Wildlife Tours in 2012
Nick's Tour Diary
- Yellowstone: Wild West Winter Wonderland Jan - Feb 2012 - see Photo Tours
- Tanzania: Serengeti Migration 22nd March - 5th April 2012 - see Photo Tours
- Borneo: The Lost World of Maliau Basin May 2012
- Scotland: Mull & Treshnish Isles 9th - 16th June 2012 - see Photo Tours
- Congo & CAR: Lowland Gorillas and Forest Elephants June 2012
- Brazil: The Pantanal 19th August -2nd September & 1st - 17th September 2012- see Photo Tours
- Madagascar: An Island Apart November 2012
Borneo: The Lost World of Maliau Basin
May 2012
Price £TBA
Current Availability - Yes
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On an ever-shrinking planet, there are few places that remain “untouched” and pristine, truly cut off from the modernity and the outside world. Maliau Basin, the “Lost World of Sabah" is one such place. Resembling a giant crater (with a maximum diameter of 25km) cloaked in rainforest, the steep sides have helped maintain its isolation and even today, in true Conan Doyle-like fashion, much of this wilderness remains unexplored. There is still no permanent human habitation in the region, which is now preserved as a conservation area.
At higher elevations around the rim and southern plateau, there are bizarre tropical heath forests where fabulous stands of pitcher plants, symbiotic ant plants and rhododendrons flourish. From the higher ground numerous tributaries drain like radiating fingers into the Maliau River, which cascades over the spectacular 7-tier Maliau Falls, often regarded as the Basin’s “centre piece”.
The lower elevations are dominated by classic “rainforest” (mixed dipterocarp forest) where giant buttress-rooted trees tower above the canopy. These forests support the greatest diversity of plants and animals; including an extravagant array of orchids, the rare and locally endemic Rafflesia tengku-adlinii, and many mammals such as, Red Langurs, Orang-utans and Bornean Gibbons Bornean together with Banteng (wild cattle), Bearded Pigs, Giant Squirrels and nocturnal Leopard Cats.
Bird diversity is also high, with more than 270 species identified, including several species of hornbill, bright-plumaged barbets, broadbills and spectacular Crested Firebacks. Less well known, but undoubtedly rich and diverse are the reptile, amphibian and invertebrates faunas of the area; without doubt numerous as yet undiscovered species live here.
The tour will incorporate a 6-day trek into and around the Basin, involving walks between various permanent camps strategically located in different habitats and close to specific points of major interest.
To compliment this, the tour begins at cool higher elevations in Kinabalu Park that harbors a spectacular diversity of plants as well as impressive lists of birds, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates. After Maliau, we go to Danum Valley, one of the best rainforest locations anywhere (in the world). Over 400 square kilometres have been protected and these forests are known to harbour some of the richest species concentrations anywhere on Borneo. Here, the pace will be more relaxing, as so much wildlife is visible within easy walking distance of the lodge. Within a stone’s throw it is possible to encounter wild Orang-utans, Red Leaf Monkeys and Bornean Gibbons. Bird watching is also excellent; the open areas around the lodge and along the trails offer plenty of chances to see mixed feeding flocks and if there is a fruiting tree in the vicinity, noisy Rhinoceros and Helmeted Hornbills are conspicuous
If you are of adventurous spirit and are captivated at the prospect of experiencing one of the most mysterious and beautiful natural wonders on the planet, together with various rainforests teeming with life, then this trip may be for you.
Congo & Central African Republic: Lowland Gorillas, Forest Elephants & Birds
June 2012
Price £TBA
Current Availability - Yes
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If ever a place conjured images of adventure and mystery it’s the Congo: the Heart of the Dark Continent. Here amidst the largest tracts of lowland rainforest remaining in Central Africa, are the strongholds of Lowland Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Forest Elephants and the near mythical Bongo.
Natural clearing in the forests, known locally as bais, attract large numbers of elephants, together with Forest Buffalo, various antelope like Sitatunga and herds of Red River Hogs, that all come to feed at salt licks and other mineral rich areas. Around the periphery and in adjacent forests gorillas and chimpanzees may also be seen as well as other primates, including several species of mangabey and colobus monkey.
Bird life too is diverse and plentiful with flocks of noisy African Grey Parrots, brightly coloured Turacos and various kingfishers often visible, while other forest species, like Latham’s Forest Francolin may prove a little more challenging to track down.
This tour is centered on the Tri-National Park of the Central African Basin, in particular Dzanga Ndoki National Park in the Central African Republic and Nouabale Ndoki National Park in the Republic of Congo. During the tour we will spend days on platforms overlooking different bais in each national park, and have the opportunity to track the world’s only habituated Lowland Gorillas, experience the customs of the indigenous Ba’Aka pygmy tribe and simply enjoy being in one of the last great forest wildernesses on the African continent.
This tour is still in the planning stage and further information and details will be posted shortly. If you would like information forwarding when ready, please request here.
Madagascar: An Island Apart
November 2012
Price £TBA
Current Availability - Yes
Further Information
