Botswana Mourns Wildlife Filmmaker Brad Bestelink: A Profound Loss for Conservation
A Light Has Gone Out in the Delta
Some people tell stories about the wild. Others become part of its story. Brad Bestelink was one of the few who did both.
Botswana's wildlife filmmaking industry is mourning the passing of the internationally acclaimed cinematographer and conservation storyteller, whose work carried the Okavango Delta into living rooms across the world.
His death was announced by the Old Trevertonians' Association in South Africa, which remembered him as a respected filmmaker, talented sportsman and former school cricket captain. The circumstances have not been made public.
Born to the Delta
Brad was born and raised in the Okavango Delta, where his parents were pioneers of photographic tourism. He became a professional safari guide at just 16, then trained under celebrated wildlife filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert, working with them for more than a decade.
He later co-founded the Natural History Film Unit Botswana, a citizen-owned production company that earned international recognition for its wildlife documentaries.
The Stories He Gave the World
His credits include Savage Kingdom, The Flood, Okavango: A Flood of Life, Planet Earth II, Surviving Paradise: A Family Tale, Living with Leopards, Big Cats 24/7, Our Universe and Africa's Fishing Leopards. His cinematography earned a 2024 Primetime Emmy nomination for Netflix's Our Planet II.
Beyond the camera, Brad helped train and develop local camera operators, positioning Botswana as an important centre for international wildlife documentary production.
A Personal Farewell
For me, and for everyone at Adventure Lifestyle Magazine, this is a profound loss. Earlier this year I had the privilege of spending a few days with Brad on a wild dog project. He was, without question, the most incredible conservationist I have ever come to know, and those days will stay with me always.
He did not just point a lens at the wild. He listened to it, and he spoke for it.
His Legacy
His legacy lives on through the extraordinary wildlife stories he captured, the local talent he helped nurture, and the way he showed the Okavango Delta to the world as one of the greatest wildernesses on earth.
Our deepest condolences go to his family, friends and colleagues. Rest in peace, Brad. The wild will remember you.
Written by Jake-Lee Coetzee, Adventure Lifestyle Magazine. Find the wanderlust in the mundane.
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