Fine Art Prints by Steven Stockhall
About
Steve was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, in 1968 and was schooled in Cape Town. A number of holidays to some of South Africa’s great National Parks and Game Reserves, planted a seed from a young age and a goal to live amongst wildlife and become a wildlife photographer and a photographic guide.
Having lived in London and Australia in his early twenties, the desire to fulfil the dream occurred with a chance meeting up of an old friend who suggested Botswana as an incredible place to lay his hat. It was 1997, when he arrived in Maun on the southern edge of the Okavango Delta.
Today, Steve guides specialist photographic safaris through the north of the country in search of images that beautifully represent the country’s wildlife and people. He also conducts safaris to Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
From time to time, he raises funds for conservation with sales from images. Elephant Havens, an Elephant orphanage situated on the edge of Maun along the southern edge of the Okavango Delta, rescues stranded Elephant calves to be rehabilitated and eventually released back into the wild. Sales of his prints have contributed to their well-being as well as the many community programs initiated by them that helps with human wildlife conflict in the region.
As the Editor in Chief of the national tourism magazine, Discover Botswana, Steve enjoys working alongside top wildlife photographers from the region each year to showcase the beauty of Botswana.
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Clouded Leopard
In November each year, Botswana heralds in the start of the rainy season. Enormous clouds fill the skies and the coming relief is tangible after the dry hot months. Deep in the Okavango Delta, this Leopard, having endured a down pour, slipped up a tree for a lofty view of her surroundings.
Xaxaba, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Spiral Dream
On the eastern side of Botswana lies a wildlife gem called Mashatu. The opportunity to photograph wildlife is especially enhanced by an underground hide facility allowing for low angle images. I had always envisaged getting a large bull Kudu with a cloudy backdrop emphasising their magnificent horns.
Mashatu, Tuli Game Reserve, Eastern Botswana
Muddy Days
Elephants love mud and mud bathing. Its an important daily ritual for them to spend time churning the waters and covering themselves with it. It cools them as well as smothering parasites in the folds of their skin. It is certainly one of the most fascinating features of Elephant behaviour. This bull Elephant was found a small waterhole in Nxai Pan National Park.
Nxai Pan National Park, Botswana
The Return
Botswana is home to the single largest population of African Wild Dogs. Described as critically endangered, these highly sociable carnivores can be found in packs and each year, the alpha male and female will seek out a den site to give birth to their young. In this image, the pups were waiting for the adults to return to them. If the hunt was successful, the entire pack will regurgitate the kill to feed them. One can sense their excitement as they hear the adults coming back to them.
Khwai River, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Leafy Yawn
Tucked away in the canopy of an African Rain Tree, this Leopard enjoyed the safety and tranquility of her lofty perch. It was only a matter of time until she would awake to descend to ground in search of her next meal.
Khwai River, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Leafy Descent
Having rested for the better part of an afternoon in the Okavango Delta, this leopard came down from her lofty perch to start hunting again. The delta is an enormous wetland and sanctuary for the likes of Leopards.
Khwai River, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Old Bull of the Pans
Alone and wandering the open grasslands around Nxai Pan National Park, this bull Elephant was quite content feeding on the new grasses of the rainy season. Armed with decades of accumulated knowledge, he knows exactly where to find food and water, wandering ancient paths passed down through generations.
Nxai Pan National Park, Botswana
After the Storm
The light breaks after a thunderstorm in the Okavango Delta and a Leopard finds the perfect spot to while away the time until sunset and the evening hunt. Usually shy and often elusive, it really is not often that they are seen out in the open like this.
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Zebra Kiss
Zebras are always on the move and was delighted to capture this very brief intimate moment between two Zebras along the Chobe River in northern Botswana.
Chobe River, Chobe National Park, Botswana
Curious Sunset
Botswana is home to the single largest population of Elephants left in Africa. If you love Elephants, then this country is arguably the best one to spend time with these gentle giants. The magnificent light at sunset and a curious young bull came together along the Chobe River in the far north of the country.
Chobe River, Chobe National Park, Botswana
Curiosity and the Cat
A young cub, perched on a termite mound, watches with anticipation as its Mother goes off to hunt. This was on the Selinda Spillway - a body of water that connects the Okavango Delta and the Linyanti swamps.
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Selinda Spillway, Botswana
Village Life - Namibia
The Himba, a semi nomadic tribe from northern Namibia and southern Angola, still cling to their roots and culture. Semi nomadic pastoralists, they have upheld their traditions and beliefs and to this day, the woman cover themselves in ochre and animal fat.
Himba village, far northern Namibia
Black maned King
The Kalahari Lions are known for the dark black manes and are usually slightly larger than their counterparts in other parts of Africa. This portrait is from Nxai Pan National Park, part of their enormous territory defended by this individual and his brother.
Nxai Pan National Park, Botswana
Clouded Zebra
The Makgadikgadi Pans is a dry and desolate place for the most part of the year. Life here is tough. Zebras have a remarkable resilience that allows them to survive here. At times, they will go onto the salt flats to escape predation.
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Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana
Tears of the Himba
The Himba people of northern Namibia and southern Angola today continue their traditions long past down through the ages. In the Kunene region of Namibia, a group of kids played around until one got hurt or overwhelmed. Taking a break, this young girl, tears streaming down her face, went and sat at her Mother’s hut to recover.
Himba village, far northern Namibia