ZAMBIA’S ‘GREEN SEASON’ IN LUANGWA VALLEY

A jaundiced foam leopard called Zakumi, complete with green wig (camouflage against the green of the football pitch…), plenty of attitude and his own biography, has been unveiled as the mascot for South Africa’s 2010 World Cup. From ‘football season’ to ‘green season’ and the opportunity to see wig-free, non-footballing Leopards in the wild, Wildlife Worldwide offers a programme of 7-night Rivers & Rainbows of Luangwa safaris. Tours are based at Kapani Lodge and the new Kakuli Camp in South Luangwa NP, site of Africa’s highest naturally occurring Leopard population. Safaris depart London from 19th January to 31st March 2009.

The 'green season' between mid-January and early April, is a spectacular time of the year to visit the Luangwa Valley. Colourful flowering plants bloom, spectacular sunsets and dramatic electrical storms light up the night sky, migrant birds arrive to breed, big cats are easily viewed and the clearer air allows for great photography. In the 1950s, the late Norman Carr pioneered the concept of walking safaris in the Zambian bush and built the exclusive Kapani Lodge (meaning ‘place of mopane trees’) in the Luangwa Valley. Spend 3-nights at Kapani, exploring the central Mfuwe section of the South Luangwa NP during walking safaris, morning and afternoon game drives and night-time safaris with spotlights. Other than Leopards, 60 other resident mammal species recorded include Lion, Elephant, Giraffe, Hippo, Cookson’s Wildebeest and Nile Crocodile, together with an array of over 420 birds, including some of southern Africa’s most colourful species. Later, travel up the Luangwa River to remote Kakuli Camp at its confluence with the Luwi River. Here, incredible boating experiences from the river into the lagoon systems allow for further game viewing activities. Return to Kapani Lodge for a final night before homeward flights.

Safaris cost from £2,795 p/p including scheduled international flights via Johannesburg (South African Airways), transfers, 4-nights at Kapani Lodge and 3-nights Kakuli Camp, with all meals and expertly guided game viewing activities.

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Kenya - Save £550 p/p

Morrison’s is the smallest of the UK’s Big Four supermarkets but the leader in BOGOF deals, recently published credit-crunch-busting figures backing up its business model. However it doesn’t have exclusive rights on special offers and for those more interested in a different Big Five, Wildlife Worldwide is currently saving travellers £550 p/p on selected 9-night safari holidays exploring Kenya’s rich natural history, valid ONLY for October 2008 departures from London.

Time on safari is split equally between diverse areas of wildlife-rich natural wilderness, with three nights each at the Mara Camp, Meru Camp and Sosian Lodge. Transfers between camps and lodges are effected by privately chartered light aircraft and 4wds.
Mara Camp is located on the Olare Orok River within Koyiaki Group Ranch, tucked away in a prime wildlife area – Lion, Elephant, Buffalo and even Leopard are all regular sightings. The camp caters for a maximum of 12-guests in luxury tented accommodation with classic safari-style hot bucket showers and en suite bathrooms.
Meru Camp is located on the edge of Meru National Park in the Bisanadi National Reserve. Once subjected to heavy poaching, the recent re-introduction of Rhino sees all the Big Five back in residence, together with Grevy's Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Gerenuk and Lesser Kudu. Again accommodation is in tune with the environment with six en suite tents accommodating a maximum of 12 guests.
Sosian Lodge is a privately owned game ranch, located on the Laikipia Plateau, an area historically known for wildlife and ranching. Originally built in the 1940s the lodge has recently been restored and renovated, with the addition of seven cottages providing luxury accommodating up to 14 guests. Lion and Leopard are seen or heard regularly around Sosian. Even endangered wild dogs, once thought extinct in Laikipia, have returned in healthy numbers. Bisecting the southern portion of Sosian’s land is the Ewaso Narok River providing a perfect habitat for Hippo and otter, together with prolific birdlife.

Safaris cost £2,995 p/p (normally £3,545 – saving £550) including international scheduled flights from Heathrow (KQ), light aircraft and 4wd transfers, safari lodge and luxury tented camp accommodation with all meals, walking safaris with armed guards and other expertly guided game viewing activities.

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GALAPAGOS 2009

Few academic texts have had such profound and enduring resonance as Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species, published in November 1859. Initially ridiculed by his peers and damned by religious figures, Darwin’s theory of evolution through natural selection now lies at the heart of modern understanding of the natural word. However, almost 200 years since Darwin’s birth, the teaching of evolution is still challenged by reactionary religious figures preferring a creationist worldview. In advance of Darwin’s Bicentennial, Wildlife Worldwide is offering 18-day holidays featuring expertly guided wildlife cruises of the Galapagos, including many islands visited by Darwin during his remarkable 1835 voyage aboard HMS Beagle. Departing Heathrow 26th September, 3rd, 10th & 17th October 2008 together with other dates in 2009.

After time on the Ecuadorian mainland travellers join the 24-cabin yacht La Pinta and ply a course through the 13 major islands, 6 minor islands, and 42 islets that make up the Galápagos archipelago. Travellers may observe giant Galápagos Tortoise, colourful Land Iguana and large groups of sea-faring Marine Iguana. However, it is the bird colonies that are most conspicuous, with Red, and Blue-footed Booby, Galápagos Hawk, Flightless Cormorant and even a Galápagos Penguin. The nutrient-rich waters surrounding the islands also form an integral part of the national park, and dolphins, turtles and whales may be observed from the boat, as well as large numbers of feeding seabirds. Further highlights include; the sunken volcanic crater of the Devil’s Crown, Santa Cruz – for the Charles Darwin Research Centre and the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre, and Fernandina – the youngest island of the archipelago.

Tours cost from £4,395 p/p including scheduled flights, hotel and shipboard accommodation, transfers, mainland tours, most meals (all on cruise), expert naturalist guiding, lecture programme aboard La Pinta.

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