Calling all travel photographers! We invite you to submit your best work and compete for the title of Penda’s Travel Photographer of the Year. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an enthusiastic amateur, this is your chance to showcase your most captivating travel images. You’ll have a chance to win the trip of a lifetime – a photo safari to Botswana. Entering is quick and easy – and your first entry is free!
Entries are now closed.
Made from genuine leather, these came straps offers flexibility, versatility, and a classic look.
Combining a vintage look with modern camera bag features, the Lisboa Backpack allows you to carry all your camera gear in style and comfort.
This exclusive photo safari offers incredible wildlife photography opportunities, a stay in a private camp in the middle of a reserve, and tutoring by Alan Hewitt.
The competition is now closed. We’ll announce new dates in 2025!
Step 1: Fill out the form and we’ll email you an entry form.
Start by filling out the registration form above. Upon registration, you’ll receive a confirmation email containing a link to submit your entry.
Step 2: Submit your images
Prepare your image and make sure it is in the correct format by referring to our Ts&Cs. Follow these guidelines for file naming, size, and format to ensure your photos are eligible. When you’re ready, simply click the submission link and upload your image. If you would like to submit additional photos beyond your initial free entry, you’ll have the option to do so for a small fee. Simply follow the payment link in the email and once payment is received we will send you a new submission form. Entries close on the 20th of December 2024 so make sure you submit your images before then.
Step 3: Judging process
Our panel of expert judges, including award-winning photographers, will evaluate submissions based on composition, storytelling, creativity, and technical quality. Shortlisted entries will be reviewed in greater detail, and you may be contacted to provide RAW files or original JPEGs if required.
Step 4: Announcing the winners
After the judging rounds are complete, we’ll announce category winners, runners-up and the overall winner. Winners will be notified directly by email and celebrated on our website and social media. Prizes include exclusive photo safaris and other fantastic photography gear!
Keep an eye out for updates along the way, and good luck with your submission!
Out of the three category winners, we’ll pick one main winner. This person will get to join us for an exclusive photography safari in Botswana next year! Based in the Tuli Block region, which was described by the Lonely Planet as ‘Botswana’s best kept secret,’ this safari offers incredible wildlife encounters and photographic opportunities. You can expect to photograph lions, leopards, huge herds of elephants, and a wealth of smaller mammals. We’ll stay in a private safari camp in the middle of the game reserve, and you’ll be guided by Alan Hewitt, who will offer photographic tutoring throughout the trip.
Dates: May 14 – 22, 2025
Value: USD 3995
Details: You can find detailed information (itinerary, photographic opportunities, transport, accommodation, and what’s included) here.
The other two category winners will get a Lisboa Camera Backpack by VINCOV. With its vintage charm, this backpack seamlessly blends a classic look with modern camera backpack features. The removable spacious compartments are equipped with anti-shock interior pads, ensuring your camera stays safe, whether you’re navigating city streets or exploring nature. Pack all the accessories you need for your photography journey with ease.
The runners up in all three categories will get a Sabang leather camera strap by VINCOV. Crafted from premium genuine leather, this strap offers both fashion and function. Whether worn over the shoulder or around the neck, its thick padding effectively minimizes strain caused by your camera’s weight, ensuring comfort during extended use. Designed to handle heavy loads, the leather strap evenly distributes weight to prevent discomfort.
We’re proud to work with a panel of impressive judges; photographers with incredible bodies of work and hugely varied experience and expertise. You can find more detailed profiles of our judges here.
Tyrone Turner is a photographer based in Washington, DC, who has traveled extensively to document social and environmental issues. His work has been featured in many international publications, including National Geographic Magazine. He has received awards and fellowships for his work from POY, the Soros Foundation and the Institute of Current World Affairs.
Alan Hewitt is a UK-based wildlife and conservation photographer and writer. Mainly driven by his appreciation for and fascination of wildlife, Alan’s aim with his photography is to document our natural world and use this as a tool for conservation. Alan is an official UK ambassador for FUJIFILM.
Susan is a photographer, photojournalist, and educator based in Washington, DC. She’s worked as a White House photographer and traveled nationally and internationally as a news photographer for the Associated Press. In 2011, Susan designed and launched a dynamic academic program at the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design; the Master of Arts in New Media Photojournalism.
Lucia Griggi is a multi-award-winning photographer based between the US and the UK. Her photography covers a broad range of areas, including travel, editorial, and lifestyle. Lucia’s work has been internationally recognized and awarded by, amongst others, National Geographic, PDN, Windland Smith Rice International Awards, Black and White photography and the Masters Cup.
Sam Turley is conservation zoologist and a multi-award-winning wildlife photographer from the UK. His background in zoology has helped to steer his photographic style which aims to engage, educate and inspire audiences while supporting sustainable conservation initiatives.
Emil von Maltitz is an internationally recognized landscape photographer from South Africa with two decades of experience and special expertise in photo editing and production. Emil’s keenest interests lie in the application of advanced composition in landscape photography, and he runs fantastic works on this topic. He also has extensive skills and knowledge in the Adobe suites and provides invaluable guidance in photo-editing, helping you transform good shots into stunning works of art.
The competition is open to both professional and amateur photographers from around the world. Whether you’re just starting or have years of experience, we welcome all levels of talent.
Simply fill out the form on this page, and we’ll send you an entry form. You can then follow to upload your images. Be sure to check that your submissions meet the image specifications.
No, your first entry into the competition is completely free (one image)! However, if you would like to enter more than one image, there is an option to submit 10 extra images for $10 with all profits going to our partner charities.
The competition closes on December 20th, and the winners will be announced on January 20th. Keep an eye out on our Instagram account for updates!
Images must be in JPEG format, a maximum of 2MB, and in Adobe RGB (1998) color space.
Post-processing is allowed, but you must retain the original RAW files or untouched JPEGs as we may request them if your photograph is shortlisted.
Your images must ethically represent the natural world without manipulation or harm to animals, people or the environment. Any form of baiting or unethical practices will result in disqualification.
Yes, you can!
You can enter as many images as you want. The first image is free, and you pay $10 for any ten images after that. You can also enter images in all three categories.
Our panel of multi-award-winning judges, including photographers with experience at National Geographic and other prestigious publications, will review all entries. They will evaluate based on creativity, technical excellence, and how well the photo tells a story.
By entering the competition, you grant Penda permission to use your images for promotional and marketing purposes, related to the competition or relevant Penda photography tours, with full credit to the photographer.
We’re proud to have partnered with two impactful organizations that are dedicated to the conservation of Zimbabwe’s wildlife and natural resources; the Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit and Bhejane Trust.
The Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit (VFAPU) works tirelessly to protect local wildlife from the pressures of poaching and human-wildlife conflict, operating in the stunning yet fragile environment surrounding the Victoria Falls National Park. VFAPU not only focuses on anti-poaching efforts, but also rehabilitates injured animals, provides alternative livelihood training for former poachers, and educates local communities on conservation.
The Bhejane Trust, supports the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority in protecting the wildlife of northwestern Matabeleland, particularly through its rhino monitoring program. Since its founding in 2010, Bhejane Trust has played a critical role in preserving the Black Rhino population in Hwange National Park and across the region, funding vital anti-poaching initiatives, research, and staff welfare programs. Through these partnerships, Penda is helping to ensure the protection and sustainable future of Zimbabwe’s extraordinary wildlife.
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