“African Wildlife - David Clift”
“Across the Okavango and Chobe”
A collection of moments captured through decades of stillness across the The Okavango Delta, often referred to as the "Jewel of the Kalahari" or "Jewel of Africa” — and the vast landscapes of the Chobe Game Reserve. > These stories represent the raw, unscripted rhythm of the African wilderness, from the power of a king’s stride to the silent gaze of the vulnerable. Each limited edition print is a testament to the endurance of the wild.
The Okavango Delta in Botswana is a unique natural phenomenon, recognized as The world's largest inland freshwater delta. It is a massive, lush oasis that forms in the heart of the arid Kalahari Desert, where the Okavango River spreads out into a 6,000 to 15,000 km² maze of lagoons, channels, and islands, rather than flowing into an ocean.
“The Silent Gaze”
On the scorched plains of the Okavango Delta, during the height of a relentless drought, an old bull walks alone. In this unforgiving landscape, solitude is a risk; while the herds find safety in numbers, a solitary male becomes a target for the prides and the scavengers that wait in the shadows. He is near the limits of his strength, yet his stride is not aimless. He is guided by an instinct older than memory, following a map written into the land itself.
“The Old Bull’s precise direction of travel“.
"This image holds enough natural evidence to reveal both the elephant’s precise direction of travel and the approximate moment in time the shutter was pressed. I invite you to study the shadows, the bird nests, and the subtle textures of the bush.
Collectors who correctly interpret these clues and submit the answer with their enquiry will receive a bespoke 'Explorer’s Reward' applied to their canvas purchase.
(Specific reward details and the final clue are revealed only upon serious enquiry.)"
The Silent Gaze”
Limited Edition Fine Art Canvas Print
A2 (42 × 59.4 cm) — Edition of 25 — USD $520
A1 (59.4 × 84.1 cm) — Edition of 10 — USD $850
Signed, titled, and numbered by the artist
Certificate of Authenticity included
Museum-quality archival pigment print on premium canvas
Shipped worldwide in protective postal tubes
“At Close Range”
Captured with a wide-angle lens, this image was made at less than one metre. The animal approached freely—curious, calm, and unthreatened.
There is no compression here, no distance to romanticise the moment. Proximity becomes the subject. This is not an image of pursuit, but of trust—an encounter granted rather than taken.
”At Close Range”
Limited Edition Fine Art Canvas Print
A2 (42 × 59.4 cm) — Edition of 25 — USD $520
A1 (59.4 × 84.1 cm) — Edition of 10 — USD $850
Signed, titled, and numbered by the artist
Certificate of Authenticity included
Museum-quality archival pigment print on premium canvas
Shipped worldwide in protective postal tubes
“The Sentinel”
A portrait of presence. Standing amidst the sweeping grasses of the savanna, this singular figure embodies the quiet strength and enduring spirit of the wild. The high-key monochrome edit highlights the architectural grace of its form against a sun-drenched landscape
“Where Elephants Rule”
“The Sculptor of Water”
A study in frozen motion. This piece captures the raw, tactile energy of a mid-river bath, where the explosive spray of water contrasts against the heavy, permanent textures of the elephant’s hide. Striped of colour, the focus remains entirely on the liquid arcs and the powerful, focused presence of the subject.
“River Crossing”
Silence in motion. Two giants move in unison through the depths, their reflected forms merging with the gentle ripples of the water. This piece emphasizes the tranquillity of the journey, stripped of colour to focus on the rhythmic patterns of the water and the silhouettes of the travellers.
“Giants Engage”
A study in tension and the raw power of two giants engage in a timeless ritual of strength. This high-contrast monochrome edit mirroring the dynamic energy of the encounter
“A Sanctuary of Fresh Water”
Filmed at Elephant Sands Lodge—a must-visit destination if you travel to the beautiful country of Botswana—just 255km south of the Chobe Game Reserve. This footage captures a rare moment of stillness from only a few meters away. In this arid region near Nata, the natural ground water is too salty for the herds to drink. As the only source of fresh water for miles, the lodge’s waterhole creates a unique sanctuary.
Here, the elephants are unusually calm and approachable. It is a stark contrast to the competitive watering holes found further north toward the Chobe River and the four-country borders of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, where the matriarchs remain fiercely protective and often aggressive in defense of their young.
“Before the Rain”
Captured moments before a summer storm breaks across the Chobe,
Rain curtains fall in the distance as the landscape holds its breath.
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“The Gathering Storm”
These giants can sense the dropping pressure and hear the rumble of distant rain from over 150 miles away,
guiding the herd toward the life-giving water of the coming season."
“A young Bull”
A young bull drifts into the thickets of Chobe. His wrinkled skin and steady stride are a map of a lifetime spent navigating the bush
“Intelligence & Grace”
An intimate look at the intelligence of the African Elephant. With over 40,000 muscles in its trunk, it can delicately manipulate a single dry branch with surgical precision.
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The Trunk: Contains over 40,000 muscles, capable of lifting 350kg or picking up a single blade of grass.
Social Structure: Led by a Matriarch (the oldest female), who holds the "memory" of water sources and migration paths.
Ecosystem Engineers: They create water holes for other animals and disperse seeds, maintaining biodiversity.
A Lifetime of Teeth: Unlike humans who have two sets of teeth, elephants go through six sets of molars in a lifetime. When the final set wears down in old age, they can no longer chew the tough vegetation.
The Infrasonic Rumble: That deep "rumbling" sound you hear from their stomachs isn't just digestion; it is actually a form of infrasonic communication. These low-frequency sounds can travel for miles through the ground, allowing herds to "talk" to each other even when they are completely out of sight.
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Skin Sensitivity: Although an elephant's skin can be up to an inch thick, it is incredibly sensitive and rich in nerve endings. They can detect the landing of a single fly and are highly susceptible to irritation from insect bites—particularly in the delicate areas around the eyes, the inner trunk, and behind the ears.
The Mud Armour: Lacking sweat glands, elephants rely on mud and dust as a "second skin". This layer acts as a physical barrier against parasites and serves as a natural sunscreen, preventing their skin from cracking or burning under the intense sun.
“We Are Still Friends”
Social Play/Sparring - a true fight for dominance, sparring is often quiet and respectful. You can tell it is play because their ears are usually relaxed, and they may take turns being the one who "pushes".
After a sparring session, you will often see them touch each other's mouths or trunks—a way of saying "we are still friends".
“Topography of a Giant”
This intimate study reveals the "cracked" architecture of an elephant's skin. These millions of microscopic crevices are essential for thermoregulation, holding onto water and mud long after a bath to keep the animal cool.
“Inheriting the Earth”
In a world of predators, the herd is a fortress. A calf is born into a complex social web where every adult female acts as a guardian, teaching the young the ancient paths through the bush.
“WHERE WILD WATERS RULE”
Crocodiles and hippos of Africa’s rivers and floodplains.
“The Thermodynamics of a Predator”
Often misinterpreted as a display of aggression, a crocodile resting with its mouth open is actually performing a delicate balancing act of temperature control. Because they cannot sweat, they use "mouth-gaping" to release heat through the soft tissues of the mouth, cooling their brain and body while basking in the intense African sun. Look closely at the small black dots along the jawline in the photograph. These are Integumentary Sense Organs (ISOs), which are more sensitive to pressure and vibration than human fingertips, allowing them to detect a single drop of water falling nearby.
This portrait captures the sentinel in a state of thermal equilibrium—completely still, yet fully alert, a master of energy conservation on one of the many island grasses of the Chobe River.
”Where Wild Waters Rule”
Limited Edition Fine Art Canvas Print
A2 (42 × 59.4 cm) — Edition of 25 — USD $520
A1 (59.4 × 84.1 cm) — Edition of 10 — USD $850
Signed, titled, and numbered by the artist
Certificate of Authenticity included
Museum-quality archival pigment print on premium canvas
Shipped worldwide in protective postal tubes
“Structural Contrast”
Behind the striking display of teeth lies one of the most powerful forces in the natural world.
The adductor muscles—specifically the massive ventral pterygoideus—extend behind the head to generate a bone-crushing bite force exceeding 3,700 PSI.
While their closing strength is unrivaled, the muscles used to open the jaw are surprisingly weak. This "one-way"
mechanism means that while a crocodile can easily crush heavy bone, the pressure required to hold its jaws shut is remarkably low.
“The Explorer’s Challenge”
"Look at the clarity of the scales along the jawline. Unlike the battle-scarred skin of a dominant male, this young crocodile’s 'armour' is pristine”
"The Water Engineers"
Hippos are the primary architects of the river water channels. By walking along the same paths on the riverbed, they create "hippo highways" that direct water flow into new areas, maintaining the health of the entire ecosystem.
Much like the elephants' mud baths, hippos secrete a unique red-colored oily liquid known as "blood sweat". It is neither blood nor sweat, but a natural antibiotic and sunscreen that protects them while they bask in the shallows. Africa’s rivers and floodplains are places of constant tension — where life gathers, waits, and watches.
“WHEN KINGS WALK”
Lions move with a presence that is felt before it is seen. In these images, strength is not announced through violence, but through calm certainty — a measured stride, a steady gaze, the quiet control of territory.
When a lion pauses, advances, or simply stands in command of its surroundings. Water, dust, and shadow become part of the narrative — framing the animal not as spectacle, but as sovereign.
“Imposing Grace”
Descending the riverbank this black-maned lion embodies the "presence" that defines the African wilderness. The heavy, dark mane—a primary indicator of high testosterone levels and overall health—frames a face etched with the experience of a dominant territorial guardian.
”When Kings Walk”
Limited Edition Fine Art Canvas Print
A2 (42 × 59.4 cm) — Edition of 25 — USD $520
A1 (59.4 × 84.1 cm) — Edition of 10 — USD $850
Signed, titled, and numbered by the artist
Certificate of Authenticity included
Museum-quality archival pigment print on premium canvas
Shipped worldwide in protective postal tubes
“The Calculated Stride"
A lion’s walk is never aimless. Every movement is a deliberate assessment of the terrain and the subtle shifts in the wind. This measured approach allows a apex predator to close the distance on prey or a rival with minimum energy expenditure and maximum stealth.
“Power in Motion"
A fully grown black-maned lion can weigh up to 250kg, yet they are capable of reaching speeds of 80km/h in short, explosive bursts.
The dark pigment in the mane is linked to higher levels of testosterone; in high-speed chases like this, the mane acts as both a visual deterrent to rivals and a protective shield for the neck during physical altercations. These guys were in the Kruger National Park in South Africa
“The King”
"The true weight of a sovereign is felt in his step. A male lion’s paws are massive, providing the traction and stability needed to launch a 250kg frame into an explosive burst of speed. Even in a quiet walk, the placement of each limb is deliberate, leaving a signature of authority across the Kruger sands."
“A Legacy of the Pride”
Captured during a walk with a young pride of females at Antelope Park in Zimbabwe, this portrait reveals the quiet, calculating intelligence of a lioness in her youth. Even at this stage of development, the sharp focus in her eye and the set of her jaw speak to an ancient instinct for the hunt.
This intimate study strips away the chaos of the African bush to focus on the individual—a sentinel in training. The soft tall grasses frame a face that is beginning to lose its cub-like roundness, transitioning into the lean, powerful profile of a future apex predator.
“WHERE THE LAND OPENS”
The savannah is defined by space — by distance, light, and the quiet tension between stillness and movement. These animals are not framed as subjects of action, but as occupants of scale: shaped by land, weather, and time.
Buffalo move with collective weight, giraffes read the horizon from above, and zebras dissolve into pattern and shadow.
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“Guardians of the Chobe"
"Captured along the lush banks of the Chobe River in Botswana, this portrait reveals the rugged endurance of the Cape Buffalo. Known as one of the 'Big Five,' these formidable creatures are often seen gathering at the water's edge as the golden light of the African afternoon settles over the river.
“A Collective Weight”
Spanning the vast, white-washed floodplains of the Chobe, a herd of Cape Buffalo moves with a singular, heavy intent. This wide-A moving wall of muscle and bone that reshapes the landscape as it passes.
“The Horizon Readers"
Rising above the canopy, the giraffe exists in a different layer of the savanna. Their height allows them to read the horizon from above, detecting movement miles before it reaches the herd. In this open land, they are the silent sentinels, moving with a slow, rhythmic grace that defies their massive scale.
“Art of Natural Camouflage”
A Zebra transforms a familiar subject into a study of abstract geometry. Each zebra possesses a stripe pattern as unique as a human fingerprint.
“IN THE QUIET BETWEEN”
Moments of stillness, pattern, and presence. Not all encounters announce themselves.
Between movement and rest, between herd and solitude, there are moments where animals simply exist within their surroundings — unguarded, unhurried, and attentive.
“The Gentlest Grip”
Where the mother's powerful hand is used so delicately to hold her infant.
“The Rain-Sodden Alliance”
In the midst of a soaking rain, this female impala from a larger breeding herd reveals the subtle complexities of the African bush. Accompanied by her constant companion—a Red-billed Oxpecker—she stands motionless as the moisture settles on her coat.
While the impala provides a vital source of food for the oxpecker, the bird acts as an early warning system and a guardian of hygiene, picking away parasites that thrive in the damp heat of the rainy season. IThe extra set of eyes provided by the oxpecker is a critical survival advantage during the soaking months.
“The Opportunist’s Reward”
Survival and Scarcity , this Black-backed Jackal is seen "licking its chops" following a successful scavenge. One of the most resilient and cunning predators in the African bush, the Jackal navigates a world of high-stakes hierarchy, often surviving on the remnants of others.
The specialized ears capable of detecting the distant sound of a kill . Black-backed Jackals are one of the few mammalian species that mate for life.
“Architects of the Air”
Perched upon a sun-bleached branch, a pair of Pied Kingfishers surveys the shimmering channels of the Chobe River. These birds are the ultimate precisionists; they are the only kingfishers capable of true hovering, allowing them to hunt in open water far from the safety of the banks.
“The End of the Journey, The Start of the Connection”
Thank you for looking slowly. Each of my images are a fragment of a larger story—one of solitude, survival, and the profound dignity of the wild.
By bringing one of these prints into your space, you are not just acquiring a photograph; you are preserving a moment of unscripted truth from the heart of Africa.
Thank You
Fine Art Canvas Prints
A2 (42 × 59.4 cm) — Edition of 25 — USD $520
A1 (59.4 × 84.1 cm) — Edition of 10 — USD $850
Signed, titled, and numbered by the artist
Certificate of Authenticity included
Museum-quality archival pigment print on premium canvas
Shipped worldwide in protective postal tubes