Wildlife trips to Oman, the Republic of Congo, Brazil, Tanzania and Spain
Wildlife specialist Naturetrek’s new 2014 brochure is packed full of tours, treks and cruises expertly guided by leading naturalists.
New offerings include a fascinating birdwatching and cultural tour of Oman, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to track Lowland Gorillas in the Republic of Congo, a 17-day trip to Brazil that focuses on South America’s ‘Big Five’(Brazilian Tapir, Giant Anteater, Maned wolf, Giant River Otter and Jaguar) and an expedition to observe the thriving Wildcats of the Navarro in Spain.
The brochure is a huge and carefully-compiled compendium of natural history holidays worldwide. The variety and depth of trips is impressive and unrivalled: bear-watching in Scandinavia, wolf-watching in Spain, a comprehensive range of tiger-watching tours in India, classic African safaris, flora and fauna trips throughout Europe, wildlife cruises, cetaceans in the Azores, Canada, Iceland and Greenland, photography tours and birdwatching and botany itineraries to almost every corner of the globe. More unusual offerings include the chance to see Shoebills in Uganda or to go butterfly-watching in Sri Lanka and plant-hunting in Sichuan, China.
Says David Mills, Managing Director of Naturetrek: “We see our brochure as a holiday ‘bible’ for any natural history fan, whatever their age, ability and aspirations. Birds, plants and mammals are inevitably the main focus of our trips, but we try to incorporate all other aspects of the natural world and to uncover the unique culture and allure of a destination, rather than simply to tick off wildlife checklists. Notably, we offer some excellent birdwatching holidays for beginners in the UK, keenly-priced long-haul mammal itineraries and a wonderful range of butterfly conservation holidays.”
What’s NEW for 2014:
Brazil - South America’s ‘Big Five’
An exhilarating 17-day tour focusing on the iconic ‘Big Five’ - Brazilian Tapir, Giant Anteater, Maned Wolf, Giant River Otter and Jaguar - and other wonderful wildlife (the world’s largest parrot and nutcracking monkeys, to name just two), visiting the remote tropical forests of Parnaíba Headwaters National Park and the world-famous wetlands of the Pantanal.
Dates: two departures on 1 and 12 August 2014
Cost: £5,995 pp - includes flights (London – overnight flights both ways), all transport and transfers whilst on tour, all food except for breakfast and lunch on day two, accommodation and expert guiding.
Republic of Congo – Gorillas & Rainforest Wildlife
A pioneering 10-day adventure, based at two wonderful tree-top camps set in and around the spectacular Odzala-Kokoua National Park deep in the Congo rainforest. A total of 11 diurnal primates are found here, including the Putty-nosed Monkey, Grey-cheeked Mangabey and Guereza Colobus Monkey, but the undeniable highlight will be the incredible opportunity to track two families of Western Lowland Gorillas on foot.
Date: 13-22 May 2014
Cost: £6,495 pp - includes comfortable full-board treehouse lodge accommodation, B&B in Paris and Brazzaville, flights (London), gorilla permits, most meals, expert local guides and trackers.
The Best of Northern Tanzania
An unforgettable 14-day safari based where some of the largest herds of game left on Earth, and their natural predators, roam unhindered across the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Arusha National Park. The gathering of 1.2 million Blue Wildebeest here creates one of the world’s greatest wildlife spectacles, and there’s a good chance of observing prides of Lions, Spotted Hyena, African Elephants, Masai Giraffe and African Buffalo.
Date: 5-18 March 2014
Cost: £5,195 pp - includes comfortable lodge accommodation and two nights in a tented camp at Lake Natron, flights (London), all meals, vehicular safaris and an expert guide.
Oman – Birds, Desert & Culture
Seeking out the resident and migrant birds of Oman’s north-east and south-west, this 11-day tour benefits from some splendid Arabian Desert scenery and typical Arab hospitality. The avifauna here reflects Oman’s strategic position in the Middle East, with influences from the Indian subcontinent as well as Africa.
Date: 2-12 November 2014
Cost: £2,995 pp - includes flights (London – one overnight flight), all transport and transfers whilst on tour, nine nights’ full-board accommodation and expert guiding.
Navarra in Winter - Realm of the Wildcat
Searching for this sought-after feline will be the main focus of this new six-day short break, as well as enjoying the area’s birds, mammals and spectacular Pyrenean scenery. It is also likely that the group will see winter parties of Snowfinch, and there will be a chance to explore canyons and forested limestone gorges for Peregrines, eagles and Wallcreepers.
Date: two departures on 9 and 16 March 2014
Cost: £1,095 pp - includes flights and all transport whilst on tour, all accommodation, food and expert guiding.
All prices are based on two sharing. For more information on any of Naturetrek’s wildlife itineraries, or request a copy of the new brochure, visit naturetrek.co.uk.