Travel essentials
Getting there
South African Airways (www.flysaa.com) flies from Johannesburg to São Paulo in Brazil. From there, you can fly on Avianca (www.avianca.com) to Guayaquil in Ecuador via Lima. LAN (www.lan.com) flies from Guayaquil to the Galápagos Islands and to Quito. South Africans don’t need a visa for Ecuador.
Staying there
The best option for a stay on land in the Galápagos is carbon-neutral Pikaia Lodge, located in the lush green highlands of Santa Cruz Island. The sleekly designed lodge’s floor-to-ceiling glass walls make the most of views across the island to the ocean, a huge infinity pool and a great spa. Each day’s activities are different, and for snorkelling trips and visits to other islands, the lodge has its own luxury yacht. The M/V Santa Cruz is a 90-passenger boat with comfortable cabins; a big deck for watching sunsets; outdoor jacuzzi; spacious dining room and lounge and excellent naturalist guides who lead the daily excursions on five and six-day cruising itineraries. Stylish and luxurious, Mashpi Lodge’s 22 minimalist rooms look out into the forest through glass walls, so even when you’re not out on hikes you feel like you’re cocooned in the forest. Between guided hikes, swims in cold waterfalls and riding a zip-wire bicycle above the tree canopy, tuck into nouveau Ecuadorian cuisine such as octopus ceviche and cheese-stuffed yucca breads. All three can be booked through the Mantis Collection in South Africa on 041 404 9300; or visit www.mantiscollection.com