Does island hopping in the Galápagos, cruising the Arctic, or traversing the Amazon sound good to you?
Channel your inner Jacques Cousteau, Marco Polo and Jeanne Baret and check out some of the best small ship expeditions.
Wildlife cruises are epic adventures for a reason. Sharing waterways with wildlife up close is both breathtaking and humbling. We’ve looked at some of the more sustainable expeditions that are trailblazing a more eco-conscious way of adventuring.
The Northwest Passage (Arctic, Greenland, Canada)
Follow in the footsteps of great explorers through the Northern Atlantic and Polar regions. An expedition team will guide you along the route showing you the best places to see amazing scenery. View diverse wildlife, and seek out whales, seals, and polar bears. Pass huge glaciers, ice-capped mountains, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and remote communities. Kayaking, hiking and wildlife photography are all included along the route too.
Length: 16-30 days
Price: £12,000-£30,000
Antarctic Circle (Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctic Circle, Antarctica)
Is visiting the 7th continent on YOUR bucket list? Antarctica’s awesome frozen beauty will astound you. Navigate narrow channels filled with icebergs sculpted by nature. Sail into a flooded volcanic caldera and kayak among icebergs and seals. Pop on a pair of snowshoes and make your way up to amazing viewpoints. Spot penguins, whales, seals, cormorants, bitterns, herons and egrets. Cross the imaginary line at 66°33’ south and brag to your friends. The best time to travel to Antarctica depends on what wildlife you’re most eager to see. March to October (Winter) is ice-locked and dark all day long so it’s usually impenetrable. October – March is best as it’s accessible, has better daylight and is teeming with wildlife.
Length: 12-23 days
Price: £7,000-£27,000
Galapagos Islands
Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin and explore these Ecuadorian islands. Immerse yourself in this wildlife enthusiasts’ paradise with almost 9,000 wildlife species found on land and in the water. Many creatures are endemic, making it one of the world’s best locations for wildlife discovery. Spot the Galápagos finch — the bird that helped Darwin come up with his theory on the evolution of species. Take hikes with expert naturalist guides and learn more about this unique archipelago. Marine park officials enforce land visits and have strict wildlife protection rules. Only small expedition boats make this voyage which aids the commitment to conservation. Smaller groups also provide better immersion into the wildlife-rich protected marine park.
Length: 4-15 days
Price: £1,300-£15,000
Peruvian Amazon (Peru, Amazon River, Amazon Rainforest)
Navigate the Ucayali and Marañón rivers and the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve in the Upper Peruvian Amazon. The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is the largest protected flooded forest in the world, spanning 5 million acres. Catch glimpses of the legendary pink river dolphins that live in the slow-moving river basins, streams and lakes. Spot brown-throated sloths, howler monkeys and pygmy marmosets hanging in the trees. With unparalleled biodiversity, the Amazon contains over one-third of all species known to man. This forms the largest collection of living plant and animal species on Earth. Experience Amazonian and Peruvian cuisine, jungle night safaris, and skiff-boat rides with experienced guides.
Length: 3-11 days
Price: £5,800-£15,200
Southern Africa (Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana)
Embark on an African Odyssey discovering Southern Africa’s waterways and wildlife. Land and water-based exploration across 4 countries and 4 national parks. Watch hippos, elephants and crocodiles around Lake Kariba. Stop at Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest protected area. Home to herds of elephants and buffalo, plus a population of predators such as lions, leopards and cheetahs. The birdlife here is among the best in Africa, with more than 400 species. End the trip with a guided expedition to one of the world’s largest waterfalls, Victoria Falls. The world’s biggest sheet of falling water, it spans more than a mile and falls 350 feet into the Zambezi Gorge, dividing Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Natural Habitat Adventures is a WWF travel partner and provides sustainable travel for the conservation of nature, wildlife and local communities.
Length: 11 days (3 days on water & 8 days on land)
Price: £13,400-£13,700
The cruise industry, known for its large carbon footprint, is responding to consumer demands for sustainability. New eco-initiatives are pushing for net-zero carbon cruising by 2050. Though it still has a long way to go, opting for smaller expedition cruises is a huge stride in the right direction.
