Travel Guides

Located in the region where the tropical Andes meet the Amazonian lowland forest and covering almost two million hectares, Manu National Park in Peru is one of the world’s greatest biodiversity hotspots. Recognised by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve in 1977, the area is home to a staggering variety of plant and animal species, including giant otters, capybaras, peccaries, tapirs, jaguars, caiman, 13 different species of monkeys, over 1000 species of birds and over 1300 species of butterflies.Manu National Park is divided into three zones, the ‘cultural zone’, the ‘reserved zone’ and the ‘restricted zone’. Visitors are permitted to enter the cultural zone independently, where there are several native communities that welcome tourists. Access to the reserved zone is only possible through one of a very small number of tour companies that are allowed to operate there. The restricted zone is an area of pristine forest still home to a number of uncontacted tribes and is not open to tourists.

Kruger National Park is the jewel in the crown of South Africa’s national parks and no trip to South Africa is complete without a visit. Not only is it one of the oldest reserves on the continent but it is also one of the best organized and best managed to make it one of the top tours in South Africa. The range of species that exist in the park is astounding and any trip to Kruger offers a real chance to see lions, leopards, hyenas, giraffes, hippos and many more. Kruger’s population of elephants is flourishing and Kruger is also home to around a quarter of the world’s population of wild rhinos. For these reasons, it is no wonder that Kruger is also one of the most popular safari destinations in Africa. Here is a guide to the best times to visit.

A trip to Argentina isn’t complete without witnessing the awe-inspiring Perito Moreno Glacier in Patagonia. Imagine towering walls of glistening blue ice stretching endlessly, their jagged peaks shimmering under the golden sunlight. The glacier’s massive front plunges into the turquoise waters of Lake Argentino, where thunderous cracks echo as colossal ice chunks crash into the lake below. Framed by snow-dusted mountains and verdant forests, this natural wonder offers an unforgettable scene that feels like a dream.

Kruger National Park is world-famous for its great concentration of wildlife and the opportunity to observe some of Africa’s most iconic big animals, specifically the big five, in their natural habitat. Undoubtedly, no trip to South Africa can be complete without a visit to the park. Since, spending just a day in Kruger cannot be enough, there is a broad range of accommodations available within the park for all budgets. It can be tough choosing where to stay, so this guide to Kruger National Park accommodations will explain the different choices to help you choose the perfect base for your safari adventure.

The Big 5 refers to five African game animals: the African lion, the African leopard, the African elephant, the Cape buffalo, and the rhinoceros. These animals were originally called the Big 5 not for their size, but for the level of difficulty and danger big-game hunters faced when tracking and hunting these animals on foot. Bringing down one of these big five animals won the hunter a trophy, therefore making them the most sought-after African animals in the big-game hunting world. Over one hundred years ago, these five animals were abundant. American president Theodore Roosevelt himself embarked on an African hunting expedition and was quoted as saying the “African elephant would never become extinct” due to the sheer number he encountered. Flash forward to the current day and most of the Big 5 animals are currently listed as “vulnerable” or “endangered” species. Although hunting of all these animals is still allowed to some degree, Africa has put strict laws in place to protect and conserve each species. However, poaching has been and continues to be a concern. Nowadays, African safari operators and local hunting guides borrow the term Big 5 when marketing their tours and services. Visitors and big-game hunters who come to these African reserves will experience what it’s like to see these regal and majestic animals in the wild on their massive reserves or even experience the thrill of hunting one. In either case, it’s an accomplishment that is on many traveler’s bucket list.

Safaris are one of the biggest draws of tours in South Africa. If you are staying in the vibrant city of Cape Town, you might be far away from some of the main wildlife reserves like Kruger National Park, but it doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on safari experiences. During your trip to Cape Town, within a short drive, you can find a wide range of private game reserves, like Aquila Games Reserve and Sanbona Wildlife Reserve. The Big 5 (elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, and African buffalos) are the creme de la creme of the South African safari world, and you can encounter these amazing animals in a conservation setting. So, with that in mind, let’s dive in and discover the seven best safaris near Cape Town.

For many, the chance to go on safari and spot large wild animals, especially the Big Five, in the African wilderness is the opportunity to realise a lifelong dream and is an experience that few will ever forget. Yet there are many factors to consider before choosing the perfect safari that corresponds most closely with your expectations. One of the most important questions many don’t consider is of national parks vs game reserves. Both kinds have specific advantages and disadvantages that can lead you to the best safari experience. Here are some of the things you need to think about before making this important decision.

If you are planning a Chile tour you would be crazy to miss the Cerro Castillo trek. Located in the lesser known Cerro Castillo National Reserve, Cerro Castillo or 'Castle Hill' is a mountain adorned with sharp basalt cliffs that make it look a bit like a castle. Described by some as the ‘new Torres del Paine’, completing this trek is certainly no easy task, but is an incredibly gratifying experience. Those who take it on will have a range of different landscapes to admire as they walk, from gentle green hills to magnificent craggy, basalt cliffs, dusted with snow.Those willing to undertake the Cerro Castillo trek can expect vivid turquoise lakes, dense pine forest, irregularly-shaped mountain peaks and some exceptional panoramic views. Be sure to charge your camera up and take a spare battery pack before you head off, you’re going to want to capture this.

Isla Navarino within the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the South of Chile is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in South America and features one of Chilean Patagonia’s most gruelling treks – the Dientes de Navarino trek. This trek might well be the best trek you could ever do in the great Patagonia and we'll bet you’ve never even heard of it.

While most people are familiar with Patagonia in the South of Chile, far fewer are acquainted with Chile’s Lake District. Greener and less rugged than its Patagonian counterpart, the Lake District is bathed in vivid green and peppered with brilliant, turquoise lakes. Blessed with gorgeous backdrops of snow-capped mountains and verdant valleys, the magical scenery of the Lake District gives Switzerland some tough competition.But this Latino wonder is more than just a pretty face. The Lake District in Chile has all kinds of exciting and exotic things to see and do; from exploring nature and getting an adrenaline rush, to getting in touch with its unmistakably Chilean cultural. Whether you plan on a tour of Chile's Lake District or heading out solo, listed below are the top things to do in Chile’s Lake District, in no particular order.

Garden Route National Park in South Africa is one of its top destinations as it is different from many popular South African national parks that are known for wildlife safari and game viewing. Consisting of sprawling coastlines, dense forests, scenic vistas, land and marine wildlife viewing, and quaint towns, the Garden Route National Park is a glittering gem in its own right.Besides the spectacular scenes and environs, a Garden Route National Park trip also offers a number of exciting activities. From eco-tours, self-guided treks and hikes, whale-watching tours, to thrills like bungee jumping and rock climbing, the opportunities for lifelong experiences in the national park seem endless. According to the park authorities, all ventures available in the park are reasonable and safe to be done sole, however, if you want to you can also hire a guide for a small fee for any activity. Here is a list of things to do in Garden Route National Park (in no particular order) that we highly recommend on your next South Africa tour. We leave it up to you to decide if you want to conquer them solo or with a guide.

Aptly named ‘The Gateway to Hell,’ the Hekla volcano in the south of Iceland is a deadly force with a shocking history of destruction. This reputation caused people in the middle ages to believe that Hekla or Hecla was the entrance to Hell. That however, hasn’t stopped brave travellers from exploring one of Iceland’s active volcanoes!

One of the most famous hiking trails in Iceland, the Fimmvorduhals hike is a legendary trail that passes between two giant glaciers, the Eyjafjallajökull glacier and the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. The Fimmvörðuháls hiking trail takes you through almost every landscape Iceland has to offer in just a single day. From the lush terrain of gushing waterfalls in Iceland to out-of-this-world lava fields and finally, passing between the two famous glaciers. The Fimmvörðuháls hike is a challenging as well as rewarding experience. Whether you’re an avid hiker or you’re looking for a challenge whilst you’re visiting, the Fimmvörðuháls hike would be an ideal choice.Highlights Seeing as many as 26 waterfalls along the Skoga river in an 8 km stretch at the beginning of the trail, include the famous Skogafoss waterfall. Traversing one of the youngest landscapes in the world between the Eyjafjallajökull volcano and the Katla volcano. Descend through the Land of the Gods, an amazing and picturesque area in Iceland. Even if you do not have a lot of time to spend in Iceland you can still pursue the Fimmvörðuháls trail as a great day hike option. Lowlight The only proper accommodation is the Fimmvörðuháls Mountain Hut, which is basic and without running water. Hey, some might consider this as the ultimate trekking experience in the wilderness! An overview map of Fimmvorduhals trek

As can be correctly inferred from the name, the Panorama Route in South Africa is an especially picturesque stretch of road located in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province. It is one of the best road trips in South Africa. Although most commonly tacked onto the main activity of safaris in Kruger National Park, a self-driving Panorama Route tour, including the immense Blyde River Canyon, can make for a rewarding one-day excursion in its own right. For those with more time, there are enough lesser-visited sites and curious historic towns to make it worthwhile lingering in the area for up to three or four days.

Selected as one of the top 12 whale watching locations in the world by WWF, and with a location easily accessible from Cape Town, Hermanus is a prime destination for those hoping for a close encounter with some of the largest animals on our planet. Hermanus is a small town on the coast of the Western Cape province of South Africa, but during whale season, it becomes the whale-spotting capital of the country. Visitors from all over the world descend to this attractive former fishing village to see the famous Southern right whales that come here every year to mate and calve. For anyone interested in seeing these graceful giants in their natural habitat, whale watching in Hermanus makes for an unmissable trip.