Lesley Rochat

27/08/2026

The hunt begins long before the chase.

Every movement is deliberate as this beautiful leopard slips through the grass, tracking his prey with incredible focus. We followed quietly, keeping our distance, allowing him to hunt undisturbed, exactly how a wildlife encounter should be.

A photography tip: golden light is magic for wildlife. When the sun is low it creates that beautiful warm glow that can turn a good image into something special. Get up earlier, stay out longer - that’s when the magic happens!

The hunt eventually ended without success, but he gave us a few more moments in that gorgeous light before slipping into the long grass and out of sight.

I’ll be leading another small group Big 5 Safari in 2027 - plan ahead, DM me for details.


Nikon South Africa The Explorers Club

25/08/2026

I was thinking the other day about why I love photography so much, and I came to the conclusion that apart from it being my way of communicating with the world, it’s also largely my way of trying to capture a moment of something I find incredibly beautiful, share it, and keep it forever.

And it’s my way of seeing the world - my passion for photography has taken me to so many incredible places around the world and I’ve been truly blessed to witness some of the most unforgettable moments in the wild, both above and below the waves.
I’ll never stop being grateful for that.

If you’re a photographer, why do you love it, would love to hear?

14/08/2026

Sometimes, when life feels a little too overwhelming, I take my camera, slip beneath the surface and lose myself in the kelp forest of home.

Here, the terrestrial world dissolves into vibrant colour, dancing light and extraordinary life. For a while, it’s just me, alone with the ocean, focused, trying to freeze a little of this beauty to treasure for when I return to land.

Where do you go to escape it all?

PADI Ambassadiver Program Women Divers Hall of Fame Nikon South Africa Nauticam South Africa

12/08/2026

Hello friends! I wanted to share a little scrapbook I’ve made about my career, inspired by August being Women’s Month here in South Africa.

It got me reflecting on the many paths I’ve taken and how they’ve shaped the woman I’ve become. So here’s a little snapshot of my many years around the sun.

Looking back, I see far more than different chapters - I see dreams, risks, incredible opportunities, difficult decisions, successes I’m proud of, failures that humbled me and challenges that changed me. I’ve reinvented myself more than once, taken roads that scared me, challenged conformity, and expectations, fallen down and found the strength to get back up.

But that’s the beauty of being a woman, we’re not defined by one role, one career, one age or one chapter. We’re constantly evolving, learning, adapting and becoming.

Every triumph, mistake, heartache, adventure and challenge has shaped the woman I am today - it’s the whole journey that makes us who we are, and I’m still wildly curious for what lies ahead.

To every woman walking her own path: trust your journey. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Keep evolving, keep challenging yourself and keep choosing what makes you feel alive.

Our stories are still being written and perhaps the most beautiful chapters are the ones still to come.


PADI Women Divers Hall of Fame PADI Ambassadiver Program The Explorers Club

10/08/2026

I’m incredibly lucky to live in the same bay as these precious little African penguins and to have the privilege of photographing them so often.

But behind the joy of photographing them is a sobering reality: while Boulders remains one of the few places where we can experience these remarkable birds up close, their future is far from guaranteed. They are Critically Endangered, and their numbers have declined dramatically due to a combination of food shortages, climate change, habitat loss and human pressures.

These little birds have become such an important part of my connection to the ocean, and I hope that by sharing their beauty, I can help remind others just how much there is to lose and how much there is still to protect.


Women Divers Hall of Fame PADI PADI Ambassadiver Program

03/08/2026

Getting this shot took some effort: As I swam past I noticed a flash of orange - the sun was dancing through the swaying fronds, and it caught a bright orange sea anemone, with flashes of yellow nearby.

I had to time it right - a perfect shaft of light needed to break through the fronds and light the anemones up again. But with nothing to hold onto since they were perched on a sloping rock, I kept floating up - it took a few attempts and then it all came together! I hope you like it?

The video shows the moment I got the shot - look closely and you’ll spot the anemones… and me drifting upward like a cork!
I wear a lot of weight when shooting in shallow water but I think my legs and feet are made of air!

PADI PADI Ambassadiver Program Women Divers Hall of Fame Nikon South Africa The Explorers Club

01/08/2026

I fall in love with the ocean all over again every time I slip beneath the surface. 💙

Today’s dive from our beachfront home at Shark Warrior Adventures was simply magical. Sunlight filtering through the kelp, clear water, and that feeling of complete peace that only the ocean can give.

Here are a few moments I captured on one breath.

If you’ve ever wanted to experience the magic of Cape Town’s kelp forests, come and join me. Whether you’re snorkeling or freediving, I’d love to share this incredible underwater world with you.
Booking link: Shark Warrior Adventures

29/07/2026