Overseas Birding and Wildlife Holidays

Every holiday is carefully planned to give you a memorable wildlife experience, all part of ‘The Heatherlea Way’, which gives you the best available content, in comfort, and with excellent support. Our overseas holidays are created with care to offer great birding and wildlife, led by capable Leaders who really look after you. Most are led by one of our regular Guiding Team travelling from the UK, though some are based in the destination country, and with more than seven clients you will usually have two Guides. Every holiday is run ‘The Heatherlea Way’, offering rewarding and exciting days in the field, and good quality accommodation and meals, with a real flavour of the country we are visiting. Most holidays include at least an element of local guiding, and we always seek to include the personal touches that make all the difference.

Heatherlea holidays are not ‘dawn to dusk’ expeditions. Our less-intensive approach is ideal for those who want to relax whilst enjoying excellent wildlife watching, and wherever possible we organise early or late activity on an optional basis. We also take sensible breaks when in very hot places and regular comfort stops on every holiday. It is important to us wherever possible that everyone in the party sees the bird or animal, and we often seek to get better views for all rather than chase the next ‘tick’. All itineraries are planned carefully around the best wildlife opportunities, and our relaxed, informal holidays are great fun.

On ‘long-haul’ holidays, it is particularly important to choose an operator with good back-up services. With Heatherlea, hotels, meals and activities are usually booked directly in the destination country, helping to guarantee smooth running, and we employ very experienced local ground agents, who offer a warm welcome, and who give invaluable advantages which will enhance your holiday, particularly when we need to find difficult-to-see wildlife. We have a highly experienced and capable team throughout the world, and the emphasis is firmly on personal attention, with our UK office available at short notice for tour operations. Also, Heatherlea often include things which others might invite you to pay yourself, for instance Departure Taxes, tips to hotels, a night walk, or a boat safari through prime habitat. The cost of these things can be significant, so if comparing, take them into account!

We have been organising birding and wildlife holidays for 32 seasons and have a highly experienced and capable office team. We also offer a telephone and email service outside normal office hours.

4 Many holidays include content which might not seem important before you book but will make a difference when you arrive – examples include an opportunity to photograph lekking Ruff in Finland, taverna meals in Skyros, internal flights in Peru, India and Nepal, and many more.

4 A ‘feel’ of the country we are visiting is an important part of our holidays. This may mean wine-tasting in Chile, or tea at a Saharan community in Morocco. We don’t lose birding time, just offer a little extra so you can enjoy a rounded holiday experience.

4 Often our holidays include things which others might invite you to pay yourself, for instance Departure Taxes and tips to hotels. Please check when comparing!

4 Heatherlea overseas holidays have a maximum of 12 clients per trip, putting the emphasis on personal service, and helping you get the best possible experience. (NB we reserve the right to increase the number of clients to 13, should a couple wish to book the final place available).

* Low initial deposit secures your holiday for most destinations.

4 If you would like more information before you decide, you can download a copy of the ‘TRIP REPORT’ which includes a copy of the bird list and species seen on the previous year’s departure. ‘TRIP REPORTS’ can be downloaded from our website – just visit the holiday page at www.heatherlea.co.uk, and help yourself, or ring us here in the office and we will post a printed copy to you. For further information and booking details contact us on 01479 821248 or email info@heatherlea.co.uk.

4 A copy of the ‘Tour Info Pack’ will be issued when you book, including information to help prepare for your holiday. Sections headed ‘Flights’, ‘Entering your destination’, ‘Field Clothing’ and ‘Currency’ will help you to plan – you will be very well informed!

4 A ‘Final Information Pack’ will be issued prior to travel, containing flight tickets, Guide contact details, airport hotels, accommodation in the destination country including relevant websites, plus health and other useful information you might need whilst abroad.

4 All elements of our holidays are sold under our own licence, ATOL 6113. Under UK ‘Flight-Plus’ legislation it is a legal requirement of any tour operator to hold an ATOL licence for the supply of any overseas holiday where a flight is involved, if that holiday includes either overseas accommodation and/or vehicle hire. It can be a criminal offence for an operator to book flights as part of a package without an ATOL licence. Book holiday extensions through us, and your ATOL protection is extended even further. Heatherlea also hold full Tour Operator Insurance for your added protection.