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https://www.nativeeyetravel.com/

Native Eye Travel, Unit 5, Court Farm, Stutton Road, Brantham, Ipswich (2025)

24/04/2025

Bulgaria is one of Europe's oldest countries, officially dating back to the 7th century and retaining its original name ever since. Its rich history, cultural traditions, and stunning natural beauty make it a fascinating destination, and one of the continent's most underrated, in our opinion.

One of the highlights of a visit to Bulgaria is exploring its numerous monasteries - elaborately decorated and often with intricate frescoes both in and outside. These landmarks are not only sites of worship but also treasures of architecture and tradition. Some of the best are Rila, Bachkovo and Troyan, blending Byzantine, Orthodox, and Bulgarian influences, but you'll find numerous monasteries and churches dotted around the country, all of them worth exploring for their deep historical and cultural significance, and for insight into the Bulgarian national identity.

As well as exquisite monasteries, Bulgaria is home to the largest collection of archaeological sites in Europe after Italy and Greece, with Thracian tombs, Roman amphitheatres and more - and of course, don't forget the outstanding food and wine......

We're about to start our next group tour here in a couple of weeks, but have spaces left on our September departure - full details here:
https://nativeeyetravel.com/itineraries/monasteries-mountains/

16/04/2025

Our group tour to eastern Turkey has become one of our more popular trips since its introduction a couple of years back. This isn't your classic 'turquoise coast' or beach holiday but an in depth exploration of the diverse history and cultures that have stamped their presence on this vast country.

In the south east we visit Mount Nemrut, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its huge stone statues. Built in the 1st century BC by King Antiochus I of the Commagene Kingdom, the statues represent Greek and Persian gods, animals like eagles and lions, and the king himself.

The statues were originally seated, but over time, their heads have fallen and now lie scattered around the site, creating a dramatic and iconic scene. The mountain also features a large tumulus, believed to be the king's burial mound, and terraces designed to catch the light at sunrise and sunset, offering breathtaking views.

Mount Nemrut stands as a remarkable tribute to ancient craftsmanship and the blending of Greek and Persian cultures. On our tour we’ll delve into the rituals once performed at this site and stay to watch the sunset.

As well as this, we discover the world's oldest temple at Gobekli Tepe, the Armenian 'ghost city' of Ani, the remarkable Ishak Pass Palace, the beehive houses of Harran, and the gorgeous landscapes of the Kackar Mountains - among many other sites. All the while, we take every opportunity to sample the variety of delicious local cuisine that Turkey is famed for.....

Our May departure is fully booked, but there are still places available for our August departure. Full details here: https://nativeeyetravel.com/itineraries/a-taste-of-eastern-turkey/

11/04/2025

For 2025 we've made some exciting additions to our group tour to the Comoros Islands - perhaps one of Africa's least visited countries.

Lying in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and Mozambique, this idyllic group of three islands (four if you count Mayotte, which remains part of France) are infused with African and Arab influences, home to amazing wildlife, and some impressive scenery including an active volcano.

From a start on the main island of Grande Comore, we fly to neighbouring Anjouan and explore its old capital Mutsamudu and the atmospheric medina of Domoni, as well as exploring the island's landscapes and beaches. From here we fly to Moheli, a biosphere reserve home to lemurs, the gigantic Livingstone's fruit bats and a wealth of marine wildlife including turtles, whales and manta rays. As well as two nights in the lovely Laka Lodge, we spend one night at Itsamia to watch turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs.

Back on Moroni, we explore the historic capital of Iconi, visit the 'dragon's back', have lunch in a local home, hike around the rim of Mount Karthala and take a boat trip to look for dolphins......

We have two departures this year, in August and November, and you can find full details via the link below:
https://nativeeyetravel.com/itineraries/comoros-islands-of-the-moon/

09/04/2025

Last month we ran a private trip through Kazakhstan, based largely on our Hidden Kazakhstan group tour, with a few tweaks. After starting in and exploring Almaty - no longer the capital but Kazakhstan's economic and cultural hub - we visited the ancient petroglyphs at Tamgaly, the multi-coloured mountains of Altyn Emel, Charyn Canyon and the Kolsay Lakes.

From here we visit Aralsk, once a fishing port on the Aral Sea but now marooned in the desert with the retreat of the water, then explored the historic Silk Road sites of Turkestan and Otrar, before heading to the futuristic capital Astana with its striking, and often bizarre, modern architecture.

The third week of the trip was spent exploring the sublime desert landscapes of Mangistau, home to vast salt pans, striking rock formations and underground mosques.

Photos courtesy of Steven McGahey.

For full details of our trips in this Central Asian giant, see below:
https://nativeeyetravel.com/destination/asia-middle-east/kazakhstan-holidays-tours/

07/04/2025

Mongolia is the land of Genghis Khan, of nomadic horsemen, of wide open spaces and endless horizons, and its very name is synonymous with ‘remote’.

From the vast Gobi Desert to the snow-capped Altai Mountains, Mongolia is a land of stunning contrasts and untamed beauty. Here, nomadic herders still roam the steppes, Kazakh nomads hunt with golden eagles, shamans still perform ancient rites and history whispers from the walls of ancient monasteries.

With alpine lakes and extinct volcanoes, forbidding deserts and snow-capped peaks, Mongolia’s diversity is astonishing. The country is a must for anyone with a passion for wilderness, exploration and getting well off the beaten track.

Mongolia is enormous, and of course it's not possible to see it all in one go. Our Mongolian Highlights tour gives a good feel for the variety of landscapes and people though, often staying in small, family run ger camps and with great opportunities to meet and interact with the locals and learn a little about their lives in the steppe, mountains and desert.

We've recently guaranteed our July departure to run, and you can see the details here:

https://nativeeyetravel.com/itineraries/mongolian-highlights/

For something more in depth, we run two departures each year of our Mongolian Eagle Adventure, staying with host families and learning the ancient art of eagle hunting.

https://nativeeyetravel.com/itineraries/mongolian-eagle-adventure/

If you're thinking of visiting Mongolia this year, get in touch at [email protected] to chat through your plans....

02/04/2025

Bukhara is one of the true gems of Central Asia, with a superbly preserved old city which transports you back at least a couple of centuries.

Bukhara was one of the most powerful of the Central Asian khanates and is considered to be the holiest city in Central Asia, with origins stretching back as far as the time when Alexander the Great and his armies passed through the region. Bukhara's sights are varied but one of the most interesting is the citadel known as the Ark - the residence of the emir, this sturdy construction towers high above the Registan square below, the site of ex*****on for criminals including two unfortunate British officers who were sent here in the 19th century in an effort to bring Bukhara under the British, rather than Russian, sphere of influence.

Wherever you walk through old Bukhara, you are continually confronted with grandiose mausoleums, towering minarets and charming old merchants' houses - the city is a living museum and a firm favourite with our travellers.

Uzbekistan is proving to be one of more popular destinations this year, with several group and private trips scheduled. If you're thinking of visiting this year, availability is already limited for September / October.....

You can see our group tours to Uzbekistan via the link below, and of course we can also tailor a trip to your preferences, if you prefer to travel privately.

https://nativeeyetravel.com/destination/asia-middle-east/uzbekistan-holidays-tours/

25/03/2025

Regular travellers with us will know that we harbour a huge passion for West Africa. Perhaps more than any other region, this is a fantastic place to see a huge array of rituals, customs and traditions that are fading away elsewhere as the modern world takes hold.

Wherever possible, we try to see the variety of different mask dances that can be found here. These are vibrant cultural performances that combine music, movement, and elaborate masks to tell stories, honour ancestors, and celebrate certain rituals. These dances, performed by trained individuals or secret societies, are deeply rooted in spiritual and social traditions. The masks, often made of wood, metal, or fabric, represent deities, spirits, or animals and are believed to possess supernatural powers. Drumming and chanting accompany the dancers, and the performances play a vital role in ceremonies such as initiations, harvest festivals, and funerals, preserving the rich heritage of West African communities.

At the moment, our epic West Africa Odyssey tour is running, from Cotonou all the way to Marrakech and we've just confirmed our March 2026 departure to run as well. Travelling through twelve different countries, plus one unrecognised one (Western Sahara) this gives fantastic opportunities to see some of the region's incredible traditions. And for those who can't manage the full 55 days, it's possible to join and leave at different points through the tour.

https://nativeeyetravel.com/itineraries/marrakech-to-cotonou-west-africa-odyssey/

20/03/2025

Central Africa is probably the least visited part of the entire continent, with often difficult bureaucracy, poor infrastructure and a nascent tourist industry. For us, this is what makes it exciting - travel here is an utter adventure, not tainted by mass tourism and with very few established 'sights' to visit, but overflowing with authentic local encounters.

Our new Central Africa Encompassed tour gives you an insight into the countries that make up this intriguing region. Starting in Central African Republic we visit Boali Falls and spend time in a pygmy community, then in Cameroon meet chimpanzees at Pongo Songo. We explore the rather quirky island of Bioko (Equatorial Guinea) and then in Gabon experience a traditional Bwiti ceremony at Lambarene. Our final destination is Republic of Congo, visiting the ever stylish sapeurs and travelling by boat on the mighty river. An optional extension across the river takes you to Kinshasa (DRC) and the nearby bonobo sanctuary.....

We'll be running the first departure of this tour in March 2026 - details here:
https://nativeeyetravel.com/itineraries/central-africa-encompassed/

18/03/2025

Earlier this month we ran a private trip to Ethiopia's Omo Valley for one of our travellers, who has recently returned with a lovely selection of images.

The Omo Valley is one of the most ethnically diverse, and traditional, regions of Africa, with a number of distinct ethnic groups calling this their home. Most famous of course are the Mursi, who extend their lips with enormous clay plates, but you'll also find the Karo with their elaborate body paint, the Hamer with their orange hairstyles, the Ari, Konso, Dorze, Dassanach and more.

On her return Barbara told us that out of 157 countries she has visited, this was one of her top 3 trips, accompanied by our fantastic guide KB.

As well as running private trips here, we've also just finished our Best of Ethiopia group tour, which includes both the Omo Valley and the unique historic sites of the north.

If you'd like to join us in Ethiopia, you can see our group tours via the link below, and we can also arrange private tours to match what you're looking for.

https://nativeeyetravel.com/destination/africa/ethiopia-holidays-tours/

14/03/2025

The Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world, spanning 9 million square kilometres and stretching into ten countries, from Morocco in the west to the Nile in Sudan and Egypt.

Far more than just an empty stretch of sand, the landscapes within are some of the most astonishing on the planet. The iconic image of the Sahara is that of sand dunes stretching as far as the eye can see, but you'll also find the mountain ranges of the Air, Hoggar, Tibesti and more, as well as lush oases, hidden lakes, the eroded rock structures of the Tassili n'Ajjer and ancient mud brick villages gradually crumbling back into the earth.

Despite its hostile climate, a number of people call this home - Hassaniya nomads in Mauritania, the Reguibat of Western Sahara, the Tubu of Chad, the Tuareg and more. While some live in isolated villages, several days' journey from their nearest neighbours, others traverse the desert with their camels transporting salt from mines to market.

The Sahara is one of our favourite destinations, and we run trips here in five of its ten countries - Morocco (Western Sahara), Algeria, Tunisia, Mauritania and Chad. Driving through trackless wilderness, cresting sand dunes, stopping at wells and pitching camp each night in the most idyllic spots imaginable, there really is nothing quite like it for true adventure.

Check out our trips to Chad, Mauritania and more:
https://nativeeyetravel.com/destination/africa/chad-holidays-tours/

https://nativeeyetravel.com/destination/africa/mauritania-holidays-tours/

12/03/2025

The Muila people are a cluster of semi-nomadic ethnic group living on the Huila Plateau. Women coat their hair with a red paste called oncula, which is made of crushed red stone. They also put a mix of oil, crushed tree bark, dried cow dung and herbs on their hair. On top of this they decorate their hair with beads, cowrie shells and even dried food.

The plaits, which look like dreadlocks, are called nontombi and have a precise meaning. Women or girls usually have four or six nontombi, but when they only have three it means that someone died in their family. Muila women are also famous for their mud necklaces, which are important as each period of their life corresponds to a specific type of necklace. Women never take their necklaces off and have to sleep with them.

The Muila are one of several different ethnic groups that we visit on our group tour to Angola. Having opened up to tourism within the last decade or so, and more recently introducing visa free travels for many nationalities, Angola is the most exciting destination in southern Africa for traditional cultures, with a diversity of people similar to Ethiopia's Omo Valley.

This year is our tenth year of running trips in Angola, with our first tour back in 2016. We have two guaranteed departures this year, which you can see via the link below, and often run private trips here as well.

https://nativeeyetravel.com/itineraries/expedition-to-angola/

Angola is now starting to attract more interest, and with visitor numbers increasing, now is the time to visit.....

04/03/2025

The island of New Guinea is one of the richest places on our planet in terms of traditional cultures, and a treasure trove of tribal diversity, and for many groups first contact with the western world was made within the last few generations.

In September this year we'll be exploring the western, Indonesian half of the island. Flying from Jakarta to the idyllic island of Biak, we delve into the history that New Guinea played during he Second World War, before heading to the mainland and plunging into the fascinating tribal cultures that make the island unique.

The Baliem Valley is home to the Dani people, who were only 'discovered' by westerners in the 1930s. The Dani mummify their chiefs, and to mourn their dead women remove their fingers with axes - although times are changing now, this remains one of the best places to see traditions largely untouched by modernity.

This is by no means an easy destination - although part of Indonesia, infrastructure is lacking and people are still largely unaccustomed to tourism. But for adventure, there aren;'t many places like it......

https://nativeeyetravel.com/itineraries/west-papua-the-last-frontier/

27/02/2025

Last week our travel consultant Karina accompanied our Saudi Arabia Highlights tour, returning to the office with a great collection of photos and stories.

Opening up to western tourism only a few years ago, Saudi is currently undergoing huge changes, with futuristic architecture now vying for place amidst ancient heritage and conservative traditions - a rather fascinating juxtaposition.

You won't yet find the crowds of tourists here that neighbouring countries experience - despite incredible historic sites like Ushaiger and Madain Saleh, and the uber modern buildings of Riyadh, this is no Jordan or Dubai. On more than one occasion our small group of travellers were the only westerners around, and were lucky enough to be in Jeddah during the celebrations for the birth of the Saudi nation.

This short tour does what it says and covers the key highlights of Riyadh, Ushaiger, Madain Saleh and Jeddah in just a week. For a more in depth experience, we offer a longer two week tour which takes in all of this as well as the Asir Mountains, the Bajdah desert and more. You can see the details of our tours to Saudi Arabia here:
https://nativeeyetravel.com/destination/asia-middle-east/saudi-arabia-holidays-tours/

Some photos from Karina's trip to whet your appetite.....

18/02/2025

A vast region in western Kazakhstan, Mangistau is almost off the map as far as tourism is concerned yet is one of the most incredible parts of the country. Isolated by its remote location, this is a land of superlative landscapes, vast deserts, imposing mountains and ancient pilgrimage sites still frequented today.

Access is by 4wd only – there are no real roads throughout the region – and the going can be tough at times, but this is more than compensated for by the sheer sense of true exploration. Some of the more unusual sights of the area include Torysh, a vast field of spherical rocks that resemble giant cannonballs, and the salt marshes of Tuzbair, shimmering in the relentless sun.

We run two tours that focus exclusively on Kazakhstan - as the world's ninth largest country we think it deserves a little more attention than it often receives. Our Hidden Kazakhstan tour covers all the highlights of our shorter From Steppe to Silk Road tour, but then flies west to Aktau, our springboard for exploring Mangistau.

All these images were taken on our previous trips to the region, to give an idea of what it entails. Definitely somewhere for the desert enthusiasts.....
https://nativeeyetravel.com/itineraries/hidden-kazakhstan/

13/02/2025

It's less than a month to go until our 55 day West Africa Odyssey trip starts, covering a huge swathe of West Africa and travelling from Cotonou to Marrakech.

Covering twelve countries (plus an unrecognised one – Western Sahara) this is epic in every sense of the word. From arid deserts to thick rainforest, from the tribal dances of Togo to the nomadic culture of the Sahara, this journey allows an unparalleled insight into the diversity of one of our planet’s most exciting regions.

Benin and Togo offer the chance to immerse yourself in the culture, customs and ceremonies of voodoo, a religion much maligned in the west but actually the official state religion of Togo! Moving westwards into Ghana, we explore the traditions of the Ashanti people and the historic slave castles of the coast, before moving into Ivory Coast.

Ivory Coast is perhaps the best place in West Africa to see mask dances, and here we discover the dances of the Dan and Guere people, and the Zaouli masks - an insight into the rich tapestry of cultures which still resonate strongly, even in the face of the modern world.

Liberia and Sierra Leone offer the idyllic Banana Islands, bustling markets, diamond mines and the Bundo masks, while in Guinea we discover some of the region's most dramatic scenery in the Fouta Djalon highlands, with their cascading waterfalls and charming Fulani villages.

Guinea-Bissau gives us the Bijagos Islands, home to saltwater hippos, nesting turtles and the dances of the Vaca Bruto, while Senegal and Gambia straddle the gap between tropical Africa and the Sahel, where the faultlines of Christianity, Islam and animism lie - a tremendous mix of cultures and colour.

Mauritania is a land of nomads, camel caravans and ancient trading cities lost in the Sahara, leading up to Western Sahara, one of Africa's great unknowns and home to the Reguibat nomads.

Finally we head north to Marrakech, through delightful villages dotted with casbahs and fringed with date plantations, crossing the High Atlas to reach the vibrant 'red city'........

Bookings are now closed for our March trip, but we have spaces left for November, running in the opposite direction from Marrakech to Cotonou. If 55 days is too long for you, the trip can be done in shorter sections, perhaps to fill in the gaps of West Africa that you've not yet visited. You can see the full details via the link below, and if you're thinking about this trip and have some questions, just drop us a line - [email protected]

https://nativeeyetravel.com/itineraries/marrakech-to-cotonou-west-africa-odyssey/

11/02/2025

Each year, in January, we run our annual group tour to South Sudan.

One of our wilder destinations, South Sudan is home to some of Africa's most traditional ethnic groups and the focus of this trip is on meeting the Toposa, the Boya and the cattle herding Mundari people - the latter some of the friendliest people you could hope to meet.

We're now taking bookings for January 2026, and of course can run private trips at any time (rainy season permitting!). For details of our trips in Africa's newest country, see here:

https://nativeeyetravel.com/destination/africa/south-sudan-holidays-tours/

And here's what one of our travellers on our most recent trip had to say.....

'Well I'm home and savoring my memories of South Sudan. First, the trip was flawless, just like Chad two years ago. Leadership was par excellence with Patrick navigating and brokering deals for a drum, a cow horn, and other delights for me. Samson is an excellent cook and saw to it that we were well fed.

The tribes were all very interesting and each one different. It was truly a privilege to be able to experience their unique practices and lifestyles both of which may rapidly be vanishing.

I am so impressed with Native Eye. I have not once felt in danger and question why other tour operators do not go to the places you do. But, who cares, I will plan to go with Native Eye.

I unconditionally recommend this trip. It was wonderful. Wouldn't change a thing on the itinerary. The accommodations were very good and again, it was a privilege to be able to travel to where so few have been. Thank you!'

07/02/2025

Until quite recently, Azerbaijan has often been the ignored part of the Caucasus, with more visitors heading to the neighbouring countries of Georgia and Armenia. We've recently seen a shift in the last couple of years, with Azerbaijan attracting more interest, travellers keen to see what the 'odd one out' of the region has to offer.

Unlike its neighbours, Azerbaijan is largely Muslim and has a strong Turkic culture - you won't find the huge wealth of monasteries and churches that Georgia and Armenia are well known for. Its delights are perhaps a little more subtle, but varied - from the petroglyphs and mud volcanoes of Gobustan to the elaborate Khan's Palace at Sheki, shrines dedicated to sufi saints and of course the glitz and glamour of Baku, where the most modern architecture rubs shoulders with a charming historic quarter and the opulent early 20th century mansions of the oil barons.

This year it is the Azerbaijan section of our 'Edge of Europe' combination tour which seems to be filling up the fastest. We have very limited places on both of our May departures, as well as the later departure in September.

For full details of our trips in Azerbaijan, see the details here:
https://nativeeyetravel.com/destination/europe/azerbaijan-holidays-tours/

05/02/2025

The Pamir Highway is undoubtedly one of the world’s most spectacular roads, carving a route through some of the highest peaks on our planet and linking Dushanbe to Osh in Kyrgyzstan. Don’t be fooled by the name – it usually consists of just one lane and the terrain that it passes through means that travel is often slow, especially if you’re behind a truck, but this gives you all the more opportunity to savour the breathtaking scenery. It has been used for centuries, forming one of the routes of the Silk Road, and today brings goods from Kyrgyzstan and China to remote outposts, and onwards to Dushanbe and Afghanistan.

The road takes its name from the Pamir Mountains, through which it travels - this range connects the Himalaya, Hindu Kush, Karakoram and Tien Shan ranges, and spreads between Pakistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and China. A vast wilderness of glaciers and peaks, it is home to both fascinating wildlife and intriguing ethnic groups, living in isolated valleys and with distinct cultures and customs that have developed separately from anywhere else. The majority of the people who live here are Ismaili but over the years the region has been home to Buddhist civilisations, Russians and others.

The region formed rather a blank gap during the ‘Great Game’ with Russian and British explorers sent to secretly probe the area with a view to claiming it for their respective empires. Wildlife here includes the enigmatic snow leopard, the Marco Polo sheep with its enormous horns, wolves and bear. The three highest peaks are over 7000 metres but there are another forty over 6000 metres, giving this a good claim to being the roof of the world.

We've just confirmed our July 2025 departure through this utterly thrilling region, travelling from Dushanbe to Dash and then onwards through Kyrgyzstan - if you feel the need for some real adventure this summer, check out the trip details here:
https://nativeeyetravel.com/itineraries/the-pamir-highway/

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