FIVE NEW REEF AND RAINFOREST DESTINATIONS

Reef & Rainforest started 22 years ago with just one destination – Belize. Due to its unspoilt rainforests and its possessing the second longest barrier reef in the world, Belize was also the origin of the company name, and remains to this day one of our most popular and best-loved destinations.

Of course, it is a very different story these days. With the addition of South Africa, Namibia, Argentina, Bhutan and the Philippines, our full repertoire now totals 21 fabulous natural history destinations: a coming-of-age, you might say.

Of these five new offerings, South Africa and Namibia are now in our website programme. We hope you will enjoy checking out the new sample tailor-made itineraries for these two stunning countries – as you know, these are just suggestions for good, logistically sound and varied itineraries, which can be changed to suit your wishes.

SOUTH AFRICA

Our director, Alan Godwin, and tour consultant, Helen Cox, have both now travelled extensively within South Africa, from Cape Town to the Kalahari, KwaZulu Natal to the Kruger and experienced all the diversity of landscapes, wildlife and culture in this ‘world within one country’. Their joint research and pooled knowledge have resulted in eleven stunning new sample itineraries, an unsurpassed selection of possibly the most desirable wildlife journeys possible for that land of contrasts, outstanding service and wonderful wildlife viewing.

Please call Helen or Alan on 01803 866965 to hear more about the many options.

NAMIBIA

After a number of adventurous exploratory trips to that outstanding destination, Helen is extremely taken with remarkable Namibia and the wealth of experiences available there.

It really has something for everyone: dramatic (and at times surreal) landscapes, surprisingly abundant wildlife, diverse cultures, wild coastlines, top-notch lodges, good infrastructure and endless wilderness.

A land of unspeakable beauty, Namibia can be visited by self-drive, privately guided tour or fly-in safari.

Ask Helen about her Namibian wanderings by calling 01803 866965.

ARGENTINA

R&R tour consultant John Melton returned to Argentina this year and came home having savoured some stunning experiences and gleaned some great wildlife possibilities. Our website will soon contain John’s newly designed, sample natural history itineraries aiming to reveal Argentina’s wildlife wonders, including the Atlantic rainforest, the Ibera Wetlands, and wild Patagonia.

However, there was one offering which we thought could not wait: The Orcas Of Patagonia’s Wildlife Coast Group Tour. Along the vast Atlantic shoreline of Argentine Patagonia, several ocean currents mix, creating a sea rich in plankton, seaweed, fish and jellyfish, which in turn attract large populations of marine mammals and sea birds. One can see dolphins, elephant seals, sealions, Magellanic penguins, and at Punta Norte on the Valdes Peninsula, orcas using beach stranding as a hunting technique (as famously seen in the BBC’s Trials of Life series).

Spend three nights at the only lodge with direct access to the orca beach and be guided by the resident orca expert, giving the best chance possible to witness this spectacular wildlife encounter. Furthermore, the group explores other parts of the wild Patagonian coast to see the rest of the marine fauna which inhabit this fantastic wildlife wonderland, and terrestrial fauna too such as guanaco, red fox, armadillo, Patagonian hare and Darwin’s rhea.

Visit our Groups page to see our Orcas of Patagonia's Wildlife Coast tour, departing on 02 March, 2012. Should you be interested in joining the group, or having us arrange a tailor-made itinerary specially for you, please call John on 01803 866965 for more details.

BHUTAN

A magical Himalayan kingdom surrounded by India and Tibet and avidly guarding its cultural heritage, Buddhist Bhutan should be high on the list of every seasoned traveller. See mountain vistas, forested valleys and ancient dzhongs (fortress temples) in an enigmatic land.

In wildlife terms, birds (some 400 species, including the black-necked crane) are the main draw, although tiger, binturong and golden langur inhabit the narrow belt of lowland forest in the south, and snow leopard and takin (a kind of goat/cow, and Bhutan’s national animal) thrive on the high slopes, along with the shaggy domesticated yak.

Combining Bhutan with Kaziranga National Park in India’s Assam region provides an excellent, all-round wildlife and cultural experience to rival the best.

Should you wish to discuss Bhutan further, please call Alan on 01803 866965.

PHILIPPINES

Although much of the Philippines has sadly been deforested, Palawan remains largely intact and a beacon of conservation. A large island almost 400km long and, at its widest, 50km across, Palawan boasts remnant tribes, the world’s longest Underground River (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), rare karst landscapes, vast mangrove forests and much more.

Offshore from Porto Princesa, the vibrant and friendly capital, one has an excellent chance to snorkel with whale sharks (near full moon) and spot dolphins and pilot whales, as well as enjoy nocturnal displays of thousands of fireflies.

In the far north, El Nido and Taytay are meccas for snorkellers and marine scenery lovers, and on Busuanga Island, Coron offers fantastic WWII wreck dives to rival those of legendary Truk.

Macaques hunt crabs on the tidal flats, endemic Palawan hornbills roost in the trees, and the island’s emblematic bird, the beautiful blue peacock pheasant can be seen skulking in the undergrowth.

Combine Palawan with, say, Malapascua Island off Cebu for pelagic thresher sharks and some of the world’s best coral reef snorkelling and diving, and you have the makings of a world class natural history tour. To discuss further, please call Alan on 01803 866965.

REEF & RAINFOREST FOCUSES ON FACEBOOK

In keeping with the zeitgeist, we have now started our own Facebook page, and are just starting to get to grips with posting messages we think will be of interest to our past and future clients (when time allows).

It’s a great way to keep in touch with us, so why not link to us on the icon below. You can then read the enthralling comments and admire the fabulous photographs taken by the good-looking lot opposite, standing outside our Totnes offices on the scenic River Dart, in which seals, kingfishers, egrets and cormorants frolic and keep us from our work.

Tel: 01803 866965
www.reefandrainforest.co.uk
mail@reefandrainforest.co.uk