In an age of AI and instant bookings – when a holiday can be secured with Apple Pay in seconds, and algorithms promise the ‘perfect’ escape with a mere prompt – we at OutThere will always champion conviction over convenience. More than ever, it is important to know who to trust with your time, your money, your values and your sense of wonder, which is why Scott Dunn’s 40th anniversary in 2026 feels so significant: forty years of hands-on experience, knowing what works, what doesn’t and when to pivot. In a world of fleeting trends and fleeting trust, forty years isn’t just a milestone – it’s the ultimate credential.
Founded in 1986, Scott Dunn has witnessed seismic shifts in how – and why – we travel. Borders have opened and closed, expectations have evolved, and the definition of luxury has been fundamentally rewritten and continues to change. Yet one principle has remained steadfast: putting the guest and experience at the heart of every journey. This is their lived philosophy, refined over four decades of listening, learning and leading.
To celebrate Scott Dunn’s 40th anniversary, the luxury tour operator has unveiled The 40 Collection – forty exceptional journeys designed to distil everything the brand has learned about meaningful – and OutThere – travel. And many of the journeys in The 40 Collection lean into the idea of transformation: travel as a catalyst for connection, understanding and growth. These aren’t just ‘greatest-hits’ itineraries, nor are they celebrations of the past. Instead, they are carefully curated experiences shaped by on-the-ground expertise, deep local relationships and a belief that travel should transform you. It’s all about where travel is now and, more so, where it’s going. Scott Dunn’s 40th anniversary journeys offer a real sense of timing and context, and an understanding that luxury today is defined less by excess and more by access, insight and care. Moreover, they have been crafted to turn a holiday into something extraordinary, designed to spark curiosity and stir the senses.
For OutThere travellers – curious, conscious and culturally fluent – 40 years of experience matters because trust matters. In a world saturated with choice, discernment is everything. Scott Dunn’s teams personally visit and trial every property and experience they recommend. Nothing is theoretical, trend-driven or merely fashionable. Nothing is outsourced to guesswork. It’s this hands-on approach that transforms your holiday into something far more individual and deeply personal, whether that’s tracking wildlife responsibly in Africa, unlocking after-hours access to historic sites, or discovering emerging destinations before they hit the headlines.
And longevity alone isn’t the story. Innovation is. Scott Dunn’s future-facing mindset is evident in how it continues to shape the next chapter of luxury travel – from championing emerging destinations to setting new standards for responsible experiences. Its robust Animal Welfare Policy ensures encounters with the natural world are ethical and respectful, allowing travellers to witness beauty without compromise. Sustainability isn’t an add-on here; it’s embedded. There’s also a shared alignment with OutThere’s values of purpose and diversity. Travel, at its best, expands empathy. We love that many of Scott Dunn’s 40th anniversary journeys challenge assumptions, foster connection, and go deeper to amplify underrepresented voices. Scott Dunn understands that transformative travel isn’t just about where you go, but how you engage – with people, cultures and environments.
As Scott Dunn celebrates this anniversary, it does so with its eyes firmly on the horizon – curious, ambitious, responsible. Because the most exciting journeys are still to come – and experience, it turns out, is not just something worth celebrating – it’s worth following. Here are some amazing experiences from The 40 Collection that caught our eyes and are inspiring our New Year’s resolutions.
Go wild
Botswana
Head to the wild heart of the Kalahari for a journey that awakens the senses and stirs the soul. With the San Bushmen as your guides, Africa’s oldest traditions of storytelling and survival come alive as you learn to read the land, track wildlife, find water and uncover the healing secrets of native plants. Set within Botswana’s most exclusive landscapes, where private concessions and intimate camps ensure it is just you, your guide, and the wild, the experience includes gliding through the Okavango Delta and exploring remote corners of this extraordinary land. This is more than a safari – it is a transformative encounter with nature that teaches humility, curiosity, resilience and inspires deeper connections.
Change your stripes
India
Embark on a private safari deep into India’s wilderness in pursuit of the elusive Bengal tiger, across landscapes carved by roaring rivers, dense jungles and rich wildlife. Guided by expert naturalists, track tigers through Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserves, glimpse leopards slipping silently through the undergrowth, and encounter Indian bison and sloth bears. Each day brings high-stakes exploration on foot and by vehicle, while evenings are spent in secluded luxury lodges surrounded by the sounds of the jungle. This immersion is a test of patience and perception, offering intimate encounters with nature that leave a lasting impression of these extraordinary ecosystems.
Take me there >
Empower future generations
South Africa
Time travel to the future of South Africa, while empowering the next generation and celebrating girl power on a tour that brings Cape Town’s vibrant cultural and social heartbeat to life, guided by an inspiring Rock Girl trainee. This pioneering initiative trains girls aged 14–18 from underserved communities to become confident, economically independent adventure leaders. Each tour sparks meaningful connections between travellers and local teens while directly supporting a 100% non-profit organisation, showing how courage, curiosity and collaboration can transform lives and communities. Plus, there’s nowhere in the world quite as OutThere as Cape Town!
Take me there >
Take a plunge
Antarctica
Experience Antarctica like never before with a polar snorkelling adventure that literally and metaphorically plunges you beneath the frozen surface into a world of shimmering ice formations and vibrant marine life. Swim alongside darting penguins and graceful seals, marvel at glowing blue icebergs from below, and trace the path of legendary explorers across sculptural icefields and vast ice expanses. Each day brings brand new adventures – from zodiac landings and icy hikes to sea kayaking, a polar plunge, or even a heli-tour above the pristine wilderness. This is a wake-up call that inspires courage, deepens awe, and cultivates appreciation for one of the planet’s most extraordinary and fragile landscapes.
Climb new heights
Italy
Feel your pulse quicken in the Italian Dolomites, where adventure meets awe at every turn. Scale the via ferrata, gripping steel cables and ladders as alpine vistas stretch endlessly around you, then plunge into the rush of white-water rafting, carving through wild currents and discovering the mountains from a thrilling new angle. Venture beyond the adrenaline to other, calmer parts of the country, with insider experiences: glide across the glassy waters of Lake Garda, paddle through the untamed Lake Cedrino. This journey leaves you exhilarated yet contemplative, a chance to pause, absorb the landscapes and culture around you, and carry the quiet intensity of these extraordinary experiences home with you.
Take me there >
Reach for the stars
Chile
Awaken your spirit of discovery in the otherworldly landscapes of Moon Valley in the Atacama Desert and the shimmering blue glaciers and soaring granite spires of Patagonia. Watch salt flats and sculpted dunes glow in gold and crimson at sunset, then surrender to the night as the Milky Way stretches overhead during a private stargazing session guided by a world-renowned astronomer. Glide over the desert in a hot air balloon, kayak on crystal-clear lakes, fish in tranquil rivers and ride horseback through evergreen forests. This incredible adventure sparks curiosity, sharpens presence, and fosters a profound respect for the extraordinary forces of nature that shape our world.
Take me there >
Discover The 40 Collection
As Scott Dunn marks 40 years of exploration, The 40 Collection captures the essence of the brand: a legacy built on unforgettable journeys and a future fuelled by curiosity. More than a celebration, it is a promise – to lead you to new horizons, craft experiences that linger long after you return, and continue shaping responsible luxury travel for generations to come.
www.scottdunn.com
Photography courtesy of Scott Dunn
