Nature photography is all about being in the right place at the right time - but having the help of top photographers at some of the world's most beautiful places can play a part too.
The best photography tours not only place you in the perfect spot to capture magic moments, they also impart the skills to turn them into images worth sharing.
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These five trips offer an exclusive, unparalleled experience to take photos of incredible creatures while enjoying the trip of a lifetime.
Grizzly bears on the Taku river
Famed wildlife photographer Nick Garbutt leads this Wildlife Worldwide trip along British Columbia's remote Taku river to photograph one of Canada's most famous animals up close.
From late July through to mid-August, large numbers of grizzly bears congregate in this area to catch the Chinook salmon that run up the river to spawn.
The bear's relaxed and controlled nature towards humans means this is probably the safest and most intimate photography opportunity imaginable with these creatures.
"On a daily basis there will be numerous close encounters with the bears, and Nick will spend the week helping you get the most out of these photographic opportunities, with tuition, workshops and advice for all levels of photographer," says the website.
Grizzly bears on the Taku river Price including flights from/to UK starts from £8,495, through Wildlife Worldwide
Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia: A photographer's journey through south-east Asia
This trip through south-east Asia's most interesting and stimulating settings is the brainchild of Art Photo Expeditions, which leads a unique photo tour during which high-tech luxury equipment is at your fingertips.
"It's like Ferrari offering a trip through southern Europe that allows participants to drive Ferraris in various locations," says the website.
The 14-day tour, led by photographer Tim Gerard Barker, features loaned camera equipment provided by Swedish luxury camera brand Hasselblad.
"Photographing people in Asia is a wonderfully rewarding experience," says Barker. "A wave of the camera and a smile is often enough to gain acceptance into their space."
Travellers bring their own gear but they can try H5D-50c and CVF-50c medium format cameras, and all Hasselblad's H lenses on the trip.
Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia: A Photographer's Journey through south-east Asia, Hasselblad Xcursions and Art Photo Expeditions. Prices start from $11,900 (£9,100)
Tanzania photo safari
This photography safari combines the exhilarating experience of animal watching on some of east Africa's most spectacular landscapes with the excitement of honing your skills while snapping an ever-changing tableau of wildlife.
"Learn how best to capture movement and light as you frame dazzling herds of zebras, majestic lion prides, and wildebeests on their annual migration across the Serengeti," says the website.
There are opportunities to spend time with the Maasai tribe and document their traditions in the Ngorongoro Highlands, all led by the Italian National Geographic photojournalist Massimo Bassano.
Nine day round-trip costs $9,495 (£7,280). Flights not included but can be bought in the package from National Geographic Expeditions.
Tundra Lodge polar bear photo expedition
Natural Habitat Adventures offers one of the few chances to see polar bears in their natural environment.
The company holds exclusive permits to tour the entire Churchill Wildlife Management Area in Manitoba, Canada, and takes a mobile hotel featuring gourmet kitchens, a lounge area and sliding windows, so travellers can photograph the habitat without leaving the warmth of their bed.
According to the company, curious bears often wander up to the mobile hotel, allowing travellers to photograph them from inches away.
Eight-day tour from Natural Habitat Adventures departs in November. Prices start from $7,995 (£6,130)
Bolivia and Chile - Altiplano, Atacama Desert and Salar de Uyuni
This trip by Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris is set in the lofty world of Bolivia and Chile, punctuated by the towering snowcapped Andes.
Travelling the fantastic landscapes of gleaming salt flats that mirror the sky and exploring lakes of astounding colour, the trip offers the chance to photograph an exciting assortment of South American wildlife, including three species of flamingos, high-altitude waterfowl, Andean foxes, vicunas and viscachas.
On the Altiplano, the balance of wildlife and landscape photography presents an extraordinary opportunity, says the website.
Trip runs in March. Prices start from $7,595 (£5,823), flights not included. Internal flights arranged at additional cost and a fuel surcharge may also be necessary
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