Solo trips, e-bikes, and wildlife: six adventure travel trends for 2026

Adventure travel company Much Better Adventures has identified six key trends set to shape how people explore the world in 2026, based on new booking data.

“We’re seeing a massive surge in bookings from people who might never have thought of themselves as ‘adventurers’ before but are now actively seeking out nature-based experiences in wild places,” said Sam Bruce, Co-Founder of Much Better Adventures.

Micro-expeditions that fit into standard annual leave are gaining popularity, with travellers drawn to “properly wild trips” in destinations such as Kyrgyzstan, where the company recorded a 119% increase in visitors in 2025.

Active wildlife trips are also rising, with a 25% increase in bookings for rewilding holidays. Experiences include bison tracking in Romania and wolf tracking in Sweden. “These trips directly contribute to protecting the wild habitats they visit,” said Bruce. “You’re not just sitting in a jeep… you’re out in the landscape.”

Meanwhile, solo travel continues its upward trajectory, with more than 70% of the company’s 2026 bookings made by individual travellers. Bruce noted that small group adventures allow people to explore “wild places they might hesitate to visit alone”.

Comfort is also becoming a priority. Under the ‘adventure, refined’ trend, travellers want wild days followed by boutique accommodation. “That mix of wild and refined feels especially resonant right now,” said Megan Devenish, Head of Adventure.

The e-bike boom is opening remote routes to more people. “E-bikes aren’t the easy option… they’re a tool to take you further,” said Adventure Expansion Manager Vicky Leach.

Finally, food-first travel is growing fast, with a 236% rise in bookings for gastronomic trips. “Good cuisine can often tell the story of a place,” Bruce added.

Safeture recently entered into a strategic alliance with Sicuro Group, a Dubai-based consultancy specialising in operational and travel risk management.