For more than 10 years, Natural World Safaris has provided world-class wildlife safaris across the globe. Starting as primate specialists and then moving into the realms of bears and big cats, we have expanded our expert knowledge to become the only true niche wildlife safari company. This expertise has meant we have worked with more and more professional wildlife photographers, all of whom have guided our clients, lent their expertise and produced a collection of truly breath-taking images.

We are excited therefore to officially launch Aperture, which focuses on the ever-growing niche of wildlife safari photography. Aperture is purely focused on specialist-led wildlife photography trips, working with a selection of leading photographers who are there to assist you with your daily photographic needs while exploring the wildest corners of the world. We are forever adding more departures, new photographers and increased photographic expertise, so please refer back for the latest that Aperture has to offer.

As the recipient of multiple World Press Photo awards over the course of her illustrious career, photojournalist Ami Vitale has the requisite experience, expertise and journalistic credentials to help you capture impactful images on safari. Fellow National Geographic photographers Andy Mann and Keith Ladzinski have proven themselves as two of the biggest names in the field of outdoor photography, honing their lenses on extreme sports fanatics, endangered species and untamed landscapes. In years past, big cat expert Steve Winter has held the titles of BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year and BBC Wildlife Photojournalist of the Year, in recognition of his cutting-edge work in some of the world’s most extreme environments, from the depths of the Amazon to the peaks of the Himalayas.

Husband-and-wife team Shannon Wild and Russell MacLaughlin have criss-crossed the globe to document nature at its most primal and evocative, a photographic journey which has seen them appointed to the prestigious RED Collective. Another prolific world traveller is Canon Ambassador Pie Aerts, whose drive to experience the most far-flung and visually stunning corners of our planet is always undertaken with an aim to celebrate wildlife and promote conservation. Canon Canada Ambassador and polar fanatic Chase Teron leads photographic workshops throughout the Arctic, and revels in sharing his enthusiasm for the natural world with his fellow photographers. Last but by no means least, freelance photographer and expedition leader Andrew James is always on hand to lend his expert eye, drawing on years of experience travelling to Africa, Antarctica, the Faroe Islands and everywhere in between.

We are also thrilled to be working with internationally acclaimed fine-art photographer David Yarrow, who has developed a reputation for capturing the natural world in breathtaking images and photographing some of the world’s most endangered species. David travelled with us to the remote Subantarctic island of South Georgia in 2018, but he has also led two NWS expeditions to Svalbard, in 2017 and 2019.

“I have, to date, only led trips with Natural World Safaris as it is a partnership that works well,” says David. “NWS are a class outfit and are constant in their pursuit of excellence. They do not compromise and neither do I.”

During our 2017 Svalbard expedition, David captured what has become one of the most artful, evocative and impactful images of his decades-long career: "78 Degrees North". "There is no doubt in my mind that this photograph of a big male polar bear lends weight to the contention that wildlife photography does not need to be reportage – it can be art," said David at the time. In May 2018, the final print of "78 Degrees North" went up for auction at Sotheby's and brought in an incredible £81,250. At more than five times its initial estimate, it became David's highest-selling photograph (outside of charity auctions) to date. Our blog post delves further into the story behind the shot.

Jonathan Lee, who travelled as a guest on this expedition, had this to say about his experience: “Nothing really prepares you for an expedition of this sort – it was something truly special. The combination of a best-in-class operator in Natural World Safaris, a master of his craft in David Yarrow, and a small group of individuals from different corners of the globe, made for an experience like no other... When I look back at images from this expedition (which I do constantly) I am repeatedly amazed."