Telling Africa’s Story: Reflections from the Go2Africa and World Nomads Scholarship Winners

Gabriel Mungarrieta: The Blend Between Wild & Life

Far from his Australian roots, Gabriel awoke to a new kind of wilderness, one alive with the unmistakable energy of Africa's wildest places. First inspired by stories told around a campfire by his father, Gabriel discovered his own voice through visual storytelling. His journey through Africa revealed a compelling parallel: the connection between humans and wildlife, not written in DNA, but reflected in shared behaviours and familiar mannerisms.

Field Notes From Gabriel

While expectations ran high, execution reigned supreme, with the trip exceeding imagination. From the outset, Gabriel had his head on a swivel, hoping to out-spot their tracker, Noel, not only seeking out wildlife, but also those unexpected moments.

Those who have been on safari will know that no one rivals the eagle-eye of trained trackers. Gabriel describes his first day as “untamed chaos”, from a leopard protecting its kill and two bull rhinos in a standoff, to lions indulging in their latest hunt and a wake of vultures circling overhead.

Amidst the chaos came a spark of curiosity, of childlike wonder. An elephant calf, not six months old, frolicked with unadulterated joy in a waterhole before rolling into the dust, showering its herd with both. For Gabriel, it was a fascinating parallel to our own newborns: filled with excitement and awe while discovering the world, not yet aware of its trials and tribulations. A reminder to pause and see life through the rose-tinted lens of new beginnings.

From brawls between pride members and displays of dominance, there were also quiet moments. Stillness. The whispering strands of tall savannah grass as the sun set gently over the horizon, bathing the world in warm light. Breaking the near silence came the playful tumble of lion cubs, a tender reminder of the wildness that surrounded them.

I came to Africa in search of stories, and I found them in the moments that blurred the lines between wild and human. I found mothers who love, kids who play, rivals who fight, and individuals who wonder. I found that awe isn't a human invention, it's a universal language.

A Look Behind Gabriel’s Lens

Darcy Keely: A Creative Journey

A master of reinvention, Australian-born Darcy has been shaped by many chapters in his life. His childhood dream of filmmaking was reignited in Japan, where he discovered beauty in imperfection and meaning in overlooked details. That perspective travelled with him to Africa, encouraging him to embrace moments as they unfolded, twice seen but always new.

Field Notes From Darcy

There is simply no way to be prepared. No matter how many articles are read or bags packed, nothing compares to the moment itself. Settled into a game vehicle, trundling along to the soundtrack of a diesel engine, Darcy experienced his first sunrise safari. Breath pooled in the cold air, the world holding still with him. Quiet. Peace. The realisation: “I'm here. Right now. Only once.”

Later, gliding along the Zambezi in a low-slung boat, water within reach, came another unforgettable moment. From the grass ahead, three elephants raised their heads. No one lifted a camera. Every person sat suspended in awe.

Life on the vehicle soon mirrored life beyond it, mentorship, camaraderie, shared lessons. Each traveller brought different strengths, complementing one another in a pack of their own making. Encounters with locals deepened the experience, revealing nuance: the way the last rays of sun caught the trees, the sound of water against the banks, the crack of a branch in the distance. Even competitions, like who could spit Springbok dung the farthest, became part of the story.

That's the strange lesson in it all. You think you're going to Africa to see the animals. But the animals just teach you how to see everything else.

A Look Behind Darcy’s Lens

Galia Kleinburg: Walking in the Footsteps of Giants

Waking in the wild heart of Africa, far from her home in Mexico, Galia began her journey in Botswana. Filled with wonder, equal parts excited and overwhelmed, her first day was a whirlwind. But as dusk fell, a herd of elephants emerged in the river, rehydrating after the heat. What she didn't know then was how these giants would define her journey, and her heart.

Field Notes From Galia

From their first introduction, elephants became Galia's teachers. Each herd brought its own energy. There was awe, there was caution, and there was peace. “Trust me, hearing an elephant trumpet right next to you can be terrifying.” But beneath their size, she found calm in the way they moved: deliberate, slow, purposeful.

What began as curiosity deepened into lessons in contrast and connection. Eyes that held softness and understanding. Matriarchs marked by age and challenge. Playful calves full of joy. Giants who nurtured, taught, played, grieved, and sometimes caused chaos. For Galia, it was this very imperfection that made them feel so human.

Even though they are huge animals, I found the sound of them moving through rustling leaves incredibly soothing. And the way they delicately drank water, that was the most relaxing sound of all.

A Look Behind Galia’s Lens

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