Orinoco flow

As part of an ongoing conservation programme in Venezuela, some 250 Orinoco Caimans and 5,000 Arrau Turtles have just been released back into the wild. The mighty Orinoco River cutting through the heart of Los Llanos, Venezuela’s vast savannah, is a recognised habitat for several flagship species including the critically endangered Orinoco Caiman.

Los Llanos is just one of the regions visited on Trips Worldwide’s 16-day Venezuelan Highlights tour, departing London daily.

Every year conservationists in Venezuela breed large numbers of Orinoco Caiman and Arrau Turtles, raising them in captivity, then releasing them into the wild to boost numbers. Reaching between 5 and 6 metres in length, the endangered Orinoco Caiman is one of the larger crocodile species. Similarly, the Arrau or Giant Amazonian Side-necked Turtle is another colossus in its group with a length exceeding 80 centimetres, making it one of the world’s largest freshwater turtles.

Wildlife is a major component of Trips Worldwide’s itinerary which includes visits to the savannah lands of Los Llanos, the Orinoco River, habitat of the eponymous Orinoco Caiman, and Gran Sabana in Canaima National Park, home of the stunning table top mountain – Auyan Tepuy, site of Angel Falls, the highest waterfall on Earth. Travellers also get to ride on the world’s biggest cable car, in Merida, and spend a couple of nights’ relaxation on Los Roques, a beautiful collection of white sand islands lapped by the Caribbean.

The holiday costs from £2,745 p/p including flights, transfers, hotel, ranch and jungle lodge accommodation, some meals and excursions as per itinerary.

For more information, visit Tripsworldwide.co.uk.