Why are Destinations Like the Galapagos, Antarctica and Gorilla Trekking So Expensive?

July 02 2024

by Brand g Vacations

Who hasn’t dreamed of bucket list trips like the Galapagos, Antarctica, or gorilla trekking in Rwanda with an all-LGBT group? Who doesn’t want to get a selfie with the world’s most majestic beasts or natural wonders that they can tuck under their pillow or use to annoy people they hate?

Unfortunately, trips like these can be considerably more pricey than typical vacations. Some people think it’s because so few companies do these destinations as LGBT+ vacations; so, with little or no competition, the few operators can pocket big bucks and buy Lambo’s.

The truth is, all trips to these destinations – straight or gay – cost more. And the reason is that specialty destinations like these involve specific considerations that raise the price tag.

Restricted Tourism

Many of the world’s most incredible spots for wildlife and natural wonders severely restrict the number of tourists allowed to visit in order to limit the damage to the natural ecosystems. And because, say, only 10 or 20% of the number of tourists that might otherwise flock there are allowed to come, it raises the cost considerably.

These countries charge enormous fees to explorer cruise ships and safari camps that operate in these areas (hundreds of dollars a day, per person). They also charge additional fees for special permits (like for gorilla trekking). As a company, we can only speak for ourselves, but Brand g Vacations is willing to pay these fees because this restriction of tourism helps ensure that these wonders will be around for future generations. 

But it does add to the cost – albeit a cost that virtually everyone who has been there says is worth it. This is nature as it existed millions of years ago. The experiences are extraordinary. And you can get amazing photos in these destinations, because there aren’t 300 tourists in stretch pants marring every shot.

Economy of Scale

Because of these limitations in the number of tourists, the ships that ply the water of the Galapagos and Antarctica are smaller scale. The largest of these ships holds about 350 guests, and most are in the 50-250 range. The same is true for the luxury safari camps in Africa, which generally only have, say 20 suites. This small size can mean incredible service and quality, but without the economy of scale of, say, a 3,000-person cruise ship or giant resort, everything costs more. 

Getting Supplies to a Remote Region

If you’ve ever been somewhere like Fiji or the Maldives or the Seychelles, you know that everything there costs an arm and a leg and a few toes. Restaurant entrees can be $75-100. A half-bottle of Tito’s in your minibar can be $250. The reason, of course, is that other than fruit, virtually everything in these remote destinations is produced elsewhere and has to be shipped in. 

The same is true for the Galapagos Islands, and Antarctica, and remote areas of Africa. The farther away you are from “civilization”, and the harder it is to get goods to that location, the pricier it gets. The Galapagos Islands, for example, are a part of Ecuador, but they’re 600 miles off the coast. 

Then add in the fact that companies like Brand g use only the highest quality ships and camps available, and the price goes up again, because they bring in only the best food and drink, the most highly-trained staff, etc.

Safety

When you’re dealing with areas that can offer extreme weather (like Antarctica) or predatory animals (like Africa), safety is a concern. You want the most highly trained staff available.  

The news stories you’ve heard over the years about someone, say, being wounded by a wild animal in Africa, occur in areas where you have barely trained staff and few protections for the guests. This is another reason that Brand g uses only the finest ships and camps. The staff of, say, a National Geographic cruise ship or a private reserve safari camp are the finest in the world. They are trained for every possibility and will not let ANY harm befall you.

Once again, setting up these protections and hiring the most experienced and knowledgeable staff costs real money.

But I’ve Seen Safaris Advertised for $1,999

This kind of discount trip is virtually impossible to find in places like the Galapagos and Antarctica, but you may have seen mainstream safari vacations advertised for frighteningly low prices. So, what gives?

It goes without saying that these are not luxury safari camps. You sleep in tents, the food is marginal and almost entirely buffets, and the staff could have been pouring drinks at a Club Med the month before.

They are also not on private reserves (as Brand g uses), where you’re likely to only see one other jeep the entire time you’re on a game drive. These discount safaris are game drives through a national park where wildlife exists - a sort of Disney version of a safari, where you’ll typically be snaking down paved roads with dozens or even hundreds of other vehicles. 

Both kinds of experiences are valid; but only one will create the kind of extraordinary moments that make a trip truly memorable. I, Eric (the author of this blog) and my husband consider our Brand g trip to Africa our favorite trip EVER – and we’ve been to a couple places. We have friends who took one of those discount safaris and returned with not a single memorable moment. My husband and I had DOZENS. 

One quick example: during one of the evening game drives (these game drives NEVER get old, incidentally), as we were driving back in the dark, the tracker – at these high-end safari camps, there is a ranger and a tracker in every jeep - sensed something, and our ranger pulled over and shut off the lights. “We’re just gonna sit here for a minute,” she explained.

About 60 seconds later, a herd of elephants strode past our jeep, on either side, within inches of us. We couldn’t see them, but we could hear and feel them. It was magical.

You will never get this kind of experience on a discount safari.

So, as you can see, there are valid reasons why these remote destinations cost so much. But the experience and the memories you come away with will be absolutely #lifechanging.

And just think about the uninvited slideshow you can do for envious friends that will inspire them to secretly plot your untimely death.

Loved this? Read Brand g's article on how they are different from big-ship LGBTQ+ cruise companies.