World famous for the ecotourism success story of the endangered Mountain Gorillas, these neighbours also offer a chance to track chimpanzees and golden monkeys, climb volcanoes, interact with local communities, embark on a traditional safari, and soak up some of Africa’s most glorious panoramas and lush landscapes.
If you want to get active in nature, you have chosen the right country! Start your adventure by rafting-in to your first lodge, continue with hikes, hanging bridges, canopy walks and zip lines whilst visiting the Arenal Volcano and Monteverde Cloud Forest, and finish with sea kayaking, snorkelling, and surfing lessons on the Pacific Coast. There’s even plenty of hot springs and beach time, to relax and recover.
Discover this incredible country beyond the highlights by exploring hidden gems such as Selva Verde Rainforest, Maquenque Wildlife Reserve, the Celeste River, and the surfing towns of the Nicoya Peninsula, as well as unmissable Tortuguero, Arenal and Monteverde. Visit chocolate plantations and agro-sustainable farms, kayak through mangroves, hike to waterfalls, bathe in hot springs, and fall in love with sunsets over black sand beaches.
Discover the ultimate in Costa Rican hospitality, staying in a selection of award-winning luxury eco lodges from Arenal to the Osa Peninsula, and ending with a stunning coastal villa. This itinerary is all about the most stunning views, finest food, and handpicked private activities throughout.
This bespoke Mexico holiday stretches from the cacti lined shores of the Pacific Baja California to the tropical Caribbean. Swim with whale sharks in the Sea of Cortez and eat cerviche on the uninhabited island of Espiritu Santo, before exploring the highlands of Central Mexico with its authentic food, culture, and archaeological sites around Mexico City, Puebla and Merida. End with some time relaxing in the Yucatan Peninsula, swim in under water caves and cenotes near Tulum, scale the temples of Coba and snorkel with Turtles in Ackumal. An ethical Mexico holiday.
Take in Guatemala’s dramatic landscapes and discover its fascinating history, from Mayan ruins to modern day traditions, whilst making the most of the great outdoors in this amazing holiday to Guatemala. Sample delicious street food and explore the volcanoes and coffee plantations nearby. Continue to Lake Atitlan and learn about traditions spanning centuries which are still very much a way of life today in rural Guatemala. Finish in the north in the dense virgin jungle at the ancient citadel of Tikal. The best active adventure holiday to Guatemala.
Embark on an epic overland journey across three remarkable countries. Explore welcoming Mexican culture in Oaxaca, San Cristobal and Merida, the imposing ruins of Palenque, Chichen Itza and Tikal, the stunning beaches of Belize’s coastline, and the rainforests, lakes and volcanoes of mysterious Guatemala. Slow travel through Central America staying in the best sustainable lodges and top luxury lodges in each location. Our best Central America adventure.
Embark on an exciting and active Nicaragua holiday, as you conquer zip-lining, hiking and surfing amongst pristine nature. Immerse yourself in enchanting cloud forests. Experience the raw power of volcanoes, before relaxing amidst lush coffee plantations. Explore ancient traditions and local customs. End your adventure basking on the paradise beaches of the Pacific coast.
Dive into breathtaking beauty with an eco adventure holiday to Panama. Embark on a journey through misty cloud forests, where lush greenery and exotic flora await your arrival. Perfect for those looking for a cultural holiday to Panama, immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Panamanian culture, as you connect with vibrant traditions and warm-hearted indigenous locals. Let’s not forget about the awe-inspiring Panama Canal, a true engineering marvel that has shaped history. On your own tailor-made Panama holiday, every day is an opportunity for discovery and wonder.
Explore Latin America’s most spectacular countries in-depth on this amazing eco-luxury holiday to Peru Ecuador and Galapagos. Combine the unmissable highlights of Machu Picchu, the Amazon and the Galapagos, with less visited but equally rewarding experiences in the Sacred Valley, Cloud Forest, and Ecuadorian Andes. Take a slower, deeper pace and really experience the best of these countries.
Quite simply our favourite wildlife experience, coming face to face with a family of endangered Mountain Gorillas is an unforgettable, heart-in-mouth, life-affirming event. Permit numbers are strictly limited and sell out up to a year in advance however, so make sure you plan way in advance
If you’d like to see something truly different on your safari, Ishasha is one of only two places in Africa where you can witness lions climbing (and lounging in) trees. Conveniently located on the long drive between Uganda’s Chimpanzee and Gorilla tracking regions, it’s a must see detour.
Whilst gorillas may be the headline act, tracking a group of the more agile and elusive Chimpanzees is an equally exhilarating experience (if you are lucky enough to find them). Kyambura Gorge and Kibale are the prime spots in Uganda, along with tiny Nyungwe NP in Rwanda.
Ishasha Wilderness Camp – Set on the edge of the Ntungwe river in Queen Elizabeth NP, Ishasha is a classic African tented safari camp in the heart of the wilderness. Each tent is fully equipped with en-suite bathrooms and private verandas overlooking the river, where you may be lucky enough to see elephants, buffalo or hippo.
Kyambura Gorge Lodge – With unique locally styled bandas, charming service and stunning views, this is the perfect base for tracking Chimpanzees in the lush Kyambura Gorge below. Included safari game drives in Queen Elizabeth NP and a Kazinga Channel boat trip add to the wildlife wonderland experience.
Bwindi Lodge – Set on the edge of tiny Buhoma town – the launch point for Gorilla trekking – Bwindi Lodge offers stylish luxury bandas, delicious food, immersive views of the mountainous rainforest, and a sustainable partnership with the local community via the Bwindi Bar and adjacent tea plantation.
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge – Perched dramatically on the Nteko Ridge, Clouds features breathtaking views from high over the canopy of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest from its ten luxury stone cottages. Uniquely in the area, it was built as a multi-agency partnership to help protect both the habitat of the mountain gorilla and the local Nkuringo community.
Mount Gahinga Lodge – Beautifully situated in the shadow of three iconic volcanoes, Gahinga is your Ugandan base for combining both Mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys, as well as opportunities to climb one of the volcanoes, and experience the fascinating Batwa culture, the oldest inhabitants of the Central African rainforest.
Virunga Lodge – This pioneering hilltop eco-lodge overlooks the Virunga Volcanoes to the west and lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera to the east, offering one of the finest panoramas in all Africa. The ten bandas ooze chic Rwandese character and luxurious living, perfect for relaxing after a day of unforgettable gorilla tracking.
Uganda has a population of 46 million people, and is heavily rural with less than 2 million living in the capital and biggest city, Kampala.
Rwanda is significantly smaller with 13 million inhabitants, with around 1 million in the capital Kigali.
Rwanda and Uganda are 2 hours and 3 hours respectively head of GMT
At the time of writing GBP £1 equates to roughly 5000 Ugandan Shillings or 1400 Rwandan Francs.
Most comfortable (and popular) are the dry seasons of December to February and June to August, particularly for long days tracking gorillas or chimpanzees. However, if you bring your waterproofs and don’t mind mud, you can visit at any time of the year and still see it all.
You will need to fly to the capital Kigali for Rwanda, and to Entebee international airport for Uganda, on the shores of Lake Victoria 30 miles from Kampala.
