Ideas for my next holiday?

[mike.cambridge]

I've spent the last 10 years going on safari as often as possible and absolutely love it - the more basic the better, self drive where I can. I love watching and trying to get decent photos of mammals and birds (mainly the birds now), and normally go in the dry season because I love the arid desert-like feel of the place. I've been lucky enough to get to a few different countries, mainly in Southern Africa where the wildlife and the experiences are **amazing** but pretty similar.

I'm trying to plan a trip for next year and am lacking inspiration... should I go back to somewhere I know and love (Kruger / southern Botswana), somewhere wetter and new to me like the Okavango delta or the rainforests in Burundi / Rwanda, or somewhere completely different like central / southern Americas for birding? Am based in the UK so anywhere is an expensive long haul flight...

Any suggestions gratefully received!!

 

[davholla]

Go to Bolivia - contact https://tucanderatours.com/ and see Jaguars in the Chaco.
You can also see Amazon like wildlife here

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g317031-d12241710-Reviews-CHUCHINI_Amazon_Wildlife_Reserve_Eco_Lodge-Trinidad_Beni_Department.html

Three things
a) you need to use Whatsapp for all communications
b) Although English is not commonly spoken - both these organizations speak English
c) Don't fly to Trinidad - get a bus or private car the flights are very very unreliable.


The cheapest flights are to Santa Cruz - which has interesting wildlife see my flickr for my photos

davholla2002’s albums | Flickr

www.flickr.com

Also Bolivia is one of the safest places in Latin America despite being one of the poorest

 

[mike.cambridge]

that looks amazing!! definitely adding to the list of possibles... Thank you!

 

[davidedric]

Staying with Africa, have you tried Zambia? It's our favourite destination, I think we're into double figures. Self drive is possible, but you would likely be faced with a day or two's long dusty driving.

One option would be a two centre trip based in Lower Zambezi NP and South Luangwa NP, two very different habitats. If you think you might be interested, happy to share some more details.

A very different option. A few years ago we did a birding tour to Costa Rica, an amazing place with many ecosystems contained in a small country - cloud forests to sea scapes, and much else in between

 

[Fordsabroad]

Pangolin "specials" for me (Botswana). They are cheap (ish) and offer plenty of opportunity for photographing birds. They are currently running some on dates from December to March.

 

[SonomaTim]

Check out Costa Rica. If you're into birding you won't be disappointed.

 

[West Coast Birder]

Pangolin "specials" for me (Botswana). They are cheap (ish) and offer plenty of opportunity for photographing birds. They are currently running some on dates from December to March.

Pangolin also posts camera and lens reviews on YouTube. I have found their reviews to be excellent.

 

[mike.cambridge]

thanks all - @davidedric, I've also fallen in love with Zambia and have been a couple of times to Lower Zambezi and Kafue, Lower Zambezi is possibly my favourite place on earth - just incredible. I haven't been to south luangwa though, I'll add it to the list!!

@Fordsabroad and @West Coast Birder, I've done a trip with someone who used to work with Pangolin and loved it and will definitely be doing another one of hers when I can (I did this one - 100% recommend if anyone is looking for a very good value trip to somewhere pretty special! https://dcwildlifephotography.com/package/tuli-photo-safari-2026/ )

Costa Rica looks really interesting too - something else to research!