Conservation Photography Lab

1 - 7 FEBRUARY 2025 | Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa

Meet the Facilitators

// Aiita Joshua Apamaku, Co-Founder of terra-natureWild Conservation

Aiita Joshua Apamaku is a Wildlife Biologist and National Geographic Explorer from Uganda. Aiita undertook Wildlife Health and Management from Makerere University in Uganda, and has since been involved in wildlife conservation programs and projects; international biodiversity and climate policy programming. As a Co-Lead at NatureWILD, his work is redefining conservation through science-telling, and capacity-building programs with 168 young conservation professionals, and currently investigating the link between conservation and cultures with forest communities in Uganda. He has recently been the nature-based Solutions Thematic Lead at Youth4Nature, helping co-curate the first-ever Global Youth Position on nature-based solutions. He is also a member of the IUCN WCPA Young Professionals Network, CoalitionWILD EXCELarator and an Alumnus of the YALI RLC East Africa under the Public Management track. He believes in the power of storytelling to transform systems for just climate action and biodiversity observation; influencing his work on conservation science-telling.

// Nomsa Nkomo, Director of Matebeleland Youth Conservation Society (MYCS)

Nomsa is an African ornithologist, conservationist, thought leader and strategist, seeking to facilitate the transformation of conservation in Africa to be inclusive, decolonized and rights-conscious. She is reading for a PhD in Conservation Biology at the University of Cape Town. With experience working in different continents and systems within ornithology, she utilises her passion for storytelling to bridge gaps between different stakeholders and has won awards for science communication. She has written and spoken widely on the changes needed in the different spheres of conservation science and practice to achieve harmony and equity for people and nature. Nkomo believes indigenous communities and knowledge, and youth inclusion is central to sustainably improving livelihoods while conserving nature. She values relational agency in learning and working collectively towards a better world. She is an alumnus and a fellow in different communities like the Mandela Rhodes Foundation, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and NEWF.

Meet the INSTRUCTORS

// Anthony Ochieng Onyango, Kenya

Anthony is a National Geographic Explorer, iLCP Emerging Fellow, and NEWF  Fellow. His work is focused on creating conservation content that will inspire conservation action across all ages and races. He is the Executive Director and Founder of TonyWild Foundation. A platform for promoting conservation action by creating awareness of wildlife conservation through photography, film, and science, and he is a Board Member of the Conservation Alliance of Kenya (CAK).  Anthony is working on a photo story documenting the positive stories of bycatch protocols implemented by fishermen in Ghana to support the conservation of the critically endangered Hammerhead Sharks.

He is an InfoNile- EverydayNile Photojournalism Fellow 2021, Jackson Wild Media Lab Fellow 2020, Nature Environment Wildlife Filmmakers (N.E.W.F) Pitch Winner 2020, Jackson Wild Emerging Filmmaker Scholar 2019, WWF Education for Nature Grantee, WWF Africa Youth Award Nominee 2018, Top 100 Youth in Conservation 2021, Top 35 Under 35 Awardee 2020 and 2020 EE 30 under 30 "NAAEE (North America Association of Environmental Educators). His images have been featured in National Geographic Espana and Africa, Climate Tracker, Climate Visuals Org, Sustainable Travel International, and Global Landscape Forum. He is a bronze winner of the Safal Eye in the Wild Photography Competition 2019 and a Finalist for Earth Photo 2021, British High Commission Nairobi Climate Changemakers photography competition.  Global Landscape Forum –Kyoto and Accra, Heart of Kenya, a Nikon Kenya Competition, and Picfair Celebrating Africa: City life category. His images have been exhibited at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), London, Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire, Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, Dorset and Grizedale, Cumbria.

// Peter Ndung’u, Kenya

Peter Ndung’u is an award-winning travel, documentary, and wildlife photographer and filmmaker from Nairobi, Kenya. Driven by a deep passion for capturing the essence of nature, people, and wildlife, Peter has spent over 11 years documenting Africa’s stunning diversity. His work has garnered international recognition, featured on major platforms such as Apple, Canon, National Geographic, and CNN, and has also been exhibited around the world.

Beyond his photography, Peter is dedicated to mentoring emerging talent. He leads photography workshops as a mentor at Nature Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF), has served as a National Geographic Photo Camp Botswana team leader, and occasionally collaborates with Canon to host masterclasses, his most recent one being participating as a trainer and exhibitor at Canon Unseen, an initiative that allowed visually impaired people to experience photography in a new way. As a proud member of Canon’s Generation R— a collective of innovative storytellers—Peter has played a key role in the African launch of Canon’s EOS R range of mirrorless cameras. He is proudly supported by Africa Refocused, a partnership between NEWF and the National Geographic Society. In his film work as a cinematographer and field producer, Peter focuses on the interconnectedness of people, wildlife, and their shared environments. Through his lens, he seeks to inspire a deeper appreciation for Africa’s biodiversity and cultural heritage and to emphasize the critical need for conservation.

Meet the FELLOWS

// Amanda Khosa, Zimbabwe

Amanda Khosa is a dedicated conservationist with a strong commitment to preserving the natural world. Her work is rooted in a desire to bridge the gap between people and nature, making conservation relatable and impactful for all. She thrives on finding innovative ways to connect people, particularly young individuals, with nature, fostering a sense of stewardship and responsibility for its future. Through research, she has explored how patterns in nature can inform sustainable solutions and has honed her skills in sharing these findings to advocate for meaningful change. Beyond research, she takes pride in implementing hands-on projects that combine education with action, such as creating accessible, sustainable practices in communities. For her, conservation is about storytelling—communicating the challenges the planet faces while offering hope through collaboration and practical solutions. She aims to empower others to see themselves as part of the solution and to take action to create a sustainable future.

// Brian Kabagambe, Uganda

Brian Kabagambe is a wildlife biologist and conservationist from Uganda, passionate about using storytelling to deepen the connection between people and nature. His focus is on amplifying community voices and sharing impactful conservation stories that highlight the importance of coexistence, cultural ties to nature, and sustainable development. He is committed to inspiring positive change by using storytelling to promote environmental stewardship and empower communities to take an active role in conservation efforts.

// Davis Kalunga, Uganda

Davis Kalunga is a Ugandan wildlife filmmaker who focuses on making films about the natural world. For the past years, he has been a camera assistant and a second-hand camera operator for award-winning films, such as ‘Chimp Empire’. He has worked with several big productions as a camera assistant, and in 2023, he began making his own films for African audiences. Kalunga’s skills range from scriptwriting, camera operation, and camera assistance, to directing. He has worked with KEO and Underdog Films for Netflix on Chimp Empire, as well as with Wildstar Sentient. More recently, he worked with Silverback on a gorilla project, which is still in post-production. He hopes to inspire more Ugandans to explore storytelling as a tool to conserve for future generations.

// Diana Kanweri, Uganda

Diana Kanweri is a Ugandan camera operator who is highly passionate about filming wildlife, which she has been doing for the last five years. She is also a research assistant and has spent six years studying chimpanzees in the wild forests of Uganda, along with other wildlife in the same habitats. This experience has given her great knowledge and understanding of wild animal behaviours and has helped her not only capture rare and remarkable shots but also learn how to navigate through tough vegetation and harsh environments while staying safe in these conditions. She is seeking opportunities to learn and grow her career as a wildlife camera operator while also exploring other genres. She believes that documentaries and filmmaking are powerful ways to connect wildlife with the people surrounding them.

// Emmanuel Egonu, Uganda

Egonu Emmanuel is a multimedia journalist, human rights reporter, and freelance videographer with a passion for storytelling and effective communication. He specialises in media relations, digital marketing, and creating impactful content that bridges organisations with their audiences. As a Communication and Marketing Officer at Share An Opportunity Uganda, he has successfully enhanced brand visibility and stakeholder engagement by crafting compelling narratives and implementing innovative strategies. He is driven by a strong belief in the power of communication to inspire, connect, and create meaningful change.

// Hilda Victoria Namulwana, Uganda

Hilda Victoria Namulwana is a passionate advocate for culture, conservation, and community empowerment. With expertise in cultural preservation, sustainable development, and social media management, she brings creativity, authenticity, and a focus on inclusion to every initiative she undertakes. Her work emphasises promoting indigenous cultures, biodiversity, and traditional medicine while exploring knowledge and economic opportunities with rural communities. She has successfully organised workshops, managed impactful media campaigns, and developed programmes that celebrate heritage and foster sustainability. She is committed to creating inclusive spaces where diverse voices are heard and valued and has collaborated with organisations like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Her work aims to amplify cultural narratives and contribute to transformative initiatives that preserve identity, support community growth, and address global challenges with integrity.

// Joan Fadzai Banda, Zimbabwe

Joan Fadzai Banda is a conservation biologist with experience working in Zimbabwe and Nigeria. Her areas of interest include ornithology, conservation technology, conservation communications, and community-based natural resource management. Throughout her career, she has worked in coexistence-focused roles, first as a research assistant at a wildlife ranch—promoting coexistence between wildlife and livestock—and now as the Research and Conservation Leadership Programme Officer, where she promotes coexistence between people and wildlife. Outside of work, she coordinates a passionate group of youths in Matabeleland, Zimbabwe, helping them channel their love for nature into impactful programmes through the Matabeleland Youth Conservation Society. Her role is to establish high-level partnerships and secure funding.

// Karim Lawrence Ayibu, Zimbabwe

Karim Ayibu is an aspiring nature photographer from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. With a passion for capturing the beauty of birds and wildlife, his work combines photography with storytelling to highlight conservation issues and the importance of preserving biodiversity. He primarily focuses on documenting the natural world, especially birds, which inspire much of his creativity. He also appreciates the intersection of culture and conservation, valuing traditional knowledge systems that contribute to environmental stewardship. Beyond photography, he maintains a blog, Karim’s Compass, where he shares personal stories about his travels and experiences in nature. His goal is to inspire action through visual and written narratives, contributing to conservation efforts in meaningful ways.

// Laurah Thandie Sibanda, Zimbabwe

Laurah Thandie Sibanda is a photographer and nature conservationist. She began her career in 2018 as an apprentice at the photography studio where she still works. During her on-the-job training, she undertook a course as a Learner Professional Guide under the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority in 2019 and became licensed in 2021. She then joined MYCS, formerly known as Matabeleland Chippers, which was an exciting and invaluable opportunity, allowing her to pursue her passion as a prospective career and a hobby. She started by photographing flowers and insects, and last year, she acquired her own camera. With this, she hopes to become a professional wildlife photographer, focusing on birds, flowers, and capturing the beauty of nature. She is currently pursuing a Tourism and Hospitality Degree at Zimbabwe Open University.

// Patrick Hans Mulindwa, Uganda

Hans Patrick Mulindwa is an early career researcher and photographer with Climate Operation. Passionate about conservation, Hans is currently working on The Vault, a project mapping endangered species in East Africa's most extreme environments. The goal is to have a repository of the species most vulnerable to human activities. He is also part of the Envisioning Environmental Equity project, a joint collaborative project between Climate Operation, University College London, and the University of Bahia, exploring how frontline communities can adapt to climate challenges. This project is unique because it explores the intersections between climate change, health and the natural world through creative storytelling involving workshops, a film and a comic book. With all of this, photography is at the centre of depicting these stories in a realistic and relatable way.

// Peter Terry Makhusa, Zimbabwe

Peter Terry Makhusa is a freelance wildlife photographer, tour guide, co-founder of the Matebeleland youth conservation society and task force leader involved in conserving the Southern ground hornbill in Zimbabwe for Birdlife Zimbabwe. He has successfully created an organization that brings non-wildlife University students to be in contact with nature and teaching them sustainable ways to conserve the environment. He leads trainings for children living around wildlife areas to become bird guides and start up Avitourism as a business. He is a passionate avid birder and storyteller using photography to tell the role arts and culture play in our African conservation story.