When we think of wildlife holidays, our thoughts often go to African safaris – open-sided Jeeps crossing rugged terrain, hippos wallowing in watering holes, wildebeest roaming the savannah, cheetahs slinking through the bush, or lions feasting on their latest kill. Although seeing the Big Five in their natural habitat is a truly magical experience, there are many other wildlife experiences that are just as breathtaking. This week our cruise editor Marc wrote about visiting the Galapagos with his family (you can read about his trip below), while travel writer Steph Dyson argues that Brazil’s Big Five (capybara, giant river otter, maned wolf, jaguar and giant anteater) are just as impressive as Africa’s, and Mark Stratton was blown away by the penguins and Antarctic skua in South Georgia.
To help us ensure that we’re protecting wildlife as well as enjoying it, our friends at Responsible Travel have shared some advice on the mistakes to avoid when encountering animals on holiday. I also want to give a shout out to the wildlife that we have here in the UK. Whether it’s spotting puffins on Wales’ Skomer Island, watching red deer roam in the Scottish Highlands or admiring grey seals at Blakeney Point in Norfolk, we are fortunate to have some of the most amazing opportunities to enjoy animals in nature right on our doorstep.
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While many people head to Uganda for the opportunity to see gorillas, for me it is the country’s birdlife that calls. In Jinja, which sits on the banks of the Nile, you can spot tropical species, including the beautiful African fish eagle. It’s truly remarkable. I’d recommend booking a stay at Wildwaters Lodge, which is reached by boat and sits right on the rapids – perfect for bird watching.
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Waterslides, pools and West End-style shows are often the main attraction when I take my kids on a cruise, but this summer was very different. We were lucky enough to go on a family cruise with National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions to the Galapagos Islands where the main headliner was the wildlife.
With capacity for just 48 guests aboard National Geographic Islander II, this was a very different cruise to the 6,000 capacity megaships my young daughters have become used to. There was just one bar, two restaurants and a small pool, compared with the dozens of venues you can get on larger vessels. This means you easily get to know your fellow passengers, and crew members quickly learn your favourite drinks. My girls eased into small ship life, raiding the mini-bar for fizzy drinks in our spacious cabins, listening to talks about the region, and relaxing on the upper deck hammocks as we sailed between different islands.
Charles Darwin described the Galapagos Islands as “a little world within itself” and I could quickly see why. It is a world away from mainstream cruises where you may start the day with a lie-in and make your way to the buffet by 11am. A key feature of our trip was 5.45am wake-up calls and a 6.30am breakfast before heading out to avoid the heat and see the wildlife at its calmest.
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The Galapagos marine iguana
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Before you start exploring, there are a few rules you have to follow in the Galapagos Islands.
Guests must be accompanied by a guide, with limits of 16 per naturalist to keep crowds down. You can’t take anything from the islands, even if the shells look really pretty, and you must always stand six feet or two metres from the wildlife. The reward for keeping our distance was that the wildlife seemed unbothered by our presence.
Every stop provided a perfect photo opportunity. Sleepy sea lions greeted us off a zodiac as we visited South Plaza Island where giant land iguanas posed by their own piece of cactus. Galapagos penguins and crabs perched on the rocks of the Bainbridge Islets as we kayaked nearby. On Las Bachas island, rare birds such as the red-footed booby and shiny white Nazca boobies simply waddled by or nodded at us as they sat on eggs. My favourite was seeing the famous giant tortoises as they calmly ate grass at the Rancho El Manzanillo, unfazed by our gawping.
It was a week without lie-ins, but one in which we pushed ourselves to our limits. Our eldest enjoyed jumping off the side of the ship during a swim stop, while my youngest learned how to pilot a zodiac. My wife overcame her fear of fishes during one of many magical snorkelling mornings in the warm Pacific waters. She wasn’t even put off when she was stung by a jellyfish, leaving a small mark on her arm that still hasn’t faded weeks later – a permanent reminder of our memorable journey.
Read Marc's full article on cruising in the Galapagos
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When it comes to travelling, dry shampoo is one of my go-to essentials and the perfect companion for busy journeys, long flights and spontaneous adventures. I've tried and tested the best dry shampoos on the market that will refresh your hair in seconds – ideal for those 4am flights! And if you're lucky enough to be jetting off somewhere sunny, we've also tested the best sunscreen sticks, which pack like a doddle and will keep your skin protected.
For weekend getaways, one of our expert travel writers has rounded up the top travel backpacks, which are perfect for adhering to strict airline baggage allowances. If you're planning some cold-weather trips or hiking adventures this autumn/winter, the Passenger outlet has plenty of wardrobe staples at discounted prices. Meanwhile, the Asket archive has travel-friendly clothing that's both eco-friendly and reduced.
Want some entertainment for that train journey or flight? Anker's foldable headphones are ideal for travel and are currently reduced to just £32 at Amazon. And on the subject of tech-based travel accessories, our experts have rounded up the best refurbished laptop deals, perfect for popping in your bag for entertainment. Or, if you're after something lighter than a laptop, there's currently £100 off the sleek Apple iPad Air, which is our tech expert's favourite tablet. Or for something more budget-friendly, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11 is under £125.
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