Steve has just heard that the numbers of whale sharks swimming on Ningaloo Reef this year are some of the highest on record so he is about to head off to find out what the excitement is about! Australia is often forgotten as a safari destination but the diversity of both habitats and of the wildlife should encourage any nature enthusiast to visit. And with an increasing number of wilderness camps it is now easier to experience. At this time of the year, May-June, it is the best time to be in the north in places like Kakadu which is Australia’s largest National Park, the rainforests of Queensland and of course on the pristine reef of Ningaloo in Western Australia where besides whale sharks and myriads of fish, dugong and manta rays can be seen. Other posts from Australia are likely to be forthcoming at the Waterhole here over the next few weeks and you can discuss a wildlife holiday or a safari through Australia with Steve on his return.

The name Masai Mara is synonomous with the great African savannah and a wealth of wildlife. Featured in the Big Cat Diaries and a major draw for many tourists on safari holidays the Mara remains one of Africa’s best destinations for wildlife holidays . However, detailed research reported this month and supported by the WWF has indicated a marked decline in 7 ungulate prey species over the a 15 year period up until 2003. For example giraffe species have shown a decline in monthly counts since 1989 by up to 95%, with warthogs suffering a reduction of 80%, hartebeest 76% and impalas 67%, topi and waterbuck were also in decline. These dramatic declines had previously been reported in wildebeest, zebra and gazelles which make up the majority of the great Serengeti-Mara migration. Concommitant with the decline in prey species there has been a noted reduction in lion cheetah numbers. The reason behind this is the equally dramatic rise in Masai settlements close to the Mara ecosystem. The once pastoralist and nomadic Masai have settled in rapidly increasing numbers and effectively disrupted the flow of wildlife through the region. Having recognised this efforts are underway to ensure that the pastoralist lifestyle can contine on the borders of the Masai Mara. Hopefully based on this fundamental research and the implementation of initiatives the wildlife of the Mara can recover to ensure an ever-lasting legacy and enable future generations to enjoy the experience of Kenya safari holidays.

When most think of their Costa Rica holidays, they probably are expecting lush green scenery, great beaches, perhaps some adventure and a good mix of wildlife. You may expect to see the myriad of butterflies and tiny hummingbirds such as the scintillant hummingbird at the small end of the scale and I guess, if feeling very lucky a jaguar at the top end of the spectrum. Well with Costa Rican wildlife this spectrum can be expanded. True, it is unlikely that you will rush to see the newly discovered species of bacterium that has been found living in the hot springs of Rincon de la Vieja (around which there are some nice lodges). The species of Euglena lives in water between 40 – 98 degrees Celcius. Living in much cooler waters, much more accessible and at the larger end of the spectrum are the humpback whales that migrate along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. In fact a marine national park, Marino Ballena, has been established and whale watching throughout the has increased in recent years with over 100 000 tourists taking excursions during their Costa Rica holidays. Humpback whales can be seen around Marino Ballena from December to April, the peak time for travel for most Costa Rica holidays.