Or visit us on the web www.wildlifeworldwide.com79GondarBetween 1632 and 1855 Gondar served as Ethiopia's capital city and it remains one of the country's richest areas in terms of culture, history and natural beauty. There is plenty of Islamic and Christian infl uence in the architecture of the city which is built at around 2,500 metres above sea level. Gondar is also a city noted for its many castles which have been built over a period of 236 years by various emperors.Goha Hotel MIDThe Goha Hotel stands at the crest of a hill with a commanding view of the city of Gondar with its enchanting and mysterious castles. The hotel consists of 60 rooms and four suites.LalibelaLalibela in northern Ethiopia is set 2,600 metres above sea level. It is home to 11 monolithic churches all built in the 12th century, and each hewn from the characteristic pink granite of the area. It is an entire city superbly carved in a unique architectural style and most of the buildings are decorated with well-preserved paintings. Lalibela is considered by many to be one of the wonders of the world.Mountain View Hotel MIDMountain View Hotel is on the edge of the Lasta Mountains. It has magnifi cent panoramic views and is the ideal place from which to enjoy the surrounding countryside. The sunsets from here are particularly stunning.Lake LanganoFreshwater Lake Langano, located in the Rift Valley system, is naturally red in colour. The lake area is rich with wildlife; ibex, monkeys and baboons are all resident here and the birdlife is excellent.Nearby are lakes Abiata and Shalla. The two lakes are very different, Lake Abiata is surrounded by gentle, grass-covered slopes, and swathed in acacia woodland. It is a shallow alkaline lake and pink with thousands of fl amingos that feed on the algae of the windward edge. Large numbers of both greater and lesser fl amingos gather here with white pelicans and a host of other waterbirds. Lake Shalla is mysterious and foreboding, surrounded by steep black cliffs and peaks that refl ect in its deep waters. The lake contains nine small and rarely visited islands, providing breeding grounds for many birds.Sabanna Lodge MIDSabanna Lodge is a collection of attractive cliff-top bungalows each with a beautiful view over Lake Langano and the distant Arsi Mountains. Individually designed to ensure a relaxing and home-like atmosphere, all the bungalows are built with local materials in a simple design. Thatched roofs and large verandahs create ideal conditions for guests to spend tranquil time in the cool afternoon breeze.Bale MountainsThe Bale Mountains form an area of high altitude plateau broken by numerous spectacular volcanic plugs and peaks, beautiful alpine lakes and rushing mountain streams that descend into deep rocky gorges on their way to the lowlands below. The high Sanetti Plateau is home to the world's rarest canid - the Ethiopian wolf. Nearby Harenna Forest is the place to fi nd bushpig, giant forest hog, grey duiker and occasionally lion and leopard. Menelik's bushbuck, mountain nyala and giant mole rat, all endemic to the Bale Mountains, may also be seen.Dinsho Lodge MIDThis is a simple, clean, down-to-earth lodge surrounded by juniper trees and plenty of wildlife.SUGGESTED ITINERARYDay 1 Depart UK for Gondar via Addis Ababa Day 3 Simien Mountains, Simien Lodge, 2-nights. Explore the park looking for Walia ibex (BLD - only dinner included on day two) Day 5 Gondar, Goha Hotel, 1-night. Explore palaces and cultural wonders (BLD) Day 6 Lalibela, Mountain View Hotel, 2-nights. Hike to wonderful churches (BLD) Day 8 Lake Langano, Sabanna Lodge, 2-nights. Relaxing beach and wildlife stay (BLD) Day 10 Depart Addis Ababa for the UK. Day 11 Arrive UK.HIGHLIGHTS OF ETHIOPIAA delightful look at the highlights of Ethiopia - from the world-famous Simien Mountains, to the fascinating culture of Lalibela and, fi nally, a relaxing stay at a Rift Valley resort.TAILOR-MADESUGGESTED ITINERARYDay 1 Depart UK for Gondar via Addis Ababa Day 3 Simien Mountains, Simien Lodge, 2-nights. Explore the park looking for ibex and gelada baboons. (BLD - only dinner included on day two) Day 5 Gondar, Goha Hotel, 1-night. Explore the castles, and natural beauty of Gondar. (BLD) Day 6 Lalibela, Mountain View Hotel, 2-nights. Visit the amazing churches in one of the wonders of the world. (BLD) Day 8 Lake Langano, Sabanna Lodge, 1-night. (BLD) Day 9 Bale Mountains, Dinsho Lodge, 2-nights. An opportunity to seek out the Ethiopian wolf. (BLD) Day 11 Depart Addis Ababa for the UK. Day 12 Arrive UK.WILDLIFE EXTRAVAGANZAThis is a wonderful introduction to the wildlife of Ethiopia and offers the opportunity to see not only all of the country's key wildlife highlights, but a chance to see one of the world's rarest mammals - the Ethiopian wolf. Other species highlights include Menelik's bushbuck and mountain nyala.TAILOR-MADEAFRICA | ETHIOPIADeparture dates Daily, throughout the yearCost per person From £2450 (Jan - Jun, Sep - Nov), £2575 (end Aug, Dec), £2695 (Jul - Aug, Christmas) What's included Flights, transfers, meals as indicated, eight nights hotel accommodation, guided activitiesDeparture dates Daily, throughout the yearCost per person From £ 2535 (Jan - Jun, Sep - Nov), £2665 (end Aug, Dec), £2780 (Jul - Aug, Christmas) What's included Flights, transfers, meals as indicated, nine nights hotel accommodation, guided activities

Finland and Romania are deemed to be two of Europe's premier brown bear locations. The remote forests and mountains of Central Europe are home to half of Europe's brown bear population, plus a third of its wolf and lynx populations. In addition, the Danube Delta is simply teeming with birdlife, fi sh, fl ora and fauna - spotting bears and cruising the delta's channels are two very special wildlife experiences, close to home and affordable.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Fusce in vulputate risus. Pellentesque scelerisque diam nec urna aliquam ut luctus augue scelerisque. Aliquam erat volutpat. Fusce ut ipsum sed odio blandit pretium. Suspendisse lorem tellus. Martinselkonen Wilderness Lodge, Finland MID Martinselkonen Wilderness Lodge is comfortable with 12 twin or double and two single en-suite rooms, a relaxing, communal dining area and saunas. Walking trails lead straight from the lodge. The two hides house nine and ten people, have areas for sleeping and comfortable seating/viewing areas.Elena Guesthouse, Romania MIDElena Guesthouse is a friendly, family-run hotel, beautifully located at the foot of a mountain. It has sound environmental principles; established as a result of the Carpathian Large Carnivore Project. It's a comfortable base for a wildlife holiday, and serves excellent home-cooked food. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Fusce in vulputate risus. Pellentesque scelerisque diam nec urna aliquam ut luctus augue scelerisque. Aliquam erat volutpat. Fusce ut ipsum sed odio blandit pretium. Suspendisse lorem tellus. Danube Delta Apartment, Romania MID In the heart of the Danube Delta, we use a comfortable apartment, which is excellent for birders. Rooms are en-suite and the apartment has balconies for admiring the views and a dining room serving hearty, traditional meals. Bears and birds of Finland and Romania80EuropeTalk to an expert 0845 130 6982In focusThe Brown BearThe brown bear is the largest predator in Finland. The male can grow to be 2.85 metres tall and weigh in at 390 kilograms; females only grow to a little over half that size. Their name is a little misleading: some brown bears can have a creamy colour to their coat, while others are nearly black. They can run at speeds greater than 50 kilometres an hour for short distances and, at slower speeds, can run for several minutes when chasing down food, such as a young caribou. However, while most people see brown bears as voracious meat-eaters, they actually eat both plants and animals - much of their diet is made up of plants, berries and roots.FinlandRomaniaFebruaryThe start of the wolf-tracking season in Romania. March is also a good time to go. Pages 81April The best birdwatching in the Danube Delta begins and continues until the end of October. Pages 81May The bear-watching season starts at the hides in Finland and Romania as the bears come out of hibernation. Pages 80-83