Get inspired by David Attenborough’s ‘Dynasties’
This autumn on BBC One Sir David Attenborough is back… His new five-part series has been four years in the making and each episode will follow the lives of one of the world’s most iconic but also threatened species.
During the five episodes of his new series Dynasties, Sir David will give us an intimate portrayal of family life, “revealing the complexities of power, rivalry and tenderness in animal relationships”, as well as the threats these animals face. Focusing in turn on tigers, lions, emperor penguins, chimpanzees and wild dogs, prepare to feel intimately involved with the highs and lows of these incredible animals as they fight for survival.
At Wildlife Worldwide, we offer both tailor-made and expert-led small group holidays to see each of the species featured in the series - getting to know their behaviour and personalities. See these incredible animals for yourself:
TIGER: Ultimate Tiger Safari
See the Bengal tiger, India’s most iconic mammal, in its natural habitat on this two-centred holiday. First, spend four nights in Bandhavgarh National Park, home to India’s highest density of tigers, with two vehicle safaris per day seeking out the elusive feline. The trip then moves to Kanha National Park, one of India’s most beautiful reserves, for more tiger spotting in a far wider range of habitats. Here, guests stay in the luxurious Singinawa Jungle Lodge, set amidst 55 acres of grassland with a spa and swimming pool, and lectures each evening from the in-house naturalist guides.
LION: Best of Botswana
Home to a pride of some 20-30 lions, Chobe National Park offers one of Botswana’s most iconic wildlife experiences. On our great-value small group tour, guests will spend three days in Chobe following the pride and watching the lions interact. This is one of the many highlights of this mobile-camping safari, with visits to both the Moremi Game Reserve and Khwai Concession too. The trip is led by local guide Disho, a member of the Hambukushu tribe who has a sixth sense for finding wildlife.
EMPEROR PENGUIN: Emperor Penguins of the Weddell Sea
A helicopter flight to walk among the huge emperor penguin colony of the Weddell Sea is the undoubted highlight of this Antarctic adventure. Landing far enough away to avoid stressing or disturbing the animals, guests hike 45 minutes across the frozen ice shelf before spending a whole day with these magnificent animals. Other highlights on this once-in-a-lifetime cruise aboard the Ortelius include gentoo and chinstrap penguins on Half Moon Island, a myriad of seabirds, and the eerie Deception Island, home to hot springs and an abandoned whaling station.
CHIMPANZEES: Uganda’s Unforgettable Wildlife
Chimpanzee tracking in the beautiful Kibale Forest National Park, home to 13 species of primate, is the sensational highlight of our new group tour to Uganda. Hiking in the footsteps of a family of chimpanzee, guests then spend an hour with them in their natural habitat, observing the rituals of their daily life: feeding, grooming and nursing the young. Other highlights of the trip include gorilla trekking in Bwindi, a boat trip beneath the staggering Murchison Falls, and more chimpanzees, swinging above hikers’ heads, during a hike through Kyambura Gorge.
WILD DOG: Mana Pools: Wild Dogs & Elephants Photography
The episode on wild dogs was filmed over two years from Vundu Lodge in Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park – an area that few tour operators visit. Here, having become accustomed to seeing people in the national parks, the large population of wild dogs gets very close to visitors and to the lodge, resulting in unrivalled photographic opportunities.
Our trip to Mana Pools to photograph the wild dogs and elephants will be guided by award-winning wildlife photographer Bret Charman and Nick Murray, the founder of Vundu Camp, who was responsible for guiding the BBC film crew on their 300-day wild dog shoot. Like the film crew, guests can expect close encounters with the wild dogs as they safari by vehicle, on foot and by canoe. Equally approachable – and also leading to incredible images - are the bull elephants as they feed from the high branches of the ana tree.
For more information about any of these group trips or tailor-made itineraries where you can encounter these animals, speak to our team on 01962 302 086 or by email.
