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THE TRAVELLING
NATURALIST
TRAVEL
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EXPERIENCE
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CONSERVE
Summer | 2016
NEW Tours
Taiwan Endemics
Alaskan Wilderness
Nature Photography
Top 10 Migration Tours
Discover the Falklands
WILDLIFE & BIRDWATCHING HOLIDAYS WORLDWIDE
A warm welcome to our latest newsletter.
As usual, this edition of the Travelling Naturalist newsletter
includes a number of completely new and exciting tours that
further extend the range of options on offer in our portfolio.
By the time this tumbles onto your doormat, preparations will
be well under way for Birdfair 2016 (19-21 August) at Egleton in
Rutland. We are delighted to support the fair once again, marking
more than 30 years of unbroken attendance. You can find our
stand in its usual location in Marquee 6 if you wish to meet the
team and talk through your travel plans.
If you haven’t been before and are interested in any aspect of
birdwatching - from artworks to optics - we highly recommend
a visit. Over the three-day event there is a phenomenal range
of interesting and entertaining talks, and various leaders and
members of our staff will be participating in these as usual.
We are delighted to announce that popular leader Barrie Cooper is
off to Papua New Guinea (i.e. the eastern half of the island of New
Guinea) shortly, with a view to planning a trip for 2017. We know
that several of you have a hankering to see PNG’s colourful birdlife
– ranging from birds of prey such as the harpy eagle, to more than
40 species of bird of paradise. Upward of 760 species including
visitors and vagrants are found in PNG, around half of which are
found nowhere else in the world. Interest is bound to be strong, so
watch this space! To pre-register your interest, you can email us on:
[email protected]
Happy travels,
The Travelling Naturalist Team
Taiwan – An Island
Tour leader Barrie Cooper
sets the scene for a visit to
the Far East…
Taiwan is an incredible place for endemic birds and
butterflies. Situated off the south-eastern coast of
mainland China, the island stands on the East AsiaAustralasia flyway for migratory birds, so has an
impressive range of migrants passing through.
At the time of our tour, we can expect to see some
very interesting species, such as black-faced spoonbill,
red-necked and long-toed stints, Arctic warbler and
Siberian rubythroat.
However it’s the endemics that are probably Taiwan’s
greatest attraction, and we’ll be looking for Swinhoe’s
and Mikado pheasants and the other 20 or so species
that are unique to the island. My personal favourite is
the stunning collared bush-robin, though the flamecrest
(similar to our firecrest) comes a close second.
Some of Taiwan’s endemic birds and mammals are quite
easy to see, and we spend our first morning in Taipei’s
Botanical Garden, where we should get good views of
Taiwan barbet and red-bellied squirrel. The garden is
also one of the best places to see Malayan night heron,
and during my visit last year I was treated to excellent
views of a pair of crested goshawks.
Keep up-to-date
Our enewsletter is sent on a regular basis.
These messages keep you abreast of the
latest developments, special offers and
late availability in The Travelling Naturalist
community, so don’t miss out. If you
haven’t yet signed up to receive them,
you can do so online at:
www.thetravellingnaturalist.com
Holiday Reviews
We are always thrilled to hear feedback from your birding and
wildlife experiences – here is some we received recently…
“An amazing experience. A packed four days of varied and
marvellous sights and sounds. Bob had endless patience with my
lack of knowledge as a novice. Thank you so much!”
Mrs L travelled to Dorset in October 2015
“Thanks for a great holiday! The tour leader, Alfredo Scott, really
knows his stuff, and his country. We are not certain if you could
better this trip!”
Mr and Mrs C travelled to Costa Rica in March 2016
“An excellent short break. David was a very knowledgeable and
interesting guide, and flying direct to Bergerac was a real bonus. “
Mr S travelled to France in March 2016
2 Over 30 years experience in wildlife & birding holidays
of Endemics
Taiwan is an easy country for birdwatching, and the
tourism infrastructure is very good - with a range of
accommodation, good trails, and good road, rail and air
links. The sheer variety of habitats is the principal reason
why it is so good for birds. Coastal habitats include
estuaries and paddyfield, while its forests range from
lowland to highland, and with 286 mountain peaks of
over 3,000 metres, the wildlife and the landscape can be
truly stunning.
You can’t fail to be impressed by a sighting of a group of
Taiwan blue magpies, another stunning bird that gives
the pheasants a good run for their money in terms of
colour and splendour. I have to refer to the butterflies
in similar terms, as they can turn the head of even
the most focussed birder, and provide more excellent
photographic opportunities.
Many Taiwanese have a love of the outdoors, and this is
reflected by the number of protected areas with good
recreation facilities that include well-marked trails and
facilities. In short, it’s a relatively easy place to watch
wildlife and if you’ve never been to Asia, Taiwan makes a
fine introduction to its fascinating wildlife. And if you’re
feeling particularly adventurous, this tour precedes our
winter trip to Japan so the two can be combined in a
single visit to this most magnificent part of the world.
Taiwan Endemics & Winter Migrants
Sat 12 Nov 2016
£3,995 per person | Single Supp £570
Armenia, Japan and
Sri Lanka
JAPAN
Japan's Spectacular Winter Wildlife
Sat 26 Nov 2016
15 days
Japan’s diverse range of habitats support an abundance of
wildlife including 600 bird species. Enjoy fantastic birdwatching
at some of the country's most iconic wildlife locations.
£6,795 per person | Single Supp £680
Leader Barrie Cooper
Group Size 14
TAIWAN
14 days
Group Size 12
Demoiselle Cranes in Autumn
ARMENIA
Tue 30 Aug 2016
13 days
This tour aims to be the first of its kind, combining Armenia’s
remarkable diversity of landscape and habitat, a smattering of its
rich and unique culture, and an opportunity to see demoiselle
cranes on their autumn passage.
£2,495 per person | Single Supp £225
Leader John Muddeman
Group Size 12
Birds & Whales of Sri Lanka
SRI LANKA
Sat 3 Dec 2016
16 days
Join us as we go in search of Sri Lanka’s endemic birds, amongst a
host of exquisite winter visitors and Southern India specialities.
£2,795 per person | Single Supp £590
Leader Chaminda Dilruk
Group Size 12
01305 267994 | [email protected] | www.thetravellingnaturalist.com 3
Top 10 Migration Tours
The long-distance movement of animals
on a seasonal basis is common to all major
groups including birds, mammals, fish,
reptiles, amphibians, insects and even
crustaceans.
Migrant species are among the most
impressive of all birds, not solely because
of the spectacular views they offer as they
fly, but due to the extraordinary distances
they cover.
only when temperatures rise and the food
source is restored.
The Africa-Eurasia Flyway connects Europe
and northern Asia’s breeding grounds with
the warm regions of Africa where many
birds winter, and includes vital stopover
sites in the Mediterranean and Middle East.
Within this vast region, various natural
routes offer exceptional opportunities to
see migratory species on the move.
ICELAND
Principally Puffins
They mark the seasons by leaving their
breeding grounds as food gets scarce,
and head to another continent, returning
All the trips highlighted here are designed
to witness the annual movement of key
species as they make their journey. Fri 22 Jul 2016
8 days
£2,595 per person | Single Supp £275
Leader
Group Size
Trausti Gunnarsson
10
NETHERLANDS
AUSTRIA
SARDINIA
Waders in Frieslands
Lake Neusiedl in Spring & Autumn
Mediterranean Wildlife
Thu 11 Aug 2016
5 days
£875 per person | Single Supp £170
Leader
Group Size
Martijn Bot
7
Tue 23 Aug 2016, Sat 20 May 2017 8 days
From £1,495 pp | Single Supp £105
Leader
Group Size
Stephen Daly
7
Sat 3 Sep 2016
8 days
£1,795 per person | Single Supp £185
Leaders
Group Size
Mike & Liz Read
7
POLAND
ESTONIA
HUNGARY
Birding in Krakow & the Carpathians
Autumn Migration in the Baltic
Steppe & Forests in Autumn
Fri 9 Sep 2016
8 days
£1,295 per person | Single Supp £90
Leader
Group Size
Felix Felger
12
Sun 25 Sep 2016
8 days
£1,795 per person | Single Supp £225
Leader
Group Size
Barrie Cooper
12
Sun 8 Oct 2016
8 days
£1,395 per person | Single Supp £145
Leader
Group Size
Barrie Cooper
14
UK
UK
SPAIN
Outer Hebrides in Autumn
Dorset's Coastal Heathland
Wallcreepers & Cranes in Aragón
Mon 10 Oct 2016
7 days
£1,155 pp (land only) | Single Supp £Nil
Leader
Group Size
Steve Duffield
7
Mon 17 Oct 2016
4 days
£535 pp (land only) | Single Supp £175
Leader
Group Size
Bob Ford
8
Sun 4 Dec 2016
7 days
£1,495 per person | Single Supp £150
Leader
Group Size
John Muddeman
7
4 Over 30 years experience in wildlife & birding holidays
Alaskan
Wilderness
Consultant
Chris Smith
recalls his
various visits
to the USA’s “The Last
Frontier” state
Alaska is a place that fuels the
imagination - the northernmost
state of the USA offers a captivating
mixture of untouched habitats,
iconic mammals and intriguing
birdlife. So it‘s easy to see why it
proves so tempting to travellers and
naturalists alike. And, having visited
on no less than four occasions, I can
truthfully say that the 49th state has
certainly captured my imagination!
Alaska’s varied environments
encompass everything from barren
tundra to rugged mountain ranges,
and from weathered coastline
to ancient forests. Each of these
habitats has its own distinct range
of flora and fauna, which create a
surprising degree of biodiversity in
this remote part of North America.
For instance, around Seward and
Kenai Fjords National Park you
can admire immense glaciers,
watch endearing sea otters, and
spot humpback whales or the rare
Kittlitz’s murrelet. In contrast, when
you venture into Denali National
Park, there is a wholly different set
of natural wonders to behold. In
addition to Denali itself (formerly
known as Mount McKinley), which is
North America’s highest mountain
(6,190 metres), you can see more
than 750 species of flowering plant,
and over 150 bird species that
include merlin, understated gadwall
and willow ptarmigan - the state bird.
Alongside this already impressive
variety of plant and birdlife,
mammals such as Dall sheep, brown
or grizzly bears and caribou are also
seen regularly. However, the most
exciting thing is that these two
locations - Kenai Fjords and Denali
- barely begin to scratch the surface
of what this huge state has to offer.
Alaska can seem a difficult place to
travel, but there has never been a
better time to visit. On our summer
trip in 2017, you will experience
Alaska’s natural history and its
key locations, accompanied by
experienced and knowledgeable
naturalist Greg Smith (no relation),
who lived and worked there for
much of his professional career, and
is only too proud to show off its
remarkable natural treasures.
For most people, Alaska is a oncein-a-lifetime destination. Few
places combine scenic landscapes,
fantastic wildlife and the sense that
you are visiting one of the planet’s
last great wildernesses. Alaska
delivers on all three fronts, yet offers
so much more. However, be warned:
once you have visited Alaska, you
will almost certainly want to go
back for more! How appropriate,
then, that the state flower is the
forget-me-not…
USA
Alaskan Wilderness in Spring
Fri 16 Jun 2017
13 days
£6,395 per person | Single Supp £995
Leader Greg Smith
Group Size 9
01305 267994 | [email protected] | www.thetravellingnaturalist.com 5
Through the Lens
Mike Read focuses on wild flowers as well as birds…
Flower photography seems generally less popular than
bird photography - despite the fact that there are more
flower species around and, what’s more, flowers don’t
fly away! However, good flower photography still needs
skill, patience and the ability to locate suitable subjects.
So why not join me on a trip so I can help you develop
those essential skills? Apart from anything else, I know
just where to find the best flowers in the Vercors region
of France and in the central French Pyrenees.
Both regions offer alpine meadows stuffed full of
beautiful flowers. A wide-angle lens can capture the
entire scene, including the fabulous view beyond - but
at what height do you place your camera? If you wish,
it’s possible - in some instances - to set your camera on
the ground itself. This works well for taller flowers, as it
makes them stand out from the mountain backdrop
or against a blue sky. Raise the camera a couple of feet
or more, and with a large depth of field it’s possible to
ensure the flowers and the view beyond are all in focus.
Mike Read
Tour leader and
photographer
In the French Pyrenees, on the other hand, there are
fewer orchids, but a higher incidence of endemics.
On both tours our vehicle takes the strain of getting to
higher ground, and it’s often possible to photograph
wild flowers within just a few yards of wherever we park.
If bird photography is more your thing, why not join
me in Kiskunság National Park in Hungary? Here our
local guide has hides set up for such stunning species as
red-footed falcon, European roller and common kestrel.
There are marshland hides where great and little egrets,
purple and squacco herons and Eurasian spoonbill all
approach to within a short distance. Migrant waders
heading north to their Arctic breeding grounds are
joined by black-winged stilt and common redshank,
while whiskered tern dip for insects or build nests on
nearby water lilies. There are also infinity pool hides for
afternoon photography, with perhaps 20 species visiting
the ‘woodland pool’ – including hawfinch, middlespotted woodpecker and nightingale.
Change to a 100mm macro lens, and it’s possible to
capture individual flowers and make them stand out
against an out-of-focus background. That way, there
are fewer distractions and the flower takes on even
more importance. Place the bloom at the intersection
of one third width and two thirds height – the rule
of thirds – and you have a powerful composition.
During my Vercors photographic tour it’s
possible to find in excess of 30 species of
wild orchid, plus many other species.
6 Over 30 years experience in wildlife & birding holidays
Nature Photography Tours
Our collection of photography tours is continuing to expand
– to see our full programme visit the website or order a copy of
our latest brochure.
FRANCE (VERCORS)
Flower Photography in the Vercors
Sat 4 Jun 2016
8 days
£1,945 per person | Single Supp £165
Leader Mike Read
Group Size 6
Nick Garbutt
Award-winning
wildlife
photographer &
author
Ashley Grove
Professional
photographer and
tour leader
Alex Hyde
Award-winning
macro photography
expert
Nick Mackman
Award-winning
sculptor
Chris Mattison
Award-winning
wildlife
photographer &
author
FRANCE (PYRENEES)
Flower Photography in the Pyrenees
Sat 2 Jul 2016
8 days
£2,095 per person | Single Supp £190
Leader Mike Read
Group Size 6
GAMBIA
ZAMBIA
South Luangwa Art & Photo Workshop
West African Photo Shoot
Sat 19 Nov 2016
10 days
This seven night safari promises to
inspire a new appreciation of wildlife
in you. Game drives are combined
with practical tuition in field sketching,
sculpture and photography.
£5,295 per person | Single Supp £720
Leaders Nick Garbutt
Group Size 10
& Nick Mackman
Fri 9 Dec 2016
15 days
The Gambia has long been a top
destination for birdwatchers. For the
photographer this tour is an amazing
opportunity to enjoy a wide range of
glorious, photogenic subjects.
£3,395 per person | Single Supp £250
Leader Ashley Grove
Group Size 8
FALKLANDS
Falklands Wildlife Photography
Thu 24 Nov 2016
19 days
£7,155 per person | Single Supp £710
Leader Mike Read
Group Size 7
AUSTRIA
HUNGARY
Spring Photography of the Steppe & Forests
Sun 21 May 2017
7 days
£1,895 per person | Single Supp £145
Leader Mike Read
Group Size 8
SOUTH AFRICA
Close-up on Alpine Nature
Flower Photography in Namaqualand
Sat 17 Jun 2017
8 days
Led by wildlife photographers Alex Hyde
and Nick Garbutt, this tour visits the Tyrol
in June, the perfect time for wildlife and
macro photography.
£1,595 per person (land only) |
Single Supp £Nil
Leaders Nick Garbutt
Group Size 10
& Alex Hyde
Sun 20 Aug 17
16 days
Join award-winning macro photographer
Chris Mattison on this incredible journey
to witness and capture the magnificent
spring flowers from two distinct biomes
- the Cape Floristic and Succulent Karoo
regions. £4,195 per person | Single Supp £250
Leader Chris Mattison
Group Size 10
01305 267994 | [email protected] | www.thetravellingnaturalist.com 7
Focus on Latin America
The Central American isthmus and subcontinent of
South America are linked by a common denominator –
the Latin-based languages of its colonists: Spanish and,
in Brazil, Portuguese. English is spoken only in odd
pockets such as Belize, the Falkland Islands and Guyana,
while Dutch and French are used in Surinam
and French Guiana respectively.
Much of this vast territory lies within the tropics that
straddle the equator, and includes the world’s largest
expanse of rainforest – the Amazon basin – and one of
its principal mountain chains – the Andes. With Atlantic,
Pacific and Caribbean coastlines and a wide range of
altitudes and temperatures, diversity is guaranteed, so it’s
no surprise to find a wealth of wildlife and birdlife.
It’s a common fallacy to think of Latin America as a single
entity, however each country is highly distinct. Here, we
present a selection of trips that demonstrate the region’s
richness and diversity.
BRAZIL
BOLIVIA
ARGENTINA
Jaguars & Harpy Eagles of the Pantanal
In the Heart of South America
Andean Cacti, Condors & Culture
Thu 6 Oct 2016
14 days
£4,395 per person | Single Supp £470
Leader
Group Size
Miguel Castelino
14
Fri 7 Oct 2016
17 days
£4,895 per person | Single Supp £300
Leader
Group Size
Pablo Petracci
10
Mon 17 Oct 2016
15 days
£4,395 per person | Single Supp £380
Leader
Group Size
Luis Segura
14
GUYANA
ARGENTINA
GUATEMALA
Rainforests, Savannahs & Wetlands
Wildlife & Glaciers of Patagonia
Quetzal Quest in the Land of the Maya
Sat 12 Nov 2016
13 days
£5,095 per person | Single Supp £455
Leader
Group Size
Gary Sway
10
Mon 14 Nov 2016
11 days
£4,395 per person | Single Supp £460
Leader
Group Size
Luis Segura
14
Sat 21 Jan 2017
14 days
£4,595 per person | Single Supp £410
Leader
Group Size
Barrie Cooper
12
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
COSTA RICA
MEXICO
The Asa Wright Experience
Cloudforests, Jungles & Volcanoes
Ocean Giants of Baja California
Thu 9 Feb 2017
13 days
£4,195 per person | Single Supp £720
Leader
Group Size
John Muddeman
12
Sat 25 Feb 2017
14 days
£3,395 per person | Single Supp £390
Leader
Group Size
Alfredo Scott
12
Thu 6 Apr 2017
14 days
£4,895 per person | Single Supp £3,800
Leader
Group Size
Ian Rowlands
24
8 Over 30 years experience in wildlife & birding holidays
The Falkland Islands
Product Manager Brian Wood gets to grips with penguins in the Falklands…
After a whistle-stop trip with 19 flights, I’ve spent so
much time in the air I think I know what it must be like
to be a bird. How ironic then, that the bird that rules the
roost in the Falklands is flightless. On Bleaker Island we
came across all five species of the archipelago’s penguins,
narrowly failing to see all five in under an hour. I don’t
know anywhere else you can do that! These adorable aquatic birds bring a smile to everyone’s
faces with their determined waddle. The contrast
between their ungainliness on land and their acrobatic
movements as they porpoise through the waves is huge.
Rockhopper penguins fully live up to their billing with
their comical gait - awkward yet effective - as they make
their way from the seashore to surprisingly distant inland
colonies to feed their chicks. Magellanic penguins - the
smallest of all - peer reclusively out of the burrows where
they nest, while larger gentoos are arguably the most
normal of all - without any distinguishing character traits,
only the distinctive marking around their heads.
We spotted occasional pairs of macaronis with their
jaunty and garish punk-like crests, but it’s the king
penguins at Volunteer Point, with their gorgeous blackgrey-yellow-white plumage, that are the undoubted stars
of the show. The two hour drive from Stanley brings a
new meaning to off-roading – you bounce in a straight
line across the diddle-dee moorland (reminiscent of a
Scottish grouse moor) with barely any discernible track. Birding the Falklands
Thu 20 Oct 16
£4,635 per person | Single Supp £620
Leader Claudio Vidal
Some 600 km off Argentina, the Falklands are a little
piece of Britain in the South Atlantic - familiar yet
different. Their profile was raised during the 1982 conflict
with their mainland neighbours and, more recently,
the discovery of oil offshore has reawakened Argentine
interest as well as the Kelpers’ (as the inhabitants are
known) determination to preserve their independence.
The high cost of extraction, along with tumbling oil
prices, have momentarily slowed the pace of exploration,
but discussions continue in the background regarding
the islands’ future. Despite the tiny population (fewer than 3,000), far from
being a backwater, the Falklands are surprisingly abreast
of the times. If you watched the BBC’s ‘This Island Parish’
series, you will already have an idea about the nature
of life – as well as the life of nature – there, which is not
too dissimilar to that in the Scottish Hebrides. However
everything is on a totally different scale. The Falklands have much to offer: the gentle but
initially taciturn locals, who invariably open up when
prodded; blubbery-nosed, evil-smelling elephant
seals; the aggressive dive-bombing skuas; the graceful
black-browed albatross that breed on several islands
of West Falkland, and the chunky southern giant petrel
that breed just about everywhere; and the velvety grey
Patagonian foxes we spotted on Weddell.
Falklands Wildlife Photography
12 days
Group Size 7
Thu 24 Nov 2016
£7,155 per person | Single Supp £710
Leader Mike Read
19 days
Group Size 7
01305 267994 | [email protected] | www.thetravellingnaturalist.com 9
Poland
Birding in Krakow & the
Carpathians
Poland
NEW
Friday 9 - Friday 16 September 2016
Visiting four key birdwatching sites in the south of Poland
– the Pieniny Mountains, the Tatra Mountains, Niepołomice
Forest and the extensive Zator Fishponds – we hope to
witness the autumn migration in full swing, and enjoy a
wealth of spectacular birds.
The tour begins in the picturesque Carpathian Mountains,
where we explore the mixed forests and wild meadows of the
Pieniny and Tatra ranges in search of raptors, woodpeckers
and cranes, all the while looking out for the large mammals
that inhabit Poland, including brown bear, Tatra marmot,
chamois and beaver. Spending a day at Zator Fishponds
should reward us with Temminck’s stint, ferruginous duck
and little stint, as well as spotted nutcracker, alpine accentor,
Caspian gull, lesser spotted eagle and black stork. Our final
stop is Niepołomice Forest, where amidst the oak, hornbeam
and lime trees of six nature reserves, we look for red-backed
shrike, great grey shrike and Ural owl. Bison, Elk & Wolves in Winter
Thursday 2 - Monday 6 February 2017
Visiting two of Poland’s renowned areas for wildlife – Biebrza
Marshes and Bialowieza Forest – we go in search of the large,
yet elusive mammals and exceptional winter birdlife that
inhabit the unspoilt snow-covered landscapes.
Our tour begins in the wildlife-rich Biebrza Marshes in the
north-east of the country where we look for an array of
mammals including elk, otter, European beaver, red deer,
wild boar, roe deer, red squirrel, pine marten, and – if we are
lucky – we may even encounter wolf or lynx.
We explore Bialowieza Forest which is most famous for its
reintroduced herd of European bison, and we hope to see
some of these huge and surprisingly elusive beasts during
our stay. Visiting during winter also gives us the advantage of
being able to track the more elusive species in the snow, and
look for numerous bird species such as white-tailed eagle,
waxwing, eagle owl, great grey shrike and nine species of
woodpecker.
OUTLINE ITINERARY OUTLINE ITINERARY Day 1 Days 2-3 Day 4 Day 5 Days 6-7 Day 8 Fly to Krakow
Explore the Pieniny Mountains
Explore the Tatra Mountains
Visit Zator Fishponds
Explore Niepołomice Forest
Return to Krakow and fly back to the UK
ACCOMMODATION Comfortable hotels
PRICE FROM£1,295
SINGLE SUPP £90
PRICE INCLUDES
Flights, transfers, accommodation, all
meals & guided activities
GROUP SIZE12
LEADER
Felix Felger
TOUR CODE POLN2-1
NEW
Day 1 Day 2 Days 3-4 Day 5 Fly to Warsaw
Visit Biebrza Marshes
Explore Bialowieza Forest
Return to Warsaw and fly back to the UK
ACCOMMODATION Comfortable guesthouses
PRICE FROM£995
SINGLE SUPP £55
PRICE INCLUDES
Flights, transfers, accommodation, all
meals & guided activities
GROUP SIZE12
LEADER
Felix Felger
TOUR CODE POLN3-1
10 Over 30 years experience in wildlife & birding holidays
South Africa
Flower Photography in
Namaqualand
Ethiopia
NEW
Sunday 20 August - Monday 4 September 2017
Join award-winning natural history photographer Chris
Mattison to capture the glorious bloom of spring flowers in
contrasting areas of the Western Cape. The trip includes visits
to the Cape Winelands, as well as the Cederberg Wilderness
– famed for its Bushman rock paintings, which are over a
thousand years old.
The itinerary is designed to maximise the creative
opportunities as Chris takes you through one of his favourite
regions in the company of a local botanist guide.
OUTLINE ITINERARY Day 1 Fly overnight to Cape Town
Day 2 Visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Day 3 Cape Peninsula
Day 4 The West Coast
Day 5 Flowering bulbs in the highlands
Days 6-9 Spring flowers of Namaqualand
Day 10 Succulents of The Knersvlakte
Day 11 The Cederberg: Wupperthal & Biedouw Valley
Days 12-13 Central Cederberg
Day 14 Through the ‘Cape Fold Mountains’
Day 15 False Bay, Harold Porter Botanical Garden, & overnight
flight
Day 16 Arrive UK
ACCOMMODATION Comfortable cottages, sophisticated
hotels and friendly guesthouses
PRICE FROM£4,195
SINGLE SUPP £250
PRICE INCLUDES
Flights, transfers, accommodation, all
meals & guided activities
GROUP SIZE10
LEADER
Chris Mattison
TOUR CODE SOUT8-1
Ethiopian Endemics in Winter
NEW
Thursday 16 February - Saturday 4 March 2017
Ethiopia’s unique habitats boast one of Africa’s richest
populations of indigenous birds, plants and wildlife. We focus
on the most sought-after of the 800+ bird species which
include 37 endemics. The Rift Valley and its lakes have few
endemics, but offers varied and enjoyable savannah and
wetland birding for resident species, plus a host of migrants.
The alpine moorland, grassland and lakes of Bale Mountains
National Park and the Sanetti Plateau are home to the
Ethiopian wolf and many highland endemic birds; curiously,
there are also a number of species not found elsewhere in
sub-Saharan Africa, while the south of the country offers
superb birding, with much sought-after specials such as the
endemic Ruspoli’s turaco, white-tailed swallow, Ethiopian
bush crow, and the highly endangered Liben lark.
OUTLINE ITINERARY Day 1 Fly overnight to Addis Ababa
Days 2-3 Drive to Debre Libanos & return to Addis
Days 4-6 Awash National Park
Days 7-9 Lake Awassa, Great Rift Valley & Wondo Genet
Days 10-12 Bale Mountains, Sanetti Plateau. Harenna Forest &
Welman River Falls
Day 13 Goba & Negele
Days 14-15 Negele & Lake Langano
Day 16 Return to Addis & overnight flight
Day 17 Arrive UK
ACCOMMODATION Simple, yet comfortable accommodation
selected for their prime locations
PRICE FROM£4,545
SINGLE SUPP £340
PRICE INCLUDES
Flights, transfers, accommodation, all
meals & guided activities
GROUP SIZE12
LEADER
Chris Griffin
TOUR CODE ETHI1-1
01305 267994 | [email protected] | www.thetravellingnaturalist.com 11
Australia
Top End Birding
Australia
NEW
Jewels of the Kimberley
NEW
Friday 26 August - Sunday 11 September 2016
Friday 25 August - Sunday 10 September 2017
Wednesday 7 - Friday 23 September 2016
Wednesday 6 - Friday 22 September 2017
The Northern Territory, also known as the Top End, is a haven
for birdlife and hosts some truly spectacular species such
as the delightful rainbow bee-eater, the gorgeous Gouldian
finch, and the emblematic black-necked stork, as well as
numerous mammals, colourful insects, and an incredible
array of reptiles including the legendary saltwater crocodile.
With an area larger than Western Europe, Western Australia
has more than 500 bird species including 18 endemics.
The best birding is in the Kimberley in the tropical far north,
where Broome is outstanding for waders, migrants and
mangrove species, while Kununurra is a hotspot for finches,
parrots, honeyeaters and water birds, and Derby has over
200 species. Many near-endemic, migratory and highly
sought-after species can be found, including purple-crowned
fairy wren, white-quilled rock pigeon and grey shrike-thrush.
This tour covers all the key locations for the greatest diversity
of birds and wildlife. From the Mary River Wetlands and
Kakadu National Park, known as ‘Australia’s Okavango’, to
the sacred Arnhem Land in the east – famed for its fantastic
birding – then south to scenic Katherine Gorge and all the
way down to Kununurra in the Kimberley.
OUTLINE ITINERARY Days 1-2 Fly to Darwin
Days 3-4 Arrive Darwin, transfer to Mary River Wetlands
Day 5 World Heritage Kakadu National Park
Days 6-8 Fly to Arnhem Land, explore Mt. Borradaile area
Day 9 Fly to Jabiru, drive to Pine Creek
Days 10-11 Katherine Gorge – Nitmiluk National Park
Days 12-13 Timber Creek
Days 14-15 Drive to Kununurra and explore Lake Argyle
Day 16 Transfer to Kununurra airport & overnight flight
Day 17 Arrive UK
ACCOMMODATION Wilderness retreats, comfortable eco
lodges, and the occasional rustic hotel
PRICE FROM£7,995
SINGLE SUPP £1,500
PRICE INCLUDES
Flights, transfers, accommodation, all
meals & guided activities
GROUP SIZE12
LEADER
George Swann
TOUR CODE AUSI3-1
OUTLINE ITINERARY Days 1-2 Fly to Kununurra
Day 3 Arrive Kununurra, transfer to Lily Creek Lagoon
Day 4 Lake Argyle, Kununurra
Day 5 Drive to to El Questro via Parry Lagoon
Day 6 Birdwatching at Emma Gorge
Day 7 Drive to Drysdale River Station
Days 8-9 Mitchell Plateau
Day 10 Return to Drysdale River Station, birdwatching
Days 11-12 Mount Elizabeth Station
Day 13 Drive to Derby
Day 14 Drive to Broome via Taylor’s Lagoon & Fitzroy River
Day 15 Broome: whale watching & birding on the coast
Day 16 Overnight flight
Day 17 Arrive UK
ACCOMMODATION Wilderness retreats, comfortable eco lodges,
and the occasional rustic hotel
PRICE FROM£6,895
SINGLE SUPP £995
PRICE INCLUDES
Flights, transfers, accommodation, all
meals & guided activities
GROUP SIZE12
LEADER
George Swann
TOUR CODE AUSI4-1
12 Over 30 years experience in wildlife & birding holidays
Maldives
Whales, Dolphins & Mantas
in the Indian Ocean
USA
NEW
Grand Teton & Yellowstone
Solar Eclipse
NEW
Friday 6 - Sunday 15 October 2017
Friday 18 August - Friday 1 September 2017
On this small group tour, we look for whales and dolphins
from aboard our chartered liveaboard vessel and enjoy
snorkelling on colourful coral reefs that are home to rich
marine life. If lucky, we may even have a chance to swim with
magnificent manta rays – which some consider to be the
wildlife highlight of a lifetime!
This one-off birdwatching bonanza visits scenic Grand
Teton National Park for the first total solar eclipse visible in
the USA for 26 years, plus the world’s oldest national park –
Yellowstone – where conservation was pioneered!
The Maldives possess an incredibly rich diversity of cetacean
life, and in recent years, an astonishing 23 different species
have been observed. Spinner, bottlenose and Risso’s dolphins
plus short-finned pilot whale are frequently seen, along
with spotted and striped dolphins and dwarf sperm whale.
Other possible sightings include blue and Bryde’s whales and
the rare Longman’s beaked whale.
OUTLINE ITINERARY Starting from Salt Lake City, we explore Antelope Island in
the Great Salt Lake to see the millions of birds that gather on
the lakeshore, while Wyoming’s Seedskadee National Wildlife
Refuge is also a vital resting place for migrants. The varied
habitats of rugged Sinks Canyon State Park, beside the Wind
River Mountains, hold an equally wide diversity of birds,
wildlife and plants.
En route back to Salt Lake City we visit various reserves to see
migrating waterfowl and shorebirds and more views of the
Great Salt Lake.
OUTLINE ITINERARY Day 1
Day 2 Days 3-7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Fly overnight to Malé
Arrive Malé, transfer to liveaboard
Whale, dolphin and seabird watching around the atolls
Whale and dolphin watching off Malé atoll
Overnight flight
Arrive UK
ACCOMMODATION Comfortable vessel with 10 cabins, each
with en suite shower/toilet
PRICE FROM£3,495
SINGLE SUPP £1,215
PRICE INCLUDES
Flights, transfers, accommodation, all
meals & guided activities
GROUP SIZE16
LEADER
Dr Charles Anderson
TOUR CODE MALD2-1
Day 1 Fly to Salt Lake City
Days 2-4 Green River & Lander/Riverton
Days 5-7 Grand Teton National Park
Days 8-11 Yellowstone National Park
Days 12-13 Brigham City & Lehi
Day 14 Overnight flight
Day 15 Arrive UK
ACCOMMODATION Comfortable mid-range hotels and lodges
PRICE FROM£4,995
SINGLE SUPP£910
PRICE INCLUDES
Flights, transfers, accommodation, all
meals & guided activities
GROUP SIZE16
LEADERS
Barrie Cooper & Tim Avery
TOUR CODE USA6-1
01305 267994 | [email protected] | www.thetravellingnaturalist.com 13
Your Tour Calendar
September 2016
The following symbols identify the primary focus of each small group
tour and help you find your ideal wildlife holiday.
Birds
Dragonflies
Flora
Whales & dolphins
Photography
Mammals
Butterflies & moths
May 2016
Madagascar
Land of the Lemur
Sweden
Scandinavian Autumn
Fri 2
France
Dordogne’s Moths & More
Sat 3
Sardinia
Mediterranean Wildlife
Sat 3
Australia
Jewels of the Kimberley
Wed 7
Poland
Birding in Krakow & the Carpathians
Latvia
Latvia’s Wild Harvest
Sat 10
Spain
Pyrenees & Plains
Sat 10
Thu 1
Fri 9
Belarus
Forest Birds of Deepest Belarus
Sun 1
Iceland
Volcanic Iceland
Mon 12
Corsica
Mountains in the Med
Sun 1
USA
Canyons & Wildlife in the Land of the Navajo
Mon 12
France
Wildlife of the Dordogne in Spring
Sat 7
England
Isles of Scilly in Autumn
Sat 17
Zambia
Birding in David Livingstone’s Footsteps
Sun 22
Portugal
Alentejo & Algarve in Autumn
Sat 17
Hungary & Romania Birds & Bears in Transylvania
Sat 28
Bulgaria
Secret Flyway in Autumn
Sat 24
Finland
Sun 29
Spain
Secret Wilderness of Extremadura
Sat 24
Estonia
Autumn Migration in the Baltic
Sun 25
Wed 1
Spain & Morocco
Across the Strait of Gibraltar
Thu 29
October 2016
Brown Bear Explorer
June 2016
Canada
Great Plains & Rocky Mountains
France
Flower Photography in the Vercors
Sat 4
Spain
The High Aragón
Sat 4
South Africa
Flowers & Wildlife of the Cape
& Garden Route
Sun 2
Czech Republic
Dragonflies of North Bohemia
Fri 10
Brazil
Jaguars & Harpy Eagles of the Pantanal
Thu 6
France
Butterflies of Wild Dordogne
Sat 11
Bolivia
In the Heart of South America
Fri 7
Ireland
The Burren & Aran Islands
Sat 11
Hungary
Steppe & Forests in Autumn
Sat 8
France
Vercors in Spring
Sun 12
Scotland
Outer Hebrides in Autumn
Mon 10
Scotland
Shetland Wildlife & Photography
Mon 13
Germany
Brandenburg Crane & Goose Concerto
Thu 13
Sweden
Butterflies & Dragonflies in Summer
Wed 15
England
Dorset’s Coastal Heathland
Mon 17
Germany
Alpine Bavaria
Sat 18
Argentina
Andean Cacti, Condors & Culture
Mon 17
Finland
Brown Bear Explorer
Sun 19
Falkland Islands
Birding the Falklands
Thu 20
Switzerland
The Swiss Alps in Summer
Sun 19
Scotland
Autumn in the Scottish Highlands
Sat 22
Sweden
Butterflies & Dragonflies in Summer
Sat 25
Spain
Iberian Lynx Quest
Sat 22
Namibia
Skeleton Coast & Etosha
Sun 23
July 2016
France
Dragonflies in Deepest Dordogne
Sat 2
South Africa
Wildlife of Kruger & KwaZulu-Natal
Sun 23
France
Flower Photography in the Pyrenees
Sat 2
Morocco
Atlantic Coast in Autumn
Sat 29
Finland
Brown Bear Explorer
Sun 10
Slovenia & Hungary Butterflies of the Alps, Grasslands & Coast
Sat 16
Iceland
Harlequins & Northern Lights in Winter
Thu 3
Scotland
Outer Hebrides in Summer
Thu 21
Gambia & Senegal
West African Birdwatch
Fri 4
Iceland
Principally Puffins
Zambia
Birding in South Luangwa
Sat 5
Finland
Brown Bear Explorer
USA
Winter Birding in the Sunshine State
Wed 9
India
Birds & Big Cats
Sat 12
Fri 22
Sun 31
August 2016
November 2016
Netherlands
Waders in Friesland
Thu 11
Taiwan
Endemics & Winter Migrants
Sat 12
South Africa
Spring Flowers from Kalahari to the Cape
Sat 13
Guyana
Rainforests, Savannahs & Wetlands
Sat 12
Canada
Grand Manan’s Birds & Whales
Argentina
Wildlife & Glaciers of Patagonia
Austria
Lake Neusiedl in Autumn
Zambia
South Luangwa Art & Photo Workshop
Sat 19
Australia
Top End Birding
Fri 26
Falkland Islands
Falklands Wildlife Photography
Thu 24
France
Camargue & Pyrenees in Autumn
Sat 27
India
Birding in Central India
Fri 25
South Africa
Birds & Big Cats of Kruger
Mon 29
Japan
Spectacular Winter Wildlife
Sat 26
Armenia
Demoiselle Cranes in Autumn
Sri Lanka
Blue Whales & Dolphins
Sat 26
Wed 17
Tue 23
Tue 30
14 Over 30 years experience in wildlife & birding holidays
Mon 14
December 2016
May 2017
Sri Lanka
Birds & Whales of Sri Lanka
Sat 3
Scotland
Orkney’s Wildlife & Prehistory
Spain
Wallcreepers & Cranes in Aragón
Sun 4
France
Wildlife of the Dordogne in Spring
Sat 6
Gambia
West African Photo Shoot
Romania
Danube Delta & Black Sea Coast
Sat 6
Spain
Pyrenees & Plains
Sat 6
Sat 6
Fri 9
January 2017
Wed 3
New Zealand
New Zealand's Natural History
Sat 7
Turkey
Tarsus Mountains, Cappadocia & Deltas
South Africa
The Cape & Karoo
Sat 7
England
Dorset’s Coastal Heathland
Mon 8
Guatemala
Quetzal Quest in the Land of the Maya
Sat 21
Poland
Primeval Forests & Marshes
Mon 8
USA
Birding the Lower Rio Grande Valley
Sun 22
Bulgaria
Rhodope Mountains & the Black Sea in Spring
Sun 14
Spain
Iberian Lynx Quest
Sat 28
Estonia
The Baltic in Springtime
Sun 14
Hungary
Steppe & Forests in Spring
Fri 19
February 2017
Poland
Bison, Elk & Wolves in Winter
Thu 2
Austria
Lake Neusiedl in Spring
Sat 20
Trinidad & Tobago
The Asa Wright Experience
Thu 9
England
Isles of Scilly in Spring
Sat 20
Ethiopia
Endemics in Winter
Thu 16
Zambia
Birding in David Livingstone’s Footsteps
Sun 21
India
Quest for the Snow Leopard
Sat 18
Hungary
Spring Photography of the Steppe & Forests
Sun 21
France
Camargue in Winter – Wallcreepers & Wetlands
Mon 20
Mongolia
Birding the Land of Genghis Khan
Costa Rica
Cloudforests, Jungles & Volcanoes
Botswana & Zambia Okavango Delta & Victoria Falls
Sat 25
Mon 27
March 2017
Winter Orcas & Auroras
Malaysia
Sri Lanka
South Africa
Hungary & Romania Birds & Bears in Transylvania
Sat 27
Finland
Sun 28
Brown Bear Explorer
June 2017
Iceland
France
Fri 26
Thu 2
Borneo
Festival of Wildlife
Fri 2
Peninsular Birding
Fri 3
France
Flower Photography in the Vercors
Sat 3
Blue Whales & Dolphins
Sat 4
Spain
The High Aragón
Tue 7
Czech Republic
Dragonflies of North Bohemia
Fri 9
France
Butterflies of Wild Dordogne
Sat 10
Ireland
The Burren & Aran Islands
Sat 10
France
Vercors in Spring
Sun 11
Scotland
Shetland Wildlife & Photography
Mon 12
Alaska
Alaskan Wilderness in Spring
Fri 16
Austria
Close-up on Alpine Nature
Sat 17
Finland
Brown Bear Explorer
Sun 18
Sweden
Butterflies & Dragonflies in Summer
Sat 24
Wallcreepers, Woodpeckers & Kites of the
Dordogne
Flora & Fauna of Zululand &
the Drakensberg
Tue 14
Iceland
Harlequins & Northern Lights in Winter
Thu 16
Germany
Brandenburg Crane & Goose Concerto
Thu 16
Sri Lanka
Birds & Whales of Sri Lanka
Cyprus
Birds & Flowers on Aphrodite’s Isle
Thu 23
Portugal
Alentejo & Algarve in Spring
Sat 25
Finland
Northern Lights, Astronomy & Wildlife
Sun 26
Fri 17
April 2017
Spain
Secret Wilderness of Extremadura
Scotland
Highland Wildlife Break
Mon 3
Mexico
Ocean Giants of Baja California
Thu 6
Crete
Spectacular Flowers & Wildlife
Tue 11
Slovakia
Spring Birding in Slovakia
Thu 13
Montenegro &
Albania
The Unknown Adriatic
Sat 15
Sweden
Scandinavian Spring
Thu 20
Kos
Spring in the Isle of Hippocrates
Sat 22
Lesbos
Spring in the Aegean
Sat 22
Scotland
Lewis & Harris – Seabirds & Standing Stones
Sat 22
Belarus
Forest Birds of Deepest Belarus
Sun 30
Corsica
Mountains in the Med
Sun 30
Sat 1
Sat 3
July 2017
France
Dragonflies in Deepest Dordogne
Sat 1
France
Flower Photography in the Pyrenees
Sat 1
Finland
Brown Bear Explorer
Sun 9
Iceland
Principally Puffins
Fri 14
Slovenia & Hungary Butterflies of the Alps, Grasslands & Coast
Sat 15
Scotland
Outer Hebrides in Summer
Thu 20
Finland
Brown Bear Explorer
Sun 23
To view full details of our comprehensive collection of
birding and wildlife holidays please go to our website
www.thetravellingnaturalist.com.
01305 267994 | [email protected] | www.thetravellingnaturalist.com 15
Japan in Winter
Spectacular Birdwatching and Snow Monkeys with
expert Barrie Cooper…
During the cold winter months this fascinating and beautiful country has some of the
most memorable wildlife spectacles on the planet. More than 600 bird species have
been recorded, of which over 250 are known to breed in Japan. Endemic highlights
include Japanese woodpecker, green pheasant – Japan’s national bird – and copper
pheasant. On this small group tour we hope to see large numbers of migrating cranes,
swans and geese in Arasaki, which make a fabulous spectacle. A visit to Akan Tancho no
Sato should provide views of the stunning and elegant red-crowned crane at a riverine
roost. In addition to fantastic wildlife and beautiful scenery, one of the great delights of
travelling in Japan is gaining some insight into its fascinating culture.
Sat 26 Nov 2016
15 days
£6,795 per person | Single Supp £680
Leader Barrie Cooper
Group Size 14
Late Availability
Country
Tour Name
Date
Zambia
Birding in Livingstone’s Footsteps
22 May Frank Willems
Leader
Days
Finland
Brown Bear Explorer
29 May Jani Määttä or Joona Kaltion
8
France
Flower Photography in the Vercors
4 Jun
Mike Read
8
Spain
The High Aragon
4 Jun
John Muddeman
8
France
Butterflies of Wild Dordogne
11 Jun David Simpson
7
Finland
Brown Bear Explorer
19 Jun Jani Määttä or Joona Kaltion
8
France
Dragonflies in Deepest Dordogne
2 Jul
David Simpson & Dick Askew
7
Hungary
Butterflies of The Alps, Grasslands & Coast 16 Jul
Rudi Verovnik
8
UK
Outer Hebrides in Summer
21 Jul
Stephen Duffield
7
Iceland
Principally Puffins
22 Jul
Trausti Gunnarsson
8
14
Tailor-Made Wildlife Holidays
2016/17 Brochure
Contact us to
order your copy
Our sister company, Wildlife Worldwide, is an award-winning
specialist tour operator. Focusing on tailor-made wildlife
travel experiences for the independent traveller, we offer
an unparalleled range of opportunities to see the finest
wildlife in the world.
Contact our expert wildlife team to help plan your holiday
of a lifetime and to order a copy of our seasonal brochure.
www.wildlifeworldwide.com
01305 267994
[email protected]
www.thetravellingnaturalist.com
The Travelling Naturalist is part of The Natural Travel Collection,
a small independent travel company specialising in sustainable
wildlife and birdwatching holidays.
The Travelling Naturalist
Capitol House
12–13 Bridge Street
Winchester
SO23 0HL
Photographs courtesy of: Mike Read, Nick Garbutt, Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, Alex Hyde, Aziz Ahmed Mohammed.
Apologies for any omissions.
© The Travelling Naturalist 2016. No portion of this brochure may be reproduced without the prior written consent of
The Travelling Naturalist.
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