With travel plans for 2020 uncertain, specialist operator Wildlife Worldwide is instead encouraging wildlife lovers to book one of its small group trips for 2021.
The tempting trips will take guests from the steppe and mountains of Mongolia to little-visited reserves in South Africa, with each led by an expert guide. Species range from the iconic, India’s Bengal tiger or the Pantanal’s jaguar, to the lesser-known such as the pangolin and aardwolf in South Africa or Mongolia’s Pallas’s cat.
South Africa’s Rare Mammals in Style
The Tswalu Private Game Reserve, South Africa’s largest, receives more rainfall than any other area of the Kalahari promoting a greater biodiversity. While it is home to some 240 species of birds, it is the area’s mammals, many rare and unusual, which are its highlight. On this luxury trip, wildlife watchers will stay at the exclusive Tarkuni Lodge in the heart of the Reserve. With two private vehicles, the group will enjoy six days exploring the Reserve where highlights are likely to include the rare ground pangolin, meerkat, brown hyena, aardwolf, Cape fox, African desert black rhino and Hartmann’s mountain zebra, alongside more mainstream species such as lion, cheetah and African wild dog. This unique trip offers a truly immersive wildlife experience, led by expert guides. Price: from £9,495pp sharing, including 7 nights’ accommodation, meals, transfers, guided excursions, and return flights from the UK. Depart 11 or 25 June 2021.
Mongolia: Cats of Mountain and Steppe
Snow leopard and Pallas’s cat are among Central Asia’s most prized felines. This innovative tour visits the Altai mountains and the edge of Hustai National Park, offering the unique opportunity to see both. From two comfortable ger camps, rented from local families, guests explore two hugely contrasting landscapes in the west and centre of Mongolia. In addition to snow leopard and Pallas’s cat, guests hope to see a host of exciting mammals including Asiatic ibex, argali, Mongolian gazelle, goitred gazelle, saiga antelope, Altai wapiti, tarbagan marmot, long-tailed suslik, Siberian jerboa, Pallas’s pika, tolai hare, corsac fox and steppe polecat.
Price: from £6,995pp sharing, including 11 nights’ accommodation, most meals, transfers, internal flights, expert guiding and return flights from the UK. Depart 13 August or 26 August 2021.
Brazil – Wildlife of the Pantanal
Brazil’s Pantanal is an ecological paradise, and the world’s largest wetland containing a staggering number of mammals, reptiles and birds. On this group tour, guests will experience the very best of the region while staying at three ideally located lodges. Beginning in Pouso Alegre, while exploring on foot and in vehicles guests can hope to encounter a wealth of mammals including such iconic species as Brazilian tapir and giant anteater, alongside stunning hyacinth macaws which roost in the lodge grounds. Next up, and perhaps the trip’s highlight, are four nights at the Jaguar Retreat, from where guests enjoy twice daily boat safaris, scanning the riverine forest for the region’s apex predator, the magnificent jaguar and an excellent chance of charismatic giant river otters. The trip concludes at SouthWild Pantanal Lodge, one of the best places to see ocelot and wealth of birdlife. Price: from £4,495pp sharing, including 9 nights’ accommodation, all meals, excursions, transfers and return flights from the UK. Depart 31 May, 30 June, 24 July, 31 July, 1 September and 30 September 2021.
Ultimate Tiger Safari
This two-centre holiday, visiting two of India’s foremost National Parks, gives guests the very best chance of seeing the Bengal tiger alongside a fascinating supporting cast that includes sloth bear, leopard and wild dogs. The trip begins in Bandhavgarh National Park, the former hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa, which reputedly has the highest density of tigers in India. In three full days here, guests enjoy two game drives each day in the company of local guides hoping to spot the big cat. Transferring onto Kanha National Park, larger than Bandhavgarh, here there is a chance to spot tigers again but also species including the sole remaining population of hard-ground barasinghas and birds from rollers to raptors. Price: from £3,295pp sharing, including 10 nights’ accommodation, most meals, transfers, internal flights and return flights from the UK. Depart 18 February or 4 March 2021.
Image credit: Emma Healey
