At a time when travel is increasing under the spotlight for its impact on our planet, we want to highlight one thing: that travel can be a force for good. In certain pockets there exists a virtuous circle where your travel experience can deliver exactly what you’re wanting from your holiday AND a positive outcome for local communities, the protection of biodiversity and the preservation of culture.
This Wild Economy is burgeoning across the globe, underpinning safaris under the African sun, to 4×4 adventures across the wilds of Chilean Patagonia and treks in search of gorillas in the Congo; delivering immersive experiences in nature, allowing discovery of the massive to the minute, creating memories that last a lifetime whilst impacting positively on the destination, its people and its wildlife.
The wildlife experiences below celebrate Six of The Best: untamed adventures showcasing travel at its best…
Track Wild Puma in Cerro Guido, Chilean Patagonia
Travel across Patagonian landscapes in search of puma, by 4×4 and on foot. Work with your guide to locate and observe the puma, using camera traps to follow their trail. Learn the tell-tale signs that a puma is close by, your ears tuning into the slightest rustle, your eyes darting to the smallest movement.
Last year our Product & Sustainability Director joined the team at Cerro Guido and Eco Camp to track puma on foot – you can watch his video to share the exhilarating moment he came face-to-face with a wild puma. The photo above is also one that he took on his trip.
The most memorable wildlife encounters have context. Seeing a puma on foot against a back-drop of Patagonia’s most iconic peaks was the perfect confluence of animal and place.
Jarrod Kyte, Product & Sustainability Director at Steppes Travel
While you’re there, meet with the Pyrenees and Maremma sheepdogs that deter puma from livestock, visit the Cerro Guido Conservation Foundation to learn more about ‘Project Puma’ and enjoy a sunset field trip to observe the research being carried out in the Sierra del Toro.
Find out more about Cerro Guido’s conservation efforts in our blog, ‘Guardians of Biodiversity’.
Gorilla Trekking in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, the Republic of Congo
With only 300 visitors per year and 12 permits issued daily, Odzala-Kokoua National Park offers unintrusive wildlife encounters in one of the most unassuming countries in Africa. Trek with researchers at Ngaga Lodge and observe habituated western lowland gorillas who live in the Ndzehi Concession.
The Bais clearings in the rainforest attract a plethora of wildlife, including forest elephants, buffalo, spotted hyena, monkeys and African grey parrots. You’ll never be short of a sighting here.
By booking your trekking experience with Ngaga Lodge, you’ll be directly supporting essential primate research in one of Africa’s most important primate research destinations.
Find out more about Ngaga Lodge’s conservation efforts in our blog, ‘Guardians of Biodiversity‘.
Jaguar Tracking in the Brazilian Pantanal
Stay at Caiman Lodge, a private reserve in the southern Pantanal, for an incredible chance to spot the elusive jaguar. Over the last two years, 100% of guests who have stayed for three nights have had a jaguar sighting. Head into the Pantanal with field guides and biologists to install camera traps to monitor jaguar movements and behaviours. You’ll also have your pick of walking tours, photographic safaris, night safaris and caiman tours.
Whilst you’re enjoying a fulfilling wildlife experience, you’re actively contributing to the conservation of these magnificent mammals and preservation of this unique ecosystem.
Find out more about Caiman Lodge’s conservation efforts in our blog, ‘Guardians of Biodiversity‘.
Behind the Scenes at Samara Karoo, South Africa
Equipped with a private vehicle and tracker, immerse yourself in the wild with this access-all-areas safari. Gain hands-on conservation experience, with privileged insight into the workings of the Samara Karoo Private Reserve, with personalised tours of their rewilding project.
Track cheetahs on foot learning the signs of their presence, from tracks to dung to scratch marks on a tree trunk. Spot elephants, black rhinos and a pride of lions that have been translocated from Kwandwe Game Reserve. Your daily activities will offer privileged insight into the workings of the Samara Karoo Private Reserve.
Immerse yourself in the smells and sounds of Africa’s wilderness, discovering how this award-winning lodge is restoring the Karoo into one of South Africa’s biodiversity hotspots.
Find out more about Samara Karoo’s conservation efforts in our blog, ‘Guardians of Biodiversity‘.
On the Trail of Snow Leopards in India
Search for ‘The Ghost of The Himalaya’ by vehicle and on foot, accompanied by expert trackers, using top of the range telescopes and binoculars. Stay at Snow Leopard Lodge in Ladakh’s Ulley Valley for the best chance to see snow leopards in the wild. Along the way, spot a plethora of wildlife including wolves, blue sheep, ibex and Ladakhi urial.
You’re part of the conservation success story just by booking onto our Snow Leopard group tour. A donation of $200 USD per person will be made to the Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust, who work with local communities to promote a symbiotic relationship between snow leopards and people’s livelihoods.
Find out more about snow leopard conservation in our blog, ‘Guardians of Biodiversity‘.
Walk the Arkaba Wilderness in South Australia
Spend three days on the Arkaba walk experiencing the scale and beauty of South Australia’s outback and its wildlife. Traverse rugged landscapes accompanied by passionate guides and sleeping in comfort under the stars. Being on foot offers you the chance to slow down and witness the little things, giving you an understanding into how everything is connected and seeing an ecosystem in recovery.
Find out more about Arkaba’s conservation efforts in our blog, ‘Guardians of Biodiversity‘.
Speak to our experts to learn more about any of the experiences listed above, or to include them in your next Steppes trip.
