How I fell in love with Africa, by long-standing subscriber Hanny Greenfeld
As a young girl, I loved spinning the globe and daydreaming about the exotic-sounding places written across it, wondering what they might look and feel like. My fascination with nature was particularly strong, so Africa held a special kind of magic for me.
Coming from a humble background, I was finally able to turn my travel dreams into reality at the age of thirty, when I joined an organised safari to Kenya. It was truly love at first sight. The wildlife roaming freely across vast plains, the ever-changing light over the landscapes, the warmth of the people, even the scents carried on the breeze — all of it felt deeply familiar, as if I had arrived somewhere I was meant to be. Our guide, Dr Avi Shafir, brought each day to life by weaving together zoology, geography, history and anthropology, ending evenings with local stories and legends that grounded us in place.
That journey sparked a lifelong passion for Africa, which I naturally paired with my interest in wildlife photography. Over the years, I’ve refined both my skills and my equipment, enabling me to express that passion visually. Just as meaningful are the friendships I’ve formed with local guides — connections that transcend time, distance and culture.
In challenging times I return to my photographs, finding comfort and inspiration — much like the feeling I get when reading Travel Africa.
Africa was my first great adventure — and it remains the place that continues to call me back and shape how I see the world.
How did you fall for Africa? Email your story to editor@travelafricamag.com
These are some of Hanny’s favourite images from a recent visit to Mashatu Game Reserve in southern Botswana.
“Beyond Mashatu’s vast landscapes, unparalleled wildlife experiences and iconic mashatu and euphorbia trees lies a world of quiet details, best experienced without a schedule,” she says.
“This allows you to truly immerse yourself in the landscape, seek out the overlooked details, catch the scent of wild sage, and pause before pressing the shutter. Elevating this are two specialised photographic hides, including an overnight hide that offers rare, intimate eye-level encounters with animals arriving for a midnight drink — a truly unforgettable experience that invites you to see the wilderness through a more patient lens…”
We hope you enjoy this small gallery of Hanny’s pictures. Don’t be shy to share with us a few of your own favourite photographs from your trips to Africa – email them to editor@travelafricamag.com
