Conservation-led luxury travel company andBeyond is marking its 30th anniversary by launching a series of limited edition itineraries.
They include a glimpse of South Africa's magnificent marine phenomenon, the Sardine Run; an insider's view of some of the most significant conservation projects in Argentina, and the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of a lion translocation that reversed a local extinction in Rwanda.
The initiative brings together an impressive line-up of destinations and the thumbnail photos above illustrate some of my own travels in those regions - South Africa, Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas, Chile; and Ushuaia, Argentina. All of the places pictured are included in the itineraries.
Led by andBeyond's top conservation experts, all three journeys are one-off bucket-list adventures scheduled to take place in 2022.
AFRICA
Planned for next June, Africa's Greatest Marine Migration Expedition will allow keen divers to experience the annual Sardine Run, a mass movement of sardines along the east coast of South Africa, known for vast numbers of marine predators attracted by the swirling bait balls of sardines.
In addition to once-in-a-lifetime diving opportunities amongst sharks, dolphins, whales and other giants of the deep, the expedition will provide the opportunity to learn more about how all marine ecosystems are interconnected and how predator species such as sharks function as indicators of the health of these ecosystems.
Moving north, the itinerary will take divers to the warmer waters of Sodwana Bay, renowned for its thriving coral reefs, while also enjoying game drives and bush walks at the nearby andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve. The expedition host will be famed Oceans without Borders programme manager, Dr Tessa Hempson.
Rwanda
Another of the limited edition itineraries, the Return of the Lion Expedition, highlights a collaboration between andBeyond and African Parks that resulted in the reversal of a 15-year local extinction of lion in Rwanda's Akagera National Park.
Showcasing what the travel and conservation communities are capable of when working for the greater good, this trip follows in the footsteps of a group of lions translocated from Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa to Rwanda. Hosted by Simon Naylor, conservation manager at andBeyond Phinda, and Drew Bantlin, conservation manager at Akagera, the trip explores the unique wildlife conservation challenges of both destinations and includes a host of hands-on conservation experiences.
At Phinda Private Game Reserve travellers will discover the processes undertaken to select and capture the lions for translocation, while also joining in an unforgettable conservation activity such as an elephant or rhino initiative or tracking the reserve's rare pangolin, pictured below.
At Akagera, guests will track and participate in the monitoring of the reserve's new pride of lions, gaining an understanding of the park's conservation management plan, while exploring some of Africa's most untouched wilderness areas.
SOUTH AMERICA
The next Journey traces how andBeyond exported its 30-year impact model of conservation-led responsible travel from Africa to South America. Hosted by conservation expert Les Carlisle, this journey includes an in-depth view of pioneering wildlife projects aimed at protecting jaguars and pumas, and involves time in both Argentina and Chile.
In the picturesque Iberá Wetlands guests will be introduced to Rewilding Argentina Foundation's many projects, including a breeding program to bring back a species previously extinct in the area, the magnificent jaguar. In Patagonia's breathtaking Torres Del Paine National Park, the trip explores the puma sanctuary created by the Awasi Foundation and explores the monitoring techniques used to find out more about this elusive species.
This South American adventure ends at andBeyond Vira Vira in the Lake District, where guests can immerse themselves in the lodge experiences, which include sustainable, garden-to-table dining, as well as cultural interaction with the local Mapuche people and a truly impressive range of outdoor activities.
Impact journey into South America
Dates and prices
Africa's Greatest Marine Migration, South Africa | 7-17 June 2022 | ZAR 220,800 per person sharing
Return of the Lion, Rwanda | 5-14 October 2022 | USD 11,950 per person
Impact Journey into South America | 16-29 October 2022 | USD 18,880 per person sharing
All itinerary costs include a donation towards conservation.
According to andBeyond, these fixed-departure trips will highlight the company's conservation successes and achievements. They will promote greater awareness of sustainable travel by involving more of its guests in amazing travel experiences that contribute to environmental awareness and protection, the company says.
Main photos courtesy of andBeyond
Thumbnails ©Judy Barford