“The Wanderer” by Tom Shepherd
We are honoured and delighted that renowned British wildlife artist Tom Shepherd has featured Nine Days in Eden on his website—bringing his vibrant, soulful art to a new audience of conservation and safari lovers.
Tom’s stunning watercolour illustrations appear throughout the Special Edition of the book, offering a rich visual counterpoint to the photo tales and narratives. One of the highlights is his exclusive painting of an African wild dog, commissioned especially for the book and included as a separate signed print in every special edition.
“Deep Inside” by Tom Shepherd
In his own words from the blog on his site, Tom shared what drew him to the project:
“What appealed to me was the idea of capturing a visual echo of what the book represents: the richness of the wilderness and the wonder of seeing animals like the African wild dog in their element.”
As the author and one of the photographers behind Nine Days in Eden, I instantly knew Tom’s style and passion would add a powerful emotional layer to the storytelling. His commitment to field sketching, wildlife conservation, and portraying animals in their natural habitats mirrors the spirit of the book—a nine-day mobile tented safari deep into the heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta.
His wild dog painting captures both the urgency and elegance of one of Africa’s most endangered predators. These themes—wildness, beauty, and the fragility of the natural world—are at the core of Nine Days in Eden, and Tom’s art gives them new life.
Explore Tom’s Wild Dog Watercolour full post and behind-the-scenes insights here:
Why This Collaboration Matters
Tom’s involvement adds more than just artwork—it brings a conservation message to life. The inclusion of his limited-edition wild dog print celebrates the African wild dog and raises awareness for endangered species across Southern Africa. We’re incredibly proud to have his support.
Thank you, Tom, for your extraordinary talent and for helping to tell the story of the Delta in such a beautiful and meaningful way.