Photojournalist Joel Sartore. Photo / Joel Sartore
What was your greatest holiday?
Fishing with my father in the farm ponds of Kansas.
And the worst?
Being forced to go on holiday with my wife's family, each and every year, since 1985.
If we bump into you on holiday, what are you most likely to be doing?
Anything to stay busy. Usually taking pictures for The Photo Ark (see final answer, below).
If we could teleport you to one place in New Zealand for a week-long holiday, where would it be?
I've never been, but I'd love to see the kakapo in the wild.
How about for a dream holiday internationally?
To see the wildebeest face the crocs on the Mara River in Africa.
What's the dumbest thing you've ever done when travelling?
Hiking out on my own on an island in Alaska and then walking up to a group of musk ox, where I was repeatedly charged.
Complete this sentence: I can't travel without ...
My camera and a 24-70mm lens.
What's the best travel tip you've ever been given?
Study up on a country before leaving home, and never wear new boots on a long trip.
What was the most memorable meal you've had while travelling?
Guinea pig with the teeth still on.
What's the best thing you've brought back from a trip?
Best: Caribou antlers; worst: leishmaniasis [disease caused by parasites].
Favourite airport to land at?
Denver - they've got free Wi-Fi and a Ben & Jerry's icecream store.
What's the next trip you've got planned?
I'm working on doing studio portraits for The Photo Ark. It's my lifelong project to get people to care about all species while there's still time to save many of them.
• Joel Sartore, of National Geographic, presents Grizzlies, Piranhas, & Man-Eating Pigs on August 23 at the Auckland Town Hall. See adventureworld.co.nz
Experiencing phenomena like the Northern Lights makes up for long work hours, Kiwi says.