Why do we offer Festive Safaris?
The festive season is one of the most sought-after times to visit the Galapagos, with exceptionally high demand for boats, guides, and accommodations. To ensure our guests have the best experience, we organize dedicated Festive Safaris, securing our preferred providers and offering a seamless, well-planned journey. Our small size and exclusivity mean you’ll enjoy a more intimate and personalized adventure, even during this peak period.
Are Festive Safaris Private or Shared?
Our Festive Safaris are semi-private and include:
- Shared sea excursions: For excursions to uninhabited islands, Galapagos Safari Camp guests share a privately chartered boat, with a maximum of 16 guests and two naturalist guides (one guide per eight guests).
- Private land excursions: For excursions on Santa Cruz Island, each booking is assigned their own private vehicle, driver and naturalist guide.
Why is the limit for each departure 16 guests?
The maximum capacity for our Festive Safaris is 16 guests because this is the limit of our chartered boat. Keeping group sizes within this number ensures a comfortable experience and allows us to maintain the high standards of service, exclusivity, and expert-guided excursions that define our Safaris.
Can I charter a boat for a fully private Safari during the festive period?
During the festive season, boat availability is significantly limited due to high demand. To ensure the best experience for our guests, we charter our preferred boat exclusively for our festive departures. This guarantees availability, quality, reliability, and seamless logistics but means we are unable to offer fully private boat options during this short period.
What are the Galapagos Islands like in December and January?
For insights into the weather and wildlife during the festive season, take a look at our December and January blog posts on what to expect. You can also explore our Guest Feedback and Reviews to hear about their experiences at this time of year.
Can I add extra nights to my Safari during the festive period?
As our festive departures are scheduled in advance, adding extra nights at Camp is not an option during this period as the Camp is already reserved for the next arriving guests. However, we can offer an Isabela Island Safari Extension (subject to availability) for those looking to extend their time in the Galapagos or a number of Mainland Extensions, including the Amazon, Andes and Cloudforest.
Is it possible to arrange a Camp buyout during the festive season?
A Camp buyout during the festive season is possible; however, due to peak demand, it would require covering the cost of all spaces that would otherwise be booked by individual guests. As our Festive Safaris operate on a schedule with set departures, a buyout during this period comes at a premium to account for the high season demand. If you’re interested in exploring this option, we’d be happy to discuss the details.
