Category Archives: ecotourism

ecotourism, experiential travel, family-friendly adventures, Latin America

Wildland Adventures Designs ‘ Far-Flung Regions of Costa Rica’ For Families with Teens

Wildland Adventures’ nine-day Costa Rica Far-Flung Family Adventure targets families with adventurous teens with an itinerary that takes travelers on river rafts, surf boards, zip lines and small aircraft, en route viewing exotic wildlife, helping local youngsters brush up on English, dining well and overnighting in some of Costa Rica’s foremost ecolodges.
Wildland Adventures’ nine-day Costa Rica Far-Flung Family Adventure targets families with adventurous teens with an itinerary that takes travelers on river rafts, surf boards, zip lines and small aircraft, en route viewing exotic wildlife, helping local youngsters brush up on English, dining well and overnighting in some of Costa Rica’s foremost ecolodges.

SEATTLE – Following the path less-touristed, Wildland Adventures’ nine-day Costa Rica Far-Flung Family Adventure targets families with adventurous teens. This itinerary brings travelers from the Caribbean to the Pacific on river rafts, surf boards, zip lines and small aircraft, en route viewing exotic wildlife, helping local youngsters brush up on English, dining well and overnighting in some of Costa Rica’s foremost ecolodges.

Scheduled departures are Dec. 20-28, 2014; Dec. 26-Jan. 3, 2015; Jan. 10-18 and Feb. 14-22, 2015.  The group size is a maximum of 12. The per person double rate is from $3,995. Private departures may be arranged upon request and the program can be tweaked for families with young children or adults only.

This itinerary unique to Wildland Adventures was created by Grettel Calderon, the company’s Central America Program Director and a native “Tica” from Costa Rica, who for 20 years has been designing eco tours to Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, Belize and Guatemala. The main ingredients of her expert mix of adventures include wildlife viewing in cloud forests and jungles, natural history, cultural exchange, active adventures and local cuisine.

This off-the-tourist-track adventure brings guests from San Jose to the Pacuare River for Class III-IV whitewater rafting before a two-hour boat trip to Tortuguero National Park, so remote it can be accessed only by jungle canals or small air strip. A short repositioning flight back to San Jose points guests in the direction of the Pacific and an ecolodge a short distance from the beach in the Dominical region that accesses Marino Ballena (Whales) National Park, Osa Animal Sanctuary, Corcovado National Park and Cano Island, one of the most prolific humpback whale migratory routes and dolphin habitats in Central America.

“Many areas of Costa Rica that aren’t promoted to visitors have a lot to offer and Dominical is one of them. We’ve located still-secluded beaches surrounded with lush tropical forests teeming with wildlife, and pristine tropical waters where marine life thrives,” Calderon underscored.

“We’ve discovered wonderful local restaurants that offer extraordinary culinary experiences. For example this little rural town of Ojocha is nothing but amazing restaurants where local ex-pat resident chefs who have moved there from France, Italy and Indonesia, have blended recipes from home with fresh tropical ingredients and Tico-style cooking to open restaurants in their homes and gardens offering creative cuisines in an ambiance you would never expect in the middle of nowhere,” she said.

In her years of scouting trips Calderon has recently uncovered new private reserves, small coves and barely known beaches, an animal rehab sanctuary, off-the-tourist-track villages to visit and some of the hemisphere’s best whale watching.

Kurt Kutay, who founded Wildland Adventures (www.wildland.com) in 1986 after having worked for the Costa Rican National Park Service, noted that “most outfitters run insensitive (and even illegal) whale viewing trips and Grettel found the right boat operator who provides education and great viewing in comfortable and safe boats.  Another far-flung aspect of this trip is that we return overland from the southern coast over the Cerro de la Muerte mountain pass, stopping for a hike in the new Los Quetzales National Park where there are good chances of seeing the Holy Grail of birdwatching – the Resplendent Quetzal.”

In Tortuguero, besides kayaking, boat and village tours, families may join locals in a fun and interactive word adventure game helping kids learn a bit of English (while guests practice their Spanish). On the Pacific participants can join in several water activities: outrigger kayaking (an ancient form of kayaking), regular kayaking or stand up paddle boarding.  En route to Caño Island looking for whales, a stop is made at Playa Violines, a secluded beach accessed through mangrove forest on the Sierpe River. Here are opportunities for sightings of monkeys, sloth, crocodile, boa constrictor, iguana and more before reaching the ocean.

Departures are guaranteed for two or more people. Group is limited to 12 people. The trip begins and ends with overnights in San Jose. See: http://www.wildland.com/trips/central-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-far-flung-family-adventure/overview.aspx#/overview

For more information and reservations contact Wildland Adventures at 1-800-345-4453 or by email at: [email protected].

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Asia/Pacific travel, ecotourism, international travel

Natural Habitat Adventures Debuts First Nature-Focused Tour in Myanmar (Burma)

Natural Habitat Adventures is debuting Exploring Nature & Spirit in Myanmar & Thailand in 2015.
Natural Habitat Adventures is debuting Exploring Nature & Spirit in Myanmar & Thailand in 2015.

Natural Habitat Adventures is debuting Exploring Nature & Spirit in Myanmar & Thailand in 2015. This 13-day active journey showcases the little-explored wild side of Myanmar along with the biodiversity of the world’s oldest rainforest, Thailand’s Khao Sok National Park.

Natural Habitat Adventures’ in-depth tours (maximum 10 guests per departure) are scheduled for Feb. 2-14, Feb.23 – Mar 7 and Nov 30 – Dec 12, 2015, plus four dates in 2016. The per-person, double rate is $8,895 (single supplement is $2,295) plus internal air of $1,275 (subject to change).

Until a few years ago Myanmar (Burma) was off limits to most US citizens because of political sanctions. Nat Hab now joins a select set of companies introducing travelers to Myanmar, yet with a fresh angle. Its nature-focused itinerary pioneers eco-travel here by providing access to little-visited national parks and wildlife reserves such as Popa Mountain National Park, home to rare langurs (leaf monkeys), and the Mergui Archipelago where Burmese macaques, one of the world’s few tool-using primates, live and breed.

The adventure begins in Myanmar’s capital, Yangon (Rangoon) where vestiges of British colonial life mingle with markets and commerce. Providing succor to monks (good karma for those on the path to enlightenment) and helping to feed and wash elephants at Green Hills Elephant Camp set the tone in the first days for a trip that mixes nature with spirit along the way.

At Inle Lake, the hub of a rural region centered on farming and local markets, guests witness age-old floating agricultural techniques passed down through the generations and visit Inle Lake Wetland Sanctuary, home to more than 350 different bird species.

Then, along the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) River travelers explore Bagan (Pagan) that harbors the world’s most prolific collection of ancient Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas and shrines, some dating to the 11th and 12th centuries. Back in Yangon are opportunities to delve further into Buddhist culture by circumambulating the gilded Shwedagon Pagoda, a pilgrimage for the devout.

After this introduction to the spirit of this land where time has stood still, guests fly south to board a private luxury catamaran to cruise the Andaman Sea along southern Myanmar and a sliver of the west coast of Thailand. The voyage passes through the Mergui Archipelago comprised of more than 800 islands, 770 of which are uninhabited except for abundant wildlife. The Myanmar government has made this region a priority for conservation management. Here and in nearby Laem Son National Park in Thailand, guests can observe Burmese macaques, one of only three primate species on Earth to have developed a culture of stone tool use.

Transiting the marine border into southern Thailand brings guests to Khao Sok National Park, a karst landscape of vertical limestone mountains draped in the world’s oldest virgin rainforest and littered with caves, deep valleys and jade-green lakes. Accommodation here is in a floating “raft lodge” on Cheow Lan Lake, one of the best wildlife-viewing regions in mainland Southeast Asia. Recent camera trap recordings in the area by researcher Mike Clark have revealed extremely rare Malayan tapir, Asian elephant, leopard, guar (the world’s largest wild ox) and Asiatic black bear. Clark shares his knowledge of this intricate tropical rainforest ecosystem, one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, in advance of a guided trek, the last activity before a champagne breakfast on departure day.

Throughout the itinerary accommodations have been selected for proximity to nature and reflection of the culture and spirit of each locale. Among these are an ecolodge perched high on the side of the extinct volcano, 6,000-foot Mount Popa; an overwater resort on stilts, furnished in gleaming teak, on Inle Lake; and an intimate private yacht with six luxury cabins.

For more details on the Myanmar and Thailand nature adventure, see
http://www.nathab.com/asia-adventure-travel/myanmar-thailand-exploring-nature-spirit/

For trip information, descriptive itineraries, date availability and reservations, call 800.543.8917 or visit www.nathab.com. Click HERE to order a copy of the 2015 catalog.

For trip information, descriptive itineraries, date availability and reservations, call 800.543.8917 or visit http://www.nathab.com/. Click HERE to order a copy of the 2015 catalog.

 

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ecotourism, Nature Travel

Best Places to See the Night Sky: Nova Scotia is First in North America to be Designated ‘Starlight’ Destination

Lunar Eclipse on the winter solstice, Dec. 21, 2010. Nova Scotia is the first North American destination given "Starlight" certification. © 2014 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Lunar Eclipse on the winter solstice, Dec. 21, 2010. Nova Scotia is the first North American destination given “Starlight” certification. © 2014 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

The Acadian Skies & Mi’kmaq Lands, Nova Scotia, have been awarded Starlight Reserve and Tourist Destination status by the Starlight Foundation, headquartered at the Canaries Astrophysics Institute in Spain.

Nova Scotia is the first destination in North America to receive a Starlight certification and is one of only four places in the world to receive both Reserve and Destination designations. The Starlight Initiative is supported by UNESCO, the “International Astronomical Union and the World Tourism Organization.

According to the Starlight Foundation, “a Starlight Reserve is a protected natural area where a commitment to defend the quality of the night sky and the access to starlight is established. Its function is to preserve the quality of the night sky and different associated values, whether cultural, scientific, astronomical, scenic or natural.

Starlight Tourist Destinations are defined as locations that can be visited which offer good conditions for the observation of the stars and which are protected from light pollution, making them appropriate for tourist initiatives related to the observation of the sky as an essential part of Nature.

Starlight Tourist Destinations must not only demonstrate the quality of their skies and the means to guarantee their protection, “but they must also have adequate infrastructure and tourism-related activities: accommodation and equipment for astronomical observation provided to clients, the training of personnel responsible for astronomical interpretation and their integration into nature at night, etc.”

“As the first Starlight Tourist Destination and Reserve in North America, Nova Scotia is well positioned to invite new visitors to experience the starry skies of Yarmouth and Acadian Shores,” Michel Samson, Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, noted. “We look forward to working with businesses and community partners to develop new tourism experiences that grow our economy, motivate travel and share this part of our Province’s natural beauty.”

Trout Point Lodge Designated First Certified Starlight Hotel

This Starlight Reserve and Destination distinction follows the announcement in September that the five-star Trout Point Lodge, adjacent to Nova Scotia’s vast Tobeatic Wilderness Area, has been designated as the world’s first certified Starlight Hotel. Located in a particularly dark night-time zone of southwest Nova Scotia, Trout Point has developed astro-tourism offerings, including a permanent astronomer on staff.  This year the Lodge added a 16’x16’ stargazing platform and new telescopes, including a solar telescope for daytime use.  The website is www.troutpoint.com.

Trout Point Lodge proprietors Vaughan Perret and Charles Leary spearheaded the overall mission to apply for Starlight Reserve and Tourism Destination status on behalf of La Société Touristique Bon Temps d’Argyle, the region surrounding the lodge, of which Mr. Perret is Chairman. Perret and Leary have worked tirelessly to gain support for the project from the Nova Scotia Tourism Agency, the Southwest Nova Tourism Task Team, the Nova Scotia Department of Environment, Acadia First Nation, and the Municipalities of Arygle, Clare and Yarmouth.

The Starlight Foundation is the body in charge of the operational management of the Starlight Initiative, providing human resources and means for its development and promotion.  The Starlight Initiative was launched in 2007 from a proposal of the IAC supported by UNESCO –MAB Programme, UNWTO, IAU and other  international conventions such as UNEP-CMS, SCBO and Ramsar Convention, and is designed as an international action in defense of the values associated with the night sky and the general right to observe the stars.

The final aim of the Initiative is to promote the importance of clear skies for humankind, emphasizing and introducing the value of this endangered heritage for science, education, culture, technological development, nature conservation, and tourism.  For more information, visit www.fundacionstarlight.com.

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ecotourism, Nature Travel

Baja AirVentures Flies Guests to Both Coasts of Baja For All-Inclusive Winter Whale Watching Adventures

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Baja AirVentures makes it possible to encounter whales on both sides of Baja Peninsula.
Baja AirVentures makes it possible to encounter whales on both sides of Baja Peninsula.

SAN DIEGO, CA– San Diego-based Baja AirVentures has created a travel program that enables the best opportunities for marine mammal encounters on both sides of the Baja peninsula in one all-inclusive six day air-supported package.  And the timing couldn’t be better because of a record number of whales in an area which is believed to have the highest concentration of Grey whales in the world.

The 6-day/5-night Best of Baja’s Whales, Dolphins & Sea Lions Tour departs every Monday and on several Tuesdays throughout February and March 2015. The all-inclusive per person rate, including private air carriage from San Diego, across the peninsula and back, is $2,795 (exclusive of 13% IVA Mexican tax and 3% Marine Park entrance fee).

The package includes private roundtrip air from San Diego with ample opportunity for aerial flightseeing, Pacific whale watching in Scammons Lagoon by motorized panga, two nights at a B&B in the Mexican hamlet of Guerro Negro and three nights of total seclusion at Baja AirVenture’s Las Animas beachside eco-lodge a scenic hour’s boat trip south of Bahia de Los Angeles on the pristine shores of the Sea of Cortez.

“The unique combination of both aerial and sea viewing on both coasts of the peninsula is something no other whale watching operator in Baja is able to offer,” says Kevin Warren, founder and owner of Baja AirVentures (http://www.bajaairventures.com/). “In fact, the opportunity to view these magnificent creatures from a bird’s eye perspective is a thrill and rarity in itself.”

Guests this year are in for a special treat. According to Warren, through conservation efforts, the Grey whale population in the Pacific continues to rebound and grow. Last year saw a new record with nearly 2,000 breeding adults and babies sited at Ojo de Libre (Scammons Lagoon). This prime location has the largest concentration of the Grey whales on the planet.

After departing from San Diego in a private plane for Scammons Lagoon, participants spend the better part of three days scanning and interacting with migrating California Gray whales by boat and from the air. This is where guests often get to actually “pet friendly whales” in their natural environment. Two nights are enjoyed at a cozy B&B in the small village of Guerro Negro. Prior to boat transfer to Las Animas Wilderness Eco-Lodge on Day Three, there’s more whale watching and an aerial tour of Laguna Ojo de Libre and the Midriff Island chain in the Sea of Cortez. Days Four and Five are spent desert hiking, kayaking, birdwatching and snorkeling with sea lions and dolphins. Boat excursions from Las Animas provide an added opportunity to view several types of whales, including Blue and Fin whales (the two largest species in the world).

A recent guest had this to say on Trip Advisor about their intimate encounters with the Grey whales, “The small-plane flights alone, with one pilot and five passengers, were a treat. Once on the water of Scammons Lagoon, we did not merely ‘watch’ wales! Instead, our skiff was at times surrounded by these magnificent creatures. Playful and seemingly curious calves met out-stretched hands, allowing themselves to be stroked and patted, while their enormous mothers swam watchfully close by.”

After crossing the peninsula to the Sea of Cortez, guests stay at Las Animas Wilderness Eco-Lodge. The only boat-in lodge along the entire coast, Las Animas is a remote, eco-friendly property that accommodates up to 14 guests in seven romantic, private beach-side yurts equipped with bathroom, solar shower, composting toilets, comfortable Queen and King sized beds, covered decks and skylight roofs. The yurts are built around the spacious main palapa which offers an expansive deck that serves as a central dining area, game area and communal lounge space.

The all-inclusive tour price of $2,795 includes double occupancy B&B and yurt accommodations, roundtrip air from San Diego, naturalist guided outings and lectures, boat transportation, healthy homemade meals, beverages (including beer and margaritas) and such activities as kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, sailing and hiking.

For details on the Best of Baja tour call 800-221-9283 or visit online:
www.bajaairventures.com/WhaleWatching.html

For information on other adventure packages offered year-round by Baja AirVentures visit  www.bajaairventures.com.

 

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Cultural Travel, ecotourism, experiential travel, People-to-People Travel

Natural Habitat Adventures Unveils “Undiscovered Cuba” Showcasing Culture, Nature, Local Contacts

Natural Habitat Adventures' 12-day "Undiscovered Cuba" explores Cuba’s intriguing culture and stunning tropical ecosystems and facilitates people-to-people contacts.
Natural Habitat Adventures’ 12-day “Undiscovered Cuba” explores Cuba’s intriguing culture and stunning tropical ecosystems and facilitates people-to-people contacts.

Natural Habitat Adventures, a premier ecotourism company, has unveiled a new “Undiscovered Cuba” 12-day itinerary that explores Cuba’s intriguing culture and stunning tropical ecosystems on an educational exchange that promotes people-to-people contacts designed to provide a human perspective of this captivating Caribbean island nation that has long been inaccessible to American travelers.

Travelers will experience the vibrant cultural centers of Havana and Trinidad as well as virtually unknown national parks, rare botanical gardens, lush tropical ecosystems and fabulous birdlife, and have opportunities to interact with Cuban scientists, naturalists, park managers, academics, organic farmers, community activists, artists, business owners and others eager to share their stories.

“This is a rare opportunity to embrace the daily lives of citizens here. Cuba has been off-limits to American tourists for decades. We are among a select few companies to secure a special U.S. government permit through the newly established People-to-People program, allowing us to offer this exclusive travel opportunity to our privileged guests,” said Ben Bressler, Natural Habitat’s founder and president.

2015 departures, each for a maximum of 15 guests, are: Feb. 10, Feb. 27, and Apr. 18. The per-person double occupancy rate is $7,695, based on a group size of 10 or more. Both international and internal flight costs are in addition to the trip fee. Internal air is $550 (subject to change). Nat Hab books the international flight from Miami to Cienfuegos, Cuba, and the return from Havana to Miami. These flights are organized through a licensed charter company authorized to provide direct flights to Cuba. (See http://www.nathab.com/central-america/undiscovered-cuba)

In addition to Cuban culture and history, the trip also showcases Cuba’s natural resources and diversity. Highlights include World Heritage Sites and UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and hosted visits to organic farms and community-run ecotourism projects, such as:

Zapata National Park. Situated on Cuba’s southern coast, this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve covers 1.5 million acres harboring some 1,000 plant species, of which 130 are endemic to Cuba, and showcasing a great diversity of habitats such as grasslands, mangroves, varied types of forest, coastal lagoons and coral reefs. “As far as we know, we are the only current People-to-People tour operator including it in their itinerary,” said Bressler.

Viñales National Park & the Viñales Valley embrace dramatic 250-million-year-old loaf-shaped limestone mountains laced with caves. These karst formations have been worn away by hundreds of years of erosion, becoming small islands that are self-contained ecosystems. The trip visits Cuevo del Indio (Cave of the Indians), the largest system of underground caves in Latin America.

Las Terrazas is an ecotourism center in which a sustainable rural economy has been developed based on the use of local natural resources and a strong focus on public environmental education.

“Accommodations are always the best available and extend an understanding of culture and history through their locations.”

The Grand Hotel Trinidad transports guests to the elegance of 16th-century Cuba under Spanish influence, with gracious archways and wrought-iron balconies. The colonial-style Hotel La Ermita offers magnificent views of the Viñales Valley, and in the heart of Havana the luxurious Parque Central is a mix of colonial and modern elements. Sunswept Playa Larga Beach on the southern coast along the Bay of Pigs is home to the Hotel Playa Larga, which offers basic accommodations with easy access to Zapata National Park.

Participants meet in Miami for an orientation and an overnight at Sofitel Miami Hotel. A chartered flight the next day makes the short hop to Cienfuegos where the group is joined by its local Cuban guide. The program includes a myriad of planned yet unscripted people-to-people exchanges enhanced by an exclusive immersion into Cuba’s rarely visited natural world.  Spend the first afternoon in Cienfuegos, which is recognized as an outstanding early example of urban planning in Latin America. At the Cienfuegos Botanical Garden, enjoy identifying tropical flora and fauna accompanied by botanist Roger Pazos.

Driving on to Trinidad, there will be opportunities to meet the local people through music and the arts, including dining at one the city’s best private restaurants where guests chat with owner Lazaro Orellana who talks about operating a small private business in Cuba. There’s a visit to a community library where the director discusses how books are selected and the role of government censorship, a invitation to a traditional pig roast, and a visit to a late 18th-century plantation house, the Trinidadian residence of Julio and Rosa Munoz (Julio is a photographer, business owner and esteemed horse trainer).

On ensuing days the route moves west to the Zapata Peninsula where there will be ample opportunities to discover the rich endemic plant and bird life – look for the Fernandina’s flicker, one of the rarest woodpeckers in the world. Cruise down the Rio Hatiguanico hoping to sight rarely seen crocodiles.

En route to Viñales, the group stops at Las Terrazas and lunches with restaurant owner Tito Ramos who explains the business opportunities of private restaurants called paladares.

Explore Viñales National Park accompanied by Emma Palacios Lemagne, who has worked in the park for 25+ years. She is the leading gastropoda biologist and conservationist in Cuba.

Four full days in Cuba’s vibrant capital of Havana conclude the journey, with highlights including a traditional Cuban lunch at the Hotel Nacional, a stroll through Old Havana with a prominent architectural historian and an invitation to the National Theater to watch a dance class at the Danza Contemporánea de Cuba.

For the complete itinerary see: http://www.nathab.com/central-america/undiscovered-cuba/itinerary/

Natural Habitat Adventures has been a world leader in responsible adventure travel and nature-based ecotourism since 1985. Inspired and created from years of scouring the planet for the singular and extraordinary, Nat Hab’s trips appeal to travelers who seek more than the standard, done-before tour commonly found in today’s marketplace.  Itineraries are artfully crafted, one-of-a-kind experiences that are far from “typical.” Natural Habitat Adventures enjoys the reputation for employing some of the finest naturalist expedition leaders. Conservation is at the forefront of everything the company does, and its philosophy about environmentally responsible travel is simple: tourism must work with and benefit local communities, which will in turn find value in protecting precious natural resources. NHA is the travel partner of the World Wildlife Fund, sharing a commitment to travel as a means of helping to protect the planet’s wondrous natural places.

For trip information, descriptive itineraries, date availability and reservations call 800-543-8917 or visit www.nathab.com.

 

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Conservation, ecotourism, Environmental Activism

Zoos, Aquariums Play Critical Role in Rescuing Species From the Brink of Extinction

Bali mynah at the Palm Beach Zoo
Bali mynah at the Palm Beach Zoo

The Palm Beach Zoo, West Palm Beach, Florida, is hailing a rare victory in the battle against global climate change: thanks to America’s accredited zoos and aquariums, more than 30 endangered species have been brought back from the brink of extinction. With climate change, population growth and deforestation, and poaching threatening species around the world, we are facing what scientists call the “Sixth Extinction.”

But the 229 accredited members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) have built a unique infrastructure to save endangered species – breeding programs that coordinate across many institutions to ensure genetic diversity, systems so that animals can be safely moved between institutions, and partnerships with local, national, and international conservation organizations working on re-introducing these animals to their native ranges.

Because of that infrastructure, there is good news in the face of the extinction crisis:  from the Florida manatee to the California condor, the Hawaiian crow to the Puerto Rican crested toad, the Chinese alligator to the American bison, zoos and aquariums have saved more than 30 species, and are working today on dozens more.

At the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society, staff members are working on conservation programs for fifty endangered species, including for the Bali mynah bird as part of the of AZA’s Species Survival Plan(R) (SSP). Bali mynah are one of the rarest birds in the world, and two males, named R2 and D2, can be seen on exhibit in the Zoo’s Beuttenmuller Asian Aviary. As a part of the SSP, D2 will be moving to the Denver Zoo soon to form a new breeding pair. The Palm Beach Zoo has recently received another male from Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo to join R2 once the new bird completes his quarantine.

“Every zoo in the SSP serves a vital purpose in sustaining the population of this critically endangered Bali mynah,” said Jan Steele, general curator for the Zoo. “And for us at the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society, it’s to provide a rocking bachelor pad for young males until they’re old enough to settle down and raise a family.”

Over the next several months, AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums will celebrate these successes, and invite the public to support efforts to save even more species. In November, in honor of Thanksgiving, AZA is spotlighting endangered birds, including:

Bali mynah have striking white plumage with black wing tips and bright blue coloration around the eyes. The species can approach 10 inches in height. Bali mynahs are nearly extinct in the wild because poachers collect them for the illegal pet trade, where they are valued for their striking plumage and beautiful songs. Because of this poaching, Bali mynahs are found almost exclusively in zoos.  But much has been done to help the Bali mynah’s wild population recover, including protection of their native breeding grounds. In 1987, 40 Bali mynahs from US zoos were sent to the Surbaja Zoo in Indonesia to form a breeding group, with resulting offspring released into the wild. In 2009, Bali mynahs raised in managed care were introduced to a neighboring island, Nusa Penida, and seem to be doing well so far.

The largest bird in North America, the California condor once dominated the western skies, able to soar to 15,000 feet and travel up to 150 miles a day in pursuit of food.  With its keen vision, the condor hunts for carcasses of dead animals, and then swoops in to feast, serving as nature’s clean-up crew.  But destruction of habitat and poaching decimated the species, and by 1982, only 22 birds remained in the wild.  The San Diego Zoo Global, the Los Angeles Zoo and 16 other AZA institutions took the lead at captive propagation, working with a network of government and non-profit partners.  Beginning in the early 1990s, zoo-bred condors began being reintroduced into the wild.  From a low of 22, there are now more than 435 condors in the world, with almost 250 free-flying in the West.

Prior to the 1960s, there were probably around 10,000 Guam rails living on Guam, a South Pacific island. Sometime between 1944 and 1952, brown tree snakes arrived on Guam, most likely on cargo ships. The snakes’ population rapidly increased, because there was plentiful prey (such as the Guam rails) and no natural predators. The tree snakes wiped out the native animal populations, and by the 1970s, 9 of the 11 native bird species, including the Guam rail, had disappeared.  Trying to save the species, the last few birds were removed from the island in the 1980s. In 1989, reintroduction of these birds began on the island of Rota, near Guam, as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s Species Survival Plan(R) (SSP) for the species.

The palila Hawaiian songbird is one of the endangered Hawaiian honeycreeper species and efforts to expand the palila population back to its historic range at Pu`u Mali have included experimental releases of captive-bred birds, as well as relocation of wild birds to protected areas. The palila was the first animal to have a federal circuit court case named after it, in a precedent setting case that increased protection for endangered species.  While several zoos are working to preserve the palila, they are not currently on exhibit to the public.

Known in Hawaii as Alala, the Hawaiian crow is the most endangered corvid in the world and is the only crow species found in Hawaii. The birds are extinct in the wild, and the remaining population is managed at zoos, where the chicks are fed and cared for by animal care staff they never see to ensure they do not imprint on humans.  The last `alal? were recorded in their natural habitat in 2002. Planning is underway to restore the `alal? to the Big Island of Hawaii beginning this year.

The Waldrapp ibis, also known as the hermit ibis or the northern bald ibis, may not be viewed by some as the most attractive bird, but their strong character and bizarre appearance give them unique appeal. They look almost comical with their bald heads, long red beaks and crazy crest feathers going every which way. Their black feathers take on brilliant sheens of purple, green and orange when viewed in bright sunlight. With only about 420 wild Waldrapp ibis remaining, this is one of the world’s most critically endangered avian species.  But thanks to a very successful breeding and release program, there are over 1,100 Waldrapp ibis in captivity, and offspring from zoos are being released back to the wild.

For a list of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums where you can see some of these incredible birds in person, visit the AZA website: http://www.aza.org/SpeciesBeingSaved.

About the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society: The Zoological Society of the Palm Beaches exists to inspire people to act on behalf of wildlife and the natural world. We advance our conservation mission through endangered species propagation, education and support of conservation initiatives in the field. Our commitment to sustainable business practices elevates our capacity to inspire others.

The Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society is located at 1301 Summit Boulevard in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, except Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more information, visit www.palmbeachzoo.org.

 

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ecotourism, experiential travel, international travel

Ace the Himalaya Pioneers “Home Stay Trek” in Remote Villages of Nepal

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Ace the Himalaya is pioneering a 13-day “Home Stay Trek” that brings visitors into homes in remote areas of Nepal’s Gorkha region where their hosts are often friends and families of Sherpas.
Ace the Himalaya is pioneering a 13-day “Home Stay Trek” that brings visitors into homes in remote areas of Nepal’s Gorkha region where their hosts are often friends and families of Sherpas.

KATHMANDU, Nepal – Trekking, climbing and adventure company, Ace the Himalaya Pvt Ltd., is pioneering a 13-day “Home Stay Trek” that brings visitors into homes in remote areas of Nepal’s Gorkha region where their hosts are often friends and families of Sherpas who dedicate their lives to the mountains (www.acethehimalaya.com/special-trips/home-stay-trek.html).

Time spent as special guest of each village along the route will allow visitors to experience the true Nepali spirit while enjoying and sharing in their daily activities and rituals such as visits to the local blacksmith and time spent with the village shaman. Daily, trekkers will journey to a different village staying with a local family in a shared room. Rooms in local houses are clean, warm and dry, with simple beds. Linen and quilts will be provided although it is recommended participants bring a sleeping bag.

“This Home Stay Trek is inexpensive in comparison to other trekking trips in Nepal, and the outcome is that the money really goes to villagers,” said Prem K. Khatry, managing director of Ace the Himalaya. This region fosters more Sherpas than any other in the country. “While it takes extra care to introduce outsiders to culture and lifestyles that are unchanged for centuries, these efforts also assist local people socially and economically.”

The package rate for a single individual is $1,210; for two to four, $660 per person, and for five and more $550 each.  Included are airport transfers, overnights at a Kathmandu hotel, accommodation in mountain homes, Nepali local food, guided city tour in Kathmandu by private tourist vehicle, local Ace the Himalaya-licensed English-speaking guide, the required number of local staff and porters to carry luggage during the trek (one porter for every two guests), food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment and medicine for all staff, ground transportation to and from Kathmandu in private vehicle, complimentary duffel/kit bag, sun hat and T-shirt, sightseeing/monument entrance fees in Kathmandu, government taxes, VAT, tourist service charges, official expenses and a farewell dinner in typical Nepali restaurant with cultural dance show before the trip ends.

The money visitors pay for this exclusive people-to-people experience is welcomed by host families and covers the cost of providing food and accommodation. Breathtaking views of Ganesh Himal, Manaslu and Annapurna are free for the gazing. Guests experience the hospitality of eight host families in as many villages, arriving at the conclusion of each day of trekking.

Typical Nepali foods are offered each evening and along the trek: dal, bhat, tarkari and achar (rice, curry, pickle), and possibly Gundrook- Dheedo, a sugar-free dish made of wheat, maize and dried green vegetable. The food is always high on nutrition levels and most outsiders find it quite tasty.

Most villages don’t have a flushing toilet; a sewage system is non-existent. All toilets during the home-stay are squat toilets made of either a ceramic basin on the ground or few planks precariously positioned over a hole in the ground. There usually is a tap and bucket next to the toilet for flushing. Guests supply their own toilet paper. Baths and clothes washing take place at springs, rivers and communal outdoor showers.

Culture Shock

The lifestyle in these small villages is very different from that in Nepal’s larger communities. Western culture has had little influence on these people and their traditions can foster a little cultural shock with clients. Here are some key differences:

Most villagers tend to speak loudly and somewhat aggressively. Hence one should be aware that this is just normal approach and not be offended.

Physical disciplining of children (such as hitting and using the strap) is common and an old practice in Government schools; although the Government is working on phasing this out, it will take some time.

Sacrifices of animals and birds occur in traditional Hindu rituals during festivals; a visit to a witch doctor is a normal cultural activity.

Tobacco is quite common and many villagers smoke cigarettes.

Hygiene levels are often much lower in the villages as the locals hold higher immune capacity. s visitors are advised to reduce the chance of getting sick by being aware when interacting with children, accepting food from villagers and drinking water.

For more information and reservations contact:
North America: Alexia Nestora, 303-898-3376, [email protected]
Head office in Nepal: E-mail: [email protected], 24-Hour Hot Line Phone: +977 98511 02225, website: www.acethehimalaya.com/.

 

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ecotourism, Nature Travel

Birders Flock to New Mexico for Festival of the Cranes, Nov. 18-25

Cranes in the Water: Birding enthusiasts flock to Socorro, New Mexico’s Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge for the annual Festival of the Cranes (photo by New Mexico Tourism Department).
Cranes in the Water: Birding enthusiasts flock to Socorro, New Mexico’s Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge for the annual Festival of the Cranes (photo by New Mexico Tourism Department).

Sante Fe, NM – Birding enthusiasts and travelers in search of natural beauty will flock to Socorro, New Mexico’s Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge Nov. 18-23 for the annual Festival of the Cranes. There, they can watch as snow geese lift off en masse at sunrise and return along with sandhill cranes for a spectacular sunset “fly-in.” Special hikes, tours and workshops will also be offered.

“The Festival is a great introduction to the wealth of birdwatching opportunities we have here year round,” said Tourism Cabinet Secretary Monique Jacobson. “Birding offers a unique way to experience the color, serenity and majesty of the New Mexico landscape.”

New Mexico counts some 500 different winged creatures on its state bird list and offers the growing ranks of birders a rich assortment of venues, from riparian habitats along the Rio Grande to high mountain forests.

Judy Liddell, president of the New Mexico Audubon Council, attributes birding’s growing popularity to a number of factors including its accessibility to all ages and lifestyles.

“Birding can be as easy as sitting at an observation site or as active as hiking, canoeing or kayaking,” said Liddell, also the co-author of Birding Hot Spots of Central New Mexico and the forthcoming Birding Hot Spots of Santa Fe, Taos and Northern New Mexico, to be released in spring 2015. “Events like the Festival of the Cranes provide an organized way to travel to a new location and see birds as part of a group.”

How to get started? “The best way is to accompany experienced birders into the field,” Liddell said. “Local Audubon chapters sponsor birding walks where experienced birders are eager to share their knowledge with novices. All you need in terms of equipment is a pair of binoculars, and they need not be expensive.”

Besides Bosque del Apache, a refuge for all seasons, other top recommended birding spots in New Mexico include:

Albuquerque Area:

• Sandia Crest – At an elevation of 10,678 feet, the Crest House is an easily accessible spot for observe all three species of rosy-finch during the winter. The Sandia Crest area is also a prime year-round location for observing such sought-after birds as the American three-toed woodpecker, Cassin’s finch and red crossbill.
• Rio Grande Nature Center State Park – Located within the city and along the river, this park boasts almost 300 documented species and is a perfect place to see New Mexico’s state bird, the greater roadrunner.

Southwest New Mexico:

• Gila Bird Area – Situated along the Gila, New Mexico’s only free-flowing river, this expanse is designated an Important Bird Area by Audubon New Mexico.
• Percha Dam State Park – Located north of Hatch along the Rio Grande, this is one of the best places in the state for bird watching. The central area is an open bosque and is good for phainopepla, woodpeckers, flycatchers and vireos. The half-mile river trail is excellent for birds in all seasons. Within a small woodland at the park, there are commonly flycatchers, woodpeckers and warblers during migration.

Southeast New Mexico:

• Rattlesnake Springs – Part of Carlsbad Caverns National Park and an Audubon New Mexico Important Bird Areas, this is an oasis in an otherwise rugged setting. In spring, vermillion flycatcher, yellow-billed cuckoo, Bell’s vireo and painted bunting can be found. Cave swallows, which summer in the caverns, can also be seen foraging over the area.

Northern New Mexico:

• Orilla Verde Recreation Area – Located at the southern end of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument and an Audubon New Mexico Important Bird Area, this 7-mile expanse winds through a steep-walled canyon along the river with both piñon-juniper and riparian habitats. Golden eagle nests on canyon ledges and bald eagle can be spotted in winter. Other specialties include American dipper, rock and canyon wrens and sagebrush sparrow nests on the plateau above.

• Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge – Strategically located at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the edge of El Llano Estacado, the 8,672-acre refuge overlaps three unique landscapes, including the Rocky Mountains and eastern prairies. The sandhill cranes arrive in the fall as they migrate to their winter home. Bald eagles, northern harriers, and American kestrels are frequently sighted soaring above the refuge scanning the grasslands for prey or attracted to the hundreds of ducks and geese on the refuge’s open waters. Migrating shorebirds like long-billed dowitchers and sandpipers, probe the mudflats in early fall and spring.

North-Central New Mexico:

• Randall Davey Audubon Center and Santa Fe Canyon Preserve – The combined area totals 660 acres and has been designated an Important Bird Area by National Audubon. It contains a variety of habitats including wetlands and ponds, montane riparian, desert scrub, piñon-juniper, ponderosa and mixed conifer, each attracting more than 200 regular and rare bird species, including black-capped and mountain chickadees and stellers, pinyon and western scrub-jays, as well as wintering Townsend’s solitaire.

For further information on planning a birding trip in New Mexico, along with information on food, lodging and other attractions, visit www.newmexico.org or see related links below.

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ecotourism, Responsible Travel, Sustainable Hotels, Sustainable Travel

mygreenglobe, showcasing eco-friendly travel entities, tops 100K views on YouTube

mygreenglobe, the YouTube channel showcasing travel entities which have achieved Green Globe Certification, has now surpassed 100,000 views.

The mygreenglobe channel is home to over 100 videos from Green Globe certified members world-wide. The clips are shot in some of the world’s most desirable travel locations, showcasing beautiful destinations in the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico, as well as Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

“Today’s travelers expect to be able to see all that hotels and resorts have to offer before they make their vacation choices,” Green Globe Communications Director, Bradley Cox said.” Green Globe video clips have become an extremely popular way to take a tour of our members’ properties and meet the management and staff who will greet guests and take care of them during their stay.

“Our strategy is to use videos to promote not only our members’ facilities and services, but also reveal the enormous efforts invested in preserving environments and supporting local communities. We believe this gives travelers a unique perspective into the true heart and soul of their vacation destination,” added Mr. Cox.

Exceeding 100,000 views is a major milestone for mygreenglobe, which provides Green Globe certified members the ability to communicate their sustainability achievements to global audiences every day of the year. In these short colorful clips, Green Globe members take viewers behind the scenes to meet the local people and gain an understanding of their community, culture and values.

New videos are launched every week and include a range of international destinations. The clips showcase different types of accommodation, from remote eco-luxury retreats such as The Lodge at Chaa Creek in Belize to cool urban hotels including the Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht. Overall mygreenglobe delivers unique access, which has proven fascinating to travelers as well as industry professionals and interested community groups.

“Having a video channel that profiles such an enormous diversity of travel options is not only good for people looking to purchase a sustainable vacation, but has been a great benefit to our Green Globe members who can show everything from practical information on room types and activities, through to communicating the personality of their hotel or resort,” concluded Mr. Cox.

To view Green Globe member videos visit mygreenglobe or enter mygreenglobe on YouTube search.

Green Globe is the worldwide sustainability system based on internationally-accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Operating under a worldwide license, Green Globe is based in California, USA, and is represented in over 83 countries. Green Globe is an Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Green Globe is also a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). For information, visit www.greenglobe.com

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ecotourism, Responsible Travel, Sustainable Travel

Planning a Quest to See Animals in Their Habitat? When You Travel is as Important as Where You Go

Wild Planet's Josh Cohen says November to June are the best months for the Thailand & Laos wildlife ecotour, spanning four national parks and including exclusive ways of bringing guests right to the wildlife.
Wild Planet’s Josh Cohen says November to June are the best months for the Thailand & Laos wildlife ecotour, spanning four national parks and including exclusive ways of bringing guests right to the wildlife.

If you are planning a quest with a goal is to see wildlife, the experts in viewing wildlife through habitat-sustaining practices underscore that when a trip is to be taken is as important as the destination itself.

Josh Cohen, founder of Wild Planet Adventures, outlines the times of year his guests can experience the most intense sightings of the wildlife they travel far to discover.

BORNEO: March to October is the best viewing window for The Ultimate “Weird and Wonderful Wildlife” Safari that combines rainforest hiking and eco-responsible river cruises. Prolific & Likely wildlife sightings include Orangutan, Proboscis Monkey, Bornean Gibbon, Macaques, Langurs, Pygmy Elephant, Bearded Pig, over 620 bird species. “Weird and Wonderful” animal sightings may include the color-changing Flying Frog, Flying Lemur and Draco Lizard. Rare or Endangered (possible sightings) include Tarsier and Slow Loris (both primates), Marble Cat, Clouded Leopard, Bornean Rhinoceros, Sun Bear, and the Paradise Gliding Tree Snake and Lung-less Frog. This 10-day program is from $5,998 per person, double occupancy (exclusive of domestic flights) for a minimum of four. See: http://www.wildplanetadventures.com/destinations/?country=borneo&trip=weird-wonderful-wildlife-12-day-borneo&tab=1

INDIA & NEPAL: November to April are preferred months for Untamed India & Nepal 19-Day Wildlife Safari that embraces national parks in two countries. Prolific & Likely wildlife sightings include Macaque, Langur and Rhesus Monkeys, Elephants, Rhinoceros, Wild Buffaloes, Muntjac, Chital, Nilgai Bluebuck Antelope, Sambar Deer, Mongoose, Sloth Bear, Striped Hyena, Golden Jackal, Otter, Wild Boar, Tigers, Leopards, reptiles and 450 Bird species. Rare or Endangered (possible sightings) include Fishing, Jungle and Desert Cat, Chinkara, Desert Fox and Cobras. The per person double occupancy rate is from $6,998 (minimum six). See: http://www.wildplanetadventures.com/destinations/?country=india&trip=untamed-india-nepal-19-day-wildlife-safari

THAILAND & LAOS: November to June are the best months for Thailand & Laos Ultimate Wildlife 15-Day EcoTour spanning more than four national parks and including exclusive ways of bringing guests right to the wildlife. Prolific & Likely wildlife sightings include up to 13 primate species, Elephants, Civets, Braking and Sambar Deer, Monitor Lizards and Birds. Rare or Endangered (possible sightings) include Tiger, Clouded Leopard, Gaur, Serow, Malaysian Sun and Asiatic Bear, Flying Fox, Giant Porcupine, Slow Loris and Flying Draco Lizard. The per person double rate is from $4,498 (minimum four). See: http://www.wildplanetadventures.com/destinations/?country=thailand&trip=ultimate-wildlife-15-day-eco-tour-thailand&tab=1

COSTA RICA: Think December to May and again July (Veranito season) for the Costa Rica Ultimate Wildlife 14-Day EcoTour spanning 12 distinct ecological zones. Prolific & Likely wildlife sightings include Squirrel Monkeys, Tamandua (Anteater), Kinkajou, Agouti, Dolphins, Tayra, Peccaries (collared and white-lipped), Red-Eyed Tree Frogs, Walking Sticks, Eyelash Pit Viper, Fer-de-lance, Leaf-Cutter Ants, and such birds as Resplendent Quetzals, Scarlet Macaws, Lovely Coatings, Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, Green Honeycreepers, Roseate Spoonbill, Woodstorks, Crested Caracara, Purple Gallinule, Northern Jacanas, and Great Curassow. Rare or Endangered (possible sightings) include Jaguar and other cats, Tapir, Porcupine, Silky Anteater, Grey Fox, Olingo, Paca, Grison, Caiman, Fleishman’s Glass Frogs (see-through), Leatherback Turtles, Green Turtles, Hercules Beetles and more. The per person, double rate (minimum four) is from $4,798. See: http://www.wildplanetadventures.com/destinations/?country=costa-rica&trip=ultimate-wildlife-14-day-eco-tour-costa-rica

PANAMA: December to July are the best months for a Panama Ultimate Wildlife 10-Day EcoTour that combines rain and cloud forest experiences with the sea. Prolific & Likely wildlife sightings include Howler, White-faced Capuchin and Squirrel Monkeys, Three- and Two-toed Sloth, Coatimundi, Bats, Kinkajou, Agouti, Tayra, Peccaries (Collared and White-lipped), Dolphins, Crocodiles, Blue Morpho Butterflies, Basilisk (Jesus Christ lizards), Poison Arrow and Red-eyed Tree Frogs, Walking Sticks, Sea Turtles, Fer-de-Lance, Leaf-cutter Ants and 600 species of birds. Rare or Endangered (possible sightings) may include Jaguar and other Cats, Tapir, Porcupine, Silky Anteater, Grey Fox, Olingo, Paca, Grison, Fleishman’s Glass Frogs (see-through), Leatherback and Green Turtles and more. The per person double rate is from $3,998. See http://www.wildplanetadventures.com/destinations/?country=panama&trip=ultimate-wildlife-10-day-eco-tour-panama

BRAZIL: The best time for spotting wildlife here is July to October on a program called Jaguar’s Trail: Pantanal to Amazon 15-Day Adventure. Cohen calls this “our most value-packed itinerary” featuring wildlife safaris by jeep, boat and foot in three different regions of the Pantanal and a remote area of the Amazon. Cohen also reports, “We average spotting1.5 jaguars per day, and sometimes as many as 7!” Prolific & Likely wildlife sightings include Bown Capuchin, Black Howler, Duski Titi, White-Whiskered Spider, Gold & Black and Red-Handed Howler Monkey, Black-Tailed, Silvery and Emilia’s Marmoset, Giant and Neotropical Otter, Black and Spectacled Caiman, Collared and White-Lipped Peccary, Marsh, Red Brocket and Brown Brocket Deer, Brazilian Rabbit, Brazilian Porcupine, Short-Tailed Possum, Jaguar, Brazilian Tapir, South American Coati. Rare or Endangered (possible sightings) may include Bare Ear Marmoset, Feline Night and Red-Nosed Bearded Saki Monkey, Emilae’s Marmoset, Harpy Eagle, Ocelot, Puma, Azara’s Agouti, Punare, Colocolo. The per person double rate is from $7,198 (minimum six). See http://www.wildplanetadventures.com/destinations/?country=brazil&trip=jaguars-trail-pantanal-amazon-15-day

PERU: March to October are the preferred months for a program called Ultimate Wildlife Amazon & Machu Picchu 13-day Adventure including both Tambopata Biosphere Reserve and the remote Manu Biosphere Reserve. Prolific & Likely wildlife sightings include Brown Capuchin, Squirrel, Dusty Headed Titi, Red Howler, Spider, Night and Wooly Monkey; Saddleback Tamarin, Macaws in all hues, Toucan, Capybara, Giant River Otter, Tyra, Brown Agouti, Sloth, Pygmy Marmoset, Emperor Tamarin, Monk Saki and Tapir. Rare or Endangered (possible sightings) may include Goeldi’s Monkey, Jaguar, Jaguarundi, Puma, Ocelot, Bush Dog, Harpy Eagle, Silky and Giant Anteater. The per person double rate is from $5,498 (minimum four). See: http://www.wildplanetadventures.com/destinations/?country=peru&trip=ultimate-wildlife-amazon-machu-picchu-13-day

ZAMBIA: July to October are preferred months for an Ultimate Wildlife 18-Day Safari in one of Africa’s least crowded and most wildlife-rich destinations. Prolific & Likely wildlife sightings include African Elephant, African Buffalo, Hippopotamus, Southern Giraffe, Plains (Burchell’s) Zebra, Roan, Sable, Bushbuck, Common Duiker, Impala, Puku, Greater Kudu, Warthog, Bush Pig, Aardvark, Banded Mongoose, Slender Mongoose, White-Tailed Mongoose, Lion, Leopard, Spotted Hyena, Side-striped Jackal, African Civet, Large-Spotted Genet, Cheetah, Leopard, Wild Dog, Honey Badger, Vervet (Green) Monkey, Yellow Baboon, Rodents, Shrews Reptiles and Birds. Rare or Endangered (possible sightings) include Grysbok, Steenbok, Suni, Tsessebe, Crawshay’s Zebra, Hartebeest, Black Rhino, Aardwolf, Bat-eared Fox, Tree Hyrax, Mongoose (Dwarf, Bushy-Tailed, Selous, Marsh Mongoose, Meller’s) Temminck’s Pangolin, Striped Polecat (Zorilla), Serval, Caracal, African Wild Cat, Small-spotted Genet, Black-Backed Jackal, Chacma Baboon, Samango (Blue) Monkey, Maloney’s Monkey, Night Ape and more. The per person double rate is from $13,998 (exclusive of domestic flights at $2,198 per person). See: http://www.wildplanetadventures.com/destinations/?country=zambia&trip=ultimate-wildlife-18-day-safari-zambia

In April 2014 Wild Planet Adventures received its fifth “Worlds’ 50 Best Trips” award from the editors of National Geographic Traveler for its “On the Jaguar’s Trail; from the Pantanal to the Amazon” wildlife safari in Brazil.

For detailed itineraries and booking information, visit http://www.wildplanetadventures.com/, email [email protected] or call 1.800.990.4376.

Follow Wild Planet Adventures:

Facebook:     http://www.facebook.com/mywildplanet

Twitter:         @WildPlanetAdv

You Tube:     https://www.youtube.com/user/WildPlanetAdv

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