Spirit of Adventure

Our one-off West Africa Expedition proved so popular amongst our travellers that we’ve now made it a permanent fixture in our program. This expedition takes us deep into the mysterious heart of West Africa – a region that has captured the imagination of travellers for centuries. We explore historic kingdoms such as the influential Malian and Ashanti Empires, and the great Dahomey Kingdom. On this 26-day trip we will also visit the fabled frontier town of Timbuktu and trek in Mali’s unique Dogon Country. If this exciting part of the African continent is on your list, we suggest you book your place really soon, as they are filling fast!

If you haven’t quite got that much time, why not consider our new two-week Mali & Burkina Faso or West African Kingdoms trips!

Plus music buffs can also add on one of our new five-day extensions to Mali’s renowned music festivals – the Festival in the Desert or the Festival on the Niger. The magical Festival au Désert is a world music festival that takes place in Essakane, in the Sahara Desert, some 70 kilometres outside of Timbuktu.  The Festival of the Niger is celebrated in the ancient Bambara capital of Ségou, and pays homage to Africa’s third longest river. It is a kaleidoscope of the rich cultural tapestry that this region has to offer.

Dogon Village, Mali

Trip of the week: Highlights of Mali
Do you like what you see? Then why not have a look at our Highlights of Mali trip. Trek through Dogon tribal areas, cruise on the Niger River and camp out under stars in the Sahara Desert with the nomadic Tuareg people.

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West Africa Expedition - only four spots left!

West Africa is fast becoming a new favourite destination for adventure seekers. With exotic destinations like Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, Bamako and Timbuktu it’s easy to see why people are drawn to this fascinating region.

Our 22-day West Africa Expedition showcases the extraordinary diversity of landscape and culture across five countries in the deep heart of Africa: Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Togo and Ghana, and has proven very popular, with only four spots left!

Exploring these countries, you will take in the rich history of mighty empires like the Dahomay, Malian and Ashanti, and be immersed in the vibrant markets and musical traditions which have seen local bands become the darlings of world music.

The West Africa Expedition departs on 7 November 2009 from Bamako, Mali, and with limited spaces left, make sure you book soon if you were considering going.

Black Peak Heli Trek

How does witnessing New Zealand’s stunning Southern Alps on a helicopter ride, then exploring the vast wilderness region of Black Peak (2283m) with your hiking boots firmly in place sound? The reward for your efforts will be incredible mountain scenery, with views of the beautiful peaks, lakes and ridges of this magnificent countryside.

The Black Peak Heli Trek has ten departures between January 2009 and April 2010. See our website for more information on this exciting new adventure!

West Africa Expedition

Do you want to getaway to a region that few travellers get to experience in a lifetime? We have an expedition which takes you deep into the mysterious heart of West Africa, a destination that has captured the imagination of travellers for centuries.

Our incredible, one-off 22-day West Africa Expedition explores the ancient fabled towns and historic kingdoms of Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Togo and Ghana. You will get an in - depth look at the rich and diverse history of these fascinating countries - from the tragic slave - trading past to the influential empires of the Dahomey and Ashanti people. The incredible warmth and exuberance of the locals will undoubtedly be a highlight, with the vibrant, colourful and impressive markets coming a very close second! West Africa is also renowned for its world-class musicians whose hypnotic beats and haunting rhythms and these are sure to leave a lasting impression.

The West Africa Expedition has one departure next year on 7 November. To find out more and to be sure to secure your place on this ground-breaking journey click here.

Essence of Tanzania

This stunning journey through Tanzania’s rich and diverse wilderness combines amazing wildlife viewing opportunities with unique cultural experiences, offering you an unforgettable 11-day adventure!

The Essence of Tanzania trip is full of up close encounters with the incredible wildlife of East Africa. From days spent in the great game parks of Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Serengeti and the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater you will witness lions, zebras, giraffes and so much more. A superb feature of this safari is the unique flexibility of our private mobile camp which allows us to follow the path of the great migration of wildebeest in the Serengeti.

With your nights spent in a fully-equipped private mobile camp with ensuite toilets, ensures many of you will have all the comforts of home but the view from your front door will be completely removed from anything you have ever experienced! An encounter with the Hadzabe bush people, the most ancient tribe in Tanzania, will overwhelm you with the timeless simplicity of their daily lives and the warmth of their welcome.

The Essence of Tanzania has departures throughout the year, to find out more about tours to this stunning region please visit our website.

Classic Botswana

There is so much that makes Botswana the perfect country for a classic African journey. Starting with the spectacular wildlife on show here, you can witness cheetahs stalking their prey and elephants playing in the waters of the Okavango Delta. You can also experience one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World at the stunning Victoria Falls in Zambia.

The 8-day Classic Botswana journey will take you into the pristine natural wonderland of the Okavango Delta to discover these picturesque wetlands on a traditional mokoro, and explore the Khwai river region and the Chobe National Park in open safari vehicles. Immerse yourself in one of the greatest wilderness regions on the planet, in complete comfort, on this short but sensational safari that showcases a true African gem!

This unforgettable Botswanan journey departs between June and November, visit our website for more information.