DREAMWORTHY DESTINATIONS
Africa
There is a beloved African proverb that goes something like, “The eye never forgets what the heart has seen.” Truer words could never be spoken about a continent that will stir your soul to distraction. From the ever-changing sands of the Namib desert, across the vast jaw-dropping Ngorongoro crater of Tanzania, into the heart of Rwanda’s bamboo forests, to the ominous Drakensberg range of South Africa if otherworldly landscapes are what you think of when you think about planning a trip to Africa, we can tell you this; You’re going to have to see it to believe it. Whether you’re on a journey to discover where you came from somewhere along the Great Rift Valley, hoping to learn how to survive in the desert from the 140,000-year-old San people of Namibia, or wanting to be in the presence of a majestic Silverback and his family, your planning starts here.
This is the best time for game viewing because the vegetation is less lush, making it easier to spot elusive species like leopard and lion. If you want to experience one of Mother Nature’s greatest shows, the Great Migration, then you’ll want to visit East Africa between June and early September. And if you have your heart set on Gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda, the coolest months to do this are January - February, and June - September.
Best Time To Visit
There is no one-season-fits-all for Africa, it depends on what part of the continent you want to focus on, and what you want to do. If you’re visiting southern Africa, the driest part of the year falls between May and October.
Highly Recommended Experiences:
-
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda - If you’re trying to decide between Uganda and Rwanda to see the gorillas, Rwanda has twice the number of settled family groups and because the country is smaller, it’s easier to find them.
-
Witness the Great Migration leave en masse from Tanzania’s picturesque Ngorongoro Crater, or watch millions of wildebeest, zebra, eland, Thomson’s gazelle and impala arrive at Kenya’s Masai Mara.
-
Take a Mokoro ride through Botswana’s Okavango Delta on a water safari
-
Go on a fly-in safari to Namibia and experience the magic of Etosha National Park, Damaraland, and Sossusvlei all in one trip
-
Visit Madagascar, deemed 1 of only 17 places on earth deemed biologically ‘megadiverse - Many of the species here are not found anywhere else on earth or the continent it belongs to!
-
Blend culture, history, wildlife, and wine on an epic tour around the southern cape of South Africa
Arctic Circle
A mythic landscape that spans an invisible ring around the top of the globe, the Arctic circle is a destination that hardly receives the fanfare it deserves. Antarctica may be home to the world’s biggest icebergs, the Arctic makes up for it in rich Indigenous culture, unique biodiversity, stunning landscapes, and plenty of folklore surrounding the various early expeditions here. In contrast to Antarctica’s 235 species, most of which are migratory, the Arctic is home to a whopping 5,500 species. The four poles of the Arctic bring jaw-dropping weather patterns and show off the Northern Lights as you’ve never seen them. Whether you’re an avid nature photographer, insatiable explorer, an admirer of Indigenous culture and traditional practices or you just want to be inspired by one of the most spectacular places on earth, the Arctic Circle should be your next stop.
Best Time To Visit
Unless you are a resident beluga or narwhal, the Arctic is virtually impossible to visit between the months of October to March, as significant portions of the ocean are frozen.
Between the months of April through to September, the sea ice breaks, and expedition ships may make their way through, carving out channels and making it easier to step on land. June and July are the peaks of summer, and the best time to spot the elusive polar bear. During these months, you’ll also find flocks of birds returning to nest, herds of Walrus barking and lounging on the pebbled shores of Svalbard, Norway, and from mid-August into September, tundra blooms splash color across the landscape.
Highly Recommended Experiences:
-
Watch out for fin, blue, beluga, humpback, and minke whales just off the coast of Svalbard on a private whale watching expedition
-
Explore ancient ruins, wander fishing villages and make friends with locals in colorful Greenland
-
Go sea kayaking alongside the icebergs and keep your eyes peeled for orca in these herring-rich waters
-
Enjoy polar bear spotting in the Svalbard archipelago, home to 3,000 adult polar bears and their
-
Step back in time and see how the Vikings once lived in the world’s largest longhouse in Lofotr, Norway
-
Snap-on your skis or strap on your snowshoes and get some serious Arctic cardio
Ecuador & The Galapagos Islands
Sail in the footsteps of naturalist and father of evolution, Charles Darwin. The inspiration for arguably one of the most important books ever written, the Galapagos Islands truly has to be seen to be fully understood. There is no other way to cruise the Galapagos than onboard a small ship, and that’s because the government of Ecuador does not allow any vessels that carry more than 100 passengers to cruise through the islands. There are strict limits set on how many travelers can go ashore at any one time, so the smaller the ship you travel on, the more opportunities you will have to mingle with the gargantuan Galapagos Tortoise, Darwin’s famous finches, and of course the iconic Blue Footed Boobie. Be sure to spend some time exploring the mainland, including Quito, as Ecuador.
Best Time To Visit
You will be thrilled to know that the Galapagos Islands can be enjoyed all year round, with cruises traveling every month.
If you’re visiting the mainland, you will find plenty of microclimates wherever you go, meaning you might experience four seasons in one day. However, the drier season occurs from June to September. The Cloud Forests and Avenue of the Volcanoes are both must-see sights that you can enjoy just about any time of year.
Highly Recommended Experiences:
-
When you’re on the mainland, be sure to visit Ingapirca, the largest Inca ruins in Ecuador, dating back to the 15th century
-
Take an expedition cruise through the Galapagos Islands
-
For the seasoned climber, consider doing the 2-day hike up Volcán Chimborazo, the furthest mountain summer from the center of earth measuring in at nearly 4 miles high
-
Tour around Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Suite, Ecuador’s capital and the best-preserved city center in Latin America
-
Head to Eastern Ecuador, step into a riverboat, and head up the Amazon River into the Rainforest
-
Be swept away on one of the most beautiful and thrilling train journeys in the world - the Nariz del Diablo also known as the Devil’s Nose.
Costa Rica
Calling all nature-lovers, eco-enthusiasts, adrenaline junkies, and adventure-seekers; Costa Rica is going to fill your cup in every way imaginable, and once you land, you’ll wonder what took you so long to get here. From stirring wildlife encounters, zen-like walks beneath the jungle canopy, thrilling surf sessions, or soaking up the end of the day in a blissful soak in a natural hot spring, we can’t wait to help you fall in love with one of our favorite destinations. Costa Rica is a destination perfect for every type of traveler from solo travelers, families, and couples to adventure, wellness, and corporate groups.
Best Time To Visit
Costa Rica is one of those destinations that could be enjoyed year-round, depending on the traveler and what they’re hoping to experience. Costa Rica is a mecca for surfers, but if you’re a novice looking to ride softer world-class waves, March and April, the two last dry months of the season, are the best.
For the more advanced surfers who want the bigger waves, September and October, while rainy, promise mega action. Mid-December to April is the dry season, perfect for visits to the Cloud Forests, bird-viewing, beach-combing on the Caribbean coast, and hikes through the myriad national parks.
Highly Recommended Experiences:
-
Go diving for underwater wreck sites near Cahuita National Park, Caño Island, and the Tortuga Islands
-
Enjoy a stand-up paddleboarding session near Playa Panama, Playa Herradura, or Playa Mantas - Some of Costa Rica’s calmest ocean spots
-
Chase waterfalls - Visit Catarata del Toro, a post-card perfect 270-foot waterfall located in an extinct volcano crater
-
Track the elusive puma in the rainforests of Osa Peninsula, home to more than 75% of the country’s animal species
-
Visit the Ostitional Wildlife Refuge, protected nesting grounds for the Pacific Olive Ridley sea turtle
-
Take a kayaking expedition through Tortuguero National Park, accessible only by boat, and known as the “Amazo of Costa Rica”
-
Take a guided nature night walk through Manuel Antonio National Park and keep your eyes peeled for sloths, ocelots, opossums, anteaters, and armadillos
