2026 Holidays: A Year of Slower Travel and Bigger Adventures

Destinations People Are Actually Looking At

East Africa

Kenya — obviously I’m biased — offers good value across budget levels. The Masai Mara migration runs July through October. Beach extensions to Diani take 45 minutes by air.

Something most guides won’t tell you: the “Big Five” is considered entry-level now among repeat safari travellers. The conversation has shifted to the Special Five of Northern Kenya — Gerenuk, Grevy’s Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Beisa Oryx, and Somali Ostrich. These animals only exist in the arid north around Samburu. They’re actually harder to spot than lions because of how localized they are.

If you book Samburu, ask for a “Sand River Walk” rather than just game drives. The Gerenuk — that strange giraffe-necked antelope — stands on its hind legs to reach acacia leaves. They rarely do this when a diesel engine is idling nearby. On foot, in the quiet, you’ll see behaviour that vehicle-bound tourists miss entirely.

Tanzania draws first-timers wanting the classic experience. The Serengeti-Ngorongoro-Tarangire triangle delivers reliable big cats and the northern migration calving (December through March).

One thing that catches people out in 2026: the Namanga border crossing from Kenya. Your Yellow Fever Card now needs to be pre-uploaded to the Tanzania Health Portal at least 48 hours before you cross. Show up with just the yellow paper booklet and you’ll spend three to five hours at a “digitalization kiosk” while everyone else drives past. Our guides have learned to go quiet when unofficial fixers approach at the border — it’s a signal to avoid the tourist shakedown. Follow their lead.

Rwanda continues building its gorilla trekking reputation. Permits cost USD 1,500. Steep until you’re sitting two metres from a silverback.

What most tourists don’t know: ask specifically for the Susa Group. They currently have five-year-old twins — Byishimo and Impano. Most people just request “an easy group,” but Susa is the only one where you’re almost guaranteed to see high-level sibling play behaviour. Much more interesting than watching a sleeping silverback.

For those with limited mobility, Volcanoes National Park has professionalised what they call the “Sedan Chair” service — essentially a stretcher carried by eight porters. Costs about USD 300. It’s not widely advertised, but it opens gorilla trekking to people who assumed they couldn’t do it.

Southern Africa

Botswana remains the gold standard for low-impact safari. The government’s conservation policies are strong. Mokoro trips through the Okavango, walking safaris in private concessions, genuine wilderness. Budget around £400-800 per night for lodges that deliver.

Here’s something Google won’t tell you: tip in Botswana Pula, not USD. With the 2026 banking law changes, bush-camp staff now face a 15% conversion fee when depositing foreign cash. Tipping in Pula means they can pay school fees or buy groceries immediately without travelling to Maun or Kasane to find a forex bureau. It’s the highest sign of respect for a local guide.

Namibia attracts self-drivers wanting dramatic landscapes over Big Five density. Etosha, Sossusvlei, Skeleton Coast form the classic circuit.

When you pick up your rental in Windhoek, check that the kit includes a 2×4 wooden block. Nobody mentions this online. If you get a flat on the deep sand of the C34 salt road, a standard jack sinks straight into the ground. The wooden block creates a base. Local recovery teams charge USD 500+ for a “sand rescue.” That two-dollar block of wood is your actual insurance.

Beyond Africa

Japan keeps trending, but the interesting shift is people moving beyond Tokyo-Kyoto. Rural ryokans, winter onsen towns, regional food traditions.

By 2026, the famous regional Ekiben (station bento boxes) have become so popular that limited editions aren’t sold over the counter anymore. To get the Wagyu or Hokkaido Crab bentos at major stations, you must reserve via the “Ekibenya” app at least 24 hours ahead. Miss that window? Head to the basement of a nearby Takashimaya or Isetan 30 minutes before closing. They mark down the same quality meals by 50-70%.

Oman is becoming the Middle East alternative for travellers who don’t connect with Dubai’s aesthetic. Dramatic coastline, wadis, frankincense history.

The best accommodation isn’t on major booking platforms. Places like the Old Misfah House have moved away from Booking.com due to commissions. You need to message them directly via WhatsApp — find the number on their Instagram or Google Maps pin. They save the best rooms (terrace views of the wadi) for direct bookers. The “standard” rooms go to the aggregator sites.

Sri Lanka has stabilised after the 2022 crisis. Good combination of wildlife, temples, tea country, and beaches in a small island.

Use the PickMe app, not Uber. It has a “Tuk” category with an SOS feature. If a driver takes a “scenic route” (the long-way-round scam), hitting SOS alerts a local monitor who calls the driver immediately. Stops the scam in its tracks. PickMe drivers are more vetted for the three-wheeler category than Uber in 2026.