Penda Travel Photography Competition 2025 arrives with a simple promise for travelers and storytellers. Enter one photograph for free, choose from three travel-led themes, and the top image could lead to a guided photo safari in Botswana next July. Entries close on 10 December 2025, with a shortlist on 15 January and winners on 20 January 2026. If you like keeping all your photo contest deadlines in one place, this one is easy to plan around.
The brief follows how photographers tend to work on the road. There is room for human stories, sweeping scenery, and the animal world. The overall winner, selected from the three category winners, receives a Botswana photo safari guided by Alan Hewitt and valued at $4,995, scheduled for 17 to 23 July 2026. Category winners receive a VINCOV Lisboa backpack and runners-up receive VINCOV leather straps. Entry is digital and quick, with one free upload and the option to add ten extra images for $10. The scope is global and the themes welcome work across wildlife, landscape, and people-focused travel stories that sit near documentary and travel.
Contents
Prizes
Prizes celebrate strong work in each category, with one overall winner chosen from the three category winners.
- 1st Prize, Overall Winner: Guided Botswana photo safari with Alan Hewitt, 17 to 23 July 2026, valued at $4,995. Includes a private camp stay inside a reserve, on-site tutoring, and dedicated time for wildlife photography.
- Category Winners: VINCOV Lisboa camera backpack.
- Runners-up: VINCOV Sabang leather camera strap, padded for long shooting days in the field.
Shortlist and winners are published online, with email notifications sent directly.
Related Photo Contests
Categories or Themes
The Penda Travel Photography Competition 2025 features three categories.
- People & Cultures focuses on human stories and traditions, aligning with people, culture, and aspects of documentary.
- Landscape & Flora suits wild coasts, city overlooks, and plant studies tied to landscape.
- Wildlife centers on animals in their environments and connects directly to wildlife.
Dates and Entry Fees
- Closing date: 10 December 2025.
- Shortlist announcement: 15 January 2026.
- Winners announcement: 20 January 2026.
Entry fees:
The first entry is free.
You can add ten extra images for $10 and continue in the same way with additional sets.
How to Enter:
Use the entry form on the Penda Travel Photography Competition 2025 official page. Upload a JPEG in Adobe RGB (1998) up to 2 MB and name files as FirstName_LastName_Category_ImageTitle.jpeg. Select the correct category, confirm permissions, and submit. If shortlisted, be ready to provide RAW files or original JPEGs when asked.
About the Jury
The Penda Travel Photography Competition 2025 judging panel includes Tyrone Turner, Lucia Griggi, Alan Hewitt, Susan Sterner, Emil von Maltitz, Mike Dexter, Charlotte Arthun, and Chris Allan.
Why Enter Penda Travel Photography Competition 2025?
The grand prize is time in the field with a mentor, which can shape a portfolio more than a line on a résumé. Because the first upload is free, it is easy to test a single strong image without committing a budget. The three clear categories make it simple to place a story that blends wildlife with a wider landscape or with people-centered narratives linked to culture, people, and field-based documentary. Set dates for the shortlist and awards make planning straightforward alongside other best photography competitions to join through the season.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Penda Travel Photography Competition 2025 has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.
Rules
- Eligibility covers all levels and all countries with digital entry only. Categories are Wildlife, Landscape & Flora, and People & Cultures.
- Files are JPEG in Adobe RGB (1998) up to 2 MB. Follow the required file-naming format.
- Standard editing is allowed. AI-generated images are not permitted. Do not add or remove significant elements.
- If shortlisted, you may be asked to provide RAW files or original untouched JPEGs.
- Judging looks at composition, storytelling, creativity, and technical quality. Jury decisions are final. Shortlist and winners are announced online on the stated dates.
- Ethics apply. Avoid baiting or any practice that harms people, animals, or the environment. Respect local laws and permit requirements.
Copyright and Image Usage
- Copyright remains with the photographer.
- By entering, you grant permission for promotional use connected to the competition and related tours, with credit and without altering the integrity of the image.
- Personal data is collected only to administer the competition and is not shared without consent unless required for administration.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
