Africa — Avi Goodman Photography

Cape Town Shopkeeper with colorful prints, masks, and trinkets for sale (Cape Town, South Africa)

Market seller in Cape Town, South Africa. Markets are always great places to go, with profusions of color, trinkets of all shapes and sizes, and only slight variations of regional specialty items from shop to shop. Pro tip: get the salad tongs - surprisingly sturdy, and it's always fun to be served by a wooden giraffe.

Cheetah laying in the grass (Hluhluwe, South Africa)

Cheetah lays in wait in the grass in Hluhluwe, South Africa.Even with a long zoom lens, it is hard to feel comfortable near an animal that has a top speed of 70mph. As cheetahs prefer an extensive open area to call their territory, modern civilization has encroached and given the species the "vulnerable" designation. Interestingly enough, the world "cheetah" comes from the Sanskrit word for "variegated", meaning different colors, especially in patches or streaks - very apt!

Yellow Cape Weaver building its nest in flight (Hluhluwe, South Africa)

These Cape Weaver birds construct large woven nests of grass and leaf strips, suspended from a branch. In Hluhluwe, South Africa, some trees will have dozens of these hanging nests - a spectacular sight!

Lazy leopard on the lookout

Usually reclusive, this leopard in the Serengeti was not afraid to leave her tree. After leaving the tree with her cubs (and turning absolutely invisible in the grass), she mounted this fallen tree to better spot her family's next meal.

Giraffes enjoying their acacia meal on the savannah.

When a male lion runs, everyone gets out of the way.

the goal

Leaping leopard

Lions on a dried-up creekbed, teaching their cubs how to lounge most effectively.

Don't touch

Kills are guarded jealously by the apex predator, until they've had enough. Then the next level of predator/scavenger arrives, and the cycle continues.

A brief rest

The glaciers still exist, for now.

Legacy of Robben Island (Cape Town, South Africa)

Political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, were held on Robben Island for decades. Here, a former prisoner describes life in the facility.

Pincushion flower with dew drops (Cape Town, South Africa)

Pincushion flower with dew drops in the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, Cape Town, South Africa. Situated at the base of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch has one of the most impressive botanical collections in the world. Also throughout the garden are a series or rotating art exhibit, making each visit different!

A moment of joy for children in the mountains of Lesotho

It's always playtime in the mountains of Lesotho! Increasing modernity and exposure to other civilizations has not modified the traditional Lesotho dress of a wool blanket wrapped around the shoulders and rubber boots on the feet. The country has an interesting history: after losing territory to the neighboring Boers in the 1860's, the Basotho people appealed to Great Britain, who declared the territory a protectorate. British protection ensured that the country remained free of South African interference until 1966, when it was given independence.

Custom backgammon board (Coffee Bay, South Africa)

Uhuru Peak

Man, were we happy to see this sign. It meant that we were at the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro, and therefore, had no more uphill.

We got very lucky with the leopard spotting.

Battle of the Cape of Good Hope: Atlantic Ocean vs. Indian Ocean (Cape Town, South Africa)

Cape of Good Hope, South Africa, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. At the point of confluence, the colder, darker Atlantic water mixes with the warmer, lighter Indian Ocean water to for a beautiful swirl of blues!