AFRICA - INDIAN SUBCONTINENT - AMERICAS - MIDDLE EAST - EUROPE

WORLDWIDE SAFARIS - DISCOVERY JOURNEYS - WILDERNESS ADVENTURES

Tailor-made itineraries to your requirements

In this issue: Galapagos Exclusive Tour - Trip Report: Canada - In the News: Family holidays, New Safari Lodges, Finland, India

Hidden Gem: Walking Safaris in Zambia - A Place to Stay: Hotel Glymur, Iceland

Galapagos Expedition with one of the world’s best wildlife photographers

We are extremely excited to be able to offer an exclusive Wildlife & Wilderness photography trip to the Galapagos in September 2008 with internationally renowned wildlife photographer Andy Rouse. A superb 14 day Galapagos cruise combined with Quito and the cloudforest has been organised with a route to our specification to maximise nature and photographic opportunities. You should be a keen wildlife enthusiast who would love to learn more about photography in one of the planet’s great wildlife destinations. Further details can be found on our website but hurry as only a few places are left…

Canada

I've just returned from a whistle stop tour of Alberta & British Columbia. My aim, to find a small portfolio of lodges and owners who are as passionate about wildlife and all things outdoors as we are, and whilst I wouldn't recommend this route for you, it certainly meant I saw some fantastic properties and sights.

First stop, the starting point for many journeys into the Rockies…. Banff. Driving up from Calgary my surprise of the morning was a grizzly bear at the side of the highway! Once in Banff, The Juniper was a welcoming sight, coffee in hand sitting on the patio overlooking the spectacular Vermillion Lakes and surrounding snow topped mountain peaks. The owner is an Environmental Engineer and dedicated to the preservation of the natural environment. Running through the property is part of a 'wildlife corridor' and cameras have been strategically positioned to capture the passing 'traffic' with some surprising results.

Venturing further north, in sister lodges Moraine Lake and Cathedral Mountain, I find two outstanding properties. Their cosy mountain cabin feeling and roaring fires are just the thing for a wilderness experience. Local naturalist guides are on hand for lectures and interpretive guided walks to fully appreciate the abundance of flora and fauna found in the region.

At Echo Valley Ranch on the drier plains of the Cariboo are owners Norm & Nan Dove and the welcoming committee of eight sheep dogs of varying size and age. Whilst riding is the main passion here, there are endless number of other activities and wildlife like bears and cougars are regular visitors to the surrounding plains.

Not being a rider, my novice lesson was quite a tame event but riders of all capabilities are welcomed and catered for. The feather in the cap though has to be the fully equipped Thai Spa. This again was another first for me, a traditional Thai massage. No oils or smelly candles just an unfeasibly strong yet tiny Thai therapist bending and stretching my limbs in ways I wasn't aware my body capable of, then after a hour and a half I was exhausted but felt fabulous.

From the Cariboo with stops en route in Vancouver and Campbell River, my destination is the Clayoquot Sound just north of Tofino on Vancouver Island.

The Outpost at Bedwell River is a unique camp in the heart of the wilderness. It's hard to sum up in just a few words what a truly amazing place this is. What you notice first are the people, John & Adele who run the camp don't have staff, just a large family of dedicated individuals who think of everything to make your stay unforgettable. Accommodation is in huge traditional prospector style tents with really cosy hand made wooden beds and gas fired stoves, with a deck out front to sit and admire the views and soak up the atmosphere. Your stay here is all inclusive from the cookies on the treats counter to the zodiac bear watching trip, the surprisingly excellent choice of BC wines to the horse riding trek through the forests, not forgetting the all important spa tents which overlook the estuary. I must make special mention to the chef's, being a big fan of food my hardest decision of the day was just what to have for breakfast, although there's a menu, if they have it, they'll make it for you and it will be the best you've ever tasted! This has to be one of the best safari experiences in the whole of Canada.

Sheena

Fantastic Finland...

Following Steve's visit to Finland earlier this year, we have added an improved bear watching and dog sledding programmes to our website. Click here for more information…

Families Go Wild

It seems that it is no longer difficult to travel to the more interesting and remote parts of the world with your children in tow. In recent years we have seen a huge increase in the number of lodges around the world catering for families with children of all ages.

In Zambia, Robin Pope Safaris teamed up with Chongwe and Tongabezi and offer a private house safari circuit. Similarly in Kenya Cheli & Peacock have announced they are to open new dedicated family rooms from July 2007 at Cottars Camp in Masai Mara, Elsa's Camp in Meru & the Eagle Room at Sabuk in Laikipia.

The Outpost at Bedwell River (see Canada above) positively encourage families with an all round program of activities staying in their oversized family friendly prospector tents. While Echo Valley Ranch & Spa in the Cariboo have dedicated 'family only' weeks during the summer with special activities offered.

And if that's not enough there are family only departures on Galapagos cruises, winter dog-sledding and even jungle adventures to see tigers in India. For some ideas on family holidays click here.

India

For anyone thinking of a trip to India, we have some excellent offers with Virgin Atlantic, and the perfect time to travel is January - March. A two week itinerary featuring the best tiger viewing national parks and cultural highlights from £2490.00 per person.

New Safari Camps

The San peoples of South Africa have opened a new safari lodge named !Xaus, the exclamation indicates the click in their language that just has to be heard! The 12 room community run lodge is the desert area of Transfrontier Park is a joint initiative by these tribal peoples on their reclaimed land together with the park authorities. Game drives and guided safari walks are possible but the highlight will sure to be the cultural interaction and the learning of bush skills from these skilled desert dwellers.

Sand Rivers safari camp in Selous Game Reserve have announced they are to open two exciting new additions to their camp. Kiba Point is a secluded 8 bed camp, bookable on an exclusive basis only and The Rhino House is a new luxurious private hideaway house. Both options are planned to open by the end of September 2007.

Walking in the Wilderness - Zambia

For those who have been lucky enough to go on safari and participate in any amount of walking, you'll know that stepping out of the vehicle for the first time feels a little strange, (especially as you're usually told to stay in it!) However, once the sturdy boots are on and your guides are in place, the adrenaline kicks in and you can't wait to go exploring.

South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, is home to the original walking safari. Since those early days, Robin Pope Safaris have become masters of this unique experience and have further strengthened their portfolio for 2007 with an eight night adventure including their flagship Nkwali Camp, and two new camping sites; Palmgrove Camp is wild and remote nestled underneath the evergreen trees in the middle of a river bed with a natural waterhole which is a favourite with elephants, whilst Luangwa Camp is in an area rich in wildlife surrounded by woodlands and lagoons along the banks of the Luangwa River famed for it's huge hippo pods.

The walking on this trip is leisurely with plenty of stops for tea and cake, breathers and of course photography. Every day is different and the variety of wildlife you might come across is unbelievable. The four nights camping, is not exactly boy scout stuff, the tents are enormous with comfy sleeper mattresses dressed with cosy sheets and blankets, wash stands and seats to admire the view, but best of all are the freshly prepared meals by the camp cook and eating out under the moon and stars.

The best thing about a walking safari is you get to notice and appreciate the little things that in their own way, contribute to making the South Luangwa such a beautiful and enthralling place to be.

Eight night walking safari with Robin Pope Safari from £2950 per person based on two sharing. Includes: - all meals, local brand drinks, park fees, guides/rangers, guided activities, international & internal flights and prepaid taxes

Hotel Glymur - Iceland

Iceland is a country with so much more to offer than you'd imagine. If you love the outdoors it's a great country to visit at any time of the year, there's bird and whale watching, geysers and glaciers, walking and waterfalls, not forgetting the natural phenomenon, witnessed in the winter, of the Aurora Borealis. So if all this is for you, then you'll also love Hotel Glymur. Open all year round and a short drive from Reykjavik, the hotel is perfectly positioned with the Icelandic wilderness on its doorstep.

The hotel has a remote and secluded position with spectacular panoramic views of Hvalfjordur, "the whale fjord". The top left photo above shows a view from the main hotel over the hot tubs to the fjord. From the moment you arrive, you are welcomed in by the owner/hosts making you feel right at home and are happy to help plan your time to ensure you get the most from your stay. This is a small intimate hotel with just 22 rooms which are bright and inviting with a spacious duplex design and huge windows for taking in those views. The food in the restaurant is the jewel in the crown of this hotel. The chefs pride themselves in creating mouth watering original dishes using local suppliers and ingredients, especially the freshly caught seafood.

Five nights at the hotel from £695 per person, including accommodation and breakfast, international flights & prepaid departure taxes and car hire.

Original holidays ~ inspiring places