- Apr, Sep–Oct
- 14 Days
- Limited to 9 Travelers
Few nature destinations hold as much allure for photographers as New Zealand, with its spectacular landscapes and intriguing native wildlife. Our focus is the South Island, a land of topographic contrasts, from seaside rainforests and turquoise lakes to ice-crowned mountains and active glaciers. In Fiordland National Park, get aerial shots of peaks, gorges, fjords and waterfalls by private helicopter. Cruise Milford Sound aboard our chartered boat. Seek images of the elusive brown kiwi on Stewart Island, plus other endemic creatures including rare yellow-eyed penguins, the world’s only alpine parrot, and the rare buff weka on Mou Waho Island in Lake Wanaka. At night, shoot the stars illuminating some of Earth’s darkest skies. Experience the hospitality New Zealanders are renowned for, too, as we meet sheep farmers, learn about Maori culture, and find a bit of Scottish heritage in the South Pacific.
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Trip Highlights
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Photograph Endangered Wildlife Found Only Here
Pursue brown kiwis on Stewart Island by starlight, incredibly rare yellow-eyed penguins, and the world's only alpine parrot, the clever kea
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Shoot Milford Sound by Private Boat & Helicopter
Cruise misty fjords and photograph waterfalls from our chartered boat, and get shots of Fiordland's glacier-crowned peaks by private helicopter
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Capture Dark Night Skies with Astrophotography
Famous for its protected dark sky reserves, New Zealand has some of Earth's starriest skies—create wondrous images with our Expedition Leader
Here's Why This Is Your Ultimate New Zealand Photography Adventure!
New Zealand's Iconic Landscapes...Plus Much More!
Most New Zealand photo tours are heavily weighted toward classic landscapes—mountains, lakes, waterfalls and famous viewpoints. With Nat Hab, however, along with these don't-miss scenes you'll get to photograph rare wildlife, remote wilderness and rural life, creating a more varied portfolio.Two Nights on Little-Visited Stewart Island, Home to Wild Kiwis
Few New Zealand photography tours stay on Stewart Island. We fly you to this far-flung locale off New Zealand's south coast to spend two nights, opening up photo opportunities most itineraries miss. Stewart Island is one of the best locations to find the endemic brown kiwi in the wild, and we dedicate one evening to getting photos of this iconic nocturnal species in its native habitat.Astrophotography Under Some of Earth's Darkest Skies
We devote several nights to astrophotography in dark sky sanctuaries. Rakiura/Stewart Island is renowned for its stars—its Maori name means "Land of Glowing Skies"—with the added possibility of photographing the aurora australis when conditions align. More astrophotography opportunities are in store at Wanaka, and on April-May trips, in Aoraki/Mount Cook International Dark Sky Reserve.Photograph New Zealand's Rare Endemic Birds
In addition to kiwis on Stewart Island, join a local bird expert on Ulva Island, a predator-free sanctuary with abundant native birdlife, to look for albatross, shearwater, shag, skua, penguins and rare endemic forest birds such as the South Island saddleback. On the Otago Peninsula, photograph albatrosses and extremely rare yellow-eyed penguins; capture images of the flightless takahe at Te Anau Bird Sanctuary; and photograph the world's only alpine parrot, the kea, at Arthur's Pass.Private Boat Trips Offer Personalized Photo Opportunities
We shun large vessels and public sightseeing excursions in favor of chartering smaller boats for our own use, including private cruises at Stewart Island, Milford Sound and Lake Wanaka. This exclusive context creates a quieter experience with greater flexibility and more time to pursue the landscapes and wildlife shots we seek.Shoot Milford Sound & the Southern Alps by Private Boat & Helicopter
Experience Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound from multiple perspectives: the dramatic Milford Road, a private cruise through Milford Sound, and—weather permitting—a chartered helicopter flight over Fiordland National Park. The flight offers aerial perspectives of waterfalls, alpine lakes, ice fields and rainforest, with secluded landings that may include a glacier, remote beach and alpine lake.Seasonal Itineraries Foster Deep Exploration
We've tailored our routes to capitalize on the best subjects at the best time of year: Sept–Oct trips include an unrushed journey up the remote West Coast, including Haast Pass, Lake Moeraki, Monro Beach, Lake Matheson, Hokitika Gorge and Punakaiki Pancake Rocks, featuring many locations rarely included on a typical South Island photo tour. April–May departures concentrate on Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, the Mackenzie Basin, Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo, the Hooker Valley and the glacial landscapes of Tasman Lake. At night, pursue astrophotography on multiple visits to some of the world's largest and most renowned dark sky reserves.Three Nights in the Arthur's Pass High Country
Both itineraries culminate with three nights at Arthur's Pass Wilderness Lodge for extended time in the Southern Alps, rather than just passing through by day, which is most common. Photograph the kea, the world's only alpine parrot, Lake Pearson and alpine landscapes, plus document working sheepdogs and daily life on an authentic merino sheep station. On April–May departures, fall colors are a highlight.Photography Informed by Naturalist Expertise
This isn't simply a landscape photography workshop transplanted to New Zealand. Nat Hab's foundation in nature travel means photographers benefit from naturalist interpretation and wildlife knowledge throughout the journey—particularly valuable when photographing endemic birds, penguins, marine wildlife, rainforest ecosystems and alpine environments. Your Expedition Leader's expertise makes for a more meaningful experience!Our Small-Group Setting Enhances Access & Intimacy
Our New Zealand Photo Expedition is limited to just nine travelers. Our small size allows flexibility to pursue the best light conditions, to linger longer when subjects warrant, and to facilitate personal coaching from our Expedition Leader, no matter a photographer's ability level. With a light impact on our environment, we can also be unobtrusive with wildlife, allowing us to capture closer images.Travel with Top Guides
Nat Hab has earned an international reputation for employing the highest-quality Expedition Leaders in the industry. Our guides average 15 years of experience and training, with additional resources and access to WWF’s top scientists. Read our Expedition Leader bios and traveler comments regarding the quality of our leaders.Our Quality-Value Guarantee Ensures Your Outstanding Nature Adventure
Natural Habitat Adventures is proud to offer our exclusive guarantee that clearly states that we will meet the high expectations we set forth in our promotional materials. To our knowledge, this is the most ambitious guarantee made by any adventure travel company. Read our important promise for yourself!Feel Good About Your Carbon-Neutral Journey
We care deeply about our planet, as we know you do. When you travel with us, the carbon emissions from your trip are 100% offset—including your round-trip flights from home. Natural Habitat Adventures has been the world’s first carbon-neutral travel company since 2007.Natural Habitat Adventures is WWF's Travel Partner
Because of our commitment to environmentally friendly travel, as well as the exceptional quality of our small-group nature adventures, World Wildlife Fund, the world’s leading environmental conservation organization, has named Natural Habitat Adventures its worldwide travel partner—a designation that makes us exceedingly proud!