Summary
Intrepid Travel Launching New Wildlife Trips
Adventure outfitter Intrepid Travel is launching 16 new wildlife trips in 2023, including an exciting itinerary to Comoros, an island nation renowned for its UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This new offering promises rare wildlife encounters and breathtaking landscapes.
The Comoros Expedition
This August, Intrepid Travel will take adventurers to the seldom-visited Indian Ocean archipelago on a remarkable wildlife-watching trip. Guests can expect to see humpback whales and spinner dolphins, swim with sea turtles, and snorkel among manta rays and reef sharks.
Unique Wildlife Experiences
According to Matt Berna, Intrepid Travel’s president for the Americas, “We’re encouraging travelers to choose wildlife experiences that give back.” The itineraries are thoughtfully designed to support conservation efforts in some of the world’s most vulnerable ecosystems, while also allowing engagement with local communities dedicated to protecting their natural heritage. Comoros is home to some of the richest marine biodiversity, including green turtles, humpback whales, and dugongs, alongside fascinating terrestrial flora and fauna such as endemic bats, lemurs, and numerous bird species.
Trip Details and Costs
The nine-day expedition by Intrepid offers multiple opportunities to observe wildlife both on land and at sea, particularly on Mwali and Ngazidja, two of the three islands comprising Comoros. This underexplored destination is situated between Madagascar and Mozambique, making it accessible by flights from various international cities including Addis Ababa and Nairobi.
With foreign tourism being minimal, Comoros recently recorded only 45,100 arrivals in 2019, as reported by the World Bank. This contrasts sharply with destinations like Antarctica and the Galápagos Islands, which saw much higher visitor numbers. “Intrepid will set the standard for non-extractive tourism in support of this new destination that’s overflowing with wildlife,” Berna states.
The cost for the Comoros Wildlife Expedition starts at $3,125 per person, with departures scheduled throughout August, September, and October. Although designed around wildlife watching, casual hikes, and cultural exchanges with locals, this adventure is not without its challenges. “New itineraries and destinations can sometimes throw us some unexpected surprises,” cautions Intrepid. Travelers are encouraged to embrace flexibility, as while many surprises are welcome, some may pose challenges.
