Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
To the river

The Olkiramatian Conservancy, which came into being in 2001, is a beacon of hope in the wilds of Southern Kenya, on the edge of Tanzania. Its majestic lands stretch along the Ewaso Nyiro River, a vital artery whose murky waters never dry up, irrigating the lives of the humans, their livestock and the wildlife that inhabit these expanses. This landscape is home to a Maasai community whose history has been intertwined with that of this land for centuries. The symbiosis between the inhabitants and nature is a harmonious ballet, a dance in which the steps of the Maasai resonate with the breath of the wind, and the herds of cattle flourish in respectful coexistence with the indigenous fauna. Elephants, giraffes and lions become the actors in an epic play in which preserving the ecosystem is not just a mission, but a sacred heritage. By showing these images I hope to breathe a breath of optimism, inviting everyone to contemplate the fragile beauty of our planet and to get involved in preserving this shared heritage. In each photograph there is a deep conviction that the symbiosis between man and nature is not only possible, but that it is the key to a future in which the Earth and its inhabitants thrive together.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 03.2022
Date Uploaded: 09.2024
Photo Location: Olkiramatian Conservancy, Kenya
Camera: NIKON D850
Copyright: © Etienne Anne-Marie