Wildlife Worlwide Summer Newsletter

Newsletter | Summer 2012

I

t has been a long time since we produced our last dedicated Wildlife Worldwide newsletter – we seem to spend most of our days organising tailor-made wildlife holidays, and there is little time for anything else!

However, the moment has arrived to put together a newsletter of ideas, new thoughts, trips and itinerary suggestions – some of which you might be familiar with, but most of which you won’t.

Wildlife Worldwide began over 20 years ago, and times have changed since then. I started the company from home (I had a computer at the end of my bed!). We have grown considerably since our early days. Our brochure, which began with 24 pages in 1992, is now nearly 200 pages… if you can get hold of it, that is! We have run out of the current edition, and at present it is only available as an online version which, together with our website, offers what we believe is the most comprehensive range of tailor-made wildlife holidays available anywhere in the UK, if not the world. From African safaris and polar bear viewing in Canada’s far north, to expedition voyages (in warm climates as well as polar regions) and wilderness journeys to Latin America’s wildlife hotspots. In fact, we have something for virtually everyone who has an interest in wildlife – be it near at hand or in some of the furthest flung corners of the globe. And, while we are always developing new ideas for trips, we also work hard to support the conservation of those wonderful wilderness resources that we all enjoy so much.

Between us, in the course of the 12 months, we have travelled thousands of miles looking at, photographing, and writing about the things that we enjoy the most – wildlife. We have visited British Columbia, Zambia, Namibia, Malawi, Rwanda, Madagascar, Finland, Portugal and the Azores and our exploratory trips for 2012 are also under way. So, in addition to finding articles about some of these places in the following pages, you will find an article written by award-winning sports and conservation writer Simon Barnes, that we first published in 1999. I came across it the other day and it ‘pulls’ in the right places, so I thought it was well worth publishing again. You will also find information about a series of ‘Wildlife Short Breaks’, an exciting new itinerary combining rhinos in India with tigers in Nepal, and news of two very interesting and exciting trips that we plan to run in 2013 as part of our 21st birthday celebrations!

In this issue Simon Barnes on Zambia ................... 2 Wildlife Short Breaks ................................. 3 .....................

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Wildlife of India & Nepal India’s Big Five

Celebrate our 21st birthday .............. 5 Costa Rica Afresh ........................................ 6 Luxury Wildlife Cruises ........................... 7 Iconic Species .................................................. 8 Whales & Leopards in Sri Lanka ........................................................... 9 Ultimate Kenya ................................................. 9 Emperor Penguins Cruise ............... 10 Canada’s Big Five .................................... 10 Whale Watching ........................................... 11 Polar Bear Trips ............................................ 11 Dive Worldwide ............................................. 12 Meet the Team ............................................... 12

Finally, we would like to ask you to complete a short survey for us – you can see this at www.wildlifeworldwide.com. As a way of saying thank you for taking the time to do this, there is an opportunity to win £250 worth of vouchers towards your next Wildlife Worldwide holiday.

Happy reading!

We would like to thank all those who have very kindly contributed to this newsletter, with special thanks to: Simon Barnes for his article on pg2 Chris Breen

Talk to an expert on 0845 130 6982 to plan your perfect trip

Photographs courtesy of: David Bebber (Simon Barnes, pg2) Robin Pope Safaris (Zambia, pg5) Travel Inn (India) (pg 4) Orion Expedition Cruises (pg7)

My favourite safari destination Simon Barnes

M

y old friend Chris Breen, lord and master of Wildlife Worldwide, asked me to write a few lines on my favourite place on safari. I wonder what he expected me to choose. Probably the Luangwa Valley in Zambia, which was my first love in Africa, and the place I return to again and again.

But I might have chosen the Busanga Plain, also in Zambia, where Chris and I spent a week in the company of the Revival Pride with one of Africa’s many great lion junkies. Or perhaps the Serengeti, at the heart of the wildebeest migration. Or the absurd Eden of the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. Or walking with the monstrous elephants on the shores of Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe. Or the week when it rained in the Kalahari.

Or – but that’s quite enough of that. The fact is that all safari destinations are wonderful. To a very large extent, it doesn’t matter where you go on safari, so long as you go. So I will tell you about my own favourite place on safari. Bed. Perhaps that gives the wrong impression. It’s nothing to do with laziness: I am actually frightfully active when I’m out in the bush. I think, on the whole, it is because being in the bush isn’t like going to a different place. It is more like moving to a different state of mind.

It is only in bed that you are fully aware of this truth. The impressions of a safari are so many, and so vivid that your mind can become overwhelmed. But we process overwhelming matters in the dark: in sleep, and in the state between sleeping and waking.

You close your eyes and at once your mind fizzes and bubbles with amazing impressions of another amazing day.

And you hear. It is at night that you feel the truth behind your trip: you are not visiting the bush. You have become part of it. The bush is with you, even in your most private moments. When you sleep, the bush carries on. You lie in bed, and you hear – well, everything. The whoop of hyena, the proop of scops owl, the chatter of crickets, the bleep of fruit bat, the distant crump of lion.

And you wake and find the birds were awake before you. Here’s a game you can play in bed in Africa: don’t get up until you have identified ten birds from the dawn cacophony outside. This takes, on an average, about 90 seconds. And you emerge blinking and stretching in to another African day. The best: oh, by far the best…

Simon is the chief sports writer for The Times and writes prolifically about wildlife and wilderness.

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Talk to an expert on 0845 130 6982 to plan your perfect trip

Newsletter | Summer 2012

Wildlife Short Breaks Masai Mara This safari in the Masai Mara – the most exotic of our short breaks – is guaranteed to blow away the cobwebs! Although the Mara is excellent for wildlife all year round, between July and October many thousands of blue wildebeest, Burchell’s zebra, and Grant’s and Thompson’s gazelles arrive from the Serengeti in search of fresh pasture – luring predators that include ever-hungry lions, cheetahs and spotted hyenas. The birdlife is equally diverse, with eagles and vultures soaring overhead, and colourful barbets, bee-eaters, woodpeckers and sunbirds. You’ll be game-viewing from dawn to dusk, and the photographic opportunities are exceptional!

Northern Right Whales of New Brunswick (self-drive) Two whale-watching excursions are included in this short self-drive break to New Brunswick, one of eastern Canada’s three Maritime Provinces, just north of the US state of Maine.

The Bay of Fundy, which boasts the world’s highest tides, is a cetacean hotspot, and on your boat trips you may see minke, fin, humpback, and North Atlantic right whales together with harbour porpoises, white-sided dolphins and a splendid array of seabirds. Car hire is included so you can explore the area around St John at your leisure.

Departs: Daily, June to August Duration: 5 days Cost from: .£1,290 per person

Departs: Daily, throughout the year Duration: 6 days Cost from: .£1,980 per person

(based on two people travelling together)

(based on two people travelling together)

Humpback Whales in Newfoundland (self-drive) St John’s, Newfoundland makes a great base for a long weekend on Canada’s eastern seaboard. Your visit includes two whale watching excursions by boat, and you can also see puffins and other seabirds. You’ll have a hire car you can use to get out and enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Cape Shore, and visit its huge colonies of gannets, kittiwakes and Brunnich’s guillemots. From the tops of the high sea-cliffs you can even watch whales as they cavort offshore in their northern coastal feeding grounds.

Escape to the Apes Along Rwanda’s northern border, the Parc National des Volcans protects the lush rainforest that cloaks the Virungas.

This chain of lofty volcanoes, whose highest peak soars to 4,500 metres, is the best place to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Dian Fossey carried out her pioneering studies here, and it’s largely due to her efforts that the future of these magnificent creatures has been assured. Tracking a family group of gorillas across the steep forested slopes culminates in a remarkable face-to-face encounter. You can also visit a habituated group of rare golden monkeys.

Departs: Daily, June to August Duration: 5 days Cost from:.£1,595 per person

Departs: Every second Friday, throughout the year Duration: 5 days Cost from: .£2,795 per person

Finland’s Bears

Simply Tigers

(based on two people travelling together)

(based on two people travelling together)

Europe’s largest concentration of brown bears roams freely in the forests of eastern Finland, along the Russian border above the Arctic Circle. In the seemingly endless days of high summer, when the pine trees are bathed in the golden light of the midnight sun, the taiga wilderness is a breathtakingly lovely place. You’ll overnight in a comfortable, purpose-built hide to see these furtive predators as they forage for food. With luck you may capture some remarkable moments with bears in their natural habitat, and also see lynx, wolverine and reindeer, plus a variety of owls.

The national parks of Kanha and Bandavgarh in Central India, are famed for their tiger populations, and both offer an excellent chance of seeing India’s largest predator. Morning and afternoon game drives and elephant-back safaris, which allow you to reach areas where vehicles are not permitted, maximise the possibility of encountering this redoubtable feline. Staying in comfortable, characterful accommodation, you can venture into the park with a local naturalist guide.

And if you choose to stay for a couple of days longer, you can easily combine both national parks in a single visit.

Departs: Daily, May to mid-August Duration: 4 days Cost from:.£945 per person

Departs: Daily, November to March Duration: 6 days Cost from:.£1,385 per person

(based on two people travelling together)

(based on two people travelling together)

Lower Zambezi Spread along the banks of the Zambezi River against the spectacular backdrop of its steep escarpment, Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park is a secluded wilderness that offers wildlife viewing second to none. Its owner-run camps offer a high degree of personalised attention and exceptional guiding. Elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard and huge herds of Cape buffalo are all resident here, together with puku, impala, baboon, vervet monkey and some impressively large Nile crocodiles. Wildlife viewing is done by 4-wheel drive vehicle, on foot and – for variety – by boat.

Departs: Wednesdays, April to mid-November

Duration: 6 days

Or visit us on the web at www.wildlifeworldwide.com

Cost from: £2,290 per person (based on two people travelling together)

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Wildlife of India & Nepal India and Nepal are two of Asia’s finest wildlife destinations, with world-class lodges and first-class guides, and this comprehensive trip offers an opportunity to see the absolute best of the sub-continent’s fauna.

Starting in Kaziranga National Park, in the state of Assam in north-eastern India, you’ll view one-horned rhinoceros, and large herds of elephant and water buffalo.

At Chitwan National Park in Nepal you may see more rhinos, but also chital, sambar, muntjac and – with any luck – leopard, sloth bear and possibly tiger. Finally the national parks of Kanha, and Bandhavgarh, in central India, offer the best opportunities to see tigers, together with deer, monkey, antelope and a great variety of birds.

Staying at comfortable hotels and lodges throughout, you will take elephant-back, 4-wheel drive vehicle, boat and foot safaris. This is a wildlife odyssey to end all others!

Departs: Daily, November to March Duration: 17 days Cost from: £3,645 per person

(based on two people travelling together)

India’s Big Five This exciting trip takes in four of India’s finest national parks to see the sub-continent’s ‘Big Five’ – tiger, lion, rhino, elephant and leopard.

First is Gir Forest in the western state of Gujurat, which is one of few places outside Africa where you can see lion in their natural habitat. Other predators include leopard and hyena, while various species of Indian deer – sambar, chital, nilgai, chinkara and chowsingha – are found here too, along with sloth bears and long-tailed langurs.

Next is picturesque Kanha National Park, whose lush forests provided the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s memorable classic ‘The Jungle Book’ – this is tiger country!

Then, taking its name from the river that flows nearby, Pench National Park was only declared a wildlife sanctuary as recently as 1983 and prides itself on its exceptional variety of wildlife.

Last, but by no means least, Kaziranga National Park, on the banks of the mighty Brahamaputra River, is still the finest place to see the Asian one-horned rhinoceros.

Departs: Daily, from November to March Duration: 14 days Cost from: £2,975 per person (based on two people travelling together)

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Talk to an expert on 0845 130 6982 to plan your perfect trip

Newsletter | Summer 2012

Celebrate our 21st Birthday With Wildlife Worldwide’s 21st birthday looming large on the horizon in 2013, we thought we should celebrate our coming of age accordingly. After all, few specialist wildlife travel companies can boast such longevity. So, we’ve used our considerable knowledge and experience to put together a couple of very special one-off trips that visit lesserknown regions to see some exceptional wildlife. Both these small group trips will be hosted by Wildlife Worldwide founder, Chris Breen, who will add his not inconsiderable charm to the proceedings.

Way out West

Spirit Bears & Wilderness Whales

A safari to Zambia’s Liuwa Plains and Kafue National Park in the company of Robin Pope

A luxury voyage through British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest

Situated in a remote region of Western Zambia, close to the border with Angola is the little-visited, vast, open grasslands and woodland of the Liuwa Plain. This immense wilderness with massive skies is simply brimming with wildlife – unusual birdlife such as pink-throated longclaw, sooty chat, blackwinged pratincoles and wattled cranes mix with the huge numbers of pelicans, spoonbills, egrets, bustards and secretary birds.

On Canada’s west coast, north of Vancouver Island, the world’s greatest tract of temperate rainforest (twice the size of Belgium!) is home to 1,000-year-old red cedars, grizzly bears and the rare white spirit (or kermode) bear.

Each summer the rivers teem with spawning salmon, and the nutrients that well up from the ocean depths attracts humpback whales, plus the occasional orca, to the sheltered waters offshore. By far the best way to experience this seasonal bonanza is with a naturalist guide aboard a comfortable 21-metre ketch that offers gourmet meals and fine wines. Under normal circumstances the Island Roamer accommodates 16 passengers, but on this trip we will be taking only twelve to make it an even more special experience. And, together with the superb onboard naturalists, we will be accompanied by our in-house photographer and wildlife expert Nick Garbutt who has visited the area a number of times and photographed much of the region’s finest wildlife.

By early June, once the rains have passed through, you can see many antelope species that are rare elsewhere – such as roan, red lechwe, steinbuck, oribi and duiker – plus eland and buffalo. The predators here are significant too and include large packs of wild dog as well as cheetah, hyena and due to a successful reintroduction programme lions are now making a comeback.

Our safari which will offer exceptional photographic opportunities is being accompanied by the legendary Robin Pope (whilst in Liuwa Plains) one of Africa’s top safari guides. The safari concludes with a short stay in the northern reaches of Kafue National Park before returning to the UK.

Departs: 7 June 2013 Duration: 11 days Group size: 6 Cost from: £6,295 per person

(based on two people travelling together)

Departs: 29 September 2013 Duration: 11 days Group size: 12 Cost from: £5,995 per person

(based on two people sharing a cabin)

By way of recognition for your support over the years (through our infancy and teenage years!), if you book onto one of these unique trips, we are delighted to offer a discount of 5% if you have travelled on three or more trips with Wildlife Worldwide, or a discount of 10% if you have travelled on six or more occasions.

Or visit us on the web at www.wildlifeworldwide.com

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Costa Rica Afresh We recently had a look at Costa Rica with fresh eyes in an effort to inject even more wildlife content into our trips, and take advantage of some fantastic opportunities to get the best out of this amazing country.

A

lthough it represents only 0.25% of the world’s landmass, Costa Rica is home to an immense variety of plants and animals – estimated at roughly 5% of the planet’s biodiversity. Few nations have dedicated as much attention to conservation, with the result that around 25% of the total area is now protected by either state or private initiative – the highest percentage in the world. Indeed Costa Rica is the only country to meet all five criteria established by UNDP to measure environmental sustainability – a remarkable achievement in itself – and deforestation has been virtually eliminated.

All this makes it an immensely rewarding place to visit.

Lying between the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, with a backbone consisting of a series of volcanoes – some still active – that reach a maximum height of over 3,800 metres, swathes of forested slopes present a huge variety of ecosystems.

With around 700 species of birds, Costa Rica is richly endowed, and is also a centre of biological diversity for reptiles and amphibians, including the world’s fastest running lizard, the spiny-tailed iguana, and the famed poison arrow frogs.

Pacific Coast Journey

Cloud Forests & Mountains

The Pacific coast, in particular, has much to offer in its national parks: from the turtle nesting beaches of Tamarindo, to iconic Manuel Antonio with its classic Bounty bar beaches and, occupying the Osa Peninsula in the remote southwest, Corcovado is internationally renowned for its biodiversity. Wildlife is abundant here, including big cats and tapirs, and it’s the only park where all four of Costa Rica’s monkey species can be seen: white-headed capuchin, mantled howler, the endangered Geoffroy’s spider monkey, and the Central American squirrel monkey. This last species is found only on the Pacific coast and in a tiny area of Panama.

Much of Costa Rica is swathed in dense forest, and wildlife flourishes in this fecund environment where each distinct ecological niche is home to a surprising variety of inhabitants.

Close to the capital, the lowland forests of Sarapquí are the site of a fascinating biological research station, while Los Quetzales National Park, named after the country’s national bird – the resplendent quetzal – encompasses three types of rainforest in the Talamanca Mountains – a renowned birding destination. To the Pacific side of the watershed, Monteverde’s cloud forests hold some 2,000 plant species, including numerous orchids, around 400 bird species and more than 100 species of mammal. The combination of beach and rainforest along the Pacific coast, with populations of scarlet macaws, makes this an ideal place to relax for a while.

Departs: Daily, throughout the year Duration: 13 days Cost from: £3,365 per person

(based on two people travelling together)

Departs: Daily, throughout the year Duration: 14 days Cost from: £2,890 per person

(based on two people travelling together)

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Talk to an expert on 0845 130 6982 to plan your perfect trip

Newsletter | Summer 2012

Luxury Wildlife Cruising Since its launch in late 2003, the Orion, and its sister ship Orion II, have become regarded as the leading expedition cruise vessels in the Asia Pacific region, providing unique and meaningful experiences in amazing destinations. Carrying around 100 passengers, these vessels provide comfort, safety and five star service, while venturing into locations that larger ships simply cannot access. Destinations for 2012-2013 include the grand frontier of Australia’s Kimberley region; Papua New Guinea with its ancient and primitive cultures; the mesmerising white continent of Antarctica – from the less visited New Zealand side; and the island of Borneo, whose jungles abound with biodiversity.

Kimberley

Borneo

Australia’s far north-west is a land of dramatic contrasts, with the age-old culture of its aboriginal inhabitants and their fantastic art. In the west, the historic pearling centre of Broome is a frontier town surrounded by rich colour: red soil, azure seas and dazzling white sand beaches. Further north, the only way to fully appreciate the rugged canyons, deep inlets, and plunging waterfalls of the intricate Kimberley coastline is from the sea – an awe-inspiring experience.

The region’s wildlife includes nine species of kangaroo and wallaby, while the most famous – or infamous – native animal is the saltwater crocodile. Kimberley has more than 300 species of birds, including red-winged parrots, rainbow lorikeets, cockatoos and the jabiru - Australia’s only stork.

The world’s third largest island was once covered by its oldest rainforest, however since 1950 almost half has been cleared to satisfy the appetite for cheap timber and palm oil. Kalimantan, in the south, is part of Indonesia, whereas along the northern coastline the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak are separated by tiny Brunei. With a huge diversity of plant, animal and bird species, it feels like a natural paradise. The undoubted highlight is a visit to Camp Leakey to see and learn about the research into orang utans, proboscis monkeys, gibbons and leaf-eating monkeys.

Departs: mid-April to September Duration: 10 days Cost from: £5,460 per person, voyage only (based on two people sharing a cabin)

Departs: 14 August & 24 August 2012; 29 September,

25 October & 18 November 2013

Duration: 10 nights Cost from: £4,890 per person, voyage only (based on two people sharing a cabin)

Antarctica

With over 800 languages spoken by its tribal peoples, this tropical island is a place of extraordinary cultural diversity, and – despite the efforts of missionaries over the centuries – still a land of magic and spirits. The coastline boasts a plethora of scenery – from lush rainforest to towering volcanoes, and from flooded caldera to pristine white sand beach. Among the highlights are the rich birdlife, an abundance of orchids, and swimming and snorkelling in some of the world’s clearest, most unspoilt waters.

At the height of the austral summer, sailings from Australia and New Zealand offer a unique way to cross the Antarctic Circle and explore the less-visited side of the White Continent. The wildlife en route is astounding – the SubAntarctic islands are home to million-strong colonies of breeding penguin. You will see emperor and Adélie penguins, seals, hooker sealions, and the endangered wandering albatross as you follow in the footsteps of renowned polar adventurers to the great ice shelf of the Ross Sea. Indeed on certain voyages you will have exclusive access to the huts used by Mawson, Shackleton and Scott.

Departs: 2 October, 13 October & 24 October 2012;

Departs: 20 December 2012; 7 January & 25 January

Papua New Guinea

16 March & 27 March 2013 Duration: 11 nights Cost from: £5,395 per person, voyage only (based on two people sharing a cabin)

Or visit us on the web at www.wildlifeworldwide.com

2013; 3 January, 21 January & 8 February 2014

Duration: 18 or 20 nights Cost from: £11,620 per person, voyage only (based on two people sharing a cabin)

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Madagascar Lemurs The world’s fourth largest island broke off the coast of East Africa (or Gondwanaland as was) many millions of years ago.

Isolated from the mainland, its wildlife ploughed its own evolutionary furrow – resulting in a bizarre range of species that you can see here and nowhere else. The most notable – and charismatic – are the lemurs, which survive in various different habitats, despite the depredations of deforestation and population growth. Madagascar is also richly endowed in cultural terms, and your visit wouldn’t be complete without delving into the country’s tribal structure and complex system of fady, or taboos.

Departures: Daily, throughout the year Duration: 15 days Cost from: £2,895 per person (based on two people travelling together)

Leopards of Luangwa Our all-time, hands-down, most popular safari continues to be an extended week-long stay in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley.

Along the meandering Luangwa River, groves of ebony and mahogany trees, interspersed with lagoons and patches of verdant grassland, attract copious wildlife all year round. However South Luangwa’s greatest fame is for its leopard population – the highest density in the world. This was the birthplace of the walking safari, and your bush walks along the dry bed of the Luwi River and both day and night drives combine to reveal the memorable contrasts of one of Africa’s foremost wildlife destinations.

Departures: mid-April to October Duration: 11 days Cost from: £3,595 per person (based on two people travelling together)

Jaguars of the Pantanal This immense landlocked area along Brazil’s border with Bolivia and Paraguay is one of the world’s most spectacular wetlands, harbouring a rich concentration of flora and fauna.

A sanctuary for birds, butterflies, brightly-coloured tropical flowers and fish, it is also home to capuchin and howler monkeys, capybaras, toucans, anacondas, caimans and tapirs. However the main objective of your visit is to spot an elusive jaguar, an increasingly rare hyacinth macaw, or a giant river otter. Just a short flight away, Cristalino Private Reserve offers an unparalleled opportunity to get to know the southern reaches of Amazon rainforest in the company of skilled naturalist guides.

Departures: Daily, throughout the year Duration: 15 days Cost from: £6,685 per person (based on two people travelling together)

Boobies in the Galápagos This two week trip combines the historic capital of Quito, one of Latin America’s best-preserved colonial cities, with the timeless everyday rhythms of a tiny indigenous community on the fertile slopes of an inactive volcano in the high Andes, which has opened its doors to community-based tourism.

In one remarkable journey you’ll witness the dramatic contrasts between the fauna and flora of the Amazonian rainforest, and the extraordinary wildlife and topography of the volcanic Galápagos Islands. Your cruise aboard a comfortable vessel will bring Darwin’s Theory of Evolution and The Origin of Species to life.

Departures: Year-round Duration: 15 days Cost from: £4,090 per person (based on two people sharing a cabin) (Some departures allow single travellers to share a cabin with another traveller of the same sex – in order to avoid the cost of paying a single supplement.)

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Talk to an expert on 0845 130 6982 to plan your perfect trip

Newsletter | Summer 2012

Whales & Leopards of Sri Lanka This teardrop-shaped island at the southern tip of the Indian sub-continent is fast gaining a reputation as the place to see blue whales.

While crossing the island, you’ll also visit the national parks of Uda Walawe to see its herds of wild elephant, and Yala, which has long been famed for its leopard population – making an irresistible wildlife cocktail.

Boat trips from Mirissa, on the south coast, are virtually guaranteed a sighting during the season. Off the northwest coast at Kalpitiya, the continental shelf runs close to the shore and the deep water attracts humpbacks here too – as well as amazing numbers of spinner dolphins.

Departs: 1 December 2012 and March 2013 Duration: 14 days Group size: 10 Cost from: £2,355 per person

Ultimate Kenya The ultimate trip to Kenya combines fine scenery, unforgettable wildlife and luxurious award-winning properties.

You explore the Rift Valley lakes on foot, by vehicle or horse from a lovely farmhouse beside Lake Naivasha, then can enjoy exquisite views of Mount Kenya at the remote Laikipia Plateau. The wide acacia-studded grassland of the Masai Mara offers fine animal and birdwatching, particularly between July and October when gigantic herds of wildebeest and zebra pass through en route to the Serengeti. Finally the white sands and blue waters of Lake Victoria, which are rich in fish and birdlife, make an idyllic setting that rivals any Indian Ocean beach...

Departs: Daily, from June to March Duration: 13 days Cost from: £4,850 per person

(based on two people travelling together)

Or visit us on the web at www.wildlifeworldwide.com

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Weddell Sea Emperor Penguins at Snow Hill Island Southeast of the Antarctic Peninsula, the Weddell Sea stretches for over 2,000 kilometres to the great Larsen and Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelves at its southern extremity.

Here the harsh climate of the Antarctic Continent produces huge tabular icebergs that led to two epic feats of endurance in the early twentieth century – by Swede Otto Nordenskiöld and Ernest Shackleton.

Your voyage with Ortelius ventures into the northwest corner of the sea, which is protected from the prevailing wind and has relatively stable weather. The flora and fauna differ from that of the Peninsula: vegetation is even scarcer, and High Antarctic species that are adapted to the harsh conditions replace their Low Antarctic cousins.

You’ll see a huge colony of Adélie penguins on Paulet Island, and attempt to approach the emperor penguins at Snowhill Island. Marine mammals such as orca, humpback and minke whales, and leopard, crabeater and Weddell seals are also frequently sighted during these exciting 11-day voyages.

Departures: 14 November, 24 November and 4 December 2012 Duration: 10 nights Cost from: £4,475 per person, voyage only (based on two people sharing a cabin)

Canada’s Big Five This unique safari is a showcase for the incredible array of wildlife that populates the rivers, forests and tundra of the beautiful forests of Manitoba in central Canada – black bear, moose, bison, beluga whale and polar bear.

The journey begins in Winnipeg, with the drive to Riding Mountain National Park, a rich wilderness in the midst of the prairieland that covers more than 3,000 square kilometres of rolling hills and valleys. Amidst its boreal forests, vast expanses of meadows, lakes and deep gorges, moose, black bear and a (captive) herd of bison live together with elk, wolf and countless bird species.

After the serene landscape of these southern plains, you head north to Churchill, where the forests give way to rugged and barren tundra. Here you search for polar bears and the 3,000 or so beluga whales that spend summer in the Churchill River. This one-off departure takes advantage of the long hours of summer daylight, when the short flowering season of the tundra is at its colourful best.

Departs: 6 August 2012 & 5 August 2013 Duration: 9 days Cost from: £5,095 per person (based on two people travelling together)

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Talk to an expert on 0845 130 6982 to plan your perfect trip

Newsletter | Summer 2012

Whale Watching in the Gulf of California Explore the islands and coast of the Gulf of California – known also as the Sea of Cortez – on this voyage of discovery between La Paz and Loreto aboard the comfortable catamaran Mechudo.

The rich, sheltered waters that separate the peninsula of Baja California from mainland Mexico feed the world’s largest animals: blue, fin, sperm and grey whales, and sustain many more marine mammals, some of which are endangered. These include orcas, dolphins, sealions, manta rays and leatherback turtles.

The many islands are important nesting sites for thousands of seabirds and, in addition to the exceptional whale and birdwatching that are the hallmarks of this remarkable voyage, you can kayak and snorkel in the clear waters.

Departs: Weekly, February to April Duration: 10 days Cost from: £3,075 per person

(based on two people travelling together)

Amazing Polar Bears Polar bears

Tundra Lodge Adventure

The lonely outpost of Churchill, on the edge of Hudson’s Bay in the remote north of Canada’s Manitoba province, is the location for our perennially popular trips to see the largest ursine species – the polar bear. The town lies close to Cape Churchill, where the first sea ice forms, and where at the onset of each winter these magnificent predators congregate after spending the lean months of summer foraging on land, before taking to the ice floes to hunt their preferred food – seals. The window of opportunity is short, and demand is invariably high, so don’t delay booking for 2013 (availability for 2012 is already very limited).

Alternatively, you can maximise the contact time with polar bears – and have opportunities to see them in the early morning or evening – by staying out on the tundra in a mobile Tundra Lodge.

This mobile hotel is sited each year in the area of greatest bear density, for a congenial experience right out in the wild.

Classic Polar Bears Our most cost-effective trip uses a warm and comfortable simple hotel in Churchill as a base. Daily forays out onto the tundra in a purpose-built vehicle with an expert guide/driver, provide the awe-inspiring experience of seeing bears at close quarters in warmth and safety.

Departs: Regular fixed group departures, mid-October to mid-November Duration: 7 days Group size: 28 Cost from: £5,595 per person (based on two people travelling together)

Departs: Regular fixed group departures, mid-October to mid-November Duration: 7 days Group size: 15 Cost from: £3,895 per person (based on two people travelling together)

Or visit us on the web at www.wildlifeworldwide.com

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While Wildlife Worldwide focuses on wildlife that can be seen ‘topside’, whether it is on foot, 4-wheel drive, from a plane or hot air balloon, a boat or kayak, there is a whole other world waiting to be discovered, underwater.

For snorkelling and scuba-diving enthusiasts (or if you are interested in learning to dive) our Dive Worldwide programme offers remote and far-flung destinations including Africa, the Americas and the islands of the South Pacific. Base yourself on a luxury liveaboard to maximise your diving opportunities, or at a resort should you prefer to be land-based.

Our Dive Worldwide programme is unique and offers the ultimate tailor-made diving collection. Our team of dive experts would be delighted to talk you through the options to offer you an unforgettable dive experience.

Talk to us today about your next diving adventure

0845 130 6980 www.diveworldwide.com

In memory of...

British Birdwatching Fair, 17 to 19 August, Rutland Water. Once again we will be exhibiting at Birdfair, and this year we will be launching our most comprehensive brochure to date.

Autumn Wildlife Series, Look out for details of our 2012 Roadshow visiting Bristol, York, Edinburgh, Oxford, London and Cardiff.

Dive Show, 27 to 28 October, Birmingham NEC For scuba-diving enthusiasts, come along and meet the team at the NEC.

Our team Our highly skilled and knowledgeable team have travelled the world, managed wildlife lodges, worked as safari guides and tour leaders, and have many years of experience in the travel industry. We have all dedicated a lot of our lives to exploring the wildernesses of the great landmasses and discovering their wildlife, as well as the natural beauty of our expansive oceans.

A little sad news to report is that one of Wildlife Worldwide’s great friends, Bob Stjernstedt, who many of you will know, passed away in Zambia at the end of May. Bob was one of the most highly respected ornithologists in southern Africa and leaves a great legacy in his wake. He opened the ears and eyes of many people to the wonders of the ornithological world and will be greatly missed. He was a larger than life character who had a spectacular ability to make people laugh and undoubtedly lived life to the full.

This is a passion we endeavour to share with our clients alongside our knowledge of the world.

Between us we continue to research, explore and photograph wildlife and wilderness areas all around the world in order to organise better itineraries for our clients. Together with our colleagues overseas, we are committed to offering safe, enjoyable and educational natural history adventures.

You can read more about our team and our travels online at www.wildlifeworldwide.com/aboutus.

Talk to an expert on

0845 130 6982 Overseas tel: +44 (0) 1962 302 086 Email: sales@wildlifeworldwide.com Web: www.wildlifeworldwide.com Address: Capitol House, 12-13 Bridge Street, Winchester SO23 0HL