The Ultimate New Zealand Wildlife Tour – 2027
Photographing the Rare and Ancient Species of the Wild South
Venture into an ancient island nation where evolution took its own extraordinary path, producing magnificent wildlife found nowhere else on the planet. Guided by award-winning Arctic explorer David Gibbon and New Zealand-born wildlife photographer Francine Stevens, this intimate journey takes you deep into the ecological heart of the wild South. Together, we explore a breathtaking canvas of glacier-carved fjords, primeval forests, and rugged coastlines — home to critically rare species like the Yellow-eyed Penguin, the King Shag, and the world’s only alpine parrot, the inquisitive Kea.
This is far more than a standard photography tour. Rooted in the Māori philosophy of kaitiakitanga — the deep guardianship of the land and all living things — this expedition prioritises the absolute welfare of the wildlife over the shot. Utilising disciplined, small-group dynamics and specialist local knowledge, you will secure unprecedented access to fragile ecosystems while honing a creative perspective that permanently transforms how you see through the lens.
Spaces are strictly limited for 04–16 October 2027. Please email david@wildlensnature.tours or visit our Book Tour page to secure your place.
Tour Info
- Australasian Gannet
- Fiordland Crested Penguin
- Kākā
- Kea
- Kererū
- King Shag
- Kōkako
- Landscapes
- Little Blue Penguin
- New Zealand Bellbird
- New Zealand Fantail
- New Zealand Fur Seal
- New Zealand Robin
- Royal Albatross
- Saddleback
- Sea Lion
- Southern Giant Petrel
- Spotted Shag
- Tuatara
- Tūī
- Yellow-eyed Penguin
Your Accommodation
Accommodation is carefully selected to keep us as close to key wildlife sites as possible while offering comfort and great value. Because this journey moves frequently to follow the best conditions, most stays are limited to one or two nights to maximise our time out in the field. You will have a private room, staying mainly in well-located motels equipped with kitchen facilities, giving you the flexibility to cook your own meals. To keep our daily schedule responsive to the light and wildlife activity, breakfasts and lunches are self-catered, with regular supermarket stops and plenty of chances to visit local cafés along the way. A warm thermos of coffee and tea will always be waiting in the vehicle each morning. In the evenings, you can unwind with included dinners at local eateries, and our route passes right through some of the South Island’s world-renowned wine regions, where there will be plenty of opportunities to pick up some exceptional local bottles to enjoy during your downtime.
Pricing Overview
- All accommodation
- All ground transport, New Zealand airport transfers and the Cook Strait ferry
- Private charter boats for dedicated marine photography sessions
- All entrance fees to conservation sites and excursions
- Dinners, light snacks, coffee and tea (most diets can be catered for)
- Photography tuition and expert guiding on New Zealand fauna
- Personal expenses
- International flights to/from New Zealand (arrival into Wellington, departure from Auckland)
- Domestic flight from Dunedin to Auckland
- Breakfasts and lunches (self-catered)
- Alcoholic drinks with dinners
- Optional, non-photography excursions at guests' own expense
- Photography gear
- Travel insurance (you must take this out before travelling with us)
Secure Your Place in the Wild Today
With spaces extremely limited, don’t miss your chance to capture iconic wildlife and breathtaking landscapes.
Tour Co-Leader: David Gibbon
David Gibbon, owner of Wild Lens Nature Tours Ltd., is an award-winning wildlife photographer best known for leading winter Arctic Fox expeditions in Iceland since 2018. He has been highly commended in the Nature Photographer of the Year awards with multiple accolades.
David has guided some of the world’s most remote and challenging photography expeditions, including a 2023 extreme winter journey to Ellesmere Island (the closest landmass to the North Pole), where teams lived in tents at -50°C to photograph Polar Bears, Musk Ox and Arctic Wolves. In 2025, he led the first-ever land-based winter wildlife photography expedition across remote Greenland by snowmobile.
Tour Co-Leader: Francine Stevens
Francine Stevens is a New Zealand–born wildlife photographer and conservation storyteller working within tourism and environmental innovation. Her work spans some of the world’s most remote and iconic environments, driven by a deep curiosity for animal behaviour, ecology, and the stories nature holds.
This expedition has been personally crafted by Francine to honour her homeland and highlight conservation successes, offering intimate, small-group photographic journeys rooted in creativity, culture, learning, and respect for nature.
The Ultimate New Zealand Wildlife Tour – 2027 Gallery
Your Money is in Safe Hands
Wild Lens Nature Tours Ltd. safeguards your trip deposits and balances in a dedicated trust account with Protected Trust Services (PTS), a leading provider of financial protection for UK travel companies.
Additionally, our comprehensive supplier failure insurance protects your investment if any of the ground agents or service providers we partner with fail to deliver the services you’ve paid for.
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