Focussing Forward ...And Appreciating Now!
Hello fellow photographers and adventurers!
I hope you're safely dreaming about your next travels ...be sure that when you're ready, we're ready!
Ready to welcome you back with exciting new destinations, and new measures to protect you & your bookings.
I hope you love the new tours, and look forward to seeing you on safari again soon!
Meanwhile stay well, with all best wishes, Trai
New For This Issue
Exploring Europe
new socially-distanced safaris to Greece, Spain & Finland
Loving Being Close To Home
new socially-distanced one day workshops in Northumberland
Safari Round Up 2021
all scheduled departures (and tailor-made private safaris too)
Book With Peace Of Mind
looking after you and your booking: our Covid Promise & Precautions
We start 2021 with a wonderful mix of new European tours, and first up in mid January is Northern Greece.
Here our primary focus is the resident dalmatian pelican colony, photographing them from a traditional boat on the lake. There are many other birds, including numerous eagles, plus coypu and water buffalo along the scenic lakeshores too. A terrific short winter break that's not just for avid birders!
Back to back with Greece comes Southern Spain and the rarest cat in the world, the Iberian lynx. This is the premier destination for these elusive cats, and our specialist hides give us the best chance to photograph them at their most active time during the mating season in late January. In addition to lynx we will photograph golden eagle, vale and monk vulture, otter, Iberian red deer and a plethora of small mountain birds as well as stunningly beautiful landscapes in the southern Spanish sierras.
Finland is a destination that has been on my wildlife radar for a few years but now is the first time I've had a chance to return, with the northern lights still dancing in my heart! This time bear and wolverine will be our main subjects in the forests of the Russian border zone, keeping an eye out for wolf and golden and white tailed eagles too. We will also try our hand at husky sledding, and of course make a wish for the aurora when we're not in the overnight hides!
Being at home for the longest time I can remember has brought some unexpected delights - dolphins seen playing in the bay outside the house, red squirrels in nearby woods, water voles being re-introduced and having a chance to explore the raw beauty of Northumberland's coastline again.
To celebrate being home I've designed a new one day walking photography workshop on Lindisfarne, Northumberland's Holy Island. It is a treasure trove of natural subjects - flora, fauna and landscapes - and gives us the chance to practice all of our photography skills!
Safari & Workshop RoundUp 2020/21
For details of all my upcoming safaris, workshops & tuition please follow the links
BOOK SAFELY & WITH PEACE OF MIND
The safety of my guests has always been uppermost in my mind, and I have given much thought to appropriate social distancing measures for my safaris.
These will be mandatory for the foreseeable future, though you can still be assured of a wonderfully intimate experience with the wildlife we encounter, as we have experienced on my new one day workshops in Northumberland.
Thank you in advance for complying with the measures below, and for keeping us all safe while we continue to explore new places and enjoy our photography!
OUR COVID PROMISE & PRECAUTIONS
COVID PROMISE
Fairness and flexibility are always our watchwords when it comes to our client experience. Our partner agent Wildlife Trails also understand the financial as well as practical uncertainties our guests face when arranging travel in the time of Covid19, and together we are responding with our Covid Promise:
Wherever possible we will ask for a smaller deposit than usual.
We will also defer the balance payment to as close to departure time as possible.
We will always talk with you before requesting balance payments, to review the latest advice and make sure you are comfortable with all your arrangements for travel.
If not we will offer a comprehensive range of flexible alternative options.
Our clients this year have highly praised our performance, which in terms of fairness, flexibility, transparency and responsiveness has outshone many major companies.
"Such a shame that we are not at Zimanga....hopefully next year!! I have certainly been more than happy with the service from Alan and yourself. Absolutely brilliant."
P Duncan
"We were more than happy with the way and speed that you and Allan dealt with the cancellation and are only sorry we had to go down that route. Hopefully we can arrange something in the future"
J Crook
"The service from yourself and Allan has been great with both of you being very understanding in these difficult times"
J Shield
COVID PRECAUTIONS
Please do not attend the safari if you or your family are showing any symptoms of Covid 19.
- Our safaris will be held well away from crowds and in the wild
- Places are strictly limited for social distancing
- Small hides for 1-3 photographers max
- Participants should isolate if possible for 7 days prior to departure and travel with all possible personal protection
- Please do not greet anyone by shaking hands and avoid physical contact at all times
- Only touch your own photography equipment
- Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth
- Guests are asked to please arrive with your own masks (N95, R95, KN95 or surgical masks) and they must be worn according to WHO safety standards.
- 1m+ distancing will be maintained - Hand sanitiser will be available at all times - Trai will also be wearing gloves when helping with guest cameras
Other than that it will be business as usual with the incredible animals and birds, and of course the most wonderful and creative photographic opportunities!
