The museum will be closed on Thursday, November 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday. We will reopen on Friday, November 29.

Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Photography Awards

closeup of two elephants from the side that appear to have their trunks and tusks entwined
Vicki Jauron / Mkapa Awards

General Info

- Free with Museum Admission
Free for Members

In partnership with the African Wildlife Foundation and Nature’s Best Photography, the Natural History Museum presents the West Coast premiere of an exhibition of photos and videos from the 2022 Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Photography Awards — named in honor of the late, iconic African leader and former Tanzanian President, H.E. Benjamin Mkapa.

The exhibition presents 39 award-winning photographs and 4 videos selected from over 9,500 entries from 57 countries — each chosen by a panel of remarkable judges that includes accomplished wildlife photographers, leading conservation professionals, highly regarded safari guides and youth conservation activists.

Not only do these photographs and videos provide an incredible look at African wildlife, they also show the challenges many species face in the present day. This exhibit is a clear display of the importance of researchers, rangers, activists and other conservationists who are constantly seeking to make the modern world a more sustainable place for wildlife of all shapes and sizes.

Categories for the awards include African Conservation Heroes, Coexistence and Conflict, African Wildlife at Risk, Fragile Wilderness, African Wildlife Behavior, African Wildlife Portraits, Africa’s Backyard Wildlife, Art in Nature, Creative Digital, Mobile, Africa in Motion/Video, Youth Photographer of the Year: Africa and Youth Photographer of the Year: International.

Close up of a conservationist touching an elephant with its trunk resting on the conservationist's head
Winner, African Conservation Heroes
Closeup of a gorilla with orange eyes and holding their fist to their mouth
Mkapa Grand Prize

The Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Photography Awards exhibition is presented by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County in partnership with the African Wildlife Foundation and Nature’s Best Photography.