Page 52 - Discover Botswana 2021

LINYANTI
ONALETHATA BASIMANE
Onalethata was born and raised in Maun. With Moremi Game Reserve as his backyard, he was exposed to wildlife through school trips and family trips to these areas. This led to a life long passion for wildlife. After finishing school, he started his career in wildlife research but quickly switched to guiding in 2007. It did not take long for him to pick up a camera and start appreciating and documenting his work. For over six years now Onalethata has been leading guided trips and specialist photography tours in Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Onalethata has also traveled to various other African countries either on personal birding trips or wildlife photography trips. These include Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia in East Africa. His adventures have also taken him to Colorado, Montana, Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park, all in the USA. His passion and knowledge for African wildlife as well as his eye and anticipation for a great picture still ensures he is one of the most sought- after guides in Botswana. Besides photography, Onalethata is also involved in training and mentoring up- and-coming guides within Botswana.
Above: Regarded as being highly sociable with immensely strong pack bonds, African Wild Dogs reinforce their pack relationships by spending time chasing and playing with each other.
edge, where yet another danger resides – the crocodile! The fear they have of what lurks beneath the surface is evident as many stop in their tracks, only to be cornered and killed right there by the marauding pack of dogs. Those with courage and experience take the leap into the dark waters, dodging sticky mud and snapping reptilian jaws, and are lucky enough to make it to the other side. They will live another day, but the reprieve is always short lived. A hungry crocodile has beady eyes and will not give up.
The apparent abundance of food and water along the rivers comes at a cost for all prey species. Rivers of life become rivers of death. The sometimes gory scenes that take place on these plains do not detract from the charm of the area, but instead are all a part of the enthralling story. It is the very reason why the area is so popular with wildlife photographers. It is a unique place, where geography, biology and the web of life boil together to produce incredible stories. Again and again. From one season to the next.
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