Competition 2025
Prizes and Awards
A total of 43,500 Euro worth of prizes have been awarded.
Award Ceremony
- All award-winning participants will receive an invitation to the award ceremony, a free ticket to the International Nature Photography Festival 2025 in Lünen, a certificate and an exhibition catalog.
European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025
- 3,000 EUR – donated by Canon
- A special wildlife photography safari for two people in Maasai Mara in Kenya, valued at over 10,000 EUR, to Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp (incl. return flights from Nairobi to Maasai Mara) – donated by Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp**
- travel expenses, costs for the buffet and accommodation for the award-winning ceremony in Lünen
- trophy
Fritz Pölking Prize
- 2,000 EUR – donated by Tecklenborg publishing house
- trophy
- costs for the buffet and accommodation
Fritz Pölking Junior Prize
- 1.500 EUR – donated by Tecklenborg publishing house
- merchandise voucher worth 500 EUR – donated by AC-Foto*
- trophy
- costs for the buffet and accommodation
Rewilding Europe Award
- Winner: 1.000 EUR – donated by Rewilding Europe
- trophy
- travel expenses, costs for the buffet and accommodation
- Runner-up: 500 EUR – donated by Rewilding Europe
Category winner
- K1 – 8: winners: 800 EUR
- K1 – 8: runners-up: 500 EUR
Youth category
- K9: winners: 200 EUR
- travel expenses, costs for the buffet and accommodation (including a parent or legal guardian if applicable)
- K9: runners-up: 100 EUR
Highly commended
- invitation to the award ceremony, free ticket for the festival 2025
* Cash equivalents as a substitute are not available
** The trip can take place between January and June in 2025, 2026, or 2027. The prize is non-transferable.
Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp
About the prize
Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp proudly sponsors the Overall Winner of the GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year. The grand prize features a 10-day photo safari for two in the Maasai Mara, Kenya, hosted at the Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp, scheduled between January and June (in 2025, 2026 or 2027).
This prize package includes a specially modified Toyota Land Cruiser for nature photography, enabling low-angle shots, along with a Maasai guide and driver, national park entrance fees, accommodations in a private safari tent, all meals, non-alcoholic beverages, and a round-trip ticket from Nairobi Wilson Airport to the Maasai Mara, with allowance for extra luggage. The total value of the prize is 10,400 EURO. (The prize cannot be transferred or exchanged for cash.)
About the camp
Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp is an eco-friendly camp in Kenya's Maasai Mara. Founded in 2017 by wildlife photographer Arnfinn Johansen from Norway and Maasai guide John Siololo, also known as Big John, the camp caters to professional photographers and nature enthusiasts alike. The experienced guides are accustomed to meeting the high standards expected of nature photographers. Equipped with specially modified Land Cruisers for optimal photography—accommodating both aerial and low-angle shots—guests can expect incredible wildlife encounters and stunning photographs. The camp offers full-day safaris with breakfast and lunch served on the savannah, allowing guests to capture moments in ideal lighting from sunrise to sunset. Typically, the daily game drives last 13-14 hours, and dinner is served at the camp in the evening.
Oltepesi offers inviting accommodations in roomy safari tents. These tents resemble "hotel rooms on the savannah,” equipped with electricity and a private bathroom with a shower, sink, and flush toilet. Located in Oltepesi Village, a genuine Maasai settlement, guests have the opportunity to experience the vibrant traditions and culture of the Maasai people. For those who wish to stay in a traditional Maasai hut for a night, it is available. Guests can freely take photographs and videos, allowing them to feel at home.
For more information, visit www.oltepesi.com.