Richard De Gouveia

What an incredible morning with the @kwisanga_family of gorillas. When we first arrived the clouds were darkening and the vegetation was thick. The trackers were trying to find views for us as the gorillas fed and the storm grew closer. What started as a drizzle turned into a torrential downpour and the gorillas found shelter and so did we. When the rain finally passed all the gorillas started coming out of their hiding places and the males were trying to keep warm by chest beating. While watching another gorilla the Silverback came marching in from behind us and put on a show that won’t be forgotten in a hurry by our cool, calm and collected guest who handled the moment perfectly. She then moved out to make sure we kept a safe distance from the gorillas. In theory we try and maintain a big distance but in reality it doesn’t always work out this way. Masks help us minimise any passing on of our diseases to them and distance is maintained as best as possible. We are also limited to 1 hour with the family as this is the point at which the chance of sharing our diseases with them exponentially increases. This was filmed a privately guided conservation safari which we put together with Arc Earth #travelwithpurpose #theboss #kingkong #gorillas #animalsaddict

The power of a leopard as it scales a marula tree to access the kill it stashed. The wonders that nature will show you given enough time. The power and grace within which leopards operate is awe inspiring and is the reason why I love spending time with them! And there are few places in the world that can compare to @MalaMala Game Reserve for viewing these elusive cats @naturalhabitatadventures #climbing #purepower #majestic #catsintrees

A baby nyala, only a few days only, tries to keep up with mom. These beautiful antelope prefer riverine environments and amazingly they are the second oldest antelope after the lesser kudu. Their evolutionary line has remained separate for 5 Million years 😳 #animalfacts #nyala #africa #safariworld

Some days we look for a unique angle and some days we get them and some more 🤪 #elephants #itsaboy #massive #childishhumour

If I could pick a creature to be in the wild, the mighty male lion would definitely NOT be my choice. These majestic beings navigate the toughest paths, facing challenges that shape them into true kings of survival. Life for lions is no walk in the park, and the males carry a remarkable burden. From the earliest stages, they're locked in battles for survival – from cubhood, through the trials of adolescence, all the way to the moment they claim their own territory. But it's the male lions who truly take the cake in terms of resilience. No stage is free from competition; they're in a constant struggle to assert their dominance. Their journey unfolds like an epic saga: fighting for survival as cubs, enduring the tests of adolescence, and ultimately standing tall to defend their prized territories. Picture this: a male lion's life unfolds as a relentless cycle of challenge and triumph. As they ascend to claim their kingdom, they must face off against other mighty males, engaging in fierce battles that decide who wears the crown. And even when they've secured their rule, they continue to navigate a complex dance of avoidance and confrontation, as rival males attempt to topple their reign. So here's to the male lions, the embodiment of strength in the face of adversity. Their journey reminds us that every struggle is a stepping stone to greatness, every roar a declaration of unwavering determination. #MajesticMaleLions #KingsOfSurvival #ResilienceInNature #RoarOfTriumph

Just WOW! What a way to start the day with a lion walk-by at @MalaMala Game Reserve @naturalhabitatadventures #lion #closeup #wildlife #king

The chimps are often overlooked as a highlight on an adventure through Uganda or Rwanda but so often steal the show. We were graced with an amazing display of community as the chimps found a bee hive and raided it for honey! The noise, the interaction, the communication between them were all unreal and I feel privileged to have been part of it. This was just one of many amazing moments on our recent @naturalhabitatadventures trip through Uganda. #safari #honey #africa #chimpanzee #chimp #ape

What a privilege to work with an amazing company like @naturalhabitatadventures and now I am excited to share a little bit of my life story in a new documentary which we filmed last year. It will be released on 20th July and the link is in my bio. #documentary #biography #nature #lifestory #nathab #wild

🦏 Engaging in the thrilling task of guiding a darted rhino bull to an open space for his safety and welfare was quite a challenge! Our mission? To equip him with an AI-powered collar, bolstering his protection against poaching. This extraordinary conservation encounter was just one highlight of an unforgettable journey spanning Botswana and South Africa. 🌍🌿 #RhinoProtection #ConservationAdventure #RhinoConservation #WildlifeProtection #AIforAnimals #AdventureOfALifetime #BotswanaBound #SouthAfricaSafari #ConservationExperience #RhinoAdventures #ProtectOurWildlife #SafeguardingSpecies #NaturePreservation

Inquisitive business of banded mongoose come to say hi to the tourists. Experiences like this are what make safari so special. While we are always on the hunt for the big and scary’s it is the interaction with some of the smaller creatures that can truly leave a mark! When we arrived in the sighting the mongoose came rushing up to the vehicle inquisitively and I got the guests out to sit on the ground and wait for that same inquisitive nature to come back. It was such a memorable experience! @naturalhabitatadventures #mongoose #business #safari #closeencounters #nature #wildlife #africa

A lioness comes to greet the pride male. It is hard to figure out the dynamics on @maratabacamps as these males seem to be new to the pride but are not showing aggression to the two cubs. Maybe they mated with the mother when she was in oestrus or maybe they are the fathers but there will be more sports likely to come. Male lions will rarely accept cubs that are not their own and in most cases will kill them in order to bring the lioness back into oestrus so that they can sire their own genetics. @arcearthtravel #photosafari #lionmania #lovetap #safaritime

An evening out on the the Matlebas river at with the banks lined with elephants as they paraded around us. What a way to end an amazing 4 nights. Moments packed with adventure and excitement on one hand and quiet, calm contemplation on the other. Just another way we are trying to travel with purpose and reconnect with nature. @arcearthtravel #travelwithpurpose #onthewater #magicalmoments #adventure

A great way to start the morning as we find a pride of lions playing in the riverbed. #photosafari #lionmania #animalsaddict