Photographer of the Year 2025 – PRIZES
In association with Ukuri and African Parks.
Entrants compete for the coveted title of 2025 Photographer of the Year.
We are open for entries from 1 February to midnight on 30 April 2025. Judging will take place during May 2025, and the winners will be announced in early June 2025.
For more information on how to enter, visit our Entry Details page.
PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2025 PRIZE
Find lowland gorillas, forest elephants and much more in the equatorial forests of Odzala-Kokoua
The overall winner (plus partner) and the two runners-up (plus their partners) of Photographer of the Year 2025 will enjoy a teamAG safari to explore the primal forests of Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the remote north of Congo-Brazzaville. We are after lowland gorillas, forest elephants, forest buffaloes, bongos, flocks of grey parrots and much more.
This ultimate adventure will include 7 nights, including 5 nights at Camp Imbalanga in Odzala-Kokoua National Park and 2 nights in Brazzaville.
Camp Imbalanga is nestled under the shady canopy of enormous trees, and accommodates eight people in four tents. The ensuite guest chalets – discreetly positioned for privacy – are located a short walk along forest paths from the central area. Each is on a raised wooden deck and shelters under a palm frond roof and only a 3-minute walk along a walkway from Imbalanga Baï – one of two baïs in Odzala-Kokoua NP where our winners will have the opportunity to view secretive wildlife species from an elevated covered treehouse.
We will also enjoy nature hikes, game drives along forest roads and river cruises as we seek out other primates such as common chimpanzee, Demidoff’s galago, grey-cheeked mangabey, moustached monkey, crowned monkey, agile mangabey, De Brazza’s monkey, putty-nosed monkey and Guereza colobus. And then there are African golden cat, leopard, serval, spotted hyena, sitatunga, marsh mongoose, giant and red river hogs, palm civet, sitatunga, Congo clawless otter and various duiker species.
The bird species tally of over 440 includes delights such as Hartlaub’s duck, Nkulengu rail, spot-breasted ibis, Congo serpent eagle, long-tailed hawk, vermiculated fishing owl, bare-cheeked trogon, white-crested hornbill, chocolate-backed kingfisher, lyre-tailed honeyguide, African piculet, grey parrot, African pitta, rufous-bellied helmetshrike and western bluebill
So we will be kept very busy. Of course many of these species are highly secretive, but we will do our best to find them!
In 2010, African Parks entered into a 25-year-long agreement with Congo-Brazzaville’s Ministry of Forest Economy, Sustainable Development and Environment to protect this globally significant park. Subsequently included in the agreement is Lossi, a 380 km2 area situated to the southwest of Odzala-Kokoua.
While bushmeat poaching remains a constant threat, law enforcement, coupled with education and conservation-based community enterprise opportunities, has stabilised illegal activity within the park. The park surveys indicate stable populations of key wildlife species: forest elephants and western lowland gorillas.
Odzala-Kokoua-Lossi is now in safe hands, and your visit to Camp Imbalanga as a responsible traveller helps to protect this vital ecosystem.
The emphasis will be on experiencing a safari like few others have the chance to. Expect a few surprises along the way…
Read our CEO Simon’s travel diary to gain a good understanding of what this sojourn is all about,
NOTE: Several Africa Geographic team members will accompany our group on this remarkable safari. They will document the facilities and experience as part of our drive to market this remote treasure to the world. We will be shooting video footage and photographs, but this will be done unobtrusively. You will be expected to sign a waiver so that we can use the footage and photos to market Odzala-Kokoua.
This sojourn with other talented photographers will likely have winners reminiscing for the rest of their lives! Read about previous Photographer of the Year winner safaris here: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
Dates (seven nights):
Arriving 24 September 2025 and departing 1 October 2025. We will spend 6 days/5 nights in Odzala-Kokoua and one night on each side in Brazzaville, the capital city of Congo-Brazzaville.
Flights:
Winners must organise their own transport to and from Maya-Maya International Airport, in Brazzaville, Congo-Brazzaville. All transfers between Maya-Maya, our Brazzaville hotel and Camp Imbalanga are covered by Africa Geographic.
Costs:
Africa Geographic will cover all costs of the trip as described, excluding gratuities and items of a personal nature.
