Luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent has revealed its forecast for the destinations set to define travel in 2026. As travellers continue to seek more meaningful journeys, the coming year promises exploration that combines discovery, culture and personal renewal.
After a period of shifting global priorities, travellers are venturing further afield with a desire to connect deeply with people and places.
Cristina Levis, CEO of Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group, says guests are looking for experiences that do more than delight the eye.
“We’re witnessing a shift towards intentional travel,” she says. “Our guests want experiences that challenge perspectives and create lasting impact. They are looking for journeys that forge real connections with place and purpose.”
Here are the ten destinations that Abercrombie & Kent’s experts believe will shape travel in 2026.
Kenya continues to define the modern safari experience and remains one of Africa’s most captivating destinations.
In 2026, the opening of Kitirua Plains Lodge in Amboseli National Park marks a new chapter for the company, sixty years after Geoffrey Kent pioneered the luxury safari.
Overlooking Mount Kilimanjaro, the lodge’s thirteen suites sit amid vast herds of elephants and open plains. Travellers can combine Amboseli with stays at Olonana in the Maasai Mara and Tambarare Camp in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, where they can see the last two northern white rhinos on Earth.
In Peru, the lesser-known site of Choquequirao offers a rare chance to experience Incan heritage away from the crowds.
Often called Machu Picchu’s sister city, Choquequirao is accessible only on foot and receives fewer visitors in a year than Machu Picchu does in a day. Abercrombie & Kent’s new trek to the site pairs adventure with archaeology, tracing the story of the Inca civilisation from its zenith to its last stronghold.
Egypt enters a new era with the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza Pyramids in November 2025.
Home to 100,000 artefacts, including all of Tutankhamun’s treasures displayed together for the first time, it will become one of the world’s greatest cultural landmarks. Travellers can explore aboard the new Nile Seray, a contemporary cruiser with thirty-two suites, or sail privately along the river on a dahabiya such as Zein Nile Chateau for a more exclusive experience.
Far to the north, Lapland is set to dazzle as the Northern Lights reach their brightest in over a decade.
Travellers seeking both adventure and wellbeing will find treehouse hotels, ice therapy and serene wilderness. Abercrombie & Kent’s journeys through Finland and Sweden combine Arctic exploration with moments of stillness under glowing skies.
Iceland offers another extraordinary celestial event in 2026 when a total solar eclipse will cross the island on 12 August.
Combined with the solar maximum, it promises the most spectacular auroras in years. The country’s volcanic landscapes, glaciers and geothermal pools provide a striking setting for these cosmic displays. Abercrombie & Kent’s Diamond Circle itinerary takes travellers into the island’s remote north, where they can witness nature’s power at its peak.
In India, conservation success is the draw.
Fifty years after Project Tiger began, Madhya Pradesh now hosts the highest concentration of Bengal tigers in the country. Abercrombie & Kent’s Tailormade Tiger Tracking journey explores three of the state’s national parks, combining thrilling wildlife encounters with insight into India’s remarkable rewilding story.
Mongolia, long considered a frontier destination, is now more accessible thanks to new direct flights from Tokyo. Its vast steppes, starry skies and enduring nomadic traditions make it a place where time seems to stand still. During the Naadam Festival, visitors can witness traditional contests of wrestling, horse racing and archery that date back centuries. Abercrombie & Kent’s small group journey combines the festival’s colour with the raw beauty of the Gobi Desert.
Botswana’s Okavango Delta remains one of the world’s most pristine ecosystems and a favourite for those seeking privacy and romance. The newly rebuilt Baines’ Lodge sits on a private concession where guests may see more elephants than people. Each riverside suite offers dramatic views and a star bath beneath the African sky, setting a new standard for remote luxury.
For eco-luxury adventure, Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula stands apart. Home to Corcovado National Park, described as the most biologically intense place on Earth, it shelters nearly three percent of all species on the planet. Accessible only by boat, Osa remains wonderfully untouched. Abercrombie & Kent’s Cruising and Wildlife in Costa Rica charter takes guests through this remote region by yacht, combining naturalist-led excursions with barefoot elegance.
Rounding out the list is South Korea, where Seoul’s cultural momentum continues to grow. The capital blends centuries-old temples with futuristic design, street markets with Michelin-starred dining, and ancient traditions with modern creativity. Abercrombie & Kent’s Temples and Seoul Food itinerary reveals the many layers of the city, from quiet courtyards to vibrant nightlife.
From legacy safaris and archaeological adventures to eclipse chasing and conservation journeys, Abercrombie & Kent’s 2026 forecast highlights travel that goes deeper than the ordinary. The year ahead promises experiences that inspire connection, celebrate culture and remind us why exploration remains one of life’s greatest privileges.
