Volcano trekking in Ecuador, ‘Surfari’ in Baja and Honduras golf!

Great Plains Conservation ensures excitement and comfort while on the Selinda Adventure Trail

Tropic staff climbed up to Cotopaxi’s snow line last weekend

Tropic Ecuador: Tropic Ecuador reports that Cotopaxi NP has fully reopened for fun and recreation! The decision is based on monitoring reports indicating the volcano has shown decreases in both internal and surface activity. The Tropic team adventured through the park last weekend to check all of the facets of their fantastic lodge-to-lodge trek that is relaunching with the park’s reopening – we’ll share the full itinerary soon! In the meantime, they are pushing for their Huaorani film to place in this year’s ‘Adventure In Motion’ contest – vote now!

Albatros Travel: Albatros Travel reports that Saruni Samburu has opened a new photographic hide – the first of its kind in Kenya. It is just a few steps from the Saruni waterhole and is ‘painted’ with Samburu red earth and covered with shrubs and bushes. It’s the perfect spot for ‘stealing’ amazing shots of wildlife. The hide accommodates up to 8 guests, and offers close up viewing of elephants, birds, the “Samburu Five” (reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk, Somali ostrich and Grevy’s zebra), and predators such as lion and leopard.

Newly opened Little Machaba has only four 1950’s-style luxury tents

New Frontiers: During the quiet of the green season, several camps in Botswana have taken the time for refurbs or rebuilds. A Botswana Camp Update from New Frontiers gives the skinny on all of the happenings, from rebuilds that most have heard about, like Sanctuary Chief’s Camp, to the lesser-known camps like Meno a Kwena, as well as a roundup of future openings. Additionally, a number of lodges are expanding their activity options to include horse riding, scenic flights by helicopter and balloon, village visits and (our favorite!) sleep outs.

Maya Trails: Fore! Are your golf travelers looking to keep their swing loose during the upcoming winter months? Maya Trails has them covered. Their signature ‘Golfer‘ itinerary sends links-lovers to Indura Beach and Golf resort in Honduras to tackle the Gary Player-designed championship course. Non-golfers will enjoy the visit as well, with myriad activities available including hiking, zip-lining, fishing, kayaking, snorkeling and more. Direct flights are available from the US on American, Delta and United. Contact Adriana for availability.

Happy surfers on Baja Sufari

Todos Santos Eco Adventures: Mario Bercerril, surf instructor and originator of MIST (Mario’s Infallible Surfing Technique) claims that he can get anyone to ride a wave in the first hour of instruction. Try for yourself on one of Todos Santos Eco Adventures’ Surfari: Baja Surf Camp for Women scheduled departures – a week of fun in the sun. Not looking for a ladies’ trip? There is no discrimination when it comes to a sufari. Todos Santos Eco Adventures welcomes groups of friends and families on their own schedules as well. Read more on the Kusini blog!

Imvelo Safari Lodges: Still finding Zimbabwe a tough sell? We’re here to help. Imvelo Safari Lodges has put together a great sales document which counters the myths and negative perceptions about the country held by some. Zimbabwe boasts some of the best-trained guides in Africa, still has fantastic wildlife, a wide variety of active and unique safari activities, many newly refurbished lodges and offers a great value. Lower tourist numbers also provide much greater exclusivity for your guests, and when they travel with Imvelo, local communities benefit through employment and social programs. Learn more here.