Wildlife worldwide brochure: winter/spring 2015

Winter/Spring

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2015

SAFARI OF A LIFETIME With Brian Jackman & Jonathan Scott Ship Ahoy!

WILDLIFE CRUISES Close Encounters WITH BEARS DISCOVER Queensland’s Nature Coast TOP PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS from the Pros Five Greatest WILDLIFE LOCATIONS

WELCOME A warm welcome to our latest seasonal brochure.

W

here to start? As always, there’s lots happening! As I write, our winter season of Discover Wildlife evenings is well under way, with presentations across the south of England and northward, with dates in Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh and York.

You can also find us at Destinations consumer travel show in both London and Manchester, so there’s ample opportunity to come and meet us face to face and be inspired.

Collectively we’ve been doing a lot of travelling in the last few months, with visits to Costa Rica, Panama, Australia, Namibia, Canada, and you will soon see the fruits of these trips…

We have organised a very special trip to see the Marsh Lions of the Masai Mara with Brian Jackman, award-winning journalist and author, and Jonathan Scott, renowned wildlife photographer and TV presenter. This is a unique opportunity to join Brian and Jonathan on this small group safari as they rekindle their relationship with the Marsh Lions after 30 years - see page 23 to read more.

Our regular look at a taxonomic order of the animal kingdom focuses on our closest cousins, the primates. And if that doesn’t float your boat, our feature on wildlife cruising certainly should!

Photographer Nick Garbutt provides some handy tips for budding wildlife photographers, while the geographical range extends yet further as we visit Canada to hear of a heart-stopping moment in the forests of British Columbia on a walk to seek grizzly bears.

Back in Africa we celebrate the seasonal arrival of the waters in the Okavango Delta, which last year was admitted as the one thousandth entrant to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites.

Meanwhile our portfolio of family and small group trips has expanded considerably, (see pages 16-17) and we’re working on a number of other exciting ideas for the future - watch this space!

We look forward to welcoming you on your next wildlife holiday.

Chris Breen Founder, Wildlife Worldwide

Contents Welcome & Discover Wildlife Events Walking with Bears, Canada Whale Tales from Québec Life Story in the Americas Costa Rica Pura Vida!

All Aboard, Wildlife Cruises Wildlife in Focus, Photography tours & tips Small Group Experiences

2/3 4/5 6/7 8/9 10/11 12/13 14/15 16/17

Zambian Safari Okavango Watery Wilderness, Botswana Self Discovery on the open road, Namibia The Marsh Lions Revisited, Masai Mara Primates of the World Australia’s Nature Coast Predators of Asia Greatest Wildlife Locations

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 correct at time of going to print.

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Over 23 years experience in designing the finest wildlife holidays

18/19 20/21 22 23 24/25 26/27 28/29 30/31

SAVE THE DATE Destinations, the holidays & travel show in Manchester & London Visit our stand and immerse yourself in a world of unlimited travel inspiration for your next wildlife adventure.

15-18 January at EventCity, Manchester - Stand E38 29 January-1 February at Olympia London - Stand AF12 We are delighted to offer you a pair of complimentary tickets - to claim two tickets to the show visit DestinationsShowTickets.com and quote DST40

We will again be exhibiting at Whalefest in Brighton so do come along and visit us on the 14th/15th March.

Discover Wildlife - Evenings to inspire Featuring 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.

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 who share your passion.

The evenings are completely free of charge. To book your place simply complete the registration form online wildlifeworldwide.com/journal/discover Date

Discover Wildlife Presentations

Location

13 Jan

Art safari evening with photographer Nick Garbutt & Sculptor Nick Mackman

Winchester

15 Jan

Whale watching around the world and Guyana

Manchester

20 Jan

Discover Zambia and Guyana

Swindon

29 Jan

Discover Namibia

London

3 Feb

Whale watching around the world and Discover Namibia Newcastle

4 Feb

Whale watching around the world and Discover Namibia Edinburgh

12 Feb

Whale watching around the world

York

18 Feb

Discover Namibia and Guyana

Chichester

26 Feb

To be confirmed

Winchester

4 Mar

Where to see whales and Discover Zambia

Norwich

Swarovski will also be joining us in Manchester, Newcastle, York and Chichester so you have the chance to talk about the best optics for your wildlife holiday.

Visit Us 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 9-6 Monday to Friday and on Saturday morning from 9-1 during January, February and March.

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Walking With Bears The real thing

Earlier this year wildlife consultant Amanda DeSimone travelled to a seldom visited area of Canada, where she was taken on a guided walk to see grizzly bears, with heart-stopping encounters…

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t was my first visit to the Cariboo Mountains, a vast, pristine wilderness an hour’s flight north of Vancouver, and an area often overlooked by European visitors in favour of British Columbia’s more familiar parks. I was there for a unique experience not offered anywhere else - a chance to interact with wild and unhabituated grizzly bears in their natural habitat with ‘bear whisperer’ Gary Zorn.

Gary has devoted his life to studying the habitat, behaviour, body language and social hierarchy of these magnificent creatures, while communing with them on their turf, and he offers visitors a once-in-a-lifetime experience of joining him as he walks upriver into their favourite feeding grounds. While chatting to Gary and his wife Peggy at my after-dinner briefing, they conveyed such respect, love and affection for the big bears that it brought tears to my eyes.

My wilderness adventure began predawn with a one-and-a-half hour boat ride across the lake. We kitted ourselves out in waders and boots before jet-boating up a remote mountain river. Even at some distance from the river mouth the stench of rotting fish was palpable, and on entering the river we were surrounded by signs of bears: piles of half-eaten salmon carcasses, bear trails, as well as scat and paw prints on the sandy banks.

We jetted upstream until the boat could go no further, then continued on foot, crossing a huge log jam and wading upstream to a place with signs of very recent bear activity. Gary knows the bears so intimately that he can talk about each one’s temperament, habits, family unit and colouring, so when a long, low growl issued from the bushes just a few feet away - despite the hairs

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that rose on my neck - I was reassured by Gary’s calm reaction.

In fact, after over 30 years experience among the grizzlies, Gary even thinks like a bear now. To communicate with them he speaks in a soft monotone, with the odd stern note of command when necessary - “Hey, bear, how’s the fishin’?” or “Enough bear, back off now!” This particular bear remained hidden in the bushes, its growl a warning not to come any nearer - one that we heeded.

Instead, we headed back across the river into magnificent first growth rainforest until we literally stumbled across a sleeping bear, tucked up in a hollow in the roots of a tree. We saw piles of freshly dug dirt, and Gary suggested a hasty (but quiet!) retreat; he knew this bear, and it was old and grumpy - definitely not one we wanted to wake! Another heart-stopping moment of excitement for me was the realisation that we were, literally, surrounded by bears that were tolerating our presence.

Due to an unseasonably warm spell for October, the bears’ thick coats and salmon-stuffed stomachs made them unusually drowsy. Visitors usually stay for three or more nights and no-one in the entire season has left without sighting a bear at least once, and usually more often. Some clients have seen as many as six in a day!

I don’t think that I have ever had such an intense and thrilling wilderness experience. As one of Gary’s clients whispered to him excitedly on seeing her first bear “This is it, isn’t it? This is the real thing!”

Over 23 years experience in designing the finest wildlife holidays

WE CREATE OUTSTANDING WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS Our website features 28 bear-watching trips and almost 30 bear locations in the Americas and Europe that we can use to tailor-make your own wildlife holiday

NEW Grizzlies of Khutzeymateen Explore the remote Khutzeymateen, the world’s first Grizzly Bear Sanctuary aboard an exclusive chartered vessel.

See grizzly bears, humpback whales, orcas, sealions and dolphins.

Small group departure, 9 Jun 2015 10 days, from £4,195 The Bear Essentials Focus on British Columbia’s largest carnivore - the brown or grizzly bear - in a variety of locations, reached by float plane for a real wilderness experience.

Tailor-made, May-Oct 8 days, from £3,595 Classic Polar Bears See polar bears at close quarters in Churchill amidst the snowy winter wilderness for an awe-inspiring and unforgettable wildlife encounter.

Small group departures, Oct-Nov 7 days, from £4,495 The whole experience was “exhilarating, challenging, exciting,

Great Bear Rainforest

majestic and peaceful.

We had a wonderful time and saw grizzlies and black bears and were lucky enough to see the spirit bear, twice! We gazed upon the spirit bear, who came quite close to us, black bears fishing for salmon just a short distance away, and grizzlies. Your organisational skills were perfect, everything fell into place without a hitch - in short a most wonderful experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

”

Ms Hill travelled to Canada Sep 2014

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On this small ship adventure, search for the legendary all-white spirit bear and humpback whales deep in Fiordland Conservancy.

Small group departures, Jul-Oct 12 days, from £4,745 Yukon’s Ice Bears Each autumn grizzlies come to Bear Cave Mountain, where thermal springs warm the Salmon Branch River as it flows through the icy landscape.

Tailor-made, Sep-Oct 13 days, from £10,950

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Whale Tales from Québec

Founder Chris Breen recounts some of the highlights from his self-drive family holiday to Québec earlier this year.

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ur route took us out of Québec City in an easterly direction to Le Bic National Park - a small sliver of land on the St Lawrence River. In such a small space it crams in ‘the spectacular’, and though we saw plenty of seals, for which the park is famous, I will remember it for its breath-taking, rugged coastal beauty.

Continuing up the coast to Matane we kept an eye out for whales, then turned inland and drove through beautiful forested countryside to the entrance of the reserve and our cabin. To our amazement, we had a brilliant moose encounter along the way - a first for me, and with some 3,000 or so in the reserve, Matane is the place to see them in this part of Canada - and they’re big!

Our substantial log cabin stood on the edge of a crystal-clear lake. We had our own mooring and two rowing boats, kayaks were available for our use, and there are some great trails for walking. Our guide spoke excellent English, had a great sense of humour and in addition to teaching my girls how to talk ‘moose’, he managed to give us some great sightings.

Further on, in Gaspésie, we did the self-guided caribou trail to a point with spectacular views out across the park. We did this in driving rain, but it was a fabulous walk which everyone enjoyed as we were so excited at the prospect of seeing caribou.

Our next journey had us return along the coast road to Rimouski where we boarded a ferry to Forestville - but not before lunch at the Jardins de Métis a beautifully presented sensory explosion served in an idyllic setting.

In glorious summer sunshine harbour porpoises accompanied our ferry, and in the low evening sunlight we saw a huge flock of common nighthawks catching insects, before we finally arrived at the vibrant and bustling town of Tadoussac - Québec’s centre of whale-watching excellence.

After an early breakfast we headed out into the St Lawrence and, of course, we saw whales - and plenty of them: harbour porpoise and belugas almost straight away, then minke, fin, humpback, and the most fabulous of all, blue whale! I never really thought we would see one. In fact, this year nine blue whales apparently spent the entire summer in the St Lawrence, enjoying the cold, deep water and rich food pickings.

That afternoon, accompanied by a private guide and followed by porpoises, we paddled two-man kayaks out to the deep waters where we stopped in silence. We listened to the tranquil sound of minke whales feeding around us, porpoises playing, and the colossal sound of a blue whale breathing. How far away it was I don’t know, but it stirs great emotions even now as I remember it perhaps due to the fact that its very existence lies in the balance, a balance which lies in our hands.

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Over 23 years experience in designing the finest wildlife holidays

WE CREATE OUTSTANDING WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS Our website features a choice of over 27 locations and 25 suggested itineraries in Canada that we can use to tailor-make your wildlife holiday

Québec’s Bears, Whales & Moose

NEW Wilderness Québec

This self-drive begins in Québec city before driving to Reserve des Laurentides for bear, moose and beaver viewing.

The route then takes in St Falgence before heading south to Tadoussac for spectacular whale watching.

Ideal for families - drive at your own pace and enjoy varied activities in Quebéc on this safe, comfortable and adventurous quest for black bear, beluga whale, moose and caribou.

Tailor-made, Jun-Sep 9 days, from £2,195

Tailor-made, Jun-Sep 15 days, from £2,995 per adult and £2,195 per child

NEW Whales of Tadoussac & Saguenay Fjord Highlights of this self-drive itinerary in Québec include watching whales charismatic beluga plus blue, fin and minke - and enjoying the delights of Tadoussac and surrounding area.

Tailor-made, Jun-Sep 10 days, from £2,495

SPECIAL OFFER Book a tailor-made wildlife holiday to Québec & receive a FREE seaplane excursion in Tadoussac (Terms and Conditions apply – see website for details)

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WE CREATE OUTSTANDING WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS Our website features 13 countries and over 100 locations throughout the Americas that we can use to tailor-make your own wildlife holiday

NEW Dominican Republic - Snorkelling with Humpbacks on Silver Bank Enjoy a once in a lifetime opportunity to swim with humpback whales in the warm waters of their Caribbean breeding grounds.

Small group departures, Jan-Mar 11 days, from £3,395 Canada - Polar Bear Mothers & Cubs The summer feeding grounds for polar bears offer fantastic opportunities to view the intimacy between mother and the playful cubs.

Small group departures, Aug-Sep 8 days, from £7,295 Mexico - Festival of Whales 2016 Join Mark Carwardine on Baja California’s Pacific Coast to celebrate the annual gathering of grey whales in their breeding grounds.

Small group departure 1 April 2016 10 days, from £4,995 Guyana - Lost Land of the Jaguar This adventure penetrates the forested interior of Guyana, the ‘land of many waters’, travelling by light aircraft, vehicle, boat, dugout canoe and on foot.

Tailor-made, Sep-Apr 13 days, from £4,195 Ecuador - Wildlife of Ecuador & the Galápagos The combination of Amazon rainforest and the islands of the Galápagos offers an opportunity to witness two of South America’s finest wildlife destinations.

Tailor-made, Jan-Dec 12 days, from £4,895 Chile - Puma-tracking in Southern Chile The focus of this small group trip is tracking and photographing pumas and in the company of an expert wildlife photographer.

Small group departures, Oct-Apr 11 days, from £3,795

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Over 23 years experience in designing the finest wildlife holidays

Life Story in the Americas Further west, grey whales head from their Arctic feeding grounds to winter in the balmy waters of the Pacific. Here, along Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, they give birth in shallow, sheltered bays and coastal lagoons to calves up to five metres long and weighing in at around 900 kilos. Positively courting the attention of human onlookers, they demonstrate a strong maternal bond - often stroking calves with their flippers - a bond that will defend the calves from marauding orcas during their migration north and will last until they are weaned.

The humpback whale breeding season takes place during winter in the tropics or sub-tropics. Males sing long, complex songs which evolve from year to year to attract females.

Calves are born between December and April, and spend a year with their mothers before becoming independent. Each February and March, humpbacks gather on the Silver Bank, in the Caribbean north of the Dominican Republic, where you can enjoy close ‘in-water’ encounters from a liveaboard boat.

T

he eternal cycle of life and death continues unbroken but is often tied to particular seasons to ensure optimum conditions for the survival of the newly-born. Watching the young of any species as they take their first wobbly steps, play, experiment and learn, can be a richly rewarding - and often humorous - experience.

Yet that journey to independence is also the most risky period of a young animal’s development, fraught with danger as it learns to compete in an adult world and struggles to come to terms with everyday life. The lessons learned in youth are the foundations of the future, as the young face new challenges, such as finding a home and raising a family.

Along the coast of Canada’s famed Hudson Bay in Manitoba Province, polar bears come ashore from the melting ice floes where they have given birth, to forage opportunistically during the lean summer months. Mother bears and cubs remain confined to the mainland until the sea freezes over once again, and it is a good time to see them at close quarters until, at the onset of winter, they head back out onto the ice to hunt for their preferred food - seals.

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Back on mainland South America, on the Rupununi savannah in Guyana’s deep south, on a recent visit our very own Chris Smith witnessed a remarkable sight: a female giant anteater carrying its offspring on its back - which it does until they are weaned. Although these curious insectivorous creatures live in overlapping home ranges, they are mostly solitary - except for mothers with their young.

At almost whatever time of year you visit the Galápagos Islands, there is always something going on. On this far-flung archipelago, one thousand kilometres off Ecuador’s Pacific coast, you can walk through a nesting colony of waved albatrosses, see the giant red throat-pouch that a male frigatebird inflates to attract a mate, witness the strutting, foot-stamping mating dance of the blue-footed booby, or the ungainly antics of booby chicks. Contemplating this wildlife set Darwin musing on the differences between different species, and led to the publication of his seminal work, The Origin of Species.

Finally, at the southern tip of the continent, Patagonia’s shy pumas generally give birth in December at the height of the austral summer, when weather conditions are at their best. Only the mother is involved in parenting and the best opportunities to see a mother with her young occur in March and April against the magnificent backdrop of the Torres del Paine massif. By this time the cubs born the previous December are old enough to follow their mother out into the wider world.

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WE CREATE OUTSTANDING WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS Our website features over 70 locations in Latin America across 11 countries that we can use to tailor-make your own wildlife holiday

Cloud Forests & Mountains

Natural Highlights

NEW Costa Rica Family Adventure

Enjoy Costa Rica’s spectacular flora and fauna on this fantastic trip that takes in the best of the country’s rainforests and coastlines. Visit the forests of Sarapiqui and Los Quetzales National Park and discover the biodiversity of Monteverde’s cloud forests.

Wildlife abounds on this exceptional trip which provides plenty of opportunity to see Costa Rica’s diverse flora and fauna! Discover nesting turtles, monkeys, prolific birdlife and much more - all amid a tapestry of forests, beaches, lagoons and waterfalls.

A family trip with plenty to see and do: see turtles hatching, watch white-faced capuchin monkeys and sloths, or zip-line through the rainforest canopy in search of toucans and hummingbirds.

Tailor-made, Jan-Dec 14 days, from £2,645

Tailor-made, Jan-Dec 14 days, from £2,395

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Tailor-made, Jan-Dec 16 days, from £3,195 per adult £1,295 per child

Over 23 years experience in designing the finest wildlife holidays

Costa Rica Pura Vida!

Product Manager Brian Wood reflects on the success of conservation during a recent trip

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he expression ‘Pura Vida’, used by all Ticos (as Costa Rica’s inhabitants are called), literally means ‘pure life’ – that says it all.

Costa Rica positively brims with life and is home to a staggering 894 bird species - more than the USA and Canada combined. Some 600 are residents, while many winter migrants from North America are drawn to the warm climes by the diversity of habitats, which extend from mangrove swamp on the Pacific coast to the rainy coastal plain of the Caribbean side, divided by a mountainous spine rising to 3,500 metres.

Of course Costa Rica has many mammals too, including jaguar, jaguarundi and tapir - but these are notoriously difficult to spot, so most wildlife watching focuses on monkeys, sloths, amphibians such as its famous frogs, reptiles, insects and marine life - especially turtles.

Established in the 1960s, Costa Rica’s national parks have now expanded to include conservation areas, refuges and reserves, protecting almost 30% of the country - an enviable record! In addition, literally hundreds of other privately-owned reserves and properties offer sanctuary to flora and fauna, making Costa Rica so rich in biodiversity that it is estimated the country protects an astonishing 5% of the world’s wildlife species!

At times it seems like the entire nation is obsessed with conservation; legions of young wildlife guides staff the lodges, reserves and parks, providing knowledgeable commentary in generally excellent English. And a menu

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of early morning bird walks, boat trips and rainforest treks offers ample opportunities to see and learn about the various habitats and their occupants.

No other tropical country has made such an effort to protect the environment, and since the government stepped in to protect the remaining areas from a history of logging, and a growing monoculture of destructive banana, pineapple and palm oil plantations, its programmes of protection and reforestation have helped ensure that 50% of the country is now under forest again.

Across the border in Panama, I recently spent a couple of days in Bocas del Toro archipelago. This was a revelation - and in the company of two fantastic wildlife guides I saw 112 bird species in a single day, plus a group of tucuxi dolphins as we made our way back across open sea. Not bad for a quiet weekend, and easy to add to any Costa Rica trip as Bocas is now served by a daily flight from San José.

With its fascinating flora and fauna, innovative approach to conservation, and range of comfortable and fun accommodation, Costa Rica is an ideal place to introduce children to the joys of the natural world. It’s safe, there’s lots of variety, the distances are relatively small, and the food is good - sufficiently different to be interesting, but with lots of familiar options as a fallback.

Wherever you go in the country there’s a huge choice of exciting outdoor activities ranging from zip-lining to whitewater rafting, nature walks to horseriding, and birdwatching to boat trips that will keep everyone in the family interested and engaged. Our new family adventure makes an excellent starting point for a tailor-made itinerary to see the best of this remarkable small country.

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WE CREATE OUTSTANDING WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS Our website features over 20 locations and 40 cruises from the Arctic and Antarctic, to the Galapagos Islands, Canada, Alaska, Mexico and Dominican Republic

NEW Alaska - Bubble-net Bonanza

Antarctic Odyssey Fly & Sail

Witness humpbacks bubble-net feeding from the comfort of the 12-berth Snow Goose, an exclusive Wildlife Worldwide chartered vessel at the ultimate time to see this remarkable sight.

Retracing Shackleton’s route from Elephant Island to South Georgia, and ending in the Falklands, this comprehensive itinerary reveals Antarctica’s icy scenery and the exceptional wildlife of South Georgia

Small group departure, 14 Aug 2015 11 days, from £6,295

8 day first class Galápagos Highlights Spend a week exploring some of the larger islands of the Galapagos on-board the motor cruiser Beluga, with landings to see penguins, giant tortoises and a host of unique bird species.

Group departures, Dec-Jan 18 days, from £8,538* (voyage only)

Small group departures, Jan-Dec 8 days, from £2,450 (voyage only)

Classic Antarctic

Canada - Orcas, bears & Totems

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

Enjoy spotting orcas and watching grizzly bears on this breathtaking trip to British Columbia, in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Group departures, Nov-Mar 10 days, from £3,802* (voyage only)

Small group departures, Jul-Aug 10 days, from £4,495

Arctic - Around Spitsbergen Navigate through a wonderland of mountains and glaciers and enjoy wildlife encounters in the land of the polar bear - a paradise for birdwatchers.

Group departures, Jul-Aug 10 days, from £3,637* (voyage only)

SPECIAL OFFER Save 20% in March 2015 * Prices based on a triple share

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Over 23 years experience in designing the finest wildlife holidays

All Aboard WILDLIFE CRUISES

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here’s something magical and timeless about travelling by boat - you board at one end and disembark at the other, and in between there’s virtually nothing you can do to affect how the trip unfolds. You literally have to go with the flow, and concentrate on relaxing and enjoying yourself - as well as making the most of the wildlife you see along your chosen course. And throughout the trip you’re generally looked after - even cossetted! - by a crew whose sole objective is your comfort and welfare. Now that’s a holiday!

Each ship and each voyage has its own rhythm and highlights. These inevitably depend on factors such as weather, wildlife sightings, and the company of your fellow-travellers, and are thus impossible to predict. Daily shore excursions create highlights that punctuate the constancy of ship-board life, and keep you entertained. A diet of talks and lectures invariably fills the down time, ensuring you have an opportunity to learn as much as you wish about the habitat and its wildlife.

The polar regions at either extremity of our planet are areas that are difficult to explore other than by boat. Those vessels used in such extreme environments are largely ones that had a former life as oceanographic and scientific research ships, but have now been remodelled and refurbished to offer expedition cruises. While still by no means luxurious, they offer surprising comfort and carry no more than one hundred passengers (indeed some rather fewer), offering a warm, safe and homely base from which to explore the Arctic or Antarctic wildernesses.

In complete contrast, our summer trips in search of bears and whales off the coast of British Columbia and southern Alaska use comfortable ketch-rigged motor-sailers that carry up to 16 passengers or a motor vessel with capacity for 12. In either case you are accompanied by a skipper, mate and chef - many of whom are naturalists in their own right - plus a naturalist guide. Smaller in size, these vessels allow you to enter every twist and turn of the estuaries and bays, and maximise the time spent communing with nature.

To see the best of the Galapagos Islands you simply have to sail - no other way offers the same in-depth perspective. Most sailing is done overnight, and you generally emerge on deck with a new island landing site waiting to be explored. This gives you virtually the entire day to enjoy a couple of shore visits with your naturalist guide, with only a short sail between them during daylight hours - so no time is wasted! Although there are vessels of all sizes, we prefer smaller ones that carry around 16 passengers, as they allow maximum flexibility - within the constraints of an itinerary enforced by the park authorities.

And if you’re at all worried by the prospect of seasickness (let’s be realistic, it does happen from time to time!), fear not - modern remedies are highly effective!

A small stick-on patch behind the ear is enough to protect you from any discomfort, while most medicines no longer mean suffering the awful drowsiness that used to blight their beneficial effect. So take the plunge and cast off: the world’s oceans offer a feast of marine highlights and are waiting to be explored…

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Photography Tours with Nick Garbutt “Wonderful trip which lived up to expectations.

Nick catered for our differing photographic levels and interests and each of us came back having learnt new things and keen to learn more.

The wildlife was abundant and there was a good variety of photographic opportunities.

The guides Jombi and Faisal were terrific and their knowledge and enthusiasm really made the trip memorable. The combination of Nick and the guides and of course the wildlife made it a great trip.

”

Ms Henry travelled on the Serengeti Migration trip to Tanzania - March 2014

Country

Tour Name

Departure Date

Duration

Price From

Sweden

Golden Eagles in Winter

26 Feb 2015

4 days

£1,395

Tanzania

Serengeti Migration

12 Mar 2015

18 days

£6,695

Namibia

NEW Namibia in Focus

9 May 2015

16 days

£6,695

UK

NEW Badger Photography Workshop

29 May & 3 Jul 2015

2 days

£385 (workshop only)

Austria

NEW Close-up on Alpine Nature

20 Jun 2015

7 days

£1,345 (excl.flights)

Brazil

The Pantanal - Brazil's Wetland Wonder

17 Aug 2015

17 days

£7,725

Borneo

Rainforests & Rivers

12 Sep 2015

19 days

£5,995

Madagascar

An Island Apart

13 Oct 2015

21 days

£6,595

Zambia

NEW Luangwa & a Blizzard of Bats

15 Nov 2015

11 days

£5,195

Zambia

NEW South Luangwa Art & Photo Workshop

27 Nov 2015

11 days

£4,995

USA

Wild West Winter Wonderland

15 Jan 2016

16 days

£5,195

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

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Over 23 years experience in designing the finest wildlife holidays

Wildlife in

Focus

Join award-winning photographer and author, Nick Garbutt on a wildlife photographic trip. These unique trips provide an opportunity to develop your technical skills through workshops and due to the small group size benefit from Nick’s expert personal tuition.

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s well as leading his own trips, Nick has teamed up with other experts to bring additional dimensions to his range of photography trips. In the Austrian Alps, Nick is joined by macro photography expert Alex Hyde, whose incredible images allow the capture of intimate portraits of insects and plant life in their natural habitat. Whilst in Zambia’s South Luangwa, he co-hosts a wildlife art safari with awardwinning sculptor Nick Mackman, whose field sculptures aim to get under the skin of the animal and give each its own personality.

Here are some of Nick’s top wildlife photography tips…

Familiarise yourself completely with your camera before you travel. Too many times I’ve seen people come on a trip with a new camera and no understanding of even the most basic operations. A first game drive or forest walk is not the time to open the instruction manual.

Always support your camera properly. This generally means using a good tripod or, if you are in a vehicle, a bean bag. Unless you do, sharp photos will remain elusive. Hand-holding a camera should not be your default position, and you should only consider it in certain specific circumstances and conditions.

Light is the architect of all photos, and considering its influence is crucial. Direct light (sunny conditions) is only good when the sun is low in the sky and the light is warm in colour (early morning or late afternoon). In the middle of the day, direct light is blue, harsh and cold which produces flat, bland pictures. Cloudy, not sunny, conditions are much better, and produce soft, even lighting, with no deep shadows or harsh highlights ideal for showing subtlety and detail.

When focusing, always use the head or eye of an animal as the focal point.

Consider your viewing angle and engage with the subject. Photos taken from an eye-level perspective always look more natural and create a better connection with the subject.

The background is every bit as important as the subject.

A distracting background can ruin an otherwise good photo. Consider your position carefully to influence the choice of background.

Give your subject space and allow it to ‘breathe’ in the picture. Don’t always assume that getting in close and filling the frame is best. Often the most dramatic photos show the main subject small in the frame, but set in a broader context.

Don’t forget to turn the camera on its side - many subjects lend themselves to portrait (vertical) format photos.

And here are two excellent DSLR macro tips from Alex Hyde…

If using manual focus, zoom in on your subject using the camera’s live view feature to check the focus is exactly where you want. Many DSLR’s give you the option to zoom into x5 or x10 in live view.

Use a small piece of aluminium foil as a reflector - it’s perfect for getting light into tight spots.

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15

Small Group

Experiences For the last 23 years we have specialised in hand-crafted tailor-made itineraries to suit your precise holiday requirements, but we have always run a limited selection of specialist small group departures. Some of these are led by highly regarded British naturalists, and others by local naturalists who we have hand-picked over the years.

Over the course of the coming months you will see a significant growth in our range of group-based wildlife holidays, particularly within Europe, but also in Asia, Latin America and Africa.. so watch this space and keep an eye out on our website and eNewsletters!

Monfragüe National Park in Spain’s Extremadura “region always turns up trumps with Spanish imperial eagle being top of a long list. We once saw one swoop under a tree, pick up a snake and pass it to its mate in the air.

Such happenings do not occur on every trip but there are always ‘Attenborough moments’ to make each tour memorable.

”

Tim Earl - Tour Leader

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The trip was amazing and sightings were way “above my expectations.

The second night in the photographic hide is an experience that I will remember forever - incredible.

The sounds, the smells, the whole experience of being on your own so close to the bears was amazing. Overall an amazing experience I would love to go back again.

”

Mr McDougall travelled on the Brown Bear Explorer - June 2014

Over 23 years experience in designing the finest wildlife holidays

Small Group Departure Calendar Tour Name Yellowstone Ultimate Wolf & Wildlife Safari Whales & Dolphins of the Haida Gwaii NEW Grizzlies of Khutzeymateen Newfoundland Adventure Brown Bears of Kodiak Bears and Whales in South East Alaska Whale Study Week Beluga Whales & Polar Bears Orcas, Bears and Totems Great Bear Rainforest Canada's Big Five NEW Bubble-net Bonanza Polar Bear Mothers & Cubs The Festival of Bears Caribou Migration & Great Bear Adventure Tundra Lodge Adventure Classic Polar Bears The Festival of Bears

Departure Date Jan-Feb May-Aug 9 Jun 2015 Jun-Aug Jun-Sep Jul Jul Jul-Aug Jul-Aug Jul-Oct 4 Aug 2015 14 Aug 2015 Aug-Sep 21 Sep 2015 Sep Oct-Nov Oct-Nov 19 Sep 2016

Duration 8 days 11 days 10 days 9 days 9 days 15 days 9 days 9 days 10 days 12 days 9 days 11 days 8 days 9 days 10 days 8 days 7 days 9 days

Group Size 14 16 13 20 8 15 20 12 13 16 18 12 12 20 15 28 15 20

Price From £4,145 £4,595 £4,195 £3,145 £6,895 £6,195 £3,995 £7,895 £4,495 £4,745 £5,395 £6,295 £7,295 FULL £8,745 £5,795 £4,495 £5,795

Chile Dominican Republic Mexico Peru Guyana Falkland Islands Trinidad & Tobago Mexico Mexico

Puma-tracking in Southern Chile NEW Snorkelling with Humpbacks on Silver Bank The Festival of Whales NEW Manu’s Jaguars & Woolly Monkeys NEW Rainforests, Savannahs & Wetlands NEW South Atlantic Wildlife Spectacular NEW The Asa Wright Experience The Festival of Whales NEW Whales and Birds in the Sea of Cortez

Jan-Apr & Oct-Nov Jan-Mar 20 Feb 2015 3 Jul, 25 Sep 2015 15 Nov 2015 13 Jan 2016 11 Feb 2016 1 Apr 2016 6 Apr 2016

11 days 11 days 10 days 17 days 14 days 15 days 13 days 10 days 14 days

6 18 24 12 14 8 12 24 28

£3,795 £3,395 FULL £4,195 £5,995 £7,695 £3,995 £4,995 £5,495

Latin America

Iceland

Orcas and Northern Lights

5 days

25

£1,157

Finland

Brown Bear Explorer

8 days

12

£1,695

Europe

Azores France Sardinia Spain Spain

Sperm Whales & Bottlenose Dolphins NEW Camargue & Pyrenees NEW Birds & Wildlife of the Meditteranean NEW Extremadura in Autumn NEW Spanish Lynx Quest

Jan-Mar 31 May, 14 Jun, 19 Jul, 2 Aug 2015 Jun-Sep 29 Aug 2015 5 Sep 2015 26 Sep 2015 24 Oct 2015

6 days 8 days 8 days 8 days 8 days

12 12 12 12 12

£1,425 £1,745 £1,845 £1,695 £1,695

Sri Lanka

Blue Whales & Dolphins

7 Mar, 28 Nov 2015 & 5 Mar 2016

14 days

12

£2,595

Botswana Namibia Rwanda South Africa Zambia Uganda Uganda South Africa South Africa Kenya Zambia

Highlights of Northern Botswana Faces of Namibia A Weekend with Apes in Rwanda Rhino & Leopard Survey in Kwazulu Natal Classic Luangwa Walking Gorillas & Chimps A Weekend with Apes in Uganda NEW Kalahari & Cape NEW Birds and Big Cats NEW The Marsh Lions Revisited Carnivores of South Luangwa

Jan-Dec Jan-Dec Jan-Dec 20 Mar, 10 Jul, 11 Sep 2015 Jun-Sep Jun-Oct & Dec-Feb Jun-Oct & Dec-Feb 16 Aug 2015 31 Aug 2015 24 Sep 2015 13 Nov 2015

13 days 12 days 6 days 10 days 14 days 15 days 7 days 17 days 13 days 10 days 11 days

9 6 10 10 6 10 10 8 10 16 6

£4,195 £3,195 £3,145 £2,195 £5,395 £6,695 £2,795 £3,995 £4,295 £6,495 £3,895

North America

Country USA Canada Canada Canada Alaska Alaska Canada Canada Canada Canada Canada Alaska Canada Canada Canada Canada Canada Canada

Asia Africa

For a detailed travel plan and further information please visit our website or contact our expert wildlife team.

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17

Zambian Safari Founder Chris Breen relates why Zambia is his first love wildlife destination…

Leopards of Luangwa

Rivers & Rainbows

Bats, Rhinos & Reptiles

This is our single most popular safari – you’ll take early morning, afternoon and night drives with an expert naturalist guide and enjoy magnificent walking safaris.

Enjoy a totally different view of this wildlife paradise in the green season just after the rains have come to an end, when the bush is lush and brimming with life.

Kasanka plays host to a remarkable annual wildlife spectacle when from mid-November onwards an estimated 12 million fruit bats arrive to feast on newly ripened fruit.

Tailor-made, May-Nov 11 days, from £4,295

Tailor-made, Jan-Apr 11 days, from £3,495

Tailor-made, Nov-Dec 13 days, from £6,295

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Over 23 years experience in designing the finest wildlife holidays

WE CREATE OUTSTANDING WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS Our website features over 18 suggested itineraries to Zambia that we can use to tailor-make your own safari.

T

here’s an inherent problem with the Luangwa Valley. In fact, come to think of it, there’s a problem with Kafue National Park, the Lower Zambezi and Kasanka as well - and, of course, Livingstone and the Victoria Falls. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that there’s a real problem with Zambia as a whole. It’s just so good!

It’s quite reasonable to ask why this should be a problem, and the answer is simply that once you’ve been, you’ll compare everywhere else to Zambia. It will become the standard from which all other cloth is cut - the accommodation, the guiding, the wildlife, the birds… And, you’ll want to keep on going back, again and again until you get it out of your system. But you never will get it out of your system - it’s an itch that will never go away.

Take Kasanka, for example, a small park in the north-east of the country that I have been visiting for nearly 30 years - a biodiversity hotspot that is literally ‘living on the edge’. Lying at the crossroads of the Southern African and East African ecosystems, and close to central Africa’s rainforests, it’s a place to see many of Southern Africa’s mammals such as impala, puku, zebra and elephant, but also some of East Africa’s wonders, including yellow-backed duiker, blue monkey and sitatunga (in staggering numbers!). If you were to visit sometime in November then you’d also witness the greatest mammal migration on earth - the arrival of some 12 million straw-coloured fruit bats that descend on the park from all over Africa to feed on its rich fruits.

If your interest is bent towards the avian world, then you’ll find such delights as Anchieta’s barbet, red and blue sunbird and Bohm’s bee-eater. And, Kasanka combines perfectly with the Bangweulu Swamps where you’ll not only find tens of thousands of black lechwe, but also harriers, ducks, geese, more waders than you can shake a stick at, and of course shoebill - the ‘holy grail’ for many a birder!

Kafue National Park is one of the world’s biggest national parks - covering a breathtaking 22,400 square kilometres - and is now really easy to combine with other parks in Zambia. The camps here are getting better and better, and the wildlife is really wild. On the Busanga Plains in the north there are huge numbers of lechwe, as well as Defassa waterbuck, cheetah, and tree-climbing lions. And further south, at certain times of year, there are staggering numbers of elephants. I was there towards the end of last year and was privy to an elephant sighting to end all others, when a herd of over 350 individuals casually made its way across the verdant plains. Silently, quietly, gently, gracefully...

Luangwa Valley & Lower Zambezi Discover the varied animal and birdlife of Luangwa Valley and explore the Lower Zambezi by boat, watching elephant and huge herds of buffalo along the riverbank.

Tailor-made, Jun-Sep 13 days, from £5,995

And the great Luangwa Valley - where should I begin? Should I tell you about the grazing lawns between the Luangwa River and its oxbow lagoons that support a great population of small and medium-sized antelope, and in turn the most visible population of leopards in Africa? Or would you like to hear about beautiful bush camps that can only sleep six to eight people? No, then maybe it’s the night-time safaris to look for owls, civets, genets, mongooses and, of course, hunting predators to which I should be introducing you, or the classic walking safaris for which the Luangwa is famous… Or perhaps you should just go there and see for yourself why, in my view, this is the best safari destination in Africa.

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Okavango’s watery wilderness

UNESCO recently declared Botswana’s Okavango Delta the world’s 1000th World Heritage Site. We celebrate the delta and tell its story…

Though the water’s arrival is but once a year, the Delta offers outstanding wildlife viewing throughout the year, and for a complete understanding of its diverse habitats, the ideal is to mix a stay at a ‘dry’ camp, which offers safari’s by vehicle and possibly on foot, with some time at a ‘wet’ camp surrounded by water, with excursions by mokoro or boat.

Highlights of Northern Botswana

Kalahari in Bloom

Return of the Rivers

Explore northern Botswana, from the open vistas of Linyanti through crystal clear waterways of the Okavango Delta to Victoria Falls.

Explore some of Botswana’s finest wildlife destinations during the green season, as the arrival of the rains brings the landscape to life.

Watch wildlife in areas that were impossible to reach until the once dried-up waterways started to flow again.

Small group departures, Jan-Dec 13 days, from £4,195

Tailor-made, Nov-Mar 12 days, from £4,745

Tailor-made, Apr-Nov 7 days, from £4,445

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Over 23 years experience in designing the finest wildlife holidays

WE CREATE OUTSTANDING WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS Our website features over 13 countries and almost 115 locations throughout Africa that we can use to tailor-make your own African safari

T

he ‘Jewel of the Kalahari’, as it is known, is the world’s largest inland delta - a pristine wilderness that is home to a huge diversity of wildlife. Extending for more than 16,000 square kilometres across northern Botswana, this watery wonderland is surrounded by the grasslands of the Kalahari Desert - making its presence all the more remarkable.

With the passage of the seasons, the delta offers an ever-changing panoply of scenery and wildlife experiences. As its emerald waters thread through the arid landscape it offers succour to the region’s people and animals, providing huge contrasts in landscapes and culture.

In its meandering journey of more than 1,600 kilometres, the complex Okavango system is fed by two principal tributaries that have their origins in Angola. The western most of these, the Cubango, floods after the summer rains trigger a heavy flow towards the south, flooding vast areas between May and September and forms a natural border with Namibia. The eastern arm, the Cuito, flows in a more leisurely fashion, ensuring a year-round supply of water that underpins the livelihoods of many local inhabitants, before flowing into the Cubango at an intersection of the Caprivi Game Park and Bwabwata National Park. United as one, they flow into Botswana, giving birth to the Okavango River.

The initial narrow section that constrains the wide meandering main flow is the panhandle, which is crucial in regulating the direction of the spreading channels whose waters fan out into a myriad of unique habitats. On reaching the delta, the floodwaters twist and turn to form a labyrinth of waterways, resulting in an almost triangular cone - known as the alluvial fan - dotted with thousands of tiny islets that rise above the water.

As the rising water creeps along the channels of the delta, the parched earth is resuscitated and vegetation re-emerges vibrant and prolific, drawing a flood of life. The vegetation is lush, flocks of birds arrive at their annual nesting sites, and wildlife starts to arrive from the south in large numbers. There is plenty for all and mammals, birds and aquatic life flourish; the shimmering delta takes on the colours of sky-blue and emerald-green - seen from the air, the beauty is breath-taking.

By the time the floodwaters finally reach Maun (‘the place of reeds’ in Setswana), its inhabitants have been waiting almost nine months - and their excitement is reflected by their by jubilant cries of “The water is coming!” Business comes to an almost complete standstill as people rush to the riverbanks and wait expectantly for the advancing flow to cover the dry riverbed before their very eyes!

Depending on where you are you will see everything from plains game such as impala, tsessebe, giraffe and wildebeest to elephant and buffalo herds. Red lechwe, reedbuck, waterbuck and sitatunga are seen closer to the water, while predators include lion, leopard, spotted hyena and African wild dog. Crocodiles and hippo’s inhabit the waterways and, with a list of some 450 recorded species that includes the rare wattled crane and Pel’s fishing owl, the birding is spectacular.

By October, barely three months since coming into full flood, the waters start to recede and the Kalahari regains the upper hand. Animals depart to seek refuge elsewhere; some, however, leave it too late and are left trapped - unable to make it through to next year’s time of plenty. At this time the landscape is littered in gruesome fashion with carcasses and skeletons. Catfish struggle as pools dry out into muddy wallows before disappearing altogether, and the land gasps for water.

But the cycle will repeat, and when the rains return life-giving waters will once again breathe colour and motion into the Okavango Delta…

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Self Discovery on the open road

In the first of an ongoing series of articles featuring destinations suitable for a self-drive itinerary, director Nick Joynes explains why he feels that Namibia makes such a good choice for an African self-drive.

Land of Contrasts Driving into the ancient Namib Desert, exploring ephemeral rivers in search of desert elephant and finishing in Etosha National Park, this is Namibia at its very best; a wilderness destination of outstanding beauty at every turn.

Tailor-made, Apr-Jan 18 days, from £3,945 Game Trails Self-Drive Take this classic self-drive around the country’s ‘northern circuit’ and enjoy some fantastic game-viewing and photographic opportunities at Okonjima (home of the Africat Foundation) and Etosha National Park, before immersing yourself in the landscapes.

Tailor-made, Jan-Dec 14 days, from £2,995

I

t was the end of the day. I had spent the afternoon at the Desert Research Centre in Gobabeb, exploring the remarkable ‘end of the desert’ along the Kuiseb River, which forms a natural barrier to the great dunes of the ancient Namib.

My chosen campsite was Mirabib - an inselberg that rises out of a beautiful, flat, grassy, desert plain, 50 kilometres from the dunes.

My roof tent was popped, my mattress inflated and sleeping bag ready. The spit and crackle of the braai was easing into a satisfied hiss, and the sun was dying, generously sharing the very last of its kindness with a golden glow. I was completely alone. No wonder Stanley Kubrick filmed Part I - The Dawn of Man of 2001: A Space Odyssey here; it’s an awesome place!

Self-driving in Africa is not something I’d necessarily recommend for everyone, but Namibia is one of the very few places where it really is worth it. In a land of incredible scenery - where unbroken landscapes stretch to the horizon - the yearning to explore is uncontrollable, and having the flexibility to detour can really enhance the sense of freedom that a Namibian self-drive affords.

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And don’t be put off by the prospect of spending entire days at a time sat behind the wheel. Etosha National Park may be several hundred kilometres north of Sossusvlei in the heart of the Namib, but there’s plenty to see and do in between. Swakopmund’s coastal wildlife (flamingos, dolphins, seals and occasionally whales) and the multitude of cultural and scenic highlights in Damaraland (Spitzkoppe and Twyfelfontein to name but two) make for fascinating stops and are just a couple of hours apart.

By alternating between self-camping and lodges, you can draw upon the knowledge you acquire from local guides, when enjoying the more independent phases of your itinerary. For example, embarking on a local lodge’s desert-elephant tour into the ephemeral rivers of the Palmwag conservancy, provides a fascinating experience before a self-drive safari in Etosha. The same is also true of taking a fly-in safari to one of the remote and luxurious camps along the barren Skeleton Coast.

The diversity of this remarkable country offers much more than just wildlife. A fly-in safari might be the ultimate way to experience Namibia, but you won’t find a better self-drive destination on the continent.

Over 23 years experience in designing the finest wildlife holidays

The Marsh Lions revisited

With Brian Jackman and Jonathan Scott This unmissable group trip takes you to where the story was born, in the convivial company of Brian and Jonathan, as they revisit their former stamping ground, rekindle their special relationship with the Marsh Lions, and see how they have fared.

W

hen Jonathan Scott and I decided to collaborate on a book about lions we never dreamed it would become a wildlife classic. First published in 1982 The Marsh Lions is set in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve and is a true story, following the lives of the Musiara Pride whose core territory is centred around an expanse of reed swamp between Governor’s Camp and the open plains.

The lions we knew then are long gone but the pride is still there and we have followed their fortunes ever since, together with the leopards, cheetahs and other animals that would later achieve even greater fame as the wildlife superstars of the BBC’s hugely popular Big Cat Diary TV series with Jonathan as a regular presenter.

No wonder the Mara has been called one of the great natural wonders of the world. Not only does it offer unrivalled opportunities to observe all the big cats at close quarters, but every year from July to October it also stages the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth when it becomes the dry season refuge for the Serengeti Wildebeest Migration.

Although Jonathan and I have remained the best of friends and have travelled widely all over Africa ever since, this is the first safari we will have undertaken together for 30 years. Much has changed in the Mara in those intervening decades, but for both of us it will always be Africa’s finest big game stronghold.

Planned to coincide with the peak of the migration season, this safari will show you the best of it, with four days among the Marsh Lions at Little Governor’s Camp and three days at Elephant Pepper Camp in the adjoining Mara North Conservancy, which includes Leopard Gorge and is also renowned for its healthy lion population.

EXCLUSIVE The Marsh Lions Revisited Travelling with the authors, and being able to tap into their special knowledge and personal experience, is guaranteed to provide profound insights into the lives of this very special group of lions.

You stay at two key locations in the Masai Mara ecosystem - both renowned for their comfort and facilities - at the time of the famed migration.

Small group departure, 24 Sep 2015 Max group size: 16 10 days, from £6,495

Brian Jackman

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WE CREATE OUTSTANDING WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS Our website features a choice of 16 countries and 80 locations throughout the world where you can view primates

Uganda & Rwanda Gorillas & Chimps Track mountain gorillas on the equator to observe these majestic and beautiful animals, and visit Kyambura Gorge to see chimpanzees in their natural habitat.

Small group departures, Jun-Sep & Dec-Feb 14 days, from £6,695 Madagascar Lemurs Madagascar, in the Indian Ocean, is home to a unique range of bizarre endemic species, including its most distinctive residents - the many varieties of lemur.

Tailor-made, Jan-Dec 15 days, from £4,095

NEW Peru - Manu’s Jaguars & Woolly Monkeys Aid conservation by helping to assess the impact of human behaviour on the jaguar population and collecting data on forest regeneration in the habitat of the woolly monkey in Manu Biosphere Reserve.

Small group departure, Jul & Sep 17 days, from £4,195

Costa Rica - Pacific Coast Journey

Borneo - Sabah & Sarawak Adventure

Discover the natural wonders of Costa Rica’s cordillera and Pacific coastline, and come face to face with whitefaced and capuchin monkeys and the charismatic two-toed sloth.

Head into the interior of Borneo and explore the remote rivers and dense jungles of Sabah and Sarawak in search of orangutan and wonderfully weird proboscis monkeys.

Tailor-made, Jan-Dec 13 days, from £2,745

Tailor-made, Jan-Dec 15 days, from £3,095

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Over 23 years experience in designing the finest wildlife holidays

Monkey Business Primates of the World

Our fascination with primates is easy to understand. After all, these creatures are the most closely related to us, homo sapiens, of all the animal kingdom, and in them we see something of our recent evolutionary past.

Gorillas - Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo These ground-dwelling, herbivorous apes inhabit the tropical cloud forests of central Africa that clad the Virunga Volcanoes along the border between Uganda and Rwanda in Parc National des Volcans or Bwindi National Park. Their DNA is highly similar to ours, making them our next-closest living relatives after chimpanzees, so few experiences are as powerful as sitting faceto-face with the largest primate of all – a giant male silverback.

A team of guides and trackers locates one of the habituated groups in the dense undergrowth at altitudes of between 2,200 an d 4,300 metres. The gorillas have the run of the mountains so, as you might imagine, on occasion this can take some time.

Once the gorillas have been found, your group of eight people is allowed to approach for a pre-determined period to sit quietly with them, watching them go about their business.

Lemurs - Madagascar These fascinating primates are endemic to the world’s fourth largest island (not including the continent of Australia), lying off the east coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. Since arriving there more than 60 million years ago on mats of vegetation borne by ocean currents, lemurs have lived in isolation and evolved to cope with the highly variable climatic conditions.

Nowadays nearly 100 species – ranging from tiny mouse lemurs to indris, the largest of all – are scattered throughout the island’s forested national parks. Many have only been discovered (or at least given full taxonomic status) since the 1990s. They take their name, from the lemures (ghosts or spirits) of Roman mythology, although this was first applied to the slender loris due to its nocturnal habits and slow movements, and only later to Madagascar’s endemic primates.

Howler monkey and white-faced capuchin monkey - Costa Rica Four species of monkey are native to Costa Rica: white-faced capuchin, mantled howler, Central American squirrel monkey and Geoffroy’s spider monkey. Corcovado National Park, on the Osa Peninsula, is the only place where you can see all four together.

The medium-sized, white-faced capuchin, is native to Central America and the extreme north-west of South America. Named after the white cowls of Capuchin friars, they are intelligent and one of the best known of all monkeys.

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Found throughout tropical Central and South America, howlers are the biggest of the New World monkeys. You can hear the distinctive call of the males at dawn or dusk, when it may carry for several kilometres. Unlike Old World monkeys, they have a prehensile tail they can use as an extra arm – particularly useful if, like them, you prefer to remain high in the canopy.

Woolly monkeys - Peru The four species of woolly monkey originate from the rainforests in the northern part of South America. Like other New World monkeys, they have a long, thick, prehensile tail capable of supporting their body. Although they live in social groups 10 to 45 strong, you might observe smaller groups of two to six individuals heading out to forage together - each one headed by an alpha male.

Although it is now considered endangered (IUCN status), Geoffroy’s woolly monkey, the species you can study in Manu Biosphere Reserve, is still hunted by indigenous people for food and also the illegal pet trade.

Orang-utan and proboscis monkey - Borneo In the language of Malaysia and Indonesia orang-utan means ‘person of the forest’ and today you can see these highly intelligent, long-haired primates – close relatives of humans – only in the jungles of island Borneo and Sumatra. They forage by day, mainly for fruit and leaves, sleeping in nests made from leafy branches and using large leaves as umbrellas to shelter from rain.

Males in particular are generally solitary – you can hear their call up to two kilometres away, which helps them stay out of each other’s way. Mothers, however, remain with their young for some six or seven years until they develop the skills to survive alone.

The endangered proboscis monkey survives only in Borneo – for example along the banks of the Kinabatangang River – where it is protected. Only males develop the distinctive, fleshy, pendulous nose that gives them their name and serves to impress females and attract a mate – with proboscis monkeys size really does matter! They are prolific swimmers, frequently leaping from trees into the water with an inelegant but comical belly-flop.

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Australia’s Nature Coast

Wildlife consultant Isabel Ashworth has recently returned from Queensland, Australia where she experienced a superb (and surprising) diversity of wildlife.

ueensland’s Sunshine Coast is full of surprises, but perhaps none more so than its incredible diversity of flora and fauna. Most people are quick to point out the world-famous beaches, but the immense variety of natural wonder astounds both locals and visitors alike. Just a few kilometres from the busy coastal towns, you’ll discover nature is bursting with colour, intricate textures and evocative sounds and smells.

Australia’s Nature Coast makes up part of the Queensland coast from the Sunshine Coast, through to Fraser Island and also incorporates the magnificent Lady Elliot Island.

Around 90 minutes drive north of Brisbane, the Blackall Range is host to some of the most dramatic terrain in Queensland, where you can enjoy spectacular views of the Glass House Mountains and lush valleys to the west, and the Pacific Ocean to the east. It is also home to Kondalilla National Park, where you can stroll amongst verdant rainforest, tall eucalypt trees, cascading waterfalls, deep gorges and boulder-strewn creeks. There is plenty of bird life to enjoy including, among others, a variety of honeyeaters, cockatoos and parrots. Listen for the distinctive call of the eastern whipbird and enjoy watching peregrine falcons soaring below the cliff-tops. Closer to the ground, keep your eyes peeled for echidna, goannas and frogs.

Narrow’s Escape Rainforest Retreat is the perfect hideaway from which to explore the whole area. Set against a backdrop of subtropical rainforest, the six luxurious cottages complete with large private verandahs allow you to immerse yourself in nature. Awake to the delightful dawn chorus and relax in a hammock while king parrots chatter on a nearby feeder. Frequent night-time visitors include ring-tailed possum and sugar glider.

Three hours easy drive further north you reach Hervey Bay, the

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gateway to Fraser Island. Accessible by ferry and navigable by 4-wheel drive, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the world’s largest sand island and is recognised for its exceptional natural beauty. 250 kilometres of sandy beaches stretch as far as the eye can see and spectacular dune blow-outs - the dunes are constantly on the move in the prevailing winds - feature alongside ethereal rainforest. Wallum heathland, towering eucalypt forest, inviting azure and emerald-coloured freshwater lakes, and mangrove swamps all contribute to this wonderful mosaic landscape.

One of Fraser Island’s most famous inhabitants is the dingo. Similar to a domestic dog in appearance, it is in fact more closely related to the Asian wolf. Those found on Fraser Island are believed to be some of the most genetically pure in Australia. The island is home to another 47 species of mammal, many of which are nocturnal these include swamp wallaby, small-eared mountain possum and the delightful sugar glider (a marsupial possum). The wide range of habitats provides for more than 350 species of birds. Dolphins, dugongs, stingrays and turtles are regularly sighted off the island’s shores, and from July to November migrating humpback whales frequent the surrounding waters.

Kingfisher Bay Resort is the perfect base from which to explore the island and a whole range of activities enable you to explore on foot, by kayak, 4-wheel drive vehicle, and even from the air.

Another gem of the area is Lady Elliot Island - the southern-most island in the Great Barrier Reef. Here you can snorkel with manta rays which inhabit the waters year round. Turtles nest on the island between November and March, whalesharks and humpback whales visit, and it is a paradise for birders.

Australia’s Nature Coast really is full of surprises - but don’t just take my word for it, go and find out for yourself…!

Over 23 years experience in designing the finest wildlife holidays

WE CREATE OUTSTANDING WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS Our website features suggested itineraries and locations in Australia that we can use to tailor-make your wildlife holiday.

NEW Australia’s Nature Coast Visit Fraser Island, home to dingos, humpbacks and over 40,000 migratory birds. Get up close to the wallabies, possums and birdlife in the Kondalilla National Park and discover the rich marine biodiversity of Lady Elliot Island.

Tailor-made, Aug-Oct 10 days, from £2,795 NEW Mantas of Lady Elliot Located in a protected zone of the Great Barrier Reef, this eco-resort is a sanctuary for marine life and top destination for manta ray encounters.

Ideal for snorkellers and divers, this is a must for your Australian adventure.

Tailor-made, Jun-Oct 8 days, from £1,095 (land only)

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WE CREATE OUTSTANDING WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS Our website features a choice of over 40 countries and 250 locations throughout the world that we can use to tailor-make your wildlife holiday

Amanda organised everything “excellently.

Our naturalist Rachid - is one of the best we have ever found - seven game drives - six tiger sightings.

Brilliant holiday! Some really unique tiger sightings!

Congratulations and thanks to Wildlife Worldwide from us both!

”

Mr and Mrs Brown travelled to India - April 2014

India - Tiger, Tiger Our most popular tailor-made itinerary in the subcontinent visits India’s finest national parks and offers the best opportunity to see tigers.

Tailor-made, Nov-May 16 days, from £3,445 Sri Lanka - Elephants, Blue Whales & Leopards This superb wildlife itinerary takes you to see Sri Lanka’s big three; elephant in Udawalawe National Park, leopard in Yala National Park, and blue whales off the coast of Mirissa.

Tailor-made, Nov-Apr 10 days, from £2,195 Nepal - Nepal Wildlife This two-week itinerary visits a trio of national parks in the low-lying Terai region, along the border with India, for a chance to see Bengal tiger, onehorned rhino and elephant.

Tailor-made, Oct-May 13 days, from £3,145

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Over 23 years experience in designing the finest wildlife holidays

Predators Of Asia

Predator (prɜdǝtǝ) noun 1. Zoology: any organism that exists by preying upon other organisms; an animal that lives by predation…

Continuing our series of articles describing predators of the world, started in our previous brochure in August, we move away from the Americas and focus on the most renowned big cats that can be found on the Indian sub continent.

P

redators catch and kill other animals for food, using all sorts of different techniques to maximise their chance of catching prey, and balance the energy they expend in catching it with the energy they gain from eating it. Some execute long chases and outrun their prey, while others ambush or even hunt in groups. Some construct elaborate traps and yet others have subtle mechanisms for stunning or poisoning their victims. Predators fascinate us…

Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) The national animal of India - also found in Nepal and Bhutan – is the most numerous tiger subspecies, however with a decreasing total population of fewer than 2,500 individuals the official IUCN status of the Bengal tiger is Endangered.

The basic social unit for tigers is mother plus offspring, otherwise adults are generally solitary, meeting only when conditions – such as a plentiful supply of food – allow. Otherwise they hunt individually in forest and tall grasslands, preferring large ungulates such as chital, sambar and gaur, although they sometimes take smaller prey and, due to human encroachment, domestic livestock.

Stalking its victim silently to get as close as possible, a tiger pounces and bites the animal’s throat, before dragging the carcass - sometimes several hundred metres - into cover to eat.

This hunting method and the availability of prey results in ‘feast or famine’ feeding, and a tiger may consume as much as 40 kilos of meat at a time.

As in Africa, these lions live in prides, though smaller with just two adult females. Male coalitions defend a home range with one or more groups of females, only associating when mating or on a large kill – possibly due to the size of the most common prey: the chital, which weighs only around 50 kilos.

Lions generally prefer larger, heavier prey and hunting as a group enables them to take down large animals. Yet in Gir they generally take smaller ones, which reflects their opportunistic hunting behaviour. Domestic cattle once formed a major component of their diet, but as villagers have removed their livestock, most kills now occur in villages outside the sanctuary.

Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) Although this subspecies has been classified as Near Threatened

by IUCN since 2008, its status may be downgraded to Vulnerable as the population continues to decline, due to habitat loss, poaching for the illegal trade in skins and body parts, and persecution due to conflict with humans.

In the Indian subcontinent they are widespread, their range defined by topographical barriers: the Indus River in the west, the Himalayas in the north, and the lower Brahmaputra River and Ganges Delta in the east. Within this area leopards are found throughout India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and parts of Pakistan.

Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica)

In Sri Lanka, leopards live in tropical and dry-deciduous rainforest, temperate forest and even northern coniferous forest, and the island’s Yala National Park in particular is internationally renowned for its healthy population.

The rare Asiatic (a.k.a. Indian or Persian) lion was once found throughout Persia, Arabia and Baluchistan as well as India.

Nowadays, however, you can find it only in Sasan Gir National Park in Gujarat state. This lion is listed as endangered, however since it was protected the tiny population has shown steady increase and now consists of more than 400 individuals – more than double the all-time low of 1974.

In the Himalayas, leopards co-exist with snow leopards up to altitudes of 5,200 metres, otherwise they can be found with other predators such as Asiatic lions, Bengal tigers, black bears and sloth bears, or canids such as wolves, striped hyenas, wild dogs and jackals, most of which are also widely spread and may kill a leopard cub given a chance.

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WE CREATE OUTSTANDING WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS Our website features a choice of over 40 countries and 300 locations throughout the world that we can use to tailor-make your wildlife holiday

The grassy plains of East Africa

The Carpathian Mountains

Yellowstone National Park

The vast acacia-dotted plains and magnificent Rift Valley of East Africa are truly timeless and, for me, the sheer wealth of wildlife in the Serengeti and the Masai Mara has no equal. Devoid of human development to obstruct the annual cyclical march of millions of wildebeest, this is the setting for the ultimate classic safari; traditional tented camps, Masai guides, outdoor dining and drifting off to sleep at the end of the day to the sounds of the African night, while listening to lions roaring in the darkness outside.

I find it incredible that you can still see bears (and if you are lucky, wolves!) in Europe among the lofty peaks of the Carpathian Mountains, close to the timber-clad houses of villages that look as if they have come straight out of a fairytale. Here, in spring and summer, you can watch bears forage in virgin forest, and in early spring go tracking lynx and wolves. And only a short drive away is the extraordinary watery ecosystem of the Danube Delta - all this just three hours flying time from the UK.

Remaining forever nostalgic for the first place I travelled to alone, I’ll never forget my first sight of American bison grazing in Yellowstone. The thrill of seeing these huge, brown, shaggy, snorting beasts evoked a time before Europeans arrived, when vast herds roamed freely across North America’s prairies. Since then, wolves have been successfully re-introduced, which has brought predator/prey ratios back into balance and Yellowstone is now considered the best place in the world to see them.

Tanzania - Spirit of the North

Romania - Bears in the Carpathian Mountains

USA - Yellowstone Ultimate Wolf & Wildlife Safari

This short trip over a long weekend offers the possibility of spotting brown bears and other animals in Piatra Craiului National Park, in the Carpathian Mountains.

Enjoy an unforgettable winter safari that tracks and observes wolves and other wildlife in the white and silent splendours of some of North Americas greatest national parks.

Tailor-made, Apr-Oct 4 days, from £1,045

Small group departures, Jan-Feb 8 days, from £ 4,145

Take in all the major wildlife highlights and contrasting locations of northern Tanzania on this classic safari including Lake Manyara, the Serengeti plains, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park.

Tailor-made, Jan-Dec 10 days, from £3,395

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Over 23 years experience in designing the finest wildlife holidays

Greatest wildlife

Locations Continuing the series started in our autumn brochure, wildlife consultant Amanda DeSimone recommends some of her favourite locations and most memorable wildlife encounters

South Africa I was fortunate to live and work here, so can honestly say that South Africa offers wildlife in some of the most beautiful landscapes I have experienced; the emerald hills of Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, the spiky Drakensberg range, the waterways of St Lucia’s wetlands and the massive Kruger National Park, all offer outstanding wildlife, birdlife, scenery and luxury. Even a self-drive along the Garden Route offers the opportunity to encounter meerkats, penguins, whales and sharks, as well as the

more traditional African wildlife. And, being malaria-free and time-zone-friendly, it’s an ideal destination for a family safari.

Zululand & Swaziland Self Drive KwaZulu Natal is a true South African gem when it comes to wildlife, with a great mix of ‘first class’ reserves and breathtaking scenery.

Tailor-made, Jan-Dec 11 days, from £3,495

India I discovered India late - after a six year love affair with the African continent - and although it offers an experience very different to an African safari, I have always found it every bit as rewarding. Here, you can see the landscapes and animals immortalised in Kipling’s Jungle Book while staying in luxurious lodges, camps and palaces that hark back to the days of the Raj. But of course, the big draw is what many consider to be the most beautiful big cat of all - the magnificent tiger - although Asiatic

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lion, wild asses and the immensely rich birdlife provide many other highlights for wildlife lovers.

India’s Big Five See all five of India’s big mammal species in three beautiful and contrasting national parks, Sasan Gir, Kanha and Kaziranga.

Tailor-made, Nov-Mar 15 days, from £3,695

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AN EXCLUSIVE SAFARI TO KENYA’S MASAI MARA Join author Brian Jackman & Big Cat Diary presenter Jonathan Scott

The Marsh Lions Revisited Small group departure, 24 Sep 2015 10 days, from £6,495 (See page 23 for further details)

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Photographs courtesy of: Nick Garbutt, Old Mondoro Camp, Evelyn Pfeiffer Apologies for any omissions. ©Wildlife Worldwide 2014/15 No portion of this brochure may be reproduced without the prior written consent of Wildlife Worldwide.

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