Spotlight On: Nature’s Classroom
SANCTUARY MOUNTAIN MAUNGATAUTARI
Ahipara, New Zealand
New Zealand's Ahipara can arrange days at Maungatautari, an incredible ecological enclosure set on a mountain. This community-run "island" is surrounded by 47km of hi-tech pest-proof fencing, protecting some of the country's most endangered flightless birds – kiwis and kakapos, among others.
For the first time, families can spend a hands-on day helping to protect these special birds. Repairing fencing, checking traps and learning on the go. What's special is that guests will be age-matched with community members to make sure everyone feels comfortable and included.
COASTAL SAFARIS ON THE EYRE PENINSULA
The Tailor, Australia
I love the sound of this action-packed few days on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. Knowledgeable local guides give families the chance to swim with sea lions, meet koalas and get up close with kangaroos, learning about these incredible animals on the way.
Then it’s sand boarding on dunes, fishing off a secluded bay and then cooking up the catch on a pristine beach. Kirsty at The Tailor says, “It’s the perfect holiday for active families that want to experience the coast in the same way that locals do.”
WHITE-WATER RAFTING ON THE APURIMAC
Enigma, Peru
Sounds a little extreme for a young family, but the stunning Apurimac river in Peru has sections to suit every ability – and age. Silvia from Enigma did a level 2 section with her daughter when she was six, and she "absolutely loved it."
Besides the thrill of the ride are the incredible views: firstly on the road from Cusco, with the snow-capped Vilcanota mountain range and then the canyon itself, which is almost twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. Emerald waters, condors flying overhead – it's a real spectacle.
LEARN SPANISH AT YOUR VILLA
Galavanta, Colombia
Forget boring classroom-style teaching, Galavanta offers Spanish lessons that come to you during your stay at one of its private villas in Cartagena. Daily one-hour lessons focus on conversational skills that are tailored to you and your family's level.
The teacher uses a fun conversation-based method that includes questions about your most recent experiences. "We’ve seen how being able to have a chat with locals can really enhance our guests’ experience in Colombia," says Galavanta founder Cristina.
WOLF TRACKING IN YELLOWSTONE PARK
EXP Journeys, USA & Canada
Doesn't it sound amazing? EXP Journeys invites families to track and learn about Yellowstone’s apex predators with a wolf expert. And the best time to visit is winter when the pack are most visible on top of the snow.
There might also be the chance to meet Mike Phillips, who helped to reintroduce the wolves to Yellowstone in the 1990s. “Seeing the wolves in the silence of winter is breathtaking,” says Andrew from EXP. “It’s a rare and wonderful gift to experience.”
CARING FOR HOLY COWS AT A GAUSHALA
Banyan Tours, India
Banyan trips are full of big-ticket experiences, but there are special little moments woven in too, like visiting a Gaushala (a protective shelters for stray cows). Families can join in the community camaraderie by playing with newborn calves, milking the cows and then joining the herdsmen to take the herd out for grazing.
There'll then be a chance to help prepare lunch before meeting more of the community with a walk through the local village. All in all, an incredibly uplifting day.
RAPPEL IN JAMAO AL NORTE
Bonvidó, Dominican Republic
A group of 20 or so local guides from Jamao al Norte – a small town in the north of the Dominican Republic – have created a community-led project that zeroes in on family-friendly outdoor activities. The profits are used to protect the incredible flora and fauna of the area by educating locals on the riches around them.
Organised through Bonvidó, these experiences mix all-ages trekking, rappelling, tubing and kayaking on the Rio Partido with real-time learning from locals in the know.