The SL Directory: Tour Operators

Black Tomato's team have travelled – and lived – all over the world. They create bespoke holidays for every sort of traveller, whether you want a unique backpacking trip across southeast Asia, an adventure holiday in Africa, or a group trip off the beaten track. Its ‘By Month’ tool offers inspiration throughout the year, and Black Tomato is also one of the few tour operators that customises itineraries across every continent. For a once-in-a-lifetime trip around Japan, ask to speak to country specialist Alys.

Visit BlackTomato.com

Whether you want to plan a bucket-list trip around the world, or find hidden gems in your favourite city, Nemo can create your dream itinerary. Co-founder Tom Harding is an expert on safari trips (having worked at some of Kenya’s top lodges) and his team offer bespoke trips based on a one-to-one consultation with a travel expert. Accommodation includes beach houses in Mozambique and safari lodges in South Africa, while destination options include Medellín in Colombia and Sri Lanka’s surfing hot spots. 

Visit Nemo-Travel.com

Joro is one of the few B Corp-certified luxury adventure travel operators out there. If you’re looking to travel more sustainably, its team will help minimise your footprint and give back wherever possible, from cutting down flight routes to organising activities with local communities. Its small team of ten – led by co-owner Duncan Over who specialises in African safaris and yachting expeditions – can plan adventures like conservation trips in Kenya, hiking across Nepal’s smaller mountains (if Everest is too ambitious) or wildlife spotting in the Argentinian rainforest.

Visit JoroExperiences.com

Thirty years ago, And Beyond opened the first private game reserve in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province. Aiming to deliver sustainable conservation through responsible tourism, it quickly established itself as a name to trust – and now operates across Africa, Asia, South America, Antarctica and the Indian Ocean islands. You can stay in over 30 lodges and camps it owns and operates, all of which offer things you won’t find elsewhere, whether that’s cool design elements or unique activities. It’s also great with small group trips – think a girls adventure to Costa Rica.

Visit AndBeyond.com

Regular SL readers will know we trust F&P Travel. Friends Holly and Philippa started with a portfolio of chalets in Méribel before branching out to other areas of the world. Today, they offer every type of holiday across some of the world’s most beautiful destinations – think Zanzibar, Oman and Mauritius. Its concierge service takes care of logistics, extras and special touches, from babysitting and dinner reservations to food experiences and activities like kayaking, surfing, diving, whale watching and ski lessons.

Visit FAndPTravel.com

Group tours can be tricky to get right if you don’t want to be lumped with a motley crew. This is where Flash Pack comes in with its tours and itineraries for solo travellers. Over the last five years, the team has been arranging immersive, high-end tours for those in their 30s or 40s. Example adventures run from exploring Thailand by train to hopping around New Zealand’s South Island. The really adventurous can sign up as an Insider, grab a discount and jump aboard first-time tours that will set the template for future Flash Pack trips.

Visit FlashPack.com

For total luxury, few tour operators rival Abercrombie & Kent. Specialising in big, bespoke adventures, the company has over 60 years of experience, with whole teams dedicated to each continent. For a once-in-a-lifetime safari, senior travel consultant Bridget Cohen has travelled extensively across Africa and comes highly recommended. Otherwise, trips could take you anywhere from the hills of Bhutan to Canada’s epic mountain ranges. 

Visit AbercrombieKent.co.uk

If you like the idea of escaping everyday life and relaxing in a remote location, Byway is for you. Another sustainable tour operator, it creates trips without flights to limit environmental impact. Instead, it’s all about slow travel and exploring destinations by train, bike, bus or ferry. Choose from European city breaks, boat trips across the Med and foodie tours in Morocco, to name a few. The team will take care of all the details, so all you need to do is pack and arrive at your departure destination.

Visit Byway.travel

Scott Dunn has spent three decades perfecting the art of holidaymaking. Its experts organise trips in over 100 countries across the globe – including the remotest destinations imaginable, like Antarctica and the Andes. From honeymoons and family holidays to ski trips and safaris, it covers every type of holiday – there are even Explorers Kids Clubs for summer camps and adventures tailored to little ones. For ultra-luxury holidays, its Scott Dunn Private arm allocates personal travel advisors to ensure everything is as smooth and luxurious as can be – we like the sound of a private two-week tour of Indonesia’s outlying islands. 

Visit ScottDunn.com