Mana Pools, on the Zimbabwe side of the Zambezi, is a raw wildlife experience. There are no glamour camps and very few visitors. But therein lies its charm and allure. It was a great thrill to spend time in Mana with David Pocock – flanker for the Australian Rugby team – and his partner – Emma. Dave was born in Zim and when he hangs up his famous boots, conservation in his native country will no doubt become a large part of his life. It was quite a revelation to find that this colossus of a man, was able to correctly pair every bird sound with the right bird. He even has a bird sound app on his iPad. Life is full of surprises.. . The rainy season had just finished and so it was still very green in Mana Pools, making it a challenge to come home with something special. With such an illustrious assistant, I felt under a little pressure to perform and until Sunday morning, the cupboard was distinctly bare.. . We focused on one pool and one enormous hippo, but I just could not get close enough or low enough.. . Plan A – working with 25 feet extensions poles, which Dave – being a strong lad – held steady for long periods of time – was fruitless. Plan B was simply to be brave and that morning at 6.30 am, I managed to crawl within 15 yards of the hippo. When he surfaced and mock charged me, it all came together perfectly. Thank goodness – by getting it wrong, we learnt how to get it right.

Standard size Archival Pigment print on 315gsm Hahnemühle photo rag Baryta paper

Numbered and handsigned and comes with signed Certificate of Authenticity.

The photograph is framed in a very exclusive handmade black wooden block frame with hand-tensioned cotton passe-partout and museum glass.

Prices are subject to change and availability.