Several tour operators offer both winged expeditions and ground tours to the same area, giving travellers a choice between speed and economy. Based at intimate camp lodges, we jeeped amid the elephants of Chobe National Park's arid plains, bird-watched on foot in Moremi's open grasslands, and canoed around the rivers, lagoons and little islands of the lush Okavanga Delta's Xaxaba region. On a six-day photo expedition to the Magdalen Islands with Natural Habitat Adventures, we made daily helicopter excursions to frozen ice floes on the Gulf of St. Lawrence, where we watched fluffy white seal pups taking their first look at life with huge ebony eyes and cavorting with their fiercely protective moms. Following are some top guided adventures where winging it is part of the plan. The area abounds with moose, grizzlies, wolves, cougars and eagles.
Lodgings are in tented camps along the route.
Setting off to raft and kayak a stretch of B.C.'s Klinaklini River, after being air-lifted by helicopter. Using amphibious planes, Sky Trekking Alaska, above, takes guests to some of the most remote regions of the state for hiking, picnics, fishing and just savouring great views. For those who would rather get their adrenaline rush from peaks than rapids, Canadian Mountain Holidays uses helicopters to transport guests among remote stretches of the Purcell Mountains, west of Banff. Accommodations are at alpine inns, with sun decks, whirlpools and saunas. Wilderness Travel's Costa Rica Wildlife expedition explores an impressive array of habitats for such a small country.