Into the Wild: A Photographer Takeover by Matthew Durek

This month, we’re proud to spotlight Matthew Durek as our Photographer of the Month. Though he grew up in the city, Matthew’s love for wildlife began during childhood visits to South Africa’s Kruger National Park with his grandparents. Those early experiences sparked a lifelong passion that now drives his work as a photographic guide—and as an advocate for the natural world.

Today, Matthew is based at Zimanga Private Game Reserve, where he shares his knowledge and lens with guests from around the globe. “I do my best to show the world the endless beauty of nature,” he says.

Capturing the Beauty of Zimanga and Beyond

While he has travelled through the Greater Kruger region, Zimanga holds a special place in Matthew’s heart. It’s not only where he guides clients, but also where many of his favourite wildlife photography moments have taken place—from predator interactions to breathtaking cheetah hunts.

Among the species he photographs, cheetahs and caracals are his top favourites. “Cheetahs are the most photogenic of the larger cats in Africa, and I’ll never pass on an opportunity with them,” Matt shares. “And for the smaller ones, it’s caracal—an animal where it’s harder to take a bad photo than a good one.”

Conservation in Action

Beyond photography, Matthew has also been directly involved in conservation initiatives. In recent years, he’s played a hands-on role in rewilding two young caracals and assisting with cheetah habituation projects. His goal is to eventually pursue a degree in ecology or nature conservation to deepen his impact.

“We have a new young female cheetah being released soon,” he shares. “I can’t wait to get to know her personality and photograph her journey.”

Whether it’s photographing the same animal for the hundredth time or witnessing a rare wildlife interaction, Matthew says the magic never fades. “No matter how many times I take a photo of the same thing, I never lose the excitement I had when I was a kid.”

For those dreaming of becoming wildlife photographers, his advice is simple: practice and patience. “Anyone can do it,” he says. “The perfect shot doesn’t happen after just a few attempts.”

Matthew posts daily on Instagram and is working on launching his own website soon. Looking ahead, he’s excited to explore new terrain—including a trip to the UK next year to photograph puffins and razorbills.

Follow his journey and view more of his incredible work on Instagram!