National Geographic Traveller UK announced the 2026 competition winners, selecting Edward Hasler’s aerial shot of Namibia’s sand dunes as the grand prize among more than 3,500 submissions.. judges praised the breadth of categories, from remote wilderness to bustling markets, underscoring a surge in adventurous travel photography.

Edward Hasler’s aerial masterpiece of Sossusvlei sand dunes

Hasler’s winning image captures the swirling dunes of Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert after a rare rainstorm flooded the riverbeds, creating tree‑like patterns visible from above. he explained that the water‑etched designs inspired the composition, and the judge Aisha Nazar highlighted the shot’s technical brilliance in the aerial category.

Zaeem Jafri’s dumpling‑steam moment at Namdaemun Market, Seoul

Jafri earned recognition for a vivid capture of freshly steamed dumplings arriving at a popular stall in Seoul’s Namdaemun Market. He described raising his camera above the queue to frame the tray without intruding, while steam rose and crowds gathered, a scene that resonated with judges seeking authentic street‑level storytelling.

James Campbell’s ice‑cave view inside Katla, Iceland

Campbell’s photograph from inside an Icelandic ice cave shows blue glacial walls framing volcanic ash bands and a distant green valley. He noted that ice caves constantly melt and reshape ,making his image a fleeting record of a landscape that may never reappear in the same form.

Felix Belloin’s drone‑shot of a sleeping polar bear in Svalbard

Belloin used a drone and telephoto lens to capture a polar bear asleep on the sea ice off Svalbard, Norway, while maintaining a respectful distance. He emphasized the importance of non‑intrusive observation, a principle echoed by the competition’s wildlife judges.

Who are the unseen judges behinnd the 2026 selections?

The source mentions associate picture editor Aisha Nazar but does not identify the full panel of judges, leaving the expertise and regional representation of the jury unclear. Additionally, the competition’s criteria for scoring technical versus narrative merit remain undisclosed, a gap that could affect how photographers tailor future entries.