Exciting news in from the lion relocation project in Malawi.

We have some very interesting and exciting news in from the Mkulumadzi lion relocation project in Malawi.

Recently the boys had been selected and collared, and the girls were about to be picked from the crowd as well, this has now all happened and we they have moved on to the next step. They were selected from a completely different pride to ensure maximum genetic diversity, which in the future will hopefully (all fingers and paws crossed) ensure that there will be a viable lion population after relocation.

On the 18th June the boys and girls were all to be captured at exactly the same time and moved to the boma. It was crucial that this all went smoothly and in unison so that all 4 of them would meet together after groggily waking up in the boma. However, as we all know the best laid plans never do go smoothly, and as the teams set out, the first male was located by his radio collar so deep into the bush that there was no way that a car was getting to him! What to do?! Well
helicopters were the only option for him so the aerial team got under way, darted the bush boy and somehow managed to get him to the car before the road team headed off looking for
   the second male.

It turns out that this guy was a bit of a show off and was posing for a multitude of tourists cameras on a fresh kill by the side of the road. Showing his better side to the tourists he happily lapped up the attention. After everyone was happy, the veterinary teams spoke to the tourists to see if they wanted to witness the darting of a wild animal and have first hand experience of conservation, which of course they all did! This time, everything went very smoothly and before they knew it both boys were bumbling along to their boma.

The ladies were of course a lot easier, as would be expected! And all four beasts woke up together in the boma slightly flustered and disorientated to start with but have bonded well and doing fine. Enjoying the room service almost immediately! The new family are having a blast and will be heading for Malawi on the 30th July.

So there we go. We will update you with the next instalment as soon as we get it!

Of course at Wildlife Worldwide (together with Robin Pope Safaris) we would be very happy to help you experience Mkulumadzi and the lion relocation project in action.

We have been working with Robin Pope Safaris for 20 years or more and together with its operations in Malawi at Mkulumadzi in Majete Game Reserve and Pumulani on the shores of Lake Malawi, there are four beautiful camps scattered across the Luangwa Valley – Nkwali, Luangwa River Lodge, Tena Tena and Nsefu. They vary in size from Nkwali and Nsefu which each accommodate 12 guests, to Tena Tena which accommodates eight people and Luangwa Rover Lodge which accommodates ten.

DO ask us for more information and to put an itinerary together for you.

Big 5 safaris - What and where to find them on your wildlife holiday?

The Big 5 is historically a hunting term, which is why we don't particularly like it, but it seems to have stuck, and is still used in some African safari guides. The big 5 are the lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros. Our holidays obviously involve taking camera shoots, not any other kind...

For more information on Big 5 Safaris - Click here

Ocean Giants, Giant Lives - Whale watching tonight on the BBC

Tune in today at 21:00.

Ground-breaking documentary granting a unique and privileged access into the magical world of whales and dolphins, uncovering the secrets of their intimate lives as never before.

This episode explores the intimate details of the largest animals that have ever lived on our planet- the great whales. From the balmy waters of the Indian Ocean to the freezing seas of the Arctic, two daring underwater cameramen - Doug Allan, Planet Earth's polar specialist, and Didier Noirot, Cousteau's front-line cameraman - come face-to-face with fighting humpback whales and two-hundred-ton feeding blue whales.

Teaming up with top whale scientists, Giant Lives discovers why southern right whales possess a pair of one-ton testicles, why the arctic bowhead can live to over two hundred years old, and why size truly matters in the world of whales.

For your chance to see some of these Oceans Giants in real life, see our whale watching holidays.  

Flying Safaris - View Wildlife from the air!

For a bird's eye look at roaming wildlife with spectacular panoramic views opt for our Wings over Namibia or Wings over Botswana flying safaris. Your aerial vantage point makes for some fantastic photographic opportunities as well as allowing you to maximise your time by covering greater distances with shorter journey times.

We can also offer African flying safaris as part of our Tailor made service in many other destinations, so please contact our specialists for ideas. 

Self Drive Safaris

Why not go at your own pace on a self drive safari? Enjoy fantastic scenery and game-viewing from the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. Both Namibia's Dunes, Pelicans & Rhinos and South Africa's Cape Town & Garden Route self drive tours are on good roads with easy signposting. Contact us now to tailor make your holiday.

600 new species found in Madagascar!

Madagascar's treasure trove of new species...

WWF report on the staggering 615 new species discovered by scientists in Madagascar in the last 10 years.
For the full report, please follow the following link:
http://www.wwf.org.uk/news_feed.cfm?4980/Madagascar-new-species-discovered-but-already-in-danger

Madagascar Holidays - Click here

Bear Watching in Slovakia - Trip Report by Mark Wright

"We've arrived at the ranger's cottage deep in the Tatras for two days.


Accommodation is ok, an old wood cottage straight out of Red Riding Hood. Although facilities are pretty simple it's a real privilege to be allowed up here in the midst of nature in the park - Projekt Medved (project Bear) works with the national park authorities to allow a select few tourists to stay and visit and see wildlife. There are NO other tourists up here and we have the entire park ourselves.

It's our first day and we have struck lucky. Observing the avalanche slopes between stands of fir trees we spot a solitary brown bear high on the upper slopes. Binoculars and telescope at the ready, we are delighted to see that three young cubs are in hot pursuit of their mother. We watch with fascination for a few minutes until the four figures lumber and toddle away into the dwarf pine and are then lost from view.

We walk through incredible mountain landscapes for the rest of the day, but see no more bears. Plenty of evidence on the trail of bear activity, but no more sightings today.

Tomorrow we'll be out at 5am to look for more."