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.
Integrity is a glamorous Galapagos Island cruise vessel. It stands at an impressive 141 feet and boasts state-of-the-art stabilisers and engine vibration control systems, promising a smooth and relaxing trip for those on board. Integrity’s luxurious cabins boast personal climate control, a flat-screen television and satellite television, while communal areas include a jacuzzi, covered bar, library and dining area.
Cormorant II is often hailed as the best cruise line for Galapagos Island adventures. This luxurious vessel, a brand-new mega-catamaran, has 9 elegant suites, a dedicated “Hotel Manager,” and a crew of 11. Guests staying in a premium suite are even treated to a private balcony and jacuzzi. The Cormorant II prides itself on being carbon neutral, ensuring that your plush stay is guilt-free and doesn’t come at the expense of the environment and the surrounding ecosystems.
A wilderness river cruise offers the most incredible way to discover the exotic creatures and extraordinary landscapes of the Amazon. Traverse the most remote reaches of the world’s largest tropical rainforest, where encounters with pink river dolphins, monkeys, and manatees await you at every turn.
Become one of the lucky few to uncover the world’s most remote continent with a nature cruise through Antarctica. Sail the legendary Drake Passage as you venture deep into the Polar Desert, passing cathedral-sized icebergs and immense glaciers. Throughout your adventure, you’ll have the remarkable opportunity to witness incredible wildlife, including blue whales, gentoo penguins, and fur seals, welcoming you to their wild homeland.
When it comes to the best wildlife cruises, it’s hard to beat one of the most biodiverse places on earth: The Galapagos Islands. This unspoiled archipelago boasts some of the highest levels of endemism on the planet. Step aboard an eco-cruise and soar from island to island, encountering the likes of giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies and colourful sally-foot crabs.
The diversity of Chile is perfectly captured in this highlights itinerary. Tick off the otherworldly landscapes and steaming volcanoes of the Atacama, and the breathtaking lakes and shimmering glaciers of Patagonia, via the vibrant cities of Santiago and Valparaíso. Staying at good quality midrange hotels, not only ensures comfort but also allows you to save money for unforgettable experiences along the way.
Enjoy Chile’s famous landscapes differently on this fully immersive adventure. Trek to your heart’s content around the mountains of Torres del Paine, kayak in glacial lakes, cycle through Vineyards, stomp the streets of Santiago, horse-ride to the Moon Valley, and bathe in Atacama hot springs. Active by day, relaxing by night.
Chile is one of the world’s real wilderness playgrounds, and this itinerary places you at the heart of its natural wonders. After a relaxed introduction at a charming vineyard, enjoy extended stays at sustainable luxury lodges in both the arid Atacama Desert and glistening Torres del Paine. Take your pick from a daily menu of included activities, returning to the lodge each evening for delicious food and sublime Chilean wine.
Discover Chile’s dramatic landscapes and fascinating cultures on this leisurely-paced journey. After a week exploring Santiago, Valparaíso and the Winelands, continue south to discover the Lake District and Chiloe, including visits to local farms and community cooking classes. End with an in-depth six-night Atacama experience, allowing you to go beyond the usual tourist highlights once again in one of South America’s most stunning settings.
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.
