Polar Bears, penguins and everything inbetween………….

Driving up to Birdfair, we always say it’s high summer, but just a few days later, driving home it already feels like autumn. The days are drawing in, the night’s getting colder again. Time to sit back, and enjoy reading our biggest brochure ever, in what is our twentieth year. WildWings groups again have enjoyed many mega bird and wildlife sightings over the last twelve months, from the Arctic to the Antarctic and everywhere inbetween. Many of the superb photos throughout this travel atlas are testament to that, all taken by our clients and leaders or suppliers. Travel with us in 2011 and beyond, and you could add some of your own in future years.

Our selection of ocean voyages has never been better, we really do have all the oceans covered, adding even more new itineraries including The Southern Indian Ocean Islands (Amsterdam Albatross), North Atlantic Odyssey, West African Pelagic and a Search for Spoon-billed Sandpiper in the Russian Far East . New voyages in the Pacific are also being planned for the future. We’ve got Antarctica for Birders covered with Dick Filby being onboard for three fantastic itineraries every season on the Marina Svetaeva. Benefit from our special prices, included pre-cruise hotel and Tierra Del Fuego birding excursion. This includes our ‘ultimate’ Antarctic itinerary, Antarctica, The Falklands and South Georgia. See our February 2010 trip report on the website for just how amazing this voyage can be. You could even win your fare back!

BBC1 will be showing The Frozen Planet on our screens in 2011, watch it on TV and then come experience it with WildWings. Our 2010 Spitsbergen Tour enjoyed 16 Polar Bears, Walrus, Belugas and the full suite of Arctic birds, a fantastic swansong for Tony Marr, who has now sadly retired from tour leading (see page 7).

Two of us are going out on separate recces to Papua New Guinea soon, land of the rainbow birds. No brown jobs for us, our new tour will be announced on our website, in December, with a first planned departure in September 2011.

44 Species of mammal were enjoyed on our most recent Brazil Jaguars tour, including four different Jaguars plus a Puma and cub. We are adding new Mammal Tours to Ecuador, Estonia and increase the emphasis on our classic Poland in Spring tour.

The icebreaker Khlebnikov retires from passenger service in early 2012, goodbye to another era of travel, there are still a few berths available if you wish to experience this unique form of travel, in some of the world’s most desolate and beautiful places.

The subs are back however, with another Operation Titanic now being finalized for 2011, and plans being made for more Undersea Thermal Vents Expeditions in the future.

In spite of continued pressure on the Pound, we have managed to keep many prices the same or even been able to reduce them in some cases. Our ATOL license and ABTA membership continue to give you of mind, in these still economically turbulent times.

To stay in touch, make our website a favourite, or sign up for our new e-news service, which we will use to announce new trips and details of any special offers.

For some of the best memories of your life, do come and join us…….

See you out there

John Brodie-Good
August 2010