wildlife brochure

Wildlife SelectionF R O M A I T O S P E C I A L I S T A G E N T S

A Taste of Travel

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A Taste fwww.aitoagents.com Book with confidence, see your local AiTO Specialist Agent.2

THE AS SOCIAT ION

OF INDEPENDENT

TOUR OPERATORS Quality CharterAiTO is the Association for independent andspecialist holiday companies. Our membercompanies, usually owner-managed, strive tocreate overseas holidays with high levels ofprofessionalism and a shared concern forquality and personal service. The Associationencourages the highest standards in allaspects of tour operating.

EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIPAiTO sets criteria regarding ownership, finance and quality whichmust be satisfied before new companies are admitted tomembership. All members are required to adhere to a Code ofBusiness Practice which encourages high operational standardsand conduct.

FINANCIAL SECURITYAn AiTO member is required to protect money paid by customersto the member for any holiday sold under the AiTO logo. Thisprotection applies to customers who are in the UK at the time ofbooking or to overseas customers who have booked directly withthe member. Members have to comply with the UK GovernmentRegulations in this respect. Members submit details of theirbonding or guarantee arrangements to the Association on aregular basis.

ACCURATE BROCHURES AND WEB SITESAll members do their utmost to ensure that all their brochures

and other publications, print or electronic, clearly and accuratelydescribe the holidays and services offered.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AND CONTINUALIMPROVEMENTSAll members are committed to high standards of service andbelieve in regular and thorough training of employees. Memberscontinually seek to review and improve their holidays. They listento their customers and always welcome suggestions forimproving standards.

MONITORING STANDARDSAiTO endeavours to monitor quality standards regularly. All customersshould receive a post-holiday questionnaire, the results of whichare scrutinised by the Association.

RESPONSIBLE TOURISMAll members acknowledge the importance of AiTO’s ResponsibleTourism guidelines, which recognise the social, economic andenvironmental responsibilities of tour operating. Those demonstratingtheir achievements beyond the pure acceptance of this principleare recognised by the award of 2 or 3 star status.

CUSTOMER RELATIONSAll members endeavour to deal swiftly and fairly with any issuestheir customers may raise. In the unlikely event that a disputebetween an AiTO member and a customer cannot be settledamicably, AiTO’s low-cost Independent Dispute SettlementService may be called upon by either side to bring the matter toa speedy and acceptable conclusion.

of TravelA Taste of Travel W I L D L I F E S E L E C T I O N 3

Welcome to this new and exciting ‘WildlifeSelection’ brochure from AiTO SpecialistTravel Agents. We are delighted and proud tooffer an inspiring range of holidays that willwhet your appetite for a real taste of the wild.

The nearest many of us get to wild animals is watching ‘Big CatDiary’ ‘Meerkat Manor’ or ‘Spy in the Jungle’ on television andmany of us can only dream of being able to have such experiencesfirst hand. The fantastic portfolio of destinations offered heremean that now our travel specialists can really make your dreamsa reality.

This brochure has been designed by AiTO Specialist TravelAgents and specialist tour companies who are passionate andknowledgeable about wildlife! We have been able to sourceopportunities to experience many of the ‘must see’ animalspecies in the world and our travel advice experts are here toguide you into making the right choice for your holiday.

But why book with an AiTO Specialist Travel Agent? We are theexperts so you don’t have to be! We believe that the secret of asuperb travel experience is to give our clients the type of servicewe ourselves would want. As AiTO Specialist Travel Agents ourmembers represent some of the very best independent travelagents in the UK. We have travelled to almost every destinationthat we offer in this programme and we can draw on a wealth ofknowledge and experience to guide you. We offer specialistholidays many of which are not available from other travelagents. We also realise that you may not have won the lottery,so every effort has been made to give you quality and value formoney. We strive to give you more – and we do, with exclusiveextra bonus offers - by booking one of the featured holidaysthrough an AiTO Specialist Travel Agent.

Your holiday reflects your lifestyle and you need a travel agentwho understands that lifestyle. All travel agents are not thesame. Its time you booked a real holiday through a real travelagent. To find your local AiTO Specialist Travel Agent, seewww.aitoagents.com

Introduction

Look out for the extrabonus offer availableby booking one of thefeatured holidaysexclusively throughyour local AiTOSpecialist Agent

AiTO AgentsOffer...


Wildlife SelectionDestinations

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of Travel

Quality Charter 2

Introduction 3

Wildlife Selection Destinations 4

Antarctica - Penguins 6

Borneo - Orangutans 8

Botswana - Safari 10

Brazil - Jaguars & Macaws 12

Western Canada - Bears 14

China - Pandas 16

Costa Rica - Green Turtles 18

Galápagos Islands - Endemic species 20

India - Tigers 22

Kenya - Safari 24

Madagascar - Lemurs 26

Namibia - African Wildlife 28

Rwanda - Gorillas 30

South Africa - Safari 32

USA & Canada - Horse Trek 34

Swimming with Whale Sharks 36

AiTO Wildlife Tour Operators 38

Mission Statement 39

Contents

A Taste of Travel W I L D L I F E S E L E C T I O N 5

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The final frontier, very few people get even close to

this, the driest, remotest and most inhospitable of

the world’s continents. Follow in the footsteps of

Scott and Shackleton and re-live the drama and

excitement of exploring the unknown. Only accessible

during the austral summer months of November to

March, expedition boats take 40 hours to make the

crossing from Ushuaia to the tip of the peninsula.

On arrival you find yourself in a totally unique environment,

brilliant white cliffs of snow and ice tower in front of

you, seals can be seen basking in the sun while the

The AntarcticPeninsula

resident penguin community waddles to the water’s

edge to meet you. Expert naturalist guides accompany

you as you explore on foot or by boat. As the season

is short, wildlife activity is frenetic, penguin chicks

appear in December and January and it is at this

time that the peninsula is alive to the noise and smell

of thousands of fluffy birds preparing for their first dip

in the icy waters. Deep blue icebergs often float by

and the long days and clear skies create a feeling of

space and freedom not to be found anywhere else in

the world.

www.aitoagents.com Book with confidence, see your local AiTO Specialist Agent.6

Find the hidden explorer in you. The scenery in Antarctica is unparalleledanywhere else in the world. Amazing ice sculptures float past your boat,towering white cliffs loom above you. The Falklands and South Georgia areremote and incredibly wildlife rich.

The ultimate wilderness & wildlife location

Antarctica


Antarctica

WildlifeDespite being such an inhospitable land, many differentspecies have decided to make the region their home.There are 17 different species of penguin to be foundacross the planet and most of these are also to befound in Antarctic waters. South Georgia alone ishome to a resident population of over 500,000 pairsof breeding King Penguins, while the Falklandscounts five different species of penguin amongst itsannual visitors. Elephant Seals can be found all over,as can several species of whale, most notablyHumpback and Southern Right. The thick grasslandsof the Falklands Islands are ideal nesting grounds forthe mighty albatross. Several albatross species canbe found here, including the largest bird of them all,the mighty Wandering Albatross. With a wing spanof over three metres, this magnificent bird is able tofly for hundreds of miles scouring the ocean for food.

Book now and receive a complimentarycopy of Bradts Travel Guide – ‘Antarctica:A Guide to the Wildlife’.

AiTO Agents Offer...

This holiday is provided by Distinctive Americas. These holidays are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.Distinctive Americas’s ATOL number is 9027.

ItineraryDay 1 Depart UK, arrival in Buenos Aires

for 2-nights.Day 2 City sightseeing of Buenos Aires.Day 3 Fly to Ushuaia for 1-night.Day 4 Embark on Antarctic cruise

for 10-nights.Day 5-6 Cross the Drake Passage.Day 7 South Shetland Islands.Day 8-11 Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula.Day 12-13 Cross the Drake Passage.Day 14 Disembark in Ushuaia,

fly to Buenos Aires for 1-night.Day 15 Depart Argentina.Day 16 Arrive home.


ExoticBorneo

Day 1 London - Malaysia Depart London Heathrow on Malaysia Airlines to Kuala Lumpur.

Day 2 Malaysia (Borneo)Connect with Malaysia Airlines flight to Kota Kinabalu - Overnight at the Nexus Hotel.

Day 3 Kota Kinabalu -Kinabalu National Park - MesilauDepart from Kota Kinabalu to Kinabalu Park / Mesilau. Overnight at Mesilau Nature Resort,Kinabalu Park - Crocker / Witti Lodge. Meals included: Lunch and dinner.

Day 4 Mesilau-Poring Hot Spring-Sandakan.Depart for Poring Hot Spring. Explore the surrounding area. Overland Transfer from Poring toSandakan Check in at Sepilok Nature Resort. Dinner and Overnight Meals included: Breakfast,lunch and dinner.

Day 5 Sandakan-SepilokVisit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre / Temple tour with Lunch. Drop off at SepilokNature Resort. Dinner and Overnight at Sepilok Nature Resort Meals Included: Breakfast, lunchand dinner.

Day 6 Selingan Turtle IslandTransfer to Sandakan Jetty. Boat transfer to Selingan Island Free at leisure. In the evening, visitthe exhibition centre while waiting for the Park Ranger to locate turtles coming ashore. Learnabout the Park’s conservation efforts as you release little turtles hatchlings from the hatcheryto the sea. Overnight at Selingan Island Rest House. Meals included; breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Borneo – home to vast rain forests,rivers, pristine coastlines and abewildering array of flora andfauna. This itinerary takes youthrough the heart of Sabah on theNorth East of the island. From theslopes of Mount Kinabalu – thehighest mountain in Malaysia – viawaterfalls and hot springs to theOrangutan sanctuary at Sepilok.Visit Turtle Island National Park, ariverside lodge at Sukau to seethe Proboscis monkey and theConservation Area of Danum Valley.Deep in the rainforest amidst theastonishing and abundant plantlife, there are pygmy elephants,Orangutan in the wild and colourfulbirds abound.


Borneo

This holiday is provided by Silverbird. These holidays are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.Silverbird’s ATOL number is 2852.

Danum Valley & The BorneoRainforest LodgeThe Danum Valley, a primary rainforest jungle, is farremoved from human habitation. Renowned for itsrich variety of both plants and wildlife, Borneo’smammals include such extremely rare andendangered species as the Sumatran Rhino, BentengElephant, Clouded Leopard, Bornean Gibbon, andLeaf Monkey. The Orangutan and Proboscis Monkeyare both found only in Borneo. Bird life is equallyextensive and varied with over 275 individual specieshaving been recorded, giving Danum Valley areputation for being one of the best places forviewing Borneo’s wildlife.

The Borneo Rainforest Lodge is a basic and rusticinternational-standard lodge built beside the DanumRiver. Unlike mass-market tourist destinations, thelodge accommodates a maximum of 60 people,

Day 7 Selingan Turtle Island - Sukau.Return back to Sandakan. Free atleisure to explore the town ofSandakan. 11.30 Am Transfer by boatto Sukau. En-route lunch at Abai.Upon arrival at Sukau, check in atKinabatangan Riverside Lodge. Eveningcruise in search of wildlife - notably theProboscis Monkey. Overnight atKinabatangan Riverside Lodge Mealsincluded: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 8 Sukau-Lahad Datu- Danum Valley.Overland Transfer from Sukau to LahadDatu Transfer from Lahad Datu toDanum Valley. Lunch. Activities withBorneo Rainforest Lodge. Overnight atBorneo Rainforest Lodge Meals included:Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

ensuring each guest a unique and individual jungleexperience. The fine facilities with basic comfortsmake it possible to explore the incredible diversityand complexity of the rainforest and offer a uniqueopportunity for guests to understand the primevalBorneo Rainforest in today’s conservation realities.

Lodge activities include jungle walks, bird watchingwith resident nature guides, canopy walkways highabove the jungle floor that allow the viewing of therainforest from the treetops and night safaris withsights and sounds emanating deep from withinthe rainforest.

Danum Valley and the Borneo Rainforest Lodgepromise you a truly unforgettable and inspiring junglerainforest experience.

Days 9 & 10 Danum Valley.Activities with Borneo RainforestLodge. Overnight at Borneo RainforestLodge Meals included: Breakfast, lunchand dinner.

Day 11 Danum Valley -Lahad Datu - Kota KinabaluScheduled Transfer to Lahad DatuAirport and fly to Kota Kinabalu.Transfer to the Nexus Hotel Mealsincluded: Breakfast and lunch.

Day 12 Borneo Transfer to Kota Kinabalu airport for theflight to Kuala Lumpur and connect withthe flight to London.

Day 13 Malaysia – LondonArrive London Heathrow. Prices startfrom £2,705.00.

Book now and receivean illustrated guide toBorneo from therenowned FootprintsPublishers.

AiTO AgentsOffer...

The Okavango River flows down from Angola into

Botswana’s Kalahari Desert, where it creates an

oasis in the desert, a paradise of islands and lagoons.

Trapped between fault lines and dammed by rising

land to the East, this extraordinary landlocked delta

is one of Africa’s finest safari wildlife destinations.

Depending on the proximity to permanent water, the

Delta camps offer a different mix of land-based and

water-based game viewing.

Chobe National Park, in the North-East of Botswana,

is renowned for its enormous herds of elephant and

buffalo and the prides of lion that stalk them.

In the green months, game migrates to the open

grasslands of Savute and the South. From April to

November, as water becomes increasingly scarce,

animals head back to the permanent waters of the

Chobe River in the North. Literally thousands of

elephant and buffalo take refuge on the river islands.

The Chobe riverfront, with pods of hippo, large

crocodiles and rich birdlife, is just a short overland

transfer to Victoria Falls - a perfect add-on to any

safari. It is also possible to combine a safari in

Botswana with a visit to Cape Town, Namibia, or the

beaches of Mozambique.


Botswana is the ultimate safari destination. Vast herds of animals cross theplains of the Kalahari to the Okavango Delta, the Chobe River flood plains andthe salt pans of Makgadikgadi - a unique range of ecosystems in which bird,plant and animal life abound. Roughly the size of France, but with a population ofonly 1.6 million, Botswana is one of the last unspoiled corners of Africa.

BotswanaSafaris in


Botswana

Quotes are from Maun in Northern Botswana, returningto Maun or Livingstone. Prices are per person sharingfor mid and peak season (peak is approx June toOctober). All prices are approximate and will beconfirmed at time of booking.

Airfares from the UK to Maun/Livingstone are notincluded - allow between £1,200.00 and £1,400.00depending on season.

Here are typical examples of lodge-based safaricombinations. Transfers between camps are by lightaircraft and included in the price.

Desert and Delta Safaris

Three nights each in two delta camps - Camp Okavangoand Camp Moremi - from £1,475.00 / £2,225.00,including all meals, local drinks, laundry, scheduledsafari activities.

Kwando Lodges

Three nights at Kwara Camp in the delta and threenights at Kwando Lebala or Lagoon Camp in the Savutiarea, from £1,945.00 / £2,945.00, including all meals,local drinks, laundry, scheduled safari activities.

Sanctuary Lodges

Three nights each in two delta camps – Stanley’s andChief’s, from £2,345.00 / £3,475.00, including all meals,local drinks, laundry, scheduled safari activities.

Botswana and Victoria Falls

Combine 2 nights at Shinde Camp in the Delta, 3nights at Kwando Lagoon in Savuti, 3 nights atMuchenje in the Chobe National Park and 2 nights atIslands of Siankaba in Livingstone, from £2,495.00 /£3,295.00 including all meals, local drinks, laundry,scheduled safari activities.

Mobile Camping SafarisCamping safaris are an ideal way of getting deep intothe African bush – and the only way to explore someof Botswana’s wilderness areas. We offer an excitingrange of mobile safaris, chosen for the quality of theguiding, the areas visited, the standard of equipmentand backup, and the service.

On a mobile safari, your camp moves with you.Choose from a traditional overland wilderness adventure,a grand safari experience in the style of Africa’s greatexplorers, or the new hybrid trails safari, whichtransports you by both air and land.

Vehicles used are usually 4WD similar to Toyota LandCruisers, especially modified for game viewing. Tentsare walk-in dome tents with beds and mattresses,unless otherwise indicated. Camp staff put up thetents, cook meals and do camp chores. Phone us fordetailed itineraries and departure dates for our wholerange of safaris.

Our entry level Highlights of Botswana safari, from£1,350.00 year-round, is a 10-day tour including theOkavango Delta, Moremi, Savute, Chobe and Livingstone.

At the top end, the 11-day Great WildernessJourney, from £3,395.00 year-round, visits thecentral Okavango Delta, the Southern Selindaspillway, the Linyanti and finishes in Livingstone.Luxury lodge accommodation is combined withcomfortable exclusive ‘Discoverer’ trails camps. TheMeru-style tents have en-suite bathrooms withbrass bucket showers, basin, and separate flushingtoilet. Comfortable beds, with cotton linen anddown duvets, face the front of the tent, givingspectacular views.

This holiday is provided by Rainbow Tours. These holidays are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.Rainbow Tours’s ATOL number is 4563.

Book now and receivea beautiful 30-pageleather-bound photoalbum – leaves madeentirely fromunbleached hand-spuncotton rags, interleavedwith protectivetissue paper.

AiTO AgentsOffer...

On arrival, the resident conservationist responsible

for the Jaguar programme here gave us a presenta-

tion on the carnivores and wildlife in the area and

how they work with the local farmers to try and

reduce the number of Jaguars being killed. There

followed an exciting night drive where we came

across a large adult Tapir who completely ignored us,

a Crab Eating Racoon followed by a Crab Eating Fox

and then our first Ocelot of the night. We saw a

further three Ocelots and an unbelievable seven

Giant Anteaters! With owls and a few night birds it

was an exceptional evening.

Up early for a game drive the following morning, it

was an opportunity to see the area in daylight.

Jaguars are often seen on the farm but they were to

prove elusive during our stay; the closest we got

were footprints over our vehicle tracks!

My visit to the South Pantanal’s Hyacinth Macaw


San Francisco Farm in the South Pantanal is quite unusual in that it isactually a rice farm but the owner is very environmentally aware and hasgiven over 50% of his land as a wilderness area where Cabybaras, Caimenand Marsh Deer frequent the many water channels, providing an ideal huntingground for Jaguars.

Saving Jaguarsand Macaws inBrazil


Brazil

Project was more successful. Several loud squawksand a flash of deep blue were my first introduction tothis, the largest macaw in the world. I was spendingthe day with Karlla, one of a very small team whodevote their time and effort to increasing thenumbers of these stunning parrots in the wild.

In the late 1980s the number of Hyacinth Macawshad reached an all time low of 1500 – 2000 birds,through a combination of deforestation, capture forthe illegal pet trade (a bird could command a price of$12,000.00!) and their colourful feathers being usedfor craftwork; it took 20 – 30 Macaws to make oneheaddress. Having learnt that these birds couldbecome extinct in her lifetime, a young biologystudent, Neiva Guedes began the Hyacinth Macawproject and, over the past 10 years, the numbershave increased considerably.

We drove over farmland to a nest which the teamhad been monitoring for several months. The projectworks closely with local farmers who inform them ofnew nest sites on their land. After setting up theharness, Karlla pulled herself up to the large hole in aManduvi tree, their favourite nesting site. The youngbird was wrestled into a bag and lowered to theground where it was measured, DNA samples takenand a ring placed around its leg. The chick hadalready developed its distinctive blue feathers andwas close to fledging. When it was returned to itsnest, the parents, who had stayed close, were veryvocal in their displeasure at us removing theirprecious youngster.

A breeding pair of Hyacinth Macaws won’t produceeggs every year and the survival rate of the chicks ispoor. Only two eggs are laid and it’s usual for onlyone to survive and then both eggs and chick have to

contend with many predators. The youngster willstay in the nest for 107 days and then remain withits parents, who share the responsibility, for a further18 months.

As the Manduvi tree has to be at least 80 years oldin order to be deep enough to support a nest,suitable sites have become fewer. After muchexperimenting, the project has successfully developedan artificial nest which is acceptable to the HyacinthMacaw. When placed in the right tree and facingNorth, they are happy to move in and many of theseartificial nests are now in use across the Pantanal.

Due to Neiva’s dedication, the Hyacinth Macawpopulation is increasing and, as a visitor to thePantanal region, you too can contribute to theongoing success of this project. Ecotourism has apart to play as it provides an incentive for farmersand government to protect both the natural habitatand the wildlife. This is one of the best places inBrazil to see birds and mammals and if you join ournew Endangered Wildlife tour, a desperately neededdonation is made to this very worthwhile project.

Suggesteditineraries...For wildlife

A 14 day group trip to theNorth and South Pantanalvisiting the Jaguar andHyacinth Macawconservation projects andthe opportunity to go horseriding or explore the waterychannels by boat. Pricesstart from £3,595.00per person.

The Best of Brazil

We suggest a 19-day triptaking in the beaches ofRio de Janeiro, the falls ofIguassu, the floodplains ofThe Pantanal, the AmazonRiver and jungle and theturtle breeding grounds ofSalvador. Prices start from£3,650.00 per person.

All Bookings featuring Brazil's endangeredwildlife will help protect against deforestationby saving half an acre of rainforest,bought through The World Land Trustorganisation.


This holiday is provided by Wildlife Worldwide. These holidays are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.Wildlife Worldwide’s ATOL number is 4530.

Located 100 air miles North-West of Vancouver, the

Knight Inlet Lodge is in the heart of the Great Bear

Rainforest and offers an incredible opportunity to

view grizzly bears in their natural habitat. Bears can

be safely viewed from boats, kayaks, viewing platforms

and purpose built tree stands, depending on the time

of year and length of stay.

The bear viewing season lasts from May to October,

with viewing conditions changing throughout this

time. In May, the bears are returning to the estuary

from hibernation, with the spring growth attracting

them down as the mountain snows melt. Hungry

bears feed on the sedge grasses in the river low

lands, and at low tides eat seaweed, crabs, barnacles

and mussels along the inlet beaches. This is the time

to see the tiny cubs emerging for the first time with

their ever cautious mothers close by. Many of the

young cubs sport blond fur at this time of year which

will gradually darken throughout the season.


There are few places in the worldwhere so much magnificent wildlife,scenery and native culture can beexperienced from one location. KnightInlet, situated in Western BritishColumbia and only accessible byfloatplane, is one such place.

Grizzly Bears of

Western Canada


Western Canada

Late May to mid June offers lots of interestinginteraction as it’s mating season, with the big malesvying for attention from the females. In the summermonths the heavy berry crop helps keep the bears inthe general area. Although the number of bears atthis time is lower, the excellent viewing conditionsensure that you normally see bears every day. It isalso time for mothers to help their cubs explore theirnew wilderness home and teach them bear survival(please note that the lodge closes for a week at theend of July).

Probably the best time to see the bears is towardsthe end of the season, from late August onwards.This is salmon spawning season, with the rivermouth full of leaping salmon and offering bears aplentiful supply of food. Although Grizzly Bears arenormally solitary creatures, it is common to seemultiple bears competing for the best fishing spotsand is an incredible spectacle.

Although the main attraction at Knight Inlet lodge arethe local Grizzlies, there is an abundance of otherwildlife that can be seen throughout the year. In thespring, travel through the inlet viewing sea lions,seals, porpoises, dolphins and the occasional minkewhale. From July onwards orca (killer) whales arefound in nearby Johnstone Strait, and humpbackwhales pass by in September on their way to Alaska.A huge variety of other wildlife, such as the iconicbald eagle, mountain goats and otters can also beseen which makes for some wonderful memoriesand great photographs.

Accommodation is based at the rustic floating lodge,nestled in Glendale Cove and moored in the onlyprotective cover along the 100 mile inlet. There areonly 12 rooms, all with private bathrooms. The lodge

is only accessible by floatplane from Campbell River(on Vancouver Island), with the scenic 30 minuteflight included in all the packages. Because of theearly flight departure, all packages include a night’saccommodation in Campbell River.

Meals are included at the lodge, with the diningroom home to bountiful and sumptuous West Coastand Continental cuisine. They often feature crab,salmon and prawn harvested from the pristineglacier fed waters of Knight Inlet (with advancenotice, most dietary preferences can be accommodated).

Packages for the Grizzly Bears of Knight Inlet startfrom £499.00 per person* (based on twin share,including 1 night in Campbell River and 1 night at thelodge). Although this is a great opportunity tosample what the lodge has to offer, a longer stayis recommended.

Why not combine a visit to Knight Inlet with a trip toVancouver Island, the wonderful Rockies Mountainsor an incredible journey on the 2 day RockyMountaineer Train, described as the most spectaculartrain journey in the World. Ask your AiTO SpecialistTravel Agent for a copy of our ‘Complete Guide’brochure to Canada, containing over 160 pages ofgreat ideas to this incredible country.

SPECIAL OFFERWe have put together a special AiTO self drivepackage which explores the best of WesternCanada. It includes a stay at Knight Inlet to view theGrizzly Bears, a Whale Watching trip in Tofino, 10nights standard class accommodation and a trip onthe fabulous Rocky Mountaineer Train. Prices start from £1,699.00 based on twinshare in October *

* Prices quoted do notinclude flights from UK.Speak to your AiTOSpecialist Travel Agent toget the latest flight prices.

Book this tour todayand you will receivea 4GB SD card for yourdigital camera, whichcan hold over 3000digital images!

AiTO AgentsOffer...

This holiday is provided by 1st Class Holidays. These holidays are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.1st Class Holidays’ ATOL number is 5421.

The ‘Best of China’ is an exciting tour that covers notonly the highlights of any visit to China, such as theGreat Wall and Terracotta Warriors, but also exploressome of the stunning scenery in Western China andthe natural habitat of the giant panda. It visits thepristine wilderness landscape of Jiuzhaigou (or Nine

Village Valley) in Northern Sichuan province,composed of dense forests, deep lakes and waterfalls, backed by snow-capped mountains.Tibetan legends say the goddess Semo broke hermirror here, the shards of glass creating the manylakes and pools where calcified water creates vivid


China contains not only some of the world’s largest and most denselypopulated cities, but also vast tracts of wilderness, forest, mountain anddesert. The country’s rapid economic development has created manyenvironmental problems, including threats to wildlife, though in recent yearsgrowing environmental awareness and action has helped to counter some ofthe worst excesses. Perhaps the best-known wild animal in China is the giantpanda, a deeply endangered creature that has become the symbol ofendangered species worldwide.

PandasinChina

Day 1 Depart UK.Day 2 Arrive Beijing. Visit to Tiananmen

Square and welcome dinner. (D)Day 3 Excursion to the Great Wall at Mutianyu

and visit to the Temple of Heaven. (B, L, D)Day 4 Visit the Forbidden City, and take cycle

rickshaw tour around the ‘hutongs’ ortraditional residential areas of oldBeijing finishing in the picturesqueShichihai area. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Visit to the Summer Palace beforeTransfer to Yichang to join your 5-starYangtze River cruise boat. (B, L, D)

Day 6-8 Cruise on the Yangtze River through thefamous Three Gorges, with shoreexcursions and trip in small boats onone of the Yangtze’s tributaries. (B, L, D)

Day 9 Arrive Chongqing. City tour before flyingto Xi’an. (B, L)

Day 10 Visit the remarkable Terracotta Army,before returning to Xi’an to visit theMuslim Quarter and Grand Mosque,Big Wild Goose Pagoda. (B, L)

Day 11 Flight to Chengdu. Onward flight toJiuzhaigou. (B, L, D)

Day 12 Day to experience some of thehighlights of the natural wonders ofJiuzhaigou. (B, L, D)

Day 13 Flight to Chengdu. (B)


China

colours. Changing leaves in the autumn create a richmix of red, browns and yellows in the forests.

The Wolong Nature Reserve, also in the mountainsof Sichuan, is the oldest of China’s panda reserves,covering an area of some 2,000 square kilometres.With only a few hundred pandas in the wild, yourchances of seeing one in the wild in the reserve areremote, but a visit to the Panda Conservation andBreeding Centre, supported by WWF, will bring youclose to many of those in captivity, either as part ofthe centre’s breeding programme, or brought in from

the wild. For those who want to arrange atailor-made tour and become more involved, it ispossible to apply to become a volunteer at thecentre to help with looking after the pandas.

The ‘Best of China’ tour uses good 4-star hotels anda 5-star cruise boat on the Yangtze River. Prices from£2,690.00 per person, including direct flights fromLondon Heathrow with British Airways. Regionalairport departures also available. Most meals included.Fuel surcharges may apply, please enquire at timeof booking

Book the ‘Best of China’ tour today andyou will receive a free dinner and ‘TangDynasty’ song and dance show in Xi’an, anda evening boat trip in Guilin to see traditionalmethods of fishing using cormorants.


Day 14 Excursion to Wolong Nature Reserve andthe giant panda research centre. (B, L, D)

Day 15 Excursion to Leshan to see the GiantBuddha, one of the largest Buddha statuesin the world. Traditional Sichuan operaperformance on return to Chengdu. (B, L, D)

Day 16 Flight to Guilin. Visit the Reed FluteCave and Diecai Hill. (B)

Day 17 Cruise on the Li River past beautifulscenery of limestone karst hills and ricepaddy fields to the small riverside townof Yangshuo. (B, L)

Day 18 Day in Yangshuo before flight toShanghai. (B, L)

Day 19 City tour of Shanghai to include theBund, Yu Garden and some of the city’slively markets. (B, L)

Day 20 Excursion to the small ‘water town’ ofZhujiajiao. Farewell dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 21 Flight back to UK. (B)

B= Breakfast,L= Lunch,D= Dinner included.Price is based on twopersons sharing adouble/twin room andtwin-berth cabin andincludes internationalscheduled flights,airport taxes, all internaltransport, meals asshown, sightseeingand entrance fees,and the services oftour manager and localEnglish-speaking guides.

This holiday is provided by China Direct. These holidays are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.China Direct’s ATOL number is 5120.

Enjoy a stay in Tortuguero National Park surrounded

by the beauty of a tropical forest and amazing

wildlife. Your guide will explain the rainforest eco-

system and point out sights of interest as you cruise

the rivers and canals of Tortuguero National Park.

Enjoy a memorable two night stay at your eco-lodge

surrounded by the beauty of a tropical forest and

amazing wildlife. Learn more about your surroundings

with a visit to the world’s first Green Turtle Research

Station and discover how to protect the turtle’s

nesting habitat and eggs.

Spend the morning leisurely walking the forest trailsin search of the native inhabitants including thethree-toed sloth, agoutis, white faced and squirrelmonkeys, iguanas and birds. If you wish, take a swimin the inviting blue waters of its breathtaking beaches.The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax by thepool and absorb the natural beauty of your surroundings.

Tour Experiences

• Visit coffee, banana, cacao and pineappleplantations and learn of their history and socialimportance to the economy.

Highlights...• Poas Volcano

• Coffee Plantation

• Tortuguero National Park

• Sarapiqui Rain Forest

• Pineapple Plantation

• Cacao Plantation

• Arenal Volcano

• Manuel AntonioNational Park


Journey to Costa Rica and explore a land of rich natural wonders andfriendly people. Discover Costa Rica’s outstanding variety of flora andfauna at Tortuguero National Park, Sarapiqui Rainforest, Arenal Volcanoand Manuel Antonio National Park. Enjoy the many pristine natural wondersof Costa Rica through exclusive excursions and learning experiences aswell as unscheduled time for personal discovery.

A World of Nature in

Costa Rica


Costa Rica

• Spend two nights in Arenal with breathtakingviews of the lava producing volcano.

• Explore the pristine beauty and wildlife of famousManuel Antonio National Park. This paradise isknown for its three pristine white sand beachessurrounded by emerald waters and forest.

Book today and receive a complimentaryaccess to an airport lounge at your UKdeparture airport* and a travel guide bookto enhance your tour of Costa Rica.*applicable at participating mainland UK airports.


This holiday is provided by Collette Worldwide Holidays. These holidays are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.Collette Worldwide Holidays’ ATOL number is 4832.

Your 14 day Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1-3 Herradura Hotel, San Jose.Day 4-5 Pachira Lodge or Aninga Lodge,

Tortuguero .Day 6-7 Selva Verde Lodge or

La Quinta Inn, Sarapiqui.Day 8-9 Volcano Lodge or Arenal

Paraiso, Arenal.Day10-11 Villa Lapas, Tarcoles.Day 12 Herradura Hotel, San Jose.Day 13 In flight.

Your escortedCosta Rican tour includes…• Quality hotels in

carefully selectedlocations.

• Home door to doortransfer service fromyour home to the UKdeparture airport*.

• Most meals as out-lined in the itinerary.

• Many sightseeingactivities and excur-sions as outlined inthe itinerary.

• Accompanied by anexperienced andknowledgeableCollette Tour Manager.

• Expert local guides.

• Welcome and farewelldinners as outlined inyour itinerary.

• Scheduled flights withreputable airlines.

• Coach transportationin a private, climatecontrolled motorcoach.

• Luggage handling.

• Local transfers fromairport to hotel onarrival and hotel toairport on departure.

• Applicable gratuitiesfor bellmen, doormanand waiting staff.

• Applicable hoteltaxes and servicecharges.

Remote and very unique, the Galápagos Islands are

a ‘once in a lifetime’ destination for anyone interested

in the natural world. The diverse wildlife and dramatic

volcanic landscape excite even the most hardened

traveller. Where else can you swim with penguins

and tropical fish?

Type of vessels and durationsWe tend to focus on smaller vessels offering 6-10

cabins although larger boats are featured in our

brochure. Boat cruises are 3, 4 and 7 nights and

hotels on some islands are also available.

Why visit theGalápagos

Islands?

What wildlife can I expect to see?The giant tortoise, blue footed booby, waved albatross,sea lions, marine iguanas, frigate birds, green turtles,seals, snakes, penguins plus much more! Many speciesare endemic to the islands.

When should I travel?Due to the very high level of demand and the restrictednumber of travellers allowed to the islands – it isadvisable to book at least 9 months ahead. Theislands can be visited all year round. There aretwo main seasons – the hot/wet season with


19 volcanic islands of varying sizes located along the equator, in the PacificOcean 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador in South America. There are dailyflights to the capital Quito from Europe (with London connections). The flightfrom Quito to the islands takes approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.

Discover Darwin’s

Galápagos Islands


Galápagos Islands

intermittent rain between December and May andthe misty season from June to November withcooler air/sea temperatures and also a stiff breezewhich makes the water choppier. The seasonalvariations affect the wildlife cycles.

Possible combinations

A trip to the Galápagos can be easily combined withmainland Ecuador (Andes and Amazon basin) andneighbouring Peru which is a 2 hour 15 minute flightfrom Quito.

CostAll cruises are based on a full board cruise with guidedexcursions included.

Prices per person (2 sharing) for a 7 night cruise from£1,842.00. Mainland 6 night extensions from £1,671.00per person (2 sharing) including return international flights.

Book today and receive a complimentaryfull day private excursion of the stunningcountryside and charming villages surroundingQuito the capital of Ecuador. It includes a 3course lunch (drinks payable locally) andreturn transfers from any hotel in Quito.English speaking driver/guide.


This holiday is provided by Sunvil Latin America. These holidays are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.Sunvil Latin America’s ATOL number is 9280.

Galápagos Calendar

JanuaryThe hot / rainy season becomes established. Air and water temperature rise. ‘Spring’arrives with the rain and green shoots appear even in arid areas. Land birds nest,land (Isabela) and marine (Espanola) iguana mating season starts. Green turtlesstart arriving to lay eggs.FebruaryFlamingos start nesting on Floreana, marine iguanas nest on Santa Cruz andBahama pintail ducks start breeding. Sperm Whales and occasionally Blue Whalesmay be seen off the West coasts of Isabella and Fernandina.MarchHot and humid. Marine iguanas nest on Fernandina. Frigate bird mating seasonstarts. Late in the month Waved Albatross arrive on Espanola.AprilLarge numbers of Waved Albatross arrive on Espanola and start their noisy courtshipritual. Green turtle and land iguana eggs start to hatch. The last giant tortoises hatch.MayWaved Albatross on Espanola start laying their eggs. Sea turtles hatching onEspanola, Floreana and Santiago, and marine iguanas hatching on Santa Cruz.Galápagos penguins active around Bartholome. The sea lion and fur seals matingseason starts, running from May to December. As there is a 12 month gestationnewborn pups also arrive during this period.JuneThe garua season starts. The air and sea temperatures start to cool, South-East tradewinds return and currents become a bit stronger. The nesting season of the gianttortoises starts. Humpback Whales may be seen, as may migrant birds flying North.JulyBreeding season for blue footed boobies on Espanola as albatross fledglings start tobe born. Flightless cormorants start courtship rituals on Fernandina. Whales anddolphins may be observed of the West coast of Isabela.AugustOceans can be choppy. Migrant shore birds start to arrive. Mating season forGalápagos Hawks on Espanola and Santiago.SeptemberAir and sea temperatures at their lowest. Galápagos Penguins breeding especiallyaround Bartholome although can occur all year. Manta Rays seen off East coast of Isabela.Height of the sea lion mating season, with rival males fighting for control of harems.OctoberWeather can be mixed. Giant tortoises continue to lay eggs. Blue footed boobiechicks can be seen on Espanola and Isabela.NovemberWater and air temperature begins to rise and the winds decrease. Can be somejellyfish. Good visibility for snorkelling – can be especially fun with sea lion pups.DecemberHot / rainy season begins. Air and sea temperatures continue to rise. The mistclears. Islands begin to green over as the rain falls. Green sea turtles start to mate.Giant tortoise eggs begin to hatch.


Excitement, exploration and an opportunity to indulge one’s favourite pastimeare every bit as important to today’s holidaymaker as relaxation andrecharging of batteries in a comfortable location, especially, if someone elsecan take care of all the little things that make it all happen.

In searchof Tigers in India

A Taste of Travel W I L D L I F E S E L E C T I O N

TIGER TIGER,in search ofthe elusiveone….

23

India

Few destinations tick all the right boxes and thosethat do have seen a sharp rise in popularity in recentmonths. It comes as no surprise that India has hit thetop of the “Most Desirable list” for British travellers.

One of the most exciting holidays in India is a visit toits great game parks in search of the elusive Tiger.Whether you choose to bond with nature and stayin a tented camp and gather around an eveningcampfire to recount the day’s experiences or live thehigh-life of the colonial elite staying in luxuriouslodges, the experience is unforgettable.

Informed, experienced naturalists offer guidance andprovide opportunities for elephant safaris, jeep ridesand nature walks through the jungle. Teeming withanimals and birds of all shape and size, India’s thick,lush jungles and forests are alive with activity. Everysafari here is an exploration and discovery and notwo experiences are ever the same.

Add to this a few days in “The Golden Triangle”visiting Delhi, the seat of power for the 200 yearBritish colonial Raj; Agra, the home of the Taj Mahal,the grand testament to love; and the pink city ofJaipur staying in a mix of modern luxurious hotels orstately converted palaces and the holiday suddenlybecomes a holiday of a life-time. No wonder Indiahas been voted the number one long haul destinationby readers of Conde Nast Traveller magazine in 2007.

Book this elusive tiger safari today andreceive a pair of binoculars per person.


This holiday is provided by TransIndus. These holidays are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.TransIndus’s ATOL number is 3429.

Kenya is the best place on earth to go for wildlife. Itis the perfect time to go to Kenya.

Travelling through some of the richest game areas inthe world, the Masai Safari presents excellentopportunities for viewing the ‘Big Five’. It includesthe Masai Mara, home to the greatest wildlife showon earth.

5*MasaiSafari

The Samburu Reserve, home to the colourful

Samburu people, is a dramatic and rugged landscape,

which is truly rewarding. A host of plains game along

with the ‘Big Five’ is accompanied by a variety of

exotic birds including eagles, falcons and bateleurs.

As you approach Lake Nakuru, you may be fortunate

enough to witness a pink cloud on the horizon, which

gradually reveals its source, thousands of pink

flamingoes, a magnificent sight of immense beauty.


On Safari in

KenyaWelcome to our luxury small group safari, which operatesall year round.

We offer safaris in Africa, India and the Far East. Ourprices are remarkably good value, and we offer flexiblearrangements, allowing you to tailor-make yourpreferred itinerary.


Kenya

Around the lake a game reserve has been createdwhere the endangered black rhino is protected andmay be seen along with antelope, giraffes, lionsand hyenas.

With the exception of Lake Nakuru, accommodationis at Serena Lodges, which are amongst the finestin Kenya.

Including return scheduled flights, 6 nights’ fullboard, 1 night B&B, transfers and game drives.

From only £1,179.00 per person

Why not travel in a Premier Safari Microbus?Benefits include...• Only four seats in each bus

• Up to 46” seat pitch

• Welcome pack including maps and useful information

• Unlimited water and soft drinks

• Free use of binoculars

Fly Mara to NairobiWhy not fly rather than drive from the Masai Mara back to Nairobi for a supplementfrom £130.00pp. You will appreciate the speed, comfort, views and excitementan air transfer offers.

Mara Ballooning Option Optional hot-air balloon flights can be arranged in the Masai Mara. This exhilaratingexperience commences at dawn, with approximately one hour in the air, and isfollowed by a bush breakfast complete with sparking wine.From £265.00 per person.

This holiday is provided by Somak Holidays. These holidays are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.Somak Holidays’ ATOL number is 2550.

1 Night Nairobi (Nairobi Serena Hotel)1 Night Samburu (Samburu Serena Lodge)2 Nights Mountain Lodge (Mountain Lodge)1 Night Lake Nakuru (Lake Nakuru Lodge)2 Nights Masai Mara (Mara Serena Lodge)

Book today and receive a FREE DINNERAT THE WORLD FAMOUS CARNIVORERESTAURANT, NAIROBI

Experience a barbeque with a difference.Zebra, giraffe, crocodile, ostrich and hartebeestare just some of the specials that you willfind on the menu. Normal mouth-wateringbarbecue dishes and succulent steaks arealso available. Worth £35.00.


Indri & Golden Bamboo Lemurs We start in the capital, Antananarivo (known as‘Tana’ for short), visiting the Botanical Gardens andthe tranquil surroundings of Ambohimanga Palace.We then drive East to Andasibe and spend twonights at the habitat of the Indri – largest of thesurviving lemurs – as well as brightly-colouredchameleons and many bird species. Next, its dueSouth, driving through sparkling green highlands andtypical villages to Antsirabe where we visit Lake

Tritriva, dramatically trapped inside a perfect volcaniccone. Continuing to Ranomafana we spend moretime searching the rainforest for lemurs, particularlythe Golden Bamboo lemurs. Which were only recentlydiscovered in 1987.

Botanist’s Paradise Descending from the high plateau to Ranohira, wewalk deep into Isalo National Park – Madagascar’s‘Grand Canyon’ – to explore the sandstone massif


Madagascar is unique. Isolated for tens of millions of years, the animals,plants and landscapes of this ancient island are like nowhere else on earth.This ‘Lost Continent’ tour provides an excellent introduction to the reservesand cultural sights of the South.

MadagascarThe Lost Continent


Madagascar

Transport Charter bus/Various walks/Flights as itinerary.

Group Size Approx. 12 to 16.

Tour Staff Explore Tour Leader, driver(s), local guides andNational Park ranger(s).

Price From £2,425.00 including flights from London.£1,450.00 land only.

Book this Madagascar trip today andreceive a moleskin Notebook (as used byErnest Hemingway!). They are lovelyleather-bound travel journals and provevery popular with our clients.


This holiday is provided by Explore. These holidays are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.Explore’s ATOL number is 2595.

and weirdly eroded rocks. Botanists will delight inthe host of rare endemic plants found here. Dark-skinned tribes live around Tulear on the South-Westcoast and we’ll see their carved and painted tombs,many with aloalo scenes from the life of thedeceased. Finally, we plan time at Ifaty Beach, whereoutrigger canoes can be rented to explore thenearby coral reef.

Madagascar remains a challenge for the adventuroustraveller. Come prepared for some unique scenery,but also some basic accommodation in NationalParks. Lemur tracking is on foot on well-maintainedtrails and usually 2-3 hours for each walk.

Accommodation and Meals 4 nights hotel, 5 nights forest lodge, 1 night guest-house, 2 nights bungalow – standard accommodationin the towns and reserves with one basic night atlocal dormitory guest house; 12 breakfasts, 6 lunchesand 7 dinners included.


Namibia is one of the world’s last great wilderness countries. See themagnificent sand dunes of the Namib Desert, the German colonial town ofSwakopmund and the hauntingly beautiful Skeleton Coast. Travellinginland, see the wildlife of Damaraland and the Etosha National Park beforeending your journey at the Africat Foundation’s sanctuary at Okonjima.

NamibiaAn untouched wilderness


Namibia

Day 1 To Windhoek:Fly overnight from London Gatwick to Windhoek with Air Namibia. (N)

Day 2 Windhoek:Transfer to the Windhoek Country Club for 1 night. The German-style architecture and pleasantcafes give Windhoek a very European feel. (N)

Day 3 Namib Desert:Morning drive through the Khomas Highlands and Gamsberg Pass to the Namib Desert. Stay 2nights at Sossusvlei Lodge or similar, in a stunning desert location. (B, L, D)

Day 4 Namib Desert:Early morning drive to Sossusvlei to explore the giant sand dunes. Afternoon visit to the SesriemCanyon, where the Tsauchab River has carved a gorge up to 100 feet deep. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Swakopmund:Morning drive via the Kuiseb Canyon and the Namib Naukluft Park to Swakopmund on the Westcoast, a seaside resort with German architectural and cultural influences. Stay 2 nights at thedelightful Swakopmund Hotel. Early morning optional Balloon Safari. (B, L)

Day 6 Swakopmund:Day at leisure or optional excursions. (B)

Day 7 Skeleton Coast:Drive North to Cape Cross, well known for its colony of around 100,000 cape fur seals.Continuing North, enter the Skeleton Coast Park, famous for it’s shipwrecks. Stay inland for 2nights at Grootberg Lodge or similar. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Damaraland:Morning and afternoon excursion in open 4 x 4 vehicles to explore Northern Damaraland. Thepermanent springs provide water for the local population of zebra, oryx, klipspringers andoccasionally elephants and black rhinos. (B, L, D)

Day 9 Epacha Private Game Reserve:Morning drive to the Epacha Private Game Reserve, bordering the Southern gate of EtoshaNational Park. Epacha is home to the black rhino custodian programme and hosts 21 antelopespecies, including the endangered sable antelope. Afternoon wildlife viewing. Stay 2 nights atEagle Tented Lodge & Spa or similar. (B, L, D)

Day 10 Etosha National Park:Full day excursion into Etosha National Park. A vast white saltpan dominates the centre of thepark and wildlife concentrates around the waterholes at the edge.The park is home to elephant, reputed to be the largest in Africa, aswell as the rare black rhino. (B, L, D)

Day 11Okonjima:Morning drive South-East to Okonjima, home of the Africat Foundation.See the work of the foundation this afternoon, and stay overnightat Okonjima. (B, L, D)

Day 12To London:Morning nature walk or drive. Depart for Windhoek airport and fly to LondonGatwick with Air Namibia. (B)

Day 13Morning arrival at London Gatwick. (N)

B= Breakfast,L= Lunch,D= Dinner included.

Price is based on twopersons sharing adouble/twin room andincludes internationalscheduled flights,airport taxes, all internaltransport, meals asshown, sightseeingand entrance fees,and the services oftour manager and localEnglish-speakingguides.

• 13 Days / 10 Nightsfrom £2,511.00*

• Escorted Group orPrivate Journey

• Superb DesertLandscapes

• Unique Flora & Fauna * This price is accurate at time of going to

print and includes current fuel surchargeswith Air Namibia.

This holiday is provided by Cox & Kings. These holidays are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.Cox & Kings’s ATOL number is 2815.

Book today and receive a Lonely PlanetGuide Book to Namibia.


In the South-East, Nyungwe National Park is the

largest tract of montane rain forest found anywhere

in Africa. It’s home to 13 species of primate, including

chimpanzee, the largest group of Ruwenzori race of

the black and white colobus (some 400 individuals),

and the golden monkey, over 240 tree species and

140 orchids. The bird life is impressive too with 275

species recorded. Although the main road divides

the park, access into the forest is restricted to a limited

number well maintained paths/trails.

In the drier Eastern part of the country, Akagera

National Park is perhaps one of the most stunning in

Africa. Dominated by the wetlands of the Akagera

River and a series of lakes, access is restricted to the

Western flank dominated by a wide valley floor and

hills. Unfortunately, years of poor management,

poaching, and of course the war, reduced animal

populations significantly and current numbers barely

warrant a visit for that reason alone. The park does

have over 500 species of birds, including the rare

shoebill, so it’s at least productive from that point.

In the North-West, bordering the Congo, lies Lake

Kivu. If you’re looking for a little bit of relaxation

before or after gorilla trekking, a few nights on the

lake are well worth the effort.

Being a very small country, it takes just two hours to

drive from the capital, Kigali, to the Parc des Volcans

or Akagera national parks. The main roads are in

good condition, although travelling constantly


Rwanda is perhaps most famousfor two things. The rare mountaingorilla which is found in the North-West part of the country within theParc des Volcans (PNV) and theGenocide which occurred in 1994.It’s easy to travel here and let thesetwo factors dominate your holiday,but the country does offer a littlemore than that.

The stunningdiverseRwanda


Rwanda

through villages thronging with people does not helpprogress. In the West, where the rainfall is highest,the population density is extremely high and seeminglyevery bit of available land is under cultivation. In theEast, where livestock dominate, there is less cultivationand fewer people.

The ease of access makes visiting the gorillas muchmore accessible than travelling through Uganda andideal for those who want to combine seeing the apeswith the great parks of Kenya and Tanzania.

The people of Rwanda are very aware of theGenocide and the impact it had on society, but theyare generally a happy people looking forward to abrighter future. It’s impossible to travel through thisthe country and not be aware of what happened anda couple of the memorials are well worth visiting.

The Mountain Gorilla – population: less than 800individuals

Nothing can quite prepare you for an encounter withthe endangered Mountain Gorilla. These majesticapes are found only along the Virunga Mountainswhich straddle the boundaries of Uganda, the DRC,and Rwanda. Within Rwanda, there are ninehabituated families found within the Parc desVolcans, the original home of the ‘Gorillas in the Mist’made famous by Dian Fossey.

Trekking in Rwanda is generally easier than inUganda, and the sightings are usually better becausethe animals have been habituated for a longer periodof time. Walks start in the morning and you areallowed just one hour with the gorillas once contacthas been made.

A good level of fitness is required as the terrain overwhich tracking takes place is extremely difficult.Treks can last anything from an hour to well over six,traversing steep-sided mountains and ravines, oftenclambering over nothing but suspended vegetation.You will require the use of your hands, so do notcarry anything that does not have a long strap. Theinclement weather doesn’t help either. Temperaturescan range from being fairly warm and humid to beingvery cold, and rain can fall at any time. Childrenunder 15 years of age are not allowed to trek.

You will not be allowed to track if you are sufferingfrom any illness including a cold or flu which canbe transmitted to the apes. You will be asked todeclare this before you start off. We would ask yourco-operation in not endangering the lives of thealready endangered great apes – if you are sick, donot track. Unfortunately, the downside is thatpermits are non-refundable.

Other activities available in PNV include forest walksto see the rare Golden Monkey, Bisoke volcanoclimbs and treks to Dian Fossey’s old researchcentre – Karisoke (so named by her because it sits inthe ‘saddle’ between the volcanoes of Karisimbaand Bisoke).

Gorilla trekking is not cheap. Permits cost US$500.00each, and if you’re doing a tailor-made safari, expectto pay at least £250.00 per person per day (based ontwo travelling) for the ground arrangements.

Our special service and expert knowledge.


This holiday is provided by Safari Consultants Limited. These holidays are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.Safari Consultants Limited’s ATOL number is 3783.

For those with an interest in Natural History that

coincides with a sense of soft adventure… a tailor-

made holiday to South Africa is the perfect answer.

A few days in Cape Town must include a visit to the

Botanical Gardens at Kirstenbosch, and a trip down

to the magnificent Cape Point – but do stop en route

at Boulders Beach to see the charming colony of

Jackass penguins. The Point is where the Atlantic

meets the Indian Ocean – you should pause here for a

moment to gaze towards the deep South and imagine

what it must have been like to take part in one of the

great Polar expeditions across Antarctica… before

heading back to your hotel for some 21st century

comfort and a delicious dinner.

Having explored the Western Cape, you should drive

up to Franschhoek in the heart of the Winelands

where we recommend two nights at one of our

charming wine estates hotels. This is the perfect

location to relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery,


A tailor-made itinerary combining 4 nights in the comfort of a sophisticatedCape Town hotel, with 2 nights in the Winelands, 4 nights on The GardenRoute at Knysna and 2 nights in one of our highly recommended malaria freeGame Lodges at Shamwari.

Sublime

South Africa


South Africa

warm hospitality, delicious food and indulge in a littlegentle tasting of some of South Africa’s finest wines.

From here you can head down to the Garden Routeto stay in one of our recommended hotels for 4nights – but, if you are travelling between July andNovember, you must stop at Hermanus for whalewatching en route. We offer a broad range ofproperties and our experts can help you to select thehotel that perfectly matches your needs. The manynature reserves and carefully planned walking trailsaround the famous lagoon at Knysna, combined withthe beautiful beaches at Plettenburg Bay, makes thisa natural history heaven.

To complete the perfect South Africa holiday itinerary,we suggest 2 nights in one of the great GameLodges of the Eastern Cape Game Reserves.Although these are less well-known than the KrugerNational Park, they are malaria-free, and generallyoffer an excellent climate and a very good introductionto game viewing of the ‘Big Five’ which are indigenousto the region – they also offer outstanding value formoney. We recommend one of the six lodges on theShamwari Game Reserve which has a well respectedconservation programme and strong commitment tothe environment – the Born Free Foundation is basedhere and can be visited.

The sublime South African package for thisitinerary includes return scheduled flights from theUK, transfers, car hire, and accommodation in 4 and5 star hotels with breakfast and tax. Prices from£1,985.00 per person (high season – 01 Octoberonwards, price from £2,285.00) based on economyclass flights – supplements for flight upgradesavailable on request.

Book today and receive a complimentaryFull Day Private Escorted Winelands Tourwith driver guide. Including visits to aselection of wine estates of your choice,and a stop for lunch (lunch is payable locally).


This holiday is provided by Kirker Holidays. These holidays are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.Kirker Holidays’ ATOL number is 2450.

This will depend on what level of riding experienceyou are looking for but it’s important to rememberthat not knowing how to ride does not disqualify youfrom taking this type of vacation. With four types ofranch on offer, we have a property that can takenovices and experienced riders in groups of any size.Many singles find this a great way to take a vacationand are always welcomed into the group, many ofwhom may be in the same situation.

So whatdoes a ranchholiday offer?

Working Ranches are exactly that, you are thereto help the owner manage a herd of cattle – accommodation is clean but basic and whileactivities may start and finish at the ranch house,you could equally be out on the trail with a chuckwagon and your bedroll. Horse and cattle drivedemand a reasonable level of riding ability – ranchershere do not have the time for instruction. Silver Spurin Idaho, the Dryhead and Double Spear in Montanaplus the Kara Creek in Wyoming all offer a genuine“get down and get dirty” experience.


We have been organising tours for 26 years and are specialised in providingthe very best in ranching and adventure holidays to the USA and Canada. Werepresent around 80 varied ranches, each one offering the same content butin locations from as far apart as Texas to British Columbia.

Ranch Vacations in the

USA & Canada


USA & Canada

Guest Ranches put the emphasis on learning to ridewestern style but some of these places also havecattle that need moving to new grazing pastures.You can expect better levels of accommodation andmeals at these ranches. Price Canyon Ranch inSouth-East Arizona is a fine example of this. For abreathtaking locations look at the 63 Ranch or theSweetgrass in Montana or the Rocking Z for it’s highquality riding programme.

Dude and Resort Ranches offer a more varied andoften family focused experience, somethinghappening all the time. They will have staff especiallyappointed to look after kids of all ages so thatparents can take rides together while their youngWranglers are being entertained. Colorado, theMountain State, has more Dude ranches on offerthan anywhere else. The Denver gateway makes thisa true family playground and the many Dude rancheswe have here show how much families enjoy thisarea. Lost Valley for an all round good time, NorthFork for it’s fishing or Cherokee Park for the best infamily value are just a few of these. Down South KayEl Bar and Flying E Ranches offer easy access fromPhoenix plus White Stallion and the Tanque Verdenear Tucson are firm favourites.

The package offered by all of these ranches is thesame, for a 6 or 7 night stay they will accommodate,feed and entertain you plus you will ride almost everyday. We will build in taxes and service charges soyou don’t have any unwanted surprises at week’send. Please bear in mind, our Sterling prices are theranchers Dollar prices only with the extras added in,it’s no more expensive to book here through an AiTOSpecialist Agent. Plus you have our experience infinding the right ranch for you – a talent we seldomget wrong.

So you see this makes a ranching holiday a yearround possibility with Arizona, New Mexico andTexas providing great winter locations and theremaining States welcoming visitors May throughOctober. Most of these are in isolated locations andso the opportunities to spot wildlife are ever present.Many creatures are at their most active in thesummertime and, as the majority of visitors are inthe country at that time, don’t be surprised to spotbears, coyotes, elk, moose and birdlife of all shapesand sizes while out on a scenic ride in the mountainsin which a number of our ranches are situated.

The price for a week’s stay at a ranch starts at justunder £700.00 at a Working ranch, you can spendmuch more at a top class Resort ranch but theaverage in the summer is between £900.00 and£1,100.00 per adult with discounts for kids generallyunder 12. Airfares are in addition but your Agent willbe able to give you the best deal at the time, airfaresfrom around the UK vary almost daily. If you have theopportunity and time, you should try and spend morethan just a week in the States or Canada, rent a carand go on to visit the wonderful parks such as Banffand Jasper in Alberta or Yellowstone, Grand Canyonor Glacier in the USA – each one a jewel of unspoiltwilderness area.

This holiday is provided by American Round-Up. These holidays are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.American Round-Up’s ATOL number is 2921.

Book a ranching experience today and wewill contribute to a West Country FreePlanting Project



Surrounded by myth and mystery, the Whale Sharkis a migratory species and is found in tropical andtemperate seas, in inshore and oceanic waters, inareas of high plankton productivity, appearing atsome locations seasonally and at others year round.Whale Sharks have been spotted as far North asNew York, on the East coast of the United States ofAmerica, and as far South as Tasmania. It is thoughtthat the Whale Sharks movements are driven byfood supply and linked to plankton blooms and fishand invertebrate spawning cycles.

The Whale Shark is an endangered species, itsnumbers are threatened directly, by fishing for meatand fins, and indirectly, by the fish becomingentangled in fishermen’s nets.

Mutton snapper and grouper congregate at GladdenSpit on the Belize Barrier Reef around the full moonduring the months of March to June. The spawningfish attract filter feeding Whale Sharks, offeringdivers and snorkellers a fantastic opportunity toshare the waters with the fish. The optimum time todive with Whale Sharks in Belize is three days beforethe full moon to three days after the last quartermoon, which is when the Cubera snappers spawn,attracting the Whale Sharks. Diving with WhaleSharks in Belize is strictly governed by “Friends ofNature” and all dive trips are conducted responsibly.

Generally considered to be harmless and non-aggressive towards human beings in the water,swimming with a Whale Shark is an experience of alifetime; benign though the animals may be, simplyfinding yourself up close to the largest fish in theocean gives a pure rush of adrenalin.

Swimming with

Whale Sharks

The biggest fish in the sea, the majesticWhale Shark (Rhincodon typus) mayreach up to 20 metres, and possiblyweigh in at up to 34 tonnes there areonly a few species of whale that growlarger. Yet this immense fish feeds on tinyplankton rarely more than 3 millimetresin length. With its huge size and dappledskin, once seen this leviathan of thedeep is rarely forgotten.

©Sim

on Rogerson 2008


Various

Amongst some of the best places to see

Whale Sharks are –

Donsol, Philippines – Situated about an hour’s

flight from Manila, Donsol becomes the “Whale

Shark capital of the world” from February

to May, but especially in April when the number

of Whale Sharks in Donsol Bay is greater than

anywhere else in the world. In Donsol it is possible to

snorkel with Whale Sharks, but not to scuba dive.

A 10 day trip including flights, transfers, 7 nights at

the Vitton Beach Resort, breakfast and 5 days

Whale Shark interaction from £1,990.00 per person.

Djibouti – Situated at The Horn of Africa, Djibouti

is home to resting migrating Whale Sharks between

the months of October to January. Djibouti’s Gulf of

Tadjourah offers a safe, confined nursery for juvenile

Whale Sharks, and the plankton rich water makes

the area a perfect feeding ground.

Galápagos – Recently granted UNESCO World

Heritage Status, the uniquely rich waters around the

Galápagos Islands offer one of the world’s best loca-

tions in which to see large numbers of Whale Sharks.

Diving with Whale Sharks is possible between May

and November at Darwin and Wolf Islands.

A 10 day trip including flights, transfers, 2 nights in

Quito either side of the liveaboard, breakfast, 7

nights in a twin sharing cabin on the Sky Dancer, full

board, up to 4 dives per day including tanks &

weights from £3,075.00 per person.

Kenya – Whale Sharks are often seen in Kenyanwaters from October through to February, and overrecent years huge congregations have been seennear Chale Island, off Kenya’s South coast. Theincreased number of Whale Shark sightings led tothe establishment of the East African Whale SharkTrust (EAWST), based on Diani Beach, in order tocollect and analyse data on the local population andto raise awareness to protect these gentle giants.

Seychelles – The Indian Ocean has long been oneof the primary sources of Whale Shark sightings andsince 1996 the Shark Research Institute Seychelles,incorporated within the Marine Conservation SocietySeychelles (MCSS), has been monitoring andtagging Whale Sharks within Seychelles waters,revealing some fascinating facts, for instance oneindividual was found to have travelled a journey ofover 5,000 kilometres. The beautiful SeychellesArchipelago is one of the world’s finest locations inwhich to see and swim with Whale Sharks.

Ningaloo Reef – Ningaloo reef is around 250kilometres in length, lying off the North-West coastof Australia. This remote reef is consistentlyfrequented by Whale Sharks between April and Juneeach year, coinciding with the annual coral spawn.Although the majority of Whale Sharks spotted in theNingaloo Marine Park are immature males they areby no means small, many being six to eight metresin length. Expeditions to snorkel with Whale Sharksdepart daily during “Whale Shark season” fromExmouth and from Coral Bay, giving the opportunityto swim with Whale Sharks outside the reef, in theopen ocean – the experience of a lifetime!

This holiday is provided by Dive Worldwide. These holidays are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.Dive Worldwide’s ATOL number is 5776.

Book a Shark DiveExperience today andeach adult will beenrolled as a memberof The Shark Trust.www.sharktrust.org

AiTO AgentsOffer...


Wildlife SelectionTour Operators

This brochure contains a superb selection of quality holidays from the followingAiTO Tour Operators. All holidays in this brochure are only bookable throughAiTO Specialist Agents.

of TravelA Taste of Travel W I L D L I F E S E L E C T I O N 39

AiTO Specialist Travel Agents – is a partnershipbetween independent travel agents and AiTOtour operators who share common dedicationto the provision of high standards of qualityand personal service to their customers. AiTOSpacialist Travel Agents are concerned onlywith finding the holiday that is right for theclient and provides value for money.

HOW TO BOOKTo make a booking or find out any further information pleasecontact your local AiTO Specialist Travel Agent (the agent thatprovided you with this brochure) or you can find your nearestAiTO agent at www.aitoagents.com.

TERMSPrices quoted are correct at the time of producing this publicationbut are subject to change and subject to the terms and conditionsof each tour operator providing one of the holidays offered.

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Wildlife SelectionF R O M A I T O S P E C I A L I S T A G E N T S

Book here with your local AiTO Specialist Agent

A Taste of Travel

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