GowayPro Travel Tales

The anticipation of travelling to a new destination is almost palpable. You’ve done your research, likely spoken to someone who has been there before, and begun daydreaming of your adventure. However, you’re also aware of how your expectations may differ from reality. We put this scenario to the test with our National Sales Manager for the US, Ian Smyth, who recently visited Kenya for the first time. We sat down with Ian to discuss how his expectations compared to the reality of his journey. Join Professor Goway Don Forster and Ian Smyth on the latest episode of the GowayPro Travel Tales Podcast to learn how dream vacations turn into reality.

The Pantanal is the world’s largest tropical wetland, stretching across Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay. It is also one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife sanctuaries. The Pantanal’s seasonal pulse, shaped by a dramatic cycle of floods and drought, creates a paradise for photographers: mirror-smooth blue lagoons, endless skies, and golden savannas sprinkled with giant water lilies and winding river channels. You can also expect to spot giant river otters, capybaras, caimans, tapirs, and a rainbow of birdlife, including the stunning hyacinth macaw. It is also the most reliable place on Earth to see jaguars in the wild. Listen to the latest episode of the GowayPro Travel Tales Podcast to hear from two Goway Destination Specialists who just returned from the Pantanal and discover why Brazil and the Pantanal should be at the top of any South America itinerary.

What is your choice – a big white ship like NCL, Celebrity, Carnival or Royal Caribbean with 3000 or more people on board or a more intimate experience in Antarctica, off the Kimberley Coast of Australia, on the Amazon, in the Galapagos or even Baja California? Expedition Cruises are small ship options and are often guided by experts such as naturalists, historians, or scientists who provide deeper insight into the environment, wildlife, and culture. Join Karl Kannstadter, V.P. Content Strategy – Exploration from the Signature Travel Network and in the past, Silversea and Quark Expeditions, as he passes on his first-hand practical and selling experiences of why Expedition Cruising should be a cruising option you present to your sea-faring and intrepid travellers. Expedition cruising is about “where you go and what you experience,” not just the ship you travel on. Join us and learn why!

With almost 20 years in the safari business and three highly acclaimed books to his name, private guide Peter Allison talks us through what Botswana means to him, and what you can expect for your client. On his nineteenth birthday, Peter decided to adventure to Africa, explore, and learn to become a safari guide. Peter Allison’s passion for wildlife and conservation is infectious, so join Don and Peter and be “infected” with a unique insight into Botswana through Peter’s decades-long work protecting, observing, and helping others explore Botswana and Africa.

Easily one of the most sought-after experiences in the travel world – a trek to see the Mountain Gorilla in Rwanda and or Uganda. Beyond the face-to-face encounter with these majestic animals, there is the cultural immersion with the local communities who also benefit from a trek into the rainforest, and…..you can meet our closest relatives – the Chimpanzee – all in the same trip! Join Professor Goway as he chats to Debbie Addison, owner of Wild Frontiers, who specialise and Gorilla and Chimp trekking, and her daughter, Semliki, for a practical and generational chat about all things Rwanda, Uganda, Chimp and Gorilla.

Carla Vantull of Wilderness Explorers Guyana and President of Emerging Destinations Jane Behrend join host Don Forster on theGowayPro Travel Tales Podcast to discuss all of the reasons why travellers should not overlook Guyana when planning a trip to South America. Enjoy expert insights into Guyana’s rich biodiversity, indigenous cultures, seasonal and accessibility considerations, and unique travel experiences awaiting your clients. Discover Guyana’s untamed natural beauty and exciting urban energy from the leaders in tailor-made travel.

Valencia seamlessly blends 2,000 years of history with cutting-edge modern design, making it one of Europe’s most dynamic and accessible destinations. As Spain’s third-largest city, it offers the cultural richness of Barcelona or Madrid without the overwhelming crowds, all while maintaining an authentic Mediterranean charm that captivates first-time visitors and seasoned travellers alike. Join Professor Goway and Eva Fernandez from Valencia Tourism and discover why this Mediterranean city is the perfect alternative choice for your Spanish or European getaway.

The Great Migration is the ever-moving circular migration of over a million animals across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem and one of the most sought-after experiences for wildlife and nature enthusiasts worldwide. The constant movement of columns of wildebeest, joined by a host of companions, including predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas, as they follow an age-old route in search of grazing and water. After calving in the southern part of Tanzania’s Serengeti near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the animals journey through the Serengeti up and around in a clockwise direction towards the Masai Mara in Kenya, before returning once again near the end of the year. Join Professor Goway and James Haigh, a leading figure in the African tourism industry with over 15 years of extensive experience as a guide, lodge manager, overland driver, and marketing manager across multiple East African countries, as they discuss the beautiful intricacies of the Great Migration.

Project Rhino is an association of like-minded organizations, facilitating rhino conservation interventions aimed at eliminating rhino poaching and securing the white and black rhino populations of KwaZulu-Natal. The association is also aware that the poaching of rhinos is symptomatic of the overall, bigger environmental crises facing South Africa and its neighbours. Join Professor Goway, Don Forster and the Director of Project Rhino, Grant Fowles and get a glimpse into the world of conservation in Africa and the great work this organization is doing. “What motivates us daily is the dream of both White and Black rhino species thriving in KwaZulu-Natal and far beyond – forever free, forever secure from poaching, well managed and protected. We honour their uniqueness as one of the primary icons of Africa’s great wilderness areas.”

Taronga Zoo might be one of the best-located zoos in the world with stunning views over Sydney Harbour, but dig a little deeper and you’ll see that this century-old institution has evolved into a world-leading conservation organization dedicated to securing a future for wildlife and people. A great day out at Taronga isn’t just a great day out; it has the power to protect. Taronga is not-for-profit, so whether you visit, stay overnight, donate, become a Zoo Parent, book an unforgettable behind-the-scenes experience or buy a gift for a loved one, every dollar you spend helps save wildlife. Did you know you can also stay at Taronga to not only have close access to the animals but to base yourself on exploratory trips around Sydney and its greater surrounds? Nor did I. Join me, Professor Goway, Monika Townsend, Trade Marketing Manager, Nic Boyle, Executive Director, Taronga Sydney as they discuss how Taronga has evolved from a school outing for Ozzie kids, to a multiple-day experience!

Famous for Carnaval, the Amazon, Ipanema Beach, Iguassu Falls, Corcovado, Sugar Loaf, Parilla, Beaches and Capoeira Brazil is a magnet for the Globetrotter looking for a different kind of Latin America. But Brazil is more than these famous sites, sounds and experiences. There is the Pantanal, a vast wetland comparable to the Okavango Delta rich in wildlife; the African cultural hub of Salvador, where African beats, culture and a rass roots celebration of Carnaval flourishes; Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, a unique landscape of white sand dunes and seasonal blue lagoons, creating a surreal and beautiful environment; Fernando de Noronha, an archipelago with stunning beaches, clear waters, and abundant marine life, making it a popular destination for divers and nature lovers. And there is more. And there is more. Join Carlos Barros, Alisson Andrede and Don Forster as they delve into these hidden Gems of Brazil.

Join “Professor” Goway and Jason Stratford, Goway Account Manager as he, Jason, recounts his recent visit to Switzerland. See how the Swiss Alps don’t just dominate the landscape — they define it. Yet for all its natural splendor, Switzerland is not wild. It is refined. And oh, the trains. To ride the Glacier Express is to trace a line through wonder. The cuisine, like everything else in Switzerland, balances indulgence with intention. Melted Gruyère and Emmental bubble in cauldrons of fondue, best shared with laughter and crusty bread. Switzerland doesn’t shout. It whispers. And in that whisper, travelers hear something rare and profound: the sound of balance, the song of a place that has nothing to prove, and everything to share. Come and listen to the “whispers” of Jason.

There are mountains, and then there is Kilimanjaro — the great snow-capped crown of Africa. It doesn’t roar or boast. It simply rises. Silent and impossibly beautiful. To trek Kilimanjaro is to answer a call — not just to adventure, but to exploration. To answer the call of running its Marathon is, some would say, crazy….for the runners out there – it is the challenge! From the moment your boots touch the forest floor of the lower slopes, it is a world alive with monkeys, birdsong, and the damp scent of moss and growth. Summit day is something else entirely. You leave in darkness, headlamps dancing like fireflies along the narrow path but as the sun cracks the horizon and spills gold across the glaciers, the Africa plains lie below you. Join “Professor” Goway and Debbie Anderson as they discuss all the ways to get to the top as well as why and how you can partake in the famed Kilimanjaro Marathon.