Discover Costa Rica's Amazing Wildlife with Nick Baker

All those signing up for Nick Baker’s 2013 group tour to Costa Rica are in for a treat. Your senses will be treated to a wide range of wildlife-rich habitats: two types of lowland Caribbean rainforest; lush cloud forest high in the hills; and the most unspoilt and biodiverse of all Costa Rica’s wilderness regions – the Osa peninsula, with its true wet tropical rainforest. Staying in excellent lodges, you will venture out by boat and on foot to find such species as the great green macaw, red eyed tree frog, “blue jeans” poison dart frog, keel billed toucan, three toed sloth, howler and white faced capuchin monkeys, and the helicopter damselfly. Nick’s speciality is finding the more obscure species which most would overlook: who knows what he will uncover? Find out by booking your place on the group, and be one of a maximum of 12 lucky wildlife lovers to benefit from Nick’s infectious enthusiasm for nature’s bounty.

Full Tour Description (PDF file)

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The Bristol Zoo Group Tour - Quest for the Orang-Utans of Borneo

Following the success of 2012's inaugural Bristol Zoo Group Tour (to Madagascar), we are delighted to offer our second group tour in partnership with Bristol Zoo Gardens: Quest for the Orang-Utans of Borneo, departing on 7th September, 2013 . The lucky ten participants will be led by expert local naturalist guides, ably assisted by Simon Garrett, Head of Learning at Bristol Zoo Gardens. They will have the chance to see wild orang-utan, pygmy elephant, leopard cat, proboscis monkey, eight species of hornbill and a cast of thousands more rainforest creatures. There will also be time by the sea, so join the group now and enjoy South East Asia's best wildlife experience in 2013.

Full Tour Description (PDF file)

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Madagascar Adventure Overland

An unforgettable adventure through ever-changing and spectacular scenery, diverse habitat types, encountering a wide variety of Madagascar’s unique, weird and wonderful wildlife and flora enroute as well as friendly locals from different ethnic groups.

This small group will be escorted by a naturalist guide who will enrich your experience with his knowledge of Madagascar’s natural history and culture and prove to be great company to boot!

Wildlife areas visited include ANDASIBE-MANTADIA (aka Perinet / Analamazaotra), RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARK, ANJA PARK, ZOMBITSE-VOHIBASIA NATIONAL PARKS, ISALO NATIONAL PARK. This itinerary is designed for those who are happy to stay in some simple but clean and friendly lodges (always with ensuite facilities).

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Madagascar Overland Encounters

Ever-popular and offering great value, this overland journey takes you from the Hauts Plateaux through diverse scenery and tribal homelands to the dry spiny forests of the south west, where you will be among the first to enjoy one of Madagascar’s newest national parks, Tsimanampetsotsa. It is a real treat, with blind cave fish, ancient baobabs, wild ring tail lemurs, rare bird-life and a huge flamingo lagoon to boot. A good combination of culture and natural history, you will understand why it is our most popular group to join.

2013 Full Tour Description (PDF file)

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*NB: Please note the 18th October 2013 departure is one day shorter than the other departures, removing a night in Anakao (due to Air France schedules)

Madagascar's Magnificent Wildlife & Landscapes

This classic route takes in some of Madagascar’s most magnificent wildlife reserves and scenic beauty (including Andasibe-Mandadia - aka Perinet, Ranomafana and Isalo National Parks).  Plentiful sightings of lemurs, birds, chameleons, geckos and more await you on nature walks. You will also gain a fascinating insight into the lives of the friendly people of Madagascar whilst travelling through towns and villages on the Hauts Plateaux.  Your charming leader will enrich your experiences with his deep knowledge and love for all aspects of his country.

If time allows why not treat yourself to a post-tour extension to one of Madagascar’s fabulous Indian Ocean beaches or another wildlife reserve - or indeed combine with a safari in South Africa or diving in Mozambique? We would be delighted to discuss the options with you.

2013 Full Tour Description (PDF file)

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A Journey in Madagascar with Quentin Bloxam

As former Director of Conservation Management at Durrell (previously Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust), Quentin Bloxam has been at the forefront of innovative conservation breeding projects in a quest to preserve endangered species from extinction. Quentin was with Gerald Durrell in Madagascar and is referred to as "Q" in The Aye-Aye and I book. Although a herpetologist by training, Quentin is equally familiar with Madagascar’s mammals, insects and birds. His many trips to the Big Red Island over the last two decades have imbued in him a profound love of the country and its unique attractions. His charm, personality and evident sense of humour, combined with his extensive knowledge of all things Malagasy and aptitude with wildlife photography, will ensure you gain the best possible enjoyment and results from your once-in-a-lifetime trip to Madagascar.

The tour visits varied and wonderful wildlife reserves and National Parks and ends with a little time by the coast to reflect on your extraordinary experiences.

The itinerary visits Andasibe-Mantadia (Analamazaotra/Perinet), Kirindy and the Avenue of Baobabs, Ranomafana National Park, Isalo National Park, Anja Park, Isalo National Park, Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park and Ifaty.

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Madagascar Wildlife Watch with Nick Baker

In love with the natural world since early childhood, Nick has a rare gift – his ability to impart his passion for wildlife effectively to others. That gift has led to his considerable success as a writer, television presenter and tour leader.

Being a trained biologist who has visited The Big Red Island on a number of past occasions, Nick understands and can explain the natural history of various species in detail, providing greater insight into the enthralling world that is wild Madagascar.

We are supremely confident that, given Nick’s considerable skills, passion for all things wild and his friendly and considerate nature, he will prove to be one of our clients’ favourite group leaders for years to come.

2014 Full Tour Description (PDF file)

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Ultimate Namibia Wildlife & Landscapes

Namibia, is world-renowned for its breath-taking scenic beauty, endless horizons, towering dunes, the tales of survival and adventure along the wild Skeleton Coast, diverse and fascinating peoples and its desert-adapted wildlife living against a wonderfully photogenic backdrop.

This superb tour incorporates the scenic and wildlife highlights of Namibia. Your experience will be further enhanced by your guide who will add a deeper insight into the flora, fauna, geology and fascinating cultures of this magnificent country, to be enjoyed with a small group of like-minded travellers.

The itinerary is suitable for everyone with a love of nature and we’re confident you will come away spellbound by Namibia’s great wilderness.

2013 Full Tour Description (PDF file)

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Namibia's Natural Treasures Fly-In Safari

Namibia’s beauty from the air is truly astounding, where patterns and colours of rock, dunes, mountains and coast as well as the sheer scale of Namibia’s wilderness can be fully appreciated. It has to be seen to believed – and even then you may struggle to believe what you’re seeing!

This itinerary allows a privileged maximum of four passengers to explore the diverse scenery and wildlife of Namibia, including Etosha National Park, Kaokaoland, Damaraland, the Namib Desert and wonderful Wolwedans.

2013 Full Tour Description (PDF file)

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Namibia's Spectacular Vistas & Wildlife Fly-In Safari

The scenic beauty of Namibia is unsurpassed, and to see it from the air is a truly breath-taking experience. The vast wilderness unfolds below you in intricate and ever-changing complexity, and the true scale and harshness of this arid environment becomes evident. Incredible then, that Namibia’s desert-adapted wildlife such as the majestic gemsbok (oryx), ostriches, springboks, mountain zebras, brown hyenas, rhinos, and the renowned desert elephant thrive in Namibia.

With a maximum of four lucky passengers, this superb fly-in safari explores the diverse scenery and wildlife of Namibia, including Etosha National Park, Damaraland, and finally, after a flight over the Namib Desert dune sea and Sossusvlei, ends with three nights at Wolwedans.

2013 Full Tour Description (PDF file)

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Lowland Gorillas, Bongos, Picathartes and Forest Elephants

This tour visits the second largest rainforest on earth in the remote south-western corner of the Central African Republic. These protected areas are far from main centres of population and major traffic routes which has led to the preservation of high densities of large mammal fauna. Mammals such as forest elephants, forest buffalos, forest hogs, western lowland gorillas and bongos can be encountered in densities described as unique. At the Dzanga saline (forest clearing) more than 4,000 elephants have been counted and identified over the last few years, with up to 100 individuals seen on any one visit. This tour may not be for first-time visitors to Africa, but for those with an adventurous spirit wishing to explore a remote and little-visited part of Western Africa with high densities of large mammal fauna, varied bird life and indigenous culture, this tour is ideal.

2013 Full Tour Description (PDF file).

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The Orcas of Patagonia's Wildlife Coast

Along Patagonia’s vast Atlantic shoreline in Argentina, several ocean currents mix, and thanks to the relatively low traffic and fishing activity the sea is still rich in plankton, seaweed, fish and jellyfish. This in turn attracts large populations of marine mammals and large populations of sea birds. Here can be found various species of dolphins, elephant seals, sealions, magellanic penguins, and at Punta Norte on the Valdes Peninsula, the only location in the world where orcas use beach stranding as a hunting technique. Spend three nights at the only lodge on the Valdes Peninsula which has access to the orca beach, explore the Patagonian coast to see thousands of penguins and sealions, elephant seals, striking coloured dolphins, and the greatest diversity of seabirds in all Patagonia.

Full Tour Description (PDF file)

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Quest for the Jaguars of Brazil

The jaguar is one of the most elusive big cats and one which few people have the privilege of seeing. However, Reef and Rainforest Tours are now pleased to announce a group tour where sightings of jaguars are virtually guaranteed.

Read about Mail on Sunday journalist Vivien Creegor's jaguar watching experience here.  

Jaguars in Brazil - the Saturday Telegraph article.

Read about all the latest jaguar sightings on our Your News webpage.

See the Pantanal for yourself (note there have been changes to the accommodation since this film was made)...

A Northern Pantanal Jaguar Adventure

This tour explores the Cuiaba River and it's tributaries in the Northern Pantanal in search of the elusive jaguar. Using the Porto Jofre Hotel as a base there are excellent chances of jaguar sightings.

A Journey into the Land of Cowboys and Jaguars

Reef and Rainforest Tours are please to announce a tour which combines excellent chances of jaguars, abundant Pantanal fauna including tapirs, giant otters and hyacinth macaws, and the opportunity to interact and work with the Pantaneiros - the cowboys of the Pantanal.

In Search of the Giants of Guyana

This group tour is all about giants: anteaters, otters, turtles, rodents, snakes, water lilies, fish – we could see the largest species of each of these in the little-visited land of Guyana, which also has the longest single-drop waterfall in the world. With an impressive number of departure dates and needing only two participants to run, we know this itinerary will be one of our most popular.

2013 Tour Description

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Panama at its very best

Panama, with its indigenous tribes, white sand islands, coral reefs, rainforests, cloud forests and national parks teeming with wildlife, is an extremely diverse natural history destination. In addition, there is the natural and historic legacy of the world famous canal. This escorted group itinerary reflects this diversity and encompasses all of the elements which make Panama so special – the very best of Panama.

2012 Full Tour Description (PDF file)

2013 Full Tour Description (PDF file)

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The Beautiful Birds & Wondrous Wildlife of Panama

Panama possesses an astonishing array of bird species including five macaw species, the three-wattled bellbird, and the world-renowned resplendent quetzal. This group tour is an in-depth exploration of avian diversity across the isthmus, offering impressive and rewarding birdwatching opportunities, even for the most discerning birder.

2013 Full Tour Description (PDF file)

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The Highlights of Papua New Guinea

With primitive culture and vibrant nature both vying for your attention, PNG is at the very last frontier of adventurous travel. This exciting itinerary includes a visit to the famous Mount Hagen Show - a festival that brings together sing sing groups from all over the country.

Full Tour Description 2013 (PDF file)

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