Each of the destinations on our list comes with its own charm-and it's own set of challenges. In these places a guide can help with everything from navigating a complicated bureaucracy to sidestepping common scams to getting your point across in a foreign language. For each place we've identified here, we also recommend a tour, and most of them offer free time and some customization. Some of the tours save you money, others cost a little bit extra, but all of them include airport transfers, entrance fees, and a few meals-not to mention a hefty dose of protection against anxiety. Yes, it is possible to go all of these places on your own, but it's a lot smarter to go

Kenya

Kenya isn't a large country, especially compared with, say, China, but the major parks are in various corners, meaning multiple flights to schedule if you want to see the Big Five on the green hills of the Maasai Mara down in the southwest and the reticulated giraffes on the lava plains of the Samburu Game Reserve in the north near Ethiopia. Like the Galapagos, expert guides mean better access and chances for wildlife viewing-not to mention safety. Going out into a wilderness full of carnivorous animals is not the time to skimp on quality, whether it's tour guides with expert knowledge of navigating the habitats or a company with up-to-date equipment and well-serviced vehicles.
Sample tour: Friendly Planet's nine-night Kenya Wildlife Safari starts in Nairobi and includes exploration in Samburu Game Reserve, OL Pejeta Conservancy, Lake Nakuru National Park, and Masai Mara National Reserve. friendlyplanet.com. From $3,299 per person including roundtrip airfare between New York and Nairobi.