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I normally lead photography tours for Wildlife Worldwide, but every now and then I am asked to lead a more generic natural history tour. In January, I was asked to step in and lead a trip to Thailand, in search of the country's rare mammals and birds. I hadn't ever been to Thailand before, but with an intimate knowledge of India's forests and wildlife (with which there is quite a crossover), I was more than happy to step up. There were two main areas we focussed on, one was Kaeng Krachan National Park, while the second was Khao Yai National Park (to the north of Bangkok). We spent the majority of our time in Kaeng Krachan and it was here we were treated to some excellent views of some fascinating wildlife. There were loads of dusky langurs, which regularly posed and put on quite a show for my group. It is worth saying, that as this wasn't a photo tour, I was only grabbing the quick opportunity to photograph as and when it was viable.   One of the main focuses of being in this area was for a number of habituated sun bears (the world's smallest species of bear) alongside a black leopard which is seen with surprising regularity. Unfortunately, we just missed the black leopard, but we did get excellent views of a number of sun bears.    Kaeng Krachan is home to a wealth of other wildlife, including mammals such as the magical lar gibbon, lesser mouse deer and black giant squirrel, while birds included oriental pied hornbill, khalij pheasant and blue-throated barbet.        After a fabulous week enjoying the forests of Kaeng Krachan, we headed north to Khao Yai National Park for another few days of wildlife watching. This is a very different park, with a well-maintained road network, lots of paths and other infrastructure. However, it gave us an opportunity to see a wealth of new species, alongside some familiar ones. One of the standout mammal species here is undoubtedly the pileated gibbon, while on the bird front the red-headed trogon is simply stunning. There was so much more here, including good views of Asian elephant and plenty of other mammals, a kaleidoscope of birds and some stunning reptiles too!  We were blown away when we found a family of gibbons comprising both pileated and lar gibbon species. What made this sighting truly special was that the female of the group had a newborn youngster - this was one of only two known hybrids in the wild. What an absolute privilege.       As you can see, during the trip we enjoyed some exceptional views of some remarkable wildlife. We didn't manage to see everything on the list, but undoubtedly, we saw an incredible array of different species.
I was only leading the trip to cover for someone else (with personal issues), so I won't be leading it again, but if you are interested in joining this trip later in 2026 or in 2027, then please take a look at the Wildlife Worldwide website for more information.
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I'm incredibly lucky to live in one of the wildest corners of the UK, with a wealth of wildlife which is now sadly absent from much of the rest of the UK. In winter, the Cairngorms can become a true sub-Arctic habitat with heavy snow fall and freezing conditions. This January, we were treated to some fantastic, wintry conditions, and with that in mind, I decided to head out in search of the mountain hares which call this landscape home. I left my house before dawn, driving up to a spot where I know the hares are present. The road conditions were a little challenging, but I made it safely to the spot I usually park and started to cross the deep snow on the valley floor and headed for the hills. I was the only person who seemed to reach the spot and I had the mountains to myself. It was absolutely magical.  As I climbed higher into the white hills, I started to see more and more evidence of my target species - the mountain hares. Tracks went back and forth across the snow, with bright sunshine illuminating the landscape all around. Strong winds had led to some incredibly deep drifts, in between patches of wind-swept moorland, so the going was particularly challenging. However, this just made the day all the more enjoyable.  I was getting close. Finding more and more fresh tracks the higher I climbed, I started to see distant hares darting across the hillside. It was then that I found a couple of hares with which I spent the next three hours. It was well below freezing, but with the right kit and the mild rays of the winter sun, I was in heaven. To start with, the sun was still below the hilltops, and so I was photographing in shadow.   The first hare was an absolute star. Moving around and chasing off another hare, before returning to its form. However, I decided that it was best to leave it in peace as I didn't want to obstruct it or disturb it from feeding in these freezing conditions.  While I was photographing the second hare, the light was constantly changing, with moments of light cloud cover, followed by bright sunshine. It made everything a little more challenging, but ultimately it gave me a variety of photographic opportunities.    If you would like to join me and photograph the mountain hares, do get in touch via the contact page. I'd be delighted to help you capture some stunning images of these enigmatic mammals.
December marked the month when I headed back to Australia, specifically to Victoria and Tasmania in search of some of the most sought-after mammals and birds. In fact, we were treated to an incredible couple of week, capturing some stunning images. Having lived in Australia and really kicked off my career with my imagery from that time, it is always a delight to share my passion with others and show them the magical wildlife of the Antipodes. So, as per usual, I'll stop waffling and get on to the imagery.   As you can see, our first couple of days in Victoria were really rewarding and we had some great views of a koala and a family of tawny frogmouths. There was plenty more on offer here, though, with a plethora of other birds such as emu and also purple swamphen.  After a great few days on the mainland, it was time to head south to the stunning wilderness island of Tasmania.   One of the absolute highlights of this trip, is the opportunity to see and photograph the monotremes of Australia. For those of you that aren't sure what a monotreme is, it is an egg-laying mammal. There are only three surviving members of this bizarre, ancient lineage of mammal and Tasmania is home to two of them. The short-beaked echidna (often known as the spiny-anteater) is a an oddity, but the aquatic platypus takes it up another level. We were rewarded with several views of both species, and, as you can see, the photographic rewards were fantastic.     Cradle mountain is always one of the most rewarding locations for photography, with wallabies, wombats, echidnas and the characterful currawongs always providing plenty of opportunity. We also visit the Tasmanian devil breeding centre so the group can see these increasingly rare predators.  We had an absolutely incredible couple of weeks in Australia and with another trip scheduled for February, it was great to be back down under. If you'd like to join me in 2027 or 2028, be sure to book your place with Wildlife Worldwide.
In November 2025, it was that time of year once again. I was heading back to a place I think of as my second home. I've now been travelling to Zambia, and specifically South Luangwa National Park, for over 15 years and it holds a special place in my heart. Having one of the African wild dogs of South Luangwa appear on the cover of BBC Wildlife magazine was a really special moment, so I was excited to be heading back to the bush. Leading a group for Wildlife Worldwide, staying at one of my favourite lodges anywhere on the African continent, you always know you're on to a winner. Combined with exceptional encounters with leopard, lion, African wild dog and stunning birds like African fish eagle and southern carmine bee-eater, you really can't go wrong. So, sit back, relax and enjoy some of the stunning imagery from another incredible trip in this remarkable wilderness. It all started with a leopard I have been photographing for many years ...   On our very first drive we stumbled upon Lucy, a leopard I know extremely well, as well as her two mature cubs and were treated with the most wonderful sightings and photographic opportunities. It's hard to be get any better, but we were spoilt with some memorable encounters over the course of the week.     The mammal sightings are always popular, but it's great when you get a good session with the bee-eaters and an African fish eagle too.   For me though, the wild dogs (being my favourite animal on the planet) are just on another level. When we saw them on this safari, we were treated to some exceptional views and some remarkable behaviour. They were in full hunting mode and pulled down an impala calf before handing it over to the pups, who quickly devoured the prize.    The rains started with full force while we were there, noticeably different from recent years, when the rains came later and later. However, the one plus of this was the lush green surroundings in which we found our subjects. It just made for a different, but just as rewarding, photographic experience. As you can see, we were not left disappointed.
Be sure to join me in 2026 and beyond for a wildlife photographic safari in one of Africa's finest wilderness areas. Find out more here. Back in August 2025, I set out on a mission to photograph the Chinese water deer found in Norfolk. I spent a few days searching for them, with the simple mission of capturing some stunning imagery of these small deer. However, what I didn't realise, was that despite having some top tips on where to find them, just how tricky they are to find and photograph in summer. Due to their small stature (an understatement), and the tall vegetation, these elusive mammals are even harder to find than you'd expect. After a couple of days of repeated failure, I had all but given up hope. I pulled up in a lay-by, pretty much in despair. It was then that I saw some movement in the field in front of me. I couldn't believe my eyes. There, in front of me, was a Chinese water deer.     As you can see, after all my patience, I was eventually rewarded with some stunning photography. The highlight, except for some incredibly close encounters, was when the trio of deer above stood in the road and watched a pheasant cross the road. This gave a true sense of just how small the deer actually are. \
You'll have to keep your eyes peeled for the final project that these images are going towards. It has been an action-packed year for me in 2025. I've been busy leading a large number of dedicated wildlife photography tours for Wildlife Worldwide, while I have also been busy working on photographing deer for my big project - I'll be able to announce more on this in 2026. However, I have some big news. Two magazines have decided to use my images on their front covers in the past month. The first is something any wildlife photographer dreams of achieving. I am delighted to say that my image of an African wild dog was used on the front cover of BBC Wildlife Magazine. The image was taken in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park towards the end of 2024, and it is a massive honour to achieve this landmark moment in my career. Now I just need to get an image into Wildlife Photographer of the Year and National Geographic.  The second publication to choose one of my images from the front cover was Hidden Scotland. This beautiful magazine used one of my red squirrel images which was captured in the Cairngorm National Park - my home! I couldn't have been happier to have been the luck one to have their images selected (they were also used for a feature within the publication).  I've got a busy end of the year, so you can expect plenty more content over the next few months. I'll do my best to keep my instagram updated and update this blog as and when I can.
I have been travelling to Finland since 2013. The country is home to some of Europe's most sought-after wildlife, with brown bear, wolf, wolverine, and even lynx calling the vast tracts of forest home. I was delighted to be leading another two departures back in the summer months, where we were treated to some exceptional encounters. We had great views of both wolf and bear, but the wolverine views were less reliable this year. This is what keeps me coming back year after year. You never know what to expect and the photography is never the same. I hope the following images inspire you to join me on a short but action-packed photographic adventure in 2026. I'll start by sharing some images of the bears, which put on one heck of a show.      Alongside the bears, the wolves were also around, providing some excellent opportunities for photography, while there was also a white-tailed eagle which was particularly co-operative on one of the evenings in the hides.      If you are interested in joining me in Finland, be sure to find out more on the Wildlife Worldwide website. There is still availability for 2026 and beyond.
I've been visiting Zambia on and off since I worked there in 2010. It is a place very close to my heart, and the wildlife encounters I've enjoyed there are some of the best of my career. From leopards to African wild dogs, elephants to bee-eaters, I have always been spoiled with many standout moments. This year, I was delighted to lead a trip to Zambia's Kafue and Lower Zambezi National Parks with Wildlife Worldwide. Many of the areas we explored were completely new to me. Although the wildlife was familiar, it was great to be photographing these species in a range of different habitats. In fact, we enjoyed some of the best leopard encounters I have ever had, alongside lion, elephant, a wealth of other herbivores, and some magnificent birds too. Here is just a selection of my images to whet your appetite. If you'd like to join me, I am delighted to be at the helm of the NEW Lower Zambezi Photo Safari with Wildlife Worldwide in 2027. I hope you like the images.        Be sure to keep an eye on my blog later in the year for more images from South Luangwa National Park. I can't wait to be back in the bush as the dry season comes to an end. Be sure to get in touch if you want more information about my photo safaris in Zambia.
Back in May 2025, I was delighted to be leading another chartered voyage aboard the MS Stockholm for Wildlife Worldwide. The ship is the perfect platform for exploring this vast Arctic wilderness, and with the expert team on board, we were treated to some of the most remarkable wildlife encounters. Rather than write too much about this trip of a lifetime, I am going to share some images of the standout encounters and the photo opportunities they presented. It isn't just about close-up portraits of the region's exceptional wildlife. Many of my favourite moments were when we watched and photographed an animal wander or rest amongst the epic scenery and landscapes. For most people visiting this wilderness, the focus is undoubtedly the most recognisable species. This expedition certainly delivered. In total, we saw 15 different polar bears, a few different Arctic foxes, too many walrus to count, seals galore, and birdlife all over. Every year I return, I fall a little more in love with the wildlife of the Arctic. I hope that comes across in the imagery below.          If the images above have inspired you to visit this magical part of the world, then why not join me in 2026 or 2028 (2027 is fully booked). You can find out all the details and book your place with Wildlife Worldwide.
I'm very lucky to head to India most years, leading dedicated photographic safaris to one of the country's hidden gems. Nagarhole National Park, situated within the state of Karnataka does not have the crowds of many of India's national parks. Therefore, sightings can be much more enjoyable and the photographic rewards can be exceptional when everything comes together. This year was another super example. We were spoiled rotten but the dhole (Asiatic wild dog), which made an appearance every single day. We were also blessed with excellent Asian elephant encounters, some stunning birdlife alongside a host of other mammals and even reptiles. So, if you have thought about India, but haven't yet decided on where to go, have a look at some of the images and see if they whet your appetite.     This really is just a taster of the birdlife on offer in the park and the mammal images to follow are the same. There is so much more on offer in this magnificent protected area.    I have hundreds of images of the dhole from this year alone, but this is not typical for this time of year. We made the most of every opportunity though and photographed to our hearts' content.   This tigress was an absolute star, and after a busy start to the sighting, we had her to ourselves at the end. This allowed us to capture some absolutely beautiful imagery of this magnificent big cat.    As well as the iconic, large mammals, we also enjoyed some time photographing the park's smaller residents.   If you want to enjoy encounters and photography opportunities such as this in India, then why not join me on one of my upcoming photo safaris to Nagarhole National Park with Wildlife Worldwide. I look forward to seeing you there.
I was really lucky to be heading off once again to Australia back in February, with a highlight being the trip to the states of Victoria and Tasmania with Wildlife Worldwide. It's always fantastic exploring these magnificent parts of this vast country, searching out some of the most iconic wildlife Australia has on offer. Flying into Melbourne, we had a couple of days around Geelong, where we were able to focus our efforts on a number of different mammals and birds. My group had a great time photographing the emus of Serendip Sanctuary, while we were lucky with a number of other local residents.    After a fabulous few days exploring some of the wonderful places around Geelong, we headed back to Melbourne for our flight across the Bass Strait to Launceston in Tasmania. We had 10-days to explore the magnificent wildlife and landscapes of this incredible island. Lost in time, Tasmania still supports a number of species that are now hard to find on the mainland, while there's also a few endemic birds to enjoy. I hope you enjoy the selection of imagery, it really is a wonderful place and I urge you to discover it for yourself.    As you can see, we struck gold with the two monotreme (egg-laying mammal) species found in Tasmania - the platypus and the short-beaked echidna. Meanwhile, the birdlife was pretty exceptional too.     Australia is rightly famed for its diverse array of marsupials. It is safe to say we were not disappointed with the sightings or photographic opportunities of these iconic mammals.       It's also worth mentioning that the landscapes of Tasmania are pretty exceptional and we were blessed with some amazing weather - particularly up at Cradle Mountain ...  If you'd like to find out more, or join me on one of these photographic tours, please do get in touch. Alternatively, please visit the Wildlife Worldwide website to find out more.
This year I was lucky enough to be in charge of Wildlife Worldwide's first Japan's Winter Wildlife Photography tour of the year. As per usual with this tour, we start off by focussing our efforts on the incredible wildlife that you can find on the northernmost island of Japan, Hokkaido. Our first morning focuses on the red-crowned cranes, a pair of Ural owls and the whooper swans of Lake Kussharo. Unfortunately, the conditions at Lake Kussharo were not favourable for photography but we were blessed with some wonderful views of cranes and the owls.   From our time around Lake Kussharo, it was time to head up to the town of Rausu on the Shiretoko Peninsula. Here, our primary focus was photographing the Steller's sea eagles and the white-tailed eagles that gather here each winter. Enjoying dedicated boat trips, we maximise the photographic opportunities and first light and once again in the afternoon. Another one of our target species here was the Blakiston's fish owl.      Our final morning at Rausu provided us all with some wonderful, soft light and some superb photography opportunities.    After a fabulous week on Hokkaido, it was time to head back down to Tokyo and from here up into the mountains in search of Japanese Macaques. These primates, often referred to as snow monkeys, are famous for their hot spring bathing antics close to the town of Yamanouchi in the Japanese Alps. Upon our arrival there was a large amount of fresh snow, making for some challenging, but rewarding photography.    As you can see, the photography in Japan is exceptional and it is always a real pleasure to lead this trip. I am lucky enough to have now been to Japan three times and I'd happily return again and again. Be sure to keep an eye on the Wildlife Worldwide website for more information.
As many of you will know, particularly those that have followed my work for a while, I was privileged to work in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park. Now, I am incredibly lucky to head back each year and lead dedicated photography tours. In 2024, I was able to lead two back-to-back trips, focussing on the incredible wildlife that calls the area home. Rather than waffle on too much, I'll let the pictures do the talking. However, what I will say, is that my groups were treated to some of the best views of leopard cubs I have ever known. Another group also had one of the best African wild dog encounters and photography opportunities.     As you can see, the birdlife is equally as impressive as the iconic mammals, but it was the predators (except for lions) that really put on a show to remember.       There was is always so much more on offer in this magnificent wilderness area.     If you would like to join me in Zambia, why not book your place for 2025 (limited spaces) or 2026. You can find out more on the Wildlife Worldwide website.
Back in October I was delighted to be back in the Pearl of Africa - Uganda. This magical country, so often overlooked by safari goers, really is a superb safari destination and offers a range of incredible wildlife encounters, from gentle giants to big cats and bizarre birds. What more can you ask for? We started off by heading out into Mabamba Swamp, home to the truly weird and wonderful shoebill. This prehistoric bird is losing much of its former habitat as swamps are drained, but here locals run boat safaris in search of this bird and so we set about trying to find it. We couldn't have asked for a better start to our safari.   Ordinarily, our tour combines Kibale, Queen Elizabeth NP & Bwindi, but due to foreign office advice, we would have to bypass QENP, and so, instead we headed up to Murchison Falls NP. This did mean we could add a surprise stop to our trip, one which the guests were unaware - a visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. We were treated to the most incredible encounters (on foot) with a herd of white rhino.  We had two full days to enjoy the delights of Murchison Falls NP, including a couple of boat trips. This meant we were able to enjoy the full breadth of what the park has to offer, including some magnificent birdlife, mammals and the falls themselves. We were even treated to another shoebill stork in the papyrus swamps along the shores of Lake Albert.       After a fabulous couple of days enjoying the varied wildlife of Murchison Falls NP, we headed south-west to Kibale Forest NP for our next target species - chimpanzee. We had two treks searching for and photographing the chimps, while also enjoying a walk around the community-led Bigodi Wetlands. It was a primate bonanza with several species of monkey also seen including Ugandan mangabey, red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus, vervet monkey and L'Hoest's monkey. Unsurprisingly, our time with the chimpanzees was the highlight of our time here and the accommodation on offer at Primate Lodge is exceptional.     The final focus, and usually the highlight of any trip to Uganda, was the mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Here we were once again treated to two exceptional gorilla encounters, enjoying exceptionally close views of these gentle giants. I actually didn't capture too many images as I had to lend my camera to one of the group (humidity issues) and sat back to allow my group the best photographic opportunities.  As you can see, we were treated to some particularly close approaches by the gorillas and, as always, it was the most remarkable privilege to be in the company of these great apes. There was one more delight in store for us. We were able to visit the pangolin rescue centre in Buhoma and were treated to the most wonderful encounters with a tree-climbing pangolin about to be released back into the wild.   If you would like to join me in Uganda, you can find out more on the Wildlife Worldwide website. I look forward to see you there.
In August, I was given a unique opportunity to head up to the remote Canadian wilderness, joining Quark Expeditions aboard their purpose-built ship, the Ultramarine. This modern vessel has been designed specifically for modern expedition cruising in the world’s polar regions. I flew to Calgary, before joining Quark’s chartered flight up the remote Arctic outpost of Resolute (after a refuelling stop at Yellowknife). We were whisked from the airport to the bay and there was the ship waiting. After a short zodiac transfer, it wasn’t long before I was in my spacious cabin and familiarising myself with the ship. From Resolute, the ship worked its way east along the southern coast of Devon Island, before heading north once we reached Baffin Bay. One of the wildlife highlights of the trip was visiting the vast colonies of breeding seabirds at Coburg Island.     The Ultramarine allowed the unique opportunity to enjoy helicopter flights over this vast Arctic wilderness, something I will never forget. I was privileged to see narwhal, beluga and even musk ox on one of the flights, while on another we enjoyed remarkable views of a vast glacier on Ellesmere Island. The wildlife sightings were typically distant, but just being such an expanse of pure wilderness was truly remarkable.   Across the 10-days aboard the ship, we saw musk ox, walrus, numerous seals and more than 10 polar bears (all distant), but it was the narwhal that were so, so special for me. A life’s dream complete – even if the photographic opportunities were negligible.       I would say this. If you are looking for an expedition to one of the world’s least visited areas, a true wilderness, then this is the trip for you. You will see wildlife, but it is unlikely to be close to the ship (some voyages are luckier than others). Instead, revel in the vast polar desert landscapes, incredible geology and the fascinating culture of the Inuit people. Keep an eye on the Wildlife Worldwide website and discover this rugged beauty for yourself.
I have been leading trips to Finland for over 10 years. Along the Russian border, there is a strip of land that has been left alone, a 'no man's land', and it supports a thriving population of brown bear, wolverine and grey wolf. It is these three predators which we focus our efforts and the photographic rewards can be out of this world. This year, I was delighted to be at the helm for two separate departures, each of which provided countless photographic opportunities.   It really was a fantastic summer for the wolves - each trip had some exceptionally good views of these apex predators.   We did see wolverine, but they proved to be particularly challenging to photograph for some reason, while the bears were also a little more skittish than usual. However, when the bears did show themselves, the photography was pretty exceptional.   We still have some limited availability in 2025 - you can find out more on the Wildlife Worldwide webpage. I look forward to seeing you there.
I am delighted to announce that I have been awarded twice in the 2024 edition of the MontPhoto photo competition. This is the third time I have featured in this prestigious competition in four years - a massive achievement for which I am over the moon. I was awarded with an Honourable Mention (highly commended) in both the 'Birds' and 'Mammals' categories with the two following images ...  Deep Freeze  Fiery Dawn Unfortunately, this year I was unable to make the awards ceremony, but it was a real honour to feature in the competition and I hope to repeat my success in 2025. Congratulations to all the other winners!
I am very lucky to have been to Svalbard several times. What an incredible wilderness and a must for anyone with a passion for rugged landscapes and epic wildlife. For many, the biggest draw of this remote, Arctic archipelago is the polar bear, but there is always so much more to enjoy. With that in mind, I was incredibly fortunate to be the photographic leader aboard the MS Stockholm for Wildlife Worldwide’s chartered voyage at the start of May 2024. This remarkable small ship, built in 1953, is a charming and incredibly capable vessel, perfect for an expedition into this icy realm. I met up with the group in either Oslo, or Longyearbyen, before we boarded the Stockholm for the most incredible week of photography. We left the pontoon and were soon on our way out of Isfjorden, enjoying our first meal onboard this historic ship. We awoke to the most magical conditions in Kongsfjorden and set out on a zodiac cruise to really get a feel for the wonders of the Arctic. We saw several different seabird species as well as eiders and common seals. However, the real highlight was being able to get out of the zodiacs and walk on the fast ice – it was absolutely exhilarating. It was just one of those magical days and an experience that few ever get to enjoy.    The next day, we arrived on the edge of the vast expanse of sea ice, sat high above the northern coastline of Spitsbergen (it was unusual for it to be so far north so early, but the winds had broken up the fast ice). We spent a whole day enjoying the vastness of this epic frozen world, but despite our best efforts, we could not find our first polar bear. We saw plenty of tracks, but the bears eluded us. We ended up following the edge of the ice, making it all the way to the northern coastline of Nordaustlandet - the second largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Very few vessels make it up here this early in the season, so this really was a proper expedition. We were likely to be the most northerly, non-military ship on Earth. The conditions were absolutely sublime.  After such an incredible day and evening, the clients were either heading to bed or relaxing in the lounge, when I spotted something on the horizon. Sat on the bridge with the expedition team, scanning all the while, I spotted a cream shape moving on the edge of an inlet. We went a little closer to see if we could confirm what we hoped it would be. "Polar bear!" went up the call from the Expedition Leader. We stirred those that had gone to their bunks, while the others were already getting their survival suits and lifejackets on. It was time to photograph our first bear of the trip. Within ten minutes everyone was ready, we'd boarded the zodiacs and were approach the bear as it walked along the shoreline. We ensured that we kept our distance, allowing the bear to do its own thing. It was completely relaxed with our presence after initially stopping to work out what we were. Giving it plenty of space, allowed the bear to wander freely.   We decided to move a kilometre or so down the coastline and see if the bear appeared a little closer. He certainly did and it was then we realised a mark on his shoulder was a large wound.  We were treated to some really exceptional views as we always made sure to move ahead, ensuring that we didn't change his behaviour at all.   As you can see, we were blessed with the most remarkable encounter and the photography was out of this world. I'll never get bored of seeing a polar bear in such a beautiful, wild place. Knowing that we had this bear all to ourselves just made it that little bit more special.
Keep you eyes peeled on the next instalment of the blog from this trip. Alternatively, if this has whet your appetite and you want to join me in 2025, then visit the Wildlife Worldwide website and book your place. I've been travelling to India since 2011, indeed you can even look back at my blog posts from the time (excuse the terrible photography). In that time, the country has completely changed, both for better and for worse. A thriving modern 'democracy', India has developed at a startling speed and domestic tourism has increased a hundred-fold (no bad thing). However, that does mean that many of India's once quiet reserves are now packed with people keen to catch a glimpse of a tiger. Trying to get away from the crowds can be tricky, but Nagarhole is a place where things are a little quieter and the wildlife sightings can be enjoyed that much more. Back in April, I was at the helm for Wildlife Worldwide's Nagarhole Photo Safari once again. This week-long trip is perfect for seeing, and photographing Asian elephant, tiger, leopard, Malabar giant squirrels, a plethora of birds and even sloth bear. There is, of course, so much more on offer, but hopefully that whets your appetite. This little slice of paradise really has become one of my favourite parts of India, and it delivers year on year. I know, I know, you want to see the photos. Our first afternoon rewarded us with two tigers, but alas, the photography opportunities were not really there. The next day though, we were treated to exceptional views of sloth bear in the morning and tiger in the afternoon.    As you can see, it really didn't take long to get fantastic views, as well as some decent photography of some of our target species. We had hoped to have good encounters with Asiatic wild dog. Despite seeing them in the distance, we never got close enough for worthwhile photography opportunities. For the next couple of days, we focused on some of the smaller and less-photographed species that call the park home. That's not to say that we didn't enjoy views of some of the larger things, but it was these alternative species which provided the more rewarding photography.     With such great subjects, the group were rewarded with an amazing portfolio. These 'B-list' species are actually, in my opinion, what makes Nagarhole such a special place to be. So far, we hadn't caught sight of a leopard (something the park is famous for), and so we decided to spend a morning focussing on these elusive cats. We drove along a track, slowly working our way down a hill and scanning every tree along the way. Parking up at the bottom of the hill, our driver Sadiq turned off the engine and we just listened for alarm calls (the best way to find big cats in the dense forests of India). After 10-minutes or so, with no sounds and relaxed chital (spotted deer) all around us, we slowly made our back up the hill. Varun, our guide, suddenly called to stop - there only 25 yards away, sat perfectly in a tree was a gorgeous female leopard. It was a misty morning and the forest had an ethereal feel to it. What an incredible sighting. The photography was just wonderful.   Having already had the most magical of weeks, spoiled rotten with incredible sightings, we decided to spend the last full day focussing on the striped contingent once again. I don't think it matters how many tigers you see in the wild, you always want one more. And so we put in the hours and we were rewarded with one of those dreamy encounters - the hard work paid off.   If you would like to join me in 2025, there are still a couple of spaces remaining. Please contact Wildlife Worldwide to find out more.
Back at the start of April I was privileged to be on the guiding team for the Wildlife Worldwide Festival of Wildlife to Tanzania. We took over the delightful Ndutu Safari Lodge for a week and enjoyed some absolutely amazing wildlife encounters and accompanying photography opportunities. I was lucky enough to join the pre-tour extension to the Ngorongoro crater, but to keep this blog as concise as I can, I will focus on the photographic highlights in and around Ndutu. It really kicked off with an incredible attempted lion hunt after the most incredible thunder and hail storm. A lioness walked within yards of my vehicle, before eventually trying to hunt a herd of wildebeest, albeit unsuccessfully.   It actually turned out to be a week of lions - we seemed to trip over them in each and every direction we travelled. What was great was that we actually were able to enjoy the lions being relatively active. This isn't typically the case with Africa's largest big cats, and so you have to make the most of these opportunities as and when they present themselves. What makes Ndutu such a fabulous place to base ourselves, was the wildlife that surrounds you while you're in camp. It's not always about the bigger things, sometimes it pays to sit in the comfort of the lodge and wait for the wildlife to come to you.    Of course, the smaller things were followed by some amazing male lions ...    For me, the absolute highlight of the trip was as we watched the sun set over Lake Ndutu. Giraffe were wading across the shallow water, while greater flamingoes sieved the rich waters through their beaks with the golden hues silhouetting them. Suddenly, someone spotted a cheetah and we were off, only for the cheetah to be immediately overshadowed by another shot. 'Caracal!' - I've been working in the safari industry for 14 years and this was my first every sighting of a caracal - just remarkable.  As well as the more obvious mammals, the plethora of birdlife was exceptional and as such the photography was incredible.      We timed our arrival perfectly, as the great migration was still in full swing. Although it's very hard to do it justice (photographically speaking) - unless you're in the air - it was a real privilege to see it out on the great plains.   Of course, to finish things off, we had to have some more lions. In all seriousness, I was blown away by the numbers of lion here. Having travelled a fair bit in eastern Africa, I think this must be among the highest density of lions around.    As I am sure you will agree, it was one heck of a trip. The Festivals are a real celebration of the wildlife, our wonderful clients and the team too. I won't be one of the leaders on the next iteration, but you can find out more about the trip to Falklands & South Georgia here.
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