Aqua-Firma

12/08/2026

With World Day & World Day and just 2 days apart, here’s a combination of images taken by Aqua-Firma’s Ralph Pannell in &
Botswana has Africa’s biggest population of elephants; and that’s where the mother and baby were photographed crossing the Chobe River. The youngster was photographed in Tarangire National Park where we find Tanzania’s great concentration of elephants.
To find out how you can see wildlife spectacles like these for yourself on a hosted, small group or private with Aqua-Firma visit:
https://www.aqua-firma.com/destinations/botswana
https://www.aqua-firma.com/destinations/tanzania

25/06/2026

These images come fresh from Brazil's unique Anavilhanas Islands, taken on a Deep Amazon River Wildlife Cruise, hosted by AQUA-FIRMA director, Ralph Pannell.
Situated in 's Rio Negro, there are more than 400 islands in the archipelago. Some are several kilometres long, yet little more than 80 metres wide. To experience the pristine rainforest of this remote wilderness for yourself, onboard a classic 14 passenger riverboat, visit:
https://www.aqua-firma.com/experiences/brazil-amazon-wildlife-river-cruise
We don’t take protection of wild for granted:
https://www.aqua-firma.com/travel-guides/rainforest-4-climate-wildlife-travel-conservation

23/05/2026

It’s , so here’s photos from three of Aqua-Firma’s best trips on which to & with sea turtles … beginning with two green feeding & swimming in clear blue waters above seagrass beds, just off the beach where we base our Whale Shark Research – Islands, Marine Life & holidays (next available 08 – 15 Oct, 2026):
https://www.aqua-firma.com/experiences/madagascar-whale-shark-research-islands-marine-life-lemurs
From Indonesia, we can see the distinctive beak of a Hawksbill Turtle, captured midwater by MMF research host, Dr Simon Pierce, on our Research, Coral Triangle & Dragons holiday (next available 19 – 26 Oct, 2027):
https://www.aqua-firma.com/destinations/indonesia
And from the we have a ‘Grey’ Green Turtle with the ‘dust’ around its mouth, of algae scraped off volcanic rocks, best seen on our land-based Wildlife, Marine Life & Volcanoes of Western Galapagos trips:
https://www.aqua-firma.com/destinations/galapagos

23/05/2026

Here's images from AQUA-FIRMA's Whale Shark Research, Coral Reef & Photo holiday to Tanzania last December. It was hosted by two researchers who have dedicated their lives to the research and protection of these magnificent animals: MMF's Dr Chris Rohner & Dr Clare Prebble; alongside Aqua-Firma photographer & director, Ralph Pannell.
For more images & information about how you can join this trip in December 2026:
https://www.aqua-firma.com/news/2025/12/17/whale-shark-research-reef-tanzania
December has proven to be a peak time for seeing whale sharks in , where we can also take you or amongst some of Tanzania's most diverse and beautiful

19/05/2026

Santa Maria, a replica of Christopher Columbus’s ship, has sailed into the harbour our offices overlook in Charlestown, Cornwall. The original ship sank off the north coast of Hispaniola – a Caribbean island divided between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The site is less than 100 miles from where we embark on our annual expeditions to swim with Humpback Whales.
Our next Silver Bank Whale Watching & Snorkel expedition will be 27 Feb – 06 March, 2027. For details visit:
https://www.aqua-firma.com/experiences/swim-with-whales-silver-bank-humpback-whalewatching

24/01/2026

Coming close to cheetahs, leopards, lions and more in the shadow of Africa's volcanoes, the Great Rift Valley and the iconic Serengeti plains, is something truly special.
https://www.aqua-firma.com/experiences/safaris-tanzania-serengeti-ngorongoro-great-migration
Follow the link above to a gallery of images taken on one of Aqua-Firma’s Great Migration & North Tanzania Safaris last month.
https://www.aqua-firma.com/destinations/tanzania
Photo: Ralph Pannell (Aqua-Firma)

07/12/2025

Here's images from AQUA-FIRMA's Whale Shark Research, Coral Reef & Photo trip currently running in Tanzania. It is hosted by two researchers who have dedicated their lives to the research and protection of these magnificent animals: MMF's Dr Chris Rohner & Dr Clare Prebble; alongside Aqua-Firma photographer & director, Ralph Pannell.
https://www.aqua-firma.com/destinations/tanzania
Whilst MMF research helps to develop a clearer picture about whale shark biology and movements around our Oceans, it also reveals the existential threat whale sharks face. With data gathered by Chris, Clare and other shark scientists Aqua-Firma sponsor, whale sharks have just been given the highest level of protection by CITES: the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
To find out how to join an Aqua-Firma whale shark trip in Tanzania, the or visit:
https://www.aqua-firma.com/marine-life/whale-shark-rhincodon-typus-research-conservation-photography-dive-snorkel
December has proven to be a peak time for seeing whale sharks in , where we can also snorkel or scuba dive amongst some of Tanzania's most diverse and beautiful

08/11/2025

John Cleese a & Aqua-Firma in a cinema near you!
We are a little bit proud to say that this photograph, taken by Aqua-Firma director & photographer, Ralph Pannell, of a rare Cleese’s Lemur (Avahi cleesei), will be appearing in a new John Cleese documentary movie this month.
‘John Cleese Packs It In’ is a behind-the-scenes portrait of a comedy legend on the road. John uses this photo to express his passion for lemurs and their conservation; and his pride in having this particular lemur named after him.
To see the movie, check out https://johncleeseincinemas.com as well as your local cinema listings.
For information about Woolly Lemurs and where to see them visit:
https://www.aqua-firma.com/wildlife/lemurs/woolly-lemur

30/08/2025

It’s International Whale Shark Day so here are some images from our next Whale Shark Research target: Madagascar. These images were taken on Aqua-Firma’s Whale Shark Research – Marine Life, Lemurs & Islands trip last October, which is usually the peak month for whale shark aggregations in our study area.
We are fully booked for October 2025, but click below for details about how you can join us in October 2026:
https://www.aqua-firma.com/experiences/madagascar-whale-shark-research-islands-marine-life-lemurs
And click below for a gallery of images taken on our October 2023. It’s not just whale sharks we see:
https://www.aqua-firma.com/news/2023/11/02/madagascar-whale-shark-wildlife-marine-life-photo-gallery
For more Ocean Giant Expeditions including Galapagos, Komodo, Tanzania & Norway visit:
https://www.aqua-firma.com/experience-types/ocean-giant-research-conservation-photography

29/07/2025

In recognition of World Nature Conservation Day on 28th July:

AQUA-FIRMA | Pantanal4Climate Project