Our new ‘Book of Unmissable Travel Experiences’ by Tribes Travel

Book of unmissable

Travel Experiences Book Two

Herein hangs a tale ...

... of adventures, holidays & explorations Contents: Unmissable, inspirational experiences This guide offers you inspiration for wonderful travel experiences. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t show specific trips or destinations in detail, but our comprehensive website offers this information (www.tribes.co.uk).

4-5 6-7 8-9 10-11 12-13 14-15 16-17 18-19 20-21

Tailor made travel Why book with us? Potted Countries Galapagos Islands Memorable places to stay Time to slow down The Explorerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Safari Six unbeatable African safaris Kenya & Tanzania Peru Iconic Cities: Rio & Cusco India

22-23 Beach holidays 24-25 Namibia 26-27 Cats & Dogs 28-29 30-31 32-33 34-35

Costa Rica Photography holidays Botswana Walk with Elephants Top Nosh 36-37 Zambia 38-39 Rainforest holidays 2

OUR WEBSITES Our main website is our Tribes site:

40-41 Madagascar 42-43 Kruger & the Cape 44-45 Burma 46-47 Make your escape plans Important Stuff

Where to find us The Old Dairy Wood Farm Ipswich Road Otley Suffolk IP6 9JW

Telephone: 01473 890499 Email: info@tribes.co.uk Website: www.tribes.co.uk Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9 to 5.30 We close on bank holidays

We also run the following specialist websites which you might find useful for more detail on these destinations.

About Tribes Travel I

started Tribes in 1998 with my husband, Guy. Travel was our passion and we delighted in sharing our knowledge with our (initially very few!) clients. The company has grown but we remain family-run and independent, and still follow the same ethos: we want you to have the very best holiday experience possible, and we try to ensure that travel is sustainable.

Amanda & Guy Marks Directors

I am proud to work with a superb team of people. We aim always to offer the best quality, personal service. We listen to you and try very hard to give you the experience you’re looking for. Since we’re independent, we are free to recommend any accommodation or service we choose – as long as we think it is good enough. My team and I travel regularly to update our knowledge of the places we recommend, and this expertise is available to you. I guess we must be doing something right as many of our travellers come back to us again and again!

Madagascar - page 40

My thanks to everyone who has travelled with us in the past - we look forward to planning more exciting trips for you. We also look forward to welcoming new travellers to Tribes - we can’t wait to show you some incredible parts of the world.

Teahouse trekking

Petra, Wadi Rum, crusaders

Morocco

Jordan

Nep Nepal

Sunset at the Taj

Bhutan

India p20 ma p44 Burma

Palace on wheels Tigers Beach, rainforest, adventure

Backwater boating & beautiful beaches

Costa Cos Rica p28

Gorillas, chimps, mountains

Peru p16

Find a ‘lost’ city

Rainforest & cloudforest Brazil

Rafting, biking horse riding Here be jaguars!

Mountain lodge trekking

Gorgeous beaches Falling for Iguassu

Walking safaris Victoria Falls

Tanzania p14 Malawi Zambia p36

Botswana p32 Namibia p24

Desert & wildlife

Ayurvedic spas and ashrams

Stupas, dzongs & temples

Climb Kilimanjaro Selous & Ruaha Zanzibar Lake Malawi Baobabs, beaches & lemurs Madagascar p40 Mauritian beaches

Andean mountains & markets

Ecuador Galapagos Gal Islands p8

Uganda Uga Kenya p14 The great migration Rwanda

M oz am biq

Unique wildlife

Beaches & Islands Soak up the Non-malarial South Sou Africa p42 Okavango Delta safaris The gorgeous Garden Route

This map shows just a few exciting ideas that we can offer. Since we can tailor make exactly what you want, we can help you make the world a smaller place and arrange some fabulous experiences for you. 3

What we can do for you

Small company,

ig heart

We tailor make all aspects of your holiday from flights to accommodation, guides and transfers. You get the holiday you want: right time, right place, right accommodation, right experience. For most clients this is a private tailor made holiday, but sometimes a group trip is the right decision. We offer a personal service. The person you initially talk to will usually be your personal consultant and guide you through the enquiring, booking and travel process from start to finish. Each consultant has a particular area of expertise, gained through personal travels or living in a destination, and from annual research trips for the company. Tribes gives you 100% financial protection as we are bonded with ATOL (5802) and ABTOT. We are also members of AITO (Association of Independent Tour Operators) and follow their quality charter.

Sustainable, responsible travel Without costing you extra, your holiday can make a positive difference • We work with many unique and interesting small community initiatives offering you unmissable experiences. Such experiences often bring muchneeded income to small villages and give you memories to treasure.

We provide good information such as a specific detailed itinerary and costing for your ideal holiday before booking. After booking, we continue to be there for you, and you get a full information pack with ticket wallet, and emergency contact details for when you are travelling. As acknowledged award-winning experts in the field of fair trade and sustainable travel, our holidays give you an added feelgood factor.

• We have done a lot of work checking out our preferred properties so that we know accommodation based on its positive impact on local people, wildlife conservation or the environment. We will not work with properties or services which we know exploit staff or have other negative impacts. • Every booking with us helps The Tribes Foundation, the charity we back with admin and funding. Money for this is not added to your holiday, though all donations are most welcome and put to very good use! We back small grassroots projects in many of the countries we work in, such as leopard conservation and feeding & education programmes. • Simply by booking with us, we plant saplings on your behalf or donate to another project which helps offset flights and encourages biodiversity. At the time of writing we are planting in Malawi, helping rampant deforestation of indigenous woodlands. This is a cost to Tribes, not you.

Experiencing India - page 20

What is tailor made travel? Tailor made means: made-to-order, bespoke, custom-made. Our tailor made service is like a personal planning service. You tell us what you want (either in details, or give us some parameters to work within) and then we arrange services to fit your wishes, or advise you on alternatives which we think you may want to consider. When we plan a trip for you, we ask questions to help us really understand what you are hoping for from your holiday. This way we can get as close as possible to your wishes both financially and experientially. You can find out more on our website at www.tribes.co.uk or we are happy to talk to you via email, phone, or you can visit us at our Suffolk office.

Costa Rica - Coast to Coast - page 28

Why book with us? Excellent company reputation • Owner-run independent company founded in 1998, with multiple international awards. • Very high client satisfaction rating. • Member of AITO (Association of Independent Tour Operators)

People who really want to help you • The team provides a personal and friendly service based on excellent (constantly updated) knowledge. • We listen to what you want and share our knowledge & expertise. • Our consultants do not work on commission. Our advice is impartial and we are independent.

The right destination • With a huge collective knowledge, we help you choose the right destination. • Honest impartial advice to get you to the place that will be as close as possible to your hopes and your budget.

An imaginative itinerary just for you • Your trip is planned to your wishes guided by our expertise. • We advise you about unusual, unique things to do & places to go. • When you receive your free quote, if it is not right, we talk with you and tweak until it is!

Value for money • We know you want value for money and we believe we offer this. • We rely on a high level of repeat and recommended clients, so we want happy travellers! • We always try to stick as closely as possible to your budget.

Your protection

Walking with Elephants - page 34

• We are bonded with ABTOT and have an ATOL license for your financial protection. • We offer backup services in case of problems or emergencies on your travels. • Safety Matters: we work continuously with our suppliers to maintain and improve safety standards by seeking good practice in health and safety.

An overview of the

Places we go

The highlights of the countries we go to explained in just a sentence or two so you can see if they might be right for you. Not all these countries have pages in this brochure, but we tailor make holidays in all of these places.

Bhutan

Botswana

The Land of the Thunder Dragon is a breathtaking Himalayan kingdom where they measure success by how happy people are. Come trekking, visit ancient dzongs and monasteries, meet the people. Culture and adventure.

Go for the unmissable, unique Okavango Delta where lagoons, waterways and islands are the backdrop to truly stunning wildlife viewing. Also for the Kalahari Desert, salt pans of Makgadikgadi, and Chobe. Links easily with Victoria Falls.

Brazil

Burma

Famed throughout the world for its white sand beaches and turquoise seas, vast Amazonian rainforest and the Pantanal, plus lively, diverse culture, Brazil offers wonderful options to nature lovers, beach bums and culture vultures.

This once-isolated, deeply religious country is now open to travellers. Visit royal palaces, cruise on the Irrawaddy River, see temples and pagodas, stilted fishing villages on Inle Lake, and perhaps end with a few days on Ngapali Beach.

Costa Rica

Ecuador

With both Caribbean and Pacific coasts, stunning national parks with incredible biodiversity from rainforest to volcanoes to beaches, excellent opportunities for adventure activities such as hiking, riding, ziplining ... Costa Rica is great holiday choice.

This small South American country offers superb experiences in Andean mountains, cloudforest, rainforest, and of course it’s the home of the Galapagos Islands. Stay at luxury haciendas, trek to remote lodges, shop in Andean markets ...

Galapagos Islands

India

Experience unique wildlife with no fear of man such as blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas. Take a 5-14 day cruise around the archipelago, with daily walks on the islands, snorkelling with sealions, diving, kayaking ...

From palaces to tigers, mountains to deserts, temples to train rides ... India is so vastly varied that you can come for wildlife, culture, food, adventure, history, luxury, spiritualism.. or just great beaches.

Kenya

Madagascar

Superb wildlife watching in the Masai Mara, including the spectacular annual migration. But this is just one of the great safari parks, and then you also have the mountains, the culture, and of course gorgeous Indian Ocean beaches.

Come for creatures which are unique to Madagascar: lemurs - singing indris, dancing sifakas and the weird aye-aye. Then there are ‘upside down’ baobab trees, fascinating cultures, tsingy rock formations, and gorgeous tropical beaches.

Malawi

Mauritius & Rodrigues

Malawi gives you a fascinating and friendly taste of Africa. The vast lake is the focus for water sports and beach, then there are highlands to explore, villages to visit, and, whilst not a first choice for a safari, there’s some very good wildlife viewing too.

This is nearly all about the beach. The island’s coastline boasts fabulous tropical white sand beach resorts lapped by the blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Nearby Rodrigues is said to be as Mauritius was about 25 years ago.

Morocco

Mozambique

Berber castles, Saharan desert, Atlas mountains, ancient walled cities such as Marrakech, and a long coastline. Come for adventure, great food, unique shopping, luxurious riads. Explore off-the-beaten-track or sightsee and relax in comfort.

For most visitors, Mozambique is about the beaches. Within easy reach of Johannesburg the Bazaruto archipelago in the south, or the Quirimbas in the north offer beautiful tropical islands for remote basking and watersports.

Namibia

Nepal

Namibia’s arid lands offer stunning wilderness just waiting to be explored ... Sossusvlei dunes, Etosha Pan National Park, the Skeleton Coast, rock art at Twyfelfontein, plus wildlife and traditional cultures.

Nepal is recovering from the 2015 earthquake and visitors are welcomed with open arms to experience its magnificent mountain landscapes, ancient cities and religious monuments, and its excellent wildlife reserves.

Peru

Rwanda & Uganda

Machu Picchu is the most famous site, but there is so much more. Incan and colonial sites abound, superb trekking is guaranteed, spot wildlife in rainforest, cloudforest and Andes, visit Lake Titicaca, raft to the source of the Amazon. It’s an adventure.

Rwanda and Uganda are both primarily known for mountain gorillas, which is indeed a major highlight. But there are also chimps, excellent birding, phenomenal scenery and fascinating culture. They are both little-visited and amazing.

South Africa

Tanzania

For most travellers, South Africa’s highlights include: incredible wildlife parks such as Kruger and Hluhluwe; Cape Town, the Cape Peninsula and nearby Winelands; and the beautiful Garden Route. But there really is so much more too.

Whether you come for the stunning wildlife in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Selous, Ruaha ..., to climb Kilimanjaro or walk with Maasai, or just to chill out on Indian Ocean islands like Zanzibar, it will not disappoint.

Zambia

Zimbabwe

One of Africa’s prime wildlife destinations, with stunning parks such as South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi and Kafue. First choice for walking safaris. It’s an expensive destination but it’s completely worth it. Oh, and Victoria Falls is here too.

Zimbabwe is coming back onto travellers’ radars, and rightly so. The draw of Victoria Falls is strong, but then there are beautiful wilderness areas such as Mana Pools, and excellent wildlife reserves like Hwange and Gonarezhou. 7

The Galapagos Islands Where the wild things are ... that have no fear of man

he Galapagos is one of the world’s most unique wildlife destinations. The wildlife

quite simply ignores you which means that you can walk right up to birds, mammals and reptiles without them batting an eyelid. But these are not tame habituated animals, they are truly wild. The volcanic marine landscape also has unusual features such as giant lava tubes, and unique plantlife too.

To cruise or not to cruise The islands are usually explored on week

being joined by curious sea lions! Kayaking

long wildlife yacht cruises. However if you’re

is available on some yachts, and diving is

not keen on living aboard, you can stay in

also excellent here, though it is mostly for

a hotel on one of the islands, or even go

experienced divers.

island hopping.

Face to face What you do when you’re there

You come to the Galapagos and meet a whole

Each small island has marked nature trails

host of fascinating creatures: blue-footed

which your naturalist guide accompanies you

boobies, magnificent frigatebirds, marine

on every day. As well as land trails, you can

iguanas, penguins, fur seals ... all with little to

go swimming and snorkelling, perhaps even

no fear of mankind.

“

Every day gave us a new exciting experience, from standing

within metres of giant tortoises to snorkelling with turtles, penguins and playing with sea lions and even being attacked by a flightless cormorant! All truly magical!

”

Push the boat out A Galapagos Islands holiday is not an inexpensive choice, so let us help you get it right. See our specialist brochure and website, the UK’s most comprehensive source of information about travel in the Galapagos. pagos.

www.cruisethegalapagos.co.uk

Booby prize

Just a minute ... with Guy Marks, Tribes director & Galapagos specialist Q: I get seasick, do I have to sleep on a boat? No, you could stay in a hotel on land and then take day boat trips to see some islands. Island hopping is also an option (maybe taking in 3 islands). Alternatively, why not consider going on one of the larger 100-passenger ships and avoiding the windier months of July-August. Q: What can I combine this with? You can easily combine the Galapagos with Ecuador’s rainforest or Andes, or maybe visit Machu Picchu in Peru. Costa Rica would

also be a good choice for wildlife or beach. Q: When is the best time to go? The Galapagos really is a year-round destination with daytime temperatures only varying from 20-28°c. Some wildlife events only occur at certain times though so by all means check with us. Blue-footed booby

• A volcanic archipelago of 13 main islands on the equator, 600 miles off Ecuador.

Escape to the islands A 10-day Galapagos and Quito holiday

• Unique wildlife with no fear of mankind • Take a 4-13 night cruise or stay in a hotel. Day 1: Arrive in Quito. Transfer to your hotel. Day 2: Private half-day tour of Quito. Day 3: Morning flight to the Galapagos. Join your yacht. Enjoy lunch on the yacht as you set sail for your first island. Day 4: Santa Fe has white sandy beach and shallow turquoise waters. Sea lions here make for interesting snorkelling! Watch land iguanas feeding on prickly pear cactus pads. Visit South Plaza with its tall opuntia cactus. Day 5: Explore San Cristobal. Cerro Brujo is one of the most picturesque beaches in the islands and has rich birdlife, turtles and rays. Kicker Rock is a dramatic rock formation.

“

Snorkelling with sea lions, turtles, diving boobies,

penguins and sharks were all unforgettable experiences that can’t be done anywhere else other than the Galapagos.

”

Bartolome Island

Day 6: Espanola Island is a bit special! Waved albatrosses are here between May and December doing funny mating dances. Hundreds of sealions laze on Gardner Bay, then there are turquoise marine iguanas, Espanola mockingbirds, sea lions and two species of boobies ... Day 7: Back on Santa Cruz, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. In the Highlands see gigantic lava tubes, magma chambers and the giant tortoise reserve. Day 8: On Santiago watch playtime in the fur seal grottoes. Look out for vermilion flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and Galapagos doves. At Sombrero Chino you might snorkel with penguins and white-tipped reef sharks. Day 9: At Genovesa, see dense lava fields and abundant wildlife including the elusive short eared owl. Darwin Bay has some of the most fearless birds in the Galapagos. Good for redfooted boobies, the Nazca booby and swallowtailed gulls and great frigatebirds.

Magnificent frigatebird

Day 10: After a last island stop this morning you fly back to the mainland.

Amazing Grace Well, if it was good enough for Grace Kelly ... The Grace is just one of the 50+ yachts and vessels we can recommend, for between 12 and 100 passengers. See deck plans, images and itineraries on our specialist website www.CruisetheGalapagos.co.uk Check out our Yacht Comparison Chart on our specialist website or Galapagos brochure

TAKE ME THERE It’s about 14 hours from UK to Quito or Guayaquil in Ecuador. Flights cost about £1000. An 8-day Galapagos cruise costs from about £2,500 pp sharing (inc return flights to the islands, but not internationals) up to £5,000+ depending on the yacht and room you choose. A 7 day island hopping trip starts at about £3,200 pp sharing.

3 nights at Finch Bay on Santa Cruz is from about £500 pp sharing (no flights).

Star Beds

and ...

... other memorable places to stay NKWICHI LODGE ... on Lake Malawi in Mozambique has a romantic star bed, perfect for honeymooners.

GIRAFFE MANOR ... in Nairobi, Kenya. Fancy breakfasting with a giraffe? This is the only place to do it.

BHAINSRORGARH ... a stunning fort overlooking the Chambal River in Rajasthan. Your hosts are the old maharaja family.

MANTA REEF’s Underwater Room ... is in Tanzania, actually in the Indian Ocean off Pemba Island. 1 night only. Unique enough?

MARY ANNE ... the only tall ship in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Luxury cruising for 16 wildlife-loving passengers.

BUSH ROVER ... camping in East Africa, with a difference. A Land Rover made into an en-suite bedroom in the bush. Fun and comfort.

SANCTUARY LODGE ... with possibly one of the most unique and incredible views in the world - Machu Picchu, Peru.

ANJAJAVY L’HOTEL ... Madagascar’s only Relais & Chateaux property. Gorgeous beach, lemurs, ylang-ylang, vanilla, delicious cuisine ...

MV ANAKONDA ... Ecuador’s only luxury Amazon cruise ship, with just 40 guests. A treat of a way to experience the rainforest.

ZARAFA ... in a remote and beautiful area of northern Botswana, this camp is the height of luxury in an ‘Out of Africa’ way. Stunning.

“

How

beautiful it is to do nothing, and then to rest afterwards.

”

Spanish proverb

Sometimes we need space to turn off our minds, and give our bodies a chance to relax. You can either make this the purpose of your holiday, or include aspects of calm and requiescence within your wider travels - be it adventure, city breaks or wildlife journeys.

Time to Slow Down Hot springs, spas, and stars 5 ways to enjoy doing very little on your holiday

WELLNESS RETREATS

SPAS Therapeutic massages with hot stones or

warm essential oils, body wraps for silky skin,

If you want something more than a spa in

terms of a proper overhaul of your mind and

mud packs for tired feet ... there are many

body, a retreat might be the thing to consider.

lodges and hotels now which offer fabulous

India really is the place to go for this.

therapies in onsite spas.

SwaSwara on the coast in southern India is

You might be by the beach, you could be on

one of the best. The emphasis is on health

safari, or maybe in a bustling city, but we have

and wellbeing, with yoga sessions, meditation,

suggestions for charming places to stay which

Ayurvedic treatments (top left), art classes and

have great spas for that additional touch of

healthy eating.

pampering on your holiday.

You have to stay for at least 5 days to get the

Try White Sands Hotel (right) on Tanzania’s Zanzibar, or Neeleshwar Hermitage in India’s Kerala. Ask us for many more ideas.

benefit, but you can stay up to a month if you

HOT SPRINGS & WARM WATERS At Bonito in Brazil, south of the Pantanal,

you can float down naturally warm rivers

feel the need, and can stretch the budget.

STARRY SKIES Occasionally all it takes to get a sense of

perspective and peace, is to realise the very

SUNDOWNERS Being on safari in Africa can be a tonic

to the soul in its own right. However, one

watching tropical fish swim by.

small part we play in this universe. Watching

of the best times to simply stop and enjoy

Costa Rica has various volcanic hot springs to

the vast starry night skies is perhaps one of the

that feeling of having taken a step off the

relax in, perhaps after walking across hanging

best ways to grasp this truth.

treadmill for a while is when you park up for

bridges in the rainforest ( see p28 & p39).

We know many places where you can simply

sundowners.

Colca Lodge near Arequipa in Peru is famed

sit under the stars and watch the moon rise,

The jeep stops at some gorgeous spot in the

for 3 private hot springs. Explore the Colca

unbothered by peripheral lights and noise.

midst of nothing, the sun begins to set, the

Canyon on foot or horseback, then relax in the

A couple of our favourites: In the Okavango Delta, and at Titilaka on Lake Titicaca, Peru.

G&Ts, wine and nibbles come out, and you

pools and enjoy the eco-spa.

watch quietly as another wonderful day ends.

Ruaha National Park

Selous Game Reserve

Ras Kutani on the coast

If you want a superb wildlife experience in beautiful scenery and with few people, Ruaha in southern Tanzania has got to be on your list. It’s off the beaten track, and excellent predator sightings of lion, leopard and cheetah, plus large elephant populations are the highlights of a diverse wildlife experience.

This vast park in southern Tanzania is much quieter than the northern parks and yet with truly varied wildlife. It’s also one of the best places in Africa for wild dogs, and is often called ‘Giraffic Park’! The rivers and lakes mean that boat safaris are possible here, as well as walking safaris.

On the coast south of Dar es Salaam, with a freshwater lagoon and coastal forest behind, Ras Kutani is a barefoot luxury lodge in a tranquil spot well away from tourist crowds, and a perfect way to end a safari.

The Explorer’s Safari STAY AT REMOTE, PERSONAL CAMPS IN STUNNING WILD LOCATIONS A luxury 10-day Tanzania safari and beach holiday from around £3,800 - £5,300 pp with international flights

The Itinerary DAY 1: RUAHA We’ll fly you over to Ruaha from Dar es Salaam at 8.30am. You’ll be there in plenty time for lunch, then set off on safari this afternoon. Excellent guides

Jongomero

Siwandu

DAYS 2-3: RUAHA Game drives and nature walks with enthusiastic guides. Explore this remote park with its prolific wildlife, staying in lovely Jongomero Camp. DAY 4: TO SELOUS After breakfast, fly to Selous Game Reserve and settle in to the small luxurious Siwandu on the banks of a lake. Afternoon boat safari.

Ras Kutani

Born and Bred in Tanzania What Christine MacDougall doesn’t know about Tanzania isn’t worth knowing. Let her help you plan your safari. We love this Explorer’s Safari, but this is just one suggestion. We tailor make safari and beach holidays throughout Tanzania (and other destinations) and our Africa team - Chris, Tracy, Sinead and Amanda will always work hard to plan the perfect trip for you.

DAYS 5-6: SELOUS Safari game drives, guided bush walks and boat safaris all show you different aspects of this beautiful wilderness. DAY 7: TO THE COAST Flying back to Dar, we’ll then drive you about 90 minutes south to a gorgeous coastal spot where you stay for the next 3 nights. DAYS 8-9: AT THE COAST Ras Kutani offers barefoot luxury cottages. Just relax by the pool or on the beach, or try kayaking, horse riding, snorkelling, birdwatching. Visit the spa and enjoy delicious meals. DAY 10: Today we’ll take you back to Dar es Salaam in time for your flight home.

Six iconic and unbeatable

African Wildlife Safaris We have a never-ending supply of ideas for stunning safaris for you. We love tailor making safaris which are just perfect for what you’re hoping for. However, until we have the pleasure of talking with you, here are just a few ideas to start you thinking about what might be possible.

2. Serengeti and the Crater, Tanzania Northern Tanzania has two of Africa’s iconic destinations - the vast grasslands of the Serengeti and the 12-mile wide Ngorongoro Crater. Come year round for excellent wildlife, or let us help you catch up with the migration in the Serengeti. Our ‘Taste of Tanzania’ 8-day safari starts from about £3,500 pp with flights.

1. Migration in the Mara, Kenya From about July to October each year the annual wildebeest migration reaches the Masai Mara. You can be surrounded by herds of wildebeest, zebras and other plains game, and predators such as lions are never far away. Unmissable! 5 nights in the Mara in peak season costs roughly £3,200 to £5,000 pp with economy flights.

South 3. Zambia’s Luangwa plus Lake Malawi Zambia’s South Luangwa is one of Africa’s prettiest parks. Not only that, it has prolific wildlife including good numbers of lions and leopards. From June to October it takes some beating, especially if you add on a few days by Lake Malawi to chill out afterwards. 10 nights ‘Zambia and Malawi’ costs around £5,000 pp with economy flights.

4 . Kruger & Cape Town, South Africa The combination of two of South Africa’s biggest drawcards is a special one. The diverse wildlife of the Kruger, and the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town and its surrounds makes for a superb holiday. And you could add Victoria Falls for the icing on the cake. 9 nights will cost roughly £3,000 to £5,000 pp with economy flights, depending on your standard of accommodation.

5. Classic Botswana & Victoria Falls The Okavango Delta is one of Africa’s gems. Explore the waterways by dugout canoe and take game drives here, often with almost noone around for many miles. Don’t miss Chobe National Park, then be wowed by the impresssive Victoria Falls. 8 nights Botswana & Victoria Falls costs from £3,500 to £5,000 pp with flights.

Classic 6. AUganda Safari Uganda is one of East Africa’s best kept secrets. Not only do you get great savannah wildlife, but stunning mountains and rainforest, and of course the unmissable chance to see chimpanzees and gorillas in the wild. Our 7 night ‘Uganda Safari’ starts at about £3,750 pp with economy flights.

We are experts at putting together tailor made holidays. We listen to what you really want, and plan the right trip for you based on what you’re hoping to experience. www.tribes.co.uk

Tanzania & Kenya A focus on East Africa

“

We loved having the time to really stop and watch, not just ‘tick the box’

and rush on. We developed an understanding of the wildlife and environment, largely made possible by the knowledge and experience of our guide.

”

We loved the welcome we were given by almost every one we met.

Big cats, vast views & migrations There are lots of reasons to come to East Africa, but superb wildlife watching in stunning locations is one of the prime attractions. • Game viewing: With reserves such as the Serengeti, Masai Mara, Samburu, and Selous to name just a few, you know that a safari in Kenya or Tanzania is going to be special. • Annual Wildebeest Migration: The migration reaches different parts of Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara depending on the time of year. • Big cats, elephants, wild dogs, rhinos... Whichever African animal or bird species you’re looking for, we can more often than not recommend somewhere where we can get you a strong chance of spotting them in the wild. • An ‘Out of Africa’ experience: We tend to recommend small, personal and characterful places to stay such as luxury tented camps with gorgeous locations, excellent guiding, great food and comfy beds. • More unusual: Consider more remote reserves too, perhaps for primates, grevy’s zebras ... 14

Walking in the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

“

The animals, the Masai guides and people along with everything I learned gave me the most wonderful experience and memories. I can’t wait to go back there again. There were so many animals and birds that you could just sit for ages and watch the interaction amongst them all. It was fascinating.

”

Kenya or Tanzania ... or both? Both of these East African countries have similar cultural traditions, landscapes and wildlife, and flights between the countries are well-serviced. This means you can often simply pick the best from each country for what you’re looking for, and for the time of year. On the whole we recommend sticking with one country as each has so much to offer, however it’s very easy, for example, to combine a safari in the Masai Mara with a beach stop on Zanzibar.

Indian Ocean beaches & islands Both Kenya and Tanzania have stunning mainland coastline, and some fabulous islands within easy reach by light plane. Either as a standalone beach break or as a few days relaxation after a safari, we can share recommendations of some gorgeous places to stay. • Zanzibar: Tanzania’s biggest island. A broad choice of hotels from small boutique places to larger resorts. Plus Stone Town, spice tours ... Pemba, its smaller sister, is just next door. • Mafia, Chole & Fanjove: All much smaller and quieter than Zanzibar. Mafia is really good for divers. At Chole, off Mafia, you stay in treehouses! Fanjove is a tiny island getaway. • Lamu: Kenya’s archipelago known for its Swahili culture and almost no cars. • Mombasa, Malindi, Watamu ... Some of Kenya’s better known mainland beaches.

TAKE ME THERE It’s about 9 hours from UK to Nairobi. Flights are about £700-£1,000 depending on dates. • A 10-day tailor made safari and beach holiday in Kenya or Tanzania starts from around £2,000-£2,500 pp sharing, without flights, in low season. This can rise to £5,000+pp for luxury lodges in high season. We can tailor make any safari and/or beach holiday in Kenya and Tanzania.

When is the best time to visit Kenya & Tanzania?

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See www.tribes.co.uk for itinerary ideas & more details about travels in East Africa.

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Peru

Land of hidden treasures

t is hard to pigeonhole Peru

historical highlights (Machu

the rainforest there is an

in terms of who it suits. The

Picchu) to the lesser known (such

explosion of vivid, unmissable

reason is that it reaches out to

as Kuelap and Chan Chan), Peru

flora and fauna.

many kinds of travellers these days,

keeps you enthralled.

from people looking for a challenge

Modern culture and traditions are

Adventure & Activity

on the Inca Trail, to enthusiasts of

also eye-opening. Shop at Andean

The Andean mountains are there

beautiful scenery and luxury hotels,

markets, visit floating reed islands,

to challenge you on foot, horseback

to nature lovers searching for

taste local cuisine and listen to

or mountain bike. The tributaries

unusual wildlife in remote regions.

traditional music.

of the Amazon offer motor boat

History & Culture

Wildlife & Nature

are exciting road and train trips to

Interesting colonial buildings vie

Llamas and condors range the

bring you to fascinating places.

for your attention alongside the

majestic Andes, spectacled bears

more famous Incan history and

and hummingbirds hide in

archaeology. From the obvious

mystical cloudforest, and down in

trips and whitewater rafting. There

Frequently asked questions Q - How long should I come to Peru for? You could take just a week and cherry-pick a couple of highlights, but in 3 weeks youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see enough to feel youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve experienced a very good cross-section of what Peru has to offer the traveller. Many people combine a week in Peru with a week on the Galapagos Islands. Q - What is the standard of hotels like? Peru used to be very backpackery. No longer. There are now some really upmarket boutique hotels

offering high class rooms and services in many places in the country. We can even offer Andean treks using extremely comfortable yet remote lodges instead of camping. Q - Do I have to eat rice and beans? Things have really changed on this score in the past few years, and indeed Peru is getting international recognition for its new style of cuisine. Come and try the food, and even take a cooking lesson!

Floating Islands & Homestays Lake Titicaca straddles the border between Peru and Bolivia. Visit the floating reed islands of Uros, perhaps try a homestay on Amantani Island, or stay at one of the luxury lodges such as Titilaka Lodge on the lakeside.

“

We arrived in torrential rain but once it slowed and the mist cleared, the sight of Machu Picchu exceeded our expectations. No matter how many photos you see of it, its size and location is overwhelming.

”

Peru is an incredible hiking destination. From the famous Inca Trail to Lares treks, camping trails to lodge-to-lodge treks.

TAKE ME THERE It’s about 11+ hours from UK to Lima. Economy ﬂights cost around £1,000. • Cusco & Machu Picchu is a 7-day trip from about £1,300 to £1,500 pp sharing (plus ﬂights).

South America’s first luxury sleeper train

Rainforest & Wildlife The Peruvian Amazon’s stunning rainforest and powerful rivers are home to 44% of the country’s birds and 63% of its mammals. Giant otters, pink dolphins, jaguars, tapirs, over 1000 species of birds, 1200 species of butterflies and an astonishing 15,000 different flowering plants await you.

The Belmond Andean Explorer starts its service through the Peruvian Andes in May 2017. One of the highest rail journeys in the world, the train will take you in great comfort and style through some truly breathtaking scenery. With two dining cars, a lounge car with baby grand piano, and observation car, as well as stylish cabins, this is elegant travel. From Cusco via Lake Titicaca to Arequipa city takes 3 days/2 nights, travelling across the altiplano where llamas graze and skies are huge. You can also choose a 1 day/1 night journey from Cusco to Puno on Lake Titicaca (or v.v). Treat yourself!

• Our Complete Peru is a fabulous 21 day trip taking in many of the country’s highlights. It costs from around £5,000+ pp sharing depending on the accommodation. Remember, these are just ideas. We can tailor make any itinerary for you, and will always help you make the best of the time you have.

When is the best time to visit Peru?

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec ■ Excellent ■ Good ■ Fair

amed throughout the world for its white sand beaches and turquoise seas, vast Amazonian rainforests and lively cultures, Brazil holidays are varied and exciting. And Rio? Well Rio encapsulates this diversity in one stunning city. It is one of the most iconic cities in the world and its 37 white sand beaches are backed by lush green peaks, with worldfamous sites scattered throughout • Stand at the foot of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado, and see the spectacular sight of the city below. • Take a cablecar up to Sugarloaf Mountain. • Chill out and people watch on Copacabana Beach, or Ipanema or Leblon beaches too.

Cycle tour around Rio Take a 2-3 hour cycle tour around Rio. Either in the Copacabana/Flamingo Park area or around Ipanema. Explore Santa Teresa Explore this charming part of the city known for its artistic residents. It’s a bohemian area full of quirky shops and restaurants. Tijuca Express Hike Tijuca is one of the world’s largest urban forests. In this 4-5 hour trip you’ll hike to Pedra Bonita for about 1½ hours. Sugarloaf Mountain cablecar The cablecar ride to one of Rio’s main landmarks, Sugarloaf Mountain, offers some unmissable views of the city.

• Enjoy Rio’s world-famous carnival. • Explore the last few remnants of Atlantic cloud forest about 2-3 hours drive from Rio. Wonderful bird life and plantlife. • Eat lunch at one of Rio’s most famous churrascarias or carveries. • Visit the city’s Botanical Garden - one of the ten most important of its kind in the world, with palm trees dating from the garden’s foundation in 1808, greenhouses, orchid rooms, rose gardens and a water lily-filled pond.

RIO DE JANEIRO “

On my first night in the city I’m invited to a street party with dancing, costumes and drinks to celebrate the middle of winter and experience the real spirit of Rio. Brazil’s most famous city strikes you for the beauty of its location and its extraordinary landmarks such as Christ the Redeemer and Corcovado, but also for the people and the vitality which bursts through its streets.

”

his beautiful, cosmopolitan city was founded by the Incas in 1100 AD. It is the gateway to some of the best archaeological sites in the world; but it’s more than simply a gateway – there is much to explore and enjoy in this magical place. • Visit the huge cathedral • Watch the world go by in Plaza de Armas, enjoying its shops and restaurants. • Explore art galleries, workshops, bars and cafes in the cobbled streets of San Blas.

Monasterio is probably Cusco’s ﬁnest hotel. It was originally built as a monastery in 1592 on the site of the palace of Inca Amaru Qhala.

• Uncover local history in the Inca Museum, Santa Catalina Convent, and the museum of pre-Hispanic objects in Korikancha. • Take a day trip to the Sacred Valley. • Tour Inca sites such as the amphitheatre and temple of Qenko, red fort at Pucapucara, water shrine of Tambomachay, and Sacsayhuaman temple complex. Stay, Eat, Drink We can recommend small characterful places for you to stay such as the lovely Quinta San Blas. Peru is becoming famed for its cuisine so try some of Cusco’s good restaurants, and be surprised and delighted. It’s not all beans and rice. Friendly bars and cafes abound in Cusco, where you’ll not only get a drink but a warm welcome.

CUSCO Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley of the Incas Only a train journey (or long hike) away, Machu Picchu is Peru’s most famous Inca landmark. The nearby Sacred Valley also can’t be missed for its markets, Inca ruins and stunning scenery. San Pedro market Ten minutes from the centre of Cusco is a vibrant daily market of fruit, veg and traditional crafts which is well worth the walk for some shopping and local colour. Sacsayhuaman & city sights Take a half day private guided tour of the Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman just outside of town, then the main buildings of Cusco city itself.

Iconic cities

The city in the Andean mountains of Peru is famed for its Spanish colonial and Inca heritage. From here you’ll visit the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu of course, but Cusco itself is full of fascination for the curious traveller.

“

I fell in love with Cusco for its mountains, its Inca stone walls and the women in Peruvian clothes sitting on the steps of its Spanish cathedral with their llamas!

”

India

Aspects of

Stay in palaces in Rajasthan or retreats by the Indian Ocean. Take a train to Udaipur or a boat on the Ganges. Explore wildlife reserves and walk in the Himalayas. Discover aspects of India which draw you, at a time and in the way that suits you.

Relish the flavours

See India your way

Private India Set off in your own car with your own driver to explore India at the pace that suits you. Other than getting to the place you’re staying that night, no-one else dictates your day. Perhaps you’d like a specialist guide with you? We have a Little Black Book of specialists in various fields (such as chef, doctor, fashion designer, artist) who would be delighted to show you the aspect of India they know.

Tailored explorations Whether you want to fly from place to place, take a slow train to Varanasi or join a Palace on Wheels luxury train departure, have your own car and driver, or a combination of all this and 20

more, we can help put together your perfect India experience.

Home from home Where do you fancy staying? A maharaja’s palace, an historic fort, a houseboat, a homestay, and treehouse ... Let us know and we’ll do our best for you.

What’s to love about India? by Paul Cook, Tribes Travel India specialist

In many ways life in India is a world away from what we’re comfortable with in the west. This can make it a difficult place to travel if you don’t go with an open mind. However on the other hand, the joy of their vibrant culture, the opulence of the old palaces, the beauty of the natural parks, hills and coastline ... all this is more makes it a place you can easily fall in love with. I did, and I would be more than pleased to plan a trip to give you the chance to do the same.

14-day Rajasthan Tour starts from £1,800 pp (plus flights)

“

Tough to choose, but probably the high point of the trip for

us was Jaisalmer. Staying at Garh Jaisal in that magnificent golden sandstone fort and watching the pigeons wheel around over the city at sunset, was unforgettable.

” 13-day North India Classic starts from £2,500 pp (plus flights)

TAKE ME THERE It’s about 9 hours from UK to Delhi. Flights cost from about £600.

We advise avoiding the monsoon months of about June to September, and May is too hot for most travellers.

Tiger Tiger

A 7-day Golden Triangle trip (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur) starts at around £800 pp sharing, but with more luxurious places to stay it would be nearer to £1,200+ pp. Kerala Beaches & Backwaters - a 10 day trip in south India including an overnight houseboat cruise starts at about £1,600 pp sharing (without flights).

We can tailor make exactly what you want

See www.tribes.co.uk for itinerary ideas & details about travels in India

When Wh en iis th the be best time to visit India?

Our 8-day Tiger Tiger trip visits Kanha and Bandhavgargh reserves to give you excellent chances of seeing tigers. Price is from about £1,750 pp sharing (without flights) depending on accommodation chosen. Tiger & Taj is a diverse 12-day suggestion with Delhi, Agra and Bandhavargh plus other wonderful reserves. Price starts around £2,500 pp (without flights).

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec ■ Excellent ■ Good ■ Fair

Come on in the water’s ﬁne

From the Paciﬁc Ocean to Lake Malawi we can recommend some mouth-watering places to relax or play by ocean, sea or lake. So, do you like your beaches WILD or TAMED? 3

WILD

. You could hear the roar of the water well before you saw it. This was my kind of beach.

TAMED

Not another soul was actually on the beach. There were a few people enjoying the lodge’s comfortable sun-loungers on the pool deck, but the beach was mine.

Our room was a short stroll from the shoreline, so no need to go far for anything this week. We might just manage to move from the beach to the pool to the bar to the restaurant ... I’m sure you get the picture.

The white sand stretched away to the curve of the bay, and the waves came crashing onto the beach like an angry toddler ﬂopping himself down on the ground in a huff, before calming down to cool my feet before being sucked back into the ocean. I walked and walked, stopping now and then to enjoy being buffeted by the boisterous but warm waves. Back at my lodge an alfresco 3-course lunch awaited. This afternoon? Well, perhaps a good book, with the sounds of the sea slowly soothing my ‘ofﬁce brain’ back to sanity. 22

. The turquoise water hardly moved, and the sandy beach smiled a wide curve around its lazy depths.

Joseph made me a non-alcoholic cocktail for sipping on my beach lounger during the day, and I made plans to swim each morning and afternoon. I mostly did. It was the archetypal warm bath, and I ﬂoated alongside curious tiny ﬁshes. A sundowner cruise one evening was glorious, and we tried a few watersports for fun with some other guests. A week was not enough.

“

Chole Mjini is one of those very rare places which manages to offer a uniquely special experience. The rooms are amazing, and all done with complete care for the environment, and I loved the village visit, the snorkelling trips to secret lakes, and picnics on sandspits. The divers in our party said the dives were phenomenal.

”

1. Machangulo Lodge, Mozambique If you like your beaches wild and un-peopled, and your accommodation high quality and stylish, try the remote yet easily-reached Machungulo in southern Mozambique. 2. Pumulani, Malawi Sitting on the shore of Lake Malawi you’d hardly know it wasn’t the ocean. This is a wonderful inland beach location and Pumulani is a gorgeous place to base yourself. 3. Pousada Picinguaba, Brazil On forest-backed coastline between Rio and Sao Paolo, The Observer said this beautifullysituated hotel combined ‘Brazilian charm and French chic’. Schooner trips to nearby islands, watersports, forest walks, or simple relaxation. 4. Afro Chic, Kenya With just 10 rooms this boutique lodge on Diani Beach offers excellent personal service to make your African beach break that extra bit special.

5. Four Seasons, Costa Rica One of Costa Rica’s most luxurious hotels with a hillside position overlooking 2 golden sand beaches in Papagayo Gulf on the Paciﬁc coast. 6. Chole Mjini, Tanzania Who wouldn’t like staying in a treehouse in an ancient baobab, on a tiny tropical island in the Indian Ocean? Unusual, magical, romantic just a few of the words that come to mind. 7. Sainte Marie Island, Madagascar Madagascar, in the Indian Ocean, has some fabulous tropical beaches in the north and east of the island such as at Nosy Be and Sainte Marie. Hotels range from the top class Anjajavy Hotel to more rustic, simple lodges. 8. Neeleshwar Hermitage, Kerala, India Neeleshwar combines the tranquil and rejuvenating simplicity of a retreat with the comfort and elegance of a ﬁrst-class hotel.

“

Afro Chic is possibly the best hotel I have ever stayed in. Richard and his team have a real ethos of personal but unobtrusive service which just doesn’t exist any more in Europe. The food, setting and service are amazing and I have never enjoyed a hotel stay so much.

”

Namibia Endless Horizons Namibia is a land of varied terrain including rugged coastline, vast desert areas, mountain ranges and huge dune fields - all of it jaw-droppingly stunning. Key highlights of this diverse country include: • The vast expanse of Etosha National Park, with its well-visited waterholes attracting plenty of wildlife from the large grey herds of elephant down to the opportunistic black-backed jackal • Climb the towering orange sand dunes of Sossusvlei • Hike Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world • Visit the wild and inhospitable Skeleton Coast • Spend time in the action and adrenalin capital of Namibia – Swakopmund • Observe desert-adapted elephant and black rhino of Damaraland • Enjoy the contrast to the desert, the lush greenery and permanent waters of the Caprivi • See the unexplored landscapes of Kunene (Kaokoveld) • Spend time with the captivating Himba people of northern Namibia

Gorgeous camps such as Wolwedans Private Camp

Culture Namibia has a rich cultural heritage. The Himba, Herero and San peoples all have fascinating traditions and lifestyles.

Coastal towns:

Luderitz, Swakopmund, and Walvis Bay are all worth visiting. See the German colonial charm of Luderitz and the nearby ghost diamond town of Kolmanskop. Swakopmund is the adventure playground of the coast, and Walvis Bay is great for nature lovers, especially for marine life and birds.

“

Friendly people, fantastic scenery, and excellent food made the whole trip great. As for the animal sightings, a cheetah strolling along the verge beside our car has to be up there with the best sightings we’ve ever had.

”

Etosha Pan National Park Whilst the landscape may seem barren and unable to support any form of life, Etosha is home to a vast array of wildlife. The waterholes are always a hive of activity and in the dry season (May to October) particularly the wildlife viewing near the waterholes can be incredible.

Lose yourself in dramatic landscapes and big skies Wildlife It’s not just Etosha that is great for wildlife. Namibia is never going to compete with the prolific wildlife of East Africa, Zambia or Botswana, but ... to see a handsome oryz on a dune, or a dusty desert elephant, or even a lone rhino or leopard in these arid landscapes is something very special.

Sossusvlei Dunes in NamibNaukluft National Park

TAKE ME THERE It’s about 15 hours from UK to Windhoek via Johannesburg. Alternative routes are available. Return flights cost from around £850 depending on the season and airline. • Our Classic Namibia 15-day self-drive holiday costs from around £2,200 to £3,000 pp sharing (plus flights) depending on accommodation chosen. This is just one idea. We can tailor make any itinerary for you, from self-drives, to guided tours, to lodge-to-lodge flying safaris.

Luxurious wilderness:

Much of the Namibian experience is about exploring the wilderness but this doesn’t mean you need to rough it! There are some stunning lodges with stylish rooms and excellent guides. And they really know how to make the most of their epic scenery.

When is the best time to visit Namibia?

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec ■ Excellent ■ Good ■ Fair

“We were thrilled to come across a leopard up a tree with her kill, protecting her bounty from the hyena waiting below”

ou might be in the Masai Mara or Serengeti witnessing big cats taking advantage of the wealth of the wildebeest migration, or in a boat in Brazil’s Pantanal watching jaguars laze about in the sun on the riverbanks. Perhaps you’re there when a tiger has just been spotted sauntering through the dappled light of the forest ahead of you, or when three cheetah brothers race off their viewing mound towards a herd of impalas.

Cheetah

Namiri Plains, Serengeti, Tanzania

Cheetahs are being increasingly seen in eastern Serengeti around this lovely tented camp called Namiri Plains. High quality accommodation matched by high quality wildlife viewing.

Lion

Richard’s River Camp, Masai Mara, Kenya

Just because lions are the most easily seen of the big cats does not mean it’s less exciting watching them. Try the gorgeous Richard’s River Camp in the Masai Mara as your base.

Leopard

Island Bush Camp, South Luangwa, Zambia

South Luangwa in Zambia is a very good reserve to visit to ﬁnd leopards. Island Bush Camp is in a beautiful remote spot by the river giving you space to enjoy the wilderness.

Cats & Dogs come out to play Maybe you’ve tracked prints for the last hour through Botswana’s bush landscape and at last been rewarded with the sight of 25 wild dogs all waking up and greeting each other enthusiastically before setting off on the hunt. On safari, watching top predators such as these is always a thrill, and different every time you enjoy the experience. We’re always happy to advise where to go to get the best chances of seeing cats, dogs and other incredible wildlife.

Tiger

Samode Safari Lodge, Bandhavgarh, India

There are a few parks in India where you can spot tigers - Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Tadoba, Ranthambore and Nagarhole. We love this comfortable lodge in Bandhavgarh.

Jaguar

Jaguar Flotel, Brazil’s Pantanal

If you come to Brazil’s Pantanal from about June to October for maybe 3 days, we can almost guarantee sightings of wild jaguars. The Flotel above is in the heart of their territory.

“At Tau Pan, Botswana, we saw 2 lionesses with cubs of 5 and 7 months old, who played in front of us for ages”

Wild Dog

Lagoon Camp, Botswana

Wild dogs are surprisingly rare, and compelling to watch. Tanzania’s Selous has the largest number, but in northern Botswana you stand possibly the best chance of spotting them.

Costa Rica A focus on

ational parks cover a large area of this small but incredible country. Rainforest

and cloudforest are in abundance, and the country is very good at protecting its worldacclaimed biodiversity. It’s also a land of volcanoes and rivers, not to mention fabulous beaches. And then there’s the coffee and chocolate. All this makes Costa Rica a very diverse holiday destination. The standard of hotels is

mostly very high, and travel throughout the

Caribbean & Pacific beaches

country is very easy and not too expensive.

Having two coastlines makes this a perfect destination for beach lovers. There is a wide

Nature & Wildlife

choice of types of beaches (such as quiet and

Costa Rica is a wonderful ecotourism

wild, or resorty, or good for surfing and so on).

destination. Within the forests, parks and

There is greater variety on the Pacific coast,

seas around the country, wildlife is excellent,

but the southern Caribbean has a great vibe. Tortuguero National Park

with prolific birdlife (toucans, hummingbirds, macaws and much more), monkeys, sloths,

Adventure

a stunning array of frogs, turtles, whales,

Arenal Volcano is a hub for adventure-lovers

Living up to its name me

dolphins ... An unusual thing about Costa

(with hanging bridges in the forest, a sky tram

Rica is the way in which the rainforests come

and more), but certainly not the only spot

down to the beaches.

where you can enjoy various activities.

Costa Rica means ‘rich coast’, and nd it is indeed rich in beauty, flora, fauna, scenery and adventure. Our specialist brochure and website are excellent sources for more detail about travelling here.

Just a minute ... with Guy Marks, Tribes director

www.costaricaspecialists.co.uk

Q: Is this is good destination for families? Most definitely. I took my own family (with two teenage boys) this year and we had a great time doing all sorts of activities as well as exploring and having beach time on the Pacific coast. We all loved it! Q: I can only go in summer, is that OK? July to October are the wettest months, but it’s still warm and still a popular time to visit. In much of the rainier months it tends to have one good downpour then be mostly clear for the rest of the day. I’d still go, and have.

Q: Is the accommodation good quality? Certainly. The influence of the nearby USA means that service levels are generally high. There is everything from top quality resorts like the Four Seasons to small characterful ecolodges, and lots in between. Book early to get your preferred choice though.

When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec ■ Excellent ■ Good ■ Fair

Costa Rica Coast To Coast A 12-day Costa Rica holiday Day 1: Arrive in San Jose. Transfer to hotel. Day 2: Travel east to the Caribbean coast Day 3: Cahuita National Park awaits! You have a boat trip to Punta Cahuita where you can don snorkelling gear to see the largest coral reefs in Southern Central America. Day 4: This morning you travel by boat up the coast and along coastal canals. This gives you time to enjoy your surroundings and keep your eyes open for birds and animals.

“

Costa Rica was definitely one of our best holidays ever.

The country is so rich in wildlife and birds we felt we were in a David Attenborough programme. People were friendly and the travel from place to place was easy. It certainly lived up to expectations and in many ways exceeded them.

”

Day 5: An exciting day in Tortuguero National Park! You’ll be whisked by boat to the park, just 5 mins away, for a nature-filled day. Day 6: It’s time to head inland. The journey takes you through cultivated land and villages and you stop for lunch on the way. Later Arenal Volcano comes into view. To your hotel. Day 7: Time to set off for Arenal National Park and the famous hanging bridges that make up a trail of just over 3kms. Day 8: You’re back on the road today, travelling west past Arenal Lake and rural villages and on to dry forest as you descend towards the Pacific coast. Day 9: Enjoy a lie in and a lazy breakfast then consider how to spend this day by the coast. Day 10: Another day at leisure by the coast. Day 11: Enjoy an unhurried breakfast and morning at the hotel before meeting your driver for the ride back to San Jose, a journey of 4-5 hours. The rest of the day is free. Day 12: After breakfast your driver will collect you for the short drive back to the airport and your flight back home.

TAKE ME THERE It’s about 9 hours from UK to San Jose on the direct British Airways flight. Alternative flights via USA and Europe are also available. Flights cost from £600.

Adrenalin & Adventure In addition to nature and wildlife experiences, and chilling out on beaches, Costa Rica offers excitement galore. Ziplining, hanging bridges, whitewater rafting, hiking, horse riding, tubing, diving & snorkelling, kayaking, fishing ...

• The Coast to Coast 12-day holiday above costs from about £1,700-£2,000 pp sharing, depending on hotels chosen (plus flights). • Our Beaches & Volcanoes 15-day holiday costs from about £1,275-£1,500 pp sharing. These are just ideas. We can tailor make any itinerary for you, from simple beach holidays to wildlife, birding or adventure trips.

Picture perfect

If photography is a focus for you, talk to us and let us suggest ways to make your travel experience better for you.

or many of us, returning from our travels with excellent images of what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen is very important. Whether you snap with a smart phone, a compact camera or a top of the range SLR with multiple lenses, there are always ways to give yourself the best chances to capture some stunning landscape shot, close-up images of wildlife, or people, or making built structures zing. Many of the destinations we cover lend themselves to photography. Think of the fine Mughal architecture of India, the stunning mountain scenery of Ecuador, the wildlife of African savannahs or Latin American rainforests ...

Short courses during your trip Sometimes it would help those of us keen amateur photographers to have just for a few hours tuition when starting out on our travels. We know some excellent photographers in many countries who can join you and offer their services for perhaps an afternoon or a day. For example Kyle de Nobrega (see his shot below) works at Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana.

Private photography guide If you are keen to master the art of travel photography, learning whilst travelling is definitely the best way. The one-to-one tuition of a private photography guide is not cheap but it is the ultimate if you want to make a real difference to the shots you come home with. Having someone there with you to explain, advise and guide, your confidence will quickly increase. And, of course, the knowledge you glean will stay with you for future travels.

Lodges with wildlife hides There are lodges in good wildlife areas of Africa, India, and Latin America which have built hides, usually near waterholes, allowing you to get excellent chances to photograph the wildlife. The hippo hide at Kaingo Camp in Zambia is a good example. Hidden but often surprisingly close, you can come away with excellent shots even if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a long-lensed camera. We are always happy to advise which lodges have hides.

Lodges lending top end equipment

Getting up high

Perhaps you’d like to use some really top end camera equipment on your travels, but you either can’t justify the expense, or don’t want to travel with such heavy kit.

A different perspective is always fun when taking photos. Getting above the object you’re trying to photograph gives an alternative view that is less open to others.

We can help you pick some lodges (usually in wildlife destinations) which offer high quality camera equipment for your use whilst staying with them. You simply come home with a precious SD card.

Try hot air balloons (such as the Sky Waltz over Amber Fort in India, below), or canopy towers and hanging bridges in Latin American rainforests, or light planes over African wilderness.

Group photographic tours We offer some specialist group tours, where you’ll have the guidance of an experienced photographer, to give you hints and tips and help you learn new skills. Not only will you enjoy a superb holiday, but you’ll have an everlasting record of your trip to share with family and friends. We can usually offer such holidays in Botswana, the Galapagos Islands, Kenya, Peru, Tanzania, and Zambia.

Botswana Exceptional wildlife safaris by land and water

he huge inland delta of the Okavango is one of the highlights of the natural world. It is an African Eden made up of permanent water channels lined with papyrus, seasonally ﬂooded grass plains with islands of palm trees, and areas of higher ground supporting forests and permanent savannah grasslands. But the Delta is just one of the incredible wilderness areas which Botswana can boast. In the north there is Chobe and Savuti, and the Linyanti and Selinda regions. Further south there are the unique salt pans of Makgadikgadi and Nxai, and the Kalahari Desert. You can have an amazingly diverse experience here. These vast swathes of stunning wilderness are inhabited by proliﬁc wildlife such as leopards, elephants, antelopes, hippos, wild dogs, incredible bird life and untold numbers of smaller creatures such as painted frogs! It’s good to combine stays in camps/lodges in very watery areas (where you can take motor boat or mokoro trips and walks) with staying in places where you can enjoy more traditional game drives on savannah grasslands. Both experiences will reward you with great sightings. Botswana really is one of Africa’s gems.

Just a minute ... with Sinead Bailey, Botswana specialist Q - Why are the waters of the Okavango higher in the dry season? The high waters in the Delta from May to October (dry season) come from Angola. It takes the ﬂoodwaters months to reach Botswana’s Delta. Q - Is Botswana a good place to take children? Yes it certainly is, though you need to be aware that it is a malarial area. Various lodges have speciﬁc children’s activities and family rooms. Q - Is there a ‘best value’ time to travel here? The Green Season months (Dec-March) are the cheapest months and wildlife can still be good. Alternatively the ‘shoulder’ months of April, May,

June and November are cheaper than high season, yet the game is still excellent. See our useful ‘Green v Dry Season’ page on our specialist Botswana website.

botswana

specialists

For lots more info, try our specialist website

www.botswanaspecialists.co.uk

“

It exceeded our expectations on every aspect. We loved Botswana and Victoria Falls. A truly magical destination, fascinating landscape and for us, good bird watching.

”

“

Being close to the water brought a different perspective to my understanding of the Delta. Staying at Pom Pom enabled me to see & hear the dawn chorus of the reed-dwelling birds AND to hear & see the same in reverse at sundown.

Both images by Beverley Joubert of Great Plains Conservation

”

EXPE EX PERI PE RIEN RI ENCE EN CE B BOT OTSW OT SWAN SW ANA AN • Fl Flyy-in yin llod odge od ge ttoo lo lodg dgee sa dg safari riss ri • Re Remo mote mo te llux uxur ux uryy ca ur camp mpss & lo mp lodg dges dg es • Mo Mobi bile bi le ggro roup ro up ccam ampi am ping pi ng ssaf afar af aris ar is • Bo Boat at & m mok okor ok oroo sa or safa fari fa riss ri • Li Ligh ghtt pl plan anee & he an helililico copt co pter pt er ssce ceni ce nicc ﬂig ni ight htss ht • Ho Hors rseb rs ebac eb ackk sa ac safa fari fa riss ri

Victoria Falls

TAKE ME THERE It’s about 13 hours from the UK to Maun via Johannesburg. Economy ﬂights cost from £800£1,400 depending on the season and airline. • Botswana Focus is a 9-day holiday with Okavango, Chobe and Vic Falls from about £2,250-£3,500 pp sharing (plus ﬂights). • Desert & Delta is 11 days including Vic Falls, Chobe, Okavango and Nxai Pan. It costs from £3,600 - £5,500 pp sharing.

ictoria Falls is very easy to include before or after a safari in Botswana. It is on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe and it’s only about 1½ hours to transfer from the Botswana border (near Chobe) to either Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or Livingstone in Zambia. Apart from walking to see the falls, there are lots of exciting activities you can do from here, such as sunset cruises, ﬂights over the falls, whitewater rafting, horse riding and more. You want at least a full day here, maybe two or more.

Remember, these are just ideas. We can tailor make any itinerary for you, from cheaper mobile camping trips to luxury lodge safaris.

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Elephants Walking with

At Abu Camp you experience the African bush through the eyes of the elephants as you become an honorary member of the Abu Camp herd

“

Did you know that these elephants understand 85 words? That’s amazing. And Morula loves waving at you with her trunk high in the air. You can tell she is happy when you wave back. She kept doing it! Luke, age 14yrs.

Shake Jabu Shake!

”

This is what a tiny woman called Sandie said to the massive bull elephant called Jabu. And he did. He put his vast ears forward and shook his head. Dust flew, the ground shook and he looked exceptionally daunting, stood as we were, only feet from him. Thembi, another of Sandie and Doug Groves’ elephant wards, opens his mouth to let you look at his teeth, and if he’s in mischievous mood, he might take your hat off your head and put it on his own. When Morula stops waving at her adoring audience, she’s happy to show you how she lies down at night. All this might sound a bit like a zoo act, but it most certainly is not. The Living with Elephants project in Botswana’s Okavango Delta has a very serious remit conservation and wildlife education, and specifically the protection of three elephants orphaned by culling operations. Jabu, Thembi and Morula are all semi-habituated elephants. The Groves swore never to compromise the quality of life and safety of the elephants, and their trio live a life so close to that of wild elephants that they even share grazing grounds. Visitors staying at Sanctuary Retreat’s Baines Camp or Stanley’s Camp can share with them a morning of walks and lunch, learning, touching, watching and generally being submerged in all things elephant. It’s a privilege, and it’s unforgettable.

Take me there ... You can walk with Jabu, Thembi and Morula if you stay at Baines Camp or Stanley’s Camp in the Okavango Delta. Both camps are run by Sanctuary Lodges. Abu Camp, also in Botswana’s Okavango but run by Wilderness Safaris, offers a similarly excellent experience whilst staying at their luxurious camp. You can also enjoy elephant interaction in South Africa, at the luxury Camp Jabulani.

Top Nosh

Babel is housed in a cow shed in the winelands of South Africa. Its farm-tofork philosophy brings you stunning tastes in simple surroundings.

in special places

Stay: Babel is at Bablyonstoren, a wellheeled farm hotel perfect for relaxation and exploration.

One hour from Stone Town, the Rock Restaurant has to be one of the most unusual places to go for a meal on Zanzibar!

Dhaba in Delhi is a restaurant in Claridges Hotel offering authentic, delicious Indian food in the ambience of a rustic truck stop! Great fun, tasty food.

Peruvian Pisco Sour 2 shots of pisco 1 shot lemon juice 1 shot sugar syrup (2 sugar to 1 water) ½ a fresh egg white

Chicha in Cusco is by Gaston Acurio, the Jamie Oliver of Peru. Try tasty Andean dishes and don’t forget a pisco sour.

Mix, shake vigorously, top with a few drops of Angostura bitters

Stay: La Casona is a boutique hotel in an old colonial building a stone’s throw from Cusco’s main plaza.

Safari bush cuisine. Surroundings can make meals special. Gorgeous food, well-presented in the middle of the African bush is always memorable. Bush breakfast by And Beyond’s Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge

Ginger is a rather special tapas restaurant in a ‘treehouse’ on Costa Rica’s Paciﬁc coast. How could you not visit? Stay: El Mangroove is nearby, backed by rainforest and with prime beachfront too.

“

Would you like

an adventure now, or would you like to have your tea first? ” J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan 35

Zambia

& Zimbabwe Authentic, exciting, personal From walking safaris to boat safaris, with really high standards of guiding, accommodation and personal service

South Luangwa in Zambia is famous for pioneering walking safaris, here with Robin Pope Safaris

wo very special countries share a border at the point where the great Zambezi River plunges off the edge of an escarpment at the famous Victoria Falls. For many people, neither Zambia nor Zimbabwe will be as well known as other safari destinations such as Kenya or South Africa, but both places offer a real adventure and stunning wildlife.

Zambia Zambia is not one of the more visited African safari destinations, but it’s certainly one of the best. If you like your safari authentic and remote, and perhaps love walking safaris too, this is a country to consider. You will find some of the best guiding in Africa here, and lodge owners who are very committed to their environments and communities, as well as to offering you the very highest standards of safari experience. South Luangwa is the gem of the country in our opinion, but other reserves such as Lower Zambezi and Kafue are also incredible places to visit. Then there are some more unusual and unique spots like Bangweulu eulu Swamps and Liuwa Plains which the wildlife connoisseur will just love.

Zimbabwe After a long time in the dark, Zimbabwe is attracting travellers once more. And quite rightly too. The country has much to offer any nature and wildlife enthusiast, and the people are keen to welcome you. Victoria Falls town is still a major base from which to see the Falls of course, but now other parts of the country such as Hwange National Park, Matobo, and Mana Pools are all seeing increasing numbers of visitors.. Even the more outlying areas such as Gonarezhou Great onarezhou ezhou and the ruins of Gr Zimbabwe we are slowly beginning to see more guests. Wildlife is good, the landscape is gorgeous, infrastructure the infr astructure is there now w and there ther is a international new in ternational airport at Victoria Falls too. Zimbabwe is open for travellers. Zimbabwe traveller

“Tracking lion prints through the bush with the reassurance of an excellent guide from the Bushcamp and an armed ranger from the National Parks service - and someone bringing up the rear with our morning tea and biscuits!”

“

There were many highlights from seeing prides of lions charging elephants and the rare sight of seeing a pack of wild dogs on the hunt and I still hear the noise of hippos which gave early morning wake up calls.

”

TAKE ME THERE It’s about 13 hours from UK to Lusaka via Johannesburg. Economy flights cost from £800-£1,200 depending on the season and airline.

Kanga Camp, Mana Pools, Zimbabwe

Kaingo Camp, South Luangwa, Zambia

Set in the most remote part of the world heritage site of Mana Pools, Kanga is a 6-tent camp. It’s at Kanga Pan which is the only yearround water source in the area and you can sit on the deck lounge watching the wildlife come to you. Comfort and great wildlife.

A small friendly camp on the banks of the Luangwa River run by respected family-owned safari company, Shenton Safaris. Exciting game drives and walks are supplemented by time in various superb hides near the camp.

“South Luangwa in Zambia has got to be one of my favourite safari destinations. The reserve is beautiful, with the river running through it and some stunning trees, including a magical grove of ebony. Even in the green season the wildlife can be spectacular, and I love the boat safaris in these months (January to March). A combination of perhaps a week in South Luangwa, followed by a couple of days in Lower Zambezi, then either time to chill out on Lake Malawi or at Victoria Falls would be a perfect trip for me”. Tracy Edwards, Africa specialist

•

A week’s safari in green season will cost from around £2,500 pp plus flights. In high season (July to October) this will be closer to £4,000 pp.

•

Our ‘Luangwa & Livingstone’ 11-day itinerary costs between about £3,100 and £4,700 pp sharing, plus flights.

We can tailor make any itinerary for you in Zambia or Zimbabwe, perhaps also including Malawi or Botswana if that appeals to you.

When is the best time to visit Zambia or Zimbabwe?

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forests

of cloud & rain

Secret, magical places full of life and beauty Breathe in the spirit and vitality of rainforests and cloudforests to experience some of the world’s most incredible wildlife and plantlife. 3

he diversity of the rainforests and cloudforests of the world is just remarkable. Holding 50% of the earth’s plants and animals in just 2% of its surface area, they are vastly important to us, and we must care for them. No nature lover should pass up the chance to see the ﬂora and fauna of the forests. To see a jaguar sunning itself on a riverbank, or the red and green ﬂash of a macaw streak through the sky above a snaking brown river, sights such as these are awe-inspiring.

Not only is what you see varied, but there are many ways you can see it. From staying in luxury lodges to riverboat cruises, from sitting in a ﬂoating hide to walking across hanging bridges, we can get you to the right spots in the way that suits you. Make the journey, it’s worth it.

1. Amazon riverboat cruises An Amazon cruise is a really special way to soak up the rainforest experience in comfort such as with the Tucano in Brazil. 2. Birdlife & claylicks Macaws, parrots, toucans, hummingbirds, quetzals ... birdlife in the forests is vibrant and proﬂic. Spend time at a riverside claylick to get a good view and photo opportunities. 3. Trees and ﬂowers Being surrounded by the lungs of the earth is a treat for the senses. You can smell the breath of the trees, and marvel at the diverse colours and shapes of the plantlife which sustains us all.

The forest is a peculiar organism of unlimited kindness and benevolence that makes no demands for its sustenance and extends generously the products of its life and activity; it affords protection to all beings. Buddhist Sutra 38

6 4. Sloths & monkeys Howler monkeys bark their presence, spider monkeys and others scream and chatter to grab attention, but sloths ... well, they just hang about, and move so slowly that algae grows on them. You’ve got to love them. 5. Pink river dophins Yes, they really are pink! These shy mammals can be very hard to ﬁnd, but there are few places we know where we can almost guarantee you’ll see them in the wild. Special. 6. Giant otters & jaguars These are two of the larger iconic mammals of the Latin American forests. Both are

7 mesmerising to watch, and we can suggest places where you stand a very high chance of spotting them. You’ll be entranced. 7. Hanging bridges & canopy towers Get up into the treetop canopy for a macawseye view of the forest. Many lodges have observation towers to get you up huge trees, and some places, like Costa Rica, have walkways and hanging bridges in the trees.

8. Comfortable forest lodges Rainforest and cloudforest are difﬁcult environments to manage lodges in, but there are some places which do it admirably, such as this Amazon villa at Posada Amazonas in Peru.

“

Just outside our window, a vibrant metallic green humming bird was taking a drink from a red hot poker plant

”

Madagascar Baobabs, beaches & lemurs This is the land of ‘upside down’ trees (baobabs), geckos which look like tree bark, painted chameleons, frogs with a big resemblance to beef tomatoes, and of course the creature which is unique to Madagascar, the lemur. The roughly 100 species of lemur come in all shapes and sizes, including the ‘singing’ indri, the ‘dancing’ sifaka and the very peculiar aye-aye with one exaggeratedly long, skinny finger.

othing is quite as you might expect it to be in Madagascar. The island is the size of France, and though it is part of Africa and has savannah grasslands in addition to rainforests, you won’t find any ‘normal’ African wildlife here such as giraffes, zebras and lions.

Add to this unusual landscapes such as spiny forest and the tsingy, plus stunning beaches and fascinating culture, and Madagascar is not to be missed. So come for unique wildlife and scenery, meet great people, and end with time on a gorgeous tropical beach.

HIGHLIGHTS OF MADAGASCAR Day 1: You’ll be met at the airport in Antananarivo (Tana) and driven to your city hotel for the night. Day 2: After a tour of the city you set out by private car past rice paddies to Antsirabe. A short city tour. Day 3: Continue south today to Ambositra. Watch wood carvers at work before heading for Ranomafana. Day 4: Explore Ranomafana N.P. with its dense vegetation, rivers and waterfalls. There are 12 species of lemur plus many birds, butterflies and reptiles. Day 5: You are heading for Isalo today, with stops for a wine tasting at Ambalavao. You pass the transition between the verdant highlands and the dry south, maybe seeing Bara herdsmen on the way. Day 6: A 4 to 6 hour hike in Isalo National Park with its huge sandstone mountains and rock formations. Wildlife includes sifakas and ring-tailed lemurs. Panoramic views from the Window of Isalo will end your day. Day 7: Continuing south west, you stop to spot birds and lemurs at Zombitse N.P. From here you start seeing baobabs and spiny forest habitat typical of the south. End the day at Ifaty on the coast. Days 8-9: A couple of days to relax at a gorgeous beach hotel. Day 10: Fly back to Tana for your flight home.

Tsingy in west Madagascar

The avenue of baobabs

Madagascar is a fascinating and fragile island unlike anywhere else on Earth 40

“

The eerie, whale-like song of the indri echoed through the forest stopping us in our tracks. It was mesmerizing. First we had seen the dancing sifaka and now we were being sung to by a big teddy bear! Madagascar had me in its thrall.

”

Indri

TAKE ME THERE

Verreaux’s sifaka

It’s about 10 -11 hours from UK via Paris or Nairobi to Madagascar. Economy flights cost from £800 - £1,100. •

Beach at Nosy Komba

Manafiafy Lodge

Tropical beaches

Places to stay

In the north and east of the island beautiful tropical beaches and islands abound. Nosy Be is the most well known but there are many others. Ile Sainte Marie in the east is another good spot to relax and also for whale watching.

Madagascar has very varied standards of accommodation ranging from the lovely Manafiafy Beach & Rainforest Lodge in the southeast, to the luxurious Anjajavy L’Hotel in the north, down to more simple hotels and guest houses throughout the island.

A two-week trip costs from about £2,500 pp sharing (plus flights) up to roughly £5,000 using top end properties.

We can tailor make any itinerary for you in Madagascar, from adventures to tropical beach holidays, and wildlife holidays. Also consider linking Madagascar with Kenya or South Africa.

When is the best time to visit Madagascar?

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec ■ Excellent ■ Good ■ Fair

ruger is one of the best known wildlife reserves in the whole of Africa. In this vast expanse of wilderness you can get some extraordinarily good wildlife viewing, especially if you stay at one of the lodges in the less busy private reserves such as Sabi Sands, part of Greater Kruger. Lodges such as Leopard Hills, Nottens or Rhino Post offer superb guiding and a high standard of comfort and service. Being guided by knowledgeable safari professionals makes the difference between a mediocre and a stunning wildlife experience.

“The whole service has been outstanding. It is so comforting to know you are being met in airports etc - particularly Jo’burg which I still find confusing. Staff at all 3 venues were very welcoming and do genuinely want to help“

ape Town and its surroundings such as the Cape Peninsula and the Winelands has a lot of wonderful things to see and do within a relatively short distance. Visit the penguins at Boulders Beach, take a wine and chocolate tour in the Stellenbosch or Franschhoek area, perhaps go as far as Hermanus on the coast to spot whales from a boat on even from shore. Then of course there are the world class restaurants, the beaches, Table Mountain, music ...

Kruger & the Cape DAY 1: ARRIVE CAPE TOWN You’re met on arrival and driven to your hotel, Clarendon Fresnaye. Set in pretty gardens, this former home of the Earl of Clarendon provides gorgeous accommodation overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. DAYS 2-3: CAPE TOWN Your hotel is not far from the city’s main attractions including Table Mountain and the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Spend the day exploring the city sights and stopping for lunch at one of the many cafes. You might also want to visit Robben Island or head for the beach at Camps Bay. Breakfast. DAY 4: TO SABI SANDS, KRUGER This morning you fly to Kruger Mpumalanga. From here you’ll be driven to your home for the next 3 nights, Nottens Bush Camp in the Sabi Sands Reserve. Full board.

... and Victoria Falls too 10 days from about £1,200-£1,500 pp sharing plus flights (depending on accommodation chosen)

DAYS 5-6: SABI SANDS, KRUGER The famous Sabi Sand Reserve shares an unfenced boundary with the Kruger National Park. The wildlife in the reserve is excellent. Game drives and guided walks morning and afternoon leave the middle of the day free for you to unwind at the camp. Full board. DAY 7: TO LIVINGSTONE (VICTORIA FALLS), ZAMBIA Today you fly to Livingstone in Zambia where you stay at Waterberry Lodge with just 7 cottages. Take things easy this afternoon. Full board. DAYS 8-9: LIVINGSTONE Experience the magnificent falls on a guided tour. Other activities are also possible such as flights over the falls and rafting. Full board. DAY 10: DEPART After breakfast by the river it’s time to pack your bags and head for home. Breakfast.

South Africa in the blood Tracy Edwards is one of our Africa specialists. She was born and brought up in South Africa, and loves the diversity of the landscape and friendliness of the people. She always has great advice and ideas for tailor-making your perfect trip.

BURMA (Myanmar) ‘Quite unlike any place you know about’ Rudyard Kipling

ith its recent history of isolation, this is a country few people beyond its borders know well. Now that its doors are open to tourism you can become one of the privileged few to discover what this exotic, mystic land has to offer. In some senses little has changed here since colonial times, though outside influences are now just beginning to penetrate the main cities. Away from these you’ll still find villages and rural areas where people wear traditional dress as part of everyday life, travel with a horse and cart and earn their living as their fathers and forefathers did. Yet this is not a land set in aspic, it is changing, evolving, and to witness this gradual transformation is part of the fascination for the visitor. There are temples, monasteries and pagodas seemingly at every turn. This is a deeply religious society, where Buddhist monks are revered. The Burmese are wonderfully welcoming. Wherever you go you’ll see smiling faces, people eager to meet you and share their lives, culture and country with you. A visit to this special land will leave you feeling enlightened and enriched.

“Inle Lake was my favourite calm, peaceful and great experiences seeing the amazing ﬁshermen, local craft workshops and the market.” When is the best time to visit Burma?

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec ■ Ex Exce cellen ent ■ Go Good od ■ Fair

See www.tribes.co.uk for itinerary ideas & details about holidays in Burma

Bagan is simply not to be missed. Take a horse and cart or perhaps cycle around, or enjoy a hot air balloon flight over the 2,000+ ancient temples and pagodas next to the Irrawaddy River.

Beach. End your holiday with a few days on a beautiful beach. Ngapali has white sand, clear blue sea and palm trees combining to make a postcard-perfect scene. It has a handful of small hotels and is untouched by mass tourism.

IRRAWADDY RIVER CRUISE Travel up Burma’s largest river, the Irrawaddy, from the templeﬁlled plains of Bagan to the famed city of Mandalay, last royal capital, then back downstream stopping to admire pagodas and visit local villages. Your home is the luxury Sanctuary Ananda, an elegant 21-suite river cruiser with spacious interiors and an intimate atmosphere. Gain a rare insight into this fascinating country. 8 days from around £1,500 pp sharing

TAKE ME THERE It’s about 14 hours from UK to Yangon (Rangoon). Flights cost from about £700.

Burma has a tropical climate. It is generally agreed that the best time to visit is from November to February as these are the drier months, and it’s not too hot. A 11-day Classic Burma trip (Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay & Inle Lake) costs from around £1,500 to £2,000 pp sharing, depending on the accommodation chosen.

We can tailor make exactly what you want

Make your escape plans Your holiday time is precious. We’d love to help you get it right.

2. Let us advise you and plan your trip with you • Call and talk to one of our experts. They’re very friendly, good listeners, full of ideas, don’t work on commission, and will always do their best to get as close as possible to what you’re looking for. • We will send you an itinerary and quotation based on what we’ve discussed with you. • With our help, if necessary tweak the itinerary until it’s right for you.

3. Book the trip and start getting excited about the journey to come! • Book your trip with us, being assured that we have an ATOL licence and ABTOT bond for your ﬁnancial protection. • Look forward to your travel documents coming to you, and, knowing that we are here to advise you for any questions that come up, start getting excited about the trip. • Then it’s just a case of packing, heading off on your travels and having a great time.

www.tribes.co.uk

Tel: 01473 890499

100% ﬁnancial protection

www.cruisethegalapagos.co.uk www.botswanaspecialists.co.uk www.costaricaspecialists.co.uk www.go2tanzania.co.uk www.kiliclimbs.com

Email: enquiries@tribes.co.uk or Talk to one of the many excellent travel agents that work with us

ATOL licence 5802 ABTOT bonded We follow the AITO quality charter

1. Consider what experience captures your imagination • Start with an idea of what you’d like to see or do, even if it’s vague. • Use our websites to help you hone down what you might be interested in, or call us at this point. • Is there a speciﬁc timeframe you need to travel in? • Decide roughly what kind of budget you’re happy to put towards the experience.

24-hour emergency back-up when you’re travelling

The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 for Tribes Travel, and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for the following: 1. non-flight packages commencing in and returning to the UK; 2. non-flight packages commencing and returning to a country other than the UK; and 3. flight inclusive packages that commence outside of the UK, which are sold to customers outside of the UK. 1, 2 and 3 provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled. 1 and 3 provides for repatriation. Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Tribes Travel.

Every holiday booked with us helps The Tribes Foundation charity. For each booking, we plant trees via The Travel Forest to help reafforestation. 46

Seemingly boring but actually

Important Stuff

Your Financial Security AITO: Tribes is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators which represents Britain’s leading independent tour operators and encourages high standards of quality and service. Tribes abides by their Code of Conduct and adheres to the Quality Charter (see below). Visit www.aito.com to find out more. ATOL: The air holidays in this brochure are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (www.atol.org.uk). In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money paid to us for an advance booking. Our ATOL number is 5802. Holidays without air travel or which are outside the scope of ATOL are protected by our bond with the Assocation of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited. (ABTOT - www.abtot.com).

AITO Quality Charter AITO is the Association for independent and specialist holiday companies. Our member companies, usually owner-managed, strive to create overseas holidays with high levels of professionalism and a shared concern for quality and personal service. The Association encourages the highest standards in all aspects of tour operating. EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP: AITO sets criteria regarding ownership, finance and quality which must be satisfied before new companies are admitted to membership. All members are required to adhere to a Code of Business Practice which encourages high operational standards and conduct. FINANCIAL SECURITY: An AITO member is required to protect money paid by customers to the member for any holiday sold under the AITO logo. This protection applies to customers who are in the UK at the time of booking or to overseas customers who have booked directly with the member. Members must comply with the UK Government Regulations in this respect. Members submit details of their bonding or guarantee arrangements to the Association on a regular basis. ACCURATE BROCHURES AND WEB SITES: All members do their utmost to ensure that all their brochures and other publications, print or electronic, clearly and accurately describe the holidays and services offered.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AND CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENTS: All members are committed to high standards of service and believe in regular and thorough training of employees. Members continually seek to review and improve their holidays. They listen to their customers and always welcome suggestions for improving standards. MONITORING STANDARDS: AITO endeavours to monitor quality standards regularly. All customers should receive a post-holiday questionnaire, the results of which are scrutinised by the Association. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM: All members acknowledge the importance of AITO's Responsible Tourism guidelines, which recognise the social, economic and environmental responsibilities of tour operating. CUSTOMER RELATIONS: All members endeavour to deal swiftly and fairly with any issues their customers may raise. In the unlikely event that a dispute between an AITO member and a customer cannot be settled amicably, AITO's low-cost Independent Dispute Settlement Service may be called upon by either side to bring the matter to a speedy and acceptable conclusion.

Photo Credits We’d like to thank the photographers, hotels, lodges and tourist boards for use of their photos in this guide. All the accommodation pictures have been taken by Tribes staff past and present, or provided by the hotels/lodges. The others are by: Shutterstock: cover TL & 27TR Kathryn Bakken, cover TR & 6col-leftIM4 & 23TR & 40BLJavarman, coverBL Michal Staniewski, 2main Tratong, 5TR Peter Wollinga, 6 Colright IM1 Bjorn Hoglund, 6botswana & 44BG & 45TR Blue Sky Studio, 7col-leftIM3 mezzotint, 7col-leftIM4 & 19machu picchu Iryna Savina, 7 col-rightIM6 Villiers Steyn, 8main & 9TR Jess Kraft, 8TL Longjourneys, 9tortoise Ian Kennedy, 12 hat Samathi, 13 IM2 MattiaATH, 15Topmain mdd, 15TR Steve Lagreca, 15B Dimitry Sukhov, 18BL lazyllama, 18BM vitormarigo, 18BR f11photo, 18main dmitry_islentev, 19BM zoryanchik, 19BL SL-Photography, 19main Sharptoyou, 20BG Szefei, 20BR kosmos111, 21TR Angelo Giampiccolo, 22BR worldswildlife wonders, 24BG EcoPrint, 24BL erichon, 24BR Pyty, 25TR Paula French, 25BL OEvans, 25MR ArCaLu, 26 BCG Gudkov Andrey, 26Col-left IM1 Stephanie Periquet, 26Col-mid IM1 Jez Bennett, 28BR &39TL Ivan Kuzmin, 28BL Tati Nova, 29TR RuthChoi, 29B Evocation Images, 29BM Simon Dannhauer, 31B Ian Duffield, 32TR Dave Strickland, 32hippo JMx Images, 33BR &36TR & 43R Vadim Petrakov, 36BR Sergej Razvodovskij, 37main jez bennett, 38hummingbird Glass and Nature, 38BCG Juhku, 39ML Anirut Krisanakul, 39BL Ondrej Prosicky, 39TR Simon Dannhauer, 40TL &40BR Dennis van de Water, 40TR KRISS75, 41main Hugh Lansdown, 41indri Damian Ryszawy, 41BL lenisecalleja.photography, 42zebras Ondrej Prosicky, 42penguins Pocholo Calapre, 42Col-right IM1 Gordon Bell, 42 IM2 Martin Mecnarowski, 42IM3 Michel Piccaya, 44TM Tonnaja Anan Charoenkal, 44BL Hang Dinh, 45MR Nadezda Murmakova, 46L Bondar Illia, 46M Bacho, 46R riggsby, 46TR Sara Tarr. Others: CoverBR AWL Images Christian Heeb, 6col-rightIM3 Enchanted Expeditions, 7Col-left IM1 Kaya Mawa, 7IM5 SAT, 7IM6 Robin Pope Safaris, 7Col-right IM1 20 degrees sud, 7IM2 Benguerra Lodge, 10BR Beverly Joubert, 13bee-eaters & 30BR Shenton Safaris, 13 IM1 Asilia, 13 IM4 Leopard Hills, 13 IM5 Richard Randall\Desert and Delta, 14 Top-main Saruni, 14BR Hoopoe, 17main & TR Mountain Lodges of Peru, 20food CGH Earth, 21B India Tourist board, 22BCG Small world marketing, 27leopard Kelvin Brown, 29main Swiss Travel, 31TL Rainforest Expeditions, 34T Dana Allen, 35Dhaba Claridges, 35food by chicha, 35breakfast by And Beyond, 35Casona by Inkaterra.

Key: BG=background, IM=image, t=top, b=bottom, l=left, r=right, m=middle, so tl=top left etc.

Prices and Booking All the prices in this guide are just to give you a rough idea of costs. Priced on 20 June 2016. Costs can vary a great deal depending on the standard of accommodation you choose, number of travellers and the time you travel. You will find more exact prices on our website for some suggested holidays, but since much of what we organise for clients is tailor made, we are always happy to give you a quote for what you’re hoping to do. To enquire about or book a holiday with us, you can either just give us a call (we always like a chat with people who are considering to travel with us!), email us, or if you prefer you can complete our online ’Help Me Plan My Trip’ by using the Contact Us or Enquire Now buttons. Our booking conditions and booking form can be downloaded from our website on our ‘Our Services - Booking Information’ page.

Testimonials The testimonials we’ve used throughout this guide are all bona fide reviews of our holidays. You will find these and many more reviews on our website where we publish all the feedbacks we receive from clients - good or bad (happily roughly 98% are excellent or good).

Tel: 01473 890499

Email: info@tribes.co.uk

www.tribes.co.uk 47

worldwide nature, wildlife & cultural holidays Since 1998 we’ve been planning tailor made holidays for our clients in Africa, Latin America and Asia. Get the experience you really want in 25 countries worldwide.

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OUR SPECIALIST WEBSITES AND BROCHURES

A deservedly popular destination, this

Cruise the Galapagos is the UK’s most

website and brochure will help you decide how to make the best of this

comprehensive dedicated Galapagos website full of information about how

small, diverse country. www.costaricaspecialists.co.uk

to plan your Galapagos holiday. www.cruisethegalapagos.co.uk

Botswana is one of Africa’s gems. Find out about the Okavango Delta, Chobe and the Kalahari, and the superb lodges you can stay at. www.botswanaspecialists.co.uk

The Serengeti, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar ... just a few of the famous sights of this incredible country. Explore in more detail here. www.go2tanzania.co.uk

climb kilimanjaro We’ve organised Kilimanjaro climbs for years and have an excellent success rate. Start planning your challenge at our specialist Kili website. www.kiliclimbs.com

The Old Dairy, Wood Farm, Ipswich Road, Otley, Suffolk, IP6 9JW Tel: 01473 890499 Email: info@tribes.co.uk

www.tribes.co.uk This limited-run brochure was printed on eco-friendly paper with Forest Stewardship Council certification.