Wildlife Worldwide Brochure - Autumn/Winter 2019/20

Autumn/Winter | 2019/20

Tailor-made Holidays & Expert-led Small Group Tours

Welcome

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t’s been a busy few months for us here at Wildlife Worldwide, with many of the team away leading trips or visiting new destinations, and as a result we are delighted to introduce 20 brand new holidays to the Wildlife Worldwide portfolio, including some mouthwatering new trips to India and Colombia and nine new photography tours.

I’d like to invite the whale watchers amongst you to join me on a cruise to enjoy the marine life of Mexico’s legendary Sea of Cortez, or to visit northern Norway with Cathy Harlow in search of orca, humpbacks and Northern Lights? If bears are your passion, our Festival of Bears in October 2021 will have you watching grizzlies within an hour of landing at our floating lodge situated within the Great Bear Rainforest, whilst both of our exclusive charters to Spitsbergen and Wrangel Island offer outstanding chances of seeing that icon of the Arctic – polar bears. If your interests lie in warmer climes, our new Colombia’s Rare Mammals trip includes the chance of seeing spectacled bears.

We know that many of you share our love of cats – read about our three new tours to India, including a small group trip in search of India’s Big Cats and two pioneering new trip ideas that look for India’s smaller cats. In addition, we have some exciting new itineraries to remote, lesser known areas of Botswana and Zambia. Our range of dedicated Photography Tours continues to grow and in this brochure we introduce nine new trips – these are led by Nick Garbutt, Alex Hyde and Bret Charman, as well as professional photographer Chris Weston, who we are delighted to welcome to our expert team.

We bring you news of our inaugural trips to India’s Nagarhole National Park where all of our groups were able to view the much sought-after melanistic leopard (AKA black panther), and also from Japan where our groups enjoyed some magnificent views of the country’s iconic winter wildlife including the magnificent Steller’s sea eagle. All in all, it’s a bumper new edition and we very much hope that you enjoy it.

Wishing you happy travels,

Chris Breen, Founder

Contents Welcome 2/3 NEW Zambia’s Wild West: Kafue & Liuwa Plain 4/5 NEW Botswana’s Rare Mammals 6/7 Nagarhole & NEW Wild Karnataka Holiday 8/9 NEW India’s Cats: Big & Small 10/11 Japan’s Winter Wildlife 12/13 Wrangel Island Exclusive Charter 14/15 NEW Colombia’s Rare Mammals 16/17 NEW Mexico: The Sea of Cortez Voyage 18/19 NEW Canada: Festival of Bears 20/21 Costa Rica’s Resplendent Quetzals 22/23 Brazil’s Pantanal 24 NEW Norway: Skjervøy’s Whales & Northern Lights 25 Festival of Wildlife: Spitsbergen 2020 26/27 NEW Pumas in Patagonia 28 Red Pandas: Photography in the Himalayas 29 NEW Rainforest Photography Workshops 30 NEW Iceland: Arctic Fox Photography 31 NEW Photography Tours with Chris Weston 32/33 NEW Wild Tasmania: Wildlife Photography 34/35 Wildlife Photography Competition 36 Wildlife Photography Tours Calendar 2019-2021 37 Small Group Tours Calendar 2019-2021 38/39

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Front cover: Brown bear, Katmai, Alaska (see p.32) All holiday prices in this brochure are based on two people sharing a room (or cabin), and include flights from the UK, accommodation and transfers (except where specified). Prices are correct at time of going to print. For full details contact our expert wildlife team.

Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays

Our Holidays Tailor-made

We excel at tailoring holidays which allow you the freedom and flexibility to travel how, when and where you want to go. You may want to see a certain species, visit particular locations, or stay in specific accommodation. You may prefer a particular airline or class of travel, or need to travel at a certain time of year. To guide you through the options, we provide ‘trip ideas’, put together by our team who have already ‘been there and done it’. These will give you an idea of the possibilities and guideline prices, but you are in the driving seat and our expert team can create a holiday to meet your exact requirements.

Small Group Tours

Whilst our roots are in creating tailor-made wildlife holidays, our collection of small group tours is rapidly expanding and we have developed lots of exciting new trips, some of which are launched in this brochure. Travelling as part of a small group can be hugely rewarding, allowing you to meet like-minded wildlife enthusiasts and benefit from the expertise of a naturalist tour leader. However, if you prefer to travel independently or with your family, a large number of our group tours can be adapted to be taken on a private basis. Where applicable we have endeavoured to provide a guide price for a private departure.

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Every moment was a joy under the African skies, day and night! Finally seeing African wild dogs and four beautiful puppies emerge from the den to be greeted by the other members of the pack. A magnificent male cheetah who climbed up a tree right in front of us. A pride of 30 lions, hunting, mating and roaring with all their might … I could go on and on!

”

Clare W – Botswana’s Wild Dogs (June 2019)

African wild dog by Bret Charman (main image)

sales@wildlifeworldwide.com

01962 302055

www.wildlifeworldwide.com

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Zambia’s Wild West Kafue & Liuwa Plain

Wildlife Worldwide Founder, Chris Breen, introduces our fabulous new Zambia’s Wild West trip and explains why he considers the country to be amongst the very best destinations that Africa has to offer.

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make no bones about the fact that, for me, Zambia is the top wildlife destination in Africa – it’s where I cut my naturalist teeth, and the place I compare everywhere else in the world with. That’s not a bad recommendation in itself, but when I tell you that, for me, the guides in Zambia set the standard in African guiding then, with any luck, that helps to complete the picture!

Whether you choose a tailor-made holiday, or join one of our small group tours to Zambia, at Wildlife Worldwide we have always set the standard that others have followed – it’s a destination we know intimately, and in which we have developed an extensive network of trusted colleagues and contacts over the past 30 years. And with our new Zambia’s Wild West: Kafue & Liuwa Plain safari – combining Kafue National Park and the expansive plains of Liuwa – we have struck gold once again.

These two parks, in Zambia’s far west, combine beautifully to make a wonderful safari experience, and showcase a part of the country that is rarely visited. Kafue National Park is one of the biggest national parks in the world. Covering a breathtaking 22,400 square kilometres, it is home to 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. On my most recent visit I was privy to an elephant sighting to end all others, when a herd of over 350 casually made their way across the verdant plains. I will be back there again later this year and hope to see something equally exciting.

Liuwa Plain National Park combines perfectly with Kafue – in fact it is difficult to find other wildlife locations that are more remote and wilder than the Kafue; it is one of Africa’s least visited parks and a true hidden gem. It is home to the second largest wildebeest migration in Africa (with approximately 30,000 individuals) and our group departure is timed to coincide with the best time to see the migration. In addition, dramatic skies at this time of year provide photogenic backdrops to the wildflowers which are blooming across the plains.

Whilst wildebeest is the dominant herbivore here, tsessbe, zebra, red lechwe, sitatunga and Lichtenstein’s hartebeest are just some of the other grazers, while predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyena and wild dog add excitement to the safari day.

Chris will be returning to South Luangwa National Park to lead our ever popular Sacred Combe Safari in September 2020. To find out more about either of these tours, or to plan a tailormade holiday to Zambia contact our expert team.

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NEW Zambia’s Wild West: Kafue & Liuwa Plain The west of Zambia is seldom visited by even the most seasoned safari travellers. This is Zambia at its most untamed, undisturbed and unspoiled. Join us on this exceptional small group tour as we search for the very best wildlife that the country’s Wild West has to offer.

Group, 22 Nov 2020 11 days, from £5,995

Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays

Private: £6,595

Leopards of Luangwa

Sacred Combe Safari

Our single most popular safari – we’ve been selling it for years and it’s just as popular now as when we first introduced it. South Luangwa has the world’s highest naturally occurring population of leopard – spot them on early morning, afternoon and night drives, as well as glorious walking safaris.

Join Wildlife Worldwide Founder, Chris Breen, and acclaimed author Simon Barnes on this small group trip to Zambia’s sensational South Luangwa and North Luangwa National Parks. Exploring on foot and by vehicle, they will share their passion for the region’s fabulous wildlife.

Trip idea, May-Nov 11 days, from £5,395

Group, 26 Sep 2020 13 days, from £7,975 Wildebeest on Liuwa Plain by Tyrone McKeith (main image)

“

Amazing quantity of wildlife, good herds of elephant with plenty of young ones, walking in the bush. South Luangwa was indeed our Sacred Combe – incredible numbers of leopards and we really enjoyed the after-dinner readings from Chris and Simon, plus of course their amazing knowledge of the area.

”

Alison G, Sacred Combe Safari 2018 sales@wildlifeworldwide.com

01962 302055

www.wildlifeworldwide.com

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Botswana’s Rare Mammals

Wildlife Worldwide Manager, Dan Free, writes about his love of Botswana and, in particular, a very special trip in search of the country’s rarer mammals including aardvark, aardwolf and brown hyena.

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s I’m falling asleep at night I often ask myself, ‘If I could wake anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would it be?’ Invariably, the answer to this question is Botswana! I’ve waxed lyrical before about our Best of Botswana trip which focuses on three of the country’s best wildlife areas around the edge of the Okavango Delta; however, this March my wife and I travelled to Botswana and, for the first time, did not visit the Delta. Our mission was to see some of Botswana’s other wilderness areas and, with luck, to encounter some of the continent’s rarer mammals – species not seen on a ‘typical’ safari, including aardvark, aardwolf and brown hyena.

north, this area now attracts up to 30,000 migrating zebra plus smaller numbers of wildebeest and accompanying predators.

Locating ourselves in the eastern half of the park, away from the lodges on the western boundary, the safari experience was extraordinary: over the three days that we spent here we didn’t see another vehicle. Whilst we had to work hard for our sightings, when we did find lion and cheetah the experience was all the more rewarding. We enjoyed excellent views of elephant, gemsbok, springbok, huge herds of zebra, bateared fox and prides of elegant ostrich. We also had several encounters with small colonies of inquisitive meerkats and, on our final morning, we had wonderful views of an aardwolf sitting at the entrance to a burrow (pictured below).

Beginning at Lake Ngami, we enjoyed fabulous views of aardvark on both nights and were able to approach one individual on foot, getting to within 20-30 metres (pictured below). We also had night-time sightings of African wildcat, striped polecat, Selous’s mongoose, lesser galago and small spotted genet, as well as fabulous birdlife during the day.

Travelling throughout in an open-sided vehicle and limited to a group size of just six participants, it was a super trip and complemented our previous experience in the Delta. For the first-time visitor to Botswana the Okavango Delta really is a must, but for the returning traveller seeking something different, our Botswana Rare Mammals trip is a great option.

Of course, if you can’t make up your mind, you may like to consider our new 12-day Desert to Delta trip where we combine CKGR and the Delta.

From Lake Ngami we travelled south to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR), a vast area of semi-arid desert, home to striking black-maned lions, cheetah and abundant prey animals including springbok and majestic gemsbok. Recently, two packs of wild dog have taken up residence in the area; we were fortunate enough to enjoy sightings of all these species, but the highlight for us was undoubtedly the brown hyena that was seen on our second morning. We’d just located a female cheetah when the dark shaggy form of a brown hyena was spotted skirting around the edge of the plains. We were able to approach and, although it was shy, enjoyed some fantastic views of this bizarre and seldom-seen species.

Our trip concluded in the open grasslands of Makgadikgadi Pans National Park – since the removal of game fences to the

Contact our expert team to book a tailor-made or small group tour to Botswana.

NEW Botswana’s Rare Mammals Visiting Lake Ngami, CKGR and Makgadikgadi Pans National Park this 12-day luxury mobile-camping safari goes in pursuit of aardvark, brown hyena and aardwolf, alongside such iconic species as black-maned lion, cheetah, meerkat and large herds of migrating zebra.

Group, 3 Mar 2020; 21 Mar & 11 Apr 2021 12 days, from £4,195

Aardvark

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Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays

Private: £7,495

Aardwolf

“

We have done many safaris in Africa and nature holidays throughout the world, and this was right up there with the best. Our guide was an excellent companion and his knowledge of the bush was second-to-none, meaning we ended up with fantastic sightings of 42 species of mammal, including leopard, lion, cheetah, elephant, wild dog and even pangolin.

Paul C, Best of Botswana, June 2019

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Brown hyena, Botswana (main image)

Best of Botswana

NEW Desert to Delta

Our hugely popular 13-day luxury mobile-camping safari to Botswana’s Okavango Delta offers an excellent chance to see a wealth of wildlife including lion, leopard, wild dog and elephant.

Combining the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and the wildlife-rich Okavango Delta, this luxury mobilecamping safari visits two of Botswana’s premier wildlife areas.

Group, 13 Jun, 18 Jul, 5 Sep, 3 & 31 Oct 2020 13 days, from £4,495 Private: £7,795

Group, 25 Apr 2020; 24 Apr 2021 12 days, from £4,395 Private: £6,995

sales@wildlifeworldwide.com

01962 302055

www.wildlifeworldwide.com

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Nagarhole National Park Nagarhole’s Tigers, Wild Dogs & Leopards Wildlife Consultant and Tour Leader Nick Acheson reflects on the incredible success of our inaugural trips to Nagarhole National Park and introduces our expert local leader, Ashwin HP.

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t’s no exaggeration to say that we have been blown away by the success of our pioneering 2019 Nagarhole’s Tigers, Wild Dogs & Leopards holiday. We knew, from our research, and our scouting trip in 2018, that Nagarhole was as fine a park as can be found anywhere in India, offering outstanding encounters with wildlife. We dared hope that our three groups would see tiger and Asian elephant, might see leopard, and would stand a good chance of seeing Asian wild dog. But we were thrilled when each of our groups in turn saw multiple tigers (including mothers with cubs), multiple leopards (including one taking an Indian giant squirrel from right by our group’s vehicle), and multiple Asian wild dogs at point blank range (including parents bringing their little pups out of deep cover to feast on a freshly killed chital buck). We were even more excited that each of our three groups saw the legendary male black leopard – the park’s superstar – with one of our groups watching him alone for half an hour as he rolled and played in the dust beside them. Astonishing!

The wildlife on our tours was outstanding, to be sure, but their logistics also ran like clockwork. Thanks to complex park regulations, Nagarhole is not the easiest protected area in which to operate. Apart from the breathtaking wildlife, the key ingredient in the success of Nagarhole’s Tigers, Wild Dogs & Leopards in 2019 was our superb in-country colleague Ashwin HP. A native of the state of Karnataka, with a lifelong knowledge and love of Nagarhole and its wildlife, Ashwin is a South Indian naturalist without equal.

He is also greatly admired and respected in the park and it is for this reason that he is the perfect man to lead and manage our tours there. We are therefore delighted that Ashwin, who led one of our tours in 2019, has agreed to lead our trips to Nagarhole National Park in 2020 and 2021, as well as our exciting new Wild Karnataka tour which visits Bandipur National Park and the fringes of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. Ashwin’s relationship with the celebrated black leopard of Nagarhole runs deep. As lead naturalist in one of the park’s most prestigious lodges he has seen the cat as often as anyone, and thanks to his network of friends in the park he sends us near-daily updates of the panther’s whereabouts. His experience and skill recently enabled a film crew to capture footage of the black male mating with a spotted female.

We cannot know the future of Nagarhole’s black leopard, as other males challenge him for territory and for females, but what we do know is that with Ashwin in charge you are in the best possible hands for a peerless experience with the exuberant wildlife of Nagarhole.

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Tiger, Nagarhole National Park by Bret Charman (main image)

Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays

“

Ashwin was a superb guide and ensured we had an incredible time in Nagarhole with plenty of tigers (some with cubs), Asian wild dogs, elephants and a magical sighting of the melanistic leopard.

Sue A, Nagarhole’s Tigers, Wild Dogs & Leopards, March 2019

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NEW Wild Karnataka

Nagarhole’s Tigers, Wild Dogs & Leopards

With some of India’s least spoiled and most serene protected areas, and all of the country’s best-loved wildlife, including tiger, leopard, Asian wild dog and Asian elephant, the southern state of Karnataka is a little-known gem.

Discover India’s unspoilt south on our small group tour which spends seven nights in Nagarhole National Park, home to such iconic mammals as tigers, wild dogs and leopards, along with a melanistic leopard (‘black panther’).

Group, 3 Mar 2020; 21 Feb 2021 11 days, from £3,095

Group, 21 Feb, 6 & 24 Apr 2020; 7, 14, 21 & 28 Mar 2021 10 days, from £3,295

sales@wildlifeworldwide.com

01962 302055

www.wildlifeworldwide.com

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India’s Cats Big & Small!

Team Member and self-confessed cat enthusiast Nick Acheson details the vast variety of cat species to be found in India and introduces three pioneering new trips in search of the country’s big and small felines.

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t the mention of cats in India, which is the first that comes to mind? Surely a tiger, striding moodily through the striped light of a sal forest in Madhya Pradesh. Perhaps a leopard, glancing defiantly across its shoulder as it crosses a ride. In fact, with 15 species (and a 16th, the cheetah, lost here in the mid-20th century), India is the richest country in the world for cats.

Tigers once occupied India’s vast areas of tall forest, from the far south, to the Himalayan foothills and into the sweaty north-east.

Leopards occurred everywhere alongside them, and beyond into higher Himalayan forest, into thorn scrub and semi-desert, and even into cities. Around humans, attracted by rats in rice fields, jungle cats are also widely found. At the edges of tiger habitat, away from the heart of the tall forest, a subcontinent endemic is found: the charming rusty-spotted cat, the world’s tiniest species.

The strange, enigmatic fishing cat is also widespread, but is strongly associated with wetlands, and fast declining.

Where tiger habitat gives way to the driest deciduous forest and thorn scrub, three more cats historically inhabited a swathe of north-west and north India, following the Indo-Gangetic Plain. The largest of them, the Asiatic lion was saved from extinction only by the royal house of Junagadh. From a nadir of fewer than 20 individuals in the Gir Forest, today Gujarat’s lions number around 600. Two more cats, the caracal and the beautiful desert wildcat, also inhabit the driest scrub and grassland of lowland India.

Where forests are humid, another suite of cats can be found. The most widespread is the exquisite leopard cat, its eyes widely rimmed in cream. It is found in virtually any evergreen forest in India, including the south, the north and the north-east. But it is in the north-east, in the forested hills that spill over the borders into Bhutan, China and Myanmar, that the most sought cats are found.

Here the fabulous clouded leopard stalks the night, and with it the Asian golden cat and the highly arboreal marbled cat.

The last three Indian cats live almost in the sky. Alongside the fabled snow leopard in the icy Himalayas are found the northern lynx and the flat-faced Pallas’s cat, scurrying over scree in search of pikas.

Reflecting your ever-increasing interest in these wonderful animals, we are delighted to launch India’s Big Cats, a group tour which goes in search of snow leopard, Asian lion, tiger and leopard, along with two new trip ideas, one in search of the rare cats of east and north-east India, and the other in search of rustyspotted cat, caracal, desert wildcat and jungle cat in the far west.

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Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays

NEW India’s Big Cats

NEW Small Cats of North-east India

NEW Small Cats of North-west India

Visiting Ladakh for snow leopard, Gujarat for Asiatic lion and Karnataka for tiger and leopard, this pioneering journey with Nick Acheson is a must for lovers of the world’s great cats.

Explore the humid forests of the east and north-east of India for rarely seen cats including leopard cat, fishing cat, marbled cat, Asian golden cat and clouded leopard.

Travel the grassland, scrub and semidesert of India’s dry north-west for desert wildcat, jungle cat, rusty-spotted cat and the gorgeous caracal, with an excellent chance of striped hyena.

Group, 4 Feb 2021 23 days, from £7,595

Trip idea, Nov-Mar 16 days, from £6,695

Trip idea, Feb-Apr 13 days, from £6,695 Fishing cat by Dhritiman Biswas (main image)

To view our full collection of small group and tailor-made Big (and Small) Cat holidays, please visit our website or contact our expert team. sales@wildlifeworldwide.com

01962 302055

www.wildlifeworldwide.com

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Japan’s Winter Wildlife Macaques, Eagles & Cranes

Tour leader Terry Reis reflects on some of the highlights of our Japan’s Winter Wildlife tour that goes in search of dancing cranes, stately Steller’s sea eagles and bathing ‘snow monkeys’.

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ur inaugural Japan’s Winter Wildlife trips proved to be a huge success with participants enjoying fabulous views of all the target species. Arriving in Kushiro on Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido, we travelled north through a snowy landscape, enjoying our first views of the region’s spectacular red-crowned cranes before reaching the frozen shores of Lake Kussharo. Here we were afforded close views of numerous wintering whooper swans in the last light of the day, before retiring to our hotel in the sleepy ‘onsen’ (hot spring) town of Kawayu, in the heart of Akan National Park. From Otowa Bridge on the Setsuri-gawa River, we witnessed the magical sight of the cranes silhouetted against the early morning mist, before travelling the short distance to Tsurumidai where

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the cranes displayed on a ‘canvas of white’ – their elegant ritualised courtship movements and haunting calls proving an unforgettable start to the tour.

Sika deer, white-tailed eagles and fantastic views of Ural owls were amongst the other early highlights, and excitement was building as we headed to our next stop, the small coastal town of Rausu, which to the keen wildlife enthusiast means one thing – Steller’s sea eagles! In recent years, Rausu has gained a deserved reputation as being the best place to get close views of one of the world’s largest and most sought-after birds of prey, the Steller’s sea eagle. With dark brown-to-black plumage, white wings and tail, and a bright yellow beak and talons, it has a striking appearance and it did not disappoint.

Our visit coincided with the arrival of the drift-ice and, in

Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays

Japan’s Winter Wildlife

NEW Japan’s Winter Wildlife – Photography Special

Group, 29 Jan & 6 Feb 2020; 3 & 8 Feb 2021 11 days, from £5,495

Group, 13 Feb 2020; 27 Jan 2021 11 days, from £5,695

Steller’s sea eagles, Hokkaido (main image)

the dawn light, we were able to see and photograph these magnificent eagles against ice, ocean and the snow-covered landscapes of Hokkaido. Coupled with evening views of another avian heavyweight, the endangered Blakiston’s fish owl, it’s fair to say that our time on Hokkaido offered some of the best birding I’ve ever witnessed.

For the second part of the holiday, we flew south to Tokyo and from there took the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Nagano.

At Jigokudani we walked through beautiful forest to the celebrated hot spring which is reserved for Japanese macaques (‘snow monkeys’). A few were bathing here, to the delight of all the keen photographers present, but many more macaques were seen searching the snow for the grain put out for them by park staff.

sales@wildlifeworldwide.com

It’s hard not to be beguiled by Japan, with its mix of the modern and ancient, of traditional ryokan with tatami mat floors and skyscrapers, delicious centuries-old cuisine and temples, hightech and robot cafés. We were privileged to see beyond the sprawling metropolises, and venture into Japan’s wild places, guided by charming locals who could never do enough to make our stay comfortable and enjoyable. We headed west charmed and impressed by the country’s wildlife, people and stunning winter landscapes.

We are offering six departures of our popular Japan’s Winter Wildlife tour in 2020 and 2021, including dedicated photography tours led by award-winning photographer Bret Charman. Call our expert team to book your place or to find out more.

01962 302055

www.wildlifeworldwide.com

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Wrangel Island Amongst Polar Bears!

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Wrangel Island in Arctic Russia offers one of the best places in the world to see polar bears. In this article Wildlife Worldwide Founder Chris Breen describes a remarkable encounter with these icons of the Arctic.

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e were alerted to a polar bear in the distance – one became two, and then two became three (one of which was on a very recent walrus kill). As we approached the bears, the birders in the group were treated to a Sabine’s gull in full summer plumage and pomerine skuas.

All three bears were large males and only one had a kill. No doubt the other two, which had situated themselves a safe distance from the one feeding, were waiting for the right opportunity to steal the walrus carcass from the killer.

Initially the feeding bear was nervous as we approached. It came off the kill and strained its head forward towards the ship as if to work out what was approaching. It was clearly uneasy about our presence. But, after a little time and patience the bear relaxed and we were able to get incredibly close views without it being concerned. At one point it had eaten so much that it fell asleep with its head right in the middle of its feed – exhausted by gorging itself. It was yet another remarkable polar bear encounter, lasting two hours or more.

It is the sheer remoteness of Wrangel Island that makes it such a special place to visit – and I would love you to join me on this voyage of a lifetime to a rarely visited part of the Arctic Circle.

After an overnight stay in Moscow we fly east through nine time zones to the east to the remote town of Anadyr. Although part of mainland Russia, Anadyr has no land connection to the rest of the country.

This is where we board our much loved small ship the Spirit of Enderby and set sail – but not before we spend time looking at and photographing the beluga whales that live in the bay. As we head north – stopping off at the 14th century Whale Bone Alley (one of the least visited World Heritage Sites on Earth), Nuneangan Island where we hope to see a huge walrus haulout and Lavrentiya, the most northern town in the world – we will be looking out for humpbacks, grey whales and possibly bowheads as well as the elusive Kamchatka brown bear. And then we head for Wrangel and Herald Island for polar bears, musk ok, wolverine and Arctic fox.

If you would like to join broadcaster and zoologist Mark Carwardine, photographer Joe Cornish, polar historian Katie Murray and me on our next Wrangel Island voyage in July 2020 aboard the Spirit of Enderby, please call our expert team or visit our website for further details.

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Wrangel Island Exclusive Charter Explore the remote wilderness of Wrangel Island in the Bering Strait on a 14-night voyage aboard the Spirit of Enderby, an expedition vessel which takes you above the Arctic Circle, between Russia and Alaska, in the company of renowned explorer Mark Carwardine and a team of experts.

Group, 18 Jul 2020 18 days, from £13,395 (main deck twin cabin)

Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays

Musk ox

Snowy owl

Polar bears

Spirit of Enderby in the waters of Wrangel Island by Chris Breen (main image)

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The ship was great, the wildlife excellent, the bears were the stars with two sub-adult polar bears playing and the polar bear family on the walrus kill the undoubted highlights.

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Jenny V, Wrangel Island, July 2018 sales@wildlifeworldwide.com

01962 302055

www.wildlifeworldwide.com

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Colombia’s Rare Mammals Spectacled Bear, Mountain Tapir & Endemic Primates Though much coveted for its prolific birdlife, the beautiful country of Colombia hosts a tantalising variety of unique and seldom seen mammals. Here Tour Leader Nick Acheson provides details of our exciting new small group trip.

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or most naturalists the spectacled bear is a pipedream, a creature more of myth than reality. It is certainly not an animal that most expect ever to see. But now, thanks to Colombia’s Rare Mammals, a thrilling new tour to a country famed as one of South America’s friendliest and most beautiful, looking for spectacled bears – with an excellent chance of seeing them – is suddenly possible. Since its conflict ended, Colombia has rightly re-emerged as one of the world’s greatest birding destinations. Much less known, however, are its countless range-restricted, endemic and hardto-see mammals. With the launch of Colombia’s Rare Mammals, all that is set to change.

Next year in July, I will lead the first departure of this superb tour, and already I am itching to get back to the mammals of the continent which for ten years was my home. Our first big target is spectacled bear, in the páramo of Chingaza National Park. Though the bear is found from a few hundred metres of altitude up to 4,000m, the length of the forested Andes from west Venezuela to extreme northern Argentina, it is easiest to see in this high Andean shrubby grassland. We spend three nights here in simple accommodation, giving ourselves the best chance of seeing this wonderful animal.

Another large, enigmatic mammal inhabits the high Andean cloud forests and páramo. Whereas the tropical lowlands of South America were once largely occupied by the lowland (sometimes called Brazilian) tapir, in the northern Andes it is replaced by the

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mountain tapir. Far darker – the nearblack of the richest dark chocolate – with contrasting white lips, it is sadly listed as endangered by IUCN. Like the bear, it is often seen in Colombia and the best site for it is the upper cloud forest of Nevado del Ruiz, where we spend three further nights in simple accommodation. In this same forest, western mountain coati and pacarana are also sometimes seen.

Early accounts of mammals in South America listed just one species of night monkey and one of tití (noisy fluffy individuals with non-prehensile tails).

Recent research has revealed that in fact there are many species of both, which gives Colombia a number of handsome endemics and near endemics. So, over several sites, our unique tour also goes in search of Brumback’s and greyhanded night monkeys and the lovely ornate tití. Two more beautiful but all too endangered monkeys – silvery-brown marmoset and variegated spider monkey – also feature on our route.

Add in birds, including Cauca guan, redruffed fruitcrow, black-billed mountaintoucan and torrent duck, and a real chance of seeing giant anteater and southern tamandua near Villavicencio – plus an outstanding pre-tour extension for such gems as yellow-handed, Caquetá and Colombian black-handed titís and Colombian woolly monkey, and a posttour extension for cotton-top tamarin – and you have a tour which I’m thrilled to be leading next year. The only question is, will you be crazy enough not to join me?

If you would like to join Nick in Colombia for our new tour in search of rare mammals call our expert team or visit our website.

Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays

NEW Colombia’s Rare Mammals Group, 11 Jul 2020 17 days, from £5,495

Private: £7,195

Cotton-top tamarin (main image)

sales@wildlifeworldwide.com

01962 302055

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The Sea of Cortez Whales, Rays & Albatrosses

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There are few places on Earth that can match the Sea of Cortez’s remarkable abundance of marine life. For Wildlife Travel Consultant Helen Bryon, these magical waters were truly ‘the gift that kept on giving’.

Mobula ray (main image)

Snorkelling with California sea lion

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The Searcher

Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays

Humpback whale

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esterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift.

That’s why they call it the present. We sat quietly on top of the ridge, contemplating these wise and fitting words spoken by a fellow traveller as our incredible week in the Sea of Cortez was drawing to a close.

Turkey vultures flew around us at eye level as we watched our vessel, the Searcher, moored below us on a gorgeous turquoise sea, in an absolutely glass-smooth bay. After a few minutes, someone asked, ‘Who said that?’ As you can imagine, we burst out laughing when advised it was a line from the film Kung Fu Panda!

A little later we enjoyed a leisurely walk back down to the beach, collecting salt along the way (one of our crew intended to treat us to freshly baked pretzels) before swimming out for our last snorkel of the trip. Slipping into the crystalclear water, the array of colours, shapes and sizes was magnificent.

As we swam over the rocks, they gave way to the flat sea bed where we enjoyed plenty of rays and then hundreds, if not thousands, of what looked like shepherd’s crooks moving effortlessly in the current.

As we approached them, the Cortez garden eels darted down into the safety of their sea floor homes, emerging again once we’d passed over. Filling us with delight, we’d created our very own Mexican wave … pun fully intended!

Once back on board, our southward journey was interrupted by a group of bottlenose dolphins eager to enjoy our wake and show off their incredible athletic prowess.

Time and time again they threw themselves out of the water, diving head first, sideways and even breaching. We ended up cruising in wide circles for about an hour as we watched in awe, entranced at their antics.

After lunch, we spent time in the vicinity of a humpback whale seemingly enjoying the company of a Bryde’s whale (a ‘first’ for

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the crew) before being treated to another acrobatic display, this time by mobula rays. With scores of these creatures surrounding us, the show began with a lone ray suddenly flying up out of the water, wings spread wide, before slamming back down into the water. One after another they sailed through the air before us. Why they do this remains a mystery.

Theories include parasite removal, communication and sexual attraction, but it could be that they just enjoy the sensation.

With margaritas in hand and a blazing sunset behind us, we sat on deck that evening quietly conversing about all we had been fortunate enough to see and experience on this holiday. Highlights for some were swimming with whale sharks, or being surrounded in close proximity by a multitude of sperm whales.

For others, it was desert island walks through giant cardon cacti, searching for birdlife and endemic reptiles such as the rattleless rattlesnake. And did I mention the Laysan’s albatross that wouldn’t leave our side?

For me, the magical waters surrounding the Baja Peninsula are like a gift that keeps on giving, with every day better than the last.

Would I go again? Where do I sign?!

To find out more or book our new small group holiday to Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, or for details about our other holidays to the Baja Peninsula, please call our expert team on 01962 302055.

NEW Sea of Cortez Wildlife Voyage Join Wildlife Worldwide Founder, Chris Breen, for a voyage into the legendary Sea of Cortez in search of mobula rays, humpback, sperm and Bryde’s whales, dolphins and spectacular birdlife, and swim in warm seas amongst whale sharks and California sea lions.

Group, 13 Apr 2020 10 days, from £5,295

www.wildlifeworldwide.com

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Western Canada Festival of Bears 2021

Join renowned zoologist and conservationist Mark Carwardine and Wildlife Worldwide Founder, Chris Breen, as they return to the Great Bear Rainforest for a festival of bear watching.

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ears are amongst the world’s most popular animals and, in celebration of the special place bears occupy in people’s affections (including our own), it made sense to launch a dedicated Festival of Bears to western Canada. Our inaugural tour ran in 2015 and our ‘Festival format’ was a huge success – so much so that we offered it again in 2016 and 2018.

It seems you really can’t get enough of these fantastic mammals, so, by popular demand, we are delighted to once again be offering the holiday in 2021!

So, what exactly is a Festival of Bears? Well, it may seem obvious, but we can expect to see a lot of bears! We’ll be based for five nights at Knight Inlet Lodge, tucked away in a cove amidst one of British Columbia’s most beautiful fjords, and only accessible by floatplane from Vancouver Island. It is in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest, a vast area of temperate rainforest that supports one of the world’s last sustainable populations of brown and black bears, and the bear viewing and bear photography opportunities here are fantastic. We’ll make daily excursions to watch for bears (and other wildlife) from viewing platforms – and the salmon should still be spawning so there’s every chance we’ll enjoy the iconic sight of grizzly bears fishing for salmon in the rivers! Be prepared for close views, too. Our lodge is located on an ‘elbow’ of Glendale Cove and, in October, humpback whales, orca and white-sided dolphins are present in the waters near the lodge, and we’ll spend a day out in Johnson Strait looking for cetaceans and seabirds.

As well as taking over the entire lodge and offering daily wildlife excursions, our Festival programme includes talks

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and guidance from our expert team – broadcaster, wildlife photographer and zoologist Mark Carwardine will give evening presentations about the local wildlife as well as photographic tuition and workshops, while local naturalists will be on hand to talk to us about the local bears and their habitat. Knight Inlet Lodge is spacious, comfortable, fantastically located and the food is delicious.

The standout highlight of the trip though is a chance to spend uninterrupted time in the Great Bear Rainforest – it feels ancient and extraordinary, a place where time stands still and wildlife reigns. Apart from grizzly and black bears, this is the home of coastal wolves, mountain lion, beaver, bald eagle and a fabulous array of marine mammals. Within an hour of arriving at Knight Inlet Lodge you should be watching bears, so please do join us in the Great Bear Rainforest in October 2021... what more can any bear (and wildlife) enthusiast ask for?

In addition to our Festival of Bears holiday, we are also offering a threenight whale watching pre-tour extension, and a four-night spirit bear post-tour extension.

NEW Festival of Bears 2021 In 2021 our popular Festival of Bears returns to one of our favourite locations for bear watching – Knight Inlet Lodge in Glendale Cove. Renowned conservationist Mark Carwardine and Wildlife Worldwide Founder, Chris Breen, accompany a special visit to the Great Bear Rainforest to see grizzlies at prime time.

Group, 1 Oct 2021 9 days, from £6,995

Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays

We are offering the following pre- and post-tour extensions for our Festival of Bears holiday in 2021.

Contact our expert team or visit our website to book.

NEW Whale Watching – Pre-tour Extension

NEW Spirit Bear Lodge – Post-tour Extension

From the comfort of a delightful ocean-side hotel on Vancouver Island, we will venture out onto the water on a privately chartered vessel in pursuit of the area’s magnificent marine life.

Join Mark and Chris on a six-day extension to the fabulous Spirit Bear Lodge, where we hope to come face-to-face with the iconic spirit bear in the Great Bear Rainforest.

Group, 27 Sep 2021 4 days, Price on request

Group, 8 Oct 2021 6 days, from £4,495 Grizzly bear (main image)

“

It was exactly as advertised – BEARS and so much more. We loved the experience of flying by floatplane to Knight Inlet Lodge, which was a fantastic place to stay. The accommodation was superb and the food was top class. The activities on offer were numerous and very well done.

”

Chris D, Festival of Bears, October 2018

To view our full collection of tailor-made and small group tours to Canada, please visit our website or contact our expert team. sales@wildlifeworldwide.com

01962 302055

www.wildlifeworldwide.com

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Costa Rica’s

Resplendent Quetzals Desperate to see a resplendent quetzal, Travel Consultant Chris Smith set off to Costa Rica earlier this year in search of this famously beautiful bird.

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n my experience, things always seem to happen when you least expect them, and this is especially true in the world of wildlife watching. Just when you think your chance of finding the animal you have been longing to see has vanished into thin air, it suddenly appears right in front of your eyes. And never has this happened more to me than on my recent visit to Costa Rica, a country blessed with more than its fair share of incredible natural treasures. Of course, I was hoping to see many of Costa Rica’s fascinating mammal, bird, reptile and amphibian species.

But there was one species in particular that had long captured my imagination and I was really hoping to see – the extravagantly plumed, but elusive, resplendent quetzal.

At the halfway point of my itinerary I found myself in the Talamanca Mountains, in the small village of San Gerardo de Dota situated deep within the pristine cloud forest close to the (encouragingly named) Los Quetzales National Park. Having arrived in fading twilight, it wasn’t until daybreak the following morning that the true splendour of this location was apparent – steep mountain slopes covered in verdant vegetation, freshwater streams cascading between the trees, a chill in the air and not a single cloud in the sky. This was quetzal habitat and it was time to start exploring.

the waiter, a local boy who was also well-skilled at spotting these iconic birds, ran over and said: ‘Two quetzals in the tree!’

Amazing! And completely unexpected! We rushed to the back of the café, peered up into the tree, and there they were in all their stunning glory, two resplendent quetzals. The male in particular, with its long tail feathers, had perched itself in a wonderful gap in the foliage. This was a remarkable sighting and all the better since, only moments before, I had resigned myself to not seeing one of these magnificent birds.

I was aware of a mixture of emotions whilst watching the quetzals, including elation, amazement, bewilderment and surprise. It summed up the reason why watching wildlife captivates so many of us – a delight in the unexpected. With a bewildering choice of flora and fauna, whatever your particular interest is – mammals, birds, insects, frogs, snakes, cetaceans or marine reptiles – a visit to Costa Rica is sure to delight. And the wildlife can appear at any time.

The resplendent quetzal is one of Costa Rica’s most symbolic and exotic birds. It is a bird that is beloved across much of world, enjoys an almost legendary status, and that I have long been desperate to see.

The morning provided some sightings, but only glimpses – flashes of vibrant green plumage as a male flew between distant trees. Time passed quickly and before long it was time for lunch. As the clouds rolled in and light rain began to fall, it seemed as if my chance had vanished with the sun.

I ordered food at the local café which overlooked a wonderful patch of cloud forest close to the bottom of the Savegre valley. I sat at my table thinking about when in the future I might be able to return, finally, to see a resplendent quetzal. All of a sudden

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Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays

Resplendent quetzal (main image)

Costa Rica’s Wildlife Wonders

Cloud Forests & Mountains

Costa Rica is bursting with fascinating flora and fauna and is a must-visit destination for any wildlife enthusiast. This trip goes in search of a wide range of exotic species in some of the country’s finest wildlife locations.

Enjoy the beauty and spectacle of Costa Rica’s flora and fauna on this fantastic tailor-made trip.

Exploring rainforests and coastlines, the itinerary is will introduce you to the incredible variety of birds, wildlife and plant species to be found in Costa Rica.

Group, 9 Nov 2019; 11 Jan & 8 Feb 2020 12 days, from £3,695

Trip idea, Jan-Dec 14 days, from £3,695

To view our full collection of small group and tailor-made holidays to Costa Rica, please visit our website or contact our expert team. sales@wildlifeworldwide.com

01962 302055

www.wildlifeworldwide.com

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Brazil’s Pantanal A Wetland Without Equal Wildlife Consultant Nick Acheson describes why he is so passionate about this vast tropical wetland and its beguiling wildlife.

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love this time of day. From the bank, an undulated tinamou – seen only in my mind – hoots soulfully, while in the lone tree overhead caciques shout and bicker, their yellow rumps flashing improbably in the amber light of evening. A barred antshrike gives his sorrowful stammer from riverside scrub for the last time today.

I love this time of day. Who am I trying to kid? I love every time of day in this peerless place. For this is the Pantanal, my soul-home in South America. Though I lived and worked on the Bolivian side, the Brazilian Pantanal has worked its way just as far into my affections, after many visits. To be sure I love these sunsets, iced beer in hand, young yacare caimans flicking their tails in the water hyacinth beds, and capybaras coughing in alarm nearby as they mark the retreat of the jaguar we have watched paddling in the cool brown water all through this sweaty afternoon.

But I also love the dawns, when the world wakes to the shrieking laughter of rufous horneros, to the ominous growls of the black howlers, to the eardrumpiercing blast of hyacinth macaws as they head off for a day vandalising palm fruits in the savannah. I love the scorching middle of the day too, when jabirus ponderously plod in the shallows and every step I take sends dozens of dragonflies skittering from my path at the water’s edge. And I love the night, when my beam falls on the round rump of a tapir, the shambling brush of a giant anteater or the coal-smouldering eyes of an ocelot.

This is a wetland without equal. It is also a landscape without equal in South America. Much of the continent is forested, its wildlife secretive, half-hidden, difficult to see. Not so the Pantanal. Here bold, charismatic birds, reptiles and mammals crowd lakes, rivers and islands of forest, competing for the observer’s attention. This is a landscape I love, crammed with wildlife I love. I love to go back, again and again, and I have yet to meet a visitor who doesn’t feel the same.

To view our full collection of small group and tailor-made holidays to Brazil, please visit our website or contact our expert team.

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Wildlife of the Pantanal Focusing on the abundant wildlife of Brazil’s north Pantanal, this trip combines two well established wildlife lodges with an exciting new lodge in a remote area, offering excellent chances of encountering jaguars, giant rivers otters and a wealth of other mammals and birds.

Group, 8 Oct 2019; 31 May, 5 Jul, 21 Aug, 9 Sep & 28 Sep 2020 12 days, from £4,295

Just Jaguars Explore the maze of channels in Taiama Reserve, part of Brazil’s famed Pantanal wetland, to seek out jaguars. After two nights in an eco-lodge in the north, your base for the next few days is the Taiama River, where you will head out each day by boat to search for jaguar.

Trip idea, Jun-Oct 9 days, from £4,495

Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays

Norway

Skjervøy’s Whales & Northern Lights Travel Consultant Chris Smith describes the whale watching and other wildlife highlights of our new midwinter holiday to Arctic Norway.

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or many the most obvious time to explore northern Norway is during the summer; however, if it’s wildlife you’re interested in, then winter really is the best time of year to visit this beautiful country. Though the days are shorter, and the sun may struggle to get above the horizon, there is a surprising diversity of species that can be encountered here.

The small municipality of Skjervøy consists of several islands on the coast of northern Norway situated close to the impressive Kaenangen fjord, and above the Arctic Circle.

Between October and late December, Skjervøy becomes a wildlife hotspot. During these months, large congregations of Norwegian spring-spawning herring arrive to overwinter in the coastal waters just offshore, and this abundance of prey attracts predators – predominantly cetaceans and, in particular, humpback whales and orcas.

Our exciting new small group Skjervøy’s Whales & Northern Lights tour is the best way to witness this annual spectacle.

We use RIBs for each whale watch excursion, as these boats are able to travel further afield if the whale movements vary, and therefore offer a greater chance of successful sightings.

Though orcas and humpback whales are the species most regularly seen, fin whales and other cetaceans also appear in the area from time to time. Furthermore, due to Skjervøy’s and the surrounding area’s rugged and indented coastline, there are more sheltered bays and coves, meaning whale watching can still be done in relatively bad weather. The limited light at this time of year is very good for photography as the muted pastel shades of the sea and the sky are enhanced by the reflection from the snow.

Whilst Skjervøy is an excellent cetacean watching location, it is also situated well within the ‘auroral zone’. During the evenings, with a bit of luck and if the weather conditions allow, we will be able to watch and admire dazzling displays of the Northern Lights as they dance across the night sky.

Whales and the Northern Lights is an excellent natural world combination and one that should not be missed!

With straightforward flight connections from the UK, all the arrangements and meals taken of, and the expertise of a tour leader, you can concentrate on watching the captivating cetaceans and (hopefully) the dazzling light displays of the Aurora Borealis.

sales@wildlifeworldwide.com

NEW Skjervøy’s Whales & Northern Lights This exciting six-night small group tour to Skjervøy focuses on witnessing the incredible spectacle of orcas and humpback whales feeding on herring in the coastal waters of northern Norway. There should also be opportunities to watch one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, the Northern Lights.

Group, 28 Nov 2019 7 days, from £3,375

01962 302055

www.wildlifeworldwide.com

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Festival of Wildlife Spitsbergen 2020

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Our specially chartered Festival of Wildlife voyage to Spitsbergen has been timed to maximise our chances of seeing polar bears on the pack-ice. In this article Wildlife Worldwide Founder, Chris Breen, describes the highlights of his trip to Spitsbergen in May …

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ver the years our Festival of Wildlife has not only proved to be a huge success but we have, not surprisingly, seen a phenomenal array of wildlife – from leopards, lions, elephants and wild dogs at our African Festivals, to lemurs in Madagascar, tigers in India, spirit bears and grizzlies in Canada and most recently orangutans and proboscis monkeys on the island of Borneo.

For 2020 we are planning something quite different and have chartered the beautifully appointed Ocean Adventurer to take us to the realm of the polar bear in Norway’s High Arctic – the Svalbard Archipelago. I was lucky enough to visit in May this year – and it certainly didn’t disappoint!

Leaving the UK on a warm spring day, I flew north, over increasing amounts of ice and snow, and landed on a beautifully sunny day in Longyearbyen. This small sleepy town wakes up in early May and is the stepping stone for all of the voyages to this incredible part of the Arctic. After boarding we set sail in a northerly direction heading for the pack-ice and, with luck, some exciting wildlife encounters.

Our first stop was a walking excursion at Ny London on Blomstrandhalvoya, in Kongsfjorden. We saw purple sandpiper, snow bunting, and some distant ptarmigan, as well as reindeer and harbour seal – and all with an utterly spectacular backdrop, a landscape photographer’s dream.

The next morning as we made our way north, we had northern fulmar, black-legged kittiwakes, black and common guillemots, the iconic Atlantic puffin, king eider and some (though I have to admit I missed it!) spotted a minke whale enjoying the icy waters of the fjord.

All this was wonderful, but what we really wanted was polar bear, and we didn’t have to wait too long. One afternoon as we continued exploring the icy fjords, constantly on the look-out, our efforts were rewarded! Travelling through a spectacular fjord system we spotted a young male polar bear traversing the ‘fast ice’ in the distance. Our captain manoeuvred the ship closer and we watched from a distance. But then other things began happening – a second bear appeared (closer this time) and then a third. All moving across the ice and hunting for seals.

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A few moments later we saw nearby blows of beluga whales, and then a couple more, and then realised that in fact there were 30 or 40 of them surfacing and hunting in the calm waters at the base of a steep-sided fjord. We watched them for well over an hour.

And really this was just the start – I could tell you about the polar bear we saw the next day, the incredible shots of reindeer that we were able to get, the massive colony of Brünnich’s guillemot and the Arctic foxes … but I’ll save that for another time!

Why not join me and our fabulous ‘Festival Team’ in Svalbard next year?

Why are we travelling in May? With the increasingly variable weather conditions that we are experiencing worldwide these days, the Arctic ice is melting earlier and earlier, and it is this ice (particularly the ‘fast ice’) that the polar bears need in order to hunt seals. We want to make sure that we are in Svalbard at the perfect time for polar bears and other wildlife, and that means travelling in May. There will be plenty of ice, the wildlife sightings are likely to be excellent and the photographic opportunities exceptional.

Introducing Joe Cornish We are delighted to announce that Joe Cornish will be joining our Festival of Wildlife team. Joe is a world-renowned landscape photographer, has a wonderfully relaxed and informative style, and knows Spitsbergen well after a number of visits to this magical archipelago. If you would like to learn about landscape photography, or would like to refine your skills, then there is no one better to teach you.

Festival of Wildlife: Spitsbergen 2020 Since our first Festival of Wildlife in 2004, this winning formula – of a range of wildlife-based excursions alongside a programme of expert-led workshops and talks – offers a very special celebration of wildlife for all those who take part.

So please join our team and expert guides for this eight-night voyage to Spitsbergen in search of a wonderful variety of High Arctic wildlife.

Group, 12 May 2020 11 days, from £5,995

Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays

Walrus

Suite aboard Ocean Adventurer

Belugas Polar bear (main image)

Festival of Wildlife Team

Nick Acheson

Chris Breen

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Mark Carwardine

01962 302055

Bret Charman

Joe Cornish

Nick Garbutt

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Nick Joynes

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Pumas in Patagonia Torres del Paine

Award-winning photographer Nick Garbutt describes the thrill of close encounters with the pumas of Chile’s stunning Torres del Paine National Park.

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erhaps surprisingly, my vote for the best ‘big cat experience’ on offer would go to watching pumas in Patagonia. Not only are they beautiful and compelling, they happen (helpfully, for a photographer!) to live amongst some of the world’s most stunning scenery – Torres del Paine National Park. But perhaps most importantly, the experience of seeing them here is incredibly intimate. Big cat watching just about anywhere else involves being in a hide or vehicle: a cocoon of human cosiness that separates you from the animal you are seeing. But in Patagonia, Pumas are tracked on foot. You are in their habitat. You are part of their environment. Making eye contact with a puma – no barrier between you and the cat – gives you a visceral thrill beyond compare.

The best areas for pumas lie just outside the park and, with the guidance of an local expert tracker, you set off on foot over rolling hillsides (that resemble a Scottish moorland), searching likely spots and listening for the tell-tale alarm calls of guanacos, the pumas’ primary prey. Almost immediately, you become immersed in the pumas’ world.

When a puma is found, your tracker will assess the cat’s behaviour and then recommend the best way to approach so as not to cause disturbance. Once in position you crouch down, keep still, and watch whatever unfolds. On many occasions I’ve sat amidst the heather-like vegetation watching pumas in this way: a lone animal, or a mother with cubs.

Most individuals appear completely unphased by human presence.

During one particularly memorable encounter, a young male puma that I had been watching for over an hour started walking along a narrow trail through thick tussock-like vegetation to within 20 metres of where I sat. He glanced at me briefly, then continued on his way. As he passed by, I met his uncompromising laser-like gaze, a flush of adrenaline surging through me. Magical! Without a second glance, he strode off, and in no time had ‘melted away’ into the rocky terrain.

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NEW Pumas, Condors & Landscapes in Winter Nick Garbutt will be leading two trips to Torres del Paine in July 2021, focusing on pumas, condors and glorious winter vistas. Limited to a group of six participants, we recommend early booking.

Group, 17 & 31 Jul 2021 16 days, from £9,495

Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays

Puma by Nick Garbutt

Red Pandas

Photography in the Himalayas

The idea of photographing red pandas used to be little more than a fantasy. Not any more though … as wildlife photographer Nick Garbutt discovered recently.

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oday it is possible to travel to about every square metre of our planet – indeed, even seeing near-mythical species such as the red panda is now possible. In March 2019, I was lucky enough to visit Singalila National Park to research our new photography tour focusing on this little known and highly photogenic mammal.

Singalila National Park in West Bengal lies sandwiched between Nepal and Bhutan, and the park has a reasonably healthy population of red pandas. However, the vast majority of people visiting Singalila do not see one. An exciting project – based at a modest but comfortable lodge (2,900 metres) straddling the India/Nepal border – is changing all that. Over 20 different territories have been identified, some only a stone’s throw from the lodge. In addition, some individuals have been habituated, with the result that it is possible to get exceptional views of the more tolerant pandas.

On my second morning at the lodge, the trackers found a panda before breakfast. I grabbed my camera bag and we set off a short distance into the forest. One of the trackers was just ahead and, as I drew closer, he pointed upwards. My gaze followed his finger and there it was, sitting on a branch eating bamboo – an adorable, cuddly red panda. The sight of it brought to mind all the gooey adjectives my scientific training told me I shouldn’t be using, but I couldn’t help it. Red pandas really are ridiculously gorgeous, the epitome of cute!

Red Pandas & Tigers Photography Join Nick Garbutt on this unique small group trip to photograph two of India’s most charismatic species, the red pandas of Singalila National Park and tigers of Panna National Park.

Group, 2 Mar & 21 Oct 2021 16 days, from £7,295

sales@wildlifeworldwide.com

Red panda by Nick Garbutt

01962 302055

www.wildlifeworldwide.com

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Rainforest Workshops Borneo, Costa Rica & Ecuador

Our new Rainforest Photography Workshops, led by Nick Garbutt and Alex Hyde, are designed to help you get the most out of photographing in this challenging environment. Nick Garbutt describes the trips ...

We are offering three spectacular tropical rainforest destinations for these workshops led by Alex Hyde and Nick Garbutt:

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ropical rainforests are the most flamboyant expressions of life on the planet. They serve up a wonderful array of species to see and photograph, but they can also be amongst the most frustrating and challenging places to take pictures successfully. Even though there is life everywhere, finding subjects can be a challenge. Then when you do come across something, there are all manner of things to quickly consider – lighting in particular can present difficulties.

We are delighted to be teaming up with professional photographers Nick Garbutt and Alex Hyde to offer a series of Tropical Rainforest Photography Workshops in three iconic locations. Both Nick and Alex have a wealth of experience photographing the world’s rainforests and so fully understand the difficulties and pitfalls as well as the approaches, methods and techniques required to overcome them. More than any other habitat, rainforests lend themselves towards a format where fewer locations are visited but more time is spent at the chosen sites – these holidays offer a total immersion into photography and the rainforest. Nick and Alex will provide practical demonstrations and individual tuition, allowing participants to gain as much insight and knowledge as possible.

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NEW Costa Rica: 24 Apr 2021

20 days, from £7,995

Renowned for its remarkable biodiversity and extensive protected forest areas, on this tour we visit prime photography locations on both the Caribbean and Pacific slopes. We use a mix of hides, ‘staged’ set ups and wildlife walks to photograph toucans, hummingbirds and king vultures, by day and night.

NEW Borneo: 24 Apr 2022

18 days, from £11,995

Borneo’s rainforests are among the oldest and most diverse on the planet, and home to a superb variety of wildlife including orangutans, proboscis monkeys and rhinoceros hornbills.

Focusing on the Kinabatangan River, Tabin and Danum Valley, we will explore these enchanting rainforests in considerable depth.

NEW Ecuador: Oct 2022

Register interest

Our workshop will visit a variety of locations, including some of the most astonishing hummingbird sites on Earth. We’ll also visit two contrasting Amazonia locations – from quiet back waters and parrot clay-licks, to rainforest canopy platforms. In all locations we will spend time looking for frogs, reptiles and insects which lend themselves to macro techniques.

Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays

Iceland

Arctic Fox Photography Watch and photograph Arctic foxes at close quarters in the remote Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in northern Iceland on our new photographic holiday.

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ituated just south of the Arctic Circle, in the northern reaches of the Westfjords of Iceland, is the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. This remote piece of protected land is only accessible by boat and one of just a handful of true wilderness areas left in Europe. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, the reserve offers one of the most unique and intimate wildlife experiences on the continent – a chance to get close to and photograph one of the planet’s most endearing species – the Arctic fox.

Hornstrandir Nature Reserve is characterised by rugged mountain peaks, cascading waterfalls, undulating tundra and towering vertical sea cliffs that accommodate a seemingly impossible number of nesting seabirds during the summer months. The terrain is challenging and the weather can be harsh, with the result that Hornstrandir has been virtually uninhabited since the 1950s, and the reserve has been left to ‘rewild’. Once again, the native species have taken hold here and flourished, making it a haven for wildlife as well as keen naturalists.

With no human inhabitants on Hornstrandir, the Arctic fox is the apex predator and these charismatic canines no longer have a fear of people after more than four decades of not being hunted. Intrepid visitors who reach this corner of Iceland find that the foxes are not at all concerned by human presence and some are even rather curious of their bipedal guests.

This is the ideal scenario, from a photographic perspective, as Hornstrandir’s Arctic foxes can be very amiable and approached (within reason). With snow on the ground, you can observe these Arctic specialists in their natural habitat on our new Arctic Fox Photography trip. It is possible to watch a range of fascinating behaviours and capture images of the foxes at eye level or against a backdrop of dramatic landscapes. This is a unique wildlife and photographic experience as there not many places in the world, let alone Europe, that can offer such intimate and compelling sightings of such an enigmatic species as the Arctic fox.

sales@wildlifeworldwide.com

NEW Arctic Fox Photography Join wildlife photographer Bret Charman on this six-night trip designed to maximise photographic opportunities of Arctic fox in Iceland’s remote Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, one of the best places in the world for getting close to this endearing mammal.

Group, 28 Mar 2020; 24 Mar 2021 7 days, from £2,895

01962 302055

www.wildlifeworldwide.com

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Chris Weston

Katmai, Bandhavgarh & Camargue tours

Professional wildlife photographer Chris Weston will be leading three exciting new dedicated photography trips in 2020: to Alaska’s Katmai National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park and the Camargue in France. Here Chris provides an insight to what you can expect from him and his tours.

Introducing New Photography Tour Leader Chris Weston Chris became a professional wildlife photographer in 2001, walking out on his career in IT sales to follow his passion for ‘the extraordinariness of nature’. Consumed with curiosity about nature, he is renowned for his ability to connect with his subjects, revealing through his images their often-hidden personalities. With commendations from leading photography magazines and pundits, and numerous awards, credits, books and articles to his name, we’re delighted that Chris will be leading three exciting new dedicated photography tours as part of the Wildlife Worldwide portfolio in 2020.

Chris researches his trips diligently, selecting the perfect locations for the very best photo opportunities. He describes his own role whilst leading a photographic safari as follows: ‘I’m a leader first and a photographer second. I’m not on the trip to take images for my own portfolio. I see my job as making sure clients learn the skills and techniques they want to master and capture the images they’ve come to get’.

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NEW Bear Photography in Katmai, Alaska Katmai National Park in Alaska is the place Chris has been to the most, and the place he most looks forward to going back to.

From August through into early September, salmon make their final, momentous journey home to spawn in Katmai National Park. Brown bears come from far and wide to wait here for the salmon, lowering their territorial guard during this short period to share the land with other bears … and humans. From the pools and waterfalls where they fish for their fatty feasts, and quiet bends in the river where mothers bring their cubs to play and learn, to the wide open vista of Hallo Bay, where even the huge bears are dwarfed by the surrounding glacier and mountain peaks, we will have an opportunity to photograph these enigmatic and peaceful creatures in complete isolation (and safety) with nothing between us and the bears except crystal clear light.

Group, 14 Aug 2020 12 days, from £10,995

Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays

Brown bear, Katmai by Chris Weston (main image)

NEW Exclusive Tiger Photo Safari

NEW White Horses of the Camargue

With a VIP permit, and working closely with the park officials, Chris explains why, if you’re serious about photographing tigers in the wild, this is the trip for you.

The power, strength and nobility, as well as the beauty and serenity of the distinctive breed of Camargue horses is on full display in this action-packed photography experience.

On our new Ultimate Tigers VIP Safari we will have special access to Bandhavgarh National Tiger Reserve (our base for six days), is one of the best places to see tigers in the wild. The VIP pass means we are able to enter the park before, and stay after, official opening hours (taking advantage of the haunting dusk light). We have access to all routes in the park and are able to follow tiger movement without restriction. We work closely with the park officials to identify the most productive tiger territory for the highest chance of seeing and photographing tigers. Chris has travelled to Bandhavgarh in each of the past three years and, on each occasion, he’s enjoyed more than 30 sightings in just a week!

From our base at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, in the heart of the Vaccarès wetlands in southern France, we have five separate sessions with the horses over three days, guided by the highly experienced ‘gardians’ from a long-established, family-run ranch. We use multiple sites to provide varying backdrops and we time each session to make the most of the available light.

From the herd galloping through the shallow salt marshes, to stallions running powerfully through the Mediterranean surf and intimate close-up portraits, as well as a chance to photograph the ‘gardians’ at work, this photography holiday provides a special opportunity to capture the beauty and dynamism of the Camargue’s white horses amongst their stunning surroundings.

Group, 10 Mar 2020 8 days, from £7,995

Group, 22 May & 25 Sep 2020 4 days, from £1,975

sales@wildlifeworldwide.com

01962 302055

www.wildlifeworldwide.com

33

Wild Tasmania Wildlife Photography

Join Bret Charman on our new dedicated photography holiday to Tasmania and Victoria in 2021 – get close to iconic Aussie wildlife including platypus, Tasmanian devil, quoll and koala.

I

t is mid-morning and the sun’s warm tones are illuminating a typical Australian creek. The forest that surrounds me is dark and mysterious, full of unusual species, but there is one particular oddity I am after and it’s a member of the mammal family. Supposedly, this is not a good time to see one, but I sit there quietly watching and waiting, just hoping to catch a glimpse of it. I am waiting to see my first platypus. To my astonishment, only moments later and less than five metres away, there is a platypus happily swimming around in broad daylight, completely unperturbed by my presence. A monotreme (egglaying mammal), the platypus is the archetypal species to sum up Australian wildlife. It is weird and wonderful in every way.

I was privileged enough to live in Australia for a year, photographing its natural wonders and travelling some 30,000 kilometres in my quest to discover the country’s peculiar wildlife.

There are certainly lots of oddities. A staggering 83% of mammals, 89% of reptiles, 93% of amphibians and nearly 50% of birds in Australia are endemic.

The spiny anteater, or short-beaked echidna to be strictly correct, is a prime example – imagine a hedgehog crossed with a kiwi. Then of course you have the marsupials, including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies and wombats … and don’t even get me started on the amphibians and reptiles.

The birdlife is also exceptional. Over 50 species of parrot can be found in Australia, more than any other country on the planet, and some of these are absolutely stunning. In addition, there are numerous raptors, shorebirds, passerines and flightless giants such as the emu. What I particularly love

34

about Australia’s birdlife, is their array of fabulous songs. The calls of many species of bird are exquisite, among the finest I’ve ever heard. The songs of common species – which include the Australian magpie (one of my absolute favourites), kookaburra, whipbird and the boobook owl – are unique and utterly splendid in every way.

To really appreciate the magic of these incredible species, you have to get eyeto-eye with them. And this is why, in my opinion, Australia is right up there with the very best wildlife destinations – the fact that many of its target species are approachable, and the photographic rewards endless. Known as Australia in miniature, Tasmania is the ideal location for seeing and photographing the country’s unique wildlife.

So with that in mind, why not join me on a unique wildlife photography tour to Tasmania in 2020? The trip has been designed to maximise photography opportunities for some of Australia’s most iconic species including kangaroo, emu, wombat, platypus, quoll and, if we are particularly lucky, Tasmanian devil.

Much of the wildlife is extraordinarily approachable and photographic opportunities plentiful. Throw in the rich birdlife, and cold-blooded species too, and our new 16-day dedicated photography tour promises to be a fantastically rewarding trip.

NEW Australian Wildlife Photo Safari Photograph Australia’s weird and wonderful wildlife in Victoria and Tasmania, accompanied throughout by award-winning photographer Bret Charman. Highlights include platypus, wombat, quoll and Tasmanian devil.

Group, 26 Feb 2021 17 days, from £6,995

Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays

“

Photographing wildlife in Australia is unlike anywhere else on Earth. The species are completely unique, that much is obvious, but the close proximity and inquisitive nature of many species leads to an unrivalled array of intimate photographic opportunities.

�

Bret Charman

Platypus by Bret Charman (main image)

Wombat

sales@wildlifeworldwide.com

Musk lorikeet

01962 302055

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Short-beaked echidna

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Enter our Wildlife Photography Competition WIN a Puffin Photography Break on Skomer Island in 2020 Last year saw the launch of our inaugural wildlife photography competition, which was an incredible success. With just under 500 entries we were amazed by the quality and variety of imagery you sent in, and we’re delighted to be running the competition again this year.

We have some brilliant prizes on offer, and there are three separate categories you can enter. Just send us your best photos, taken of wildlife from across the globe – from ocean giants to tiny critters. The competition is completely free to enter and open to everyone. And if you have travelled with us on a holiday at any time in the past, you are entitled to extra competition entries.

The overall winner of the competition will win a free place on our ever popular three-day, Skomer’s Perfect Puffins photography break. This rocky outcrop off the Pembrokeshire coast is home to over 25,000 puffins and a staggering 750,000 Manx shearwaters. The trip is designed to maximise photography opportunities at the height of the breeding season, allowing you the chance to build a stunning portfolio of images.

There are three categories to choose from and entering the competition is easy – simply visit the website (see below), read the guidelines and entry requirements, and upload your images today. We can’t wait to see them! You have until Friday 22 November 2019 to enter.

We would like to say a huge thank you to our sponsors, Rohan, Vanguard and Opticron, who are providing a range of fantastic prizes for the category winners. www.wildlifeworldwidephotographycompetition.com Wildlife Portrait Enter an image that captures the essence of any animal species to win a £500 Vanguard voucher! It should be powerful imagery that invokes an instant connection between the subject and the person viewing the image.

Our Sponsors

Animal Action Enter an image that captures a unique aspect of animal behaviour or an incredible moment in nature – it could be a bird in flight or a pack of wild dogs on the hunt – to win an Opticron voucher worth £500!

Wildlife Portfolio Enter between eight and 12 images from a single destination (from one of our listed destinations), of the same animal or animals with a similar underlying theme, to win a Rohan ‘shopping experience’ worth £500!

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Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays

Photo Tours & Workshops Calendar Our extensive collection of dedicated small group photography tours are open to photographers of all abilities. The departures outlined below offer the chance to travel to unique destinations with guidance from our expert photographers. To request a detailed itinerary and view our complete portfolio of tours please visit our website or contact the team.

Destination

Tour Name

Departs

Duration

Price from

Madagascar

An Island Apart with Nick Garbutt

15 Oct 2019

21 days

£8,395

USA

Wild West Winter Wonderland with Nick Garbutt

9 Jan 2020

16 days

£7,995

India

Tiger Trails & Wildlife Photography with Nick Garbutt

5 Feb 2020

16 days

£5,595

Japan

NEW Japan’s Winter Wildlife Photography Special with Bret Charman

13 Feb 2020

11 days

£5,695

United Kingdom

Scotland: Red Squirrel Photography with James Shooter

15 Feb 2020

5 days

£1,195 (land only)

Kenya

NEW Masai Mara Photo Safari with Bret Charman

28 Feb 2020

10 days

£4,595

United Kingdom

Bug’s n’ Beast Indoors with Alex Hyde

29 Feb 2020

2 days

£550 (workshop only)

India

NEW Exclusive Tiger Photo Safari with Chris Weston

9 Mar 2020

9 days

£7,995

Iceland

NEW Arctic Fox Photography with Bret Charman

28 Mar 2020

7 days

£2,895

Spain

Pyrenees Photo Workshop with Joe Cornish

29 Mar 2020

8 days

£2,495

Romania

Focus on the Danube Delta with Ashley Grove

9 May 2020

8 days

£2,475

Slovenia

Brown Bear Photography with Tom Mason

17 May 2020

6 days

£1,795

France

NEW White Horses of the Camargue with Chris Weston

22 May 2020

4 days

£1,975

Finland

Boreal Predators Photography with Bret Charman

8 Jul 2020

6 days

£2,395

Botswana

NEW Best of Botswana Photography Special with Ben Cherry

1 Aug 2020

13 days

£5,995

Brazil

NEW Pantanal Wildlife Photo Safari with Nick Garbutt

4 Aug 2020

21 days

£12,195

Alaska

NEW Bear Photography in Katmai with Chris Weston

14 Aug 2020

12 days

£10,995

France

NEW White Horses of the Camargue with Chris Weston

25 Sep 2020

4 days

£1,975

Zimbabwe

Mana Pools – Wild Dogs & Elephants Photography with Bret Charman

27 Oct 2020

11 days

£7,995

Zambia

South Luangwa Photo Safari with Bret Charman

20 Nov 2020

10 days

£3,495

Kenya

NEW Masai Mara Photo Safari with Bret Charman

15 Feb 2021

10 days

£4,695

Australia

NEW Australian Wildlife Photo Safari with Bret Charman

26 Feb 2021

17 days

£6,995

India

Red Pandas & Tigers Photography with Nick Garbutt

2 Mar 2021

16 days

£7,295

Iceland

NEW Arctic Fox Photography with Bret Charman

24 Mar 2021

8 days

£2,995

Costa Rica

NEW Costa Rica Rainforest Photography Workshop with Nick Garbutt

24 Apr 2021

20 days

£7,995

Chile

NEW Pumas, Condors & Landscapes in Winter with Nick Garbutt

17 Jul 2021

16 days

£9,495

Chile

NEW Pumas, Condors & Landscapes in Winter with Nick Garbutt

31 Jul 2021

16 days

£9,495

India

Red Pandas & Tigers Photography with Nick Garbutt

21 Oct 2021

16 days

£7,295

Borneo

NEW Borneo Rainforest Photography Workshop with Nick Garbutt

24 Apr 2022

18 days

£11,995

All small group tour prices in this brochure are based on two persons sharing, including flights from the UK, accommodation, transfers, wildlife activities and the services of an expert leader and photographer (except where specified). Prices correct at the time of print. For full details call our expert Wildlife team.

sales@wildlifeworldwide.com

01962 302055

www.wildlifeworldwide.com

37

SMALL GROUP TOURS CALENDAR Our collection of expert led small group tours is rapidly expanding and here we launch several exciting new holidays. To find out more and to request a detailed itinerary visit our website or contact our expert wildlife team. To keep-up-to-date with our new holidays, events, competitions and news please sign up to our regular enewsletter. www.wildlifeworldwide.com/subscribe

October 2019

November 2019 January 2020

February 2020

March 2020

April 2020

May 2020

June 2020

Duration (days)

Price From

12

£6,995

8 Oct 2019

12

£4,395

19 Oct 2019

13

£4,195

Destination

Tour Name

Departure Date

Namibia

A Living Desert

1 Oct 2019

Brazil

Wildlife of the Pantanal

Botswana

Best of Botswana

Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s Wildlife Wonders

9 Nov 2019

12

£3,695

Zambia

South Luangwa Wildlife Art Safari

15 Nov 2019

10

£5,895

Sri Lanka

Blue Whales, Dolphins & Leopards

24 Nov 2019

14

£2,995

Norway

NEW Skjervøy’s Whales & Northern Lights

28 Nov 2019

7

£3,375

Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s Wildlife Wonders

11 Jan 2020

12

£3,695

Japan

Japan’s Winter Wildlife

29 Jan 2020

11

£5,495

Japan

Japan’s Winter Wildlife

6 Feb 2020

11

£5,495

Norway

6 Feb 2020

5

£1,875

Chile

NEW Norway’s Winter Wildlife & Northern Lights Mammals & Birds of Patagonia

8 Feb 2020

15

£6,495

Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s Wildlife Wonders

8 Feb 2020

12

£3,695

Norway

NEW Norway’s Winter Wildlife & Northern Lights Ultimate Tiger Safari

13 Feb 2020

5

£1,875

India

20 Feb 2020

12

£2,995

India

Nagarhole’s Tigers, Wild Dogs & Leopards

21 Feb 2020

10

£3,395

Mexico

Grey Whales of San Ignacio Lagoon

22 Feb 2020

9

£3,995

Uganda

Uganda’s Unforgettable Wildlife

22 Feb 2020

14

£5,395

Canada

Wild Canada in Winter

29 Feb 2020

9

£4,495

India

NEW Wild Karnataka

3 Mar 2020

11

£3,095

Botswana

3 Mar 2020

12

£4,195

Mexico

NEW Botswana’s Rare Mammals Grey Whales of San Ignacio Lagoon

11 Mar 2020

14

£3,995

India

Snow Leopards of Ladakh

13 Mar 2020

15

£4,995

Sri Lanka

Blue Whales, Dolphins & Leopards

13 Mar 2020

14

£2,995

India/Nepal

Red Pandas & Tigers

4 Apr 2020

16

£5,895

India

Nagarhole’s Tigers, Wild Dogs & Leopards

6 Apr 2020

10

£3,395

Mexico

Great Whales of Mexico’s Pacific Coast

6 Apr 2020

10

£5,595

Mexico

NEW Sea of Cortez Wildlife Voyage Borneo’s Rare Mammals

13 Apr 2020

10

£5,295

Borneo

24 Apr 2020

14

£3,495

India

Nagarhole’s Tigers, Wild Dogs & Leopards

24 Apr 2020

10

£3,395

Botswana

NEW Desert to Delta

25 Apr 2020

12

£4,395

Spitsbergen

Festival of Wildlife

12 May 2020

11

£5,995

Borneo

Borneo’s Rare Mammal

29 May 2020

14

£3,495

Brazil

Wildlife of the Pantanal

31 May 2020

12

£4,295

Finland

Brown Bear Explorer

7 Jun 2020

8

£1,945

Canada

Wildlife of the Canadian Rockies

11 Jun 2020

14

£6,495

Botswana

Best of Botswana

13 Jun 2020

13

£4,495

Zambia

Classic South Luangwa Safari

19 Jun 2020

10

£2,995

Botswana

Botswana’s Wild Dogs

26 Jun 2020

10

£3,695

Finland

Brown Bear Explorer

28 Jun 2020

8

£1,945

All small group tour prices in this brochure are based on two persons sharing, including flights from the UK, accommodation, transfers, wildlife activities and the services of an expert leader (except where specified). Prices correct at the time of print. For full details call our expert Wildlife team.

38

Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays

“

The wildlife of the Pantanal exceeded our expectations, in the main because of our wonderful guide Marcos Felix – he was inspirational! His passion for nature and the environment was obvious and infectious, all the safari drivers and boat skippers were excellent too. We have travelled extensively but he is one of the top guides we have had!

”

Jenny V, Wrangel Island, July 2018

July 2020

August 2020

September 2020

October 2020

November 2020

February 2021

March 2021

April 2021 October 2021

Duration (days)

Price From

3 Jul 2020

10

£3,495

Destination

Tour Name

Departure Date

Botswana

Botswana’s Wild Dogs

Brazil

Wildlife of the Pantanal

5 Jul 2020

12

£4,295

Colombia

NEW Colombia’s Rare Mammals

11 Jul 2020

17

£5,495

Finland

Brown Bear Explorer

12 Jul 2020

8

£1,945

Russia

Wrangel Island Exclusive with Mark Carwardine

18 Jul 2020

18

£13,395

Botswana

Best of Botswana

18 Jul 2020

13

£4,495

Borneo

Borneo’s Rare Mammals

14 Aug 2020

14

£3,495

Brazil

Wildlife of the Pantanal

21 Aug 2020

12

£4,295

Canada

British Columbia’s Wildlife Highlights

1 Sep 2020

13

£8,095

Botswana

Best of Botswana

5 Sep 2020

13

£4,495

Borneo

Borneo’s Rare Mammals

9 Sep 2020

14

£3,495

Brazil

Wildlife of the Pantanal

9 Sep 2020

12

£4,295

Zambia

Sacred Combe Safari

26 Sep 2020

13

£7,975

Brazil

Wildlife of the Pantanal

28 Sep 2020

12

£4,295

Botswana

Best of Botswana

3 Oct 2020

13

£4,495

Namibia

A Living Desert

13 Oct 2020

15

£7,995

Indonesia

Raja Ampat’s Birds-of-Paradise

26 Oct 2020

16

£6,995

Botswana

Best of Botswana

31 Oct 2020

13

£4,495

Antarctica

Frozen South Adventure with Mark Carwardine

12 Nov 2020

20

£12,995

Zambia

South Luangwa Wildlife Art Safari

13 Nov 2020

10

£5,895

Sri Lanka

Blue Whales, Dolphins & Leopards

14 Nov 2020

14

£2,995

Sri Lanka

NEW Sri Lanka’s Blue Whales

15 Nov 2020

10

£3,195

Zambia

NEW Zambia’s Wild West – Kafue & Liuwa Plain

22 Nov 2020

11

£5,995

Japan

Japan’s Winter Wildlife

3 Feb 2021

11

£5,495

India

4 Feb 2021

23

£7,595

Japan

NEW India’s Big Cats Japan’s Winter Wildlife

8 Feb 2021

11

£5,495

India

NEW Wild Karnataka

21 Feb 2021

11

£3,195

India

Nagarhole’s Tigers, Wild Dogs & Leopards

7 Mar 2021

10

£3,295

India

Nagarhole’s Tigers, Wild Dogs & Leopards

14 Mar 2021

10

£3,295

Botswana

NEW Botswana’s Rare Mammals Nagarhole’s Tigers, Wild Dogs & Leopards

21 Mar 2021

12

£4,395

India

21 Mar 2021

10

£3,295

Mexico

Great Whales of Mexico’s Pacific Coast

23 Mar 2021

10

£5,695

India

Nagarhole’s Tigers, Wild Dogs & Leopards

28 Mar 2021

10

£3,295

Mexico

Great Whales of Mexico’s Pacific Coast

3 Apr 2021

10

£5,695

Borneo

NEW Wild Borneo

10 Apr 2021

15

£5,895

Botswana

NEW Botswana’s Rare Mammals

11 Apr 2021

12

£4,395

Botswana

NEW Desert to Delta

24 Apr 2021

12

£4,495

Canada

NEW Festival of Bears

1 Oct 2021

9

£6,995

sales@wildlifeworldwide.com

01962 302055

www.wildlifeworldwide.com

39

Save the Dates 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 nature and travel 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.

The evenings are completely free of charge. To book your place complete the registration form online or contact our expert Wildlife team. www.wildlifeworldwide.com/events 2019 Dates Discover Wildlife Presentations

Location

Mon 23 Sep Discover Guyana Discover Brazil & Wildlife Wed 9 Oct Photography in Patagonia Fri 11 Oct Discover Botswana & Brazil

London

Thu 17 Oct

Discover Botswana & Baja, Mexico

Wed 23 Oct Discover Zambia & Tanzania

Bristol Harrogate Cambridge Arundel

Tue 29 Oct

Discover Spitsbergen & Baja, Mexico Cheltenham

Wed 6 Nov

Discover Spitsbergen & Brazil

London

Tue 12 Nov Discover Brazil & Uganda

Tunbridge Wells

Thu 14 Nov Discover Botswana & Baja, Mexico

High Wycombe

Wed 20 Nov Discover India Discover Wildlife Photography & Wed 27 Nov Wrangel Island Thu 28 Nov Discover Spitsbergen & Alaska

Norwich

Tue 3 Dec

Discover Australia & Wrangel Island

Chichester Exeter Winchester

Visit us at the following exhibitions in 2019 Birdfair Egleton, Rutland Water – Marquee 6 Wildlife & Safari Show Harrogate Convention Centre, Harrogate – Stand M330

16-18 Aug 12-13 Oct

For further information and discount codes (where available) please visit: www.wildlifeworldwide.com

Leopard, Nagarhole National Park, India by Bret Charman

We create outstanding

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

Over 25 years of creating the finest wildlife holidays Knowledgeable & passionate team of wildlife experts Flexible tailor-made holidays Small group wildlife & birding trips worldwide Committed to conservation & responsible tourism Expert local naturalist guides 24-hour on-call service for peace of mind 100% independent 100% financial protection

01962 302055 sales@wildlifeworldwide.com www.wildlifeworldwide.com

Long Barn South, Sutton Manor Farm, Bishop’s Sutton, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 0AA, United Kingdom Wildlife Worldwide is part of The Natural Travel Collection Ltd, a small independent travel company that places a special emphasis on sustainable tailor-made and small group holidays.

Photographs courtesy of: Nick Garbutt, Tyrone McKeith, Chris Breen, Bret Charman, Dhritiman Biswas, Sarah Malcolm, Helen Bryon, Joe Cornish, Chris Weston, Ewen Bell & Sigurjon Einarrsson ©Wildlife Worldwide 2019 No portion of this brochure may be reproduced without the prior written consent of Wildlife Worldwide.