Factual

Wildstar Films has partnered with renowned wildlife filmmaker, biologist and explorer Dan O’Neill and luxury travel specialist Steppes Travel to launch Wildstar Expeditions, a new concept combining high-end adventure travel, wildlife exploration and professional filmmaking. Designed for travellers seeking exclusive experiences, the expeditions will combine tailor-made itineraries with wildlife expertise and the involvement of professional natural history film crews. Led by O’Neill and organized by Steppes Travel, each journey will take guests to extraordinary destinations, accompanied by a dedicated Wildstar Films production team that will document their experience.

Each expedition will culminate in a professionally produced film capturing the journey, created to the same standards as premium natural history television productions. The concept aims to offer travellers not only access to remote wildlife locations but also a behind-the-scenes look at how leading natural history documentaries are made. “This is more than a luxury holiday. We’re offering guests the rare opportunity to step behind the scenes of wildlife filmmaking, travelling alongside our award-winning film crews and expert guide Dan O’Neill. They’ll discover how some of the world’s most celebrated natural history programmes are made, gain unique insights from leading filmmakers and conservationists, and experience extraordinary wildlife encounters in places few people will ever visit,” said Rebecca Wootton, COO of Wildstar Films.

Dan O’Neill highlighted the opportunity to give travellers access to remote locations through the same planning and field logistics used for scientific research and professional filming. “What excites me about Wildstar Expeditions is being able to take people to places most people simply can't access, using the same expedition planning and field logistics that make serious research and filming possible in difficult terrain,” he said. O’Neill also emphasized the role of Steppes Travel in delivering the journeys to the highest standards and of Wildstar’s cinematographers and producers in capturing each experience. “This is a completely new concept, and there's something so exciting about inviting people to be part of it from the very start,” he added.

Justin Wateridge, Managing Director of Steppes Travel, said the company had long considered developing expeditions that would include a cinematic film documenting the experience, but had been waiting to find the right partners. “We are delighted to have found both, with Wildstar and Dan O’Neill, and are thrilled about the project and the unique experiences we are designing together,” he said. Wateridge also highlighted the lasting value of the project, describing travel as a way of creating memories that can be shared across generations. “This seems the perfect way to preserve them. Our hugely experienced team are excited by what is to come,” he concluded.