L. Lategan Africa

I was born in Nelspruit in 1985, to parents Jan and Elbie. For two years we lived in Lydenburg, Mpumalanga where not much really influenced my life, except maybe a baby-crawling competition.

Some of my most memorable moments were spent in a small town known as Kremetart (population back then probably not more than 200 people). Kremetart is close to the northern part of the Greater Kruger National Park in the Limpopo Province. Living so close to this gem of a park meant that we were frequent visitors, and having nature loving parents who also worked as Honorary Rangers over weekends, meant more time in my favourite place, the bush.

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I was part of the school’s “Landsdiens” (scouts) and had an incredible headmaster Mr Steyn. He taught me about eco-systems, different trees, and stirred up in me the dormant birder. I remember a test that we had to draw when we visited Punda-Maria camp in Kruger. He asked us to draw the different bird species that we saw in our camp. Most of the kids drew the iconic Yellow-billed Hornbill; I thought that to be a bit dull, and decided to take on the challenge of drawing the Lilac Breasted Roller. Now for those of you that know just how many colours you need, and the difficulty it takes to get the colours in the right places, you’ll know what an immense task it was. Mr. Steyn gave me a gold star for effort, not for the art work (I’m no Picasso), but rather for the task, seeing that I was only about seven when I drew it.

At the young age of thirteen, we moved 290 km south to White River, and again I was blessed to stay close to Kruger. As a typical teenager, I spent most of my time doing sport. I loved rugby and athletics, but underwater hockey and cross-country were my favourites.

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We lived in Walthamstow until December 2005, and we worked for the same security company. Not being part of the brawny guys, I mostly worked at front office and then later for Bank of Tokyo Mitshibishi London branch. The experience I gained over these two years were invaluable, and I would not change any of it.

The next year I enrolled at the Tshwane University of Technology in Nature Conservation and Tourism Management (Eco-tourism Management), to pursue my dream. The Nature Conservation Department is one of the best in the world and I hung on the lips of my lecturers. The camps were amazing, and I really got to understand some of the integral workings of our beautiful natural environment. By the time I finished my studies I realised how little I actually knew, and how much more there was to know.

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I had the opportunity to work for the university as a student assistant and also gave some classes and extra classes to the juniors.

In 2008 I had an opportunity to work at a lodge in Botswana between the Chobe and Moremi Nature Reserve. Two of my best friends and I got to manage Mankwe Lodge whilst the permanent manager was on holiday. It, however, was no holiday for us, and we quickly realised how much work was expected from us. The local Hyena and Honey Badgers sniffing around our tents at night and raiding the dustbins, removing Puff-adders and recovering trucks that got stuck with the Unimorg were some of the high-lights though.

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I spent some time in Mozambique working as a barman at a beautiful resort, but getting Malaria almost ended my journey.

Whilst working for the university, I had to take a group of 35 veterinary assistant students on a round trip tour around our beautiful country. We spent some time in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga Province, but also camped in Kruger Park. On this trip, I met two great friends Sophie and Tom who introduced me to the world of photography. After this magical trip, they sold me my first camera for next to nothing, a canon 30D.

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In January 2010, I started working for Break-Away Tours as a professional nature and cultural guide and today I am still enjoying every moment of it.

Whilst working for Break-Away Tours, my passion for wildlife photography grew and with ample opportunities that were provided, I soon found my portfolio growing.

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On the first of February 2012, my life changed when I met my other half and found the person that complements me and my passion to its fullest. Without Helé this website and L. Lategan Images would never have started.

I am an avid birder and birds are my favourite subjects to photograph. Yes, I do have a favourite; the Narina Trogon is by far one of the most beautiful birds to marvel at.

On this page you are more than welcome to look through some of my favourite moments, be it birds, spiders, or the iconic Big 5.