than just a wildlife holiday: discover a new world Welcome to 2015

WILDLIFE TRAVEL
more than just a wildlife holiday: discover a new world
Welcome to 2015
Atlas Kasbah, Morocco
Orchis italica, Cyprus
We are delighted to present our holiday programme for 2015, with some exciting new
itineraries, including our first visits to the endearing lemurs of Madagascar and the dense
forests of Estonia, in search of some of Europe’s most exciting mammals, alongside many
’old favourites’ including Cyprus, Bulgaria, Iceland and Mull. Looking further ahead, there
are some big trips in the pipeline for 2016 and beyond.
When comparing costs with other holiday companies, please consider what is included in
the price and the standard of service offered (ours compare well!) and remember that
our profits are donated to support nature conservation.
If you have any questions about our trips or would like to book a place, please get in
touch, or check our website for the most up to date information. As always, we look
forward to your company on our holidays and, wherever your journeys take you over the
next year, we wish you safe and successful travels!
MOROCCO: wild flowers and natural history
28th February to 7th March 2015. Leaders: Charlie Rugeroni & Philip Precey
A relaxing introduction to the spring flowers and wildlife of southern Morocco, from the
lower slopes of the High Atlas mountains, to the Atlantic coast, based in a wonderful hotel
in the countryside outside Agadir. As well as the special flora of the area, we will look for
Northern Bald Ibis and Scimitar-horned Oryx, and visit the souks of Tarroudant.
£1590 per person, full board, single room supplement £150
CYPRUS: orchids, natural history and ancient sites
11th to 20th March 2015. Leaders: Yiannis Christofides & Charlie Moores
A perennial Wildlife Travel favourite, this will be our 30th visit to the lovely Cypriot
countryside. Gentle walks, focussing on the abundant orchids and other flowers of this
friendly island, with our welcoming hotel overlooking the coast.
African Wild Dog, Botswana
£1485 per person, full board, single room supplement £135
Ophrys ariadnae, Crete
BOTSWANA: Victoria Falls, Chobe and the Okavango Delta
20th to 31st March 2015. Leaders: Philip Precey with local guides
A wonderful safari exploration of the pristine wilderness habitats of northern Botswana, to
enjoy some of the most spectacular wildlife to be found anywhere in Africa, or beyond.
£5650 per person, full board, single room supplement £350
WESTERN CRETE: spring flowers and natural history
14th to 21st April 2015. Leaders: Yiannis Christofides & Laurie Jackson
Over the past 27 years we have visited Crete an amazing 32 times and this year we are
very happy to be returning again for a relaxing week of orchids, spring flowers and gentle
wanderings through the lanes and historical sites of the west of the island, based in Plakias.
£1415 per person, full board, single room supplement £85
SIERRA DE GRAZALEMA: spring flowers of southern Andalucia
21st to 28th April 2015. Leaders: Charlie Rugeroni & second leader tbc
Paeonia broteroi, Grazalema
The southern sierras are famous for their wild flowers: an amazing 1400 species are found in
the Sierra de Grazalema alone, around 20% of which are endemics. We will spend a week
in this little-visited corner of Spain, enjoying the limestone landscapes and spring flowers.
£1415 per person, full board, single room supplement £80
LESVOS: spring on an Aegean island
25th April to 2nd May 2015. Leaders: Yiannis Christofides & Laurie Jackson
From the charming fishing harbour of Molyvos, we will explore the lovely island of Lesvos,
one of the largest in the Aegean. This will be the perfect introduction to the flowers and
birds of the eastern Mediterranean and the local specialities. All the rooms
at our friendly hotel have balconies overlooking the sea.
£1495 per person, half board + 3 lunches, single room supplement £95
Molyvos harbour, Lesvos
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BULGARIA: spring on the Black Sea coast
25th April to 2nd May 2015. Leaders: Philip Precey with local guides
Spectacular displays of spring flowers, with bird migration at its peak along the Via Pontica,
this trip will take in some of the highlights of the Black Sea coast, an area rich in wildlife.
£1395 per person, full board, single room supplement £90
ISLES OF SCILLY: spring flowers and natural history
13th to 18th May 2015. Leaders: Rosemary Parslow & Charlie Moores
A return to Scilly, in the company of local expert Rosemary Parslow to enjoy the best of the
spring flowers and natural history highlights. Visiting several of the islands, with the option of
extending your stay, there can be no better introduction to the wildlife of the islands.
Iris pumila, Bulgaria
Isles of Scilly
£895 per person, B&B, no single room supplement (subject to availability)
ROMANIA: Danube Delta, Carpathians and Transylvania
15th to 24th May 2015. Leaders: Charlie Rugeroni with local guides
A magical journey along the waterways of the Danube Delta, travelling in our houseboat
with wonderful views of the local birdlife, visiting remote fishing villages, quiet backwaters
and lily-covered lakes. From here we travel up through the Carpathians, to explore the
Transylvanian mountain meadows and gorges, looking for Brown Bear and Wallcreeper.
Southern White Admiral, Macedonia
£1795 per person, full board, single room supplement £250
THE BURREN: wild flowers and ancient sites
21st to 26th May 2015. Leader: Brian Eversham
We return to the dramatic scenery and fascinating history of this corner of western Ireland,
with plenty of wonderful wild flowers, ancient monuments, superb coast and friendly local
hospitality, with the option of extending your stay to explore the nearby Aran Islands.
£785 per person, half board, single room supplement £60
MACEDONIA: wildlife of the undiscovered Balkans
1st to 8th June 2015. Leaders: Philip Precey & Martin Hrouzek
A week spent in this little-known and unspoilt corner of the Balkans, focusing on the great
diversity of butterflies, botany and birds found in this beautiful small country.
The Alpes Maritimes
£1545 per person, full board, single room supplement £110
VERCORS: wild flowers of the pre-Alps (by train)
2nd to 9th June 2015. Leaders: Charlie Rugeroni & Laurie Jackson
With its combination of landscape, marvellous diversity of wild flowers and remarkably
unspoilt character, the southern Vercors is a wonderful setting for our week in France.
£1495 per person, full board, single room supplement £95. by Eurostar and TGV
ALPES MARITIMES: alpine flowers and natural history
11th to 18th June 2015. Leaders: Philip Precey and Michael Symes
Based in the lovely town of St Martin Vesubie, exploring mountains and valleys on the edge
of the Mercantour National Park, France with some wonderful alpine plants to be found.
£1515 per person, full board, single room supplement £95
Globeflower, Yorkshire
White-tailed Eagle, Mull
MULL: eagles, otters and natural history
13th to 19th June 2015. Leaders: Charlie Moores and David Greenhalgh
The spectacular coastal scenery and superb wildlife of the west coast of Scotland. As well
as the wildlife and history of Mull itself, we will also explore Iona, Ulva, Staffa and Lunga.
£1080 per person, half board, single room supplement £90
YORKSHIRE: summer sojourn in northern England
21st to 26th June 2015. Leaders: Jono Leadley, with local guides from Yorkshire WT
In partnership with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, from cliffs thronging with seabirds to the upland
botany of Fen Bog and orchids and butterflies at Ellerburn Bank.
£905 per person, full board, single room supplement £125
THE DOLOMITES: alpine flowers and meadows
23rd to 30th June 2015. Leaders: Yiannis Christofides & Kieron Huston
The Dolomites offer a variety of alpine habitats within easy reach, from wooded valleys
and lush pastures to the alpine meadows which flank the rugged mountains .
£1465 per person, full board, single room supplement £80
Lady’s Slipper Orchid, Dolomites
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ICELAND: summer landscapes and natural history
6th to 13th July 2015. Leader: Andy Jones
Iceland’s volcanic landscapes and interesting history provide a stunning backdrop for our
exploration of the best of southern and western Iceland and its wildlife.
£2145 per person, full board, single room supplement £210
PANTANAL: jaguars, macaws and wetland wildlife
Gullfoss, Iceland
24th August to 9th September 2015. Leaders: Philip Precey & Xavier Muñoz
On our second visit to the world’s largest wetland, our attention will focus on some
spectacular mammals, notably Jaguar, Maned Wolf, Giant Anteater and various
monkeys, as well as the abundant bird life including Hyacinth Macaw and Harpy Eagle.
£5295 per person, full board, single room supplement £350
BULGARIA: autumn migration along the Via Pontica
11th to 18th September 2015. Leaders: Mike Russell with local guides
An ‘easy birding’ tour, focussing on the south-bound migration along the Black Sea coast.
£1395 per person, full board, single room supplement £90
ESTONIA: mammals, birds and autumn migration
25th Sept to 2nd Oct 2015. Leaders: tbc
A week spent in the forests and coast of Estonia, with a very good chance of seeing Brown
Bear, Elk, Beaver and Ringed Seal. Migration will be at its peak, with cranes and geese
passing through in large numbers, and forests home to grouse, owls and woodpeckers.
£1615 per person, full board, single room supplement £125
Jaguar, The Pantanal
White Pelican, Bulgaria
PELOPONNESE: autumn bulbs and ancient sites
18th to 25th Oct 2015. Leaders: Yiannis Christofides & Philip Precey
Searching for endemic crocuses, colchicums and sternbergias amongst the wonderful
ruins of Mycenae and Mystras and the beautiful Tayetos and Parnon mountains.
Price to be confirmed
MADAGASCAR: natural history of the Red Island
1st to 13th November 2015. Leaders: Philip Precey with local guides
Madagascar is up there as one of the ‘must visit’ wildlife destinations. An exciting tour of
the world’s fourth largest island, home to unique wildlife: our trip will take in endearing
lemurs, endemic birds, chameleons and bizarre spiny forests.
£4950 per person, full board, single room supplement £420
SUFFOLK: natural history of coasts and heaths
Nov 2015 (5 days, dates to be confirmed). Leaders: Chris Donnelly & Henry Stanier
Staying in lovely accommodation overlooking flocks of wintering waders, exploring the
heaths and woodland, wetlands and seashores of the atmospheric Suffolk coast.
Crocus goulimyi, Peloponnese
£700 per person, full board, single room supplement £120
CYPRUS: autumn bulbs and natural history
19th to 26th November 2015. Leaders: Yiannis Christofides & second leader tbc
Exploring the quiet Cypriot countryside in search of autumn bulbs and other endemic
plants, while enjoying the warm autumn sunshine, based in our friendly hotel on the coast.
£1275 per person, full board, single room supplement £100
Echidna, Tasmania
TASMANIA: wilderness wildlife and marsupials
Great Frigatebird, Galapagos
January 2016. Leaders: Mark Hanger & Philip Precey
Iconic Australian wildlife amidst the spectacular scenery of this wilderness island. We will
look for Tasmanian Devil, Platypus and other marsupials, alpine plants and endemic birds.
Price and dates to be confirmed
GALAPAGOS: cruising in Darwin’s footsteps
April 2016. Leaders: Philip Precey & Fausto Rodriguez
A week-long cruise on a 16-berth motor yacht, taking in Genovesa with its tree-nesting
Red-footed Boobies and Espanola, home to the beautiful Waved Albatross, as well as
Santa Cruz, Santiago and Floreana, ending with two nights in a hotel on the archipelago
and time on the Ecuadorean mainland.
Price to be confirmed once international flight schedules are announced
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TABLE KEY: ● mainly wild flowers
● mixed natural history
● easy birding/wildlife
* possible flight-free
Booking
Please ask us for the full details for any of our trips. This gives the complete
itinerary, together with details of flights (or ferries and trains),
accommodation, transport and leaders, as well as confirming what is
included in the price. Payment and cancellation details are also given.
Bookings are made with Sunvil Holidays, our bonded tour operator (CAAATOL Licence 808, ABTA V6218, AITO). This protects your booking.
Plains Zebra, Tanzania
2015 calendar
28 Feb-7 March
11-20 March
20-31 March
14-21 April
21-28 April
25 April-2 May
25 April-2 May
13-18 May *
15-24 May
21-26 May *
1-8 June
2-9 June *
11-18 June *
13-19 June *
21-26 June *
23-30 June *
6-13 July
24 Aug-9 Sept
11-18 Sept
25 Sept-2 Oct
18-25 Oct
1-13 Nov
Nov (tbc) *
19-26 Nov
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Morocco - wild flowers and natural history
Cyprus - orchids, natural history and ancient sites
Botswana - Victoria Falls, Chobe and Okavango Delta
Western Crete - spring flowers and natural history
Sierra de Grazalema - spring flowers of S Andalucia
Lesvos - spring on an Aegean island
Bulgaria - spring on the Black Sea coast
The Isles of Scilly - spring flowers and natural history
Romania - Danube Delta, Carpathians and Transylvania
The Burren, Ireland - wild flowers and ancient sites
Macedonia - wildlife of the undiscovered Balkans
The Vercors - wild flowers of the pre-Alps by train
The Alpes Maritimes - alpine flowers and natural history
Mull - eagles, otters and natural history
Yorkshire - summer sojourn in northern England
The Dolomites, Italy - alpine flowers and meadows
Iceland - summer landscapes and natural history
Pantanal - jaguars, macaws and wetland wildlife
Bulgaria - autumn migration along the Via Pontica
Estonia - mammals, birds and autumn migration
Peloponnese - autumn bulbs and ancient sites
Madagascar - natural history of the Red Island
Suffolk - natural history of coast and heath
Cyprus - autumn bulbs and natural history
Narcissus tazetta, Cyprus
The Vercors
Diademed Sifaka, Madagascar
Squacco Heron, Romania
FURTHER AHEAD
Jan 2016
Spring 2016
April 2016
Spring 2016
May 2016
July 2016
Nov 2016
Sept 2017
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Tasmania - wilderness wildlife and marsupials
Mallorca - spring in the Balearics
Galapagos - cruising in Darwin’s footsteps
Turkey - spring in the Pontic Alps
Tanzania - Serengeti ’Great Migration’ safari
Spitsbergen - polar bears and wildlife ot the high Arctic
Chile - Tierra del Fuego and southern Chile
Western Australia - wild flowers and endemic wildlife
01954 713575
[email protected]
www.wildlife-travel.co.uk
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The Manor House, Broad Street, Great Cambourne, Cambridge CB23 6DH
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Directors: Christine Donnelly, Brian Eversham, Philip Precey, Mike Russell
Wildlife Travel Ltd. Reg. No 2237697 Contact us for Wildlife Trusts’ charity numbers
All photos by Wildlife Travel leaders
except Jaguar (page 3) courtesy of Neblina Forest
Our profits
are donated
to
The Wildlife
Trusts