ZAMBIA - BAT SAFARI

They may be environmentally friendly, but a new study reveals that wind farms are proving deadly to bats because changes in air pressure can cause fatal internal injuries. Thankfully for bats, Zambia is reassuringly wind farm-free! Join Wildlife Worldwide on a 7-night bat safari, specially timed to coincide with Zambia’s spectacular bat migration – an ecological phenomenon, departing London 21st November 08.

Every year at the end of October thousands of Straw-coloured Fruit Bats congregate in the trees of the Mushitu swamp forest near the confluence of the Musola and Kasanka rivers in Kasanka National Park. The bats come to feed for just six short weeks, gorging on the abundance of seasonal fruit and by mid November their numbers reach into the millions. To see the bats dispersing at dusk against the setting sun is one of Africa’s wildlife wonders and one that definitely shouldn’t be missed. Apart from bats, Kasanka is at its most beautiful during this time. The forest comes alive with migratory birds and wild flowers, and morning sightings of the rare Sitatunga are guaranteed from the sixty foot high Fibwe Hide. There is also an opportunity to visit the Bangweulu Swamps, a vast watery wilderness best known as the place where Livingstone died in 1873, and as the habitat for the increasingly rare Shoebill, an unusual stork-like bird, now considered to be a distant relative of the pelican. After witnessing the marvels of central Zambia, a light aircraft transfer whisks guests off to Nkwali Camp to experience the miracles of wildlife-rich South Luangwa National Park in the ‘green’ season.

The safari costs from £2,850 p/p including scheduled flights, all transfers, safari lodge accommodation, all meals, national park fees and expert wildlife guiding.

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COSTA RICA - 4WD SELF-DRIVE

With the 2008 Olympics drawing to a grand finale, it seems that Team Costa Rica won’t be returning with extra golden hand luggage – but with a host of record-breaking highlights and top-of-the-league performances back home, why should they worry? Observe an alternative winning combination in the world’s most bio-diverse nation, where 25% of the country’s land is protected - the world’s highest proportion, home to some of the world’s largest (Goliath Beetle) and smallest (Fairyfly) insects, the world's third-largest feline (Jaguar), the world’s most poisonous frog (Blue Poison Arrow Frog), and site of one of the world’s most active volcanoes (Arenal). Wildlife Worldwide offer a 13-day Costa Rican Odyssey tour, going for gold amongst lush rainforests, active volcanoes and unique wildlife, including nesting Atlantic Green Turtles throughout September - departing London daily!

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. Next, after collecting their 4WD, travellers head to Arenal National Park and one of the world's most active volcanoes. 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. Here, the Resplendent Quetzal, sacred bird of the Mayans, considered by many to be the most beautiful bird in the world, may be seen, together with Emerald Toucanet and both White-faced, and Howler Monkeys. Drive onwards to the Pacific Coast and the Gulf of Nicoya where 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 £1,595 p/p including scheduled flights, private transfers, lodge and hotel accommodation, most meals, 4WD vehicle hire (days 5 to 11) and expert wildlife guiding.

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SPOT ON VALUE ZAMBIA SAFARI - LEOPARDS OF LUANGWA

For a limited period tailor-made natural history specialist Wildlife Worldwide is offering savings of at least £355 p/p on its 12-day Leopards of Luangwa tour, centred around Kapani Lodge, former home of Zambia’s father of conservation, Norman Carr, and its satellite bush camps, Luwi, Nsolo and Kakuli, departing Heathrow throughout September and October 2008.

The holiday is based in the 9,050 square kilometres of Zambia’s renowned South Luangwa National Park and guests are accommodated for three nights at Kapani Lodge, once home of Zambia’s most famous conservationist, the late Norman Carr. A further two nights is spent at each of Kapani’s satellite bush camps, Luwi, Nsolo, and Kakuli. Kapani’s bush camp experience is particularly unique as each camp is located in a different habitat - the broad banks of the Luangwa River, the edge of open grassland or mopane woodland close to a waterhole – thus offering diverse game viewing opportunities. Included activities feature walking safaris with expert naturalist guides – something for which the Luangwa is renowned, morning and afternoon game drives and night-time safaris with spotlights. Luangwa Valley is rich in wildlife, but in particular is the site of Africa’s highest naturally occuring Leopard population. Of 60 other resident mammal species recorded, Lion, Elephant, Giraffe, Hippo, Cookson’s Wildebeest and Nile Crocodile feature high on the list together with an exciting array of over 420 birds including some of southern Africa’s most colourful species. Complete the holiday with a relaxing night at Pioneer Camp, near Lusaka, a great conclusion to a Zambian wildlife adventure.

The holiday now costs from £3,095 p/p (normally £3,450 p/p) including scheduled international and regional flights, lodge or bush-camp accommodation with all meals and drinks, expertly guided game viewing, transfers and all National Park entry fees.

Click here for Leopards of Luangwa - Zambia Safari

PRIME-APE WEEKENDS - RWANDA’S PARC DES VOLCANS

A global review of the world's primates says 48% face extinction due to habitat loss, primarily through the burning and clearing of tropical forests. However, a survey of forest and swamp in the northern Congo Republic has revealed the presence of more than 125,000 Western Lowland Gorillas, a rare example of abundance in a world of rapidly vanishing primate populations. Far away in the misty mountains of Rwanda’s Parc des Volcans, Wildlife Worldwide meets real survivors of the primate world, during an extended weekend break tracking majestic Mountain Gorillas. A Weekend with the Apes departs London on selected dates throughout 2008 – next departure 22nd August and 5th and 26th September 2008.

Nearly half the world's wild Mountain Gorilla population live on the slopes of the Virunga Volcano range and it is here at Parc National des Volcans, for some twenty years Dian Fossey carried out pioneering studies of gorilla behaviour. Based at Gorilla’s Nest Lodge, located close to the entrance of the park, guests experience the rare privilege of trekking amongst the misty, forested volcanoes visiting one of five habituated families for a rewarding close-up of these amazing creatures. Other rainforest highlights include the famous Golden Monkey.

The 6-day tour costs from £1,695 p/p including scheduled flights (KQ), transfers, full board accommodation at Gorilla’s Nest Lodge, one Gorilla permit and expertly guided wildlife viewing. Additional Gorilla permits can be purchased on booking – subject to availability.

Click here for further details of this Wildlife Holiday to View Gorillas.

COMMITTED UMBRAPHILES OR CURIOUS OBSERVERS? BOOK NOW FOR CHINA SOLAR ECLIPSE 2009

The next total solar eclipse will occur on 22nd July 2009 and will exhibit the longest period of totality ever witnessed in the 21st century, casting a shadow across areas of India, China, Japan, and Indonesia. Wildlife Worldwide offers a unique opportunity to view this remarkable natural phenomenon, from a vantage-point near China’s city of Hangzhou close to the centre line (the point at which the event’s length is greatest). Accompanying the tour is Britain’s top eclipse authority and Professor of Astrophysics, John Parkinson. Wildlife Worldwide’s 13-day tour combines eclipse-viewing with visits to many of China’s other major wildlife and historic attractions. Tour departs London 17th July 2009.

Spend the first two nights in Beijing and experience authentic ‘old Beijing’, with its teahouses and temples. Visit the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall and one of Beijing’s newest structures, the Olympic National Stadium or ‘Bird’s Nest’ as it has been nicknamed. Transfer to Hangzhou, located on the lower reaches of the Qiantang River in the Yangtze Delta. Take a city tour to the museum, Lingyin Temple, and visit a tea plantation. Rising early on 22nd July, Wildlife Worldwide’s guests are transported to the eclipse site, from where they will witness this special event. China has always been regarded as the home of solar eclipses as Chinese astronomers were first to systematically observe, record and predict their occurance. This is just one of many reasons why the 2009 total solar eclipse has been eagerly awaited for years. With good access to the centre line, a maximum period of totality of around 5mins 45secs, the longest available to land-based viewers, is expected. Once experienced, eclipse observers are in danger of becoming umbraphiles (the solar equivalent to trainspotters!) – don’t worry, the next eclipse tour with Wildlife Worldwide is scheduled for July 2010 to Easter Island. Once the excitement of the eclipse is over, further highlights of the tour include Chengdu Panda Research Centre and Jiuzhaigou National Park, plus a full day’s sightseeing in Xian, home of China’s famous Terracotta Warriors.

The tour costs £3,595 p/p (based on twin share), scheduled flights with Air China, transfers, full board accommodation, expertly-guided eclipse viewing and sightseeing excursions as per itinerary.

Click here for full details of the Highlights of China: The Home of Eclipses Holiday.