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 >

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 travelling 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 >

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 >

This Bulgaria mountains holiday, 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 centre of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, it is a fortified complex packed with magnificent frescoes and carvings. Other great monasteries on this trip include ...Read more >

After some troubled times, Ivory Coast is back as a beacon for intrepid travellers keen to experience some of Africa's most rich and varied native traditions on a trip that takes in contrasting highlights in the north and east of the country, starting and ending in the lively capital Abidjan. Much of the focus is on discovering the rich and varied cultures that thrive here. In Aniausse we visit a school for ‘feticheurs’, the high priests of traditional religion, while in the north we visit the Dan and Fulani, witnessing their vibrant traditional mask dances and rituals. In Bouake, you'll spend time with the Baoule people to discover how they maintain their handicraft traditions, while ...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 >

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 travellers 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. Travelling 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 holiday 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 holidays, 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 >

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 >

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 >

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 >

A popular beach holiday destination, Tunisia isn’t what springs to mind when it comes to off the beaten track travel, but there’s more on offer than just its Mediterranean coastline. Home to shady oak forests and a section of the Sahara, the landscapes of Africa’s northernmost country are varied and even otherworldly in places, comprising golden deserts, lush oases, brightly coloured salt flats and rugged mountains. Inhabited by the ancient Berbers and settled by some of the world’s great civilisations, Tunisia is rich in history and we spend time exploring the Phoenician city of Carthage, once a powerful trading port, as well as the remains of its Roman towns and cities from ...Read more >

The neighbouring countries of Chile and Bolivia share some of Latin America’s most remarkable landscapes – this tour takes us from the steamy lowlands of the Amazon jungle to the high altitude deserts of the altiplano. With South America’s largest percentage of indigenous people, and unique species of wildlife that are still being discovered and some of the continent’s best landscapes, Bolivia should be on every traveller’s list. We start our journey in Madidi National Park, one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet, spanning Andean and Amazonian ecosystems and home to various traditional tribes. Then we fly to Uyuni on the Southern Altiplano, our gateway to one of the most extreme and ...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 >

Colombia combines vibrant cities, ancient ruins and superlative landscapes with African rhythms and exquisite colonial architecture. We start this trip in the capital Bogota, exploring its charming historic quarter of La Candelaria as well the nearby high plateaus of Sumapaz, home to indigenous wildlife, endemic vegetation and local communities. From here we head to the eroded landscapes of the Tatacoa desert, before continuing to San Agustin. Here we discover the remnants of an ancient civilisation about which little is known – all that is left behind is an enigmatic series of statues, tombs and temples. We then head to Colombia’s famed ‘coffee region’, a land of picturesque farms steeped ...Read more >

Nigeria holidays are always an exciting blend of old and new with preconceived perceptions of what this nation stands for, always best left at home. Don’t let Nigeria’s bad rep put you off as this is a country that welcomes travellers, with open arms, especially in the lost kingdoms where this 12 day tour tends to focus. There’s no other place to start than Lagos so get yourself prepared to get chucked in at the deep end before heading off the mainland to Lagos island and onwards and westwards to Badagry, an important historic city with notorious links to slaving ships past. Next stop on this small group holiday in Nigeria is the ancient city of Abeokuta that boasts an abundance of ...Read more >

The ancient land of Kurdistan in the north of Iraq occupies a special place in history, with monuments and cities dating back millennia and bearing witness to diverse civilisations and religions. This short trip introduces a place long off limits to western travellers. We start in the ancient city of Erbil, one of humanity's oldest settlements, before following in the footsteps of Alexander the Great at the ancient battle site of Gaugamela. You'll also join Yezidi pilgrims at Lalish for an insight into Zoroastrianism, one of the Middle East’s most ancient religions. Reminders of the brutal regime of Saddam Hussein provide poignant and thought-provoking reminders of the area's more recent ...Read more >