LONDON (30 August 2018) — The winner of the National Geographic Traveller (UK) Travel Writing Competition 2018 is Dom Tulett for his piece on elephants in Uganda.

In March, we asked readers to submit a great piece of travel writing in a bid to discover the best untapped talent. The brief was to write a focused, 500-word piece that captured both the essence of a destination and the spirit of National Geographic Traveller — immersive travel and authentic storytelling. Overall, the results were, as usual, of a very high quality, and this week we revealed the top three entries online, culminating in the winner this morning.

Pat Riddell, the editor of National Geographic Traveller, said: “Dom’s entry stood out for the immediacy of his prose. We’re swiftly drawn into the moment with an element of mystery. Dom then deftly maintains a sense of place and the narrative arc without wasting any words. The subject itself is unusual and interesting, and although the story is a simple one, it leaves a lasting impression.”

Dom’s prize is a 14-day Hike, Bike and Kayak Adventure in Thailand with G Adventures. He’ll join a small group of like-minded travellers hiking through forests and rice paddies, cycling through remote community villages and experiencing Thailand’s intriguing combination of culture and the great outdoors. As well as kayaking the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea and discovering white-sand beaches and the sort of coral coves that are perfect for snorkelling, the group will also have a guide on hand to offer the lowdown on the local language and customs. Highlights include cycling around Bangkok, an overnight stay in a raft house and a three-day trek to a rural community. gadventures.com

 Congratulations are also in order for the two runners-up: Gavin Greene, for his piece on seeking out the elusive, resplendent quetzal in Costa Rica; and Souad Msallem, who wrote about a visit to the former mining town of Min-Kush in Kyrgyzstan.

All three entries can be read on the website now. natgeotraveller.co.uk/travel-writing-competition

They’ll also be available to read in the October issue of National Geographic Traveller, out 6 September.

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Prize sponsor
G Adventures offers unforgettable small-group travel experiences in the world’s greatest destinations. gadventures.com

Notes

National Geographic Traveller (UK) is published under licence by APL Media Limited, from National Geographic Partners LLC in Washington, D.C. The 180-page travel and lifestyle magazine was launched in December 2010, and is packed full of you-are-there photography, authentic travel experiences and inspiring narratives. natgeotraveller.co.uk

National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP) is a joint venture between National Geographic and 21st Century Fox, and is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivalled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. NGP returns 27% of its proceeds to the non-profit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. nationalgeographic.com 

National Geographic Society is a leading non-profit that invests in bold people and transformative ideas in the fields of exploration, scientific research, storytelling and education. It supports educators to ensure that the next generation is armed with geographic knowledge and global understanding. National Geographic Society aspires to create a community of change, advancing key insights about the planet and probing some of the most pressing scientific questions of our time. Its goal is measurable impact: furthering exploration and educating people around the world to inspire solutions for the greater good. nationalgeographic.org

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