WIMBI 👣

His fist waves unconsciously as he finds balance to scratch a momentary itch.

"Wimbi" means to wave in Swahili.

Not one of the "big five" for sure, but so entertaining nonetheless. These vervets always seemed to appear at breakfast or dinner time. They moved through the trees and across to our rooftops in groups, grunting or occasionally giving an alarm call. In a sense, they set the tone of the African bush when they were around. Each monkey has a distinct personality, some clearly in command and others more passive, watchful, and quiet. It was not unusual to become aware of their presence when something suddenly dropped from above or when they came in a troop, chasing each other around for their spoils or games. Either way, they certainly always left an impression on me.

Somehow, I also found that I missed them when they were not around. On the other hand, when they were, I often found myself wishing them well on their way away from me - especially when things got a bit out of hand. In the grand scheme of things, though, I have a soft spot in my heart for vervet monkeys and will always see them as the intelligent entertainers of the African stage.

RAW AFRICA COLLECTION

Welcome to Africa - the wise, the restless, the life giving.

This soulful land of dreamers gives rise to the underbelly of a beautiful gentle beat that is only heard by those who listen for it. This photographic journey explores, profiles and captures what I hope is the heart and soul of Africa's true wilderness kingdom. From its deep bush to its dry savannah and desert, Africa remains a place where life is represented by timeless vistas that are distilled into moments to treasure.