At this time of year my travel agency gets busy with requests for next summer. It may seem early, but the best options start booking up and some sell out this far in advance. For example, if you are thinking of Africa, the Arctic, or a beach vacation without the crowds, now is the time to start planning.
East Africa: The Great Migration
Nothing compares to witnessing hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebras migrate through the Serengeti and Maasai Mara in search of fresh grazing. The dry season, from June through October, is when wildlife concentrates around limited water sources, making game viewing exceptional. June and July are your best chance of seeing the Great Migration in the Serengeti while July to October is when the wildebeest migration typically reaches the Maasai Mara.
This is also peak season, which means the best camps—the ones with prime river frontage, exceptional guides, and just a handful of rooms—book up months ahead. Private conservancies with limited daily vehicle access are especially competitive. If you’re picturing an intimate, uncrowded safari rather than a caravan of jeeps at every sighting, early planning is essential.
The Arctic: A Small Summer Window
Polar bears, walruses, reindeer, foxes, glaciers, and fjords offer a unique, adrenaline-filled travel experience. The Arctic travel season runs roughly June through September, with summer offering some of the best opportunities to spot polar bears. The fjords open up in July through August for deeper exploration as ice retreats.
Small expedition ships (100 guests or fewer) offer the most immersive experience, with frequent landings and flexibility to encounter more wildlife. These ships have limited capacity, and the best cabins and departures sell out well in advance. Once the short Arctic summer closes, you will need to wait until next year.
French Polynesia: Paradise With Limited Rooms & No Crowds
Bora Bora and other Tahitian islands consistently top bucket lists for a reason. They offer overwater bungalows, lagoons in beautiful shades of blue, and a level of privacy few destinations can match. Most people don’t realize just how unpopulated this region really is. Hawaii welcomes more visitors in a single month than French Polynesia sees in an entire year, and accommodations are limited, with very few rooms available.
The most sought-after overwater bungalows and private islands routinely book well in advance for summer travel. If French Polynesia is on your bucket list, this isn’t a “decide in March, leave in June” destination. I advise booking at least 6 – 8 months out.
Why Book Now
These are just three examples of extraordinary experiences with genuinely limited capacity where the prime dates disappear fast. Whatever travel is on your radar for next summer, let’s start the conversation now while the best options are still available.
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