Galapagos Safari Camp

elegantly guided and exquisitely hosted

Set at 400 metres above sea level, high in the mountains of Isla Santa Cruz in Galápagos, Galápagos Safari Camp is a genuinely elegant and upmarket property.

The hotel is set on a large private plot, which is on the extreme western edge of the agricultural area, looking directly out over the national park, providing a pleasantly wild and unspoiled feel by the standards of this relatively busy island.

This northeast corner of the agricultural area not only feels more wild, but it also enjoys a much better climate, since it only catches the edge of the cloud and rain that tends to persist for much of the year in other parts of the highlands.

It is centred on a glazed main building, containing a lounge with a cosy fireplace, plus a bar and dining area, leading out to broad terraces with outdoor dining areas and a small infinity swimming pool.

The lodge offers magnificent views to the north and west, towards the islands of Daphne Major, Rábida, Bartolomé, Santiago and Isabela.

Rooms

Guest accommodation at Galápagos Safari Camp is in just nine large tented rooms, each raised up on a low deck, with one double or two small beds, electricity and a private bathroom to the rear. Those of you who have travelled with us on safari in Africa will no doubt be very familiar with the set up.

There is also a large Family Suite, which is not tented, but constructed largely in wood. It has three bedrooms (one master suite with one large bed and two further rooms, each with two small beds and sharing a second bathroom). There is also a playroom and a large private terrace.

The rooms are equipped with fans, but they only tend to be used in the hotter months of Mar-Apr. For much of the rest of the year you are more likely to make use of a hot water bottle than wish you had air-conditioning.

Activities

Galápagos Safari Camp offers a wide range of guided activities, most of which are included in the room rate.

• giant tortoises
• lava tube tunnels
• farm visits
• town tour
• beach picnics
• hiking
• mountain biking
• bird-watching
• day trips to other islands

The lodge offers private guides to all groups, which greatly enhances flexibility and quality of the overall experience.

The Galapagos islands can be visited in isolation, you do not necessarily need to combine with mainland South America, although you will need to fly in via Ecuador.

The islands are most commonly combined with the Yasuni Amazon in Ecuador, with a night or two in Quito in between.

It is also possible to combine with the Inca Highlands and Iquitos Amazon in Peru, although the flight connections can be a little more arduous.

Getting there

Galápagos Safari Camp is usually accessed by means of a large plane flight from mainland Ecuador to Seymour Airport (GPS) on Isla Baltra, from where it is a short hop by boat to Isla Santa Cruz and a drive of around 30 minutes up into the highlands.

a great option if you don’t want to sleep on a boat