Lethal Predator Stalks Healed Ecosystem in Recovering Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique
Title: Top 50 Travel Adventures of a Lifetime in 2010
Experience the extraordinary with our curated list of 50 Traveler's Tours of a Lifetime for 2010. Our selection showcases tour operators who are dedicated to authenticity, immersion, sustainability, and connection. Let's dive in and discover some of the world's most thrilling destinations!
Ethiopia: Glimpses of Antiquity
Delve into the enigmatic mists of time as you marvel at the stone-carved churches of Lalibela, the fairy-tale castles of Gondar, and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Axum – said to guard the Ark of the Covenant. Traveling both north and south, you'll rub shoulders with proud tribal groups maintaining traditions untouched by time, all while fostering sustainable actions to curb Ethiopia's deforestation. Embark on an adventure with Africa Adventure Consultants for their "Ethiopian Epic" journey, spanning 12 days at the price of $2,998 (plus internal airfare of $548 per person).
Tunisia: Desert Delights
Discover the hidden wonders of Tunisia with a choose-your-own adventure for families. Delight in the troglodyte caves of Matmâta, used as a backdrop for the first Star Wars movie, and float in the Chott El Djerid Salt Lake. Saddle up for a camel ride through the Sahara or hop on a dune buggy, and unwind each evening in a desert campsite. Make unforgettable memories together on Exodus' "Tunisia Desert Explorer-Family Holiday," an 8-day escapade, priced at just $1,040.
South Africa: Bikes, Vines, and Soul
South Africa's Western Cape is a must-ride destination for cyclists seeking picturesque farmlands, coastal vistas, and soaring mountains. Pedal through wine country, meeting local students on your way who'll show you the vibrant township of Zwelitshe. Recover each night in elegant lodgings, such as Le Quartier Français, where renowned chef Margot Janse presides. Let Butterfield & Robinson guide you on a memorable "South Africa Biking" expedition for 8 days, at a cost of $6,995.
Rwanda & Uganda: Gorillas and Culture in Harmony
Join the ranks of the privileged few who share close encounters with the remaining 700 mountain gorillas. Trekking through the parks of Volcanoes National Park, Mgahinga, and Bwindi, you'll embed yourself in a pristine wilderness nurtured by responsible tourism after regional conflicts. With Volcanoes Safaris, explore the virungs and Bwindi on their "Gorillas in the Virungas and Bwindi" adventure, an 8-day journey costing $4,926.
Botswana: Equine Expedition
Step off the beaten path and into the heart of Africa on horseback. Explore the vast Okavango Delta on sturdy Arabians and thoroughbreds, trailing through grassy floodplains and primeval mopane forests. Ride alongside zebras, giraffes, and wildebeest under the tutelage of pioneering horse safari experts Okavango Horse Safaris. Their 11-day "Ten-Night Itinerary" sets you back $6,400.
Kenya: Wildlife Warriors
Embark on a behind-the-scenes Safari to meet the real heroes of Kenyan wildlife conservation. Catch feeding time at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, discuss the rescue and rearing of baby elephants, and get inspired by the transformative work of Dame Daphne Sheldrick. In the Laikipia region, talk directly with Maasai elders about adapting to modern life. Meet the pioneers at the Ol Pejeta Research Centre and experience immersive, atmospheric evenings at a watering hole, observing the nightly visitors through night-vision goggles. With Micato Safaris, the "Kenya Conservation Safari" will guide you on an unforgettable 9-day journey, starting from $5,995.
Southern Africa: Sky-High Safari
Embark on an extraordinary 20-day adventure across five nations, 11 ecosystems, and 3,200 miles aboard a vintage DC-3. From Table Mountain to the wild coast of Transkei and Victoria Falls, every moment is a breathtaking spectacle. Meet locals from every walk of life, including an ostrich farmer and the king of the Zulu. Travcoa's "Once in a Lifetime Africa" expedition offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience, priced at $34,900.
Mozambique: Africa's Undiscovered Treasure
After years of turmoil, the revitalization of Gorongosa National Park is underway, thanks to a public-private partnership. Discover the comeback of wildlife, including the renowned Gorongosa lions and the endemic green-headed oriole. Travel through the capital Maputo, the seaside town of Tofo, and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ilha de Moçambique with Reefs to Rockies on their "Mozambique-By Land and By Sea" adventure, an 11-day trip costing $5,500.
Tanzania: A Modern Approach to Philanthropic Travel
Join Sean Connery, Christian Slater, and Daniel Craig as you embark on a thrilling adventure combining rugged adventures with impactful philanthropy. Climb Mount Kilimanjaro via the lesser-traveled Lemosho route and lend a helping hand in building a fishpond at a school in Babati, Tanzania. Forge your own path with Roadmonkey Adventure Philanthropy on their "Tanzania/Kilimanjaro Expedition", a 15-day experience priced at $4,595.
Egypt: Beyond the Sphinx
Unearth secrets of the ancient world in Egypt's Western Desert. Led by veteran desert guide Diaa Shawki Michail, explore rock carvings thousands of years old, Daliesque white chalk formations, and other spectacular sceneries. Roam the harsh desert in mobile tents, embarking on an unforgettable journey with Abercrombie & Kent on their "Egypt-Traces of Lost Civilizations," an 11-day escapade priced at $5,975.
- In Ethiopia's ancient landscapes, Africa Adventure Consultants offer an expedition called "Ethiopian Epic," where travelers engage with local tribes to curb deforestation while visiting stone-carved churches and UNESCO sites.
- Exodus provides an adventure in Tunisia, inviting families to explore troglodyte caves, Salt Lakes, and Sahara deserts on a customizable 8-day holiday.
- Butterfield & Robinson offers a 8-day cycling tour in South Africa's Western Cape, featuring wine country rides through picturesque farmlands, coastal vistas, and mountainous terrain.
- Volcanoes Safaris invites pathfinders to encounter the rare mountain gorillas of Rwanda and Uganda while immersed in pristine wilderness nurtured by responsible tourism.
- Okavango Horse Safaris leads riders on a 11-day equine expedition through Botswana's Okavango Delta, featuring encounters with zebras, giraffes, and wildebeest in primeval mopane forests.
- Kenyan wildlife conservation initiatives are showcased by Micato Safaris, who guide travelers behind-the-scenes for an inspired 9-day adventure meeting elephant rescuers, Maasai elders, and pioneering conservationists.
- Travcoa offers a 20-day vintage DC-3 sky-high safari across Southern Africa's diverse ecosystems, including encounters with locals from ostrich farmers to Zulu kings, at a cost of $34,900.
