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News in Brief: St. Lucia, Maldives, India & Sri Lanka
January 2024
'A group of nine Naturetrek clients travelled from the UK, escaping sub-zero temperatures, to the warmth of St. Lucia in the Caribbean’, writes tour leader Dave Jackson. ‘Our accommodation was the award-winning Anse Chastanet Resort which is nestled on a wooded hillside in a rich environment filled with exotic birds, including the enigmatic Grey Trembler and endemic St. Lucia Oriole, which even visited our room balconies!
Each day featured a planned programme, including outings with expert local guides to discover the island's endemic birds, exciting boat trips to observe cetaceans, and a rainforest aerial tram tour. One highlight was an exceptional culinary experience at Emerald Organic Farm, where two of the island’s top chefs prepared a delicious alfresco meal accompanied by craft beer brewed right there on the farm.
We encountered all seven of the island's endemic bird species, including the recently elevated St. Lucia Thrasher and St. Lucia Wren, also their national bird, the St. Lucia Parrot – a highlight achieved by our second outing! Additional memorable sightings included the melodious Rufous-throated Solitaire, vibrant Lesser Antillean Euphonia in the Quillesse Rainforest and exotic Red-billed Tropicbirds from a catamaran on our journey to Castries rounding out an incredible birding adventure in this tropical paradise.
We admired colourful butterflies and lizards, and during our trip out on the Caribbean Sea we were surrounded by a pod of Short-finned Pilot Whales along with Pantropical Spotted Dolphins.
This holiday offered a perfect blend of nature, adventure and cuisine, making it a truly memorable experience.'
February 2025
‘This 10-day holiday (including a 7-night cruise) was a wonderful break from the British winter!' writes tour leader Sara Frost. 'Our twice-daily snorkelling sessions, amongst a dazzling feast of colourful fish, were a real treat, as we tried to get our head around the seemingly never-ending variety of species! Highlights on the reefs included Nurse and White- and Black-tipped Reef Sharks, Hawksbill Turtles, Reef Squid, Octopus, a Feather-tail Stingray, Black-foot Anemonefish and Oriental Sweetlips to name a few!
Enthusiastic pods of dolphins made up an excellent supporting cast, with daily sightings of them approaching the boat to ‘say hello’ and bowride (often with more distant pod members leaping and jumping, to whoops and cheers of our group!). Other cetacean sightings included extraordinarily frequent encounters with large groups of Short-finned Pilot Whales which regularly interacted with our boat, approaching it and spy-hopping to have a look at us and playing around the bow. We also enjoyed good views of 4 Dwarf Sperm Whales and an astonishing close-up encounter with a sleeping Cuvier’s Beaked Whale (which managed to sneak up on us by doing an excellent impersonation of a log…).
The highlight for most, however, had to be our experience with the Maldives’ magical Manta Rays. The first was as we were swimming, and it appeared beneath us, cruising along the seabed. The second, and most fabulous, was one appearing at the rear of our boat one night, which stayed for at least 5 hours feeding on plankton!
Each day was rounded off with an evening presentation, delicious Maldivian cuisine, tropical sunsets and excited chatter over drinks in the bar – truly wonderful!’
November 2024
‘The journey was a vibrant tapestry of wildlife and camaraderie, led by the dynamic duo of Rishin B. Roy and Bhautik R. Desai. With 156 bird species, 20 mammal species, and thrilling encounters with 12 Tigers, five Leopards, a Sloth Bear, and Asian Wild Dogs, the tour was a resounding success. From the warm welcome at the airport to the luxurious stay at Radisson Blu in Nagpur, the group was immersed in comfort and excitement. The adventure began in Pench, where breathtaking landscapes and wildlife awaited. Each day unfolded with awe-inspiring moments — spotting Tigers stalking prey, witnessing a Tigress dragging her kill, and marvelling at the alertness of Spotted Deer.
The group bonded over shared experiences, from early morning safaris to evening checklists recounting the day’s sightings. The final day in Kanha National Park was a fitting crescendo, with encounters ranging from Barasingha grazing by waterholes to the serene presence of a Red-wattled Lapwing. This journey was not just about wildlife but also about forging connections, embracing nature’s wonders, and creating memories that will linger long after the last jeep ride.’
December 2024
‘The tour began with an exciting exploration of Tadoba, where the group enjoyed a range of wildlife sightings, including a young Tiger sleeping in the bushes, a Tigress and her cubs by Pandherpauni Lake, and a rare Sloth Bear crossing the road’, writes tour leader Kaustubh Mulay. ‘The park’s diverse birdlife, such as Red-naped Ibis and Bronze-winged Jacana, added to the adventure, and the group witnessed several thrilling Tiger encounters, including a Tigress growling and walking towards the road.
Next, the group moved to Pench, where they had an extraordinary safari experience with sightings of Tigers, including a shy sub-adult cub, and a pair of Leopards. The wildlife was rich, with sightings of jackals, a Siberian Stonechat, and a Grey-headed Fish Eagle. On the afternoon safari, the group encountered a Leopard with a kill and enjoyed more birdwatching, with Crested Serpent Eagles and Stork-billed Kingfishers among the highlights.
The final stop was Kanha, where the Pattawala male Tiger’s majestic walk along the serene lake was a highlight, set against a beautiful backdrop. The group also witnessed Barasingha rutting displays, jackals, and a variety of birdlife, including a Long-billed Vulture and Yellow-footed Green Pigeons. The Sarhi Zone offered a unique landscape, while the Dhole (Asian Wild Dog) sighting in Mukki Zone left everyone in awe. The tour concluded with a nature trail, more birdwatching, and a fond farewell, leaving the group with unforgettable memories of India's incredible wildlife.’
‘The detailed itinerary of our “Tiger Marathon” tour perfectly captures the essence of an exhilarating wildlife adventure across India's iconic Tiger Reserves’, writes tour leader Yusuf Rizvi. ‘It spans from the arrival at Nagpur Airport to the final departure from Delhi, with each day offering a mix of thrilling safaris, breathtaking sightings, and moments of cultural exploration.
Throughout the journey, the group experienced an array of Tiger sightings, from a Tigress and her cubs in Pench to elusive Leopards and Tigers in Kanha and Bandhavgarh. The excitement was further heightened by the diverse birdlife and other wildlife encounters, keeping spirits high as the group moved from one park to the next.
The visit to Khajuraho on Day 12 provided a nice cultural respite, the previous days being filled with wildlife adventures. As the tour came to a close, the guests were left with unforgettable memories, captured both in their hearts and on camera, of the majestic Tigers, Leopards, and other wildlife of India.
The journey showcased the immense beauty of India's national parks and the thrill of spotting wildlife in their natural habitats, making it a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.’
‘This tour was an extraordinary success, boasting sightings of over 334 bird species, eight mammals, and two reptiles’, writes tour leader Swanand Deshpande. ‘The undisputed stars of the trip were the majestic Leopard of Nainital and the regal Tiger of Corbett, both providing unforgettable moments in the wild. The Tiger encounter in Corbett’s Dhela Zone was particularly awe-inspiring. As soon as we entered the first grassland, a male Tiger — estimated to be around 6-7 years old — was spotted resting just 30 feet away. Watching this magnificent predator in his prime was an unforgettable experience. He exuded calm and dominance, occasionally lifting his head to check his surroundings, responding to distant deer calls, and giving us an uninterrupted 3-hour glimpse into his majestic world. For many in the group, it was their first time seeing a Tiger in the wild, making the experience even more special.
The Leopard sighting in Nainital was equally thrilling, if not more unexpected. While scanning the slopes at Snow Viewpoint for the elusive Koklass Pheasant, a massive male Leopard was spotted resting on the grassy valley below. He stayed in view for a remarkable 20 minutes, allowing the group to soak in the breathtaking sight of this elusive predator. The encounter was heightened by the discovery of a half-eaten Sambar Deer carcass nearby, evidence of the Leopard's presence and hunting prowess. These rare and intimate moments with two of India's most iconic big cats were the defining highlights of the trip, offering a perfect blend of excitement, wonder, and connection with the wild.
Adding to the excitement were rare and elusive birds like the Hill Partridge and the vibrant laughingthrushes, which delighted every birder in the group. This incredible adventure, filled with breathtaking wildlife and vibrant landscapes, was truly a spectacular way to kick off the year, setting a high bar for the journeys ahead.’
November 2024
‘Our adventure kicked off with an exhilarating spectacle at Kalpitiya, where we were greeted by thousands of Spinner Dolphins performing their acrobatic wonders in the open sea’ writes tour leader Thilanka Ranathunga. ‘Adding to the thrill, we spotted rare bird species like the majestic Black Kite and the elegant Terek Sandpiper, setting the tone for an unforgettable journey.
From there, we plunged into the wild heart of Wilpattu National Park, where nature unveiled its breathtaking treasures. We were privileged to witness five elusive Leopards in their natural domain and nine Sloth Bears lumbering through the wilderness – a rare and remarkable encounter.
During the tour, 21 mammal species, 140 bird species, and an incredible 13 reptile and amphibian species were recorded. The grand finale was nothing short of spectacular: a mesmerising display of Fin Whales breaking the ocean's surface and a super pod of Short-finned Pilot Whales cruising in unison left us in awe, wrapping up the journey on a note of pure magic. This was a wildlife odyssey we will never forget!’
