From the humble bird feeder in our yard to the exhilaration of watching a herd of massive elephants from the back of our safari jeep, few feelings compare to those of having a close encounter with wildlife! There is growing evidence - Scottish doctors prescribing time in nature to their patients, the emerging disciplines of wilderness and animal therapy, and more - that landscapes and their biodiversity are good for our wellbeing. The growth of the safari tour, birding tours and nature-oriented travel back this idea up by their growth year by year, but how can we get the most out of the precious time we spend on our trip in these areas of natural splendor? Let’s dig into how we can learn about the natural environment, especially the wildlife, of the country you’ll be visiting on your trip.

When you think of travel, which words come to mind?

Adventure? Inspiration? Exploration?

Visiting another country always brings many new experiences, but at the same time, the experience can vary widely based on our approach to planning our trip. All countries that host travelers have attractions that have become famous, and usually for good reason: they are awesome! Natural or cultural, every country has features and monuments that the masses want to see. The response from the travel industry? Packaged tours that often cater to large groups and leave little decision making power of hands of the traveler.

In intercultural relationship building, there are few hard and fast rules that will apply everywhere. While specifics will vary (sometimes greatly!) region by region, there are some concepts that can be very helpful in learning how to interact well with other cultures. The areas where Global Basecamps’ tours visit are often more traditional and conservative, presenting a more authentic travel experience and calling for cultural sensitivity. Read on for some tips on intercultural relationship building with a focus on Latin America, be they our trips to Costa Rica, Patagonia tours, or a Mexico vacation.

Are you looking for a truly unique and meaningful safari experience? Do you want to give back to the wildlife and communities that make East Africa like nowhere else on Earth? Quality safaris are built on healthy ecosystems and the wildlife that inhabit them, and for the third year running we are offering our Kenya Conservation Safari. Exploring the less visited northern Lewa, Ngwesi and Borana Conservancies, as well as the classic Maasai Mara to the south, this safari offers opportunities to participate alongside rangers and other conservation authorities. These places and wildlife are at risk, and supporting their conservation as part of your safari can be a profound experience and means to give back.

Trips to Peru can cover a lot of ground. This wildly dynamic South American nation traverses a wide range of ecosystems and landscapes from the tropical Amazonian lowlands to the windswept Pacific coast, crossing the mighty Andes mountains on the way. One of Peru’s national treasures that draws adventurers from every corner of the globe is Machu Picchu, built by the historic indigenous society of the Incas. Situated at 7,972 feet above sea level near the culturally rich city of Cusco, Machu Picchu is reached via several challenging trails ranging from 12 to 40 miles that endure as many a travelers’ dream.