“Every year, the editorial team combs the world to find the most authentic, most innovative, most immersive, best-guided, and most sustainable tours,” notes senior editor Norie Quintos. “This year, we wanted to make sure that the trips we picked were also a great value, given the economic climate. What we found is that there is no better time to go on a guided tour than now as the traditional savings offered by an outfitter being able to negotiate better rates on a trip’s components is magnified by cheaper airfares, a strengthened dollar, and more discounts, freebies, and extras.”
Raft the Zambezi
Jen Eastwood vividly recalls the exhilaration she felt on this trip after rafting the mighty Zambezi with its Class IV and V rapids stacked up at almost one per mile. "We were rounding the bend and started hearing this music. The people who live on the hill above where our camp was that night had come down and were singing and dancing in our honor. We pulled the boats up onto the rocks and joined them." The outfitter has long had a stake in Zimbabwe and its people—to the extent of helping local river guides launch a kayak rental business. Bio Bio Expeditions: "Zambezi Explorer, Zimbabwe," 13 days; $3,700.
