Tailor-made Holidays & Expert-led Small Group Tours - Autumn/Winter | 2019/20
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Autumn/Winter | 2019/20
Tailor-made Holidays & Expert-led Small Group ToursWelcome
I
t’s been a busy few months for us here at Wildlife Worldwide, with many of the team away leading trips
or visiting new destinations, and as a result we are delighted to introduce 20 brand new holidays to the
Wildlife Worldwide portfolio, including some mouthwatering new trips to India and Colombia and nine
new photography tours.
I’d like to invite the whale watchers amongst you to join me on a cruise to enjoy the marine life of Mexico’s legendary
Sea of Cortez, or to visit northern Norway with Cathy Harlow in search of orca, humpbacks and Northern Lights? If
bears are your passion, our Festival of Bears in October 2021 will have you watching grizzlies within an hour of landing
at our floating lodge situated within the Great Bear Rainforest, whilst both of our exclusive charters to Spitsbergen and
Wrangel Island offer outstanding chances of seeing that icon of the Arctic – polar bears. If your interests lie in warmer
climes, our new Colombia’s Rare Mammals trip includes the chance of seeing spectacled bears.
We know that many of you share our love of cats – read about our three new tours to India, including a small group
trip in search of India’s Big Cats and two pioneering new trip ideas that look for India’s smaller cats. In addition, we
have some exciting new itineraries to remote, lesser known areas of Botswana and Zambia. Our range of dedicated
Photography Tours continues to grow and in this brochure we introduce nine new trips – these are led by Nick Garbutt,
Alex Hyde and Bret Charman, as well as professional photographer Chris Weston, who we are delighted to welcome to
our expert team.
We bring you news of our inaugural trips to India’s Nagarhole National Park where all of our groups were able to view
the much sought-after melanistic leopard (AKA black panther), and also from Japan where our groups enjoyed some
magnificent views of the country’s iconic winter wildlife including the magnificent Steller’s sea eagle. All in all, it’s a
bumper new edition and we very much hope that you enjoy it.
Wishing you happy travels,
Chris Breen, Founder
Contents
Welcome 2/3
NEW Zambia’s Wild West: Kafue & Liuwa Plain 4/5
NEW Botswana’s Rare Mammals 6/7
Nagarhole & NEW Wild Karnataka Holiday 8/9
NEW India’s Cats: Big & Small 10/11
Japan’s Winter Wildlife 12/13
Wrangel Island Exclusive Charter 14/15
NEW Colombia’s Rare Mammals 16/17
NEW Mexico: The Sea of Cortez Voyage 18/19
NEW Canada: Festival of Bears 20/21
Costa Rica’s Resplendent Quetzals 22/23
Brazil’s Pantanal 24
NEW Norway: Skjervøy’s Whales & Northern Lights 25
Festival of Wildlife: Spitsbergen 2020 26/27
NEW Pumas in Patagonia 28
Red Pandas: Photography in the Himalayas 29
NEW Rainforest Photography Workshops 30
NEW Iceland: Arctic Fox Photography 31
NEW Photography Tours with Chris Weston 32/33
NEW Wild Tasmania: Wildlife Photography 34/35 Front cover: Brown bear, Katmai, Alaska (see p.32)
Wildlife Photography Competition 36
Wildlife Photography Tours Calendar 2019-2021 37 All holiday prices in this brochure are based on two people sharing a room (or cabin), and
Small Group Tours Calendar 2019-2021 38/39 include flights from the UK, accommodation and transfers (except where specified). Prices
are correct at time of going to print. For full details contact our expert wildlife team.
2 Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidaysOur Holidays
Tailor-made Small Group Tours
We excel at tailoring holidays which allow you the freedom and Whilst our roots are in creating tailor-made wildlife holidays, our
flexibility to travel how, when and where you want to go. You may collection of small group tours is rapidly expanding and we have
want to see a certain species, visit particular locations, or stay in developed lots of exciting new trips, some of which are launched
specific accommodation. You may prefer a particular airline or class in this brochure. Travelling as part of a small group can be hugely
of travel, or need to travel at a certain time of year. To guide you rewarding, allowing you to meet like-minded wildlife enthusiasts
through the options, we provide ‘trip ideas’, put together by our and benefit from the expertise of a naturalist tour leader. However,
team who have already ‘been there and done it’. These will give you if you prefer to travel independently or with your family, a large
an idea of the possibilities and guideline prices, but you are in the number of our group tours can be adapted to be taken on a private
driving seat and our expert team can create a holiday to meet your basis. Where applicable we have endeavoured to provide a guide
exact requirements. price for a private departure.
“ Every moment was a joy under the African skies, day and night! Finally seeing African wild dogs and four
beautiful puppies emerge from the den to be greeted by the other members of the pack. A magnificent male
cheetah who climbed up a tree right in front of us. A pride of 30 lions, hunting, mating and roaring with all their
might … I could go on and on!
”
Clare W – Botswana’s Wild Dogs (June 2019)
African wild dog by Bret Charman (main image)
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com 01962 302055 www.wildlifeworldwide.com 3Zambia’s Wild West
Kafue & Liuwa Plain
Wildlife Worldwide Founder, Chris Breen, introduces our
fabulous new Zambia’s Wild West trip and explains why he
considers the country to be amongst the very best destinations
that Africa has to offer.
I
make no bones about the fact that, for me, Zambia is the
top wildlife destination in Africa – it’s where I cut my
naturalist teeth, and the place I compare everywhere else
in the world with. That’s not a bad recommendation in
itself, but when I tell you that, for me, the guides in Zambia set
the standard in African guiding then, with any luck, that helps
to complete the picture!
Whether you choose a tailor-made holiday, or join one of our small
group tours to Zambia, at Wildlife Worldwide we have always set
the standard that others have followed – it’s a destination we know
intimately, and in which we have developed an extensive network of
trusted colleagues and contacts over the past 30 years. And with our
new Zambia’s Wild West: Kafue & Liuwa Plain safari – combining
Kafue National Park and the expansive plains of Liuwa – we have
struck gold once again.
These two parks, in Zambia’s far west, combine beautifully to
make a wonderful safari experience, and showcase a part of the
country that is rarely visited. Kafue National Park is one of the
biggest national parks in the world. Covering a breathtaking 22,400
square kilometres, it is home to huge numbers of lechwe, as well
as Defassa waterbuck, cheetah, and tree-climbing lions. And further
south, at certain times of year, there are staggering numbers of
elephants. On my most recent visit I was privy to an elephant
sighting to end all others, when a herd of over 350 casually made
their way across the verdant plains. I will be back there again later
this year and hope to see something equally exciting.
Liuwa Plain National Park combines perfectly with Kafue – in fact
it is difficult to find other wildlife locations that are more remote
and wilder than the Kafue; it is one of Africa’s least visited parks
and a true hidden gem. It is home to the second largest wildebeest
migration in Africa (with approximately 30,000 individuals) and our
group departure is timed to coincide with the best time to see the
migration. In addition, dramatic skies at this time of year provide
photogenic backdrops to the wildflowers which are blooming across
the plains.
Whilst wildebeest is the dominant herbivore here, tsessbe, zebra, NEW Zambia’s Wild West: Kafue & Liuwa Plain
red lechwe, sitatunga and Lichtenstein’s hartebeest are just some
The west of Zambia is seldom visited by even the most
of the other grazers, while predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah,
seasoned safari travellers. This is Zambia at its most
spotted hyena and wild dog add excitement to the safari day.
untamed, undisturbed and unspoiled. Join us on this
exceptional small group tour as we search for the very
Chris will be returning to South Luangwa National Park to lead
best wildlife that the country’s Wild West has to offer.
our ever popular Sacred Combe Safari in September 2020. To
find out more about either of these tours, or to plan a tailor- Group, 22 Nov 2020
made holiday to Zambia contact our expert team. 11 days, from £5,995 Private: £6,595
4 Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidaysLeopards of Luangwa Sacred Combe Safari
Our single most popular safari – we’ve been selling Join Wildlife Worldwide Founder, Chris Breen, and
it for years and it’s just as popular now as when we acclaimed author Simon Barnes on this small group
first introduced it. South Luangwa has the world’s trip to Zambia’s sensational South Luangwa and
highest naturally occurring population of leopard North Luangwa National Parks. Exploring on foot
– spot them on early morning, afternoon and night and by vehicle, they will share their passion for the
drives, as well as glorious walking safaris. region’s fabulous wildlife.
Trip idea, May-Nov Group, 26 Sep 2020
11 days, from £5,395 13 days, from £7,975
Wildebeest on Liuwa Plain by Tyrone McKeith (main image)
“Amazing quantity of wildlife, good herds of elephant with plenty of young ones, walking in the
bush. South Luangwa was indeed our Sacred Combe – incredible numbers of leopards and
we really enjoyed the after-dinner readings from Chris and Simon, plus of course their amazing
knowledge of the area.
”
Alison G, Sacred Combe Safari 2018
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com 01962 302055 www.wildlifeworldwide.com 5Botswana’s
Rare Mammals
Wildlife Worldwide Manager, Dan Free, writes about
his love of Botswana and, in particular, a very special
trip in search of the country’s rarer mammals including
aardvark, aardwolf and brown hyena.
A
s I’m falling asleep at night I often ask myself, north, this area now attracts up to 30,000 migrating zebra plus
‘If I could wake anywhere in the world smaller numbers of wildebeest and accompanying predators.
tomorrow, where would it be?’ Invariably, Locating ourselves in the eastern half of the park, away from
the answer to this question is Botswana! I’ve the lodges on the western boundary, the safari experience
waxed lyrical before about our Best of Botswana trip was extraordinary: over the three days that we spent here we
which focuses on three of the country’s best wildlife areas didn’t see another vehicle. Whilst we had to work hard for our
around the edge of the Okavango Delta; however, this sightings, when we did find lion and cheetah the experience
March my wife and I travelled to Botswana and, for the was all the more rewarding. We enjoyed excellent views of
first time, did not visit the Delta. Our mission was to see elephant, gemsbok, springbok, huge herds of zebra, bat-
some of Botswana’s other wilderness areas and, with luck, eared fox and prides of elegant ostrich. We also had several
to encounter some of the continent’s rarer mammals – encounters with small colonies of inquisitive meerkats and,
species not seen on a ‘typical’ safari, including aardvark, on our final morning, we had wonderful views of an aardwolf
aardwolf and brown hyena. sitting at the entrance to a burrow (pictured below).
Beginning at Lake Ngami, we enjoyed fabulous views of Travelling throughout in an open-sided vehicle and limited
aardvark on both nights and were able to approach one to a group size of just six participants, it was a super trip
individual on foot, getting to within 20-30 metres (pictured and complemented our previous experience in the Delta. For
below). We also had night-time sightings of African wildcat, the first-time visitor to Botswana the Okavango Delta really
striped polecat, Selous’s mongoose, lesser galago and small is a must, but for the returning traveller seeking something
spotted genet, as well as fabulous birdlife during the day. different, our Botswana Rare Mammals trip is a great option.
Of course, if you can’t make up your mind, you may like
From Lake Ngami we travelled south to the Central Kalahari to consider our new 12-day Desert to Delta trip where we
Game Reserve (CKGR), a vast area of semi-arid desert, home combine CKGR and the Delta.
to striking black-maned lions, cheetah and abundant prey
animals including springbok and majestic gemsbok. Recently, Contact our expert team to book a tailor-made or small
two packs of wild dog have taken up residence in the area; we group tour to Botswana.
were fortunate enough to enjoy sightings of all these species,
but the highlight for us was undoubtedly the brown hyena that NEW Botswana’s Rare Mammals
was seen on our second morning. We’d just located a female
Visiting Lake Ngami, CKGR and Makgadikgadi Pans National
cheetah when the dark shaggy form of a brown hyena was
Park this 12-day luxury mobile-camping safari goes in pursuit
spotted skirting around the edge of the plains. We were able
of aardvark, brown hyena and aardwolf, alongside such iconic
to approach and, although it was shy, enjoyed some fantastic
species as black-maned lion, cheetah, meerkat and large
views of this bizarre and seldom-seen species.
herds of migrating zebra.
Our trip concluded in the open grasslands of Makgadikgadi Group, 3 Mar 2020; 21 Mar & 11 Apr 2021
Pans National Park – since the removal of game fences to the 12 days, from £4,195 Private: £7,495
Aardvark Aardwolf
6 Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays“ We have done many safaris in Africa and nature
holidays throughout the world, and this was right
up there with the best. Our guide was an excellent
companion and his knowledge of the bush was
second-to-none, meaning we ended up with fantastic
sightings of 42 species of mammal, including leopard,
lion, cheetah, elephant, wild dog and even pangolin.
Paul C, Best of Botswana, June 2019
”
Brown hyena, Botswana (main image)
Best of Botswana NEW Desert to Delta
Our hugely popular 13-day luxury mobile-camping Combining the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and
safari to Botswana’s Okavango Delta offers an the wildlife-rich Okavango Delta, this luxury mobile-
excellent chance to see a wealth of wildlife including camping safari visits two of Botswana’s premier
lion, leopard, wild dog and elephant. wildlife areas.
Group, 13 Jun, 18 Jul, 5 Sep, 3 & 31 Oct 2020 Group, 25 Apr 2020; 24 Apr 2021
13 days, from £4,495 Private: £7,795 12 days, from £4,395 Private: £6,995
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com 01962 302055 www.wildlifeworldwide.com 7Nagarhole National Park
Nagarhole’s Tigers, Wild Dogs & Leopards
Wildlife Consultant and Tour Leader Nick Acheson
reflects on the incredible success of our inaugural
trips to Nagarhole National Park and introduces our
expert local leader, Ashwin HP.
I
t’s no exaggeration to say that we have been blown
away by the success of our pioneering 2019 Nagarhole’s
Tigers, Wild Dogs & Leopards holiday. We knew, from our
research, and our scouting trip in 2018, that Nagarhole
was as fine a park as can be found anywhere in India, offering
outstanding encounters with wildlife. We dared hope that our
three groups would see tiger and Asian elephant, might see
leopard, and would stand a good chance of seeing Asian wild
dog. But we were thrilled when each of our groups in turn saw
multiple tigers (including mothers with cubs), multiple leopards
(including one taking an Indian giant squirrel from right by our
group’s vehicle), and multiple Asian wild dogs at point blank
range (including parents bringing their little pups out of deep
cover to feast on a freshly killed chital buck). We were even
more excited that each of our three groups saw the legendary
male black leopard – the park’s superstar – with one of our
groups watching him alone for half an hour as he rolled and
played in the dust beside them. Astonishing!
The wildlife on our tours was outstanding, to be sure, but their
logistics also ran like clockwork. Thanks to complex park regulations,
Nagarhole is not the easiest protected area in which to operate. Apart
from the breathtaking wildlife, the key ingredient in the success of
Nagarhole’s Tigers, Wild Dogs & Leopards in 2019 was our superb
in-country colleague Ashwin HP.
A native of the state of Karnataka, with a lifelong
knowledge and love of Nagarhole and its wildlife,
Ashwin is a South Indian naturalist without equal.
He is also greatly admired and respected in the park
and it is for this reason that he is the perfect man to
lead and manage our tours there. We are therefore
delighted that Ashwin, who led one of our tours in 2019, has agreed
to lead our trips to Nagarhole National Park in 2020 and 2021, as
well as our exciting new Wild Karnataka tour which visits Bandipur
National Park and the fringes of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. Ashwin’s
relationship with the celebrated black leopard of Nagarhole runs
deep. As lead naturalist in one of the park’s most prestigious lodges
he has seen the cat as often as anyone, and thanks to his network of
friends in the park he sends us near-daily updates of the panther’s
whereabouts. His experience and skill recently enabled a film crew to
capture footage of the black male mating with a spotted female.
We cannot know the future of Nagarhole’s black leopard, as other
males challenge him for territory and for females, but what we do
know is that with Ashwin in charge you are in the best possible hands
for a peerless experience with the exuberant wildlife of Nagarhole.
Tiger, Nagarhole National Park by Bret Charman (main image)
8 Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidays“ Ashwin was a superb guide and ensured we
had an incredible time in Nagarhole with plenty of
tigers (some with cubs), Asian wild dogs, elephants
and a magical sighting of the melanistic leopard.
Sue A, Nagarhole’s Tigers, Wild Dogs &
”
Leopards, March 2019
NEW Wild Karnataka Nagarhole’s Tigers, Wild Dogs & Leopards
With some of India’s least spoiled and most serene protected Discover India’s unspoilt south on our small group tour which
areas, and all of the country’s best-loved wildlife, including spends seven nights in Nagarhole National Park, home to such
tiger, leopard, Asian wild dog and Asian elephant, the southern iconic mammals as tigers, wild dogs and leopards, along with a
state of Karnataka is a little-known gem. melanistic leopard (‘black panther’).
Group, 3 Mar 2020; 21 Feb 2021 Group, 21 Feb, 6 & 24 Apr 2020; 7, 14, 21 & 28 Mar 2021
11 days, from £3,095 10 days, from £3,295
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com 01962 302055 www.wildlifeworldwide.com 9India’s Cats
Big & Small!
Team Member and self-confessed cat enthusiast Nick
Acheson details the vast variety of cat species to be found
in India and introduces three pioneering new trips in search
of the country’s big and small felines.
A
t the mention of cats in India, which is the first
that comes to mind? Surely a tiger, striding
moodily through the striped light of a sal forest
in Madhya Pradesh. Perhaps a leopard, glancing
defiantly across its shoulder as it crosses a ride. In fact, with
15 species (and a 16th, the cheetah, lost here in the mid-20th
century), India is the richest country in the world for cats.
Tigers once occupied India’s vast areas of tall forest, from the far
south, to the Himalayan foothills and into the sweaty north-east.
Leopards occurred everywhere alongside them, and beyond into
higher Himalayan forest, into thorn scrub and semi-desert, and
even into cities. Around humans, attracted by rats in rice fields,
jungle cats are also widely found. At the edges of tiger habitat,
away from the heart of the tall forest, a subcontinent endemic is
found: the charming rusty-spotted cat, the world’s tiniest species.
The strange, enigmatic fishing cat is also widespread, but is
strongly associated with wetlands, and fast declining.
Where tiger habitat gives way to the driest deciduous forest and
thorn scrub, three more cats historically inhabited a swathe of
north-west and north India, following the Indo-Gangetic Plain. The
largest of them, the Asiatic lion was saved from extinction only
by the royal house of Junagadh. From a nadir of fewer than 20
individuals in the Gir Forest, today Gujarat’s lions number around
600. Two more cats, the caracal and the beautiful desert wildcat,
also inhabit the driest scrub and grassland of lowland India.
Where forests are humid, another suite of cats can be found. The
most widespread is the exquisite leopard cat, its eyes widely
rimmed in cream. It is found in virtually any evergreen forest in
India, including the south, the north and the north-east. But it is in
the north-east, in the forested hills that spill over the borders into
Bhutan, China and Myanmar, that the most sought cats are found.
Here the fabulous clouded leopard stalks the night, and with it the
Asian golden cat and the highly arboreal marbled cat.
The last three Indian cats live almost in the sky. Alongside the
fabled snow leopard in the icy Himalayas are found the northern
lynx and the flat-faced Pallas’s cat, scurrying over scree in search
of pikas.
Reflecting your ever-increasing interest in these wonderful
animals, we are delighted to launch India’s Big Cats, a group
tour which goes in search of snow leopard, Asian lion, tiger and
leopard, along with two new trip ideas, one in search of the rare
cats of east and north-east India, and the other in search of rusty-
spotted cat, caracal, desert wildcat and jungle cat in the far west.
10 Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidaysNEW India’s Big Cats NEW Small Cats of North-east India NEW Small Cats of North-west India
Visiting Ladakh for snow leopard, Explore the humid forests of the east Travel the grassland, scrub and semi-
Gujarat for Asiatic lion and Karnataka and north-east of India for rarely seen desert of India’s dry north-west for
for tiger and leopard, this pioneering cats including leopard cat, fishing cat, desert wildcat, jungle cat, rusty-spotted
journey with Nick Acheson is a must for marbled cat, Asian golden cat and cat and the gorgeous caracal, with an
lovers of the world’s great cats. clouded leopard. excellent chance of striped hyena.
Group, 4 Feb 2021 Trip idea, Nov-Mar Trip idea, Feb-Apr
23 days, from £7,595 16 days, from £6,695 13 days, from £6,695
Fishing cat by Dhritiman Biswas (main image)
To view our full collection of small group and tailor-made Big (and Small) Cat holidays, please
visit our website or contact our expert team.
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com 01962 302055 www.wildlifeworldwide.com 11Japan’s Winter Wildlife
Macaques, Eagles & Cranes
Tour leader Terry Reis reflects on some of the
highlights of our Japan’s Winter Wildlife tour that
goes in search of dancing cranes, stately Steller’s
sea eagles and bathing ‘snow monkeys’.
O
ur inaugural Japan’s Winter Wildlife trips the cranes displayed on a ‘canvas of white’ – their elegant
proved to be a huge success with participants ritualised courtship movements and haunting calls proving
enjoying fabulous views of all the target an unforgettable start to the tour.
species. Arriving in Kushiro on Japan’s
northernmost island of Hokkaido, we travelled north Sika deer, white-tailed eagles and fantastic views of Ural owls
through a snowy landscape, enjoying our first views were amongst the other early highlights, and excitement was
of the region’s spectacular red-crowned cranes before building as we headed to our next stop, the small coastal
reaching the frozen shores of Lake Kussharo. Here we town of Rausu, which to the keen wildlife enthusiast means
were afforded close views of numerous wintering whooper one thing – Steller’s sea eagles! In recent years, Rausu has
swans in the last light of the day, before retiring to our gained a deserved reputation as being the best place to get
hotel in the sleepy ‘onsen’ (hot spring) town of Kawayu, close views of one of the world’s largest and most sought-after
in the heart of Akan National Park. From Otowa Bridge on birds of prey, the Steller’s sea eagle. With dark brown-to-black
the Setsuri-gawa River, we witnessed the magical sight plumage, white wings and tail, and a bright yellow beak and
of the cranes silhouetted against the early morning mist, talons, it has a striking appearance and it did not disappoint.
before travelling the short distance to Tsurumidai where Our visit coincided with the arrival of the drift-ice and, in
12 Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidaysJapan’s Winter Wildlife NEW Japan’s Winter Wildlife – Photography Special
Group, 29 Jan & 6 Feb 2020; 3 & 8 Feb 2021 Group, 13 Feb 2020; 27 Jan 2021
11 days, from £5,495 11 days, from £5,695
Steller’s sea eagles, Hokkaido (main image)
the dawn light, we were able to see and photograph these It’s hard not to be beguiled by Japan, with its mix of the modern
magnificent eagles against ice, ocean and the snow-covered and ancient, of traditional ryokan with tatami mat floors and
landscapes of Hokkaido. Coupled with evening views of another skyscrapers, delicious centuries-old cuisine and temples, high-
avian heavyweight, the endangered Blakiston’s fish owl, it’s tech and robot cafés. We were privileged to see beyond the
fair to say that our time on Hokkaido offered some of the best sprawling metropolises, and venture into Japan’s wild places,
birding I’ve ever witnessed. guided by charming locals who could never do enough to make
our stay comfortable and enjoyable. We headed west charmed
For the second part of the holiday, we flew south to Tokyo and impressed by the country’s wildlife, people and stunning
and from there took the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Nagano. winter landscapes.
At Jigokudani we walked through beautiful forest to the
celebrated hot spring which is reserved for Japanese We are offering six departures of our popular Japan’s
macaques (‘snow monkeys’). A few were bathing here, to the Winter Wildlife tour in 2020 and 2021, including dedicated
delight of all the keen photographers present, but many more photography tours led by award-winning photographer
macaques were seen searching the snow for the grain put out Bret Charman. Call our expert team to book your place or
for them by park staff. to find out more.
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com 01962 302055 www.wildlifeworldwide.com 13Wrangel Island EXC
CHA
LUS
IVE
Amongst Polar Bears! RTE
R
Wrangel Island in Arctic Russia offers one of the best
places in the world to see polar bears. In this article
Wildlife Worldwide Founder Chris Breen describes a
remarkable encounter with these icons of the Arctic.
W
e were alerted to a polar bear in the
distance – one became two, and then two
became three (one of which was on a very
recent walrus kill). As we approached the
bears, the birders in the group were treated to a Sabine’s
gull in full summer plumage and pomerine skuas.
All three bears were large males and only one had a kill. No
doubt the other two, which had situated themselves a safe
distance from the one feeding, were waiting for the right
opportunity to steal the walrus carcass from the killer.
Initially the feeding bear was nervous as we approached. It
came off the kill and strained its head forward towards the ship
as if to work out what was approaching. It was clearly uneasy
about our presence. But, after a little time and patience the
bear relaxed and we were able to get incredibly close views
without it being concerned. At one point it had eaten so much
that it fell asleep with its head right in the middle of its feed –
exhausted by gorging itself. It was yet another remarkable polar
bear encounter, lasting two hours or more.
It is the sheer remoteness of Wrangel Island that makes it such
a special place to visit – and I would love you to join me on this
voyage of a lifetime to a rarely visited part of the Arctic Circle.
After an overnight stay in Moscow we fly east through nine
time zones to the east to the remote town of Anadyr. Although
part of mainland Russia, Anadyr has no land connection to the
rest of the country.
This is where we board our much loved small ship the Spirit of
Enderby and set sail – but not before we spend time looking at
and photographing the beluga whales that live in the bay. As
we head north – stopping off at the 14th century Whale Bone
Alley (one of the least visited World Heritage Sites on Earth),
Nuneangan Island where we hope to see a huge walrus haul-
out and Lavrentiya, the most northern town in the world – we
will be looking out for humpbacks, grey whales and possibly
bowheads as well as the elusive Kamchatka brown bear. And Wrangel Island Exclusive Charter
then we head for Wrangel and Herald Island for polar bears,
Explore the remote wilderness of Wrangel Island in the Bering
musk ok, wolverine and Arctic fox.
Strait on a 14-night voyage aboard the Spirit of Enderby, an
expedition vessel which takes you above the Arctic Circle,
If you would like to join broadcaster and zoologist Mark
between Russia and Alaska, in the company of renowned
Carwardine, photographer Joe Cornish, polar historian
explorer Mark Carwardine and a team of experts.
Katie Murray and me on our next Wrangel Island voyage
in July 2020 aboard the Spirit of Enderby, please call our Group, 18 Jul 2020
expert team or visit our website for further details. 18 days, from £13,395 (main deck twin cabin)
14 Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidaysMusk ox Snowy owl Polar bears
Spirit of Enderby in the waters of Wrangel Island by Chris Breen (main image)
“The ship was great, the wildlife excellent, the bears were the stars with two sub-adult polar
bears playing and the polar bear family on the walrus kill the undoubted highlights.
Jenny V, Wrangel Island, July 2018
”
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com 01962 302055 www.wildlifeworldwide.com 15Colombia’s Rare Mammals
Spectacled Bear, Mountain Tapir & Endemic Primates
Though much coveted for its prolific birdlife, the beautiful
country of Colombia hosts a tantalising variety of unique
and seldom seen mammals. Here Tour Leader Nick Acheson
provides details of our exciting new small group trip.
F
or most naturalists the mountain tapir. Far darker – the near-
spectacled bear is a black of the richest dark chocolate – with
pipedream, a creature more contrasting white lips, it is sadly listed as
of myth than reality. It is endangered by IUCN. Like the bear, it is
certainly not an animal that most often seen in Colombia and the best site
expect ever to see. But now, thanks to for it is the upper cloud forest of Nevado
Colombia’s Rare Mammals, a thrilling del Ruiz, where we spend three further
new tour to a country famed as one of nights in simple accommodation. In this
South America’s friendliest and most same forest, western mountain coati and
beautiful, looking for spectacled bears pacarana are also sometimes seen.
– with an excellent chance of seeing
them – is suddenly possible. Since its Early accounts of mammals in South
conflict ended, Colombia has rightly America listed just one species of night
re-emerged as one of the world’s monkey and one of tití (noisy fluffy
greatest birding destinations. Much individuals with non-prehensile tails).
less known, however, are its countless Recent research has revealed that in fact
range-restricted, endemic and hard- there are many species of both, which
to-see mammals. With the launch of gives Colombia a number of handsome
Colombia’s Rare Mammals, all that is endemics and near endemics. So, over
set to change. several sites, our unique tour also goes
in search of Brumback’s and grey-
Next year in July, I will lead the first handed night monkeys and the lovely
departure of this superb tour, and ornate tití. Two more beautiful but all too
already I am itching to get back to the endangered monkeys – silvery-brown
mammals of the continent which for ten marmoset and variegated spider monkey
years was my home. Our first big target – also feature on our route.
is spectacled bear, in the páramo of
Chingaza National Park. Though the bear Add in birds, including Cauca guan, red-
is found from a few hundred metres of ruffed fruitcrow, black-billed mountain-
altitude up to 4,000m, the length of the toucan and torrent duck, and a real
forested Andes from west Venezuela to chance of seeing giant anteater and
extreme northern Argentina, it is easiest southern tamandua near Villavicencio –
to see in this high Andean shrubby plus an outstanding pre-tour extension for
grassland. We spend three nights here in such gems as yellow-handed, Caquetá
simple accommodation, giving ourselves and Colombian black-handed titís and
the best chance of seeing this wonderful Colombian woolly monkey, and a post-
animal. tour extension for cotton-top tamarin –
and you have a tour which I’m thrilled to
Another large, enigmatic mammal be leading next year. The only question is,
inhabits the high Andean cloud forests will you be crazy enough not to join me?
and páramo. Whereas the tropical
lowlands of South America were If you would like to join Nick in
once largely occupied by the lowland Colombia for our new tour in search of
(sometimes called Brazilian) tapir, in rare mammals call our expert team or
the northern Andes it is replaced by the visit our website.
16 Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidaysNEW Colombia’s Rare Mammals
Group, 11 Jul 2020
17 days, from £5,495 Private: £7,195
Cotton-top tamarin (main image)
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com 01962 302055 www.wildlifeworldwide.com 17The Sea of Cortez EXC
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Whales, Rays & Albatrosses
CHA
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There are few places on Earth that can match the Sea
of Cortez’s remarkable abundance of marine life. For
Wildlife Travel Consultant Helen Bryon, these magical
waters were truly ‘the gift that kept on giving’.
Mobula ray (main image)
Snorkelling with California sea lion The Searcher Humpback whale
18 Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidaysY
esterday is history, the crew) before being treated
tomorrow is a mystery to another acrobatic display, this
and today is a gift. time by mobula rays. With scores
That’s why they call of these creatures surrounding
it the present. We sat quietly on us, the show began with a lone
top of the ridge, contemplating ray suddenly flying up out of the
these wise and fitting words water, wings spread wide, before
spoken by a fellow traveller as slamming back down into the
our incredible week in the Sea of water. One after another they sailed
Cortez was drawing to a close. through the air before us. Why
Turkey vultures flew around they do this remains a mystery.
us at eye level as we watched Theories include parasite removal,
our vessel, the Searcher, communication and sexual
moored below us on a gorgeous attraction, but it could be that they
turquoise sea, in an absolutely just enjoy the sensation.
glass-smooth bay. After a few
minutes, someone asked, ‘Who With margaritas in hand and
said that?’ As you can imagine, a blazing sunset behind us,
we burst out laughing when we sat on deck that evening
advised it was a line from the quietly conversing about all
film Kung Fu Panda! we had been fortunate enough
to see and experience on this
A little later we enjoyed a leisurely holiday. Highlights for some were
walk back down to the beach, swimming with whale sharks, or
collecting salt along the way (one being surrounded in close proximity
of our crew intended to treat us by a multitude of sperm whales.
to freshly baked pretzels) before For others, it was desert island
swimming out for our last snorkel walks through giant cardon cacti,
of the trip. Slipping into the crystal- searching for birdlife and endemic
clear water, the array of colours, reptiles such as the rattleless
shapes and sizes was magnificent. rattlesnake. And did I mention the
As we swam over the rocks, they Laysan’s albatross that wouldn’t
gave way to the flat sea bed where leave our side?
we enjoyed plenty of rays and
then hundreds, if not thousands, of For me, the magical waters
what looked like shepherd’s crooks surrounding the Baja Peninsula
moving effortlessly in the current. are like a gift that keeps on giving,
As we approached them, the Cortez with every day better than the last.
garden eels darted down into the Would I go again? Where do I sign?!
safety of their sea floor homes,
emerging again once we’d passed To find out more or book our new
over. Filling us with delight, we’d small group holiday to Mexico’s
created our very own Mexican Sea of Cortez, or for details
wave … pun fully intended! about our other holidays to the
Baja Peninsula, please call our
Once back on board, our southward expert team on 01962 302055.
journey was interrupted by a
group of bottlenose dolphins eager
to enjoy our wake and show off
their incredible athletic prowess. NEW Sea of Cortez Wildlife
Time and time again they threw Voyage
themselves out of the water, diving
Join Wildlife Worldwide Founder,
head first, sideways and even
Chris Breen, for a voyage into the
breaching. We ended up cruising in
legendary Sea of Cortez in search
wide circles for about an hour as
of mobula rays, humpback, sperm
we watched in awe, entranced at
and Bryde’s whales, dolphins and
their antics.
spectacular birdlife, and swim in
warm seas amongst whale sharks
After lunch, we spent time in the
and California sea lions.
vicinity of a humpback whale
seemingly enjoying the company Group, 13 Apr 2020
of a Bryde’s whale (a ‘first’ for 10 days, from £5,295
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com 01962 302055 www.wildlifeworldwide.com 19Western Canada
Festival of Bears 2021
Join renowned zoologist and conservationist
Mark Carwardine and Wildlife Worldwide Founder,
Chris Breen, as they return to the Great Bear
Rainforest for a festival of bear watching.
B
ears are amongst the world’s and guidance from our expert team –
most popular animals and, broadcaster, wildlife photographer and
in celebration of the special zoologist Mark Carwardine will give evening
place bears occupy in people’s presentations about the local wildlife as
affections (including our own), it made well as photographic tuition and workshops,
sense to launch a dedicated Festival of while local naturalists will be on hand to
Bears to western Canada. Our inaugural talk to us about the local bears and their
tour ran in 2015 and our ‘Festival format’ habitat. Knight Inlet Lodge is spacious,
was a huge success – so much so that comfortable, fantastically located and the
we offered it again in 2016 and 2018. food is delicious.
It seems you really can’t get enough of
these fantastic mammals, so, by popular The standout highlight of the trip though
demand, we are delighted to once again is a chance to spend uninterrupted time in
be offering the holiday in 2021! the Great Bear Rainforest – it feels ancient
and extraordinary, a place where time
So, what exactly is a Festival of Bears? Well, stands still and wildlife reigns. Apart from
it may seem obvious, but we can expect to grizzly and black bears, this is the home
see a lot of bears! We’ll be based for five of coastal wolves, mountain lion, beaver,
nights at Knight Inlet Lodge, tucked away bald eagle and a fabulous array of marine
in a cove amidst one of British Columbia’s mammals. Within an hour of arriving at
most beautiful fjords, and only accessible Knight Inlet Lodge you should be watching
by floatplane from Vancouver Island. It is bears, so please do join us in the Great Bear
in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest, Rainforest in October 2021... what more can
a vast area of temperate rainforest that any bear (and wildlife) enthusiast ask for?
supports one of the world’s last sustainable
populations of brown and black bears, and In addition to our Festival of Bears
the bear viewing and bear photography holiday, we are also offering a three-
opportunities here are fantastic. We’ll make night whale watching pre-tour extension,
daily excursions to watch for bears (and and a four-night spirit bear post-tour
other wildlife) from viewing platforms – and extension.
the salmon should still be spawning so
there’s every chance we’ll enjoy the iconic
sight of grizzly bears fishing for salmon NEW Festival of Bears 2021
in the rivers! Be prepared for close views,
In 2021 our popular Festival of Bears returns
too. Our lodge is located on an ‘elbow’ of
to one of our favourite locations for bear
Glendale Cove and, in October, humpback
watching – Knight Inlet Lodge in Glendale
whales, orca and white-sided dolphins are
Cove. Renowned conservationist Mark
present in the waters near the lodge, and
Carwardine and Wildlife Worldwide Founder,
we’ll spend a day out in Johnson Strait
Chris Breen, accompany a special visit to
looking for cetaceans and seabirds.
the Great Bear Rainforest to see grizzlies at
prime time.
As well as taking over the entire lodge
and offering daily wildlife excursions, Group, 1 Oct 2021
our Festival programme includes talks 9 days, from £6,995
20 Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidaysWe are offering the following pre- and post-tour extensions for our Festival of Bears holiday in 2021.
Contact our expert team or visit our website to book.
NEW Whale Watching – Pre-tour Extension NEW Spirit Bear Lodge – Post-tour Extension
From the comfort of a delightful ocean-side hotel Join Mark and Chris on a six-day extension to the
on Vancouver Island, we will venture out onto the fabulous Spirit Bear Lodge, where we hope to come
water on a privately chartered vessel in pursuit of face-to-face with the iconic spirit bear in the Great
the area’s magnificent marine life. Bear Rainforest.
Group, 27 Sep 2021 Group, 8 Oct 2021
4 days, Price on request 6 days, from £4,495
Grizzly bear (main image)
“It was exactly as advertised – BEARS and so much more. We loved the experience of flying
by floatplane to Knight Inlet Lodge, which was a fantastic place to stay. The accommodation
was superb and the food was top class. The activities on offer were numerous and very well
done.
”
Chris D, Festival of Bears, October 2018
To view our full collection of tailor-made and small group tours to Canada, please visit our
website or contact our expert team.
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com 01962 302055 www.wildlifeworldwide.com 21Costa Rica’s
Resplendent Quetzals
Desperate to see a resplendent quetzal, Travel
Consultant Chris Smith set off to Costa Rica
earlier this year in search of this famously
beautiful bird.
I
n my experience, things always seem the waiter, a local boy who was also well-skilled at
to happen when you least expect them, spotting these iconic birds, ran over and said: ‘Two
and this is especially true in the world of quetzals in the tree!’
wildlife watching. Just when you think
your chance of finding the animal you have Amazing! And completely unexpected! We rushed
been longing to see has vanished into thin to the back of the café, peered up into the tree,
air, it suddenly appears right in front of your and there they were in all their stunning glory,
eyes. And never has this happened more to two resplendent quetzals. The male in particular,
me than on my recent visit to Costa Rica, a with its long tail feathers, had perched itself in a
country blessed with more than its fair share wonderful gap in the foliage. This was a remarkable
of incredible natural treasures. Of course, I was sighting and all the better since, only moments
hoping to see many of Costa Rica’s fascinating before, I had resigned myself to not seeing one of
mammal, bird, reptile and amphibian species. these magnificent birds.
But there was one species in particular that had
long captured my imagination and I was really I was aware of a mixture of emotions whilst
hoping to see – the extravagantly plumed, but watching the quetzals, including elation,
elusive, resplendent quetzal. amazement, bewilderment and surprise. It summed
up the reason why watching wildlife captivates so
At the halfway point of my itinerary I found myself many of us – a delight in the unexpected. With a
in the Talamanca Mountains, in the small village bewildering choice of flora and fauna, whatever
of San Gerardo de Dota situated deep within the your particular interest is – mammals, birds,
pristine cloud forest close to the (encouragingly insects, frogs, snakes, cetaceans or marine reptiles
named) Los Quetzales National Park. Having arrived – a visit to Costa Rica is sure to delight. And the
in fading twilight, it wasn’t until daybreak the wildlife can appear at any time.
following morning that the true splendour of this
location was apparent – steep mountain slopes
covered in verdant vegetation, freshwater streams
cascading between the trees, a chill in the air and
not a single cloud in the sky. This was quetzal
habitat and it was time to start exploring.
The resplendent quetzal is one of Costa Rica’s most
symbolic and exotic birds. It is a bird that is beloved
across much of world, enjoys an almost legendary
status, and that I have long been desperate to see.
The morning provided some sightings, but only
glimpses – flashes of vibrant green plumage as
a male flew between distant trees. Time passed
quickly and before long it was time for lunch. As
the clouds rolled in and light rain began to fall, it
seemed as if my chance had vanished with the sun.
I ordered food at the local café which overlooked a
wonderful patch of cloud forest close to the bottom
of the Savegre valley. I sat at my table thinking
about when in the future I might be able to return,
finally, to see a resplendent quetzal. All of a sudden
22 Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidaysResplendent quetzal (main image) Costa Rica’s Wildlife Wonders Cloud Forests & Mountains Costa Rica is bursting with fascinating flora and Enjoy the beauty and spectacle of Costa Rica’s fauna and is a must-visit destination for any wildlife flora and fauna on this fantastic tailor-made trip. enthusiast. This trip goes in search of a wide range Exploring rainforests and coastlines, the itinerary is of exotic species in some of the country’s finest will introduce you to the incredible variety of birds, wildlife locations. wildlife and plant species to be found in Costa Rica. Group, 9 Nov 2019; 11 Jan & 8 Feb 2020 Trip idea, Jan-Dec 12 days, from £3,695 14 days, from £3,695 To view our full collection of small group and tailor-made holidays to Costa Rica, please visit our website or contact our expert team. sales@wildlifeworldwide.com 01962 302055 www.wildlifeworldwide.com 23
Brazil’s Pantanal
A Wetland Without Equal
Wildlife Consultant Nick Acheson
describes why he is so passionate
about this vast tropical wetland
and its beguiling wildlife.
I
love this time of day. From the bank, an
undulated tinamou – seen only in my mind
– hoots soulfully, while in the lone tree
overhead caciques shout and bicker, their
yellow rumps flashing improbably in the amber
light of evening. A barred antshrike gives his
sorrowful stammer from riverside scrub for the
last time today.
I love this time of day. Who am I trying to kid? I love
every time of day in this peerless place. For this is the
Pantanal, my soul-home in South America. Though I
lived and worked on the Bolivian side, the Brazilian
Pantanal has worked its way just as far into my
affections, after many visits. To be sure I love these
sunsets, iced beer in hand, young yacare caimans
flicking their tails in the water hyacinth beds, and
capybaras coughing in alarm nearby as they mark the
retreat of the jaguar we have watched paddling in the
cool brown water all through this sweaty afternoon.
But I also love the dawns, when the world wakes
to the shrieking laughter of rufous horneros, to the
ominous growls of the black howlers, to the eardrum-
piercing blast of hyacinth macaws as they head off
for a day vandalising palm fruits in the savannah. I
love the scorching middle of the day too, when jabirus
ponderously plod in the shallows and every step I take
sends dozens of dragonflies skittering from my path at
the water’s edge. And I love the night, when my beam Wildlife of the Pantanal
falls on the round rump of a tapir, the shambling brush Focusing on the abundant wildlife of Brazil’s north Pantanal, this trip
of a giant anteater or the coal-smouldering eyes of an combines two well established wildlife lodges with an exciting new
ocelot. lodge in a remote area, offering excellent chances of encountering
jaguars, giant rivers otters and a wealth of other mammals and birds.
This is a wetland without equal. It is also a landscape
without equal in South America. Much of the continent Group, 8 Oct 2019; 31 May, 5 Jul, 21 Aug, 9 Sep & 28 Sep 2020
is forested, its wildlife secretive, half-hidden, difficult 12 days, from £4,295
to see. Not so the Pantanal. Here bold, charismatic
birds, reptiles and mammals crowd lakes, rivers
and islands of forest, competing for the observer’s Just Jaguars
attention. This is a landscape I love, crammed with
Explore the maze of channels in Taiama Reserve, part of Brazil’s famed
wildlife I love. I love to go back, again and again, and I
Pantanal wetland, to seek out jaguars. After two nights in an eco-lodge
have yet to meet a visitor who doesn’t feel the same.
in the north, your base for the next few days is the Taiama River, where
you will head out each day by boat to search for jaguar.
To view our full collection of small group and
tailor-made holidays to Brazil, please visit our Trip idea, Jun-Oct
website or contact our expert team. 9 days, from £4,495
24 Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidaysNorway
Skjervøy’s Whales & Northern Lights
Travel Consultant Chris Smith describes
the whale watching and other wildlife
highlights of our new midwinter holiday
to Arctic Norway.
F
or many the most obvious time to explore
northern Norway is during the summer; however,
if it’s wildlife you’re interested in, then winter
really is the best time of year to visit this
beautiful country. Though the days are shorter, and the
sun may struggle to get above the horizon, there is a
surprising diversity of species that can be encountered
here.
The small municipality of Skjervøy consists of several
islands on the coast of northern Norway situated close to
the impressive Kaenangen fjord, and above the Arctic Circle.
Between October and late December, Skjervøy becomes a
wildlife hotspot. During these months, large congregations
of Norwegian spring-spawning herring arrive to overwinter
in the coastal waters just offshore, and this abundance of
prey attracts predators – predominantly cetaceans and, in
particular, humpback whales and orcas.
Our exciting new small group Skjervøy’s Whales & Northern
Lights tour is the best way to witness this annual spectacle.
We use RIBs for each whale watch excursion, as these boats
are able to travel further afield if the whale movements vary,
and therefore offer a greater chance of successful sightings.
Though orcas and humpback whales are the species most
regularly seen, fin whales and other cetaceans also appear
in the area from time to time. Furthermore, due to Skjervøy’s
and the surrounding area’s rugged and indented coastline,
there are more sheltered bays and coves, meaning whale
watching can still be done in relatively bad weather. The
limited light at this time of year is very good for photography
as the muted pastel shades of the sea and the sky are
enhanced by the reflection from the snow.
Whilst Skjervøy is an excellent cetacean watching location,
it is also situated well within the ‘auroral zone’. During the
evenings, with a bit of luck and if the weather conditions
allow, we will be able to watch and admire dazzling displays
of the Northern Lights as they dance across the night sky. NEW Skjervøy’s Whales & Northern Lights
This exciting six-night small group tour to Skjervøy focuses on
Whales and the Northern Lights is an excellent natural
witnessing the incredible spectacle of orcas and humpback
world combination and one that should not be missed!
whales feeding on herring in the coastal waters of northern
With straightforward flight connections from the UK, all the
Norway. There should also be opportunities to watch one of the
arrangements and meals taken of, and the expertise of a
world’s greatest natural wonders, the Northern Lights.
tour leader, you can concentrate on watching the captivating
cetaceans and (hopefully) the dazzling light displays of the Group, 28 Nov 2019
Aurora Borealis. 7 days, from £3,375
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com 01962 302055 www.wildlifeworldwide.com 25Festival of Wildlife EXC
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Spitsbergen 2020
CHA
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Our specially chartered Festival of Wildlife voyage to Spitsbergen
has been timed to maximise our chances of seeing polar bears on
the pack-ice. In this article Wildlife Worldwide Founder, Chris Breen,
describes the highlights of his trip to Spitsbergen in May …
O
ver the years our Festival of Wildlife has not A few moments later we saw nearby blows of beluga whales,
only proved to be a huge success but we and then a couple more, and then realised that in fact there
have, not surprisingly, seen a phenomenal were 30 or 40 of them surfacing and hunting in the calm
array of wildlife – from leopards, lions, waters at the base of a steep-sided fjord. We watched them for
elephants and wild dogs at our African Festivals, to lemurs well over an hour.
in Madagascar, tigers in India, spirit bears and grizzlies
in Canada and most recently orangutans and proboscis And really this was just the start – I could tell you about the
monkeys on the island of Borneo. polar bear we saw the next day, the incredible shots of reindeer
that we were able to get, the massive colony of Brünnich’s
For 2020 we are planning something quite different and have guillemot and the Arctic foxes … but I’ll save that for another
chartered the beautifully appointed Ocean Adventurer to take time!
us to the realm of the polar bear in Norway’s High Arctic – the
Svalbard Archipelago. I was lucky enough to visit in May this Why not join me and our fabulous ‘Festival Team’ in
year – and it certainly didn’t disappoint! Svalbard next year?
Why are we travelling in May? With the increasingly variable
Leaving the UK on a warm spring day, I flew north, over weather conditions that we are experiencing worldwide these
increasing amounts of ice and snow, and landed on a days, the Arctic ice is melting earlier and earlier, and it is this
beautifully sunny day in Longyearbyen. This small sleepy town ice (particularly the ‘fast ice’) that the polar bears need in order
wakes up in early May and is the stepping stone for all of the to hunt seals. We want to make sure that we are in Svalbard
voyages to this incredible part of the Arctic. After boarding we at the perfect time for polar bears and other wildlife, and that
set sail in a northerly direction heading for the pack-ice and, means travelling in May. There will be plenty of ice, the wildlife
with luck, some exciting wildlife encounters. sightings are likely to be excellent and the photographic
opportunities exceptional.
Our first stop was a walking excursion at Ny London on
Blomstrandhalvoya, in Kongsfjorden. We saw purple sandpiper, Introducing Joe Cornish
snow bunting, and some distant ptarmigan, as well as reindeer We are delighted to announce that Joe Cornish will be
and harbour seal – and all with an utterly spectacular backdrop, joining our Festival of Wildlife team. Joe is a world-renowned
a landscape photographer’s dream. landscape photographer, has a wonderfully relaxed and
informative style, and knows Spitsbergen well after a number
The next morning as we made our way north, we had northern of visits to this magical archipelago. If you would like to learn
fulmar, black-legged kittiwakes, black and common guillemots, about landscape photography, or would like to refine your skills,
the iconic Atlantic puffin, king eider and some (though I have then there is no one better to teach you.
to admit I missed it!) spotted a minke whale enjoying the icy
waters of the fjord.
Festival of Wildlife: Spitsbergen 2020
All this was wonderful, but what we really wanted was polar
bear, and we didn’t have to wait too long. One afternoon as we Since our first Festival of Wildlife in 2004, this winning
continued exploring the icy fjords, constantly on the look-out, formula – of a range of wildlife-based excursions alongside
our efforts were rewarded! Travelling through a spectacular a programme of expert-led workshops and talks – offers a
fjord system we spotted a young male polar bear traversing very special celebration of wildlife for all those who take part.
the ‘fast ice’ in the distance. Our captain manoeuvred the ship So please join our team and expert guides for this eight-night
closer and we watched from a distance. But then other things voyage to Spitsbergen in search of a wonderful variety of High
began happening – a second bear appeared (closer this time) Arctic wildlife.
and then a third. All moving across the ice and hunting for Group, 12 May 2020
seals. 11 days, from £5,995
26 Over 25 years’ experience of designing the finest wildlife holidaysYou can also read
