People & Culture Category and Overall Winner: “Kartika Vrata” by Tanveer Rohan
The 2026 Penda Travel Photography Competition has announced its winners, showcasing images that immerse viewers in powerful stories from around the world.
Photographers from across continents submitted emotionally rich and visually intentional work, making the judges’ task of choosing meaningful images especially challenging. The final collection highlights humanity, wildlife, and landscapes in a way that captures the quiet magic of global exploration. This year’s top honor went to Tanveer Rohan for “Kartika Vrata,” a vibrant, expertly composed photograph that earned him a coveted Botswana Photo Safari. Supporting this creative spirit, Penda Photo Tours continues to design photography‑focused travel experiences that blend artistic purpose with ethical exploration.
More: Penda Travel Photography Competition, Instagram
People & Culture – Second place: “Circles of Life” by Pranab Basak
Wildlife – Winner: “Lioness Eyes Behind Birds” by Willem Kruger
Wildlife – Second Place: “Life Hangs by a Thread” by Xiaoping Lin
Landscape – Winner: “Money Tree” by Xu Zhang
Landscape – Second Place: “Bozzhira” by Galip Cetiner
“Color Contrast” by Anna Sadowski
Crown of Thorns” by Alia Noordin
“Jai Ho” by Sanjoy Bhattacharya
“Albatros Argument” by Simon Roberts
“Here Comes the Sun” by Frederic Dumortier