Moving photos of the world’s last Northern White white rhino and her keeper win 2022 Travel Photographer of the Year

Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) is one of those contests that takes you on a journey around the globe without you leaving your chair. The 2022 results have been announced, and like every year, it’s treated us with a selection of marvelous photos from all over the world.

This year’s winning photos show an extraordinary companionship between one of the world’s last two remaining Northern White rhinos and her keeper. And other than these moving portraits, TPOTY brings us many more stunning images, so let’s enjoy them together.

TPOTY had nearly 20,000 images submitted by photographers from 154 countries. The Overall Winner, or the Travel Photographer of the Year 2022, is the Slovenian photographer Matjaz Krivic. His images show 33-year-old Northern White rhino Najin and her keeper, Zachary Mutai, in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya.

Another series Matjaz’s submitted shows the effects of the long-running eruption of Cumbre Vieja volcano on La Palma in the Canary Islands. Other than being spectacular, these photos are also a powerful reminder of the force of nature.

“Matjaz has been entering Travel Photographer of the Year since our very first year – 2003 – and has secured a number of individual category awards with us over the past two decades,” said TPOTY founder Chris Coe. “Now he has finally landed the ‘big one’ in our 20th year.”

Matjaz Krivic commented:

“I am honoured to have my work recognised and acknowledged by the judges of the Travel Photographer of the Year awards. This competition is special to me since I have been with it from its beginning in 2003, when I was given a Judges’ Favourite Award. Now, 20 years later I received their highest award which makes me very proud and means a lot to me. Travel and photography have been my passion and a big part of my life since I remember and this award inspires me to continue with my journey. Thanks to the judges and to the team for their great work, and congratulations to the rest of the winners. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank all my friends and the people who support me and inspire me to go on the road again and again.”

The winning photos will be displayed in a free-to-view outdoor exhibition in Bristol, England in May 2023. In the meantime, you can see them below and in TPOTY’s online gallery.

Winner, Young Travel Photographer of the Year 15-18

Winner, Young Travel Photographer of the Year 14 and under

The Art of Monochrome (Portfolio)

Best Single Image in an Art of Monochrome Portfolio

Cultures (Portfolio)

Winner, Best Single Image in A Cultures Portfolio

Green Planet, Blue Planet (Portfolio)

Winner: Best Single Image in A Green Planet, Blue Planet Portfolio

Deserts to Rainforests (Portfolio)

Winner: Best Single Image in a Deserts to Rainforests (Portfolio)

Creative Travel

Mark of Mankind

Water

Smart Shot: iTravelled

People’s Choice Award

Travel Shorts (video) winner: Simon Tupper