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After a long hot December day near Punda Maria Rest Camp, an elephant calf rests at its mother’s feet.

Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Photographer: © Ilna Booyens

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A Knysna dwarf chameleon disappears into the vibrant colors of an Erica shrub. Garden Route Botanical Gardens, George, South Africa.

Photographer: © Brendon White

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After standing statue-like for the longest moment, a shoebill makes the attack and captures a marbled lungfish. A satisfying moment for the photographer: “When the shoebill catches a fish in front of you, you will never forget that action.” Mabamba Swamp, Uganda.

Photographer: © Guenther Kieberger

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A pair of endangered reticulated giraffes, elegant aquiline muzzles brushing the mineral-rich red earth of the salt lick. Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy, Laikipia, Kenya.

Photographer: © Julian Asher

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White-fronted bee-eaters take flight. The Aloe Farm, Hartbeespoort, North West, South Africa.

Photographer: © Sean Davis

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Floating water. A splendid sunbird demonstrates a preference for water from a leaking pipe mere metres from the Saloum River. Sokone, Senegal.

Photogapher: © Cecile Terrasse

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Children entertain themselves beneath towering Grandidier’s baobabs – the tree giants of Madagascar, which grow up to 25 metres tall. Western Madagascar.

Photographer: Aimin Chen

The juxtaposition of these massive Grandidier’s baobabs and the playing children makes for a telling story. The kids belong to parents that sell their wares to tourists that come to wonder at the baobabs. Without tourism money, those trees will likely go the way of much of Madagascar’s natural vegetation, and the rural villagers would have fewer livelihood options. This is one of Africa’s most compelling stories – the bond between biodiversity, local people and tourists.

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An Ethiopian herder watches over his cattle as they rest. Ethiopia.

Photographer: © Kevin Dooley