July 2026

‘This holiday to the Azores delivered some truly exceptional whale-watching, blessed with glorious weather and remarkably calm seas’ writes tour leader Sara Frost. ‘The clear highlight came with two unforgettable encounters with a pod of eight elusive Sowerby’s Beaked Whales – among the rarest cetaceans in the North Atlantic – which surfaced just metres from our boat, giving prolonged and privileged views. We also enjoyed daily sightings of Sperm Whales, including females with calves, feeding Sei Whales, playful Long-finned Pilot Whales, and superb close-up encounters with Bottlenose, Common, Atlantic Spotted and Risso’s Dolphins, all of which delighted us by swimming alongside, or around, the boat. Loggerhead Turtles, Cory’s Shearwaters and the occasional flying fish added further excitement to our days at sea.

Our time ashore revealed the unique volcanic landscapes and rich culture of Pico. We explored lava tubes adorned with glittering silver and gold bacteria, visited the island’s traditional whale lookout ('vigia') to learn how whales are tracked, and discovered Pico’s fascinating whaling heritage at Lajes Museum. A leisurely picnic beside a mountain lake, a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage vineyards, and a private wine-tasting overlooking Mount Pico showcased the island’s outstanding scenery and local produce, while Azores Chaffinches, Atlantic Canaries, Buzzards and the remarkable day-flying Azores Noctule Bat added wildlife interest on land.

The holiday concluded in memorable fashion beneath a star-filled sky, listening to the extraordinary nocturnal calls of Cory’s Shearwaters as they returned to their nesting colonies. Combined with excellent local cuisine, warm hospitality and wonderful company throughout, it was a thoroughly memorable week exploring one of the Atlantic’s true wildlife treasures.’

June 2026

'We enjoyed a memorable expedition to the island groups of Lofoten and Vesterålen, blessed with bright sunny weather in the Arctic Circle and perfectly timed for the Midnight Sun and Summer Solstice' writes tour leader Neil McMahon. 'After meeting in Bodø, we made the ferry crossing to Moskenes, seeing three White-tailed Eagles and a Basking Shark along the way. Based in Reine, we had time to take in the spectacular scenery and wildlife, including an unexpected Beluga Whale, which we watched as it fed offshore. The following morning we encountered a surging pod of Orcas, while also watching an Otter nearby and a White-tailed Eagle overhead.

Afternoons brought Black-throated Divers and Slavonian Grebes, and our final morning at Reine produced three Mountain Hares before we travelled north to Andøy. Here, White-tailed Eagles were ever-present, and Curlews were tending their young near our accommodation. A whale-watching trip gave us excellent views of Long-finned Pilot Whales, while Bluethroats were seen along the tracks. A boat trip revealed thousands of Puffins, and we ended with a fine sighting of a female Elk and her calf.'

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March 2026

'We enjoyed a wonderfully varied journey through Sri Lanka’s most rewarding wildlife habitats, taking in everything from ocean encounters to wetlands, national parks and the island’s last remaining rainforest' writes tour leader Sama Kumara. 'Along the southern coast, we set out early on the Indian Ocean and were rewarded with memorable sightings of Blue Whales and Fin Whales, often in the company of lively pods of Spinner Dolphins and Bottlenose Dolphins, while seabirds and occasional Green Turtles added to the experience.

Inland, the wetlands of Kirala Kele and Bundala offered a rich contrast, with an excellent variety of birdlife including waders, waterfowl, raptors and migrants. Our time in Yala and Lunugamwehera brought classic safari moments, with sightings of Sri Lankan Leopards, herds of Asian Elephants, Golden Jackals and Mugger Crocodiles, while evenings were enlivened by large gatherings of Indian Flying Foxes.

For those continuing to Sinharaja, the dense rainforest revealed its own highlights, with mixed flocks of endemic birds and a fascinating range of other wildlife, providing a memorable finale to a thoroughly enjoyable tour.'

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January 2026

'We enjoyed a remarkable wildlife tour, experiencing an extraordinary variety of natural encounters across some of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated habitats' writes tour leader Jay Jinasena. 'From the prolific birdlife of Anawilundawa Sanctuary to exciting marine excursions off Kalpitiya, we had some unforgettable sightings, including Bryde’s Whale, Whale Shark, a magnificent pod of around 500 Spinner Dolphins, and Oceanic Manta Rays.

During our time in Wilpattu, we were fortunate to enjoy multiple sightings of Sloth Bears, including a mother and cub, along with an elusive female Leopard, impressive bull Elephants, and a rare Black-backed Kingfisher. We also appreciated the lovely mix of birding, marine wildlife and cultural experiences, recording over 150 bird species along the way.

For those who joined the extension, a superb sighting of a Fin Whale mother and calf provided a real highlight. A visit to the historic city of Galle gave us time to relax and reflect, providing a fitting and enjoyable end to a very rewarding tour.’

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June 2026

'We enjoyed a truly special few days in Upper Teesdale, with mild weather, stunning scenery and an exceptional range of wildlife and plants' writes tour leader Steven Gater. 'We were delighted to see almost all of the Teesdale Assemblage plants, apart from a few high-level specialists, and admired the abundance of species in the rich upland hay meadows, where Globeflowers were a particular highlight.

The underlying geology of the dale added greatly to our experience, with the Whin Sill creating dramatic waterfalls and a variety of habitats. We had excellent views of Ring Ouzels and White-throated Dippers, while the area’s breeding waders included Northern Lapwings and Eurasian Curlews. We also encountered both Red Grouse and Black Grouse, adding to the variety of birdlife.

Each of our five days in the field was packed with interest, combining rewarding wildlife observations with magnificent landscapes and great company. It was a memorable tour throughout, leaving us with many highlights and lasting impressions of this remarkable part of northern England.'

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June 2026

'We enjoyed a wonderfully warm and rewarding few days in Northumberland, where the recent heatwave brought perfect conditions for exploring its history and wildlife' writes tour leader Andy Bunten. 'Our programme began at Segedunum, where we climbed the 30-metre viewing tower for a superb overview of the eastern end of Hadrian’s Wall, before enjoying a gentle walk with Bee Orchids, Marsh Orchids and Common Whitethroats adding interest.

The following day we explored the Wall itself after visiting the excellent Roman Army Museum, walking around six miles across the crags with fine views throughout. Along the way, we encountered Common Kestrels, calling Curlews, singing Skylarks, a hunting Weasel and several Northern Wheatears. An evening excursion to woodland and heathland produced a roding Woodcock and a churring Nightjar.

At Geltsdale, we searched for Black Grouse but instead enjoyed more orchids, along with various warblers, Common Buzzards, Lapwings and a fast-flying Peregrine. Our final visits to Housesteads and Chesters Forts were rounded off perfectly by lunch beside the North Tyne, with Wagtails, Common Sandpipers and a Kingfisher providing a fitting finale.'

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