Congo Gorilla Trekking to Colombian Birdwatching

Wildlife specialist Naturetrek has launched a number of new tours, offering natural history enthusiasts the opportunity to witness some of the world’s most fascinating and rarely-seen wildlife, following carefully-created itineraries led by global experts and local naturalist guides.

GREECE: Endangered Monk Seals & Ancient History
The endangered Mediterranean Monk Seal has a world population of no more than 700, with nearly half of these concentrated around the coastline of Greece and the islands of the Aegean Sea. Run in conjunction with MOm (The Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal), this tour offers a unique opportunity to spot this rarely-seen mammal in the water, as well as exploring the mountainous region’s birdlife, plants and ancient history. Departing 19 May 2018, this eight-day holiday costs from £1,695 pp. 

FINLAND: Elusive Mammals & Spectacular Scenery
Observe some of northern Europe’s most secretive species on this trip, which visits beautiful Lake Saimaa in Linnansaari National Park to look for the endemic (and rare) Saimaa Ringed Seal, spends time in comfortable hides on the look-out for Wolverine, Brown Bear and Wolf, and seeks out the elusive Siberian Flying Squirrel amid the pine-dotted bogs of Patvinsuo National Park.  Departing 1 July 2018, this nine-day holiday costs from £2,295 pp.

COLOMBIA: Birdwatching, Culture & Coffee
Blend unforgettable birdwatching with an insight into Colombia’s colourful history and culture on a two-week tour that promises city sightseeing in Bogotá and Cartagena, and the chance to sample some of the world’s finest coffee in colonial Jardin. Seek out Colombian endemics such as the Indigo-capped Hummingbird, Silvery-throated Spinetail and Black Inca, visit one of South America’s most active Andean Cock-of-the-Rock leks, search for the endangered Yellow-eared Parrot in a scenic cloudforest reserve, and much more. Departing 24 November 2018, this 14-day holiday costs from £4,295 pp.

For more idea on activities in Cartagena, Colombia, read: Things to Do in Cartagena: from Dusk to Dawn.

REPUBLIC OF CONGO: The Wildlife of Africa’s Dark Heart
Blanketed by equatorial rainforest, the Republic of the Congo (distinct from its more turbulent neighbour, the Democratic Republic of Congo) is a little-known, little-explored country that is set to become one of Africa’s finest wildlife destinations. Travelling between three camps within the Odzala-Kokoua National Park, go in search of Western Lowland Gorilla, Putty-nosed, Moustached & Crowned Monkeys, Chimpanzee and Forest Elephant, whilst rich birdlife-spotting opportunities – including Great Blue Turaco, Chocolate-backed Bee-eater and the Congo Serpent-eagle – also await. Departing 12 September 2018, this 11-day holiday costs from £10,495 pp.

INDONESIA: Cruise the remote Raja Ampat islands
When it comes to holidays in paradise, it makes sense to plan ahead, and this trip – departing in March 2020 – is definitely worth the wait. Lying off the western tip of Papua, Raja Ampat is a stunning archipelago of 1,500 precipitous, jungle-clad islands dotted with powdery white-sand beaches and secret lagoons. Explore them on a nine-day cruise aboard the exclusively chartered vessel MV Mermaid I, spotting whales (including the possibility of rarer species such as Bryde’s and Omura’s Whales), dolphins, flying fish and seabirds, as well snorkelling in the luminous turquoise, coral-rich waters that are home to more than 3,500 species of fish. Departing 4 March 2020, this 14-day holiday costs from £6,995 pp.

To speak to the specialist experts for more information on any of Naturetrek’s wildlife itineraries, or to request a copy of the 2018 brochure, call 01962 733051 or visit www.naturetrek.co.uk.