Experience the Natural Charm of Norway
Whether it’s your dream to spot a sperm whale, picnic with the puffins, or catch the northern lights, Norway will guide you off the beaten track, to witness its wildlife, and embrace its cool, mindful energy.
Having made the top ten happiest countries in the world in 2023, the Norwegian spirit will rub off on you, encouraging you to stop, breathe in the crisp arctic air, and appreciate the little micro-moments and breathtaking scenery.
You may want to cosy up and embrace the hygge lifestyle in one of Norway’s picturesque fishing villages, or venture out in search of the Aurora on board your own private fjordlands boat cruise.
Our dedicated destination experts are here to find you natural beauty in the most unspoiled nooks and crannies of Norway.
This is the time to explore the Alta River valley. The Sautso-Alta Canyon beckons hikers, climbers and fishermen alike. Mountain bike among reindeer herds on the plateau, overlooking the canyon below.
At 400m deep, it’s northern Europe’s largest. Perhaps join traditional fishermen on a riverboat journey. Or a local guide can take you hiking on uncrowded trails, bestowing foraging wisdom.
There’s plenty to do when you’re not out chasing auroras. Co-founded by a former champion, Trasti and Trine offers excellent husky sledding. The other founder is a chef, so your daily excursions will be well rewarded.
Join a local guide, strap on skis or snowshoes and experience the silent majesty of pristine evergreen forests. You could also spend a night in an igloo — both ice and glass domes are options.
There’s ample wildlife on shore as well. Elusive lynx, wolverine, golden eagle, wolf and bear top the food chain. There’s also moose, reindeer, hares and seals. To ensure sightings, a stay at luxurious Wolf Lodge is a must.
Nestled at the heart of Polar Park — the world’s northernmost wildlife park — this is a truly exclusive experience. Here the wolves run right outside, howling their nightly chorus, a chilling and unforgettable lullaby.
Between activities, it’s worth enjoying a few days in Tromsø or Alta. Tromsø’s Arctic Cathedral is an architectural landmark, while Alta’s interactive Northern Lights Cathedral will teach you all about its celestial namesake.
We take you beyond the ‘ordinary’ to give you a truly authentic sense of the destinations you visit; showcasing the very best of the country’s culture, and its most enchanting places. Let our team help you uncover the true spirit of Norway.
Embark on a safari unlike any other in the most unspoilt corner of Norway. Ride out on a snowmobile from the wintery wonderland of Kirkenes, where northern Norway borders Russia and Finland, and learn the art of king crab fishing from fjordland fishermen.
Once you’ve arrived, your professional guide will talk you through this traditional and sustainable method of fishing, and help you to reel in some of the world’s biggest shellfish. You’ll then be shown how to prepare and serve the most sumptuous crab meat.
Sail through the fjords by night on board a spacious catamaran, and relish the dancing colours of the Nordic night sky. Enjoy a fresh coffee or a warming soup indoors, or stay out on deck and keep your eyes peeled (you may spot whales too if you’re lucky), and allow the expert skippers to pinpoint prime aurora viewing locations.
With our two exceptional Alta-based partners, you’ll have the chance to choose a stunning husky lodge or boutique hotel with cabins and experience the thrill of dog sledding or the no-snow alternative - mushing (or dog carting).
Learning from champion dog racers, you can opt for longer guided journeys, or take the reins yourself and experience a one-to-one lesson from an expert.
With a crisp, Arctic breeze in your hair, join a crew in Tromsø to go searching for whales. November to February marks the best season to see orcas, as they chase herring through the fjords.
Humpbacks, too join the fray, breaching the surface in cheerful antics. Warmer summer temperatures bring the more elusive belugas and sperm whales.
Experience a part of Finnmark that very few see. On this unique two-day paddling trip on the Alta River you’ll set off from the dam and follow the river down through the famous Alta Canyon and out into the fertile Alta Valley.
This is the perfect trip to reconnect with nature and experience the Arctic’s rugged beauty up close.
- Don’t miss the fun, child-friendly museums in Oslo. My favourites are the Munch Museum with its sensory room, the Fram Museum and the Vigerland Sculpture Park.
- Taking the train between Oslo and Bergen is a brilliant way to travel. There are family carriages and a kids playroom on board!
- Don’t rule out Norway in the summer. It offers a wholesome family holiday. Think fishing for crabs from jetties, lake swimming, and exploring islands by boat.
Come away with us to northern Norway, ‘Gateway to the Arctic’. A land on the edge, framed by mountains and greeted by sea. Suspend your cares and embrace Friluftsliv — free air life — the Norwegian philosophy of living harmoniously with nature. Let us show you the wilds of Scandinavia as you’ve only imagined.
Completed in 2024, the unique Hotel Svart is a remarkable example of sustainable innovation and regenerative travel. The hotel’s creators believe that luxury and sustainability can go hand-in-hand, an ethos we certainly agree with. In an unbelievably beautiful location, this hotel offers guests tranquillity and unplugged exploration. Think ice-climbing, yoga in the midnight sun and watching the enchanting Aurora Borealis.
Venture to Wolf Lodge for the Scandinavian adventure of a lifetime. This secluded property in Norway’s Polar Park is highly coveted, only offering a handful of stays per year. The lodge is available on an exclusive basis only and so you’ll enjoy a wintery wonderland experience in complete privacy. You’re able to get up close to the park’s amber-eyed wolves, watching as they frolic and play together, spraying powdery snow up into the air behind them.
When one of TV’s best-known wildlife enthusiast, Steve Backshall, tasked us with crafting an unforgettable father-son safari in celebration of his son’s 5th birthday, we knew exactly how to create a trip that would excite and inspire both in equal measures.
How much purr-suasion do you need to agree to a feline themed adventure? We promise that we’ll drop the puns as we help you discover the most extraordinary big cats in the world.
South Africa is an excellent choice for family travel with children of all ages. Its wildlife is abundant, with a great diversity of species, including the Big Five: rhino, leopard, lion, elephant and buffalo. There are vast malaria-free reserves and it’s easy to get from safari regions to Cape Town and the beach.
Botswana is one of the best places for a family holiday of a lifetime! There are millions of animals across plains, deserts and deltas.
Encounters in India
The vast majority of people think about India primarily as a cultural destination. Yes, the Taj Mahal is a must-see, and the country boasts dozens of UNESCO-listed ruins and monuments, not to mention dazzling festivals and other events. But the landscapes and wildlife were here long before the people, and the subcontinent still has extraordinary wild places you can explore, from the sands of the Thar Desert to the backwaters of Kerala; the high Himalayas to the jungles of Northeast India.
Watching elephants on a safari is pure joy. We’ve compiled nine of our favourite elephant spotting locations from the savannahs, deserts and great rivers of Africa.
At Journeysmiths we are constantly searching for exciting new travel experiences. Here we highlight some of our top trends and destinations for 2024.
The young poet and playwright Kiran Millwood Hargrave said "India is a place where colour is doubly bright. Pinks that scald your eyes, blues you could drown in." It's a quote that captures the marvellous intensity of experiencing India. You’ll flit like a butterfly from a gilded palace to a sun baked fortress, to a bustling bazaar, to an encounter with a big cat, all the while drinking in the colours, sounds, aromas and the relentless energy of Indian life. That collage of glimpses will be there to savour years after you return. Here we share 10 unmissable experiences while travelling in India.
A fortress-like insistence on maintaining their cultural heritage despite the pressures of the modern world makes Bhutan a fascinating place.
We’ve created an exciting list of the most memorable things to do in the Galapagos Islands.
We’ve created an enticing list of the most memorable things to do in Ecuador.
To show you what’s possible, our Latin America travel experts have put together a list of their favourite Peruvian activities.
Our world is extraordinarily diverse.
Deserts, wetlands, forests and islands in different parts of the world may have similar rainfall statistics or comparable geographic features.
Look closer though and we find that every place has its distinctive character, wildlife and human culture.
Come away with us to northern Norway, ‘Gateway to the Arctic’. A land on the edge, framed by mountains and greeted by sea. Suspend your cares and embrace Friluftsliv — free air life — the Norwegian philosophy of living harmoniously with nature. Let us show you the wilds of Scandinavia as you’ve only imagined.
From exclusive lodge accommodation, to comfortable wilderness camps and sumptuous hotel suites - these properties will take you beyond the path well trodden.
Are you feeling inspired to explore the oceans after watching Planet Earth Three?
Booking your family safari to Botswana opens a door to a world of exciting adventure. From the minute your Cessna touches the bush strip, your family will be in the wilds with expert guides. We curated the top 10 family experiences in Botswana to whet your appetite.
What To Do In Kenya With Children? We’ve chosen our best experiences for a luxury family safari to Kenya.
We highlight the top ten Tanzania family safari adventures.
We highlight the top ten must-do activities for your family to enjoy in Costa Rica.
If you’re looking for a place where you can embrace adventure, learn more about our planet’s incredible wildlife and truly connect to nature, Ecuador has it all.
We highlight some of the places filmed in Planet Earth Three’s Deserts and Grasslands episode; view elephants in Zakouma National Park and Arabian camels roaming the Ennedi plateau in Chad, ostriches and chacma baboons in Namibia.
7 Secret Places to Spot Leopards in Southern and East Africa
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite leopard viewing destinations for the best chances of guaranteed sightings.
For families of all ages there is so much to see and do in South Africa, making it an excellent and diverse travel destination. We’ve chosen 20 of the best experiences to immerse you in the culture, wildlife and beautiful places of this remarkable country.
Are you celebrating a big birthday, a retirement or special anniversary? Maybe you have a plan to take your whole family, children and grandchildren on a trip that will delight and inspire them. Any reason will do!
Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary
Working in partnership with globally recognised conservation organisation; Care for Wild, the world’s largest rhino orphanage, we have curated a truly unique and exclusive experience giving a privileged few behind-the-scenes access to this otherwise incredibly private sanctuary.
From the classic walking safaris, spotting wildlife on Africa’s iconic plains, to hiking dense forests in search of gorilla families or meeting people who call these wild landscapes home, a walking safari is the best way to experience the call of the wild. Explore our top 10 walking experiences in Africa.
Discover a trio of biodiverse and gloriously beautiful wilderness areas to encounter wildlife in Brazil.
Antarctica is so far removed from our everyday landscapes it feels as though you could be on another planet entirely - the epitome of wild. Read on for our top tips to help you develop a deep connection to the white wilderness.
Brazil is vast, known for its lively cities, heavenly beaches and glorious wildlife areas. We’ve put together a set of FAQs that cover the basic need-to-know tips when starting to plan your holiday. If you’d like more tailored advice, contact our Journeysmiths today and we’ll be happy to help.
We’ve created an exciting list of the most memorable things to do in Brazil.
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Perfect your photography skills with Emmy award-nominee and Big Cat Diaries cameraman and naturalist guide, Warren Samuels.
We may use the term ‘travel trends’ but these destinations won't be crowded. Here we're showcasing the most stunning experiences to ignite your next Latin America holiday.
Each offers a unique blend of adventure and indulgence, so whether you're seeking a multi generational trip, a romantic couples getaway or a unique solo adventure, we have something special in store for everyone.
In celebration of International Women’s Day, we wanted to spotlight travel experiences that empower women in the world’s wild places. When we create journeys, supporting local communities is of paramount importance - this is especially true of women and girls who across the globe face many gender-related obstacles.
Laura is an encyclopedia of all things Journeysmiths travel, so who better to quiz on her hidden gems and most memorable wildlife encounters.
Slowing down and staying longer is the new way of travelling and there are huge benefits to this approach. People, wildlife and the environment directly benefit from you staying a little longer; but in equal measures, so do you.
The Kalahari is a fascinating place for a family safari. The children can sit by a meerkat den watching these curious little creatures foraging and playing as one stands guard on its hind legs looking out for eagles. They can watch enthralled as a San Bushman reveals hidden secrets that have enabled them to survive here for thousands of years.
Coming face to face with a quarter ton silverback is something you just have to do sometime in your life. This is one of the single most emotional animal encounters that you can have and is something you’ll never forget.
It’s Laura’s deeply-rooted enthusiasm for exploration, combined with her desire to protect the world’s wild places through meaningful connections with local communities, that is the driving force of Journeysmiths’ vision.
An Exploration of Unforgettable Experiences at My Favourite Camps in Kenya
The only travel company to have access to a huge moment in conservation history, our Kenya Conservation safari group got to watch a rhino release!
Zambia is the perfect place for a real family safari adventure. You can track elephants and giraffe on foot with an expert guide. You can paddle a stable Canadian canoe down the Zambezi watching zebra and antelope drinking at the water’s edge.
A safari holiday gives your family a wonderful chance to meet local communities and experience their culture.
A safari in the wilds of Africa allows you space to pause and wonder – to gaze and reflect. Epic landscapes, the balanced beauty of creation, the absence of hurry. You would imagine that the day’s adventures end with the setting sun. But as one star disappears and the heavens turn indigo to black, millions more appear, filling the unpolluted skies. We’ve chosen a few of our favourite spots for safari stargazing.
A sighting of any one of the Big Five is a cause for great excitement. But spotting a rhino in the wild? It is one of those things that dreams are made of. At around a tonne in weight, and generally considered to be the second largest land mammal, they shouldn’t be hard to see, but poaching has devastated population numbers. Park authorities have to be very cautious with any information they share about rhino numbers and regarding their whereabouts. An encounter, therefore, truly is a privilege.
Namibia is a spectacularly unusual place for a family holiday. You can see enormous numbers of elephant, rhinoceros, big cats and plains game, yet the main attraction is the incredible variety of desert landscapes.
From the Seychelles to the Skeleton Coast, the coastlines, islands and lake shores of Africa are striking and unforgettable.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite experiences to inspire your imagination.
If your young explorers are hungry for an adventure, look no further than Peru. The diverse landscapes range from the vibrant jungles of the Amazon Rainforest to the jagged peaks of the Andes Mountains. Needless to say, you’ll have the chance to experience the unique mountain top setting of mysterious Machu Picchu.
Kenya has the ingredients for an amazing family safari. Your children will love seeing vast numbers of animals in iconic African settings. Stay in amazing and exclusive accommodation on private reserves. Enjoy adventures on foot, horseback and by open vehicle with Africa’s finest guides. Your children can see pioneering conservation work in action and meet remote tribal communities. Maybe end with a few days by the coast.
The best way to give your family the facilities it seeks may be to book out an entire camp or lodge. Perhaps you are planning a multi-generation safari. Or you may want to fulfil a dream of walking, mokoroing and camping out in the Okavango. You may simply crave an extra degree of privacy. Most lodges we use take fewer than 16 guests, some take only eight, so booking a whole lodge is a viable option.
Here’s our list of ten wonderful experiences that you might consider having whilst you are in Uganda:
We’ve collated a list of our ten favourite Tanzanian experiences to show you what’s possible in this incredible country.
Young children delight to see wild animals in their natural environment. With Journeysmiths your safari will be expertly designed to match your family’s needs and interests. We use the best guides and arrange superb accommodation in the wilds of Africa.
The Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater are truly spectacular settings filled with great herds and big cats. We take you far from the crowds and minibuses with your own private guide, staying in exclusive accommodation. Families with older teenagers will love the wildly remote Selous, Ruaha and Mahale, where you can walk, canoe and even track chimpanzees. Round it off on exotic Zanzibar.
Here’s our list of ten wonderful experiences to consider including in your Namibia safari:
Go behind the scenes of modern conservation on this Small Group, Big Impact journey through Kenya's wild places.
We will ensure you can enjoy the best of Africa in the exclusivity of Kenya’s private conservancies where walking, riding and other expertly guided activities enable the richest safari experience.
In 2022, we took on an epic fundraising challenge to celebrate our 30th anniversary.
Treat your family to an extraordinary wildlife adventure holiday in the Galapagos and Ecuador. It’s a place you’ll likely visit just once so be sure to do it well. We have access to the finest yachts, lodges and expert guides. This way your family can visit remote islands in comfort and privacy encountering amazing wildlife.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite experiences to inspire your imagination.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite experiences to inspire your imagination.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite experiences to inspire your imagination.
With opportunities to see the Big Five of both land and sea, along with incredible scenery, enormous national parks, world-class vineyards, a fascinating history and vibrant, friendly people, South Africa frequently tops the lists of the world’s best holiday destinations. Even so, less than 1% of the world's travellers make it here, so it’s a place where you’ll find yourself with a few select, like-minded and discerning adventurers who have discovered this gem of a country. It’s a place you could return to for the whole of your life and never tire of it.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite experiences to inspire your imagination.
In this article we’ve put together a list of our top ten recommended highlights to whet your appetite and show you what’s possible in Egypt.
Between safaris there is plenty for children to do in camp while the adults relax. Safari lodges may be small and in remote locations, but they have excellent facilities and your hosts’ purpose is to give you the best possible time. In this section we also suggest a couple of places that combine easily to complement your Botswana safari.
Botswana is a great choice for an exclusive family safari. Roaming the spectacular deserts, deltas and savannahs are literally millions of animals. The fertility and abundant water of the Okavango and Linyanti Deltas supports an incredible 200 different mammal species. The Government’s high value, low volume tourism policy helps conservation and enables you to enjoy a top quality private safari.
Here’s something you might not expect. The people looking after you on safari might create some of your happiest safari memories. You’ll remember laughter and those after dinner stories and jokes around the campfire. During a three-night stay in a luxury camp, you’ll get to make friends with your guide, the chef, the vegetable gardener and the other people who love their work.
Imagine gliding silently along an Okavango waterway in a mokoro canoe as zebra and impala graze the grasslands. Or cantering on horseback with your guide alongside giraffe. In the Kalahari, take an early morning walk with a San Bushman as he explains the ancestral secrets of survival.
Botswana is Africa’s most exclusive safari destination. Each enormous private reserve has just one or two luxury lodges guaranteeing a series of private experiences as you travel from one exquisite location to the next. Expert guides will take your family on safari among big cats and vast elephant herds in beautiful deltas and deserts.
We’ve created a list of our favourite activities to give you an idea of what you can expect from a trip to Chile.
Cape Town is one of the world’s great cities with a unique setting beneath Table Mountain.
Not sure where to start? We have answered frequently asked questions we’ve received over the past decades about our bespoke safaris. Here we discuss everything from pre-planning information to responsible travel. We hope you will find this useful, but if you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
If you’re seeking an active family holiday of natural wonders and vanilla sand beaches we recommend Costa Rica. Choose between Pacific and Caribbean beaches where turtles nest and the reefs abound with colourful fish. Rainforests cascade down mountainsides to the ocean.
The birdlife in Brazil is especially impressive, with feathers reflecting every single colour of the rainbow. Whether you’re an amateur enthusiast or a serious birder, the Amazon Jungle is breathtaking in the variety of the species which live there. You’ll find the richest birding hotspots along with the very best birding guides in Latin America.
Our team has been compiling a list of incredible travel destinations around the world to consider for the year ahead.
What kind of creatures actually live in the Amazon Basin, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, and in the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
Everyone has heard of the Rio Carnival, which takes place each year just before Lent, but such festivities are by no means a Brazilian speciality. At Journeysmiths we have a particular sweet spot for the fiestas in Chile.
Astro-tourism is travel with a star gazing theme, and it’ll take you to some of the last great wildernesses in Africa.
Three of Africa’s great rivers set the scene for your Zambia safari. The Zambezi, the Luangwa and the Kafue rivers are all of different character and have national parks named for them.
It is not only the Galapagos which has giant tortoise! You can find them in the Seychelles too. These extraordinary reptiles grow up to four feet long, weigh as much as 770 lbs, and some of them are more than 100 years old. They’ve survived here because their populations were isolated, protecting them against predators. Spotting them is a rare treat, as they are found in so few other places.
Formerly the Zulu Kingdom, the province of KwaZulu Natal runs along South Africa’s dramatic Indian Ocean coastline. The Drakensberg Mountains create a natural border between Lesotho and the Eastern Cape, and offer some excellent hiking routes.
To experience a little bit of everything that South Africa has to offer, you can hardly do better than to drive along the coastal road of the Garden Route between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. It’s an extraordinary journey, and there’s wildlife on both land and shore, endless beaches, historic battlefields, and the vineyards are never far away. One day you might be whale spotting at Hermanus — renowned as one of the best whale watching locations in the world — and the next you could be learning about the Battle of Rorke’s Drift, handling antique weapons and scrambling over the British and Zulu positions.
We highlight the top ten must-do activities for your to enjoy in Costa Rica.
in South Africa
Without a shadow of a doubt, South Africa is one of the very best places to watch wildlife in the world. The Kruger National Park — a protected area the size of Wales — is certainly the most famous and popular safari destination, but with Journeysmiths you’ll escape the crowds to explore vast, wildlife-filled private reserves, in the company of the best guides.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu was the first person to call South Africa “the rainbow nation”. It’s a reflection on the fascinating diversity of this country, not only in the identities of its people but in the landscapes, wildlife, cultures, and activities it offers. South Africa is a country which, because of its variety, can be all things to all people, truly a rainbow of varied opportunities and experiences.
Namibia has a diverse cultural heritage and is home to one of the most distinct African tribes — the Himba — a group of semi-nomads who live in the Kunene region.
The school holiday cycle is full of opportunity; there is a safari for every season, whether it’s during the Christmas, Easter or Summer holiday period.
Mountain gorilla can be found in Rwanda and Uganda, both superb destinations but each offering something slightly different. Read on to find out which is best for you.
Without freshwater, life on land wouldn't exist.
Freshwater is the most precious resource on our planet, but it's finite. Vital to life, only 2.5% of all Earth’s water is fresh and less than 1% of that is accessible. Planet Earth Three’s episode on freshwater documents its importance for selection of species.
Many of Africa’s best safari regions are low to very low risk of malaria, particularly if you travel during the summer holidays.
Are you feeling inspired to travel after watching Planet Earth Three?
Coasts offer the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife both at sea and on shore and are excellent destinations for wildlife enthusiasts. Follow in the footsteps of the Planet Earth crew and journey along the picturesque Garden Route coast to see Cape fur seals gathered in their thousands in South Africa. Head to the eerie Skeleton Coast of Namibia to find the desert-adapted lions that laze on its sand dunes. Or hop on a boat in Chile and watch the enormous barnacled body of southern right whales emerge from the water as they breach a matter of metres from your eyes.
If you’re looking for a country that’s got everything, choose South Africa. Renowned for the spectacular views of the Garden Route, vibrant Cape Town, malaria free safaris, fascinating history and outstanding wildlife, the whole family will fall under the alluring spell of this diverse country.