.”

“I love capturing symbiotic relationships and will always stop for oxpeckers on a buffalo. This particular oxpecker was exploring the buffalo’s nostrils, causing it to shake its head to try get rid of the oxpecker. However, every time the buffalo shook it off, the oxpecker came right back to continue its search. The frame I chose is the oxpecker just about to land back on the buffalo after being shaken off.”

“A leopardess descends a dead scraggly acacia in front of a spectacular colourful sunset.”