The Best of 2025 Challenge

Welcome to the announcement of the Best of 2025 Pangolin Photo Challenge! It’s been a wonderful journey, and we’re excited to showcase the highly commended, runner-up, and winning images from this year’s challenge, along with the camera settings used to capture these stunning shots!

Missed the Best of 2025 finalists video?

In case you missed it, here are the finalists from which the images below were chosen.

The Best of 2025 Challenge was judged by

SONY A7 IV with a Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G) lens

f/5.3 | 1/1000 | 341 mm | ISO 1000

“Walking in the jungle of a Malaysian island, the gaze of this spectacled langur catches my attention. Hidden among the shadows, a faint ray of light illuminates his face, highlighting his eyes and the intensity of his gaze. A short and intense encounter, which simply expresses the beauty of nature.”- Filippo.

CANON EOS R3 with a RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens

f/5.0 | 1/1250 | 363 mm | ISO 3200

“This image was taken in the Kgalagadi National Park. A sighting of an African Wildcat is always so special, but to witness a hunt and capture it while having eye contact with the cat and the gerbil in its mouth was a moment I will treasure” – Charmaine

CANON EOS R5 with a RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM lens

f/3.0 | 1/200 | 400 mm | ISO 6400

“A caracal lowers itself to cautiously drink at a waterhole. Its sleek form, piercing eyes and distinctive ears perfectly reflected in the still water. A rare sighting of a hunter in its natural environment.” – Terri

CANON EOS R5m2 with an RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM lens

f/3.0 | 1/320 | 400 mm | ISO 5000

“In the chaotic, dense undergrowth of the rainforest, a large male Mandrill finds a patch of light. The photography conditions were gruelling, but I used a shallow depth of field to isolate the male. By blurring the surrounding jungle and the other members of his troop, I wanted to emphasize his specific role. He is the anchor in the chaos, bearing the burden of protection for his family. His vibrant facial colouration serves as a signal of his dominance and shines like a beacon in the dark forest.” – Idan

NIKON D500 with a Tamron 70-200mm F/2.8 VC USD G2

f/3.0 | 1/160 | 185 mm | ISO 4000

“On a hot August night, I photographed this Mantis religiosa around midnight on a city pavement, framed against the street and traffic lights. Mantises are typically active during daylight, relying on natural light to locate and capture prey. Here, however, the insect was drawn to artificial lighting that attracted flying insects and created extended hunting opportunities while possibly reducing exposure to some predators.” – Diana. This image carries the title Prey à Porter — a reference to how its posture echoes the elegance of a catwalk silhouette while retaining the precision of a predator preparing to strike.

CANON EOS R8 with a RF50mm F1.8 STM lens

f/1.7 | 1/4000 | 50 mm | ISO 250

“This image showcases a close up image of a ladybug on the skin of a white rhino. Big and small. This image was taken during a rhino notching process. It is a vital conservation process that helps researchers monitor and identify rhinos. This helps to protect them from poachers.” – Sofia

SONY A1 with a FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS lens

f/3.0 | 1/640 | 400 mm | ISO 3200

“On the last day in Lake Nakuru, we were notified that a Leopard was sleeping in a tree. We raced to the spot. It was 5pm, misty and darkening. He was a long distance across a field. The Leopard was lovely, but the tree he chose to perch in was magnificent – the most beautiful yellow-barked Acacia!! Minutes were passing and my guide said we had to leave at 6:30. I said I am staying until I have to go, hoping he would get up. It began to pour rain, we were getting wet and freezing….and yet the Leopard stayed, a lesson in accepting his circumstances. He did turn and glance our way. And that was as good as a dismount!” – Janis

CANON EOS R5 with a EF8-15mm f/4L FISHEYE USM lens

f/5.0 | 1/500 | 15 mm | ISO 500

“While recently exploring the Sea of Cortez in Baja California Sur, Mexico, I encountered many fascinating creatures, including manta rays, silky sharks, sea lions, mobula rays, and dolphins. On the very last day, I finally encountered the superstars of the sea – orcas. Orcas, also known as killer whales, actually belong to the dolphin family. Known as apex predators, they are at the top of the ocean’s food chain. Orcas are the only known predators of great white sharks. Swimming with this family of beautiful, magnificent, and extremely intelligent creatures showered in sunbeams was nothing short of awe-inspiring.” – Angela

CANON EOS R3 with a RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM + EXTENDER RF2x lens

f/6.6 | 1/3200 | 400 mm | ISO 2500

“It was thus with great excitement when I visited Central Kalahari Game Reserve this year mid-March, stumbled across a small pond where young bullfrogs were now engaged in their quest to survive. Whilst looking early mornings and late afternoons to find other things to photograph, its as if the bullfrogs that stole the show. I positioned myself next to the pond and slipped under my vehicle where I spend upwards of 5-7 hours per day flexing my neck and back, craned in all sorts of uncomfortable positions trying to photograph the African Bullfrogs hunting some of the many thousands of beautiful butterflies that were attracted to the mineral and salt rich edges of the mud.” – Jens

NIKON Z 8 with a NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens

f/5.6 | 1/640 | 450 mm | ISO 25600

“A gorilla’s outstretched hand emerges from the shadows, capturing a moment of quiet introspection. In the stillness, strength and vulnerability coexist in a single gesture. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda.” – Caterina

Congratulations, Caterina, on the well-deserved win!

You have won a spot for two on our most popular safari, The Best of Chobe!

Lucky Draw Winner

And randomly chosen from all the entries was Brian Vandenheuvel – who entered a photo of an albatross (Northern Royal Albatross #413) in the Birds of the Worlds category. Congratulations, you also win the incredible The Best of Chobe safari for two people.

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