A decade of purposeful photography travel
Impact Travel Group is proud to celebrate ten years of Penda Photo Tours, the Cape Town-based photography travel company that has grown from two founding trips into a leading name in experience-driven photography travel across five continents.
Founded in 2016 by Marleen Lammers and Greg Bows, Penda was built on a simple but well-considered premise: that exceptional travel and meaningful photography could occupy the same space. A decade on, that premise has been proven across wildlife expeditions, landscape tours, humanitarian workshops and cultural immersions in destinations from Botswana to Japan to Iceland.
Where it started
Penda launched with just two trips and a clear set of values: exceptional photographic access, small groups, strong partnerships on the ground and a genuine commitment to the places and communities its tours pass through. The early years were focused on learning what worked, refining itineraries and building the relationships with lodges and local partners that underpin the experience today.
“We launched Penda with just two trips. Those first few years were all about learning, understanding what worked, what didn’t, and refining the experience with every departure. We focused on building strong relationships with photographers and lodges that aligned with our standards and values and slowly expanded. We’ve gone from testing an idea to becoming a leading experience-driven photography tour company – and that’s exciting.”
— Greg Bows, Co-Founder, Penda Photo Tours
What it means to be in the field
The measure of any travel company is ultimately what it delivers in the moment a guest is out in the field. For Penda, that moment is the point where destination, skill and shared experience converge. Small groups of photographers at different stages of their journey, in extraordinary locations, with guides who understand both the art of photography and the place.
“Leading our tours is always a standout highlight for me. Not only because of the incredible destinations we operate in, but also because of the time spent in the field with our guests. Being part of those shared experiences and helping to deliver something that can genuinely be life-changing is hugely fulfilling. Seeing people grow in confidence, refine their skills, and leave with both stronger images and lasting memories is what makes it all worthwhile.”
— Sam Turley, General Manager and Wildlife Photographer, Penda Photo Tours
Photography with a wider purpose
Alongside its wildlife and landscape programmes, Penda has run humanitarian photography tours since its earliest years, guided by photographer Anna Lusty. These workshops train participants to photograph responsibly and ethically for non-profit organisations, producing images that go on to raise awareness for communities and causes that are often underrepresented.
The images created on these workshops are gifted directly to partner non-profits. The skills participants develop travel with them long after the tour ends.
“Working with Penda has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to mentor photographers in a way that goes beyond technique – helping them build the confidence to tell stories ethically and responsibly for non-profits and organisations. The privilege of creating and gifting images to our partner non-profits, visuals that they’ve gone on to use to raise awareness for their vital and often underrepresented work, has been one of the standout highlights of the past ten years.”
— Anna Lusty, Humanitarian Photography Workshop Leader, Penda Photo Tours
The next chapter
Ten years in, Penda is not standing still. New photographic adventures are launching, the destination list continues to grow and the team’s commitment to high-quality travel remains the constant that runs through every decision.
There is a broader shift happening in photography travel that Penda is well placed to meet. Travellers are increasingly looking for experiences that feel purposeful – where the act of travel intersects with conservation, community and genuine contribution. Penda was built on exactly that combination, and it is now a defining strength rather than a point of difference.
“Penda was built on the goal of having a positive impact, and that remains at the core of everything we do. Looking ahead, we will continue to build on that foundation while constantly striving to improve the overall client experience. Ultimately, the goal is to keep delivering meaningful, impactful and high-quality experiences that resonate with our audience and continue to set us apart.”
— Sam Turley, General Manager and Wildlife Photographer, Penda Photo Tours
ITG congratulates the entire Penda team – founders, guides, photo tour leaders and the partners on the ground across five continents – on a decade of travel that has genuinely meant something to the people who took part in it.
About Penda Photo Tours
Penda Photo Tours creates small-group photography safaris and workshops across Africa, the Americas, Europe and Asia. Every trip is built around photography, designed by photographers and led by professionals who are passionate about helping others capture extraordinary images. Groups are kept deliberately small to allow for genuine tuition and individual attention, and itineraries are constructed to put guests in the right place at the right time.
Penda’s portfolio spans wildlife, landscape, cultural and humanitarian photography, with destinations ranging from Botswana’s Tuli Block and Namibia’s dunes to India, Iceland, Japan and beyond. The company is committed to responsible and ethical photography practice, working with local guides and respecting the communities and wildlife. Penda also runs a humanitarian photography initiative that supports grassroots charities through visual storytelling.
