In a letter to Nature this week the ancestral origins of turtles are believed to have been identified from fossils found in southwest China. The newly named fossilised species, Odontochelys semitestacea, may have lived in river deltas and shallow seas around 220 million years ago and had teeth and a long tail. However, it is the fact that this species only has a breastplate and some dorsal neural plate extension that is of interest. Previously recorded fossils are similar to the turtles in our oceans today, showing both a breastplate and carapace or shell. In those reported now, the breastplate is a bony extension of the ribs and the back is purely skin with no large bony structure. This corresponds to the early embryonic stages of turtle development today and is indicative of the formation of the shell from bone whereas previously it was thought it may have been formed by the fusion of hardened skin. These fabulous creatures can be seen on the shores of a number our wildlife holiday destinations including Costa Rica, Oman and India, whilst on Galapagos tours and cruises it is possible to swim with a variety of species of turtles.

It has been a little while since we’ve managed to write on the blog, mostly due to the amount of last minute enquiries for Christmas breaks to Finland both for northern lights holidays and dog sledding. Our winter activity holiday programmes are a big hit this year it seems. Equally safari holidays for next spring and summer are picking up with the southern African countries being ever popular, in particular Namibia safaris and Botswana safaris. There are some great itineraries we can create that combine both and often your safari holidays will begin or end with a stay in either Victoria Falls or Cape Town. Both Namibia and South Africa are great destinations at present with the pound strong against the rand to which the Namibian dollar is linked.

Other news is that as always we attended the annual travel trade fair in London and have up to date information on a good number of properties around the world and some exciting new destinations we hope to market in the coming year. Along with this we are creating an terrific new website to showcase the accommodation and great images of the countries we work in. We are sure all of this will inspire your wildlife holidays for next year. In the meantime here is a pearl-spotted owlet from a Namibia safari earlier this year.