Where to find 13 months of sunshine, the songs of humpback whales and walking with Bushmen

Spectacular Fuego Volcano as seen from one of Guatemala’s beautiful private estates

 

Naïa’s spa is a tranquil retreat from the ‘hardships’ of playing in Placencia

Maya Trails: We’re continuing to mine gold from The New York Times list of ‘52 Places to Go in 2017,’ and laid-back Placencia, Belize is that latest. You know you’ve found someplace cool when a traffic arm still swings down to close the main road for aircraft landings. But Maya Trails tells us Placencia is officially on the map with the recent opening of Naïa Resort and Spa, soon to be followed by Itz’ana Resort & Residences in March. The beach town offers access to the Belize Barrier Reef and seasonal diving with whale sharks!

Travel Ethiopia: Lonely Planet counted 13 months of sunshine among the reasons it named Ethiopia to its list of ‘Best in Travel 2017 Top Countries,’ their list of 10 destinations ‘you cannot afford to miss.’ Its stunning landscapes are reason enough to go, but add to that adventurous trekking through the Simien Mountains to spot unusual endemic wildlife, visiting incredible churches and historical sites, exploring the otherworldliness of the Afar region and more, its an incomparable destination. The guides at Travel Ethiopia give travelers the richest possible experience of all of the country’s exotic attractions.

IsaMar is just steps from water-based Galapagos fun!

Tropic Ecuador: Tropic Ecuador has taken their commitment to the Galapagos Islands to the next level by assuming the representation of the Isabela Lodge on Isabela Island. The hotel will be reborn as the IsaMar Hotel and joins Magic Galapagos on Santa Cruz and Floreana Lava Lodge as part of the Tropic family of unique, boutique accommodations committed to sustainable tourism, authentic experiences and excellent guiding. Learn more about IsaMar and Isabela Island here, then join us for an educational webinar on Wednesday, January 25th at 1pm ET/10am PT.

Ultimate Safaris: There is much to love about Wolwedans camps in Namibia’s NamibRand Nature Reserve, including the beautiful landscapes, solitude, night skies and the wildlife. Ultimate Safaris tells us that there is now even more to love, as Wolwedans is offering guided Bushman walks. Walkers might see interesting insects, Namaqua chameleons, sidewinder snakes, interesting tracks and other imprints in the sand. On afternoon walks, guests can enjoy a sundowner at the end of their excursion. We suggest booking in advance so travelers don’t need to pay at the lodge for this extra activity.

Humpback whales migrate to the waters of Todos Santos from mid-October through mid-March. Photo by Colin Ruggiero.

Todos Santos Eco Adventures: “The humpbacks are here, the humpbacks are here,” Bryan Jauregui, co-owner of Todos Santos Eco Adventures and part-time town crier shouts from their hillside Los Colibris Casitas. It is an exciting moment to be there when they arrive! Even more exciting is the passion the whole TOSEA team has for the whales and other inhabitants of the water and land in Baja California Sur. For a taste of their enthusiasm and personality, click here for a short and entertaining read on the songs of the humpbacks written by Bryan herself.

New Frontiers: What place is synonymous with the Zambezi, outstanding natural beauty, close encounters with big game, exciting canoeing and some of the best walking in Africa? UNESCO World Heritage Site Mana Pools NP in Zimbabwe! Unlike most parks in Africa, Mana Pools has a complexity that needs to be understood to ensure visitors have the best safari. This means matching a client’s expectations with the right camp and the right style of safari. Read Sally’s report for a taste of Mana Pools, then work with New Frontiers for the perfect itinerary.

Stories from the Mobile Dentists Safari include a 12-year-old whose cancerous jaw tumor was successfully treated

Imvelo Safari Lodges: Imvelo Safari Lodges‘ sixth annual Mobile Dentists Safari, which provides relief to people from hundreds of villages around Hwange and Victoria Falls, has wrapped up and was a resounding success. This year, the tireless volunteers from Zimbabwe, Spain and Italy treated the 10,000th patient and administered the 25,000th dental procedure! Imvelo partners with a number of foundations to help sponsor the Safari, and provides massive logistical support to make it all happen. Read the happy recounting of this year’s safari on our blog.

Classic Africa Safaris: There’s little better after a long journey than being welcomed into a homey B&B like family. When traveling to Uganda, visitors to Karibu Guest House will experience exactly that! Tucked into a leafy hillside above Lake Victoria, the 7-room property is only 10 minutes from Entebbe airport and is a favorite of both Classic Africa Safaris and Kusini. Karibu has recently added a lovely, secluded swimming pool to let guests work out the kinks of international travel with a few laps, or just a relaxing soak with a drink from the in-pool bar!