Native Eye

Ghana, Togo and Benin are home to an amazing diversity of traditional cultures, from the once mighty kingdom of the Ashanti to smaller groups living in isolation in the bush. This tour combines all three, starting in Lome, one of West Africa’s liveliest cities. Explore its markets and witness a traditional voodoo ceremony deep within the swamps. We visit stilt villages and ancient kingdoms, as well as the fiercely traditional Tamberma people, with extraordinary fortress style houses designed to protect them from invaders. In Ghana we look for sacred monkeys in the forest and visit a population of 'witches', as well as visiting the fishing village of Elmina, home to an imposing slave castle ...Read more >

Ethiopia is an African land unlike anywhere else on the continent. With a wealth of unique cultures, incredible ethnic and natural diversity, and some of Africa’s finest historic monuments, the country offers a unique kaleidoscope of experiences – unforgettably revealed here with a trip encompassing the highlights of both the north and the south of the country. From the colourful buzz of the capital Addis Ababa, we head south to the tribal lands of the Omo Valley to mingle with a dazzling array of traditional tribal groups – each with distinctive traits – as they come together at fabulous weekly village markets. But you will also get a chance to get close to some incredible wildlife too, ...Read more >

A secretive kingdom, Saudi Arabia is without doubt one of travel’s last frontiers and a land full of wonders - a showcase of both ancient and modern ingenuity, and abundant in natural beauty, with its mountainous landscapes, sculpted sand dunes and enviable location beside the Red Sea. On this trip we aim to show you the highlights of this misunderstood country, revealing a charming land that until recently, has been almost impossible to access. We start in the vibrant city of Riyadh, a juxtaposition of bright new developments and old Arabian heritage, before visiting the old mud brick villages at Ushaiger and desert dunes of Al Nafud. From here we fly to the ghost town of Al Ula, the ...Read more >

This is the big one – the ultimate trip through West Africa, taking in all of its intoxicating variety. Starting in the ever-exotic city of Marrakech, the end point of the Saharan camel caravans of old, we journey through the lands of the Berbers and across the mighty High Atlas Mountains, to the magical landscapes of the Draa Valley, encountering huge dunes and semi-nomadic people living in the desert. From Tarfaya we enter the disputed territory of the Western Sahara, a land of Saharawi nomads, rolling dunes and camel trains, exploring a land that has almost been forgotten, where traditions are strong and the scenery awe-inspiring. In Mauritania we visit the age-old city of Chinguetti ...Read more >

Despite its tiny size, Lebanon has a history dating back to the dawn of human civilization, and a wealth of natural attractions to explore – this trip will show you the very best that the country has to offer the visitor, including a few hidden gems that most overlook. Starting in Lebanon’s capital and most cosmopolitan city, Beirut, we uncover what remains of its Ottoman legacy and explore its vibrant souks. Moving away from Beirut we head to Tyre, a UNESCO World Heritage site containing the world’s largest Roman hippodrome, and on to the old Phoenician port city of Sidon, with its more relaxed and traditional way of life. Leaving the cities behind, we venture into the Bekaa Valley’s ...Read more >

Taking a nine day cultural tour of South Sudan invites travelers to step into a traditional tribal world amongst the ethnic groups that have inhabited the region’s wilderness areas for as long as anyone can remember. This is an intensely personal tour of one of the world’s lesser-known, yet newest, countries where ancient cultural rituals collide with preconceived traveler expectations, to create an incredibly unique and often moving experience. Our South Sudan cultural tour starts in Juba, the capital, before heading into the heartland of the Mundari people whose tribal scars and competitive displays of inter-village wrestling have made them revered throughout the region. A chance to ...Read more >

This Bulgaria mountains vacation, a small group tour of ten days, focuses not only on the country’s stunning natural heritage but also on its cultural highlights and, in particular, its monasteries. A most underrated destination, Bulgaria has a fascinating history thanks to its geography which has seen influences from both Christian Europe and the Ottoman Empire from the south. Starting and ending in Sofia, we head immediately into the Rila Mountains to visit one of the country’s most famous ancient sites: Rila Monastery. The center of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, it is a fortified complex packed with magnificent frescoes and carvings. Other great monasteries on this trip include ...Read more >

This small group Georgia tour takes you to the jewel of the Caucasus, and one of Europe most fascinating and undiscovered places. You’ll not only see the main highlights, but also get the chance to delve a little deeper, getting to know its proud and cultured people and to understand its complicated history and heritage. The tour kicks off in colourful Tbilisi, full of galleries, parks, and beautiful architecture, from where you’ll head to one of the oldest cities in Georgia and the country’s spiritual heart, photogenic Mtskhehta, which is home to a fine collection of UNESCO listed monuments. A drive into the High Caucasus Mountains comes next, where you’ll visit Mount Kazbek, a place ...Read more >

Few Western travelers will ever get to experience the Gerewol festival – one of the most spectacular in Africa, yet one that has barely been changed over centuries. This week-long festival occurs when the semi-nomadic Wodaabe people travel across the Sahel on foot, camel or donkey, and come together to feast, dance, race and – ultimately – to find a lover or a partner. The classic image from the Gerewol festival is one of young men with elaborately made up faces, ‘displaying’ to young women in order to attract them. Not only does this Gerewol festival vacation allow you to experience these rituals, but having worked in this area for several years, we have built up plenty of local contacts ...Read more >

Gabon has been described as a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, with a huge proportion of its land designated as national parks and home to some of the continent’s most impressive wildlife. This short Gabon tour takes you to the heart of its rainforests, a land of primeval jungles, wetlands and savannah, made famous by the explorer Mike Fay in his epic trek through Central Africa. Starting in Libreville, we trek in the forests of the Raponda Walker Arboretum and spend some time exploring the city, before traveling to the old colonial town of Lambarene where we delve into the secrets of Bwiti, a bizarre and fascinating belief system found nowhere else, and are privileged to witness a ...Read more >

One of the most inaccessible places on the planet for western travelers, Saudi Arabia is more than anything a land of mystery and a world very different from anything you may have experienced before. On this trip we aim to uncover some of the hidden secrets of one of travel’s last frontiers, lifting the veil on a land that has been out of bounds for so long. We start in the capital, Riyadh, a juxtaposition of bright new developments and old world charm, before heading into the desert to visit the 'edge of the world' with its incredible views. From here we visit old mud brick villages at Ushaiger and Hail, see the ancient rock art of Jubbah and drive via the ghost town of Al Ula to ...Read more >

An in-depth journey to the ‘Roof of the World’, offering a comprehensive insight into this fascinating region and venturing to little visited areas in search of authentic traditions and landscapes that will take your breath away. We start first in Chengdu, and from here travel through the region of Kham – once part of the greater Tibetan lands but now subsumed into China. This is an area of traditional towns and settlements, dotted with watchtowers and old monasteries, and we spend our time here staying with local families and exploring their customs and history. Outside of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, local traditions thrive here, perhaps even more so than in Tibet proper, and it gives ...Read more >

As Madagascar is the fourth largest island on the planet it’s no surprise that it takes some time to cover which is why this three week small group tour really does present an in depth portrayal of both the human and the natural history, well off the typical tourist trail. Throughout the 21 day itinerary travelers will get to experience the hidden highlights as well as the classic points of interest with everything from the capital city, Antananarivo, to the lemur-packed perimeters of Andasibe National Park, allowing for an all-encompassing and varied tour. Traveling overland by 4WD and by river boat provides a unique perspective of life in Madagascar with towns, such as Miandrivazo, ...Read more >

This two week Romania vacation features an excellent variety of iconic landmarks, religious iconography and peaceful countryside settings leading all the way from the historic region of Transylvania to the beautiful bird-watching backwaters of the Danube Delta. Romania is without doubt one of the most enchanting countries in Europe with an incredible collection of historic towns and cities. This tour takes you beyond the tourist points and into the culture of the country where Saxon heritage and well-preserved churches and former merchants’ properties have withstood the test of time to offer insight into the past, and the present. As with all good Romania vacations, we begin in Bucharest ...Read more >

Oman is famous for its hospitality, peacefulness and food, but it’s also got a huge, hostile desert. The enigmatically named ‘Empty Quarter’ of the Arabian Desert reaches down over the country. On this trip you can spend two days crossing the Empty Quarter, as well as spending time in Wahiba Sands, mountainous Jebel Shams, and the country’s lovely coastline. Muscat, Oman’s attractive capital, sits right on the coast. Once you’ve had your fill of traditional-style whitewashed buildings and historic fortresses, you can venture dolphin-watching on the Arabian Sea. Schools of dolphins sometimes number the hundreds here. Inland from Muscat you’ll find Jebel Shams, a spectacular mountain ...Read more >

This three week small group tour of the Caucasus takes you through three of the region’s most fascinating countries: Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, where tales of the past provide an incredible cultural back story in addition to the developing cities that you’ll discover today. From the Ottomans to the Soviets, this region in the furthest reaches of Europe, has long been hidden from the glare of the modern world and still a sense of mystery prevails to tempt curious, culture hungry travelers into what is, for many, still deemed as the 'unknown'. Starting in Azerbaijan opens up a land of fire where spluttering, steaming volcanoes set the scene for dramatic natural encounters in direct ...Read more >

Southern Pakistan is a land of vast deserts and ancient civilisations, imbued with the mysticism of the Sufi tradition. Thousands of years before western civilisation, some of the first cities were founded here, and its history encompasses the armies of Alexander the Great and the Moghul Empire. On this journey you’ll discover the surprising history of a much maligned country, starting in one of Asia’s most populous cities, the port of Karachi. After exploring this ever changing city we visit the tombs and shrines of Chaukhandi and Makli en route to Mohenjo Daro, one of the world’s great archaeological sites and dating back to the 3rd millennium BC. From here we head to Sukkur to look for ...Read more >

From relaxed bohemian towns and archaeological marvels in El Salvador, to Nicaragua’s charming colonial beauty and pristine jungles, our small group tour to Central America’s biggest and smallest countries shows a different side to this enchanting region. We start our journey in El Salvador with a visit to Cerro Verde National Park, known for its three volcanoes and dramatic scenery. We then drive along the flower route to the traditional town of Nahuizalco and the colourful village of Ataco, before arriving at Joya de Ceren, a miraculously well- preserved archaeological site. We move on to the town of Suchitoto, with its picturesque cobblestone streets and candy-coloured houses, before ...Read more >

With its location between Germany and the old Russian Empire, Poland has been sandwiched between major world powers, as well as playing an important part in European history in its own right. We start in the city of Krakow, exploring its historic Old Town, with the opportunity to visit nearby Auschwitz for an insight into the country’s often harrowing past. Poland suffered enormously during the Second World War, and while not always easy, it’s difficult to understand the country without confronting this. From this we head to Wroclaw, one of the continent’s best preserved medieval cities with a wealth of impressive architecture and buildings to explore. In Warsaw we learn about the famed ...Read more >

The Balkans lie on the fault line that separates Europe from the Orient, sandwiched between great powers of old – the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires. For this reason, it is perhaps the most eclectic part of the continent, and to use a well worn – but very appropriate - cliché, where East meets West. And from the shores of the Adriatic to snow-capped peaks and glacial lakes, its landscapes are just as diverse as its history. Within a couple of weeks we visit the countries of Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Croatia to show you the highlights of this little understood region. From the lively city of Belgrade we travel to Nis with its Roman remains and gruesome ‘skull tower’, ...Read more >