The best destinations for wildlife photography trips

Wildlife photography is more than just a quest for the perfect shot; it can be a truly immersive experience that connects you deeply with the natural world. To many, it is the ideal motivation for travelling to new and exciting environments across the globe. Whether it’s waiting for the first light of dawn to see a herd of elephants approaching a waterhole, or nestling in the jungle for a family of gorillas to emerge from the mist – it’s fair to say that photography rewards the patient. In this respect, it lends itself to slow travel in the most mindful and rewarding way. Join us as we traverse some of the planet’s most iconic landscapes, where every click of the shutter tells a story of nature’s delicate balance. Here are our favourite destinations for wildlife photography adventures.

Botswana

First-timers to Africa flock to Kenya for world-class wildlife, but Botswana is an overlooked safari jewel where nature truly reigns supreme. Don’t miss a strong wildlife highlight; the mesmerising Okavango Delta. These labyrinthine waterways make a home for all kinds of creatures – elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and lions to say the least – and you’ll never want to put your camera down. Chobe National Park, famed for its large elephant herds, is also chock-full with lions, leopards, and buffalo, making it an excellent place to capture iconic African nature scenes. You’ll feel proud taking home a perfectly framed leopard shot, as it lounges against a backdrop of vast savannah and acacia trees, warmed by the beams of the sun.

Madagascar

This island nation is known for its unique flora and fauna, the perfect fuel for good photography. Madagascar has produced giant endemic wildlife (including now-extinct animals such as elephant birds, giant tortoises and giant fossa) and is home to a variety of creatures you won’t encounter anywhere else in the world – famously, ring-tailed lemurs and an array of chameleons.

Take your camera to the Avenue of the Baobabs near Morondava, where the silhouettes of baobab trees are the main event – best seen at sunrise or sunset, as graduated colours flood the skies. Then, take your pick from plenty of forested national parks to seek the perfect wildlife shot – the Ankarafantsika National Park, for instance, is full of animal-rich deciduous forests and open savannahs. One can capture the Coquerel’s sifaka (a striking white lemur), the Madagascar fish eagle, and endlessly fascinating chameleons and geckos.

Greenland

For snow-dusted wildlife scenes and crisp, atmospheric winterscapes, Greenland is the place you’ll want to be. As well as being home to polar bears, Arctic foxes and caribou (a veritable roll call of Christmas card animals), it features a resplendent array of birds. Head to the cliffs and tundra near the towns of Qeqertarsuaq and Uummannaq to find puffins, guillemots and kittiwakes, gathered in huge flocks at certain times of year. Don’t forget the marine mammals off the coast of Greenland; humpback whales and minke whales often breach the icy waters (try Disko Bay or Nuuk for that gasp-worthy tail shot).

Frosty glaciers and snow-covered landscapes come in spades in Greenland, so the backdrops make it easy to frame a brilliant photograph. Let’s not forget, Greenland is also one of the most desirable places to catch the northern lights; a bucket list-worthy capture all its own.

Romania

Romania prides itself on the obscure – its Transylvanian Gothic architecture, the serene beauty of the Carpathian Mountains, and its rich folkloric traditions offer a beguiling aesthetic for photographers. Wildlife fans are in for a treat, as the forests around the mountains are thriving with bears, wolves, and lynx, though it’s recommended to join a tour with a local guide rather than try to track them yourself. Brown bears are particularly prominent in Romania in areas like Zarnesti, Harghita County, and the Piatra Craiului National Park. If you’re lucky, you might also catch sight of red deer or European bison to star in your images.

For photographers who are also bird lovers, head to the Danube Delta. As the second-largest and best-preserved river delta in Europe, here you’ll find ample flocks of feathered beauties to seek out with your camera – such as the Dalmatian pelican, grey herons, and white-tailed eagles.

Kenya

As one of the best-known safari destinations, Kenya is clearly a photographer’s dream – as nothing beats capturing the Big Five (giraffe, lion, rhino, wildebeest and leopard) wandering wild in their natural habitat. The Maasai Mara National Reserve is the epitome of natural beauty in Africa – with sprawling grasslands, forested plains and rolling hills, scattered with storybook animals, intermittently shaded by the occasional passing cloud. Lake Nakuru, decorated with thick flocks of pink flamingos which reflect in the shimmering water, is also of particular note for its visual beauty.

For a bucket list wildlife event, the Great Migration – where millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles traverse the plains for fresh grazing each year – is one of the most incredible things to witness and capture on film. Chat to a local expert about the best time to catch this – it’s usually between June and October.

Antarctica

Antarctica’s pristine desert of snow and ice bordered with glaciers makes for sublime photography, even without the striking wildlife that inhabit the lands. Huge colonies of penguins are one of the main draws for photographers – including the Adélie, chinstrap, and gentoo species. Keen snappers can capture these charismatic birds in their natural habitat, from observing their nesting behaviours to catching their playful antics in the icy waters. The South Shetland Islands offer the best chances of capturing these penguins, and numerous cruises can transport you there. Seals, humpback whales, and orcas are also on the list of ‘must-sees’ off Antarctica’s coast, for bold, atmospheric wildlife shots in a stark and ethereal setting.

Rwanda

The landscapes in this jewel of East Africa are simply breathtaking, as the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’ encompasses lush forests, rolling hills, volcanic mountains, and serene lakes. The Volcanoes National Park is most notable for wildlife photographers – home to families of majestic mountain gorillas that roam the misty, sloped forests. On a trip to Rwanda, you can get so close to the gorillas that a fantastic image, not to mention a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience, is almost guaranteed. For more spectacular shots of primates, the Nyungwe Forest National Park is another gem, home to a rich diversity of chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, and golden monkeys that can be spotted in the canopy as you’re carefully walking the jungle trails.

The Azores

A remote Portuguese-owned archipelago that is still a somewhat niche travel destination, the Azores is truly glorious to explore – with several volcanoes and lush, verdant landscapes awash with forests and waterfalls. This location, 850 miles (1,360 km) out to sea, is teeming with marine life, making it an ideal spot to snap shots of sperm whales, bottlenose dolphins, and loggerhead turtles as they pass by on migratory routes.

Watching from Pico Island is the most popular way to get that perfect ‘breaching the water’ shot – if not from one of the many boat trips that travel out into the ocean. On land, the Azores is bursting with bird species for budding avian photographers – such as the Cory’s shearwater and the Azores bullfinch, an endemic species found in the laurel forests of São Miguel Island.

Make it happen

Pack your best camera and start planning the wildlife photography trip of your dreams by contacting our local experts. They’re based on the ground within the destinations, ready to use their local knowledge to build your perfect itinerary.

1. Botswana
2. Madagascar
3. Greenland
4. Romania
5. Kenya
6. Antarctica
7. Rwanda
8. The Azores