CHOBE’S WATERWAYS & BIG GAME

The first officially sanctioned auction of ivory last week, has sparked a major controversy, worldwide. Although the proceeds of the auction will be ploughed back into elephant conservation schemes, many fear that it will ultimately encourage ivory poaching. Chobe National Park in Botswana has the biggest concentration of elephant in Africa, largely escaping the massive illegal poaching that decimated other African elephant populations in the 1970s and 80s. Chobe is one of the main highlights of Wildlife Worldwide’s small, but adventurous 11-day circuit through Zambia and Botswana. Tours depart London daily from December 2008 to 31st March 2009.

Experience a huge variety of animals and habitats, from the lush waterways to the fabulous big game experience of Chobe National Park, and unmissable Victoria Falls. The holiday commences with a stay at Tongabezi Lodge, an award-winning hideaway on the banks of the Zambezi River, just upstream from Victoria Falls. From the lodge, guests can take a short boat ride to Livingstone Island, the place where David Livingstone first glimpsed the falls or Mosi-oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders). Next, Impalila Lodge, a small luxury lodge sitting on its own island at the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi rivers where four countries meet. The area is unique, comprising an amazing mosaic of waterways, floodplains and woodland, with exceptional birdlife and game viewing. Secluded and remote, the lodge offers guests game viewing by boat and mokoro, along the quiet backwaters. Transfer by boat and road to Muchenje Safari Lodge, situated on the western side of Chobe National Park, for a final three nights. Chobe is home to the largest concentration of elephant in Africa, together with huge herds of buffalo. This is thrilling big game country and during the dry season the enormous herds congregate along the fertile flood plains of the Chobe River, stalked by waiting predators. Other major species include Lion, Wild Dog, Puku, Red Lechwe, Sable and Roan Antelope and a multitude of Hippopotamus. Game viewing is by 4-wheel drive vehicles inside the park and boat rides along the Chobe River.

The safari costs from £2,995 p/p including scheduled flights (SAA), transfers, hotel and safari lodge accommodation, most meals and expertly guided game viewing activities.

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INDIA'S TOP ACT - KERALA BACKWATERS

After the success of Paul Merton’s adventures in China, his latest exploration takes him through the highways and byways of India. Having left the chaos of Delhi, this week’s episode saw Merton eventually arrive amongst the laid-back countryside of Kerala, in the south. Whether you’d like to upgrade your comical credentials or simply escape British TV entertainment, discover another side to India’s stage during Wildlife Worldwide’s 9-day Kerala Backwaters & Wildlife tour - bypassing the bustle of Delhi and heading straight for peaceful lush hill stations, wildlife parks and an unforgettable backwaters cruise through the ‘Venice of the East’. The tour departs London daily – best time to go – November to January.

From Cochin, transfer by road to the sleepy town of Kumarakom, in the heart of Kerala's backwaters, and spend an initial night at the Coconut Lagoon Hotel. Next day, board a private traditional houseboat (known as 'Kettuvallam') and begin an overnight cruise. Kerala's Backwaters are a vast network of lakes, canals, estuaries and deltas connecting 44 rivers that together provide a self-supporting ecosystem teeming with aquatic life. Pass pretty villages surrounded by lush bright green paddy fields and coconut trees keeping watch for kingfishers, cormorants, woodpeckers, ducks, bee-eaters and raptors. Next morning, drive to Periyar for a 2-night stay at the Lake Palace Hotel, former summer palace built by Maharana Jagat Singh II in the 18th century. Located high in the Cardamom Hills area of the Western Ghats, Periyar is one of the world’s most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries, habitat for a diverse range of flowering plants, reptiles, butterflies and mammals including Elephant, four species of primate (Bonnet Macaque, endemic Lion-Tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur and Slender Loris), Sloth Bear, Leopard, Common and Clawless Otter and Tiger. Here, bird species include Malabar Trogon, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Loten's Sunbird and Ceylon Frogmouth. On to Munnar, where 2-nights are spent at Windermere Hotel, a base from which to visit Windermere Cardamom and Tea Estate and Eravikulam National Park, both situated in the higher altitudes of the Western Ghats. Finally, return to Cochin for a tour of the historic fort followed by an evening of traditional Kathakali dance before homewards flights next day.

The holiday costs from £2,025 p/p including international flights, hotel, lodge and houseboat accommodation, most meals, transfers and expertly guided activities.

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Wolf and Deer Tracking in Romania

What better way to spend the festive season making new tracks amongst the snow-covered Carpathian Mountains, searching out wildlife on foot or by cross-country skis? The combination of freshly fallen snow and the heightened boldness (due to hunger) of animals makes winter the best time to spot wildlife. Track wolf and deer in Piatra Craiului Mountains, Chamoix in the Zarnesti Gorge and lynx and wild boar in the Ursilor Valley, during Wildlife Worldwide’s energetic 5-day Romanian Wolf & Deer Tracking tour with daily London departures from November 2008 till March 2009.

On arrival in Bucharest, transfer deep into the Carpathian Mountains to the traditional village of Zarnesti and Guesthouse Elena, base for the holiday. On certain days, guests have the option to don cross-country skis, enabling a greater area to be explored at ease. Expertly guided groups step out into the snow-covered Romanian landscape and into Zarnesti Gorge, for hopeful sightings of Chamoix. Explore the virgin forests of Tamas on the slopes of the Piatra Craiului Mountains, regarded as one of the most beautiful areas in the Carpathians. This mountain range is one of Europe’s last strongholds for wolf and bear and other highlights may include lynx and wild boar. Walk in Ursilor Valley to observe and explore animal tracks in the mixed coniferous and beech forest, before returning in the evening for a traditional Romanian meal. Next day, stop off at the medieval village of Bran, home to the castle that inspired Bram Stoker’s classic work 'Dracula', before homeward flights.

The tour costs from £895 p/p including flights, transfers, guesthouse and hide accommodation, most meals and expertly guided wildlife tracking.

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SAVE £100 P/P - BIG CAT WEEKEND - KENYA

Big cats are back on our TV screens, and fascinating viewing they make. However, delightful though Kate Silverton’s interpretation of the natural world, nothing can beat the reality of seeing with your own eyes. Wildlife Worldwide offer a 6-day Big Cat Weekend staying at the Big Cat team’s HQ, Governors’ Camp in the Masaai Mara AND if booked before the end of October, comes with a saving of £100 p/p! Safaris depart London daily – BOOK NOW!

'Mara' wildlife is abundant year round and gentle rolling grasslands ensure that animals are never out of sight. Here, the enormous wildlife population includes the ‘Big Five’, cheetah, Burchell's Zebra, Masaai Giraffe and Hippopotamus, and avifauna such as Usambiro Barbet and Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, along with Wildebeest before they begin to head south beginning of November. From Nairobi, transfer by light aircraft to the magical Masaai Mara for 3-nights at Governors’ Camp – appropriately named after it was reserved exclusively for Kenya's colonial Governors and their royal visitors almost a century ago. Nestled in forest along the winding banks of the Mara River, teeming with hippo and crocodile, luxury tents line the riverbank, offering uninterrupted views over the river, while others have views across the sweeping plains. Spectacular and expertly guided game viewing is on offer 3 times a day, both on foot and by vehicle. Alternatively, choose the ultimate vantage point during an optional hot air balloon flight.

The safari now costs from £1,395 pp (was £1,495 p/p) including flights (Kenya Airways), taxes, light aircraft transfers, 3-nights full board accommodation at Governors' Camp and expert guiding. Extend the holiday to 5-nights or more and buy 2 for the price of 1 on balloon flights - if travelling before 20th December 08. Park fees are not included.

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INDIA - NEW AIR SERVICE - KANHA & BANDHAVGARH

Good news! Wildlife Worldwide has slashed the transfer time on its popular 16-day Tiger Tiger safari by utilising a brand new air service (commencing 15th November 08) connecting two of India’s most famous tiger hotspots, Kanha and Bandhavgarh national parks. Tours depart London daily, November to May 09.

Wildlife Worldwide visits 3 national parks on this tour: Pench - the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book, Kanha – the daddy of India’s tiger reserves and Bandhavgarh – home to the world’s highest density of big cats. Named after the nearby river, Pench was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1983 and it covers some 760 km². Cheetal, Sambar and Nilgai are common sightings, Gaur, Sloth Bears and Dhole (Indian Wild Dog) are frequently seen, but the park is most famous for Tigers. Situated in central India in the Satpura Hill ranges, Kanha is next, offering without doubt, India's finest Tiger-viewing. Explore the grasslands and deciduous forests during Elephant-back and jeep safaris, with likely sightings of Barasingha, Chital, Muntjac, Sambar, Common Langur, and Rhesus Monkeys, Asiatic Jackal, three of India's four lowland antelopes (Nilgai, Four-horned Antelope and Blackbuck), and occasionally Leopard, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Wolf and Dhole. Bird species present include Painted Partridge, Shaheen Falcon, Golden Oriole and the omnipresent Red Jungle Fowl. From Kanha, Wildlife Worldwide heads for Bandhavgarh, taking advantage of the new air service which replaces a lengthy and rather bumpy 5-hour road transfer with much more stylish and comfortable travel aboard a 4-seater twin engine aircraft (flight time around 55-minutes). Mammals in Bandhavgarh include Muntjac, Nilgai, Chinkara, Chowsingha, Wild Boar and of course Tiger. Over 275 bird species can also be found including hornbills, orioles, parakeets, peacocks and eagles. Guests are accommodated throughout in a selection of beautifully appointed luxury safari lodges. The holiday also includes sightseeing in Delhi, plus a tour of Agra and the Taj Mahal.

The holiday costs from £3,395 p/p including international flights, new light aircraft service, transfers, hotel and lodge accommodation, most meals and guided activities.

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