An Interview with Shannon Wild at Xigera Safari lodge

Shannon Wild’s story is anything but uninteresting. Since 2004, she has been combining her passion for wildlife and talent for photography and cinematography to create inspiring work for esteemed organisations like National Geographic and the United Nations. Hailing from Australia, Shannon had long harboured dreams of moving to Africa and becoming a wildlife documentary maker, before finally making the move in 2013. Not long after, however, disaster struck when she was bedridden from exhaustion for three whole months. During the healing process, Shannon lacked the stamina to even hold a camera, let alone be out in the field. Yet, from adversity came triumph, as this led to the discovery of yet another pursuit, the creation of beaded bracelets. Since 2017, Shannon has been selling these stunning accoutrements under the Wild In Africa ® brand, with 50% of the purchase price of each item donated to animal charities. We’re thrilled to say that Shannon’s bracelets are now sold right here at Xigera, giving guests the opportunity to give back and take home something truly special at the same time. We recently took the time to conduct an interview with Shannon, so you can experience her story, accompanied by her imagery taken here at Xigera, in her own words below. What is your idea of perfect happiness? Nature, coffee, cats. What is your greatest fear? I don’t really have a greatest fear that I can think of. I obviously think about my time coming to an end before I’ve achieved certain things or before I’ve finished caring for loved ones. Which living person do you most admire? People who follow their hearts and dreams wholeheartedly, despite the risks. Who are your heroes in real life? Daphne Sheldrick. She was the first person to successfully raise a baby elephant orphan in 1984. David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is an elephant orphan rescue in Nairobi Kenya. To date, they have raised over 200 orphaned elephants What is your greatest extravagance? Usually good quality food. Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Since moving to South Africa 11 years ago, I picked up saying ‘shame’ way too much, in almost every circumstance. What or who is the greatest love of your life? My husband, who is a fellow wildlife cinematographer. What is your most marked characteristic? My smile, it’s genuine. What do you consider your greatest achievement? Survival. It’s been a genuine challenge at times. What is your favourite journey? My whole adult life has been full of incredible journeys, it’s part of the job when you’re a wildlife photographer, so it’s hard to choose just one. A highlight was certainly spending my honeymoon in Indonesia with the Komodo Dragons. What is your greatest regret? I don’t dwell on regrets, I’m very focused on the future. What is your most treasured possession? My cats. Where would you like to live? I’ve had the opportunity to live in quite a few very different places, but my heart is in Africa, where I’m now based. I need the peace and quiet that only comes in nature. What is your favourite occupation? Being an artist and the flexibility that brings. My career started in graphic design and evolved into photography, and then into cinematography. Along the way I also became a jewelry designer. My artistic journey has been unpredictable and beautiful. When and where were you happiest? In nature. Which talent would you most like to have? I’d love to be able to sing. I most definitely cannot. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My health. I’ve had chronic illnesses since I was a teenager, and they affect every facet of my life and career. I’d truly love robust health. What is your motto? I have a tattoo that reads "I’ll keep you safe, you keep me wild".

An Interview with Shannon Wild

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