Galapagos Safari Camp

Casa
Ecuador
Santa Cruz
Galapagos Safari Camp

Flexible and personalised, land and sea safaris in the Galapagos Islands.
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Bordering the pristine Galapagos National Park and nestled into the wild highlands of Santa Cruz Island, in the heart of the Galapagos Archipelago, our family-owned safari camp is ideally located - private, quiet, and far from the crowds of Puerto Ayora - making it the ideal base and perfect springboard for discovering the other-worldly landscapes, amazing wildlife and spell-binding magic of this

remote archipelago, made famous by Charles Darwin nearly two centuries ago. We are passionate about creating tailor-made Safaris, moments for you and your loved ones to have fun, connect and explore our wild world of incredible natural encounters.

30/10/2024

Enjoy this 22-second clip from the main lodge here at Galapagos Safari Camp, captured by one of our team members. Sound on to enjoy the birdlife and general ambiance that is audible at all times through the canvas walls of our secluded safari tents, found just below. As you can see, our location on Santa Cruz Island is just far enough away from the main tourist track to be incredibly peaceful, while close enough that remote, uninhabited islands are within reach.

29/10/2024

It's not exactly that the night sky in the Southern Hemisphere is that much brighter than up north—it's the fact that we are so far away from any significant source of light pollution! The Galapagos Islands are 600 miles, or 900 kilometers, off the coast of mainland Ecuador where urban hubs like Guayaquil or Quito would impact the visibility of the stars. This means that while stargazing isn't an often-cited reason visitors come to the Galapagos, it's definitely a highlight of any stay.

24/10/2024

Pictured here: a beautiful harvest of cúrcuma—or for our English speaking friends, turmeric! This incredible superfood and its antioxidant, curcumin, is widely recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties. It is also what gives turmeric its beautiful golden hue. We are lucky to be able to grow this flavorful root in our garden in the Galapagos Islands where our chefs can use it to add flavor, color, and a bit of wellness to a variety of dishes.

21/10/2024

Although pictured here by the sea, this impressive reptile is actually a Galapagos Land Iguana. The difference between marine iguanas and land iguanas is–as with most evolution here in the Galapagos–not so simple. In fact, there are several splits in the land iguana's genealogical tree. 🦎🌳

Those found on Santa Fe island are considered their own species, while the decidedly yellow iguanas (like the one pictured here) reside on the remaining islands. But that's not all—there is even a pink land iguana, found only on a particular volcano on Isabela Island! The existence of this beautiful lizard is a testimony to the fact that discoveries are always possible in a place like Galapagos, and that there is never a dull moment, either for scientists or visitors.

Learn more about the Galapagos Land Iguana and all our other endemic species at the link below.

https://www.galapagossafaricamp.com/wildlife/ -galapagos-land-iguana

17/10/2024

Our partnership with To'ak has yielded some delicious and visually stunning results over the years. Pictured here: our recent collaboration using salt and oranges, right from camp. 🍊🌊

Guests of Galapagos Safari Camp are invited to participate in a chocolate tasting during their stay, but for those who aren't traveling with us in the near future—don't dismay. You can also purchase To'ak online. We are likely biased, but we think this would make a particularly flavorful and thoughtful gift this holiday season!

14/10/2024

Is it just us, or does this handsome Red T**i Monkey seem to be beckoning you to come experience the rainforest? In honor of 🇪🇨, we're traveling to La Selva Ecolodge in the Ecuadorean Amazon. Here, guests spend their days canoeing on the surrounding lagoon and waterways of the Napo River and hiking lush rainforest trails. Afternoons and evenings are capped off with luxurious spa treatments and rooms complete with rainforest showers. And if all of this isn't enough to lure you in, the decadent meals cooked up by Head Chef Elvis will surely draw your attention.

Our Safari Designers are happy to help customize your trip to Ecuador, from the Amazon to the Galapagos. Get in touch at the link below.

https://www.galapagossafaricamp.com/contact-us/?source=Enquire+Page

11/10/2024

For travelers looking to go at their own pace, our bespoke land-based Galapagos safaris are just the thing. We work with you before you even arrive to customize an itinerary to the preferences of your group. That way, you can experience the archipelago the way 𝘺𝘰𝘶 want to.

Thank you to this recent traveler for leaving a review that highlights our unique approach to travel in the Galapagos Islands!

10/10/2024

Our mainland Ecuador team recently visited us here in camp, and these images are only some of the heartwarming snapshots taken during their stay! This gathering takes place each September, when we close down for a few weeks for a general refresh. ✨

This year, the team had fun learning some of the ropes about how things work on the ground–including a little housekeeping and time in the kitchen–and partaking the general magic of our guest experience. Although we are constantly in contact digitally, we think it's important for our team to gather every so often in person to have shared meals and moments like these.

07/10/2024

Why is it, exactly, that the animals on the Galapagos Islands don't seem to fear humans? The short answer is, we don't exactly know. Biologists speculate that in the absence of large predators, the creatures of the Galapagos–including its many birds, reptiles, and mammals–are simply unaccustomed to sensing humans as a threat. And while Darwin famously was able to throw his hat on top of unsuspecting small birds like finches, today they are typically less enthusiastic about being caught unaware.

This yellow warbler pictured here, however, demonstrates that although times have changed in the Galapagos Islands since the 1800s, not enough so that incredibly special interactions like this can still happen when you least expect it!

03/10/2024

There is still space to enjoy festive season with your family at Galapagos Safari Camp! We pride ourselves on our our ability to welcome multi-generational families who are eager to be active in nature, no matter what that looks like for you. Whether you stay together in the Family Suite or enjoy a number of canvas safari tents, each family's itinerary can be fully customized to your unique preferences.

Learn more about our availability–and what sets a land-based safari in the Galapagos apart–by contacting our Safari Designers at [email protected].

30/09/2024

While the lookouts from each of our nine safari-style canvas tents is incredible, so is the view from above! We think this vantage point offers a great feel for the safari camp experience, showing off just how "wild" our perch is here on Santa Cruz Island. As you can see, great care was taken during the construction of the camp not to disturb the vegetation, not only for the benefit of the land and animals who inhabit it, but also for our guests to have the most authentic experience possible. We welcome you to come and see for yourself!

28/09/2024

In honor of , allow us to call out these awesome young travelers nurturing tree saplings here in the Galapagos Islands! We don't celebrate our endemic plant life just one day of the year, though. While planning your trip with one of our Safari Designers, simply request to plant a tree during your stay and consider it booked. 🌱👩🏽‍🌾 Not only can this be a meaningful way to participate in our ongoing conservation efforts, but the ceremonial act of planting a tree can also be a beautiful way to mark a special occasion or honor the memory of a loved one.

26/09/2024

Hand-crafted meals, served with your regional beverage of choice and views of Galapagos National Park? Table for two, please! Our talented team can actually arrange a table for parties of any size, inside or out. This level of customization extends to our menu, which can be altered as needed to meet any dietary restriction. All that's left for you to do is enjoy the flavors of Ecuador and take in that view.

23/09/2024

Time for our latest delivery of ! We thought these snapshots shared by our team members on the ground in the Galapagos Islands are absolutely worth sharing with you, our friends and family around the world. In this series, you'll find...

1: Swallow-tailed gulls catching a rest midday. (These birds are actually nocturnal, an interesting adaptation!)
2: A seemingly massive sea lion 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 catching some zzzz's. It was a big week, apparently!
3: The slow-mo descent of a gull makes this one seem nearly as graceful as some of his or her other winged counterparts.
4: The Milky Way Galaxy, captured from our perch in the Southern Hemisphere (with a phone, no less!).
5: A Galapagos Land Iguana–sometimes confused as a Komodo Dragon by visitors–surveys his area.

19/09/2024

Get a feel for our safari-style canvas tents here in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. Far from camping, this weather-proof lodging style offers the best of both worlds: modern comforts like linens and electricity, without complete insulation from the natural world. Each tent features peekaboo views of the ocean below through natural vegetation, the sound of songbirds above, and the shuffling of Galapagos giant tortoises below. We like to think these four walls set the stage to encourage you to unplug from everyday life and tune into what really matters!

16/09/2024

This 🇪🇨, we return to Casa Gangotena in the historic UNESCO World Heritage Center of Quito. We don't know about you, but we can practically smell the roses in the atrium and the rich dishes being cooked up by Alejandro, pictured here! With all of its opulent details, Casa Gangotena makes for a great pairing with a trip to the Galapagos Islands.

Learn more about how to customize your ultimate journey through Ecuador with one of our Safari Designers at the link below.

https://www.galapagossafaricamp.com/contact-us/?source=Enquire+Page

13/09/2024

We invite each of our guests to slow down, just a little bit, upon arriving to our camp in the Galapagos Islands. By tuning in with the natural rhythm–like going to sleep a little earlier, and waking up without the help of devices but rather to the sound of birds stirring outside your tent–you are more likely to notice scenes like this one, captured by .

This nest was created by a Galapagos finch, a small endemic bird famous for its part in Darwin's theory of evolution. And that's not their only claim to fame! Popular biologist David Attenborough filmed a piece about the Galapagos finches and the general tameness of animals in the Islands at our swimming pool (a favorite spot with our ever-present resident finches). Proof that you never know what, or who, you might see on safari.
⁠

10/09/2024

When we say "welcome home," we mean it. We are so glad that the special effort our team puts in doesn't go unnoticed by sweet guests such as these! Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely review to help other travelers make informed decisions when planning their family travel. The businesses you choose to support, close to home and across the world, really do make a difference!

06/09/2024

Pictured here, our team member Juan harvests a beautiful crop of cacao grown on our property. What's chocolate doing in the Galapagos, you ask?

The story behind the first Galapagos Islands chocolate bar is a long one, and it beautifully encapsulates the passion and creativity possessed by our founders and team. It combines strategy–shade for our endemic reforestation project–with experiential audacity. Together with the help of our partners at To'ak, it's a project that supports the planet, people, and adds to the guest experience.

Read the full story–and find out how to book a Galapagos Safari Camp chocolate tasting–at the link below!

https://www.galapagossafaricamp.com/galapagos-safari-experiences/galapagos-chocolate-bar/

03/09/2024

In her recent podcast with Lea Lane (tune in at the link in our bio), our co-founder Stephanie answered a question about whether or not it's safe to swim with sharks in the Galapagos. 🦈🤿 And while we must always exercise caution while interacting with wildlife, this clip from our founders Michael and Stephanie shows that it's definitely safe to swim in close proximity with most species!

Learn more about the different species that inhabit our waters here in the Galapagos Islands at the link below.

https://www.galapagossafaricamp.com/wildlife/

30/08/2024

Your oasis for relaxation after an adventurous day exploring the Galapagos Islands. While chances are high that you'll fall asleep soon after your head hits the pillow in one of our nine canvas tents, you may also spend some time here, unplugged, as you finish up your day. Read a few chapters in that novel you've been meaning to enjoy, play a game of cards on the deck with your traveling companion, or write a letter home. With a setting like this there is really no wrong way to enjoy your time away from it all.

29/08/2024

Details throughout our camp shed light on its original inspiration: the rugged yet luxurious experience of an African safari. We think this hand-washing station found outside the main lodge has a decidedly 𝘖𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢 feel to it. (For those who have seen the film, many attributes of our property may look familiar!) It's also the perfect place to freshen up after an outing—particularly one involving saltwater. Comfort and convenience, without an "over the top" air, beautifully captured by Ken Kochey.

26/08/2024

Whether you've visited us once or five times, the taste journey through Galapagos Safari Camp is always experienced for the first time. That's because our dishes are ever-evolving with what's fresh caught, what's locally sourced, what's growing right in our garden down the hill. The one constant is that there are always four-courses on the dinner menu. Plus, we can always customize to any dietary restrictions so that you can savor all the flavors of Ecuador, the way you prefer. ¡Salud!

23/08/2024

If you’re curious about traveling to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, this podcast is a great place to start. Join host Lea Lane on "Places I Remember" as she interviews Katie McDonough, executive director of custom travel at Explore, Inc, and Galapagos Safari Camp co-founder Stephanie Bonham Carter. You’ll come away with the answers to these questions, personal stories, and tidbits like where to find the “Mitad del Mundo.”

Find the full podcast, here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ecuador-quito-and-the-galapagos-islands/id1554088083?i=1000664440217

23/08/2024

As you turn your lights off in your private canvas tent, the stars and passing clouds of the Southern Hemisphere dance across the sky. On a clear night, the Galapagos Islands are an incredible destination for star gazing. And no matter the weather (or moon phase), it's 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 a peaceful night sleeping in the Santa Cruz Highlands.

Another capture from our dear friend Clark Kotula Representation & Sales Support. ✨

Dirección

Finca Palo Santo
Santa Cruz
200350

Página web

http://www.galapagossafaricamp.com/

Notificaciones

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Videos

In her recent podcast with Lea Lane (tune in at the link in our bio), our co-founder Stephanie answered a question about whether or not it's safe to swim with sharks in the Galapagos. 🦈🤿 And while we must always exercise caution while interacting with wildlife, this clip from our founders Michael and Stephanie shows that it's definitely safe to swim in close proximity with most species! Learn more about the different species that inhabit our waters here in the Galapagos Islands at the link below. https://www.galapagossafaricamp.com/wildlife/ #Galapagos #GalapagosIslands #Snorkel #WhitetipReefShark #FamilyTravel #GoPro #FamilyVacation #TravelWithKids #AppropriateLuxury #TheCoolHunter #BestPlacesToGo #BespokeTravel #GalapagosSafariCamp

As you turn your lights off in your private canvas tent, the stars and passing clouds of the Southern Hemisphere dance across the sky. On a clear night, the Galapagos Islands are an incredible destination for star gazing. And no matter the weather (or moon phase), it's 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 a peaceful night sleeping in the Santa Cruz Highlands. Another capture from our dear friend Clark Kotula Representation & Sales Support. ✨ #WelcomeHome #Galapagos #GalapagosIslands #FamilyTravel #FamilyVacation #TravelWithKids #AppropriateLuxury #StarGazing #Timelapse #SafariCamp #GalapagosSafariCamp

Welcome home. We will forever cherish this beautiful clip from our dear friend Clark Kotula Representation & Sales Support featuring our main entryway and view from the lodge. From the vegetation-lined walkway through the interior to the floor-to-ceiling windows, we hope our intention of “bringing the outside in” shines through every visit to our home here in the Galapagos Islands. (And our smiling team members are truly the cherry on top!) #WelcomeHome #Galapagos #GalapagosIslands #FamilyTravel #FamilyVacation #TravelWithKids #AppropriateLuxury #TheCoolHunter #BestPlacesToGo #BespokeTravel #GalapagosSafariCamp

In honor of #WorldOceansDay, we're celebrating the incredibly rich waters that make up our beautiful archipelago in the Galapagos Islands. It's here that three distinct ocean currents converge–the Humboldt, Panama, and Cromwell–creating an environment unlike anywhere else on earth. The Humboldt Current, named after German naturalist and polymath Alexander Von Humboldt whose name graces an impressive number of natural features across the Americas, plays perhaps the biggest role in life in the Galapagos. It draws cold, nutrient-dense water up from Antarctica, supporting many of our species—from plankton to penguins and even orca whales. Even without a biology degree, we think that learning more about our unique setting is a rewarding way to more fully enjoy your time on vacation in the Galapagos Islands! #GalapagosIslands #GalapagosSafariCamp #WorldOceansDay #SustainableTravel #EcoTravel #ConsciousTravel #Conservation #WaterConservation #AppropriateLuxury #FamilyVacation #FamilyTrip

Easily one of the most charismatic of our endemic creatures, the Galapagos Penguin. 🐧🫶🏼 A close relative of the Humboldt Penguin, which seasonally makes its way from the colder regions of Chile as far north as southern continental Ecuador, it is surmised that these individuals were originally Humboldt penguins who lost their way. Evolving to the warmer climate of the Galapagos archipelago, today they are the smallest penguin on the planet—roughly half the height of the Emperor Penguin in the south pole. Only about 2,000 of these charming birds remain, resulting in their current endangered status. Guests hoping to spot a Galapagos Penguin, as @ckknowslatinamerica did here, will want to partake in our Isabela Island Safari or Bartolomé Island excursion for the best odds of ticking this one off the list! #darwin #evolution #galapagospenguin #penguins #galapagos #galapagosislands #endangeredspecies #birdlover #wildlifelover #wildlifephotography #birdphotography #birder #birdsofinstagram #galapagossafaricamp

A member of our welcoming committee, seen here shirking his duties. This mammoth Galapagos Giant Tortoise is one of the largest we've ever seen in camp! These incredible animals can live to be nearly 200 years old, which means that it's possible that this tortoise was born shortly after Charles Darwin visited our archipelago in the 1830s. A true testament to slowing down! #galapagos #galapagosislands #familytravel #familyvacation #travelwithkids #safaricamp #tentedcamp #appropriateluxury #multigenerationaltravel #honeymoonidea #thecoolhunter #bestplacestogo #bespoketravel #galapagossafaricamp

These playful sea lion pups recorded during a recent safari perfectly summarize a day spent with our guides in the Galapagos: full of energizing activity and juuust the right amount of spontaneity! Whether you're a seasoned wildlife observer or are seeing large mammals like these in their natural habitat for the first time, one thing is abundantly clear—Galapagos wildlife does not exhibit a fear of humans, making the potential for each sighting to be one truly one of a kind. #galapagos #galapagosislands #wildlifelover #wildlifephotography #wildlifesafari #sealion #endemicspecies #flagshipspecies #galapagossafaricamp

Our co-founder Michael recently captured this lively scene during his arrival transfer from the airport to camp. The location is the Itabaca Channel, separating the airport island of Baltra from Santa Cruz, and pictured are dozens of blue-footed boobies in flight and atop the surface (as well as a couple of pelicans) during a feeding frenzy. A 29-second reminder that from the moment you arrive in the Galapagos, there is always something to see! #galapagos #galapagosislands #wildlifelover #wildlifephotography #wildlifesafari #pacificocean #feedingfrenzy #birdwatching #birdsofecuador #galapagossafaricamp

It's impossible to guarantee wildlife sightings on any vacation, but during your stay here at Galapagos Safari Camp, the odds of seeing a Galapagos Tortoise are definitely high. In fact, you might even have to walk around one on the way to your tent! #galapagos #galapagosislands #gianttortoise #wildlifevacation #wildlifelovers #wildlife #naturelovers #safari #sustainability #conservation #environmentalism #appropriateluxury

If you've been following along for some time (or we have had the pleasure of hosting you), you may be familiar with our resident barn owls! We previously introduced one of our common winged visitors, Albert, but here is another juvenile barn owl captured recently on the railing of the lodge. While the hidden lives of owls will remain a mystery to us for now, we suspect that he is posturing to determine who is "in charge" of the area. Plenty of room for everyone, fellas! #galapagossafaricamp #galapagosislands #galapagos #barnowl #owls #barnowls #birding #birdwatching #birdwatchingvacation #birdlovers #birdsofinstagram #wildlife #naturelovers #birdlife #wildlifevacation #onsafari #safari

If this video from Clark Kotula Representation & Sales Support is any indication, wildlife viewing in the Galapagos Islands can often be an up-close-and-personal experience. There are very few places in the world visitors can see completely wild animals at such close proximity! The Galapagos Giant Tortoise pictured here is one of 12 unique species of tortoise found in our archipelago. Each has its own unique adaptations to the specific environments found on the given island, such as the amount of available vegetation and the terrain. But the most impressive fact relative to this video is undoubtedly the sheer size of these shelled creatures; they can weigh over 500 pounds! #galapagos #galapagosislands #gianttortoise #wildlifevacation #wildlifelovers #wildlife #naturelovers #safari #sustainability #conservation #environmentalism #appropriateluxury

A recent capture from our Observation Deck: a timelapse of the sun setting over the archipelago. This west-facing structure is a wonderful place to enjoy a hand-crafted cocktail (like the GSC Mule we recently shared), compare stories from the day's adventures, or quietly reflect and journal on your experience in the Galapagos thus far. No matter how you enjoy the sunset, we know you'll agree it's a sensational view! ⁠ #sundowners #happyhour #appropriateluxury #galapagossafaricamp #galapagos #galapagosislands #cocktailhour #foodievacation #reflect #journal #wellness #restorativetravel #timelapse #sunset

If you've ever been curious as to what Galapagos Safari Camp looks like to passing gulls, herons, and other winged species—Clark Kotula is here to help out with some footage from his trip earlier this year! This vantage point shows just how seamlessly each of the tents and the lodge itself tucks into the landscape of the highlands here on Santa Cruz Island. In fact, during construction of Galapagos Safari Camp, a grand total of only three trees were cut down. Learn more about our sustainability initiatives that have been with us since the very beginning at the link below! https://www.galapagossafaricamp.com/sustainability/ #galapagos #galapagosislands #gianttortoise #wildlifevacation #wildlifelovers #wildlife #naturelovers #safari #sustainability #conservation #environmentalism #appropriateluxury