Photographer, conservationist, and wilderness guide Scott Ramsay has released his second book, Spirit of Africa, a visual tribute to the continent’s wild places.

“This book is both a celebration and a call to action, inviting readers to connect with Africa’s wild spaces and advocate for the protection of the animals who call them home,” he says.

Published by Quivertree, the book features images of the landscapes, wildlife and indigenous tribes of Africa’s most iconic national parks and wilderness areas.

“Spirit of Africa is about how I fell in love with wild nature. African wilderness probably saved my life. It taught me to be effortlessly immersed in the present moment and to appreciate the wonder of life around me. This has been the greatest gift,” he says.

Mr Ramsay grew up in Newlands. He attended Bishops and studied business science at UCT. His first book, South Africa's Wildest Places, focused on the 30 finest protected areas in the country. Spirit of Africa took him two years to complete but includes imagery he has collected over the past 15 years.

“The idea for this book came from the African wilderness and my love for it. Africa is the sacred homeland of our species and the birthplace of the human spirit. I wanted to celebrate that with this book,” he says.

Throughout Spirit of Africa, Mr Ramsay leads readers on a photographic journey: from the rainforests of the Congo and the dunes of the Namib to the grassy plains of the Masai Mara.

“When I’m photographing a landscape I want viewers to feel how the landscape made me feel at that moment. It’s about creating a moment of impact,” adds Mr Ramsay. “I also choose to photograph animals relatively small within the landscape. It’s important for me to place the animals in the context of Africa. I want to show how vast Africa is, and how they fall within the spirit of the land.”

Spirit of Africa will be available at bookstores and online at Loot, Takealot and Wordsworth.

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A visual tribute to the spirit of Africa

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