Kyle MacIntyre of Natural Selections says the company operates traditional vehicle safaris between lodges in Botswana but many clients, particularly from an adventurous market like New Zealand, are keen to do more than sit and view the wildlife.
‘People who may have been on game drives for days are often keen to get out and do some exercise – be that horse riding, walking, cycling or travelling by makoro (dug out canoe).’
MacIntyre works with 26 partner lodges and says each is privately owned with its own style and character.
‘We can offer three-kilometre rides from a lodge or multi-day cycling trips. There are a lot of companies around the world that offer cycling tours but they don’t have the elephants.’
Meantime, Viva Peru operator Juan José Mendoza is promoting a secluded and exclusive (two rooms only) lodge on Amantani Island in the middle of Lake Titicaca
‘It is in one of the most remote parts of the island and a place where someone can experience the cradle of Andes civilisation. There is no phone or internet so it is a place to completely disconnect, full of history, mythology and ancient religion.’
He says all guests are welcomed onto the lodge by a local family and experiences can include the ancient ritual of cocoa leaf reading, led by an Andean priest. ‘I have seen people moved to tears by that,’ Mendoza adds.
‘Guests also enjoy walking around the island, where they can learn about the local flora and its medicinal uses.’
Beyond the Brochure continues on to Wellington and Auckland this week and as well as providing the opportunity to meet with experts on South America, Africa and Polar expeditions the events have served as a launching pad of a new Viva Expeditions incentive.
Agents who make any bookings with the company between now and 30 October 2026 go into the draw to win either a seven-night Brazil package or a place on a hosted Easy Africa agent famil in November 2027.
