Wildlife & Safari Holidays

Whatever your passion, lemurs in Madagascar, hummingbirds in the Ecuadorian cloud forest or tigers in India, we are able to advise you on when you should go and which tour operator you should go with.

More than with any other type of holiday, the importance of an expert local guide cannot be underestimated. Our specialis wildlife and safari tour operators have access to the best guides in all the top wildlife destinations.

 

Safaris
The game reserves of Eastern and Southern Africa attract many visitors with their powerful combination of majestic wildlife and breathtaking scenery. The awesome spectacle of the great wildebeest migration is an obvious draw to the plains of the Serengeti and Masai Mara. A full range of accommodation from colonial-style lodges to luxury-tented camps caters for all tastes and budgets. The opportunity to climb Kilimanjaro or idle away a few days on a coffee plantation or a white sandy beach can be easily incorporated - and difficult to resist! The islands of Zanzibar, the Seychelles or Mauritius and a host of alternatives can all easily be added in as beach extensions to safaris in Eastern and Southern Africa. Mozambique is rapidly becoming one of the most luxurious, sophisticated and in-places to have a "barefoot-luxury" beach escape.

We can arrange tailor-made itineraries or small group escorted tours - either vehicle-based or walking safaris, with hot-air balloon rides over the vast African grasslands an additional possibility! Similarly, safaris by canoe in the Okavango Delta provide a different perspective, as do safaris on horse or elephant back. Zambia, Botswana and Namibia offer some of the best safari experiences for those wishing to get away from the busier game reserves of Kenya and Northern Tanzania. Exquisite lodges and luxury tented camps provide the discerning traveller with a truly first class safari experience.

For the keen ornithologist, South America is hard to beat. The wetlands of Brazil's Pantanal, the upper reaches of the Amazon, and the Andean Cloud forests, are widely considered the best bird watching opportunities the world has to offer. Rustic lodges, expert guides and canopy walks enhance the enjoyment of these spectacular environments.

To start putting together your perfect wildlife encounter, or to just pick our brains on the various possibilities, please feel free to get in touch. To whet your appetite, we've put together a quick taster of some of our favourite wildlife destinations:

Antarctica - Nowhere else on earth can you experience such dramatic landscapes with such a proliferation of incredible wildlife. A visit to Antarctica will stay with you for a lifetime. The sheer numbers of penguins and other bird life is hard to imagine, but the real highlight for many is the extraordinary marine life. Species of whales include the Humpback, Minke, Southern Right, Blue, Orca, Fin, Sei, and Pilot. Dusky and Bottlenose dolphins are also regularly seen, and six species of seal also inhabit the Antarctic waters.

The best time of year to visit for whale watching is at the end of the season in February or March, although there are regular sightings from November onwards. For the most spectacular ice formations, you should go early in the season (November or December).

We have access to almost all the vessels operating Antarctic cruises; small expedition ships as well as luxury cruises, so we can guide you through which option would be right for you. Smaller ships are able to navigate narrower channels and therefore give you a closer experience of what is one of the worlds most beautiful regions. If you have time, Patagonia would be the perfect Antarctic extension with its towering mountains and unique flora, not to mention the guanacos, condors, eagles, parakeets and other fauna!

The Galapagos Islands - The Galapagos Islands quite rightly deserve their reputation as one of the best wildlife destinations on earth. From the famous giant tortoises, from which the islands get their name, to the "blue-footed boobies" and "Sally Lightfoot Crabs" - these enchanted islands, 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador have a diversity of mammals, birds and aquatic life that is truly unique. What makes the Galapagos so special though, is the animals' complete lack of fear - enabling for some very close encounters! There are both land and boat based itineraries with regular shore excursions accompanied by highly experienced naturalist guides. Smaller boats will offer you a more intimate experience of the islands, and are highly recommended. Holiday extensions incorporating the mainland of Ecuador and also Peru are both possible, and highly recommended.

Botswana & The Okavango Delta - Few holiday experiences can match that of a luxury safari deep in the African bush. By combining both the Okavango Delta with either Chobe National Park or Moremi Game Reserve, you have one of the greatest settings for an African safari. Small tented camps nestled discreetly in the bush provide personalised service and highly knowledgeable guides that are second to none. Opportunities for private walking safaris and specialist photographic safaris abound. For an extended holiday, the Okavango can easily be incorporated into an itinerary to see the delights of Namibia - including wildlife watching in Etosha National Park, the Sossusvlei Sand Dunes, and Fish River Canyon.

The Amazon - While you can make wildlife watching excursions in the Brazilian Rainforest, the wide waterways and regular river traffic make wildlife viewing extremely hard. A better option is to approach from the Andean countries of Ecuador, Peru or Bolivia, where the narrow waterways of the upper Amazon are perfect for viewing the large numbers of birds, butterflies and mammals. Typical of the region, the Napo River in North East Ecuador is home to over 15% of the bird species on the planet, more than 100 species of mammal, 2 species of freshwater dolphin, 4 of caiman and over 300 species of fish. In addition to the Amazon, a visit to Ecuador can easily incorporate time in the amazing cloud forest, or a visit to the Galapagos Islands, while the Peruvian reserves of Tambopata and Manu can easily be extended to include Machu Picchu and Cusco.

India and Nepal - Northern India and the foothills of the Himalaya offer an extraordinary variety in climates, habitats and species. The region boasts fabulous bird watching opportunities, as well as Rhinoceros, wild boar, monkeys, crocodile, sloth bears, leopards and of course tigers. Add into the mix the wonderful Nepalese hospitality and the grandeur of colonial India, and you have the making of a truly great holiday.

Madagascar - Lying off the east coast of Africa, Madagascar has been isolated from the mainland for around 60 million years, giving it a diverse and unique array of flora and fauna. All the islands mammals, 80% of its plants and around 85% of its reptile species are to be found nowhere else on earth. Perhaps the most famous animals here are the tree-dwelling Lemurs, but other favourites include more than 30 species of chameleon, The Long-tailed Ground Roller and the large Ground Boa. There are opportunities for private escorted tours or small group holidays, with the option of beach extensions and seasonal whale watching.

"return to top"