winter/spring 2016 - wildlife worldwide holidays: africa safaris, … · 2015-12-31 · marine...

THE BEST OF Canada

INSIDER VIEW Ethiopia Special

AWESOME AUSTRALIA Travel down under

TRAVEL WITH THE EXPERTS Festival of Wildlife

WRANGEL ISLAND EXCLUSIVE with Mark Carwardine

ZAMBIA - SACRED COMBE SAFARI Join Simon Barnes & Chris Breen

Winter /Spring | 2016

In celebration of 25 years of Wildlife Worldwide we invite you to join our exclusive Festival of Wildlife to Borneo in June 2017. Enjoy a unique series of presentations, workshops and master classes from renowned wildlife experts in the heart of Borneo’s rainforest.

Our expert team includes TV presenters Nick Baker and Nigel Marven, author and wildlife photographer Nick Garbutt, macro photography expert Alex Hyde, award-winning

sculptor and artist Nick Mackman, wildlife artist Yee Ting Wong and Borneo’s leading naturalist Dr Arthur Chung.

Each expert has been chosen for their unique skills and will accompany guests on daily wildlife activities, imparting their knowledge and enhancing each experience. In addition, a team from Wildlife Worldwide will accompany the festival including Founder Chris Breen, Product Manager and Asia expert Brian Wood, and co-Director and wildlife enthusiast Nick Joynes.

Wildlife abounds in the pristine 43,800-hectare conservation area of the Danum Valley - more than 340 bird species have been recorded here, along with 124 species of mammals, 72 species of reptiles, 56 species of amphibians, and there is a staggering 200 plant species per hectare. Much of the fauna is nocturnal, and is most likely to be seen during a night safari or jungle trek, however wild orangutans frequently nest in the vicinity of the lodge.

The nearby canopy walkway provides unimpeded viewing of the 130-million-year-old forest at eye level with the treetops. Based at the wonderful Borneo Rainforest Lodge in the heart of the Danum Valley, we are perfectly situated for morning, afternoon and evening walks, night-time safaris and exploring the rainforest.

Don’t miss this once in a lifetime Festival!

Festival of Wildlife Borneo 2017

Group departure, 2 Jun 201710 days, from £5,195

Outline Itinerary

Day 1 Fly overnight to Kota KinabaluDay 2 Kota KinabaluDay 3 Fly to Lahad Datu & transfer to Danum

ValleyDays 4-8 Wildlife experiences, talks, presentations,

master classes & workshops in the rainforest

Day 9 Overnight flight via Kota KinabaluDay 10 Arrive UK or why not join a post-Festival

extension to the Kinabatangan River & Sepilok, to Indonesia to see Komodo dragons, or to visit Sarawak’s varied national parks and an isolated Iban community?

Price includes flights, transfers, accommodation, all meals, guided activities & a full programme of Festival events.

Festival of WildlifeBorneo 2017

Alex Hyde Award-winning macro photography expert

Nick Baker Naturalist & wildlife TV presenter

Nick Garbutt Wildlife photographer & author

Nick Mackman Award-winning sculptor & artist

Nigel Marven Naturalist & wildlife TV presenter

Danum Valley, Borneo Borneo Rainforest Lodge

24 years experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays2

So, the Festive Season is over and the start of another exciting new year is upon us. It’s a time to look back at the year and reflect, yet also look forward to the year ahead and the opportunities that present. In classical terms, the two-headed dog (Canis bicapitus)…

The story of the year was our acquisition of The Travelling Naturalist, an independent company that specialises in small group wildlife trips. Despite its worldwide span, it has a greater focus on Europe - an area we are looking to develop - which made it a natural choice. Many trips have a greater focus on birdlife, but still have an overall wildlife dimension - although some specialise in, for example, butterflies.

As we hurtle towards our 25th year of existence (2017), our celebratory Festival of Wildlife – destined for Malaysian Borneo’s Danum Valley - continues to gather momentum. It seems extraordinary that two years of planning goes into an event like this - not continuous, of course, but to put all the pieces of the jigsaw in place it really does take that length of time! The list of experts who contribute to the week is now complete - and an impressive list it is too!

We also look forward to expanding our range of suggested itineraries as our comprehensive research continues to bear fruit. There has never been a year during which we’ve all covered so much ground out of the office. A couple of new photographic itineraries with Nick Garbutt are proving particularly exciting, and you can read about these and other new ideas inside. And around the country our Discover Wildlife evenings are proving both fun and successful, as we have a chance to meet you and hear your thoughts.

Wishing you happy travels in 2016,

Chris Breen, Founder

We are always thrilled to hear feedback from your wildlife experiences - here is some we have received recently…

“Words cannot describe how unique and wonderful our trip was. Each day provided once in a lifetime experiences. The itinerary was perfect and action packed; proximity to the wildlife (in particular the gorillas, golden monkeys and the lions via the lion researcher) was second to none. Fantastic lodges, amazing friendly people. Our guide Charles was first class. We could not recommend this holiday more!”David M travelled to Uganda in Sep 2015

“We had an absolutely wonderful trip to Brazil. Everything was extremely well organised and ran like clockwork. All of the accommodation was superb. Our guides Tadeu, Jean & Niels were excellent, especially Tadeu who was exceptional. The Pantanal wildlife experience was superb and Rio was fabulous, and the perfect end to an amazing holiday. Thanks to everyone.”Phil & Julia W travelled to Brazil in Nov 2015

We are based in the charming and historic city of Winchester and welcome you to visit us in our central offices. We are open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday and on Saturday morning from 9am to 1pm during January, February and March.

Welcome

Holiday Reviews

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[email protected] 01962 302 055 wildlifeworldwide.com 3

Canada’s ten provinces and three territories stretch from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from its southern border with the United States - the world’s longest land border - north to the Arctic

Ocean. Covering almost ten million square kilometres, it is the world’s second largest country by area (the fourth largest if you include only terra firma). Much of it is sparsely populated (80% of the population live near the US border), dominated by extensive tracts of dense forest, bleak tundra, flat prairie and the imposing mountains of the Rockies.

An array of animals inhabit these wide open spaces. One of the greatest draws is Canada’s enviable bear population - as befits a country with such an expanse of wilderness: from the polar bears of northern Manitoba - best seen around Churchill as they congregate at the start of winter to take to the newly-formed pack ice - to the elusive cream-coloured spirit bear of British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest. Then, of course, there’s the splendid brown or grizzly bear which you can see from heart-stoppingly close in its natural habitat at dedicated bear-watching lodges along the fjords of BC, or deep in the interior of the Yukon. And, as if that wasn’t enough, you can also see black bears in various parts of the country.

American bison, prairie dogs, seals, otters, American bald eagles and a wealth of migratory birds (Canada has only three endemics), plus the ubiquitous moose, are among the other

creatures you may see. In some parts, at least, you might find caribou (reindeer) or an elk grazing outside your hotel room - though you’d have to be exceptionally lucky to see a cougar or a grey wolf in the wild!

Another exhilarating and unforgettable experience is watching whales - belugas in the estuary of the St Lawrence River in Québec, orcas off Vancouver Island in British Columbia, or migrating humpbacks either along the Pacific Coast or in the North Atlantic off the Maritime Provinces of New Brunswick and Newfoundland. The thrill of seeing one of these magnificent marine mammals breaching beside your boat is a joy to behold, and their gymnastic feats are second to none! You can even participate in a week-long whale study course, if you wish.

Most of the country suffers from cold, or even extremely cold, winters, but the southern areas are warm in summer. A fine highway system that is relatively free of traffic and benefits from good signage makes self-drive a realistic option in summertime, and is a great way to travel at your own pace - making Canada excellent for a family holiday where you can mix wildlife with other activities and attractions. The range of accommodation - from historic hotels, boutique properties, wilderness lodges and characterful B&Bs to fixed tents - means there’s something for everyone, and in Québec province in particular the influence of cuisine francaise adds yet another dimension to an enjoyable wildlife holiday.

O Canada…!

Whales & Dolphins in the Haida Gwaii

Cruise the Queen Charlotte Islands aboard a comfortable yacht and explore Gwaii Haanas National Park to see black bears, whales and other wildlife, and discover First Nations’ heritage.

Group, May - Aug11 days, from £4,695

Wilderness Quebec

Enjoy Quebec’s wilderness at your own pace on a fun self-drive trip, with plenty of included activities and chances to see black bear, beluga, moose and caribou - an ideal family adventure.

Tailor-made, Jun - Sep15 days, from £2,895

The Bear Essentials

Fly by floatplane to the wilderness lodge of your choice for unforgettable opportunities to watch grizzly bears - BC’s largest carnivores - by boat, by kayak or from purpose-built hides.

Tailor-made, May - Oct8 days, from £3,795

The Canadian national anthem tells of a beloved native land that extends beneath shining skies from East to Western sea – a land that is both glorious and free! Justifiably so…


WE CREATE OUTSTANDING WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS

Our website features over 25 trip ideas and 40 locations throughout Canada to choose from. Contact our experts today to start planning your wildlife holiday.

Northern Right Whales of New Brunswick

Enjoy a self-drive break to Atlantic Canada’s New Brunswick province, for an opportunity to see minke, fin, humpback and North Atlantic right whales.

Tailor-made, Jun - Aug5 days, from £1,445

Tundra Lodge Adventure

On this extraordinary adventure into the realm of the polar bear you stay with expert guides at a specially-designed mobile lodge out on the tundra where the bears are.

Group, Oct - Nov8 days, from £6,245

Yukon’s Ice Bears

Each autumn grizzly bears congregate at Bear Cave Mountain, where thermal springs percolate through the limestone, warming the river so it flows all year - with spectacular results.

Tailor-made, Sep - Oct13 days, from £9,995


Secret Africa

“It was the moment I noticed that someone was eating my house that I knew I’d come home.”

T his is the first sentence of my new book (published January 2016), The Sacred Combe. The house in question was a small hut in the Luangwa Valley in Zambia; the house-eaters were elephants; the occasion was my first night in the Valley.

I’ve never been quite the same person since that night.

But then we’ve all got one. A secret, special place. Hidden. Enclosed. A little brighter and more fertile than the world outside. Here the birds are slightly more exotic, slightly more confiding, the grass greener, the fruit sweeter. To know such a place, to love such a place, is part of being human.

So I wrote my book about such places. They exist in imagination and myth in Eden, Narnia, Shangri-La. They exist in memories of magical holiday in childhood, or a perfect day in the course of a doomed love affair. Sometimes they exist only in the future, like the dream of retirement to a Caribbean beach. It’s a magic land, and enchanted valley, a sacred combe.

I found a place like that in the real world, and it is, of course, the Luangwa Valley. It changed my way of thinking, changed my way of being. I have manged to get back there on many occasions, and every visit has been better than the last, adding layers of meaning and understanding to the first fine careless raptures that I found during the consumption of my house.

And I found another thing. I discovered that sharing the joys of the Valley is a joy in itself. To be there when a travelling companion sees a night-hunting leopard for the first time, or to share the lightning-brief appearance of a twilight bat hawk piles pleasure on top of pleasure.

On that first trip to the Valley I met Chris Breen, founder of Wildlife Worldwide, and since then we have shared many trips back. And he and I have decided to put together a trip to celebrate the publication of The Sacred Combe.

Come with us to the Luangwa Valley. Come and look for lions and elephants and zebras and antelopes. Come and be dazzled by the impossible birdlife. Come walk deep in the bush and learn how this thrilling ecosystem really works. Come and share the Valley, come and find the sacred combe. Come and find my special place and make it your own.

Sacred Combe Safari

Join Simon Barnes and Chris Breen on this exclusive trip to Zambia’s famed Luangwa Valley - the remarkable location that both passionately treasure.

Group, 23 Oct 2016 & 26 Sep 201712 days, from £5,995

Wildlife Worldwide has secured a 30% discount on Simon’s book The Sacred Combe. To claim the discount enter SACRED30 at the checkout on the Bloomsbury website.www.bloomsbury.com

by Simon Barnes, author and journalist


Africa has been at the heart of Wildlife Worldwide since the early days. Whether you yearn to experience a walking safari in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley, witness the

thundering Victoria Falls, explore the Okavango Delta in Botswana, or visit Namibia’s legendary red sand dunes, we have something for everyone.

Shoebills, Lechwe & Luangwa

Experience the untouched wilderness of Bangweulu Swamp on a quest to see one of Africa’s most distinctive birds - the remarkable endangered shoebill.

Tailor-made, Mar - Jun13 days, from £5,995

Natural Wonders

A combination of self-drive and guided safari, to the premier wildlife hotspots of Namibia, Botswana and Zambia - ending at the famed Victoria Falls.

Tailor-made, Jun - Oct16 days, from £4,595

Zimbabwe Highlights

This flying safari is a seamless combination of three of the most diverse and spectacular wildlife areas in Zimbabwe.

Tailor-made, May - Nov10 days, from £4,995


Consisting of five unique habitats ranging from Afro-alpine meadow to primary cloud forest, the Bale Mountains are home to more than

400 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, plus more than 1,300 flowering plants. Indeed, with more than 25% of the country’s endemic species, this area has one of the highest concentrations of endemic species of any habitat on earth!

As we drove onto the Sanetti Plateau, home to the Ethiopian wolf, our host said “Keep your eyes peeled - this is where the BBC pack live. Once you get your eye in they’re easy to spot.” Sure enough, two minutes later we saw our first wolf, then another, lit by the late afternoon sun. A lone wolf was hunting; we watched him cock his head, pounce and retrieve a tasty bedtime snack - probably a molerat - from a burrow.

Further on we stopped to admire the reflections in a beautiful lake and had our first sightings of blue-winged goose and spot-breasted lapwing. A Rouget’s rail emerged, flicking its white tail feathers, and a flock of black-headed siskins flew overhead - a moment to savour.

Two Blick’s grass rats hugged each other as we approached, then promptly fell over backwards as we passed, and we spotted not just one but several Starck’s hares plus some klipspringer en route. Piling out of our vehicle, we scrambled up a steep outcrop and were stunned into silence - standing at the edge of a land floating on clouds.

The descent to our lodge presented many birds including augur buzzard, wattled crane and Abyssinian slaty flycatcher. After dinner, I headed to

my room and drifted off to sleep to the sound of red-chested cuckoo and a distant hyena…

As the sun rose over the mountains, the morning chill melted away and the bush came alive. I caught a glimpse of a Bale monkey feeding in the bamboo, then a Menelik’s bushbuck and a thick-billed raven. A gang of wattled ibis wandered through the gardens, then an Abyssinian oriole, and a tambourine dove and a flock of yellow-crowned canaries flew overhead. A great start to a morning’s birding! Over the next hour we covered no more than 500 metres, but totted up around 30 species of birds.

Driving down to Harenna Forest, where black-maned lion and melanistic leopard are frequently seen, colobus monkeys peered at us from the treetops, and we kept our eyes peeled for giant forest hog and marvelled at the forest’s butterflies - currently being studied by university researchers who have already found 40 new species.

By the time we had to leave, I had lost count of the endemic species I had seen. This region is a must for any visitor to the country, and who knows - you might even discover another new species!

Ethiopian Wildlife Extravaganza

Experience the highlights of this incredible country and its wildlife, and see one of the world’s rarest mammals - the Ethiopian wolf.

Tailor-made, Jan - Jul & Sep - Dec12 days, from £3,195

Why not combine your wildlife holiday to Ethiopia with Tanzania, Kenya or Uganda? Contact Isabel to start planning your wildlife holiday.

EthiopiaBale Mountains National Park

Senior travel consultant Isabel Ashworth visits Ethiopia’s foremost wildlife destination


Big Cat Weekend - Kenya

Perfect for those short on time, this whistle-stop wildlife getaway offers the opportunity to see some of the finest wildlife on earth.

Tailor-made, Jan - Dec6 days, from £2,195

Tanzania’s Wild West

Explore two contrasting national parks in the remote reaches of Western Tanzania, and trek chimps in the forests of Mahale.

Tailor-made, Jun - Feb11 days, from £5,795

A Weekend with Apes in Uganda

A long weekend to enjoy an amazing experience, tracking gorillas in the depths of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.


Our website features 12 countries and over 115 locations throughout Africa that we can use to tailor-make your wildlife holiday



Wrangel Island Exclusivewith Mark Carwardine

“Fancy somewhere seriously off the beaten track and packed with spectacular wildlife? Well, look no further than Wrangel Island. This is a rare opportunity for a comfortable adventure exploring one of the jewels in the Arctic crown. I can’t wait!” Mark Carwardine.

Named after Russian explorer Ferdinand von Wrangel, who set sail in the 1820s in search of an island described by Chukchi hunters,

Wrangel Island lies 140 kilometres off the coast of Siberia, facing Alaska on the roof of the world.

Despite its position at the edge of the Arctic, the land was never fully covered by glaciers, nor totally flooded when the icecap retreated. As a result the undisturbed valleys of its tundra interior boast soil types and plants that date from an ancient time. Its proximity to, yet isolation from, Asia and North America create a unique and highly fragile environment. Woolly mammoths lived here until as late as 1700 B.C. - more than 6,000 years after they had been extirpated elsewhere - and their curved tusks are found all over the island, mementos of that early era.

In 1976 the Soviet government declared the island a nature sanctuary, and it remains one of the coldest and remotest protected wildernesses in Russia’s extensive span. Despite, or possibly because of, its severe climate, Wrangel is rich in wildlife. Large numbers of polar bears den here, with as many as 400 mothers raising their young each winter, and as climate change reduces the extent of the pack ice, bears increasingly take refuge here in summer too. It also supports the largest population of Pacific walrus, Asia’s only nesting colony of snow geese, snowy owl, musk ox, Arctic fox and reindeer, plus large numbers of lemmings and seabirds. And - unlike the boggy Siberian mainland - it has no mosquitoes.

Although the United States first planted a flag on Wrangel Island, today it exerts no territorial claim. There is no oil, and in any event the extreme conditions would make extraction prohibitively difficult and costly. As a result, Wrangel has been left alone. The harsh climate impeded settlement until 1926, when Soviet Russia forcibly relocated Chukchis from neighbouring Siberia to extend its sovereignty. A tiny colony clung on until the 1970s, when the descendants of the original settlers were repatriated. These days the few remaining residents consist almost exclusively of researchers and rangers.

Since the Cold War ended, it is easier to reach Wrangel, however any visit still requires special permits, and access is only by ice-strengthened vessel in summer or helicopter in winter. So, despite Russian plans to develop ecotourism, this pristine island seems destined to remain a natural laboratory for the study of Arctic wildlife for the foreseeable future, and the haunting beauty of its primeval landscape still makes it feel like the very end of the Earth.

For July 2017 we have chartered the Spirit of Enderby for a 14-day wildlife expedition cruise led by acclaimed naturalist, conservationist, photographer and broadcaster Mark Carwardine, sailing out of Anadyr to explore Wrangel Island and the Bering Strait between Russia and America (Alaska).


Wrangel Island Exclusivewith Mark Carwardine

Wrangel Island Exclusive with Mark Carwardine NEWGroup, 22 Jul 2017, 17 days

Cabins Price per person from

Main Deck Twin Cabin £9,995Main Deck Triple Cabin £8,995Superior Cabin £10,495Superior Plus Cabin £10,995Mini Suite £11,395Heritage Suite £11,995

Price includes estimated flights, transfers, 2 nights accommodation in Moscow on a bed and breakfast basis, 14 nights on board Spirit of Enderby with all meals, guided wildlife and photography activities and the services of Mark Carwardine and team.


Join one of our small groupExperiences

Country Tour Name Departure Date DurationGroup Size

Price From

Alaska Brown Bears of Kodiak Jun - Sep 2016 10 days 8 £7,995

North America

Alaska Bears & Whales in South East Alaska Jul 2016 15 days 15 £5,995USA Yellowstone Ultimate Wolf & Wildlife Safari Jan - Feb 2016 8 days 14 £4,295Canada Canoeing the Yukon River Jun - Aug 2016 9 days 7 £2,995Canada Whale Study Week Jul 2016 9 days 20 £3,295Canada Beluga Whales & Polar Bears Jul - Aug 2016 9 days 12 £7,695Canada Orcas, Bears and Totems Jul - Aug 2016 10 days 16 £4,395Canada Canada's Big Five 2 Aug 2016 9 days 18 £5,295Canada Caribou Migration & Great Bear Adventure 4 Sep 2016, 10 Sep 2016 10 days 15 £8,495

Chile Puma-tracking in Southern Chile Jan - Mar & Oct - Dec 2016 11 days 4 £4,445

Latin America

Guyana Rainforests, Savannahs & Wetlands 13 Nov 2016 13 days 10 £4,995Mexico Festival of Whales with Mark Carwardine 1 Apr 2016, 20 Feb 2017 10 days 24 £5,095Mexico Ocean Giants of Baja California with Ian Rowlands 6 Apr 2016, 6 Apr 2017 14 days 24 £4,795

Trinidad & Tobago

The Asa Wright Experience 11 Feb 2016 & 9 Feb 2017 13 days 12 £3,995

Finland Brown Bear Explorer 29 May 2016, 19 Jun 2016, 10 Jul 2016, 31 Jul 2016, 28 May 2017

8 days 12 £1,595

Europe

France Camargue & Pyrenees in Autumn 27 Aug 2016 8 days 7 £1,895Italy Sardinia: Mediterranean Wildlife 3 Sep 2016 8 days 12 £1,795Scotland The Shetland Islands May - Jul 2016 8 days 10 £1,145

Spain Iberian Lynx Quest27 Feb 2016, 22 Oct 2016, 25 Feb 2017

8 days 14 £1,395

BorneoFestival of Wildlife with Nick Baker, Nigel Marven, Nick Garbutt, Alex Hyde, Nick Mackman NEW

2 Jun 2017 10 days 46 £5,195

Asia

Maldives Whales, Dolphins & Mantas in the Indian Ocean NEW 7 Oct 2017 10 days 16 £3,495Russia Kamchatka's Forgotten Coast (Voyage Only) NEW 24 Jun 2016 14 days 50 £6,134Russia Wrangel Island Exclusive with Mark Carwardine NEW 22 Jul 2017 17 days 44 £9,995

Sri Lanka Blue Whales & Dolphins5 Mar 2016, 26 Nov 2016, 4 Mar 2017

14 days 12 £2,695

Botswana Highlights of Northern Botswana Jan - Dec 2016 13 days 9 £3,995

AfricaKenya Marsh Lions Revisited with Jonathan Scott NEW 8 Sep 2016 10 days 16 £6,795Namibia Namibia’s Desert & Coast May - Nov 2016 12 days 8 £4,895Namibia Namibia with Jonathan & Angie Scott 3 Jul 2016 12 days 10 £10,495South Africa Spring Flowers from Kalahari to the Cape 14 Aug 2016 17 days 8 £4,495South Africa Birds & Big Cats of Kruger 29 Aug 2016 13 days 10 £4,195Zambia Classic Luangwa Walking Jun - Sep 2016 14 days 6 £5,295Zambia Sacred Combe Safari with Simon Barnes & Chris Breen NEW 23 Oct 2016 12 days 12 £5.995Zambia Carnivores of South Luangwa 10 Nov 2016 11 days 8 £3,945


Combining two of South America’s finest contrasting wildlife locations, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, provide an unforgettable experience that can be enjoyed year round.

Although one of the smallest countries in South America, Ecuador is home to a rich array of flora and fauna, including prolific birdlife such as the attractive Andean cock-of-the-rock and the equally intriguing long-wattled umbrellabird in its mist-shrouded forests. Such outstanding biodiversity is due to its location within the tropics, and the multitude of habitats - from the grassy highlands, cloud forests, lakes and volcanoes of the high Andes to lowland rainforest.

Only a small portion of Amazon basin lies within Ecuador, however roughly one third of its biodiversity is found here. The rainforest has an astonishing repertoire of wildlife: 15% of the world’s bird species, including the blue-and-yellow macaw, cobalt-winged parakeet, oropendolas and tanagers. Among more than 100 species of mammal are three-toed sloth, black-mantled tamarin, nine-banded armadillo, capybara, agouti, coati, tapir, and giant river otter. The rivers, streams and lakes boast two species of freshwater dolphin, four species of caiman and over 300 species of fish. And that’s not to mention ten species of monkey, 1,000 species of butterfly, and innumerable exotic flowers!

The Ecuadorian Andes offer spectacular scenery with picturesque snow-capped mountains as well as a wealth of unique wildlife. Andean fox, red-brocket deer, pudu, white-tailed deer and Andean condor - the largest species of New World vulture - are the highlights of any visit to Antisana or Cotopaxi National Park, within easy driving distance of Quito.

In contrast, off Ecuador’s coast the renowned Galapagos Islands were made famous by Charles Darwin’s studies of endemism, which led to the formulation of his Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection. This unspoilt volcanic archipelago boasts an abundance of wildlife, and on seven islands you can see the iconic Galapagos tortoise. Exploring by boat provides breath-taking views of its spectacular marine life: sea lions, seals, dolphins and whales, as well as the endemic Galapagos penguin. Among the many birds you can expect to see are Darwin’s finches, boobies, tropicbirds and frigatebirds.

Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

by Alice Nicholson, Product Team

Galapagos Islands: Luxury on Land

Discover the natural wonders of the Galapagos Islands and the unique wildlife of this enchanting archipelago by land, sea and air.


Wildlife of Ecuador & the Galapagos

Enjoy this classic combination of two of South America’s finest - but spectacularly different - wildlife destinations.



This might seem a rather grand claim given the number of extinct species and the precarious state of Planet Earth. But think about

it: 500 years ago there were more forests, tigers and whales, and we still had dodos and passenger pigeons, but we did not have planes. Travel was slow, laborious and only for the privileged few. Fast forward 500 years and who knows, we might be able to zip around the world in minutes, but how much will there be left to see? Our forests may have been reduced to deserts, and tigers and whales may only exist in a virtual sense.

We are lucky to be around now as there is still a lot of fantastic wildlife to see - albeit restricted to ever-shrinking pockets of habitat

- and travel has never been cheaper, faster or easier. It is feasible to reach just about every square metre of the world, the only limitations being time and the depth of our pockets.

With this in mind, we constantly seek new and better ways to offer unrivalled wildlife photography experiences by forging links to conservation projects that protect endangered species. Inevitably, charismatic carnivores feature strongly, as these are the species everyone wants to see and photograph.

Only ten years ago the idea of being able to photograph a snow leopard was fanciful. Few animals better encapsulate mystery, and the inhospitable mountains of Central Asia stood as a vast inaccessible fortress concealing their whereabouts. Yet some locations now offer a realistic chance of seeing the beautiful grey ghost. Hemis National Park in Ladakh is the best known of these, and success rates are high, especially if you’re willing to spend a week there.

We have developed a trip that is somewhat different to others on offer. Working closely with trackers from the Snow Leopard Conservancy, we concentrate on valleys north of the River Indus and search using 4x4 vehicles, before taking to foot to get closer.

Similarly, the forests of South America offered fleeting glimpses - at best - of the elusive jaguar. Yet go to the right locations in the northern Pantanal today and you’d be unlucky not to see one. However elsewhere in the Pantanal seeing these magnificent cats used to be a matter of chance. Until now, that is…

We work with a ground-breaking project in the southern Pantanal that tracks jaguars. By adopting techniques used to habituate leopards in some private African game reserves, these cats can be tracked, approached and observed at close quarters like never before. As well as working closely with the research team in the field, we benefit from their expertise via talks and workshops.

While jaguars may be the primary focus, the other wildlife is prolific, so there is an excellent chance of photographing giant otter, giant anteater, hyacinth macaw, howler and capuchin monkeys, jabiru stork, capybara and caiman, plus a wealth of birds. Of particular note is the Buraco das Araras (Sinkhole of the Macaws) - where large numbers of vivid red-and-green macaws roost and breed.

Other new and exciting trips include a grizzly bear experience like no other in British Columbia (see Chris Breen’s report in the last addition of our seasonal brochure) and a Wild Cat Week focusing on tigers and leopards in India that follows on directly from the snow leopard trip. We also plan to repeat our Pumas in Patagonia trip in 2018.

In FocusWildlife photography tours

How lucky we are… If wildlife floats your boat, there has never been a better time to be alive. by Nick Garbutt


Photography Tours with Nick GarbuttCountry Tour Name Departure Date Duration Price From

Chile Patagonian Puma in Focus 6 Mar 2016 (limited space) 12 days £5,495

India Central India & Assam 22 Mar 2016 (full) 20 days £5,095

Romania Focus on the Danube Delta, with Alex Hyde 30 Apr 2016 (limited space) 8 days £1,995

UK Badger Photography Workshop 20 May 2016, 1 Jul 2016 2 days£395 (workshop only)

Madagascar South & West Madagascar delights NEW 22 Sep 2016 19 days £4,995

Madagascar An Island Apart 11 Oct 2016 (full) 21 days £6,495

Botswana Giants of Mashatu NEW 5 Nov 2016 13 days £4,595

Zambia South Luangwa Art & Photo Workshop, with Nick Mackman 19 Nov 2016 10 days £5,295

India Snow Leopard in Focus NEW 18 Feb 2017 (full) 17 days £5,295

India Wild Cat Week NEW 5 Mar 2017 14 days £4,995

Tanzania Serengeti Migration 22 Mar 2017 19 days £7,995

BorneoFestival of Wildlife, with Nick Baker, Nigel Marven, Alex Hyde & Nick Mackman

2 Jun 2017 10 days £5,195

Austria Close-up on Alpine Nature, with Alex Hyde 17 Jun 2017 8 days £1,595 (excl flights)

Canada Grizzly Bears on the Taku River NEW 25 Jul 2017 12 days £7,895

Brazil The Pantanal - Brazil's Wetland Wonder 25 Aug 2017 (full) 18 days £8,295

Brazil Jaguar Fiesta NEW 9 Sep 2017 17 days £7,995

All prices are per person, include flights and are based on two people sharing a twin room unless otherwise indicated.

“Nick and Alex were excellent teachers, who went the extra mile - this was the best photo tour/workshop I have ever been on. Exceeded my expectations and I will definitely be booking again to go on another with them. Could not have been a better holiday.”John L travelled to Austria in July 2015


Britain, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Luxembourg are the only countries in mainland Europe without a breeding population of at least one large carnivore species, but due to their distribution

across Europe’s populated areas, many conservationists feel that the British countryside too could easily support one or more large predators.

In Europe both bears and wolves are found within an hour’s drive of Rome, and some wolves live in suburban areas with a population density higher than those of Cambridge or Newcastle. On average, though, they live on land with a density of 37 people per square kilometre, while lynx and bears inhabit areas with around half that figure. The Scottish Highlands, with only nine people per square kilometre, are thus an ideal habitat for the reintroduction of carnivores, although - inevitably - this idea is somewhat contentious.

Brown bear

Although long extinct in Britain, a tiny endangered population of bears inhabits the Pyrenees, with another in Spain’s Cantabrian Mountains and three isolated groups in Italy’s mountain regions. In Scandinavia and around the Baltic however, bear populations are slowly but steadily increasing. Two distinct groups in the Carpathians and Balkans number around 5,000 and 3,000 respectively, but most of Europe’s brown bears, which have recovered from an all-time low caused by intensive hunting, occur in the forests of Siberia.

In fact, the brown bear is not a particularly active predator, but one of the world’s most omnivorous animals, and has the most varied diet of any bear. They are invariably curious about the potential of eating virtually anything, although they prefer food that is abundant and easy to obtain - so their diet, which varies enormously from area to area, is generally based on opportunity and includes carrion.

Orca

Orcas are found across the world’s oceans from polar regions to tropical seas. Some - such as those of the North Atlantic, which follow the herring migration - feed exclusively on fish, while others hunt marine mammals such as seals. This specialisation in diet and hunting methods, combined with different markings, suggests that they might even be different species, rather than separate populations.

Sometimes called the wolves of the sea, because they hunt in packs, orcas are highly social – their matrilineal family groups are the most stable of any animal species. Groups have even been known to attack minke and grey whales, and occasionally sperm or blue whales. Sophisticated hunting techniques are often specific to a particular group, and inherited. As apex predators at the top of the food chain, they have no natural predators.

Eurasian lynx

Europe’s third largest predator, found in the forests of Western Europe, is a strict carnivore, consuming a couple of kilos of meat per day - when available - although they also feed on carrion. A powerful and efficient hunter, it uses stealth to pounce on animals up to four times its size - from hares and rabbits through to red deer and reindeer - despatching them with a fatal bite to the neck or snout.

Although taking larger prey may be a risk, the reward can outweigh that, so the lynx prefers fairly large ungulates, especially in winter when small prey is less abundant. When food is scarce they may hunt during the day, but are mainly nocturnal - or at least crepuscular - and spend much of the day sleeping in dense thickets or other places of concealment. Adult lynx generally live alone.

Predators of Europe

In the last of our series of articles describing predators of the world, we focus on those predators found closer to home…


Our website features over 10 countries and 22 locations throughout Europe that we can use to tailor-make your wildlife holiday


Orcas & Northern Lights - Iceland

Enjoy four exciting winter nights on the stunning Snaefellsnes Peninsula, watching orcas by day and the Northern Lights after dark.

Group, 16 & 20 Feb & 4, 8, 22 & 26 Mar 4 days, from £1,148

Brown Bears in Finland

An ideal short-haul break to a wonderful location for sighting brown bears amidst the forested wilderness of northern Finland.

Tailor-made, May - Aug 4 days, from £895

Iberian Lynx Quest - Spain

Doñana National Park and Andujar Natural Park are among the last remaining refuges of the world’s rarest cat, the critically endangered Iberian lynx.

Group, 27 Feb & 22 Oct 20168 days, from £1,395


AustraliaTravel down under

Travel consultant Chris Smith recalls his recent visit to Northern Territory

A s the plane started its descent into Darwin, I felt as if I was arriving somewhere rather special.

The blazing red earth, rugged gorges and parched landscapes interspersed with shimmering billabongs were the authentic Australia I had heard so much about.

When browsing a map, some names - Uluru, Katherine Gorge and Kakadu - stand out as being synonymous with the outback. The sense of adventure and anticipation is only heightened when you realise the sheer scale of Northern Territory: 1.5 million square kilometres i.e. more than four times the size of Germany, yet with fewer than 250,000 inhabitants!

Kakadu is the region’s most famous national park - and deservedly so. My introduction was sunset at Canon Hill bathing the rocky outcrops, whispering marshlands and distant escarpment with golden light. The colours of Kakadu are vivid by day, but at twilight they positively glow!

The birdlife is impressive - one third of Australia’s species, ranging from white-lined honeyeater and azure kingfisher to whistling kite and white-bellied sea eagle, though the most iconic is the jabiru stork, which gives its name to Kakadu’s main settlement. The most infamous inhabitant of all, though, is the crocodile. Both freshwater and saltwater crocodiles inhabit the rivers, but ‘salties’ are almost twice as large! On one boat trip I saw no fewer than 30 sunning themselves on the banks, so who knows how many lurked beneath the surface?

There is more to Northern Territory than just Kakadu however, with a number of intriguing places to visit. Arnhem Land, in the northeast corner of NT, 500 kilometres east of Darwin, is very remote, yet well worth the effort of getting there. It positively bursts with aboriginal culture, stunning landscapes and rich wildlife - more than 280 bird species plus one fifth of Australia’s mammal species - and encapsulates so many of the good things that Australia has to offer.

Mount Borradaile, on the western edge of Arnhem Land, is a paradise with rock wallabies among the trees and salties in the waterways. However it also has some of Australia’s best preserved aboriginal artefacts and artwork. The gorges, caverns and sacred burial sites tucked away in various nooks and crannies yield an array of pristine rock art that outdoes that of neighbouring Kakadu. This creates a rich cultural dimension that allows you to learn about the region’s indigenous people, and there’s always an opportunity to sample bush tucker with your local guide!

In this wilderness time has seemingly stood still and nature has been allowed to take its course, so its habitats and wildlife have flourished unhindered. The well-preserved cultural and historical sites tell of a bygone age where humans co-existed in harmony with nature. With its diverse flora and fauna, dramatic scenery and cultural richness, Northern Territory has much to offer, and much that simply can’t be seen anywhere else.

Crocodile & Jabiru Self-drive

Tailor-made, Apr - Nov13 days, from £3,395

Wings over the Top End NEW

Flying over Kakadu to Bamurru Plains and Arnhem Land offers a bird’s-eye view of Northern Territory, which reveals its extraordinary biodiversity, prolific birdlife and timeless indigenous culture.

Tailor-made, May - Oct12 days, from £5,395


Penguins, Koalas & Great Ocean Road

This combination of self-drive, small group tour and day excursions around Melbourne takes in Great Ocean Road, East Gippsland and the Wilderness Coast to see the best of Victoria’s iconic wildlife.

Tailor-made, Sep - May13 days, from £4,495

TASMANIAN WILDERNESS

Our collection of wildlife trips to Australia now includes the beautiful island of Tasmania. The diverse habitats of this isolated island range from seashore to highland, with both rainforest and mixed forest, creating a rich haven for wildlife. The many species include Tasmanian devil, common wombat, white and red-necked wallabies, pademelon, brush-tailed possum, eastern barred bandicoot, and forester kangaroo. Offshore you can see humpback and southern right whales, bottlenose dolphin, Australian fur seal, and shy albatrosses.

Tasmania’s Wilderness Coast NEW

Join a wildlife cruise along Tasmania’s fascinating southern coast, visiting five national parks and two World Heritage areas, to enjoy the island’s spectacular scenery and endemic bird and mammals.

Group, Nov - Feb12 days, from £3,995

Tablelands, Reef & Rainforest Self-drive

This comprehensive self-drive trip to see Northern Queensland’s rich wildlife includes a leisurely cruise on the Great Barrier Reef and a stay in the famed Daintree Rainforest.

Tailor-made, Apr - Nov17 days, from £4,295

ONE TO WATCHA fascinating new three-part series on the Great Barrier Reef with naturalist David Attenborough

begins on 30 December – don’t miss it!


Polar Wildlife cruisesVoyage or life-changing experience?

Around Spitsbergen

Sail through a wonderland of mountains and glaciers and enjoy spectacular wildlife encounters in this paradise for polar bears and seabirds.

Group, Jul - Aug10 days, from £3,890 (voyage only)

Classic Antarctica

This incredible voyage visits prime wildlife sites along the Antarctic Peninsula and in the nearby South Shetland islands, making a perfect introduction to the Antarctic.

Group, Nov - Mar10 days, from £4,815 (voyage only)

Great Antarctic Voyage

The ultimate Antarctic experience combines the phenomenal wildlife of the sub-Antarctic islands of the Falklands and South Georgia, with the pristine beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Group, Nov - Feb19 days, from £8,295 (voyage only)


If you have tired of orthodox travel to the same old places, there is little as invigorating as a voyage to one of the polar icecaps. Few people who travel to these opposite ends of the earth return with anything other

than a sense of profound awe at the amazing scenery and wildlife, and for many the experience is nothing short of inspirational!

The southernmost continent - Antarctica - is a land covered with snow and ice. There is no wildlife on the ice, but the seas around it, and the islands you visit en route, abound with marine life. There is no indigenous population and, indeed, no evidence that the continent was visited by humans until the 19th century. Nowadays the population is limited to the permanent research stations that several governments maintain on the continent and its nearby islands.

It’s a land of superlatives: the coldest, windiest, driest (it snows, rather than rains) place on earth and, maybe more surprisingly, the continent with the highest average altitude - much of it lies at over 3,000 metres, and the highest peaks reach almost 5,000 metres. Most is covered by a sheet of solid ice up to 1.6 kilometres thick. Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of visits are confined to the coastal fringe and the sub-Antarctic islands.

If you are concerned about the possibility of rough seas while crossing the Drake Passage from mainland South America, some trips offer the possibility of flying between Punta Arenas in southern Chile and King George Island (in one or both directions), where you board your vessel. Depending on your chosen expedition, you can discover the South Shetland Islands, Falkland Islands and South Georgia en route to Antarctica.

The Arctic, on the other hand, consists of a vast area of frozen sea - the Arctic Ocean - where the extent of the sea ice varies with the season (and is shrinking due to climate change). The ocean is ringed by treeless permafrost in the northernmost parts of the six countries that border it: Alaska (USA), Canada, Greenland (belonging to Denmark), Iceland, Norway, and Russia, plus two that don’t: Finland and Sweden.

North of the Arctic Circle (66° 33’N) you can experience the phenomenon of the midnight sun in summer (and the endless polar night in winter). The average temperature for the warmest month (July) remains below 10° Celsius - although individual warmer days are possible.

The tundra’s herbivores include Arctic hare, lemming, musk ox, and caribou, with predators such as snowy owl, Arctic fox and wolf; other land animals include wolverine, ermine, and Arctic ground squirrel. Polar bears prefer to hunt for marine mammals such as seals and walrus on the sea ice. With luck several species of cetacean, such as baleen whales, narwhal, orca and beluga can be seen, and many bird species are endemic to this cold region. The indigenous peoples of the Arctic too have adapted to the cold and extreme conditions.

Whether you head north or south, transport is by various ice-strengthened expedition vessels - many of which are former scientific research ships, refitted to offer greater comfort, with different levels of accommodation - manned by vastly experienced crews. Expedition teams of international experts deliver talks and presentations throughout the trip and lead Zodiac excursions on shore, ensuring that you see as much as possible and develop an understanding of the polar environment.

More specialised trips offer opportunities to develop photographic skills, go snowshoeing, camping, ice-climbing, ice diving, etc, and one-off charter trips offer the possibility of exploring previously unreachable areas such as Baffin Island in the Northwest Passage off the coast of Canada, or Wrangel Island, a barely inhabited Russian territory rich in wildlife that lies between Siberia and Alaska. See pages 10 & 11 for our exclusive itinerary accompanied by Mark Carwardine. Even if you have visited the polar regions before, these isolated destinations are sure to inspire you.

For an introduction to polar cruising, see the trips opposite or contact our specialist team to discuss your travel plans.


Famous FiveMy Top Wildlife Locations

One of the best things about working in wildlife travel is unquestionably having the opportunity to explore inspirational locations in search of the world’s finest animals on a regular basis to keep one’s destination knowledge up to date. Here, Wildlife Consultant Chris Smith recommends some of his favourite and most memorable wildlife experiences to date…

GUYANA Guyana really is a destination like no other. Nothing quite prepares you for the untouched nature and sheer scale of its habitats. However, it’s the wildlife that really captures the imagination! Whether it’s marvelling at giant river otters by boat in the North Rupununi or spotting harpy eagles perching in the trees of Iwokrama Rainforest, Guyana’s wildlife is incredibly diverse and, most importantly, rewarding. Picking out a specific moment from my trip is difficult, but seeing a weird and wonderful giant anteater just after dawn at Karanambu is hard to forget. And this is all without mentioning the spectacular Kaieteur Falls, the world’s largest single drop waterfall.

Lost Land of the Jaguar

Tailor-made, Sep - Apr13 days, from £4,295

INDIA India is renowned for its vibrant culture that enthrals the senses, but its wildlife is every bit as intriguing, and grey langurs, sambar, sloth bears and dholes are just a few of its fascinating animals. However tigers are why most people go. I visited Bandhavgarh and Ranthambhore, and saw tigers in both, but Ranthambhore provided the best sighting. We were admiring the famous lake with the ruins of the Raj Bagh on its shore when a call came on the radio that a tiger had been spotted deep in the forest. We arrived to find not just a tiger, but a female with three small cubs taking shade under a banyan tree before they disappeared into the trees.

Tiger, Tiger

Tailor-made, Oct - Apr16 days, from £3,295

ALASKA

Alaska is the last great wilderness in North America. Everything - mountains, views and wildlife - is on a massive scale. From the caribou migration in the Arctic to the bald eagles in the forests around Haines, there is so much to see. It’s the brown bears of Katmai National Park that captured my imagination and Hallo Bay, in particular, was a very special location. Access is by light aircraft, and the beach acts as the airstrip - the same beach where grizzlies can be seen digging for razor clams. Bear viewing is done on foot and one memorable afternoon we sat overlooking a river as bears attempted to catch salmon. The climax was when an inquisitive female walked past only a few metres away!

Alaska Bear Odyssey

Tailor-made, Jun - Sep12 days, from £6,295

CANADA It has to be said that Canada in the grip of winter isn’t everyone’s idea of a holiday. However in October and the first half of November the small town of Churchill in Manitoba is the place to see polar bears. Bears congregate along the shore of Hudson Bay waiting for sea ice to form so they can start hunting. We made daily sorties by tundra buggy out onto the bleak, snowy tundra to watch these extraordinary animals sparring, scavenging and wandering in every direction. All of our outings provided excellent sightings and multiple photo opportunities. In fact, some of the pictures that I took still take pride of place in my hallway to this day!

Classic Polar Bears

Group, Oct - Nov7 days, from £4,695


All holiday prices in this brochure are based on two persons sharing, including flights from the UK, accommodation and transfers (except where specified).For full details call our expert wildlife team. Prices are correct at time of going to print.

KENYA

The Mara is one of those quintessential places that any wildlife enthusiast should visit at least once in their lifetime. I’m fortunate to have had that privilege, and it certainly lived up to its awesome reputation. It goes without saying that the wildlife was plentiful and varied, but the highlight that lives on in my memory was a morning spent watching a family of cheetahs. We spent almost two hours tracking a mother and two mature cubs on the prowl across the savannah in search of prey. My safari ended with the iconic image of the three cheetahs sat around the termite mound – mother on top, with a cub on either side.

Migration Special

Tailor-made, Jun - Oct10 days, from £5,395


01962 302 [email protected]

wildlifeworldwide.com

Capitol House, 12-13 Bridge Street, Winchester SO23 0HL

Over 300 locations worldwide, handpicked for the best wildlife viewing.

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©Wildlife Worldwide 2016 No portion of this brochure may be reproduced without the prior

written consent of Wildlife Worldwide.

Photographs courtesy of: Steve Deschenes and Nick Garbutt. Apologies for any omissions.

Wildlife Worldwide is part of The Natural Travel Collection Ltd, a small independent travel

company that places a special emphasis on sustainable tailor-made holidays.

Discover Wildlife - Evenings to inspireFeaturing presentations by our own wildlife experts together with guest speakers from around the world, our Discover Wildlife evenings appeal to all travel and nature lovers.

You can expect to see beautiful imagery and hear stirring stories about stunning destinations. If you would like some inspiration for your next wildlife holiday you will have the opportunity to meet our team and share your experiences with like-minded travellers.

The evenings are completely free of charge. To book your place complete the registration form online or contact our expert Wildlife team. wildlifeworldwide.com/events

2016 Date Discover Wildlife Presentations Location

5 Jan Canada Winchester *13 Jan Canada & Namibia Norwich *20 Jan Namibia & Alaska Chester

21 JanAlaska & Wildlife Photography with Alex Hyde

Manchester

4 Feb India London9 Feb Costa Rica, Ecuador & Galapagos Islands Tunbridge Wells11 Feb Canada Birmingham

16 FebBorneo & Wildlife Photography with Nick Garbutt

Bath

17 Feb Wildlife Photography with Nick Garbutt Oxford18 Feb Wildlife Photography with Nick Garbutt Guildford18 Feb Namibia, Powell-Cotton Expedition Margate24 Feb Zambia & Uganda Chichester *1 Mar Uganda & Madagascar St Albans *3 Mar Canada Oxford

* Swarovski will be joining us at these evenings so you have a chance to talk about the best optics for your wildlife holiday.

Save The Dates

The Telegraph Travel Show 8 -10 Jan 2016, Excel LondonJoin us on stand E50 to meet our expert wildlife team at this brand new show.

Destinations, the holiday & travel show in Manchester & London Jan/Feb 2016Visit our stand and immerse yourself in a world of unlimited travel inspiration.

21-24 Jan at EventCity, Manchester - stand E38 4-7 Feb at Olympia London - stand AF12

To claim complimentary tickets for these events visit our website or contact the Wildlife team.

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winter/spring 2016 - wildlife worldwide holidays: africa safaris, … · 2015-12-31 · marine...

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