National Geographic Magazine - UK January 2025

AT NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC we love a good quest. The search for something special is so often at the heart of many of our stories, and this issue is a case in point. First up is an inside look at the hunt for the Endurance, the ship of famed explorer Ernest Shackleton, whose expedition to Antarctica in the early 20th century ended with the loss of the ship but, incredibly, of no human life. For more than a hundred years, the Endurance’s wreck had remained elusive under the polar ice, but an international crew embarked with great determination to uncover it. This month we bring you their story, which is also the subject of an exciting National Geographic documentary out now. We’ve got an expedition to one of the world’s most…

THE DISCOVERY of the wreck of Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance—this issue’s cover story—marks an extraordinary milestone in global exploration, a testament to humanity’s relentless curiosity and the ingenuity that drives us forward. While some may see such remarkable findings as relics of a bygone era, I believe they illustrate that we are, in fact, living in the greatest era of exploration. What is driving this new age of discovery? Humankind is advancing knowledge in ways and places that were thought impossible a century ago. At the National Geographic Society, we are funding a global community of Explorers who are developing innovative technologies to map the ocean floor, trace humanity’s origins, identify new species—and potentially even communicate with them. Explorer David Gruber and his Project CETI team, for instance, are leveraging…

Nestled in the Aseer region, Soudah’s mountains reach almost 10,000 feet (3,015m) above sea level, making them the highest point in the country. Given its unique terrain, geographical position, and culturally-focused people, the area offers an unmissable opportunity for intrepid travelers to immerse themselves in the region’s human and natural wonders. Traditions in the clouds Obscured in the verdant heights of Soudah, a group of men dance to the beat of tradition and the rhythm of communal spirit. These are the Flowermen, embodiments of a time past, and symbols of heritage across the region. Donning black robes embroidered with gold, and carrying ceremonial swords, this cultural dress is a key part of their tribal identity. Many of the Flowermen have roots in Rijal Almaa, a village over nine centuries old…

OCEANS “Instead of CHAOS in the aftermath of the Taal Volcano eruption, these particles evoked a sense of serenity, transforming the scene into a fairy tale set on a snowy night.”JIALING CAI, photographer WILDLIFE “Socotra amazes the imagination with the BIZARRE SHAPES of its trees, creating the impression that you are in Jurassic Park.”KRISTINA MAKEEVA, photographer CULTURE “Stateless people are not protected by any country. They must fight for their basic human rights. In a world where citizenship defines identity, they do not belong. I want the world to RECOGNIZE them.”CHIARA WETTMANN, photographer NATURE “As an artist, I often use artificial light in my own installations; however, there is something very COMPELLING when you see nature producing luminous vessels of its own.”JOSEPH MICHAEL, photographer…

Robin Hammond, p.82 An Explorer for six years, Hammond has traveled the world as a photojournalist. This issue’s story on New Zealand’s efforts to eradicate harmful predators took him back to his native country for a project that, he says, became “one of the highlights of my career.” Justin Jin, p.50 The Hong Kong–born photographer and writer, who became an Explorer last year, journeyed to Jingmai Mountain in Pu’er, China, for this month’s feature on the contemporary importance of Yunnan Province’s ancient tea forests. Esther Horvath, p.16 On the Antarctic expedition to find the Endurance, Horvath not only photographed work aboard the research vessel but also kept a journal in which she channeled Ernest Shackleton—a practice that helped her relate to the experience of the ship’s captain. Robbie Shone, p.110…

THE WEDDELL SEA HIDES ITS SECRETS WELL. JOHN SHEARS AND MENSUN BOUND KNEW THAT BETTER THAN ANYONE—AT LEAST ANYONE ALIVE. The two men had spent years searching for the Weddell’s greatest treasure. Now, standing on sea ice amid the brutal polar sea, they were ready to admit defeat. They had climbed from their massive icebreaker to take a walk and have a brief chat. And discuss how to break the news to the world that they had failed again. The treasure they were hunting was the famous Endurance, the three-masted barkentine that carried Ernest Shackleton and his 27-man crew to Antarctica in 1914, before being crushed by pack ice and swallowed by the Weddell. The failed expedition—Shackleton meant to land the ship and cross the continent on foot—instead became a…