Spanish wildcats & South America’s ‘Big Five’

Naturetrek, UK wildlife tour operator, has extended its progamme of expert-escorted trips to include six new holidays. They range from a leisurely wildlife holiday in search of the Italian Riviera’s butterflies, wild flowers and birds to a new mammal-watching holiday in South Africa focusing on rare species such as bat-eared foxes, aardvarks and aardwolves as well as the classic safari ‘must-sees’.

Naturetrek’s managing director, David Mills, says: “We’re excited to be adding to our highly successful mammal-watching tours with a holiday searching for Scotland’s mammals on the stunning and remote Ardnamurchan Peninsula. This includes a night safari to look for Scottish wildcats, a boat trip to Coll and Muck – providing a great opportunity to see minke whales, dolphins and other marine life – and the chance to see pine marten, otter, deer and seals.

“Meanwhile, in Brazil, we’ve discovered an exciting new floating hotel (‘flotel’) in the Pantanal, and we’ll be based there, in the heart of the ‘Jaguar Zone’, while looking for jaguar, giant river otters and giant anteaters. We also visit the beautiful Paranaiba River Headwaters National Park in search of maned wolves and Brazilian tapir, and to seek out arguably the world’s best opportunities for photographing hyacinth macaw. Not to mention the bearded capuchin monkeys which have famously learnt to crack open nuts.”

Naturetrek’s six new tours for 2013:

UK
Scotland’s Mammals
A seven-day holiday in search of mammals and birds in Scotland’s ‘Wild West’, the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, the westernmost area of the British mainland. Target species include wildcat (special night safari to look for this elusive and sought-after cat), pine marten, red, roe and fallow deer, common and Atlantic seals, minke whales and other cetaceans, plus golden and white-tailed eagles and special seabirds.
Date: 10-17 August 2013
Cost: £1,095 pp (includes transport whilst on tour from Glasgow, all accommodation, food and guiding)

Europe
Navarra in Winter - Realm of the Wildcat
A six-day holiday to look for the elusive wildcat and other wildlife among the dense forests, uplands and remote valleys of Navarra in northern Spain.
Date: 10-15 March 2013
Cost: £995 pp (includes flights and all transport whilst on tour, all accommodation, food and guiding)

Butterflies of the Picos de Europa
An eight-day holiday to northern Spain seeking out the wealth of butterflies to be found in the Picos de Europa’s meadows, peaks and valleys. This tour is run in association with the charity Butterfly Conservation – 10% of the tour price will automatically be donated to the charity.
Date: 16-23 June 2013
Cost: £1,295 pp (includes flights and all transport whilst on tour, all accommodation, food and guiding)

The Wildlife of Liguria & the Italian Riviera
A varied eight-day holiday to explore the plants, birds, butterflies (and cetaceans, weather permitting) of the Italian Riviera and the Ligurian Sea.
Date: 5-12 June 2013
Cost: £1,395 pp (includes flights and all transport whilst on tour, all accommodation, food and guiding)

Africa
South Africa’s Rare Mammals
A 13-day safari to the deserts and bushveld of South Africa focusing on some of Africa’s rarer mammal species, plus birds and other wildlife.
Date: 16-28 September 2013
Cost: £4,195 pp (includes flights and all transport whilst on tour, all accommodation, food and guiding)

South America 
Brazil - South America’s ‘Big Five’!
A 17-day tour of Brazil focusing on South America’s ‘Big Five’ – the Brazilian tapir, giant anteater, maned wolf, giant river otter and jaguar - and other wildlife, visiting the stunning Paranaiba Headwaters National Park and the world-famous Pantanal wetlands.
Date: 7-23 August 2013
Cost: £5,495 pp (includes flights and all transport whilst on tour, all accommodation, all food except for breakfast and lunch on day 2, and all guiding)

Naturetrek operates the largest selection of expert-led wildlife holidays in the world. From birdwatching and photography to trekking and conservation, Naturetrek can cater to any wildlife-watching need. All Naturetrek holidays and short breaks are escorted wildlife group tours guided by expert British and local naturalists, ornithologists and botanists.

To book, visit naturetrek.co.uk.