Animal magic

Britain is renowned for being a nation of animal lovers, with the live tour of the BBC’s natural history series, The Blue Planet, back by popular demand this month (April). For those wishing to extend this interest to their holiday and have an exotic wildlife encounter, greenbee.com - the company offering services selected by the John Lewis Partnership - has asked its expert travel consultants to recommend top destinations for animal adventures.

Whether interested in viewing the stunning marine life of the Galapagos Islands, searching for the ‘Big Five’ on an African safari, or watching the wild orang-utans in Borneo’s lush rainforest, Greenbee Specialist Travel - in association with Cox & Kings - has spectacular and exhilarating wildlife holiday packages, with accredited tour guides on hand to share their extensive knowledge and ensure travellers get the most from their trip.

Marine life: Galapagos Islands - recommended by Marie-Louisa, Product Manager for Latin America

Ecuador may be one of the smallest countries in South America, but it is also gateway to the unique wildlife habitat of the Galapagos Islands - an animal lover’s paradise - with opportunities to observe some of the rarest, and tamest, wild animals at very close quarters.

“Ecuador & Galapagos discovery allows you to experience Ecuador’s spectacular landscapes, staying in boutique hotels and haciendas throughout, with a luxury three-night cruise around the Galapagos Islands, one of the best ways to view them. See the famous Galapagos giant tortoises and iguanas, snorkel in search of sea lions, penguins and sea turtles, or try to spot the schools of dolphin that visit the Islands. Bird lovers can also see an incredible collection of bird species that have evolved differently on neighbouring islands, from the blue-footed boobie to the nesting albatross.”

Eleven nights including a three-night full-board Galapagos cruise on M/V Santa Cruz from £2,877 per person, including flights, accommodation, transfers and all excursions.

Rhinoceros: Nepal - recommended by Balaji, Product Manager for India

The Chitwan Valley was once a popular location for hunting trips with British and Nepali aristocrats. Now a protected region, the Royal Chitwan National Park is a sub-tropical jungle, fascinating for wildlife lovers to explore.

“Journey to Nepal is a seven-night private journey organised by Greenbee Specialist Travel and includes two nights at Temple Tiger Jungle Lodge in Chitwan National Park. Travelling on elephant back, expert guides take you through dense grasslands in search of the great one-horned rhino and other mammals - the very lucky may even spot the rare Bengal tiger. Take a boat excursion to search for gharial, marsh crocodile, fresh-water dolphin and a wide variety of birds. The tour also includes visits to Kathmandu and Pokhara.”

From £1,541 per person, including flights with Gulf Air, accommodation with breakfast (full board at Chitwan) and all transfers and excursions on a private basis.

Elephant: Botswana - recommended by Louise, Product Manager for Africa

Botswana is home to some of the most pristine wildlife viewing in Africa, with its many national parks and private game reserves making it one of Africa’s finest safari destinations.

“Greenbee Specialist Travel’s Great Botswana Safari takes in the country’s unique landscape, including the exceptionally beautiful Okavango Delta and the dramatic Chobe National Park, home to a huge concentration of elephants, and predators including lions (prides up to 40 strong are not uncommon) and leopards. Guides of the highest calibre are on hand to ensure you get the most from game viewing opportunities, whether in open-land cruisers, on foot or by mokoro (dugout canoe)”.

Louise’s top tip: During the dry season (June-October) the animals, including hippo, cheetah and buffalo, tend to congregate around the few watering-holes; however the green season (November-February) also has amazing migrant birds and stunning landscapes. Six nights from £2,767 per person including BA flights, full board accommodation, private transfers and all excursions and game viewing.

Bird life: Costa Rica - recommended by Vessela, Product Manager for Latin America

Costa Rica is one of the most bio-diverse destinations on Earth, with abundant and celebrated tropical wildlife.

“The natural splendour of Costa Rica private journey explores several contrasting habitats, including rainforest, cloud forest, the jungle canopy and an active volcano (where on clear days you can see lava streams trickling down the slopes). Spend two nights in the cloud forest of Monteverde National Park, home to more than 400 species of exotic bird including the rare and beautiful quetzal, macaw and green violet eared hummingbird - I’d also recommend seeing the amazing colourful butterflies at the Monteverde butterfly farm. You can also explore Tortuguero National Park, famous for its nesting turtles (which can be seen from July-September), and other incredible wildlife such as the rare manatee and several species of monkey.”

Vessela’s top tip: An extension to Corcovado National Park (home to big cats and several hundred bird species), also available with Greenbee Specialist Travel, is highly recommended. Nine nights from £2,027 per person.

Orang-utan: Borneo - recommended by Robin, Product Manager for the Far East

Borneo is home to ancient rainforests, national parks and an amazing diversity of wildlife.

“Splendours of Borneo combines the best of Borneo’s scenery and wildlife with its fascinating colonial heritage and present-day culture. Spend time in the Danum Valley Conservation Area, famous for having the highest concentration of wild orang-utans, and take a boat ride through spectacular jungle scenery in search of proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants and outstanding bird life. The 14-night group tour also includes two nights at the Royal Mulu Resort, with an excursion to the National Park’s Deer Cave (part of a cave network stretching over 50 kilometres) to watch an evening exodus of millions of bats.”

From £2,757 per person including flights and three nights at the luxury beach resort of Kota Kinabalu.

Wildebeest: Tanzania - recommended by Louise, Product Manager for Africa

With one of the biggest wild animal populations in the world - including the world’s largest overland migration in the Serengeti - Tanzania offers dramatic wildlife encounters and outstanding game viewing all year round.

“Spirit of Tanzania tour showcases the ‘Big Five’ game viewing, with three nights at a Serengeti safari camp. Travel in June or July for the best chance to witness the natural phenomenon of the great wildebeest migration, where each year nearly two million animals travel the plains in pursuit of the rains. Other dramatic wildlife highlights on this Greenbee Specialist Travel eight-night private journey include the famous (though rarely-spotted) tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara, large herds of elephants in Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater, home to 30,000 animals and one of the last remaining rhino strongholds in East Africa.”

Departures between 22 May and 10 July from £3,967 per person, including flights with KLM, accommodation with most meals, and all transfers and excursions on a private basis.

For further information on Greenbee Specialist Travel, visit Greenbee.com/specialisttravel.

* Package prices are based on two adults sharing a twin or double room and travelling on the same economy flight, and are inclusive of flight taxes and fees. Prices are correct as of 09 April 2008, contact expert tour consultants on to confirm the latest prices and availability and additional information on departure dates, meal basis, transport arrangements and fuel supplements.