1. pets
2. birds

worldwide travel 2015-2016
contents
4-5
WildWings calendar
6
Wild Insights Holidays with Keith and Linda Offord
7 Greenland Whale Safaris
8
North Atlantic Odyssey (Scotland to Spitsbergen)
9
Polar Bears and other Arctic wildlife - Spitsbergen
10-11
The Arctic for independent travellers
12
Hungary in Spring/Poland in Spring/Estonia in Spring & Autumn
13
Hungary in Autumn/Eilat Spring Migration Festival/Hula Valley Bird Festival
14
Birdwatch Magazine Turkey in Spring NEW!
15
Ethiopia, mammals and birds.
16
Thailand ‘Spoon-billed Pittas’/Beidaihe & Happy Island, China
17
Goa, birds and curries NEW!/Snow Leopards, Ladakh NEW!
18
Kamchatka, The Ring of Fire
19
Sea of Okhotsk/In Search of Spoon-billed Sandpipers
20
WildOceans Maldives/Sri Lanka/Bali to Komodo
21
WO Solomon Islands NEW!/ Sri Lanka – Your Way
21
Gujurat, India mammals and birds NEW!
22
Western Pacific Odyssey
23
Midway Atoll/Humboldt Current NEW!
24-25
Antarctica, The Falklands & South Georgia
26-27
Antarctica for independent travellers
28
Atlantic Odyssey
29
Sub-Antarctic Islands of NZ & Australia (Birding Downunder)
30
Brazil Jaguars
31
Amazon River Cruise NEW!
32-33
Baja California & the Sea of Cortez
34
Mexico Pelagic NEW!
35
Birding Trinidad and Tobago
36
Birding Jamaica
37
Colorado Grouse Leks
38
Booking form
39
Booking conditions
wildwings.co.uk
the whole wild world at your fingertips....
2
www.wildwings.co.uk
Welcome to WildWings...
This mini-brochure summarises all our current programmes, bird, mammal plus
whale and dolphin watching holidays, and the very the best selection of bird and
wildlife cruises available, worldwide.
Our website is our 24 hour a day ‘shop window’ , and full details of all our amazing
experiences can be found within, along with previous trip/voyage reports, species
lists and more photos. Our website is continually updated, with new tours and
voyages now announced online, as well as our blog and news from the field
sections. Our experience of over twenty years is at your finger tips, or pick up the
phone and talk to us, our advice is free.
The recent strength of the Pound has enabled us not only to hold many prices for
next year, and in the case of many voyages, actually reduce them too, always good
news!
New for 2015 are two short, but intense birding trips to eastern Turkey, three new
departures to the Indian Sub-Continent - Gujarat for Mammals and Birds - Goa for
Birds - Ladakh for Snow Leopards and other mammals. Both our first Amazon River
Wildlife Cruise and our world first Mexican Pelagic (both with just a few berths left
still) will operate, plus the return of our Humboldt Current Exploration (includes
searching for the newly described Pincoya Storm-Petrel in Chile). In 2016, WildWings
team up with Rare Bird Alert for a whole ship charter from Scotland to Spitsbergen
in May. We will travel via Fair Isle, Jan Mayen Land, East Greenland Sea Pack Ice and
finally spend two full days in Svalbard itself looking for Polar Bears, Walrus and other
Arctic wildlife, having enjoyed a host of seabirds and cetaceans on the way. We are
even bringing Tony Marr out of retirement for this one!
Check out
the
website!
For the full details of all our tours and voyages,
always visit our website.
If you wish to have a written copy of a tour or voyage,
simply hit your print button, it should print all the
text for that tour, including from the various tabs if
applicable, into one document. Most of our previous
trip reports are in pdf form, you can either download
yourself a copy or again, simply print it. You may also
wish to sign up for our forthcoming e-newsletters,
which will be sent every few months or so, with news,
new tours and special offers.
wildwings.co.uk
JOHN BRODIE-GOOD
JULY 2014
birdwatching
WildWings Birdwatching Holidays continue
to offer exceptional value for money, from only
£949 per person, and are led by some of the
world’s best professional tour leaders. Over
98% of our holidays ran in 2013, we do not like
to speculate with your holiday plans.
nature & wildlife cruises
Expedition Cruises, often called ‘wildlife’
or ‘nature’ cruises, are voyages of
discovery to the remotest regions of our
world. Experiencing the wildlife and the
journey itself is the purpose of these
wonderful trips.
mammal watching
We started offering mammal watching
tours ten years ago, with the first of our
much copied Brazil Jaguar Tours, originally
conceived and led by Richard Webb. Our
emphasis is somewhat towards big cats
and other predators and we offer an ever
increasing range of destinations and target
species.
Call +44 117 9658 333 for all bookings and enquires
whales & dolphins
We are pleased to yet again present
our comprehensive range of the best in
responsible Whale and Dolphin watching
holidays, our 18th year of WildOceans.
3
WildWings & WildOceans calendar
2014-2016
This is a calendar of our upcoming departures as of 21/7/2014. We offer bird-watching, whale and dolphin watching, mammal
watching (especially big cats and bears) and the widest choice of bird and wildlife (expedition) cruises, worldwide. We also specialise
in flights and can offer tailor-made arrangements to many destinations including top local bird and wildlife guiding services, just for
you and your party. WildWings customers have travelled our whole wild world for over twenty years now, from the Edge of Space
to the depths of the Oceans, from the North and South Poles and everywhere in-between! Full and the most up to date details can
always be found on our website, along with previous trip and voyage reports plus many species lists. www.wildwings.co.uk.
TOUR
DATES
GUIDES
COST FROM
NEW! In the Wake of the Bounty (see website)
3rd-14th November 2014
Chris Collins
£7995*
Sub-Ant Islands of Aus & NZ (Birding Downunder)
9 – 25 Nov & 24 Nov – 10 Dec 2014
R. Russ
from £6059*
NEW! Maldives Explorer - Whales, dolphins, seabirds & photography.
11th – 23rd November 2014
Chas Anderson
£2190*
Hula Valley Bird Festival
16th – 23rd November 2014
Jonathan Meyrav
£1359*
20th Nov – 8th Dec 2014
Dick Filby & Bruce
Pearson
from £7269*
TOUR
DATES
GUIDES
COST FROM
NEW! Goa - Birds & Curries
24th January – 8th February 2015
Dave Fell
£1849
Thailand
29th January – 4th February, 5th – 11th
February 2015
M.Andrews
£1195
Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia
31st Jan - 18th Feb 2015
Dick Filby
from £8419*
NEW! Gujarat, India Mammals and birds.
8th – 22nd February 2015
Richard Webb
£3499
Maldives Tropical whales, dolphins and snorkelling
22nd Feb – 1st Mar 2015
Chas Anderson
£1590*
NEW! Snow Leopards
21st February - 12th March 2015
Dick Filby
£1945*
Ethiopia Mammals and birds.
5th March – 22nd March 2015
Nigel Goodgame
£3599
Eilat Bird Festival, Israel - Now includes all birding excursions and on a half
board basis.
15th – 22nd March 2015
Jonathan Meyrav
£1209*
Sri Lanka, Blue Whales, Leopards & Elephants
27th February – 12th March 2015
Chas Anderson
£2900*
Atlantic Odyssey
23rd March – 23rd April 2015
Simon Cook
from £5289*
Midway Atoll Seabirds
23rd – 30th March & 30th March – 7th
April 2015
Wayne Sentman
£4635* from Honolulu
Baja California & Sea of Cortez
25th March – 7th April 2015
Scot & David
£4295
Western Pacific Odyssey (NZ – Japan)
6th April – 7th May 2015
Chris Collins
from £3819*
Western Pacific Odyssey (NZ – PNG)
6th – 23rd April 2015
Chris Collins
from £3819*
Colorado Grouse Leks
11th – 23rd April 2015
Dick Filby
£2639
Western Pacific Odyssey (PNG – Japan)
23rd April – 7th May 2015
Chris Collins
from £2119*
Beidaihe & Happy Island
2nd – 20th May 2015
Mark Andrews
£2445
Estonia Birds & Mammals
8th – 15th May 2015
Tarvo Valker
£1495
Poland Birds & Mammals
9th – 17th May 2015
Tomasz Jezierczuk
£1199
Hungary in Spring
10th – 16th May 2015
Gerard Gorman
£999
Greenland Whale Safaris
various May & June 2015
Expedition team
from £1665*
2014
Antarctica, Falklands & S. Georgia
2015
*excludes international flights.
4
www.wildwings.co.uk
TOUR
DATES
GUIDES
COST FROM
Kamchatka & Kurils – Russian Far East
26th May – 8th June 2015
Chris Collins
from £4605*
Sea of Okhotsk
9th – 20th June 2015
Chris Collins
from £4059*
NEW! Birdwatch Magazine Turkey
15th – 20th & 20th – 25th June 2015
TBA
£TBC
Spitsbergen - Polar Bears and Arctic wildlife
17th – 25th June 2015
Dick Filby
from £3729
In Search of Spoon-Billed Sandpipers – Russian Far East
23rd June – 7th July 2015
Chris Collins
from £5029*
NEW! Amazon River Cruise - River Dolphins, birds and other mammals.
6th – 19th September 2015
Chris Collins
from £2795*
Brazil Jaguars - Ultimate Pantanal
TBC September 2015
Regina Ribero
c£3995
NEW! Estonia in Autumn
25th September – 2nd October 2015
Tarvo Valker
£1495
Bali to Komodo, Indonesia Tropical Whales and dolphins, snorkelling.
11th – 20th October 2015
Chas Anderson
£2345*
NEW! Solomon Islands -Tropical Whales and dolphins,
seabirds & snorkelling.
23rd Oct – 2nd Nov 2015
Chas Anderson
NEW! Humboldt Current
TBC October TBC- November 2015
Chris Collins
£TBC
Sub-Ant Islands of Aus & NZ (Birding Downunder)
15th Nov – 3rd Dec 2015
R. Russ
from £6365*
Antarctica, Falklands & S. Georgia - Art & Wildlife Voyage
19th Nov – 8th Dec 2015
Bruce Pearson
from £7635*
NEW! Mexico Pelagic - Stormies, Shearwaters & Sharks
28th November – 8th December 2015
Chris Collins &
Steve NG Howell
£2995*
Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia
31st Jan - 18th Feb 2016
Dick Filby
from £8419*
Snow Leopards
27th February – 12th March 2016
Dick Filby
£1995*
Baja California & Sea of Cortez
25th March – 7th April 2016
Scot & David
£TBC
Atlantic Odyssey
26th March – 22nd April 2016
Simon Cook
from £4539*
Colorado Grouse Leks
9th – 21st April 2016
Dick Filby
£TBC
NEW!! North Atlantic Odyssey WildWings/Rare Bird Alert Ship Charter!
Scotland – Shetland – Jan Mayen – Greenland Ice Pack – Spitsbergen
30th May - 9th June 2016
Dick Filby,
Tony Marr & team
from £2495
Sri Lanka - Birds and/or mammals.
Year Round Tailor-made
Local guides
from £1375*
Papua New Guinea-Your Way
May – November
Local guides
10 nts from £4899*
Trinidad & Tobago
Year round
Local guides
from £1585
Birding Jamaica
Year round
Local guides
from £1895
Christmas Island
Year round
Self drive
5 nights from £1055*
£3649*
2016 (advance selection only!)
Year Round
for the best days of your life…..
Call +44 117 9658 333 for all bookings and enquires
5
BIRD AND WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS
led by Keith and Linda Offord
Another year flashes past and it has been a busy one for us, our programme
taking us to a variety of destinations from Kruger to Estonia. Along the way
we have enjoyed yet more fantastic wildlife and have returned with picture
libraries full of memorable moments.
Over the last year we have been pleased to welcome a significant number of new people
to Wild Insights, in many cases already booking again. It seems that our style of unhurried
wildlife appreciation with high accommodation standard receives continued approval all
around and is a formula we will be sticking to. Whilst never wishing to abandon our
favourite and most popular destinations, we are very aware of the need to develop new
ideas. So, having now brought in Sri Lanka into the programme for 2015 we will next be
working on another new destination, this time in Europe. Watch this space as they say…
Cape Rockjumper © Keith Offord
2015
At the time of writing we still have a few places left on
our Western Cape Tour. Why not join us for two weeks at
the tip of Africa, escaping the British autumn and soaking
up summer in the southern hemisphere? This beautiful
area combines stunning flower-filled scenery with mighty
Southern Right Whales, extraordinary birds like this Cape
Rockjumper, and outstanding standards of accommodation.
2016
As a result of the immediate sell-out, we are running a
second trip to Sri Lanka for those who were on the waitlist.
This is already well subscribed and we are deliberately
allowing time later in the year to run a third trip should
there be enough demand.
Other tours scheduled for 2016 present a blend of enticing
and popular short-haul European destinations such as the
Netherlands in winter, Estonia in spring and Iceland in summer
through to the fabulous Kruger National Park, in South Africa,
where we return in September for an abundance of African
wildlife such as this leopard which was one of many sightings we
enjoyed last year.
We also offer a range of UK-based courses, workshops and
short breaks, designed to increase confidence with identification
and located in the heart of some of the finest birdwatching
destinations here at home.
Leopard © Keith Offord
If you are not on our mailing list please do join – you will then receive a Wild Insights
calendar each year which shows you all our plans, home and abroad, for the next
two years.
We look forward to seeing you.
Keith & Linda Offord – July 2014
For full details please visit www.wildinsights.co.uk
For all overseas tours please telephone WildWings 0117 9658333 or email [email protected]
6
www.wildinsights.co.uk
Join the still relatively small number
of adventurers and travel above
the Arctic Circle to a region of wild
beauty, teeming wildlife and frozen
wastelands.
In some of the most sophisticated
vessels afloat, follow in the footsteps
of the early explorers, many of whom
perished in their quests for discovery
and knowledge in simple wooden
boats. Many of these voyages
will also visit sites of these early
expeditions and encounter some of
the current human population, many
native to these remote lands.
The Arctic
These short voyages perfectly encompass our spirit of exploration, sailing amongst some of the most spectacular
icebergs in the Arctic, looking for the mighty Ice Whale, the Bowhead. Set in the early Arctic spring, join us on a stunning
three-masted schooner for this pelagic adventure. Other whale species are possible on these departures plus Reindeer
and a myriad of Arctic birds including auks, shorebirds and a chance of Gyr Falcon. We will enjoy Zodiac iceberg cruises,
visit seabird colonies and undertake tundra walks in addition to our time afloat. The first voyages in 2012,2013 & 2014 were
judged a big success, with up to 15 Bowheads seen plus Humpbacks Whales too. Other highlights included Harp, Ringed
& Bearded Seals, Arctic Fox, Arctic Hare and a selection of true northern birds including Snowy Owl, King Eider, Long-tailed
Duck, Red-necked Phalarope, Ptarmigan, Snow and Lapland Buntings plus of course breeding seabirds such as auks, skuas
and Fulmars.
BOWHEAD WHALE CRUISES
Greenland
at a glance....
FOCUS
Whale and wildlife cruise:
birds, whales & dolphins, mammals,
scenery, historical sites & photography
WHERE?
Aasiatt (Greenland) – Disko Bay –
Aasiatt
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
Bowhead and Humpback Whales,
seals, Arctic Foxes and a selection of
Arctic birds
CLIMATE
Spring Polar
ACCOMMODATION
34 passenger comfortable sailing
vessel, all cabins with private facilities.
itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Aasiaat, board vessel and sail.
Day 2: Sail along Jakobshavn Glacier,
iceberg alley, landing at Avangnardlit,
optional hill walk for more spectacular views.
Day 3: We sail around the islands of Hunde
and Kronprinsens Ejlands, in the mouth of
Disko Bay, whose rich waters attract seabirds
and whales. We could see Bowheads
today, landings and Zodiac cruises are also
planned.
Day 4: Another day of searching for
Bowheads, today we also plan to explore
Disko Island including a visit to it’s warm
springs.
Day 5: Today we will spend time on Disko
Island, we plan several landings and tundra
walks. We expect to see birds such as Longtailed Skuas and Grey Phalaropes.
Days 6: In the morning we plan to Zodiac
cruise a large Kittiwake colony of over 10,000
pairs. In the afternoon we will make a landing
and walk to a beautiful lake.
Day 7: We will sail through Ata Sund to reach
the glacier front at Eqip Sermia and then
much later on to Aasiaat.
Day 8: Disembark vessel after breakfast.
prices & dates
Dates: 26th May – 2nd June, 2nd – 9th June, 9th – 16th
June 2015
Leader: Ship’s expedition team.
Prices per person sharing:
Triple with private facilities and porthole
£1665
£1835
Inside Twin with private facilities
£2039
Twin with private facilities and porthole
Single cabins 1.7 twin share price.
Price includes: Accommodation and all meals aboard ship (with
free tea and coffee), port taxes, Zodiac landings, services of
ship’s expedition staff, daily sea watching sessions (at sea), group
transfers in Greenland to and from ship. £1 = Euros 1.20.
Price excludes: Flights Copenhagen via Kangerlussuaq to Aasiaat
return from £1095, flights UK – Copenhagen return (from c£100),
Call +44 117 9658 333 for all bookings and enquires
pre and or post cruise hotel nights at Copenhagen airport if
required (from £110 per room per night), other drinks, laundry and
items of a personal nature onboard, crew gratuities (we suggest
E10 per passenger per day aboard ship), passport fees, travel
insurance.
7
at a glance....
FOCUS
Bird & Wildlife Cruise:
Land mammals, birds, seals, whales, scenery &
photography.
WHERE?
Longyearbyen (Svalbard) – exploring west
and northwest Spitsbergen and islands –
Longyearbyen
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
Polar Bear, Walrus, various seals, Arctic Fox,
Reindeer, breeding seabirds, Ivory Gull, King
Eider, Grey Phalarope
CLIMATE
Spring Polar.
ACCOMMODATION
100+ passenger very comfortable expedition
cruise ship, all cabins with private facilities.
SPITSBERGEN
Polar Bears and Arctic wildlife
Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, is only 600 miles from
the North Pole. About the same size as Ireland, its name means ‘pointed mountains’. It is the
summer home for an abundance of special birds, mammals and plants in a land of spectacular
scenery and fascinating history.
This tour will appeal to all who have a spirit of adventure and who love wild, remote and peaceful
places. The bird and mammal list is small, but very special. From the spectacle of teeming colonies
of thousands of Brunnich’s Guillemots and Little Auks, to the grace and beauty of Ivory and Sabine’s
Gulls; with colourful Grey Phalaropes and drake King Eiders alongside breeding Purple Sandpipers
and Snow Buntings; with nesting Pink-footed and Barnacle Geese and Arctic and Long-tailed Skuas;
and where Ptarmigan and Red-throated Divers’ calls echo across the tundra; Spitsbergen has a very
special appeal to the birder. Add Polar Bears, Walruses, Minke Whales, Arctic Foxes and Reindeer,
and over 170 species of flowering plants, and it’s appeal is irresistible to any naturalist.
Our vessel for this expedition cruise will be the very comfortable Plancius, specially converted for
expedition cruising. With a maximum passenger capacity of 114, we can expect to make two landings
and/or Zodiac cruises each day. She is quiet stable and a ‘scope and tripod can often be used on
deck, whilst at sea! She has lots of open deck space in all directions, at all levels, and is ideal for sea
and landscape watching and photography. The ship is very comfortable with good food. She has
a large ‘picture-windows’ observation lounge with bar and library. Her experienced staff and crew
are dedicated to ensuring that you have a successful, comfortable, safe and enjoyable trip and that
you see as much of the wildlife as possible. The Zodiac drivers will take us safely ashore, and also
on more leisurely cruises as well, so we gain an even more intimate and unique perspective of the
seabirds and marine mammals in this stunning wilderness.
The atmosphere on board is relaxing and informal and meals are taken at a single open sitting
in the dining room (breakfast and lunch are buffet-style). Western chefs produce an international
choice of cuisine throughout the voyage. The cabins are comfortable and all have an outside view,
lower berths, desk and chair plus storage space and power points. All cabins have private shower/
washbasin and wc.
“
itinerary
Day 1: Depart London Heathrow (1300) to Oslo and
overnight at an airport hotel.
Day 2: Morning flight to Longyearbyen. Transfer to ship and
sail early evening.
Day 3: Krossfjorden for seabirds colonies and seals,
afternoon Ny Alesund.
Day 4: Liefdeforden, Andoya and the Monaco Glacier.
Day 5: Hinlopenstretet and Alkefjellet, Brunnich’s Guillemot
colony, a good sea area for whales and if sea ice a good
chance of bears.
Day 6: Phippsoya, our most northerly planned point, only
540 nautical miles from the North Pole, a good area for
bears again.
Day 7: Raudfjord and Ytre Norskoya.
Day 8: Prins Karls Forland or St John’s Fjord. Afternoon
cruise through Borebukta.
Day 9: Disembark at Longyearbyen early morning. Morning
bird walk or time free to explore town. Fly Longyearbyen via
Oslo back to London Heathrow arriving late evening (2130).
Exact sea itinerary subject to ice and local conditions on
the day.
prices & dates
2015
Dates:
17th – 25th June 2015
Leader: Dick Filby and the ship’s expedition team
Single supp: on request (approx 1.6 twin share price)
Deposit: 20%
Group size: The maximum number of WildWings
participants will be 20 plus the leader
Prices per person, all cabins with private facilities.
£3729 Quad berths (upper and lower) - porthole
£4259 Triple berths(upper and lower)-porthole
£4729 Twin share – (lower berths) - porthole
£4949 Twin share – (lower berths) - window
£5169 Twin share deluxe (lower berths) - window
£5649 Double share superior (double bed) - window
Terrific wildlife encounters, the WildWings group were all great company and
Dick was a really good leader, always at hand and helpful”
Spitsbergen M.I June 2013
Price includes: Economy class air travel, all airport and port taxes, transfers in Longyearbyen, hotel accommodation in Oslo with
buffet breakfast, morning bird walk in Longyearbyen, accommodation and all meals on board the vessel in chosen cabin grade,
coffee, tea and hot chocolate (24 hours), Zodiac shore landings accompanied by naturalist guides, lectures aboard ship, wellington
boot loan aboard ship, services of WildWings tour leader and ship’s expedition team, WildWings evening log call sessions, pre-tour
information pack and WildWings daily checklist of birds and mammals.
Price excludes: Travel insurance, dinner in Oslo, lunches in Longyearbyen, other drinks, laundry, souvenirs and other items of a
personal nature, crew and staff gratuities (suggested Euros 10-15 per passenger per day onboard ship) and fuel surcharge if levied
(if the price of Brent Crude exceeds US$120 a barrel, 90 days prior to departure).
Previous tour reports available.
8
www.wildwings.co.uk
at a glance....
A
FOCUS
Bird & Wildlife Cruise:
Birds, whales & dolphins, seals, Arctic packice and scenery plus photography.
WHERE?
Aberdeen (Scotland) – Fair Isle – Jan
Mayen Land – East Greenland Sea Ice
Pack - West Svalbard – Longyearbyen
(Spitsbergen).
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
Polar Bear, Walrus, Harp and other seals,
Arctic Fox, Reindeer, Puffins, Little Auks,
Brunnich’s Guillemots and other breeding
seabirds, Ivory Gull, King Eider, Fin, Beluga,
Northern Minke and other whales.
CLIMATE
Spring Temperate to Polar.
ACCOMMODATION
100+ passenger expedition cruise ship, all
cabins with private facilities.
WHOLE-SHIP
CHARTER!
THE NORTH ATLANTIC ODYSSEY 2016
Scotland to Spitsbergen – In search of Polar Bears, Arctic birds and other wildlife
itinerary
Day 1: Embark Aberdeen late afternoon and sail.
Day 2: Fair Isle, a landing is planned, close to the
Bird Observatory, we plan around six hours ashore
Days 3-4: At sea, looking for seabirds and
cetaceans as we sail.
Day 5: Jan Mayen Land, a morning landing is
planned, with either a short bird walk for King
Eiders via breeding Little Auks and Brunnich’s
Guillemots plus then sail around the west end of
island or a cross island walk (also passing seabird
colonies) and be picked up from the north of
the island early afternoon. Sail northwards late
afternoon.
Days 6 - 8: We sail on north/northwest in search
of the spring pack ice which congregates off the
east coast of Greenland and we then plan to sail
along it’s edge, looking for Polar Bears, Bowhead
Whales, Harp Seals and birds such as Ivory Gull
and Long-tailed Skua. We must finally sail northeast
for Spitsbergen itself, and plan to cruise over the
continental shelf edge looking for Fin, Humpback
and other whales along the way.
Days 9-10: We have two full days look for Polar
Bear and Walrus and plan to visit seabird colonies.
Potential sites include Fuglehuken and Alkhornet
and we should also encounter Reindeer and Arctic
Fox ashore. We will also keep our eyes out for
Beluga Whales, seals and Arctic birds including
breeding species newly returned such as Grey
Phalarope, Purple Sandpipers, Arctic Terns, Snow
Buntings and Barnacle Geese as we cruise
through the breathtaking snow and ice-covered
early spring scenery.
Day 11: Disembark Longyearbyen after breakfast.
Morning bird walk to dog kennels for close range
breeding Eider, Glaucous Gull and chance of Ivory
Gull. We will scope the fjord for King Eiders and
look for Ptarmigan in town itself.
The wild, spectacular and seabird-filled islands of the North Atlantic are ideal for visiting by expedition cruise ship
and also offer an affordable introduction to this wonderful type of travel for those yet to experience it. The inaugural
voyage in 2011 enjoyed two Polar Bears, Walrus, Bearded, Ringed & Hooded Seals plus twelve species of cetacean
including Fin, Humpback and a fantastic Blue Whale encounter! The expected birds were seen including Ivory Gull and
King Eider. The second voyage did almost as well, no bears but a similar fantastic Blue Whale encounter amongst many
other highlights. The 2013 voyage highlights included approx 20,000 Harp Seals on sea-ice near Jan Mayen Land (!),
three Polar Bears and two Walrus.
In 2014, we enjoyed another Polar Bear, lots of Walrus and
thousands of Harp Seals again on the open sea-ice.
The expected birds were seen including Ivory Gull and King
Eider. The second voyage did almost as well, no bears but
a similar fantastic Blue Whale encounter amongst many
other highlights. The 2013 voyage highlights included
approx 20,000 Harp Seals on sea-ice near Jan Mayen Land
(!), three Polar Bears and two Walrus. This is an upgraded
itinerary which now deserves the title ‘Odyssey’, timed
when the seabird colonies are at their busiest. Fair Isle has
breeding populations of Gannets, the always popular and
comical Puffins, Guillemots, Black Guillemots and Razorbills,
Kittiwakes and Fulmars. Add Great and Arctic Skuas, a variety
of terns including Arctic which will later in the year migrate all
the way down to Antarctica, waders, duck and gulls. Atlantic
Grey Seals can also be found in these waters. This spring
voyage could also find a surprise or two, including overshot
spring migrants or even vagrants (A Western Subalpine
Warbler was seen on Fair Isle during our 2013 visit, a River
Warbler present in 2012). We may also stop at the tiny
island of Mousa, to witness the Storm-petrel colony at dusk.
Cetacean possibilities include Orca, Northern Minke Whale,
Bottlenose, White-beaked and Atlantic White-sided Dolphins
plus Harbour Porpoise. Enjoy and photograph the rugged yet
beautiful scenery and skies as the ship takes you on your
northern islands adventure.
We continue on from Scotland crossing the Arctic Circle via
Jan Mayen, and will now plan to spend two to three days
exploring the edge of the Arctic ice-pack, finishing in western
Spitsbergen with a day for zodiac cruises and/or landings
before disembarkation in Longyearbyen. Little Auk and
NB Exact itinerary subject to weather, ice and
local conditions on the day.
prices & dates
Dates: 30th May – 9th June 2016
Leader: Dick Filby, Tony Marr, Simon Cook and the rest of the ship’s expedition
staff. Aboard M/V Ortelius.
£2495
Quad berths (upper and lower) portholes & private facilities
£2795
Triple berths (upper and lower) portholes & private facilities
£2995
Twin share (lower berths) portholes & private facilities
£3295
Twin share (lower berths) window/s & private facilities
£3445
Superior share (double bed) window, private facilities & day room
£3645
Suite (double bed) window, private facilities & day room
Call +44 117 9658 333 for all bookings and enquires
Brunnich’s Guillemot can be added to the list of breeding
seabirds above, plus true northern delights such as Longtailed and Pomarine Skuas, Ivory & Sabine’s Gulls, Grey
Phalarope and King Eider. Additional potential seal species
include Harp, Ringed and Bearded plus Svalbard Reindeer
and possibly Arctic Fox ashore. Cetacean prospects on this
voyage continue to be very good too with Blue, Fin, Sperm
and Humpback Whales, Orca, Beluga, Long-finned Pilot and
Northern Bottlenose Whales all being recorded previously.
Four Bowhead Whales were seen around Jan Mayen Land
just two days before our visit in 2013. This has the real
potential to be a very exciting voyage indeed!
The opportunity to do all this is thanks to the annual
repositioning of the comfortable expedition vessel Ortelius
(106 passengers). In the spring 2016 she travels back north
from her expedition cruising grounds in the Antarctic to her
summer cruising areas in the Arctic. The Ortelius is a true
expedition ship and all her cabins now have private facilities
with two porthole or window/s. All the cabins on Deck 5
were completely refurbished in 2014. She has one of highest
ice-classes, and is able to slowly push into multi-year pack
ice, there is lots of open deck space at all levels, perfect for
wildlife and scenery viewing plus photography. She features
a very large bridge (usually open to passengers), a onesitting restaurant (the food is good to very good), a spacious
bar/lounge with fantastic coffee machine (ideal for doing your
notes, downloading photos etc) plus a dedicated lecture
room. Passenger e-mail facilities and a 24 hour satellite
phone are also available (at additional cost).
Dick Filby will lead a world-class team of birders and naturalists,
photographers and an artist, on this very special, superb value
WildWings voyage, we do hope you can join us!
Single cabins x 1.8 of twin share price
All prices per person.
Deposit 20%
Deposit 20%
Price includes: Voyage with accommodation as booked, including all meals, tea, coffee and hot chocolate,
Zodiac cruises and landings, port taxes and landing fees, use of ship’s rubber boots, services of WildWings
leader, lectures and services of the ship’s expedition team, daily sea watching sessions and evening recap,
pre-voyage information pack and day by day bird and mammal checklist.
Price excludes: Flights (Longyearbyen – London Heathrow from £319, arriving 2130, same date as voyage
finishes), fuel surcharges if levied (if the price of Brent Crude exceeds US$120 a barrel, 90 days prior to
departure), gratuities (suggested Euros10-15 a day on board ship), travel insurance, other drinks and items
of a personal nature.
9
ARCTIC EXPEDITION CRUISES for the independent traveller
TRIPLE/QUAD = sharing a triple or four bedded cabin with wash basin,
upper and lower berths.
Plancius and Ortelius have privates facilities in these cabins
TWIN = sharing a twin cabin with wash basin & lower berths except
Vavilov / Ioffe - where a bathroom is interconnecting between two
cabins
SPITSBERGEN
TWIN.PF = Sharing a twin cabin with washbasin, wc and shower &lower
berths except Enderby (upper and lower berths)
SINGLES CABINS, SUPERIOR CABINS & SUITES ALSO AVAILABLE PLEASE ASK FOR PRICES
ALL PRICES PER PERSON AND ARE VOYAGE ONLY (exclude flights &
pre/post cruise accommodation)
2015 - Dates and prices correct as of 28/07/2014. ALWAYS CHECK WITH US FOR YOUR UP TO DATE QUOTE!
START
END
NTS
SHIP
BOARD
OFF
QUAD/TRIPLE
TWIN
TWIN.PF
03-Jun-15
12-Jun-15
9
Sergey Vavilov
Longyearbyen
05-Jun-15
12-Jun-15
7
Ortelius
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen
£2,997
£3,938
£4,350
Longyearbyen
£2,262
£3,175
11-Jun-15
18-Jun-15
7
Plancius
12-Jun-15
19-Jun-15
7
Ortelius
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen
£2,262
£3,175
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen
£2,262
£3,175
12-Jun-15
24-Jun-15
12
19-Jun-15
26-Jun-15
7
Sergey Vavilov
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen
£3,997
Ortelius
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen
£2,262
£3,175
04-Jul-15
13-Jul-15
05-Jul-15
14-Jul-15
9
Plancius
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen
£2,857
£4,087
9
Ortelius
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen
£2,857
£4,087
03-Jul-15
13-Jul-15
10
Sergey Vavilov
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen
£3,232
£4,409
£5,056
13-Jul-15
22-Jul-15
9
Sergey Vavilov
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen
£2,997
£3,938
£4,350
£4,409
£5,056
£5,409
£6,174
14-Jul-15
23-Jul-15
9
Ortelius
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen
£2,857
22-Jul-15
01-Aug-15
10
Sergey Vavilov
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen
£3,232
£4,087
23-Jul-15
01-Aug-15
9
Ortelius
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen
£2,857
£4,087
31-Jul-15
09-Aug-15
9
Plancius
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen
£2,857
£4,087
01-Aug-15
10-Aug-15
9
Ortelius
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen
£2,857
£4,087
10-Aug-15
19-Aug-15
9
Ortelius
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen
£2,857
£4,087
18-Aug-15
27-Aug-15
9
Plancius
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen
£2,857
£4,087
19-Aug-15
28-Aug-15
9
Ortelius
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen
£2,857
£4,087
27-Aug-15
03-Sep-15
7
Plancius
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen
£2,262
£3,175
28-Aug-15
04-Sep-15
7
Ortelius
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen
£2,262
£3,175
SPITSBERGEN - NORTHEAST GREENLAND - ICELAND
START
END
NTS
SHIP
BOARD
OFF
QUAD/TRIPLE
03-Sep-15
15-Sep-15
12
Plancius
04-Sep-15
16-Sep-15
12
Ortelius
TWIN
TWIN.PF
Longyearbyen
Akureyri
£3,492
£5,000
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen
£3,492
£5,000
SCORESBY SUND (GREENLAND)
START
END
NTS
SHIP
BOARD
OFF
QUAD/TRIPLE
TWIN
TWIN.PF
15-Sep-15
22-Sep-15
7
Plancius
Akureyri
Akureyri
£2,262
£3,175
16-Sep-15
23-Sep-15
7
Ortelius
Akureyri
Akureyri
£2,262
£3,175
NTS
SHIP
BOARD
OFF
QUAD/TRIPLE
TWIN
TWIN.PF
HIGH ARCTIC CANADA
START
END
22-Jul-15
02-Aug-15
11
Ioffe
Iqaluit
Iqaluit
£4,526
£5,291
£6,350
02-Aug-15
12-Aug-15
10
Ioffe
Iqaluit
Kangerlussuaq
£4,115
£4,821
£5,762
NORTHWEST PASSAGE
START
END
NTS
SHIP
BOARD
OFF
QUAD/TRIPLE
TWIN
TWIN.PF
12-Aug-15
24-Aug-15
12
Ioffe
Kangerlussuaq
Cambridge Bay
£4,938
£5,879
£7,056
QUAD/TRIPLE
TWIN
TWIN.PF
ACROSS THE TOP OF THE WORLD - WRANGEL ISLAND
10
START
END
NTS
SHIP
BOARD
OFF
21-Jul-15
04-Aug-15
15
Enderby
Anadyr
Anadyr
£6,588
£6,882
18-Aug-15
01-Sep-15
15
Enderby
Anadyr
Anadyr
£6,588
£6,882
www.wildwings.co.uk
Polar bear leaping © Dick Filby (www.rarebirdalert.com)
Call +44 117 9658 333 for all bookings and enquires
11
HUNGARY IN SPRING with Gerard Gorman 2015
at a glance....
We are delighted to offer this fantastic fully inclusive twocentre tour, our second departure after the success of
the 2013 trip. Led by Gerard Gorman, the acknowledged
expert on Hungary and author of the definitive books of the
region, such as The Birds of Hungary (Helm), Woodpeckers
of Europe (Bruce Coleman Books) and Birding in Eastern
Europe (Wildsounds) and his team of local guides. His
special interest lies in the Picidae (woodpeckers). His latest
book is the highly acclaimed ‘Woodpeckers of the World’.
Hungary is a fascinating land-locked country that lies at the
very heart of Europe, in the Carpathian Basin. It has an excellent
selection of central European birds. It is a land rich in folklore
and also famous for its full-bodied wines and hearty food. It also
offers some of the best bird spectacles in Europe!
FOCUS
Birdwatching holiday:
Birdwatching holiday: birds
and other natural history.
WHERE
Budapest (Hungary) –
Kiskunsag National Park –
Zemplen Hills - Budapest
prices & dates
Dates: 10th – 16th May 2015
Leader: Gerard Gorman.
£999 per person based on sharing a twin room
£89 per person – single supplement
£250 per person - deposit
Group size: 6-16 plus leader.
Birds: Expected no of species: 160+
itinerary
Day 1: Depart London Gatwick to Budapest (approx
1625). Gerard and his driver will be waiting with the
vehicle for your arrival.
Days 2 - 6: Five full days birding in Hungary. Group
evening log call every night.
Day 7: We have almost another full day of birding
before returning to Budapest for your evening flight
back to London Gatwick (arrive back approx 1925)
Price includes: Return economy class flights including pre-paid taxes, all ground transport, accommodation in rooms with private
facilities with all meals, reserve permits, bird checklist and services of leader/s in Hungary.
Price excludes: Travel insurance, evening drinks and other items of a personal nature. You may reserve your seats on the flights
from £6 return.
at a glance....
FOCUS
Bird & mammal tour:
birds, mammals, butterflies,
ancient forest & marshes.
WHERE
Warsaw – Bialowieza
Forest - Biebrza and Narew
Marshes – Warsaw
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
a multitude of central
European birds including
woodpeckers, Great Snipe
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
a great selection of central
European bird species.
CLIMATE
Temperate spring.
ACCOMMODATION
road travel by minibus, local
guest houses, all rooms with
private facilities.
Superb
birding and
value for
money!
The 2013 report and species list is on our website.
POLAND IN SPRING
and Aquatic Warbler.
Potential mammals include
Bison, Wild Boar and Pine
Marten.
CLIMATE
European spring, cool to
warm.
ACCOMMODATION
comfortable country hotels,
travel by minibus, all rooms
with private facilities.
Birds & Mammals
Set in far north eastern Poland we travel ‘back in time’
for some of the finest birding in Europe. After over
ten years of operating our famous bird festival in this
bird-rich area, rising prices, especially since Poland
joined the EU, have meant a more conventional bird
tour offers better birding value for your money. We have
now upgraded this holiday to a small group, two-centre
which now includes guided birding throughout with our
top local guide.
itinerary
prices & dates
Dates: 09th – 17th May 2015
Leaders: Thomasz (Jezior) Jezierczuk.
Cost:
The basic cost is £1199 per person sharing a twin room
Single supp: £159 per person.
Deposit: £250 per person
Group size: Maximum 10.
ESTONIA
Day 1: Morning flight from London to Warsaw. Transfer to
forest hotel, dinner after arrival.
Days 2-6: Five full days in which we will thoroughly enjoy
the birds, mammals, plants and other wildlife of Bialowieza
Forest and surrounding area. Each day we will have an
included birding excursion by minibus.
Day 7: We will move to the marshes, today, birding all the
way, and stay for two nights. We will spend the rest of our
time in Poland exploring this rich region, including breeding
Aquatic Warblers and a traditional punt trip along a quiet
backwater.
Day 8: Full day birding the marshes area.
Day 9: Transfer in the morning back to Warsaw for our late
afternoon flight back to London.
Price includes: Return economy class flights London -Warsaw*, all airport taxes, transfers to and from hotels, accommodation on a half board basis
(breakfast and evening meal) in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities, services of WildWings leader, birding excursions as itinerary, pre-tour
information pack including a day by day bird and mammal checklist. * Regional UK airport departures may be available for a supplement.
Price excludes: Travel insurance, lunches, drinks, tips to local guide and bus driver (suggest £40pp) and items of a personal nature.
at a glance....
Birds & Mammals
We ran our first mammals and birds tour to
Estonia in 2011 and are now pleased to offer
a revised, fully-inclusive holiday exploring
coastal marshes, vast floodplains, mires, bogs
and primeval forests, where we will search for
mammals including Racoon Dog, European
Beaver, Wild Boar, Elk, Siberian Flying Squirrel
and Brown Bears and enjoy plenty of good
birds as well. We have a chance of seeing
one of the more elusive residents such as
Wolf and Lynx too.
FOCUS
Bird & mammal tour:
mammals, coast, forests &
floodplains.
WHERE?
Tallinn (Estonia) – W Estonia
– SE Estonia – NE Estonia Tallinn
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
a multitude of north central
European birds including
wildfowl, eagles, woodpeckers,
Great Snipe and Citrine
Wagtail. Potential mammals
include Racoon Dog, Siberian
Flying Squirrel, European
Beaver, Brown Bear and a
chance of Lynx and Wolf.
CLIMATE
European spring, cool to warm.
ACCOMMODATION
Comfortable hotels and guesthouses, travel by minibus, all
rooms with private facilities.
Walking mainly on good level
tracks.
itinerary
Day 1 Depart London Gatwick 1220 Arrive Tallinn 1710,
transfer to Western Estonia
Day 2 Matsalu National Park; Beaver boat trip
Day 3 Leidissoo & Põõsaspea, to South-East Estonia
Day 4 Järvselja & Aardla; Great Snipe lek
Day 5 Transfer to North-East Estonia; Bear Hide
Price includes: Return economy class flights London
Gatwick -Tallinn, all airport taxes, transfers to and from hotels,
accommodation on a full board basis (breakfast, lunch and
evening meal) in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities,
services of WildWings leader, bird & mammal excursions as
12
Day 6 Birding & tracking; alternative overnight in Bear
Hide
Day 7 Flying Squirrel tracking (and watching)
Day 8 Return to Tallinn, city tour, free afternoon.
Depart Tallinn 1740 Arrive London Gatwick 1840.
itinerary, pre-tour information pack including a day by day bird
and mammal checklist.
Price excludes: Travel insurance, drinks, tips to local guide
and bus driver and items of a personal nature
prices & dates
Dates: Spring- 8th - 15th May 2015 Autumn NEW! - 25th September 2nd October 2015
Leaders: Tarvo Valker and other local guides.
£1495 per person sharing a twin room
£195 Single supplement
Deposit £350 per person
Group size: 4-8.
Full details of both these departures, including itineraries, can be
found on our website.
www.wildwings.co.uk
NEW!
HUNGARY IN AUTUMN
with Gerard Gorman 2014 & 2015
We are delighted to offer these new fantastic value,
fully inclusive autumn small group tours.They will be
led by Gerard Gorman, the acknowledged expert on
Hungary and author of the definitive books of the region,
such as The Birds of Hungary (Helm), Woodpeckers of
Europe (Bruce Coleman Books) and Birding in Eastern
Europe (Wildsounds) and his team of local guides. His
special interest lies in the Picidae (woodpeckers). His
latest book is The Black Woodpecker and he is currently
working on a guide to all the world’s woodpeckers.
Hungary is a fascinating land-locked country that lies at
the very heart of Europe, in the Carpathian Basin. It has
an excellent selection of central European birds. It is a
land rich in folklore and also famous for its full-bodied
wines and hearty food. It also offers some of the best
bird spectacles in Europe!
prices & dates
Dates:
1) 1st – 7th November 2014
2) 31st October – 6th November 2015
Leader: Gerard Gorman.
Cost:
1) £949 per person based on sharing a twin room
2) £989 per person based on sharing a twin room
1) £85 per person – single supplement
2) £90 per person – single supplement
£300 per person – Deposit
Group size: 6-16 plus leader.
itinerary
Day 1: Depart London Gatwick to Budapest (depart
approx 1700). Gerard will be waiting with the vehicle
for your arrival.
Days 2 - 6: Five full days birding in Hungary. Group
evening log call every night.
Day 7: We will have almost another full day of birding
before returning to Budapest for your evening flight
back to London Gatwick (arrive approx 1945).
Price includes: Return economy class flights including pre-paid
taxes, all ground transport, accommodation in rooms with private
facilities with all meals, reserve permits, bird checklist and
services of leader/s in Hungary.
Price excludes: Travel insurance, evening drinks and other items
of a personal nature. You may reserve your seats on the flights
from £6 return.
Birds: Expected no of species: 120
2015
Eilat and the surrounding areas are known worldwide
as one of the best Western Palearctic destination for
birders. The dramatic outline of the Rift Valley serves
as a corridor for millions of migrants every season.
The variety of habitats promises an incredible range of
species of many families. Besides the migrant birds that
dot the bushes and fill the skies, Southern Israel is also
home to many exciting near eastern species that can
be hard to come by anywhere else in the region.
prices & dates
Dates: 15th – 22nd March 2015
Leaders: Jonathan Meyrav and team.
£1209 per person sharing a twin room.
£365 – Single supplement
£300 – Deposit plus flight costs if applicable.
itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Eilat. Afternoon birding. Dinner and
welcome.
Days 2-7: Six full days guided birding in southern Israel.
Day 8: Last morning’s birding. Depart Eilat.
* The special bus from Tel Aviv to Eilat and return is open to all
festival participants, £15 each way. The bus will depart Tel Aviv
at approx 0700 on the 15th, and depart Eilat at around 1200 on
the 22nd.
Hotel Agamim - Superior (pool deck) rooms available on
request.
Birding only packages
£315pp for 3 days
£590pp for 6 days
Price includes: English speaking expert leaders & guides,
three or six days guided-birding shuttle bus pass and specialty
tours, attendance at evening lectures and presentations.
Price excludes: accommodation, meals, flights to Israel,
optional non-birding excursions, travel insurance and items of
a personal nature.
For more detailed information, including a potential species
list, the 2014 and previous Festival reports, planned festival
timetable and full accommodation details, please visit the
special website:
www.eilatbirdsfestival.com
at a glance....
at a glance....
FOCUS
Bird & holiday:
birds and other
natural history.
WHERE?
Budapest (Hungary)
– Kiskunsag National
Park – Tata Budapest
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
A great selection of
EILAT BIRD FESTIVAL
central European bird
species.
CLIMATE
Temperate autumn/
winter.
ACCOMMODATION
Road travel by
minibus, guest
houses, all rooms with
private facilities.
FOCUS
Bird Migration
Festival: birds and
photography.
WHERE?
Eilat (Southern Israel)
and exploring sites in
the surrounding areas.
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
Passing through a
multitude of birds will
be passing through
the area on their
way north to their
Call +44 117 9658 333 for all bookings and enquires
HULA VALLEY BIRD
FESTIVAL 2014
The Hula Valley, located in the northern part of the Rift
Valley, is home to nearly 300 bird species that migrate,
winter or are resident in the area. This includes 20
globally threatened species and 16 near threatened. It is
also close to other key birding sites in Northern Israel.
This major new event for birders is organised by the
same team as the proven Eilat Spring Migration Festival.
Join us for a fantastic week’s birding with world class bird
guides, with all your birding excursions included and for
photographers, an almost limitless choice of subjects to
keep you busy all week!
prices & dates
Dates: 16th – 23rd November 2014
Leaders: Jonathan Meyrav and team.
Cost:
£1359 (US$2200) per person sharing a twin room
£435 (US$700) per person single supplement.
£200 (US$300) per person deposit (plus full
payment for flights if required)
itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Tel Aviv and transfer to Festival hotel.
Agamon Park birding excursion 1430 until dusk. Opening
ceremony.
Day 2: A full day’s programme in the Hula Valley
Day 3: Full day tour from the Golan Heights to Mount
Hermon (or stay in the Hula Valley)
Day 4: Morning tour to Gamla and the Southern Golan,
afternoon in the Hula Valley.
Day 5: Morning tour in the Hula Valley. Afternoon tour to
Upper Galilee.
Day 6: Full day tour, from the Sea of Galilee to the Bet
Shean Valley (or stay in the Hula Valley)
Day 7: Morning tour, lesser known sites of the Hula
Valley. Afternoon and evening tour (including night drive)
at the Agamon.
Day 8: Early morning tour in the Hula Valley or at leisure,
a last chance to bird! Transfer back to Tel Aviv airport for
late afternoon flights back to UK.
www.hulabirdfestival.org
at a glance....
breeding grounds,
raptors, waders and
passerines galore
CLIMATE
Warm to hot (can be
cool at night)
ACCOMMODATION
Comfortable resort
hotel, all rooms with
private facilities.
Includes all local
birding excursions led
by world-class local
guides.
FOCUS
Bird Migration
Festival: birds and
photography.
WHERE?
Tel Aviv (Israel) – Hula
Valley with day visits
to other key sites in
northern Israel – Tel
Aviv
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
A bird spectacle to
rival anywhere in the
world, up to 30,000
wintering Cranes,
many other wetland
birds including raptors
and Middle Eastern
specialities.
CLIMATE
Mediterranean warm
(cool in evenings).
ACCOMMODATION
Transport by a/c
minibus, very
comfortable country
resort hotel, all rooms
with private facilities.
13
Brown Fish Owl © Dominic Mitchell (www.birdingetc.com)
TURKEY
BIRECIK BONANZA (SOUTH-EAST)
15-20 June 2015
TOUR
A
Turkey’s extraordinary south-east is home to a suite of species
difficult to catch up with elsewhere, including Striated Scops Owl,
See-See Partridge, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Iraq Babbler, Kurdish
Wheatear, Pale Rockfinch, Yellow-throated Petronia and ‘eastern’
Cinereous Bunting. This focused bird-rich tour targets them all,
plus many others including Little Swift, Moustached, Ménétriés’s
and Upcher’s Warblers, White-throated Robin, Rufous Scrub
Robin, Finsch’s Wheatear, Eastern and Western Rock Nuthatches,
Masked Shrike, Dead Sea Sparrow, Asian Crimson-winged Finch,
White-winged Snow Finch and Black-headed and Cretzschmar’s
Buntings.
SOUTH-EAST TURKEY TOUR (TOUR A)
Day 1 (15/6): fly London (probably via Istanbul/Ankara) to Gaziantep.
Night Gaziantep.
Day 2 (16/6): birding Gaziantep early morning, then drive to Birecik,
birding there in the afternoon. Night Birecik.
Day 3 (17/6): all day in Birecik area, in early morning pistachio
orchards and wadi, visit Mustafa’s Bald Ibis, tea gardens for Striated
Scops Owl, gravel pits for Iraq Babbler; after lunch travel northeast to farm for tractor ride for larks, sandgrouse, Cream-coloured
Courser etc. Night Birecik.
Day 4 (18/6): last birding early on at Birecik, then head east to
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater colony, and on to Nemrut Dagi. Night
Nemrut Dagi.
Day 5 (19/6): dawn start on Nemrut Dagi for Kurdish Wheatear and
other mountain specialities. Return for late breakfast at hotel then
drive back west to Gaziantep, birding en route. Night Gaziantep.
Day 6 (20/6): any final birding before flights back to London, or to
Antalya for Tour B ...
BROWN FISH OWL SPECIAL (SOUTH)
20-25 June 2015
TOUR
B
The recent rediscovery of Brown Fish Owl in southern Turkey
is an amazing story, and this special tour has a good chance of
connecting with this enigmatic predator. Our itinerary also targets
the near-endemic Krüper’s Nuthatch, sought-after Caspian
Snowcock and range-restricted Radde’s Accentor. Add to that list
such desirable possibilities as Lammergeier, Golden Eagle, Chukar,
Alpine Accentor, warblers including Olive-tree, Eastern Orphean,
Rüppell’s and Eastern Bonelli’s, Wallcreeper, Alpine Chough,
Masked Shrike, Asian Crimson-winged Finch, White-winged Snow
Finch, Red-fronted Serin and Cretzschmar’s Bunting, and you are
in for a treat!
SOUTH TURKEY TOUR (TOUR B):
Day 1 (20/6): travel day, clients arriving Antalya direct from London
or from Gaziantep via internal connection from e.g. Istanbul/
Ankara. Night Manavgat.
Day 2 (21/6): dawn start for Green Canyon reservoir, for specially
chartered boat trip to see Brown Fish Owl. Thereafter birding in
general area and en route to Akseki. Night Akseki.
Day 3 (22/6): if no luck with Brown Fish Owl the previous day,
repeat trip to Green Canyon for second attempt; otherwise birding
Akseki area for Kruper’s Nuthatch, White-backed Woodpecker
etc. Either way, late morning depart for Cukurbag village near
Demirkazik. Night Özsafak Pension.
Day 4 (23/6): dawn tractor ride up Demirkazik mountain for
Caspian Snowcock and other mountain specialities, including
Wallcreeper and White-winged Snow Finch. All day can be spent
on mountain as necessary. Night Özsafak Pension.
Day 5 (24/6): depart Demirkazik for Antalya, travelling via e.g.
Eregli Marshes or wetland areas. Night Antalya.
Day 6 (25/6): any final birding before flight back to London.
Prices and full information will be available soon on our website
or email [email protected] for details when ready.
14
NEW!
with
Magazine
www.wildwings.co.uk
at a glance....
FOCUS
Mammal and birds tour: mammals, birds, scenery
& photography.
WHERE?
Addis (Ethiopia) – circular tour – Addis.
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
Ethiopian Wolf, Grevy’s Zebra, various cats,
baboons and monkeys, gazelles etc plus endemic
birds such as Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco and
Stresemann’s Bush-crow.
CLIMATE
From cool at night to hot during the day.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels with private facilities, travel in 4x4 vehicles.
itinerary
Day 1: Depart London Heathrow in the evening.
Day 2: Arrival Addis, and then drive to Debrelibanos. O/n
Ghion Hotel.
Day 3: Drive to Awash National Park o/n Awash Falls Lodge
Days 4-5: Full days in Awash, o/n Falls Lodge
Day 6: Drive to Bilen o/n Animalia Lodge
Day 7: Full day in Bilen o/n Animalia Lodge
Day 8: Drive to Langano o/n Wabishebelle Hotel.
Day 9: Drive to Goba o/n Wabishebelle Hotel
Day 10: Drive to Sanati o/n Wabishebelle Hotel
Day 11: Drive to Negelle, o/n Maereg Hotel
Day 12: In Negelle o/n Maereg Hotel
Day 13: Drive to Yabello, o/n Yabello Mobile Hotel
Day 14: Full day in Yabello o/n Yabello Mobil Hotel
Day 15: Drive to Awassa, o/n United African Hotel
Day 16: Drive to Wondogenet, o/n Wabishebelle Hotel
Day 17: Drive to back to Addis, days rooms Ghion Hotel.
Day 18: Depart Addis and arrive Heathrow early morning.
ETHIOPIA
Mammals and Birds
Ethiopia is located in the Horn of Africa, with the Great Rift Valley at it’s centre with stunning scenery and one of the
oldest sites of human existence in the world it is one of Africa’s best kept secrets!
It has spectacular scenery, mesmerising history, diverse cultures and fantastic wildlife from Simien Wolf to
Stresemann’s Bush-crow. We will endeavour to see as many mammals and birds as possible in our two week small
group exploration. With 924 species of birds of which 23 are endemic and 279 species of mammals, Ethiopia offers
a truly mouth-watering experience. Our first departure in 2014 came home with 45 species of mammal seen plus 20
of the 23 endemic bird species (31 of the 39 endemics found in the ‘Horn of Africa’). For 2015 we have added an extra
day, and hope to add Hartebest, Oribi, Clawless Otter and we will try for Senegal Bush Baby.
POTENTIAL SPECIES LIST
Mammals
Scrub Hare
Stark’s Hare
Gambian Sun Squirrel
Crested Porcupine
Yellow-spotted Brushfurred Rat
Black-clawed Brushfurred Rat
Blick’s Grass Rat
African Grass Rat
Giant Mole-Rat
Spotted Hyaena
Aardwolf
African Wildcat
Caracal
Serval
Golden Jackal
Black-backed Jackal
Ethiopian Wolf (Simien
Fox)
Guereza Colobus
Senegal Galago
Gelada Baboon
Olive Baboon
Hamadryas Baboon
Bale Monkey
Grivet Monkey
Common Warthog
Hippopotamus
Northern Gerenuk
Bright’s Gazelle
Soemmerring’s Gazelle
Harar Dik-dik Madoqu
Ethiopian Klipspringer
Sudan Oribi
Waterbuck
Hartebest
Oribi
Mountain Nyala
Northern Lesser Kudu
Menelick’s Bushbuck
Bohor Reedbuck
Beisa Oryx
Swayne’s Hartebeest
Bush Duiker
Grevy’s Zebra
Rock Hyrax
Yellow-spotted Hyrax
Clawless Otter
Senegal Bush Baby
Selected endemic birds
Wattled Ibis
Blue-winged Goose
Rouget’s Rail
Spot-breasted Plover
Sidamo Lark
Abyssinian Ground
Thrush
Stresemann’s Bush-Crow
Sombre Rock Chat
Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco
Our tour will take us across an astonishing range of scenery from the high plateau of the Bale Mountains to the dry
and arid plains of Awash National Park. We will start the tour in the Debre Libanos area where we can expect to find
approachable troops of the spectacular Gelada Baboon. Our next port of call is Debre Zeit south-east of Addis Ababa
where at 1,920 metres (6,300 ft) we will explore the lakes on route to Awash. Awash National Park at 756 km² offers
fabulous birding and mammal-watching. Mammals in the park include Beisa Oryx, Soemmerring’s Gazelle, Northern
Gerenuk, both Greater and Lesser Kudu and Salt’s Dik-dik. Grivet Monkey and both Olive and Hamadryas Baboons
are present in the surrounding riverine forest. Bilen and Ali Dege Plains are our next port of call to look for Arabian
Bustard and Somali Ostriches. Largely protected, the numbers of ungulates here exceeds the numbers in Awash and
should include Grevy’s Zebra. Aardwolf was seen on one of the recces and Somali Wild Ass has also been claimed
here recently.
prices & dates
Dates: 5th – 22nd March 2015
Leaders: Nigel Goodgame plus local guides.
Cost: £3599 per person sharing a twin room.
Single supplement: £295
Deposit: £750
Group size: up to 6 with two 4x4s, 7-8 with three 4x4s
Call +44 117 9658 333 for all bookings and enquires
Price includes: International economy class flights including
pre-paid taxes, all ground transportation in 4x4s, accommodation
with private facilities and meals (breakfast only Addis), park entry
fees, services of WildWings leader and local guides. Mammal and
bird checklist.
Price excludes: One dinner in Addis, travel insurance, laundry
bills, drinks, other items of a personal nature, gratuities.
See the trip report section for our highly successful first departure
in 2014
15
at a glance....
FOCUS
Birdwatching holiday:
birds and photography
WHERE?
Bangkok (Thailand) - option extension
down south to Krabi area
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann’s
Greenshank, White-faced and Malaysian
Plovers, Asian Dowitcher, many other
waders, gulls and terns. Banded,
Mangrove and good chance of Gurney’s
Pittas, many forest birds including owls
and frogmouths.
CLIMATE
Very warm to hot..
ACCOMMODATION
Comfortable hotels and lodges, all
rooms with private facilities..
Most birders will have done a double-take when they
saw their first plate or photograph of a Spoon-billed
Sandpiper. This enigmatic little shorebird is one of most
highly desired species for many people because of its
unique spatulate shaped bill.
That it breeds in the far east of Siberia only adds to its
mystique (see the In search of Spoon-billed Sandpipers
voyage for probably the last chance to see them on
their breeding grounds). It has been long known to
winter in various locations in SE Asia but always in low
numbers, thinly spread and with no easily accessible
hotspots. The best chance for many years was to see
one on spring migration in Hong Kong, but even there
sightings were very hit and miss and have become more
so in recent times. Then a few years ago small numbers
were discovered wintering within a few hours drive of
Bangkok, in a vast area of coastal salt workings. Birdlife
International are now surveying these birds, and in 2007
up to 14 birds were then present in the area. Sadly, there
are now thought to be less than 200-300 pairs left in the
world, and numbers are still declining. In February 2007,
WildWings conducted a recce crewed by Mark Andrews,
John Brodie-Good and Angus Wilson.
prices & dates
29th January – 4th February 2015 (24th January – 4th February 2015 with Krabi pre-extension)
Leader: Mark Andrews (Yotin Meekaeo in Krabi).
£1995 per person sharing a twin room
£109
single supplement
£800
per person deposit
Group size: Maximum 6 plus the leader and local guides.
Krabi Extension c£650pp twin share.
Price includes: Return economy class non-stop flights London
to Bangkok including pre-paid taxes, ground transport by a/c
minibus, accommodation in a/c rooms with private facilities
with breakfast and lunches, dinners at KK, water and soft
drinks in the field, bird checklist and services of leader/s.
Extension – return air travel from Bangkok to Krabi, overnight
hotel Bangkok Airport for one night (trip 1 only, single
supplement £60) ,ground transportation, accommodation at
KNC and other sites with private facilities (single supplement
approx £50), Yotin and team’s guiding services including night
birding, boat trip, park admissions, water, coffee, fruit in the
field and most meals. The exact extension price may vary with
party size.
Price excludes: Insurance, dinners in the north, drinks and
other items of a personal nature. Extension - other drinks.
Currently no visas or compulsory vaccinations are required
for UK passport holders.
Birds: Expected number of species 125+ (main tour) 170+
(extension).
BEIDAIHE & HAPPY ISLAND, CHINA
Beidaihe has earned an enviable
reputation among western birders
for its consistently exciting spring
migration. WildWings have led over
twenty tours to this eastern mecca
and each one has been outstandingly
successful. We have been taking
birders there for longer than anyone
else, we have the best local contacts
and know all the best sites including
some we have exclusive access to
only.
Despite pressures from development,
which are beginning to seriously affect
some of the habitats, the volume
and variety of migration continues
unabated each spring, with dramatic
falls of regular Siberian migrants plus
rare and unseasonal species, most of
which will be in full summer plumage!
The main attraction of Beidaihe is the
opportunity to see much-sought-after
Siberian and other Far Eastern species
in a country where the people, culture
and way of life are so different from
our own. Add a reasonable price, the
sure knowledge that the group will
include some top birders from around
the UK to help to find the good birds,
and it becomes irresistible. Whether
you measure it in terms of new
species, total number of species, or
per mile travelled, the cost represents
excellent value for money - a two and
a half week trip to the other side of
the world, a round trip of some 10,000
miles, and about 240 species of birds.
prices & dates
Dates: 2nd – 20th May 2015
Leader: Mark Andrews
£2445 per person sharing a twin room.
£300 per person – Single supplement.
£750 per person – Deposit (plus flight supplement if applicable)
Group Size: The maximum number of participants will be 15 plus
the leader. The group invariably breaks up into smaller parties
and couples/ or singles, so rarely are you birding all together. We
encourage this independence in Beidaihe and Happy Island in
particular, as we can cover more ground and hopefully find and
see more species.
No of bird species: approx. 250+ species.
The flights are based on a non-stop London departure, regional
airports are also available for this tour but may incur a flight
supplement. Please ask for your local airport at the time of
booking.
The ‘Spoon-billed Pitta’ Tours
itinerary
Day 1: Depart UK for Bangkok (nonstop).
Day 2: Arrive Bangkok early
morning, day in the field then
drive to our hotel and check-in.
Day 3: A full days birding in the saltpans
area including one boat trip to the
sandspit.
Day 4: We will spend whatever time we
need to mop up in the saltpans before
moving towards KK. Rest of the day at
KK. Overnights outside the park.
Day 5: A very early morning drive
to arrive in Kaeng Krachen for park
opening. A full days forest birding with a
picnic lunch.
Day 6: Morning and early afternoon birding
at Kaeng Krachen. Afternoon drive back to
Bangkok airport for flights home or south to
Krabi.
Day 7: Arrive UK
at a glance....
FOCUS
Birdwatching holiday:
Birds, more birds and bird
photography.
WHERE?
Beijing (China) – Beidaihe,
Happy Island, Old Peak and
coastal strip – Beijing
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
A stunning collection of East
Asian migrants, many of which
occur in the UK and Europe
as rae migrants or vagrants,
the majority of which are
in full spring plumage. Plus
a nice selection of Chinese
avian specialities.
CLIMATE
Temperature spring.
ACCOMMODATION
Travel will be by 33 and
21 seat buses (for only 15
people), staying in Chinese
tourist-class hotels, all rooms
with private facilities.
itinerary
Day 1: Afternoon non-stop flight from London Heathrow.
Day 2: Arrive Beijing in the morning, transfer by coach to Beidaihe.
Into the field!
Days 3-4: Birding around Beidaihe, we will keep the bus for
introducing you to the local sites.
Days 5-6: Birding the Beidaihe area.
Days 7-11: Move south to visit estuaries, woods and Happy Island.
Stay on Happy Island.
Day 12: Birding the Beidaihe area.
Day 13: Full day excursion for Ibisbill and more.
Day 14: Birding the Beidaihe area.
Days 15-16: Old Peak. Stay overnight.
Days 17-18: Birding the Beidaihe area.
Day 19: Very early bus back to Beijing for flights home, arriving back
UK late afternoon/early evening.
NB: Exact itinerary in China subject to local conditions and government
permissions.
16
THAILAND
Price includes: Economy class air travel with BA, Heathrow to Beijing return, including
prepaid airport taxes and current fuel surcharges (flight allowance is £700), group
transfers Beijing to Beidaihe and return, accommodation in Beidaihe on a half board
basis in twin rooms with private facilities, accommodation with private facilities and half
board at Old Peak and Happy Island (full board), birding excursions as per itinerary,
services of WildWings leader, local guides and interpreters, WildWings pre-tour
information pack and daily checklist of birds.
Price excludes: Lunches in Beidaihe and Old Peak (allow approx £7 per person per
day), drinks, laundry and other items of a personal nature, travel insurance, Visa fees
(c£85 for UK passport holders), other transport around Beidaihe eg taxis.
www.wildwings.co.uk
at a glance....
GOA Birds & Curries
The former Portuguese enclave of Goa,
running for some 65 miles alongside the
Arabian Sea on the west coast of India, has
rapidly established itself as one of the premier
winter birding destinations for European
birders.
The reasons are not hard to find. The previous
WildWings bird festivals have yielded a
combined list of well over 300 species. For
2015 and beyond, we are now pleased to
offer small group tours, including all the birding
excursions and a stay at the famous camp in
the Western Ghats! In a relatively small area,
one can find a remarkable variety of habitats
and an extraordinary selection of birds, with
the tameness and approachability characteristic
of the Indian Subcontinent. A large number of
typical Indian species, with several southern
Indian endemics, are joined by a whole range of
much sought after Palearctic species that winter
there.
Day 1: Depart London Gatwick on our evening flight for Panjim
Airport, Goa
With estuaries, mudflats, mangroves, and Day 2: Arrive in early morning and transfer to Beira Mar Hotel,
rivers, freshwater lakes and marshes, ricefields, Baga - local birding on foot, in and around the hotel.
lowland jungle and monsoon forest, there Days 3-8: Birding the coastal strip in minibuses with our local
are almost endless habitats for rewarding guides, includes a river cruise.
exploration and birding. Guaranteed sun, a Days 9-12: Birding around Backwoods camp.
well-developed infrastructure and easy travel Days 13-14: Two more days of birding the coastal strip.
around by minibus, all contribute to one of the Day 15: Our last full day, at leisure or local birding on foot.
best value-for-money long haul birding holidays Day 16: Depart Goa late morning to arrive back London Gatwick
currently available.
late afternoon
itinerary
FOCUS
Bird tour:
birds, excellent Indian food,
photography.
WHERE?
Goa (India) - exploring the
coastal strip and staying in a
unique camp in the Western
Ghats.
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
an excellent introduction
NEW!
to Indian birds, of many
habitats, our main highlight
may include Indian Pitta.
CLIMATE
Hot to warm. Nights at the
camp can be cool.
ACCOMMODATION
Ground travel by minibus,
tourist class hotel and a
comfortable year-round
tented camp..
prices & dates
Dates: 24th January – 8th February 2015
Leader: Dave Fell and local guides
£1849 per person sharing a twin room with en suite facilities,
fridge and ceiling fan. Rooms with air-conditioning, and which
overlook the Baga fields are available for a supplement of £100
per room, please request at the time of booking!
£95 - Single Supplement
Group size: Will be between 6 & 10 plus the leader and local
guides.
Bird species: The number of species expected to be seen is
approx 250+
Previous Goa trip reports available on our website or on
request from us.
Advance register for 2016 for only £50p.p.
Price includes: economy class air travel on charter flights, all airport and departure taxes, transfers airport/hotel return, hotel accommodation with en suite facilities and breakfast for eleven nights, three nights at
Backwoods Camp in comfortable tents with private facilities and all meals, services of WildWings tour leader and local guides, all birding excursions as described, WildWings pre-tour information pack and day-to-day
bird checklist.
Price excludes: Travel insurance, Indian visa fees (approximately £92 per person), lunches & dinners in Baga (twelve days), sanctuary camera fees (if applicable), drinks, laundry, souvenirs and other items of a personal
nature.
IN SEARCH OF SNOW LEOPARDS
at a glance....
FOCUS
Mammal-watching:
mammals, birds and
photography
WHERE?
India: Leh, Ladakh – Hemis
National Park – Leh –
(optional extension)
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
Snow Leopard, Bharal (Blue
Sheep), Asiatic Ibex, Ladakh
Urial (Red Sheep).
This trip offers an excellent chance of seeing the almost mythical Snow Leopard in their natural habitat. In
February and March 2014 we spent over 20 hours watching Snow Leopards on the same trip we are now
offering you!
The remote and starkly beautiful mountain valleys of Ladakh in NW India, close to Tibet, north of the main
Himalayas, are the venue. Here, bisected by the headwaters of the mighty Indus river, Ladakh’s vast, rocky,
dry, seemingly barren landscapes are dotted with only occasional tiny hamlets, but with an average population
density of less than two people per square kilometre, Ladakh is truly sparsely inhabited and little impacted
by man. In the areas that we visit, the very few people that do live there are in the vast majority Buddhists of
Tibetan descent, and are as warm and friendly as you’ll meet. Living in traditional mud and stone buildings,
adorned with prayer flags, their flat roofs act as storage areas for fuel and cattle feed. Occasionally you see a
few, small, terraced fields for wheat or at the highest altitude, barley. Domestic yaks, horses and goats graze
the sparse vegetation by day, but every evening they must return to fenced enclosures to avoid nocturnal
predation by the omni-present Snow Leopards and Wolves.
itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Leh early morning, transfer to our hotel.
After lunch we will take an optional short drive to look for
birds. If you prefer you may rest at the hotel.
Day 2: All day around Leh. We will have two excursions
– each one involving some gentle walking. We will visit
some marshes along the Indus river valley in search of
Solitary Snipe, Redstarts and along the braided river itself,
we’ll make a special effort to find the legendary Ibisbill.
We’ll also visit the famous Thikse monastery.
Day 3: After breakfast we will drive to the trailhead for
our camp. All our bags will be transferred to be carried by
pack animals, except anything we wish to
Days 4-12: Nine full days of searching for Snow Leopards,
Blue Sheep and other wildlife.
Day 13: After breakfast, and a last look for Snow
Leopards, we will load the bags onto the pack animals
and then walk back to the transfer point. We will be met by
our minibuses and drive back to Leh and check back in to
our hotel. Lunch and dinner are at the hotel. We will have
the opportunity for an afternoon excursion to look for any
birds that we missed at the start of the trip, or, for those
who prefer, some sightseeing around town.
Day 14: For those not taking the extension, you will be
transferred to the airport (where your tour concludes) for
your morning flight to Delhi.
Call +44 117 9658 333 for all bookings and enquires
NEW!
CLIMATE
Dry cold, cold nights, cool
days. Note most of the
time we will be between
12,000’-14,500’ above sea
level. Outside temperatures
at night can be down to -25.
Daytime temperatures barely
above freezing.
ACCOMMODATION
Comfortable hotels and
lodges, all rooms with private
facilities..
prices & dates
Dates: 27th February – 12th March 2015
Leaders: Dick Filby plus local guides.
£1945 per person sharing a twin room/tent.
£340
Single room/tent supplement
£600
Deposit
Group size: 8-12 plus leader and guides.
Optional Extension
£379 per person sharing a twin room.
£39 Single supplement (applies to Leh night only)
NB prices available in US$ on request.
Advance register for 2016 for only £50p.p.
Price includes: All ground transportation in Ladakh, all accommodation and meals,
tea, coffee and water whilst camping, park entry fees, services of WildWings
leader, trackers, local guides, porters, camp staff, cook etc. WildWings pre-tour
information pack with gear suggestions plus a mammal and bird checklist.
Price excludes: Air travel to and from Leh (international gateway - Delhi), travel
insurance, visa fees, sleeping bag, laundry bills, other drinks, other items of a
personal nature, gratuities. Overnight hotel at Delhi airport from £75 per room
per night.
Advance register for 2016 for only £50pp, departure again planned for February.
Personal porters
You will not need to carry anything from the trailhead up to camp at the beginning
of our camp, nor back to the road at the end of the camp.
17
at a glance....
FOCUS
Bird & Wildlife Cruise: birds, whales & dolphins,
mammals, scenery & photography.
WHERE?
Petropavlovsk – Commander Islands – Kamchatka
coastline – Kuril Islands – Sakhalin.
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
Laysan Albatross, Fork-tailed Storm-petrel,
Spectacled Guillemot, Pigeon Guillemot, Whiskered
Auklet, Crested Auklet, Horned Puffin, Tufted
Puffin, Red-legged Kittiwake, Aleutian Tern, Steller’s
Sea-eagle, Long-toed Stint, Rock Sandpiper,
Siberian Rubythroat, Humpback Whale, Baird’s
Beaked Whale, Dall’s Porpoise, Brown Bear and
Sea Otter.
CLIMATE
Temperate to cool.
ACCOMMODATION
50+ passenger expedition ship, cabins with and
without private facilities
“
‘Amazing scenery, lots of good birds,
staff and crew on ship excellent!’
KAMCHATKA G&J.C.JUNE 2012
Itinerary...
KAMCHATKA The Ring of Fire
WildWings pioneered expedition cruises to this region in the mid-nineties, however, our original ship is no longer
operating, so we now offer this exciting itinerary on the expedition vessel ‘Spirit of Enderby’ (55 passengers), run by
Rodney Russ and his team. Being a Russian flagged ship, these expeditions can now visit sites previously not open
to Western vessels. We have had clients on these voyages every year since 2007 and 2015 will be the sixth time that
Chris Collins will have travelled this itinerary.
This region of spectacular scenery has only been accessible since 1994 and still remains rarely visited, far more people have
been to Antarctica! The species list is truly mouth-watering and is surely headed by one of the world’s ultimate raptors, Steller’s
Sea-eagle. Seabirds are also here in abundance, with the potential alcids including Spectacled, Brunnich’s and Pigeon
Guillemots, Whiskered, Rhinoceros, Crested, Parakeet and Least Auklets, Tufted and Horned Puffins, and both Ancient and
Long-billed Murrelets. Black-tailed, Glaucous-winged and Slaty-backed Gulls are all present, along with the range-restricted
Red-legged Kittiwake and highly distinctive Kamchatka Gull. We also stand a good chance of seeing Aleutian Tern too.
Prices & Dates
Leaders: Chris Collins and the rest of the ship’s expedition team
Dates: 26th May – 8th June 2015
£4605
Sharing a triple basic (upper & lower berths)
£5335
Sharing a twin basic (lower berths)
£5759
Sharing a twin with facilities (upper and lower berths)
£6119
Sharing a superior twin with facs. (lower berths)
£6365
Sharing a suite with facilities from (beds)
Deposit: 25%
Prices based on £1 = US$1.65 Payment may also be made in US$, please ask for rates.
Price includes: Voyage with accommodation as booked, including all meals, tea/coffee, shore excursions,
lectures and services of WildWings leader and the rest of the expedition team, day by day bird and mammal
checklist. Pre-cruise hotel night, with breakfast (twin share), transfers airport to hotel, hotel to ship, ship to
airport.
Price excludes: Landing fees and port taxes (currently US$500, payable onboard the ship), return economy
class flights from £855 (London – Petropavlovsk/Sakhalin - London), other meals at hotel in Petropavlosk,
extra pre/post cruise hotel nights if required, optional land birding around Petropavlosk (approx £79 per
18
Day 1: Arrive at Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, overnight
group hotel.
Day 2: Transfer from hotel and board the vessel.
Day 3: At sea heading to the Commander Islands. An
opportunity to look for cetaceans (eg Blue Whale in
2007 and 2009), as well as Mottled Petrel and Redlegged Kittiwake.
Day 4-5: Two days in the Commander Islands. Visit
the community of Nikolskoye where we look for Rock
Sandpiper, Pechora Pipit and Glaucous-winged Gull.
Zodiac cruise Arij Karmen Island for Parakeet Auklet and
Brunnich’s Guillemot. Explore further east for Horned
Puffin, Red-faced Cormorant, Grey-crowned Rosy Finch,
Pacific Sea Otter and Baird’s Beaked Whale.
Day 6: Zhupanovo River, Kamchatka Peninsula. Zodiac
cruise for nesting Steller’s Sea Eagles and then ashore
searching for Long-toed Stint, Lanceolated Warbler and
Yellow-breasted Bunting.
Day 7: Bukta Russkaya, Kamchatka Peninsula. Likely
species include Harlequin Duck, Long-billed Murrelet
and Kamchatka Leaf-warbler.
Day 8: Onekotan and Atlasova Islands. Ashore Buffbellied Pipit, Middendorff’s Grasshopper Warbler and
Siberian Rubythroat can be expected and whilst cruising
between the islands we should find Fork-tailed Stormpetrel, Pigeon Guillemot and Ancient Murrelet.
Day 9: Ekarma and Toporkovy Islands. Two spectacular
zodiac cruises with vast flocks of seabirds including
Tufted and Horned Puffins.
Day 10: Yankicho and Simishur Islands. Morning zodiac
cruise at Yankicho for Crested and Whiskered Auklets
and then to Simushir with its abandoned submarine
base, where we could find Nutcracker, Brown-headed
Thrush, Siberian Rubythroat and Pine Grosbeak.
Day 11: Chiripoy and UrupIslands. Ashore we will
look for Japanese Bush Warbler, Oriental Cuckoo and
Japanese Grey Bunting.
Day 12: Iturup Island. A trip into the highlands with
possibilities including Japanese Robin, Japanese
Accentor and Black-faced Bunting and Spectacled
Guillemot offshore.
Day 13: Kunashir Island. Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker,
Crested Kingfisher and Eastern Crowned Warbler could
be found.
Day 14: Arrival at Sakhalin and disembark at Port of
Korsakov. Transfer to hotels and airport.
excursion), travel insurance, onboard gratuities (suggest US$10 per day), Russian visa (c£95) and other
drinks. Single supplement for hotel in Petropavlovsk £75.
Contact us for the ship’s colour brochure and our previous trip reports.
Our other Russian Far East voyages are the Sea of Okhotsk 2015 and In Search of Spoon-billed
Sandpipers 2015.
We are expecting this voyage to operate in 2016 again, you may advance register for £100pp.
www.wildwings.co.uk
At a glance...
SEA OF OKHOTSK
Located in the north-west corner of the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Okhotsk
is almost unknown to anyone outside Russia and when WildWings Tour
Leader Chris Collins returned from our 2012 trip, he described it as
“probably the most amazing wildlife expedition I have ever been on”.
Prices & Dates
Leaders: Chris Collins and the rest of the ship’s expedition team.
Dates: 9th – 20th June 2015 Sakhalin to Magadan
£4059
Sharing a triple basic (upper & lower berths)
£4729
Sharing a twin basic (lower berths)
£5029
Sharing a twin with facilities (upper and lower berths)
£5455
Sharing a superior twin with facs. (lower berths)
£5695
Sharing a suite with facilities from (beds)
See our website for what’s included/excluded.
The balance of deposit will be due 1 year prior to departure.
Prices based on £1 = US$1.65 Payment may also be made in US$, please
ask for rates.
FOCUS
Bird & Wildlife Cruise: birds, whales
& dolphins, other marine mammals &
photography.
WHERE?
Sakhalin – Sea of Okhotsk and islands
– Okhotsk – Koni Peninsula – Yamskiye
Islands - Magadan.
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
birds including 14 species of auk, Steller’s
Sea-Eagle, Aleutian Tern, cetaceans
including a chance of Bowhead and
North Pacific Right Whales plus Western
Gray Whale, seals including Ribbon,
Ringed, Largha and Northern Fur Seal
plus Steller’s Sea Lion.
CLIMATE
Temperate to cool.
ACCOMMODATION
50+ passenger expedition ship, cabins
with and without private facilities
Itinerary...
Day 1: Arrive Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, overnight group
hotel.
Day 2: Transfer from hotel to Korsakov and board
the vessel. Rest of day at sea with an opportunity
to look for Dall’s Porpoise, as well as Rhinoceros
Auklet, Fork-tailed Storm-petrel, Short-tailed
Shearwater and Pelagic Cormorant.
Day 3: Tyuleniy Island. This small island is a
stronghold for Northern Fur Seal and Steller’s SeaLion and we can expect to see good numbers of
both species. We should also find Crested Auklet
and Tufted Puffin.
Day 4: Piltun Bay, Sakhalin Island. We will zodiac
cruise for Western Grey Whales and Largha Seals
and ashore should find Steller’s Sea-Eagle, Aleutian
Tern, Pine Grosbeak, Dusky Warbler and Siberian
Rubythroat.
Day 5: Iony Island. This tiny island is only half a
mile long but is home to spectacular concentrations
of wildlife. We should see thousands of Brunnich’s
Guillemots, as well as Least, Crested and
Whiskered Auklets. Several hundred Steller’s SeaLions come ashore here to pup and the beaches
are likely to be crammed with animals.
Days 6-7: Shanter Archipelago. Our plans will be
entirely determined by the state of the sea-ice but
we should see good numbers of the spectacular
Ribbon Seal along with Bearded, Largha and
Ringed Seals. Bowhead and North Pacific Right
Whales can also be found here but both species
are extremely rare. We do, however, stand a good
chance of finding Northern Minke Whale and Orca,
as well as Horned Puffin, Ancient Murrelet and
Crested Auklet.
Day 8: Mal’minskie Islands. There will be a zodiac
cruise around this small archipelago which is home
to large numbers of Spectacled Guillemots and a
high concentration of Steller’s Sea-eagles. We
should also see Parakeet Auklet, Tufted Puffin and
Brunnich’s Guillemot and ashore will be looking
for Brown Shrike, Olive-backed Pipit, Siberian
Accentor and Long-toed Stint.
Day 9: Okhotsk Town. Today will be largely
devoted to a visiting the town of Okhotsk which
is where Vitus Bering sailed from when he first
explored this area in the 1720s and 1730s. Birds
could include Black-tailed and Kamchatka Gulls, Far
Eastern Curlew and Aleutian Tern.
Day 10: Talan Island. Another tiny island where
tens of thousands of seabirds breed and we plan to
zodiac cruise and then land. Ashore we should find
Middendorf’s Grasshopper Warbler and Siberian
Rubythroats, whilst out on the water, there should
be spectacular numbers of Tufted Puffins, Crested
Auklets and Black-legged Kittiwakes.
Day 11: Magadanskiy Reserve, Koni Peninsula. A
day of expedition landings in this isolated nature
reserve, where the possibilities include Brown Bear,
Steller’s Sea-eagle, Harlequin Duck and Nutcracker
and whilst cruising we may find Dall’s Porpoise.
Day 12: Yamskiye Islands. It has been suggested
that this archipelago has the largest colonies of
seabirds in the north Pacific, with an estimated
seven million birds nesting on the main island of
Matykil. We plan to zodiac cruise the shoreline (as
landings are not permitted) and should find Least,
Crested and Parakeet Auklets, Horned Puffins and
Steller’s Sea-Lions. As evening approaches, the
concentrations of birds are truly incredible and
in 2012, we estimated that there were over one
million Least Auklets in the sky – a truly impressive
end to what should be a spectacular expedition.
Day 13: Arrive at Magadan and disembark.
Overnight in group hotel with optional excursions
available.
Day 14: Transfer to the airport.
At a glance...
IN SEARCH OF
SPOON-BILLED SANDPIPERS
FOCUS
With its unique spatulate-shaped bill, the Spoon-billed Sandpiper is
surely one of the world’s most extraordinary shorebirds and whilst
Wildwings have run a number of highly successful trips to see this
species on its wintering grounds in Thailand, very few people have
had the privilege of watching it on the breeding grounds in the far east
of Siberia. This, however, is precisely what this special trip is aiming
to achieve.
Bird & Wildlife Cruise: birds, whales &
dolphins, mammals, scenery, historical sites
& photography.
WHERE?
The Russian Far East
Petropavlovsk – Zhupanovo River –
Commander Islands – Meinypil’gyno –
Chukotka – Cape Navarin – Anadyr..
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
Prices & Dates
Spoon-billed Sandpiper and other
shorebirds, breeding alcids including
Whiskered Auklet and Spectacled Guillemot
plus many other seabirds, Red-legged
Kittiwake, Steller’s Sea-Eagle, seaduck,
pipits, warblers, thrushes, flycatchers and
finches. Brown Bear, Arctic Fox, Pacific Sea
Otter, Walrus, Steller’s Sea-lion, other seals,
Orca, Beluga, Sperm, Gray and Northern
Right Whales etc.
Leaders: Chris Collins and the rest of the ship’s expedition team.
Dates: 23rd June – 7th July 2015
£5029
Sharing a triple basic (upper & lower berths)
£5759
Sharing a twin basic (lower berths)
£6119
Sharing a twin with facilities (upper and lower berths)
£6545
Sharing a superior twin with facs. (lower berths)
£6789
Sharing a suite with facilities from (beds)
See our website for what’s included/excluded.
CLIMATE
Temperate to summer Polar.
ACCOMMODATION
Deposit: 25%
Prices based on £1 = US$1.65 Payment may also be made in US Dollars,
please ask for more details.
54 passenger comfortable expedition ship.
Cabins with, and without private facilities.
Itinerary...
Day 1 Arrive Petropavlovsk and overnight group
hotel.
Day 2 Transfer from hotel in Petropavlovsk to board
the vessel and sail.
Day 3 Zhupanovo River, Kamchatka Peninsula.
Zodiac cruise for nesting Steller’s Sea Eagles
and then ashore searching for Long-toed Stint,
Lanceolated Warbler and Yellow-breasted Bunting.
Days 4&5 Two days in the Commander Islands.
Visit the community of Nikolskoye where we will
look for Rock Sandpiper, Mongolian Plover, Pechora
Pipit and Glaucous-winged Gull. Zodiac cruise for
Parakeet Auklet and Brunnich’s Guillemot. Explore
further east for Horned Puffin, Red-faced Cormorant,
Red-legged Kittiwake, Grey-crowned Rosy Finch,
Pacific Sea Otter and Baird’s Beaked Whale.
Day 6 Karaginsky Island. Morning at sea, we will
look for Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel, Crested Auklet
and Tufted Puffin. An afternoon landing, with
opportunities to see an excellent range of waterfowl,
waders and passerines including Harlequin, Rednecked and Long-toed Stints, Dusky Warbler, Redthroated Pipit and Pallas’ Reed Bunting.
Day 7 Verkhoturova Island and Goven Peninsula. A
morning ashore on this spectacular island where we
can expect to have some incredible views of the vast
seabird colonies including close encounters with
Tufted Puffins and Brunnich’s Guillemots. Steller’s
Eiders have also been seen here previously. In the
late afternoon, zodiac cruise the Goven Peninsula
for Brown Bears and sea ducks such as King Eider,
Black and Stejneger’s Scoters and Harlequin Duck.
Day 8 Tintikun Lagoon and Olyutorskiy Bay. Explore
a spectacular lake in the morning with the chance of
Call +44 117 9658 333 for all bookings and enquires
Harlequin, Vega Gull, Siberian Rubythroat, Siberian
accentor and Dusky Thrush with the possibility of
Aleutian Tern and other seabirds later in the day.
Days 9&10 Chukotka coastline. Two days to
explore isolated bays looking for new breeding
sites for Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Other species we
could encounter include Gyrfalcon, Sandhill Crane
and Pechora Pipit.
Day 11 Bukhta Natalia. A spectacular alpine walk
with the chance of finding Asian Rosy Finch,
Bluethroat and Siberian Accentor as well as the
poorly known Kamchatka Marmot.
Days 12&13 Meinypil’gyno. The main monitored
Spoon-billed Sandpiper breeding site. We hope
to be able to take all participants to at least one
territory although viewing is likely to be at a
minimum of 50 – 80 metres (i.e. scope views).
This area is rich in wildlife and we could also see
Emperor Goose, Beluga and Grey Whale.
Day 14 Cape Navarin. This coastline is rich in marine
mammals and we will look for Walruses and Grey
Whales. Although the Walruses move between
sites on previous visists we have seen over 3000
individuals here! There is also a chance of finding
Kittlitz’s Murrelet and Least Auklet.
Day 15 Anadyr. Disembark and transfer to hotel or
airport.
Please note: All itineraries are subject to weather,
local conditions and final approval by the relevant
Russian authorities.
19
At a glance...
FOCUS
Wildlife Cruise:
whales & dolphins,
birds, other marine life,
snorkelling & photography.
WHERE?
Malé, (Maldives, ) –
cruising the Atolls - Male
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
Tropical whales and
dolphins, seabirds, reef
fishes, turtles, Mantas etc.
CLIMATE
Tropical, warm to hot.
ACCOMMODATION
16* passenger comfortable
liveaboard vessel, all
cabins with private facilities
and air-conditioning (* 10
passenger vessels on the
Explorer itineraries)
Prices & Dates
Leader/naturalist: Dr Charles ‘Chas’ Anderson
Dates: Standard Trip (8 days)
22nd February – 1st March , 5th – 12th April,
27th September – 4th October 2015
£1590 per person twin share,
Single supplement £440
Dates Maldives Explorer (12 days)
1st – 12th October & 11th – 23rd November 2014,
20th April – 1st May & 9th – 20th November 2015
£2190 per person twin share,
Single supplement £540
Facilities: All cabins are air-conditioned with
private facilities and porthole. Upper deck cabins
with windows are also available for a supplement
from £180 per cabin (2014).
Deposit: £350
Max group size: 16 (10 on Explorer departures)
MALDIVES
Whales and Dolphins in Paradise
WildOceans have offered these tropical cetacean bonanzas for some years
now and the word is finally getting around on how good they are, so early
booking is strongly advised. Hundreds of Spinner Dolphins are seen during
our cruises. These energetic and acrobatic dolphins are always a delight, and
are named for their high spinning leaps. We will spend plenty of time with them,
even swimming with them if conditions are suitable and they choose to visit
us. But Spinners are so abundant in the Maldives that after a few days we will
be happy to pass them by as we go in search of an astonishing array of other
whales and dolphins.
2016 trips: Advance register for only £50pp.
Provisional trip dates, TBC February, TBC April,
TBC October & November 2016. Maldives
Explorers will also operate.
Itinerary...
Day 1: Arrive Malé and transfer to our live aboard vessel. Set sail around midday for our first
afternoon’s whale watching. We may even see our first cetaceans within sight of the airport.
Days 2- 6: Cruising amongst the Central or Eastern Atolls of the Maldives, looking for and
watching whales, dolphins and seabirds. Each evening we will anchor in a sheltered lagoon,
near a coral reef, uninhabited island or resort.
Day 7: Our final full day whale-watching, overnight at anchor off Male.
Day 8: Disembark Malé after breakfast. Transfer to the airport.
Price includes: Transfers to from Malé airport, cruise including all meals, tea and coffee on board, use of
snorkeling gear, naturalist guide, tourist tax and atoll permits.
NB “Explorer” trips are longer, less snorkelling, more seabirds & photography.
Previous trip reports available from us plus more detailed information sheets.
Price excludes: Flights UK - Male (available from £669), vessel fuel surcharges if levied, travel insurance,
other drinks, local airport tax (US$12), gratuities and other items of a personal nature. We can also
arrange hotels and resorts in the Maldives, should you wish to extend your visit.
BALI TO KOMODO WILDLIFE CRUISES - INDONESIA
Indonesia is the largest archipelago on the planet, with over 17,000 islands and offers
some of the most diverse marine life to be found anyway. The furthest point east of
these voyages will be the legendary island of Komodo, with it’s endemic lizards which
can grow to over 10’ in length! Join Chas Anderson and his team for a leisurely cruise
through some of these amazing islands, in search of whales and dolphins, tropical
seabirds, and a myriad of reef fish and other marine life under the water. Demand is
already very strong and early booking is highly recommended.
SRI LANKA Blue Whales, leopards & elephants
WildOceans are delighted to offer this excellent revised holiday run by our good friends
Chas and Sue Anderson, well known for putting the Maldives, then the Seychelles
and also Sri Lanka on the map in cetacean terms. They are now also offering wildlife
cruises in Indonesia (including Komodo Dragons) and yet another new programme, to
the Solomon Islands. Sri Lanka is arguably one of the best places in the world to see
Blue Whales, but has very much more to offer as well. Chas predicted and discovered
this now popular Blue Whale hotspot, so you will be travelling with the expert. In addition,
our small groups and exclusive-use boats mean more time on the water (typically twice
as long as most other operators) and uncrowded views of the whales and dolphins that
we encounter. Add looking for Leopards and wild Elephants, plus other mammals, lots of
birds, butterflies and dragonflies, friendly people and great food and you have the recipe
for a superb natural history holiday.
Prices & Dates
Dates: 20th – 31st March 2015
Guide: Charles ‘Chas’ Anderson
£2900 per person sharing a twin room
£590 single supplement
£500 Deposit
Optional Extension
31st March – 3rd April 2015
£1149 per person sharing a twin room
£170 single supplement
Facilities: All rooms are air-conditioned
with private facilities.
Max group size: 8 plus guides.
20
Price includes: Transfers to/from Colombo
airport, hotel accommodation as described
with meals as shown, three whale-watching
excursions (six if on the extension), other
excursions as described, naturalist guides
and ground transport including game drives,
national park and whale-watch permits.
Price excludes: Flights UK - Colombo
(available from £499 including current prepaid taxes and fuel surcharges), visa (currently
US$30), whale-watching ‘swim-with’ permits
if applicable, travel insurance, vessel fuel
surcharges if levied, other meals, drinks and
other items of a personal nature.
Previous trip reports available from us plus
more detailed information sheets.
Prices & Dates
Dates: 19th – 28th October & 29th October – 7th November 2014
Guides: Dr. Charles ‘Chas’ & Sue Anderson
Cost:
£2269 per person, sharing a lower deck cabin (no windows)
£2499 per person, sharing a main deck cabin with window.
£2679 per person, sharing the master suite.
£359 single supplement (subject to availability)
Deposit: £700
Max group size: 14
Also booking 11th-20th October 2015 from £2345pp
and 14th-23 October 2016 from £2565pp.
www.wildwings.co.uk
SOLOMON ISLANDS
NEW!
– Tropical Wildlife Cruises
Prices & Dates
The Solomon Islands. A rugged, jungleclad island chain in the south Pacific.
2015: 23rd October – 2nd November 2015
£3649 per person, sharing a twin cabin with private facilities and a/c.
£1199 single supplement (subject to availability)
£750 Deposit
Max group size: 17
2016: No departure.
2017: 31st October – 10th November 2017
£3799 per person, sharing a twin cabin with private facilities and a/c.
£1249 single supplement (subject to availability)
£750 Deposit
Max group size: 17
Remembered for fierce WW2 battles,
but largely overlooked in the decades
since. This forgotten archipelago is
home to a splendid diversity of island
peoples, many still leading a traditional
village life. The islands are also home to
a rich diversity of wildlife, while the seas
support kaleidoscopic coral reefs and an
astonishing array of cetaceans.
At a glance...
SRI LANKA – YOUR WAY
Tailor-made Bird and Wildlife holidays
FOCUS
Bird and/or mammalwatching holidays: birds,
whales and dolphins, other
mammals and photography.
WHERE?
Colombo (Sri Lanka) – your
choice of itinerary
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
Up to 35 species of endemic
birds including the superb
Sri Lanka Blue Magpie,
many other birds, Blue &
Sperm Whales, Leopard &
Asian Elephant (Sri Lanka
sub-species).
CLIMATE
Tropical, warm to hot.
ACCOMMODATION
A variety from jungle
lodges to beach resorts, all
rooms with private facilities.
Excursions by minibus with
excellent local guides
“Ayubowan” – may you be blessed with a long life, Sri Lanka’s gesture
of welcome and respect, which is how you will be received throughout the
country.
A bird and wildlife gem set in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka offer 35 species of
endemic birds plus many more residents and migrants and is also becoming one
of the best places in the world to see Blue Whale and Leopard.
Prices & Dates
Departures year round, 10 days from £1495 per person sharing a twin room.
Based on a minimum of two people travelling.
Price includes: Ground transportation by air-conditioned vehicle with driver/
guide throughout, rooms with private facilities and breakfast, lunch and
dinner, porterage, jeep excursions in National Parks, entrance fees, boat trips
if applicable, and taxes.
Price excludes: Air travel (UK – Colombo from £599 return), visa (currently
US$20), drinks, driver/guide tips, travel insurance and items of a personal
nature.
We also offer a suggested 12 day Whales and other Mammals tour from £1899
per person.
Please contact Sarah-Jane Thompson at WildWings for more information
and your quote today!
A sample itinerary and more information are available from us or from our website wildwings.co.uk
At a glance...
GUJURAT (INDIA)
NEW!
Mammals and Birds
Gujurat lies in north west India, bordered by the Arabian Sea to
the west. The region is known as the dry-state, and is essentially
a lowland area with much desert-type habitat.
This exciting new tour offers excellent opportunities to see and
photograph, a wide range of mammals and birds in open country.
Although this is first and foremost a mammal tour with highlights
expected to include ‘Asiatic’ Lion, Striped Hyaena, Wolf, ‘Desert’
Wildcat, Jungle Cat and Blackbuck the birding is also outstanding
and among the many species we will be hoping to see are Great
Indian and Macqueen’s Bustard, Demoiselle Crane, Indian Courser
and Grey Hypocolius to name a few.
FOCUS
Mammal tour: mammals,
birds & photography.
WHERE?
Gujurat (India) - exploring the
key habitats of this ‘dry-state’
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
Asiatic’ Lion, Striped Hyaena,
Wolf, cats, plus bustards,
cranes and many other birds.
CLIMATE
Warm to hot. Nights can be
cooler..
ACCOMMODATION
Ground travel by minibus,
lodges and a comfortable
year-round tented camp.
Prices & Dates
Dates:
8th – 22nd February 2015
Leaders: Richard Webb and local guides
£3499
per person, sharing a twin room/tent.
£399
- Single Supplement
£750
- Deposit per person
Group size: Will be between 6 & 8 plus the leader and local
guides.
The full itinerary and more information are available from us or from
our website wildwings.co.uk
Price includes: economy class air travel including all airport and departure taxes, all transfers and
ground transportation, accommodation in twin rooms/tents with private facilities, all meals, bottled
water, services of WildWings tour leader and local guides, all mammal and birding excursions as
described, WildWings pre-tour information pack and day-to-day mammal and bird checklist.
Call +44 117 9658 333 for all bookings and enquires
Price excludes: Travel insurance, Indian visa fees (approximately £104 per person), sanctuary
camera fees (c£6 per camera, per safari at Velavadar, Gir and Little Rann), other drinks, laundry,
souvenirs and items of a personal nature.
21
at a glance....
FOCUS
Bird & Wildlife Cruise: birds, whales &
dolphins, remote islands & photography.
WHERE
New Zealand – Norfolk Island – New
Caledonia – Solomon Islands – Chuuk –
Japan.
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
Numerous temperate and tropical Pacific
seabirds including Short-tailed Albatross,
Beck’s Petrel, Magnificent Petrel, Heinroth’s
Shearwater, Polynesian, New Zealand and
‘New Caledonian’ Storm-Petrels, Japanese
Murrelet, as well as Solomon Sea-Eagle,
Kagu and many other island endemics. 20
+ species of whales and dolphins are also
possible. See the itinerary section for a more
comprehensive list.
CLIMATE
Temperate to tropical and back to temperate..
ACCOMMODATION
50+ passenger expedition ship, cabins with
and without private facilities.
itinerary
Section 1
WESTERN PACIFIC ODYSSEY
Spring 2015
Relatively unexplored by keen sea watchers until now, WildWings conceived and designed
this ‘world first’ voyage, sailing northwards from New Zealand through the Pacific Ocean
to Japan, with the inaugural departure being in spring 2007 followed by almost annual
and equally successful departures.
The voyage includes many days at sea, travelling through waters where some of the least
known seabirds on the planet can be found. The itinerary also includes a number of landings
on rarely visited islands, rich in bird endemics. The unique Kagu of New Caledonia being an
example of one of the many special species we will seek ashore. There will also be some
optional snorkelling and general island exploration opportunities for the not so keen birder.
The main purpose of the voyage, however, will be the seabirds and cetaceans, and we will
use chum and fish oil during the voyage to target specific seabirds. We will have radios
for constant communication onboard, to help maximise everyone’s sightings. Photographic
opportunities are generally good to excellent..
NEW LOWER PRICES & 2 SHORTER SECTIONS AVAILABLE!
prices & dates
Dates:
New Zealand – PNG 6th – 23rd April 2015(Section 1)
PNG – Japan 23rd April – 7th May 2015 (Section 2)
Leader/s: Chris Collins and the rest of the ship’s expedition team
Prices: For the entire voyage, just add the two sections and their landing fees
together!
Section 1 - NZ - PNG
£3819 Sharing a twin with washbasin (lower berths)
£4899 Sharing a twin with private facilities (upper & lower berth or both lower
berths)
Landing Fees (which includes donations to conservation projects and villages we
will visit) £305pp.
Section 2 PNG - Japan
£2119 Sharing a twin with washbasin (lower berths)
£2969 Sharing a twin with private facilities (upper & lower berth or both lower
berths)
Landing Fees (which includes donations to conservation projects and villages we
will visit) £60pp.
Prices based on £1 = $1.65 Payment can also be made in US$, please contact us
for rates.
22
Day 1: (Optional excursion from Auckland
via Miranda by bus for Wrybill and other
NZ specialities.) Embark late afternoon in
Tauranga, NZ and sail.
Day 2: We will sail north through the Hauraki
Gulf in the morning, looking for the recently
rediscovered New Zealand Storm-Petrel, as
well as Grey Ternlets, Black Petrels and other
seabirds.
Days 3 & 4: At sea. Expected species include
White-necked, Black-winged and Grey-faced
Petrels plus Buller’s, Wedge-tailed and Fleshfooted Shearwaters.
Day 5: Norfolk Island (Australia). We plan
to seek the three endemics, Norfolk Island
Parakeet, Norfolk Gerygone and Slenderbilled White-eye, plus the recently split Pacific
Robin. In the afternoon, we plan to visit a
tropical seabird colony where White Terns,
Black Noddies and Red-tailed Tropicbirds
breed.
Days 6-7: At sea. New tubenoses on this
sector could include Kermadec, Providence
and Magnificent Petrels plus Sooty Terns and
Great Frigatebirds. We will also be looking
for our mystery storm-petrel, the ‘New
Caledonian Storm-Petrel’, which has been
seen on four WPOs and was first discovered
on WPO 2008. Arrive Noumea early evening
on Day 7.
Day 8: Noumea (New Caledonia). We
will explore the Parc de la Riviere Bleue
for the unique Kagu and other endemics
such as New Caledonian Imperial Pigeon,
White-bellied Goshawk, New Caledonian
and Horned Parakeets, New Caledonian
Myzomela, New Caledonian Whistler, New
Caledonian Crow, New Caledonian CuckooShrike, New Caledonian Friarbird, Crow and
Barred Honeyeaters, Yellow-bellied Robin,
Cloven-feathered Dove, Green-backed Whiteeye, Red-throated Parrotfinch and Striated
Starling.
Days 9-11: At sea. Potential new tubenoses
on this sector include Collared, Gould’s, Tahiti
and possibly Vanuatu Petrels, Polynesian
Storm-Petrel and Tropical Shearwater.
Day 12: Rennell (Solomon Islands). We
shall seek a number of Solomon endemics
including the five species restricted to
Rennell, Rennell Shrikebill, Fantail, White-eye
and Starling plus Bare-eyed White-eye on this
small tropical island.
Day 13: Makira (Solomon Islands). We will
search for more endemics on this rarely
visited island including White-headed Fruit
Dove, Mottled Flowerpecker, White-collared
Monarch, Makira Flycatcher, Sooty Myzomela,
San Cristobal Melidectes and many more.
Day 14: Honiara (Guadalcanal, Solomon
Islands). Morning birding excursion to
nearby Mount Austin. Solomon Island group
endemics found here include Ultramarine
Kingfisher, Solomon Islands Cuckoo-Shrike,
Ducorp’s Cockatoo, Claret-breasted Fruitdove and Midget Flowerpecker.
Day 15: Kolombangara (Solomon Islands) in
the afternoon. We hope to find Roviana Rail
(the species was only described in 1991), as
well as Solomon Sea-Eagle, White-capped
and Kolombangara Monarchs, as well as other
endemics such as Yellow-vented Myzomela
and Solomon Islands White-eye.
Days 16-17: At sea. We plan to spend some
time exploring the waters off Bougainville
and New Ireland, which are rich in cetaceans
and the now known range of Beck’s Petrel
and Heinroth’s Shearwater, both seen on all
previous voyages.
Day 18: Arrive Kokopo/Rabaul, PNG.
Disembark if ending your journey here.
Section 2
Day 1: Embark Kokopo/Rabual, PNG and sail.
Days 2-3: At sea.
Days 4&5: Chuuk (‘Truk’, Federated States of
Micronesia). Ashore in this diver’s paradise
we will look for Caroline Islands White-eye,
Reed Warbler, Swiftlet and Ground Dove as
well as Oceanic Flycatcher. An optional trip to
Tol South may be offered for two birds with
some of the smallest ranges in the world,
Chuuk Monarch and Faichuuk White-eye,
but this is not for the fainthearted as a steep,
slippery trail is involved.
Days 6-12: Back at sea. New seabirds
should include Matsudaira’s Storm-Petrel,
Bannerman’s Shearwater and Bonin Petrel,
with Christmas Shearwater also a possibility.
We will sail past the Bonin Islands, looking
for Black-footed Albatross, Tristram’s StormPetrel plus Humpback Whales and dolphins.
Bryan’s Shearwater is also believed to breed
in the Bonins and we will certainly be looking
for this recently described species. Other
new seabirds could include Laysan Albatross
and Streaked Shearwater.
Day 13: At sea. We plan to sail close to
Torishima (Japan, landing not allowed) and
will search for another one of the major
seabird highlights, Short-tailed Albatross,
which we hope to see at close quarters.
Day 14: At sea. Miyake-jima Island (Izu
Islands). We will cruise past some small
islets which are a breeding site for Japanese
Murrelet.
Day 15: Disembark Yokohama, Japan, after
breakfast.
NB: As applies to all expedition cruises, the
exact itinerary will be subject to weather and
local conditions. All landings are subject to
government permissions.
Prices include: Voyage with accommodation as booked, including all meals aboard vessel, tea
and coffee, guided shore excursions as described, lectures and services of WildWings leader and
ship’s expedition team, day-by-day bird and mammal checklist and evening log-call.
Excludes: Flights, transfers in Auckland and Japan, pre and post voyage hotels, travel insurance,
drinks, crew tips (suggest US$10 per day), visas and other items of a personal nature.
An optional pre-cruise pelagic will also be on offer from Sandspit, in search of New Zealand StormPetrel, details TBC.
www.wildwings.co.uk
MIDWAY ATOLL
Nearly 2 million seabirds breed on this tiny island group in the centre of the
Pacific Ocean including the world’s largest colonies of Laysan and Black-footed
Albatross. Closed to the public for many years the US Fish and Wildlife service
re-opened the area in 2008 for a very few lucky people. We have again a limited
number of small group departures, the avian spectacle that is offers is simply second
to none, with point blank views of almost everything, it is simply seabird heaven!
2011 brought heavy storms and overwash from the Japanese tsunami but in spite of
this the wonderful news that Short-tailed Albatross bred for the first time on Eastern
Island. Another chick hatched in early 2012 too!
Prices & Dates
Dates: 23rd & 30th March 2015
Naturalist: Wayne Sentman
£4635 per person sharing a twin room with private facilities (final price TBC).
£299 Single supplement.
£750 Deposit
Max group size: 17 plus naturalist/guides.
itinerary
Day 1: Fly Honolulu to Midway (special charter flight, 4.5 hours duration).
Days 2 – 7: Guided wildlife and historical sites excursions. Weather permitting, at
least one visit will be made to nearby Eastern Island. One boat based snorkelling trip
and unlimited beach snorkelling. Optional participation in service projects (eg beach
litter clean-ups, seabird counts etc). Lots and lots of free time, to take photos or just
enjoy!
Day 8: Return flight Midway to Honolulu.
Note: The flights arrive and depart after dark on Midway, to minimise disturbance to
the seabirds.
Price includes: Return economy class charter flights Honolulu – Midway Atoll (the majority of the cost!),
7 nights accommodation in rooms with private facilities, guided excursions as per itinerary including
services of naturalist guide throughout (transportation by golf cart), two boat excursions, all meals on
Midway, water, juices, tea and coffee, taxes and fees.
Price excludes: Flights UK - Honolulu, fuel surcharges if levied, pre/post hotel in Honolulu, travel
insurance, other drinks, gratuities and other items of a personal nature. Golf Carts may be rented for
US$25 per day, Bicycles for $5 a day. Snorkel gear can also be rented if required.
At a glance...
FOCUS
Natural History Trip:: seabirds, dolphins, a few landbirds, other marine life, snorkelling &
photography.
WHERE
Midway Atoll (USA) – explore on foot and rented bicycle. At least one boat visit to Eastern
Island
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
Breeding seabirds including Laysan, Blackfooted and Short-tailed Albatross, Christmas
Shearwater, Bonin Petrel, Grey-backed Tern, tropicbirds, boobies, frigatebirds, Hawaiian
Monk Seal & Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins.
CLIMATE
Oceanic tropical, warm to hot.
ACCOMMODATION
rooms with private facilities
NEW!
THE HUMBOLDT CURRENT
The cold waters of the Humboldt Current off the Pacific coast of South
America are home to at least eleven endemic seabirds and on this exciting
new itinerary we hope to see many of these, plus an excellent supporting
cast of other seabirds and cetaceans.
This unique tour starts in Peru with several days of land-birding, before
we join a very comfortable expedition ship for a week as we sail south to
Valparaiso in Chile. We will then fly further south for a special boat charter in
search of the recently described Pincoya Storm-Petrel.
This exciting itinerary should offer plenty of great seabirds to even the
keenest seabirder and possibility include Humboldt Penguin, Pacific,
Salvin’s and Waved Albatrosses, Masatierra (De Filippi’s), Stejneger’s and
Juan Fernandez Petrels, Pink-footed Shearwater, Elliot’s (White-vented),
Markham’s, Galapagos (Wedge-rumped) and Hornby’s (Ringed) StormPetrels, Peruvian Diving-Petrel, Peruvian Pelican, Neotropic, Rock, Guanay
and Red-legged Cormorants, Grey, Band-tailed and Swallow-tailed Gulls plus
Peruvian, Trudeau’s and Inca Terns. An excellent range of cetaceans are
also possible which could include Blue, Fin, Sperm and Humpback Whales,
Dwarf and Pygmy Sperm Whales, Common, Rough-toothed and Chilean
Dolphins and some extremely poorly known beaked whales.
Our tour will start with several days of intensive birding in Peru, where the
species we will be targeting include Diademed Sandpiper Plover and the
critically endangered Junin Grebe. We will then follow in the footsteps of
early explorers and naturalists, such as Charles Darwin, and sail south along
this spectacular and arid coastline. Ashore we will look for a further selection
of South American landbirds on our exclusive WildWings excursions which
are included in the trip price, although optional, non-birding, shore excursions
will also be available (operated by the vessel).
We hope to see plenty more exciting species and these could include
Andean Condor, Torrent Duck, Peruvian Thicknee, various hummingbirds
and a selection of other regional endemics.
The opportunities for photography should be excellent, both for wildlife
and landscape with the desert coastlines of Peru and Chile and the Andes
providing an amazing backdrop.
Call +44 117 9658 333 for all bookings and enquires
Our vessel for the voyage sector will be the French-operated Le Boreal, all cabins are
outside with private facilities (house wine is included with meals!). Chris Collins will be
leading this new adventure and it will be the third time he has travelled through some
of these waters. On our land excursions, we will be assisted by local guides. WildWings
operated voyages in this region ten years ago and we looks forward to returning.
Dates: TBC October – November 2015 Prices: £TBC
Full details of this new tour will be available on our website soon, including the itinerary
and a potential species list.
Or e-mail [email protected] for the details when ready.
23
Itinerary...
ANTARCTICA,
THE FALKLANDS & SOUTH GEORGIA
Antarctica is truly like nowhere else on Earth, a continent of dramatic ice-covered mountains, neverending snowfields, innumerable glaciers and colossal icebergs fractured into fantastic shapes.
Captivated and spellbound by the incredible and ever changing beauty of our surroundings, you will
thrill to the unique wildlife spectacles that unfold daily on these trips
Throughout these voyages, landings are made at the best areas for wildlife. Sturdy Zodiac inflatables allow
us to go ashore at the remotest of places with ease and comfort. The days spent at sea on these trips are
a major highlight for wildlife observation too. A key element of our success is that by travelling in a group
we will have many keen eyes, ensuring that more birds and cetaceans are spotted than on the average
voyage. The January voyage includes a day’s bird watching excursion in Ushuaia to visit our favourite local
birding hotspots including several in the Tierra del Fuego National Park, and will seek the local specialities
including Magellanic Woodpecker.
WildWings have been sending people to Antarctica for over 20 years now and we have learnt that the
best bird and wildlife experience needs the right itinerary, on the right ship with the right staff. This new
unique partnership with our preferred operator, One Ocean Expeditions, allows us to offer two superb
itineraries, both featuring Dick Filby, one of the UK’s most experienced Antarctic tour leaders. Dick will
be joining their larger than average expedition teams onboard, and will work closely with the expedition
leaders to maximise the wildlife opportunities throughout each voyage. In addition to their expedition staff,
One Ocean Expeditions are unique in offering the services of their Adventure Concierges onboard too, to
look after every last little detail. There may also be an opportunity on all our special voyages to spend a
night, ‘camping’ ashore, for those that wish, a wonderful additional wilderness experience (subject to local
conditions on the day). We offer these voyages with extra inclusions (pre-voyage hotel night in Ushuaia) and
for the 31st January voyages, a guided birding excursion to the Tierra Del Fuego National Park), now surely
is the time to book that life-long dream trip!
These voyages offer all the expected birds and mammals of the Antarctic Peninsula including the crossings
of the Drake Passage. Chinstrap, Adelie and Gentoo Penguins, Wandering, Royals, Black-browed, Greyheaded and Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, both Giant Petrels, Southern Fulmar, Cape, (Lesser) Snow, Softplumaged, Blue and White-chinned Petrels, Antarctic and Slender-billed Prions, Wilson’s and Black-bellied
Storm-Petrels, Common Diving Petrel, Antarctic Shags, Snowy Sheathbill, Chilean, Brown and South Polar
Skuas, Dolphin and Kelp Gulls plus Antarctic Terns being the expected birds species.
24
Day 1: Arrive Ushuaia, overnight hotel.
Day 2: WildWings Birding excursion to Tierra del Fuego
National Park. Board vessel and sail down the Beagle
Channel.
Day 3: At sea.
Days 4 - 5: The Falkland Islands (planned landings may
include Carcass and West Point Islands plus Port Stanley)
Days 6 - 7: At sea, we will cross the Antarctic
Convergence which can be a wildlife hotspot (see 2010
trip report).
Days 8 - 10: South Georgia (planned landings may
include Salisbury Plain, Prion Island for nesting Wandering
Albatross, Grytviken, King Haakon Bay, Peggotty Bluff,
Cooper, Royal and Hercules Bays plus Zodiac cruises)
Days 11 – 13: At sea via the South Orkneys and northern
Weddell Sea (subject to ice conditions).
Days 14 - 17: The Antarctic Peninsula and South
Shetland Islands (planned landings may include Elephant
Island, King George, Half Moon, Aicho, Livingstone and
Deception Islands, Paradise Harbour or Hope Bay on the
continent itself plus Zodiac cruises).
Days 18-19: At sea, crossing the Drake Passage.
Day 20: Disembark Ushuaia after breakfast.
NB: The exact voyage itineraries are subject to ice,
weather and local conditions at the time.
Price includes: Accommodation and all meals aboard ship (with free
tea and coffee 24 hours), port taxes, Zodiac landings, services of
WildWing’s Dick Filby (except November 2014 voyage, birder TBA),
Bruce Pearson on the November voyage and ship’s expedition staff
including lecture and film programmes at sea, pre-voyage WildWings
hotel night in Ushuaia (with breakfast), WildWings birding excursion
to Tierra del Fuego National Park in Ushuaia with picnic lunch led
by a top English-speaking local bird and wildlife guide (31st January
voyages only), daily sea watching sessions (at sea), evening checklist,
use of onboard library, WildWings pre-voyage information pack
and day-by-day checklist of mammals and birds, group transfers in
Ushuaia to and from ship, souvenir voyage CD log and free onboard
wet weather gear and boot loan onboard.
Price excludes: Flights UK – Ushuaia (available from £999 including
pre-paid taxes and current fuel surcharges), additional pre and or
post cruise hotel nights in Ushuaia and/or Buenos Aires if required,
other meals and all drinks in Argentina, other drinks, laundry and
items of a personal nature onboard, crew gratuities (we suggest $10
per passenger per day aboard ship), passport fees, travel insurance.
A colour brochure with more information about the ship is available
plus our full recce tour report and species list from the February
2010 voyage to Antarctica, The Falklands and South Georgia is our
website or available from us. The 2012 & 2013 species list are also
available online.
www.wildwings.co.uk
“
“We had a fantastic time, 7 penguins, 5 albatross species and great whale
encounters. Dick was a great leader and extremely helpful.”
at a glance....
ANTARCTICA, FALKLANDS & SOUTH GEORGIA - M&F.S. MARCH 2013
Prices & Dates
Antarctica, the Falklands & South Georgia
20th November - 8th December 2014
Leaders: Dick Filby, Bruce Pearson & Tui de Roy
Prices from £7269 per person, see website.
Antarctica, the Falklands & South Georgia
31st January - 18th February 2015
Leader: Dick Filby
Prices from £8419 per person, see website.
Antarctica, the Falklands & South Georgia (Ioffe)
19th November – 8th December 2015
Leaders: The ship’s expedition team including Dick Filby & Bruce Pearson (this
voyage will be a wildlife, wildlife art and photography special). This departure is a
19 night voyage.
Special inclusions – Pre-cruise night hotel in Ushuaia.
5% discount if 50% of the balance is paid within 30 days of booking! (NB Must
book at least 180 days prior to qualify)
Prices per person sharing:
£7635
Sharing a triple basic (upper & lower berths)
£8725
Twin with semi-private facilities (lower berths)
NB Bathroom shared between two cabins only
£9935
Twin with private facilities (lower berths)
£10,419
Twin superior with private facilities (lower berths)
£10,965
Shackleton Suite (double & single berth)
£12,419
One Ocean Suite
£1000:
Deposit per person
FOCUS
Bird & Wildlife Cruise: birds, whales
& dolphins, mammals, scenery,
historical sites & photography.
WHERE
Ushuaia (Argentina) – South
Atlantic - Falkland Islands – Scotia
Sea - South Georgia – Antarctic
Peninsula & Islands – Drake
Passage – Ushuaia.
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
Penguins including King &
Macaroni, albatrosses including
Wandering, Black-browed and
Light-mantled Sooty, other
tubenoses eg petrels, prions,
diving-petrels, storm-petrels
and shearwaters etc, various
shags, geese, duck including
steamer-ducks, waders, skuas,
gulls and terns plus Falkland &
S Georgian endemics. Potential
marine mammals include Southern
Elephant, Leopard, Weddell, Crabeater and other seals, Humpback,
Orca, Fin, Antarctic Minke and
other whales. Dolphins could
include Peale’s, Commerson’s and
Hourglass.
CLIMATE
Summer Polar
ACCOMMODATION
90+ passenger comfortable
expedition ship. Cabins with, and
without private facilities
Single cabins 1.5 twin share price.
WildWings will make a donation equivalent to 5% of the voyage price (between
£382 to £621 per passenger, depending on booked cabin type) to the Birdlife
International ‘Save the Albatross Campaign’ (administered in the UK by the
RSPB) for each passenger who books on this special voyage with Bruce.
Antarctica, the Falklands & South Georgia (Ioffe)
31st January – 18th February 2016
Leaders: The ship’s expedition team including Dick Filby.
Special inclusions – Pre-cruise night hotel in Ushuaia plus birding excursion to
Tierra Del Fuego National Park on day of sailing.
5% discount if 50% of the balance is paid within 30 days of booking! (NB Must
book at least 180 days prior to qualify)
Prices per person sharing:
£8419
Sharing a triple basic (upper & lower berths)
£10,055
Twin with semi-private facilities (lower berths)
NB Bathroom shared between two cabins only
£11,085
Twin with private facilities (lower berths)
£11,755
Twin superior with private facilities (lower berths)
£12,179
Shackleton Suite (double & single berth)
£13,755
One Ocean Suite
£1200:
Deposit per person
Single cabins 1.5 twin share price.
Exchange rate £1 = US$1.65
US Dollar prices available for non-UK residents.
Call +44 117 9658 333 for all bookings and enquires
25
2014-2015
- Dates and prices correct as of 28/07/2014. ALWAYS CHECK WITH US FOR YOUR UP TO DATE QUOTE!
TRIPLE/QUAD = sharing a triple or four bedded cabin with wash basin, upper
and lower berths. Plancius and Ortelius have privates facilities in these cabins TWIN = sharing a twin cabin with wash basin & lower berths except Vavilov /
Ioffe - where a bathroom is interconnecting between two cabins
TWIN.PF = Sharing a twin cabin with washbasin, wc and shower &lower
berths except Enderby (upper and lower berths)
SINGLES CABINS, SUPERIOR CABINS & SUITES ALSO AVAILABLE - PLEASE
ASK FOR PRICES
ALL PRICES PER PERSON AND ARE VOYAGE ONLY (exclude flights & pre/
post cruise accommodation)
ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
START
END
NTS
SHIP
BOARD
OFF
QUAD/TRIPLE
TWIN
01-Nov-14
11-Nov-14
10
Plancius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£4,160
£5,080
11-Nov-14
21-Nov-14
10
Plancius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£4,160
£5,080
08-Nov-14
20-Nov-14
12
Ioffe
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£3,732
21-Nov-14
01-Dec-14
10
Plancius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£4,160
08-Dec-14
18-Dec-14
10
Ioffe
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£3,556
£4,968
£5,438
10-Dec-14
20-Dec-14
10
Sergey Vavilov
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£3,556
£4,968
£5,438
£5,497
£5,203
TWIN.PF
£5,615
£5,080
18-Dec-14
28-Dec-14
10
Ioffe
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£4,203
19-Dec-14
29-Dec-14
10
Plancius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£4,760
20-Dec-14
28-Dec-14
8
Sergey Vavilov
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£3,291
£4,350
£4,644
21-Jan-15
31-Jan-15
10
Ioffe
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£4,644
£5,938
£6,232
27-Jan-15
06-Feb-15
10
Sergey Vavilov
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£4,644
£5,938
£6,232
03-Feb-15
13-Feb-15
10
Plancius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£4,760
03-Mar-15
14-Mar-15
11
Plancius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£4,680
24-Feb-15
06-Feb-15
10
Sergey Vavilov
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£4,644
£5,791
£5,720
£5,720
£5,600
£5,938
£6,232
14-Mar-15
23-Mar-15
9
Plancius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£3,320
05-Mar-15
15-Mar-15
10
Ioffe
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£3,997
£5,409
£4,240
£5,879
06-Mar-15
16-Mar-15
10
Sergey Vavilov
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£3,997
£5,409
£5,879
15-Mar-15
25-Mar-15
10
Ioffe
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£3,997
£5,409
£5,879
16-Mar-15
26-Mar-15
10
Sergey Vavilov
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£3,997
£5,409
£5,879
ANTARCTIC PENINSULA AND POLAR CIRCLE
START
END
NTS SHIP
BOARD
OFF
QUAD/TRIPLE
TWIN
TWIN.PF
09-Jan-15
21-Jan-15
12
Ioffe
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£5,468
£7,056
£7,409
15-Jan-15
27-Jan-15
12
Sergey Vavilov
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£5,468
£7,056
£7,409
18-Feb-15
03-Mar-15
13
Ioffe
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£5,997
£7,644
13-Mar-15
24-Mar-15
11
Ortelius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£4,680
£7,997
£5,600
ANTARCTIC PENINSULA AND THE WEDDELL SEA & FALKLANDS
START
END
NTS
SHIP
BOARD
OFF
QUAD/TRIPLE
TWIN
TWIN.PF
28-Dec-14
09-Jan-15
12
Ioffe
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£5,468
£7,056
£7,409
ANTARCTIC PENINSULA, FALKLANDS AND SOUTH GEORGIA
26
START
END
NTS
SHIP
BOARD
OFF
QUAD/TRIPLE
06-Nov-14
25-Nov-14
22
Ortelius
Puerto Madryn
Ushuaia
£7,120
TWIN
TWIN.PF
£8,560
03-Nov-14
21-Nov-14
18
Sergey Vavilov
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£6,615
£7,615
£8,674
20-Nov-14
08-Dec-14
18
Ioffe
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£7,269
£8,299
£9,389
21-Nov-14
10-Dec-14
19
Sergey Vavilov
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£7,409
£8,468
£9,644
01-Dec-14
19-Dec-14
18
Plancius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£7,280
£8,720
29-Dec-14
16-Jan-15
18
Plancius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£8,400
£10,000
28-Dec-14
15-Jan-15
18
Sergey Vavilov
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£8,174
16-Jan-15
03-Feb-15
18
Plancius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£8,400
£9,762
£10,762
£10,000
31-Jan-15
18-Feb-15
18
Ioffe
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£8,419
£10,055
£11,085
06-Feb-15
24-Feb-15
18
Sergey Vavilov
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£8,174
£9,762
£10,762
13-Feb-15
03-Mar-15
18
Plancius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£7,800
£9,360
www.wildwings.co.uk
ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION CRUISES
for the independent traveller
2015-2016
- Dates and prices correct as of 28/07/2014. ALWAYS CHECK WITH US FOR YOUR UP TO DATE QUOTE!
TRIPLE/QUAD = sharing a triple or four bedded cabin with wash basin, upper and
lower berths. Plancius and Ortelius have privates facilities in these cabins TWIN = sharing a twin cabin with wash basin & lower berths except Vavilov / Ioffe where a bathroom is interconnecting between two cabins
TWIN.PF = Sharing a twin cabin with washbasin, wc and shower &lower berths except
Enderby (upper and lower berths)
SINGLES CABINS, SUPERIOR CABINS & SUITES ALSO AVAILABLE - PLEASE ASK FOR
PRICES
ALL PRICES PER PERSON AND ARE VOYAGE ONLY (exclude flights & pre/post cruise
accommodation)
ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
START
END
NTS
SHIP
BOARD
OFF
QUAD/TRIPLE
16-Nov-15
26-Nov-15
21-Nov-15
01-Dec-15
10-Dec-15
20-Dec-15
19-Dec-15
28-Dec-15
20-Dec-15
28-Dec-15
28-Dec-15
07-Jan-16
03-Jan-16
12-Jan-16
07-Jan-16
16-Jan-16
12-Jan-16
27-Jan-15
TWIN
10
Ortelius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£4,206
£5,159
10
Plancius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£4,206
£5,159
10
Ioffe
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£3,997
9
Plancius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£4,206
8
Ioffe
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£3,291
10
Plancius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£4,722
£5,754
9
Ortelius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£4,206
£5,159
9
Plancius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£4,206
£5,159
22-Jan-16
10
Ortelius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£4,722
06-Feb-16
10
Ioffe
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£4,644
£5,409
TWIN.PF
£5,879
£5,159
£4,350
£4,644
£5,754
£5,938
£6,232
03-Feb-16
13-Feb-16
10
Plancius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£4,722
£5,754
09-Feb-16
18-Feb-16
9
Ortelius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£4,206
£5,159
18-Feb-16
28-Feb-16
10
Ortelius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£4,722
24-Feb-16
06-Mar-16
10
Ioffe
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£4,644
28-Feb-16
10-Mar-16
10
Ortelius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£4,722
£5,754
17-Mar-16
26-Mar-16
9
Plancius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£3,294
£4,206
06-Mar-16
16-Mar-16
10
Ioffe
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£3,997
£5,409
£5,879
16-Mar-16
26-Mar-16
10
Ioffe
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£3,997
£5,409
£5,879
£5,754
£5,938
£6,232
ANTARCTIC PENINSULA AND POLAR CIRCLE
START
END
NTS
SHIP
BOARD
OFF
QUAD/TRIPLE
TWIN
TWIN.PF
15-Jan-16
27-Jan-16
12
Ioffe
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£5,468
£7,056
£7,409
06-Mar-16
17-Mar-16
11
Plancius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£4,722
£5,754
ANTARCTIC PENINSULA, FALKLANDS AND SOUTH GEORGIA
START
END
NTS
SHIP
BOARD
OFF
QUAD/TRIPLE
02-Nov-15
21-Nov-15
19
Plancius
Puerto Madryn
Ushuaia
£7,222
19-Nov-15
08-Dec-15
19
Ioffe
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£7,945
16-Dec-15
03-Jan-16
18
Ortelius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£7,929
01-Dec-15
19-Dec-15
18
Plancius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£7,381
28-Dec-15
15-Jan-16
18
Ioffe
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£8,174
TWIN
TWIN.PF
£8,651
£9,069
£10,259
£9,484
£8,849
£9,762
£10,762
16-Jan-16
03-Feb-16
18
Plancius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£8,492
£10,119
22-Jan-16
09-Feb-16
18
Ortelius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£8,492
£10,119
06-Feb-16
24-Feb-16
18
Ioffe
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£8,174
13-Feb-16
06-Mar-16
22
Plancius
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
£9,484
Call +44 117 9658 333 for all bookings and enquires
£9,762
£10,762
£11,389
27
at a glance....
FOCUS
Bird & Wildlife Cruise: birds, whales &
dolphins, remote islands & photography.
WHERE?
Ushuaia (Argentina) – Antarctic Peninsula
– South Georgia – Gough & Tristan da
Cunha – St Helena – Ascension (and
extend to) – Cape Verde.
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
Polar, temperate and tropical seabirds
galore, penguins, albatross, petrels
including Northern Rockhopper Penguin,
Tristan & Sooty Albatross’s, Atlantic
& Spectacled Petrels (40 species of
tubenose possible), island endemics eg
Wirebird, Tristan Thrush etc. Well over 20
species of whale and dolphin possible
(17 seen in 2013) plus up to 8 species
of seal
CLIMATE
Polar cold via temperate to tropical.
ACCOMMODATION
100+ passenger very comfortable
expedition cruise ship. All cabins with
private facilities.
THE ATLANTIC ODYSSEY
The Antarctic Peninsula, the Weddell Sea, the South Orkneys, South Georgia, Tristan da Cunha, St. Helena and Ascension Island - a roll call of some of the most remote and romantic
places in the world. Add Gough Island and the chance to land on legendary Nightingale & Inaccessible Islands and you have one of the ultimate pelagics, pioneered by WildWings in
1998. Better still, you can stay on the ship to the Cape Verdes, yielding yet more seabirds and cetaceans.
The voyage includes many days at sea, travelling through waters where some of the least known seabirds on the planet can be found. The itinerary also includes a number of landings on
rarely visited islands, rich in bird endemics. The unique Kagu of New Caledonia being an example of one of the many special species we will seek ashore. There will also be some optional
snorkelling and general island exploration opportunities for the not so keen birder.
The main purpose of the voyage, however, will be the seabirds and cetaceans, and we will use chum and fish oil during the voyage to target specific seabirds. We will have radios for
constant communication onboard, to help maximise everyone’s sightings. Photographic opportunities are generally good to excellent..
prices & dates
Leader: Simon Cook plus the rest of the ship’s Expedition Team
Dates: 23rd March – 23rd April (Ascension – Praia, Cape
Verdes)
Prices: 2015
Vessel: Plancius
All cabins with private facilities – If the ship’s operator discounts these prices prior to 90 days before departure, the
discounts will also apply to any already booked WildWings
passengers!
Prices per person sharing:
£5289
Quad berths (upper and lower) - porthole
£5875
Triple berths(upper and lower)-porthole
£6459
Twin share – (lower berths) - porthole
£6699
Twin share – (lower berths) - window
£6835
Twin share deluxe (lower berths) - window
£7289
Double share superior (double bed) - window
Leader: Simon Cook plus the rest of the ship’s Expedition Team
Dates: 26th March – 22nd April (Ushuaia – Ascension)
Prices: 2016
Vessel: Plancius
All cabins with private facilities – If the ship’s operator
discounts these prices prior to 90 days before departure, the
discounts will also apply to any already booked WildWings
passengers!
Prices per person sharing:
£4539
Quad berths (upper and lower) - porthole
£5039
Triple berths(upper and lower)-porthole
£5539
Twin share – (lower berths) - porthole
£5789
Twin share – (lower berths) - window
£6039
Twin share deluxe (lower berths) - window
£6499
Double share superior (double bed) - window
23rd – 29th April (Ascension – Praia, Cape Verdes)
22nd – 28th April (Ascension – Praia, Cape Verdes)
Prices per person sharing:
Prices per person sharing:
£665
Quad berths (upper and lower) - porthole
Triple berths(upper and lower)-porthole
£749
Triple berths(upper and lower)-porthole
Twin share – (lower berths) - porthole
£835
Twin share – (lower berths) - porthole
Twin share – (lower berths) - window
£915
Twin share – (lower berths) - window
Twin share deluxe (lower berths) - window
£959
Twin share deluxe (lower berths) - window
Double share superior (double bed) - window
£1039
Double share superior (double bed) - window
£625
Quad berths (upper and lower) - porthole
£709
£789
£835
£875
£959
Single cabins x 1.7 of twin share price
All prices per person.
Deposit 20%
Based on £1 = Euros 1.2
Advance register for 2017, TBA
March – TBA April for £50 per person
(refundable). The West African
Pelagic may also operate in 2016,
a continuation of this voyage, but
finishing in Madeira,
Please see separate details.
Price includes: Voyage with
accommodation as booked, including
all meals, infinite tea and coffee,
Zodiac cruises and landings, port
taxes and landing fees, specified
shore excursions, lectures and
services of expedition team, daily sea
watching sessions and evening log
(at sea), services of WildWings leader
(Ushuaia – Cape Verdes), pre-tour
information pack and day by day bird
and mammal checklist.
Price excludes: Flights (UK – Ushuaia
from £599, Ascension – UK from
£545, Praia – UK from £499), vessel
fuel surcharges if applicable, Ushuaia
hotel for two nights from £69 per
person per night b & b, gratuities
(suggested US$10 a day on board
ship), travel insurance, optional birding
excursion in Ushuaia (The Tierra del
Fuego National Park on the day prior
to sailing, approx £139), other drinks
and items of a personal nature.
itinerary
The Atlantic Odyssey voyage Itinerary is available online, or please ring 0117 9658 333 or email us for a copy. Our website also has previous voyage reports
and species lists available.
28
www.wildwings.co.uk
at a glance....
FOCUS
Bird & Wildlife Cruise: birds, whales & dolphins, island
scenery & photography..
WHERE?
Bluff (S. Island, NZ) – Snares – Auckland Islands –
Macquarie Island – Campbell Island – Antipodes –
Bounty Islands – Chatham Islands – Christchurch (S.
Island, NZ)
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
Seabirds galore including endemics, penguins including
endemic Royal, Snares-crested and Erect-crested
Penguins, other island endemics, whales, dolphins &
seals.
CLIMATE
Temperate cool to Polar cold.
ACCOMMODATION
50+ passenger expedition ship, cabins with and without
private facilities.
SUB-ANTARCTIC ISLANDS of Australia and New Zealand
For birdwatchers, botanists and island enthusiasts, the ice-strengthened Spirit of Enderby (50 passengers), offers a number of voyages to these rarely visited islands. The itinerary
shown here is the ‘Birding Downunder’ trip, which visits all the islands of avian interest, and can be deemed to be an essential ‘WildWings’ pelagic. The shorter voyages offered by
the same vessel offer a limited ‘snapshot’ only. Over 40 species of tubenose alone can be expected, over a third of the world’s total! There is not a moment at sea without at least a Cape
Petrel, prions and a few albatrosses present. The list of seabirds is staggering and large numbers will be encountered both at sea, and on land breeding in the islands. Albatrosses (up to
15 species), shearwaters, petrels, penguins (eight species) including endemics and shags (up to ten species) head an awesome list. The almost mythical Magenta Petrel seems to be seen
much more frequently in the last few years too, with three passes by one bird during the 2011 voyage and the species was seen again in 2012.
itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Invercargill, New Zealand’s southern most city,
overnight hotel with dinner.
Day 2: After breakfast, a museum visit including a video
presentation, followed by lunch. Transfer by coach to the
port of Bluff (27 km south of Invercargill) to board theSpirit
of Enderbyand sail.
Day 3: The Snares is the first of the Sub-Antarctic Islands
that we will be visiting. It is an amazing island - more birds
nest on this small island than there are seabirds around the
entire British Isles! We will arrive early morning, and Zodiac
cruise the sheltered eastern side. In the sheltered bays we
should see the endemic Snares Crested Penguins, Tomtit
and Fernbird, Cape Petrel, Antarctic and White-fronted
Terns and Red-billed Gulls. An estimated six million Sooty
Shearwaters nest on the Snares Islands.
Day 4: Arrive at Enderby Island, a great island to bird in the
Auckland Island group. We make a landing at Sandy Bay,
the main breeding ground for the Hookers Sea Lion with
observations of the following species: nesting Southern
Royal Albatross, Northern Giant Petrel, nesting Auckland
Island Shag, Auckland Island Teal, Auckland Island Banded
Dotterel, Auckland Island Tomtit, Bellbird, Pipit, Redcrowned Parakeet, Yellow- eyed Penguin and nesting
Light-mantled Sooty Albatross. We will spend some time
searching for the Sub-Antarctic Snipe.
Day 5: This morning we will cruise to Carnley Harbour in
the south of the main Auckland Islands. There will be an
opportunity for the energetic participants to climb to the
south west Cape White-capped Albatross colony. Gibson’s
Wandering Albatross nest above this colony amongst the
tussock too, we should get good views. Those remaining
on board will explore the coastal forest with a chance to
see New Zealand Falcon and enjoy close encounters with
other bush birds.
Day 6: We will be at sea all day, another opportunity to
see many pelagic species, including Wandering, Royal,
White-capped, Light-mantled Sooty, Grey-headed and
Black-browed Albatrosses, White- chinned, Mottled, Whiteheaded and Cape Petrel, diving petrels, Grey-backed and
Black-bellied Storm Petrel. In 2001 as the ship left for the
journey south, 22 species of seabird were in the air at once.
Days 7-8: Arrive at Macquarie Island which is, of course
the only place to see the Royal Penguin and there is an
abundance of these. King Penguins are also found in large
numbers. Two other penguin species breed here; Gentoo
and Rockhopper. Along the coast we will see the Imperial
(Macquarie) Shag. We plan to land at ANARE base and at
Sandy Bay. We will also Zodiac cruise Lusitania Bay, where
there is a huge King Penguin colony. Pods of Orcas may
be seen hunting for ‘weaners’. We continue our exploration
of Macquarie Island and then depart for Campbell Island on
the afternoon of our second day.
Day 9: At sea en route to Campbell Island, we will see
a similar range of species to what we saw on our way to
Macquarie Island from the Auckland Islands, hopefully with
a few Hourglass Dolphins too.
Day 10: We will spend the day ashore to see the wonderful
nesting Southern Royal Albatross, Campbell Albatross,
Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, Northern Giant Petrel,
Campbell Island Shag, Rockhopper Penguin, Southern
Skua, Red-billed Gull, Black-backed Gull, Antarctic Tern,
Prices & Dates
and the New Zealand Pipit. Campbell Island Teal can also
be seen, an endemic rediscovered by Rodney Russ back in
1975. Campbell Island Snipe was also seen in 2012.
Day 11: At sea en route to the Antipodes, another day for
pelagic species. Wandering, Royal, Black-browed, Lightmantled Sooty, Salvins and Grey-headed Albatrosses,
Northern and Southern Giant Petrel, Sooty and Little
Shearwaters. We will endeavour to sort out Fairy, Fulmar
and Antarctic Prions which are not always easy but we
should get some great views. Other species to be on the
look out for include Soft-plumaged, Mottled, White-headed,
Grey-faced and White-chinned Petrels, Grey-backed,
Wilson’s and Black-bellied Storm Petrels plus Common
Diving Petrel.
Day 12: Antipodes Island is one of the most isolated and
least known of the New Zealand’s Sub-Antarctic Islands.
We will Zodiac cruise the coastline where we should see
the Antipodes Island Parakeet and also the Red-crowned,
which is a strong subspecies. We will also seek the
Antipodes subspecies of the NZ Pipit. Both Rockhopper
and Erect-crested Penguins frequent the coastline and
Antipodean Wandering Albatross nest on high. Magenta
Petrels are possible from this point onwards.
Day 13: En route to the Bounty Islands, inhospitable granite
knobs lashed by the Southern Ocean we should see
Wandering, Bullers, White-capped and Salvins Albatross,
Northern Giant Petrel, Cape Petrel, Antarctic Fulmar,
Mottled Petrel, Soft-plumaged Petrel, Broad billed Prion,
Fulmar Prion, White-chinned Petrel, White-faced Storm
Petrel to name a few. Arrive at the Bounty Islands early
morning to Zodiac cruise. Erect-crested Penguin and the
Bounty Island Shag should feature on our bird lists.
Day 14: En route to the Chatham Archipelago will be more
time for pelagic watching - we will be especially interested
in looking out for the Chatham Island Petrel (it has been
seen on this leg of the voyage before) and also Magenta
Petrel. Whales and dolphins should be encountered too.
Day 15-16: We will arrive at the Chathams travelling past
Pyramid Rock - which is the breeding place of the entire
world population of the exquisite Chatham Island Albatross.
At South East Island (Rangatira) we will Zodiac cruise
(landings are not permitted) and should obtain good views
of the very rare Shore Plover and the Chatham Island
Oystercatcher. Chatham (Forbes) Parakeet is possible too.
Our landing on the main Chatham Island will allow us to visit
a native forest reserve. This archipelago has been isolated
for thousands of years and both the birds and plants show
a high degree of endemism. During our birding excursion
we should see Chatham Island and Pitt Island Shags, along
with Chatham Island Warbler and Pigeon.
Day 17: Disembark vessel. Fly Chatham Islands back to
Christchurch on specially chartered flight.
NB Exact itinerary subject to weather and sea conditions.
Instead of sailing from the Chatham Islands back to New
Zealand as in past years, this sector will be flown in a
chartered aircraft to Christchurch. The second departure
will operate in reverse, ie fly from Christchurch to the
Chatham Islands.
Call +44 117 9658 333 for all bookings and enquires
Dates: 9th – 25th November & 24th November – 10th December
2014 (Invercargill to Christchurch, Christchurch to Invercargill)
Leader/s: Rodney Russ and expedition team.
Cost:
£6059
Sharing a triple basic (upper & lower berths)
£6665
Sharing a twin basic (lower berths)
£7515
Sharing a twin with facilities
(upper and lower berths)
£8179
Sharing a superior twin with facilities.
(lower berths)
£8485
Sharing a suite with facilities from (beds)
Deposit: 25%
Dates: 15th November – 3rd December 2015 (Bluff to Dunedin)
Leader/s: Rodney Russ and expedition team.
Cost:
£6365
Sharing a triple basic (upper & lower berths)
£6969
Sharing a twin basic (lower berths)
£7879
Sharing a twin with facilities
(upper and lower berths)
£8485
Sharing a superior twin with facs.
(lower berths)
£8899
Sharing a suite with facilities from (beds)
Deposit: 25%
Prices based on £1 = $1.65 Payment can also be made in US$,
please contact us for rates.
Single supplement 1.8 twin share rate.
Contact us for the colour brochure, previous trip reports and full bird and
mammal lists. For a superb illustrated report of the 2011 voyage,
please visit
www.pelagicodyssey.ca
Price includes: Voyage with accommodation as booked, including all meals,
shore excursions, lectures and services of expedition team, day by day
bird checklist, overnight hotel pre-cruise with dinner and breakfast, group
transfers hotel/ship, ship/airport. (2014 voyages also include one way charter
flight Chatham Islands to Christchurch or v.v.)
Price excludes: Flights (available from £995), landing fees and port taxes
(£455), travel insurance, vessel fuel surcharges if levied, onboard gratuities
(suggest US$10 per day), drinks, and items of a personal nature.
Advance register for November 2016 for only £50 per person.
29
at a glance....
FOCUS
Mammal-watching: mammals, birds and photography.
WHERE?
Cuiaba – Pantanal – Cuiaba (extension: Campo
Grande – Emas NP – Campo Grande)
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
Jaguar, Giant River Otter, Brazilian Tapir, (Maned Wolf),
many other mammals plus 200+ species of birds.
CLIMATE
Warm to hot (the river can be cool in early mornings)
ACCOMMODATION
Comfortable hotels & lodges, all rooms with private
facilties.
Itinerary...
Day 1: Depart London Heathrow late evening.
Day 2: Late morning connecting flight to Cuiaba and drive to
Pixaim and overnight.
Day 3: Morning boat trip for otters. Afternoon drive to Porte
Jofre for three nights.
Days 4&5: Boat trips from Porto Jofre.
Day 6: Drive to Pousada Jaguar and overnight.
Day 7:Drive to Araras Ecolodge for three nights.
Days 8 & 9: Full days wildlife watching.
Day 10: Last morning in the Pantanal, drive to Cuiaba for
flight to Sao Paulo and on to London. (or extend your stay
in Brazil)
Day 11: Arrive London Heathrow early afternoon.
Optional extension to Emas National Park
BRAZIL JAGUARS
The Pantanal
There can surely be few Neotropical mammals that hold the appeal of the Jaguar yet some tour
leaders with several months (or even years), experience in Central and South America have only seen
one or two. Although they have traditionally been considered a forest species it is now apparent that
Jaguars are equally at home in open country and the Pantanal has become the place to see them.
This is our revised itinerary, spending slightly more time in the Pantanal.
After our two recces during which we saw a total of six Jaguars our inaugural tour in 2004 was a roaring
success with no less than four Jaguars seen for prolonged periods at close range. All of our departures
since have enjoyed prolonged close views of Jaguars. The first of the 2007 tours came home again
with stunning views, two animals in full sunshine on the river bank whilst the second group watched
in disbelief as a pair courted and then mated in front of them. Our 2008 departures yielded superb
prolonged views again, six Jaguars on the first, two on the second. Our 2009 trip enjoyed no less than
seven close encounters with a Jaguar! Our first 2010 saw 44 species of mammal, including four different
Jaguars and finally adding Puma and cub to our ever growing multi-year list. The second 2010 trip also
enjoyed another four Jaguars including animals hunting and a pair mating, plus another Puma at only 25
metres range, Ocelot, Margay and four Maned Wolves to produce a total of 41 species of mammal! Our
2011 trip enjoyed great views of two Jaguars, one of which was on view for over two hours. Our 2012 group
enjoyed 8 – 9 Jaguars.
Prices & Dates
Leaders: Regina Ribeiro plus local guides.
Dates: TBC September 2015
Cost:
c£3995 per person sharing a twin room.
£629 - Single supplement
£1000 - Deposit
Group size: 6-8 plus leader and guides.
“
You may extend your trip by joining Regina and local
guides for three full days wildlife watching in Emas
National Park. An area of completely different habitat,
an area of open grasslands and scrubby woodland.
Potential highlights include Puma, Pampas Cat, Maned
Wolf & possibly Giant Anteater, plus armadillos and lots of
birds. TBC September 2015 - £1695 per person sharing a
twin room, single supplement £159pp. Includes domestic
flight, ground transportation, accommodation with private
facilities and all meals, service of our leader and local
guides, and entrance fees. Based on a minimum of 4
persons, and maximum of 8 plus leader and guides. A
second extension to a site reachable by road from Emas
in search of Giant Armadillos, will be announced soon.
Notes
Accommodation is in tourist class hotels with
private facilities.
In the Pantanal temperatures will be high
possibly in the 30s during the middle of the day.
We will normally spend this time resting.
Mosquitoes can be a problem in the Pantanal
and appropriate precautions should be taken
although there is no malaria in the areas we are
visiting.
All the previous trip reports including 2013, some
with photos, are available on our website or on
request from us.
“One of our best travel experiences. Many thanks!”
BRAZIL JAGUARS J & E.P. OCT 2013
Price includes: International and internal economy class flights including pre-paid taxes, all ground transportation, all accommodation and meals, park entry fees, services of WildWings leader
and local guides. Mammal & bird checklist.
Price excludes: Travel insurance, laundry bills, drinks, other items of a personal nature, gratuities.
Advance register for 2016 for only £100, departures planned for September & October.
30
www.wildwings.co.uk
at a glance....
NEW!
FOCUS
Bird & Wildlife River Cruise: birds, river dolphins,
monkeys, rainforest scenery and photography
WHERE?
Manaus (Brazil) – Amazon River – Rio Negro – Manaus
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
King Vulture, Harpy Eagle, Sunbittern, Sungrebe, Black
Skimmer, Red-and-Green Macaw, Scarlet Macaw,
Blue-and-Yellow Macaw, Festive Parrot, Red-fan Parrot,
Hoatzin, Spectacled Owl, Great Potoo, Common
Potoo, Great Jacamar, Guianan Toucanet, Toco Toucan,
Point-tailed Palmcreeper, Amazonian Umbrellabird,
Screaming Piha, Spangled Cotinga, Yellow-crowned
Manakin, Paradise Tanager, Golden-handed Tamarin,
Guianan and Golden-backed Squirrel Monkeys,
Colombian and Guianan Red Howlers, Red-faced and
Black Spider Monkeys, Pale-throated Sloth, Amazonian
River Dolphin, Tucuxi and mile after mile of virgin
rainforest
CLIMATE
Warm to hot. Generally fine with occasional showers
ACCOMMODATION
22 passenger comfortable live-aboard river boat, twin
cabins with bunk beds and private facilities.
AMAZON WILDLIFE CRUISE
Rainforest, River Dolphins, Monkeys, Macaws, Toucans and Giant Water Lilies
Often described as “the green lungs of the planet”, the Amazon rainforest is the most biologically diverse place on Earth and
on this exciting new tour we plan to spend two weeks in this wildlife paradise. Whilst many visitors to the rainforest base
themselves at a single lodge and then explore the surrounding area, this unique trip will be very different, as we will travel
and sleep on a comfortable river boat giving us the ability to explore more widely and visit a diverse range of habitats.
Our adventure starts in Manaus, home of the famous 19th Century Opera House, where we will board our specially chartered liveaboard and home for the next two weeks. Manaus sits at the confluence of the Rios Negro (a “black water” river) and Solimões
(a ‘white water” river) and this is where the two merge to form the mighty Amazon. The waters do not, however, mix for several
kilometres and we should witness the extraordinary spectacle of the two seemingly flowing next to each other, separated only by
their different temperatures, acidities and speeds.
For the first part of our expedition, we plan to travel along the Amazon exploring side channels, larger tributaries, as well as landing
on river islands and invarzea (annually flooded) forest andterra firme (never flooded) forest. This will allow us to look for a wide range
of birds and animals and our live-aboard comes equipped with motorised canoes to give us maximum flexibility. Whilst our specially
chartered vessel can carry 22 passengers, we are limiting this cruise to only 18.
Prices & Dates
Leaders: Chris Collins & Iggy Rojas plus the vessel’s guide & crew.
Dates: 6th – 19th September 2015
Cost: £2795 sharing a twin cabin
Single supplement £549
Max no of participants: 18
Deposit: £500 per person
2016 dates: TBC September, you may advance register for £50pp
(refundable).
Price includes: Travel and accommodation aboard theIracema, a Brazilian registered riverboat built
in 2011, in air-conditioned twin (upper & lower berth) cabins. Cabins include a window and private
shower, wc and washbasin. There is a restaurant/bar area for relaxing, socialising and eating, plus a
small library, laundry facilities and a satellite phone. The upper deck is open with seating for enjoying
wildlife and the world passing by (largely shaded by a canvas roof) and there is some limited space
facing forward on two decks. We will have three motorized canoes for exploring from the main
vessel. All meals are included aboard, transfers to and from the airport for our group flights, services
of leaders, canoe and shore excursions, local permits, WildWings pre-trip information pack plus a
bird and mammal checklist for use during the cruise.
Price excludes: Economy class flights with TAM from London Heathrow via Sao Paulo to Manaus
including pre-paid taxes (UK – UK dates would be 5th – 20th September 2015, approx. £949pp,
bookable from October 2014), pre and post cruise hotels if required, drinks, crew gratuities aboard
vessel (we suggest $10 per person per day), and other items of a personal nature plus travel
insurance.
Itinerary...
Day 1: Depart London Heathrow for Manaus.
Day 2: Arrive Manaus, transfer to live-aboard and sail. Visit to the ‘meeting of the waters’
where the Rios Negro and Solimões meet to form the Amazon.
Day 3-7: Explore river islands, varzea (flooded) forest,terra firme (never flooded) forest along
the Amazon and its tributaries.
Day 8: Visit to Manaus.
Day 9-15: Explore the Rio Negro and its tributaries. Visit the world’s largest river archipelago,
look for giant water lilies and interact with wild Amazon River Dolphins.
Day 15: Disembark in Manaus. Fly to Sao Paulo and onwards to the UK.
Day 16: Arrive London.
We can combine your cruise with other areas of Brazil eg The Pantanal, Iguazu Falls etc.
We also plan to offer an optional extension for Araripe Manakin and other birds to north east Brazil.
If you would like the information when available, please e-mail or phone us.
Call +44 117 9658 333 for all bookings and enquires
31
BAJA CALIFORNIAand the Sea of Cortez
This island-studded marine wilderness is often referred to as the ‘Mexican Galapagos’ and it boasts one of the greatest
diversities of sea life anywhere on Earth. Baja California is one of the longest and wildest peninsulas in the world,
stretching from the Californian border to the town of Cabo San Lucas, more than 800 miles to the south. It is flanked on
one side by the cool waters of the North Pacific and on the other by the warm nutrient rich waters of the Sea of Cortez.
It is a truly outstanding area for whales and dolphins, quite simply one of the best in the world, and these waters provide rich feeding grounds for Blue, Fin,
Humpback, Gray, Bryde’s, Minke, Sperm and Short-finned Pilot Whales. We also expect to see Pacific White-sided Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins (both inshore
and offshore forms), and Short-beaked and Long-beaked Common Dolphins, and for the very keen, Dwarf Sperm Whale. In fact, we are frequently surrounded
by herds of dolphins numbering well over a thousand individuals, bubbling out of the sea in every direction, with small groups frequently venturing in to bow
ride with us. On previous trips we have been joined by pods of bow riding Orcas, lunge feeding Blue Whales and groups of up to 20 Sperm Whales. In addition
to the female Gray Whales and their calves waiting for us even before we dropped anchor in their breeding lagoon, other memorable moments include male
Humpbacks that repeatedly breach (one 60 times in succession) just a few metres from us, thirty tons of whale makes quite a noise and a splash when it hits
the water! Our ever growing multi-year list also includes False Killer Whales, an hour long encounter with a Whale Shark and Spinner Dolphins, so surprises are
more than possible too! A remarkable 13 species of cetacean were seen on one trip alone, including at least 300 whale sightings and well over 6000 dolphins.
The endangered Guadalupe Fur Seal, endemic to this region, has also been seen well in the last few years. The 2013 voyage enjoyed all the usuals in good
numbers, plus mega-highlights included bow-riding dolphins at night (dolphins and fish ‘exploding’off the bows in bioluminescence waters) and a Whaleshark
which swan under the vessel. 2014’s group enjoyed 10+ Blue Whales (some trip this year saw none!), lots of Gray and Humpback Whales, thousands of dolphins
and a two-hour encounter with five Orcas.
Some great birds are on offer too, with range-restricted species possible including Guadalupe and Scripp’s Murrelets (both formally known as Xantu’s Murrelet,
but split in 2012) plus Craveri’s Murrelet, Black-vented and Townsend’s Shearwaters, Black and Least Storm-Petrels, Grey Thrasher and Xantu’s Hummingbird.
Belding’s Yellowthroat is also possible prior to departure from Cabo on the last morning. Two of the three Pacific albatross are likely, tropicbirds, boobies plus
for many people, their first taste of ‘desert birding’ ashore. Our co-leader David Wimpfheimer, is a year-round professional bird guide. His optional, small-group
birding trip around San Diego on the day of sailing, usually yields about 100 species.
Baja is truly a life experience you cannot afford to miss!
32
www.wildwings.co.uk
Itinerary...
Day 1: Fly from London Heathrow to San Diego via Detroit, transfer to hotel, overnight.
Day 2: Optional birding excursion by bus (0700-1530) or day at leisure, city sightseeing,
shopping etc. Early evening board the Spirit of Adventure and sail
Day 3: Isla Todos Santos for nesting seabirds and Harbour Seals
Day 4: Isla San Benitos to view a Northern Elephant Seal rookery, California Sea Lions,
Ospreys and desert plants and to seek the very rare and endemic Guadalupe Fur Seal.
Days 5-6: San Ignacio Lagoon for close encounters with ‘friendly’ Gray Whales
Day 7: Magdalena Bay area for more Gray Whales, as well as feeding Blue and
Humpback Whales further offshore and around Cabo San Lucas.
Days 8-12: Whale watching, bird watching, snorkelling and other activities in the Sea of
Cortez
Day 13: Expedition concludes at Cabo San Lucas, transfer to airport and depart for
home via Atlanta.
Day 14: Arrive London Heathrow.
Price includes: Economy class flights with Delta from London Heathrow via Detroit out
and Atlanta back including pre-paid taxes (included flight allowance £780 per person, for
other routes/airlines a supplements will apply). Overnight hotel accommodation in San
Diego in rooms with private facilities including breakfast. Travel and accommodation aboard
theSpirit of Adventure, an 88-foot long, U.S registered boat, air-conditioned with mostly
twin (two triple) cabins. Cabins are small (for sleeping and changing), with limited storage
space only. There is a spacious salon for relaxing, socialising and eating. Four toilets
and three hot freshwater showers. Three sturdy long Mexican pangas operated by local
fishermen are used for close encounters with Gray Whales in San Ignacio Lagoon (theSpirit
of Adventure’s skiffs are used at all other times). All meals aboard theSpirit of Adventure,
Prices & Dates
Dates
25th March – 7th April 2015
25th March – 7th April 2016
Naturalists/guides: Scot Anderson and David Wimpfheimer plus ship’s crew.
Cost:
2015: £4295
2016: £TBC
Max no of participants: 26
Deposit: £1000per person
For 2016 a refundable advance registration fee of £50pp is required.
all transfers, services of leaders, shore excursions as described, lagoon permits, Mexican
visas, WildOceans/WildWings pre-trip information pack plus cetacean and bird checklist for
use on tour.
Price excludes: Meals in San Diego, drinks, crew gratuities aboard vessel (we suggest
$15-25 per person per day), panga boatman tips ($15-20 per person) and other items of a
personal nature and travel insurance.
Single room supplement in San Diego £69. Optional birding excursion in San Diego, March
26th £90.
at a glance....
FOCUS
Bird & Wildlife Cruise: whales
& dolphins, birds, other marine
life, scenery & photography
WHERE?
San Diego – Pacific coast – San
Ignacio Lagoon – Sea of Cortez
& islands – Cabo San Lucas
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
Blue, Gray, Fin, Humpback and
many other whales, dolphins,
seals, seabirds including Pacific
albatross, shorebirds, desert
birds and regional endemics.
CLIMATE
Cool to warm
ACCOMMODATION
26 passenger live-aboard
sports fishing boat, cabins
without private facilties.
Call +44 117 9658 333 for all bookings and enquires
33
at a glance....
FOCUS
Bird & Wildlife Cruise: seabirds,
whales and dolphins, other marine
life, scenery and photography
WHERE?
San Diego – Guadalupe Island –
Alijos Rocks – Socorro Island – Cabo
San Lucas
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
Townsend’s Shearwater, Blackvented Shearwater, Ainley’s Stormpetrel, Least Storm-petrel, Ashy
Storm-petrel, Black Storm-petrels,
Laysan Albatross, Black-footed
Albatross, Guadalupe Murrelet, Blue
Whale, Bryde’s Whale, Humpback
Whale, Orca, Pacific White-sided
Dolphin, Spinner Dolphin & Giant
Manta Ray
CLIMATE
Cool to warm
ACCOMMODATION
24 passenger live-aboard sports
fishing boat, cabins with washbasin
only.
MEXICO PELAGIC
Following on from the spectacular success of our West Pacific Odyssey,
WildWings is delighted to announce another ‘world first’ voyage which
will be targeting some of the special seabirds in the East Pacific including
Townsend’s Shearwater, Black-vented Shearwater, Ainley’s Storm-petrel,
Least Storm-petrel, Black Storm-petrel and Guadalupe Murrelet. We
also hope to see a host of desirable cetaceans, seals and other marine
creatures including Great White Sharks (although getting a bit late in the
season for them) and Giant Manta Rays, so this exciting pelagic should
appeal to those with a wide range of sea-related interests.
Our expedition begins in San Diego and after clearing customs just over the
Mexican border at Ensenada, we will sail in a south-westerly direction for
the island of Guadalupe. This island is probably most famous in seabirding
circles for the Guadalupe Storm-petrel, a species which was considered
abundant at the beginning of the 20th Century but is now regarded as
critically endangered and potentially extinct. With several other seabirds
either “coming back from the dead” or being discovered in recent years (eg
Beck’s & Fiji Petrels) and only a handful of recent at sea searches in the
waters off Guadalupe, there is surely a chance that this storm-petrel could still
be out there. Whilst we will certainly be alert to the possibility of this almost
mythical bird, our main reason for visiting Guadalupe is to look for another
endangered storm-petrel and that is Ainley’s Storm-petrel. Until recently, this
was regarded as part of the Leach’s Storm-petrel complex but recent work by
Steve N. G. Howell and others has shown that this is indeed a good species.
We are pleased to announce Steve will now be joining us as a guest leader.
With the birds only known to breed on three small islets off Guadalupe and
egg-laying taking place in November-December, our trip has been perfectly
time to ensure we have an excellent chance of finding this poorly known bird.
Another important bird which breeds here is the highly localised Guadalupe
Murrelet which up until 2012 was regarded as conspecific with Scripps’s
Murrelet, with both being collectively known as Xantus’ Murrelet. This split
has now been widely accepted and whilst we will be at Guadalupe Island
outside of the murrelet breeding season, nevertheless, we hope to find both
these ‘new’ species during our expedition, as well as the more widespread
Cassin’s Auklet. As Guadalupe is a Biosphere Reserve (as is Socorro),
landings are not permitted, although we are able to go on skiff rides and
hope to find both Guadalupe Fur Seal and Northern Elephant Seal. We will
also be on the lookout for one of the world’s most feared creatures, the Great
White Shark, as these apex predators are known to gather off Guadalupe (but
slightly earlier in the year). Other desirable seabirds we should see around
the island include the recently split Guadalupe Murrelet and Black-vented
Shearwater, whilst in the deeper offshore waters, Ashy, Black and Least
Storm-petrels, Pink-footed Shearwater, Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Blackfooted and Laysan Albatrosses are all possible, as well as more widespread
species such as Magnificent Frigatebird and Masked Booby.
34
Prices & Dates
Dates: 28th November – 8th December 2015
Leaders: Chris Collins & Art Taylor, plus Guest Leader Steve N.G. Howell*.
Cost:
£2995/US$4645 per person sharing a twin cabin
£500/US$775 per person deposit
Max no of participants: 24
NEW!
Itinerary...
Day 1: Arrive San Diego, overnight hotel.
Day 2: Board vessel in the morning in San Diego and sail. We will clear Mexican customs at
Ensenada in the early afternoon and then set a course for Guadalupe Island.
Day 3: We plan to arrive offshore of Guadalupe Island by late morning and depending on
conditions plan to look for seabirds and offer skiff rides along the coastline. At sea, we will be
looking for Ainley’s Storm-petrel and Great White Sharks, whilst closer inshore we hope to find
Northern Elephant Seals and Guadalupe Fur Seal.
Day 4: Another morning exploring offshore from Guadalupe Island before departing south for
Alijos Rocks.
Day 5: At sea with possibilities for deep water cetaceans and an interesting mix of seabirds.
Day 6: We expect to spend part of today looking for seabirds around Alijos Rocks before
continuing towards Socorro Island.
Day 7: At sea.
Day 8-9: We anticipate arriving off Socorro Island at lunchtime on day 8 and will have the rest of
that day and all of day 9 to look for birds and marine wildlife around the island.
Day 10: A day at sea as we head back towards mainland Mexico.
Day 11: Arrive Cabo San Lucas and disembark after breakfast. Many flights depart for the US
around lunchtime and into the afternoon, time enough to go and search for the local endemic,
Belding’s Yellowthroat.
Selected target pelagic birds: Ainley’s Storm-petrel, Townsend’s Shearwater, Laysan & Blackfooted Albatross, Black-vented Shearwater, Least and Black Storm-petrel, Guadalupe Murrelet,
Magnificent Frigatebirds and Masked Booby.
Potential cetaceans: Fin, Minke and Blue Whales; Humpbacks at Socorro; Bryde’s Whales in the
sub-tropics; and several more species of toothed whales are expected-Short-beaked and Longbeaked Common Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin, Pilot Whales, Pacific White-sided Dolphin, Killer
Whales, other tropical dolphin species such as Spinner and Spotted Dolphins.
Price includes:Overnight hotel accommodation in San
Diego in rooms with private facilities, on a room only
basis. Travel and accommodation aboard theSearcher,
an 95-foot long, U.S registered boat, air-conditioned
with twin cabins with washbasin and bedside reading
lights. Cabins are small (for sleeping and changing),
with limited storage space only. There is a spacious
salon for relaxing, socialising and eating. Four toilets
and two hot freshwater showers. The vessel has 3
metal-hulled skiffs. All meals and beverages aboard
theSearcher, services of leaders and crew, Mexican
visas, WildWings pre-voyage information pack plus
bird and marine mammal checklist for use during the
voyage.
Price excludes:Flights to San Diego/ from Cabo San
Lucas (available from c£750 return from London),
transfers in San Diego and Cabo (taxis from/to airports
c$10/$20pp), meals & drinks in San Diego, other drinks
onboard, crew gratuities aboard vessel (we suggest
$25 per person per day), items of a personal nature
and travel insurance.
Single room supplement in San Diego £49/$79 We
may be able to offer a few single cabins on the vessel,
supplement £500 / US$775.
Subject to demand, we may offer an optional birding
excursion around San Diego on November 28th, 100+
species being possible.
(* BY kind permission of WINGS)
www.wildwings.co.uk
BIRDING
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Less than half a day’s flight from here, lie two sun-kissed islands
in the Caribbean Sea, yet only a few miles from mainland South
America. English speaking, compact, beautiful and bird-filled
Trinidad and Tobago await, a true natural history paradise.
Over 430 species of bird have been recorded, over 100 species of mammal,
55 species of reptile, 23 amphibians, over 630 species of butterfly not
forgetting at least 2300 types of flowering plants. WildWings continue to work
with the world-famous Asa Wright Nature Centre plus Pax Guest House on
Trinidad. On Tobago we offer Blue Waters Inn, set on it’s own beach and the
delightful Cuffie River Nature Retreat, set in the cool of the island’s forests. We
can tailor-make your dream combination of properties on both islands.
Trinidad
Pax Guest House independent packages
From only £1289 per person, sharing a room with
washbasin.
Single room £169 per person per week
Contact
Sarah-Jane Thompson
at WildWings
for your quote!
For rooms with private facilities: in a twin or single add
£79 per person per week.
Deposit: £500 per person
Price includes: return economy class flights from London
Gatwick to Port of Spain with BA including pre-paid taxes,
transfers, 7 nights accommodation at Pax Guest House on
a full board basis in twin rooms with washbasin and a rum
punch daily, plus a WildWings bird checklist.
Price excludes: Guided birding excursions (available
locally from approx £65pp per day including transport)
Travel insurance, drinks and items of a personal nature.
Flights supplements for higher BA booking class’s, which
will be advised at time of booking if applicable. Weekend
(friday-sunday) flight supplements apply.
Tobago
Air-inclusive packages to
the Asa Wright Nature Centre
From £1495 per person, sharing a twin room with
private facilities.
We work with BLUE WATERS INN &
CUFFIE RIVER NATURE RETREAT.
Enquire for prices.
Deposit: £500 per person
Price includes: return economy class flights to Port of
Spain with BA from London Gatwick including pre paid
taxes, return airport transfers, 7 nights accommodation
at the Asa Wright Nature Centre with private facilities,
early morning coffee, breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea,
dinner and rum punch daily. Introductory guided walk
and Oilbird cave visit. WildWings bird checklist.
Price excludes: Other birding excursions, travel
insurance, other drinks and items of a personal nature.
Flights supplements for higher BA booking class’s,
which will be advised at time of booking if applicable.
Weekend (Friday-Sunday) flight supplements apply.
Call +44 117 9658 333 for all bookings and enquires
35
The Best of the Islands....
Having sent hundreds of people to the islands over the last twenty
years we are pleased to suggest our ‘best of’ combinations to
maximise your birding.
The Best of Trinidad
7 nights Pax Guest House Birding
Package plus 3 nights at the Asa
Wright Nature Centre (including
Oilbird excursion) from £1929 per
person sharing a twin room with
private facilities, full board (valid
for travel on a variety of dates).
The Best of Trinidad and Tobago
7 nights Pax Guest House Birding
Package plus 3 nights at the
Asa Wright Nature Centre and
4 nights at Blue Waters Inn from
£2185 per person sharing a
twin room with private facilities,
full board in Trinidad, bed and
breakfast on Tobago (valid for
travel on a variety of dates)
BIRDING JAMAICA
INDEPENDENT TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS: BIRDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY
Holiday Information
Air-inclusive packages to Hotel Mocking Bird Hill
Departures
Year round from £1895 per person, sharing a twin room with private facilities.
Single supplements from £690.00 per week
Price includes: return economy class flights from London Gatwick to Kingston
with BA including prepaid taxes, transfers (approx 2-2.5 hours each way), 7 nights
accommodation at Mockingbird Hill with breakfast and 3-course a la Carte dinner,
sharing a garden-view twin room with private facilities and WildWings bird checklist.
Price excludes: Local airport tax (US$30), drinks, other meals, gratuities, birding and
other excursions, travel insurance and other items of a personal nature.
Perhaps the most beautiful part of Jamaica is its unspoiled
eastern region with its lush green hills and pristine
undeveloped beaches, the peace and solitude offered by the
Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park and the small
town of Port Antonio - an area that has recorded 25 of the
island’s 28 endemics!
These year round holidays are perfect for non-birding partners
too. Our property, Mocking Bird Hill is listed in the ‘Birds of the
West Indies’ as one of the best birding sites on the island, with
a garden list of over 40 species recorded. With advance notice,
the owners can arrange birding trips with a car and driver plus a
local birding guide to the other key sites. We can also combine
this property with Forres Park and/or Green Lane, ask SarahJane Thompson for your quote.
Deposit: £500 per person.
Sample optional Birding Excursions, bookable locally:
Ecclesdown- A morning birding excursion with a stop at Reach Falls and the beach on
the way back. Approx £195 for 2 persons including transport and guide.
Blue Mountains-A full day trip with an option to visit a coffee estate on the way back.
Approx £245 for 2 persons including transport and guide.
36
Sample itinerary
Day 1: Fly London Gatwick to Jamaica. Transfer on arrival to your
accommodation.
Days 2- 7: Six full days in Jamiaca, many birds can be seen in and
around the hotel. Optional excursions to other parts of the island.
Day 8: Transfer back to airport for overnight flight home.
Day 9: Arrive London Gatwick.
www.wildwings.co.uk
COLORADO
Incredible scenery and great birding make this spring trip to
Colorado one of the best birding experiences in North America,
indeed clients in previous years have always raved about it.
Grouse Leks
at a glance....
FOCUS
Mammal and birds tour: Birds,
mammals, scenery & photography.
WHERE?
Denver (USA) – exploring Colorado,
including a day in Kansas – Denver
SAMPLE WILDLIFE
5 species of lekking grouse plus other
‘game birds’ including White-tailed
Ptarmigan, many other resident, winter
and summer visitors. A good potential
list of mammals including Coyote
and Elk plus a chance of wild cats
including Mountain Lion.
CLIMATE
Temperature winter to spring
ACCOMMODATION
Travel will be by 15 seat passenger
van (for only 7 people), staying in
typical American motels, rooms with
private facilities.
prices & dates
Dates: 11th – 23rd April 2015
Leaders: Dick Filby
Cost: £2639 per person sharing a twin room
Single supplement: £295
Deposit: £800
Group size: 7 plus leader
Dates: 9th – 21st April 2016. You may advance register for only £50pp.
Price includes: Return economy class flights*
including airport taxes with Icelandair (an allowance
of £700 is included), all ground transportation by
mini-bus, accommodation on a room only basis in
twin bedded en suite rooms. Lek visits, services of
WildWings leader, pre tour information pack and a
day-by-day bird checklist. (* You may also fly from
some UK regional airports or non-stop from London
Heathrow with British Airways, supplement £250pp,
please enquire)
Price excludes: Travel insurance, all meals, drinks,
souvenirs, gratuities, laundry charges and other
items of a personal nature. Allow approximately
U$25-40 per day for food and drinks (or more if you
choose to celebrate in style). Food is generally at
local diners and restaurants, with packed breakfast/
lunch on some days. Most of the tour is based in
small towns so the restaurant opportunities are
adequate and satisfying.
Many birds and mammals are found more easily in Colorado than
anywhere else and your guide Dick Filby spends much of the year in
Colorado and knows where to find them. What’s more, the endless
vistas of the High Plains give a sense of freedom and space that is
difficult to find in many parts of the world whilst the Rocky Mountains,
their dramatic peaks still snow capped after 300 inches or more of
snow from the winter, tower above great forests and deep gorges
carved by gushing rivers. The focus for this trip are the grouse leks for
which Colorado is famous, with more grouse species to be found here
than anywhere else in North America. There is no better place to view
them. The leks are totally spellbinding and in addition to the displays,
also offer unusually prolonged viewing of the cryptic plumage of these
otherwise shy and retiring species. The supporting cast of other birds
and mammals is impressive in its own right.
The grouse leks are some of the most incredible display rituals in
the avian world and we will get amazing and close-up views. Each
species has its own unique and bizarre performances, which involve
ritualised dancing, inflation of brightly coloured air sacs, curious
vocalisations and extraordinary postures. As we progress around the
state in search of the different species, we will position ourselves at
each lek prior to dawn and thrill to a new spectacle unfolding as the
sun rises. Captivated, we will spend an hour or more spellbound until
the frenzied activity of the males diminish, the visiting females have
departed, and we too head for breakfast. We visit leks of Greater
Sage Grouse, the recently split Gunnison Sage Grouse, Sharptailed Grouse, Greater Prairie Chicken and Lesser Prairie Chicken.
In addition we will seek displaying Blue Grouse and Wild Turkeys,
coveys of Scaled, Gambel and Northern Bobwhite Quails, as well as
the enigmatic and beautiful White-tailed Ptarmigan. As we search
for the latter, a notoriously difficult-to-find species, we will be truly on
the roof of North America, atop the Rocky Mountains, having driven
up into the Arctic Alpine zone at almost 12,000 feet. Like the rest of
the tour, we will look for the birds close to the road. It is set to be a
fantastic culmination to an amazing tour.
Birds: Number of species expected (approx.): - 180
itinerary
Day 1: Fly Heathrow – Denver via Atlanta (Depart
approx 0900). Overnight hotel.
Day 2: The Eastern Plains. Drive to Springfield birding
en route.
Day 3: Lesser Prairie Chicken lek, Commanche
National Grasslands and South East Canyonlands.
Day 4: Lesser Prairie Chicken lek again (optional) then
into The Rocky Mountains to Gunnison.
Day 5: Gunnison Sage Grouse lek and the Black
Canyon.
Day 6: Colorado River and valleys of the central
Rockies.
Day 7: Sharp-tailed Grouse, Bald Eagles, Sandhill
Cranes.
Day 8: Greater Sage Grouse, North Park plateau and
Cache-le-Poudre valley.
Call +44 117 9658 333 for all bookings and enquires
Day 9: Pawnee National Grasslands.
Day 10: Greater Prairie Chickens, Bonny State Park and
the Eastern Plains.
Day 11: AM Eastern Plains, PM drive to Denver area,
overnight airport area.
Day 12: Departure from Denver (approx 1030) via
Atlanta, overnight flight.
Day 13: Arrive back in Heathrow (approx 0730).
37
TOUR/ HOLIDAY
First name that you wish to
be known by
How did you first hear about WildWings/WildOceans?
Given names
as per passport
Surname as per passport
Date of birth
TWIN
DATES:
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as per passport
TRIPLE
ROOM/CABIN REQUIRED...
YES/ NO
QUAD
Passport no:
Date of issue:
Expiry date:
COMPIMENTARY WILDWINGS T-SHIRTS
OR WILDWINGS DAY PACK
NO THANKS!
WILDWINGS DAY PACK
*one per tour participant
PLEASE STATE SIZE AND QUANTITY*
MEDIUM
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PAYMENT (Cheques payable to WildWings)
I enclose £.................... deposit per person
Total:
Total: £......................
£......................
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(24 HOURS WORLDWIDE)
Or full payment of £..................... per person
For bank transfers, e-mail for our account details.
(NB: A 2% surcharge will apply for all Credit Card payments.)
Last 3 digits of security number on back of card: .................... Issue No (if applicable): ...............
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TRAVEL INSURANCE TELEPHONE NUMBER: TRAVEL INSURANCE COMPANY NAME:
DO YOU SMOKE?
if you have arranged to share with someone please give their name
SINGLE
NB: Please ensure that your passport is valid with at least 6 months beyond return date of your trip
Full permanent address (to which all correspondence, tickets etc are sent)
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or other title
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Special Requests (eg, Diet, allergies etc..)
Date:
I confirm that I have read the WildWings/WildOceans/ Wild Insights booking conditions and agree that my reservation, if
confirmed will be subject to those conditions. I have the necessary authority to make this reservation on the behalf of any other
persons on this booking form. Neither I, nor they suffer from any disability likely to prevent us participating in the tour/holiday.
Signature:
Please return the completed booking form to WildWings, Davis House, Lodge Causeway, Bristol, BS16 3JB. UK.
WILDWINGS/WILDOCEANS AND WILD INSIGHTS ARE TRADING NAMES OF STRAND TRAVEL LTD ATOL 5429. MEMBERS OF ABTA
www.wildwings.co.uk
38
Strand Travel Limited trading as: WildWings, Wild
Insights and WildOceans. ATOL 5429
These are the terms and conditions which will
apply to our ATOL-bonded air inclusive holidays.
Please read them carefully as you will be bound
to them.
1. When you make your booking you must complete
a booking form accepting on behalf of all your
party the terms of these booking conditions and
pay a deposit of 10% per person (unless otherwise
stated). A contract will exist when on receipt of
your deposit we issue a confirmation invoice. (We
reserve the right to decline any booking)
All payments must be made in pounds sterling and
all cheques must be drawn on a UK clearing bank.
All other forms of payment including Euro cheques
and foreign currency will incur additional bank
charges. These additional charges will be added
to your account. Foreign currency payments will be
converted to sterling on the day that we receive
payment and any shortfall or gain will be notified
to you in writing.
All passengers must be fit to travel at the time
of booking and expected to still be so at time of
travel. Health advice is available at www.doh.gov.
uk/traveladvice.
It is a general condition that all tour customers
must have valid travel insurance for their trip, which
must provide sufficient cover for the experience/s
they are booking, also bearing in mind their
ongoing health and age. All participants should
also ensure they have valid travel documents such
as a passport and any visas that may be required
for the booked trip.
2. WildWings/Wild Insights/WildOceans reserve
the right to cancel a tour up to fifty six days prior
to departure, should minimum numbers not
be attained (up to 30 days prior to departure
WildOceans O.S.E trips only).
3. We also reserve the right to change advertised
vessels and tour leaders at any time, although
in practice do not intend to do so (but real world
factors such as illness have to be taken into
account). If the minimum number on a tour is not
attained we will withdraw the UK leader and run
the trip with the overseas leader/s rather than
cancel your holiday.
4. The balance of the price of your holiday must
be paid by twelve weeks before departure. If
the balance is not paid in time we reserve the
right to cancel your holiday, retain your deposit
and apply cancellation charges set out below.
For some holidays we may ask for an interim
payment to guarantee the airfare element. If you
make any changes to your booking after it has
been confirmed, an administration fee of £20 per
change may apply.
5. You, or any member or your party, may
cancel your holiday at any time providing that
the cancellation is made by the person signing
the booking form and is communicated to us in
writing. As this incurs administrative costs, we
will retain your deposit and in addition may apply
cancellation charges up to the maximum shown
below. The cancellation charge is calculated
as a percentage of the holiday price dependent
upon the period before departure when written
cancellation is received.
Cancellation
More than 84 days before departure:
Loss of deposit (including interim flight payments
if applicable)
84 – 71 days before departure
25% of total price (or deposit as above if higher).
56 - 70 days before departure
50% of total price.
29 - 55 days before departure
75% of total price.
0 - 28 days before departure
100% of total price.
Note: If the reason for cancellation is covered
under the terms of an insurance policy, you may be
able to reclaim these charges. No refunds will be
made in the event of interruption or cancellation by
the passenger after the start of the travel.
6. If you have a problem during your holiday,
please inform our tour manager or local
representative immediately who will endeavour
to put things right quickly. If your complaint cannot
be resolved locally, please follow this up within 31
days of your return home by writing to our Tours
Manager at WildWings/WildOceans/Wild Insights,
Davis House, Lodge Causeway, Bristol, BS16 3JB.
UK giving your original booking reference and
all relevant information. It is unlikely that you will
have a complaint that cannot be settled amicably
between us.
Disputes relating to your holiday which cannot be
amicably settled may, if you wish, be referred to
arbitration under a special scheme administered
by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. The
scheme, details of which can be supplied on
request, provides for a simple and inexpensive
method of arbitration based on documents alone
with restricted liability for you to pay costs. This
scheme does not apply to claims for an amount
greater than £5,000 per person or £25,000 per
booking form. Neither does it apply to claims
which are solely or mainly in respect of physical
injury or illness or the consequences of such injury
or illness. The rules of the scheme provide that the
application for arbitration must be made within
nine months of the date of return from the holiday.
7. The prices quoted are based on known costs
and exchange rates: US Dollar 1.6 Euro 1.2z. These
prices may, however, be subject to surcharges as a
result of increases of costs caused by government
action, changes in currency exchange rates, overflying charges, airport charges and increases in
scheduled air fares. In the event of an increase
in the cost of the holiday WildWings/Wild Insights/
WildOceans will absorb an amount equivalent
to 2% of the holiday price, excluding insurance
premium. If the amount of the surcharge exceeds
10% of the holiday price, the client may elect to
cancel the holiday and receive a full refund of all
monies paid. The client must exercise his right to
cancel for this reason within 14 days from receiving
written notification of the surcharge from us,
otherwise the surcharge will be deemed to have
been accepted by the client. The client shall be
notified in writing of any surcharge payable 30
days before departure. Airline and or ship fuel
surcharges may be applicable at any time.
8. It is unlikely we will have to make any changes
to your holiday, but we do plan the arrangements
many months in advance. Occasionally, changes
may be made, which we reserve the right to do at
any time. Most of these changes are minor and we
will advise you (or your agent if applicable) at the
earliest possible date. Flight timings and carriers
are subject to changes as a result of airline
procedures. If a major change becomes necessary,
we will inform you as soon as reasonably possible,
if there is time before departure. Should your
tour have to be cancelled within 8 weeks of your
departure date for reasons of ‘force majeure’
(circumstances such as, but not limited to, war,
riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity,
natural or nuclear activity, disease, fire or adverse
weather conditions), you will be offered a full and
prompt refund (excluding insurance) of all monies
paid by you. A 5% discount shall apply to your next
booked holiday with us.
9. We accept responsibility for ensuring the holiday
which you book with us is supplied as described in
this brochure and the services reach a reasonable
standard.
We accept responsibility for any death, bodily
injury or illness caused to you as a result of the
proven negligent acts and/or omissions of our
employees and agents and our suppliers and
subcontractors and their servants and/or agents
while acting within the scope of, or in the course
of their employment. Except as provided in
paragraphs (a) to (d), we accept responsibility for
any damage caused to you as a result of any
failure to perform, or improper performance of the
services we have agreed to provide to you. We
will not be responsible to you where such failure
or improper performance is not due to our fault or
that of our suppliers because:
a) Such failure is attributable to you or any member
of your party.
b) The unforeseeable or unavoidable fault of a
third party unconnected with the provision of any
services to be provided under contract.
c) Unusual and unforeseeable circumstances
beyond the control of WildWings /WildOceans/Wild
Insights and/or supplier
Call +44 117 9658 333 for all bookings and enquires
d) An event of ‘force majeure’
Nevertheless, we will in the circumstances set out
in paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) above, promptly try
to help you if you are in difficulty. In addition, if
through no fault of your own you suffer personal
injury or illness or one of your party dies during
your holiday then, even though this may not be as a
result of any of the holiday services, we will(subject
to our reasonable but sole discretion and where
appropriate) give you general assistance including
financial assistance; and meet the initial costs of
any legal action in relation to a claim against a
third party arising out of your holiday.
We will give this general and financial assistance
provided that you request it within 90 days of the
event which led to such personal injury, illness
or death and provided that our total financial
liability for such assistance will not exceed £5,000
regardless of the number of people involved. If you
are successful in claiming any of your costs against
a third party or if any policy of insurance held by
you provides cover for these costs then you must
repay any financial assistance we have given as
soon as you recover it.
Subject to the limitation of liability set out in the
following paragraph, our liability to you for any
loss or damage which you may suffer (other than
personal injury resulting from the non-performance
or improper performance of the services involved
in the holiday) is limited in accordance with any
limitation clause in the trading conditions of the
supplier.
Our liability to you for the non-performance or
improper performance by air carriers, sea carriers,
rail carriers or hotel keepers of any services to be
provided by them as part of your holiday is limited
to the amount you can validly recover against such
carrier or hotel keeper:
a) in accordance with any applicable domestic
law or the laws of the United Kingdom, for
claims other than for personal injury arising out
of travel and carriage within the United Kingdom
or which is otherwise not international; and b)
for all claims arising out of any other travel,
carriage or accommodation, in accordance with
the international convention which governs such
service, including those which have not been
ratified by the United Kingdom.
WildWings/WildOceans/Wild Insights shall in no
circumstances be liable in respect of consequential
loss or damage, detention, delay or overcharge
howsoever caused.
10. Our leaders have full authority on tour and you
should abide by their instructions. We reserve the
right to dismiss any participant from a tour who in
the opinion of the leader commits any illegal act,
collects any living material from the wild, or whose
behaviour severely affects other members of the
group’s enjoyment. Any person dismissed from a
tour shall have no cause for complaint or refund,
and will bear any additional costs in returning
home themselves.
11. It is the responsibility of each passenger to
ensure they have a valid passport and any
applicable visas plus any compulsory vaccination
certificates at the time of travel.
Advice for UK passport holders can be found at
www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo
12. Your Financial Protection
When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight
inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL
Certificate. This lists what is financially protected,
where you can get information on what this means
for you and who to contact if things go wrong.
We, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL
Certificate, will provide you with the services listed
on the ATOL Certificate (or a suitable alternative).
In some cases, where neither we nor the supplier
are able to do so for reasons of insolvency, an
alternative ATOL holder may provide you with the
services you have bought or a suitable alternative
(at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept
that in those circumstances the alternative ATOL
holder will perform those obligations and you
agree to pay any money outstanding to be paid by
you under your contract to that alternative ATOL
holder.
However, you also agree that in some cases it will
not be possible to appoint an alternative ATOL
holder, in which case you will be entitled to make a
claim under the ATOL scheme (or your credit card
issuer where applicable).
If we, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL
certificate, are unable to provide the services listed
(or a suitable alternative, through an alternative
ATOL holder or otherwise) for reasons of
insolvency, the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust may
make a payment to (or confer a benefit on)
you under the ATOL scheme. You agree that in
return for such a payment or benefit you assign
absolutely to those Trustees any claims which you
have or may have arising out of or relating to the
non-provision of the services, including any claim
against us, the travel agent (or your credit card
issuer where applicable). You also agree that any
such claims may be re-assigned to another body,
if that other body has paid sums you have claimed
under the ATOL scheme.
We are also bonded members of ABTA. Voyage
customers will travel under their respective ship
operator’s terms and conditions, copies of which
will be supplied.
13. This contract is made on the terms of these
booking conditions which are governed by English
Law and is subject to the non-exclusive jurisdiction
of the English Courts.
Important Notes:
1. The nature of many of the trips means we will
be travelling in sometimes remote and sometimes
‘third world’ conditions, with local bureaucracy,
poor roads etc Each tour itinerary and/or sea
voyages are the proposed one only and we
reserve the right to change the itinerary subject
to local conditions and weather on the day.
Customers should also bear in mind ‘health and
safety’ standards abroad generally do not match
those in the UK and EU.
2. Birds, cetaceans and other wildlife are free and
mobile. We cannot guarantee the sighting on a trip
of any species but of course our tours are all timed
to maximise the chances of seeing the majority of
target species. Previous trip reports are available.
3. All wildlife should be respected and participants
should be aware of potentially aggressive species
and keep a safe distance from them. Wildlife
should not be disturbed by participants and tapes
should not used in the applicable breeding season.
4. Customers travelling with a number of the
overseas operators we represent and work
with, will travel under those operators booking
conditions which will be supplied upon request.
These will include Manta Marine/Atoll Wildlife/
Whale and Dolphin Company, Quark Expeditions,
Heritage Expeditions NZ, Adventure Birding, ALE,
Island Explorer Holidays, Probirder, Wildland
Tours, Oceanic Society, One Ocean Expeditions,
Jewel in the Crown, Brasil Aventuras, Oceanwide
Expeditions,
Trans New Guinea Tours, SOA
Charters, Manu Expeditions, Din Tur, RM Tours/
SPNI, Estonian NT, Educational Travel, Birdservice,
Zegrahm Expeditions, SASPO UK and others.
Data Protection Statement
In order to process your booking and to ensure that
your travel arrangements run smoothly and meet
your requirements we need to use the information
you provide (such as name, address, age, passport
details and any special requests). We take full
responsibility for ensuring that proper security
measures are in place to protect your information.
We must pass the information on to our relevant
suppliers which may also include public authorities
(eg customs/immigration). If your destination is
outside the EEA, controls on data protection may
not be as strong as in the UK. If we cannot pass this
information on to the relevant parties we cannot
provide your booking. In signing our booking form
you consent to the relevant information being
passed on to the relevant parties. We will send you
future mailings of our forthcoming programmes
only, we do not provide our customer information
to any other third parties. Please contact us if you
wish to removed from our mailing lists at any time.
Effective 25/07/2014
39
Conservation
WildWings are totally committed to the conservation of the
natural world and we donate money to ‘front-line’ organisations
and projects every year. In operating our own tours and holidays,
we use local businesses and guides in each destination to inject
money and employment into the areas that our clients visit.
Since 2004, we have been donating money annually to the
‘Save the Albatross’ campaign for each customer that we send to
Antarctica. This is also supported by our tour leaders when they
travel on our various expedition ships and we are pleased to be
donating thousands of pounds a year to this crucial campaign
as a result. Our donations are currently being specifically used
to buy tori-lines for use on Southern Ocean fishing vessels. We
also continue to fund our annual Oriental Bird Club Conservation
Awareness Award too and are corporate members of the African
and Neotropic Bird Clubs.
WildWings LIVE!
Come and meet the staff and most of our leaders. We are always
at the British Bird Watching Fair at Rutland Water in Marquee
4 every August (www.birdfair.org.uk). Stop by for a chat, tell us
about your last trip and ask us questions about your next. We
look forward to seeing you there.
Your images wanted!
We are delighted to illustrate this brochure with many of our
customer’s images. If you would like to see your work in print, of
birds and wildlife, the people, places and vessels taken on your
travels with WildWings, then please submit them via e-mail or on
disc, thank you!
www.wildwings.co.uk
Our website is kept up to date, year round, with the latest
information, dates and prices. Forthcoming tours and expeditions
on the website appear as soon as they are available to book.
Make our homepage a favourite, with the availability and
news pages changing frequently. In many cases there is more
information on the website than we have space for here,
especially our post tour reports. If you do not have access to the
web or encounter problems, please simply contact us and we will
print the relevant information and mail it.
The WildWings Team
Our friendly, knowledgeable and highly experienced staff are
very happy to answer your questions and look forward to hearing
from you soon. We only offer programmes that we really know
ourselves and we are all keen travellers too. John BrodieGood oversees all our tour programmes and looks after our
independent expedition cruise clients. Sarah-Jane Thompson is
responsible our other tour’s operations including our Trinidad,
Tobago, Jamaica, St Lucia and Sri Lanka programmes plus
our group voyages and our clients travelling independently,
worldwide. Emma Brown looks after our air-inclusive holidays
and our Wild Insights customers. Nicky Hudson designs this
brochure, website and our adverts and has also recently joined
the Baja California fan club! The office staff are backed up by one
of the best teams of tour leaders to be found anywhere in the
world, based here in the UK, plus our many essential colleagues
overseas, we are jointly committed to giving you the best bird
and wildlife experiences available, and to have a great time
doing it.
Financial Security
WildWings, based in Bristol, are a division of Strand Travel Ltd,
London. The company has been trading for more than 20 years.
We are fully bonded and licensed with ABTA (G7745) and hold
CAA ATOL license 5429. Payment for your travel arrangements
may be made by cash, cheque, bank transfer, debit and credit
cards*. (*a 2% surcharge will apply for all payments by credit
card.) All our air-inclusive holidays are ATOL-bonded, a certificate
will be issued to you at the time of booking. All flights we sell, are
also ATOL-bonded.
Warning: Please be aware that if you book and pay with a travel
supplier abroad direct, especially one or ones outside of the EU,
you have no legal or financial redress if things go wrong. There
have been a number of well publicized travel company failures
recently, including birding tour companies. In the economically
turbulent world we continue to live in, you may want to think
very carefully before you book. Only by booking your flights
and ground arrangements with an ATOL holder, are you fully
protected.
Prices
All payments must be made in Pounds Sterling, US Dollars or
Euros. Overseas customers are very welcome, we can quote
reductions for ‘ground only’ prices for those of you joining our
tours at the overseas destination. You will always be quoted
the up to date price by our staff at the booking stage. All our
voyages show the exchange rate used and are subject to
adjustment at the balance stage. Please note as a business, we
buy our foreign currency at close to the market rate, not the rip
off ‘tourist’ rates payable on the high street. This gives you the
best value for money.
Please note – All information/products and prices subject to
change or withdrawal at any time.
Tel: 0117 9658 333
[email protected]
wildwings.co.uk
Brochure designed and produced by Nicola Hudson and John Brodie-Good.
Compiled and edited by John Brodie-Good.
(Thanks to all the tours leaders and staff for their assistance).
In addition to the customers and photographer’s images credited throughout this brochure we
would like to extend special thanks to the following people and organizations for the use of
their images. Thanks also to the photographers who submitted images we haven’t used due to
lack of space. Copyright remains with all the photographers.
Image Credits
Ken Smith (for the amazing Polar Bears, taken during the 2014 WildWings Spitsbergen tour),
Mark Andrews, Scot Anderson, Pete Coe, Chris Collins (birdsandwildlife.com), Keith Offord
(keithofford.co.uk), Sarah-Jane Thompson, Brian Egan, Nigel Goodgame, Mike & Liz Scott-Ham,
John Brodie-Good, Chas Anderson, Aaron Russ, Dominic Mitchell, Jonathan Meyrav and Dick
Filby (rarebirdalert.co.uk).
Front cover: Atlantic Puffin, Fair Isle 2014 © John Brodie-Good
Back Cover : Polar Bear, Spitsbergen 2014 © Ken Smith.