Autumn | 2018
SPITSBERGEN Festival of Wildlife 2020 CATS OF THE WORLD Your Big Cat Planner GRIZZLY BEARS IN CANADA Watch the annual salmon run SEARCH FOR IBERIAN LYNX Southern Spain NAGARHOLE NATIONAL PARK New small group tour PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS Ethiopia & Yellowstone
Botswana
Big Cats & Wild Dogs In June Product Manager Brian Wood joined our inaugural Best of Botswana holiday …
B
otswana at the dry time of year, as the life-giving waters of the Okavango trickle southward towards Maun ... the flow was perceptible in places, and in a couple of months the grasslands we crossed will be shallow lagoons dotted with islets, set against a backdrop of dead trees, the result of being submerged for months at a time. Dry it might be at present – with clear and cloudless skies that mean cold, starry nights around the campfire, the guilty pleasure of soup, hot water bottles in bed, and chilly early morning game drives until the sun warms the land – but it rained cats and dogs throughout our stay. First the cats. One joy of any safari is the opportunity to watch wild creatures at close quarters for long enough to understand their behaviour, particularly when in the company of a knowledgeable guide who can interpret the signs, provide insights, and thus aid understanding. Lion cubs are particularly charismatic with a huge ‘Aaaw!’ factor as they stalk each other, pouncing and play-fighting in preparation for the real thing, and involving the adults for as long as their patience lasts. We watched in fascination as two females moved off from their five cubs to hunt. The cubs followed half-heartedly, but continued playing ... until they suddenly seemed to realise they had been left on their own, at which point their confidence and playfulness deserted them, and
2
they hunkered down in a thicket to await their mums’ return. One memorable moment was the evening beside the Khwai River when we listened – from no more than a few metres away – to one mature male lion roaring to another at dusk. It started gently enough, but soon the powerful resonance of a deep belly-roar that carries for up to eight kilometres set the bodywork of our game-viewer vehicle vibrating in sympathy. And then the dogs. The drama of a pack of some 30 wild dogs running through our campsite early one morning was an marvellous sight. Elsewhere we saw wild dogs spooking a herd of elephants as they ran, trumpeting and roaring, through their midst. We were also transfixed by the sight of hyena pups emerging tentatively from their den in the company of a baby-sitting female who stood watch as they played, though they were not slow to return to safety at the slightest whiff of danger. Playtime over, they were packed off back into the den to await the arrival of the clan with food. Serval and African wild cat, blackbacked jackal and bat-eared fox were also on our menu of felids and canids, but the finest sightings were undoubtedly the leopards – seven or eight in all. Quite how a lone leopard can haul something as heavy as a dead waterbuck high into the fork of a tree is utterly beyond me. Unfortunately we didn’t see the action, merely the result. Ah the joys – and the mysteries – of nature!
Small Group Tour Best of Botswana Group, 15 Jun, 20 Jul, 3 Aug, 31 Aug & 19 Oct 2019 13 days, from £4,195
For full details and our collection of tailor-made holidays to Botswana visit www.wildlifeworldwide.com or call 01962 302055.
Over 25 years experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays
Welcome
We hope you enjoy our latest seasonal brochure which is packed with ideas to inspire your holiday plans for the year ahead. You’ll find a Big Cat Planner on pages 4-7, designed to help you see at a glance which of the world’s big (and smaller!) cats you might aspire to seeing and where to find them. We are delighted to launch our new Festival of Wildlife 2020 to Spitsbergen. Join our team of experts on a specially chartered cruise to see polar bears on pack-ice, an extraordinary wildlife experience! Our portfolio of small group tours is rapidly expanding and in this brochure you’ll find several new holidays, all of which can be tailored to suit your requirements, if you prefer to travel independently. We also feature a new dedicated photography tour to Ethiopia. To stay up-to-date with all our new tours, events and offers, please visit our website and sign up to receive our regular e-newsletter. Wishing you happy travels in 2018 and beyond.
Chris Breen, Founder
Dedicated to Iz We are deeply saddened that our beloved Isabel Ashworth (‘Iz’) passed away at home earlier this year following a lengthy battle with cancer. Having worked with us for almost 12 years as a specialist wildlife consultant, she arranged hundreds of holidays for clients and touched a great many of you. As do her friends and family, we miss her deeply and we dedicate this brochure to her voracious appetite for wildlife, conservation and anything Africa.
Contents
All holiday prices in this brochure are based on two people sharing, including 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.
The Best of Botswana 2/3 Cats of the World 4/7 Ethiopia – New Photography Tour 8/9 Wildlife Photography Competition 10 Iberian Lynx in Andújar 11 Yellowstone Photography Tour 12/13 Festival of Wildlife – Spitsbergen 2020 14/15 British Columbia’s Wildlife Highlights 16 Wild Canada in Winter 17 Brazil’s Pantanal 18/19 Grey Whales of San Ignacio Lagoon 20/21 Borneo’s Rare Mammals 22/23 Nagarhole National Park, India 24/25 Red Pandas & Tigers 26 Meet the Wildlife Team 27 Discover Wildlife Evenings & Exhibitions 28
Front cover – black leopard by Bharath-Shreyas Photography
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com
01962 302 055
www.wildlifeworldwide.com
3
Cats of the world Regarded by many as perfectly designed predators, the cat family inspires great admiration across the world for its beauty and hunting skills. There are as many as 37 different species, the majority highly elusive and difficult to see. However, as wildlife travel becomes increasingly popular and we spend more time in the field, our knowledge of the behaviour and whereabouts of many of these species has grown and some that were considered almost impossible to see are now being seen with increasing reliability. Here we have set out some of the best locations for seeing the world’s most sought-after big (and smaller!) cat species.
Canadian Lynx Lynx canadensis Range: Found throughout Canada & Alaska Where to see? Cariboo Mountains
Ocelot Leopardus pardalis Range: North, Central & South America Where to see? The Pantanal
4
Jaguar Panthera onca
Puma Puma concolor
Range: North, Central & South America Where to see? The Pantanal
Range: North, Central & South America Where to see? Torres del Paine
Over 25 years experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays
Iberian Lynx Lynx pardinus
Snow Leoard Panthera uncia
Tiger Panthera tigris
Range: Iberian Peninsula Where to see? Doñana National Park & Andújar Natural Park
Range: The mountains & high plateaux of central Asia Where to see? Ladakh, India
Range: Central & east Asia, plus Russian Far East Where to see? Central India
Pallas’s Cat Otocolobus manul Range: Steppe regions of central Asia Where to see? Sichuan, China
Sunda Clouded Leopard Neofelis diardi Range: Borneo & Sumatra Where to see? Deramakot, Sabah
Lion Panthera leo
Leopard Panthera pardus
Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus
Range: Across sub-Saharan Africa & Gujarat, India Where to see? Savuti, Botswana
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East & Asia Where to see? South Luangwa NP
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa & Middle East Where to see? Serengeti NP
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com
01962 302 055
www.wildlifeworldwide.com
5
Your Big Cat Planner With our extensive field experience, we have identified the holidays which, we believe, give you the best chance of seeing your target cat species. Although it is impossible to guarantee sightings, we have also tried to give you an indication of the likelihood of seeing the cats on each of the trips featured. We hope that you find it useful and our expert team is always on hand to answer any further questions that you might have, to help plan your next cat adventure.
6
Canadian Lynx
Ocelot
Jaguar
Based in a cosy lodge located in the heart of British Columbia’s Cariboo Mountains, our NEW Wild Canada in Winter trip goes in pursuit of Canadian lynx, wolf and moose (see page 17).
Three nights at a lodge with a dedicated hide for ocelot and the chance of further sightings on night drives ensures that our Wildlife of the Pantanal trip is very likely to deliver.
The Pantanal is ‘the’ place to see Jaguar, and both our Wildlife of the Pantanal group trip and Jaguars of the Pantanal tailor-made option have never missed!
Group, 2 Mar 2019 9 days, from £3,995
Group, Jun-Nov 12 days, from £4,295
Trip idea, Jun-Oct 15 days, from £6,895
Puma
Iberian Lynx
Lion
Our Chile: Pumas, Penguins & Condors trip to Torres del Paine offers outstanding scenery, condors and penguins galore and excellent chances of puma on foot and from the vehicle.
With a private guide and 4WD, our NEW five-day tailor-made Iberian Lynx in Andújar trip gives you the flexibility to look for the world’s rarest feline at your own pace (see page 10).
Options across sub-Saharan and eastern Africa, but our recommendation is our Best of Botswana trip where we see the elephant-hunting prides of the Savuti Marsh (see page 2).
Group, 22 Oct 2019 11 days, from £4,995
Trip idea, Sep-Jun 5 days, from £1,495
Group, Jun-Nov 13 days, from £4,195
Over 25 years experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays
What are my chances?
To start planning your next Cat Quest speak to our expert team on 01962 302055
Fair Good Excellent
Leopard
Cheetah
Sunda Clouded Leopard
It has to be Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park and our Classic South Luangwa group trip should give you plenty of quality leopard time alongside lion and wild cat!
This species is synonymous with the Serengeti and our tailor-made Spirit of the North trip idea has delivered some outstanding sightings over the years, as well as lion, leopard and serval.
The trickiest of the cats featured, our Borneo’s Rare Mammals trip includes seven nights at Deramakot Forest Reserve and offers a chance of flat-headed, marbled and leopard cats.
Group, 21 Jun 2019 10 days, from £2,995
Trip idea, Jan-Dec 10 days, from £4,845
Group, Apr-Nov 14 days, from £3,195
Tiger
Snow Leopard
Pallas’s Cat
Four nights in each of Kanha and Bandhavgarh with the option of an extension to Tadoba, our NEW Ultimate Tiger Safari is the standout option for seeing the world’s most striking cat.
With the aid of expert local trackers our NEW Snow Leopards of Ladakh trip includes seven nights at the famous Snow Leopard Lodge in Ladakh’s Ulley Valley.
The Ruoergai Grasslands on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, as featured in our Sichuan’s Sensational Mammals & Birds trip, are a hotspot for Pallas’s cat.
Group, 13 Feb 2019 12 days, from £2,995
Group, 12 Apr 2019 15 days, from £4,795
Group, Mar-Jun & Sep-Nov 16 days, from £4,625
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com
01962 302 055
www.wildlifeworldwide.com
7
Ethiopia A Unique Wonder Ben Cherry, an award-winning environmental photojournalist and wildlife cameraman with the BBC’s Natural History Unit, describes the highlights of our new Ethiopia small group photography tour which he will be leading in November 2019.
L
et me take you on a journey to a place bustling with ancient cultures and unique wildlife; where ancient churches are built into mountainsides and hundreds of endemic gelada baboons roam across dramatic Rift Valley plateaux … in short, to Ethiopia, the most distinctive country I have ever visited. Through my work as an environmental photojournalist and natural history cameraman, I have been fortunate enough to visit many parts of the world and seen a wonderful variety of wildlife – from projects with pygmy elephants in the jungles of Borneo, to tracking Bewick’s swan migrations from their breeding grounds in Arctic Russia – but the country I am most looking forward to returning to is Ethiopia. This trip offers an excellent introduction to three regions of this extraordinarily beautiful country. There will be a variety of photography exercises and talks, from evenings focusing on dramatic landscape photography amongst the valleys of the Simien Mountains, to creating a diverse set of wildlife images around key species such as gelada baboon and the Ethiopian wolf. Wildlife Worldwide already offers a fantastic range of photography holidays; the tours led by me, however, will be distinctive in that they will have more of a conservation focus, partnering with local NGOs where possible.
8
I am passionate about ‘putting a face to conservation’, so during our wildlife encounters, in addition to photographing our wildlife subjects we will also aim to document examples of hands-on conservation, giving you a more rounded portfolio. This human focus will be continued during our visit to the UNESCO-listed city of Lalibela, world famous for its 11 rock-hewn churches carved directly into granite bedrock. These are truly breathtaking constructions, still maintained by practising priests who kindly allow visitors the opportunity to develop their portrait and documentary photography in a respectful manner amongst the complex of holy buildings. Ethiopia is a country of contrasts and surprises, offering a vast range of cultural and wildlife experiences: its bustling capital, Addis Ababa, is a centre for international trade and innovative ideas, while the city of Gondar in the north is famous for its ancient cultural riches and natural beauty. In terms of wildlife, although the country still holds populations of Africa's iconic large mammals, our focus will be on those mammal species which are unique to this land, with a particular focus on seeing and photographing the endangered Ethiopian wolf. With comfortable accommodation throughout the tour, I hope you will join me on this varied trip for an in-depth introduction to the culture, wildlife and landscapes of this exciting country.
Over 25 years experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays
NEW Small Group Tour Ethiopia – A Unique Wonder Join award-winning photojournalist Ben Cherry as he travels to the the Simien and Bale Mountains, and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lalibela on a quest to photograph the region’s famous wildlife, stunning landscapes and fascinating culture. Group, 12 Nov 2019, 15 days, from £4,995
For further details on our group and tailor-made holidays to Ethiopia please visit www.wildlifeworldwide.com or call 01962 302055.
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com
01962 302 055
www.wildlifeworldwide.com
9
Enter our
Wildlife Photography Competition! Enter now to win an unforgettable wildlife holiday to watch brown bears in Slovenia We are delighted to launch an exciting new wildlife photography competition with some fantastic prizes up for grabs! You can enter any of the incredible photos you’ve taken of wildlife all around the world, from tiny tree frogs to enormous elephants. This competition is free to enter and open to anyone, with the overall winner getting the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go on a five-day bear photography trip to the small, yet wildlife-rich, country of Slovenia. Situated in the beautiful Dinaric Alps, your base for this bear-watching trip will be a traditional Slovenian guesthouse. Comprised of lush green forests, deep caves and awe-inspiring scenery, this part of Slovenia has remained largely unchanged for the past 50 years, creating one of Europe’s great wilderness areas. European brown bears thrive in this region, making it the perfect place to photograph these incredible animals, from purpose-built photography hides.
Wildlife Portrait Enter an image that captures the essence of any animal species, to win a £500 Wex Photo Video voucher and a £50 Bloomsbury book voucher! It should be powerful imagery that invokes an instant connection between the subject species and the person viewing the photograph.
Animal Action Enter an image that captures a unique piece of animal behaviour or an incredible moment in nature – it could be a bird in flight or a hunting big cat – to win a pair of CL Companion 8 x 30 Binoculars with Wild Nature Accessory Package from Swarovski Optik and a £50 Bloomsbury book voucher!
Wildlife Portfolio Enter up to 12 images from a single destination, of the same animal or group of animals with a similar underlying theme, to win a Rohan ‘shopping experience’ worth £500 and a £50 Bloomsbury book voucher!
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! We can’t wait to see them!
Entry closes on 30th November 2018. To find out more information and to enter visit:
www.wildlifeworldwidephotographycompetition.com
10
Over 25 years experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays
On The Prowl for the World’s Rarest Cat The rolling hills of the Sierra de Andújar in southern Spain are home to Iberian Lynx, the world’s rarest cat and our new tailormade option gives you the chance to see this elusive species at your own pace …
T
o find the wild felines of the world, we often travel to national parks and wildlife reserves on distant continents. However, if you want to see the world’s rarest cat, Iberian Lynx, you needn’t rack up the air miles – more than half the world’s population resides in southern Spain’s Sierra de Andújar, one of only two strongholds for this stunning feline. The gently rolling hills of the Sierra de Andújar in rural Andalucia have some of the best-preserved swathes of natural Mediterranean forest and scrubland in the country. Weathered oak trees and grassy glades dominate with rocky outcrops punctuating the vegetation and it is in this expanse of relatively undisturbed habitat that you have the best opportunity for seeing Iberian lynx. Almost extinct at the turn of the century, a dedicated breeding programme has brought the population back up to nearly 500, and the lynx are now, once again, breeding in the wild. The secluded Sierra de Andújar have a surprisingly high level of biodiversity and it is possible to see several of Spain’s endangered species here. Black vulture, Spanish imperial eagle and black stork are just a few of the threatened species which live in this landscape. There are even reports of Iberian wolf sightings in the area, but sightings of wolf typically require a large slice of good fortune and patience! Whilst scanning the hillsides and patches of vegetation for lynx, it is possible to see flocks of azure-winged magpies, mouflon and herds of red deer – and to hear the bellowing calls of the stags echoing in the valleys – all of which make it a special place for the wildlife enthusiast!
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com
However, the highlight of any trip here is the chance to find and observe an Iberian lynx in the wild. The coat of this medium-sized feline is predominantly golden brown, marked heavily with darker spots, and it also has a characteristic shortened tail. It blends in remarkably well with the surrounding landscape and finding one is no easy feat, but with the help of expert local guides you have an excellent chance of encountering this most elusive of cats. There are several Spanish airports from which you can reach the Sierra de Andújar, and with delicious local food, your own vehicle and guide, it is the perfect option for a long weekend of wildlife watching.
NEW Iberian Lynx in Andújar Trip idea, Sep-Jun, 5 days, from £1,495
01962 302 055
www.wildlifeworldwide.com
11
Yellowstone National Park Photography Tour
Award-winning photographer Nick Garbutt describes the highlights of our January/February 2018 small group photography tour to the world’s oldest national park, which included some of the best wolf photo opportunities he’s ever had!
A
visit to Yellowstone, especially in winter, conjures up images of what the northern reaches of the Rocky Mountains must once have been like – remote, grand and truly wild! My winter tour to Yellowstone has become a regular fixture on my trip schedule and its allure remains as strong as ever, in no small part because Yellowstone’s landscapes are every bit as fascinating as its wildlife. In terms of photographs, I am not simply interested in getting nice pictures of the various species encountered. What I really want are images that set species in the context of the environment, their home, where they eke out an existence. On our 2018 winter tour, we had excellent encounters in the Northern Ranges with bison, bighorn sheep and red fox, while along the Madison and Firehole Rivers, we had good views of hunting coyote, frost-covered bison and waterfowl such as Barrow’s and common goldeneye. The Hayden Valley also proved particularly good for bison and coyote, as well as hunting otters; and a bonus was the sight of a very large flock of trumpeter swans on the upper Yellowstone River. However, for many visitors, it’s hard to beat the sight of timber wolves against the grandeur of Yellowstone’s snowcovered winter landscapes and, on this year’s trip, we struck photographic gold just to the north of Nymph Lake near Norris Junction, with good views of an entire pack of 15 plus wolves! Earlier in the morning they had brought down an adult bison and the pack had spent the morning gorging. By the time we arrived, much of the carcass had already been eaten and many of the wolves were lying down satiated, but at least four different individuals came to feed while we watched. Given that this was barely 60 metres away from the track, the sighting offered some of the best wolf photo opportunities I’ve ever enjoyed. You couldn’t get a better backdrop or subjects for dramatic winter wildlife photography than Yellowstone … and from the moment we leave at the end of the tour, I am eagerly anticipating my next visit to America’s Wild West! So, why not join me there in 2019 or 2020?
12
Wild West Winter Wonderland Photograph Yellowstone's iconic wildlife, including bison, moose, big horn sheep, and wolves against a backdrop of stunning winter scenery. Group, 17 Jan 2019 17 days, from £7,295
Over 25 years experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays
Photography Tours & Workshops Our collection of dedicated photography trips offer outstanding wildlife viewing, exceptional photography opportunities and tuition from our growing team of experts. Here are a few of our photography holidays. To view the full portfolio please see our website.
UK: Red Squirrel Photography with James Shooter 16 Feb 2019, 5 days, from £795 (land only)
NEW Zambia: South Luangwa Photo Safari with Bret Charman 25 Oct 2019, 10 days, from £3,395
Peru: Amazon’s Secrets – Rainforest Photography with Nick Garbutt 3 Sep 2020, 20 days, from £7,495
Dedicated Photography Tours Brochure Our Wildlife Photography Tours & Workshops Brochure is packed full of trips and advice from the pros. To order your copy contact us on 01962 302055 or by email.
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com
01962 302 055
South Georgia: Frozen South Adventure with Mark Carwardine 14 Nov 2020, 24 days, from £12,995 (voyage only, twin cabin with shared facilities) To view our full collection of photography tours visit our website.
www.wildlifeworldwide.com
13
Festival of Wildlife
Spitsbergen 2020 Join our expert team of naturalists, photographers and expedition crew on our new Festival of Wildlife to Spitsbergen in 2020. This specially chartered cruise has been timed to coincide with bears on the pack-ice, allowing unrivalled photographic opportunities and wildlife encounters in this stunning Arctic landscape.
W
e’ve chartered the ice-strengthened vessel Ocean Adventurer for a special Festival of Wildlife cruise to Spitsbergen in May 2020. Accompanied throughout by an expert team of naturalist guides and award-winning photographers, including Mark Carwardine and Nick Garbutt, you will have ample opportunity to enjoy and photograph stunning Arctic wildlife and scenery from the comfort of our expedition vessel.
Breen, Wildlife Worldwide Director Nick Joynes. In addition, we will have an outstanding onboard crew of expedition leaders. We will also be accompanied throughout the expedition by the Ocean Adventurer’s team of specialists, covering a range of fields from ornithology and marine biology through to geology and history. As with our previous Festivals of Wildlife, guests can expect to enjoy a range of wildlife-based excursions alongside a programme of expert-led workshops and talks.
Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, of which Spitsbergen is the main island, is without doubt one of the world’s finest wilderness areas and home to a staggering array of sought-after species. Of course, this remote outpost is famed for its population of polar bear and this icon of the Arctic will be our primary focus. Staying aboard the recently refitted and ice-strengthened Ocean Adventurer, we have the perfect base from which to explore the islands, fjords and pack-ice. We will aim to make daily Zodiac excursions (when possible) and landings at points of particular interest.
Our voyage will take us from the island’s capital, Longyearbyen, along Spitsbergen’s western coast and into the pack-ice. We have decided to travel in May in order to maximise the time we can spend amongst the pack-ice and therefore increase our chances of witnessing polar bears on the ice. The rich seas around Svalbard are home to a wealth of marine life including cetaceans such as blue, fin and humpback whales plus beluga, and pinnipeds including harbour, ringed and bearded seals as well as walrus. The birdlife is equally impressive, with ivory gull just one of many sought-after species we will be hoping to see. With 24 hours of daylight in the Arctic at this time of year, you never know when something incredible might be seen, so be prepared to have your camera and bins ready at the drop of a hat!
Our Festival of Wildlife team includes acclaimed broadcaster and conservationist Mark Carwardine, award-winning wildlife photographers Nick Garbutt and Bret Charman, Wildlife Worldwide Founder Chris
14
Over 25 years experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays
Festival of Wildlife Spitsbergen 2020 Join award-winning photographers Nick Garbutt and Bret Charman, Mark Carwardine, Wildlife Worldwide Founder Chris Breen, Director Nick Joynes and other guest speakers for this eightnight chartered voyage in search of Spitsbergen’s wonderful wildlife. Group, 12 May 2020 11 days, from £5,995
“
Spitsbergen is a truly wonderful place, teeming with wildlife – polar bears, walruses, Arctic foxes, huge seabird colonies, whales and much, much more - all in a spectacular icy setting. I’ve been more times than I can remember, but still can’t wait to go back.
”
Mark Carwardine
Festival of Wildlife Team
Nick Garbutt
Bret Charman
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com
Mark Carwardine
01962 302 055
Chris Breen
www.wildlifeworldwide.com
Nick Joynes
15
British Columbia’s Wildlife Highlights
Wildlife Worldwide Manager, Dan Free, describes the highlights of our new group tour to British Columbia which combines looking for bears and whales from Vancouver Island with a stay at the superb wilderness lodge of Tweedsmuir in the Great Bear Rainforest!
F
rom the Great Bear Rainforest (one of the world’s largest temperate forests) to Vancouver Island, British Columbia in Canada’s far west supports a wonderful variety of habitats and wildlife. The nutrientrich seas teem with interesting marine life including humpback whale, sea otter, harbour seals and orca, whilst the Great Bear Rainforest, whose intricate coastline extends from the USA to the Alaskan border, is home to wolf, as well as grizzly and black bears which forage in the intertidal zones, and birds such as the magnificent bald eagle. On arrival in Vancouver, a warm welcome greets us from our naturalist guides, Lee Morgan and his Canadian wife, Lindsay Janes, who will accompany us during our time on Vancouver Island. The following day we cross to Vancouver Island for a six-night stay exploring the Pacific Rim National Park. We start in the south at Ucluelet, where we take to the water in search of black bear, humpback whales and Steller’s sea lions, before transferring to Zeballos. This sleepy abandoned mining town is in an outstanding area for wildlife and gives us a chance of seeing the endearing sea otter as well as further possibilities of black bear! From here, and at Port Hardy further north, we also hope to encounter pods of the area’s resident and transient orcas.
16
Our holiday concludes at the awardwinning Tweedsmuir Park Lodge in the Great Bear Rainforest. As its name suggests, the rainforest is one of the best grizzly bear habitats in the world, and our aim during our stay is to find and watch one of the most exciting spectacles in the wildlife calendar – grizzly bears feeding on salmon as they make their annual journey upstream, en route to their natal spawning grounds. Indeed, from our timber chalets at Tweedsmuir, situated just 150 metres from a pristine salmon-fishing river, we may even be lucky enough to see bears wandering right past the lodge, which will make a fitting end to our time on Canada’s stunning Pacific seaboard.
NEW Small Group Tour British Columbia’s Wildlife Highlights Group, 30 Aug 2019 13 days, from £7,495
Over 25 years experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays
Wild Canada in Winter Our pioneering new group tour to western Canada, goes in pursuit of the region’s famed winter wildlife, to a backdrop of flickering Northern Lights and the soul tingling howls of timber wolves …
A
s temperatures drop and the snow deepens in the high forests of eastern British Columbia, moose, mountain caribou, mule deer and smaller mammals such as rodents descend to lower ground and valleys in search of both shelter and dwindling stands of vegetation … and, in pursuit, come wolves, Canadian lynx, puma and wolverine as well as smaller predators such as mink, martens and ermine. There are birds here too – swans, ducks and sea-ducks such as Barrow’s goldeneye on rivers, and raptors including eagles, hawks and owls, their senses sharpened by the harsh conditions in their quest for prey. Mountain passerines such as chickadee, junco, varied thrush, grosbeak and pine siskin also eke out a living amongst the trees, their tiny forms eye-catching against the snow-clad landscape. At a time of year when the tourists have long since departed, western Canada offers a very different experience for the wildlife enthusiast – a chance to travel on foot, following tracks and listening for the sounds of the forest,
breath freezing in the super-cooled air, snowshoes gliding over deep snow compressed and crisp underfoot. On this exciting new holiday, based for six nights at the riverside Pyna-teeah Lodge in the heart of the Cariboo Mountains, we will specifically target three of the region’s most iconic mammals, the Canadian lynx, timber wolf and moose. Under our guide’s (‘bear-whisperer’ Gary) expert care, you’ll learn to feel the rhythm of the forest – to identify spoor and sounds, to ‘see with the eyes of the forest animals’. As we become increasingly
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com
01962 302 055
attuned to the surroundings, and make the most of viewing areas – as well as Gary’s range of special tips and techniques for getting the best sights and shots – your portfolio is likely to grow into a lasting and more profound reminder of your time in this wild and secret place.
NEW Small Group Tour Wild Canada in Winter Group, 2 Mar 2019 9 days, from £3,995
www.wildlifeworldwide.com
17
Nuts
About Brazil Brazil’s Pantanal is the world’s largest tropical wetland. Travel Consultant Sarah Malcolm describes some of the highlights of a visit there, from anchoring alongside a jaguar to watching statuesque storks strutting through water hyacinths.
A
flash of vivid pink announced the arrival of a roseate spoonbill along the Transpantaneira (the famous ‘gateway to the Pantanal’ road in western central Brazil). This arresting bird was the first of many bizarre and fascinating species I was to see during my adventure in Brazil in June 2018. Roaming deeper into the Pantanal, we scanned the grasslands where we saw giant anteaters, their huge claws tucked away as the beautiful, bushy-tailed creatures wandered by on their knuckles, in search of termites to devour. Dusk was drawing in as we pulled up to a lawn filled with grazing capybara (the world’s largest rodent) and had a welcome glass of fresh watermelon juice. Once dark, we followed our guide down the torch-lit path that ran alongside the Pixaim River to the ocelot hide where we waited until the slender, often elusive, cat emerged from a dark thicket into the clearing in front of us. Staying by the Transpantaneira gives visitors unequalled opportunities to go on nature walks in search of bizarre great potoo and comical capuchin monkeys, or laze in hammocks
18
watching hummingbirds attend feeders. Rising to a morning chorus of black howler monkeys, we continued our journey to Porto Jofre. It is here that the access point to the Pantanal’s vast mosaic of waterways – and the life source for this intricately connected biosphere – can be discovered. Herons, kingfishers and cormorants eternally traverse the rivers, whilst wattled jacanas elegantly stride amongst swathes of water hyacinth, searching for insects. Statuesque jabiru stork, a quintessential feature of the Pantanal, stake their ground by the river as giant river otter families play, vocalise and ‘dance’ on the banks, and ancientlooking caiman bathe on the exposed sandbars, keeping a watchful eye for jaguar. As we navigated the Three Brothers River system, we kept our gaze locked to the gallery forest, eager to spot the undisputed master of the Pantanal, the jaguar. During our time in the Pantanal we enjoyed unique encounters with seven individual jaguars, but perhaps the most remarkable sighting was the final one. Rounding the second river bend from our lodge, on a fallen tree above the river, a young male jaguar was waiting for us! Silencing
our engine, we anchored alongside the magnificent cat as he stretched, yawned, lazed and posed for us during this private and unforgettable encounter. Eventually, we returned upstream, past palm trees silhouetted against the pastel hues of the clouds, tracking the erratic aerial display of band-tailed night hawks darting across our bow as they caught insects. We travelled north into the Amazon, where at sunrise we climbed the 90-step tower to look onto a grand Brazil nut tree, home to the harpy eagle – a stunning creature that is rather accurately named after the mythical Greek creature that is half woman, half eagle. Thirty metres away, in clear sight, was a ten-week-old chick. In the mornings, the dawn chorus of Amazonian birds filled the air and paradise tanagers and macaws kept us company as we waited for the adult eagles to return. It was a mixture of joy, relief and awe when the adult male harpy eagle graced the nest, delivering a meal to his equally overjoyed chick! Staring directly at us, the eagle emanated power and beauty in equal measure. Brazil does not compromise on quantity or quality when it comes to wildlife!
Over 25 years experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays
Small Group Tour Wildlife of the Pantanal This small group trip focuses on the abundant wildlife of Brazil’s north Pantanal, combining two well established wildlife lodges along the Transpantaneira with an exciting new lodge in a remote area, offering excellent chances of encountering jaguars, giant river otters and a wealth of other mammals and birds. Should you wish to stay longer we offer an extension for harpy eagle in the Brazilian Amazon. Group, 2 Jun, 17 Jul, 2 Aug, 22 Sep & 8 Oct 2019 12 days, from £4,295
For further details on our group and tailor-made holidays to Brazil please visit www.wildlifeworldwide.com or call 01962 302055.
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com
01962 302 055
www.wildlifeworldwide.com
19
The Grey Whales of San Ignacio Lagoon
Helen Bryon joined our trip to Baja California to see the ‘friendly’ grey whales of San Ignacio Lagoon. It was a life-changing experience and in this article she describes why it left such a lasting impression …
W
e have a swear jar in the office. Not just any swear jar. It is shaped like a whale and is affectionately known as my ‘Ba-jar’. My colleagues introduced it not long after my return from Baja (get it?!) last year, in response to my incessant chatter about the trip! It has now been filled many times over, due to the overwhelming impact that this simply wonderful part of the world and its cetacean inhabitants has continued to have on me since my return. If allowed (and small change permitting), I will talk about it for hours as my encounters with the grey whales of San Ignacio Lagoon have to be, quite simply, some of the most phenomenal experiences – wildlife or otherwise – I have ever had! I had been working at Wildlife Worldwide for three days when I was first shown a video of the ‘friendly whales’ of San Ignacio Lagoon. As the footage unfolded in front of me, my whole body came out in goose bumps as I couldn’t quite believe what I was seeing. Wild whales interacting with overcome humans? Having worked as a safari guide in Africa, watching and learning to ‘read’ the behaviour of wild animals from a respectful distance is second nature to me but, here I was, open-mouthed, and desperate to see these whales for myself. Fast forward five months and I’m sitting in a panga (the date and time are indelibly etched into my memory: Tuesday 11 April, 8.05am!), enjoying the breeze and sunshine on my face,
20
with evidence of whales all around us. Blow holes are erupting constantly, near and far, adults are spy-hopping and giant fluke prints float past us like elephant tracks on the water. Our anticipation is palpable as we bob in the lagoon for 20 minutes before, out of nowhere, a huge (this was a calf!) grey head appears at the end of the boat and, after a reassuring rub from the fisherman/guide, advances down the side of the boat, watching us as we scramble frantically at the water, desperate for that first touch! I have to stop myself from laughing out loud at my reaction that day. It was as if all my Christmases had come at once! Time and time again we went out. Time and time again we had extraordinary encounters with the whales … and still we couldn’t get enough! Traversing one quarter of the lagoon at set times of the day for 90 minutes each visit, there are strict limits on the number of pangas out at any one time, and there is categorically no ‘chasing’ of these magnificent creatures. We waited respectfully for them to come to us, and come to us they did. Their skin is soft yet hairy, and gradually their personalities became evident to us as we watched and interacted with them – some of the calves are shy, some cheeky and playful, and all the time the mothers watch, sometimes wanting to join in on the action too. But above all, it is their eyes that capture your attention. Never have I had such an emotional reaction to a wild creature. This is grey whale-watching with bells on. This is grey whale-watching on their terms. I can’t wait to go back. Would you like to join us?
Over 25 years experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays
Grey Whales of San Ignacio Lagoon Join us to witness and interact with ‘friendly’ grey whales in the warm shallow waters of San Ignacio. Group, 22 & 28 Feb 2019 9 days, from £3,895
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com
01962 302 055
www.wildlifeworldwide.com
21
Borneo’s Rare Mammals
Wildlife Worldwide Manager, Dan Free, explains why Sabah is so special for some of Southeast Asia’s rarest mammals.
I
n April this year I was fortunate enough to travel with my wife to the Malaysian state of Sabah on the island of Borneo, our second visit to this fascinating part of South-east Asia. Having previously visited Sepilok, the Kinabatangan River and the superb Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley, we had a good idea of what to expect and indeed, the first part of this trip followed a similar programme. We began with a night in Sepilok to visit the sun bear and orangutan rehabilitation centres, before moving on to the Kinabatangan River, where a couple of nights at the excellent Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort rewarded us with fantastic sightings of a variety of primates, reptiles and birds. Exploring the area’s waterways through a mix of morning, afternoon and evening boat safaris, we saw six species of primate, including orangutans, proboscis monkeys, long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques, and silvery and maroon langurs, alongside a close encounter with a herd of Asian elephants, a species that we’d missed first time round. From the river we travelled overland, via the Gomantong Caves (the smell every bit as bad as I remembered!) to Deramakot, a 50,000-hectare Forest Reserve just outside Telupid. In the absence of a commercial lodge and subject to selective logging, Deramakot has remained off the tourist trail and offers a very different experience to the better-known reserves of Tabin and Danum Valley. How long it stays this way remains to be seen as it has a growing reputation for being one of the best sites for seeing some of South-east Asia’s rarest mammals. This is in no small part due to the fact that, unlike more tightly regulated parks, here you are free to follow your own programme and can therefore spend more time in the
22
field, but it is also testament to the excellent management of the forest, allowing both the local economy and the wildlife to thrive. Sleeping through the day and venturing out in the early evening with the aid of a spotlight, we would drive for up to eight hours a night and, over the course our seven-night stay, we saw over 30 different mammal species. Despite driving similar routes, at similar times, every night offered something new! Both giant red and Thomas’s flying squirrels, slow loris, colugo, lesser and greater mouse-deer, sambar deer, Malay civet, island palm and striped palm civets were seen on an almost nightly basis. Leopard cat, moon rat, western tarsier, black flying squirrel, yellow muntjac, Asian elephant, large flying foxes and the stunning thylacine-like banded civet, were slightly trickier and only seen on a few occasions. Those species seen just once included Malay and long-tailed porcupines, Hoses’s pygmy squirrel and the fabulously bizarre otter civet, one of the highlights of the trip.
Small Group Tour Borneo’s Rare Mammals Visiting some of Borneo’s best wildlife areas for mammal watching, including a seven night stay in Deramakot Forest Reserve, this holiday provides superb opportunities to see a host of rare mammals, including the possibility of the elusive Sunda clouded leopard! Group, 8 May, 7 Jun & 29 Sep 2019 14 days, from £3,195
Frustratingly, two of the biggest hitters, the sun bear and Sunda clouded leopard, eluded us – the latter being seen the day before we arrived and again, a couple days after we left! Both fishing cat and marbled cat were seen during our stay by other guests, but we were compensated with a brief sighting of a pangolin, a spectacular specimen that quickly moved off from the edge of the track as we approached. It was literally the last mammal we saw in the reserve and ensured that we left on a high. With more polished accommodation options available elsewhere in Borneo, Deramakot isn’t for everyone, but if seeing a wide variety of rarely seen nocturnal mammals is your priority, I don’t think you can beat it!
Over 25 years experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com
01962 302 055
www.wildlifeworldwide.com
23
Nagarhole National Park Earlier this year, tour leader Nick Acheson visited Nagarhole National Park in southern India in search of its special wildlife, including a black leopard – not only the park’s most celebrated inhabitant but one of nature’s true rarities!
O
n my face the warm afternoon air; in my ears a rolling chorus of white-cheeked barbets; catching my eye the shimmer of a peacock’s tail as he reaches the frenzied climax of his dance. A peahen – object of his affection – pecks at the dry ground nearby, unmoved. I’m in India. But this is not the dust and bustle of north India, nor the jeep swarm of some of central India’s tiger parks. This is peaceful Nagarhole National Park, in the southern state of Karnataka, and it is as perfect a place for seeing Indian wildlife as I have ever known.
celebrated black panther since Kipling’s Bagheera, and the most photographed of all time. Though every wild wonder enthrals me, cats have a special hold and I have come to look for this dazzling black cat.
Beyond the peacock there are eight caramel streaks in the grass. The occasional twitch of a big tawny ear or the flap at a fly of a feathery tail gives them away: they are Asian wild dogs. Unable to stay still for long, one of the pack’s well-grown pups bites his brother’s ear and soon they are rolling, chasing and braking at speed, their parents panting, looking on bemused.
With such a wealth of wildlife and the chance of encountering this once-in-a-lifetime panther, we will be returning to Nagarhole next April for a 7-night stay – will you be joining us?
Nagarhole boasts all of peninsular India’s most charismatic wildlife. Thanks to the lush forests of the adjacent Nilgiri Hills, every day here is an elephant day. The big bulls are often seen bashing bamboo by the entrance road to the park. Inside females and their clockwork calves splash and slide in the many waterholes maintained for wildlife big and small.
Nagarhole's Tigers, Wild Dogs & Leopards
Among the small folk, the grey junglefowl stand out for me. More common here than anywhere else I’ve been, the dappled cocks trot over dry leaves along every ride, their exquisite tails quivering. Among the big folk, Nagarhole is rightly famed for its cats. On most days of my stay I have seen tigers and leopards, sometimes both, once both together. And often ours has been the only vehicle watching them.
Days before I arrived, however, a savage fight saw him retreat to the park’s core with a grave wound to his face. He emerged, his striking looks healed, the day after I left the park, as my phone was quick to tell me the moment I touched down at Heathrow. It does not matter though: I loved all the wildlife of this beautiful park, its friendly people and its lazy pace.
NEW Small Group Tour Spend a week in south India’s Nagarhole National Park, in search of tiger, Asian wild dog, elephants and with luck, the magnificent black leopard that resides here (pictured right). Group, 5 Apr 2019 10 days, from £2,995
Just one cat has eluded me. One of Nagarhole’s many leopards, an often-seen male, is black. He is undoubtedly the most Images by Bharath-Shreyas Photography
24
Over 25 years experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays
For further details on our group and tailor-made holidays to India please visit www.wildlifeworldwide.com or call 01962 302055.
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com
01962 302 055
www.wildlifeworldwide.com
25
Red Pandas & Tigers Our new small group tour to India combines looking for red pandas in West Bengal with tiger watching in Panna National Park.
I
ndia is high on most wildlife enthusiasts’ bucket list of places to visit … and rightly so! With a wonderful variety of mammals and birds, amongst them some of the planet’s most recognisable species, many of India’s national parks are already firmly established on the visitor’s radar. Until recently, however, one of India’s most iconic mammals has been very difficult to observe in its natural habitat, owing to the fact that it is now restricted to a small and remote area of forest in the foothills of the eastern Himalaya – namely, the red panda. Our new tour first heads to Singalila, a national park protecting about 30 red pandas in tracts of high-altitude forest and whose edge runs along the Nepalese border. Our base whilst here is Habre’s Nest, a unique homestaystyle property located on the Nepalese
26
side of the park. Each morning a dedicated team of trackers (based at Habre’s Nest) sets off into the park in search of these endearing mammals and we will join them on their quest, on foot, following the network of trails that leads from the lodge. Yellow-throated marten, leopard cat, Himalayan serow and barking deer also inhabit the park, along with 300+ species of birds. For the second part of our tour we leave Singalila and the towering peaks of Kangchenjunga behind and head west to Panna National Park. Historically, tigers have suffered terribly from poaching here; however, their numbers have made an impressive recovery in recent years due to conservation efforts and now stand at an estimated 30 individuals. Leopard, sloth bear and a variety of ungulates also live in this beautiful park. This tour offers an ideal holiday for first-time or experienced visitors to the Indian subcontinent.
NEW Small Group Tour Red Pandas & Tigers Group, 21 Feb 2019 & 4 Apr 2020 16 days, from £5,995
Over 25 years experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays
How did you first get into working in travel? When I was 18, I got my first job working for a horseback safari company in the Okavango Delta and that sealed my fate with the travel industry.
What’s been your favourite wildlife discovery?
Meet the
Wildlife Team
It’s more of a personal discovery – that I have a rapidly growing love for and fascination with birds. I was recently chastised on safari by my group for asking to stop for a lilac-breasted roller en route to a potential cheetah sighting!
In this issue we put our questions to Travel Consultant Sarah Malcolm
What’s your favourite species? African elephants are an irreplaceable number one. I could watch them all day. When I worked at Ol Donyo Lodge in Kenya, I would spend any spare moment at the elephant hide observing the big resident bulls interacting with one another at the waterhole. The top two species I would love to see are pangolin and tufted coquet!
What’s your favourite lodge for getting up close to wildlife? Zambezi Expeditions, Mana Pools in Zimbabwe. I love an ‘under canvas’ camp where wildlife passes between the tents, elephants walk past your campfire in the evening and hippos grunt all night. You can also go on walking and canoe safaris in Mana Pools which allows you to see the wildlife from a different and exciting perspective.
What’s the hottest wildlife destination for 2018? The unique and pristine wetland wilderness of Brazil’s Pantanal! It’s an incredible wildlife destination, and the area has really opened up to visitors in the last few years as a result of an increase in ecotourism. There’s a fantastic density and diversity of wildlife here including majestic jaguars, giant river otters and giant anteaters!
How about the most romantic wildlife location? The quintessential Out of Africa allure! You can’t beat a night under the African stars for romance! Find a lodge with a ‘star bed’ and that offers private lantern-lit bush dinners.
What’s the best piece of advice you give to your clients? Travel with an open mind and sharp eyes! Try everything and never take the lie-in option – you never know what you might miss and you can sleep on the plane home!
Which wildlife destination has most surprised you? In 2015 I travelled to Nepal to trek in the Himalayas and visit the ancient cities. Our visit to Chitwan National Park was slightly unplanned and blew me away. On our walking safari we saw so much birdlife and other wildlife, including seven Greater One-horned Rhinos. The light and environment were beautiful, and we didn’t see another tourist!
If money were no object, where would you travel to next? Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest! There are some stunning and remote lodges, only accessible by seaplane, where you can see an abundance of wildlife. To see a spirit bear among pristine forest would just be incredible.
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com
01962 302 055
www.wildlifeworldwide.com
27
Save the Dates
Discover Wildlife – Presentation Evenings Join us at one of our Discover Wildlife presentation evenings between September and November 2018. These offer you the chance to meet us, discuss your travel plans and enjoy illustrated presentations by our own wildlife experts and guest speakers. This year we have talks on Namibia, Botswana and Ethiopia and Zimbabwe, Papua New Guinea, Baja California, Brazil and specialist photography tours – all with the aim of inspiring you! The evenings are free of charge. To book your place complete the registration form online or contact our expert team. www.wildlifeworldwide.com/events 2018 Dates
Discover Wildlife Presentations
Location
Fri 28 Sep
Discover Namibia & Spitsbergen
Wed 10 Oct
Discover Spitsbergen & Brilliant Baja
Tue 16 Oct
Wildlife Photography & Nuts about Brazil!
Harrogate Tunbridge Wells Cheltenham
Wed 17 Oct
Discover Namibia & Wildlife Photography
Arundel
Wed 24 Oct
Discover Spitsbergen & Nuts about Brazil!
Wed 31 Oct
Discover Papua New Guinea
Thu 8 Nov
Discover Botswana & Brilliant Baja
Bristol Alresford, Winchester St Albans
Wed 14 Nov Discover Spitsbergen & Nuts about Brazil! Thu 22 Nov
Africa Delights: Zimbabwe, Ethiopia & Botswana London
Wed 28 Nov Discover Spitsbergen & Brilliant Baja Thu 29 Nov
Winchester
Discover Botswana & Nuts about Brazil!
Guildford Norwich
Further dates to follow for 2019.
Visit us at the following exhibitions in 2018 Birdfair – 17-19 August Egleton Nature Reserve, Rutland Water Marquee 6, Stand 25 - 27 Wildlife and Safari Travel Show – 29-30 September Harrogate Convention Centre, Harrogate – Stand M340 For further details visit www.wildlifeworldwide.com
We create outstanding
wildlife holidays Over 300 locations worldwide, handpicked for the best wildlife viewing. 25 years of creating the finest wildlife holidays Knowledgeable & passionate team of wildlife experts Flexible tailor-made holidays Small group wildlife & bird-watching trips worldwide Dedicated photography tours & workshops Committed to conservation & responsible tourism Expert local naturalist guides Peace of mind – 24-hour on-call service 100% financial protection
01962 302 055 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: Bharath-Shreyas Photography, Chris Breen, Bret Charman, Pedro Cortijo, Dani Free, Nick Garbutt, Mike Gordon, Sarah Malcolm and Roy Toft. Apologies for any omissions. ©Wildlife Worldwide 2018 No portion of this brochure may be reproduced without the prior written consent of Wildlife Worldwide.