Life Trove: Ode to things I love: Wildlife

December 26, 1990

Ode to things I love: Wildlife

I've always been captivated by wildlife. Few experiences make me feel more alive than watching animals in their natural habitat and witnessing the extraordinary diversity of life on our planet. I've been fortunate enough to explore some of the world's greatest wildlife destinations, but Africa will always hold a special place in my heart. Growing up in South Africa gave me a lifelong connection to the bush, and every visit to Zululand or the Kruger National Park reminds me why. There's simply nothing quite like seeing elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and wild dogs living as they have for thousands of years.

I've also been privileged to experience wildlife at the ends of the Earth. Walking among fearless creatures in the Galápagos Islands, watching vast colonies of penguins on the Antarctic Peninsula, and standing in awe as polar bears roamed the Arctic sea ice are memories I'll treasure forever. Each place has revealed a different side of nature's brilliance, leaving me with an even deeper appreciation for the beauty, resilience and wonder of the wild. These encounters continue to inspire my travels, my photography and my gratitude for those who have worked so hard to protect these extraordinary places.

Wildlife parks I've visited