Up and Away

Whether you’re a backyard birdwatcher or an aspiring ornithologist, here are some exceptional experiences worth investigating

SAFARIS WITH ANDBEYOND

Located in countries famed for their rich biodiversity, Andbeyond’s lodges in Asia, Africa and South America connect travellers with the natural world and endeavour to protect and conserve the surrounding wildlife. The sustainable travel pioneer, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2021, offers birders of all stripes guided excursions and plenty of resources, including top-of-the range Swarovski Optik binoculars, across its properties.

For dedicated ornithologists, the company recommends South Africa’s Phinda Reserve, set within an area teeming with 450 bird species—from tropical to classic Savannah species—more than enough to engage novices and experts alike. andbeyond.com

FIRST LIGHT WALKS WITH BELMOND

Nature plays an important role in Belmond’s stable of 40 hotels, especially when it comes to its properties in some of the world’s most breathtaking destinations, such as Hotel das Cataratas inside Brazil’s Iguaçu National Park, and Sanctuary Lodge, A Belmond Hotel, Machu Picchu, adjacent to the Incan citadel.

The brand launched First Light Walks in partnership with Leica Sport Optics—a series of dawn experiences in which guests can use Leica’s high-end binoculars to better enjoy the hotels’ natural surroundings during a heritage walk, wildlife excursion or self-guided wander. Belmond Cap Juluca is a choice pick for birders: it’s just moments away from the 40-hectare Cove Pond, one of Anguilla’s birdwatching jewels, which is home to species including terrestrial, water and seabirds, making it a year-round birdwatching destination. belmond.com

POLAR SAILING WITH QUARK EXPEDITIONS

Quark Expeditions is a leader in Arctic and Antarctic exploration. For in-house ornithologist Adrian Boyle, every bird species is worth observing but no trip to the southernmost continent is complete without seeing the penguins.

Even the journeys to the destinations are captivating: as you sail through the Southern Ocean, you’ll be accompanied by albatross and petrels at the stern of the ship, while on arrival in the Arctic regions, be mesmerised by the flocks of auks visiting their nesting cliffs and of Ivory Gulls feeding alongside polar bears. quarkexpeditions.com