ARCTIC VOYAGE AROUND SPITSBERGEN - BOOK NOW FOR AUGUST DEPARTURE

Save up to £370 p/p on Wildlife Worldwide’s 11-night voyage aboard the ice-strengthened expedition vessel Antarctic Dream, around the icy northern coastline of Spitsbergen, searching out Walrus, Arctic seabird colonies, whales and the ultimate land carnivore - the mighty Polar Bear. Voyage departs Longyearbyen 18th August 2008.

The Svalbard Archipelago is only a few hours flight from the UK, yet this extraordinary land of rugged mountains, sweeping tundra, ice caps, glaciers and exceptional wildlife is a true High Arctic wilderness. Spitsbergen is the largest island in the Svalbard Archipelago. Ice conditions allowing, the northern-most point of the voyage is likely to be Phippsøya in the Seven Islands, just 870 kilometres from the geographic North Pole. Heading north along the west coast to Krossfjorden, passengers transfer to Zodiacs for an exhilarating cruise along the sculpted front of the 14th of July Glacier. The next port of call is Ny Ålesund, the world’s most northerly settlement. Once a mining village - served by the world’s most northerly railway, which can still be seen - Ny Ålesund is now a research centre. Heading further north still, the vessel sails into Liefdefjorden, cruising close to the face of the impressive Monaco Glacier. The waters of the glacier front are a favourite feeding spot for thousands of Kittiwakes and Polar Bears are occasionally seen on the glacier. Phippsøya in the Seven Islands, the realm of the Polar Bear, is next. Here, time will be spent on the pack ice taking in the spectacular surroundings and watching for sightings of the ‘King of the Arctic’. Turning south, a visit is made to Laagöya, a low island with a big lagoon where a big herd of Walrus tends to congregate. Sabine’s Gulls nest on the island, and during a nature walk, families of Ptarmigan may be encountered. Sailing down through Hinlopen Strait, the waterway between Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet, sightings of Bearded and Ringed Seals, Polar Bears and Ivory Gulls are all possible. Utilising zodiacs to navigate the ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya, explorations will be made of the bird cliffs at Alkefjellet, home to thousands of Brunnich’s Guillemots, the polar desert of Nordaustlandet, next to the world’s third largest ice cap, and an old trapper’s hut at Sundneset on Barentsøya. Moving south to Dislobukta on the west side of Edgeøya, beaches are littered with whale bones and tree trunks that have drifted from Siberia. On Ahlstrandhalvøya, piles of Beluga skeletons are evidence of the 19th Century slaughter. Fortunately Belugas were not hunted to extinction and the chances of encountering a pod are good. The voyage concludes back in Longyearbyen.

The voyage now costs from £2,325 p/p including accommodation on board ship, all meals and expertly guided shore and zodiac excursions.

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THE LAW IS AN ASS… INDIA - GUJARAT

The European Commission has announced that from July next year, horses, donkeys and mules in the EU will require passports and be electronically tagged. However, the regulation does not affect imports of equine animals from countries outside the EU, or those left to roam wild. To see Asiatic Wild Ass running wild, tag and bureaucracy-free in their last remaining home at Little Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary, join Wildlife Worldwide on a 14-day The Wilds of Gujarat holiday in Gandhi's home state. Tours depart London daily from 1st November 08.

On arrival in Mumbai, transfer to Bhavnagar in Gujarat for 3-nights at Nilambagh Palace, originally built in 1859 as the residence of the crown prince. From here, visit Velavadar National Park (Blackbuck NP) comprising 35km² of savannah home to thousands of India's endemic Blackbuck. In the days of the Maharajas of Bhavnagar Blackbuck were protected, the preserve of occasional royal hunting trips. Highlights include the endangered India Wolf, Jungle Cat and Wild Pig, along with extensive birdlife, including the endangered Houbara Bustard, Sarus White Stork and White Pelican. Travel by road to Sansangir NP where 4-nights are spent at Lion Safari Camp, beautifully situated in a private Mango Orchard overlooking the Hiran River. Sansangir (widely known as Gir) is a large park in the Gujarat Peninsula, characterised by an arid, rugged terrain with low hills and mixed vegetation including stands of teak, acacia and dhak trees interspersed with grassy plains. The park's main aim is to preserve the last healthy population of critically endangered Asiatic Lion. As well as approximately 300 Lions, other smaller members of the cat family include Desert Cat and the Rusty Spotted Cat and Leopard. Next, head off to Gondal to enjoy bird-rich lakes and nearby Maharaja's private grasslands to see Guar and Blackbuck. On to the Little Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary, India's largest at a staggering 4,954km² consisting of desert plains, arid grasslands, rocky and thorny scrublands, lakes and marshes. This is the last remaining home of the Asiatic Wild Ass and represents a conservation success story, as a population of only 800 in the 1960's has grown to over 2,000 currently. Finally, head for Ahmedabad and a flight to Mumbai where a final night is spent at the 5-star Leela Kempinski Hotel before homeward flights next day.

The holiday costs from £2,495 p/p including scheduled flights, transfers, hotel and lodge accommodation, most meals, expertly guided wildlife viewing.

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BIG BUG WLTM MEGASOMA FEMALE - COSTA RICA – 4WD SELF-DRIVE HOLIDAY

An endangered, Elephant Beetle (Megasoma elephas), the size of a hamster, has been found at a London-based, banana packing factory after surviving the journey from Costa Rica. The fruit-loving male beetle has now been re-housed at Linton Zoo near Cambridge and is currently on the lookout for a mate! Not only is Costa Rica the world’s most bio-diverse country and home to one of the world’s largest insects, it also offers other unique wildlife species including Resplendent Quetzal, sacred bird of the Mayans, Jaguar, Puma and Atlantic Green Turtle. Wildlife Worldwide offer a 13-day Costa Rican Odyssey tour exploring lush rainforests, active volcanoes and unique wildlife, departing London daily throughout 2008.

An initial night is spent at San Gildar Hotel located in an historic and picturesque area of San Jose. Next day, travellers are driven to Braulio Carrillo National Park where the Aerial Tram offers a different perspective on to the expanse of rainforest below, home to over 340 bird species, together with Howler and White-faced Monkeys, Tapir, Jaguar, Puma, Ocelot and Paca. Continuing by road and boat to Tortuguero National Park, 2-nights are spent exploring the vast area of untouched tropical rainforest on foot and by boat. Between July and September, night tours allow for observation of nesting Atlantic Green Turtle. After collecting your 4WD, head to Arenal National Park and the world's most active volcano. On a clear night, observe magnificent views of Arenal Volcano from the hotel – with possible explosions and flowing lava. Continue to the protected Monteverde Cloud Forest, a reserve of some 4,500 hectares. The Resplendent Quetzal, sacred bird of the Mayans, considered by many to be the most beautiful bird in the world, is regularly seen between January and July, together with Emerald Toucanet and both White-faced, and Howler Monkeys. Drive to the Pacific Coast and the Gulf of Nicoya. Here, guided birding tours amongst tropical dry forest and seasonal marshes provide excellent opportunities to see vast concentrations of heron, duck, and spoonbill gathering during the dry season. Return to San Jose to drop off the jeep, spending a night at the San Gildar Hotel before homeward flights next day.

The tour costs from £1,495 p/p including scheduled flights, private transfers, lodge and hotel accommodation, most meals, 4WD vehicle hire (days 5 to 11) and expert wildlife guiding.

Click here for Tailor Made Wildlife Holiday, Costa Rican Odyssey