Going deeper into a destination
These immersive experiences can be available as is or adapted to fit your style of travel. Any trip can be customized for you. There are also pre-packaged tours that offer immersive experiences with already established groups. So, you have options, customized specifically for you or already packaged together with an established group.
On arrival into Maun airport, a Ker & Downey Botswana representative holding a signboard with your name will meet and welcome you. After collecting your luggage, you will be escorted to the light charter aircraft to meet your pilot for a short flight over the Okavango Delta to the camp’s airstrip where on arrival you will be met by your guide who will transfer you on an open safari vehicle to camp.
A hidden jewel on the Xudum River, Kanana is located in the southwest of the Okavango Delta. The area encompasses a necklace of islands dotted with palms, figs, ebony and knobthorn, and is home to a myriad of birds, plants and animals. The nature of the habitat means it is the perfect place to experience the diversity of species found within the Okavango Delta.
Situated in the Kanana Concession, the focus of activities at Kanana varies with the rising and falling levels of the Okavango Delta. Activities include morning and afternoon game drives in open safari vehicles, with afternoon game drives often continuing into the evening. When out on game drives our window seat guarantee ensures no more than four guests per vehicle and individual use of a camera mount. Alternatively, you may explore the crystal-clear waterways by Mokoro or motorboat, and enjoy the magnificent variety of birds, plant and reptile species found in the area. Birding is spectacular with Kanana hosting a seasonal heronry that is one of the largest in Southern Africa, a highlight that converts all visitors to avid ‘twitchers’. Guided bush walks are highly recommended as is fishing for tilapia, African pike and sharptooth catfish.
After breakfast and a morning activity (time permitting) is a transfer back to the airstrip to board the light aircraft and enjoy a scenic flight across the Okavango Delta to the Moremi Game Reserve. You will be met at the Xakanaxa Airstrip by your guide and from there it is a short road transfer to Okuti.
Okuti draws its influence from the Maunachira River which flows in front of the camp, with its abundant birdlife, fish and sandy river banks, it remains an oasis of serenity and peacefulness. Okuti is built amidst the wilderness of one of Botswana’s prime game viewing regions, Moremi Game Reserve.
Situated in the heart of the world-renowned Moremi Game Reserve, guests can experience game drives with unhindered views in specially-designed safari vehicles. When out on game drives our window seat guarantee ensures no more than four guests per vehicle and individual use of a camera mount. The Moremi Game Reserve is rich in wildlife, and its consistent year-round game viewing makes it ideal for repeat and first-time visitors to Botswana. Guests can also explore the Okavango Delta waterways by motorboat, and the areas open lagoons and winding channels make it a birder’s paradise, complete with herons and storks in the breeding season.
After breakfast and a morning activity (time permitting) you will transfer by plane to Maun for your onward flight.
Ker & Downey Botswana services end on arrival at Maun Airport
Enjoy the best of Uganda on this 12 day/11-night safari. Explore wildlife along the Nile and hike to the top of Murchison Falls, cruise the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park and hike through Kibale Forest in search of chimpanzees.
And before departing, stop in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where a trek takes you through the mountain forests of Uganda to find the habituated, endangered mountain gorillas that reside there. Epic road trips and wildlife encounters, all set against the stunning backdrop of Uganda’s landscape, make this an unforgettable journey.
Upon arrival in Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by a representative of Hornbill Treks & Safaris and transferred to your accommodations in Kampala. Depending on your time of arrival, take a brief tour of Kampala, acquire local currency for the trip ahead, or unwind in your accommodations for the evening.
Adventure begins as we depart from Kampala in the morning, driving towards Murchison Falls National Park. Along the way, we will stop in Bombo, the historic grounds of Uganda’s bush war in the 1980s. Upon arrival at Murchison Falls, check in to your accommodations for dinner and a leisurely evening.
First gazetted in 1927, Murchison Falls is found in northern Uganda and ranks as Uganda’s largest national park at 3,840 sq. km. The park is home to a stunning variety of wildlife, including Uganda Kob, Hartebeest, lion, elephant, Rothschild giraffe, buffaloes, leopard, and hyena, among many others. Murchison Falls is also prolific in bird life, and a number of species — including the Shoebill and Yellow Footed Fly Catcher — make their home here.
Witness wildlife at its best with an early morning game drive in the park to find elephant, buffalo, lions, giraffe, and a variety of antelope, among others. Afterwards, enjoy a leisurely morning at your accommodations, taking in breakfast and lunch before embarking on the afternoon’s adventures.
In the afternoon, see the Nile closer than ever as we take a boat cruise down this legendary river. The Nile is home to Africa’s most dense hippo and crocodile populations, as well as a dazzling variety of water birds. At the bottom of Murchison Falls, disembark from the boat and hike to the Top of the Falls for a spectacular view of the narrow gorge through which the mighty Nile cascades nearly 150 feet down. Here, the Nile can be seen all the way to Baker’s Summit, offering an incredible view of Africa’s most famous river.
Afterwards, enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at your accommodations.
After an early breakfast, head south along the western escarpment overlooking Lake Albert to Kibale Forest National Park, home to one of Uganda’s astounding major rainforests. Arrive in time for dinner and an overnight stay at your accommodations.
Kibale Forest is home to at least thirteen primate species, including the red colobus and L’Hoest’s monkey. If this weren’t enough, Kibale also boasts a remarkable opportunity to track habituated chimpanzees. The forest’s lush boundaries and impressive primate population have earned it the nickname “Primate Capital of the World.”
In the morning, set out on your chimpanzee trek in the rainforest. The trek, which may last two to four hours, offers the chance of watching chimps in their natural habitat. More closely related to humans than any other living creature, chimpanzees are captivating to watch as they swing from the fruiting trees in the depths of the rainforest.
Bird lovers are also in for a treat, as the rainforest also hosts an astonishing 335 bird species. After the trek, return to your accommodations for lunch.
Later, we will take a nature walk, lasting up to three hours, through the Bigodi Wetlands. This wildlife corridor is a sanctuary rich in bird life, including the Blue Turaco, Kingfishers, Hornbills, and more. In addition to its 200 species of birds, the wildlife corridor is home to 8 species of primates, including Black and White Colobus, Red Colobus, Red-Tailed Monkey, Grey-Cheeked Mangabey, and Olive Baboons. The conservation project began as a local environmental effort run by the communities of Kibale. Beyond conserving the wetlands and its wildlife, the project has also supported the building of a local school, safe drinking water for locals, and local health care efforts.
Afterwards, return to your accommodations for dinner and an overnight stay.
The day begins with a relaxed drive as we leave Kibale and head towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. As we journey towards the park, the incredible scenery of the “Mountains of the Moon” unfolds before us as the Rwenzori Mountains come into view.
Upon arrival at the park, settle into your accommodations before taking a late-day game drive to explore.
At 1,978 sq. km, Queen Elizabeth National Park’s diverse ecosystems provide habitat for over 95 mammal species and over 600 bird species. Potential wildlife sightings on the savanna include elephant, Cape Buffalo, Uganda Kob, leopard, hyena, warthog, lion, and more. The park is also home to the Kazinga Channel, a 32-kilometre long natural channel that links Lake Albert and Lake George.
Meet the day before sunrise with hot coffee and tea as you head out on an early morning game drive. Afterwards, return to your accommodations for breakfast and later, a relaxing lunch.
In the afternoon, explore the Kazinga Channel by boat for an opportunity to see a stunning variety of wildlife at the water, including hippos, elephant, crocodiles, and incredible birdlife. Afterward, take in the evening beneath the expansive, star-filled sky.
After breakfast, depart Queen Elizabeth National Park, driving through Ntungamo before ascending the steep hills of the Kigezi region, where verdant rolling hills have earned it the nickname the “Switzerland of Africa.” Stop for lunch in Kabale before proceeding to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to the approximately half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas.
This ancient forest unfolds over the steep ridges of the Albertine Rift Valley, providing breathtaking views and extraordinary wildlife viewing opportunities. Upon arrival, relax at your accommodations or take a sunset stroll through the area.
The hike of a lifetime begins today. After breakfast we will meet the park rangers who will be our guides for the day, and then we will start the trek in search of the exquisite mountain gorillas of Uganda. Trekking can last between thirty minutes and eight hours, but once you discover the gorillas, you will be able to spend one unforgettable hour with them. Gorilla trekking begins where the gorillas were last seen the previous day.
Depending on the length of your trek, enjoy a picnic lunch in the midst of the Impenetrable Forest before returning to your accommodations for dinner and an overnight stay. Time permitting, an optional cultural visit with the local Batwa tribe can also be arranged if desired.
Enjoy an early breakfast before departing for Lake Mburo National Park. Upon arrival, embark on an afternoon boat cruise along the shores of Lake Mburo, where visitors are likely to see hippos and crocodile, as well water birds such as Kingfisher and Fish Eagles. As you cruise down the lake, keep an eye on the shoreline as well, where wildlife often comes for a drink.
Check into your accommodations and relax for the evening, enjoying dinner at your accommodations.
Begin the day with a nature walk in Lake Mburo National Park, exploring the park’s savannah woodlands on foot in the company of a ranger. In the early hours of the day, wildlife can often be seen crossing the savanna — be sure to look for Cape Buffalo, Kob, Defassa waterbuck, Topi, Eland antelope, reedbuck, and zebra. Enjoy a game drive as you make your way out of the park, taking in breakfast before departing for Entebbe. En route, stop at the world’s equator for a chance to stand in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres.
Upon arrival in Entebbe, check in to your accommodations for dinner and an overnight stay. Located along the shores of Lake Victoria, Entebbe offers a peaceful place to relax before departing Uganda.
Depending on the time of your departure, you may wish to spend the morning relaxing at your hotel, or you might opt to take advantage of the numerous activities Entebbe has to offer, from visiting the shores of Lake Victoria to early morning birdwatching in the Mabamba Swamp. Transfer to the Entebbe Airport in time for your outbound flight.
Travel back through centuries as you walk along cobblestone streets through grand cities and historic towns bedecked with twinkling Christmas trees and lined with wooden huts gleaming with handcrafted treasures.
Iconic Christmas markets are plentiful and are on full display for your pleasure. Nuremberg’s festive Christkindlesmarkt, the largest and oldest Christmas market in Germany; Regensburg’s Christmas market at Thurn and Taxis Castle, considered one of Bavaria’s most beautiful and romantic; Vienna with its impressive Christmas markets that seem to majestically appear around every corner; and Budapest’s Vörösmarty Square, where products sold in the market are traditionally handmade are yours to explore.
On arrival into Nuremberg, Germany, you will board the ship for your Iconic Christmas Markets cruise.
Join a city tour of Second World War Two highlights and then walk through Nuremberg’s cobblestone streets to the Imperial Castle and 900-year-old city ramparts, followed by a visit to some of the local Christmas markets. Later, you can visit Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt, one of the world’s largest and most famous Christmas markets. You will also cross the Continental Divide via the Main Danube Canal as the day ends. (B,L,D)
Regensburg is one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join a guided walking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria, before visiting the Old Town Christmas market. As an alternate option, sample some of Bavaria’s specialties—beer, sausage and pretzels. Or bike to the base of Walhalla where there is a neoclassical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. Later in the day, you’ll be treated to one of Bavaria’s most beautiful and romantic Christmas markets at Thurn and Taxis, where you can watch artisans make their unique arts and crafts. (B,L,D)
Join a walking tour of this 2,000-year-old city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s. Go in search of Bavarian-style crafts at the Christmas Market. Or, for the active adventurer, join a guided bike tour along the Danube. Alternatively, you can travel through the serene Austrian Alps to Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart. Your full-day excursion in Salzburg includes a walking tour of the UNESCO-designated Old Town, its magnificent cathedral and its Christmas Markets, including the Hellbrunn Palace, where its inner courtyard is turned into a romantic backdrop for one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in Austria. (B,L,D)
High on a rocky outcrop lies the Melk Abbey, one of Europe’s most revered Baroque monasteries. Visit this magnificent Benedictine Abbey, which now houses a museum chronicling its history and a famous library with countless medieval manuscripts. Alternatively, go on a guided bike ride around Melk. Afterward, enjoy a scenic cruise of the UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley before arriving in Vienna and exploring the local Christmas markets. (B,L,D)
The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered. Join a tour showcasing its regal splendours, such as the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs before concluding in Vienna’s historic city centre. Afterwards, you’ll visit the Christmas Markets. If you prefer a more active adventure, then join a guided bike along the Danube River. During the afternoon, visit the Schönbrunn Palace with a giant sparkling Christmas tree. This market presents a glittering and stellar Christmas experience. (B,L,D)
Budapest is one of Europe’s most regal and storied cities — and many of its most iconic sights can be seen right off the banks of the Danube. Your tour through this sprawling World Heritage city offers splendid views from historic Buda Castle of the twin cities on both banks of the river. You’ll also visit Fisherman’s Bastion and see the marvelous Royal Palace, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Heroes’ Square and much more. Later, explore this beautiful city’s Christmas Markets. As an alternative, you can hike to Castle Hill, walking along Fishermen’s Bastion and take in all the iconic sites of Budapest with an active exploration. (B, L, D)
Disembark the ship in Budapest and bid farewell to the city before preparing for your return flight home. (B)
In Peru, adventure awaits at every turn, from the verdant valleys and jagged peaks of the Andes to Lake Titicaca’s sparkling shores. Experience the country’s most iconic sights on this action-packed journey.
Immerse yourself in the Amazon during a stay at a jungle lodge, and venture to the Sacred Valley to discover enchanting Inca ruins and timeless indigenous traditions. Embark on one of the world’s most memorable hikes — the Inca Trail — or experience the spectacular train ride to the iconic citadel of Machu Picchu. Then set off through the stark and beautiful landscape of the Altiplano to Lake Titicaca—one of the highest navigable lakes in the world.
The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore before your welcome meeting, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. Check for the meeting time on the welcome note at the hotel. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your tour. Please note that normal check-in times apply at our start hotels, but you can usually store your luggage for the day if you arrive early.
Fly to Puerto Maldonado and continue by motorized canoe to our comfortable lodge, situated near the Tambopata National Reserve in the Amazon rainforest. Spot local bird species along the lush shores of the Tambopata River en route to the lodge, and set off on an evening walk with a naturalist guide before dinner, keeping an eye out for some of the rainforest’s nocturnal creatures.
After a brief stop in town to store large luggage, drive to the pier and travel by covered motorized boat to the jungle lodge.
En route, spot bird species typical of the local river and forest edge. The Tambopata Rainforest area holds the world record for the most bird sightings in one area.
Local community members make up the majority of lodge staff, including multilingual naturalist guides. Take the opportunity to learn about the area’s rich flora and fauna and locals’ extensive use of medicinal plants and other forest plant resources through traditional techniques for building, fishing, and hunting.
Enjoy a welcome drink and orientation. Before dinner, head out for a night walk around the lodge grounds.
Spend the day exploring the thriving ecosystems of the rainforest with our lodge’s naturalist guides. Scan the treetops for toucans, howler monkeys, and sloths, and glide along oxbow lakes on canoes for a chance to glimpse river otters, turtles, and, if we’re lucky, anacondas. After dinner, embark on a river tour by motorized canoe on the lookout for caimans, the smaller cousins of alligators, which are often found hiding near the muddy banks.
Head out early to catch the jungle at its wildest (and coolest). Walk slowly through the forest searching for wildlife before heading out on an oxbow lake by canoe.
Search for anaconda, the elusive giant river otter, or black caiman. Even if you don’t spot these shy creatures, there are plenty of birds, interesting plants, and other animals about.
Travel out of the jungle by boat and catch a flight from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco, soaring above the Andes into Peru’s Inca heartland. This evening, visit the Cusco Planetarium for a presentation on the skies of the Southern Hemisphere, and learn about the vital role that astronomy played in the lives of the ancient Inca. Weather permitting, peer through the planetarium’s telescopes for a dazzling look at the stars.
Afternoon arrival into the Inca capital. Time for strolling around the plazas and markets. Admire the cobblestones streets, and visit some museums and Cathedral.
Drive to the scenic Sacred Valley for a full day of exploration with a local guide. Tour the G Adventures–supported Parque de la Papa, or Potato Park, a rural Andean community working to preserve hundreds of varieties of native potato. During this exclusive experience, you’ll walk through the park to learn about potato cultivation, traditional weaving, and the importance of both these practices to Andean culture. We’ll also visit the fascinating Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo and Pisac, and enjoy a meal at the G Adventures–supported Parwa Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosqo.
Set out on the iconic Inca Trail, departing Urubamba by van to the starting point of the trek. Immerse yourself in the enchanting Andean countryside, hiking along meandering streams and crossing remote mountain villages and ancient ruins as we get warmed up for the more challenging days ahead.
Trek through beautiful scenery, with a variety of flora that changes with the seasons, passing several smaller ruin sites like Llactapata.
Today, we ascend the long, steep path to Warmiwañusca, better known as Dead Woman’s Pass—the highest point on the Inca Trail, at 4,198 meters (13,769 feet). Enjoy stunning views of the Sacred Valley as you make your way up the rugged terrain, and aim to reach our camp by early afternoon. Rest and relax at camp the remainder of the day.
Today we’ll cross two spectacular passes. The first pass is Runquraqay at 3,950m (13,113 ft) where, on a clear day, one can catch a glimpse of the snowcapped peaks of the Cordillera Vilcabamba. Continue through cloud forest on a gentle climb to the second pass, and arrive at the misty Inca ruins of Phuyupatamarca at 3,650 meters (11,972 feet), known as “the city above the clouds.” We will either camp here or settle at a further spot, near the beautiful terraces of the Wiñay Wayna ruins, at 2,650 meters (8,694 feet).
The final day of our hike begins before dawn. Reach the Sun Gate—the last checkpoint on the Inca Trail—in time to witness daybreak over Machu Picchu. This 15th-century Inca citadel was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and excavated with support from National Geographic. Hike down for a guided tour through the temples and terraces of this breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site before catching a bus to the frontier town of Aguas Calientes, where we’ll have free time for lunch. Continue by train to Cusco.
Free day in Cusco — explore this city, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, at your leisure. Choose to pre-book the Cusco Cooking Class. Opt to visit museums and ruins or try whitewater rafting or rock climbing.
Cusco is considered the mecca of Peru and rightly so. This beautiful colonial town offers nearby ruins, cobblestoned streets, museums, churches, and a lively atmosphere. The more adventurous optional activities available in Cusco include horseback riding around archaeological sites such as Sacsayhuaman, Tambo Machay, and Puca Pucara; white water rafting on the Urubamba River; and mountain biking down to the Sacred Valley, perhaps visiting an Inca ruin along the way.
Head south on a scenic drive to Puno, perched on the western shore of Lake Titicaca. The journey will take us through the Altiplano, a vast, windswept landscape of plateaus and plains that counts among the planet’s most extensive highlands. Arrive in Puno, the region’s commercial hub, and settle into your hotel.
Enjoy spectacular views of the countryside on this full day of travel from Cusco to Puno, through the high Altiplano.
Set out to discover Lake Titicaca—one of the highest navigable lakes in the world and the second largest lake in South America. On a guided boat tour, visit the floating Uros Islands—built entirely of reeds—and step ashore Taquile Island, home to a thriving indigenous textile industry. For lunch, we’ll head to the small rural community of Luquina Chico. Enjoy a traditional meal in the home of a local family while taking in sweeping views of Lake Titicaca and its picturesque isles. Later, opt for a tour of Sillustani, a fascinating pre-Inca burial site.
In the morning, board a comfortable 35-foot, fully equipped speed boat to explore the lake. Stop at various islands to enjoy the lake’s scenic splendour and to meet the friendly people of these communities.
Transfer to the Juliaca airport to catch a flight back to Lima. Spend your last evening in Peru at leisure, opt to explore the streets of Lima’s World Heritage-listed historic center and enjoy mouthwatering Peruvian tapas and pisco sour—the country’s national drink.
Depending on the time of your departure, you may wish to spend the morning relaxing at your hotel, or if you’re not ready to leave, let’s chat and make arrangements to extend your adventure.
