A New Chapter: From Africa’s Rivers to the World Beyond

For much of my life, the rivers of Africa defined my world. For ten years I worked as a licensed professional crocodile hunter in Malawi, called upon when man-eating crocodiles threatened villages along the Shire River and other waterways. It was demanding and often dangerous work carried out in remote environments where experience, patience, and instinct mattered. Those years shaped me profoundly, and many of those encounters are captured in my memoir Memoirs of a Real Crocodile Hunter.

Today, life has taken me in a different direction.

I now live in London — one of the world’s great cities, rich in history, culture, and discovery. After years spent along African riverbanks, London presents an entirely different landscape: historic streets, world-class museums, expansive parks, and a city layered with centuries of stories.

This move marks the beginning of a new chapter.

London offers endless opportunities to explore. From landmarks such as the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace to the quiet beauty of its parks and green spaces, the city continually reveals something new. Even simple moments — walking through historic neighbourhoods or cycling through Richmond Park and encountering wildlife — remind me that adventure can exist anywhere, if you take the time to look for it.

Where I once carried a rifle along the banks of the Shire River, I now carry a camera.

Photography has become my way of documenting this new stage of life. Through my personal website, http://www.ianbartlett.co.uk, I share images and reflections from the places I visit. The blog is a record of exploration — capturing both London’s famous landmarks and the quieter scenes that reveal the character of the city.

But this journey is not limited to London.

Living here places me at the crossroads of global travel, and it opens the door to something I have long wanted to pursue: exploring the wider world. From this city I plan to travel across Europe and eventually much further afield, visiting places of historical significance, natural beauty, and cultural interest.

The landscapes may be different from the African wilderness where much of my earlier life unfolded, but the spirit of exploration remains the same. Curiosity, observation, and a respect for the places and people encountered along the way continue to guide every journey.

Through this website I will share those experiences — the destinations I discover, the photographs I capture, and the stories that emerge along the way. My hope is that these reflections encourage others to travel, to explore, and to remain curious about the world around them.

Life unfolds in chapters. Some are defined by danger and survival, others by reflection and discovery. This chapter begins in London, but its horizon extends far beyond it.

If you would like to follow the journey, you can visit:

http://www.ianbartlett.co.uk

There you will find photography, travel reflections, and the continuing story of a life shaped first by Africa’s rivers and now by the wider world.