Capturing Ongava’s Secrets: Will Burrard-Lucas and His Camera Traps

At Ongava Game Reserve, every corner of the wilderness tells a story. Some are easy to witness on safari, such as lion prides lounging in the shade or rhinos grazing peacefully at a waterhole. Others remain hidden in the quiet of the night or deep in the bush. To reveal these unseen moments, we had the privilege of working with renowned British wildlife photographer Will Burrard-Lucas, whose groundbreaking camera trap systems have transformed the way we view wildlife.

With over a decade as a wildlife photographer, Will Burrard-Lucas combines inventive technology with storytelling to bring the natural world closer to global audiences. He created his first remote-camera device, BeetleCam, in 2009 and founded Camtraptions Ltd shortly after. Since 2010 he has focused on capturing elusive wildlife including rare melanistic leopards, black panthers and forest elephants, publishing photo books to raise conservation awareness.

Will is celebrated worldwide for developing innovative tools that push the boundaries of wildlife photography. His BeetleCam, a remote-controlled buggy fitted with a camera, brought us eye-level perspectives of some of Africa’s most majestic animals. His DSLR camera traps, housed in custom casings and triggered by motion sensors, have redefined nocturnal and elusive animal photography. For over a decade, he has placed these traps in some of the most challenging environments on earth, from the rainforests of Congo to the savannas of East Africa. His images have revealed secretive species such as forest elephants, golden cats, and leopards, animals that even researchers rarely encounter. Each photograph is more than a portrait; it is a piece of evidence that inspires conservation and deepens our understanding of the natural world.

When Will joined us at Ongava, he set out to capture the reserve’s untold stories using his trusted camera traps. Guided by his expertise in design and placement, the traps were positioned in prime areas where animals move naturally, near waterholes, along game paths, and at secluded clearings. Over time, the cameras revealed an impressive lineup of Ongava’s residents: a lion patrolling under starlight, a leopard moving silently through the night, both brown and spotted hyenas on the prowl, a majestic black rhino and a white rhino grazing peacefully, an oryx grazing quietly, and even a curious porcupine bristling with quills as it shuffled past the lens.

All of these moments were captured in striking black and white, a choice that strips away distraction and draws the eye to raw expressions, textures, and contrasts. The absence of colour adds a timeless quality to each frame, highlighting the wild essence of Ongava in a way that feels both intimate and powerful.

These candid moments, captured without disturbance, offer a rare glimpse into wildlife behavior when humans are not present. They remind us of the sheer diversity that thrives within Ongava’s protected wilderness. Camera trapping is never without challenges, as Will has often discovered in his work. Elephants tamper with equipment, ants gnaw at seals, and heavy branches can topple housings. Yet the resilience of his systems, combined with patience and field knowledge, continues to deliver remarkable imagery. Ongava was no exception, and every new set of photographs felt like unwrapping a hidden treasure of the reserve.

The power of these images lies not just in their beauty but in their ability to connect people to nature. Just as Will’s projects in Congo have drawn global attention to threatened forest species, his time at Ongava demonstrates the importance of protecting Namibia’s biodiversity. Every lion caught mid-stride and every rhino under moonlight is a reminder of what we stand to lose and what we strive to conserve.

Welcoming Will Burrard-Lucas to Ongava was more than a photographic opportunity. It was a meeting of shared values. His technology and artistry, combined with Ongava’s commitment to conservation, created a visual archive of life on the reserve that will inspire guests, researchers, and wildlife enthusiasts alike. Through these camera trap images, we are invited to witness the untamed rhythms of the wild, moments unseen yet forever preserved.