The Evolution of Rhulani: From Rhulani Safaris to Rhulani Photo and Film

More Than Just a Safari

When Rhulani Safaris was founded in 2017, the vision was simple: to connect people with Africa’s wild places through meaningful photographic safari experiences. We have always believed that when people care deeply about something, they are more likely to protect it. Our mission was never simply to show guests wildlife, it was to help them form a connection with nature so profound that they would carry it with them long after returning home.

That vision remains unchanged today, but what has changed is the way we tell those stories.

Photography has always been central to Rhulani, yet over time it became clear that photographs were only one way of sharing the beauty, wonder and importance of our natural world. Books, films and conservation storytelling soon became equally important parts of the journey.

The Journey: PHOTO SAFARI – KRUGER

In 2019, I began work on my first major publication in collaboration with Elephant Plains Game Lodge in the Sabi Sand Private Nature Reserve and Buffelshoek Tented Camp in the Greater Kruger region. For more than two years, I spent approximately twenty to twenty-five days per month in the field creating what would eventually become PHOTO SAFARI – KRUGER. Published by HPH Publishing (South Africa’s premier coffee table book publishers), the book captures the beauty, wildlife and stories of the Greater Kruger through the lens of a photographic safari experience. Combining creative imagery, natural history and personal storytelling, the book was warmly received and sold out within just over two years. It proved that there was an audience eager to experience Africa not only through safari vehicles, but also through powerful visual storytelling.

Yet one book was never going to be enough.

 

The Journey: EDEN – SOUL OF AFRICA

In 2022, I embarked on what would become the greatest adventure of my life. Over the course of approximately 810 days, I divided my time between Botswana’s Okavango Delta, the Greater Kalahari and the Tuli region while creating my second publication, EDEN – SOUL OF AFRICA. Living in a modest canvas home deep within the wilderness, I experienced Africa in a way few people ever have the opportunity to experience. The journey was filled with unforgettable moments and there were encounters with lions, close calls with hippos, long nights under African stars, and even a buffalo named Os who became a regular visitor to camp.

Yet beneath the adventure lay something deeper.

The book was inspired in part by the loss of five close friends who had become like brothers to me over the years. One of those individuals was Frank Watts, whose mentorship played such an important role in shaping both my career and my outlook on life, as mentioned above. In many ways, Eden became my tribute to those friendships and a celebration of the wilderness that brought us together. Produced in collaboration with Botswana’s Government, the project opened new doors and expanded Rhulani’s vision far beyond what I had originally imagined.

Today, EDEN – SOUL OF AFRICA, can be found in lodges and private collections around the world, continuing to inspire people through the beauty and wonder of Botswana’s wilderness.

 

The Power of Storytelling

As Rhulani continued to grow, one truth became increasingly clear; at its core, Rhulani has never been about safaris alone.

It has always been about stories.

The story of a leopard disappearing into the African dusk.

The story of a lion pride navigating a changing landscape.

The story of a photographer discovering their passion.

The story of conservation in a rapidly changing world.

Photography, books, documentaries and safaris are simply different ways of telling those stories. This realization ultimately shaped the future direction of our company.

Why We Changed Our Name

Over time, Rhulani Safaris was no longer fully describing who we had become, and while photographic safaris remain a cornerstone of our business, they represent only one part of a much larger vision. Today, Rhulani is involved in:

• Photographic Safaris
• Wildlife Photography
• Books and Publications
• Documentary Productions
• Conservation Storytelling
• Educational Content

The transition to Rhulani Photo & Film was therefore a natural evolution and it better reflects who we are, what we do, and where we are heading. Most importantly, it allows us to continue sharing Africa’s stories with an audience that extends far beyond those who physically join us on safari.

What Hasn’t Changed

While our name has evolved, our values have not.

We remain committed to providing exceptional photographic safari experiences throughout Africa’s most iconic wilderness areas.

We continue to place a strong emphasis on ethics, education and conservation.

We still believe that learning should be enjoyable and collaborative and every photo safari is an opportunity not only for guests to learn from us, but for us to learn from them as well.

Many of our guests have gone on to receive recognition through prestigious international competitions and publications, and we remain passionate about helping photographers develop their own creative voice.

Most importantly, our passion for wildlife, storytelling and people remains exactly the same.

Looking Ahead

The future of Rhulani Photo & Film is filled with exciting possibilities as we continue to expand our photographic safari portfolio throughout Southern Africa, while also pursuing new opportunities in wildlife filmmaking, conservation storytelling and publishing. Several exciting projects are already underway, including new safari destinations, documentary productions and creative collaborations. While we cannot reveal too much just yet, we are incredibly excited about what lies ahead and our mission remains simple:

To tell the story of our natural world through powerful imagery, compelling films, unforgettable experiences and meaningful conservation storytelling.