WANDERLUST NEWS
If the life of a travel writer is your dream occupation, now’s your opportunity to enter the Bradt Guides New Travel Writer of the Year 2027 competition with the chance to win a safari and a commission to write up your prize-winning trip in Wanderlust.
First established more than 25 years ago, this prestigious contest is open to all unpublished travel writers, many who have gone on to see their work featured in high profile newspapers, travel magazines and books. For the second year running Wanderlust is the official media partner.
On safari in South <a href="https://absafricatv.com/africa-bucks-white-wine-dominance-trend/” title=”Africa bucks white wine dominance trend”>Africa (safari.com)
Once again Bradt has created this award as part of the Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards. The theme this year is ‘An Animal Encounter’.
Entrants are invited to submit an original piece of writing between 600 and 800 words which either includes this phrase or clearly touches on the theme.
This year’s judges include Hilary Bradt, founder of Bradt Guides, Lyn Hughes, founding editor of Wanderlust magazine, Jonathan Lorie, travel-writing trainer and author of The Travel Writer’s Way, Adrian Phillips and Hugh Brune of Bradt Guides. The judges will be looking for a first-hand account based on the writer’s personal experience. Entries close on 1 November 2026. Three finalists will be invited to the awards ceremony in London in March 2027.
Bradt New Travel Writer winner Lucy Evanson (second left) alongside (left to right) Hilary Bradt, founder of Bradt Guides, finalist Chris Baker, Lyn Hughes, founding editor of Wanderlust, and other fellow finalists Tommaso Turi and Simon Gibbs
The overall winner will be sent on an assignment to South Africa care of safari.com. The trip for two includes three nights at a luxury lodge in a private reserve in the Sabi Sands or Greater Kruger, followed by two nights in Cape Town. The prize includes return flights from London, internal flights, all game drives, meals on safari, all transfers and travel insurance.
Safari.com have been creating tailor-made African safaris for 20 years and was named ‘Africa’s Leading Safari Company’ at the World Travel Awards in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Lucy Evanson exploring Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
This year’s New Travel Writer of the Year competition was won by Lucy Evanson who wrote eloquently about a memorable night out in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
“It was such an honour to win this year’s New Travel Writer competition,” said Lucy. “I’m always writing little notes and journal entries when I travel, so to have value attached to my words by such a talented, experienced panel was so meaningful and such a huge confidence boost, especially given the quality of the other shortlisted entries. It was also amazing to have the opportunity to speak to so many incredibly interesting people at the awards ceremony. I think it was the most well-travelled room I’ve ever stood in!”
A visit to Chongqing is part of Lucy’s prize-winning trip (Wendy Wu Tours UK)
Lucy heads off on her prize-winning assignment to China this October with Wendy Wu Tours UK. This ‘Inspiring China’ trip takes in the highlights of Imperial Beijing and the Great Wall but also explores some spectacular emerging destinations including Zhangjiajie and Furong Ancient Town, along with Chongqing, one of China’s most dynamic and exciting cities.
Zhangjiajie, China (Wendy Wu Tours UK)
“As an amateur travel writer, I’m incredibly excited to be writing for a publication like Wanderlust,” said Lucy. “Something I learned from my travels in Central Asia is that the most valuable, eye-opening travel experiences are the ones that happen when you venture off-the-beaten-track, speaking to locals and trusting their recommendations, which is exactly the kind of travel Wanderlust is all about.”
More information: Bradt Guides
Explore More
- Your chance to enter Bradt’s New Travel Writer of the Year competition
- Landmark Claude Monet exhibition coming to London early next year
- New British Airways service to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar leads greater direct access to East Africa
- Innovative new centre dedicated to whales opening in northern Norway next summer
- Nashville International Airport to be renamed in honour of country star
- World’s first DarkSky Approved Lodgings & Resorts put nocturnal spotlight on the Red Sea and Idaho
- St Helena launches new interpretive walking trail
- Intrepid reveals Not Hot List for travel in 2027
- How to buy your tickets for the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition at the British Museum
- Passport ID requirement coming soon for travel between the UK and the Republic of Ireland
- Istanbul’s ‘living library’ wins prestigious green award
- Eight of the latest flight routes we are most excited about boarding
- Australia’s latest Dark Sky Sanctuary accredited ahead of 2028 total solar eclipse
- Groundbreaking Hokusai exhibition comes to South London this winter
- Groninger Museum’s new four-part exhibition poses the big questions of how we live today
- Gary Barlow wants to introduce you to the very best of Aotearoa/New Zealand’s food and wine
