Video Travel Tips Archives - Wildfoot Travel Journal

The Best Time To Visit The Galapagos

Unlike most other wildlife destinations, in The Galapagos has few migratory species, so the same animals can be seen all year round and being on the equator, the weather is more than pleasant throughout the year.

But the truly astounding thing about the Galapagos is the human connection with wildlife. Evolving without seeing man as a predator, the wildlife have little fear of humans. This leads to closer, more intimate wildlife encounters and endless photo opportunities.

Although there is never a bad time to visit the Galapagos, animal behaviour varies according to the season so if there is a particular wildlife spectacle you’d like to witness, it’s best to pick your time accordingly.

The two long, yet distinct seasons in The Galapagos are the warm/wet season and the cold/dry season.

The warm, wet season (Late December to June)

The warm and wet season stretches from Late December to June, with March and April usually being the hottest and wettest months. The trade winds fall and the air temperature rises.

The rising warm air results in daily afternoon showers. Which can be most welcome as the temperature regularly reaches 30^oC and above.

The water temperature is warmer and the sea tends to be calmer, making this an ideal time for snorkelling where a rich variety of exciting marine life can be seen all year round.

The start of the year is when the turtles lay their eggs. As a result, December to March is considered to be one of the best times to visit.

For bird lovers, February to May is packed with mating rituals and new birth for the many species of impressive birds.

If you want to see albatrosses, late March to early April should give you a good chance of seeing their spectacular courtship ritual.

Another natural spectacle on the Galapagos is the famous courtship dance of the Blue Footed Boobie, which happens in May and makes a truly unforgettable sight.

The cool, dry season (Late June to December)

The cool season runs from late June to December, when you can expect it to be relatively cool and dry with more overcast skies and occasional drizzle or mist.

August is the coolest month. But to put The Galapagos ‘chilly’ weather into perspective, you can expect day-time temperatures to range from 19-26 ^oC

In the cool season, the sea comes into its own. The annual plankton bloom makes it an ideal choice for divers. If you are hardy enough to take on the lower water temperatures, you’re likely to be treated to an impressive underwater display including sea lions, penguins, whale sharks and diving sea birds.

This annual plankton bloom also attract whales. Between June and September there are possible sightings of all kinds of whales including blues whales, humpback whales, sperm whales, orca and of course you can always expect to be joined by the occasional pod of playful dolphins

Because the temperature is not too hot during this season, it is also the breeding period for many sea birds and shore birds, marine iguanas, sea lions and fur seals.

In August the unbelievably cute baby sea lions are born November sees the young sea lions take to the water for the first time and swimming with these playful, inquisitive animals is a true delight.

Visit The Galapagos In Your Own Way

We have vessels the Galapagos, ranging from as small as 12 passengers right up to 200. But rest assured, which ever ship you choose, you will always be accompanied by an experienced and qualified guide.

Whether you want to enjoy a truly memorable family adventure or a wildlife holiday with other adults, we can find the perfect Galapagos cruise for you.

Now you have a few ideas of what time to go and what to see, feel free to give us a call and chat through your plans. Our travel experts will be happy to give you a few pointers or suggestions to help get the most out of your Galapagos adventutre.

Check out all our adventures in The Galapagos here

Ten Great Reasons To Visit Namibia

Namibia is one of Africa’s hidden Gems. With a newly developing tourism industry, there is just so much to see and do in this unspoiled natural wildreness. In this short video, Wildfoot Travel’s Dave Cheetham runs you through the ten best reasons to visit Namibia.

Check out our trips to namibia here

Botswana & Victoria Falls For First Time Travellers

Botswana is world renowned for its incredible safaris and the wildlife on display. But there is just so much to see in Botswana that planning a trip can be a complicated and daunting prospect. To make your planning easier, in this short video, Wildfoot Travel’s Dave Cheetham runs you through a brief list of Botswana’s absolute ‘must-see’ destinations.

Find out more about our trips to Botswana here

What is the best time of year to visit The Galapagos?

A destination that is on most wildlife enthusiasts bucket list, The Galapagos enjoys a year round favourable climate and a constant display of wildlife, who have a striking lack of fear or humans.

The Galapagos is such a natural wonderland, there is almost too much to see. Although there is never a bad time to visit, each of natures natural showpieces has its own time frame.

If you want to gate the most out of your Galapagos adventure, take a few moments to listen to Wildfoot Travel’s Dave Cheetham explain which time of year you should choose in order to make sure you get to see the wildlife and natural spectacle that you want to see most.

How To Pack For a Cold Weather Expedition Cruise

Setting off on an expedition cruise to the Polar regions is the adventure of a lifetime. Once you have booked, you will need to start thinking about what to take with you on your voyage.
Before you start throwing things in your suitcase, take a moment to listen to Wildfoot Travel’s Dave Cheetham as he explains what gear you really need to take with you and why.

If you’d like a copy of our Polar Cruise Packing List, just drop us an email at [email protected] and we’ll send a copy straight to you.

How to Choose a Polar Expedition Cruise Vessel

With cruises to the Arctic and Antarctica expeditions becoming ever more accessible, the number of operators and expedition ships available has also increased. So, although this will bring you more options, it can make it harder to know which polar expedition cruise vessel is right for you and your personal aspirations for your once-in-a-lifetime trip.

In fact, we currently offer polar cruises aboard around 30 Antarctica expedition ships and 28 Arctic expedition ships, with that number likely to increase as the demand for polar travel grows!

With so many options available for your epic adventure, it may seem like a quest, in itself, simply to choose which ship to opt for. But, that’s why we are here, to help you navigate those options and choose the perfect vessel for your Antarctica or Arctic marine exploration.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Polar Expedition Cruise Vessel

We find that for most customers, the choice usually boils down to one of three factors… size, facilities, and activities.

Let’s go through some of these factors together to try and establish exactly what matters to you when venturing on an Arctic or Antarctica cruise.

Does Size Matter on a Polar Expedition Vessel?

In brief, yes, size generally does matter! Arctic and Antarctica expedition cruise ships can come in all shapes and sizes, from huge first-class vessels such as MS Maud which can carry up to 500 passengers comfortably, to intimate small-ship vessels such as M/S Sjøveien and M/S Balto which bring just 12 passengers up-close to the action in the Arctic regions.

Although the larger vessels which carry more passengers can tend to offer a more affordable (and sometimes more comfortable) option, as a general rule of thumb…the larger the vessel, the less time you will get to spend on the ice, and the less time you will get to spend with the experts onboard. Land activities in both Antarctica and the Arctic are dictated by strict protocols put in place for protecting these fragile and incredibly important environments. Therefore, only a certain number of visitors are permitted at any location at any time. Consequently, if you’re travelling with a larger number of fellow passengers, you may spend quite a bit of time “waiting your turn”. Conversely, on smaller group expeditions, that allotted time on the ice is all yours! Another thing to note is that the smaller vessels will inevitably have greater access to some of the more remote landings sites that are simply inaccessible to the bigger ships.

That’s not to say that you should rule out the bigger boats. Although the smaller ships will usually offer at least two landings per day (with only one on the bigger ships), the larger vessels tend to supplement this shortfall by offering small boat or Zodiac cruises along the coastlines which, despite not offering “on land” excursions, can give you another, unique perspective of the incredible destinations you will be visiting.

Many of our customers tend to opt for a “middle ground” by choosing mid-sized vessels such as the MS Expedition, the Magellan Explorer and the Greg Mortimer which offer that balance between comfort and adventure.

What Facilities Are Available Aboard a Polar Cruise Ship?

When choosing an Arctic or Antarctica expedition cruise vessel it’s important to remember that unlike regular cruise liners, these ships are not solely built for entertainment. They are, for the most part, functioning scientific ships that have been built or modernised to transport customers to the far-flung poles in a conscientious, comfortable and, most importantly, safe manner. So, leave behind any thoughts of cabaret acts, singers and partying into the night!

Although some of the more luxurious vessels such as the L’Austral and the Silver Endeavour will offer a surprising number of facilities, including onboard gyms, spas, saunas, round-the-clock butler service and even swimming pools (although the weather in the polar regions doesn’t quite lend itself to lounging by the pool!), the facilities that most of our customers will be focused on are a little more low-key. By that we mostly mean the onboard lecture theatres, polar libraries and observation areas. These are the facilities that can really set one ship apart from the other when it comes to their suitability for polar exploration.

What Activities Can I Expect on an Arctic or Antarctica Cruise?

The last consideration (and perhaps the most important to some) to take into account will be the activities that are offered by each vessel. An increasing range of activities are offered by many vessels and operators, including kayaking, paddleboarding, camping on ice, snorkelling and even helicopter flights. Although these activities will often incur an additional charge, they are an incredibly worthwhile addition to what will already be an unforgettable adventure. If you have a particular activity in mind for your own adventure, make sure to get in touch with us and we can steer you in the right direction towards the ship (and trip) that will satisfy ALL of your requirements.

Any Other Factors to Consider When Choosing a Polar Expedition Cruise Vessel?

Well, for some, fulfilling that dream of exploring the wild realms of the Arctic or Antarctica will come down to the bottom line. And by bottom line, of course, we mean the cost. We constantly work with our partners to bring you the best and most up-to-date Antarctica Expedition Special Offers and Arctic Cruise Deals.

Watch Our Video About Choosing a Polar Expedition Cruise Vessel

Before you plan your trip, take a few minutes to listen to Wildfoot Travel’s Dave Cheetham as he explains what you need to consider in order to choose the right Expedition Cruise Vessel to ensure you get the most out of your time in the polar regions.

For more help on finding the perfect expedition vessel for your trip to the Arctic or Antarctica, speak to our expert team by calling 0800 195 3385, using our enquiry form, or by emailing [email protected]. From fully bespoke itineraries and adventure cruises aboard the world’s best expeditions ships, to small-group tours to the edge of the earth; creating once-in-a-lifetime moments for you is at the heart of everything we do.

Category: Video Travel Tips