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Travel with The Living Desert

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The Living Desert offers extraordinary trips around the world; each is custom-designed to highlight the breathtaking beauty of the destination and get you up close and personal with the amazing flora and fauna of this setting. You will be accompanied by naturalist experts and The Living Desert escorts as your guides.

The Living Desert, along with our travel partners, is dedicated to offering you the unique and awe-inspiring experience of a lifetime. Each trip is limited to a few individuals who value nature and luxury, and are seeking an authentic experience. Your travel dollars also support the conservation efforts of the Zoo, which is dedicated to the preservation of our natural desert landscapes and the plants and animals who call it home.

Zimbabwe

June 18 – June 30, 2026

Set off on an extraordinary adventure journey to Zimbabwe! Your journey begins in the bustling city of gold, Johannesburg. From there, you’ll venture to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second largest city, and arrive at Matobo Hills National Park and Camp Amalinda, where you’ll experience stunning landscapes and superb wildlife viewing, including iconic animals such as the white and black rhino, babboon, leopards, and a variety of antelope species. The second half of your exporation takes you to Hwange National Park, the largest in Zimbabwe with one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. Here, you will spend four nights and encounter incredible wildlife like massive herds of buffalo and elephant, lion, wild dog, and cheetah. Conclude your adventure with a visit to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls. This trip promises awe-inspiring moments and memories to last a lifetime.

Enjoy a luxurious stay in Johannesburg, the city of gold
Explore Matobo Hills National Park and spot white rhino, black rhino, antelope, baboon, and leopards
Tour Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage and research project
Experience Hwange National Park
Visit Ngunyana Village
Journey to the Imvelo Ngamo Rhino Sanctuary
Marvel at Victoria Falls

This trip is presented by our partners at Classic Escapes.

From Sea to Desert: A Baja Wildlife & Conservation Adventure

February 14 – 22, 2027

Venture into Baja California, Mexico on an unforgettable journey that blends wildlife conservation, stunning landscapes, and the region’s distinctive wine culture. Begin in sunny San Diego before crossing into Mexico through Tijuana and traveling south along the coast to San Quintín. From there, journey through dramatic desert terrain to Guerrero Negro, where you’ll embark on a morning whale-watching excursion at the Ojo de Liebre Whale Sanctuary and visit the MUBE Pronghorn Center to learn about North America’s fastest land animal.

Continue into the vast El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and vital breeding ground for the Pacific gray whale. This protected landscape also shelters remarkable species such as the Baja California pronghorn and the black-tailed jackrabbit. After this immersive nature experience, travel south through the striking boulder fields of Cataviña before arriving in Ensenada, where beautiful harbor views, fresh seafood, and world-class wines await.

This journey promises extraordinary encounters with Baja California’s diverse flora and fauna while celebrating the rich traditions of its wine industry.

Explore the El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve, with opportunities to spot the Baja California pronghorn or Pacific gray whales
Relax with a scenic harbor stay and coastal cuisine in Ensenada
Enjoy a gravity-flow winery tour and tasting at Decantos Vinícola

Machu Picchu & Galapagos Wonders

March 6 – 19, 2028

This trip is limited to 15 guests.

Journey from the Land of the Incas to the Galápagos archipelago, enjoying a 4-night cruise aboard a personal yacht. Delve deep into ancient cultures at Machu Picchu – the fabled lost city. Explore UNESCO-designated Spanish colonial cities and stand between two hemispheres at the Equatorial Line. Experience the best of the Galápagos archipelago, where an abundance of natural wildlife recalls Darwin’s theories in a pristine world that’s virtually unspoiled. You’ll encounter hidden wonders in Peru the “Middle of the World” in Ecuador, and see ethereal wildlife on a cruise along Eden-like islands.

To be placed on the reservation list and to receive the itinerary when available contact Lin Conrad 760-674-4684 or lconrad@livingdesert.org

Namibia WILD: Cheetahs, Conservation & Desert Wonders

June – August 2028 exact dates TBA

A wild, inspiring journey through Namibia’s landscapes, wildlife, and conservation legacy. Limit 18 guests.

Experience the untamed beauty of Namibia on a 16-day journey through one of Africa’s most breathtaking landscapes. From towering red dunes and dramatic desert vistas to extraordinary wildlife encounters, this adventure offers an unforgettable blend of natural wonder and conservation in action. Highlights include visits to iconic national parks, remarkable desert ecosystems, and the renowned Cheetah Conservation Fund, where travelers will learn firsthand about efforts to protect one of the world’s most endangered big cats.

To be placed on the reservation list and to receive the itinerary when available contact Lin Conrad 760-674-4684 or lconrad@livingdesert.org

Explore Namibia’s capital, Windhoek
Take in striking land features in Southern Damaraland like the Organ Pipes and Burnt Mountain
Onguma Private Reserve Adventure
Spot zebra, giraffe, lion, rhino, elephant, and more as you explore the nature reserve
Journey to Otjiwarongo and visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund