EXPERT FEMALE HOSTS, KATE HUMBLE AND MARTHA KEARNEY, TO LEAD NEW GUIDED TOURS TO ZAMBIA AND THE GALAPAGOS WITH STEPPES TRAVEL

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Monday 29th September: Adventure tour operator, Steppes Travel, is proud to announce the addition of two new departures to its portfolio: Zambia with Kate Humble and Galapagos with Martha Kearney.

Renowned British broadcaster, Kate Humble, will host an immersive safari across Zambia’s South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi, joined by award-winning photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam, while Martha Kearney will host an exclusive Galapagos Islands cruise aboard Natural Paradise, combining wildlife encounters with her passion for conservation and decades of broadcasting experience.

The introduction of these two new expert-led group tours further cement Steppes Travel’s commitment to champion female leadership in travel. These journeys will put female expertise centre stage, giving travellers the chance to learn directly from two of the UK’s most respected voices.

Zambia Safari with Kate Humble: a nine-night journey shaped by the wild beauty of Zambia and hosted by writer and broadcaster, Kate Humble

Best known for her work with wildlife and science, particularly with the BBC, at the age of 19 Kate travelled solo to Africa and fell in love with the continent, its people and its wildlife, and has travelled back countless times since.

Travellers joining Kate for this memorable Steppes Travel trip, in partnership with Nikon’s Comedy Wildlife Awards, will stay in riverside safari camps in South Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi, exploring on foot, by canoe, and on game drives alongside some of Africa’s most accomplished guides.

The group will be joined by award-winning photographers, Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam - co-founders of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, bringing a creative and conservation-focused perspective to the safari. With a longstanding and rich tradition of exceptional guiding, South Luangwa is one of the few parks in Africa where walking safaris are possible, offering the rare chance to encounter lions and leopards on foot.

With a maximum group size of ten people, this Zambian itinerary with Kate Humble will give travellers the best chance for an intimate experience to see Africa’s diverse wildlife up close.

£££: Steppes Travel’s expert-guided ten-day Zambia Safari with Kate Humble, in partnership with Nikon’s Comedy Wildlife Awards, is priced from £12,950 per person, including accommodation, all meals and standard bar drinks, all park fees, transfers and transport listed and listed activities. Excludes international flights. Departure date: 20 August 2026.

Cruise the Galapagos Islands with Martha Kearney: an exclusive charter of Natural Paradise limited to just 15 guests

Travellers will join award-winning BBC broadcaster, Martha Kearney, on an exclusive charter of Natural Paradise, limited to just 15 guests. Martha is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster, best known for presenting BBC Radio Four’s ‘Today Programme’, as well as hosting her own show, ‘This Natural Life’, leading on-location interviews with celebrity guests who share their deep connection with nature and how the natural world inspires and influences their everyday lives.

Sailing across eight islands, visitors will encounter the endemic wildlife that inspired Darwin, from marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies to penguins and sea lions, guided by expert naturalists to provide in-depth knowledge of the local biodiversity and history. Alongside daily hikes across volcanic terrain, snorkelling with sea lions and panga rides, Martha will share her passion for nature and conservation, drawing on her acclaimed work.

The exclusive charter for Steppes Travel with Natural Paradise is limited to a maximum of 15 guests, providing an intimate atmosphere onboard, as well as low-impact and seamless shore landings. The nine cabins vary from standard cabins with porthole windows to suites with private balconies for prime wildlife viewing.

By joining this voyage, travellers also contribute to the Galapagos Conservation Trust, with £75 per booking donated by Steppes Travel in addition to national park fees. Funds support projects such as Iguanas from Above, which monitors endangered marine iguanas using drone technology.

£££: Steppes Travel’s expert-led 10-day Cruise the Galapagos Islands with Martha Kearney is priced from £7,250 per person, including all accommodation, all meals, internal flights, transfers and transport, listed tourist cards and national park fees and listed activities. Excludes international flights. Departure date: 31 May 2026

The Steppes Fund for Female Guides

These two new group tours are being launched alongside continued work for the Steppes Fund for Female Guides which aims to give women access to education and training that will give them the knowledge and skills required to pursue a fulfilling and prosperous career as a guide.

In Sri Lanka, Steppes Travel continues to support the training of female guides along the Pekoe Trail. Following the successful completion of phase one earlier this year, which trained 20 women in outdoor leadership and heritage interpretation, phase two will train a further 16 women in Nuwara Eliya and Kandy later this autumn.

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ABOUT STEPPES TRAVEL

Founded in 1989 by Nick Laing, Steppes Travel has over three decades of experience designing and delivering luxury tailor-made holidays and inspiring group tours to more than 100 countries across the globe.

Every itinerary is individually crafted by a dedicated travel specialist, drawing on first-hand knowledge, trusted local partners, and access to leading experts and guides. The result is a portfolio of journeys that go far beyond the ordinary.

Whether it’s wildlife safaris in Africa, family adventures in the Galápagos, cultural journeys along the Silk Road or ocean voyages in remote archipelagos, Steppes offers an extraordinary breadth of experiences where every journey is curated with expert guides and a commitment to positive environmental and social impact.

A certified B Corporation since August 2022, Steppes believes in travel that supports our collective responsibility to positive change and integrates purpose throughout its operations. Its initiatives include the Steppes Fund for Change (with projects like the Steppes Fund for Female Guides), conservation partnerships, blue carbon efforts, and community regeneration such as their Scunthorpe community forest project in partnership with the Woodland Trust.

Every itinerary aims to go beyond the ordinary, offering remoteness, expert-led storytelling, and meaningful experiences. Discover more at www.steppestravel.com

UK Press Enquiries:

Kristie Crozier & Jess Cochrane at Lemongrass Travel PR  

E: steppestravel@lemongrassmarketing.com

T: +44 (0)1865 237 990