The Llama Travel Blog

Welcome 2021 and farewell 2020. It’s been… interesting.

I know that I am no different to many others in that the end of 2020 has brought about a period of reflection on the difficult circumstances of Covid-19, and plans for how things will be different in 2021. I am focusing on the positives of the past year, and would like to share these with you, along with what we can do in the coming year to make Llama Travel a better company, regardless of general circumstances. 

Although the current covid situation is still ongoing, the positive vaccine news, and the opening up of borders in Latin America and Africa, means that we can all start looking to the future with a bit more hope, and maybe start thinking again about plans that have been put on hold. It’s fantastic to see many countries and sites in Latin America and Africa reopening, and the UK government has just added Chile, Namibia and Uruguay to the safe travel corridor list. Tourism is a vital part of these economies and we feel a great responsibility to help them get back on their feet. 

Over the last few months, we’ve been busy working behind the scenes on exciting new destinations to pin on the Llama Travel map. In July 2019, we introduced a whole new continent, Africa. Using our expertise and the same combination of high quality, excellent value and small group flexible tours that we offer in Latin America, our Africa holidays have a mix of amazing wildlife, culture, activities and scenery, paired with authentic lodges and great cuisine. Until now, we’ve only offered trips to Southern Africa, including Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Victoria Falls.

We’re excited to announce that our next country is located in East Africa, sitting on the equator and offering everything from game-filled national parks and picturesque mountain scenery to palm-fringed white sandy beaches. Here’s what our Product Manager, Scott, saw during his time in Kenya - all the photos in this blog are his own. 

These past few months have been a surreal blur but we are seeing green shoots in many of the destinations we sell. There are lots of good things going on in Latin America and Africa - read on to find out about borders reopening, wildlife thriving, ancient ruin discoveries and more. Sign up to our newsletter at the bottom of this blog to recieve regular offers and updates on our destinations. 

Over the last few months, many of us have seen more of the four walls of our homes than we ever thought we would. We’ve patiently been making the most of our gardens and local nature spots, itching for a change of scenery and a new place to explore without being confined. If this resonates with you, scroll through our top twelve experiences where you can feel free and in awe of the natural world.

Being able to travel is a privilege - experiencing new cultures, taking in extraordinary scenery and indulging in mouth-watering cuisine from all over the world. But never has this felt truer than now.

As our movements are restricted and we wait for the current situation to improve, we can’t help but dream about the places we’d like to visit when it’s safe to do so. We know that top of the agenda for many people will be the destinations where you can be at one with nature, with wide open spaces and few people to share your holiday with.

If you’ve signed up to our newsletter, you’ll know that we’ve recently launched some amazing prices for our 2021 holidays, with discounts of up to £600 per couple and a guaranteed refund or option to rebook if we can’t operate your trip.

Keep reading to find out our top five post-pandemic holidays in Latin America and Africa where you can escape the crowded beaches and chock-a-block cities to experience the world’s natural beauty.

The Covid-19 pandemic has been tough for everyone, and as the country takes steps to a return to some more normal activities, I would like to share my thoughts on what has happened and what might come. I am thankful that everyone at Llama Travel has been fine, and no one here has been badly affected by the virus directly. My heart goes out to all who have suffered loss due to this disease. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that this has brought about the toughest period in the near-twenty year history of Llama Travel, and in the travel industry in general.

Like many aspects of our lives, the way in which we travel is changing as a result of the current pandemic. Nobody knows exactly what will happen, but it is possible that we won't take our freedom to travel for granted, safety precautions will be heightened and we'll think more carefully before clicking a button to book a holiday. To make the most of your trip to another continent, why not combine several destinations and tick a few more places off your list while you're there? 

Ecuador is often overlooked by its South American neighbours, and even the mainland of Ecuador is often skipped on a trip to the Galapagos Islands. This is part of its charm – the undiscovered feeling you get when you come across Inca ruins with hardly any tourists, or the indigenous tribes you meet in remote parts of the Amazon Rainforest, accessed only by a canoe. It’s one of the continent’s best kept secrets, and probably doesn’t even come in the top three of most people’s South American bucket lists.

A couple of weeks ago we gave you our top picks for Latin America, so this week it’s Africa’s turn. If you’re counting down the days until you can next get on a plane and witness amazing wildlife spectacles on a classic safari, uncover South Africa's moving history, explore Namibia's vast rugged landscapes and feel the spray of one of the Wonders of the World in Zimbabwe, keep reading for some ideas on where to go in Africa next year.