QWhat is a Tailormade holiday?AWe will help you to develop your ideas anddesign for you the wildlife holiday that bestsuits your interests and requirements.QCan I add a Tailormadeextension to a group tour?AYes ... we are always happy to arrange aTailormade extension.QCan I book a Tailormadeholiday to Europe?AWhen people think of a Tailormade holiday,they often think it only applies to long-haultrips; however, we can arrange a Tailormadewildlife tour to any destination in Europe foryou. We'll book the hire car, accommodation,flights and local guide (if required) for you.We will also provide detailed trip notes andwildlife advice - where to go and what tosee, as well as birdlists/wildlife trip lists.QCan I book without flights?AYes, we are always happy to quote a land-only price for you.QWhy book a Tailormadewildlife holiday withNaturetrek?The largest specialist wildlife tour operator,we offer 24 years' experience of organisingwildlife holidays around the worldBy providing an unrivalled level ofspecialist business to overseas wildlifelodges, tented camps, national parks,reserves and wilderness regions, we canoffer you the best prices!Our unique 'bank' of expert, English-speaking, local wildlife guides - birders,botanists, zoologists and other naturalists- ensures we can offer you a top naturalistguide best suited to your interests. Theirexpertise and personable natures are a keyboth to our success, and the success ofyour holidays with usAs a fully insured, fully bonded ATOLlicence-holder and AITO and IATA member,we offer you complete financial securitythat is NOT offered by overseas suppliersand most hotel and travel websitesOur large office staff of expert wildlife tourconsultants offer a pool of superb worldwidewildlife travel experience and expertiseThat winning combination of expertNaturetrek wildlife travel advice, first classlocal wildlife guiding, and competitiveprices for top wildlife accommodation is our recipe for a first class wildlife holidayTailormadeyour holiday your way!A Calendar of WildlifeIdeas for 2012To help you to plan your natural historyholidays for the year ahead, we've puttogether a calendar of some of the world'stop wildlife events around the world.While Naturetrek operates expert-escorted grouptours to see all of the wildlife spectaclesmentioned below, you may prefer to travelprivately, with your own family, friends or wildlifegroup, and to develop your own bespokeitinerary with our help . using our newTailormade service.WildlifeCalendar.Costa Rica, Panama & Belize- Whatbetter time to escape the cold and gloom athome, and enjoy Central America's birdlife- augmented by migrant 'winter' visitorsfrom North America - in a sunny, tropicalclimate!February.Nepal- The grasslands are traditionally cut in Nepal's national parks in early February, making late February and early March the prime time for mammal-viewing as elusive ungulatesemerge from the forest to feed on the new shoots, stalked by predators. Withwintering birds at their peak, and earlymigrants and summer visitors arriving, this is a great time to visit.India for Tigers- By February watersources and vegetation are dwindling andgame-viewing conditions are at their peak(until April) - the best time to see Tigersand other mammals!.Snow Leopards in India- Ladakh'sSnow Leopards descend in search of prey inmidwinter, giving us a chance to see thiselusive species.Morocco- The perfect short-haul escape from the British winter. Desert birds and incoming summer visitors are a highlight .Spain's Wallcreepers & Cranes-Visit the capital of 'wintering Wallcreepers'and enjoy the spectacle of 50,000 Common Cranes.Mexico's Monarchs- Experience the unique spectacle of up to 600 millionover-wintering Monarch butterflies!January.Tanzania- Two million Wildebeest migrateback south into the Serengeti, where theycalve at the end of January and in February(the perfect time for a visit to experience oneof the world's greatest wildlife spectacles) .South Africa & New Zealand- Theperfect month in which to enjoy thespectacular alpine flora of South Africa'sstunning Drakensberg Mountains or NewZealand's Southern Alps 24Spectacled Bear, Peru

March.Grey & Blue Whales, Baja California- Baja is world famous for its 'friendly' Grey Whales, and is arguably the ultimatedestination for those wanting to see BlueWhales. In February and March the cetacean-rich waters of Baja and thelegendary Sea of Cortez host these iconicwhales as well as many other marinemammals and seabirds.Blue Whales, Sri Lanka- In March and April, Blue Whales can be seen close to the south coast of Sri Lanka. Combinewhale-watching offshore with searching for Leopards in Yala National Park or looking for Sri Lanka's endemic and otherbirdlife inland, such as the newly discovered Serendip Scops Owl in Sinharaja Forest.Cyprus, Jordan, Morocco & Tunisia-Spring arrives early in these more southernregions offering the birder and botanist arewarding early breakApril.India's Tigers- Last chance for Tigers! India is very hot at this time, but the early morning and evening game-viewing and birdwatching (with summervisitors in full song!) is at its best ... andtherefore maximises the chance of Tiger sightings.Nepal- With snows clearing in themountains, rhododendrons and numerousother shrubs and flowers bursting into bloom,and the breeding season commencing, Aprilto June offers the naturalist the mostrewarding months for Himalayan trekking.Morocco & Jordan- Spring migration isat its peak, and all of Morocco's north African,and Jordan's Middle Eastern specialities andsummer visitors are in full songMay.Europe- Across all the Mediterraneancountries, the period from the end of April toearly May offers a short window when theregion's lowland flora (especially the orchids)and birdlife are at their best .Bhutan, Georgia & Kazakhstan-Three special mountain destinations, popular with Naturetrek clients, whose special floras and birdlife reveal themselvesonce the winter snows have melted andspring arrives in May.Canada- As the snows clear fromCanada's Pacific North-west, Grizzlies andBlack Bears emerge from hibernation to feedon new shoots, mothers often accompaniedby newborn cubs!June.Europe- In the hay meadows and alpinepastures of the Alps, Dolomites, Carpathians,Pyrenees, Picos and other mountain ranges,the flora, and the butterflies it supports, offermost to the naturalist during June and July.China's Yunnan & Sichuan provinces,and the Tien Shan in Kazakhstan-Three long-haul destinations that are a 'must'for all botanists at this time.Brown Bears in Finland & Sweden-From May until August, Brown Bears maymost easily be observed from hides, whilstlong hours of daylight benefit the observer!July.Jaguars in Brazil- We head to thePantanal, where Jaguar numbers areprobably higher than anywhere else on Earth,and where, during the dry months of Juneand July, we have the best chance of seeingthis elusive cat.Spitsbergen- As the ice melts,concentrating Polar Bear numbers, and theheight of the breeding season shows seabirdcolonies at their peak, this is the month forthe keen naturalist to visit the unique Arcticisland of Spitsbergen.Kenya- Two million Wildebeest migrateback north into the Masai Mara from theSerengeti in search of fresh pastures. They areaccompanied by other game, and pursued bypredators. Their crossing of the Mara Riverprovides a particularly exciting challenge!August.Europe- High summer across Europe is theperfect time for butterflies and dragonflies,while bird numbers are swollen as a result ofthe breeding season and the southboundpassage of migrants, especially waders.Sweden & Finland's Bears- This is thetime to visit, and watch Brown Bears, if youare keen to avoid the midges and mossies forwhich Scandinavia is renowned.Whales & Dolphins- A great time forcetaceans in North America. Our tours toMonterey Bay, Boston and Canada all offergood chances of Humpback, Orca and awide range of other species, including BlueWhale in Monterey BaySeptember.Wild Flowers in South Africa &Western Australia- This is the month inwhich to enjoy the astonishing and uniquespectacles of wild flowers in these twoSouthern Hemisphere botanical hotspots .Canada's Bears- Orcas, Grey Whalesand congregations of Grizzly Bears fishing forsalmon - it doesn't get any better than thisin the wilderness of British Columbia .Whales & Dolphins in Spain- Closerto home, this is a good time to ventureoffshore to search for the wide range ofwhales and dolphins that can be seen offGibraltar and Tarifa, in SpainOctober.Hungary- Enjoy the spectacle of up to60,000 migrating Cranes at the HortobágyNational Park, plus other migrants, wildlfowl,raptors and Great Bustard.Peru- This is a perfect time for birding inManu's cloudforest, where the world's mostphotogenic (and only flash-habituated) Cock-of-the-rocks may be seen lekking. Combinethis with a visit to Machu Picchu and themacaw clay-licks at the end of the dry season(early booking essential to secure limited IncaTrail permits).Southern Africa (Zambia, Botswana,Namibia, South Africa & Zambia)-Combine spring in the Cape (and SouthernRight Whales) with the end of the 'dry season'elsewhere, when sparse vegetation andlimited water holes guarantee the bestconcentrations of game and predators.Seasonal visiting birds from the north also arriveNovember.Australia, Tasmania, NZ, theFalklands (& other southern regions)- The southern spring arrives; the perfecttime for the visiting naturalist.Crete & the Peloponnese- The firstautumn rains bring out a profusion of wildcrocuses, other bulbs, and delicate autumnflowers.Ethiopia- Perfect weather conditionsfollowing the long summer rainy season, andthe influx of wintering birds from the northernhemisphere, make this the perfect month fora wildlife and/or cultural visit.India- Clear and dry post-monsoonweather sees the re-opening of India'sfabulous National Parks and Tiger Reserves.Nepal- Clear post-monsoon skies offerspectacular Himalayan panoramas, perfecttrekking conditions, and ideal temperatures.Perfect for the photographer!.Venezuela & Ecuador- The arrival ofmigrant birds from North America enhancesthe birding experience, whilst pleasantlyvaried weather conditions (with a little morecloud cover) make conditions perfect forbirders and feeding birds alike!December.Galápagos- The Galápagos is a year-rounddestination, but for those who like to snorkel, orwho suffer from seasickness, the seas are nowcalmer and warmer. Book early to secure thevessel and flights of your choice though.Zambia- The 'green season' gets underway, offering clear air, lush vegetation andscenery, the breeding time for many birds(when weavers, widowbirds and others sporttheir fabuous breeding plumages), and whensuch elusive animals as African Wild Dogs aremost likely to be seen in South LuangwaNational Park. This is 'Africa with a difference'- the favourite season of many AfricaafficionadosExpert:Rajan JollySpecialism: India, Nepal & Bhutanrajan@naturetrek.co.ukAsiaExpert:Paul StanburySpecialism: Africa, Cruises &Eastern Europepaul@naturetrek.co.ukAfrica & CruisesExpert:Andy TuckerSpecialism: South America &Western Europeandy@naturetrek.co.ukSouth America & EuropeExpert:Maryanne MillsSpecialism: Australia & New Zealandmaryanne@naturetrek.co.ukAustralasiaCall: 01962 733051Our experts25