Product Description
5-Day 4WD Kaimanawa Ranges & Ecology Adventure into the Kaimanawa Ranges with Kelly Wilson, this is a priceless, once-in-a-lifetime experience that has a reserve of $4500. Thank you to the Department of Conservation, New Zealand Defence Force, and Kelly Wilson for donating this item.
If you love wild horses, photography, and learning about horse behaviour, this is the opportunity of a lifetime.
Join award-winning photographer and Kaimanawa activist, Kelly Wilson, on a five-day immersive experience, including a four-day off-road 4WD adventure deep into restricted military zones that are normally inaccessible to the public. This trip is not just a tour—it’s part of an ongoing ecological and behavioural field study that contributes to the official Wild Kaimanawa Field Guide.
What You’ll Experience:
- See 300+ horses in their natural habitat across diverse landscapes—from the Argo Valley grasslands to the southern tussock zones.
- Photograph at sunrise and sunset in golden light—this trip is designed with photographers in mind, with 4:30am starts and golden hour evenings to capture stunning imagery.
- Document the herd alongside me—observing new foals, band changes, and lineage updates for the official database.
- Learn to identify the wild horses using your gifted Field Guide, and hear the stories behind the most iconic stallions and family bands.
- Witness raw, unforgettable moments: newborns taking first steps, stallions clashing for mares, and the shifting dynamics of the wild.
- Visit the muster yards, gaining a deeper understanding of herd management and the transition from wild to domestic life.
Dates: 26th – 30th November 2025
Schedule:
Day 1 (Taupō):
Guided tour of Kelly Wilson’s Wild Kaimanawa Sanctuary
- Meet some of the horses from the 100 Kaimanawa Horses – 100 Days – 100 Lives Saved project
- Watch a demo with iconic Kaimanawa horses like Patriotic, Conquistador, and Captain
- Enjoy a relaxing soak at Wairakei hot springs and a group dinner at Bistro Restaurant.
Day 2 (Kaimanawa Ranges): Café breakfast, drive through the Desert Road with photography stops at the wild horse signs, NZDF safety briefing, sunset photography shoot (approx. 5 hours of photography time)
Days 2–3: Sunrise to mid-morning shoots, afternoon rest, sunset photography session (approx. 10 hours of photography time each day)
Day 4 (Kaimanawa Ranges): Sunrise shoot (approx. 5 hours of photography time), lunch, return trip to Taupo
This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to travel with someone who knows the herd, contributes to their legacy, and can interpret the behaviour and stories of these wild horses like few others.
