From the depths of the Madagascar rainforests to the frozen penguin colonies of Antarctica, the dizzying height of the Andes, luscious wilderness of Uganda and sensational southern islands in New Zealand – here are our favourite adventure travel ideas for 2024!
January 2024 – Witness unique mating rituals on the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador)
The New Year marks the start of the rains and the busy wildlife mating season on the Galapagos islands.
The Waved Albatross returns to its ancestral home on the Galapagos, Española Island, in January every year to mate with its lifelong partner. The mating dance of this stunning bird is one of the most elaborate courtship displays in the bird world. We’re talking synchronised dance moves, circling bills and ever-so-sexy honking sounds.
Beak fencing is part and parcel of the Galapagos Waved Albatross mating dance
In addition, many other species, including marine iguanas, sea lions, and fur seals, also engage in unique mating rituals in January. The warm temperatures and abundant food resources contribute to the heightened activity of wildlife throughout the islands.
How to do it: North Seymour is centrally located near Santa Cruz and is visited on almost all small ship cruise itineraries. Española, on the other hand, is in the southern cluster of Galapagos islands. Choose southern island tours like our Signature Galapagos Express to see the albatross in action in January.
February 2024 – Snorkel with whale sharks off Mafia Island (Tanzania)
Mafia Island is one of the world's most underrated destinations for spotting and snorkelling with whale sharks. The island is just off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean – it is small and lightly developed, and its waters are renowned for hosting incredible marine biodiversity. In particular, for attracting migrating whale sharks in great numbers between October and March each year.
February is widely considered the best month for snorkelling with the sea's gentle giants. Often, they can easily be spotted from the shore.
Snorkelling with whale sharks is a bucket-list experience
How to do it: Mafia Islands is off the beaten path yet is one of the most popular spots for a few days of R&R before or after wildlife safaris in Tanzania. Affordable daily charter flights depart from Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar in February. An easy add-on to our Magical Zanzibar Tour and an unmissable inclusion on our comprehensive Wild Tanzania Tour.
March 2024 – Cast off on a whale-watching expedition to Antarctica
Over on the southernmost continent on earth, Antarctica, this time of year brings the highest concentration of migrating whales. Typically, March is the last month for Antarctica expedition cruises, as days get shorter and temperatures plummet. Yet it also sees the height of the summer's ice melt, the opening of more passages and an abundance of whales.
From humpback and minke whales to orcas and blue whales: krill reproduction in colder temps brings out the BIG guys in BIG numbers.
Due to their penchant for acrobatics, humpbacks are among the most popular whales to spot on Antarctica cruises
How to do it: the most popular springboard for Antarctica expeditions is Ushuaia, the southernmost town in South America. Join late-season Antarctica Whale Journeys from here for the highest chances of seeing the most whales.
April 2024 – Enjoy wine, food and an autumn spectacle in Patagonia (Argentina/Chile)
April marks the official start of foliage season in Patagonia – and yes, it is a thing! Late-season Patagonia tours in early April offer the unique chance to hike in the Torres del Paine National Park with minimal tourist crowds. You’ll witness the stunning seasonal transformation for which this part of the world is renowned.
French Valley in Torres del Paine, drenched in the colours of Autumn
Being a transitional month means that Patagonia enjoys a dramatic change as April wears on. Choose early April for tranquil hikes along some of the most popular trails, and move on to Mendoza, Argentina's premier wine-producing region, to enjoy the harvest festivities at the latter end of the month.
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Mendoza's prized vineyards are rewarding to visit at any time of year, but there's something special about experiencing the harvest here
How to do it: After landing in Santiago, Chile, join a 9-day Signature Patagonia Tourand, from El Calafate in the south, take a direct flight to Mendoza to enjoy the harvest festivities (and an abundance of delectable food and wine).Top of Form
May 2024 – Go aurora hunting on Stewart Island (New Zealand)
No, you don't have to travel to the ends of the world to see the magic of the Southern Lights. If you're in New Zealand, you can travel to Stewart Island for marvellous aurora hunting.
Stewart Island is just off New Zealand’s southern coast and is revered for offering some of the best Aurora Australis views on this side of the Southern Ocean. The island's relatively low light pollution and clear southern horizons have helped make this a very appealing destination for those seeking a remarkable aurora-watching experience in an off-beat location.
What’s more, 2024 is expected to deliver a Solar Maximum – an 11-year peak of solar activity that’s promising to deliver the brightest auroras in years.
The Southern Lights are most visible on Stewart Island between March and October – with May being particularly favourable
June 2024 – Catch the Inti Raymi Festival & visit Machu Picchu (Peru)
The ancient Incas continue to influence Peru long after their great empire crumbled, and never is this more evident than in June.
On June 24 each year, thousands of locals and visitors descend on the archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman in Cusco to celebrate the Inti Raymi Festival, the most important Inca celebration honouring the Sun God.
While the main festivities occur in Cusco, Inti Raymi's influence extends to Machu Picchu and the surrounding areas. Visit Cusco and Machu Picchu in June, and you'll see traditional celebrations, cultural events, and ceremonies, which all enrich your trip's cultural dimension.
Incidentally, June marks the start of the dry season in the high Andes and the beginning of the best Inca Trail hiking period.
Inti Raymi marks the winter solstice and is celebrated in and around Cusco on June 24
How to do it: Lima is the best entry point to Peru, and from here, you can join our 11-day Signature Peru tour that takes you from the coast to the high Andes, including a visit to Machu Picchu by train. The tour can be planned to start on your desired day – speak to our Destination Specialists to ensure you'll be in Cusco and Sacsayhuaman on June 24 to catch the Inti Raymi Festival. The tour includes visiting Machu Picchu by train
July 2024 – Explore Salar de Uyuni & the Altiplano (Bolivia)
The Bolivian Altiplano and its star highlight, Salar de Uyuni, are situated on a high plateau in Bolivia's Andes mountains. They boast eye-popping landscapes, snow-capped peaks, expansive deserts and ethereal lagoons. In July, the visual spectacle of this remote region of South America is highly captivating.
As the dry season sets in, the salt flats take on a mesmerising quality. The surface salt begins to crack, creating a mesmerising expanse of blinding-white horizons. For those surreal perspective photos, July is ideal – and the effect will continue well into August and September.
This is the height of winter and the dry season, so expect cold nights when traversing the Altiplano and Salar Uyuni. The rewards, however, are out of this world.
You can spend an entire day taking awesome pics on Salar Uyuni
How to do it: July is the best month for extensive travel through the Andes – the lack of rain means all routes are accessible by road. To reach the Altiplano and see the salt flats in their parched glory, plan your bespoke 10-day Signature Highlands and Salt Flats Tour. Not only will you experience the Bolivian Altiplano and Salar de Uyuni, but you’ll also get to experience Chile’s spectacular Atacama Desert – all in the one unforgettable road trip.
August 2024 – Witness the Great Migration in the Serengeti (Tanzania)
Wildlife enthusiasts descend on the Serengeti in August every year to witness the Great Migration – one of the world’s most astonishing natural events.
The annual spectacle sees millions of wildebeest, zebras, and other wildlife crossing the Serengeti in search of greener pastures. A crucial phase of their journey is their traverse of the Grumeti and Mara rivers, when thousands of animals navigate treacherous waters brimming with formidable crocodile numbers. Typically, river crossings happen in late July/early August.
Sure, a Tanzanian safari is impressive at any time of year, but experiencing the migration takes it to another level.
Wildebeests, in their thousands, must take a leap of faith
How to do it: wildlife migrates from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara in July/August, so choose a safari that covers both parks. In August, our small group Kenya and Tanzania Wildlife and Classic Kenya and Tanzania Adventure tours will see you search for the Big Five and take in the highlights of the Great Migration.
September 2024 – Discover the hidden treasured of Tayrona National Park (Colombia)
Sheltering a captivating blend of lush rainforests, rare wildlife, pristine Caribbean beaches and indigenous cultural heritage, Colombia's Tayrona National Park is one of Latin America's most stunning hidden treasures.
Mind you, local and regional visitors can be considerable in the park, so September is ideal for a visit – it falls just outside the peak season and promises an overall more serene experience.
Tayrona's diverse ecosystems and historical riches offer a range of activities – visitors head here to hike to remote abandoned ancient cities, spot the extremely rare cotton-topped tamarin and enjoy some R&R on some of the Caribbean’s dreamiest beaches.
Tayrona is one of the most biodiverse national parks in Latin America and is barely known outside local travel circles
How to do it: Tayrona is an hour’s drive from Santa Marta, itself a delightful 4-hour drive along the spectacular coast from Cartagena. Given Bogota (the capital) is undoubtedly the best entry point into Colombia, the most popular time-saving tactic is to enjoy a Bogota to Cartagena adventure, capping it off with a few days of relaxation and exploration in Tayrona. And that's why our 4-day Tayrona Escapeis the perfect add-on to our Signature Colombia tour.
October 2024 – Enjoy memorable baby lemur encounters (Madagascar)
October sees the end of the dry season in Madagascar and the beginning of the rains that nourish the country's fantastic wilderness and wildlife. If you've ever dreamt of meeting lemurs in their natural habitat, this is the best time to travel and explore Madagascar’s national parks.
The country’s iconic primates give birth in September so protected reserves will be flush with active babies and adults by October. National parks like Andasibe-Mantadia and Ranomafana are excellent places to meet these fascinating creatures.
To add enticement, note that October is also the best month to enjoy Madagascar's beaches. Snorkelling and diving are at their best now.
All lemurs come from Madagascar and are known as forest creators because they spread seeds far and wide
How to do it: Antananarivo's international airport is serviced by direct flights from Paris, Nairobi, Istanbul and Johannesburg, among other major cities. A popular addition to an African safari, a Classic Madagascar Tour showcases the best the island nation offers. Plan your Madagascar tour for October and enjoy baby lemur encounters galore!
November 2024 – Head off on an Emperor penguin quest (Antarctica)
The Antarctic summer also marks the beginning of the Emperor penguin breeding season. In November, the world's largest penguin species gather in extraordinary numbers in remote breeding hot spots like Snow Hill Island.
These isolated and hard-to-reach destinations offer incredible adventures. At this time of year, an Emperor penguin quest involves travelling to Antarctica on an icebreaker, hoping for an ice-free landing spot from where to reach Emperor Penguin colonies. Some expeditions also include helicopter flights in case landing is impossible.
An Emperor penguin quest is, without a doubt, one of the most phenomenal wildlife experiences the world has to offer
How to do it: Emperor Penguin Quest adventurescast off in November from Buenos Aires, Argentina. These exclusive expeditions guide you on a memorable crossing of the infamous Drake Passage before exploring the Weddel Sea and trying to land near Snow Hill Island. Our Weddell Sea Expedition includes helicopter rides.
December 2024 – Trek for gorillas in the mist (Uganda)
Gorillas live in the luscious rainforests of Uganda and Rwanda, two countries whose wilderness is defined by abundant rainfall almost all year. In December, however, Uganda sees the start of its short dry season, making it the best time to travel to Africa for gorilla trekking.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is Uganda’s prime gorilla spotting destination, a sensational reserve home to 20 distinct gorilla populations. Gorilla trekking permits, which are strictly regulated and sell out months in advance, allow you to spend one hour with the forest's giants once spotted.
Up close and personal with Uganda’s mountain gorillas
How to do it: Uganda's capital, Entebbe, is well connected throughout the continent, so whether you're off on a safari in Tanzania or South Africa, you'll find direct flights to Uganda. On a classic 2-week Uganda Wildlife tour, you can discover all of Uganda's treasures, including gorilla trekking.
At Viva, we also offer a unique gorilla encounter in Uganda with a 'habituation experience’, where the usual 1-hour face-to-face meeting is extended to 4 hours. The habituation experience allows you to spend time with researchers and learn more about the social dynamics and behaviour of gorillas. At the same time, it helps desensitises gorillas to human presence thus helping continued research and protection.
